Rising Temperatures and the Damselfly Shrinkage

Abstract: Body size governs how temperature affects an organism. As temperature vary on different geographical scales, it mediates activity based on size. How does temperature distribute different sized individuals - and what reproductive fitness follow? This study involves the damselfly Enallagma exsulans and field studies at lake Fayetteville, United States. By measuring body length, temperature, copulatory status, and egg counts, I perform regression analysis to determine the fitness implications of varying temperature. Smaller individuals manage to stay active at higher temperatures, they mate at a higher rate, and they generate more eggs. My study contrasts previous research and highlights both the relevance and complexity of specificity when connecting temperature to fitness.