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Basal metabolic rates (BMRs) increase with temperature and body mass. Environmental temperatures rapidly change in tropical mountains due to elevation (macro scale) and vegetation structure (micro scale). Thus, tropical mountains are good settings for testing the effects of temperature on BMRs. We measured the BMRs at four temperature ranges on six territorial and closely related species of Rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina, Calopterygidae), which also share very similar behavior and morphology and are segregated by habitat and elevation across the Western Colombian Andes. We analyzed the effects of body mass, habitat, elevation, temperature, and sex on their BMRs, using a phylogenetic framework. We found that the main factors regulating their niche partition seemed to be environmental temperature, body size, and BMR. We found differences in their BMRs related to elevation when the temperatures were close to those experienced by the damselflies at their elevational range. As predicted, the larger species associated with colder habitats, forests, and highlands had higher BMRs. However, at high stressful temperatures, only the body mass was positively related to the BMR, showing that smaller individuals can keep their BMRs lower under high temperatures compared to bigger ones. Habitat use was not associated with changes in the BMR. Finally, phylogenetic reconstruction showed all species clustered in three clades. Each clade in the phylogenetic tree shares similar habitat preferences, pointing to a mixture of evolutionary history, thermal adaptations, and body mass differences as a possible explanation for the great diversity of these damselflies in a small area. Under the global warming scenario, we expect Rubyspots with smaller body sizes to be favored since they will tolerate higher temperatures, which would ultimately lead to populations with smaller body sizes overall, which could negatively affect their fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lotic systems are rapidly changing due to anthropogenic impacts, making it crucial to note the diversity and abundance of Odonates for effective conservation of these running waters. Our study aimed to assess and compare the Odonate communities in two adjacent rivers, Medjerda and Cheref, in Souk Ahras, northeastern Algeria collected during the period from January 2022 to August 2023. In total, 27 species belonging to 7 families and 17 genera were recorded, with three rare species in Numidia, and three Maghrebian endemic species, including Gomphus lucasii (Selys, 1850) listed as “Vulnerable” in the IUCN Mediterranean Red List. Coenagrion mercuriale (Charpentier, 1840), a locally endangered species, was abundantly present in the Medjerda River. Additionally, the presence of the desert species Trithemis kirbyi (Selys, 1891) in Medjerda confirms their northward expansion within Algeria. The Libellulidae were the most dominant family with 11 species. Our findings revealed no significant differences in terms of biodiversity indices (Richness, Simpson, Shannon, & Pielou's evenness) between the two rivers. However, significant dissimilarities were observed in Odonate assemblages likely due to habitat and environmental variations. Many factors, such as water pumping, overgrazing, untreated wastewater, and riverbank development, which influence Odonate species, were observed in the two rivers. Consequently, an urgent conservation plan should be put in place to preserve water resources and biodiversity in the region. This study highlights the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts, especially for rare and threatened species in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures on these aquatic ecosystems.

Lotic systems are rapidly changing due to anthropogenic impacts, making it crucial to note the diversity and abundance of Odonates for effective conservation of these running waters. Our study aimed to assess and compare the Odonate communities in two adjacent rivers, Medjerda and Cheref, in Souk Ahras, northeastern Algeria collected during the period from January 2022 to August 2023. In total, 27 species belonging to 7 families and 17 genera were recorded, with three rare species in Numidia, and three Maghrebian endemic species, including Gomphus lucasii (Selys, 1850) listed as "Vulnerable" in the IUCN Mediterranean Red List. Coenagrion mercuriale (Charpentier, 1840), a locally endangered species, was abundantly present in the Medjerda River. Additionally, the presence of the desert species Trithemis kirbyi (Selys, 1891) in Medjerda confirms their northward expansion within Algeria. The Libellulidae were the most dominant family with 11 species. Our findings revealed no significant differences in terms of biodiversity indices (Richness, Simpson, Shannon, & Pielou's evenness) between the two rivers. However, significant dissimilarities were observed in Odonate assemblages likely due to habitat and environmental variations. Many factors, such as water pumping, overgrazing, untreated wastewater, and riverbank development, which influence Odonate species, were observed in the two rivers. Consequently, an urgent conservation plan should be put in place to preserve water resources and biodiversity in the region. This study highlights the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts, especially for rare and threatened species in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures on these aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature reserve of Bec du Feyi near Wibrin has been the object of protection and nature conservation management measures for over 30 years to ensure its perennity. The reserve consists mainly of a mosaic of hay meadows, marshes, ponds, aquatic environments and old clear-cuts in the process of recolonization. The manager shares his thoughts on the evolution of nature through the various environments and habitats that make up this natural site, based on the impact of management actions, but also based on the influence of the numerous factors affecting the local environment and, more broadly, climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dragonflies and damselflies help to assess the wetland ecosystem's health and serve as indicator species. A year-long study from November 2021 to October 2022 was conducted to investigate the community structure of Odonata in Tetulia sub-district (locally called 'Upazila'), the northernmost area of Bangladesh, under five study site areas. A total of 1626 individuals belonging to 47 species consisting of 36 species of dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and 11 species of damselflies (suborder Zygopetra) were observed. Libellulidae was the dominant family with 28 species of dragonflies. Among five sites, site A1 shared the highest number of species (41 species, n = 508), and highest values of species diversity (H = 3.255, Ds = 0.951). However, evenness (E = 0.632) was the highest in the site A4. Odonates in sites between A1–A4 and A2–A5 shared more similar species. According to the observation status, 9 (19.15%) were very common, 12 (25.53%) common, 7 (14.89%) uncommon, and 18 (38.29%) were few. Among all the species, Orthetrum sabina showed the highest relative abundance (181 individuals, 11.13%). Results can be useful in understanding the importance of odonate diversity in the environment of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change, such as increased rainfall variability, has affected Yavatmal district in the last decade. Uncertainty of rainfall affects the inter-annual vegetation growth, and thus biodiversity. A baseline study was carried out in 4 habitats in Waghadi basin of Yavatmal district to analyse Odonates species abundance, richness, and diversity as a prerequisite for the protection and management of these habitats. A total of 1263 individuals of 30 species distributed in 6 families were collected. Libellulidae is most dominant family with 13 species. The influence of vegetation on species richness and diversity was analysed (using normalized difference vegetation index values at buffer zones of 1000 m, 500 m, 100 m and 50 m), with further research into the trends of species diversity for each habitat. There was an increase in species richness and diversity with an increase in the dense vegetation, especially around temporary water bodies. This study indicates the contribution of temporary water bodies to ecosystem function and suggests its conservation by monitoring the impacts of increased rainfall variability and anthropogenic influence using odonates.

