Record of lost and associated species of Odonata in Oban Hills, Cross River National Park, Cross-River State, Nigeria

A number of species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) have not been seen for decades while others have not been recorded since their description in southeastern Nigeria. The Mango River in Oban division of the Cross River National Park (CRNP) in eastern Nigeria was visited thrice every month in September, 2019, January and March, 2020 to survey species of Odonata. The survey was with a view to determining lost species or species that are hitherto not known to occur in the study area. Micrographs of the thorax and wings of specimens suspected to be relict species of Odonata were taken and compared with data in literature to determine their actual identities. A total of 61 individuals of Odonata belonging to 34 species in 9 families were collected. Of the 34 species, three, Africocypha lucaselephantum (Vulnerable), the relict Pentaphlebia stahli (Vulnerable) and Umma purpurea (Endangered) are new records in Nigeria.  This record of rare and common species provides preliminary baseline data for a checklist of the Odonata fauna in Oban Hills for possible formulation of conservation strategies for threatened species in the area in particular and southeastern Nigeria at large.