Diversity, Distribution and Species Composition of Odonates in Buffer Areas of Similipal Tiger Reserve, Eastern Ghat, India

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1 Academic Journal of Entomology 5 (1): 54-61, 2012 ISSN IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: /idosi.aje 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 , 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 2 over an area of 2750 km 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 2 covers an area of km [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 , Baripada, Orissa, India. 54

2 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, We used direct searching and [15]. For analysis of data Biodiversity-Pro software observation method with opportunistic sample collection version [16] was used. 55

3 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 tullia (Drury,1773) Libellulidae CRIMSON-TAILED MARSH HAWK Orthetrum pruinosum (Rambur,1842) 56

4 Table 1: Continue Family Common Name Scientific Name Libellulidae GREEN MARSH HAWK Orthetrum sabina (Drury,1770) Libellulidae BLUE-TAILED FOREST HAWK Orthetrum triangulare (Selys,1878) Libellulidae BLUE MARSH HAWK Orthetrum glaucum Brauer, 1865 Libellulidae TRICOLOURED MARSH HAWK Orthetrum luzonicum Brauer, 1868 Libellulidae BLUE-TAILED FOREST HAWK Orthetrum triangulare (Selys,1878) Libellulidae TAINEOLATE MARSH HAWK Orthetrum taeniolatum (Schneider,1845) Libellulidae BLUE-TAILED YELLOW SKIMMER Palpopleura sexmaculata Fabricius,1787 Libellulidae WANDERING GLIDER Pantala flavescens (Fabr.1798) Libellulidae YELLOW-TAILED ASHY SKIMMER Potamarcha congener (Rambur,1842) Libellulidae RUFOUS MARSH GLIDER Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur,1842) Libellulidae COMMON PICTURE WING Rhyothemis variegate Linn.1763 Libellulidae CORAL-TAILED CLOUD WING Tholymis tillarga (Fabr.1798) Libellulidae BLACK MARSH TROTTER Tramea limbata Desjardins,1832 Libellulidae RED MARSH TROTTER Tramea basilaris Kirby,1889 Libellulidae CRIMSON MARSH GLIDER Trithemis aurora (Burmeister,1839) Libellulidae BLACK STREAM GLIDER Trithemis festiva (Rambur,1842) Libellulidae LONG-LEGGED MARSH GLIDER Trithemis pallidinervis Selys,1889 Libellulidae RUDDY MEADOW SKIMMER Neurothemis intermedia (Rambur,1842) Libellulidae GREATER CRIMSON GLIDER Urothemis signata (Rambur,1842) Table 2: Alpha Diversity indices for different habitat types Sl No. Habitats Shannon(H') Shannon(J) Simpson(D) Simpson(1/D) Hills No(H0) 1 Sal Forest Riverine Forest Grassland Table 3: Distribution profiles of Odonata Fauna in Buffer Area of Similipal Tiger Reserve Species (Scientific Name) Variance Mean Chi-sq d.f. Probability Aggregation Agriocnemis pygmea Aggregated Agriocnemis lacteola, E-07 Aggregated Ceriagrion coromandelianum Aggregated Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Aggregated Ceriagrion olivaceum Aggregated Ischnura aurora Aggregated Ischnura senegalensis Random Pseudagrion microcephalum Aggregated Pseudagrion rubriceps Random Onychargia atrocyana Aggregated Aciagrion pallidum Random Disparoneura quadrimaculata Random Caconeura ramburi Random Lestes umbrinus Aggregated Lestes viridulus E-05 Aggregated Neurobasis chinensis Aggregated Vestalis gracilis Aggregated Vestalis apicalis Aggregated Copera ciliata E-06 Aggregated Copera vittata Aggregated Copera marginipes Aggregated Libellago Lineata Aggregated Rhinocypha bisignata Aggregated Ictinogomphus rapax Aggregated Paragomphus lineatus Random Anax guttatus Aggregated Anax immaculifrons Aggregated 57