Understanding habitat requirements of species of conservation concern is central for their conservation and management. Although much of the research attention has been focused on reproductive sites, the understanding of roosting behavior and microhabitat selection, and their potential fitness consequences is also crucial. Here, we assess the roosting behavior of an endangered endemic damselfly Calopteryx exul Selys in a lotic habitat of Northeast Algeria. Based on marked individuals, we specifically investigated their vertical and horizontal distribution at roosting sites, as well as the timing of roosting and its correlation with lifespan (as a measure of fitness). We found that individuals were philopatric to roosting sites and less so to vertical stratification. Roosting sites were used for both foraging and roosting. Individuals that occupied lower strata in roosting sites had longer lifespans and ceased roosting earlier. Average temperature of the day affected the timing of roosting such that on warm days roosting started later and ended earlier. Individuals with longer lifespans roosted earlier, suggesting potential scramble competition for roosting sites. Our results suggest that C. exul individuals show variability in the vertical and horizontal location as well as the timing of roosting, and these choices potentially have fitness consequences. This study highlights the importance of bank vegetation as roosting sites for lotic insects, and emphasizes the benefits of protecting these sites and including them as integral parts of the conservation plans of species.

Monitoring of odonates has become an important instrument for ecological status assessment of (semi-)aquatic habitats. Besides information on presence and abundance, knowledge about a species´ autochthony at the surveyed waterbody is a significant information within the assessment process. Here, the finding of exuviae represents the ultimate proof of successful reproduction. Although feasible for most odonate species, morphological identification of exuviae is often time consuming, as it relies on small, fragile structures. To facilitate species identification of exuviae, a DNA barcoding approach was developed, including (1) non-destructive extraction of DNA using whole exuviae or their tracheal tubes, and (2) primer systems for long (< 600 bp) and short (< 200 bp) CO1 fragments. A total of 85 exuviae from 33 species were analysed and compared to results of morphological identification. Additionally, factors potentially influencing DNA quality and quantity, as well as PCR and sequencing success were investigated. Eighty-two exuviae matched the morphologically identified genus, and 60 matched at species level. Of the 33 species present in the data set, 82% could be identified to species level via DNA barcoding. The results show how DNA-based approaches can support fast and accurate species identification and therefore enhance monitoring of an ecologically important taxonomic group, with high relevance for conservation and habitat restoration. Moreover, the use of exuviae as DNA resource once more shows that non-invasive sampling offers great potential for molecular species identification, which is essential when studying rare and endangered species. Implications for insect conservation: Our results show how molecular tools, here DNA barcoding of odonate exuviae, can support species monitoring without the need of catching individuals, harming, or even killing them. Obtaining DNA from non-invasive sources can thus be a direct advantage to the conservation of insects, especially when dealing with rare and endangered species and/or populations. Using the example of odonates as bioindicator organisms for aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats, we highlight the importance of non-invasive genetic approaches for population studies and monitoring of insect species and/or species communities for ecosystem assessments and conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some structural characters, such as wing venation, have been used in odonates differentiate taxa. In Cordulegaster boltonii, a species widely distributed throughout the western Palaearctic, the main characteristics of its wing venation have not been quantified until now. A six-variable analysis of wing venation (number of antenodal and postnodal cross-veins, number of cells in the anal triangle and in the anal loop) in specimens from several European countries was carried out. The results showed that: (a) females had a greater number of transversal veins and cells in the anal loop than males; (b) the values of these four variables were significantly lower in males from the Iberian Peninsula than in those from elsewhere; (c) within the Iberian Peninsula two groups of populations can be distinguished: one covers the north and the other the rest of the peninsula, the latter with two subgroups, one in the centre and one in the south and east. The number of cells in the anal loop is a valid variable for analyzing geographic differences in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the predation rates of two genera of Odonata Miathyria Kirby, 1889 and Erythemis Hagen, 1861 in post-larviculture of tilapia with and without availability of Chironomidae. For that, 3 experiments were carried out, the first to analyze which size scale of these two genera would be more efficient in the predation of tilapia and the other 2 experiments with the selected size scales, to analyze the predation rates on tilapia with different Odonata densities, with and without availability of the aquatic insect Chironomidae. For statistical analysis of the data, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied with the Duncan test searching for the means in all experiments. In experiments 2 and 3 a linear regression model was also applied. In experiment 1, there were significant differences between treatments, and in the phase with Miathyria the predation of tilapia post-larvae was higher among odonates that corresponded to the size scale from 7.1 to 9.9 mm and therefore the scale was also selected for the next experiments. For Erythemis, the consumption of tilapia was higher in the size scale between 12.1 to 14,2 mm. In the following experiments, there were significant differences between treatments. With the increase in Odonata densities the predation of the fish was greater. With the availability of Chironomidae, the consumption of tilapia post-larvae decreased. The consumption of Chironomidae was higher than the consumption of fish in experiment 3. Miathyria proved to be more efficient than Erythemis in predation and the use of Chironomidae can be a sustainable alternative for post-larvae predation control on fish farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geographic distribution of dragonflies in the Iberian Peninsula has been abundantly analyzed in recent years, though a vast area of the NW has been little studied to date. This paper presents the distribution of species of the Sympetrum genus (Odonata, Libellulidae) in the basin of the Duero River, Spain, where many variations in climate and orographic conditions are found. Six species have been recorded: S. fonscolombii, S. meridionale, S. sanguineum, S. striolatum, S. vulgatum