Critical species of Odonata in the Philippines

Abstract

The Philippine odonate fauna is characterized by a high percentage of endemic species, especially in Zygoptera, most of which have a very limited range. Due to the continuing loss of forests and other habitat destruction, a majority of the 300 plus known species could be red-listed, but only a few critical species are evaluated here. Risiocnemis seidenschwarzi is added to the Red List. The need of further field surveys and taxonomic work is briefly emphasized and the present difficulties faced by field workers in the Philippines are discussed.