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Odonatological results of a trip across the southern Far East of Russia, from nearly the border of North Korea to Khabarovsk from July 1st to 16th, 2014, are presented. In total, 50 species were recorded, including those with limited presence in Russia, such as Paracercion calamorum, P. hieroglyphicum, P. plagiosum (for this species the 3rd Russian locality is reported), Pseudocopera tokyoensis, Stylurus annulatus (2nd Russian locality), Sinictinogomphus clavatus; Trigomphus citimus, Macromia daimoji (3rd Russian locality), M. manchurica, Deielia phaon, Lyriothemis pachygastra (2nd Russian locality). For S. annulatus, M. manchurica and D. phaon the northernmost known localities in the world are reported. D. phaon, earlier reported from one locality in Russia, have been found in five localities in Primorye and for the first time reported for Khabarovskiy Kray in general and Bol'shekhekhtsirskiy State Nature Reserve in particular. A trend of mutual exclusion of two abundant Shaogomphus postocularis epophthalmus and S. schmidti is supposed: the lowermost Ussuri River / Amur River, respectively. Variation in Paracercion spp. and Macromia amphigena fraenata is discussed.
Phnom Tumpor is a scarcely accessible basalt table mountain in the Cardamom Mts. in Pursat Province of Cambodia. On top surface it bears tall evergreen forest (ca 1100 m a.s.l.), concealing a slow rivulet, O'Gran, being a chain of deep pools. It was examined odonatologically on March 1418th, 2019. Six common species were recorded in dry and burnt scrub on the Phnom Tumpor slopes and ten on the forested upper surface at O'Gran, among them Polycanthagyna erythromelas (Selys, 1891) and Macromia sp. cf. pinratani Asahina, 1987 for the first time in Cambodia. The peculiarities of the males of Coeliccia kazukoae Asahina, 1984 from Phnom Tumpor and the problem of distinguishing females of M. pinratani and M. moorei are discussed.
New data on Odonata of the Preah Sihanouk Province of Cambodia obtained in March 2017 and November 2018 are presented. The presence of Onychargia atrocyana Selys, 1865 in Cambodia is confirmed. Twentyone species are added to the known fauna of the Kbal Chhay Waterfall environs, 19 species to that of Ream Peninsula and 4 to that of Koh Rong Island. The total number of species registered for Kampong Saom Peninsula amounts to 74. The presented data are rather of historical importance since most of the remaining forest has been quickly and irreversibly logged a few months ago. The validity of Gynacantha demeter Ris, 1911 as a species distinct from G. dohrnii Krüger, 1899 is doubted.
More Odonata found at the Cardamonean foothills in Koh Kong Province of Cambodia in 2014-2018
(2018)
Still unpublished data on Odonata of the coastal foothills of the Cardamom Mts. in Koh Kong Province, SW Cambodia obtained in 2014-2018 are provided. Tetrathemis flavescens Kirby, 1889 is for the first time reported for Cambodia and Risiophlebia guentheri Kosterin, 2015 for SW Cambodia. The photographic records from this area of Gynacantha basiguttata Selys, 1882, Gynacantha demeter Ris, 1911, Heliaeschna crassa Krüger, 1899, Amphithemis curvistyla Selys, 1891 and Pornothemis serrata Krüger, 1902 have been confirmed by specimens. The known local faunas of two neighbouring rivulets in Koh Kong Province, rich in Odonata, are updated and summarised.
Macromidia genialis buusraaensis subspecies nova (Odonata, Synthemisidae s.l.) from eastern Cambodia
(2018)
Macromidia genialis buusraaensis subspecies nova is described from 10 males and 2 females from three localities of Mondulkiri Province, the eastern Cambodia (the type locality: a brook downstream Buu Sraa Waterfall 12°34' N 107°25' E). The new subspecies is close to M. g. shanensis Fraser, 1927 and differs from it by an additional, and the broadest, yellow spot on S7. It is partly syntopic with Macromidia rapida Martin, 1907. A brief overview of the current knowledge of the genus Macromidia Martin, 1907 is provided.
