The rediscovery of Heteragrion azulum Dunkle, 1989 with additional notes on the female (Odonata: Heteragrionidae).

Some details of the morphology of the female of Heteragrion azulum Dunkle, 1989 are described for the first time such as the intersternite, and illustrated with high quality photographs, based upon two specimens collected in the tropical rain forest at the region of Los Tuxtlas, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. A comparison with females of the other three species of Heteragrion Selys, 1862 occurring in Mexico is also provided. Additional data of males of H. azulum collected together with the females are also given, including some illustrations.

The larva of Phyllogomphoides pugnifer Donnelly, 1979 (Odonata: Gomphidae).

The larva of Phyllogomphoides pugnifer Donnelly, 1979 is described for the first time based on reared specimens to emergence, and several F-0 larvae collected in Chiapas and Veracruz states, Mexico. The larva of P. pugnifer can be separated from other larvae of the genus by the length/width proportion of structures such as prementum, ligula, and abdominal segment 10, as well as length of cercus relative to epiproct.

Description of the larva of Epigomphus crepidus Kennedy, 1936 (Odonata: Gomphidae).

The larva of Epigomphus crepidus Kennedy is described and figured and compared with other described congeners. It is characterized by 3rd antennomere spindle-shaped, flattened dorso-ventrally, twice longer than its widest part; ventral pad of hypopharynx pentagonal; prementum subrectangular, with lateral margins slightly convex on apical 0.60; ligula very poorly developed, with a ventral row of nine short, truncate teeth on middle, and dorsal rows of short, stout piliform setae. Abdomen lacking dorsal protuberances, lateral spines on S7-9 divergent; sternites 3-8 divided into five plates, sternites 2 and 9 divided into three plates; male epiproct with a pair of dorsal tubercles rounded apically and divergent at basal 0.30. It differs from other species mainly in 3rd antennomere, sides of prementum and serrations on lateral margins of S7-9.

A case of successful restoration of a tropical wetland evaluated through its Odonata (Insecta) larval assemblage

etlands are important wildlife habitats that also provide vital services for human societies. Unfortunately, they have been disappearing due to human activities such as conversion to farmland, pollution, habitat fragmentation, invasion of alien species, and inappropriate management, resulting in declines in species diversity, wildlife habitat quality, and ecosystem functions and services. In some countries, many programs and actions have been undertaken to reverse the rate of wetland loss by restoring, creating and constructing new wetlands. We report on the assessment of Odonata larvae from a tropical and putatively restored wetland located in the La Mancha Biological Station, CICOLMA (LM, Ramsar site #1336), Veracruz, Mexico. Larval surveys were performed during the 2010 and 2011 dry and rainy seasons in both LM and a reference site, Cansaburro (CB), located approximately 2 km South of LM. Twelve samples were collected during each survey using a D-frame aquatic net (0.2 mm mesh size), sweeping 1 m2 areas along shorelines using a random design. The effect of site, season and year on Odonata larval abundance was explored and diversity and abundance patterns of the assemblages were compared. A total of 3 718 larvae from 25 species (five Zygoptera and 20 Anisoptera) in 14 genera and three families were collected from both wetlands. Species number was equal in both wetlands although abundance was significantly higher in LM. Renyi´s diversity profiles and species abundance patterns (rank abundance curves) in both sites were similar, suggesting an apparent recovery at LM. Differences in species composition (sites shared 13 species), and species dominance between both assemblages were observed and were related to differences in the aquatic plant structure between both wetlands as a result of extensive plant management in LM and cattle grazing in CB. Most evidence derived from this work shows that the LM wetland may be recovered. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (4): 1043-1058. Epub 2015 December 01.

os humedales son hábitats importantes para la vida silvestre y también proporcionan servicios vitales para la sociedad que, por desgracia, han ido desapareciendo debido al uso del suelo que produce una disminución en la diversidad de especies, la calidad del hábitat de vida silvestre, y de la función de los ecosistemas. En algunos países se han llevado a cabo programas y acciones para revertir la tasa de pérdida de los humedales mediante la restauración, la creación y la construcción de nuevos humedales. En este trabajo se reporta un estudio numérico de las larvas de odonatos de un humedal tropical asumido como restaurado, localizado en la Estación de Biología La Mancha, CICOLMA (LM, sitio Ramsar # 1336), Veracruz, México. Los muestreos de las larvas se realizaron durante las estaciones de secas y lluvias de 2010 y 2011 tanto en LM como en el sitio de referencia Cansaburro (CB) situado a unos 2 km al sur de LM. Se tomaron doce muestras al azar en las orillas durante cada recolecta en cada sitio utilizando una red acuática D-net (abertura de malla de 0.2 mm) barriendo una área aproximada de 1 m2. El efecto del sitio, la temporada y el año sobre la abundancia de larvas fue explorado y los patrones de diversidad y abundancia de ambas comunidades fueron comparadas. Un total de 3 718 larvas de 25 especies (cinco Zygoptera y 20 Anisoptera) de 14 géneros y tres familias se obtuvieron de ambos humedales. El número de especies fue igual en ambos humedales aunque la abundancia fue significativamente mayor en LM. Los perfiles de diversidad de Renyi y los patrones de abundancia de especies (curvas de rango abundancia) en ambos sitios fueron similares sugiriendo una evidente recuperación de LM. Las diferencias observadas en la composición de especies (los sitios compartieron 13 especies) y la dominancia de las especies entre ambas comunidades se explica con base en las diferencias en la estructura vegetal acuática entre los dos humedales que es principalmente el resultado de una amplio manejo en LM y del pastoreo de ganado en CB. La mayoría de las pruebas derivadas de este trabajo muestran que el humedal de LM puede estar recuperado.

