The dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Jordan A. KATBEH-BADER, Z. AMR, M. ABU BAKER & A. MAHASNEH Abstract: A total of 46 species of Odonata have been reported from Jordan based on recent collections and previous records. The Zygoptera comprises 15 species while the Anisoptera includes 31 species. No- tes on the ecology are given for some species. Threats affecting the dragonfly are discussed with refe- rence to Calopteryx syriaca RAMBUR 1842. Key words: Dragonflies, Odonata, Jordan. Introduction The Odonata of Jordan received atten- tion during the late seventies and early eigh- ties by DUMONT (1973, 1975) As a part of his doctoral dissertation, Dr. Wolfgang Schneider studied the dragonfly fauna of Jordan along with the odonata of the Levant (SCHNEIDER 1981a, b, 1982a, b, 1985,1986-, SCHNEIDER & KATBEH BADER 1997). Ever since, few studies were undertaken to explo- re this insect group. With the encourage- ment of Dr. W. Schneider, the authors stu- died the dragonflies of Azraq oasis (AMR et al. 1997) and examined the Odonata collec- tion at the possession of the Insect Museum at the Jordan University, Amman and the Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid (KATBEH-BADER et al. 2002). The present study reports on the records of the dragonfly fauna of Jordan and their past and current distribution. Systematic Account Suborder Zygoptera Species of this suborder are elongate, thin with transversely elongate heads. The thorax is shaped to allows the wings to be held along the back of the abdomen. The fo- rewing is as broad as the hindwing at the ba- se. Nymphs have thtee caudal appendages which function as gills (HOWELL et al 1998). Family Calopterygidae Calopteryx syriaca RAMBUR 1842 (Fig. 1, 2) Remarks: This species is restricted to clear running water. It seems that the Nah- lah population is still viable through the past 20 years. As the collection dates indi- cate, adults are common from April to Oct- ober. Collected from Jsr Damyah (MORTON 1924), the Dead Sea area, Wadi Zarqa (cited in SCHNEIDER 1986) and from Nahlah (KAT- BEH-BADER et al. 2002). We observed other populations along the Yarmouk River and in springs in Ajlun area. This species is very sensitive to pollution and manipulation of water course for irrigation schemes (Du- MONT 1991). Construction of dams along springs and rivers in the Jordan Valley affected and re- duced the population of this elegant species. Cabpteryx syriaca is listed under appendix II in CITES. Family Euphaeidae Epallage fatime (CHARPENTIER 1840) Remarks: Previously recorded from Ghawr as Safi, Az Zarqa'a River, Wadi Al Fari'ah, Jisr Damya, Wadi Fasa'il, Wadi Al- Karak, Wadi Musa and several localities along the Jordan and Yarmouk Rivers (Du- MONT 1991; SCHNEIDER 1986), and inhabit running water bodies in the Jordan Valley Denisia 14, zugleich Kataloge der OÖ. Landesmuseen Neue Serie 2 (2004), 309-317 309 © Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at