Abnormal tarsi in a population of Amphiagrion saucium (Burmeister) from Quebec, Canada (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

A population of A. saucium breeding in a seepage area near Sand Hill, Quebec was examined for tarsal abnormalities. A total of 107 individuals were captured (37 had one or more legs with abnormal tarsi) and these yielded 593 intact tarsi of which 46 (7.8%) were abnormal. Most of these abnormalities [40/46 (87%)] consisted of a two-segmented tarsus (segments I and 3) with segment 3 terminating in a single non-articulated claw. Contingency table analysis (x!) indicated no significant tendency for tarsal abnormalities to predominate in one sex or thoracic part.