Genomic insights into micro- and macro-evolutionary processes in Odonata

Abstract

Abstract Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) present an unparalleled insect system for investigating biodiversity impacts of environmental change because of their ease of sampling, occupation of environmental gradients, and rapid movement dynamics. In addition, due to their ancient phylogenetic position, research into this order provides fundamental insights into key evolutionary processes such as the evolution of flight, vision, and sexual behavior. The chapter investigates how emerging genomics-based studies have provided novel insights into micro-and macro-evolutionary processes, namely: 1) movement dynamics; 2) local adaptation; and 3) species boundaries. It covers how genomic studies are starting to reveal the micro- and macro-evolutionary processes that underpin form and function in this order. It concludes that future work needs to taxonomically and geographically broaden the species investigated to capture the full extent of diversity in this order, and to enable comparative work.