Global macrophysiology and biogeography of dragonflies and damselflies in a changing world

Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are a powerful model for studying the ecological and evolutionary forces shaping insect diversity under climate change. Here, I synthesize recent advances that integrate global analyses of species richness, range size, body size, and conservation risk within an ecophysiological framework. By combining distribution data from monitoring and citizen science with trait-based and phylogenetic approaches, these studies reveal mechanisms driving diversity patterns and highlight promising directions for future research.

Our global assessment of environmental drivers of odonate diversity emphasizes the roles of temperature and productivity in shaping species richness. However, habitat stability and dispersal dynamics strongly influence these patterns, underscoring the importance of adaptations to fluctuating climates. Lentic species are more species-rich in seasonal and unstable environments and tend to have broader ranges than lotic species. These contrasting responses reflect traits like dispersal ability and physiological demands, which often have strong phylogenetic signals. As a result, lotic species—especially in tropical and high-elevation regions—have narrower niches and are more constrained by thermal limits, indicating greater vulnerability to climate change and habitat fragmentation. Body size variation further supports the role of conserved traits linked to temperature and productivity in shaping global patterns. These ecophysiological insights move us toward a mechanistic understanding of distributional and compositional changes under global warming.

Building on this foundation, key research priorities include improving predictive models, expanding trait data, and fostering global collaboration. With uniquely rich information on their physiology, dispersal, and evolutionary history, Odonata are well positioned to serve as a flagship group for understanding global drivers and threats to insect biodiversity in the Anthropocene.

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