Micromacromia zygoptera (Ris, 1909)
Spring Micmac

Synonyms:

  • scientific: Eothemis zygoptera; Neodythemis scalarum Pinhey, 1964
  • vernacular: Small M.

Type locality: Cameroon, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

Male is similar to M. camerunica by (a) labium all pale; (b) antehumeral stripe broad and complete, at most small black marking above metastigma; (c) Fw triangle and subtriangle of 1 cell, sometimes 2; (d) anal loop of 2-9 cells, rarely up to 12. However, differs by (1) Fw discoidal field of 1 row at base, rather than 2; (2) Fw with 3-5 Cux, rather than 1 or rarely 2; (3) Hw triangle usually of 1 cell (sometimes 2) rather than invariably 2; (4) anal loop indistinct and of 2-4 cells, rather than distinct and of 6-12; (5) hind femur with 10-20 rather than 20-30 denticles in external-anterior row; (6) posterior corner of hamule angled, rather than blunt.

Habitat description

Mostly headwater streams, but probably also seeps and springs, shaded by forest. Often with coarse detritus and a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom, and probably submerged roots. From 0 to 800 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Gabon; Ghana; Liberia; Nigeria; Republic of Guinea; Sierra Leone; NOT confirmed: Benin; Togo


© KD Dijkstra


Abdominal segment 2 (lateral view)

Wings

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):


Adult, male; Gabon, NGOUNIE, Parc National des monts Birougou © Mézière, Nicolas


Female; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Beeton © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, West Nimba Proposed Forest Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Liberia, Grand Gedeh County, Putu Iron Ore Mining concession © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1964). Some new Odonata from West Africa. Bulletin Institut francais Afrique, 26, 1144-1153. [PDF file]
  • Dijkstra, K.-D.B. and Vick, G.S. (2006). 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) International Journal Odonatology, 9, 51-70. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-28].