Diversity and community structure of Odonata (Insecta) in two land use types in Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

Main Article Content

Priti Ranjan Pahari
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5331-0091
Shubha Sankar Mandal
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6677-842X
Subhadeep Maiti
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6964-1776
Tanmay Bhattacharya
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7359-2789

Abstract

The present study recorded a total of 45 species of Odonata, of which one species, Ischnura mildredae, was recorded for the first time from West Bengal in India.  Thirty-eight species were found in Tamluk Municipality as compared to 21 species in Haldia Industrial Belt (IB), with 14 species common to both the localities.  Index of similarity revealed that the two localities were slightly dissimilar in odonate faunal composition as only 47% of species were shared.  In both the localities, Anisoptera was more abundant, comprising over 69% of the total odonates.  Libellulidae was the most abundant Anisopteran family in both the localities, comprising over 66% of the total odonates.  Coenagrionidae was the most abundant Zygopteran family in both the localities.  Thirteen species of Anisoptera and 11 species of Zygoptera were found only in Tamluk whereas two species of Anisoptera and five species of Zygoptera were found only in Haldia IB.  Crocothemis servilia, Pantala flavescens, and Ceriagrion coromandelianum were the dominant species in Tamluk while Brachythemis contaminata and Orthetrum sabina were the dominant species in Haldia IB.  Based on the values of Shannon index, Tamluk was considered unpolluted (=3.16) and Haldia IB moderately polluted (=2.43).  Higher equitability index (J=0.87) and very low dominance index (0.06) in Tamluk indicated homogeneity in community composition and relatively stress-free equitable environment.  The present investigation suggests that Odonata can be used as bioindicators of industrial pollution.

Article Details

Section
Communications
Author Biographies

Priti Ranjan Pahari, PG Department of Zoology, Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya, Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721636, India.

Dr. Priti Ranjan Pahari, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology (UG & PG), Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya, Tamluk, 721636

Shubha Sankar Mandal, PG Department of Zoology, Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya, Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721636, India.

Shubha Sankar Mandal, Student, PG Department of Zoology, Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya, Tamluk, 721636

Subhadeep Maiti, PG Department of Zoology, Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya, Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721636, India.

Subhadeep Maiti, Student, PG Department of Zoology, Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya, Tamluk, 721636

Tanmay Bhattacharya, Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal 721102, India.

Tanmay Bhattacharya, Former Professor and Head, Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Paschim Medinipur, 721102

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