Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) as a bridge between ecology and evolutionary genomics
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Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) as a bridge between ecology and evolutionary genomics Seth Bybee1* , Alex Córdoba-Aguilar2, M. Catherine Duryea3, Ryo Futahashi4, Bengt Hansson3, M. Olalla Lorenzo-Carballa5, Ruud Schilder6, Robby Stoks7, Anton Suvorov8, Erik I. Svensson3, Janne Swaegers7, Yuma Takahashi9, Phillip C. Watts10 and Maren Wellenreuther3,11
Abstract Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) present an unparalleled insect model to integrate evolutionary genomics with ecology for the study of insect evolution. Key features of Odonata include their ancient phylogenetic position, extensive phenotypic and ecological diversity, several unique evolutionary innovations, ease of study in the wild and usefulness as bioindicators for freshwater ecosystems worldwide. In this review, we synthesize studies on the evolution, ecology and physiology of odonates, highlighting those areas where the integration of ecology with genomics would yield significant insights into the evolutionary processes that would not be gained easily by working on other animal groups. We argue that the unique features of this group combined with their complex life cycle, flight behaviour, diversity in ecological niches and their sensitivity to anthropogenic change make odonates a promising and fruitful taxon for genomics focused research. Future areas of research that deserve increased attention are also briefly outlined. Keywords: NGS, Ancient insects, Complex life cycle, Naiad, Climate change, Polymorphism, Flight, Ecological Genomics
Background With more than 1,000,000 species described and an estimated 5,000,000 extant species, insects represent the most diverse animal taxon on Earth [1, 2]. They inhabit key roles as herbivores, pollinators, seed dispersers, predators, detritivores and vectors, thereby contributing to the core biological foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems [3, 4]. Insects are also of exceptional economic importance as providers of essential ecosystem services (e.g. global economic value of US$153 billion of insect pollination in 2005, [5]), pests in agricultural landscapes (e.g. annual control of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella costs US$4–5 billion, [6]) and as vectors of diseases affecting humans (e.g. malaria control costs ~ US$12 billion annually, Centre for Disease Control).
* Correspondence: [email protected] Seth Bybee, Phillip Watts and Maren Wellenreuther are Senior authors 1 Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84606, USA Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) represent a species rich, yet tractable (~6000 described species, [7]) insect order, which encompasses two main suborders, Anisoptera (dragonflies) and Zygoptera (damselflies). The former are generally larger and alight with their wings held out to the sides, while damselflies have slender bodies, and generally hold their wings over the abdomen when at rest. Here we will use the term odonate as the inclusive terms when referring to both subo
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