Results of a brief examination of the spring aspect of Odonata at the Abrau Peninsula and some nearby localities on 2127th May 2018 are presented. Lestes dryas and Caliaeschna microstigma are reported for the Peninsula for the first time, revealing the world northernmost record of the latter. Some old data of Odonata at Novorossiysk and some recent erroneous data on the Krasnodarskiy Kray are referenced and discussed. The known Odonata fauna of the Abrau Peninsula reaches 38 species.
Results of an odonatological survey of Mondulkiri Province of Cambodia, at the foothills and Central Plateau of the Annamese Mts. in June 8 – June 17, 2014 are presented. Of 106 Odonata species met (46 zygopterans, 60 anisopterans), 97 were identified to previously known named species, of which 15 are reported for the first time for Cambodia, namely Mnais mneme Ris, 1916, Rhinocypha seducta Hämäläinen et Karube, 2001, Philoganga loringae Fraser, 1927, Rhinagrion hainanense Wilson et Reels, 2001, Amphiallagma parvum (Selys, 1876), Ceriagrion chaoi Asahina, 1967, Paracercion malayanum (Selys, 1876), Prodasineura doisuthepensis Hoess, 2007, Protosticta grandis Asahina, 1985, Tetracanthagyna waterhousei McLachlan, 1898, Gomphidia kruegeri Martin, 1904, Heliogomphus chaoi Karube, 2004, Leptogomphus baolocensis Karube, 2001, Microgomphus jurzitzai Karube, 2000, Onychothemis culminicola Förster, 1904, and two species for which the specimens collected on this trip were described as new subspecies: Indolestes gracilis expressior Kosterin, 2015, Coeliccia poungyi dasha Kosterin, 2016. Five species collected on this trip have been described elsewhere as new to science, namely Onychargia priydak Kosterin, 2015, Prodasineura hoffmanni Kosterin, 2015, Asiagomphus reinhardti Kosterin et Yokoi, 2016, Euthygomphus schorri Kosterin, 2016 and Risiophlebia guentheri Kosterin, 2015. So the total number of the first country records of named species made on this trip is 22. Still four species found may be undescribed. The number of named species recorded in Cambodia has reached 178. Remarks on taxonomy and variation of Euphaea masoni Selys, 1879, E. ochracea Selys, 1859, Aciagrion approximans (Selys, 1876), and Lamelligomphus castor Lieftinck, 1941 are provided. Characters of mature males of R. seducta are updated. Notes on habitats and habits of some species are provided. Onychothemis culminicola and O. testacea Laidlaw, 1902 seem to exclude each other at rivers, the former occupying smaller and more elevated ones; a putative hybrid male was observed. General notes on the area and field impressions are briefly outlined.
Part 1, Oleg E. Kosterin, page 1-28:
On the Odonata of North Kazakhstan Province. I. First data on Petropavlovsk
Abstract: The fauna of Odonata of the environs of Petropavlovsk, North Kazakhstan, was for the first time examined on two short trips in late June and mid August 2015. Thirty five species were revealed. Coenagrion ecornutum was recorded in Kazakhstan for the first time, Gomphus vulgatissimus the second time and Stylurus flavipes the third time. Range expansion of C. ecornutum is discussed. Comparison is attempted of the known local Odonata faunas of the environs of Petropavlovsk, Omsk and Novosibirsk cities residing at the same latitude in the West Siberian Lowland. The Petropavlovsk fauna is very close to that of Omsk. The earlier published Kazakh records of G. vulgatissimus and S. flavipes are clarified and corrected. Breeding of Aeshna viridis in Ishim River (lacking water soldier) is supposed.
Part 2, Oleg E. Kosterin, page 29-46:
Odonata registered on a short excursion to Kyshtovka District, Novosibirsk Province, Russia
Abstract: During a fourday trip to Kyshotovka District, the most northwestern district of Novosibirsk Province, 21 species of Odonata were recorded. Two significant findings were made: that of Coenagrion ecornutum is most northern in West Siberia, and that of Lestes macrostigma is perhaps the northernmost in its range. The latter species was found over small, shallow, freshwater pools along a roadside. The diversity of this species’ habitats in Siberia in comparison to its uniform habitats at brackish water in Western Europe is discussed.
