Habitat selection in the larvae of two species of Zygoptera (Odonata): biotic interactions and abiotic limitation

Field and laboratory experiments were set up to obtain data on the reasons for different habitat selection of Enallagma cyathigerum and Platycnemis pennipes. (1) Rearing of larvae in two different ponds showed that while P. pennipes was not able to survive conditions of low oxygen content, 50% of the E. cyathigerum larvae survived. (2) In field predation experiments with sticklebacks and dragonflies as predators, we found that E. cyathigerum suffered highest predation by the fish. In P. pennipes, mortality was highest with Anax imperator. (3) Experiments regarding larval behaviour showed that E. cyathigerum was generally more active and had higher foraging success than P. pennipes. Both species reduced activity in the presence of fish, but E. cyathigerum did so to a minor extent. In contrast to P. pennipes, E. cyathigerum showed escaping behaviour. (4) In the laboratory, the growth of E. cyathigerum was faster than that of P. pennipes.