Calopteryx maculata, Palisot de Beauvois, 1807

Herhold, Hollister W, Davis, Steven R, Degrey, Samuel P & Grimaldi, David A, 2023, COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF THE INSECT TRACHEAL SYSTEM PART 1: INTRODUCTION, APTERYGOTES, PALEOPTERA, POLYNEOPTERA, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 459 (1), pp. 1-184 : 1-184

Calopteryx maculata

“Ebony jewelwing”

Figures 38 , 39 (lateral, anterior, posterior), 40 (dorsal), 41 (ventral)

Plates 21 (lateral), 22 (dorsal), 23 (ventral)

A single damselfly was scanned at 19 µm, which should have been sufficient to capture details of abdominal tracheae; however, this specimen was frozen to -20° C early in the study. As small tracheae were likely infilled, this specimen is not described in detail, but three-dimensional models are included in the online supplementary digital data.

The thoracic tracheae appear to be very similar to the aeshnid, along with extensive air sacs.

62 BULLETIN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY NO. 459

It is unclear whether there are four paired abdominal trunks as in the dragonfly, but it seems likely. Further studies should focus on Zygoptera in addition to more dragonfly specimens to verify and solidify tracheal patterns in the flight motor and abdomen.

Figures

FIGURE 38. Calopterygidae anterolateral view.

FIGURE 39. Calopterygidae posterolateral view.

FIGURE 40. Calopterygidae dorsal.

FIGURE 41. Calopterygidae ventral.