Porpax garambensis Pinhey, 1966
Little Pricklyleg

Type locality: PN Garamba, DRC

Diagnosis

Male is similar to widely co-occuring P. asperipes by (a) all black labrum; (b) pale band across frons often broken by black in median groove; (c) interpleural stripe at least as wide as pale stripes bordering it; (d) costa and subcostal Ax black; (e) anterior side of hind femur and trochanter densely hairy, hairs about as long femur is wide; (f) Abd (partly) pruinose with maturity; (g) if not covered by pruinosity, S3-9 black dorsally, S6 with pale ring. However, differs by (1) smaller size, Hw 21-23 mm; (2) occipital triangle less than half black (dorsal view); (3) venter of thorax largely to entirely black, rather than with extensive pale areas; (4) postdorsal stripes converge dorsally, black area between them narrower than stripes; spiracular dorsum (anterior to mesepisterna) all black; (5) usually 1 Cux in Hw, only rarely 2 or 3; (6) 8½-10½ Ax in Fw; (7) lobe of hamule pointed rather than rounded; (8) Abd at most becomes pruinose on S2-4. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters shaded by forest. Usually with coarse detritus and often blackwater, emergent vegetation and a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 300 to 1000 m above sea level, but possibly up to 1800.

Distribution

confirmed: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon


© KD Dijkstra


Leg

Abdominal segments 1-4

Abdominal segment 6 (lateral view)

Thorax (lateral view)

Thorax (dorsal 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 Equateur, Lower Itimbiri © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale,


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


Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, Plateau Batéké - vallée de la Léconi © Mézière, Nicolas

References

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966). Odonata. Exploration Parc National Garamba. Mission H de Saeger, 45, 1-114.
  • Dijkstra, K.-D.B. (2006). Taxonomy and biogeography of Porpax, a dragonfly genus centred in the Congo Basin (Odonata, Libellulidae) Tijdschrift Entomologie, 149, 71-88. [PDF file]

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