Bridging Micro- and Macroevolution in an Old Insect Order
Explore a comprehensive lecture on bridging micro- and macroevolution in the ancient insect order Odonata. Delve into the evolution of body size, stasis, macroevolutionary constraints, and changing latitude-body size relationships over time. Examine the impact of birds on large odonates in the tropics and investigate sexual selection in these insects. Focus on the common bluetail damselfly Ischnura elegans to understand sexual conflict, frequency-dependent selection, and female color polymorphisms. Learn about ontogeny of color development, geographic clines in androchrome female frequencies, and phylogenetic hypotheses for the origin and evolution of female color polymorphisms. Discover how high-density, open habitats promote female polymorphisms and gain insights into the interplay between micro- and macroevolutionary processes in this fascinating insect order.