Natalia von Ellenrieder

Blues for the red Oxyagrion: a redefinition of the genera Acanthagrion and Oxyagrion (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Abstract Examination of diagnostic features for all known species of Acanthagrion and Oxyagrion shows color pattern alone not to be a reliable diagnostic character. Both genera are redefined based on morphological characters, and some color pattern characters which further aid in their diagnoses. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis indicates both genera are monophyletic. They are distinguished from other genera of neotropical coenagrionids by their decumbent cerci with a dorso-basal tubercle in males correlated with the presence of paired mesepisternal fossae in females. Acanthagrion and Oxyagrion can be unequivocally distinguished from each other by the minimum width of abdomen, shape of distal portion of genital ligula and position of lateral lobes of genital ligula relative to flexure in males, development of mesepisternal carinae and of dark mid-dorsal and humeral stripes in females, and ratio of caudal lamellae to abdominal length in ultimate larval instars. According to our redefinition we transfer A. ablutum (a ‘blue’ species), A. hermosae and A. imeriense to Oxyagrion, and O. egleri to Acanthagrion. The generic placement of ‘A.’ taxaense and ‘O.’ pseudocardinale is deemed doubtful.

A redefinition of Telagrion Selys and Aceratobasis Kennedy stat. rev. and the description of Schistolobos gen. nov. for Telagrion boliviense Daigle (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Abstract The species currently included in Telagrion Selys are found to belong to three different genera: Telagrion sensu stricto, monotypic, including only the type species T. longum Selys, Schistolobos gen. nov., also monotypic, including Telagrion boliviense Daigle, and Aceratobasis Kennedy, resurrected to include Metaleptobasis cornicauda Calvert (type species), Agrion macilentum Rambur, Telagrion mourei Santos and T. nathaliae Lencioni. Synonymic lists, diagnoses, illustrations and distribution maps for the three genera and a key for species of Aceratobasis are provided.

The levis group of Orthemis revisited: a synopsis including a synonymy and description of six new species of Orthemis from South America (Odonata: Libellulidae)

The levis and ferruginea groups of Orthemis are redefined. Six new species of Orthemis are described: O. aciculata sp. nov. (♂ holotype: Surinam, Para Dist., road near forest, Zanderij I (5°32′ N, 55°10′ W), 17 January 1957, leg. J. Belle [RMNH]), O. celata sp. nov. (♂ holotype: Brazil, Pará State, Rio Gurupí, Canindé (0°30′57′ ′ S, 51°14′00′ ′ W), 27–28 February 1966, leg. B. Malkin [RMNH]), O. faaseni sp. nov. (♂ holotype: Brazil, Rondônia State, Porto Velho (8°46′ S, 63°54′ W), 28 February 1922, leg. J.H. Williamson & J.W. Strohm [UMMZ]), O. garrisoni sp. nov. (♂ holotype: Panama, Panamá Prov., 7 km NW of Gamboa, Pipeline Road, trail near palm forest, 30 July 1979, leg. RWG & J.A. Garrison [FSCA]), O. paulsoni sp. nov. (♂ holotype: Ecuador, Sucumbíos Prov., forest trail ca. 3 km W of Shushufindi (0°09′59′ ′ N, 76°41′30′ ′ W), 14 October 2009, leg. K.J. Tennessen [FSCA]), and O. teres sp. nov. (♂ holotype: Bolivia, Cochabamba Dept., Chapare, Cristal Mayo (17°00′57′ ′ N, 65°38′09′ ′ W), October/November 1994, leg. R. Andreas [FSCA]). Orthemis plaumanni Buchholz is found to be a junior synonym of O. ambinigra Calvert. A lectotype is designated for O. concolor Ris. All species of the levis group and the new species of the ferruginea group described here are diagnosed, illustrated, mapped, and keyed.