and S. flaveolum. A generalized linear model with data of altitude above sea level, latitude, mean air temperature, and annual rainfall obtained in 25 sampling points showed that these four factors together explain the distribution of S. fonscolombii, S. striolatum and, above all, S. sanguineum. The distribution of S. meridionale is influenced by latitude and annual rainfall. In the area of study, the species S. vulgatum and S. flaveolum are associated above all with mountain zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical work suggests that reinforcement can cause the strengthening of prezygotic isolation in sympatry by mitigating the costs of maladaptive hybridization. However, only a handful of studies have simultaneously tested multiple predictions of this theory in natural populations. We investigated reinforcement in a mottled hybrid zone between the damselflies Ischnura elegans and Ischnura graellsii, which are characterized by incomplete and asymmetric reproductive isolation and exhibit reproductive character displacement in mating-related structures. We tested the conditions for reinforcement by quantifying whether hybridization was costly and prezygotic isolation stronger in sympatry compared with allopatry. Additionally, we investigated two specific predictions of reinforcement: (a) greater premating asymmetries in sympatry; and (b) weaker postzygotic isolation in sympatry than in allopatry. Our findings indicate the presence of maladaptive hybrids, which suggests Bateson-Dobzhansky-Müller incompatibilities in allopatry. We also found that reinforcement has strengthened mechanical isolation, at least in one direction in sympatry. We observed evidence for greater premating asymmetries in sympatry than in allopatry, which is consistent with reinforcement. However, fully testing the prediction of weaker postzygotic isolation in sympatry compared to allopatry was hindered by the highly asymmetrical levels of reproductive isolation between the two reciprocal cross directions. Our study highlights a case where reinforcement and heterospecific gene flow exert opposite effects on reproductive isolation between reciprocal crosses, where reinforcement increases reproductive isolation in one direction while gene flow weakens it in the opposite direction., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Evolutionary Biology.)

Ecologically, dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) are good indicators of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. They are abundant and important members of the vicinity of inland waters. This study was carried out at Benin – Owena Basin catchment, Igbara-Oke, Nigeria. Sampling was carried out at three water bodies within the catchment of Rivers Aro, Elemo and Owena Dam. The water bodies were selected based on types of water body and prevailing anthropogenic activities around their vicinity. Sampling of specimens was randomly carried out once a month from 9am-2 pm between June, 2017 and July, 2018. Odonata naiads were collected using Kick net. Species composition, distribution and richness of the study sites were calculated using diversity indices (Shannon–wiener, Simpson, Margalef, Evenness and Equitability). Monthly collections of odonates revealed that January 2018 had the highest number of species while the least was in April 2018. Two anisopterans, Neodythemis klingi and Orthetrum julia both with 30 individuals, were the dominant odonate species. Pseudagrion kersteni (19 individuals) was the dominant zygopteran while Africallagma subtle (2 individuals) was the least represented odonate in this study. From the diversity indices analyses, Owena Dam was the richest (Shannon (H') = 3.12, Simpson = 0.9521, Margalef = 4.42). The site was also the best in terms of distribution and spread of odonate species (Equitability = 0.9693). Similarity in odonate community structure among the 3 study sites was determined using Jaccard Coefficient (Coefficient of Community: CC), The CC analysis showed Elemo Stream and Owena Dam as the sites with similar community structure; and the diversity indices revealed Owena Dam as the richest site with the best species distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Biogeographical inference and assessments of species' threat status and trends depend on comprehensive information on the current geographical distribution of species. Even country‐level presences remain poorly known for many insect species and consistent global overviews for those species are missing. Here we integrate information from literature checklists, point occurrences, and identify potential species range gaps to provide a database of country‐level checklists of dragonfly and damselfly species and a useful baseline for global biogeographical assessment and for assessing remaining gaps in taxonomic and spatial knowledge. Location: Global. Taxon: Odonata (damselflies and dragonflies). Methods: Our database of checklist information contains country‐level species distribution information from 491 literature sources, with a focus on checklist data from 1990 to 2021 to reflect the present taxonomic and country boundaries. Additionally, we apply a novel method to interpolate potential species–country combinations missing from the literature and point data by generating a list of species present in >50% of the surrounding countries. Results: Of the 6,322 globally recognized odonate species, taxonomically harmonized literature checklist records and quality‐controlled point occurrence data address 6,076 and 4,170 species, respectively. Our compilation provides a total of 31,569 unique species–country combinations, with 23,239 uniquely provided by literature checklist and 2,031 point occurrence data, respectively. Main Conclusions: This odonate country checklist dataset provides a resource for scientists and conservation practitioners to examine questions related to baseline odonate species richness, distributions, regional conservation, and gaps in taxonomic and spatial data coverage. The combined literature and point occurrence country‐level information provide the most comprehensive data available to date on the global distribution of Odonata. Our results show that checklist and point occurrences are concordant in well‐studied regions and that literature data are of complementary value in tropical and species‐rich countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species are responding to global climate change in varied and nuanced ways. However, how species‐specific responses to climate change= affect interactions among species remains poorly understood. It is important to understand species interactions under potential climate change scenarios because those interactions can in turn alter community dynamics.In this study, we conducted two complementary experiments to examine how simulated warming might alter larval intraguild predation (IGP) rates and resulting adult assemblage composition in three species of North American dragonflies: Pachydiplax longipennis, Plathemis lydia and Libellula luctuosa.First, using both P. longipennis and L. luctuosa, we isolated interspecific and intraspecific pairs of larval dragonflies of different size differentials to