Academic Journal of Entomology 5 (1): 54-61, 2012 ISSN 1995-8994 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aje.2012.5.1.62116 Diversity, Distribution and Species Composition of Odonates in Buffer Areas of Similipal Tiger Reserve, Eastern Ghat, India Sunit Kr. Das, Rahim A. Ahmed, S.K. Sajan, Nibedita Dash, Pradeep Sahoo, Pankajini Mohanta, H.K. Sahu, S.D. Rout and S.K. Dutta Department of Wildlife and Conservation Biology, North Orissa University, Sriram Chandra Vihar, Takatpur-757003, Baripada, Orissa, India Abstract: Odonates diversity in buffer area of Similipal Biosphere Reserve was observed, where we recorded 58 species. Libellulidae was the richest family with 31 species and Orthretum was the most common genera. The sub-order Zygoptera was represented by 23 species and 35 species represents sub-order Anisoptera. Perennial river system with different habitat types provides good opportunities to these wonderful insect groups to flourish and survive. Mostly odonates were aggregated due to habitat specific nature and random distribution indicates availability of resource utilization to survive. But, in the buffer area high anthropogenic disturbances were observed which creates high biotic pressure on forest. A detailed list of odonates recorded from buffer area is presented. Key words: Odonata Similipal Buffer Area Diversity Human Disturbance Conservation INTRODUCTION rules the area also provides good opportunities to lesser fauna. Among which odonates are one of most important Biodiversity conservation and management are insect group. The area is full with perennial as well as worldwide concern [1], where determining the level of temporary water bodies and creates the environment to diversity of indicator groups of ecosystem should permit provide to the odonates further opportunity of existence. the prediction of other taxa to be present [2] and recently They show some preferences to specific habitats and their the importance and appropriateness of using invertebrate distribution are very much involved in various group was well recognized [3]. In the invertebrate world microhabitats [9]. In the present study we tried to explore odonates (Dragonflies and Damselflies) are always attract the buffer area of the reserve, where we find out diversity the human beings for their variety of colour, powerful and species composition of Odonates in relation to flight and extraordinary sense of vision. Globally 5,740 different selected habitats. species of odonates are known of this 470 species in 139 genera and 19 families exist in India [4]. They are valuable MATERIALS AND METHODS as indicators of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem health [5] and also play a vital role as prey and predator to Study Area: In Eastern Ghat, India Similipal Tiger Reserve maintain the balance of tropic levels of food chain. (STR) is one of the major conservation areas extended They are also an important and widespread component of over an area of 2750 km2 is located in central part of freshwater ecosystems, being top predators [6]. The prey Mayurbhanj District of Orissa, where the buffer zone of the adults consists mostly of the harmful insects of covers an area of 1555.25 km2 [10]. crops, orchards and forest and thus has a regulatory Similipal is one of the most flourishing and valuable impact on agro-forestry [7]. Odonata occupy almost all forests of the state with unique habitat of mixed tropical kinds of habitats along the habitat permanent gradient forests in the northern plateau which is dominated by sal ranging from permanent running waters and lakes to small forest (Shorea robusta) with hilly terrain ranges from temporary rain pools [8] and in Similipal, where big 500m and 600m, with outer areas 1,000-1,100m MSL. moist mammals like Elephant, Gaur and big cats such as Tigers and dry deciduous forest and harbors a wide variety of Corresponding Author: Sunit Kr. Das, P.G. Department of Wildlife and Conservation Biology, North Orissa University, Sriram Chandra Vihar, Takatpur-757003, Baripada, Orissa, India. 54 Acad. J. Entomol., 5 (1): 54-61, 2012 Fig. 1: Map of Study Area, Similipal Tiger Reserve flora and fauna. It is covered with a rich canopy of mostly of Odonates from different habitats. In this method tropical moist deciduous forest, semi evergreen patches target species or group of species observed and grasslands harbours a rich floral and faunal visually and it is a very effective method for day flying composition of 1,124 plant species including 64 species of butterflies, moths, dragonflies and damselflies [13]. cultivated plants and 93 species of orchids, 42 species of Mostly species were photographed, but some were also mammals, 264 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles collected with insect catching nets for the proper and 13 species