Odonate diversity along different habitats of Koraput district, Odisha, India

Abstract

Odonates are consideredrnto be indicator of ecological balance. An inventory was carried out to documentrnthe over looked odonate diversity in four habitat types (hill stream, river,rnreservoir and pond) of Koraput district, southern Odisha, India. The studyrnrecorded 64 species representing 45 genera under 9 families. Family Libellulidaernwas the dominant group representing 32 species. Maximum species (n=58, 90.6%)rnwere recorded along hill streams. Forty-one species were recorded from singlernhabitat type, of which 37 species were confined to hill streams. A decreasingrntrend in species diversity was observed from the water bodies in the forestedrnareas to human dominated landscapes indicating human impact on odonate speciesrndiversity. Ditch Jewel (Brachythemis contaminate) was most frequentlyrnsighted in the water bodies near human habitations, indicating highly pollutedrnwater not suitable for human consumption, whereas species like Common Clubtailrn(Ictinogomphus rapax) and Common Hooktail (Paragomphus lineatus)rnwere only recorded along hill streams, indicating unpolluted water.