Journal of
Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 October 2018 | 10(11):
12499–12514
The Odonata (Insecta) of Dhofar, southern Oman
Elaine M. Cowan 1 & Peter J. Cowan 2
1School of Education, University of
Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, Scotland, UK
2Department of Biological Sciences and
Chemistry, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al Mawz, Sultanate of Oman
1desertlarksgirl@hotmail.com, 2desertmammal@yahoo.com
(corresponding author)
Abstract: The Dhofar governorate of Oman
(‘Dhofar’) is largely desert with a mainly arid climate. It contains an Afrotropical escarpment region
influenced by monsoon precipitation. We
summarise published records of odonates for Dhofar, organised by four natural
regions, present our unpublished photographic records for 23 sites according to
these regions and produce a Dhofar apparent-status statement for most odonate
species. Records for the regionally
Endangered Urothemis thomasi and regionally Endangered Acisoma
variegatum and regionally Least Concern Paragomphus sinaiticus are
discussed.
Keywords: Acisoma variegatum, Arabian peninsula, dragonflies,
Paragomphus sinaiticus, species inventory, Urothemis thomasi.
doi: http://doi.org/10.11609/jott.4161.10.11.12499-12514 | ZooBank:
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EBE0476B-B927-481B-A4E3-E583EDD3F210
Editor: Jean-Pierre Boudot, University of
Lorraine, Nancy, France. Date
of publication: 26 October 2018 (online & print)
Manuscript
details: Ms # 4161 | Received 27 March 2018| Final
received 07 September 2018 | Finally accepted 21 September 2018
Citation: Cowan, E.M. & P.J. Cowan (2018). The Odonata (Insecta) of Dhofar, southern
Oman. Journal of Threatened Taxa 10(11): 12499–12514; http://doi.org/10.11609/jott.4161.10.11.12499-12514
Copyright: © Cowan
& Cowan 2018. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any
medium, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the
authors and the source of publication.
Funding: None.
Competing
interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Author Details: Elaine M. Cowan is an
honorary senior lecturer. Peter J. Cowan is an arid regions
wildlife specialist.
Author Contribution: EMC was primarily responsible for photography, record keeping and
identification. PJC was primarily responsible for preparation of the
manuscript. Both authors were active
locating odonates in the field.
Acknowledgements: We found Sargeant et al. (2008) most
useful when searching for suitable waterbodies. Jens & Hanne Eriksen gave
further information about their website photographs, details for locating some
additional sites and allowed our use of Image 18. The reviewers’ comments were helpful.
Introduction
Dhofar
governorate (hereafter Dhofar) in southern Oman is climatically somewhat
distinct from northern and central Oman (Fisher et al. 1999) and is often
considered to contain some biota of Afrotropical origin (e.g., Larsen 1984). The monsoon-influenced escarpment of Dhofar
(region 2 in Fig. 1) is especially distinctive (Reade et al. 1980; Miller &
Morris 1988; Pickering & Patzelt 2008; Jennings 2010). The western slopes of the Sarawat mountains
in western Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia, south of the tropic of Cancer,
are somewhat analogous (e.g., Le Houerou 2003).
In Dhofar, the vegetation of the Jebel Qara escarpment (just north of
Salalah City), of the Jebel Qamar escarpment (west of Jebel Qara) and the
western portion of the Jebel Samhan escarpment (east of Jebel Qara) are greatly
influenced by the ‘Khareef’ (Arabic: southwest monsoon). During the Khareef season, between June and
September, fog wetting and drizzle are especially frequent on southwesterly
facing slopes. Annual rain-gauge
rainfall rises to more than 300mm on these mountains and altitude lessens
temperature (El-Baz 2002). During the
Khareef, vegetation on the seaward-facing scarps becomes lush and ‘ains’
(Arabic: springs) and related pools and streams are full. The back, i.e., dip slope and inland
mountains lie in the rain shadow of the monsoon but inland-flowing wadis bring
water seasonally to this area and beyond.
Ground wells are a major water source in the interior of Dhofar for
agriculture and settlements. These, plus
sewage works, related reedbeds, ‘aflaj’ (Arabic plural of ‘falaj’: irrigation
channels) and outflows from palmeries, i.e., palm groves can feed occasional
and more permanent pools.
Forty-four
species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) have been recorded for Oman
as a whole (Schneider & Ikemeyer 2016; Cowan & Cowan 2017). Previously, we (Cowan & Cowan 2017)
summarised the published records for Odonata in northern and central Oman and
presented our own unpublished, photographic, records (December 2008–June 2016)
for 50 sites there, organised by eight geographical regions. Odonate records for one site in northern
Oman, visited by us on more than 78 occasions to 10 June 2015, in the foothills
of the ‘Jebel’ (Arabic: mountain) Akhdar range, have also been presented (Cowan
& Cowan 2013, 2015). The present
paper summarises the published records and presents our photographic records at
23 sites, of odonates in Dhofar, southern Oman.
Methods
The
odonate records presented for Dhofar in the present paper have been organised
into four geographic regions (Fig. 1):
Coastal Plains (region 1), from the Yemeni border eastwards to the
border with Oman’s Wusta governorate (at Ra’s Qarwaw) and including the
Hallaniyat Islands, has a desert climate.
Monsoon Slopes (region 2), the scarp slopes and monsoon-influenced wadi
sides from the Yemeni border (inland of Ras Darbat Ali) to behind Mirbat,
includes various base-of-scarp ains and related water bodies.
Dry Slopes (region 3), the inland facing dip slopes of the coastal
mountains and the mountains and high plains further north (plus the central and
eastern Jebel Samhan escarpment), has a desert climate.
The Northern Desert Plains (region 4) include the Dhofari section of the
Rub al Khali sand sea, bordering Saudi Arabia and the Wusta governorate of
Oman.
Our records in the systematic list and records of odonates for Dhofar
first published in Waterston (1980), Waterston & Pittaway (1991), Schneider
& Dumont (1997), van der Weide & Kalkman (2008), Reimer (2009), Ball
(2014), Schneider & Ikemeyer (2016), and Lambret et al. (2017) are
organised by species in the four geographic regions (Fig. 1) and given in the
Results section below. The historical
specimen records of Bertram Thomas from the Qara mountains, reported on by
Longfield in 1931/32, included the first specimen of Urothemis thomasi, and
have been discussed to some extent by Waterston (1980). Lambret et al. (2017) stated that their
“Records are based on adult sighting, more rarely only on exuvia
collecting.” It is not clear which of
their records are based solely on exuviae.
We have treated van der Weide & Kalkman’s (2008) two locations in
‘Wadi’ (Arabic: valley) Ash Shuwaymiyyah as a single site (in our Dry Slopes),
their three locations at Ain Hamran (Monsoon Slopes) as a single site and their
Wadi Hanna (Monsoon Slopes) as a single site.
