6533b7d3fe1ef96bd1260998

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Impact of landscape on spatial genetic structure and diversity ofCoenagrion mercuriale(Zygoptera:Coenagrionidae) in northern France

subject

description

AbstractLoss and fragmentation of habitat is a current main cause of biodiversity loss in freshwater habitats. Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) depend on these habitats to complete their development. Fragmentation may be a particular threat for odonates because it generates a network of small habitat patches within which populations could suffer from isolation and loss of genetic diversity. The southern damselfly Coenagrion mercuriale is categorized on the IUCN red list as Near Threatened, largely because of population fragmentation and demographic declines associated with changes in land use. Small populations at the margin of this species’ range are of particular concern because they would be prone to detrimental effects of habitat fragmentation if this species were a poor disperser. We sampled C. mercuriale in 16 habitat patches (localities) at 4 main sites in the department of Pas-de-Calais in northwestern France to quantify factors that affect dispersal and genetic diversity. Specimens were gen...