Coeliccia poungyi dasha subsp. nov. (Odonata, Platycnemididae, Calicnemiinae) from eastern Cambodia
(2016)
Coeliccia poungyi dasha is described from the Annamense Mts. in the eastern Cambodia (holotype: Cambodia, Mondulkiri Province, a brook, a left tributary of the main river downstream Buu Sraa Waterfall, 12°34'0119'' N 107°24'50''25' 03'' E, 416490 m a.s., 15.06. 2014, RMNH). The new subspecies differs from the nominotypical one in coloration of the mesepisternum in males and end of the abdomen in both sexes, as well as in the length of the terminal lobe of the genital ligula.
In the period 18th – 31st May 2017, 33 localities were examined for Odonata in the Central Zagros area of Iran: 16 in Markazi Province, 14 in Lorestan Province and 3 in Esfahan Province; in 27 of those localities Odonata were found, 25 species in total. For Markazi Province, only one species, Calopteryx splendens, was previously reported (and also found by us), so of 17 species found there 16 are formally new provincial records (Epallage fatime, Lestes barbarus, Coenagrion ornatum, C. persicum, Enallagma cyathigerum, Ischnura elegans, I. intermedia, I. pumilio, Platycnemis kervillei, Anax imperator, Anaciaeschna isoceles, Caliaeschna microstigma, Libellula depressa, Onychogomphus lefebvrii, Orthetrum brunneum, Sympetrum fonscolombii). Of 17 species
found in Lorestan, 5 are new for this province (L. barbarus, Aeshna mixta, Orthetrum taeniolatum, Sympetrum arenicolor, S. striolatum). Only two species were seen in Esfahan Province, in which little time was spent. Notes on variation and taxonomy are provided for Sympecma paedisca, C. ornatum (considered to be a senior synonym of C. vanbrinkae because of variation in the presumed main diagnostic character), E. cyathigerum, I. elegans, Gomphus schneideri (including discussion of G. amseli), as well as notes on habitats of most species and the general characteristics of the area.
Results are presented of an odonatological survey of 23 localities in Thala Barivat District of Stung Treng Province, northern Cambodia, on July 26 – August 1, 2016. Most localities were situated in areas of open low deciduous dipterocarp forests on gravel soils, some at hillside areas of tall evergreen dipterocarp forest. The great Mekong River right bank was studied within 7 km downstream of its Nimith (Nimet, Khon Thai, Labak Koun, Khone Pha Pheng) Waterfall. In total, 55 species were found, of which 52 identified to species and three to genus. Two species, Gynacantha saltatrix Martin, 1909 and Macrogomphus matsukii Asahina, 1986, were recorded in Cambodia for the first time. Five obligatory lotic species were found at the Mekong River, namely Dysphaea gloriosa, Prodasineura coerulescens, Burmagomphus asahinai, Nychogomphus duaricus and Onychothemis testacea, including tenerals of P. coerulescens and B. asahinai. Most probably these species breed in the Mekong reach which is enriched with oxygen downstream of the great waterfall cascade.
The Cardamom foothills were re-assessed for Odonata in the late dry season of 2015 within E Thailand and SW Cambodia. In the narrow coastal strip of Trat Province of Thailand bordering to Cambodia, 44 species (1 unidentified) were recorded, of which 15, namely Agriocnemis nana, Archibasis viola, Ischnura senegalensis, Pseudagrion microcephalum, P. williamsoni, Acisoma panorpoides, Brachythemis contaminata, Brachydiplax farinosa, Hydrobasileus croceus, Macrodiplax cora, Rhyothemis plutonia, R. variegata, Tholymis tillarga and Trithemis pallidinervis were recorded for Trat Province for the first time. That increased the number of species recorded for the province to 61. Preliminary checklists of Odonata of Ream Peninsula (that is of Ream National Park) and of Koh Rong Island were complied, mostly on the data of this trip, to count 45 species (2 unidentified) and 17 species, respectively. As many as 36 species were recorded at the village of O’Som, Pursat Province. Copera marginipes is added to species recorded from Bokor Hill Station. Superficially similar males of Pseudagrion australasiae and P. microcephalum were observed in the same locality in Ream National Park.
