Dragonflies at a Biogeographical Crossroads The Odonata of Oklahoma and Complexities Beyond Its Borders

This lavishly illustrated book examines the distribution, ecology, conservation status, and biogeography of 176 species of dragonflies in the southern plains of the United States, where twelve ecoregions converge. The topics discussed, such as phenotypic variation and ecology, are applicable and of interest across the United States and much of north America, and will appeal to researchers and dragonfly enthusiasts alike. A series of maps, including a distributional map by specific locality of occurrence, indicate level of documentation and allow the reader to visualize the biogeographical associations of a given species. These maps also encourage citizen scientists to contribute documentation wherever they spend time in the field. Context-driven chapters, including one on the region’s rich paleontological history, blend environmental history and biogeography, giving the book a fresh perspective on the natural world while providing a rich summary of the odonates. Dragonflies at a Biographical Crossroads: The Odonata of Oklahoma and Complexities Beyond Its Borderswill be sought out by dragonfly researchers and enthusiasts, entomologists, amateur naturalists, paleontologists, conservation biologists, educators, regional historians, and those seeking to meld the disciplines of cultural and environmental history with biology. It will also be readily accessible to the lay public. Dragonflies combine the visually stunning with acrobatic fireworks in ways no other insect can hope to combine.

Introduction. History of Oklahoma Odonatology. Oklahoma Geography and Habitats. Biogeography of Oklahoma Odonata. The Odonata Fossil History of Oklahoma and the Region. Environmental History of Oklahoma. Conservation of Oklahoma Odonata. Seasonality of Oklahoma Odonata. Introduction to Species Accounts. Species Accounts. Zygoptera – Damselflies. Calopterygidae – Broad-winged Damsels. Lestidae – Spreadwings. Coenagrionidae – Pond Damsels. Anisoptera – Dragonflies. Petaluridae – Petaltails. Aeshnidae – Darners. Gomphidae – Clubtails. Cordulegastridae – Spiketails. Macromiidae – Cruisers. Corduliidae – Emeralds. Libellulidae – Skimmers. Appendices. A. Synonyms, Dubious Records, and Hypothetical Species. B. List of Specimen Collections, Data Sources, and Record Contributors. C. Additional Resources. D. Oklahoma Odonata Species Totals by Era. E. First State Records of Oklahoma Odonata. F. Supplementary Tables. G. Reference Maps. Literature Cited. Endnotes. Index

Brenda D. Smith has worked with Odonata for over 20 years in the United States and Central America. She is a principal investigator for the Odonata of Oklahoma Project and for various projects investigating odonate species of conservation concern, including acting as chief editor of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas odonate species richness project. A former archaeologist, historian, Native American affairs consultant, and museum registrar and collections manager, she found her true love in biology. She currently is a biogeographer and conservation biologist with the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory dealing with mammals, herpetiles, birds, fish, and various invertebrates, with special focus on tiger beetles and, of course, dragonflies. Michael A. Patten has published extensively (nearly 250 scientific publications, including two previous books) on conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, and biogeography. Much of his research has focused on birds, but he has focused increasingly on dragonflies and damselflies over the fifteen years. He and Brenda Smith have conducted both intensive and extensive field surveys for odonates across Oklahoma, amassing over 55,000 records for 176 species.