Trithemis morrisoni Damm & Hadrys, 2009
Rapids Dropwing

Type locality: Popa Falls Nature Reserve, Namibia

Diagnosis

Male of this species and the morphologically identical T. palustris is similar to T. stictica by (a) vertex and dorsum of frons metallic blue, with no hint of purple; (b) pruinosity of thorax in life pale blue; (c) 10-12½ Ax in Fw [8½-14½]; (d) Hw often with yellow wash centred on anal loop; (e) anterior lamina anteriorly clothed rather evenly with hair, without distinct apical tuft; hook of hamule with generally finer tip; (f) genital lobe slender, narrower than hamule; (g) Abd mostly slender, S4 at least 3x as long as wide; (h) S4-7 with single or no row of streaks. However, differs by (1) being restricted to Zambia and adjacent Botswana and Namibia; (2) eyes distinctly two-toned, brownish above and bluish below; (3) Hw base often amber; (4) processes of penis widened in middle. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Rivers, and possibly flowing channels in marshes, shaded by gallery forest. Allegedly especially faster sections (rapids), usually with emergent vegetation and often rocks and a sandy bottom. Recorded at around 1000 m above sea level, but possibly up to 1500.

Distribution

confirmed: Namibia; Zambia; NOT confirmed: Botswana

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.


Reference

  • Damm, S., and Hadrys, H. (2009). Trithemis morrisoni sp. nov. and T. palustris sp. nov. from the Okavango and Upper Zambezi Floodplains previously hidden under T. stictica (Odonata: Libellulidae) International Journal of Odonatology, 12, 131–145. [PDF file]

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