Phenotypic plasticity in a population of odonates

Abstract

The maintenance of phenotypic plasticity within a species ensures survival through environmental flux. Plastic strategies are increasingly important given the number and magnitude of modern anthropogenic threats to the environment. We tested for phenotypic plasticity in the odonate Argia vivida in response to resource limitation. By limiting food availability, effectively inducing hunger, we were able to quantify shifts in agonistic behavior during intraspecific interactions. Scoring behavior in one-on-one combat trials after 1 and 4 days without food revealed phenotypic plasticity. Three classes of genotypes were identified, genotypes exhibiting either increased aggression, decreased aggression, or no phenotypic plasticity, in response to resource limitation. The variable plastic strategies in this population of odonates likely aids in maintaining fitness in fluctuating environments.

Figure 1

Reaction norm plot for aggression in response to changes in the duration of starvation. Individual lines represent each genotype examined in the study. Solid lines indicate genotypes that displayed a significant change in aggression across starvation treatments. Dashed lines indicate genotypes that did not display a significant change in aggression across starvation treatments.