Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Africa’s smallest damselfly—a new Agriocnemis from Namibia (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Organisms Diversity & Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Agriocnemis bumhilli sp. n., a new damselfly from the Kwando River in northeastern Namibia is described. The new species is similar to Agriocnemis angolensis but characterized by unique male appendages, swollen abdominal segments 9 and 10, the complete absence of antehumeral stripes, and smaller size. The species is illustrated and a photograph is provided. For comparison, an illustrated key to the other members of Agriocnemis within south-central Africa is provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

Fw:

Forewing(s)

Hw:

Hindwing(s)

Pt:

Pterostigma

Ax:

Antenodal cross-vein(s)

Px:

Postnodal cross-vein(s)

S1–10:

First–tenth abdominal segment

NMNW:

National Museum of Namibia Windhoek

RMNH:

Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis Leiden

The term cerci is used for male superior anal appendages the term paraproct for the male inferior anal appendages. The gender symbols (♂ for male, ♀ for female) are used when appropriate.

References

  • d’Andrea, M., & Carfi, S. (1997). Nuove raccolte di odonati del Camerun con note su Agriocnemis maclachlani Sélys, 1877 e descrizione di Agriocnemis dissimilis sp. nov. e Trithemis osvaldae sp. nov. Atti della Società Italiana di Scienze Naturali e del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale de Milano, 136, 157–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dijkstra, K.-D. B. (2007a). The name-bearing types of Odonata held in the Natural Museum of Zimbabwe, with systematic notes on Afrotropical taxa. Part 2: Zygoptera and description of new species. International Journal of Odonatology, 10, 137–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dijkstra, K.-D.B. (2007b). Demise and rise: the biogeography and taxonomy of the Odonata of tropical Africa. In: K.-D.B. Dijkstra (ed.), Demise and rise: the biogeography and taxonomy of the Odonata of tropical Africa. PhD Thesis, Leiden University. 143–187.

  • Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Boudot, J.-P., Clausnitzer, V., Kipping, J., Kisakye, J.J., Ogbogu, S.S., Samraoui, B., Samways, M.J., Schütte, K., Simaika, J.P., Suhling, F. & Tchibozo, S.L. (2011) Dragonflies and Damselflies of Africa (Odonata): history, diversity, distribution, and conservation. In: Darwall, W.R.T., Smith, K.G., Allen, D.J., Holland, R.A., Harrison, I.J. & Brooks, E.G.E. (eds.) The diversity of life in African freshwaters: under water, under threat. An analysis of the status and distribution of freshwater species throughout mainland Africa. Cambridge, UK and Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. xiii+347pp+4pp cover.

  • Dumont, H. J. (1974). Agriocnemis sania Nielsen, 1959 (Odonata: Zygoptera), with a redescription of the species and distributional and ecological notes. Israel Journal of Zoology, 23, 125–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kipping, J. (2010). The dragonflies and damselflies of Botswana – an annotated checklist with notes on distribution, phenology, habitats and Red List status of the species (Insecta: Odonata). Mauritiana (Altenburg), 21, 126–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martens, A., Jödicke, R., & Suhling, F. (2003). Annotated checklist of the Odonata of Namibia. Cimbebasia, 18, 139–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinhey, E. C. G. (1974). A revision of the African Agriocnemis Selys and Mortonagrion Fraser (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Occasional Papers of the National Museums and Monuments of Rhodesia, Series B, 5, 171–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinhey, E. C. G. (1984). A check-list of the Odonata of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Smithersia, 3, 1–64

  • Schorr, M., & Paulson, D. (2012). World Odonata List. – downloaded 30 v 2012 from http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/biodiversity-resources/dragonflies/world-odonata-list/.

  • Suhling, F., & Martens, A. (2007). A field guide to the dragonflies of Namibia. Windhoek: Gamsberg McMillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suhling, F., Kipping, J., Simaika, J.P. & Samways, M.J. (2009). Status and distribution of the Odonata in southern Africa. In: Darwall, W.R.T., Smith, K.G., Tweddle, D. & Skelton, P. (eds.) The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in southern Africa. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and Grahamstown, South Africa: SAIAB. viii+120pp.

  • USGS EROS. United States Geological Survey's Center for Earth Observation and Science (USGS EROS): HYDRO1k Elevation Derivative Database for Africa. Available at: http://edc.usgs.gov/products/elevation/gtopo30/hydro/index.html

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are very grateful to Ole Müller and K.-D.B. Dijkstra for producing the drawings. H. Fliedner gave some advice on latin grammar for scientific names.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Naturkundemuseum Mauritianum Altenburg, Parkstrasse 1, 04600, Altenburg, Germany

    Jens Kipping

  2. Pädagogische Hochschule Karlsruhe, Bismarckstrasse 10, 76133, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Andreas Martens

  3. Institut für Geoökologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19C, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany

    Frank Suhling

Authors
  1. Jens Kipping
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andreas Martens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Frank Suhling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jens Kipping.

Additional information

This paper is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Michael L. May in honour of his work on Odonata taxonomy.

This is a contribution to the Festschrift for Michael L. May.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kipping, J., Martens, A. & Suhling, F. Africa’s smallest damselfly—a new Agriocnemis from Namibia (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Org Divers Evol 12, 301–306 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-012-0084-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-012-0084-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation