Volume 11, 2008
Information for Authors
Sex ratio in a population of Lestes viridis: spatial and temporal variability at emergence (Odonata: Lestidae)
In a large population of Lestes viridis inhabiting a complex, extended system of channels in the floodplain of the Upper Rhine River near Weisweil (Baden-Württemberg, Germany) detailed samples of exuviae were collected from several subpopulations. For each sample the sex ratio was determined. For statistical reasons only samples with at least 700 exuviae were considered.
Blues for the red Oxyagrion: a redefinition of the genera Acanthagrion and Oxyagrion (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
Examination of diagnostic features for all known species of Acanthagrion and Oxyagrion shows color pattern alone not to be a reliable diagnostic character. Both genera are redefined based on morphological characters, and some color pattern characters which further aid in their diagnoses. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis indicates both genera are monophyletic. They are distinguished from…
Phoenicagrion gen. nov. for Leptagrion flammeum, with description of a new species, P. paulsoni, from Peru (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
The placement of Leptagrion flammeum in Aeolagrion is confirmed to be incorrect; comparison with all other described genera of New World Coenagrionidae shows that this species does not belong in any of them. A new genus, Phoenicagrion (type species L. flammeum), is here described to include L. flammeum and a new species, P. paulsoni (holotype…
The ovipositor of the relic dragonfly Epiophlebia superstes: a morphological re-examination (Odonata: Epiophlebiidae)
The morphology of the endophytic ovipositor in Epiophlebia superstes was studied with light and electron microscopy with special emphasis made on the musculature and microsculpture of the exoskeleton. Structural characters are described and illustrated. The musculature of the ovipositor has many similarities with zygopterans. The ovipositor and 10th adominal segment bear groups of setae and…
European Odonata as hosts of Forcipomyia paludis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
The biting midge Forcipomyia (Pterobosca) paludis is the only ceratopogonid species known to parasitise Odonata imagines in Europe. In this study, based mainly on the analysis of about 200 photographically documented cases, data on host species, parasite load and undisturbed position on the odonate body were analysed. The list of hitherto known hosts is extended…
Argiolestes in the Bismarck and the Solomon Archipelagos. Notes on Old World Megapodagrionidae 2 (Odonata)
Argiolestes aurantiacus, endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, is redescribed and three new species of Argiolestes from the Solomon Archipelago are described: A. bougainville sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Papua New Guinea, Bougainville, North Solomons, 02 i 1970), A. gizo sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Solomon Islands, Western Province, Gizo Island, alt. 1-100 m, 02 vii 1959) and…
Wings of Coenagrion puella vary in shape at the northern range margin (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
A previous study has shown that wing size in Coenagrion puella varied considerably along a latitudinal gradient in the UK. Using landmark data from wing images, patterns of shape variation were also determined along the same transect by geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape. Wing shape was uniform at all sites other than those closest…
Libellago orri sp. nov. from northern Borneo (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae)
Libellago orri sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Borneo, Sarawak, Bahagian Bintulu, Samarakan, Sg. Gagak, 06 iii 2006, to be deposited in BMNH) from Malaysian Borneo is described from the male sex and compared with L. hyalina, which co-occurs at the same sites. Females of the two species cannot be reliably separated at present.
Noguchiphaea mattii sp. nov. from southern Vietnam (Odonata: Calopterygidae)
Noguchiphaea mattii sp. nov. (Hon Ba Nature Reserve, 12°23′N, 109°08′E, Khanh Hoa Province, southern Vietnam, leg. 29 iv 2006, to be deposited in Zoology Collection, Hanoi University of Science) is described from the male sex and compared with N. yoshikoae, a species collected for the first time in Vietnam in Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc Province.
