Original paper
Multi-Annual Cycles in Populations of Ischnura e. elegans Induced by Crowding and Mediated by Sexual Aggression (Odonata: Coenagrionidae )
Hinnekint, Benno O. N; Dumont, Henri J
Entomologia Generalis Volume 14 Number 3-4 (1989), p. 161 - 166
22 references
published: Jul 27, 1989
DOI: 10.1127/entom.gen/14/1989/161
ArtNo. ESP146001403008, Price: 9.90 €
Abstract
A re-analysis of published female mating frequencies in mature and immature Ischnura e. elegans (Vander Linden 1820) shows that male sexual aggression varies with crowding, young mature males driving away immature and old males and females from the edges of ponds. This effect is more pronounced in females, heteromorphs and immatures, and generates a male-biased sexually active population near the water, where newly matured males form the dominant fraction. - It is hypothesised that density dependant male aggression is one of the driving forces beyond the existing hyperfine effect causing a pluriannual population cycle. Below a certain population density threshold, there is a constant minimum "basic" sexual aggression. Above the threshold, the sexual harassment that causes the fall of overall mating frequency causes a steep increase of the frequency of matings involving immature females. At peak population density general aggression disappears, and sexual aggression drops back to its base level.
Keywords
Distribution pattern • Odonata • sexual aggressivity • population density • multiannual population cycle