DIVERSITY STUDY OF ODONATA IN CHINTAMANI KAR BIRD SANCTUARY, KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

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International Journal of Animal Science and Technology Research and
Development (IJASTRD)
Volume 2, Issue 1, January-December 2022, pp. 1-12, Article ID: IJASTRD_02_01_001
Available online at https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJASTRD?Volume=2&Issue=1
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DIVERSITY STUDY OF ODONATA IN
CHINTAMANI KAR BIRD SANCTUARY,
KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA
Dr. Indraneel Saha1, Suvajit Dey2, Swagata Palit3
1
Head, Assistant Professor, Stage-III (C.S.C.), Department of Zoology,
Sarsuna College, West Bengal, India
2 & 3
State Aided College Teacher (SACT-II), Department of Zoology,
Sarsuna College, West Bengal, India
ABSTRACT
Species records of protected areas by creating checklists and updating them is
crucial to understand species distribution, dynamics and possible threats to them.
Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary is a protected area famed for its wide variety of floral
and faunal diversity, located in close proximity to the metropolis of Kolkata and odonata
is real flagship taxa of freshwater ecosystems, often used as indicator species to assess
the quality of their close environment. Adult odonata (both suborder- Anisoptera;
Dragonfly & Zygoptera; Damselfly) needs resource-rich terrestrial habitats for
maturation, feeding, resting, and mating. Species diversity indices like Simpson and
Shannon are applied to analyze the odonatan population diversity in this protected area.
Our study of odonata populations has been made for the first time in this protected area.
As far as species richness is concerned, the family Libellulidae is found to be dominant
among Anisoptera whereas species of the family Coenagrionidae is dominant among
Zygoptera. Our observations support the importance of this region in providing
valuable habitats for Odonata.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, Odonata, Shannon- Wiener
Index, Simpson Index
Cite this Article: Indraneel Saha, Suvajit Dey and Swagata Palit, Diversity Study of
Odonata in Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, International
Journal of Animal Science and Technology Research and Development (IJASTRD),
2(1), 2022, pp. 1-12.
https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJASTRD?Volume=2&Issue=1
1. INTRODUCTION
The Odonata are known to be ancient insects. The oldest recognizable fossils of the group
belong to the Protodonata, an ancestral group that is now extinct. The earliest fossils so far
discovered come from Upper Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) sediments in Europe formed
about 325 million years ago. The name dragonfly is commonly applied to all odonates, but

Diversity Study of Odonata in Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
order-Odonata consists of two suborders, namely Anisoptera (dragonfly) and Zygoptera
(damselfly) with their respective families. There are around 6,324 species of Odonata known
from all over the world. Approximately 498 species of odonates occur in India, with
approximately 186 species being endemic, largely concentrated in two biodiversity hotspots of
India, viz., Western Ghats and Northeast India. Almost all of them are dependent on freshwater
habitats for their reproduction. Many species often have small distributions and are habitat
specific; hence they are often successfully used as indicators for environmental health and
conservation management. The majority of tropical odonates are ectotherms, warming up
through constant heat exchange with the surrounding environment. Thus, the present study is
providing some baseline information on odonata diversity of Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary,
a protected area situated in the suburban area of Kolkata City in West Bengal.
2. STUDY AREA
The Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary lies in pristine splendor in extended Kolkata. Originally
notified as a sanctuary in 1982, this 'Abhay Aranya' was acquired for the benefit of the public
by Govt. of West Bengal at a significant cost from private owners in October 2005. The area
was notified as Narendrapur Wildlife Sanctuary vide G O No.3019-FOR dated 8th September
2004 and later renamed as Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary vide G.O No.4300-
FOR/FR/O/L/6C-3/04 dated 21.10.2005. The Sanctuary was named after the noted sculpture
Sri Chintamani Kar, who along with many local people and many NGOs fought tirelessly for a
decade to obtain wildlife sanctuary status for 'Kayaler Bagan'. It is an orchard covered with
local fruit trees-many over a hundred years old.
It is a paradise spread across 17 acres, for range of floral and faunal diversity. Beside other
large arthropodan diversity of that particular area, the population of order- Odonata is also very
significant (Figure: 1)
Figure 1 Glimpses of our study area- Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary (Narendrapur, Kolkata).
3. STUDY PERIOD
The present study was conducted from May, 2018 to June 2019 during 7am to 10am in random
visit for 8 times for repeated sampling and total checklist was made on the basis of 8-day
observations.
For identification and nomenclature all the specimens were examined and identified to
species level based on the morphological characters and standard keys as provide by the
classification scheme of Schorr, M., Lindeboom, M. & Paulson, D. (2006). World Odonata
(Insecta) Checklist; Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma,
WA, U.S.A. for different level of taxa and the species were confirmed based on external
morphology with reference to available literature of Subramanian.

