A Study on Diversity and Habitat Characterisation of Odonata at Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, India

International Journal of Scientific Research in ______Research Paper . Biological Sciences Vol.6, Issue.2, pp.26-34, April (2019) E-ISSN: 2347-7520 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26438/ijsrbs/v6i2.2634

Kalavanti Mokaria1* and Bharat Jethva2

1,2Department of Science, The Mahatma Jyotirao Phoole University, Jaipur, Rajasthan

*Corresponding Author: kala303@gmailcom Available online at: www.isroset.org Received: 15/Mar/2019, Accepted: 07/Apr/2019, Online: 30/Apr/2019 Abstract- A study was carried out in Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary to assess habitat characteristics preferred by Odonates (Dragonflies and Damselflies) in Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (Ramsar Site), Gujarat. The entire study area was stratified into 6 different habitat type. Transects Survey was carried out covering all habitats. Each transect was repeatedly surveyed covering all seasons. A total of 30 species of dragonflies and damselflies were encountered belonging to 5 families namely Libellulidae, Gomphidae, Aeshnidae, Coenagrionidae, and Lestidae during the entire study. The most habitat type utilized by Odonates, out of total individual encountered during survey are Habitat-Type-4 and Habitat-Type-2 and it contributes to around 64.3 % of Odonate within study area. However, most preferred habitat by Anisoptera (Dragonflies) is Habitat-Type-4. Similarly, most preferred habitat by Zygoptera (Damselflies) is Habitat-Type- 6 and Habitat-Type-2. Relative frequency (%) and relative abundance (%) of each Odonate species (Dragonflies and Damselflies) were calculated based on data collection. Relative frequency (%) of Trithemis pallidinervis was recorded highest in most of the habitats and Relative abundance (%) of Trithemis pallidinervis highest in Habitat-Type-3 compared other species within habitat irrespective of seasonality. However, Pantala flavescens were recorded maximum in the majority of habitat due to its monsoon season migratory behaviour.

Keywords- Damselfly, Diversity, Dragonfly, Habitat, Habitat Characterisation, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Odonata

I. INTRODUCTION roosting/sheltering and oviposition behavior, however, such behavior and activities are less understood [6]. Dragonfly (Suborder-Anisoptera) and Damselflies (Suborder- Zygoptera) both belong to Order Odonata. Odonates have Odonata is one of the most ancient groups of insects that first three stages in life eggs, nymphs (larvae) and adult. The appeared during the Carboniferous era, about 250 million Odonates are amphibiotic insects. They spend a major part of years ago [7]. Globally 5,952 species of Odonates under 652 their life cycle in a freshwater ecosystem. Odonate nymphs genera have been reported (Schorr and Paulson, 2013) [8]. are carnivores and voracious feeder whereas adults are a India harbors 474 species and 50 subspecies belonging to 142 predator of other insect species [1]. Distribution of Odonata genera in18 families [9]. varies among temporary to permanent waterbodies. Numbers of factors influencing Odonate diversity and assemblage Nalsarovar Sanctuary is one of the important wetlands of composition including intra and interspecific competition India and Gujarat. It is internationally recognized as a Ramsar have been identified. Odonata is very sensitive to its Site of Gujarat. It is also designated as a Sanctuary i.e. associated habitat and climate, which ultimately influence protected area and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area their distribution and abundance. Anisoptera (dragonflies) are (IBA) [10]. Nalsarovar wetland is a seasonal wetland. The abundant in all waterbodies compared to Zygoptera may be basin of Nalsarovar is of elongate undulating saucer type and due to their high adaptability and dispersal of dragonflies its overall shape is very gentle, running from east to whereas damselflies have limited dispersal ability and northwest and northwest to south. Generally, the depth of adaptation to the environmental changes. The factors that water does not exceed 3 meters [11,12]. There are more than mainly influence dragonflies and damselflies diversity and 300 elevated plateaus in the basin locally called „Bet‟ or assemblage composition are habitat structure and complexity „Thalias‟ meaning islets as they remain above the water predation, pollution and water chemistry [2,3,4,5]. The surface. The natural and seasonal spread of wetland of relationship of adult Odonate assemblage composition to Nalsarovar is of irregular shape. It is moreover elliptical in habitat constraints are associated with hunting, mating, shape. It is shallow and in most parts muddy. This depressed portion had come into existence by tectonic uplift of an

