Diversity of Nearctic Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)

Rarely have studies assessed Odonata diversity for the entire Nearctic realm by including Canada, United States, and Mexico. For first time, we explored in this region according to a definition of natural community assemblages generated species distribution models (SDMs). Species occurrence data were assembled reviewing databases specimens held significant repositories through an extensive search literature references. categorized as forest-dependent or non-forest-dependent, lentic lotic-dependent, conservation status. Predicted distributions stacked all across their ranges, areas outside Nearctic. richness corrected weighted endemism (CWE) then calculated each grid cell. We found pattern greater eastern portion Nearctic, which can be explained higher aquatic habitat at micro macroscales east Rocky Mountains, promoting niche partitioning specialization. In region, southeastern US has highest number endemic dragonflies damselflies; degree is likely due glacial refuges providing foundation evolution rich unique biota.