ABSTRACT SALON, JANE ELLEN MARIE. ASSESSMENT OF ODONATA SPECIES AT MAYON VOLCANO NATURAL PARK.

Bicol University, College of Science, Legazpi City, Albay. March 2012. Adviser Jonathan Jaime G. Guerrero. Mayon Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) is a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) of 1992. Being such, biodiversity studies are necessary to achieve maximum conservation efforts. The present study on Odonata species of MVNP is one contribution to this. The research focused on the taxonomic account of Odonata species within the MVNP, its corresponding community structure and diversity indices, and its correlation to elevation and microclimatic factors such as temperature, relative humidity and precipitation. Prior to the study, a gratuitous permit was obtained from the Protected Areas and Management Bureau V (PAMB-V). Visual Encounter Survey was used throughout the duration of the study. There were a total of 278 individuals under eight Odonata species (Agriocnemis femina, Brechmorhoga mendax, Cordulia shurtleffi, Neurothemis fluctuans, Neurothemis ramburii, Orthetrum Sabina, Pantala flavescens and Libellulidae sp.) two suborders, three families and seven genera. Libellulidae is the most widely distributed family. Correlation values indicated that elevation has an inverse relationship to the species diversity, dominance and evenness whilst, humidity and temperature have a direct relationship to species dominance and evenness yet, have an inverse relationship to species diversity, number of species and individuals. The study recommends validation and a longer monitoring of Odonata species within Mayon Volcano Natural Park.