Species Distribution and Conservation Status of Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) in Antananarivo City, Madagascar

Abstract

Dragonflies are iconic freshwater and excellent indicators of freshwater ecosystems' environmental health and quality. The knowledge of Madagascar's Odonata is not advanced, and inventories are needed to increase the information on the distribution and conservation of these species. Here, we assessed the Odonata fauna occurring in Antananarivo City. Through opportunistic observations from October 2020 to September 2021 in 13 pond areas, we recorded 32 species of Odonata (22 Anisoptera and 10 Zygoptera). Endemic species represent a high proportion of the samples (69.70%). Few exotic species have been recorded (15.15%) and do not represent a real threat to the native species. Based on the International Union on Conservation of Nature criteria, most of the species are classified as a Least Concern (81.82%). River and the lake represent the main breeding sites for these species. The rice fields surrounding the Capital are excellent for breeding but contain fewer species. Interaction predator-prey should be initiated to assess Odonata's role in controlling malaria vectors such as Anopheles arabiensis.