Cues for territory choice in two tropical dragonflies

Classifications in mate systems of Odonata are generally based in the male ability to control the female access to oviposition resources. In this paper we discuss the criteria for male territory selection in the dragonflies Perithemis mooma Kirby and Orthemis discolor (Burmeister) (Libellulidae), in Vicosa, Brazil, controlling the availability of perches and aquatic vegetation. R mooma males defended territories with vegetation and thus their choice was probably related to the oviposition resource of the females. O. discolor males preferred sites with tall perches, possibly because their choice was related to a mate-seeking resource. Interactions with another libellulid more active and aggressive, Planiplax phoenicura (Ris), changed the preference of O. discolor males to vegetated areas highlighting the influence of community composition and interactions on territorial site selection.