Diversity of Odonates (Odonata, Anisoptera & Zygoptera) in the Theniet El ‎Had National Park-North West of Algeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to make an inventory of the fauna of the Odonata in Theniet El Had National Park, which helps managers to make appropriate decisions for the conservation of these species. The site is entirely forested (Cedrus and Quercus species) with numerous intra-forest natural environments (clearings, grasslands, rocky habitats, springs, pools and ponds, etc.), this mosaic of habitats harbours a remarkable wealth of fauna and flora. Our study focused on the natural and artificial temporary forest ponds, scattered throughout the park, which are of biological and ecological interest for a very wide range of insects, most notably the hemimetabola. These are characterised by a larval stage that is quite different from the adult stage in terms of habitat and lifestyle, namely odonates, where the larvae are aquatic whereas the adults have an aerial life. The inventory of odonates was carried out through monthly surveys of 8 water bodies (7 forest ponds and one hill reservoir) during one year, from March 2017 to February 2018. This preliminary inventory allowed us to inspect 240 individuals of odonates belonging to 18 species i.e. 11 genera and 5 families. The species recorded at the end of this study are the subject of a cartographic representation showing their distribution at the local scale (in the park) and at the national scale.

Keywords

• conservation
• damselflies
• dragonflies
• forest
• national park
• biodiversity