Africallagma subtile (Ris, 1921)
Fragile Bluet

Type locality: Kapiri, DRC

Diagnosis

Male is similar to A. pseudelongatum by (a) Fw Pt diamond-shaped, opposite borders roughly parallel and of similar length, pale brown to black; (b) cerci distinctly longer than paraprocts with long apex abruptly separated from thumb-like ventral process (best seen in caudal view); (c) spine of paraprocts does not reach beyond bulge (at most slightly) or tip of cerci; cerci with dorsal border not or weakly excised; (d) base of paraprocts much swollen, resulting in prominent inferior bulge. However, differs by (1) being widespread; (2) smaller size, Hw 13-17 mm; (3) Pt pale brown, rather than blackish; (4) legs (almost) entirely pale, rather than having prominent black stripes; (5) dorsum S2 with continuous black band, only narrowed at apex; (6) ventral process stands at base, rather than at mid-point of cerci. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters in open landscapes, open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Often with emergent and usually aquatic vegetation. From 0 to 2300 m above sea level, but mostly below 1700.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ethiopia; Kenya; Liberia; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Republic of Guinea; Senegal; Sierra Leone; South Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe


Male(pale) © Hans-Joachim Clausnitzer


Male (dark) © Jens Kipping


Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (lateral view)

Appendages (caudal 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, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, 3km SSE of Bonlah © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


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

; Liberia, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Female; Liberia, Nimba County, Grassfield-Zotarpa Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [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]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). New or little-known dragonflies (Odonata) of Central and Southern Africa. Occasional Papers National Museum Southern Rhodesia, 26, 892-911. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]

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