ODONATA DE ANGOLA: DISTRIBUIÇÃO, DIVERSIDADE E LACUNAS TAXONÓMICAS – UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

Jerónimo Tchipepe Adriano Lofa

doi:10.69807/2966-0785.2026.437

Authors

Jerónimo Tchipepe Adriano Lofa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69807/2966-0785.2026.437

Keywords:

Odonata, Angola, endemism, taxonomic gaps, biogeography, freshwater conservation

Abstract

Angola is potentially one of the richest African countries for dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata), yet its fauna remained poorly documented for decades. This systematic review synthesises knowledge published between 2015 and 2026 on the distribution, diversity and taxonomic gaps of the order in Angola, following PRISMA 2020 guidance, and relates the findings to the physical, biogeographic and conservation context of the country. The final corpus comprises 27 documents. The national checklist grew from 158 species known until 2011 to 236 in 2017, 260 in 2018 and more than 288 in 2023, with an estimated total above 300. About half of the species are widespread across the continent, almost 30% are confined to northern forests and nearly 20% are associated with eastern open habitats. The highlands and escarpments hold 34 probable endemics and eight near-endemics, 21 of which still lack a resolved taxonomy. Taxonomic, geographic and institutional gaps are identified, and the plateau between Bié and Moxico, the western escarpment, the south-central ranges and Lunda Norte emerge as sampling priorities. The discussion links these gaps to pressures on freshwater habitats, assesses the value of Odonata as bioindicators, reviews the national and international policy framework and proposes a research agenda that includes an integrative taxonomy protocol and a role for higher education institutions, particularly in Huíla.

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