[Odonata-l] help with info

[iodonata@bellsouth.net]

Hi group:

 

The second question opens up some discussion which has not been covered here
as far as I can remember.

 

See if you can help

 

Thanks.

 

Bill Mauffray

International Odonata Research Institute

PO Box 147100

Gainesville FL 32614-7100

352-219-3141 cell

iodonata at bellsouth.net

http://www.iodonata.net

 

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From: TTEAGNOLA at aol.com [mailto:TTEAGNOLA at aol.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 7:39 PM
To: iodonata at bellsouth.net
Cc: TTEAGNOLA at aol.com
Subject: Info please

 

 

 

I got your contact information from the Odonata Information Network web
site.

 

http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/i/billmauffray/main.html

 

 

I and my grandsons recently attended the newly opened Audubon Insectarium,
in New Orleans Louisiana.  

 

Near the beginning of the exhibit they have a replica of an ancient giant,
(about 30 inch wingspan) dragonfly / mosquito hawk as it is more commonly
called here. 

 

The information accompanying it asserts that the creature, (then and now)
has relatively inefficient body structures for taking in atmospheric gasses,
meaning oxygen.

 

The supposed reason for the gigantism is that ancient atmospheric levels of
oxygen concentration were much higher than today's levels, allowing the
inefficient respiration system to take in enough oxygen to support large
size.

 

The theory continues that today's much lower oxygen concentrations cannot
support such growth. 

 

I have my doubts about that concept.

 

 

I have two questions for which I am seeking authoritative sources of
information:

 

1. Can these creatures be generationally raised in captivity?

 

2. In an effort to test the question of the oxygen concentration effect on
growth, has anyone ever tried to raise these creatures in captivity to study
the effects of an increased, (artificially) oxygen level concentration
approximating supposed ancient levels?

 

If you can and will answer these questions that would be good. Barring that,
if you could provide some ideas for other likely sources of such
information, that also would be good.

 

 

My name is Mr. Terry Teague. tteagnola at aol.com 

 

 

Thank you for any information you can provide.





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