Ball’s (2014; Ball et al. 2015) 11 collection sites along Wadi Sayq in
southwestern Dhofar have been treated as two sites: his sites A–H (Monsoon Slopes)
and I–K (Coastal Plains). We have
treated Schneider & Ikemeyer’s (2016) sites in Wadi Darbat as a single site
(Monsoon Slopes) and Lambret et al.’s (2017) ‘Locations’ 52, 58 and 69 (each
divided into two ‘sites’ by them) as single sites (52 in our Northern Desert
and 58 and 69 in Coastal Plains). We
have considered Lambret et al.’s (2017) location 55, sites 1 and 2 as a single
site (in Dry Slopes), their location 55, site 3 as a single site (Coastal
Plains), their location 85, sites 1–3 as a single site (Monsoon Slopes) and
their location 85, site 4 as a separate site (in Coastal Plains).
Photographic records of odonates were made by us at 23 sites in Dhofar
September 2009–March 2017. Our sites were selected through reference to the
previous odonate and ornithological literature (e.g., Sargeant et al. 2008),
local contacts and serendipity. Table 2
lists the location and a brief description for each of our sites. We have not
visited the Hallaniyat (Kuria Muria) islands (Coastal Plains). Every one of our records for each site is
supported by a photographic voucher held in EMC’s personal collection. All photos were taken by EMC using a handheld
Sony Cybershot compact/bridge camera.
Images 1–17 and 19–25 of the present paper were taken by EMC and Image
18 by Jens & Hanne Eriksen. In most
cases these are of species not illustrated in Cowan & Cowan (2013, 2015,
2017).
EMC’s photographs allowed for later deliberation and confirmation of
identification (ID). Identification was
again facilitated by reference to a wide range of field guides and other
publications (including Giles 1998; Dijkstra & Lewington 2006; Feulner et
al. 2007; Samways 2008; Reimer et al. 2009; Subramanian 2009; Djikstra &
Clausnitzer 2014; Smallshire & Swash 2014; Boudot & Kalkman 2015;
Tarboton & Tarboton 2015). Spellings
of transliterated place names in Oman vary widely in the literature and within
Oman.
Photographic
records by other observers in Dhofar have also been included where the location
was clearly stated and we were satisfied with the claimed identification. These are photos on the expert-moderated ‘All
Odonata website (2018)’, on ‘Jens & Hanne Eriksen’s website (Eriksen &
Eriksen 2018—26 records from 9 sites in Dhofar)’ and in the trip reports by
Wiprächtiger (2010) and Räz & Wiprächtiger (2012).
Each species account in the systematic list of the Results section below
(species sequence as Schneider & Dumont 1997) gives the scientific name and
authority citation (IUCN 2017, Schorr & Paulson 2018) and regional (Arabian
peninsula) Red List status (García et al. 2015; Schneider & Samraoui 2015)
where DD = Data Deficient, NE = Not Evaluated, LC = Least Concern, NT = Near Threatened,
VU = vulnerable, EN = Endangered and CR = Critically Endangered, followed by a
summary of published records for each of our geographic regions where (WP 1991)
= Waterston & Pittaway 1991; (SD 1997) = Schneider & Dumont 1997; (WK
2008) = van der Weide & Kalkman 2008; (SI 2016) = Schneider & Ikemeyer
2016; (L et al. 2017) = Lambret et al. 2017.
We felt the best way to summarise previously published records was to
present the number of sites where authors recorded a species. Clearly some records, between publications,
are likely to involve the same locations.
These literature records are followed by ‘C & C:’ (Cowan &
Cowan), our photographic records. In our
records, * indicates reproductive behaviour (mating wheels, ovipositing, flying
in tandem). None of our records are
based on exuviae. Records by other
observers ‘OO:’ are also summarised by number of sites. Those from the All Odonata web gallery are
indicated by ‘Allodonata/photographer’s name’ and those by Jens and Hanne
Eriksen by ‘E & E’.
Other abbreviations used are A. = Ain, W. = Wadi, K. = ‘Khor’ (Arabic:
coastal creek, usually a sand-blocked lagoon).
In the systematic list below, our opinion of ‘Apparent status’ is given
when the status of a species seems reasonably clear (common, can be expected to
be seen at a site; uncommon, might be seen at a site; Rare, unlikely to be seen
at a site; local, can be found at a few sites in the area concerned).
The specimen collection sites in Dhofar of Waterston & Pittaway
(1991); Schneider & Dumont (1997); van de Weide & Kalkman (2008);
Schneider & Ikemeyer (2016) and Lambret et al. (2017) have been grouped
into our four geographic regions in Table 1.
Table 2 lists species located by the authors (and the number of visits)
at each of the 23 sites visited, with brief site descriptions.
Table 1. Sites of records in Dhofar of
Waterston & Pittaway (1991), Schneider & Dumont (1997), van de Weide
& Kalkman (2008), Schneider & Ikemeyer (2016) and Lambret et al. (2017)
organised by the four geographic regions of the present paper.
A. = Ain (spring), K. = Khor (coastal
lagoon), W. = Wadi (valley). Spellings of names and site numbers are as in
their papers. Lambret et al. (2017) presented a district name in front of their
site name. We have put their district name in brackets.
|
COASTAL PLAINS |
|
(WP 1991): Darbat-Mirbat road; Raysut; Salalah;
Taqah. (SD 1997): 19. K. Dahariz (K. Dahareez); 20a. K.
Rawri (K. Rori); 20b. K. Taqah/36. Taqah; 21. K. Sahaur (K. Seehor); 22. K.
Sawli; 30. Salalah; 31. as-Sawda Island, Kuria Muria Islands; 55. W. Nahiz
(W. Nihaz). (WK 2008): 10. beach, ash Shuwaymiyyah; 11. nature
reserve Salalah; 13. K. Dahariz; 14. Sahnawt farm, Salalah; 15. beach houses
Salalah; 18. K. Taqah; 22. Jarziz farm, Salalah. (SI 2016): 9. lagoon and coastal lake west of
Taqah; 10. coastal lake west of Salalah; 11. mouth of W. Ashawq; 13. northern
fringe of East Khawr. (L et al. 2017): 54. K. Sharbithat (Sharbithat); 55. Ras
Shuwaymiya, site 3 (Ash Shuwaymiya); 56. W. Sana’ak (Hasik); 58. Bandar Bay
(Sadh); 59. K. Hadbeen (Sadh); 60. K. Mahall (Sadh); 61. W. Baqlat (Mirbat);
62. W. Anshayr (Mirbat); 63. A. Shabun (Mirbat); 67. khor and beach 12.5 km
east of Taqah (Taqah); 69. K. Rawri (Taqah); 70. K. Taqah (Taqah); 72. K.
Sawli (Taqah); 77. K. Ad Dahariz (Salalah); 78. K. Al Baleed (Salalah); 79.
Jarziz farm (Salalah); 84. W. Madom at K. Madom (Salalah, Al Mughsayl); 85.
