Evolution and Biogeographic History of Rubyspot Damselflies (Hetaerininae: Calopterygidae: Odonata)

The damselflies Hetaerininae, a subfamily of Calopterygidae, comprise four genera distributed from North to South America: Hetaerina, Mnesarete, Ormenophlebia and Bryoplathanon. While several studies have focused on the intriguing behavioral morphological modifications within little evolutionary history group is well understood. Understanding biogeographical Hetaerininae further complicated by uncertainty in important geological events, such as closure Central American Seaway (CAS). We generated phylogenetic hypothesis test relationships divergence times using IQtree BEAST2 found that Mnesarete render Hetaerina paraphyletic. Reclassification necessary based our results. also tested fit dataset two different hypotheses for CAS. Our results supported gradual closure, starting Oligocene ending Pliocene. Using Ancestral Character State Reconstruction, we rubyspot, which associated with higher fecundity species, was ancestral subsequently lost times. Estimates diversification association rubyspot are needed understand plasticity this character. Forest habitat state transitions generalist species primarily Mesoamerican region. These add understanding relationship between morphology, biogeography charismatic damselflies.