Guide to the Odonata of central Ñeembucú, Paraguay: indicator species of wetland habitats

Abstract

The department of Ñeembucú, in southwestern Paraguay, is home to the virtually unexplored Ñeembucú Wetlands, the second largest wetland system in the country, representing a major gap in biodiversity knowledge. As organisms ubiquitous with wetlands, the Odonata, or dragonflies (Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera), have the potential to be effective indicators of wetland habitats in the face of increasing anthropogenic impacts in the region. We therefore comprehensively surveyed the Odonata in central Ñeembucú over a period of two years using a listing method. Here, we present an annotated checklist and identification key to the species present in central Ñeembucú with details on their habitat preferences, phenology and behaviour. We found 60 species but estimate a total of between 62 and 90 species. Eleven (18%) are new records for Paraguay. Species composition is similar to the Argentine Humid Chaco, with four bioregional endemics, whilst representatives from the Andean-Patagonian subregion are present in open areas. Such partitioning of species from different bioregions into different habitats is typical of ecotonal regions. Two further species are endemic to the Paraná-Paraguay basin and three are highly localised, indicating the high conservation value of the Ñeembucú Wetlands. Eleven species have the potential to be effective indicators of the Paraguay River, large permanent wetlands, grassy temporary wetlands and wooded temporary wetlands, providing an effective tool to identify critical wetland ecosystems in the face of the growing threats from human activities. We also provide recommendations for the protection and management of wetlands in the region.

Response of Odonata communities to dry season in a Deciduous Forest in the Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Despite this ecological role of the species, the present study reveals that it may be present in preserved environments, since the Mata Seca State Park is the largest fragment of this phytophysiognomy in the State Minas Gerais(Belém & CarValho 2013), where all human activity is condemned (minas gerais 2000;Brasil 2006).Micrathyria tibialis species is widely distributed in the Legal Amazon states of Amazonas, Pará, Roraima, and Mato Grosso (garCia junior et al 2022) and has been recorded in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul(souza & Costa 2002), Rio Grande doSul (renner et al 2015), and Ceará (naVás 1924). The species is present in arborized environments with a temporary humidity and in humid zones with herbaceous vegetation, preferring high temperatures and with emergence peak of adults in the summer and fall(diCKens et al 2020), thus corroborating our field data.Gynacantha mexicana is a species of crepuscular behavior found in lentic environments, what can explain your record(CarValho & Ferreira-junior 1989). Occur in the Legal Amazon states of Amazonas, Amapá, Pará, and Roraima (garCia junior et al 2022) and in Espírito Santo(Costa & oldrini 2005).…”

Grismadox gen. nov., a new Neotropical genus of ant-resembling spiders (Araneae, Corinnidae, Castianeirinae), including the description of two new species from Bolivia and Paraguay

“…The conservation value of such regions is barely understood in terms of their invertebrate taxa (Rubio et al 2018;Dickens et al 2020). We therefore stress the urgent need for further arthropod collections in Neotropical savannahs and wetland regions.…”

New records of genera Aphylla and Micrathyria for Colombia (Odonata: Gomphidae, Libellulidae)

“…Previously published records for A. theodorina include northern Argentina, south-eastern Brazil, Guyana, Paraguay, south-eastern Peru, and the foothills of the southern slope of the Merida Cordillera in Venezuela (Fig. 1) ( De Marmels 1981; Paulson 1985; Belle 1992; Rodríguez et al 2014; Dickens et al 2020). Micrathyria artemis is known for Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Peru, and Argentina (Fig.…”