Odonata Diversity in Riparian Agriland and Urbanland of Muvattupuzha River, Kerala | InformativeBD

Geetha Paul, from the institute of India. Priscilla Suresh, from the institute of India. Agnes T. Sebastian, from the institute of India and Ninan Sajeeth Philip, from the institute of India. wrote a Research Article about, Odonata Diversity in Riparian Agriland and Urbanland of Muvattupuzha River, Kerala. Entitled, Odonata fauna in adjoining riparian agriland and the riparian urbanland of Muvattupuzha river, Kerala, India. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES). an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

This study, conducted between February and May 2019, coincided with the COVID-19 lockdown period in India. Researchers examined dragonfly (Anisoptera) and damselfly (Zygoptera) assemblages in riparian habitats bordering the Muvattupuzha River, Kerala, India. The investigation revealed a fascinating contrast: odonate diversity was significantly higher in agricultural land than in urban areas. A total of 46 species from nine families were documented across both habitats. The urban zone displayed a community of 19 species, with an even split between dragonflies (19) and damselflies (9). Conversely, the agricultural land teemed with a richer assemblage of 28 species, including a surprising dominance of damselflies (17) compared to dragonflies (11). This finding highlights the potential of agricultural landscapes to support odonate populations, particularly damselflies. Furthermore, the agri-land was a refuge for two endemic Western Ghats species, Macrogomphus wynaadicus and Heliocypha bisignata, adding to its ecological significance. Researchers conducted a physico-chemical analysis of Muvattupuzha River water samples collected near the study sites to understand potential environmental influences. The analysis revealed variations in 14 measured parameters, which may warrant further investigation to elucidate their role in shaping odonate diversity across these contrasting riparian habitats. The timing of this study, coinciding with the lockdown, offers a unique opportunity to understand how reduced human activity might influence odonate populations. With less traffic and potentially altered land-use patterns during the lockdown, the study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of reduced anthropogenic pressure on freshwater ecosystems and their biodiversity.

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Introduction

Odonata, which includes dragonflies and damselflies, is an ancient order of insects that first appeared in the Carboniferous period over 300 million years ago (Bora, 2014). They are found on every continent except Antarctica, and their larvae and adults play essential roles in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (Samways, 2008). Some species can accept brackish and contaminated water, but most species survive only in freshwater, so they are considered indicators of water quality (Klym, 2003; Harisha, 2018). Both larval and adult stages are predatory for beneficial and harmful insects (Subramanian, 2005). The larval stages of odonates, also known as nymphs, are predators that live in freshwater. They have long, slender bodies with large jaws to catch and eat small aquatic animals like insects, larvae, and even small fish. Nymphs can remain in the larval stage for several years, growing larger and larger until they are ready to metamorphose into adults. Adult odonates are also predators, but they catch their prey in flight. They have large, compound eyes that give them excellent vision, and they can fly at high speeds and make sudden changes in direction. Adult odonates typically eat other insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, and bees. They are also important pollinators, and they help to control populations of pest insects. Odonates are essential members of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Their larvae help to control populations of aquatic insects, which can be pests of fish and other aquatic organisms. Adult odonates help to control populations of pest insects, and they are also important pollinators. Odonata nymphs usually prey on aquatic insects, diatoms, mosquito larvae, tadpoles, small fishes, etc., and adults feed on other terrestrial and aerial insects in flight, such as grasshoppers, butterflies, bees, moths, mosquitoes, flies, aphids (Subramanian, 2005). They are also cannibalistic (feeding their species).

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Source : Odonata fauna in adjoining riparian agriland and the riparian urbanland of Muvattupuzha river,Kerala, India