Understanding the distributions of species is key to informing conservation, research, and policy strategies. Thanks to the enormous contribution of the general public, through community science projects such as the Virtual Museum, we can gain a better understanding of these distributions. A species’ distribution is not just a static map of where it occurs, but rather a combination of spatial occurrence, relative population densities at different localities, and the dynamic temporal aspect of how spatial distribution and population density change seasonally and longitudinally (e.g. in response to climate change, or habitat transformation). Here, you’ll find the best available representations of distributions for species recorded in the Virtual Museum. These analyses take time, and we will be adding to the available list over time.
The details for each species are presented according to a taxonomic tree. Taxonomies are often dynamic (new research, including molecular work) is constantly changing taxonomies, and there are often vigorous debates within the scientific community about which taxonomies to follow. Our focus here is on species distribution and not on taxonomic rigor. Please navigate the taxonomy with that in mind.
Odonata – Dragonflies & Damselflies