Abstract

RANGEL-SANCHEZ, Laura; NAVA-BOLANOS, Angela; PALACINO-RODRIGUEZ, Fredy  and  CORDOBA-AGUILAR, Alex. Estimating distribution area in six Argia damselflies (Insecta: Odonata: Coenagrionidae) including A. garrisoni, a threatened species. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2018, vol.89, n.3, pp.921-926. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2018.3.2469.

Damselflies and dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) are currently facing a number of threats. One tool to provide a straightforward assessment of risk is distribution area. Here we have used ecological niche modeling to estimate distribution range for 6 species of Argia damselflies distributed in North America: A. cuprea,A. funcki, A. garrisoni, A. harknessi, A. munda, and A. rhoadsi. These species are not included in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, except for A. garrisoni which has been categorized as Least Concern. Our results indicated large distribution areas for all species, except for A. garrisoni, (8,038 km2 after a refinement analysis looking for suitable habitat). Large distribution can be explained by similar niche properties shared by all study species. This is not the case for A. garrisoni whose situation seems worrying. This species was found in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí in 1999 and there have been no further observations so it deserves further inspection to see whether populations are at risk. In the meantime, and according to the IUCN criteria, A. garrisoni should be placed under a vulnerable category.

Keywords : Distribution range; Ecological niche modeling; Damselflies; IUCN.

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