© 2019, IJSRBS All Rights Reserved 26 Int. J. Sci. Res. in Biological Sciences Vol. 6(2), Apr 2019, ISSN: 2347-7520 estuary as also by increased sedimentation and aeolian infill May and falls below 7ᵒC in January. The rise in the [13]. Studies on various aspect of Nal Sarovar is done in the temperature after peak winter accelerates the rate of past including birds and biodiversity study [10,14,15]. The evaporation of water in the lake and thereby results in rapid entire study was carried out in Nalsarovar wetland. drying [10,34]. The rainfall is erratic. During the good rainfall years, the total area under submergence swells to around 350 Odonates larval (nymphs) and adult stage play a significant sq. km whereas submergence area is often 60 sq km during role as a predator in the wetland ecosystem as a biocontrol winter of normal rain year. The entire land of Nal Sarovar and agent. However, Odonates also act as biocontrol agent of may its environs is salt-affected with saline/alkaline salts disease-causing species including mosquitoes i.e. a vector of concentrated in the upper layer of clayey, medium black soil malaria and dengue and helminths i.e. parasites of birds [12]. especially of poultry and wild ducks which thereby aid Apart from rainfall and the temperature, wind also plays an transmission of these diseases [16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,7] important role in the area. During summer the wind velocity can be as high as 60km/hr which also accelerates the rate of Studies on aquatic insects are limited within the Gujarat state. evaporation of water from the lake [10]. However, few Studies focused on aquatic and semi-aquatic insects were carried out in past [24,25,26,27,28,29]. The change in water quality between fresh and However, Odonata being such an important semiaquatic brackish keeps the bio-cycles of organisms. Nal Sarovar insect worldwide including state like Gujarat (with many provides adequate depression over a large area for the seasonal wetland), there is a gap of studies on habitat existence of submerged aquatic vegetation. Moreover, in and charaterisation and preference of dragonflies and damselflies. around its shallow water near the shores and islets, it supports However, no studies focusing on habitat charaterisation of emergent hydrophytic vegetation. Both the submerged and dragonflies and damselflies are focused within Gujarat state. emergent vegetation, as well as algae, constitute primary Considering the important role played by Odonata in terms of producers of this aquatic ecosystem. They support large monitoring wetland health. An effort was made to study epiphytic macro-invertebrates and also provide cover to a habitats of Odonate species within Nalsarovar Bird variety of organisms [35,10,34] The major habitats of Nal Sanctuary. This study can be used as a benchmark for future Sarovar wetland include Open Water Habitat, Emergent conservation of odonate within Gujarat state. Hydrophytic Cover, Muddy Habitat, Islets ('bet'), Shore-land, Agriculture fields surrounding the Lake, wasteland II. STUDY AREA surrounding the Lake and Inlets and Outlets of Lake [34] (Map 1). The study was carried out at Nal Sarovar Sanctuary, Gujarat Map 1: Location of Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary state, India. Nal Sarovar is located between 22ᴼ78‟ N and 22ᴼ 96‟ N latitude and 71ᴼ 92‟ E and 72ᴼ 64‟ E longitudes. The lake area is spread over two districts viz., Ahmedabad and Surendranagar. It has an area of 147 sq. km. [31] Biogeographically, the area falls in Gujarat-Rajwara Biotic Province (4B) of the Semi-Arid biogeographical zone [32]. There are about 12 villages located on the periphery of this wetland. They include Kayla, Vekaria, Meni, Darji, Digvijaygadh, Shiyal, Paraii, Mulbavla, Ranagadh, Bhagvnpur, Nani Kathechi, and Shahpur.

