Elattoneura aurifex Dijkstra & Mézière, 2015
Goldsmith Threadtail

Type locality: Bongoville, Gabon

Diagnosis

Male is nearest to E. tsiamae and E. vrijdaghi by (a) the entirely brightly coloured labrum, clypeus and antefrons, as well as a broad band across the black dorsum of the head between the antennae and lateral ocelli; (b) the mesepisterna with little black; (c) the dull pale legs with blotchy dark markings, rather than uniformly red or black legs; (d) the double pair of finger-like lobes placed closely to each other at the penis apex; and (e) the triangular ventral process of the cerci, with its anterior border at an acute angle to the posterior border. However, (1) the colour on the head and mesepisterna is warm yellow, rather than dark ochre yellow to reddish; (2) the eyes in life are brown rather than red; (3) the pronotal dorsum and mesepisterna are almost wholly yellow, contrasting with the largely black sides of the pronotum, mesokatepisterna and mesepimera; (4) the metapleural suture typically has a broad black stripe along its entire length; (5) only the dorsa of the cerci and S9-10 are yellowish, contrasting with the largely black abdomen, rather than most of these segments and the appendages rufous; (6) the ventral process of the cerci is less drawn out; and (7) the apical process of the paraprocts is more slender and rounded. [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Streams in open areas in forest. Often with blackwater, mostly with a sandy bottom. From 300 to 500 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Congo-Brazzaville; Gabon


© Nicolas Meziere

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; Gabon, Haut-Ogooué, Franceville-Léconi Road © RMNH_INS_502486

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/ [2024-03-19].