Studies on the Reproductive Behaviour of Ischnura nursei Morton (Odonata: Insecta) at Asan Reservoir, District Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Author(s): Gaurav Sharma

The reproductive behaviour of Ischnura nursei Morton was studied four times at
Asan Reservoir, District Dehradun, Uttarakhand during June-July, 2019. Courtship is well marked
and male demonstrate a circular territory with a radius of about 0.5-1 meter and defended it from
the intruding intra or some inter specific male by warning signals like wing vibration or abdomen
raising. As female entered into the territory, the male starts following her and forms a tandem link,
catching hold of her prothorax by his anal appendages. The before wheel tandem lasted for 5-8
minutes and during this period intramale sperm translocation from the gonopore to the vesicular
spermalis took place 2-3 times of 30-50 seconds duration. The courtship wheel lasts for about 6-
10 minutes and is performed of perching on vegetation near the reservoir. After wheel tandem
lasted for 5-8 minutes. Oviposition is endophytic among the aquatic vegetation and lasts for 7-12
minutes. The female in tandem climbs down underwater and uses her ovipositor to deposit eggs
in the submerged vegetation. During oviposition the male in tandem and after release of grip
hovers around the female, to defend her from intruding intra or inter specific males. The duration
of reproductive behaviour lasts for 22-38 minutes.

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