International Journal of Zoology

and Research (IJZR)

ISSN(P): 2278-8816; ISSN(E): 2278-8824
Vol. 5, Issue 2, Jun 2015, 25-32
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA) FOUND IN THE CENTRAL OF IRAN

(THE NORTH-WEST OF ISFAHAN PROVINCE)
ZOHRE ESLAMI1, SHAHROKH PASHAEI RAD2 & J. HENRI DUMONT3
1,2

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Science, Shahid Beheshti University, G. C. Tehran, Iran
3

Department of Ecology, University of Guangzhou, China

3

Department of Biology, University of Gent, Belgium

ABSTRACT
Twenty-eight species of Odonata, including Coenagrionidae (6species), Lestidae (2 species), Calopterygidae
(1 species), Euphaeidae (1species), Platycnemididae (1 species), Libellulidae (14 species), Aeshnidae (2species),
Cordulegastridae (1 species) were collected between April 2012 to November 2012 from 10 localities north-west of
Isfahan, Iran. This list is certainly incomplete, since only two of the four species previously known from the same area
were recovered, and Gomphids, known to be present, could not be collected at all. Still, Sympetrum flaveolum (Linnaeus,
1758) is a new record for Iran, and 26 species are first records for Isfahan province. Most species found are Palaearctic,
often restricted to the east Mediterranean, or typical of arid climates. Those few that are of Oriental origin range much
further to the west, usually reaching western Anatolia, or even eastern Europe. It would certainly be justified to continue
this study effort, since numerous species that appear to be absent may have been overlooked or may be found in unstudied
parts of the Province.

KEYWORDS: Odonata, Dragonflies, Sympetrum flaveolum, Iran, Isfahan Province

INTRODUCTION
Odonata or dragonflies, one of the most ancient groups of insects, are classified into three suborders: dragonflies
sensu strictu (Anisoptera), damselflies (Zygoptera), and Anisozygoptera, Around 6,000 extant species had been described
up to 2010 (30 families, 652 genera) (Dijkstra et al., 2013). The larvae of the dragonflies are aquatic, while the adults are
active terrestrial flyers. However, they remain dependent on aquatic ecosystems for feeding and reproduction. They prey
exclusively on living items in both the larval and adult life stages, and their larvae are important predators of various
macroinvertebrates, including mosquitoes (Saha et al., 2012). Several laboratory and field studies have reported an
effective reduction of mosquito populations by dragonfly larvae (Laird, 1973; Corbet, 1980; Quiroz-Martnez &
Rodrguez-Castro, 2007), making them a potentially important tool in fighting malaria and other mosquito-borne parasitic
diseases of humans and cattle. Odonate larvae are also important organizers of aquatic community structure, and are among
the top-predators of the aquatic ecosystem of temporary pools, which are common in the area studied, and in which
vertebrate predators are absent or rare (Lounibos et al., 1987; Blaustein & Dumont, 1990; Blaustein & Margalit, 1994;
Fincke et al., 1997; Blaustein, 1998).
Odonata larvae also require specific habitat conditions, and because of this, they are widely used as ecological
indicators of habitat quality and of the integrity of freshwater ecosystems (Hardersen, 2000; Sahlen & Ekestubbe, 2001;

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26

Zohre Eslami, Shahrokh Pashaei Rad & J. Henri Dumont

Smith et al., 2007; Silva et al., 2010; Arimoro et al., 2011; Simaika & Samways, 2011; Dolny & Harabis, 2012, Dolny et
al., 2012). They are thus an important and useful order of insects, but in spite of this, our knowledge of the odonato fauna
of Iran is far from adequate. Following the review of the fauna of Iran by Schmidt (1954), it took a long time before
additional records were published. To illustrate the need for further fieldwork, nine new species for Iran were collected
during only four days of fieldwork by Dumont & Heidari (1996). In a recent checklist published by Heidari & Dumont
(2002), 95 species were listed, ranking Iran among the species-rich countries for Odonata, comparable to Turkey (Dumont,
1977; Kalkman et al., 2004; Kalkman, 2006). A number of local studies (Sadeghi & Dumont, 2004; Ghahari et al., 2009;
Sadeghi & Mohammadalizadeh, 2009; Kiany & Minaei, 2009; Ebrahimi et al., 2009; Dumont et al., 2011) have since
reported few additional species, and explored the fauna of Teheran, Fars and Kerman provinces, as well the Caspian
coastal fringe, yet vast areas of the country have remained almost unexplored, among them the centrally situated Isfahan
Province. Only four species had to date been reported from this large province (Heidari and Dumont, 2002).
Isfahan (also written as Esfahan) Province is situated between the central Zagros mountain range and the grand
desert. The north-west of the province is partly mountainous, partly a plain and consists of 3 bioclimatic zones: sub-humid
and cold (Golpayegan, Khonsar), semi-arid and cold (Meyme) and semi-arid and warm (Kashan). Overarching this large
variety of habitats is the fact that across the entire region natural water resources are scarce, with no permanent rivers and
almost all water resources lotic and semi-lotic reservoirs that form part of a giant network of artificial irrigation canals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected adult dragonflies and damselflies from April to November 2012, in an area north-west of Isfahan
using an entomological net (net opening about 45cm wide, extensible handle lengths about 50-180 cm). The main
collecting localities are shown in Figure 1. Species were identified with the help of Fraser (1956) and Dumont (1991).
Photographs of important taxonomic characters were taken with a Dino-Lite Digital Microscope. All specimens have been
deposited in the biosystematics research laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Shahid
Beheshti University.

