01561nas a2200121   4500008004100000245011000041210006900151300001100220490000800231520113600239100002001375856004401395       2002                        eng d00aDiversity of Anisoptera (Odonata): infering speciation processes from patterns of morphological diversity0 aDiversity of Anisoptera Odonata infering speciation processes fr  a355-650 v1053 aWith roughly 2500 described species Anisoptera are among the species-poor suborders within insects. However, morphological and ecological variability are truly impressive. Anisoptera are classified into about 15 families of variable species richness. In this analysis phylogenetic research is integrated with comparative approaches to investigate possible explanations of differential speciation rates within this suborder. A short review of phylogenetic work based on morphological characters is compared to published molecular phylogenies. Sistergroup comparisons are used to elucidate whether a) sexual selection, b) duration of life cycles, or c) differentiation in body size, have had a detectable effect on speciation rate. In all three analyses effects of distributional range and latitudinal distribution were controlled. These analyses suggest sexual selection promotes speciation and an increase in body size is positively correlated with speciation rate. The evolutionary significance of these results is discussed and experimental approaches that should advance our understanding of anisopteran diversity are suggested.1 aMisof, Bernhard  uhttps://odonatas.myspecies.info/node/6401492nas a2200133   4500008004100000245012400041210006900165300001100234490000800245520101800253100002301271700002001294856004401314       2007                        eng d00aMechanical properties of the endophytic ovipositor in damselflies (Zygoptera, Odonata) and their oviposition substrates0 aMechanical properties of the endophytic ovipositor in damselflie  a167-750 v1103 aDamselfly females use their ovipositor valves to saw aquatic plants in order to insert their eggs into the plant tissues. Stiffness of the plant substrata is therefore an important parameter for oviposition substrate choice by females. Using a force transducer combined with a motorised micromanipulator, the bending stiffness of the ovipositor at the axial compressional load was studied in seven European damselfly species and compared to the local stiffness of seven preferred plant substrates. The puncture force of tested plant samples ranged from 105 to 1500 mN, and their local stiffness ranged from 208 to 1776 N/m. The bending stiffness of the ovipositor was estimated as 173-409 N/m depending on the damselfly species. Using original and literature data, a significant positive correlation between mechanical properties of the ovipositor and preferred oviposition substrates was demonstrated. Possible behavioural adaptations to overcome high stiffness of plant tissues during oviposition are discussed.1 aMatushkina, Nataly1 aGorb, Stanislav  uhttps://odonatas.myspecies.info/node/43