Diversity and Distribution of Dragonfly (Odonata:Insecta) in the Kerian River Basin, Kedah-Malaysia

DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF DRAGONFLY (ODONATA : INSECTA) IN THE KERIAN RIVER BASIN, KEDAH – PERAK, MALAYSIA
Ameilia Z.S, Che Salmah M.R. and Abu Hassan A. School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia
11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Abstrak
Larva Odonata disampel dari 16 buah cabang Sungai Kerian di Lembangan Sungai Kerian (LSK) menggunakan teknik jarring – sepak dari bulan September 1998 hingga Mei 1999, merangkumi dua musim yaitu musim hujan dan musim kemarau. Taburan genus Odonata didapati berbeda secar signifikan (F15,16 = 3.99) pada musim kemarau dan musim hujan (F15,16 = 4.70) pada p = 0.05 di semua sungai tetapi tiada perbedaan taburan antara musim dikesan. Platycneminidae dan Libellulidae merupakan dua famili paling dominant di LSK. Famili-famili lain yang ditemukan adalah Gomphidae, Coenagrionidae, Macromiidae, Chlorocyphidae, Aeshnidae dan Euphidae. Spesies yang paling bias ditemui di LSK adalah Platycnemis annulata, Brachythemis contaminate, Macromia gerstaeckeri, Paragomphus henryii, Orthetrum brunneum, Rhinocypha quadrimaculata dan Copera marginipes. Nilainilai indeks biologi (H’, D, E, R1 dan R2) menunjukkan fauna pepatung di LSK adalah agak rendah. Nilai parameter fisik –kimia air yang bervariasi yang mungkin disebabkan oleh aktivi manusia di kawasan berhampiran sungai didapati mempengaruhi taburan serangga ini di LSK. Terdapat hubungan yang kuat antara kepelbagaian genus dan oksigen terlarut (r = 0.685), Fe (r = 0.592) dan pH (r = 0.583) pada musim hujan. Kelajuan arus sungai (r = 0.37), penembusan cahaya (r = 0.36), dan kedalaman sungai (r = 0.34) mempengaruhi kepelbagai Odonata pada musim kemarau. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat habitat-habitat yang sesuai untuk odonat Platycneminidae dan Libellulidae di LSK. Dua spesies yang paling dominan Platycnemis annulata dan Brachythemis contaminate adalah toleran terhadap air yang sedikit berasid di LSK.
Abstract
Odonata Larvae werw sampled from 16 tributaries of Kerian River in the Kerian River Basin (KRB) using a kick sampling method from September 1998 until May 1999 encompassing both rainy and dry season. The distribution of odonate genera was significantly different (F15,16 = 3.99) in the dry season and wet season (F15,16 = 4.70) at p = 0.05 in all rivers but no differences in distribution was detected between the rainy and dry seasons. Platycnemididae and Libllulidae were the two most dominant families together with other families Gomphidae, Coenagrionidae, Macromiidae, Chlorocyphidae, Calopterygidae, Aeshnidae and Eupheidae. Several common spesies, Platycnemis annulata, Brachythemis contaminate, Macromia gerstaeceri, Paragomphus henryii, Orthetrum brunneum, Rhinocypha quadrimaculata and Copera marginipes were identified. The calculated values of biological indices (H’, D, E, R1 and R2) showed that the dragonfly fauna in this river basin was slightly poor. Varied physico-chemical parameters of the river possibly as a result of human activities in surrounding areas were found to influence the distribution of the dragonfly larvae in the KRB. There were strong correlation between generic diversity and dissolved oxygen (r = 0.685), ferrum (r = 0.592) and pH (r = 0.583) in the rainy season. The current velocity (r = 0.37), light penetration (r = 0.36) and deph (r = 0.34) of rivers influenced the diversity the dry
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season. This study showed that the KRB provided favorable habitats for Platycnemis annula and Brachthemis contaminate were tolerant of slightly acidic water of the KRB rivers. Keywords : diversity, dragonflies, incicator species, larvae, Kerian River Basin, Odonata.
INTRODUCTION
The order Odonata (dragonflies) which consists of two suborders, Anisoptera and Zygoptera undergo an incomplete metamorphosis with larva (naiad) stages going through 10 to 15 instars. The larvae usually conceal themselves by either burrowing through the substrates, sprawling amongst fine sediment and detritus, or climbing on vascular plants (Westfall and Tennesen, 1996). Odonates are widely distributed including in ponds, lakes, streams, rivers and canals of all sizes. The larvae occupy a great diversity of aquatic habitats anf form important component of aquatic food webs involving many invertebrates, fishes and other Vertebrates. In general, the distribution and composition of aquatic insects and such as Odonata in an insects community always change from time to time following change invironment (Lenat, 1993 ; Che Salmah et all. 1999). Their assemblage is too dependent on the composition and structure of vegetatiom in and around their microhabitats (Hawking and New, 1996; Smith and Pritchard, 1956).
In the northen part of the Malaysian Peninsula, Kerian River borders Kedah and Perak states. This river together with a number of tributaries that for Kerian River Basin (KRB), supply water of thousand of people living downstream in both states. Most rivers in the KRB have been modified for irrigation, power generation, power supply and other human uses. They are impacted by pollutant including untreated human sewage, run-off from agriculture, urban development and industrial pollution. Only very few unpolluted or unmodified rivers remain. Prior to date, no insect study in these rivers has been carried out. This research was undertaken to evaluate the distribution of Odonata in Kerian River Basin and attempt was made to identify the indicator spesies of this river basin.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
The KRB, in the border areas of the states of Kedah and Perak is located at 50 09’ N to 50 21’ N 1000 36.5 E to 1000 46.8’ E (figure 1).Its river networks that originate from hilly headwaters pass through forested areas, rubber and oil palm plantations, orchads, several newly constructed settlement areas and villages enter the main river, the Kerian River. The Kerian rivers flows down to the Kerian Valley in Parit Buntar, Perak, one of the largest rice growing area in the peninsular Malaysia, and eventually into the straits of Malacca. Dominant riparian vegetation along these rivers are oil palm, Manihot esculentus, Ipomea aquatica, Arthocarpus scorttechinii, Musa paradisiacal, Nephelium lappaceum, and rubber in some areas. An aquatic plant, hydrilla is abundant in some of the rivers.
Sixteen rivers werw selected for dragonfly sampling. They were Inchong, Chelong, Serdang, Air putih, Salleh, Air Itam, Relau, Mengkuang, Nor, Damak, Seputeh, Selama, Charok Merah, Taka, Mahang and Kangar. Except Selama (at the sampling site0 that is classified s second order, all tributaries are first order rivers (Strahler, 1957). Two stations approximately
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100 meters apart were identified along each river and 10 samples were collected at each stations. Based on a preliminary sampling this sample size collected more than 75% of the total taxa in the KRB which resulted in less than 40% error (acceptable for benthic sampling) (Elliot, 1973) and suitable for biomonitoring collection (Furse et al., 1984).
Sampling of Insects

