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Seasonal variation in dragonfly assemblage colouration suggests a link between thermal melanism and phenology

Author

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  • Roberto Novella-Fernandez

    (Technical University of Munich, Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences)

  • Roland Brandl

    (Philipps‐University Marburg)

  • Stefan Pinkert

    (Philipps-Universität Marburg)

  • Dirk Zeuss

    (Philipps-Universität Marburg)

  • Christian Hof

    (Technical University of Munich, Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences
    Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg)

Abstract

Phenology, the seasonal timing of life events, is an essential component of diversity patterns. However, the mechanisms involved are complex and understudied. Body colour may be an important factor, because dark-bodied species absorb more solar radiation, which is predicted by the Thermal Melanism Hypothesis to enable them to thermoregulate successfully in cooler temperatures. Here we show that colour lightness of dragonfly assemblages varies in response to seasonal changes in solar radiation, with darker early- and late-season assemblages and lighter mid-season assemblages. This finding suggests a link between colour-based thermoregulation and insect phenology. We also show that the phenological pattern of dragonfly colour lightness advanced over the last decades. We suggest that changing seasonal temperature patterns due to global warming together with the static nature of solar radiation may drive dragonfly flight periods to suboptimal seasonal conditions. Our findings open a research avenue for a more mechanistic understanding of phenology and spatio-phenological impacts of climate warming on insects.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Novella-Fernandez & Roland Brandl & Stefan Pinkert & Dirk Zeuss & Christian Hof, 2023. "Seasonal variation in dragonfly assemblage colouration suggests a link between thermal melanism and phenology," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-44106-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44106-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeremy M. Cohen & Marc J. Lajeunesse & Jason R. Rohr, 2018. "A global synthesis of animal phenological responses to climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(3), pages 224-228, March.
    2. Jeremy M. Cohen & Marc J. Lajeunesse & Jason R. Rohr, 2018. "Publisher Correction: A global synthesis of animal phenological responses to climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(3), pages 258-258, March.
    3. Stephen J. Thackeray & Peter A. Henrys & Deborah Hemming & James R. Bell & Marc S. Botham & Sarah Burthe & Pierre Helaouet & David G. Johns & Ian D. Jones & David I. Leech & Eleanor B. Mackay & Dario , 2016. "Phenological sensitivity to climate across taxa and trophic levels," Nature, Nature, vol. 535(7611), pages 241-245, July.
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