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1 July 2008 Odonata of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Southern Nevada, USA
Lawrence E. Stevens, Richard A. Bailowitz
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Abstract

The Odonata of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) in southern Nevada were studied bimonthly in 2004 and 2005, revealing 32 species, a moderately high level of diversity for this relatively small, semi-isolated southern Nevada valley. Enallagma civile (Coenagrionidae) was the most regularly encountered species, followed by Rhionaeschna multicolor (Aeshnidae), Argia sedula (Coenagrionidae), and Pachydiplax longipennis (Libellulidae). Fourteen species were detected at three or fewer sites. The assemblage was co-dominated by taxa with ranges centered in North America and western North America, and 25% of the fauna were Mexican-neotropical. We report Macrodiplax balteata as new to Nevada's Odonata list, and six other new Nye County records. Odonata larval density/m2 and overall species richness (but not Shannon-Weiner diversity) were highest in the largest AMNWR wetlands, regardless of whether they were natural or anthropogenic, and were greater in two restored springs. Several of the most regularly detected larval Anisoptera (i.e., Erpetogomphus compositus and Erythemis collocata) were benthic ooze dwellers that have a flattened body morphology, which may allow them to avoid predation by non-native Procambarus clarki crayfish. Geomorphic restoration of springs may increase Odonata production, while augmentation of habitat area may increase species richness.

Lawrence E. Stevens and Richard A. Bailowitz "Odonata of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Southern Nevada, USA," Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 40(2), 128-135, (1 July 2008). https://doi.org/10.2181/1533-6085-40.2.128
Published: 1 July 2008
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