Paragomphus genei (Selys, 1841)
Common Hooktail

Type locality: Ghiliani, Sicily, Italy

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. pumilio by (a) labrum pale, at most vaguely darkened at base; (b) Pt with maturity pale, contrasting with black veins; (c) S8-9 with broad foliations; (d) cerci slender, at least 1.5x as long as S10, apices of cerci parallel or apposed (dorsal view); (e) cerci with distinct ventral ridge; epiproct about ½ as long as cerci; (f) epiproct longer, almost as long as S10 or longer, not so strongly curved upwards. However, differs by (1) being widespread and potentially found at any water; (2) larger size, Hw 21-26 mm; (3) posterior hamule hammer-shaped rather than hook-shaped, and its apex widened; (4) foliations often dark-bordered rather than all pale; (5) cerci with rather angular ventral ridge, apex usually with 2 equal points. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters, rivers, streams and possibly large lakes in open landscapes, but sometimes in open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Mostly with a sandy bottom, probably especially pools in stream beds. From 0 to 2200 m above sea level, but mostly below 1500.

Distribution

confirmed: Algeria; Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ethiopia; Ghana; Kenya; Liberia; Malawi; Mali; Morocco; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Republic of South Africa; Sierra Leone; Socotra (Yemen); Somalia; Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Tunisia; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe; NOT confirmed: Eritrea; Lesotho; Swaziland


Male © Robert Ketelaar


Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (lateral view)

Abdominal segment 2 (lateral view)

Head (front)

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, Old Buta Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Tanzania, Kigoma Region, Lower Malagarasi Basin © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Sierra Leone, Eastern Province, Gola Forest © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker

References

  • de Sélys-Longchamps, E. (1841). Nouvelles Libellulidées d'Europe - analyse de l'ouvrage du Dr Hagen. Revue Zoologique Societe Cuvierienne, 4, 243-246.
  • 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]
  • Lieftinck, M.A. (1969). Odonates Anisoptères - Odonata Anisoptera. Explor. hydrob. Lac Bangweolo and Luapula, 14, 1-64. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1971). Odonata collected in Republique Centre-Africaine by R. Pujol. Arnoldia, 5, 1-16. [PDF file]

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