Notiothemis robertsi Fraser, 1944
Western Forestwatcher

Type locality: Lake Victoria, Uganda

Diagnosis

Male differs from N. jonesi by (1) ranging from W Kenya and N Zambia to W Africa; (2) labrum largely black rather than pale; (3) antefrons marked with black band or spots; (4) postdorsal stripes linear rather than triangular, and almost extend to dorsal end of mesepisternum; (5) 3-4 Cux in Hw, rather than 2; (6) apex of cerci slender, rather than with shoe-like thickening. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters, but possibly also streams, shaded by forest. Often pools in stream beds, usually with coarse detritus and often a soft (like muddy) bottom, and probably also overhanging branches. From 0 to 1700 m above sea level, but mostly below 800.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Cameroon; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Ghana; Kenya; Liberia; Nigeria; Republic of Guinea; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; NOT confirmed: Côte d'Ivoire; Central African Republic


Male © Jens Kipping


Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (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):


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Clausnitzer, V. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Lower Lomami

References

  • Fraser, F.C. (1944). A note on the genus Notiothemis Ris, with the description of a new species (Order Odonata). Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London (B), 13, 40-43. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [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]

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