Vig Károly: Zoological Research in Western Hungary. A history (Szombathely, 2003)
88 Phylum Arthropoda enhanced attention and protection, as the home of several species assemblages of Odonata, Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera unique in Central Europe (KOVÁCS and AMBRUS 2001a). Only 14 mayfly species have been found so far in the Fertő-Hanság National Park, but three of the Ephemeroptera collected (Csorna: Nyírkai-Hany) — Baetis buceratus, B. scambus and Cloeon simile —are very rare and new to the Hungarian fauna (SZIRÁKI 1998 and 2002a). Order Odonata (dragonflies) The first records of dragonfly fauna in Vas County appeared in the Szombathely monograph of ADOLF KUNCZ (1880), which lists five species. Further occurrence data can be found in a monograph by REZSŐ KOHAUT (1896), in the chapter of Fauna Regni Hungáriáé on Pseudo-neuroptera (MOCSÁRY 1896a) and an article by JENŐ VÁNGEL (1905a). The occurrence of 27 dragonfly species in the Kőszeg Hills was demonstrated by regular collections in 1936-41 (PONGRÁCZ 1941). The highest species count was found at 'Gubahegy Pool' with 12-13, but unfortunately, this habitat (referred to as 'Csepreg Pool' by ALFONZ FREH, ANTAL WAISBECKER and REZSŐ SZÉP) has been lost, the first to report that it had dried out being ALADÁR VISNYA in the article by SÁNDOR PONGRÁCZ just mentioned. The dragonfly nymphs in the collection at the Hungarian Natural History Museum include only one nymph of the broad-bodied libellula (Libellula depressa), collected by ENDRE DUDICH at 'Gubahegy Pool' on May 7, 1939 (AMBRUS er ai. 1993). Research into dragonflies has declined in West Hungarian border region in the 1950s and 1960s. However, several summaries have been published of earlier collection records and recent faunistic data (ARADI and BODÓCS 1954; ÚJHELYI 1955 and 1959a; STEINMANN 1959, 1962 and 1984; BENEDEK 1966a; ANDRIKOVICS 1973). The intensive faunistic research under the Natural History of Praenoricum 8 programme included dragonflies. MÁRIA CSIBY (1981) and SÁNDOR TÓTH (1987a) were notably active in the Sopron Hills and SÁNDOR ÚJHELYI (1981a, 1983 and 1993) in other parts of the West Hungarian border region. There were also important findings at Fertő (ANDRIKOVICS and TAKÁCS 1986a and 1986b). Research in neighbouring Burgenland (STARK 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1988) added many data, while contributing to producing a more realistic estimate of the Hungarian records and a better assessment of how endangered several species are. Full processing of the latest collections and the literary data confirms the occurrence of 57 dragonfly species in the West Hungarian border region, most of which have also been found in the nymph state (AMBRUS et al. 1992). This publication charted the regional distribution of the species endangered in European terms, identified the most valuable habitats from the protection point of view, and gathered the occurrence records for the nationally rare and endangered species. 8 Az Alpokalja Természeti Képe.
