Ceriagrion varians (Martin, 1908)
Orange-red Citril

Synonyms:

  • scientific: C. sanguinostigma Fraser, 1955

Type locality: Bambesa, DRC

Diagnosis

Male is similar to C. platystigma by (a) head never blackens, at most S3-7 occasionally (partly) black; (b) humeral and metapleural sutures with dark dots in fossae (may disappear with darkening of body); (c) at least S8-10 always remain red; (d) apex of S10 with fine black denticles, these often indiscernible or merged to thin black ridges; (e) cerci more pointed in lateral view, over half as long as paraprocts. However, differs by (1) labrum and thorax orange rather than pale brown to red; (2) Pt and Abd always red; (3) penis with long apex that overlaps bend of its stem; (4) cerci separated by space narrower than their width, apical teeth (nearly) touching. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing and mostly temporary waters shaded by forest. Probably often with emergent vegetation, submerged roots and/or coarse detritus. From 300 to 1700 m above sea level, but mostly between 300 and 400.

Distribution

confirmed: Democratic Republic of the Congo; NOT confirmed: Angola; Cameroon; Congo-Brazzaville; Gabon; Nigeria


Male © Bart W??rsten


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):


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Martin, R. (1908). Voyages de feu Leonardo Fea dans l'Afrique Occi­dentale: Odonates. Annali Museo Civico Storia Naturale Genova, 43, 649-667. [PDF file]
  • Fraser, F.C. (1955). New species and new additions to the Odonata of the Belgian Congo. Revue Zoologie Botanique Africaines, 51, 33-43. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966.) Notes on African Odonata, particularly type material. Revue Zoologie Botanique Africaines, 73, 283-308. [PDF file]
  • Schmidt, E. (1951). Libellen aus Portugiesisch Guinea, mit Bemerkungen über andere aethiopische Odonaten. Arquivos Museu Bocage, 20, 125-200. [PDF file]

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