Aciagrion nodosum (Pinhey, 1964)
Cryptic Slim

Type locality: Chinyagi River, Mwinilunga, Zambia

Diagnosis

Male is most similar to A. balachowskyi and A. bapepe by (a) the complete black middorsal stripe on the mesepisterna; (b) the cerci that are about as long as the paraprocts and bear a conspicuous ventral process in lateral view; (c) the large tooth surpassing the base of the paraprocts. However, differs by combination of (1) ranging from N Zambia to Angola and Gabon; (2) smaller size, Hw 19-21 mm; (3) Pt blackish; (4) S10 dorsally all black, rather than largely blue; (5) cerci with blunt apex that is not very distinct from rather short ventral process. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014 and Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters shaded by (sometimes gallery) forest. Often with coarse detritus and probably blackwater. From 1200 to 1700 m above sea level, but possibly down to 400.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Zambia

Appendages (lateral view)

Map citation: Clausnitzer, V., K.-D.B. Dijkstra, R. Koch, J.-P. Boudot, W.R.T. Darwall, J. Kipping, B. Samraoui, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & F. Suhling, 2012. Focus on African Freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 129-134.


Barcode specimen(s):


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Kundelungu National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Kundelungu National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Kundelungu National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1964). Dragonflies (Odonata) of the Angola-Congo borders of Rhodesia. Publicacoes culturais Companhia Diamantes Angola, 63, 95-130. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1972). The genus Aciagrion Selys (Odonata). Occasional Papers National Museums Rhodesia B Natural Science, 5, 1-59. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-29].