IDF-Report : newsletter of the International Dragonfly Fund
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75
We compared Chatham Island endemic species Xanthocnemis tuanuii to its congenerics from the New Zealand South Island: X. zealandica (newly collected specimens)and X. sinclairi (type specimens plus newly collected material). Two independent tests were performed –geometric morphometrics and molecular. Both analyses were consistent in supporting the status of X. tuanuiias a good species. Species differed statistically in the following morphological traits: head (dorsal view), male appendages (dorsal, lateral, posterior and ventral views), thorax (dorsal view), and penis (dorsal and lateral view). In addition to the original diagnostic features (mainly shape of the male superior appendages), a new morphological character is suggested here which reliably distinguishes the species based on the shape of the inferior appendages. There was no statistical support for the species status of X. sinclairi. The only feature re-ported as diagnostic (lower lobe of male superior appendages) was found to be variable and insufficient to warrant the previously proposed taxonomic rank for X. sinclairi. Molecular analysis of specimens showing identical appendages to the X. sinclairi holotype grouped them with X. zealandica specimens. Therefore X. sinclairi is synonymised with X. zealandica.
74
In the second half of February 2014, Odonata were searched for nine days on Bali andfour days on Lombok, the western Lesser Sundas, Indonesia. One species, Orthetrum chrysishas been for the first time recorded for Bali and six species, Nosostictaemphyla, Idionyx murcia, Brachydiplax chalybea, Agrionoptera insignis, Neurothemisramburii, Rhyothemis phyllishave been for the first time recorded for Lombok. The previous lit-erature concerning the two islands is analysed. To the moment, 55 Odonata species (3 unidentified) are known for Bali and 39 for Lombok, although the actual faunas of both islands are supposed to be equally rich, and further studies on Lombok are necessary. Odonata faunas of Bali and Lombok mirror each other in respect of high shares,29 and 23%, of Odonata species ranging to the west and east of the two islands, respectively. Efficiency of Lombok Strait as a biogeographical boundary was estimated as high as 0.6, so Wallace Line is of importance for Odonata. Some diagnostic characters of N. emphyla, N. ramburii, R. phyllis phyllisand Procordulia sambawanaand a taxo-nomical situation around Prodasineura autumnalisand P. humeralis, which is not justified biogeographically, are discussed. Short notes on habitats and assemblages of Odonata are added.
73
The results of two expeditions into the Ulu Baleh and Ulu Balui areas of the interior of Sarawak are presented, including data from forest that was pristine at the time of sampling but that was subsequently logged. A total of 74 species are recorded, notably including Coeliccia campioni, Coeliccia new species borneensis-group, Pericnemis spp., Heliogomphusblandulus, Leptogomphus pendleburyi, Chlorogomphus ?manauand Procordulia ?new species. A discussion of the results and potential differences in the odonate fauna of comparable logged and unlogged forest sites is given.
72
Odonata fauna of karst streams and rivers of South Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina, West Balkan)
(2014)
Results of the odonatological survey in the Neretva River Basin in South Herzegovinakarst region of Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted from April to August 2013 are presented. The area had been pre-assessed as insufficiently known in term of its Odonata fauna, but believed to be important habitat for several species of conservation concern, particularly Coenagrion ornatum, Ceriagrion tenellum, Caliaeschna microstigma, Lindenia tetraphylla and Cordulegaster heros. Moreover, freshwater habitats of the region are increasingly threatened due to climate change and the habitat destruction due to infrastructure and hydroenergy production projects. The focus of the study was set on the streams and rivers in Neretva, Trebižat, Trebišnjica and Bregava river valleys, Hutovo blato wetland, Mostarsko blato, Dabarsko and Fatničko polje. The survey resulted in 482 Odonata records of 49 species from 52 surveyed localities. Notable results include new distribution data on species of conservation concern, particularly six new localities of C. ornatum, nine of C. microstigma and five of C. heros. Comments on species of conservation concern and brief description of habitats at all surveyed localities are provided. New data on species of conservation concern are important for better conservation planning of dragonfly species and habitats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
71
A new species of the synthemistid genus Palaeosynthemis is described from the Trauna River valley in Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. The new species is most similar to P. cyrene from which it can be distinguished, among other characters, by the coloration of the pterostigma (jet-black in the new species vs brownish yellow in P. cyrene) and of the wing bases (not darkened vs strongly darkened). The new species also differs from P. cyrene in having a narrow, almost parallel-sided yellow lateral synthoracic stripe and a well-defined yellow marking along most of the ventral margin of the metepimeron. In P. cyrene the lateral synthoracic stripe is markedly wider and tapered, and the yellow element along the ventral margin of the metepimeron is absent. Characters of the adult male are illustrated and the affinities of the species are discussed.
70
A selection of duplicates from the collection of Michel Edmond de Selys Longchamps was found at the Übersee-Museum Bremen/Germany (UMB). Selys determined a lot of Odonata in the UMB collection and sent 80 European and 76 exotic species to Bremen on 23 April, 1875. According to the labels 121 specimens could be assigned to this shipment and eleven specimens must have been sent to UMB in later years. This collection includes two paralectotypes (Progomphus gracilis Hagen inSelys, 1853;Palaemnema nathalia Selys, 1886) and seven syntypes (Rhinocypha trifasciata Selys, 1853; Dysphaea dimidiata limbata Selys, 1859; Argia sordida Hagen inSelys, 1865; Oxyagrion dissidens Selys, 1876; Oxyagrion haematinum Selys, 1876; Oxyagrion pavi-dum Hagen in Selys, 1876; Telagrion longum Selys, 1876). In addition, a male specimen of Euphaea tricolor subcostalis Selys, 1873 might also belong to the original syntype series. Altogether three specimens with labeled nomina nuda(Diplax catharina Selys, Diplax fausta Selys, Dythemis bilineata Hagen) and two labeled with manuscript names (Diplax marcellina Selys, Perithemis ovate Bates) are in this collection.
69
In spring and summer 2008, the Odonata fauna of the Khabr National Park (Iran) was studied for the first time. Here, we present records of the representatives of family Libellulidae only. A total of twelve libellulid Odonata were found. Most of them are common species in Iran and other parts of Kerman province. Scarce Iranian species are Trithemis arteriosa and Zygonyx torridus.
68
Specimens of Burmagomphus asahinai Kosterin, Makbun and Dawwrueng, 2012 and Burmagomphus divaricatus Lieftinck, 1964 from SW and NE Cambodia show differences in the development of the light pattern. One male of the latter species has unusual posterior spinules on posterior hamuli. Two males of Orientogomphus minor(Laidlaw, 1931) from the same locality in NE Cambodia have substantial differences in the thoracic and abdominal pattern. NE Cambodian specimens of Gomphidia abbotti Williamson, 1907 and Lamelligomphus castor (Lieftinck, 1941) have minor differences from data on these species from literature. Caution is necessary when composing and using keys for identification of the mentioned genera of gomphids.
66
Balut and Sarangani islands are two small landmasses situated off the coast of Davao Occidental, Mindanao Island. Despite recent increase on odonatological data from various islands in the Philippines, these two remote islands have never been explored. Hence, a short survey was conducted on first week of April and November 7 – November 14, 2010 on all freshwater systems in these two islands. Twenty-five species under seven families and 21 genera were found representing the first Odonata record for the two islands.
64
62
A two week trip to Costa Rica was conducted between 26 May and 8 June 2013, sampling odonates in several provinces along the center to the pacific southern portionof the country. A total of 86 species in 34 genera were found, including 16 species of the genus Argia. Lists of all species by locality, photographs of live specimens, and illustrations and notes of described species of Argiaare presented to facilitate identification to other collectors.
61
60
The Odonata fauna of Balabac Island, Philippines was studied in March 2013. A total of 41 species under 33 genera were recorded. Twenty-eight species were recorded for the first time in the island. One genus – Mortonagrion was recorded for the first time in the Philippines. Mortonagrion astamii spec. nov. and Prodasineura poncei spec. nov. are new to science and are described. Three previously recorded species remained elusive and not seen during the survey.
59
Odonata survey was conducted in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, Mindanao Island. Four major sites were explored in Barangay Santo Niño from December 26 – 30, 2012. Thirty five species under eleven families including one new species were found representing the first odonatological record in the province of Davao del Norte. Three species need further study while Orthetrum glaucum represents a new record for the island of Mindanao. Coeliccia exoleta population, a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, was found.
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57
Dragonflies from mainland Yemen and the Socotra Archipelago : additional records and novelties
(2013)
The odonatological results of two field trips to mainland Yemen carried out mainly in summer 2005 and winter 2007, and to Socotra in winter 1999 are put on record. At 30 localities, 33 dragonfly species were collected, respectively observed. One species,Azuragrion somalicum, is new for mainland Yemen, and a second, Pseudagrion niloticum, is new for mainland Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula. Three species, Azuragrionsomalicum, Orthetrum julia, and Sympetrum fonscolombiiare new records for Socotra.
56
A survey of Odonata in North Ethiopia, on the route Debre Libanos – Bahir Dar – Woldia – Hayk – Mile – Awash – Debre Zeyit crossing the provinces of Oromia, Amhara and Afar, in July 29 - August 10, 2012 yielded 38 species, including two endemics of Ethiopia and five species not hitherto reliably reported for this country in the literature: Pseudagrion commoniae (Forster, 1902), P. hamoni Fraser, 1955, P. salisburyense Ris, 1921, Bradinopyga strachani (Kirby, 1900) and Ictinogomphus ferox (Rambur, 1842). The number of Odonata species recorded in Ethiopia thus reached 104. Seventeen main localities were visited, on average showing 4.9 species per locality. A small branch of Jara River, Amhara, was the richest one (15 species). Comments on specimens of Pseudagrion spernatum Selys, 1881 and Nesciothemis farinosa (Forster, 1898) and notes on the country in general and particular habitats of Odonata are provided.
55
Notes on a small Odonata collection from Tawi-Tawi, Sanga-Sanga and Jolo islands, Philippines
(2012)
Sulu region is among the least explored faunal region in the Philippine archipelago. Odonatologically, this region is poorly studied until recently. Presently a survey conducted in July 1 – 14, 2011 revealed ten new records in Tawi-Tawi raising the total number of Odonata to 54. Three new species records were made for Sanga-Sanga raising the known number in that island to 34. Three species were recorded for the first time in Jolo raising the total number to 18. One new species of damselfly was found and several questionable and possible new species of dragonflies were documented.