Draft Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma platyhelix ATCC 51748, Isolated from a Dragonfly

ABSTRACT Spiroplasma platyhelix is a helical bacterium belonging to the class Mollicutes. First isolated from a Pachydiplax longipennis dragonfly, it has the smallest reported Spiroplasma genome size of 740 kbp. Here, we report the genome sequence of S. platyhelix ATCC 51748.

Climate Warming as an Explanation for the Recent Northward Range Extension of Two Dragonflies, Pachydiplax longipennis and Perithemis tenera, into the Ottawa Valley, Eastern Ontario

Climate warming is accepted as an explanation for the recent appearance of Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis (Burmeister, 1839), and Eastern Amberwing, Perithemis tenera (Say, 1839), in the Ottawa region, as this range expansion meets 6 criteria: (1) the climate in the newly occupied territory has warmed sufficiently to allow colonization; (2) a new range expectation based on the amount of climate warming is met; (3) other factors potentially promoting spread are excluded; (4) the possibility that range extension is a result of difficulty of observation and/or insufficient fieldwork in earlier times is excluded; (5) there is ample evidence for establishment; and (6) spread has been in the direction of the warmer territory or within it. By 2000, the mean daily temperature in the Ottawa region had increased by about 2°C since 1880 and about 1.1°C since 1960. This would allow new zonal boundaries and the prediction of expansion from a well-defined and long-occupied area into the Ottawa Valley. The two species entered this region in 2008–2012 and, subsequently, became well established.

Découverte de la libellule pachydiplax au Québec durant l’inventaire de l’odonatofaune du ruisseau Castagne en Montérégie

À l’occasion d’un inventaire de l’odonatofaune réalisé en 2011 dans le haut-bassin du ruisseau Castagne, à Saint-Joachim-de-Shefford, en Montérégie, une 140e espèce de libellule est signalée au Québec : le pachydiplax (Pachydiplax longipennis). Les observations sur son habitat et le comportement territorial du mâle sont détaillés. L’inventaire d’habitats aquatiques, riverains et tourbeux rapporte une diversité étonnante de 52 espèces, ainsi que de nouvelles données sur la répartition et la période de vol de certaines de ces espèces, dont une dizaine sont considérées peu communes ou rares dans le bassin versant de la Yamaska. Riche par sa biodiversité, ce site naturel exceptionnel, encore épargné par le développement humain, devrait faire partie des priorités régionales de conservation.

Changes in mass, fat content, and water content with growth in adult Pachydiplax longipennis (Odonata: Libellulidae)

I present data on mass gain in individual Pachydiplax longipennis (Odonata: Libellulidae) adults as they matured in a large enclosure. I also compared individuals captured as tenerals with individuals captured as immature or mature adults. Males gained more mass than females. Mortality did not differ between males and females or between light and heavy individuals in the enclosure.