Environmental niche modeling of an endemic radiation of Hawaiian damselflies

Megalagrion McLachlan, 1883 damselflies are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, and harbor remarkable species richness and ecological diversity. The genus represents an insular radiation of 23 species which occupy all five known breeding habitats of Zygoptera (fast-flowing streams, ponds and pools, seeps, phytotelmata, and damp leaf litter). The breeding habitat of each species of Megalagrion likely constrains its ecological niche, which may play a role in speciation and morphological adaptation. We use generalized linear and maxent models to characterize and compare the distributions and ecological niches occupied by Megalagrion. Finally, we stacked these distribution models to explore species richness and endemism for the group across the islands. This study can be used to direct targeted conservation and sampling efforts, and will be a steppingstone to understanding the role of ecology in the speciation and diversity of Hawaiian damselflies.