Abstract
The present study recorded a total of 45 species of Odonata, of which one species, Ischnura mildredae, was recorded for the first time from West Bengal in India. Thirty-eight species were found in Tamluk Municipality as compared to 21 species in Haldia Industrial Belt (IB), with 14 species common to both the localities. Index of similarity revealed that the two localities were slightly dissimilar in odonate faunal composition as only 47% of species were shared. In both the localities, Anisoptera was more abundant, comprising over 69% of the total odonates. Libellulidae was the most abundant Anisopteran family in both the localities, comprising over 66% of the total odonates. Coenagrionidae was the most abundant Zygopteran family in both the localities. Thirteen species of Anisoptera and 11 species of Zygoptera were found only in Tamluk whereas two species of Anisoptera and five species of Zygoptera were found only in Haldia IB. Crocothemis servilia, Pantala flavescens, and Ceriagrion coromandelianum were the dominant species in Tamluk while Brachythemis contaminata and Orthetrum sabina were the dominant species in Haldia IB. Based on the values of Shannon index, Tamluk was considered unpolluted (=3.16) and Haldia IB moderately polluted (=2.43). Higher equitability index (J=0.87) and very low dominance index (0.06) in Tamluk indicated homogeneity in community composition and relatively stress-free equitable environment. The present investigation suggests that Odonata can be used as bioindicators of industrial pollution.
Highlights
MATERIALS AND METHODSOdonates play a crucial role in ecosystem stability and act as indicators of environment changes since the larvae of some species are sensitive to pollutants (Villalobos-Jimenez et al 2016)
Odonates of West Bengal were studied by Ram et al (1982), Srivastava & Sinha (1993), and Mitra (2002)
Since dominance index is lower and equitability index is higher in the Tamluk as compared to the Haldia Industrial Belt (IB), it may be suggested that the former represents a less polluted and relatively stress-free environment as compared to the latter
Summary
Odonates play a crucial role in ecosystem stability and act as indicators of environment changes since the larvae of some species are sensitive to pollutants (Villalobos-Jimenez et al 2016). Being predators both in aquatic and aerial lives, these are good bio-controlling agents for mosquitoes and blood-sucking flies (Nair 2011). According to a report of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (2009–2010), Haldia IB has a very high concentration of air pollutants like SOX, NOX, CO, CO2, and O3 Both localities are situated at an aerial distance of only 32km. Faunal similarity or otherwise between the localities was determined using Sørensen’s index (Sørensen 1948)
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