Journal of Animal Diversity

Journal of Animal Diversity

Odonates of Gujarat: A comprehensive review with new record of Selysiothemis nigra (Van der Linden, 1825) from the Gujarat State, India

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Wildlife and Conservation Biology Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, HNG University, Patan (Gujarat), 384265 India; WCB Research Foundation, 9, Panchvati Society, Deesa Road, Patan (Gujarat), 384265 India
2 Wildlife and Conservation Biology Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, HNG University, Patan (Gujarat), 384265 India; WCB Research Foundation, 9, Panchvati Society, Deesa Road, Patan (Gujarat), 384265 India; Centre of Excellence for Wildlife and Conservation Studies, BKNM University, Junagadh (Gujarat), 362263 India
3 WCB Research Foundation, 9, Panchvati Society, Deesa Road, Patan (Gujarat), 384265 India; Centre of Excellence for Wildlife and Conservation Studies, BKNM University, Junagadh (Gujarat), 362263 India
4 Wildlife and Conservation Biology Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, HNG University, Patan (Gujarat), 384265 India
10.22034/JAD.2025.7.2.3
Abstract
The significant ecological value of odonates makes them important for assessing disturbances or various environmental effects in the ecosystem. Odonate diversity was investigated from February 2022 to December 2022 at four different locations in north Gujarat State of India namely, Visnagar, Dharoi, Patan, and Balaram-Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), and the results were compared with past studies on the distribution and diversity of odonates in Gujarat. We recorded 44 species of odonates, including 32 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) and 12 species of Zygoptera (damselflies). The highest species richness (19 dragonfly and 8 damselfly species) was observed in Visnagar. This was followed by Dharoi, Balaram-Ambaji WLS, and Patan, having 25, 23, and 20 species, respectively. In previous literature from the Gujarat State, a total of 18 studies from 2014 to 2021 have been carried out, and 80 species belonging to 50 genera, 9 families, and 2 suborders (25 species of Zygoptera and 55 species of Anisoptera) were recorded. Among these, 20 species of dragonflies and 9 species of damselflies are common in all five regions of Gujarat state. The Gujarat state is officially divided into five distinct regions; north Gujarat, central Gujarat, south Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch. Notably, Selysiothemis nigra (Van der Linden, 1825) is reported for the first time from Gujarat state. Odonates are reliable bioindicators because their diversity closely reflects habitat quality and ecosystem health. Although previous studies emphasize that habitat heterogeneity is essential for maintaining odonate diversity, many regions remain under-documented. Our data address this gap by providing updated diversity information and supporting a clearer understanding of habitat and odonate relationships.
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