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From Water to Air: Thermal Strategies of Erythrodiplax abjecta Throughout Its Life
* 1 , * 1 , 1, 2 , 1
1  Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas
2  Uniwersytet Jagiellonski w Krakowie Wydzial Biologii i Nauk o Ziemi: Cracovia, PL
Academic Editor: Kristopher Giles

Abstract:

Thermoregulation in dragonflies is a key physiological process that influences their ecological performance and behavior. While adults can employ active thermal regulation strategies, larvae rely more on water temperature. In this study, we analyzed the thermal relationship of adult and larval individuals of Erythrodiplax abjecta to assess how their body temperature varies in response to environmental variables. To measure temperature in adults, individuals were captured using an entomological net and held ventrally with forceps. Body temperature (Tb) was recorded in the thorax (Tth), abdomen (Tab), and head (Th). A MAX6675 sensor with a type K thermocouple (±1.0°C) was used, operated via software based on an ARDUINO NANO, registering thermal values in real time every second. In the case of larvae, both water temperature and body temperature were measured. Adults exhibited a variable thermal pattern throughout the day, with temperature peaks around midday, showing a stronger correlation with solar radiation temperature. Thoracic temperature was consistently higher than that of the abdomen and head, suggesting a possible differential thermal control. In contrast, larvae displayed a close thermal coupling with water temperature, with minimal differences compared to the ambient temperature. Preliminary results indicate that Erythrodiplax abjecta employs distinct thermal strategies depending on its developmental stage. Adults actively regulate their temperature, whereas larvae rely mainly on the aquatic environment. These findings contribute to the understanding of thermal physiology in odonates and their responses to changing environmental conditions.

Keywords: Thermal biology, Dragonfly, Ecophysiology, Thermoregulation
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