5 Table 3: Continue Species (Scientific Name) Variance Mean Chi-sq d.f. Probability Aggregation Acisoma panorpoides E-05 Aggregated Aethriamanta brevipennis Aggregated Brachydiplax sobrina Random Brachythemis contaminata Aggregated Bradinopyga geminata Aggregated Cratilla lineata Random Crocothemis servilia Aggregated Diplacodes trivialis Aggregated Diplacodes nebulosa E-05 Aggregated Neurothemis fulvia E-05 Aggregated Neurothemis tullia Random Orthetrum pruinosum Aggregated Orthetrum sabina E-05 Aggregated Orthetrum triangulare Aggregated Orthetrum glaucum Aggregated Orthetrum luzonicum E-05 Aggregated Orthetrum triangulare Random Orthetrum taeniolatum Aggregated Palpopleura sexmaculata Random Pantala flavescens Aggregated Potamarcha congener Aggregated Rhodothemis rufa E-06 Aggregated Rhyothemis variegate Aggregated Tholymis tillarga Aggregated Tramea limbata Random Tramea basilaris Random Trithemis aurora Aggregated Trithemis festiva Aggregated Trithemis pallidinervis Aggregated Neurothemis intermedia Aggregated Urothemis signata Aggregated d.f. = Degrees of Freedom 200 Abundance Plot 150 Sal Dominated Forest Abundance 100 Riverine Forest 50 Grassland Rank Fig. 2: Species rank abundance plot for three different habitats of Buffer Area 58

6 Habitat Preference and Species Distribution: previously 16 species of odonates reported [26] and 31 Distributions of Odonates in different habitats of buffer species recorded from Baripada forest division [27]. area were assessed and result revealed that 22.4% were Recently Odonata diversity of Orissa and Eastern Ghat randomly distributed and 77.6% were aggregated. was well documented and information on 92 species The aggregated distribution indicated the habitat collected from Similipal [14]. In the present study we preference where random distribution indicates the mainly focused on the diversity of this magnificent insect available resource use and suitability to survival group in buffer area of the reserve including multiple use (Table 3). areas and we recorded 58 species. We found that riverine forest is diverse in comparison to sal forest and grassland DISCUSSION habitat. Their distribution profile indicates that mostly they are aggregated. In all seasons odonates are widely The need to prepare an inventory of an asset arises distributed, mostly in monsoon. But in other seasons the because of its perceived value [17] and it is applicable distribution not so much affected due to available water incase of animals also. It is a well known fact that mapping sources throughout the year. Odonates are mainly aquatic and monitoring of biodiversity is the first step in insect group and their part of lifecycle completed through systematic conservation planning [18] and a thorough aquatic environment. In Similipal numerous streams of knowledge of living forms of a Conservation area is very small and big flowing over the entire reserve and join into essential for proper management [19]. For designing, the perennial water system mainly represented by the implementing and evaluating the success of any major rivers like Burhabalanga, Palpala Bandan, Salandi, conservation programe, it is imperative to monitor the Kahairi, East and West Deo. All rivers with the riparian status, distribution and trends in the population of target zones, perennial streams and meadows form key areas of species [20]. Information on Odonates from different parts the reserve and provide best opportunity to the odonates of India is well documented [21-25, 4]. From Similipal to flourish. Fig. 3: Images of Dragonflies (suborder-anisoptera A-C) and Damselflies (suborder-zygoptera D-F) A. Palpopleura sexmaculata, B. Anax immaculifrons, C. Orthetrum triangulare, D. Disparoneura quadrimaculata E. Neurobasis chinensis, F. Copera ciliate (Photo by Sunit Kr. Das-A,C,E; Pradeep Sahu-B; S.K. Sajan-D and Rahim A. Ahmed-F). 59

