Odonata from Patagonia: distributional patterns, relationships with other dragonflies and a comparison with other taxa.

PESSACQ, P.

Bariloche

Simposio; VI Southern Connection Congress; 2010

Universidad del Comahue

I present distributional biodiversity, and analyses of the relationships of Patagonian dragonflies with those from other areas, and compare with Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera. The information presented is based on existing bibliographies. Odonata biodiversity in Patagonia is low, with 36 species in 18 genera and 9 families. This diversity contrasts with the high level of endemicity: 58.3% of the species, 38.9% of the genera and Neopetalidae are unique. Additionally, Petaluridae is transpacific and Austropetalidae is represented also in Australia and New Zealand. Two groups of Odonata can be defined: those distributed in the Subantarctic subregion, representing relictual distributions and with a high degree of endemicity, and those distributed both in the Subantarctic and Patagonian subregions, represented by Neotropical widespread or cosmopolitan taxa. Ephemeroptera is somewhat similar, with four families being represented in Australia and New Zealand and its entire species endemic to the area, and the remaining taxa in common with the neotropics or with a cosmopolitan distribution. Plecoptera shows a more radical situation, all Patagonian species and Diamphipnoidae are endemic to the region, while the remaining families are represented in Australasia, the southern hemisphere, or are widespread. Odonata and other insects of Patagonia reflect the complex history, defined by ancient connection with other areas, the uplift of the Andes and the fragmentation due to glaciers.