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Observations on underwater oviposition in Pseudagrion indicum (Odonata: Coenagrionidae): an endemic species from the Western Ghats
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Underwater oviposition of the Western Ghats endemic Pseudagrion indicum Fraser is discussed as a part of the reproductive behavior of odonates in the present article. Opportunistic records from two localities in Northern and Southern Western Ghats highlight the lack of data on breeding biology of these odonates. Observations presented here throw light on the need for documentation of breeding season of these species, which appears to be the post-monsoon season for P. indicum. Our work concludes that more emphasis should be given on ecological studies of these insects, especially endemic species that can provide valuable inputs in designing conservation strategies for potential areas.
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... Beberapa informasi terkait perilaku bertelur capung jarum Coenagrionidae yang telah terpublikasi di antaranya Enallagma hageni (Walsh) (Fincke 1985) dan Pseudagrion indicum Fraser (Mujumdar et al. 2018). Dari kedua capung tersebut diperoleh informasi bahwa capung Coenagrionidae umumnya terdapat perilaku penjagaan oleh jantan (mate guarding) saat betina melakukan telur, baik dengan cara mempertahankan posisi tandem (contact mate guarding) maupun dengan penjagaan di sekitar betina bertelur (non-contact mate guarding). ...
... Perilaku peletakkan telur yang ditunjukkan P. pruinosum sama dengan yang ditunjukkan oleh capung jarum Coenagrionidae lain, seperti E. hageni (Fincke 1985), P. indicum (Mujumdar et al. 2018). P. pruinosum, seperti capung Coenagrionidae lain menunjukkan perilaku yang sama. ...
p> Pseudagrion pruinosum (Burmeister) is a common damselfly that is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. However, information related to the oviposition behavior and habitat is still limited. This study was aimed to determine the behavior of P. pruinosum when laying eggs and characterized the oviposition habitat. This research used focal sampling method to observe oviposition behavior and measure habitat parameters on egg-laying location. Results showed, there was mate guarding when P. pruinosum females lay eggs. The male forms a tandem formation (contact mate guarding), then released the female and keep a guarding behavior around the female (noncontact mate guarding). Eggs were placed by the female on plant tissue with the technique of positioning the body to remain on the surface and then submerged. There is no tendency of P. pruinosum behavior towards one type or technique. Based on the results of principal component analysis, 75.8% of habitat components can be described for egg-laying habitat. Air temperature, pH, light intensity, and heterogeneity of vegetation positively correlated with the occurrence of egg-laying while TDS, humidity, water depth, and water temperature were negatively correlated. The results of this study concluded that the characteristics of egg-laying techniques included, i.e contact and noncontact mate guarding by the males and females putting eggs on the surface then submerged into water.</p
... Selection of suitable habitat and oviposition sites is a crucial part of the reproductive cycle of odonates as this affects egg survival (Corbet 1962: 1-2). While the eggs are typically laid either endophytically or exophytically in lentic or lotic freshwater ecosystems, oviposition sites other than open water bodies include microhabitats such as damp soil (Subramanian 2009: 4), phytotelmata (Orr 1994;Nishadh & Das 2012;Das et al. 2013), dead stems above water (Corbet 1999: 18), submerged aquatic vegetation (Corbet 1999: 17;Mujumdar et al. 2018), and wet moss bed besides the waterfall (Dawn 2019). Many Anisoptera oviposit exophytically by directly releasing eggs into the water, whereas all Zygoptera and most aeshnids perform the characteristic endophytic oviposition by inserting the eggs into submerged or floating aquatic vegetation or inside loose decaying plant material in the waterbody (Suhling et al. 2015: 912). ...
Oviposition behaviour of three Indian Elattoneura spp. is described and discussed. Endophytic oviposition in dry rigid substrates away from water by the endemic E. nigerrima and E. tetrica is recorded; this differs from the typical recorded use of submerged vegetation substrates in the genus. Contrasting behavioural observation of oviposition in E. campioni is also discussed.
Oviposition behaviour of three Indian Elattoneura spp. is described and discussed. Endophytic oviposition in dry rigid substrates away from water by the endemic E. nigerrima and E. tetrica is recorded; this differs from the typical recorded use of submerged vegetation substrates in the genus. Contrasting behavioural observation of oviposition in E. campioni is also discussed.
Bellanwilla-Attidiya sanctuary is an urban wetland having a rich odonate diversity. Pseudagrion microcephalum (Blue Sprite) is a small-sized common damselfly, belonging to the Family Coenagrionidae. There are 16 species categorized under this family. The Genus Pseudagrion is widely distributed inold world tropics and subtropics. Blue Sprites have been reported from the South Asian region, Southeast Asian region and parts of the Australian continent. This species is also known as Blue Grass Dartlet, Blue River Damsel and Small-headed Sprite. P. microcephalum is a widespread species in Sri Lanka but difficult to locate in central highlands. The habitats of this species are marshlands, tanks, pools and slow-flowing canals with grassy vegetation. P. microcephalum exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males are similar to Malabar Sprite (P. malabaricum). Females are much pale in color .