The Odonata fauna of flat marshy areas of the Gulf of Siam coast in Koh Kong Province of Cambodia, containing 55 species, is considered. The published data of 2010- 2013 and new data of 2014 and 2016 on the surroundings of Koh Kong town are compiled and the first data on the area of large swampy Melaleuca forests at Andoung Tuek village are presented as well as some occasional photographic records. Gynacantha bayadera, Lyriothemis mortoni and Pornothemis serrata were for the first time recorded for Cambodia. Mortonagrion falcatum was found unexpectedly abundant at Andoung Tuek.
Results are presented of a brief odonatological examination of the Abrau and Taman' Peninsulas at the northwesternmost Caucasian Black Sea coast in Krasnodarskiy Kray, Russia, on July 2026, 2017. Twenty three species have been observed at the former peninsula and five at the latter. The Odonata records at the Abrau Peninsula are summarised, to include 34 species.
Part 1, Oleg E. Kosterin and Vladimir I. Solovyev, page 1-43:
Odonata found in mid-summer 2015 and 2016 at the north-westernmost Black Sea Coast of the Caucasus, with the first record of Cordulegaster picta Selys, 1854 in Russian Federation
Abstract: Results are presented of brief odonatological examination of the Black Sea coastal northwesternmost spurs of the Caucasus between Anapa and Gelendzhik (mostly at Kabardinka village), Russia, in late July/early August 2015 and early-mid July 2016. In total, 28 Odonata species were found, including Cordulegaster picta for the first time in Russia. For C. picta and Caliaeschna microstigma, the world’s northernmost records were made. New localities of species rare in this area are reported: one for Coenagrion scitulum and three for Selysiothemis nigra, including their breeding habitat. Numerous migrant individuals of Pantala flavescens were observed in many localities in 2015 but none in 2016. Observations on trophic activity of Aeshna affinis and A. mixta are reported, the former showing predominantly matutinal and vespertinal activity and the latter diurnal activity. Occurrence of the Chalcolestes spp. in the Caucasus is discussed.
Part 2, Oleg E. Kosterin, page 45 - 57:
Calopteryx virgo feminalis subsp. nov., a long known under the same name but hitherto formally nameless subspecies from the Caucasian Black Sea Coast
Abstract: The populations of Calopteryx virgo of the Black Sea Coast of the Caucasus have females with the distal hindwing part darkened and males with the underside of S10 and appendages whitish, They are known for more than a century and deserve a subspecific status but since the name feminalis Bartenev, 1910 proposed to them is unavailable, a new subspecies is formally erected under the same name, Calopteryx virgo feminalis Kosterin subsp. nov., with the following type locality: Russia, Krasnodarskiy Kray, Gelendzhik Municipality, Kabardinka village, the Doob River lowermost reaches, 44°38'26-53'', 37°55'55''-57'58'' E.
Sympetrum fonscolombii is for the first time reported for Tuva (Tyva Republic, Russia), as found in the UbsuNur Depression. New data are provided on Odonata of the Turan or TuranUyuk Depression of Tuva, including the first record of Somatochlora exuberata in Tuva beyond the Todzha Depression and Coenagrion armatum, C. ecornutum, Aeshna juncea, A. grandis, Somatochlora graeseri and Libellula quadrimaculata for the first time reported for the Turan Depression. New distributional data and comments on Ophiogomphus spinicornis Selys, 1878 are added. Somatochlora alpestris found at Lake Oyskoe is for the first time reported for the southern Krasnoyarskiy Kray.
Part 1, Oleg E. Kosterin, page 1-11:
Taxonomical notes on Indolestes Fraser, 1922 (Lestidae, Zygoptera). 1. Indolestes gracilis expressior ssp. nov. from eastern Cambodia
Abstract: Indolestes gracilis expressior ssp. nov. is described by a male from Cambodia, Mondulkiri Province, the river upstream of Buu Sraa Waterfall 12°34’ N 107°25’ E. Another male presumably belonging to this subspecies was illustrated from southern Laos in literature. The new subspecies is characterised by more inflated apical part of the cercus than in earlier known subspecies and is thought to range in plateaux of eastern Cambodia ?and southern Laos, although very rare.
