In many Zygoptera spp, 9 9 occur in different colour morphs, with one morph coloured like the d (andromorph), while the others are not (gynomorph). Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain frequency-dependent harassment of 9 morphs. According to the first, 6 d should prefer the more frequent of the 2 9 morphs (learned-mate recognition hypothesis). According to the second, d 6 should prefer andromorphs more if their frequency relative to d d increases, but not so for gynomorphs which always should be attempted to mate with on encounter (mimicry hypothesis). Here, it is reported on a re-analysis of earlier published data on morph-specific harassment for I. elegans, which allows examination of the 2 proposed hypotheses. The data were collected in 8 insectaries with different ratios of d d and 9 morphs. As reported earlier, d harassment is highest on the most common 9 morph supporting the learned-mate recognition hypothesis. The ratio of andromorphs to d d had no morph-specific effects in amounts of d harassment, wherefore the data suggest rejection of the mimicry hypothesis.

Odonatologica

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Societas Internationalis Odonatologica

H. Van Gossum, L. De Bruyn, & R. Stoks. (2005). Male harassment on female colour morphs in Ischnura elegans (Vander Linden): testing two frequency-dependent hypotheses (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica, 34(4), 407–414.