Figure 1: Map of the Study Area, Showing the Main collecting Sites the Numbers Correspond to the Localities
Sampled: 1- Golpayegan, 2- Khonsar, 3- Daran, 4- Fereydun Shahr, 5- Chadegan, 6- Meymeh, 7- Kashan,
8- Ghamsar, 9- Niasar, 10- Barzok

Impact Factor (JCC): 1.9758

NAAS Rating: 2.59

27

Dragonflies (Odonata) Found in the Central of Iran (The North-West of Isfahan Province)

Table 1: List of Localities Studied

Locality

Elv

1-Golpayegan

33 26

50 17

1821

2-Khonsar

33 13

50 19

2250

3-Daran

32 53

50 30

2332

4-Fereydun
shahr
5-Chadegan

32 56

50 7

2536

32 45

51 41

2105

6- Meymeh

33 23

51 12

1964

7- Kashan

34 2

51 21

954, 8

8-Ghamsar

33 40

51 24

2287

9- Niasar

33 58

51 8

1720

10- Barzok

33 47

5112

1980

Type
Natural pool
Dam (Bagh-eGol)
Artificial
reservoir and
open irrigation
canal
Artificial
reservoir
Dam and little
stream
Artificial
reservoir
Pond
Artificial
reservoir
pond and
stream
Artificial
reservoir and
open irrigation
canal

Running/Standing
Water
Standing

Bank-Side Vegetation
Type
Density
Reeds
High
,trees

Standing

Bushes

Very Poor

Standing and
running

Reeds and
bushes

Normal

Standing

Bushes

High

Standing and slow

moving

Bushes
and grass

Poor

Standing

Bushes

Normal

Standing

Bushes

Poor

Standing

Bushes

Normal

Standing and
running

Bushes
and trees

Poor

Standing and
running

Reeds and
bushes

Normal

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

We collected 405 adults (241 Anisoptera and 164 Zygoptera,) pertaining to 28 species and 16 genera (11 species,
8 genera of Zygoptera and 17 species, 8 genera of Anisoptera ) (tables 2 & 3). One species, Sympetrum flaveolum
(Linnaeus, 1758), is new to the fauna of Iran.
In previous studies, only 4 species, viz. Sympetrum meridionale (Selys, 1841), Sympetrum fonscolombii (Selys,
1840), Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842) and Gomphus schneiderii Selys, 1850) had been reported from Isfahan
province (Heidari & Dumont, 2002), so the present study adds 26 species records to the province and one to the country of
Iran. However, of these four, Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842) and Gomphus schneiderii (Selys, 1850) were not
recovered, strongly suggesting that our survey missed these as well as a considerable number of other species. The family
Gomphidae is a case in point: while we expected at least four taxa in this family, the only specimen we found was a dead
and decaying animal that could not be identified beyond family level. Also not found were oriental species like
Pseudagrion spp., Anax immaculifrons and Orthetrum taeniolatum, which is unexpected in view of the central position of
our sampling area. The few oriental species in our collection (Trithemis festiva, Orthetrum sabina) are wide-ranging and
extend west as far as western Anatolia and sometimes Greece. Most species are Palaearctic, often restricted to the east
Mediterranean area (e.g. Calopteryx splendens intermedia, Epallage fatime, Platycnemis dealbata. Cordulegaster insignis),
but there also occurs a significant element of arid-zone species, such as Ischnura fountaineae and I. evansi. Here, however,
another typical semi-eremian element to be expected here, Sympetrum sinaitcum, was not found. Few species, like Pantala
flavescens and Trithemis kirbyi range widely from the Afrotropical to the Oriental regions, including the Arabian
peninsula.

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28

Zohre Eslami, Shahrokh Pashaei Rad & J. Henri Dumont

As regards the nature of the biotope, in the absence of gomphids only 4 species, Platycnemis dealbata, Epallage
fatime, Calopteryx splendens intermedia and Cordulegaster insignis, were found on running waters; all other species
occurred on stagnant waters (including irrigation ditches).

CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the diversity and abundance of Odonata in north-west Isfahan province is largely determined by
the vast network of artificial irrigation canals that provides favorable conditions for the larval development of many species
and so plays an important role in the distribution and occurrence of such insects in the region. These irrigation ditches were
only partially covered by our study. Furthermore, there are numerous aquatic sites in the east of the province that await
being studied. It is therefore highly likely that additional species will be discovered, including those cited above as missing,
by studying these habitats.
Table 2: List of Species of Zygoptera Recorded North West of Isfahan the Numbers Refer to the List
of Localities * Identifies Species with a Preference for Arid and Semi-Arid Climates,
+ Identifies Species with an East Mediterranean Geographic Range
Locality

Records

18 July 2012

scarce

Enallagma cyathigerum risi (Ris) *

2-5

18 July 2012

common

Coenagrion
idae

Erythromma viridulum orientale (Schmidt, 1960)

Coenagrion
idae

Ischnura fountaineae (Morton, 1905)*

Coenagrion
idae

Ischnura elegans (Vander Linden, 1825)

1-3- 5-4-68-10

Ischnura evansi (Morton, 1919) *

5-10

Ischnura pumilio (Charpentier, 1825)

5-10-1

Epallage fatime (Charpentier, 1840) +

Lestes barbarus (Fabricius, 1798)

9
3

8
9

Coenagrion
idae
Coenagrion
idae
Euphaeidae
Lestidae

10

Lestidae

Sympecma paedisca (selys, 1887)

11

Platycnemi
didae

Platycnemis dealbata (Selys & Hagen, 1850) +

Status In
Collection
Date

Calopteryx splendens intermedia (Selys, 1887) +

Collection
date

Fema
le

Calopteryg
idae
Coenagrion
idae

Species

Male

NO
1

Family

18 July 2012
10September
2012
15 September
2012
July
2012
September
2012

common

rare

Very
common

70

18 July 2012

uncommon

10

11 September
2012
3 July 2012
18 July 2012
12 September
2012

Very
common
uncommon
scarce

27

15

3
2

0
0

scarce

3 July 2012

common

128

36

Table 3: List of Anisoptera Recorded North-West of Isfahan. The numbers

Refer to the List of Localities. + = east Mediterranean Species

Aeschnidae

Anax imperator (Leach, 1815)

8-10

2
3

Aeschnidae
Cordulegasteridae

Anax parthenope (Selys, 1839)

Cordulegaster insignis (Schneider, 1845)+

7
10

Libellulidae

Crocothemis erythraea (Brulle, 1832)

6-10

Impact Factor (JCC): 1.9758

24 may 2012
,9 July 2012
29 July 2012
3June 2012
26 June 2012,
8 July 2012, 2
September
2012

Stautus in
Collection
Date

Records
Fema
le

Collection
Date

Male

Species

Localit
y

NO

Family

uncommon

uncommon
scarce

1
1

0
1

Very
common

29

NAAS Rating: 2.59

29

Dragonflies (Odonata) Found in the Central of Iran (The North-West of Isfahan Province)

Table 3: Contd.,
Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1770)

"

"

Libellula depressa (Linnaeus, 1758)

"

Orthetrum anceps (Schneider, 1845)

6-8

"

Orthetrum brunneum (B.de Fonscolombe, 1837)

"

Orthetrum cancellatum (Linnaeus, 1758)

Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1773)

6-8-10

10

"

11

"

12

"

Sympetrum flaveolum (Linnaeus,1758)

13

"

Sympetrum fonscolombii (selys, 1840)

5-6- 810

14

"

Sympetrum meridionale (Selys, 1841)

15

"

Sympetrum striolatum (Charpentier, 1840)

1-10

16

"

Trithemis festiva (Rambur, 1842)

17

"

Trithemis kirbyi (Selys, 1891)

10

Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798)

6-8-7

6-10

2 September
2012
9 July 2012
2 July 2012,
3 September
2012
, 9 July 2012,
3June 2012
2 September
2012
3 July 2012
10 July 2012,
August 2012
3 September
2012, 5
22 July
2012,13
August 2012
10 September
2012
18 July 2012
8,18 July
2012, 3June
2012, 2
September
2012,
12 September
2012
12 September
2012
3 October
2012
3 July 2012
3 October
2012

scarce

scarce

common

Very
common

12

30

fairly
common

uncommon

common

rare

Very
common

32

30

Very
common

21

common

10

common

scarce

139

102

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Dr. B. H. Kiabi (Shahid Beheshti University) for his useful comments, and M. Talebi, M. Eslami and S.
Eslami for help in collecting some specimens considered in this study.

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Zohre Eslami, Shahrokh Pashaei Rad & J. Henri Dumont

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