Indraneel Saha, Suvajit Dey and Swagata Palit
4. MATERIALS & METHODS
Equipment
Field photographs were taken by using Canon EOS 1200D camera with 18-55 and 55-250mm
lens.
Data Analysis
The richness of the species is based on the number of species present at the study site.
The species diversity both species richness and evenness were determined using Simpson’s
Index, with the following formula:
Simpson’s Index (D)= ∑n(n-1)/N(N-1)
Description
n = Total number of organisms of a particular species
N = Total number of organisms of all species.
The species diversity both species richness and proportion of each species within a
community was determined using Shannon-Wiener index, with the following formula:
Shannon Index(H) = -∑pilnpi
Description
pi = Proportion of individuals
ln= Natural logarithm.
5. RESULTS & OBSERVATION
During the study period total 30 species were recorded from that protected area (Figure 2).
Among the
Anisopterans, a maximum of 20 species were recorded belonging to the family
Libellulidae,2 species belonging to the family Aeshnidae and 1 species belonging to family
Gomphidae(Table: 1). In case of Zygoptera, family Coenagrionidae predominated with 7
species (Table: 2).
Table 1 List of odonata species (dragonfly) reported so far from our study area
SERIAL NO. COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
Family: Aeshnidae (Darner)
1 Blue Tailed Green Darner Anex guttatus
2 Brown Darner Gynacantha Dravida
Family: Gomphidae (Clubtails)
1 Common clubtail Ictinogomphus rapex
Family: Libellulidae (Skimmers)
1 Trumpet tail Acisoma panorpoides
2 Scarlet marsh hawk Aethriamanta brevipennis
3 Rufus backed Marsh hawk Brachydiplax chalybea
4 Little blue marsh hawk Brachydiplax sobrina
5 Ditch jewel Brachydiplax contaminata
6 Ruddy marsh skinmmer Crocothemis servilla
7 Black ground skimmer Diplacodes trivialis
8 Asiatic blood tail Lathrecista asiatica

9 Fulvous forest skimmer Neurothemis fulvia
10 Pied paddy skimmer Neurothemis tullia
11 Crimson tailed marsh hawk Orthetrum pruinosum
12 Green marsh hawk Orthetrum sabina
13 Wandering glider Pantala flavescens
14 Yellow tailed ashy skimmer Potamarcha congener
15 Rufus marsh glider Rhodothemis rufa
16 Common picture wing Rhyothemis variegate
17 Red marsh trotter Tramea basilaris
18 Long-legged marsh glider Trithemis pallidinervis
19 Greater crimson glider Urothemis signata
20 Brown dusk hawk Zyxomma petiolatum
Table 2 List of odonata species (damselfly) reported so far from our study area.
SERIAL NO. COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
Family: Coenagrionidae (Marsh Darts)
1. Pygmy dartlet Agriocnemics pygmaea
2. Orange tailed marsh dart Ceriagrion cerinorubellum
3. Coromandel marsh dart Ceriagrion coromandelianum
4. Senegal golden dartlet Ischnura senegalensis
5. Saffron faced blue dart Pseudagrion rubriceps
6. Black Marsh dart Onychargia atrocyana
7. Splendid dartlet Agriocnemis splendidissima
Rhyothemis variegata Neurothemis fulvia
Orthetrum sabina Brachythemis contaminata

Neurothemis tullia Ischnura senegalensis
Ceriagrion coromandelianum Onychargia atrocyana
Figure 2 Some of odonata species found in our study area
[Dragonflies and Damselflies were collected, photographed, identified using standard taxonomic
literature (Fraser 1933a, 1934, 1936; Mitra 2006) and field-guides (Subramanian 2005, Andrew
et. al. 2008, Nair 2011)].
Table 3 Odonata species diversity abundance reported so far from our study area
FAMILY SPECIES
COMPOSITION
ABUNDANCE STATUS
Very Common Common Not Rare
Aeshnidae 2(0.6%) 1 1 0
Gomphidae 1(0.3%) 1 0 0
Libellulidae 20(6%) 10 5 5
Coenagrionidae 7(2.1%) 4 1 2
TOTAL 30 16 7 7

