Investigations of fluctuating asymmetry and mating success in the damselfly Calopteryx maculata.

Abstract

Fluctuating asymmetry is an index of developmental stability in animals and can increase due to genomic or environmental stresses. A detailed morphological study of Calopteryx maculata shows that females are significantly larger than males, but do not have significantly different FA. Several studies [of] non-territorial damselflies show that an increase in FA reduces mating success. In the territorial damselfly Calopteryx maculata, FA of a population was not linked to mating success. When comparing female choice of neighboring males, though, more symmetrical males have higher mating success. This suggests that FA may be a factor in female choice, but other factors such as territory quality may have a greater influence on female mate choice.