Dragonfly larvae were collected by a kick sampling technique (Merrit and Cummins, 1996), using an aquatic net (390 mm x 320mm : 210µm mesh) from September 1998 until May, 1999. The Kick net was placed against water current and about one square meter substrate in front of the net was disturbed for approximately 2 minutes using legs or pieces of woods (see Davis and Simon, 1995).Bigger substrate such as cobbles and gravels were scraped and washed into the net. All burrowing or clinging odonates were presumably detached from the substrate and carried by the current into the net. The fallen leaves and debris collected in the nets were thoroughly washed and removed from thr samples. Dragonfly larvae were sorted and placed in universal bottles containing 80% ETOH (Hawkins, 1984). They were identified using keys of Merrit & Cummins (1996), Morse et al.(1994), McCafferty (1981), Askew, (1988) and Edmundson (1963).
Measurement of Water Parameters
Several water parameters were measured in situ. Dissolved oxygen and temperature were measured with an Oxygen-meter (YSI-55) and water conductivity meter (YSI 57). A pHmeter, Mettler-Toledo ML-20 was used to measure the pHof the water. Light penetrations which wa related to the canopy coverage of an area was recorded using a Lux-meter (YSI 33). The width and depth of the streams were measured with a measuring tape. A Hydropop flow Meter (MK 11-90) measured the velocity of the current. Water alkalinity and iron (Fe), Nitrate, Phosphate, Ammonium, Sulphate and manganese contents of the water were analyzed in the laboratory using a spectrophotometry (YSI-9100).
Analysis of Data
Odonata distribution in the river basin was analyzed ANOVA. Biological indices such as Shannon’s and Simpson’s diversity indices. Richness indices (Margaleff’s and Menhinick’s) and Eveness (Ludwig & Reynolds, 1998) were calculated. The relationship of odonate species richness and scores of physical and chemical properties of water was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.
RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS
Collection of Odonata in both seasons resulted in 218 : 241 (Rainy : Dry) individuals, 30 : 28 genera and 8 : 8 families (Table 1, Appendix 1,2). Eleven libelluid genera Brachythemis, Crocothemis, Deielia, Libellula, Macrodiplax, Nannophya, Ortheturm, Pantala, Sympetrum, Tholymis and Zyxomma were recorded. There were ten genera of the clubtails (Gomphidae), Gastrogomphus, Ghomphidia, Heliogomphus, Ictonogomphus, Lamelligomphus, Megalogomphus, Ophigomphus, Paragomphus, Seiboldius and Stylurus. However only one genus, that was collected from Chelong River during the rainy season represented Aeshnidae and one genus of Eupheidae was collected in the dry season from Kangar River. Agenus of each of Calopterygidae and Macromiidae were found in both dry and rainy seasons.
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Chelong River had the highest diversity and number of individuals in the rainy seasons with 12 genera and 11.11% of the total individual collected respectively. It was followed by Serdang and Nor rivers. Meanwhile in the dry season, the highest number of genera (13) and percentage individuals (12.04%) were recorded from Serdang River. It was followed by chelong, Air Itam and Taka Rivers. Damak River showed the poorest population collection from the entire basin. No odonata was recorded from Mahang River in the dry season albeit eight genera found in the rainy season. In the dry season the water surface of Mahang river was entirely exposed to the sunlight and the substrate became muddy with little amount of sand. Such environment was probably unsuitable for the dragonfly larvae. Overall, Selama and Damak rivers were poorly inhabited whereas Serdang and Chelong rivers evidently provided favorable habitats for the dragonflies.

