Dragonflies of Pico do Itambé State Park: diversity and composition of an Odonata community in the Espinhaço Mountains

Abstract

The reduction and modification of the Atlantic Forest and Campo Rupestre make it urgent to conduct inventory studies that provide data on the distribution of biota. However, many areas lack information, including those within Conservation Units (CUs) considered priorities for conservation, such as the Pico do Itambé State Park (PEPI) in the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, which lacks information regarding its odonatofauna. In this context, the objective of this study is to record the Odonata community in this CU. Collections were carried out from May 2024 to February 2025. A total of 59 species from 10 families were collected, including a new species of the genus Hetaerina, recently described, a species considered vulnerable, Heteragrion flavovittatum, and four new records for the state of Minas Gerais: Limnetron antarcticum, Progomphus adaptatus, Libellula herculea and Metaleptobasis selysi. These data demonstrate the need for the protection of Campo Rupestre associated with the Atlantic Forest for the maintenance of the odonatofauna of Minas Gerais, as well as the water resources within PEPI. The recorded Odonata community justifies public investment in this Conservation Unit.

Keywords. Anisoptera, Zygoptera, checklist, damselflies, nature reserve, preservation, temporary pools

Issue section: Original Article

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Dragonflies of Pico do Itambé State Park: diversity and composition of an Odonata community in the Espinhaço Mountains

Vol. 29
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