Colección de odonatos (Insecta: Odonata) del Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México (COD-UAEH)

Abstract

The odonates shape into an order of paleopteran insects that play an important role in ecosystems as they are generalist predators and some of their species are considered bioindicators of the quality of environments. The establishment, care and growth of scientific collections that include this group can promote their study. To this end, the creation of the collection of odonates (COD-UAEH) of the Biological Research Center of the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo is announced. This collection has 1,180 adult individuals belonging to ten families, 43 genera and 104 species collected in different states of the country, but mainly in the states of Hidalgo and Puebla. It has not yet started with the incorporation and studies of immature states. 54% of the specimens belong to the Anisoptera suborder, which is represented by the families Aeshnidae, Cordulegastridae, Gomphidae and Libellulidae, for 26 genera and 56 species. The remaining 46% belong to the suborder Zygoptera, which includes the families Calopterygidae, Coenagrionidae, Heteragrionidae, Lestidae, Thaumatoneuridae and Platystictidae, with 17 genera and 48 species. All specimens deposited in the collection are identified at the taxonomic level of species. In the collection, among others, the record of a female Megaloprepus caerulatus (Drury, 1782) stands out, as well as the elaboration of an unusual montage of extended wings in cardboard that facilitates the photoshooting and the comparison of the wing venation analyzed for species identification.