Alcimar do Lago Carvalho

A remarkable new genus and species of dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Libellulidae) from Brazil and notes on its bionomics and phylogenetic affinities

Abstract Orionothemis felixorioni n. gen., n. sp. from Bahia state, Brazil, is described and illustrated from larvae, reared adults and an immature adult male taken in association with its possible larval shuck. This taxon exhibits remarkable features among the Odonata, such as enormous dorsal and lateral spines perpendicular to the body axis, totally fused last abdominal segments in the larva, strongly differentiated and sexually dimorphic posterior legs, and the incompletely chitinized eighth abdominal tergite of the adult. Orionothemis is closely related to Elasmothemis (Neotropical) and Onychothemis (South-East Asia). The larvae were collected in the abundant immersed vegetation in a clear and cool stream in the Brazilian ‘planalto’ (central plateau) in an area that is endangered by deforestation and irrigation. Better knowledge of the libellulid or more generally odonata larvae could help taxonomy and phylogeny of the group.

Aquatic Insects from the Caatinga: checklists and diversity assessments of Ubajara (Ceará State) and Sete Cidades (Piauí State) National Parks, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract Background Diversity and distribution of Neotropical aquatic insects is still poorly known, with many species to be recorded and many others to be described, due to the small number of taxonomists and sparse faunistic studies. This knowledge is especially poor in the Caatinga Domain in Northeastern Brazil, even though, this region may have played an important historical role in the spatial evolution of faunas of forested areas in northern South America. New information Aquatic insect checklists of 96 species from Parque Nacional de Ubajara (Ceará State, Brazil) and 112 species from Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades (Piauí State, Brazil) are presented, representing the following taxa: Elmidae, Epimetopidae, Hydrophilidae, and Torridincolidae (Coleoptera), Hemerodromiinae (Diptera: Empididae), Ephemeroptera, Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha (Hemiptera), Odonata, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. Because of the scarce number of biological inventories in Northeastern Brazil, several new distributional records (of species, genera, and families) for Brazil, Northeastern Brazil, and Ceará and Piauí states are provided. In addition, several undescribed species were detected, being 26 from Ubajara and 20 from Sete Cidades. Results represent a significant increase to the known fauna of these states, ranging from 13%-70% increase for Ceará and 41% to 91% increase for Piauí. Although both parks are relatively close to each other and within the Caatinga domain, their aquatic fauna display a very high complementarity (89% species), possibly due to structural differences of water bodies sampled in each park. Rarefaction curves based on quantitative light trap samples suggest a much higher expected species richness of aquatic insects at Sete Cidades than at Ubajara National Park. Discussion on biogeographical affinities of this sample of the Caatinga fauna is provided.

Odonata of Itatira, a Brazilian semi-arid area in the state of Ceará

The present study provides the first odonate survey for the Brazilian Caatinga, including species habitat information. Specimens were collected during five days in both dry and rainy seasons of 2011 in the municipality of Itatira, state of Ceará, located in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Adult individuals of 37 species were documented, the highest richness value thus far recorded for the region. Individuals of the majority of the species were recovered from small, temporary water bodies. In general, the local odonate community is composed of species with wide continental distributions, with the exception of Macrothemis lutea, M. griseofrons and Erythrodiplax leticia, which are restricted to northeastern Brazil. New occurrences and expanded distribution ranges of species are discussed.

When rare is just a matter of sampling: unexpected dominance of clubtail dragonflies (Odonata, Gomphidae) through different collecting methods at Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

When rare is just a matter of sampling: Unexpected dominance of clubtail dragonflies (Odonata, Gomphidae) through different collecting methods at Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Capture of dragonfly adults during two short expeditions to Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais State, using three distinct collecting methodsaerial nets, Malaise and light sheet trapsis reported. The results are outstanding due the high number of species of Gomphidae (7 out of 26 Odonata species), including a new species of Cyanogomphus Selys, 1873, obtained by two non-traditional collecting methods. Because active collecting with aerial nets is the standard approach for dragonfly inventories, we discuss some aspects of the use of traps, comparing our results with those in the literature, suggesting they should be used as complementary methods in faunistic studies. Furthermore, Zonophora campanulata annulata Belle, 1983 is recorded for the first time from Minas Gerais State and taxonomic notes about Phyllogomphoides regularis (Selys, 1873) and Progomphus complicatus Selys, 1854 are also given.

Castoraeschna corbeti sp. nov. from Floresta Nacional de Carajés, Paré state, Brazil (Odonata: Aeshnidae)

Abstract Castoraeschna corbeti sp. nov. is described and diagnosed based on four males (holo- type: Brazil, Para State, Floresta Nacional de Carajás [6°06′13.9″S, 50°08′13.1″W, ca 600 m a.s.l.], 28 ix 2007 to be deposited in Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro). This species is similar to C. longfieldae and C. coronata but can be distinguished mainly by the absence of medio-dorsal spots on S8; postero-dorsal spots on S8-9 very narrow; cerci external margin almost straight in lateral view, without a distinct angulation between stem and base of lamina; cerci apex blunt. The probable ultimate stadium larva is described based on two individuals, male and female, collected at the type locality. Adults were observed flying along margins of a small shaded second-order stream where the larvae were taken. The surrounding forest is under impact of iron ore extraction and will probably disappear in the next years.