07. Diversity and distribution of Dragonfly in District Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
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Abstract
The present research was organized with the objective to explore the diversity and distribution of dragonfly (Odonata; Insecta) in district Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan. The capturing was done during 2019 from 16 chosen localities of all four tehsils including Sialkot, Sambrial, Daska and Pasroor. Total of 185 specimens of dragonfly was captured with the help of sweep nets and handpicking. Identified specimens up to species level and then preserved. There are 10 species of dragonfly belonging to 7 genera and 2 families pinpointed from collected data. Pantala flavescens, Crocothemis erythraea, Crocothemis survilia, Neurothemis fluctuans, Acisoma panorpoids, Acisoma variegatum, Orthetrum pruinosum, Orthetrum sabina which comes under Pantala, Crocothemis, Ascisoma, Neurorothemis and Orthetrum genera of family Libellulidae. The prevailing 2 species, Anax indicus and Hemianax ephippiger come under Anax and Hemianax genera of family Aeshnidae. Family Libellulidae exceptionally commanding over family Aeshnidae. Head Marala is the most plentiful point because 12.3% of specimens were assembled and Qila Tek Singh is least plentiful point with 4.1% of total specimen assemblage. Pantala flavescens is the most bountiful species with 22.2% found nearly in all the localities and Orthetrum sabina is least bountiful species with just 3.8%. The Simpson species index is 0.8707 which far from 0 and nearer to 1 and Shannon-Weinberg diversity index is 2.1353 representing great diversity. The species richness 0.9274. Dragonfly is an agile flier, playing some indispensable role as a biological control agent and are good bio-indicators. After this research, it is concluded that Sialkot is rich with dragonfly diversity.
Keywords: Aeshnidae; Bioindicators; Dragonfly; Libellulidae; Sambrial; Head Marala; Pantala flavescens