Odonata: Pollution Resilience And Tolerance Explored

Odonata, commonly known as dragonflies and damselflies, are an order of insects that have been used as bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health and environmental health. They are sensitive to changes in environmental settings and are affected by the habitat structure. Odonata have a wide tolerance range for pH levels, but pollution can significantly impact their distribution and abundance. Some species, like Trithemis arteriosa, are more pollution-tolerant, while others cannot tolerate even mild pollution. The presence of certain Odonata species can indicate the level of pollution in a freshwater ecosystem, with some thriving even in heavily polluted environments.

Odonata larvae are used as bioindicators for freshwater pollution

Odonata larvae are an important indicator of freshwater pollution. Odonata, which include dragonflies and damselflies, are an order of insects that spend their juvenile lives in the water and their adult lives in the air and on land. Odonata larvae, or nymphs, can be distinguished from other insect larvae by their long, elbowed lower jaw, called a labium, which they use to catch prey. These larvae are usually 13-68mm in length and undergo incomplete metamorphosis, resembling adults more closely each time they shed their skin.

The species richness and diversity of Odonata larvae and adult communities, as well as the abundance of particular species, are useful indicators of anthropogenic impacts on freshwater systems. Odonata are sensitive to pollution and human disturbance, and their presence or absence can provide valuable information about the ecological health of aquatic habitats. For example, a study of Odonata assemblages in Southwest Nigeria revealed that the River Aponmu may have been polluted based on the species assemblages recorded. The study found that Trithemis arteriosa, a pollution-tolerant species of Odonata, had the highest number of individuals, while other species were less prevalent or absent altogether.

The constant disturbance of freshwater habitats can result in a reduction of Odonata species diversity. Human activities such as pollution, the loss of aquatic and shoreline vegetation, and the reduction of natural habitats can negatively impact Odonata communities. On the other hand, humans can also positively influence Odonata populations by creating and restoring habitats such as ponds, canals, and wetlands.

Overall, the presence and diversity of Odonata larvae are valuable tools for assessing the health of freshwater ecosystems and identifying areas that may be impacted by pollution or other anthropogenic factors. By studying the distribution and abundance of Odonata larvae, scientists and conservationists can gain important insights into the ecological integrity of freshwater environments and implement measures to protect and restore these vital habitats.

Trithemis arteriosa is a pollution-tolerant species with a weak negative correlation to temperature and dissolved oxygen

Odonata, which include dragonflies and damselflies, are good indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. They are sensitive to changes in their habitat structure and water quality. Some Odonata species cannot tolerate even mild pollution, while others have a moderate tolerance, and some thrive in heavily polluted environments.

Trithemis arteriosa is a pollution-tolerant species of Odonata. In a study of the River Aponmu in Ipogun, Southwest Nigeria, T. arteriosa was the most abundant species of Odonata found, with 225 individuals out of 906 specimens collected. This study also found that the river was somewhat polluted, indicating that T. arteriosa is well-adapted to polluted environments.

Water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels are important factors that influence the health of aquatic ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them. As water temperature increases, the solubility of oxygen decreases, leading to a decline in dissolved oxygen levels. This relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen can have significant effects on aquatic organisms, including Odonata.

Trithemis arteriosa exhibits a weak negative correlation between temperature and dissolved oxygen. This means that as temperatures rise and dissolved oxygen levels decrease, the species may experience a slight decline in its population or distribution. However, due to its pollution tolerance, T. arteriosa is likely more resilient to these environmental changes than other Odonata species.

Overall, Trithemis arteriosa is a pollution-tolerant species of Odonata that can thrive in somewhat polluted environments. Its weak negative correlation to temperature and dissolved oxygen indicates that it is somewhat sensitive to these factors, but its ability to tolerate pollution likely buffers it from significant negative impacts. Understanding the ecological preferences of T. arteriosa and other Odonata species is crucial for conserving their diversity and the health of freshwater ecosystems.

Odonata assemblages are affected by habitat structure and electrical conductivity

Odonata assemblages are indeed affected by habitat structure and electrical conductivity. Odonata, which include dragonflies and damselflies, are good indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. They are sensitive to changes in their environment, particularly the structure of their habitat and the electrical conductivity of the water.

