Territoriality in odonates

Within odonates, male mating patterns range from active mate search to long-term territorial defence of oviposition sites. In territorial species, males may use three mating tactics or strategies that may be determined environmentally or genetically: territoriality, non-territoriality, or reversible switches between the two. The tactic exhibited by a male in any given case is determined by the cost/bene t ratio of territorial and non-territorial behaviours. The main bene t of territoriality is increased access to females; costs may accumulate due, for example, to predation, injuries, and/or energy loss due to territorial contests. The density of both males and females, as well as the sex ratio at breeding sites, contribute to the costs and bene ts of each tactic. Interspeci c aggression by heterospeci c males may also in= uence the pro tability of these tactics. 16-Cordoba-Chap16.indd 203 3/10/2008 4:45:39 PM Ta bl e 16 .1 C or re la te s of c on te st o ut co m e su cc es s in m al e od on at e te rr ito ria l d isp ut es . Sp ec ie s D es cr ip ti on o f in te ra ct io n So ur ce Ag e Ca lo pt er yx m ac ul at a W in ne rs y ou ng er th an lo se rs , t er rit or ia l m al es y ou ng er th an n on -t er rit or ia l o ne s Fo rs yt h an d M on tg om er ie 1 98 7; F itz st ep he ns