Graph 1 Represent the percentage of four odonata family found during our study periods
Graph 2 Represents the species abundance of odonata species found during study periods (x axis =
family of odonatan species, y axis= number of species found)
Table 4 Simpson index for family: Aeshnidae (Darner)
Serial no. Species name n (number of
individuals of a
particular species)
(n-1) n(n-1)
1 Blue Tailed Green Darner 2 1 2
2 Brown Darner 2 1 2
N=∑n=4 ∑ n (n-1) = 4
D= ∑ n (n-1)/ N(N-1)
=0.333
76%
13%
8%3%
Graph 1: Species composition
Aeshnidae
Gomphidae
Libellulidae
Coenagrionidae

Table 5 Simpson index for family: Gomphidae (Clubtails)
Serial no. Species name n (number of individuals
of a particular species)
(n-1) n(n-1)
1 Common Clubtail 4 3 12
N=∑n=4 ∑ n (n-1) = 12
D= ∑ n (n-1)/ N(N-1)
=1
Table 6 Simpson index for family: Libellulidae (Skimmers)
Serial no. Species name n (number of
individuals of a
particular species)
(n-1) n(n-1)
1 Trumpet tail 4 3 12
2 Scarlet marsh hawk 4 3 12
3 Rufous backed Marsh hawk 2 1 2
4 Little blue marsh hawk 3 2 6
5 Ditch jewel 4 3 12
6 Ruddy marsh skimmer 4 3 12
7 Black ground skimmer 2 1 2
8 Asiatic blood tail 2 1 2
9 Fulvous forest skimmer 3 2 6
10 Pied paddy skimmer 4 3 12
11 Crimson tailed marsh hawk 2 1 2
12 Green marsh hawk 2 1 2
13 Wandering glider 6 5 30
14 Yellow tailed ashy skimmer 2 1 2
15 Roufous marsh glider 4 3 12
16 Common picture wing 4 3 12
17 Red marsh trotter 2 1 2
18 Long-legged marsh glider 2 1 2
19 Greater crimson glider 2 1 2
20 Brown dusk hawk 2 1 2
N=∑n=66 ∑ n (n-1) = 146
D= ∑ n (n-1)/ N(N-1)
=0.035

Table 7 Simpson index for family: Coenagrionidae (Marsh darts)
Serial no. Species name n (number of individuals
of a particular species)
(n-1) n(n-1)
1. Pygmy dartlet 3 2 6
2. Orange tailed marsh dart 2 1 2
3. Coromandel marsh dart 4 3 12
4. Senegal golden dartlet 2 1 2
5. Saffron faced blue dart 3 2 6
6. Black Marsh dart 2 1 2
7. Splendid dartlet 2 1 2
N=∑n= 18 ∑ n (n-1) = 32
D= ∑ n (n-1)/ N(N-1)
=0.104
Table 8 Shannon-Wiener index for family: Aeshnidae (Darner)
Serial
no.
Species name n (number of
individuals of a
particular
species)
n/N pi ln(pi) piln(pi)
1 Blue Tailed Green Darner 2 0.5 0.125 -2.08 -0.259
2 Brown Darner 2 0.5 0.125 -2.08 -0.259
N=∑n=4 ∑ piln(pi) =
-0.518
Table 9 Shannon-Wiener index for family: Gomphidae (Clubtails)
Serial
no.
individuals of a
particular species)
1 Common clubtail 4 1 0.25 -1.38 -3.38
N=∑n=4 ∑ piln( pi) =
-3.38
Table 10 Shannon-Wiener index for family: Libellulidae (Skimmers)
Serial
no.
individuals of a
particular species)
1 Trumpet tail 4 0.06 0.0009 -7.01 -0.006
2 Scarlet marsh hawk 4 0.06 0.0009 -7.01 -0.006
3 Rufous backed Marsh hawk 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
4 Little blue marsh hawk 3 0.04 0.0006 -7.42 -0.004
5 Ditch jewel 4 0.06 0.0009 -7.01 -0.006
6 Ruddy marsh skimmer 4 0.06 0.0009 -7.01 -0.006
7 Black ground skimmer 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
8 Asiatic blood tail 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
9 Fulvous forest skimmer 3 0.04 0.0006 -7.42 -0.004
10 Pied paddy skimmer 4 0.06 0.0009 -7.01 -0.006
11 Crimson tailed marsh hawk 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
12 Green marsh hawk 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024