A study of River Aponmu in Ipogun, Southwest Nigeria, revealed that the abundance and diversity of Odonata were impacted by these factors. The study found that the river may have been polluted during the research period based on the assemblage of Odonata species present. The electrical conductivity and TDS values indicated a significant difference at this river, suggesting a correlation between these factors and the presence of dissolved ions.

The study also found that certain species of Odonata, such as Trithemis arteriosa, are more pollution-tolerant than others. T. arteriosa had the highest number of individuals among the specimens collected, indicating that it is well-adapted to the environmental conditions of the river. Other species, such as those from the Gomphidae family, had a much lower presence, suggesting that they may be less tolerant of pollution or other environmental factors.

The constant disturbance of freshwater habitats can lead to a reduction in Odonata species diversity. This was evident in the study, as the abundance of Odonata varied significantly among the different sites along the river. Some species, such as Pseudagrion sp. and Onychothemis sp., were more dominant in certain areas, possibly due to their tolerance to specific types of pollution or habitat characteristics.

Overall, the research highlights the importance of preserving freshwater ecosystems to maintain the diversity of Odonata and other aquatic insects. By understanding the tolerance levels and assemblage patterns of Odonata, we can gain valuable insights into the health and integrity of freshwater environments.

Odonata diversity is reduced by constant freshwater habitat disturbance

Odonata, which include dragonflies and damselflies, are excellent indicators of the ecological health of aquatic habitats. They are sensitive to pollution and human disturbance, and their species richness and diversity are useful indicators of anthropogenic impacts on freshwater systems.

The constant disturbance of freshwater habitats can result in a reduction of Odonata species diversity. For example, a study of the River Aponmu in Ipogun, Southwest Nigeria, revealed that the river was somewhat polluted based on the assemblage of Odonata species recorded. The study found that the species Trithemis arteriosa, which is pollution-tolerant, had the highest number of individuals, while the species from the Gomphidae family had the lowest percentage composition with only one individual recorded.

Odonata have a wide tolerance range for pH, but they are mostly affected by their habitat structure. Electrical conductivity and TDS values indicated a significant difference at River Aponmu, suggesting a close relationship between EC and TDS as salts dissolved in water will increase electrical conductivity. This study revealed that freshwater quality plays a vital role in the distribution, abundance, and diversity of Odonata.

In general, the most common negative impacts on Odonata communities arise from pollution and declining water quality, the loss of aquatic and shoreline vegetation, reduction in the riparian zone, and loss of natural habitat in the surrounding landscape. Humans can, however, positively impact Odonata communities by increasing the amount of habitat through ponds, canals, and wetland restoration, and improving habitat quality by restoring aquatic and shoreline vegetation, meanders, and riparian zones.

Odonata in the suborder Zygoptera are particularly affected by anthropogenic change on a local scale, and they are more abundant and diverse in smaller streams with low pollution and a rich detritus base. Odonata in the suborder Anisoptera, on the other hand, tend to be affected by changes in the larger landscape, and they are more abundant in larger streams and rivers with more sunlight.

Some Odonata cannot tolerate mild pollution, while others thrive in heavily polluted environments

Odonata, which include dragonflies and damselflies, are an order of insects that spend their juvenile lives in the water and their adult lives on land and in the air. Odonata larvae have been used as bioindicators for freshwater pollution as their community structure closely follows changes in the environment.

Some species of Odonata cannot tolerate even mild pollution, while others have a moderate tolerance for pollution, and some can even thrive in heavily polluted environments. For example, Trithemis arteriosa, a species of Odonata that thrives in polluted environments, was the most common species found in a study of the River Aponmu in Ipogun, Southwest Nigeria, where 906 specimens, representing 64 species across 16 genera, were collected. The study inferred that the river was somewhat polluted at the time of the research.

The abundance of Odonata was found to vary significantly among the studied sites, with the tolerant Pseudagrion sp. damselfly and the facultative Onychothemis sp. dragonfly being the most dominant taxa along the river stations. The microhabitats in the river basin were found to be structured partly in response to different types of pollution entering the water, which affected the Odonata communities.

The constant disturbance of freshwater habitats can result in a reduction of Odonata species diversity. Therefore, efforts should be made to discourage water pollution to preserve the diversity of these insects and maintain water quality.

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