Ceriagrion junceum Dijkstra & Kipping, 2015
Spikerush Citril

Type locality: Upemba NP, west of Lusinga, DRC

Diagnosis

Male is typical of suave-complex of genus by (a) greenish eyes with maturity; (b) uniformly orange to red abdomen; (e) apically pointed penis; and (f) no toothed processes on the apical border of S10. Combines traits that recall other species in the complex including (1) moderate size, Hw 18.5-20.5 mm (n = 24); (2) a rather greyish dorsum of the head; (3) the thorax somewhat like C. sakejii with distinct blackish dots in the humeral and metapleural fossae, a warm orange brown dorsum and creamish sides, but only weak contrast between these colours; (4) the penis with finger-like lateral lobes, rather like C. bakeri; (5) the apical excision on S10 about a third as deep as the segment and bordered with tiny black denticles that appear as dark ridges; (6) the cerci with the apical black tooth close to the tips, turned inwards and thus well-visible in dorsal view; and (7) the relatively slender and weak-heeled paraprocts that extend slightly but clearly beyond the tooth of the cerci. [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Standing and mostly temporary waters in open landscapes. Usually with emergent vegetation, particularly flooded sedges, and probably often boggy. From 1200 to 1900 m above sea level.

Distribution

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):

Reference

• Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Mézière, N., and Kipping, J. (2015). Sixty new dragonfly and damselfly species from Africa (Odonata). Odonatologica, 44, 447-678.

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-09-19].