Salinity is a limiting factor for many invertebrates, especially for Odonata which are typically associated with freshwater ecosystems. In Europe, 15 Odonata species inhabit brackish wetlands and only few detailed data on their tolerance toward salinity are available. We investigated Odonata fauna in 11 sampling stations situated in three estuarine areas (northern Adriatic brackish coastline) habitats which differed and to describe in salinity their conditions distribution (freshwater- pattern in polyhaline coastal wetlands,. habitats). Adults, in order exuviae to assess (the affinity remains of Odonata of the exoskeleton species to after the last larval instar), and the main chemical and physical water parameters were sampled every 2 weeks for 1 year in each station. In total, 25 species were detected and 56% of them were able toP complete their life cycle in brackish water environments. Our results showed that freshwater and oligohaline ponds were the most favorable for dragonflies, with an overall higher species the richness. gradient. There Considering was a high species the exuviae, turnover we along observed the salinity a high gradient, specificity with with a strong respect differentiation to the habitat among conditions the communities (seven species along exclusive of freshwater sites and six of oligohaline ones, respectively). Among the adults, four species were found exclusively in freshwater habitats and no species seemed to be strictly connected with oligohaline habitats. Coastal wetlands, composed by amosaic of different habitats, especially when freshwater and seawater are close together, support many Odonata species with different tolerance toward salinity conditions. They also provide useful insights for conservation and management actions.
Dragonfly (Odonata) Diversity Patterns in Mixohaline Coastal Wetlands
Costanza Uboni;Enrico Tordoni
;Elisabetta Pizzul;Giovanni Bacaro
2020-01-01
Abstract
Salinity is a limiting factor for many invertebrates, especially for Odonata which are typically associated with freshwater ecosystems. In Europe, 15 Odonata species inhabit brackish wetlands and only few detailed data on their tolerance toward salinity are available. We investigated Odonata fauna in 11 sampling stations situated in three estuarine areas (northern Adriatic brackish coastline) habitats which differed and to describe in salinity their conditions distribution (freshwater- pattern in polyhaline coastal wetlands,. habitats). Adults, in order exuviae to assess (the affinity remains of Odonata of the exoskeleton species to after the last larval instar), and the main chemical and physical water parameters were sampled every 2 weeks for 1 year in each station. In total, 25 species were detected and 56% of them were able toP complete their life cycle in brackish water environments. Our results showed that freshwater and oligohaline ponds were the most favorable for dragonflies, with an overall higher species the richness. gradient. There Considering was a high species the exuviae, turnover we along observed the salinity a high gradient, specificity with with a strong respect differentiation to the habitat among conditions the communities (seven species along exclusive of freshwater sites and six of oligohaline ones, respectively). Among the adults, four species were found exclusively in freshwater habitats and no species seemed to be strictly connected with oligohaline habitats. Coastal wetlands, composed by amosaic of different habitats, especially when freshwater and seawater are close together, support many Odonata species with different tolerance toward salinity conditions. They also provide useful insights for conservation and management actions.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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Proof_Estuaries&Coasts.pdf
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Uboni2020_Article_DragonflyOdonataDiversityPatte.pdf
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