The capacity of species to adapt to different environmental gradients is essential for their
survival, since the environment can present variations over space and time These variations
provide conditions and resources for different species to establish and remain in certain places,
since the potential to withstand these conditions is related to the existence of adaptable attributes
necessary for survival. Thus, our study sought to understand the relationship between an
environmental variation gradient and the functional structure of adult Odonata assemblages in
riparian zones of the Cerrado. Data were collected from 50 streams in eastern Maranhão and
western Piauí, between May 2021 and January 2022. Five functional attributes were considered:
total length, thorax width, abdomen length, forewing length and width, and environmental
variables: canopy cover, channel width and depth. A total of 1 .528 specimens of adult Odonata
distributed in seven families, 30 genera and 74 species were collected. We found that more
open areas or those with loss of vegetation had larger insects, with the cover of riparian
vegetation adjacent to the channel being the main predictor of the structure of Odonata
assemblages. As the size of organisms increases, their dependence on the sun's rays for heating
also increases. Added to this, the selective pressure exerted by the environment drives the
evolution and adaptation of wing shape in species. Thus, the selection of insects with specific
characteristics is observed to the detriment of other groups according to the characteristics of
the habitat. Additionally, this filtering can lead to the homogenization of biodiversity and loss
of functionality in extreme or degraded environments, indicating that functional traits are
relevant attributes for understanding the distribution of Odonata species, and that the
conservation and proper management of riparian zones are indispensable to guarantee the
survival of these species and of the different behavioral and ecophysiological groups that the
order presents.
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