Elattoneura morini Legrand, 1985
Mealy Threadtail

Type locality: Djoumouna, DRC

Diagnosis

Male is similar to widely sympatric E. lliba by (a) found at shaded rainforest streams and swamps; (b) body becomes black and/or pruinose with maturity; (c) frons black, not pruinose; (d) eyes largely dark in life; (e) pruinosity extends over full width of mesepisternum and concentrated on S9-10, sometimes extending to S7; (f) apical process of paraprocts short, paraprocts therefore distinctly shorter than high. However, differs from (1) thorax largely pruinose; (2) dorsum of S8-10 and apex of S7 pruinose, rather than only dorsum of S9-10 being pruinose; (3) penis with drawn-out and pointed apical lobes; (4) ventral process of cerci with 1 tooth, rather than 2 apical teeth. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Mostly seeps and springs, but also (headwater) streams and possibly standing waters, shaded by forest. Often with coarse detritus and a soft (like muddy) bottom, probably especially calmer sections (like pools). From 0 to 800 m above sea level, but possibly up to 1500.

Distribution

confirmed: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon


Male © Nicolas Meziere


Appendages (lateral view)

Penis (lateral view)

Penis (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, Province Orientale, Lower Lomami © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

Reference

  • Legrand , J. (1985). Elattoneura afrotropicaux nouveaux ou peu connus (Odonata: Protoneuridae). Nouvelle Revue d’Entomologie, 2, 159-68. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-19].