Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Odonata - Anisoptera

The author, Dr. Charles W. Heckman, has performed ecological research in Laos, Thailand, Germany, Brazil, and the United States. His publications include books on rice field ecology in Thailand and the Pantanal wetland in western Brazil, as well as many monographs and shorter publications on various aspects of biology and environmental sciences. He undertook the preparation of the Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects to produce a reference work with which researchers in South America can identify the species they encounter without having to first complete exhaustive searches of the literature, including papers published on several continents in different languages. The lack of such a tool has long impeded progress in faunal surveys, ecology, and other fields of science. Dr. Heckman’s extensive experience identifying aquatic insect species using less than optimal literature has allowed him to develop an ability for recognizing the morphological features most useful for distinguishing one species from another, and this ability comes to the aid of the users of his keys to the South American aquatic insect species.

• Introduction.- An appeal for quality in taxonomic work. Scope of the work. Acknowledgements. Literature.- Section 3: Odonata. Key to the suborders. Adults. Larvae.- Section 3, Part 2: Anisoptera. 3.2.1 Morphology. 3.2.1.1 Adult morphology. 3.2.1.2 Larval morphology. 3.2.2 Ecology. 3.2.3 Preservation and examination. 3.2.4 Zoogeography. 3.2.5 Taxonomic problems. 3.2.6 Suggestions for improvement. A note on the figures. 3.2.7 Key to the families of Anisoptera in South America.- Adults. Larvae. Corduliidae. Libellulidae. Austropetaliidae. Aeshnidae. Gomphidae.- Literature.- Index.

From the reviews: 'Students of odonates of South America should be grateful that Heckman has successfully finished this compilation of more than 500 primary publications, and no such work was available for this continent up to now. Heckman's Encyclopedia is far more complete for identification of adults to species level, and also for identification of larval stages' Jan van Tol, Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, Volume 150, 2007. "Heckman ... has provided an excellent compilation of keys to species. It will prove useful to specialists in many areas of science who need to characterize the role of Anisopteran dragonflies in South American habitats. Abundant illustrations of larvae and adults, compiled from many diverse sources, aid readers. ... Primarily intended for specialists, this work will help readers to better understand the environment and to develop strategies for being better stewards of the Earth. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students through professionals/practitioners." (M. K. Harris, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (9), May, 2007)