Fluctuating Asymmetry, Sexual Selection, and Survivorship in Male Dark‐Winged Damselflies

Abstract

Abstract We examined fluctuating asymmetry and morphology as they relate to reproductive success, territoriality, and relative survivorship in the dark‐winged damselfly Calopteryx maculata . Fluctuating asymmetry was not correlated with any aspect of morphology in males, but it did predict mating status in males. Mating males showed significantly lower levels of forewing asymmetry than did non‐mating males holding adjacent territories. While fluctuating asymmetry did not relate to survivorship or resource holding ability, body size did. Larger males were able to hold territories longer and lived longer than smaller individuals. We suggest that size is of greater importance in this species with regards to fitness and that fluctuating asymmetry may play a minor role by impacting short‐term mating success.