How to Reclaim Your Dragons? A Retrospective Review on Odonatology in West Sumatra, Indonesia

Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) were not really popular subjects for biological studies at least until a decade ago in West Sumatra. In many scientific publications published by Lieftinct, a colonial era odonatologist, not many localities in West Sumatra mentioned as the origin of his odonata specimens. In this study, we intend to review the extent of current odonatological works in West Sumatra to gain perspective on the ongoing scientific aspects of this taxon. We used literature study method to compile data from historical and recent bibliographies, published works and other resources regarding dragonflies in West Sumatra. As result, from around 294 odonate species ever recorded in Sumatra Island, 98 species have been recognized from within the borders of West Sumatra Province with more than half recently reobserved. Albeit most publications are taxonomical and inventorial in their nature, further survey works are still needed to gain thorough insight on West Sumatran odonates. Meanwhile, the current studies and researches indicate the possibilities that dragonflies can also be integrated into the wider aspects, such as ecotourism, pest management, landscaping, environmental impact assessment, aesthetic and many others. Hence, introducing odonates as fascinating study object to the new generation of biologists can help furthering the advance and diversification of odonatological study in West Sumatra.