13 Wandering glider 6 0.09 0.0013 -6.64 -0.008
14 Yellow tailed ashy skimmer 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
15 Rufous marsh glider 4 0.06 0.0009 -7.01 -0.006
16 Common picture wing 4 0.06 0.0009 -7.01 -0.006
17 Red marsh trotter 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
18 Long-legged marsh glider 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
19 Greater crimson glider 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
20 Brown dusk hawk 2 0.30 0.0045 -5.40 -0.024
N=∑n=66 ∑ piln( pi)
= -0.298
Table 11 Shannon-Wiener index for family: Coenagrionidae (Marsh darts)
Serial
no.
individuals of a
particular species)
1. Pygmy dartlet 3 0.16 0.0088 -4.73 -0.041
2. Orange tailed marsh dart 2 0.11 0.0061 -5.09 -0.015
3. Coromandel marsh dart 4 0.22 0.0122 -4.40 -0.053
4. Senegal golden dartlet 2 0.11 0.0061 -5.09 -0.015
5. Saffron faced blue dart 3 0.16 0.0088 -4.73 -0.041
6. Black Marsh dart 2 0.11 0.0061 -5.09 -0.015
7. Splendid dartlet 2 0.11 0.0061 -5.09 -0.015
N=∑n= 18 ∑ piln( pi)
= -0.195
Table 12 Species diversity indices of odonata reported so far from our study area
FAMILY Simpson Index Shannon-Wiener Index
Aeshnidae 0.333 0.518
Gomphidae 1 3.38
Libellulidae 0.035 0.298
Coenagrionidae 0.104 0.195
Graph 3 Represents the Simpson indices of four odonatan family found during our study periods
0.333
1
0.035
0.104
Graph 3 : Simpson Index
Aeshnidae Gomphidae Libellulidae Coenagrionidae

Graph 4 Represents the Shannon-Wiener indices of four odonatan family found during
our study periods
6. DISCUSSION
Odonata population found in Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary is quite standard and its
abundance indicate that the environment of the area is quite good. The great insect population
of that area also support the resource of odonata as according to most studies, the main diet of
adult odonates consists of small insects, especially Diptera (flies). In this place skimmer
dragonflies are abundant in good number and found at marshy areas and stagnant freshwater of
this area. Darners are found moderate number at near waterbodies of this area. Clubtail
dragonflies are less in number and found around waterbodies. Among damselflies marsh dart
are abundant in good number (Table: 3, Graph: 1 and Graph: 2).
According to Simpson diversity indices the value scale ranges from 0-1, with 1 representing
lowest biodiversity (Majumder, S., Bhowal, A., Chatterjee, A., Saha, I., Zoology in Laboratory,
Pg 224,2020). Therefore, as per this diversity indices Gomphidae (Simpson index value 1) has
lowest biodiversity; Aeshnidae (Simpson index value 0.333) has moderate diversity;
Libellulidae (Simpson index value 0.035) has higher diversity and Coenagrionidae (Simpson
index value 0.104) has high level of biodiversity (Table 4, Table 5, Table: 6, Table: 7, Table:
12 and Graph: 3).
According to Shannon-Weiner diversity indices the value scale ranges between 1.5-
3.5(Majumder, S., Bhowal, A., Chatterjee, A., Saha, I., Zoology in Laboratory, Pg 225,2020).
Therefore, as per this diversity indices Gomphidae (Shannon index value 3.38) has lowest level
of biodiversity, Aeshnidae (Shannon index value 0.518) has moderate diversity; Libellulidae
(Shannon index value 0.298) has higher diversity and Coenagrionidae (Shannon index value
0.195) has high level of biodiversity (Table 8, Table: 9, Table: 10, Table: 11, Table 12 and
Graph: 4).
7. CONCLUSION
Chintamani Kar Bird sanctuary is a quite natural habitat in the midst of urban areas of Kolkata.
It inhabits diverse kind of flora and fauna as well. There is some aquatic vegetation inside the
sanctuary which attracts different aquatic insects like Odonata (Dragon flies and damselflies).
In this paper the species record and different diversity indices clearly indicates that the
vegetation is suitable for growth and reproduction of Odonatas. It also indicates that small
0.518
3.38
0.298
0.195
Graph 4: Shannon-Wiener Index
Aeshnidae Gomphidae Libellulidae Coenagrionidae

waterbodies inside the sanctuary area are suitable for the breeding ground of odonata species
and they are not polluted that’s why the odonata species able to grow in good number. If this
habitat conserved properly then biodiversity of different odonatan species along with others
aquatic insects and its surrounding ecosystem will also protect and flourish naturally.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are thankful to Dr. Indraneel Saha, Head, Assistant Professor (CSC), Department of
Zoology, Sarsuna College for his permission and encouragement to carry out the study. I also
thank Dr. Subhankar Tripathi, Principle, Sarsuna college for constant support. Thanks, are also
extended to our family members and all other faculty members of Department of Zoology,
Sarsuna college for continuous support and help.
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DIVERSITY STUDY OF ODONATA IN CHINTAMANI KAR BIRD SANCTUARY, KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA