Neodythemis infra Dijkstra, Diedericks & Mézière, 2015
Blackwater Junglewatcher

Type locality: Ekala, Gabon

Diagnosis

Male combines characters of three sympatric Neodythemis species. Recalls N. preussi by (a) the broad and complete pale antehumeral stripes; and (b) the absence of black interpleural stripes, although there is a small dark smudge at the dorsal border of the metastigma. Similarly to that species and N. klingi has (c) Fw discoidal field of 1 cell-row at and distal of node, and 2 cells wide on wing border; (d) 4 cells in Hw anal loop; (e) 1 Cux in Fw and 2 in Hw; (f) 0 cross-veins in Fw triangle and 1 in Hw; (g) 12-14 Ax in Fw. Similarly to the latter and N. afra has (h) black central lobe and inner borders of the lateral lobes of the labium; (i) the hook of hamule lying in a horizontal plane, not erect, and thus invisible in lateral view; and (j) slender apices of the cerci. Also notably small, Hw 22.2-24.3 mm (n = 3) at low end of 22.0-31.0 mm range of genus, and has brown rather than blackish Pt as is usual in the genus. Also recalls Micromacromia, especially M. camerunica and M. zygoptera, but differs by the presence of an anterior cleft on the hamule (the most reliable character for Neodythemis) and in details of the markings and venation, as well as the wholly black labrum (see Dijkstra & Vick 2005). [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Streams and standing waters shaded by (gallery) forest. Usually with blackwater, a sandy bottom and probably coarse detritus. Recorded from 300 to 500 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon

Map citation: Clausnitzer, V., K.-D.B. Dijkstra, R. Koch, J.-P. Boudot, W.R.T. Darwall, J. Kipping, B. Samraoui, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & F. Suhling, 2012. Focus on African Freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 129-134.


Reference

  • Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Mézière, N., and Kipping, J. (2015). Sixty new dragonfly and damselfly species from Africa (Odonata). Odonatologica, 44, 447-678. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-28].