Diversity and Status of Odonata across Vegetation Types in Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary, Davao Oriental

Diversity and status of odonata in Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary was determined after a year of sampling in five vegetation types: agroecosystem (400 masl), dipterocarp (900 masl), montane (1200 masl), mossy (1400 masl) and pygmy (1600 masl) using 2-Km transect walk sampling to provide information on species richness trend and ecological status of odonata. Study showed 31 species with 94% endemism for damselflies and 33.3% for dragonflies. Species richness and endemism were low in agroecosystem H’=0.631 and 1 endemic; high and increasing in the dipterocarp H’=2.298 and 4 endemic to dense montane forest with H’= 3.056 and 18 endemic; decreasing in mossy H’=2.036 and pygmy H’=1.846. The effects of disturbance on diversity showed highest in agroecosystem (d=83%), mossy and pygmy had intermediate value d=27% and d=24%. Low disturbance was observed in Montane d=10%, dipterocarp d=18.5%. Bray-curtis similarity index for species composition showed four discernible clusters of habitats. Results suggest that odonata has preference for dense forest, undisturbed vegetation, optimum temperature and presence of aquatic habitat.

 

Keywords - Status of odonata, dragonflies, damselflies,