Volume 29, 2026

Intraspecific rather than interspecific drivers of female-limited polymorphism in Calopteryx splendens (Odonata: Calopterygidae)

Female-limited colour polymorphism is widespread in Odonata, particularly in the Coenagrionidae, where it is determined by simple Mendelian inheritance. In contrast, female-limited colour polymorphism in Calopterygidae is restricted to some populations of the Palaearctic Calopteryx splendens complex, whose males have blue-spotted wings and females occur either as gynochromes with transparent wings or as androchromes with dark brown-spotted wings.