Umma saphirina Förster, 1916
Sapphire Sparklewing

Type locality: Entebbe, Uganda

Diagnosis

Male of this species and U. mesostigma (of which it is probably a synonym) is similar to U. longistigma by (a) anterior face of basal segment of antenna at least partly dark; (b) Pt well-developed, large and somewhat swollen, 1.5-3 mm, acutely angled due to oblique proximal border, brown to black and at most slightly metallic; (c) cells between Pt and R2 at most as deep as long; (d) venation less dense, e.g. Fw quadrilateral with 5-8 cross-veins; (e) legs and poststernum glossy dark brown to black. However, both differ by (1) mandibular bases (between genae and labrum) largely dark rather than pale; (2) poststernum (venter of thorax) with dense patch of long dark hairs, rather than short whitish hairs; (3) cerci with clump of thick bristles near tip (clearly visible in lateral view); (4) paraprocts short and broad, about 2/3 as long as cerci. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Mostly headwaters, but also larger streams, shaded by forest. Mostly with a gravelly bottom, but often also a sandy and/or probably soft (like muddy) bottom, and probably submerged roots and/or coarse detritus. From 200 to 1800 m above sea level, but possibly up to 2400.

Distribution

confirmed: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Rwanda; Uganda; NOT confirmed: Cameroon; Gabon


Male © Adolfo Cordero


Appendages (dorsal 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):


Adult, male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Orientale, Territoire de Yahuma, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Orientale, Territoire de Basoko, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Lower Lomami

Reference

  • Förster, F. (1916). Beitrage zu den Gattungen und Arten der Libellen. IV. Zeitschrift wissenschaftliche Insektenbiologie, 1, 23-25.

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