7 Odonates are predatory in nature, but also a good 2. Oliver, I. and A. Beattie, A possible method for source of energy to different animals, especially for birds and other insects such as spiders. Being as indicators of environment odonates are sensitive towards their surroundings and changes in their ambience may lead to the changes in their status. Recent studies in the Western Ghat of India have indicated that change in land use patterns leads to change in odonates community structure [14]. During our study we observed that the buffer area of Similipal is highly disturbed. Species such as Brachythemis contaminate mainly sighted in so many places near to the human settlements and its presents clearly indicates the poor water quality of that area. But presents of species mainly from Gomphidae family also indicates the undisturbed and good water and forest quality in some parts. The Tiger reserve is represented by three villages inside the core and sixty one villages in the buffer area. Due to low level of skills, lower educational levels, socio-cultural traits local peoples in and around the reserve heavily depend upon the forest products and in the absence of sustainable livelihood opportunities day by day forest areas become degraded very rapidly. Activities such as woodcutting, looping and cattle grazing with sporadic forest fire incidents were very common scenario which creates most severe effects on forest. We found people are mostly engaged in these activities because they have no other livelihood opportunities. Awareness programmes on community participation in wildlife conservation and to encourage them towards sustainable livelihood opportunities such as Eco-Tourism is needed to change their attitude, thinking and level of dependency on forest resources. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We are grateful to Similipal Biosphere Reserve authority for their support, especially Field Director, Similipal Tiger Reserve and other staff for their constant support during data collection to complete this research work. Finally we are thankful to our all classmates of Wildlife and Conservation Biology Department and Zoology Department for their valuable suggestions to improve the manuscript. REFERENCES 1. Ramesh, T., K. Jahir Hussain, K.K. Satpathy, M. Selvanayagam and M.V.R. Prasad, Diversity, Distribution and Species Composition of Ants fauna at Department of Atomic Energy(DAE) Campus Kalpakkam, South India; World J. Zoology, IDOSI Publication, 5(1): the rapid assessment of biodiversity. Conservation Biol., 7: Pearson, D.L., Selection of Indicator taxa for the quantitative assessment of biodiversity; Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., 345: Subramanian, K.A., Dragonflies of India-A Field Guide, Vigyan Prasar, India Offset Press, New Delhi. 5. Brown, K.J.S., Conservation of neotropical environments: insects as indicators; pp: In: N.M. Collins and J.A. Thomas (eds.). The Conservation of insects and their Habitats. Academic Press, New York. 6. Corbet, P.S., A biology of dragonties, Witherby, London. 7. Mitra, T.R., Geographical Distribution of Odonata (Insecta) of Eastern India. Memories of the Zoological Survey of India. 19(1): Corbet, P.S., Dragonflies: Behaviour and Ecology of Odonata. Harley Books, Horkesley, Colchester. 9. Sheldon, G. and K.E. Walker, Spatial distribution of littoral invertebrates in the lower Murray-Darling River System. Australia. Marine Freshwater Res., 49: Similipal Tiger Reserve, similipal.org/tiger_reserve.php. 11. Swain, D., Role of India s tiger reserves in the protection of origin/catchment of water courses: A case study of the Similipal Tiger Reserve. XIII World Forestry Congress, Buenos Aires, Argentina, pp: Mahalik, N.K., Geology and geomorphology of Similipal Biosphere Reserve. In Similipal: A natural habitat of unique biodiversity, (eds.) Tripathy, P.C. and Patro, S.N. Orissa Environmental Society, Bhubaneswar, pp: Sutherland, W.J., Ecological Census Techniques. University Press, Cambridge. 14. Nair, M.V., Dragonflies and Damselflies of Orissa and Eastern India, Wildlife Organisation, Forest and Environment Department, Government of Orissa, pp: Ganeshaiah, K.N., A. Chandrasekhar and A.R.V. Kumar, A new measure of biodiversity based on biological heterogeneity of the communities. Current Science India, 73(2): Neil McAleece, P.J., D. Lambshead and G.L.J. Peterson, Biodiversity Pro (Version- 2). The Natural History Museum, London. 17. Divyabhanusinh, C., The story of Asia s Lions. Marg Publication, pp:

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