Richness and diversity of Odonata (Insecta) immatures from two Atlantic Forest Conservation Units in the state of São Paulo

Abstract

The Odonata order exhibits an immature aquatic phase, predatory feeding habits, and a high sensitivity to environmental changes. The Atlantic Forest, a globally recognized hotspot, is home to a remarkable diversity of this group, which is increasingly threatened by human activities. Due to their reliance on water during part of their life cycle and their vulnerability to environmental shifts, Odonata species within this biome are particularly at risk. In light of the limited available data on the immature stages of Odonata in the Atlantic Forest, the main objective of this project is to conduct a comprehensive survey of Odonata nymphs and characterize the sampled streams within the Santa Virgínia nucleus of the Serra do Mar State Park and the Carlos Botelho State Park. The identification of immature Odonata specimens will be performed, and their taxonomic composition will be used to assess the richness, abundance, relative abundance, evenness, dominance, and similarity of the streams. The results of these analyses will be correlated with various abiotic variables measured during the collections, enabling the observation of distribution patterns among different groups. The abiotic variables measured include temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, water depth and velocity, stream width, sediment granulometry, canopy coverage, hydrogen potential, and electrical conductivity. This study also aims to contribute to the conservation of the entire ecosystem, as the taxa identified will provide insights into the environmental quality of the sampling sites and aid in the preservation of the surrounding environment as a whole.