determine how the size and species identity might influence IGP rates.In tandem, we conducted a year‐long mesocosm experiment with all three species to assess how simulated warming and heat waves influenced the resulting adult dragonfly assemblages.IGP trials revealed that P. longipennis individuals were much more likely to engage in IGP than L. luctuosa, regardless of size differential. In the mesocosm experiment, emerging adult assemblages were dominated by P. longipennis individuals, a pattern that was most pronounced in the control treatment.Our results indicate that while P. longipennis may be the competitively dominant species under current ambient conditions, warming may alter this dynamic and lessen the dominance of this species on the resulting assemblage composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) exhibit a great diversity of colors which vary remarkably between species, between individuals within species, and throughout the individual's lifetime in some species. Here, we provide a summary of what is known about color recognition, and production of color including pigmentary absorption, structural reflectance, and fluorescence, in odonates. We also review the current understanding of the function of color in adult odonates, such as in signals during mate choice, in species recognition, and in predator avoidance, as well as in physiological adaptations to abiotic conditions. Finally, we provide some directions for future research: eye and pterostigma color, coloration at different life stages, UV color, phylogenetic analysis of color evolution, color and hot climate patterns, and standardization of color recordings. Given how easily they can be marked and tracked, odonates are exemplary animals for field and laboratory research. Therefore, unraveling the physiology, evolution, and ecology of odonate color can provide significant advances, in general, to understand insect color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boyeria irene (Fonscolombe, 1838) is a large dragonfly common in rivers and streams in southern Europe, but it is little known about the biometrical variations of their populations. In this paper, we test whether the time of the emergence period of this species differs in the same river, whether the larval size varies during the emergence period, and whether the distinct size variations are associated with the different river sections. Results have revealed that 1) female exuviae are larger than those of males, 2) except for the paraproct length, the exuviae have similar size across the entire river length, 3) size of the exuviae is larger in the first period of emergence than in the second one. A difference in emergence duration across the three river sections has been recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization has considerable impacts on stream ecosystems. Streams in urban settings are affected by multiple stressors such as flow modifications and loss of riparian vegetation. The richness and abundance of aquatic insects, such as odonates, directly reflect these alterations and can be used to assess urban impacts on streams. The effects of urbanization on odonate richness and abundance on tropical islands is as yet poorly understood. The objective of this study is to identify the effects of urbanization on stream habitat quality and associated odonate assemblages in Puerto Rico. We sampled 16 streams along a rural to urban gradient in the San Juan Metropolitan Area, where each stream was characterized using the Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP) for Puerto Rico and by analyzing their surrounding land cover. A 100-m segment of each stream was surveyed to assess adult odonate richness and abundance during the rainy and dry seasons. Adults were identified visually, and their abundance was recorded. Favorable local scale factors, like improved habitat quality, as measured with the SVAP, resulted in higher abundances of odonates. However, regional factors such as percent urban cover did not appear to significantly affect richness and abundances of odonates. Overall, our study indicates that odonate assemblages are affected by the loss of habitat integrity, and conservation of tropical odonates may benefit from focusing on local scale factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific and engineering interests towards dragonflies has been a consistent source of ideas and solutions owing to the evolutionary success of the species. The importance of these ”toothed ones”, as the Greek translation of the family name ”Odonates” maps to, in terms of ecological diversity is invaluable, more pressingly with the context of only two of the six suborders of the order Odonata being non-extinct. With a wide spread existential timeline, identifying them is in itself is a critical task for taxonomists. This literature is oriented to provide a standard identification tool that aids researchers, amateur naturalists, and beginners in quick and easy identification of odonates, thus aiming to influence deeper exploration of the order. We propose a novel approach in terms of DragonflyNet, that has a widespread application possibility in the field of ecology and biology, starting with classification of a given image with dragonfly or dam-selfly into the pretrained list of species belonging to the order, without any pre-processing. The proposed model performed with an accuracy of 76.99% on the training set, 67.59% on the validation set, and 61.35% on the hold-out set. The model predicts 94 different species of drag-onflies/damselflies. The effort is also protruded to derive and investigate the performance of the model with state-of-the-art evaluation techniques, scoped to explore the regions of activation contributing to its performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: behavior; insect; odonates; reproduction; sexual selection EN behavior insect odonates reproduction sexual selection 1 4 4 10/05/21 20211001 NES 211001 Dragonflies never cease surprising me. While females have evolved different strategies to escape male harassment (Fincke 1997), it is particularly interesting that, often, females have not evolved retaliatory tactics that incite the male to cease harassment. In 26 cases, the male was able to grab the female by the head to attempt copulation but the female clasped the oviposition substrate tightly to avoid flying with the male, which is necessary to form a copulatory wheel (Video S2). [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND: Dragonfly and damselfly larvae have been considered as possible biocontrol agents against young instars of mosquito vectors in urban environments. Yet our knowledge about adult odonate predation against mosquito adults is scarce. We quantified daily and annual predation rates, consumption rates and prey preferences of adult Hetaerina vulnerata male damselflies in an urban park. A focus on predation of mosquito species was provided, quantified their arbovirus (dengue, chikungunya and Zika) infection rates and biting activity. RESULTS: Foraging times of H. vulnerata overlapped with those of the maximum activity of hematophagous mosquitoes. The most consumed preys were Diptera and Hymenoptera and, in lower quantities, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Psocoptera and Neuroptera. Of note, 7% of the diet was represented by hematophagous dipterans, with 2.4% being Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Prey abundance in the diet coincided with that of the same species in the environment. The arboviral infection rate (dengue, chikungunya and Zika) was 1.6% for A. aegypti and A. albopictus. The total biting rate of these mosquito vectors was 16 bites per person per day, while the annual rate of infectious bites was 93.4. CONCLUSION: Although 2.4% for both Aedes species seems a low consumption, considering the presence of 12 odonate species at the park, it can be argued that adult odonates may play a relevant role as mosquito vector regulators, therefore impacting the spread of mosquito‐borne diseases. Our study outlines the need for further research on the topic of the possible role of adult odonates for mosquito biocontrol. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater habitats worldwide are experiencing many threats from environmental and anthropogenic sources, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In Africa, particularly in Mediterranean climate zones, rapid human population growth is predicted to have great impact on natural habitats besides naturally occurring events such as unpredictable drought frequency and severity. Here, we analyze the potential correlation between odonate assemblage conservation priority (measured with the Dragonfly Biotic Index: DBI) and the magnitude of climate change and human perturbation in African regions with a dominant Mediterranean climate, namely Northern (NAR: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) and Southern African region (SAR: South Africa). Using a compilation of studies assessing odonate assemblages in lotic and lentic habitats of both regions (295 sites in NAR and 151 sites in SAR), we estimated DBI, temporal change in average annual temperature (T), annual precipitation (P), and human footprint index (HFI) in each site, then we tested whether sites with different levels of DBI were associated with different magnitudes of climatic and anthropogenic change. We estimated past (between 1980–1999 and 2000–2018) and future changes (between 1980–1999 and 2081–2100) in T and P based on three CMIP6 scenarios representing low (SSP126), moderate (SSP245), and high emission (SSP585), as well as the change in HFI from 1993 to 2009. We found that assemblages with higher DBI (i.e. higher conservation priority) encountered lower increase in T and slightly greater decrease in P than assemblages with lower DBI (i.e. lower conservation priority) in NAR during 1980–2018, but are projected to experience higher increase in T and lower decrease in P in future projections for 2081–2100. In SAR, the increase in T was mostly similar across assemblages but the decline in P was higher for assemblages with higher DBI during 1980–2018 and 2081–2100, suggesting that assemblages of higher conservation priority in SAR are threatened by drought. While HFI showed an overall increase in NAR but not in SAR, its temporal change showed only minor differences across assemblages with different DBI levels. We discuss the importance of management plans to mitigate the effects of climatic and anthropogenic threats, so improving conservation of odonate assemblages in these regions.

A one-year study was conducted at Vakkom Grama Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, to assess the diversity of odonates. We report 49 species, which include 31 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) and 18 species of Zygoptera (damselflies). Among dragonflies, the family Libellulidae dominated with 26 species, while Coenagrionidae with 10 species was the dominant family among the damselflies. The odonate diversity of Vakkom Grama Panchayath accounted for 28% of the odonates in Kerala and 25% of the odonates of the Western Ghats. Vakkom Grama Panchayath also recorded the presence of Mortonagrion varralli which is an uncommon species in Kerala. This study provides some important baseline information on the odonates of one of the grama panchayaths in Kerala, India. An updated checklist of 57 species of odonates of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The riparian Odonate insect diversity of the midstream Chalakudy River at six locations assessed from February 2018 to January 2019 has revealed the occurrence of 25 species of odonates. Among them,10 species are dragonflies belonging to seven genera of the family Libellulidae and the remaining 15 species are damselflies belonging to six families and 11 genera. Five endemic damselfly species have been recorded. Pseudagrion indicum is endemic to the Western Ghats, while the remaining four species, Vestalis apicalis, Libellago indica, Dysphaea ethela, and Heliocypha bisignata, are endemic to India. Diversity indices of the odonates in all the six locations were analyzed and it showed less abundance at sites where tourist activities are more and with thin native riparian vegetation. Further, the study has unequivocally revealed that thick native riparian vegetation is essential for their perching and existence. By and large, the uncontrolled tourism activities and habitat alteration interfere with the density and diversity of these endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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There is growing recognition of the ways in which maternal effects can influence offspring size, physiological performance, and survival. Additionally, environmental contaminants increasingly act as stressors in maternal environments, possibly leading to maternal effects on subsequent offspring. Thus, it is important to determine whether contaminants and other stressors can contribute to maternal effects, particularly under varied ecological conditions that encompass the range under which offspring develop. We used aquatic mesocosms to determine whether maternal effects of mercury (Hg) exposure shape offspring phenotype in the American toad (Bufo americanus) in the presence or absence of larval predators (dragonfly naiads). We found significant maternal effects of Hg exposure and significant effects of predators on several offspring traits, but there was little evidence that maternal effects altered offspring interactions with predators. Offspring from Hg-exposed mothers were 18% smaller than those of reference mothers. Offspring reared with predators were 23% smaller at metamorphosis than those reared without predators. There was also evidence of reduced larval survival when larvae were reared with predators, but this was independent of maternal effects. Additionally, 5 times more larvae had spinal malformations when reared without predators, suggesting selective predation of malformed larvae by predators. Lastly, we found a significant negative correlation between offspring survival and algal density in mesocosms, indicating a role for top-down effects of predators on periphyton communities. Our results demonstrate that maternal exposure to an environmental stressor can induce phenotypic responses in offspring in a direction similar to that produced by direct exposure of offspring to predators.

