Notogomphus maathaiae Clausnitzer & Dijkstra, 2005
Maathai's Longleg

Synonyms:

  • scientific: N. flavifrons Fraser, 1952 “Kenya race” Pinhey, 1961

Type locality: Mt Elgon, Rongai river, Kenya

Diagnosis

Male is similar to N. flavifrons by (a) at least postclypeus and often labrum with dark markings, often largely dark; (b) antefrons pale, including lower part which contrasts with darker postclypeus; (c) border of occiput rather straight or rounded; (d) antehumeral stripe absent, indistinct or narrow and broken; (e) postdorsal stripes at most partly fused with pale areas of collar and middorsal carina; (f) costa often dark; (g) branches of epiproct strongly incurved, parallel to cerci or even eclipsed by them. However, differs by (1) occurring in Kenya and E Uganda; (2) labrum all dark; (3) antehumeral stripe absent; (4) postdorsal stripes well-separated from collar and middorsal carina; (5) cerci blunt, rather like boxing glove (dorsal view). [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Streams shaded by, or in open areas in, forest. Often faster sections (rapids, falls) with a gravelly and/or sandy bottom and probably coarse detritus. From 2200 to 2900 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Kenya; Uganda

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.


Reference

  • Clausnitzer, V., and Dijkstra, K.-D.B.(2005). Honouring Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai: Notogomphus maathaiae spec. nov., a threatened dragonfly of Kenya's forest streams (Odonata: Gomphidae). International Journal Odonatology, 8, 177-182. [PDF file]

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