Oviposition is a crucial stage in the life cycle of female odonates at which they have a probability of endangering themselves due to predation. Some species of Order Odonata performs underwater oviposition. The main oviposition behaviour of P. decorum is under water egg laying where the rarest strategy, is shown by only a few species from the Order Conigreonidae. Several endemic species of this family (in Sri Lanka and India) have reported under water oviposition and laid eggs in water Eggs are laid in several modes either endophytically or exophytically, but on most occasions directly under water.
Sixty-two localities from Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra State, India, were surveyed for habitat correlates of Odonata diversity. Proximate habitat variables (canopy cover , area of water spread on transect, and altitude) and broad scale environmental variables derived from climate database were used. Seventy species were recorded during the survey. Vestalis apicalis was found to be the most abundant species. Multiple regression analysis failed to resolve relationship among variables. Proximate habitat variables, except altitude, showed slightly higher contribution in shaping species richness and diversity than broad-scale habitat variables. Canonical correspondence analysis based on species abundance data and multiple variables suggested that canopy cover and area of water on the transect are driving species assemblages. Almost all of the Western Ghats endemics recorded during the survey were found to be associated with high canopy forests and streams, suggesting the critical habitat requirement of these species. The study provides baseline and local habitat association data on Odonata, which can be used as evidence in the conservation of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve corridor which is under threat of forest felling.
Odonata diversity of Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and its adjacent areas in Thattekkad, Kerala, India were documented from 2010 to 2012. Opportunistic observations were carried out to record species diversity. Eighty-two species of Odonata, which included 51 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) and 31 species of Zygoptera (damselflies), were recorded during the study. Of this 21 species are endemic to the Western Ghats. The presence of the IUCN categorized nearly threatened species like Megalogomphus hannyngtoni and vulnerable species like Platysticta deccanensis and Protosticta sanguinostigma is remarkable.
The study reports the results from surveys for Odonates in the State of Goa over 19 months during 2007-2008. A total of 66 species of Odonates were documented with 34 new species records from the State. The present study has resulted in an increase of 47.30% in the number of species reported from Goa to 74 from the existing 39. Family Libellulidae dominated the odonate community with 32 species followed by Coenagrionidae with 14 species. Orthetrum sabina was the most abundant species while seven species were documented only once during the survey period. More survey effort are needed to completely document the odonate species diversity of the state.
Catchment landscape degradation and habitat modifications of freshwater ecosystems are a primary cause of biodiversity loss
in riverine ecosystems all over the world. Many elements of the flora and fauna of freshwater ecosystems are sensitive to the changes
in catchment land use and habitat modification. These sensitive taxa are also reliable indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. In the
current study we investigate the seasonal and habitat distribution of Odonata (Insecta) across riparian land use types in Mula and Mutha
river basins, northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra. There was a difference in the species composition across land use types and across
seasons with highest diversity and abundance during the post monsoon period. The highest Odonata diversity was observed in urban
areas followed by forest and agriculture fields. There was a loss of 31% of the odonate fauna in the study area over 50 years which could
be due to rapid industrialization and urbanization of the region and consequent degradation of freshwater ecosystems. The significance
of catchment land use on Odonata diversity and its value in landscape monitoring is discussed.
Odonates were surveyed across 10 localities from Western Ghats of Maharashtra State, India during 2011-2013. We recorded 64 species belonging to 40 genera and 12 families. Seven species are new records for the region, and four out of them are new records for Maharashtra State. In this paper, we discuss these species records and their micro-habitats, and update previous knowledge on distribution of odonates.
The influence of riparian land use on the diversity an~ distribution were investigated by sampling 113 localities covering 4 districts in south-western Karnataka. A total of 55 species in 12 families were recorded. Streams, rivers and lakes had higher diversity than marshes and sea coast. However, lakes had low endemism than streams and rivers. Streams flowing through evergreen forests had higher diversity and endemism. Human impacted riparian zones such as paddy fields had relatively lower species richness. However, streams flowing through forestry plantations had higher diversity than other natural riparian zones such as dry deciduous, moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests. Myristica swamps-a relict evergreen forest marsh had low diversity and high endemism. Odonate communities of lentic ecosystems, and human impacted streams and rivers were characterized by widespread generalist species. Endemics and habitat specialists were. restricted to streams and rivers with undisturbed riparian zone. The study documents possible odonate community change due to human impact: The influence of riparian 'Ianduse change on odonate community is also discussed.
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