Paragomphus nyasicus Kimmins, 1955
Malawi Hooktail

Synonyms:

  • scientific: P. nyassicus

Type locality: Lake Nyassa, Malawi

Diagnosis

Male is similar to other Paragomphus species by (a) Pt pale to black, costa anterior to it black, thus contrasting with remainder of costa and/or Pt when these pale; (b) tips of cerci parallel or diverging, with teeth fewer, smaller and/or not in ridge; (c) epiproct at most half as long as cerci. However, P. nyasicus is set apart from all species in genus by (1) beign restricted to Lake Malawi and environs; (2) cerci stout rather than slender, and only slightly longer than S10; (3) epiproct short, at most half as long as S10, strongly curved upwards, or even into S10. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Large lakes in open landscapes. Mostly with a sandy bottom, often bare banks and probably wave motion, i.e. beaches. From 400 to 600 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Malawi; Zimbabwe


Male © Andr?® van Velsen


Appendages (dorsal view)

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.


References

  • Kimmins, D.E. (1955). Three new species of African Odonata. Entomologist, 88, 109-113. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966). Check-list of dragonflies (Odonata) from Malawi, with description of a new Teinobasis Kirby. Arnoldia, 2, 1-24. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-11-04].