Atoconeura biordinata Karsch, 1899
Common Highlander

Type locality: Kitope, Tanzania

Diagnosis

Male is similar to locally co-occurring A. pseudeudoxia by (a) labrum all black, at most narrowly pale at base; (b) antero- lateral borders of postclypeus seldom darkened; (c) mesepisternum without transverse pale streak bordering antealar sinus; (d) Hw base clear; (e) Abd never pruinose; (f) S4-9 with basal yellow spots, which are lateral on S4-6 and ventral on S7-9; basal spot S3 crescent-shaped; (g) underside of S7-9 at most with some fine hairs; (h) cerci more sinuous and epiproct shorter; (i) epiproct narrow and slender, with only slightly notched apex. However, differs by (1) ranging from S Kenya to N Zambia and Zimbabwe; (2) relatively smaller size, Hw 28-34 mm; (3) frontal shield (partly) pale rather than dark, antefrons dark; (4) vertex usually glossy black rather than brown; (5) poststernum flatter, covered with loose long, fine hairs; (6) inner surface of hind femora smooth and bare, save some fine hairs. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Streams in open landscapes, open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Often faster sections (rapids, falls) with rocks. From 700 to 2600 m above sea level, but possibly sometimes lower down.

Distribution

confirmed: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Tanzania; Zambia; Zimbabwe


© Jens Kipping


Head (front)

Head (dorsal view)

Abdominal segments 1-4

Frons (dorsal view)

Labium (ventral view)

Labium (ventral view)

Poststernum (ventral 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, Kundelungu National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Vumba Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, northside of Nyanga National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & U. Bjelke


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Karsch, F. (1899). Neue Odonaten aus Ost- und Süd-Afrika mit Einschluss des Seengebietes. Entomologische Nachrichten, 25, 369-382. [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]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]

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