W. Ashawq, site 4 (Salalah, Al Mughsayl); 86. K. Rass Sajir (Salalah, Shaat). |
|
MONSOON SLOPES |
|
(WP 1991): A., Jabal Qara; A. Arzat (al rizat);
W.Arzat; Jarsis (A.); Khuyuut (Khiyunt); Milwah al Aud; Naqa; Sahalnaut;
Darbat pools; W. Saiq; W. Sha’ath. (SD 1997): 1. A. Hamran (A. Umran); 2. A. Jarsis;
3. A. ar-Rizat (A. Arzat); 4. A. Tobruk; 10. Dhalqut; 44. W. Darbat, above
waterfall; 49. W. Hinnah. (WK 2008): 12, 16 & 17. A. Hamran; 19 & 20.
W. Hanna; 21. W. Darbat. (SI 2016): 8. W. Darbat northeast of Taqah; 12. W.
Sayq. (L et al. 2017): 64. A. Hashir (Mirbat); 66. Tawi Atayr
(Taqah); 68. Wadi Darbat lake and supply stream above the waterfall (Taqah);
71. A. Athum (Taqah); 73. A. Tabraq (Taqah); 74. A. Hamran (Taqah); 75. A.
Razat (Taqah); 76. A. Sahalnaut (Salalah); 80. A. Jarziz (Salalah); 82. A.
Ishat (Salalah); 83. Aftalqut (Salalah); 85. Wadi Ashawq, sites 1–3 (Salalah,
Al Mughsayl); 87. Sinkhole Shaat (Salalah). |
|
DRY SLOPES |
|
(WP 1991): Ayun pools; Thumrait (Thamarit). (SD 1997): 6. Ayun; 24. Marmul. (WK 2008): 8 & 9. W. ash Shuwaymiyyah. (SI 2016): None. (L et al. 2017): 55. Ras Shuwaymiya, sites 1 & 2 (Ash
Shuwaymiya); 57. Natif waterfall (Hasik); 65. A. Hut (Tayq); 81. ‘Ayun pools’
(Salalah). |
|
NORTHERN DESERT |
|
(WP 1991): None. (SD 1997): 8. Dawkah. (WK 2008): 23. oasis Qatbit, central desert; 24.
oasis Montasar, central desert. (SI 2016): None. (L et al. 2017): 51. Muntasar oasis (Muqshin); 52. Qatbit
(Muqshin); 53. Dawkah Farm (Thumrait). |
Results
Zygoptera
(Damselflies)
Coenagrionidae
Agriocnemis pygmaea (Rambur, 1842) CR
Coastal
plains: A. cf. pygmaea 1 site (Reimer 2009). 1 site (SI 2016). 2
sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: K. Taqah 26 Mar 2017. Monsoon Slopes: 1 site
(Ball 2014). 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent status: Rare.
Azuragrion nigridorsum (Selys, 1876) EN
Coastal
plains OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Ton
Elzerman). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site
(WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 1 site (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1
site (SI 2016). 5 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15, 17 Jan 2017,
25 Mar 2017; W. Darbat 17 Oct 2013 (Image 1), 15 Jan 2014, 8* Oct 2014, 21 Sep
2015 (Image 2), 16 Jan 2017; A. Tobruq 22* (Image 3), 24* Sep 2015, 29* Aug
2016, 18* Jan 2017; A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013; W. Ashawq 24 Sep 2015. OO: 1 site
(Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof), 1 site (Allodonata/Ton Elzerman), 1 site (E
& E).
Apparent
status: Common Monsoon Slopes.
Azuragrion somalicum (Longfield, 1931) VU
Coastal
plains: 1 site (L et al. 2017). Monsoon
Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 2 sites (SD 1997). 1 site (SI 2016). Dry Slopes: 1
site (Waterston 1980). 1 site (WK 2008). 2 sites (L et al. 2017). C
& C: Hanging Gardens 18* Jan 2014, 9* Oct 2014, 25* Sep 2015, 19* Jan 2017
(Images 4, 5). OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof).
Apparent status: Local Dry Slopes.
Rare elsewhere.
Ischnura evansi Morton, 1919 LC
Coastal plains: 3 sites (L et al. 2017). OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Ton
Elzerman). Monsoon Slopes: 2 sites
(WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 1 site (WK 2008). 2 sites (SI 2016). 3 sites (L et
al. 2017). Dry Slopes: 2 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Mudhay
28 Aug 2016. Northern Desert: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent status: Rare.
Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) LC
Coastal plains: 2 sites (Waterston 1980). 1 site (WP 1991). 4 sites (SD
1997). 3 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 2 sites (SI 2016). 14 sites (L et
al. 2017). C & C: K. Ash Shuwaymiyyah 9 Oct 2014; K. Taqah 17 Oct 2013, 14,
16, 17 Jan 2014, 6 Oct 2014, 22 Sep 2015, 27, 30 Aug 2016, 26, 28* Mar 2017; K.
Rawri 17 Jan 2014, 23* Sep 2015, 29* Aug 2016; Al Baleed 18* Jan, 28 March
2017; K. Muhit 27 Aug 2016; K. Mudam 7 Oct 2014. OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Ton
Elzerman), 1 site (E & E). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (Waterston 1980). 1 site
(SD 1997). 1 site (Ball 2014). 4 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Darbat 15
Jan 2014, 16 Jan 2017; A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013, 16 Jan 2014; W. Ashawq 7 Oct
2014, 24 Sep 2015. OO: I site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof). Dry Slopes: 1
site (L et al.
2017). C & C: Hanging Gardens 18 Jan 2014, 9 Oct 2014, 25 Sep
2015; Mudhay 28 Aug 2016, 27 Mar 2017; Mazyunah waste water 27 Mar 2017; Mazyunah
farm 27 Mar 2017. Northern Desert: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent status: Common at coastal or near-coastal sites. Uncommon
elsewhere.
Ceriagrion glabrum (Burmeister, 1839) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (Waterston 1980).
2 sites (WP 1991).
2 sites (SD 1997). 1 site (SI 2016). 3 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: K.
Taqah 14 Jan 2014 (Image 6), 27 Aug 2016. OO: 1 site (Räz & Wiprächtiger
2012). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site
(Waterston 1980). 2 sites (WP
1991). 4 sites (SD 1997). 1 site (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI
2016). 6 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15, 17* Jan 2017 (Image
7); A. Tobruq 22 Sep 2015. Dry Slopes: 1 site (Waterston 1980). 2 sites (L et
al. 2017).
Apparent
status: Uncommon.
Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842) NT
Coastal plains: 1 site (WK 2008). 1 site (SI 2016). 3 sites (L et al.
2017). C & C: K. Taqah 22 Sep 2015, 26*, 28 Mar 2017; K. Rawri 17 Jan 2014,
23 Sep 2015; K. Mudam 7 Oct 2014. Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (SD 1997). 1 site (WK
2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 4 sites (L et al. 2017). C
& C: W. Ghadit 15, 17 Jan 2017; W. Darbat 17 Oct 2013, 15 Jan 2014,
8 Oct 2014, 21* Sep 2015 (Image 2), 29* Aug 2016, 16 Jan 2017; A. Hamran 8 Oct
2014; A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013; W. Ashawq 24 Sep 2015. OO: 1 site (Wiprächtiger
2010).