Table 1. Seasonal distribution and diversity of Odonata in the KRB. Marked numbers show

the lowest of highest values. RS = Rainy Season and DS = Dry Season.

No

River

Family

Genus

Individual

RS DS RS DS RS (%) DS(%)

1 Inchong

5 6 7 7 19(3.36) 31(4.80)

2 Chelong

7 6 12 11 92(16.25) 65(10.14)

3 Serdang

6 6 11 13 94(16.61) 99(15.32)

4 Air Putih

5 6 6 11 36(6.36) 60(9.29)

5 Salleh

5 3 9 5 87(15.37) 52(8.05)

6 Air Itam

4 7 6 10 28(4.95) 98(15.17)

7 Relau

6 5 12 11 58(10.25) 43(6.71)

8 Mengkuang

4 2 6 4 14(2.47) 20(3.09)

9 Nor

6 6 11 9 48(8.48) 29(4.49)

10 Damak

2 4 2 4 3(0.53) 9(1.39)

11 Seputeh

3 3 2 3 15(2.65) 7(1.08)

12 Selama

1 2 1 3 4(0.71) 3(0.46)

13 Charok Merah 2 4 4 4 15(2.65) 33(5.11)

14 Taka

4 6 7 11 29(5.12) 95(14.47)

15 Kangar

3 3 6 3 16(2.83) 5(0.77)

16 Mabang

5 0 7 0 8(1.41) 0(0.00)

Total

8 8 30 28

566

646

There was signifikan difference in the distribution of odonate individuals and genera among

the rivers in the KRB in rainy season (F15,16,0.05 = 3.99) and dry season (F15,16,0.05) =

4.70). An LSD analysis showed the larva distribution in Damak and Selama rivers were

significantly different from other rivers in the rainy season (Table 2). During dry season, the

distribution was more or less similar in Seputih, Nor, Kangar, Mahang, Relau, Selama and

Mengkuang as well as Damak rivers but different from rest of rivers studied.

Table 2. LSD analysis of distribution of means of odonates larvae in the KRB during a. rainy season and b. dry season. p = 0.05.
a. Analysis LSD
3 2 5 7 9 4 14 6 1 15 13 11 8 16 12 10
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b. Analysis LSD

3 6 2 13 14 4 5 7 1 9 11 8 10 15 12 16

Figure 2 show Platycnemis annulata was the most dominant species that made Platynecmidae as the dominant family in the KRB. Other species such as Brachythemis contaminate, Macromia gertaeckeri Paragomphus henryii Ortetrum brunneum, Orthetrum Sabina, Rhinocypha quadrimaculata and Copera marginipes were represented by smaal numbers although their presence in the basin was very significant. Unlike Libellulidae that was more abundant in the rainy season (Figure 3). Platynecminidae was found in genera, Copera and Platycnemis were collected in 10 out of 16 rivers studied in the KRB. The dominance of this zygopterans could be attributed ti the availability of vascular plants inside and the marginal areas of most of the habitats sampled. The libellulids on the other hand, prefer sandy bottom with small rocks and considerable amount of sunlight. They usually sprawl amongst fine sediment and detritus. (Westfall and Tennessen, 1996) which were bountiful in the KRB. Some species such as Orthetrum Sabina has flatted sternum which is suitable fo living in fine sand or muddy substrate with slow flowing water. This species is also equipped with relatively long bristles on the legs and thoracic area used to remove sticking debris. However, different distribution of odonates among rivers could be affected by other factors such aas physical-chemical parameters of the rivers of availability of food soures (Morse et. Al, 1984; Askew, 1988).