The natural and seasonal spread of wetland of Nal Sarovar, has an irregular configuration, though the basin is elliptical in shape. It is shallow with a maximum depth of 3m and in most parts muddy. Among the wetlands of Gujarat, Nal Sarovar is III. MATERIALS AND METHODS unique both in structural and physical characteristics. Geologically it is the remnant - relict of an oceanic creek - Sampling Strategies: A study of odonates was carried out locally called as Nal. This depressed portion had come into from February 2015 to February 2017 at Nalsarovar Bird existence by tectonic uplift of an estuary and also by Sanctuary. Study area was stratified into 6 different habitat increased sedimentation and aeolian infill [33]. type including 1) Habitat-Type-1 - Marshy and muddy habitat with Emergent hydrophytic and emergent rooted floating leaf Being a natural lake, the area under the submergence varies habitat cover in pockets of water holes with variable depth of seasonally and annually depending upon the rainfall and the water, 2) Habitat-Type-2 - Openwater with both submerged climate of the area is arid to semi-arid in nature. The hydrophyte and emergent vegetation with depth more than 2 temperature attains a maximum of 45ᵒC during the month of feet, 3) Habitat-Type-3 - Openwater with emergent vegetation

© 2019, IJSRBS All Rights Reserved 27 Int. J. Sci. Res. in Biological Sciences Vol. 6(2), Apr 2019, ISSN: 2347-7520 with depth more or equal to 2 feet, 4) Habitat-Type-4 - (Fabricius, 1798), Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865), Openwater with shallow water and emergent vegetation with Rhodischnura nursei (Morton, 1907), Agriocnemis pygmaea depth less than 2 feet, 5) Habitat-Type-5 - Other habitats (Rambur, 1842), Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842), including Scrubland /Grassland /Agriculture (seasonally Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842) belonged to 6 Genera variable water depth and area get dried up in summer) and 6) and 1 family Coenagrionidae, A single species namely Lestes Habitat-Type-6 - Shoreland with submerged hydrophyte in a species belonged to 1 Genus and 1 family Lestidae were puddle with the Variable depth of water. Transects were laid encountered during survey. in different habitats using GPS for the odonate survey within the study area. All fourteen transects were regularly and Habitat-wise species richness: Total 22 Odonate species repeatedly surveyed. Fixed belt transects of 500 m length and including 16 species belonging to Anisoptera (dragonfly) and width of 5 m on both side of transect were followed for the 6 species belonging to Zygoptera (damselfly) were study of odonates. The survey was carried out covering all encountered utilizing Habitat-Type-1. Total 27 Odonate major habitats and different seasons. Individuals of Odonates species including 18 species belonging to Anisoptera were recorded during the survey, photographed and then (dragonfly) and 9 species belonging to Zygoptera (damselfly) released back to the field. Species were mainly photographed species were encountered in Habitat-Type-2. Total 17 using digital photos by Camera with Powershot SX60 HS Odonate species including 12 species belonging to Anisoptera camera with 16.1 megapixels, ultrasonic, full HD 65X optical (dragonfly) and 5 species belonging to Zygoptera (damselfly) zoom. Species were identifications using standard taxonomic were encountered in Habitat-Type-3. Total 28 Odonate literature [7,36,37,38]. The raw data of all the sites collected species including 21 species belonging to Anisoptera from the field were transferred in an electronic format in (dragonfly) and 7 species belonging to Zygoptera (damselfly) spreadsheet layout (Microsoft excels). The data was analyzed were encountered in Habitat-Type-4. Total 25 Odonate to calculate relative frequency (%) and relative abundance species including 17 species belonging to Anisoptera (%) of each species in each selected habitat. (dragonfly) and 8 species belonging to Zygoptera (damselfly) were encountered in Habitat-Type-5. Total 27 Odonate IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION species including 18 species belonging to Anisoptera (dragonfly) and 9 species belonging to Zygoptera (damselfly) Species Richness: A total of 30 species of dragonflies and were encountered in Habitat-Type-6. damselflies were encountered belonging to 5 families namely Libellulidae, Gomphidae, Aeshnidae, Coenagrionidae, and The most preferred habitat types by different species of Lestidae during the entire study (Table 1). Out of total Odonates out of total species encountered during study were Odonate (30 species) encountered during the entire study, a Habitat-Type-4 (93.3 %), Habitat-Type-2 (90 %) and Habitat- total of 21 species of dragonflies (Suborder – Anisoptera) Type-6 (90 %). The most habitat type utilized by Odonates encountered belonged to 3 families. However, among out of total individual encountered is Habitat-Type-4 (40.1 %) Anisoptera, 18 species namely Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, and Habitat-Type-2 (24.2 %). It contributes to around 64.3 % 1842), Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1832), Trithemis festiva of Odonate within study area. (Rambur, 1842), Orthetrum glaucaum (Drury, 1770), Indothemis carnatica (Fabricius, 1798), Macrodiplax cora Habitat-wise Relative frequency (%) and Relative (Brauer, 1867), Rhyothemis variegata (Linnaeus, 1763), abundance of Odonate species Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793), Bradinopyga Relative frequency (%) and Relative abundance of Odonate geminata (Rambur, 1842), Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770), species were calculated utilizing the data collected during the Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842), Brachydiplax sobrina survey in each habitat. Analysis was based on the percentage (Rambur, 1842), Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889), of Relative frequency and Relative abundance derived from Trithemis kirbyi (Kirby, 1889), Tramea basilaris (Rambur, the calculation. Details of each are given further. 1842), Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1770), Acisoma panorpoides (Rambur, 1842), Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, Relative frequency (%): During the entire survey, relative 1798) which belongs to 13 Genera and family Libellulidae, 1 frequency (%) of Trithemis pallidinervis were recorded species namely Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842) which maximum followed by Rhodischnura nursei, Orthetrum belonged to 1 Genus and family Gomphidae, 2 species sabina, Ischnura senegalensis, and Crocothemis servilia in namely Hemianax ephippiger (Burmeister, 1839), Anax Habitat-Type-1 (Figure 1). Relative frequency (%) of guttatus (Burmeister, 1839) which belonged to 2 Genera and Trithemis pallidinervis were recorded maximum followed by family Aeshnidae were encountered during survey. Similarly, Crocothemis servilia, Pseudagrion decorum, Ischnura a total of 9 species of Zygoptera (damselflies) encountered senegalensis Orthetrum sabina and Brachythemis belonged to 6 Genera and 2 families during the entire study. contaminata in Habitat-Type-2 (Figure 2). Relative frequency Among zygopterans, 8 species namely Pseudagrion (%) of Crocothemis servili were recorded maximum followed microcephalum (Rambur, 1842), Enallagma cyathigerum by Trithemis pallidinervis, Pantala flavescens, Hemianax (Charpentier, 1840), Ceriagrion coromandelianum ephippiger and Orthetrum sabina in Habitat-Type-3 (Figure

3). Relative frequency (%) of Trithemis pallidinervis were flavescens were recorded maximum followed by Trithemis recorded maximum followed by Orthetrum sabina, Ischnura pallidinervis, Brachythemis contaminate, Rhyothemis senegalensis, Crocothemis servilia, and Brachythemis variegate and Ischnura aurora in Habitat-Type-6 (Figure 6). contaminate in Habitat-type-4 (Figure 4). Relative frequency (%) of Trithemis pallidinervis were recorded maximum However, relative frequency and relative abundance of followed by Orthetrum sabina, Crocothemis servilia, Acisoma panorpoides, Brachydiplax sobrina, Bradinopyga followed by Brachythemis contaminate and Rhodischnura geminate, Ceriagrion coromandelianum, Indothemis nursei in Habitat-Type-5 (Figure 5). Relative frequency (%) carnatica, Pseudagrion microcephalum utilizing Habitat- of Trithemis pallidinervis were recorded maximum followed Type-1 were recorded relatively less (Figure 1). Relative by Brachythemis contaminate, Crocothemis servilia, and frequency and relative abundance of Anax guttatus and Orthetrum sabina in Habitat-Type-6 (Figure 6). Orthetrum glaucaum utilizing Habitat-Type-2 were recorded relatively less (Figure 2). Relative frequency and relative Relative abundance (%): Relative abundance (%) of abundance of species Agriocnemis pygmaea, Ischnura Pantala flavescens were recorded maximum followed by aurora, Ischnura senegalensis, Macrodiplax cora, Brachythemis contaminate and Ischnura senegalensis in Rhyothemis variegate, Tramea basilaris and Tramea limbata Habitat-Type-1 (Figure 1). Relative abundance (%) of utilizing Habitat-Type-3 were recorded relatively less (Figure Pantala flavescens were recorded maximum followed by 3). Relative frequency and relative abundance of Ischnura aurora, Trithemis pallidinervis, and Brachythemis Brachydiplax sobrina, Bradinopyga geminate, Enallagma contaminata in Habitat-Type-2 (Figure 2). Relative cyathigerum and Ictinogomphus rapax utilizing Habitat- abundance (%) of Trithemis pallidinervis were recorded Type-4 were recorded relatively less (Figure 4). Relative maximum followed by Pantala flavescens, Rhodischnura frequency and relative abundance of Acisoma panorpoides, nursei and Orthetrum sabina in Habitat-Type-3 (Figure 3). Ceriagrion coromandelianum, Diplacodes lefebvrii, Relative abundance (%) of Pantala flavescens were recorded Enallagma cyathigerum, Ictinogomphus rapax utilizing maximum followed by Brachythemis contaminate, Trithemis Habitat-Type-5 were recorded relatively less (Figure 5). pallidinervis, Macrodiplax cora, and Rhyothemis variegata in Relative frequency and relative abundance of species Habitat-type-4 (Figure 4). Relative abundance (%) of Acisoma panorpoides, Ictinogomphus rapax. Orthetrum Rhyothemis variegate were recorded maximum followed by glaucaum, Tramea basilaris utilizing Habitat-Type-6 were Pantala flavescens and Brachythemis contaminate in Habitat- recorded relatively less (Figure 6). Type-5 (Figure 5). Relative abundance (%) of Pantala

