Variation in fluctuating asymmetry among nine damselfly species

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), measured as random deviations from bilateral symmetry, likely results from developmental disturbances by internal or environmental stresses. However, comparisons of FA in single damselfly species (Odonata: suborder Zygoptera) from stressed environments have often been inconclusive. We measured levels of FA among multiple species of damselflies from the same environment to determine the relative roles of environmental stress and species-specific developmental instability. Damselflies of nine species were collected from a central Texas wetland. Calculations of their FA were based on cell counts of four clearly defined areas (venation patterns) in fore and hind wings. Significant FA of venation occurred in both sexes, both wing positions, and in each of four venation patterns of all nine species. Levels of FA were not significantly different between sexes or between wing positions for any of the nine species. However, FA varied significantly among the four venation patterns. Patterns with lowest mean cell counts had significantly higher FA than the other patterns, despite scaling to remove size bias. More broadly, a three-fold difference in overall FA occurred among the nine species and was not correlated with species mean weight or abdomen length. The wide range of FA levels among multiple species in the same environment calls for caution in designing studies that select a single species expected to be sensitive to environmental stress. Future research must examine the relative roles of species-specific predispositions for FA from internal genetic stresses as well as external stressors.