Libellulidae are common in lowlands such as freshwater swamps or rice fields (Heckman 1979 ; Van Vreden and Ahmadzabidi, 1986). In paya beriah, libellulids made up approximately 63% of dragonfly community with Neurothemis sp. As the most dominant species (Asmah, 1998). Being quite tolerant to the condition of their aqutic environment they trived well in the area. Most parts of the rivers in the KRB especially the main river Kerian, are located in the lowlands passing through rice fields and swampy areas before approaching the estuary. The microhabitats in these areas supported diverse community of Libellulidae. They were represented in 13 rivers studied.

Unlike libellulidae, most Gomphidae prefer cooler and cleaner habitat of moderately to relatively fast flowing water. In a hilly Bongor stream in Gerik, Perak, Ophiogomphus spp. Constituted 41.6% of dragonfly community (Shamsul, 1998). Although KRB rivers originate in hilly areas the sampling sites were mostly at the lower reaches thus fewer genera were collected. Paragomphus henryii and Megalomphus icterops however were represented by quite significant number individuals. Nevertheless, Bayadera (Eupheidae) and Rhinocypha (Chlorocyphidae), usually found in highland (forested) area were collected in the basin. Caloptery, a relatively clean water zygopterans, was quite common while Ischmura, a relatively tolerant species which usually found in the rice field (Nakao et al, 1976) was also represented.

Table 3. The scores of selected biological indices in the rainy and dry KRB. Blackened

figures are the highest and lowest values. H’= Shannon-Wiener; D = Simpson;

R1=

Menhinick; E = Eveness; rs = rainy season, ds = sry season

Rivers

Biological Indices (season) H’(rs) H’(ds) D(rs) D(ds) R1(rs) R1(ds) R2(rs) R2(ds) E(rs) E(ds)
Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar : Diversity and Distribution of Dragonfly…, 2006 USU Repository©2006

Inchong

1.76 1.85 0.19 0.16 2.34 2.33 1.57 1.44 0.87 0.89

Chelong

1.69 1.76 0.17 0.26 2.88 2.64 1.36 1.36 0.82 0.73

Serdang

2.09 1.84 0.25 0.28 2.64 3.04 1.24 1.60 0.71 0.70

Air Putih

1.00 2.05 0.53 0.14 1.67 2.69 1.00 1.42 0.56 0.85

Salleh

1.56 0.89 0.26 0.53 2.00 1.26 0.96 0.69 0.71 0.55

Air Itam

0.88 1.77 0.57 0.24 1.50 2.18 0.94 1.00 0.55 0.77

Relau

1.75 2.00 0.25 0.16 2.72 1.66 1.46 1.52 0.73 0.87

Mengkuang 1.59 1.15 0.18 0.31 2.27 1.82 1.60 1.33 0.89 0.83

Nor 1.52 1.89 0.28 0.15 2.57 2.69 1.42 1.67 0.66 0.86

Damak

0.63 1.01 0.33 0.27 1.82 1.67 1.16 1.22 0.58 0.92

Seputeh

1.43 1.42 0.33 0.20 1.48 2.17 1.03 1.58 1.00 0.88

Selama

0.00 1.10 0.00 1.00 0.72 2.73 2.00 1.73 0.00 1.00

Charok

1.08 1.28 0.38 0.33 1.48

1.03 0.74 0.78 0.71

Merah

Taka

1.61 2.00 0.24 0.14 2.08 1.44 1.30 1.25 0.83 0.87

Kangar

1.56 0.95 0.19 0.30 2.17 2.40 1.50 1.34 0.87 0.86

Mahang

1.91 * 0.04 * 3.36 3.36 2.47 * 0.98 *

* no odoante found

Streams

Disolved Temperature

Oxygen

(oC)

(mg/1)

Inchong

6.70-7.45 29.0-30.0

Chelong

6.20-7.50 27.0-28.0

Serdang

6.10-7.60 26.0-30.0

Air Putih

6.50-7.50 27-29

Salleh

4.40-4.70 26.0-27.0

Ait Itam

6.50-6.80 28-29

Relau

6.84-6.86 28.1-28.5

Mengkuang 7.78-7.85 26.2-26.6

Nor 6.50-6.80 26.0

Damak

7.10-7.30 27.0

Seputeh

7.50-7.70 27.0-28.0

Selama

8.10-8.15 26-27

C.Merah

7.41-7.47 26.8-27.0

Taka

6.17-6.23 28.7-29.4

Kangar

8.36-8.44 24.0

Mahang

8.56-8.57 24.3-24.5

* velocity not measured

pH
5.40-5.50 4.40-4.45 5.24-5.38 4.43-4.52 4.10-4.13 5.05-5.07 5.47-5.49 6.63-6.67 5.4-5.54 5.36-5.54 5.18-5.37 5.58-5.65 5.83-5.86 5.69-5.71 6.10-6.25 4.82-4.88