Habitat selection is very important for the survival and habitat may be due to its migratory behaviour during distribution of Odonates. Adults typically fly away from monsoon season. water for several or many days after emergence. Adults generally would not prefer to return until reproductively Odonates are absent usually in temporary ponds and mature. However, very few species are known to return back Ponds/wetlands lacking trees or with little aquatic vegetation to the place of emergence precisely to the pond [39]. (Fischer 1961 and Fischer 1964). [41,42]. Both type and Dispersal during the maturation period is often sufficiently distribution of aquatic plant affect Odonates (especially extensive and is a very important task for the distribution of larval stages) in their number and special distribution (Kime individuals and species. Major indications employed during 1974, Macan 1964 and Sonehara 1967). [43,44,45]. Gujarat habitat selection can be inferred from the microgeographic being semi-arid region the wetlands are generally seasonal in distribution of adults and from the microhabitat requirements occurrence. Similarly, wetland associated resources like of larvae [40]. During the entire study, it was recorded that water and wetland-related aquatic flora and fauna also the most preferred habitat by Anisopteran (Dragonflies) is change along with its seasonal changes. During the survey, Openwater with shallow water and emergent vegetation with majorly Odonates species (Dragonflies and Damselflies) depth less than 2 feet. Similarly, most preferred habitat by were recorded around vegetation/microhabitat at Nalsarovar Zygopterans (Damselflies) is Shoreland with submerged Bird Sanctuary includes Emergent hydrophytes (Typha hydrophyte in a puddle with the Variable depth of water and angustata, Phragmites sp. Fimbrystylis sp. and other Openwater with both submerged hydrophyte and emergent sedges), Rooted with floating leaves hydrophytes (Ipomoea vegetation with depth more than 2 feet. Odonate species aquatica and Nymphea sp.), Submerged hydrophytes (Chara such as Crocothemis servilia were relatively frequent in sp. - macroalage, Potomogeton sp. and Hydrilla sp.), Free- Openwater with emergent vegetation with depth more or floating hydrophytes (Lemna sp.), Some wetland associates equal to 2 feet and Rhyothemis variegata were relatively vegetation‟s (Aleuropus logopoides), Shrubs (Salvadora more abundant in habitats including persica, Prosopis juliflora, Zizyphus sp. and other shrubs), Scrubland/Grassland/Agriculture with seasonally variable Grasses patches (Cyanodon sp. and Paspalum sp.), Herbs water depth and area get dried up in summer. Trithemis (Suaeda sp.), climbers and around dry shrubs and emergent pallidinervis were relatively frequent in most of the habitats vegetation patch. Some dragonfly species including and relatively abundant in Openwater with emergent Bradinopyga geminata (Rambur, 1842) and Acisoma vegetation with depth more or equal to 2 feet. Pantala panorpoides (Rambur, 1842) majorly recorded around paved flavescens were recorded maximum in the majority of cement and degraded algal bloom respectively (Table 15). Trithemis festiva (Rambur, 1842), Macrodiplax cora

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