Phoenicagrion gen. nov. for Leptagrion flammeum, with description of a new species, P. paulsoni, from Peru (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Abstract The placement of Leptagrion flammeum in Aeolagrion is confirmed to be incorrect; comparison with all other described genera of New World Coenagrionidae shows that this species does not belong in any of them. A new genus, Phoenicagrion (type species L. flammeum), is here described to include L. flammeum and a new species, P. paulsoni (holotype ♂: Peru, Loreto department, Río Napo 50 km above Río Amazonas, 3°12′S, 72°57′W, 22 iii 2004, in UMMZ). A generic characterization, diagnoses, illustrations and distribution maps are provided.Abstract The placement of Leptagrion flammeum in Aeolagrion is confirmed to be incorrect; comparison with all other described genera of New World Coenagrionidae shows that this species does not belong in any of them. A new genus, Phoenicagrion (type species L. flammeum), is here described to include L. flammeum and a new species, P. paulsoni (holotype ♂: Peru, Loreto department, Rio Napo 50 km above Rio Amazonas, 3°12′S, 72°57′W, 22 iii 2004, in UMMZ). A generic characterization, diagnoses, illustrations and distribution maps are provided.

A synopsis of the South American genus Gomphomacromia (Odonata: Gomphomacromiinae)

Abstract Gomphomacromia mexicana is shown to be a junior synonym of G. chilensis based on a comparison of the holotype male with the original description of G. chilensis and specimens identified as that species from Chile. Examination of a large series of specimens from central and southern Chile and Argentina identified both as G. paradoxa and G. etcheverryi shows the proposed diagnostic characters for the two taxa variable, thus G. etcheverryi is considered a junior synonym of G. paradoxa. Illustrated keys, distribution maps and a cladistic analysis for the four known species of the genus are provided.

Odonata biodiversity of the Argentine Chaco biome

Abstract Odonates of small temporary pools, marshes, large permanent ponds, oxbow lakes, dams, and perennial rivers were sampled in the semiarid Chaco biome of NW Argentina between September 2007 and December 2008. Information from 35 localities yielded 60 species; presence/absence information of species was recorded in a spatial-relational database. Alpha, beta, and gamma diversity and total species richness expected for the area were estimated, and structure of Chaco odonate assemblages was preliminarily analyzed using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination. Species composition was found to be related to both habitat type and longitudinal sector. Some species that might be indicative of habitat type were identified.—In order to analyze the distribution and biogeography of the odonates of the Chaco biome in Argentina, collections and literature were also examined, adding 58 localities (93 total) and 28 species (88 total). Odonate diversity of the Chaco was compared with that of neighboring Y...Abstract Odonates of small temporary pools, marshes, large permanent ponds, oxbow lakes, dams, and perennial rivers were sampled in the semiarid Chaco biome of NW Argentina between September 2007 and December 2008. Information from 35 localities yielded 60 species; presence/absence information of species was recorded in a spatial-relational database. Alpha, beta, and gamma diversity and total species richness expected for the area were estimated, and structure of Chaco odonate assemblages was preliminarily analyzed using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination. Species composition was found to be related to both habitat type and longitudinal sector. Some species that might be indicative of habitat type were identified.—In order to analyze the distribution and biogeography of the odonates of the Chaco biome in Argentina, collections and literature were also examined, adding 58 localities (93 total) and 28 species (88 total). Odonate diversity of the Chaco was compared with that of neighboring Yungas and Paranense biomes by means of percent complementarity and cluster analysis, which showed Chaco odonate composition to be slightly more similar to that of the Yungas than to the Paranense biome, and W and E Chaco sectors to be more similar between them than with either of the two neighboring biomes. Most odonate species found in the Chaco are vagile and more widely distributed in the Neotropical region, with only four potential endemics.

