An updated checklist of the dragonflies (Odonata) of the Kakamega Forest, Kenya

Abstract

A comprehensive checklist of dragonflies occurring in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya is given and shortly discussed. A total of 72 dragonfly species, representing 42 % of Kenya's dragonfly fauna, has been recorded from the forest. Three of these are based on literature records only. The habitat preference and affiliation with other African regions is listed for all species. Twenty species are of national importance for Kenya, since they are only found at this site within the country. For these species habitat affiliations in the Kakamega Forest are given more in detail. The dragonfly fauna of the Kakamega Forest is impoverished compared to more western Guineo-Congolian rain forest areas. The effects of forest fragmentation and isolation hindering any immigration from western rain forest patches is shortly addressed.

Journal of East African Natural History: a Journal of Biodiversity Vol. 94(2) 2005: 239-246