Odonatologica38(3): 203-215 SeptemberI, 2009 New records of Epiophlebialaidlawi Tillyard in Bhutan, with notes on its biology, ecology, distribution, zoogeographyand threat status (Anisozygoptera: Epiophlebiidae)* ¹ ² T. Brockhaus and A. Hartmann 1 An der Morgensonne 5 D-09387 Jahnsdorf/Erzgebirge, Germany
[email protected] 2 Universitat fur Bodenkultur Wien, Institut fin Hydrobiologie& Gewassermanagement, Max - Emanuelstrasse 17, A-l 180 Wien, Austria
[email protected],at Received December 21, 2008 /Revised and AcceptedMarch 15, 2009 E. laidlawi larvae were found for the first time in Bhutan, collected in 5 streams in and central W parts of the country, at altitudes 2350-2885 m a.s.l. The habitats and larval developmentstages are described, and a brief overview is presented on the bi- ology, ecology and known distribution in India and The inhabits Bhutan, Nepal. sp. fast running mountain streams in Himalayan broadleaf and subtropical pine forests at an altitude of 1300-2885 m a.s.1. The palaeobiogeographicalhistory of the fossil and Stenophlebiidaeand of the 2 extant is discussed. Epiophlebiidae Epiophlebiaspp. E. laidlawi is relict in headwaters of mountain forests. is endan- a sp., living pristine It because of human such of gered influences, as deforestation,provision water power, erosion and other factors. The best protection would be ensured by the conservation of vast specific habitats in protected areas. This has at least partly been put into ac- tion in Nepal. INTRODUCTION laidlawi Epiophlebia Tillyard, 1921 was described controversially from a larva foundin and the adult found 1918, was only 45 years later;even now much remains be discoveredabout this to poorly understood species, described as the “old vet- eran”, the “old relict” (DAVIS 1992), and the “living ghost” (MAHATO, 1993).