Odonata are freshwater insects spread world-wide. Tropical areas are high Odonata diversity areas. However, there has not been accumulation of extensive baseline data on spatial distribution of these insects from such places. Maharashtra, the third largest state of India, harbors a variety of land-use and occupies six biogeographic provinces. We carried out Odonata surveys in Maharashtra during 2006-2014. Compilation of all these studies along with other authenticated records resulted in a checklist of 134 species of Odonata belonging to 70 genera representing 11 families. The highest numbers of species were recorded from the Libellulidae (48 species) and Gomphidae (22 species) families. A previous study had reported 99 species of Odonata from the Maharashtra state considering records from early 1900's to 2012. Our observations across the state add 33 species to this list. Maharashtra forms a unique source of Odonata diversity and our observations support the importance of this region in providing valuable habitats for Odonata. Here, we discuss several of the new records, how global surveys might help fill the local gap in species distributions, how secondary data deposited through crowd-sourcing can help and what it offers to conservation.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4535479 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iev028 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Dragonfly larvae rearing: experimental insights and best practices.
Environ Entomol
January 2025
Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Understanding and optimizing rearing conditions for dragonfly larvae is crucial for ecological research and conservation efforts, yet optimal rearing conditions and general rearing practices are lacking. In this study, we investigated the effect of temperature, amount of oxygen in water, presence of (artificial) plants, and age of eggs on hatchability, survival, and development of dragonfly larvae using the model species Sympetrum striolatum. We conducted three independent experiments and assessed variability between egg clutches of individual females, as well as the occurrence of cannibalism among larvae.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThreat to the predator suppresses defence of its prey.
R Soc Open Sci
January 2025
Department of Hydrobiology, Institute of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland.
Many studies have shown that prey can optimize their defence mechanisms based on cues indicating predator presence and pressure. However, little is known about whether prey can assess the actual threat by considering both predator density and the motivational state of cannibalistic predators, which can be influenced by threats from higher order predators. We conducted laboratory experiments to test the hypothesis that high predator density, combined with chemical cues indicating predator stress (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolarized vision in the eyes of the most effective predators: dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata).
Naturwissenschaften
January 2025
LESTES, Entomology and Experimental Biology Center, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Polarization is a property of light that describes the oscillation of the electric field vector. Polarized light can be detected by many invertebrate animals, and this visual channel is widely used in nature. Insects rely on light polarization for various purposes, such as water detection, improving contrast, breaking camouflage, navigation, and signaling during mating.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects of a Habitat Integrity Gradient on the Diversity of Odonates in the Legal Amazonia Zone of the Brazilian State of Maranhão.
Neotrop Entomol
January 2025
Lab of Environmental Sciences and Biodiversity, Univ Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
The diverse ecosystems of the Amazon biome play a vital role in the maintenance of biodiversity and delivering essential ecosystem services at both local and global levels. Small-bodied generalist insects, such as those from the order Odonata, contribute significantly to these services and are recognized as sensitive bioindicators of environmental quality. The present study evaluated the diversity and distribution of adult odonates in the Legal Amazonia zone of the Brazilian state of Maranhão, to identify the key environmental drivers shaping local odonate communities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSemi-field experiments reveal contrasted predation and movement patterns of aquatic macroinvertebrate predators of Anopheles gambiae larvae.
Malar J
January 2025
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland.
Background: Members of the Anopheles gambiae complex are major malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa. Their larval stages inhabit a variety of aquatic habitats in which, under natural circumstances, they are preyed upon by different taxa of aquatic macroinvertebrate predators. Understanding the potential impact of predators on malaria vector larval population dynamics is important for enabling integrated local mosquito control programmes with a stronger emphasis on biocontrol approaches.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!