Apparent
status: Common coastal plains and monsoon slopes.
Pseudagrion sublacteum (Karsch, 1893) LC
Monsoon
Slopes: 2 sites (WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 2 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Reimer
2009). 1 site (SI 2016). 4 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Darbat 17* Oct
2013 (Image 8), 15 Jan 2014; A. Tobruq 18 Jan 2017; A. Hamran 16* Oct 2013, 23*
Sep 2015 (Image 9); A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013; OO: 1 site (Räz & Wiprächtiger
2012), 1 site (Allodonata / Paul Schrijvershof), 2 sites (E & E).
Apparent status: Uncommon Monsoon Slopes.
Platycnemididae
Arabicnemis caerulea Waterston, 1984 LC
Monsoon
Slopes: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Arabineura khalidi (Schneider, 1988) EN
Dry
Slopes: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Anisoptera
(Dragonflies)
Aeshnidae
Anax imperator Leach, 1815 LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 10 sites (L et al. 2017). C &
C: K. Taqah 26*, 28* Mar 2017. OO: 1 site (E & E). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site
(WP 1991). 2 sites (SD 1997). 3 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI
2016). 8 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15 Jan, 25* Mar 2017; W.
Darbat 15* Jan 2014, 8* Oct 2014; A. Sahnawt 15* Oct 2013, 16* Jan 2014; A.
Razat 16 Jan 2014; A. Tobruq 22 Sep 2015, 18 Jan 2017; W. Ashawq 7 Oct 2014.
Dry Slopes: 1 site (WK 2008). 3 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Hanging
Gardens 18 Jan, 9 Oct 2014, 25 Sep 2015. Northern Desert: 1 site (L et al.
2017).
Apparent
status: Uncommon.
Anax parthenope (Selys, 1839) LC
Coastal
plains: 2 sites (L et al. 2017). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (WK
2008). 3 sites (L et al. 2017). Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 2 sites (L et al.
2017). C & C: Mudhay 27 Mar 2017; Mazyunah farm 27 Mar 2017. OO: 1 site (E
& E). Northern Desert: 1 site (WK 2008). 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent
status: Rare.
Anax ephippiger (Burmeister, 1839) LC
Coastal
plains: 2 sites (SD 1997). 8 sites (L et al. 2017). Monsoon slopes: 1 site
(Ball 2014). 5 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15 Jan 2017. Dry
Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 2 sites (L et al. 2017). OO: 1 site
(E & E). Northern Desert: 1 site (WK 2008). 3 sites (L et al. 2017).
CC: Muntasar 14 Jan 2017.
Apparent
status: Rare.
Gomphidae
Lindenia tetraphylla (Vander Linden, 1825) LC
Monsoon
Slopes: 1 site (SD 1997). 1 site (Reimer 2009). 1 site (SI 2016). 1 site (L et
al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 17 Jan 2017, 25 Mar 2017; W. Darbat 8 Oct 2014,
21 Sep 2015, 16 Jan 2017. OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Richard Hornby, Wiprächtiger
2010), 1 site (E & E). Dry Slopes: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent status: Local Monsoon Slopes.
Paragomphus sinaiticus (Morton, 1929) LC
Monsoon
Slopes: 1 site (Reimer 2009). 7 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Darbat 21
Sep 2015; A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013; A. Hamran 20 Sep 2009, 23 Sep 2015, 29 Mar
2017. Dry Slopes: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent status: Uncommon Monsoon Slopes.
Libellulidae
Nesciothemis farinosa (Förster, 1898) LC
Coastal
Plains OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Ton Elzerman). Monsoon Slopes: 2 sites (WP
1991). 2 sites (SD 1997). 1 site (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 2 sites (SI
2016). 4 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 17 Jan 2017; W. Darbat 8
Oct 2014; A. Hamran 16 Oct 2013; A. Tobruq 22 Sep 2015, 18 Jan 2017; A. Razat
29 Aug 2016 (Image 10). OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Ton Elzerman), 1 site
(Allodonata/Geert De Knijf), 1 site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof), 1 site (E
& E). Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent
status: Locally common Monsoon Slopes.
Orthetrum chrysostigma (Burmeister, 1839) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (Ball 2014). 6 sites (L et al. 2017). OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Ton
Elzerman). Monsoon Slopes: 3 sites (Waterston 1980). 2 sites (WP 1991). 6 sites
(SD 1997). 3 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 10 sites (L
et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15, 17* Jan, 25 Mar 2017; W. Darbat 17 Oct
2013, 15* Jan, 8 Oct 2014, 21 Sep 2015, 29* Aug 2016; A. Sahnawt 15* Oct 2013,
16 Jan 2014; A. Tobruq 22 Sep 2015, 18 Jan 2017; A. Hamran 20 Sep 2009, 16* Oct
2013, 8* Oct 2014, 23 Sep 2015, 30* Aug 2016, 18 Jan, 29 Mar 2017; A. Razat 29*
Aug 2016, 18 Jan 2017. OO: 1 site (Wiprächtiger 2010), 1 site (Allodonata/Paul
Schrijvershof), 3 sites (E & E). Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 2 sites (L
et al. 2017). C & C: Mudhay 27 Mar 2017. OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Paul
Schrijvershof).
Apparent
status: Common Monsoon Slopes.
Orthetrum ransonnetii (Brauer, 1865) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (L et al. 2017). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (L
et al. 2017). Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent status: Rare.
Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1773) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (Waterston 1980). 1 site (WP 1991). 3 sites (SD
1997). 2 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 12 sites (L et
al. 2017). C & C: W. Ataran 31 Aug 2016; K. Rawri 17 Jan 2014, 29 Aug 2016;
K. Taqah 14, 17 Jan 2014, 6 Oct 2014, 22 Sep 2015, 27, 30 Aug 2016, 28 Mar
2017; K. Dahariez 27 Aug 2016; K. Muhit 27 Aug 2016; K. Mudam 7 Oct 2014. OO: 2
sites (Allodonata/Ton Elzerman). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 1
site (SD 1997). 2 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 7
sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15, 17 Jan 2017; W. Darbat 15 Jan
2014, 21 Sep 2015; A. Tobruq 22* Sep 2015, 18* Jan 2017, 25 Mar 2017; A. Hamran
20 Sep 2009, 16 Oct 2013, 23 Sep 2015, 30 Aug 2016; A. Razat 29 Aug 2016, 18
Jan 2017; A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013; W. Ashawq 24 Sep 2015. OO: 1 site (E &
E). Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 2 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Hanging
Gardens 9 Oct 2014; Mudhay 28* Aug 2016, 27 Mar 2017; Mazyunah waste water 27
Mar 2017; Mazyunah farm 27 Mar 2017. OO: 1 site (E & E). Northern Desert: 1 site (SD 1997). 1 site (WK
2008). 2 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Muntasar 5 Oct 2014, 20 Sep 2015, 14
Jan 2017; Qitbit 26 Aug 2016. OO: 1 site (E & E).