Odonate diversity of Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar site in Gujarat, was studied between January 2015 and July 2017. A total of 46 species belonging to two suborders, six families, and 27 genera were recorded, which included 14 species of Zygoptera (damselfly) and 32 species of Anisoptera (dragonfly). Out of the 46 species, 40 species are new records for the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary. The record of Enallagma cyathigerum Charpentier, 1840 in Gujarat needs verification. Need to monitor changes taking place in Odonata species composition after influx from Narmada canal at Nalsarovar is emphasized.

Heritable microbes are an important component of invertebrate biology, acting both as beneficial symbionts and reproductive parasites. Whilst most previous research has focussed on the 'Wolbachia pandemic', recent work has emphasised the importance of other microbial symbionts. In this study, we present a survey of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) for torix group Rickettsia, following previous research indicating that this clade can be common in other aquatic insect groups. PCR assays were used to screen a broad range of odonates from two continents and revealed 8 of 76 species tested were infected with Rickettsia. We then conducted further deeper screening of UK representatives of the Coenagrionidae damselfly family, revealing 6 of 8 UK coenagrionid species to be positive for torix Rickettsia. Analysis of Rickettsia gene sequences supported multiple establishments of symbiosis in the group. Some strains were shared between UK coenagrionid species that shared mtDNA barcodes, indicating a likely route for mitochondrial introgression between sister species. There was also evidence of coinfecting Rickettsia strains in two species. FISH analysis indicated Rickettsia were observed in the ovarioles, consistent with heritable symbiosis. We conclude that torix Rickettsia represent an important associate of odonates, being found in a broad range of species from both Europe and South America. There is evidence that coinfection can occur, vertical transmission is likely, and that symbiont movement following hybridisation may underpin the lack of 'barcoding gap' between well-established species pairs in the genus. Future work should establish the biological significance of the symbioses observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim: A progressive increase in air temperature is recognized as the most important mechanistic driver of species range shifts. However, only a few studies have simultaneously considered the influence of both extrinsic and intrinsic mechanistic drivers; there are still no studies on the roles of extrinsic and intrinsic drivers that regulate such species changes. We investigated how species will shift their geographical ranges to cope with future climate change and analysed the relative importance of the mechanistic drivers in governing species range shifts. Location: Sixteen countries in South, West and North Europe. Methods: We used ensemble species distribution models on the European continental scale to predict 105 odonate species in response to climate change in the future decades until 2080s under three emission scenarios. We evaluated the projected changes in four community metrics (distribution area, optimum position, leading edge and trailing edge) and investigated how these changes are driven by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Results: The odonate species were predicted to shift their range margins poleward, with a higher migration rate towards the trailing edge (2.38‒10.34 km/year) than the leading edge (1.13‒2.00 km/year). Contrary to the assumption that the response of the odonate species to climate change will linearly accelerate over time, the distribution areas of odonate species were predicted to increase until 2050s and then decline until 2080s under RCP 2.6 (representative concentration pathway). However, their distributions under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 were predicted to decrease over time, with a higher rate under RCP 8.5. Overall, environmental preference and habitat override dispersal ability govern the range shift of odonate species. Main conclusions: Quantifying the relative importance of extrinsic and intrinsic factors across a large spatial scale under different emission scenarios can help understand the mechanistic processes to facilitate species range shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New records of 11 rare species of damselflies and dragonflies (Calopteryx virgo, Lestes macrostigma, Nehalennia speciosa, Coenagrion scitulum, Ophiogomphus cecilia, Lindenia tetraphylla, Cordulegaster boltonii, Somatochlora arctica, Leucorrhinia albifrons, Leucorrhinia caudalis, and Selysiothemis nigra) within Ukraine are given. Habitats and distribution of species within the country are briefly discussed. Breeding sites of C. boltonii within Ukraine is found for the first time and confirmed with larval material. Somatochlora arctica is recommended for inclusion in the next edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic, morphological and distributional data on three species of the rare South American corduliid genus Lauromacromia Geijskes, 1970 are updated based on specimens collected recently and old specimens deposited in natural history collections. The female of the poorly known Lauromacromia luismoojeni (Santos, 1967), an endemic species from the Brazilian Cerrado, is illustrated, described and diagnosed for the first time, based on a single specimen from the municipality of Mineiros, state of Goiás. This species was previously known from two males from two different localities: the original description from Distrito Federal, and an additional record from the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. New state records to Brazil are given for L. dubitalis (Fraser, 1939) (Amazonia domain of the state of Amapá), L. luismojenni (Cerrado domain of the state of Goiás), and for L. picinguaba Carvalho et al., 2004 (Atlantic Forest domain of the state of Paraná). Finally, the current knowledge about the genus is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to examine the diversity, occurrence and distribution pattern of damselflies and dragonflies (Odonata) in Keoladeo National Park from 2010–2015. A combination of direct search, observation and opportunistic sighting methods were used to record 37 different species of Odonata (9 damselflies and 28 dragonflies). Among the Odonata recorded, the most diverse families are Libellulidae presented by 22 species and Coenagrionidae was present with eight species. According to the list presented by Palot & Soniya (2000) 21 species could be added; of the species presented here five are recorded for the first time from Rajasthan.

