Abstract
Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany, South Africa has been identified as a biodiversity hotspot and centre for endemism. Odonata make good indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. Consequently we compiled a list of Odonata species recorded to date in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. We then detailed important species in terms of endemism, conservation status, and potential as indicator species. Finally, we compared Odonata assemblages of different sites sampled within the park to illustrate habitat importance. Species identified during two formal surveys and incidental observations made during the study period were combined with an existing database to compile an accurate and up to date species list for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Data from this study were then analyzed to determine which water bodies had the most similar species composition. The Dragonfly Biotic Index (DBI) value of each study area was also determined. We recorded 68 odonate species in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, adding 13 species to the Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife database for the area. This brings the total number of Odonata species for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park to 86. Eight species are red-listed, 12 are restricted in South Africa to the coastal plains of northern KwaZulu-Natal, and the remainder occurs widely across the southern African savanna. Analyses indicate that species odonate assemblages were most similar in water bodies with comparable habitats. iSimangaliso Wetland Park is identified as an important area for Odonata diversity and endemism, a trend also reflected by the DBI values. Shifts in the existing species assemblages would indicate changes within the ecosystem and thus this species account provides necessary baseline data for the area. Species Conservation efforts should thus target water bodies of varying habitat types to protect greater species diversity.
Highlights
Freshwater ecosystems contain 10% of current recorded species and comprise only 1% of Earth’s surface [1]
Surveys from this study provide an additional 13 species to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (iWP) checklist
Based on data from both the formal surveys and incidental observations, 68 odonate species were observed in this study in iWP
Summary
Freshwater ecosystems contain 10% of current recorded species and comprise only 1% of Earth’s surface [1] They are considered one of the most jeopardized ecosystems [2] and their importance as a resource in undeniable. Among insects Odonata have comparatively long life cycles and as a group are well defined and studied [3,4,5] They have an aquatic larval stage that can last up to one year and a terrestrial adult phase, with males holding favourable territories in many species [6]. They serve as indicators for changes in both water quality and surrounding vegetation [7,8]. Odonata assemblages can be used as surrogates to determine aquatic areas for conservation prioritization [9]
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