Light Penetration
(lux)
1156-1558 613-619 259-760 310-424 177-263 458-508 848-856 653-852 1112-1240 115-193 235-270 394-407 418-428 540 290-292 250-252

Conductivity Widht Depth Veloc

of river of river (m/s)

(ushoss)

(m) (m)

50 22-38 35-37 27-28 50 40 40-50 12-20 10-12 20-40 18-20 20-30 60 35-40 18-20
18-20

8.00 2.35 11.50 12.0 11.50 6.5 7.50 11.0 3.7 6.40 18.50 25.0 6.30 4.80 16.00
10.50

1.40 2.75 4.60 2.2 1.40 1.00 0.60 5.00 0.8 4.00 4.00 2.5 0.60 0.85 1.20
2.00

0.02 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.02 *** 0.00 0.17 0.01 0.01 0.15 0.00 0.03 0.06
0.04

Table 5. Physical properties of water during dry season in rivers in the KRB.

Streams
Inchong Chelong Serdang

Disolved Oxygen (mg/1)

Temperature (oC)

pH

Light Conductivity Penetration (ushoss)
(lux)

7.15-7.26 29.4-30.4 6.73-6.82 27.1-27.5 5.98-6.07 26.9-27.2

5.73-3.78 1238-1275 40-50 5.84-5.86 281-453 28-30 6.96-7.07 428-803 29-40

Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar : Diversity and Distribution of Dragonfly…, 2006 USU Repository©2006

Widht of
river (m)
7.00 6.00 11.50

Depth of
river (m)
0.35 0.60 1.20

Veloc (m/s)
0.031 0.004 0.046

Air Putih Salleh Ait Itam Relau Mengkuang Nor Damak Seputeh Selama C.Merah Taka Kangar Mahang

5.64-5.78 4.80-5.25 6.81-6.83 4.55-4.60 7.20-7.40 7.26-7.47 6.54-6.72 8.07-8.18 8.74-8.86 7.56 8.04-8.10 8.04-8.15
7.51-7.54

28.5-29 27.4-27.6 26-26.3 26.9-27.0 27.0-27.4 27.8-28.3 26.1-26.3 25.0-25.5 23.0-23.8 26.5-26.8 27.6-24.9 24.8-25.0
24.8

5.59-5.63 6.91-6.95 6.75-6.85 6.82 5.96-5.98 6.8-6.82 6.11-6.12 5.91-5.98 6.08-6.12 5.84-5.93 5.94 5.91-6.04
5.81-5.84

357-372 499-602 850-853 713-742 702-717 1068-1833 613-731 738-762 644-688 871-1002 1203 540-610
910-969

27-28 48-50 40-45 48-50 23-32 40-45 40-45 20 20-25 63-70 60-62 48-55
20

11.50 10.00 6.5 6.10 10.00 3.6 6.50 3.60 25 5.80 4.00 14.00
10.50

0.8 1.20 0.55 0.67 0.45 0.5 0.47 0.63 1.07 0.52 0.40 0.47
1.00

0.003 0.004 0.005 *** 0.006 0.006 0.005 0.009 0.006 0.011 0.003 0.004
0.008

Table 6.Chemical parameters of water during rainy in rivers in the KRB

Streams

Alkalinity NO3 (mg/l) (mg/l)

Inchong 100-110 0.03-0.09

Chelong 115-125 0.04-0.12

Serdang 95-105 0.03-0.07

Air Putih 100-120 0.04-0.10

Salleh

125-130 0.05-0.12

Ait Itam 100-105 0.03-0.06

Relau

195-290 0.08-0.11

Mengkuan 350-430 0.03-0.08
g

Nor 100-105 0.03-0.04

Damak

85-100 0.09-0.18

Seputeh 95-100 0.11-0.12

Selama

80-90 0.10-0.11

C.Merah 55-75 0.08-0.10

Taka 80 0.03-0.04

Kangar

95-100 0.16-0.22

Mahang 90-105 0.14-0.19

*** velocity not measured

PO4 (mg/l) 14.8-13.9 14.5-15.2 7.8-8.3 7.4-7.9 16.5-17.2 7.4-8.2 6.8-7.2 11.0-11.4