Apparent status: Common.
Crocothemis erythraea (Brullé, 1832) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (Waterston 1980). 2 sites (WP 1991). 2 sites (SD
1997). 2 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 2 sites (SI 2016). 14 sites (L et
al. 2017). C & C: K. Samhal 25 Sep 2015; K. Taqah 16, 17 Oct 2013, 14, 16
Jan 2014, 6 Oct 2014, 22 Sep 2015, 27*, 30 Aug 2016, 16 Jan, 26 Mar 2017; K.
Rawri 17 Jan 2014; K. Mudam 7 Oct 2014. OO: 2 sites (Allodonata/Ton Elzerman),
1 site (E & E). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 6 sites (SD
1997). 2 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 10 sites (L et
al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15, 17 Jan, 25* Mar 2017; W. Darbat 17 Sep
2009, 17 Oct 2013, 15 Jan, 8 Oct 2014, 21 Sep 2015, 16 Jan 2017; A. Sahnawt 15
Oct 2013, 16 Jan 2014; A. Tobruq 22* Sep 2015, 18* Jan 2017; A. Hamran 20 Sep
2009, 16 Oct 2013, 8* Oct 2014, 23 Sep 2015, 30 Aug 2016; A. Razat 29 Aug 2016;
W. Ashawq 7 Oct 2014, 24 Sep 2015. OO: 1 site (E & E). Dry Slopes: 1 site
(WP 1991). 1 site (WK 2008). 2 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Hanging
Gardens 9 Oct 2014, 25 Sep 2015, 26 Feb 2016, 19 Jan 2017; Mudhay 28 Aug 2016;
Mazyunah farm 27 Mar 2017. OO: 1 site (Allodonata/ Paul Schrijvershof).
Northern Desert: 3 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Muntasar 20 Sep 2015, 14
Jan 2017. OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Ton Elzerman), 1 site
(Allodonata/Vink), 1 site (E & E).
Apparent status: Common.
Crocothemis sanguinolenta (Burmeister, 1839) LC
Coastal
plains: 6 sites (L et al. 2017). Monsoon Slopes: 2 sites (SD 1997). 1
site (WK 2008). 2 sites (SI 2016). 5 sites (L et al. 2017). Dry Slopes:
1 site (L et al. 2017). OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof).
Apparent status: Rare.
Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (Waterston 1980). 2 sites (WP 1991). 6 sites (SD 1997). I site
(WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 13 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ataran
31 Aug 2016; K. Samhal 25 Sep 2015; K. Taqah 16, 17 Oct 2013, 14, 16, 17 Jan
2014, 6 Oct 2014, 22 Sep 2015, 27, 30 Aug 2016, 28 Mar 2017. OO: 1 site (E
& E). Monsoon Slopes: I site (WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). I site (Ball
2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 6 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15, 17*
Jan, 25 Mar 2017; W. Darbat 8 Oct 2014; A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013; A. Razat 29 Aug
2016; W. Ashawq 7* Oct 2014, 24* Sep 2015. OO: 1 site (Wiprächtiger 2010), 1
site (E & E). Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 2 sites (L et al. 2017). OO: 1
site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof). Northern
Desert: 2 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Muntasar 5 Oct 2014,
20 Sep 2015. OO: 3 sites (Allodonata/Ton Elzerman).
Apparent status: Common, sometimes in large numbers.
Sympetrum fonscolombii (Selys, 1840) LC
Monsoon
Slopes: 1 site (SI 2016). Northern Desert: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Trithemis annulata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1807) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (SD 1997). 3 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 5 sites (L et
al. 2017). C & C: K. Taqah 16 Jan, 26, 28 Mar 2017. OO:
1 site (Allodonata/Ton Elzerman), 1 site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof).
Monsoon Slopes: 2 sites (Waterston 1980). 5 sites (WP 1991). 2 sites (SD
1997). 2 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 9 sites
(L et al. 2017). C & C: Wadi Ghadit 15, 17 Jan, 25 Mar 2017; W. Darbat 19
Sep 2009, 17 Oct 2013, 15 Jan 2014, 8* Oct 2014, 21 Sep 2015, 29 Aug 2016, 16
Jan 2017; A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013, 16 Jan 2014; A. Hamran 16 Oct 2013, 8 Oct
2014, 23 Sep 2015, 30 Aug 2016, 18 Jan, 29 Mar 2017; A. Tobruq 22, 24 Sep 2015,
29 Aug 2016, 18 Jan 2017; A. Razat 29 Aug 2016, 18 Jan 2017. OO: 1 site (E
& E). Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Apparent status: Common
Monsoon Slopes, uncommon Coastal Plains.
Trithemis arteriosa (Burmeister, 1839) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (Ball 2014). 4 sites (L et al. 2017). OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Ton
Elzerman). Monsoon Slopes: 4 sites (WP 1991). 3 sites (SD 1997). 2 sites (WK
2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 9 sites (L et al. 2017). C &
C: W. Ghadit 17 Jan 2017; A. Razat 16 Jan 2014, 18 Jan 2017; A. Tobruq 22 Sep
2015, 18 Jan 2017; A. Hamran 20 Sep 2009, 16 Oct 2013, 8 Oct 2014, 23 Sep 2015,
30 Aug 2016, 18 Jan, 29 Mar 2017; A. Sahnawt 15 Oct 2013, 16 Jan 2014. OO: 1
site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof). Dry Slopes: 2 sites (WP 1991). 1
site (SD 1997). 1 site (WK 2008). 3 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Hanging
Gardens 19 Jan 2017, Mudhay 28 Aug 2016, 27 Mar 2017.
Apparent status: Common Monsoon Slopes, uncommon elsewhere.
Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1891 LC
Coastal plains: 1 site (L et al. 2017). Monsoon Slopes: 4 sites (L et
al. 2017).
Rhyothemis semihyalina (Desjardins, 1835) EN
Coastal
plains: 2 sites (Waterston 1980). 3 sites (WP 1991). 3 sites (SD 1997). 1 site
(WK 2008). 1 site (Reimer 2009). 2 sites (SI 2016). 11 sites (L et al. 2017). C
& C: W. Ataran 31 Aug 2016; K. Taqah 16, 17 Oct 2013, 14 Jan, 6 Oct 2014
(Image 11), 22 Sep 2015 (Image 12), 27*, 31 Aug 2016, 26, 28 Mar 2017; Al
Baleed 28 Mar 2017. OO: 1 site (E & E). Monsoon Slopes: 2 sites (WP 1991).
1 site (SD 1997). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 6 sites (L et al.
2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 25 Mar 2017; W. Darbat 21 Sep 2015; W. Ashawq 7 Oct
2014, 24* Sep 2015.
Apparent
status: Common Coastal Plains and Monsoon Slopes.
Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) LC
Coastal
plains: 4 sites (WP 1991). 3 sites (SD 1997). 6 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Ball
2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 5 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: K. Taqah 27, 30
Aug 2016; K. Muhit 27 Aug 2016. Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (SD 1997). 3 sites (WK
2008). 1 site (Ball 2014). 1 site (SI 2016). 5 sites (L et al. 2017). C &
C: W. Ghadit 15, 17* Jan 2017; W. Darbat 17 Oct 2013, 8 Oct 2014, 21* Sep 2015,
29 Aug 2016; A. Tobruq 22 Sep 2015; A. Hamran 23 Sep 2015, 30 Aug 2016; A.
Razat 29 Aug 2016. Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 1 site (WK 2008). 1 site (L et
al. 2017). Northern Desert: 2
sites (WK 2008). 3 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: Muntasar 5 Oct
2014, 14 Jan 2017. OO: 1 site (E & E).
Apparent status: Common.
Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798) DD
Coastal
plains: 1 site (L et al. 2017). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (Ball 2014).
Apparent
status: Rare.
Tramea basilaris (Palisot de Beauvois, 1817) NE
Coastal
plains: 3 sites (L et al. 2017). Monsoon Slopes: 3 sites (L et al.
2017). Northern Desert: 1 site (L et al 2017).
Apparent
status: Rare.
Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1835) NT
Coastal
plains: 3 sites (SI 2016). 1 site (L et al. 2017). Monsoon Slopes: 2 sites (WP
1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 1 site (Reimer 2009). 1 site (SI 2016).
6 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: W. Ghadit 15 (Image 13), 17* Jan (Image
14), 25 Mar 2017; W. Darbat 16 Sep 2009, 15 Jan 2014, 8 Oct 2014, 21* Sep 2015,
16 Jan 2017; A. Tobruq 18* Jan 2017 (Image 15). OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Geert De
Knijf).
Apparent status: Common Monsoon Slopes.
Acisoma variegatum Kirby, 1898
sensu Mens et al. (2016)
Coastal
plains: “widespread… in wet and dry wadis during August 1981” (WP 1991). 1 site
(SD 1997). Monsoon Slopes: 2 sites (WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 1 site
(SI 2016). C & C: W. Ghadit 17 Jan, 25* Mar 2017 (Image 16, 17). OO: 1 site (E
& E, Image 18).
Apparent status: Local and rare Monsoon Slopes.
Macrodiplax cora (Kaup in Brauer, 1867) NT
Coastal
plains: 1 site (Schneider & Krupp 1993, “… seems to be quite common around
Salalah town.”). 2 sites (SD 1997). 2 sites (WK 2008). 1 site (Reimer 2009). 1
site (Ball 2014). 2 sites (SI 2016). 14 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: K.
Ash Shuwaymiyyah 9 Oct 2014, 25 Sep 2015; K. Sanaq 31 Aug 2016; W. Ataran 31
Aug 2016; K. Samhal 25* Sep 2015; K. Rawri 17 Jan 2014, 23 Sep 2015, 29 Aug
2016; K. Taqah 17 Oct 2013, 14, 16 Jan 2014, 6 Oct 2014, 22 Sep 2015, 26, 28
Mar 2017; K. Dahariez 27 Aug 2016; K. Muhit 27 Aug 2016; K. Mudam 7 Oct 2014.
OO: 1 site (Wiprächtiger 2010), 1 site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof), 1 site
(E & E). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (Ball 2014). 4 sites (L et al. 2017). C
& C: W. Darbat 15 Jan 2014, 21 Sep 2015; W. Ashawq 7 Oct 2014, 24 Sep 2015.
OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Paul Schrijvershof). Dry Slopes: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
C & C: Hanging Gardens 9 Oct 2014. Northern Desert: 2 sites (L et al.
2017).
Apparent
status: Common Coastal Plains, uncommon or rare elsewhere.
Selysiothemis nigra (Vander Linden, 1825) LC
Coastal
plains: 1 site (L et al. 2017). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (L et al. 2017).
Urothemis edwardsii (Selys in Lucas, 1849) EN
Coastal
plains: 2 sites (WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 2 sites (SI 2016). 5 sites (L et
al. 2017). C & C: K. Taqah 16, 17 Oct 2013, 14 Jan 2014, 6 Oct 2014 (Image
19), 22 Sep 2015, 27 Aug 2016, 28 Mar 2017. OO: 1 site (Allodonata/Paul
Schrijvershof), 1 site (E & E). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (Waterston 1980).
1 site (WP 1991). 1 site (SD 1997). 1 site (SI 2016). 2 sites (L et al.
2017). C & C: W. Darbat 8 Oct 2014, 21 Sep 2015; A. Hamran 16 Oct 2013; W.
Ashawq 7* Oct 2014 (Image 20, 21), 24 Sep 2015. Dry Slopes: 1 site (L et al.
2017).
Apparent
status: Local and uncommon Coastal Plains and Monsoon Slopes.
Urothemis thomasi Longfield, 1932 EN
Coastal
plains: 1 site (SD 1997). Monsoon Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). 2 sites (SI 2016).
4 sites (L et al. 2017). Dry Slopes: 1 site (WP 1991). C & C: Hanging
Gardens 9 Oct 2014 (Image 22), 25 Sep 2015 (Images 23, 24).
Apparent
status: Local, uncommon.
Zygonyx torridus (Kirby, 1889) LC
Monsoon
Slopes: 1 site (Waterston 1980). 1 site (WP 1991). 2 sites (SD 1997). 2 sites
(WK 2008). 1 site (SI 2016). 6 sites (L et al. 2017). C & C: A. Sahnawt 15
Oct 2013, 16 Jan 2014; A. Hamran 20* Sep 2009, 16 Oct 2013, 23 Sep 2015 (Image
25), 30* Aug 2016, 18 Jan, 29* Mar 2017; A. Tobruq 22 Sep 2015; A. Razat 29 Aug
2016, 18 Jan 2017. OO: 1 site (Räz & Wiprächtiger 2012), 1 site
(Allodonata/Ton Elzerman).
Apparent
status: Common Monsoon Slopes where flowing water.
Table 2. Sites in Dhofar, organised by
geographic region, at which the authors recorded odonates, 2009–2017.
