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VOL. 10, ISSUE 10 (2025)
Damselflies (Zygoptera) of Bhavnagar, Gujarat: A Checklist
Authors
Ashish Shukla
Abstract
Zygoptera (damselflies) play a critical role in freshwater ecosystems
and serve as sensitive indicators of wetland health. However, information on
their distribution and diversity from semi-arid coastal regions of western
India remains limited. This study documents the damselfly assemblage of
Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, through systematic surveys conducted across
diverse aquatic habitats including ponds, marshes, irrigation canals, and
temporary monsoon pools. A total of 10 species representing 7 genera and Z
families were recorded, with the family Coenagrionidae comprising the majority
of taxa, followed by Lestidae. Widespread generalist species such as Ischnura
spp. and Agriocnemis pygmaea were abundant across human-modified
waterbodies, reflecting high ecological tolerance and adaptability to
anthropogenic conditions. In contrast, habitat-restricted taxa including Lestes
spp. were confined to seasonal marshes and vegetated wetland margins,
underscoring the ecological significance of ephemeral habitats. The observed
community structure indicates a predominance of disturbance-tolerant
damselflies, accompanied by a subset of species associated with relatively
intact aquatic environments. The study provides baseline information for future
ecological assessments and emphasizes the need for conservation of remnant
wetlands in the Bhavnagar landscape to sustain odonate diversity. These
findings contribute to regional biodiversity knowledge and support odonates as
bioindicators in semi-arid coastal ecosystems.
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Pages:140-142
How to cite this article:
Ashish Shukla "Damselflies (Zygoptera) of Bhavnagar, Gujarat: A Checklist". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 10, 2025, Pages 140-142
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