Trithemis bifida is reported for the first time from East Africa. Previously there were only two Afrotropical records of this species: one male from Zambia and one male from the Ivory Coast. The male of T. bifida is described and compared with the closely related T. donaldsoni which is also found in East Africa. Taxonomically…
Identity and distribution of the little known Aeshna meruensis (Odonata: Aeshnidae)
Status and records of Aeshna meruensis are published for the first time. This species has been confused with A. rileyi for a long time, although A.R. Waterston separated and labelled specimens of both species in the collection of the Natural History Museum, London, as early as 1974. A. meruensis is known from seven localities in…
Rediscovery of Amanipodagrion gilliesi, with notes on habitat, behaviour and conservation (Odonata: Megapodagrionidae)
Amanipodagrion gilliesi was known previously only from four males collected in 1959 and 1962 in the Usambara Mountains, south-east Tanzania. Recently it has been rediscovered at two shady streams in that area. The species is not living in swamps, as previously stated, but is apparently restricted to a small area in the Amani-Sigi Forest. Data…
Natural history and description of the dendrolimnetic larva of Coryphagrion grandis (Odonata)
The morphology of the last stadium larvae of the African Coryphagrion grandis is described for the first time, based on one exuvia and three last instar larvae from Kenya. Taxonomically important morphological characters are illustrated and discussed. Important characters are the shape of the larval caudal appendages, the labial palpi and the branched setae on…
Reproductive behaviour and ecology of the dendrolimnetic Hadrothemis scabrifrons (Odonata: Libellulidae)
Oviposition in water-filled tree holes and mating behaviour of Hadrothemis scabrifrons was observed in a lowland coastal forest in Kenya. Conforming with the predominant mode of oviposition in the Libellulidae, females of H. scabrifrons touch the water with their ovipositor while hovering above tree holes. Male behaviour is opportunistic: usually males perch and patrol in…
Redescription of Ceriagrion mourae with notes on its position in the genus Ceriagrion (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
The poorly known Ceriagrion mourae is redescribed based on the first material from Zambia and compared with the similar C. banditum, C. junceum and C. suave. Molecular data place C. mourae as a sister taxon to the clade (C. bakeri (C. banditum, C. junceum)). Genetic distances between the above-mentioned species are similar at c.7–9% (K2P)….
Aspects of reproductive biology and ecology of Coenagrion mercuriale at its southern range margin
Coenagrion mercuriale is a threatened damselfly in most parts of its geographic distribution. It is listed as endangered in North Africa, where no data on its biology or ecology are available. This study aims to illustrate the reproductive behaviour and habitat preferences of adults in a population located in north-east Algeria, representing the southern limit…
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…
The name-bearing types of Odonata held in the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, with systematic notes on Afrotropical taxa. Part 1: introduction and Anisoptera
Orthographic details of 118 name-bearing types of Odonata are provided in two parts: the first and present paper deals with Anisoptera, the second with Zygoptera. 58 types pertain to good species, although the taxonomy of at least four is problematic. The details of 11 ‘holotypes’ of forms are also provided, although these and their names…