A. =
Ain (spring), K. = Khor (coastal lagoon), W. = Wadi (valley).
|
Site name, GPS coordinates, brief
description, elevation (m A.S.L) |
Species seen at site by us (number visits) |
|
Coastal Plains |
|
|
K. Ash Shuwaymiyyah 17.8827° N, 55.6028°
E. Brackish pools, beach side of main road at southern entry to town (10). |
Ischnura senegalensis, Macrodiplax cora (2 visits). |
|
K. Sanaq 17.4334° N, 55.2501° E. Large
khor, 22 km north of Hasik at foot of cliffs, reeds, sedges and extensive
palmerie (20). |
Macrodiplax cora (1 visit). |
|
W. Ataran 17.4550° N, 55.2531° E. Wadi
with reeds at seaward side of new coast road 2 km north of Hasik petrol station
(15). |
Orthetrum sabina, Diplacodes
lefebvrii, Rhyothemis semihyalina, Macrodiplax cora (1 visit). |
|
K. Samhal 17.3502° N, 55.2835° E. 12 km
south of Hasik, seaward side of new coast road, wadi outflow from Jebel
Qamar, brackish with sedges and grasses (15). |
Crocothemis erythraea, Diplacodes
lefebvrii, Macrodiplax cora (1 visit). |
|
K. Taqah 17.0334° N, 54.3668° E. Inlet,
reedbeds, pools, open grass (14). |
Agriocnemis pygmaea, Ischnura
senegalensis, Pseudagrion
decorum, Ceriagrion glabrum, Anax imperator, Orthetrum sabina,
Crocothemis erythraea, Diplacodes lefebvrii, Trithemis annulata, Rhyothemis
semihyalina, Pantala flavescens, Macrodiplax cora, Urothemis edwardsii (11
visits). |
|
K. Rawri 17.0335° N, 54.4169° E.
Extensive lagoon with open sandy areas and reeds (7). |
Ischnura senegalensis, Pseudagrion
decorum, Orthetrum sabina, Crocothemis erythraea, Macrodiplax cora (3 visits). |
|
K. Dahariez 17.0002° N, 54.1668° E.
Eastern outskirts of Salalah, extensive lagoon, mangroves and reeds (15). |
Orthetrum sabina, Macrodiplax
cora (1 visit). |
|
Al Baleed park 17.0084° N, 54.1389° E. Archaeological site, gardens, khor with
reeds and hotel (6). |
Ischnura senegalensis, Rhyothemis
semihyalina (2
visits). |
|
K. Muhit 16.9669° N, 54.0002° E. Small pool, scrubby vegetation west of
Hilton Hotel grounds (17). |
Ischnura senegalensis, Orthetrum sabina,
Pantala flavescens, Macrodiplax cora (1 visit). |
|
K. Mudam 16.8835° N, 53.8168° E. Extensive khor inland from sea east of
Mugsayl, low vegetation with grass in water (20). |
Ischnura senegalensis, Pseudagrion
decorum, Orthetrum sabina, Crocothemis erythraea, Macrodiplax cora (1 visit). |
|
Monsoon Slopes |
|
|
W. Ghadit 17.1423° N, 54.4695° E.
Tributary wadi to W. Darbat with spring fed pool (320). |
Azuragrion nigridorsum, Ceriagrion glabrum, Pseudagrion decorum,
Anax imperator, A. ephippiger, Lindenia tetraphylla, Nesciothemis farinosa,
Orthetrum chrysostigma, O. sabina, Crocothemis erythraea, Diplacodes
lefebvrii, Trithemis annulata, T. arteriosa, Rhyothemis semihyalina, Pantala
flavescens, Tramea limbata, Acisoma variegatum (2 visits). |
|
W. Darbat 17.1047° N, 54.4526° E. Wide wadi, seasonal river and pools,
acacias (205). |
Azuragrion nigridorsum, Ischnura
senegalensis, Pseudagrion
decorum, P. sublacteum, Anax imperator, Lindenia tetraphylla, Paragomphus
sinaiticus, Nesciothemis farinosa, Orthetrum chrysostigma, O. sabina,
Crocothemis erythraea, Diplacodes lefebvrii, Trithemis annulata, Rhyothemis
semihyalina, Pantala flavescens, Tramea limbata, Macrodiplax cora, Urothemis
edwardsii (4
visits). |
|
A. Tobruq 17.1000° N, 54.3168° E. Concrete falaj and pool from spring,
outflow into muddy ford, pools with grasses, shrubs and trees (110). |
Azuragrion nigridorsum, Ceriagrion glabrum,
Pseudagrion sublacteum, Anax imperator, Nesciothemis farinosa, Orthetrum
chrysostigma, O. sabina, Crocothemis erythraea, Trithemis annulata, T.
arteriosa, Pantala flavescens, Tramea limbata, Zygonyx torridus (3 visits). |
|
A. Hamran 17.0836° N, 54.2669° E. Spring, falaj, pools, palms (85). |
Pseudagrion decorum, P. sublacteum, Paragomphus sinaiticus,
Nesciothemis farinosa, Orthetrum chrysostigma, O. sabina, Crocothemis
erythraea, Trithemis annulata, T. arteriosa, Pantala flavescens, Urothemis
edwardsii, Zygonyx torridus (6 visits). |
|
A. Razat 17.1169° N, 54.2334° E. Gardens, falaj, stream with small
rapids, large car park with trees and scrub (90). |
Anax imperator, Nesciothemis farinosa,
Orthetrum chrysostigma, O. sabina, Crocothemis erythraea, Diplacodes lefebvrii,
Trithemis annulata, T. arteriosa, Pantala flavescens, Zygonyx torridus (2 visits). |
|
A. Sahnawt 17.1335° N, 54.1669° E.
Spring, pools and rapids, falaj (130). |
Azuragrion nigridorsum, Ischnura
senegalensis, Pseudagrion decorum, P. sublacteum, Anax imperator, Paragomphus
sinaiticus, Orthetrum chrysostigma, O. sabina, Crocothemis erythraea,
Diplacodes lefebvrii, Trithemis annulata, T. arteriosa, Zygonyx torridus (2 visits). |
|
W. Ashawq 16.8834° N, 53.7668° E. Spring-fed wadi pool near cliff, 1–2 km
‘upstream’ from Mugsayl beach, waterside vegetation with reeds, sedges and
grass, extensive algal mats (41). |
Azuragrion nigridorsum, Ischnura senegalensis, Pseudagrion decorum, Anax imperator,
Orthetrum sabina, Crocothemis erythraea, Diplacodes lefebvrii, Rhyothemis
semihyalina, Macrodiplax cora, Urothemis edwardsii (2 visits). |
|
Dry Slopes |
|
|
Hanging Gardens 17.9336° N, 55.5266° E. Pools above main floor of W. Ash
Shuwaymiyyah c10 km from Ash Shuwaymiyyah town and coast (70). |
Azuragrion somalicum, Ischnura
senegalensis, Anax imperator, Orthetrum sabina, Crocothemis erythraea,
Trithemis arteriosa, Macrodiplax cora, Urothemis thomasi (4 visits). |
|
Mudhay 17.3668° N, 53.3500° E. Pool/large tank near picnic area at head
of palmerie at south end of village (540). |
Ischnura evansi, I.
