The objective of our project are to update the distribution and abundance of N. carnatica in the area of study, to identify threats that could affect the survival of the specie by measuring water and environmental parameters, presence of organic and inorganic waste and characteristics of the riparian vegetation and canopy cover. We also will study ecological aspects of N. carnatica like seasonality, preferred vegetation, emergence, copulation, and oviposition behavior. All these will contribute to the assessment of its conservation status based on the data collected and following the IUCN criteria. As parto of our conservation plan we want to generate educational materials and carry out training workshops for nearby communities and staff from the nearest protected areas, regarding the identification and importance of N. carnatica and other key species of the location and their survival threads.

We identified 11 new locations for Neoneura carnatica in Western Cuba. Some of these locations are not included in any Protected area. We performed regular monitoring to several locations where we counted the numbers of individuals per populations, established the moment where the specie is active and characterised its habitat by measuring several parameters of the water and the environment. For the first time ever this species copula and oviposition was photographed and described . We evaluated the conservation status of Neoneura carnatica for the Red Book of Cuban invertebrates. Our results suggest this species should be classified as Endangered. This will be the first time odonates will be included in this book. We are already in contact with IUCN specialist to update Neoneura carnatica status, which today is classified as Data deficient at IUCN Red book. Through workshops and field trips we trained Protected areas staff and engaged community members about this species, its identification, threats and conservation status. We are working with some of the Protected areas to include Neoneura carnatica in their management plans to facilitate its monitoring and conservation. This will also facilitate to take specific actions towards its conservation, like controlling the use of the water and the release of contaminants both domestic and industrial in these rivers.

The results obtained so far, with the support of this grant, were compiled into the graduation thesis of one of our students, who received the highest score for his presentation. Furthermore, these results were presented at the annual congress organized by Havana University, “Saber UH.” These findings were presented on August 10th at the International Congress of Odonatology (ICO2025) that was held in Colombia.

We have published many of our field trips and workshops images at https://www.instagram.com/ana_animalens/