Salinization of freshwater ecosystems, due to the application of road salts, is recognized as a potential threat to aquatic communities. Much of the research on the impact of salinity has focused on performance metrics in vertebrates, including respiration and osmoregulation. Here we focus on immune function in larvae of the dragonfly Anax junius, a top predator in fishless aquatic habitats. Impacts on this top predator have the potential to cascade through the community, and immune function is known to be both plastic and sensitive to stress. We injected larvae with monofilaments (simulating a parasite) and placed them in one of three environmentally relevant concentrations of deicing road salt: control (dechlorinated tap water with no added salt), low (1,000 mgL−1), or high salt (3,000 mgL−1), for either acute (24 h) or chronic (96 h) exposure. We hypothesized that elevated salinity would suppress the immune response and that longer exposure magnifies this effect. As predicted, chronic exposure to high salt concentrations resulted in significantly reduced larval immune response compared to control conditions, however, there were no detectable treatment effects in larvae exposed to low concentrations of road salt or to acute high concentrations. Our results demonstrate that prolonged exposure to high levels of road salt can compromise the immune response of dragonfly larvae. Our findings suggest that insects in aquatic environments that experience sustained environmental salt pollution will be more susceptible to parasites, which in turn may affect the impact of this major predator on aquatic community dynamics.

Adult odonate biodiversity was investigated to understand their relationship with pond management practices and environmental conditions in a rapidly urbanized landscape. Twenty-four farm ponds in Taoyuan City were selected and classified into five pond groups based on pond management practices. In total, 21 species, 17 genera, and 6 families of odonates were recorded for a total of 5701 individuals between June 2014 and July 2015. The abundance of Odonata was unrelated to pond size or distance to the nearest pond; however, odonate species richness was negatively and significantly correlated with pond size. Pond management practices considerably affected pond aquatic macrophytes and dike construction materials. Ecology park ponds under intense human management and undisturbed ponds without any human management had higher species richness than did the ponds in the other three fish farming groups. Species richness was highest in small and human-modified ponds. By contrast, species richness was lowest in two fish farming pond groups. These results suggest that pond management practices can increase or reduce odonate species richness depending on the alteration of pond microhabitat features. Our observations suggest that the enhanced habitat quality of small ponds provides an opportunity to protect freshwater biodiversity for local governmental civil servants in urbanized landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to fill the lacuna in the understanding of the diversity of odonates of Goa in general and dragonflies in particular on plateau and paddy fields in coastal villages—agricultural area at Velsao and Taleigao Plateau. Diversity in plateau ecosystem was higher possibly due to a greater plant and insect diversity on the plateau, in comparison with the monoculture paddy agro-ecosystem. Highest number of species recorded belonged to the family Libellulidae. Monthly diversity showed correlation with monthly average rainfall and humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The site of the former Schaerbeek-Josaphat railway station, locally referred to as friche Josaphat, is a post-industrial wasteland enclosed within the urban fabric of north-eastern Brussels. The inventories that have been conducted there for the last seven years reveal the exceptional richness of its dragonfly fauna. The factors of this richness are the juxtaposition of extensive feeding grounds harbouring a very diverse flora and entomofauna, and small aquatic environments particularly favourable to reproduction, as well as the location of the site in a plain which historically represented a migration and dispersal route for many organisms. Alteration of the site, and in particular a reduction in the area and the continuity of the feeding grounds, would make it lose its high biological, recreational and educational value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary task of school is to implement the teaching material contained in the core curriculum for a given subject. In the case of biology, in addition to classroom teaching, field classes are recommended because they teach an understanding of the interdependencies between different elements of the environment, and also shape a positive attitude towards the surrounding natural world. The implemented curriculum is based on general knowledge about groups of organisms and their characteristics, and usually does not focus on specific species. In teaching, it is worth basing the knowledge being conveyed on examples that can be observed in the immediate vicinity or to point out the biological diversity of the local environment. This is important because very often we notice common and abundant species, but we do not always know their names, not to mention anything more about them. This is one of a series of journal articles aimed to introduce common species of plants and animals, and to suggest activities for students in the field, thus shaping their attitudes towards research as well as honing their observation skills. This specific article includes proposals relating to different aspects of biology education, didactic proposals for teachers of naturalists, and the independent formulation of conclusions concerning diversity among insects, with a special focus on a group of odonates, which are characteristic of aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

They have large compound eyes and short antennae on their heads, a massive thorax where the legs and wings are found, and a clearly elongated abdomen. Their membranous wings are densely veined. They are the most skilful fliers among insects, and can hover in one place for long periods of time by rapidly moving their wings. Most odonates have vivid, beautiful coloration, often with a metallic sheen. They have biting-type mouth organs equipped with numerous teeth. They are predators that catch their prey in flight. Mating takes place in flight and is preceded by fighting between males. Odonates undergo incomplete metamorphosis and have larval organs (mask, gills) allowing them to live in water. They are efficient predators. Two groups can be distinguished among the odonates by the size and structure of their wings. Damselflies have both pairs of wings tapering towards the base and are identical. When perched, the wings are folded along the abdomen (sometimes slightly raised). Dragonflies have wings in which the front pair differs in shape from the back pair, which is also broad at the base. The wings remain spread out to the sides when perching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of the Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) was studied in seven districts of southern area of Gujarat State in India during 2014 to 2015. A total of 55 species belonging to two suborders and 37 genera under eight families were recorded. A total of 18 species of Zygoptera (damselflies) and 37 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) were recorded. Dang and Navsari districts were surveyed intensively and a maximum of 47 and 35 species were recorded respectively, whereas the districts that were surveyed less intensively, i.e., Bharuch (26), Valsad (21), Surat (29), Narmada (25) and Tapi (27) had comparatively low species richness. Thirty-two species are being reported for the first time from southern Gujarat, raising the total list of odonates to 60. Fifteen species namely, Lestes elatus Hagen in Selys, 1862; Elattoneura nigerrima (Laidlaw, 1917); Dysphaea ethela Fraser, 1924; Paracercion malayanum (Selys, 1876); Pseudagrion spencei Fraser, 1922; Burmagomphus laidlawi- Fraser, 1924; Cyclogomphus ypsilon Selys, 1854; Microgomphus torquatus (Selys, 1854); Onychogomphus acinaces (Laidlaw, 1922); Hylaeothemis indica Fraser, 1946; Lathrecista asiatica (Fabricius, 1798); Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur, 1842); Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1832); Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1891 and Zyxomma petiolatum Rambur, 1842 are recorded for the first time from Gujarat State raising the number of odonates of Gujarat State to 80 species.

