The macrophyte, Stratiotes aloides, protects larvae of dragonfly Aeshna viridis against fish predation |
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Authors: | Markus J. Rantala Jari Ilmonen Jani Koskimäki Jukka Suhonen Katja Tynkkynen |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Biological and Enviromental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, FIN-40014, University of Jyväskylä, Finland;(2) Present address: Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;(3) Present address: Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FIN-00251 Helsinki, Finland |
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Abstract: | Predation could be one force determining which contemporary species occupy a certain habitat. Aeshna viridis is an endangered dragonfly species with a larval distribution strongly associated with lakes where the water plant, water soldier, Stratiotes aloides, occurs. In this study, the larvae were almost exclusively found in patches of S. aloides. To study larval association with S. aloides further, we conducted a series of laboratory experiments. Behavioural experiments indicated that larvae preferred S. aloides. Aeshna viridis larvae were nocturnal and rather inactive. Larvae on S. aloides were less susceptible to predation by the perch, Perca fluviatilis, than larvae on another water plant, Myriophyllum alterniflorum. According to our study it seems that occurrence of S. aloides may limit the distribution of A. viridis, and the protection of refuges may be essential in planning the conservation of this endangered species. |
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Keywords: | Myriophyllum alterniflorum Odonata Perca fluviatilis Perch Rare species Refuge |
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