Part 2, Oleg E. Kosterin and Roberto Poggi, page 13-20:
Taxonomical notes on Indolestes Fraser, 1922 (Lestidae, Zygoptera). 2. Indolestes birmanus (Selys, 1891) is bona species
Abstract: The holotype of Lestes birmana Selys, 1891 (currently Indolestes birmanus (Selys, 1891)), housed in Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova, is examined and depicted
for the first time. Its cerci are not attenuated apically, hence this taxon cannot be a subspecies of Indolestes gracilis (Hagen in Selys, 1862).
Two new subspecies of Hemicordulia tenera Lieftinck, 1930 (Corduliidae) from Cambodia and Thailand
(2015)
Hemicordulia tenera donnellyi ssp. nov. (holotype ♂: Chieng Mai Prov., Kunklang: highway 1009, Restaurant; 16°32.0’ N 98°31.3’ E, 1000 m, 22 v 1996, FSCA) and H. t. vikhrevi ssp. nov. (holotype ♂: Cambodia, Koh Kong Province, ~13 km ENE of Koh Kong, ‘Hemicordulia brook’, 11°39’55’’ N, 103°05’34’’ E, 315 m, 04 xii 2010, RMNH) are described from North Thailand and South-West Cambodia, respectively. The nominotypical H. tenera tenera Lieftinck, 1930 is distributed in the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Java and Sumatra. Although these three subspecies are genetically very close, they are distinguishable by the relative length and shape of the caudal appendages.
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.
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.
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.
Results of the odonatological survey of the coastal SW regions of Cambodia in August 12-28, 2011 are presented. Those include general notes on the Odonata fauna in late rainy season, enumeration of all records by locality, discussion of interesting specimens and their taxonomy, and notes on habitats and habits of some species. Of 87 named Odonata species encountered during the trip, 15 are reported for the first time for Cambodia, namely Aciagrion hisopa (Selys, 1876), Anax immaculifrons Rambur, 1842, Burmagomphus divaricatus Lieftinck, 1964, Gomphidictinus perakensis (Laidlaw, 1902), Merogomphus parvus (Kruger, 1899), Nepogomphus walli (Fraser, 1924), Idionyx thailandica Hamalainen, 1985, Macromia cupricincta Fraser, 1024, Macromia septima Martin, 1904, Macromidia rapida Martin, 1907, Agrionoptera insignis (Rambur, 1842), Lyriothemis elegantissima Selys, 1883, Onychothemis testacea Laidlaw, 1902, Orthetrum luzonicum (Brauer, 1868), Orthetrum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839). The country list now reaches 125 named species.
Results of the odonatological survey of the coastal SW regions of Cambodia on November 28 - December 11, 2001, are presented, including field notes, enumeration of all records by locality, discussion of interesting specimens and their taxonomy and of seasonality aspects. Fifteen (14 named) species have been added to the known fauna of Cambodia: Aristocypha fenestrella (Rambur, 1842), Rhinagrion viridatum Fraser, 1938, Lestes elatus Hagen in Selys, 1862, L. platystylus Rambur, 1842, Aciagrion tillyardi Laidlaw, 1919, Agriocnemis f. femina (Brauer, 1868), Archibasis viola Lieftinck, Ceriagrion calamineum Laidlaw, 1951, Mortonagrion aborense (Laidlaw, 1914), M. falcatum Lieftinck, 1934, Pseudagrion microcephalum (Rambur, 1842), 1948, Paragomphus capricornis (Förster, 1914), Hemicordulia undescr. spec., Macrodiplax cora (Brauer, 1867), Nannophya pygmaea Rambur, 1842, plus a provisionally identified Ceriagrion indochinense Asahina, 1976. The country list now achieves 106 named species (not counting Prodasineura verticalis sensu Asahina, 1983, C. indochinense and Hemicordulia sp.). Coeliccia megumii Asahina, 1984 is synonymised with C. kazukoae Asahina, 1984. The differences between Ceriagrion olivaceum Laidlaw, 1914 and C. calamineum Lieftinck, 1951 are discussed.
