Central Iran has been faced with deterioration of water quality and quantity, but yet the biodiversity of freshwater-associated insects in this area remains uncertain and without this information the development of conservation strategies is not possible. Here we explore Odonata diversity patterns and species assemblages in three terrestrial ecoregions of Central Iran. We used the first three Hill numbers and phylogenetic generalizations of these indices to compare the species diversity between the ecoregions. To compare Odonata species composition a PERMANOVA analysis was performed. Alpha-diversity of each water body was estimated by Hill numbers, taxonomic diversity, taxonomic distinctness and average taxonomic distinctness. The effects of habitat and environmental factors on Odonata diversity indices were modelled using a linear mixed model. About 42% of all Odonata that have been reported in Iran were found during this study. Species richness in the Desert and Steppe ecoregions were almost equal, the same pattern was observed for phylogenetic diversity indices. The Steppe ecoregion also had significantly different Odonata assemblage. Results of the linear mixed model showed that environmental factors have different effects on different diversity indices. Additionally different diversity indices resulted in different outcomes when comparing ecoregions, demonstrating that single measure cannot precisely assess the properties of an assemblage’s diversity. The high diversity of Odonata observed in such an arid environment shows the importance of man-made water bodies, as well as the necessity of preparing a conservation plan for these ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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伊朗西北中央高原蜻蜓目多样性和物种组合

伊朗中部一直面临水质和水量恶化的问题，但该地区淡水相关昆虫的生物多样性仍然不确定，如果没有这些信息，就不可能制定保护战略。在这里，我们探索了伊朗中部三个陆地生态区的蜻蜓多样性模式和物种组合。我们使用前三个希尔数和这些指数的系统发育概括来比较生态区之间的物种多样性。为了比较 Odonata 物种组成，进行了 PERMANOVA 分析。通过希尔数、分类多样性、分类差异性和平均分类差异性估计每个水体的α多样性。栖息地和环境因素对蜻蜓多样性指数的影响使用线性混合模型进行建模。在这项研究中发现了伊朗报道的所有蜻蜓目中的约 42%。沙漠和草原生态区的物种丰富度几乎相等，系统发育多样性指数观察到相同的模式。草原生态区也有显着不同的蜻蜓组合。线性混合模型的结果表明，环境因素对不同的多样性指数有不同的影响。此外，在比较生态区时，不同的多样性指数会导致不同的结果，这表明单一措施无法准确评估组合多样性的特性。在如此干旱的环境中观察到的蜻蜓的高度多样性表明人造水体的重要性，以及为这些生态系统制定保护计划的必要性。