Odonata surveys 2010-2016 in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman, with emphasis on some regional patrimonial species

Abstract. Six field trips were carried out in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Sultanate of Oman in autumn 2010, late winter 2013, spring 2014, autumn 2014, spring 2015 and spring 2016. We recorded 37 species at 87 localities, including new localities for some species of regional interest. Information on all observed Odonata species was recorded including their life stage, behaviour, habitat and water characteristics. Exuviae were also systematically collected. Urothemis thomasi was discovered at several new sites in the Hajar Mountains, the Dhofar and the Al Wusta regions, filling in the gap between the Dhofar and the Muscat area. In addition, new localities for two Arabian endemics: Arabicnemis caerulea and Arabineura khalidi were found, with their occurrence in the Dhofar region extending their known area and demonstrating that A. khalidi cannot be regarded as a strict Hajar endemic. Important differences were noticed in the species composition of formerly surveyed localities, which may be ascribed to habitat degradation through management directed towards human recreation. Lastly, the well-known and diverse zoogeographical influences of Omani and the Emirati odonatofauna are confirmed with a large set of species of African origin in the Dhofar and a smaller set of species of Indomalayan origin visiting both the Dhofar and the northeast of the region during migrations and establishing, at least temporary,reproductive localities. uploaded for Odonatologica by Plaz