Notes on the species diversity of East African Odonata, with a checklist of species

Preliminary considerations concerning the species diversity of East African dragonflies and the problems of identifying and using such diversity figures are given. For a detailed approach the basic problem is lack of sufficient data in that area. A checklist of species recorded so far for East Africa is given. Looking at pure species number in relation to area, Uganda is definitely more important for dragonfly diversity than its eastern neighbouring countries. If taking endemism and taxonomic singularity into account, the coastal forests of Tanzania and Kenya are very important too.