of amphibians [11]. The geological identification. Collected and photographed species were formation an assemblage of volcano-sedimentary rocks identified with the help of standard identification manuals consisting of an alternating sequence of quartzites and [4,14]. spilitic lavas [12] gives immense water holding capacity to the land. The diverse topography and soil conditions Analytical Methods: Two components mainly coupled with climatic variation resulted in the rich -diversity (diversity within habitat) and -diversity diversity of the reserve (Fig 1). People in and around the (between the habitats) were calculated. Measures of reserve mainly dominated by tribal community such as -diversity widely used Fisher’s -diversity and Kharia, Bhumija, Santal, Kolha, Bhatudi and Mankadia. Shannon’s diversity indices were calculated, because it is well accepted that all species at a site within and across Field Methods: Odonata sampling was carried out from systematic groups contributes equally to its biodiversity July 2010 to January, 2012. We used direct searching and [15]. For analysis of data Biodiversity-Pro software observation method with opportunistic sample collection version [16] was used. 55 Acad. J. Entomol., 5 (1): 54-61, 2012 RESULTS Species Diversity and Abundance Pattern: During the study Shannon, Simpson and Hills indices were calculated Odonata Species Composition: A total of 58 species as a measure of diversity in different habitats of multiple representing 37 genera from 9 family were recorded from use areas. The Shannon diversity index indicated that the multiple use area of the reserve. (Table 1) Libellulidae riverine forest is relatively diverse (1.613) followed by sal was the dominant family with 31 species, followed by forest (1.424) and grassland (1.363). The Simpson and Coenagrionidae (11), Calopterygidae (3), Platycnemididae Hills indices also revealed almost the same order (3), Protoneuridae (2), Lestidae (2), Chlorocyphidae (2), (Table 2). Species were also ranked according to their Gomphidae (2) and Aeshnidae (2). Orthetrum was found abundance (Fig. 2). Common species were displayed on to be the most species rich genera with 7 species. the left and rare species are on the right. Table 1: List of Odonates recorded Family Common Name Scientific Name Coenagrionidae PIGMY DARTLET Agriocnemis pygmea (Rambur,1842) Coenagrionidae MILKY DARTLET Agriocnemis lacteola, Selys,1877 Coenagrionidae COROMANDEL MARSH DART Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabr.1798) Coenagrionidae ORANGE-TAILED MARSH DART Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Brauer,1865 Coenagrionidae RUSTY MARSH DART Ceriagrion olivaceum Laidlaw,1914 Coenagrionidae GOLDEN DARTLET Ischnura aurora (Brauer,1865) Coenagrionidae SENEGAL GOLDEN DARTLET Ischnura senegalensis (Ramb.1842) Coenagrionidae BLUE GRASS DARTLET Pseudagrion microcephalum (Rambur,1842) Coenagrionidae SAFFRON-FACED BLUE DART Pseudagrion rubriceps Selys,1876 Coenagrionidae BLACK MARSH DART Onychargia atrocyana (Selys,1865) Coenagrionidae PALE SLENDER DARTLET Aciagrion pallidum Selys, 1891 Protoneuridae BLACK-WINGED BAMBOOTAIL Disparoneura quadrimaculata (Rambur,1842) Protoneuridae COORG BAMBOOTAIL Caconeura ramburi(Fraser,1922) Lestidae BROWN SPREADWING Lestes umbrinus Selys, 1891 Lestidae EMERALD SPREADWING Lestes viridulus Rambur,1842 Calopterygidae STREAM GLORY Neurobasis chinensis (Linnaeus,1758) Calopterygidae CLEAR-WINGED FOREST GLORY Vestalis gracilis (Rambur,1842) Calopterygidae BLACK-TIPPED FOREST GLORY Vestalis apicalis Selys,1873 Platycnemididae PIED BUSHDART Copera ciliate (Selys,1863) Platycnemididae BLUE BUSH DART Copera vittata Selys,1863 Platycnemididae YELLOW BUSH DART Copera marginipes Rambur, 1842 Chlorocyphidae RIVER HELIODOR Libellago Lineata (Burmeister,1839) Chlorocyphidae STREAM RUBY Rhinocypha bisignata Hagen in Selys,1853 Gomphidae COMMON CLUBTAIL Ictinogomphus rapax Rambur,1842 Gomphidae COMMON HOOKTAIL Paragomphus lineatus (Selys,1850) Aeshnidae BLUE-TAILED GREEN DARNER Anax guttatus (Burmeister,1839) Aeshnidae BLUE DARNER Anax immaculifrons Rambur,1842 Libellulidae TRUMPET TAIL Acisoma panorpoides Rambur,1842 Libellulidae SCARLET MARSH HAWK Aethriamanta brevipennis (Rambur,1842) Libellulidae LITTLE BLUE MARSH HAWK Brachydiplax sobrina(Rambur,1842) Libellulidae DITCH JEWEL Brachythemis contaminata (Fabr.1793) Libellulidae GRANITE GHOST Bradinopyga geminata (Rambur,1842) Libellulidae EMERALD-BANDED SKIMMER Cratilla lineata Foerster,1903 Libellulidae RUDDY MARSH SKIMMER Crocothemis servilia (Drury,1770) Libellulidae GROUND SKIMMER Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur,1842) Libellulidae BLACKTIPPED GROUND SKIMMER Diplacodes nebulosa Fabricius, 1793 Libellulidae FULVOUS FOREST SKIMMER Neurothemis fulvia (Drury,1773) Libellulidae PIED PADDY SKIMMER Neurothemis