A glance at the Odonata of the Cambodian coastal mountainous regions : end of dry season in 2010
(2010)
During a visit to the coastal regions of Cambodia within the Provinces of Koh Kong, Kampong Saom, Kampot and Kep within April 12-23, 2010, 59 species of Odonata were found. Of these, 51 were identified, 2 preliminarily identified (1 by exuviae, 1 to a known species with the valid name unresolved), 1 dubious (Aciagrion cf. pallidum), 3 not identified (just visual observations) and 2 seemingly undescribed, namely Burmagomphus sp. and Microgomphus sp. Fourteen species were recorded for the first time for this country, namely Neurobasis chinensis, Dysphaea gloriosa, Euphaea masoni, Onychargia atrocyana, Copera marginipes, Copera vittata, Prodasineura autumnalis Prodasineura verticalis sensu Asahina, 1983, Lathrecista asiatica, Orthetrum chrysis, Rhyothemis obsolescens, Tramea transmarina euryale, Zygonyx iris malayana, Zyxomma petiolatum; taking the current checklist for Cambodia up to 83 species. Some features of the collected specimens relevant to their taxonomy are discussed. Brief field notes are provided and Odonata records enumerated. The habitats and community of Odonata at the Cardamon Mts. foothills at the end of dry season are discussed.
In July 2005, Rafal Bernard requested Oleg Kosterin to collect some samples of Nehalennia speciosa from West Siberia for a DNA analysis. Oleg replied that so far he had only seen one individual of this species 25 years ago, but asked in which habitats it should be sought for exactly. Rafal sent him a draft of his paper (Bernard & Wildermuth, 2005) devoted to this subject. Having read it, Oleg came to the conclusion that this habitat (shallow water with Sphagnum and Carex limosa or C. lasiocarpa) might occupy the largest area in the world just in the boggy West Siberian Plain. Personal consultation with the geobotanist Dr. Nikolai Lashchinskii confirmed this notion. Then an almost automatic supposition followed that this area may serve as the main reservoir of N. speciosa, considered a local and endangered species in Western and Central Europe. At the same time, the existing records of N. speciosa from West Siberia were remarkably scarce. It was known from the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region (basins of the Tura and Konda Rivers), a small number of records from North Altai and adjacent areas north of it, a record from the steppe zone of Novosibirsk Province (Karasuk), a record in the basin of the Tuba River (Krasnoyarskii Krai), and a dubious old record from Omsk (see the map in Belyshev (1973) and a review in Bernard & Wildermuth (2005)). There was no record from the boggy Irtysh-Ob’ interfluve, where we would expect the species to flourish. This could be explained by the lack of attention by odonatologists to that interesting area. In these circumstances, the project of a special expedition(-s) was put forward, aimed to check the presence, pattern of distribution, abundance and habitat preferences of N. speciosa in these areas. For a decisive expedition we chose the Vasyugan Bog, the largest bog in the world, more precisely its north-eastern margin where we could find a good base in Plotnikovo village, Bakchar District, Tomsk Province.
The Tyva Republic, within the Russian Federation, has acquired its present name in 1991. It was formerly known as the Tuvinian Autonomous Region within the USSR. Its common names in the past centuries were Uryankhaiskii Krai or Soyotskii Krai. In modern Russian, it is known under the name Tuva (not Tyva), which will be used further in the text. This country, for example, embraces the sources of the great Siberian river Yenisei and its capital, the town of Kyzyl, represents the geographical centre of Asia. To date, this vast and clear cut territory was hitherto almost unexplored in odonatological respect. In particular, it was not visited by the outstanding Siberian odonatologist B. F. Belyshev. Scarce materials from the recent Tuvinian territory were mentioned by Valle (1942), who considered it to be Mongolian. In the only paper concerning the dragonflies of Tuva in particular (two localities in its very south) 14 species were reported (Zaika & Kosterin 1990). The "transitional form between Ophiogomphus serpentinus and O. reductus” considered in that work, however, turned out to be the Chinese-Mongolian species Ophiogomphus spinicornis (Kosterin, 1999). Finally, one of us published two works on the general lentic fauna of the Ubsu-Nur Hollow in general (Zaika, 1996) and Lake Tere-Khol' in particular (Zaika, 1999), where 26 and 9 species were listed, respectively. The latter work was based on larval identification. Because this is difficult, this information should be taken with caution. The presence of species such as Ischnura pumilio and Cordulia aenea was not confirmed by records of adults and may be erroneous.