senegalensis, Anax parthenope, Orthetrum chrysostigma, O. sabina, Crocothemis
erythraea, Trithemis arteriosa (2 visits). |
|
Mazyunah waste water 17.8501° N,
52.6336° E. Waste water site (520). |
Ischnura senegalensis, Orthetrum sabina (1 visit). |
|
Mazyunah farm 17.8835° N, 52.6335° E. Farmland (502). |
Ischnura senegalensis, Anax parthenope,
Orthetrum sabina, Crocothemis erythraea (1 visit). |
|
Northern Desert |
|
|
Muntasar 19.4500° N, 54.6167° E. Palmerie, runoff overflow pools from
well (136). |
Anax ephippiger, Orthetrum sabina,
Crocothemis erythraea, Diplacodes lefebvrii, Pantala flavescens (4 visits). |
|
Qitbit oasis 19.1501° N, 54.5001° E. Small spring adjacent to trees near the
larger oasis and pool c. 2 km east from resthouse (165). |
Orthetrum sabina (1 visit). |
Discussion
Of the 44 species recorded from Oman, 37 have been noted as occurring in
Dhofar. We recorded and photographed
eight zygopteran and 20 anisopteran species in this area. Of the 37 species recorded, Arabineura
khalidi and Arabicnemis caerulea have both been recorded on
one occasion only (Lambret et al. 2017), Sympetrum fonscolombii twice
(Schneider & Ikemeyer 2016; Lambret et al. 2017) and Trithemis kirbyi
five times (Lambret et al. 2017). Selysiothemis
nigra has been recorded on two dates including a record of 10 individuals
(Lambret et al. 2017). Arabineura
khalidi and Arabicnemis caerulea both occur in the Hajar mountains
of northern Oman (and according to Schneider & Nasher (2013), the latter is
also known from the Hadhramout in Yemen).
Trithemis kirbyi is very common in northern Oman (Cowan & Cowan
2017) and has also been recorded in the Hadhramout (Schneider & Nasher
2013). Species of odonate recorded for
Dhofar are mainly regionally Least Concern though Arabineura khalidi, Azuragrion
nigridorsum, Rhyothemis semihyalina, A. variegatum (under
its regionally incorrect name Acisoma panorpoides ascalaphoides),
Urothemis edwardsii and U. thomasi are regionally
Endangered. Agriocnemis pygmaea is
considered to be Critically Endangered and Pseudagrion decorum, Tramea
limbata and Macrodiplax cora are regionally Near Threatened (García
et al. 2015). Azuragrion somalicum
is classed regionally as Vulnerable.
Odonate species listed for Oman that have only been recorded in Dhofar
are Azuragrion nigridorsum, A. somalicum, Pseudagrion sublacteum,
Nesciothemis farinosa, Rhyothemis semihyalina, Tholymis tillarga, Acisoma
variegatum and Urothemis edwardsii.
All also occur in Afrotropical Africa (Dijkstra & Clausnitzer
2014, Dijkstra 2016). We have recorded
each of them except T. tillarga. Tholymis tillarga was added to
the Dhofar and Oman lists by Ball (2014), with a record of a male and an
ovipositing female in Wadi Sayq, which is close to the Yemeni border, though no
ID evidence was presented. Lambret et
al. (2017) recorded T. tillarga, a record of two individuals on
11 November 2010, at a different site from Ball’s (2014), but presented no
evidence except “observed at close distance”.
T. tillarga is apparently a migrant (Lambret et al. 2017), occurs
in India and Africa, and is crepuscular (Subramanian 2009, Djikstra &
Clausnitzer 2014) and may well have been overlooked in Dhofar by other
observers. Tramea basilaris has
been recorded on several occasions in Dhofar by Lambret et al. 2017. It is probably a rare migrant to Oman
(cf. Reimer 2011).
Included are our records of Acisoma variegatum from Wadi
Ghadit (Images 16–18). Until Schneider
& Ikemeyer’s (2016) records, this species (recorded as A. panorpoides
ascalaphoides) had not been recorded in Dhofar (and Oman) for many
years. It now seems to be locally
resident in Wadi Darbat and its upper tributary Wadi Ghadit. We recorded mating pairs ovipositing in some
of the pools of Wadi Ghadit.
Ball
(2014) indicated that the most species rich areas within Wadi Sayq, studied
intensively in February 2012 and February/March 2013, were two areas of
freshwater pools (his sites E and F, both in our Monsoon Slopes) inland from
more saline, coastal sites. Our
observations indicate that the freshwater sites (ains, streams/aflaj, pools and
wadis) in Monsoon Slopes have the greatest number of species: Wadi Darbat (we
recorded 18 species), Wadi Ghadit (17), Ain Sahnawt (13), Ain Hamran (12), Wadi
Ashawq (10). Khor Taqah was our most
prolific coastal site (we recorded 13 species).
Azuragrion
somalicum was
recorded on each of our visits, including mating, to the Hanging Gardens site
in Wadi Ashuwayymiyah, c. 10km from the sea.
This site has been subject to recreational ‘improvements’ that have
removed the edge of reeds surrounding the pool; however, A. somalicum was
spotted most recently by us in the adjacent stream in spite of visible
pollution.
Before
2013, when it was discovered in the United Arab Emirates (Feulner & Judas
2013), Urothemis thomasi had been mostly recorded in Oman (Schneider
1988; Waterston & Pittaway 1991; Schneider & Dumont 1997). It does seem to be present occasionally at
rocky sites, usually inland, such as Wadi Sayq (Ball 2014; Schneider &
Ikemeyer 2016) and the Hanging Gardens of Wadi Ash Shuwaymiyyah. Males are easy to overlook because of their
initial similarity to other red dragonflies e.g. Trithemis kirbyi. Image 22 of the present paper shows an old
female (a male was also present on the same visit). Urothemis thomasi has been recorded
several times in northern Oman (Schneider 1988; Schneider & Dumont 1997;
Cowan & Cowan 2017; Lambret et al. 2017).
Paragomphus sinaiticus occurs at some ains in Dhofar (Hamran,
Sawnaut) and also in Wadi Darbat, seeming to prefer rockier areas. It occurs commonly in the Hajar mountains of
northern Oman (Cowan & Cowan 2017). Lindenia
tetraphylla and Tramea limbata seem to be resident at both Wadi
Darbat and Wadi Ghadit, with 10 records or more regularly available since 1993
and 1981, respectively. The latter
species has also been seen by us at Ain Razat with mating at Ain Tobruq and
Wadi Ghadit.
In
Dhofar Rhyothemis semihyalina and Urothemis edwardsii usually
occur at sites quite close to the sea, e.g., at Khor Taqah in large numbers,
and more occasionally (not seen there by ourselves), at nearby Khor Rawri. The furthest north occurrence for R. semihyalina
was at the Coastal Plains (one of our regions) site Wadi Ataran (just north of
Hasik). There were occasional more southerly sightings slightly more inland
e.g. at Wadi Ashawq and Wadi Darbat. In
his intensive study of Wadi Sayq, Ball (2014) surprisingly had only one R.
semihyalina and did not record U. edwardsii but these are regulars
further east in similar geographic locations.
Paragomphus genei (locally common in the Hajar mountains of
northern Oman), Orthetrum julia and O. caffrum do not seem to
occur in Dhofar but have been recorded to the west in Yemen (Schneider &
Krupp 1993; Schneider & Nasher 2013).
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