NH3 (mg/l) 0.065 0.015 0.145 0.035 0.355 0.435 0.555 0.010

SO4 (mg/l)
5-7 0 18-22 8-10 14-17 10-13 8-10 12-13

Fe (mg/l) 0.13-0.23 0.20-0.26 0.13-0.21 0.15-0. 0.18-0.24 0.02-0.03 0.11-0.16 0.04-0.06

7.0-7.5 4.6-5.8 17.0-17.5 4.8-5.2 17.5-18.0 15.2-16.0 13.5-13.9 11.5-12.2

0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.440 0.010 0.010 0.010

8-12 6-10
0 6-8 0 6-10 12-13 6-8

0.06-0.07 0.01-0.04 0.02-0.03 0.01-0.02
0.14 0.04-0.05 0.03-0.06 0.03-0.09

Manganese (mg/l)
0.012-0.018 0.010-0.022 0.012-0.016 0.013-0.017 0.014-0.017 0.017-0.028 0.013-0.017 0.020-0.030
0.004-0.008 0.001
0.003-0.009 0.003-0.004 0.018-0.019 0.008-0.012 0.001-0.002 0.005-0.009

Table 7.Chemical parameters of water during dry in rivers in the KRB

Streams
Inchong Chelong Serdang

Alkalinity (mg/l) 50-65 60-80 55-60

NO3 (mg/l) 0.07-0.08 0.08-0.10 0.09-0.11

PO4 (mg/l) 17.6-18.2 17.3-18.5 11.9-12.5

NH3 (mg/l) 0.085 0.045 0.195

SO4 (mg/l)
0 8-10 18-21

Fe (mg/l) 0.16-0.20 0.06 0.10-0.11

Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar : Diversity and Distribution of Dragonfly…, 2006 USU Repository©2006

Manganese (mg/l)
0.031-0.035 0.013-0.015 0.024-0.026

Air Putih Salleh Ait Itam Relau Mengkuang Nor Damak Seputeh Selama C.Merah Taka Kangar Mahang

30-65 80-95 45-60 85-90 95-105 75-80 60-85 65-85 105-115 40-60 70-75 75-80 80-95

0.04-0.06 0.11-0.15 0.18-0.22 0.06-0.09 0.05-0.07 0.01-0.02 0.08-0.09 0.04-0.06 0.06-0.77 0.07-0.08
0.04 0.08-0.09 0.09-0.10

10.8-12.4 18.6-19.3 11.6-13.4
8.4-9.8 12.0-12.5 11.5-12.0 8.7-9.5 13.9-15.2
7.9-8.6 12.514.7 16.8-17.2 15.6-15.9 13.5-14.2

0.065 0.295 0.275 0.315 0.075 0.090 0.060 0.060 0.045 0.280 0.055 0.080 0.060

14-18 17-23 15-19 14-15 12-16 9-13
0 7-12
0 10-12 14-17 15-16 10-12

0.05-0.06 0.36-0.45 0.12-0.13 0.06-0.08 0.04-0.05 0.06-0.07
0.03 0.02 0.02-0.03 0.04-0.06 0.03-0.04 0.03-0.05 0.05-0.06

0.008-0.011 0.018-0.019 0.024-0.027 0.070-0.080 0.020 0.02-0.03 0.007-0.010 0.001 0.02-0.05 0.010-0.012 0.007-0.009 0.002 0.005-0.006

Tables 4,5,6 and 7 show the water physical and chemical parameters of rivers in the KRB. Many of the rivers un this basin are large and having deep water. In general dissolved oxygen of the water were relatively in good ranges, 4.40-8.57 mg/l during rainy and 4.55-8.18 mg/l in the dry season, suitable for aquatic lives. The water in all rivers were acidic in both seasons. This condition was reflected in the high values of alkalinity throughout the basin. Conductivity, light penetration were in the low ranges indicating the rivers were slighty disturbed or polluted and there were a lot of growth around the study areas. Although several human activities were undergoing at these study areas, the chemical contents of water were in the lower ranges reflecting that the rivers were not severely impacted by those activities. Most water parameters did not influence odonate taxa richness (Table 8). However, dissolved oxygen, pH and sulphate content of water showed strong relationships in the rainy season. the amount of light penetrating water surfaces of the rivers slighty affected the diversity of odonates. Obviously some species prefer open water for their habitats while others live well in more shaded areas.

Table 8. Relationship of taxa richness and water parameters (physical-chemical) in the KRB. rRS = correlation coefficient in rainy season; rDS = correlation coeffeicient in dry season, rTotal = correlation cefficient for cumulative data in both seasons.