Diversity and distribution of Odonata (Insecta) larvae along an altitudinal gradient in Coalcomán mountains, Michoacán, Mexico

Evaluating components of landscape diversity is essential for the implementation of efficient conservation strategies. We evaluated the diversity of Odonata larval assemblages from the Coalcomán mountains (CM), Michoacán, Mexico, and related it to local (site-level) habitat variables. Larvae were collected from shores, riffles and pools in five streams, counted and identified to species, twice per season during 2005. The Shannon Diversity Index (H’), Margalef’s Richness Index (R), Simpson’s Index as a dominance measure (D) and Pielou’s Equitability (J) were used to describe the assemblages, and Renyi’s Diversity Profiles were used to order diversity. A Bray-Curtis Similarity Index (BC) was used to evaluate beta diversity. Theoretical richness was estimated using non-parametric and parametric methods. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was applied to explore the relationships of species with site-level environmental variables. A total of 12 245 larvae from 75 species, 28 genera and 8 families were recorded. Over all sites, the dominant species were Erpetogomphus elaps, Macrothemis pseudimitans and Argia pulla. The number of species per locality ranged from 18 to 36, and a high number of species (76%) occurred with relative abundances lower than 1%. A differential distribution of species and abundance in streams, time and strata was observed. Renyi’s diversity profiles showed diversity was higher in spring and on shores. Most BC similarity values were smaller than 25%, indicating a high turnover rate in the CM. The high turnover rate reflects a differential distribution of the species along the altitudinal gradient, supporting the hypothesis of Mexico as a betadiverse country. According to the slope of Clench’s curve, a reliable list of species was gathered. The CM larval assemblage is currently the largest reported for Mexico, and our results support previous proposals of the CM as a species-rich area for conservation. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (4): 1559-1577. Epub 2011 December 01.

Evaluar los componentes de la diversidad de paisaje es una tarea esencial para implementar estrategias eficientes de conservación. En este estudio se describe la variación geográfica, temporal y por hábitats de la diversidad de larvas de odonatos en un gradiente altitudinal en la sierra de Coalcomán, Michoacán, México, y se explora su relación con variables fisicoquímicas locales. Presentamos diferentes índices de diversidad y gráficos de perfiles de diversidad de Renyi, así como la riqueza teórica por métodos paramétricos y no paramétricos, el recambio de especies en la sierra y, mediante análisis canónico de correspondencias (ACC) la relación de las especies con las variables fisicoquímicas. Recolectamos un total 12 245 larvas de 75 especies, 28 géneros y 8 familias. En todos los hábitats un alto número de especies presentó una abundancia inferior al 1%. El número de especies en los arroyos varió entre 18 y 36, existe además un alto recambio en la sierra. La diversidad beta es un componente importante de la diversidad del paisaje; se apreció una alternancia en la dominancia estacional entre anisópteros y zygópteros y nuestros datos concuerdan con la hipótesis del Mexico betadiverso y también apoya propuestas previas de conservación de la sierra.

Diversity and distribution of Odonata (Insecta) larvae along an altitudinal gradient in Coalcomán mountains, Michoacán, Mexico.

Evaluating components of landscape diversity is essential for the implementation of efficient conservation strategies. We evaluated the diversity of Odonata larval assemblages from the Coalcomán mountains (CM), Michoacán, Mexico, and related it to local (site-level) habitat variables. Larvae were collected from shores, riffles and pools in five streams, counted and identified to species, twice per season during 2005. The Shannon Diversity Index (H'), Margalef's Richness Index (R), Simpson's Index as a dominance measure (D) and Pielou's Equitability (J) were used to describe the assemblages, and Renyi's Diversity Profiles were used to order diversity. A Bray-Curtis Similarity Index (BC) was used to evaluate beta diversity. Theoretical richness was estimated using non-parametric and parametric methods. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was applied to explore the relationships of species with site-level environmental variables. A total of 12 245 larvae from 75 species, 28 genera and 8 families were recorded. Over all sites, the dominant species were Erpetogomphus elaps, Macrothemis pseudimitans and Argia pulla. The number of species per locality ranged from 18 to 36, and a high number of species (76%) occurred with relative abundances lower than 1%. A differential distribution of species and abundance in streams, time and strata was observed. Renyi's diversity profiles showed diversity was higher in spring and on shores. Most BC similarity values were smaller than 25%, indicating a high turnover rate in the CM. The high turnover rate reflects a differential distribution of the species along the altitudinal gradient, supporting the hypothesis of Mexico as a betadiverse country. According to the slope of Clench's curve, a reliable list of species was gathered. The CM larval assemblage is currently the largest reported for Mexico, and our results support previous proposals of the CM as a species-rich area for conservation.