The expansion of urban areas is one of the most significant anthropogenic impacts on the natural landscape. Due to their sensitivity to stressors in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, dragonflies and damselflies (the Odonata) may provide insights into the effects of urbanisation on biodiversity. However, while knowledge about the impacts of urbanisation on odonates is growing, there has not been a comprehensive review of this body of literature until now. This is the first systematic literature review conducted to evaluate both the quantity and topics of research conducted on odonates in urban ecosystems. From this research, 79 peer-reviewed papers were identified, the vast majority (89.87%) of which related to studies of changing patterns of biodiversity in urban odonate communities. From the papers regarding biodiversity changes, 31 were performed in an urban-rural gradient and 21 of these reported lower diversity towards built up city cores. Twelve of the cases of biodiversity loss were directly related to the concentrations of pollutants in the water. Other studies found higher concentrations of pollutants in odonates from built-up catchments and suggested that odonates such as Aeshna juncea and Platycnemis pennipes may be candidate indicators for particular contaminants. We conclude by identifying current research needs, which include the need for more studies regarding behavioural ecology and life-history traits in response to urbanisation, and a need to investigate the mechanisms behind diversity trends beyond pollution.

The present investigation was undertaken as a pilot study to examine the diversity, occurrence and distribution pattern of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) from the selected study sites of the Asansol-Durgapur industrial area of Burdwan District of West Bengal, India from January 2012 to December 2015. A combination of direct search and opportunistic sighting methods were applied to record 57 different Odonata species (38 dragonflies and 19 damselflies). Among the dragonflies the most diverse family was Libellulidae represented by 36 species while among damselflies Coenagrionidae was the most diverse family represented by 16 species. In spite of the Asansol-Durgapur region being an industrial urban area, the present study revealed a handsome diversity of odonates. A suitable geographic location, favourable climatic conditions, heterogeneous habitat types that included ponds, wetlands, riverbeds, grasslands and agricultural lands along with the presence of appropriate vegetation provided a comfortable shelter for Odonata species to flourish in this ecoregion. All the odonates noted in the present study belong to the Least Concerned category as designated by IUCN.

Natural history collections (NHC) are guardians of biodiversity (Lane 1996) and essential to understand the natural world and its evolutionary processes. They hold samples of morphological and genetic heritages of living and extinct biotas, helping to reconstruct the timeline of life over the centuries (Gardner 2014). Primary data from specimens in NHC are crucial elements for research in many areas of biological sciences, considered the "bricks" of systematics and therefore one of the pillars for evolutionary studies (Troudet 2018). For this reason, studies carried out in NHC are essential for the development of the scientific knowledge and are pivotal for the scientific-technological progress of a nation (Camargo 2015). The digitization and availability of primary data on biodiversity from NHC represents a inexpensive, practical and secure means of exchanging information, allowing collaboration between institutions and researchers. In this sense, initiatives such as the Sistema de Informação sobre a Biodiversidade Brasileira (SiBBr), a country-level branch of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) platform, aim to encourage and establish ways for the informatization of biological collections and their type specimens. Known for housing one of the largest and oldest collections of insects in the world focused on Neotropical fauna, the Entomological Collection of the Museu Nacional of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ) had more than 3,000 primary types and approximately 12,005,000 specimens, of which about 96% were lost in the tragic fire occurred at the institution on September 2, 2018. The SiBBr project was active in that collection from 2016 to 2019 and enabled the digitization and preservation of data from the type material of many insect orders, including the charismatic dragonflies (order Odonata). Due to the end of the agreement between SiBBr and the Museu Nacional, most of the obtained primary data are pending full curation and, therefore, are not yet available to the public and researchers. The MNRJ housed the biggest and most important collection of dragonflies among all Central and South American institutions. It assembled most of the physical records of neotropical dragonfly fauna gathered over the last 80 years, many of which are of undescribed taxa. Unfortunately, almost all material was permanently lost. This study aims to gather, analyze and publicize primary data of the type material of dragonflies housed in the MNRJ, ensuring the preservation of its history, as well as providing data on the taxonomy and diversity of this marvelous group of insects. A total of 11 families, 50 genera and 131 species were recorded, belonging to the suborders Anisoptera and Zygoptera with distributional records widespread in South America. The MNRJ housed 105 holotypes of dragonflies' nomina representing 11.7% of the richness of the Brazilian Odonata fauna (901 spp.), a country with the highest number of species of the biosphere. The impact of the loss of this collection to studies of these insects is unprecedented, since some enigmatic and monotypic genera such as Brasiliogomphus, Fluminagrion and Roppaneura lost 100% of their type series, while others most diverse such as Lauromacromia, Oxyagrion and Neocordulia lost 50%, 35% and 31% of their holotypes. Therefore, due to the registration and preservation of primary biodiversity data, this work reiterates the importance of curating and digitizing biological scientific collections. Furthermore, it shows extreme relevance for preserving information on existing biodiversity permanently and providing support for future research. Digitization and interconnecting digital extended specimen data proves to be one of the main and most effective ways to protect NHC heritage and their primary data against catastrophic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]