Neocordulia caudacuta sp. nov. from the Coastal Cordillera, Venezuela (Odonata: Corduliidae)
Male, female and larva of Neocordulia caudacuta sp. nov. (holotype: Río Castaño, Aragua State, Venezuela; 21 vi 2007; deposited in MIZA) are described and illustrated. The new species belongs in the subgenus Mesocordulia. Male N. caudacuta differs from N. batest in details of hamule and penis, and in possessing a sharp, erect dorsomedian spine on…
Three new libelluline dragonflies from southern Venezuela, with new records of other species (Odonata: Libellulidae)
Elasmothemis rufa sp. nov. (holotype: Venezuela, Amazonas, Río Cataniapo), Macrotbemis taurepan sp. nov. (holotype: Venezuela, Bolívar, El Paují), and Oligoclada garrisoni sp. nov. (holotype: Venezuela: Amazonas, San Fernando de Atabapo) are described and illustrated. All holotypes are deposited at MIZA. Macrothemis heteronycha and Micrathyria paruensis are recorded from Venezuela for the first time, and Micrathyria…
Editorial Board (2007–2009)
Volume 11, Issue 1
Volume 11, Issue 2
Information for Authors
Habitat requirements of Orthetrum coerulescens and management of a secondary habitat in a highly man-modified landscape (Odonata: Libellulidae)
Due to the destruction of its primary habitats, the West Palaearctic libellulid Orthetrum coerulescens has suffered much decline in central Europe. However, at the regional scale it has survived in a variety of secondary habitat, such as draining ditches. In order to find adequate measures for its conservation and promotion, habitat use and habitat recognition…
The genus Oligoclada in Argentina, with description of O. rubribasalis sp. nov. (Odonata: Libellulidae)
A new species (holotype ♂ in MLP: Argentina, Formosa province, Parque Nacional Río Pilcomayo, Laguna Blanca, marshes next to pond, 25°10′29″S, 58°07′44″W, 74 m a.s.l., 16/17 ii 2008, leg. NvE, RWG) is described, diagnosed and illustrated, and a key, diagnostic illustrations, and distribution maps are provided for the three species of the genus occurring in…
Austroaeschna ingrid sp. nov. from Victoria, Australia (Odonata: Telephlebiidae)
Austroaeschna ingrid, a new telephlebiid from the Grampians in Victoria, Australia, is described (holotype: McKenzie Falls, 21-23 January 2008, to be deposited in Museum of Victoria, Melbourne). This species is most similar to A. Christine, A. multipunctata and A. obscura but may be distinguished by the length and slenderness of the male anal appendages, particularly…
Morphology of dragonfly larvae along a habitat gradient: interactions with feeding behaviour and growth (Odonata: Libellulidae)
It has been shown that life history, behavioural as well as morphological traits vary with the habitats occupied by odonate larvae. Here we ask the following questions: (1) Are the morphological traits, which are associated with perception and foraging, related to the larval habitat? (2) Do these traits influence foraging success and growth rate? We…
The life history of a temperate zone dragonfly living at the edge of its range with comments on the colonization of high latitudes by Neotropical genera of Zygoptera (Odonata)
Of the many Zygopteran genera that occur in the Neotropics, only five (Hetaerina, Archilestes, Lestes, Argia, and Ischnura) are represented north of 40°N in North America, and only three of these (Hetaerina, Archilestes, and Argia) probably had a tropical origin. In the two genera of Lestidae (Archilestes and Lestes) the life history of temperate-zone populations…
Larval habitats and life history of the Crete Island endemic Boyeria cretensis (Odonata: Aeshnidae)
Boyeria cretensis belongs to the most threatened European dragonfly species. It is restricted to some isolated permanent streams on the island of Crete. The streams have a pronounced gallery vegetation and are situated in a narrow belt of altitude between 50 and 400 m. We understand very little about the biology of this species so…
Taxonomy, behaviour, and habitat of Mesopodagrion and Sinocnemis. Notes on Old World Megapodagrionidae 3 (Odonata)
Published records of Mesopodagrion are reviewed and the distributions of M. tibetanum and M. yachowensis are given. Sinocnemis henanese is considered a junior synonym of S. yangbingi. Based on morphological and behavioural characters Sinocnemis is removed from Platycnemididae and placed in Megapodagrionidae. Species of Sinocnemis show a general resemblance to species of Mesopodagrion but it…
Dolonagrion nov. gen. for Telagrion fulvellum from South America (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
Based on examination of the syntype female of Telagrion fulvellum which we designate as lectotype, and its comparison with additional male and female specimens from Peru, this species is assigned to a new genus, Dolonagrion, and both sexes are redescribed, diagnosed, and illustrated.
Fliers and perchers among Odonata: dichotomy or multidimensional continuum? A provisional reappraisal
We revisit the hypothesis, first advanced in 1962, that, with regard to their means of thermoregulation and overt behaviour, two types of Odonata can be recognised: fliers, when active (during reproductive activity, primarily, or foraging) remain on the wing, whereas perchers, when similarly engaged, spend most of the time on a perch from which they…
The effects of environmental warming on Odonata: a review
Climate change brings with it unprecedented rates of increase in environmental temperature, which will have major consequences for the earth’s flora and fauna. The Odonata represent a taxon that has many strong links to this abiotic factor due to its tropical evolutionary history and adaptations to temperate climates. Temperature is known to affect odonate physiology…