Parameter

rRS rDS Rtotal

Dissolved O2 (mg/l)

0.69

0.03

0.27

Temperatur (0C) 0.05 0.34

0.04

PH

0.58 0.22

0.04

Depth (meter)

0.16 0.34

0.05

Width (meter)

0.09 0.21

0.19

Velocity (meter/second)

0.03 0.37 0.01 0.22

0.34 0.24

Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar : Diversity and Distribution of Dragonfly…, 2006 USU Repository©2006

Conductivity (mg/l) Light penetration (lux) Alkalinity (mg/l) NO3 (mg/l) PO4 (mg/l) SO4 (mg/l) NH3 (mg/l) Fe (mg/l) Manganese (mg/l)

0.42 0.08 0.24 0.21 0.59 0.10 0.18 0.14

0.36 0.06 0.11 0.06 0.07 0.25 0.20 0.04

0.01 0.14 0.14 0.12 0.18 0.02 0.09 0.21

Perhaps the location of sampling sites played an important factor in determining diversity and richness of odonate communities in the KRB. Most of the sampling sites were located at the lower reaches of the rivers in the lowlands which generally were more suitable for tolerant species. Therefore the richness of the community was limited to those groups of species due to suitability and adaptability of the species to their habitats. When sampling program is designed to cover all microhabitats available in the whole stretch of a river, the diversity of insect communities is likely to be richer (Hawking and New, 1999).\
Human activities contributed to the changes in the aquatic environment as well the quality of water. Rapid industrial development, population growth, agricultural, mining and logging activities affected the watercourses and drastically reduced vegetation in the habitats (Abu Bakar, 1985; Allan and Johnson, 1997). Sand dredging that increased river sedimentation was underway in Selama and Mengkuang rivers. Seputeh Rivers was frequented by picnickers while Salleh and Nor rivers received organic wastes such as chicken dung and human feces from chicken farms and villagers living by the rivers. There was a wooden furniture factory by Serdang River bank. Most of the factory wastes were dumped into the river. Accumulation of those wastes reduced water flow as well as adding foreign matters to the rivers. Other rivers were surrounded by residential areas or plantations, either oil plam or rubber. Leaching of fertilizers and pesticides applied in the plantations would alter chemical properties of water. Residents living by the rivers undoubtedly contributed anthropogenic wastes in portions of the rivers that passed the areas. The physical and chemical characteristics of water body largerly determined the fauna colonizing the area (Wright et al, 1998 and Townsend et al., 1984) although within a certain range of values they showed no relationship with the abundance of certain odonate species (Che Salmah et al, 1998).
In the KRB, three most dominant dragonfly families, Platycnemididae, Libellulidae and Gomphidae were identified. The most dominant species Platycnemis annulata were found in abundance in slighty to moderately acidic rivers that received organic enrichment, near residential areas and oil palm plantation. Brachythemis contaminate that was also quite abundant could be found together with P. annulata in habitats near residential areas and those with high organic enrichment. The third most abundant species, Macromia gerstaeckeri was
Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar : Diversity and Distribution of Dragonfly…, 2006 USU Repository©2006

quite a tolerant species. It was well distributed in most of the rivers in the basin. In general, the community of odonate in the KRB was dominated by relatively tolerant species that fluorrshed well in relatively poor water of the KRB tributaries.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We thank Mr Hadzri Abdullah for his help in the field. This research was founded by an IRPA grant 02-6107-0121 by the Ministry of science, Technology and Eanvironment to the second and third authors.

Appendix 1. Composition of odonates in the KRB in the rainy season. Ch=Chelong, In=Inchong, Sr=Serdang, Ap= Air Puteh, S=Saleh, Ai= Air Itam, Da=Damak, Si=Siputeh; N=Nor; Se=Selama; Ka=Kangar; M=Mahang; Re=Relau; Me=Mengkuang, Cm=Charok Merah, T=Taka and Tot=Total.

Rivers

Genera

Ch In Sr S Da Si Re Me Ka M C T Ap Ai N Se

Coenagrionidae

Agriocnemis pygmae

- ---- -1- - ---- - --

Cercion

- 2- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I.schnura delicate

7 - 4 13 - - 2 - - - - - - - - -

Platycnemididae

Copera marginipes

- - - - - - 2 - - - 21- - 3-

Platycnemis

32 8 38 38 1 - 6 - - - 9 3 26 21 5 -

Cholorocyphidae

Rhinocyphaquadrimaculata 2 - - 1 2 - 1 3 - 1 - - 1 1 8 -

Calopterygidae

Neurobasis sinensis

- - 2- - - - 1 - 1- - - - 1-

Aeshnidae

Aeshnophlebia

- ---- -- - - ---- - --

Gomphidae

Gastrogomphusabdominalis - - - - - - - - - - - 3 - - - -

Gomphidia

krugeri - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - -

Heliogomphus retroflaxus - - 1 - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -

Ictinogomphus rapax

- ---- -4- - ---- - --

Lamelligomphusformosanus 4 - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - 3 -

Megalogomphus icterops 1 - 2 - - 8 - - 1 - - - - - 1 -

Ophiogomphusspinicornis - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - -

Paragomphus henryii

13 3 6 - - - - 1 5 - - - 3 - - -

Seiboldius

- - - 1- - - - - - - - - - - -

Stylurus amicus

- - 1- - 11 3 - 1- - - - - -

Macromiidae

Macromia erato

- - 2- - - 1 - - - - 2- - - -

Macromia gerstaeckeri 2 2 5 - - 4 1 5 5 1 - 5 2 3 1 -

Macromia moorei

3 ---- -- - - ---- - --

Libellulidae

Brachythemis

7 3 26 - - 2 8 - 3 1 - - 3 - 24 4

contaminate

- - - 8- - 4 - - - - - - 21-

Crocothemis servilea

- - - 1- - - - - - - - - - - -

Macrodiplax

- - - 20 - - 27 - - - 3 2 - - - -

Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar : Diversity and Distribution of Dragonfly…, 2006 USU Repository©2006

Orthetrum brunneum Orthetrum taeniolatum Orthetrum Sabina Sympetrum frequens Tholymis tillarga Zyxomma petiolatum
Total

8 1- - - ---1 - 352 - 2- 9 ----
92 19 94 87 3

------

-

1 ---- - --

- ---1 - --

- 1 1 13

- --

- ---- - --

- ---- - --

15 58 14 16 8 15 29 36 28 48 4

Appendix 2. Composition of odonates in the KRB in the dry season. Ch=Chelong, In=Inchong, Sr=Serdang, Ap= Air Puteh, S=Saleh, Ai= Air Itam, Da=Damak, Si=Siputeh; N=Nor; Se=Selama; Ka=Kangar; M=Mahang; Re=Relau; Me=Mengkuang, Cm=Charok Merah, T=Taka and Tot=Total.

Genera

Rivers

Ch In Sr S Da Si Re Me Ka M C T Ap Ai N Se

Coenagrionidae

Agriocnemis pygmae

- - - 1- -- - - - - - - - - -

I.schnura delicate

- ---- -8 - - ---- 6--

Platycnemididae

Copera marginipes

1 - 1 9 - - 6 - - - 5 - 3 20 1 -

Platycnemis

31 4 50 37 2 - 8 - - - - 31 7 42 7 -

Cholorocyphidae

Rhinocyphaquadrimaculata 8 5 3 - - - - - - - 7 10 1 4 1 -

Calopterygidae

Neurobasis sinensis

5 28- - -- - - - - 13 351

Euphidae

Bayadera indica

- ---- -- - 1 ---- - --

Gomphidae

Gomphidia krugeri

- ---- -- - 1 ---- - --

Heliogomphus

retroflaxus

- - - - - 14 - - - - 8- - - -

Lamelligomphusformosanus - - 5 - - 1 - - - - - - 1 - - 1

Megalogomphus icterops - - 1 - 3 - - - - - - - - - 2 -

Paragomphus henryii

2 1 2 - - 1 1 - - - - 9 13 - - 1

Seiboldius

- - - - - -- - - - - 1- - - -

Stylurus amicus

1 - 1- - -- - - - - 1- - - -

Macromiidae

Macromia erato

- - - - - -4 1 - - - 3- - 1-

Macromia gerstaeckeri 8 5 6 - 3 4 3 1 - - - 10 3 1 - -

Macromia moorei

- 25- - -- - - - 1- - - - -

Libellulidae

Brachythemis contaminate 3 10 7 4 1 - - 5 - - - 5 15 6 8 -

Crocothemis servilea

2 - 6- - -- - - - - - - - - -

Deiella phaon selys

- ---- -3 - - ---- - --

Libellula

1 ---- -- - - ---- - --

Macrodiplax

- - 1- - -- - - - - - - - - -

Nannophya

- - - - - - - 13 3 - - - 4 - 2 -

Orthetrum brunneum

3 - 1- - -3 - - - - - 5 - - -

Orthetrum taeniolatum - - 2 - - - 1 - - - - - - - - -

Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar : Diversity and Distribution of Dragonfly…, 2006 USU Repository©2006

Orthetrum Sabina Tholymis tillarga Pantala flavescens
Total

- ---- ---- ---65 31 99 52 9

-1 - -1 - -- - 7 40 20 5

- 20 16 4 7 - ---1 6-- - - - - 20 33 95 60 98 29 3

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