ODONATOLOGICA Journal of the Societas Internationalis Odonatologica

Contents Volume 30, Issue 1 2001

Martens, A. In memory of Elliot Charles Gordon Pinhey (10 July 1910 - 7 May 1999) pp. 1-11.

Artiss, T. Structure and function of male genitalia in Libellula, Ladona and Plathemis (Anisoptera: Libellulidae) pp. 13-27. Male genitalia of 25 spp. are studied using scanning electron microscopy, and the structure of the fourth penile segment is described. Remarkable diversity exists among spp., particularly in the size and shape of the lateral lobes, and the morphology of the cornua. There are also differences in the number of cornua among the taxa surveyed. The surface of the lobes of many spp. is covered with spines which anchor the penis during copulation, and may trap and remove sperm when the penis is collapsed and withdrawn following copulation. Spp. are categorized according to the morphology of the penis and inferred patterns of sperm removal. Type 1 taxa possess relatively large, broad, flat lateral lobes, and lack cornua, or possess cornua that are greatly reduced in size. These spp. are believed to displace sperm in the bursa copulatrix before depositing their own sperm, thereby gaining positional priority during oviposition. Type 2 spp. possess elongated lateral lobes and/or cornua. These taxa are believed to engage in a mixed strategy of sperm displacement and sperm removal. Optimization of these characters on a phylogeny of the 3 genera indicates that the Type 1 sperm displacement strategy is ancestral, and that the Type 2 strategy was subsequently derived within the majority of the Libellula s.s. taxa.

Brooks, S. J.; Jackson, K. A. The Odonata of Bioko, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, with the description of fan-shaped setae on early instar Libellulidae larvae pp. 29-38. A checklist of 48 spp. recorded from the island of Bioko (3degree30'N 8degree40'E), based on historical records compiled by Dr Elliot Pinhey and augmented by a collection made in March-April 1999, is presented, together with notes on the distribution of the spp. on the island. The Odonata fauna apparently comprises 2 elements, an upland fauna which includes 6 spp. that only occur above 500 m, and a lowland fauna of 17 spp., none of which occurs above 500 m. A further 13 spp. have been found in both lowland and upland sites. There are insufficient published data on the remaining 13 spp. to assign them to either of these faunistic elements. In addition, unique fan-shaped setae on the dorsum of the head, thorax and abdomen of early instar libellulid larvae are described. These setae are thought to be mechano-receptors that are held above the sediment to detect the presence of prey and current flow while the larva remains buried.

Chelmick, D. G. Larvae of the genus Aeshna Fabricius in Africa south of the Sahara (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) pp. 39-47. 9 spp. have been recorded from sub-Saharan Africa, of which only 5 spp. have been described as larvae. A more complete larval description of A. scotias Pinhey from Cameroon and a review of the current level of information on the larvae of the genus in the region, are provided here, and the known larvae are keyed.

Clausnitzer, V. Notes on the species diversity of East African Odonata, with a checklist of species pp. 49-66. Preliminary considerations concerning the species diversity of East African dragonflies and the problems of identifying and using such diversity figures are given. For a detailed approach the basic problem is lack of sufficient data in that area. A checklist of species recorded so far for East Africa is given. Looking at pure species number in relation to area, Uganda is definitely more important for dragonfly diversity than its eastern neighbouring countries. If taking endemism and taxonomic singularity into account, the coastal forests of Tanzania and Kenya are very important too.

O'Neill, G. ; Paulson, D. R. An annotated list of Odonata collected in Ghana in 1997, a checklist of Ghana Odonata, and comments on West African odonate biodiversity and biogeography pp. 67-86. Collections were made at 8 localities in southern Ghana during the summer of 1997. Three regions were sampled: coastal savanna, wooded savanna, and rainforest. 71 spp. were collected, 24 of which are new for the country, bringing the Ghana list to 123 spp. A list of spp. known from the country is included. Trithemis dejouxi Pinhey, 1978, is raised to specific rank. Individual variation in Phaon iridipennis and Palpopleura lucia is quantified. West African Odonata biodiversity and biogeography are discussed.

Theischinger, G. Regions of taxonomic disjunction in Australian Odonata and other freshwater insects: Second addendum, with the description of Austroaeschna unicornis pinheyi ssp. nov. (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) pp. 87-96. The information on taxonomic disjunction at the gap between the Paluma Range (ca 19degreeS) and Eugella (ca 21degreeS) of mostly species pairs of Odonata is updated and discussed. The holotype male of A. u. pinheyi ssp. n. comes from Queensland, Carnarvon Gorge (18/21-II-1990), deposited in ANIC, Canberra. A. u. coloola Theischinger and A. u. speciosa Sjostedt are appraised, respectively re-appraised, as distinct species.

Di Domenico, M.; Carchini, G.; Samways, M. J.; Whiteley, G. Description of the last instar larva of Chalcostephia flavifrons Kirby, 1889 and comparison with other Brachydiplactinae (Anisoptera: Libellulidae) pp. 97-101. The morphology of this African sp. is illustrated and described. A comparison is made with other known Brachydiplactinae, the South American Elga leptostyla and Nephepeltia phryne and the African Hemistigma albipuncta. The group is a very heterogenous one in terms of larval morphology.

Martens, A. Oviposition of Coenagriocnemis reuniensis (Fraser) in volcanic rock as an adaptation to an extreme running water habitat (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) pp. 103-109. The sp. inhabits streams and rivers in the mountain forests of the Indian Ocean of La Reunion. Because of heavy seasonal rainfalls and steep inclines, there are drastic changes of water level. As a consequence, no water plants, roots or wet driftwood at all are available for oviposition. The sp. seems to be well adapted to this habitat: females oviposit into wet soft and porous lava stones. The closely related C. insularis and C. rufipes inhabit streams and rivers on Mauritius, where there are less extreme conditions. Both spp. deposit eggs in plant tissue.

Samways, M. J. Aciagrion pinheyi spec. nov. from South Africa (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) pp. 111-116. Aciagrion had until now not been recorded in South Africa. The new sp. from a pan in thick subtropical savanna is described, illustrated and compared with similar congeners. Holotype male, allotype female (in copula): South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal prov., Ndumo Game Reserve, 21-I-2000; deposited at SAM, Cape Town.

Zhou, W.-b.; Wilson, K. D. P. Priscagrion kiautai gen. nov., spec. nov. and P. pinheyi spec. nov., new damselflies from southwestern China (Zygoptera: Megapodagrionidae) pp. 117-121. The new genus is established to receive the 2 new spp., P. kiautai sp. n. (type sp.; holotype male, paratypes of both sexes: China, Guizhou, Chishui Alsophila Nature Reserve, 18-V-2000; deposited at the Zheijang Mus. Nat. Hist., Hangzhou) and P. pinheyi sp. n. (holotype male: China, Guangxi, Damingshan, 13-V-1997, paratypes of both sexes; same locality, 14-V-1997; holotype and 1 female to be deposited at the Tai Lung Experimental Stn, Agriculture and Fisheries Dept, Lin Tong Mei, Sheung Shi, NT, Hong Kong). Priscagrion gen. n. is compared with Arrhenocnemis Lieft. and Mesopodagrion McL.

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