Odonata (Insecta) communities along an elevational gradient in the Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil, with the description of the female of Heteragrion mantiqueirae Machado, 2006

Despite the important role of the order Odonata in ecosystems, there is a lack of information about dragonfly communities in several regions, high elevation sites, and environmentally protected areas in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Our objective was to assess the abundance and richness of dragonfly and damselfly communities along an elevational gradient in the Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil.

Odonata of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, South China, part 1: Zygoptera

Extensive surveys for odonates were completed in protected areas throughout Guangdong Province, south China during the period 1997-2005. Previously unreported data from these surveys is presented here and, together with published data, is used to catalogue the zygopteran fauna of Guangdong. Checklists are provided for the Zygoptera of Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong. Sinosticta debra…

Dragonfly (Odonata) community structure in the Eastern Highlands Biodiversity Hotspot of Zimbabwe: potential threats of land use changes on freshwater invertebrates

We examined the diversity and potential drivers of dragonfly distribution in a biodiversity hotspot of Southern Africa (Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe) by surveying 30 sites (13 lentic and 17 lotic habitats) located within this region. Additionally, we identified the anthropogenic factors that may threaten Odonata diversity and abundance. Our results revealed that 27 odonate species are…

Critical species of Odonata in China

The state of knowledge of China’s Odonata is very much incomplete with many species awaiting description, especially from tropical and subtropical areas. A brief account is given of new odonate species described from China, including Taiwan, between 2000 and 2003. Information on identification guides, faunal lists and current studies, is provided. Species of Odonata, categorised…

Critical species of Odonata in the Levant

Of the 86 Odonata species so far recorded for the Levant, four are considered as endangered (Calopteryx hyalina, C. syriaca, Ceriagrion georgifreyi, Pseudagrion torridum hulae), six as vulnerable (Coenagrion vanbrinckae, P. sublacteum mortoni, Gomphus kinzelbacbi, Onychogomphus macrodon, Brachythemis fuscopalliata, Crocotbemis sanguinolenta), and two as extinct (Rhyothemis semihyalina syriaca, Urothemis edwardsi hulae). The history of odonatological…

Odonata fauna of Sri Lanka: research state and threat status

Altogether 116 odonate species are known from Sri Lanka. The level of endemism is high -53 taxa or 45.7% are confined to the island. The Chlorocyphidae, Euphaeidae, Protoneuridae, Platystictidae, Gomphidae and Corduliidae consist of almost exclusively endemic taxa. The odonate fauna of Sri Lanka is still insufficiently known. Knowledge on distribution, biology and taxonomy of…

Critical species of Odonata in Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus

An overview is given of the present knowledge and current research on the Odonata fauna of Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus. The occurrence of endemic taxa and of rare and possibly threatened species is discussed. The use of water from various aquatic habitats is reviewed in order to gain insight in existing and potential problems,…