Inflation by venation and the bankruptcy of traditional genera: the case of Neodythemis and Micromacromia, with keys to the continental African species and the description of two new Neodythemis species from the Albertine Rift (Odonata: Libellulidae)

The Afrotropical ‘neodythemistine’ genera are an example of venation-biased classification in Odonata. This example is used to argue the bankruptcy of some traditional classifications in the order, particularly in the Libellulidae, and the need to apply alternative characters to define genera. Two groups of Afrotropical ‘neodythemistines’ are identified by male and female genitalia, supported by…

Generic revision of Argiolestidae (Odonata), with four new genera

The subfamily Argiolestinae is raised to family level to include all zygopteran genera in which the gills of the larvae are flat and held in a horizontal plane. A diagnosis of the family is given and characters for both adults and larvae are presented. The family is divided into two subfamilies based on characters in…

A review of the Teinobasis of Sundaland, with the description of Teinobasis cryptica sp. nov. from Malaysia (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Teinobasis cryptica sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Borneo, Sarawak, Bahagian Samarahan, Kota Samarahan, old UNIMAS campus, disturbed peatswamp forest, 25 ii 2008, RMNH) from Malaysia is described from both sexes and compared with other Teinobasis species known to occur in Malaysia. The members of the genus known from Sundaland are reviewed. Records of T. ruficollis from…

Libellago corbeti sp. nov. from Sri Lanka (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae)

Libellago corbeti sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Sri Lanka, Ratnapura District, near Kudawe, 6.26°N, 80.25°E, 03 vii 2007, to be deposited in the Sri Lanka National Museum, Colombo) is described and figured. Its phenotype does not resemble that of any other Libellago species. Habitat characteristics and species behaviour are briefly outlined. Keys to males and females…

Odonata of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, South China, part 1: Zygoptera

Extensive surveys for odonates were completed in protected areas throughout Guangdong Province, south China during the period 1997-2005. Previously unreported data from these surveys is presented here and, together with published data, is used to catalogue the zygopteran fauna of Guangdong. Checklists are provided for the Zygoptera of Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong. Sinosticta debra…

Taxonomy of the South American genus Phyllopetalia (Odonata: Austropetaliidae)

This synopsis of adult Phyllopetalia includes the synonymy of four genera (Phyllopetalia senior subjective synonym of Rheopetalia, Odontopetalia, Eurypetalia and Ophiopetalia), four species and one subspecies (P. apicalis senior subjective synonym of Rheopetalia rex and R. apicalis decorata, and P. pudu senior subjective synonym of Ophiopetalia araucana, O. auregaster and O. Diana). P. excrescens and…

A synopsis of the South American genus Gomphomacromia (Odonata: Gomphomacromiinae)

Gomphomacromia mexicana is shown to be a junior synonym of G. chilensis based on a comparison of the holotype male with the original description of G. chilensis and specimens identified as that species from Chile. Examination of a large series of specimens from central and southern Chile and Argentina identified both as G. paradoxa and…