Five new species of Orthemis from South America (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Abstract Five new species of the levis-group of Orthemis, O. cinnamomea (holotype ♂ in USNM: Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Explorers Inn on Río Tambopata, 12°50′S, 69°17′W, 300 m, 23 vii 2002, leg. D. Paulson & N. Smith), O. coracina (holotype ♂ in USNM: Ecuador, Sucumbios Province, Limoncocha, 00°24′S, 76°36′W, 300 m, 23 vii 1977, leg. D. Paulson), O. harpago (holotype ♂ in USNM: Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Explorers Inn on Rio Tambopata, 12°30′S, 69°12′W, 300 m, 17 vi 1977, leg. D. Paulson), O. philipi (holotype ♂ in MLP: Argentina, Salta Province, pond at route 15 between route 5 and Las Varas, 23°21′S, 64°08′W, 392 m, 23 v 2008, leg. N. von Ellenrieder), and O. tambopatae (holotype ♂ in USNM: Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Explorers Inn on Rio Tambopata, 12°30′S, 69°12′W, 300 m, 16 vi 1977, leg. D. Paulson), are described, illustrated, and diagnosed. A key for all species of the levis-group of Orthemis is provided.Abstract Five new species of the levis-group of Orthemis, O. cinnamomea (holotype ♂ in USNM: Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Explorers Inn on Rio Tambopata, 12°50′S, 69°17′W, 300 m, 23 vii 2002, leg. D. Paulson & N. Smith), O. coracina (holotype ♂ in USNM: Ecuador, Sucumbios Province, Limoncocha, 00°24′S, 76°36′W, 300 m, 23 vii 1977, leg. D. Paulson), O. harpago (holotype ♂ in USNM: Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Explorers Inn on Rio Tambopata, 12°30′S, 69°12′W, 300 m, 17 vi 1977, leg. D. Paulson), O. philipi (holotype ♂ in MLP: Argentina, Salta Province, pond at route 15 between route 5 and Las Varas, 23°21′S, 64°08′W, 392 m, 23 v 2008, leg. N. von Ellenrieder), and O. tambopatae (holotype ♂ in USNM: Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Explorers Inn on Rio Tambopata, 12°30′S, 69°12′W, 300 m, 16 vi 1977, leg. D. Paulson), are described, illustrated, and diagnosed. A key for all species of the levis-group of Orthemis is provided.

Taxonomy of the South American genus Phyllopetalia (Odonata: Austropetaliidae)

Abstract This synopsis of adult Phyllopetalia includes the synonymy of four genera (Phyllopetalia senior subjective synonym of Rheopetalia, Odontopetalia, Eurypetalia and Ophiopetalia), four species and one subspecies (P. apicalis senior subjective synonym of Rheopetalia rex and R. apicalis decorata, and P. pudu senior subjective synonym of Ophiopetalia araucana, O. auregaster and O. Diana). P. excrescens and P. altarensis are redescribed, and a neotype is designated for the latter. Keys to adults, illustrations of all diagnostic characters, and distribution maps of all species are provided.Abstract This synopsis of adult Phyllopetalia includes the synonymy of four genera (Phyllopetalia senior subjective synonym of Rheopetalia, Odontopetalia, Eurypetalia and Ophiopetalia), four species and one subspecies (P. apicalis senior subjective synonym of Rheopetalia rex and R. apicalis decorata, and P. pudu senior subjective synonym of Ophiopetalia araucana, O. auregaster and O. Diana). P. excrescens and P. altarensis are redescribed, and a neotype is designated for the latter. Keys to adults, illustrations of all diagnostic characters, and distribution maps of all species are provided.

The true Argia difficilis Selys, 1865, with the description of Argia yungensis sp. nov. (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Abstract Argia yungensis sp. nov., a new species close to Argia difficilis, is described. Both species are illustrated and diagnosed and their distributions mapped. They can be distinguished by the morphology of male tori, cerci and paraproct, and female prothorax. Their distributions are allopatric, with Argia yungensis distributed along the foothill jungle of the Yungas rain forest from NW Argentina to Peru, and A. difficilis from Peru and Brazil to Venezuela across the lowland Amazon forest. Argia extranea forficula Fraser is synonymyzed with A. difficilis, and the latter is redescribed.

Dolonagrion nov. gen. for Telagrion fulvellum from South America (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Abstract Based on examination of the syntype female of Telagrion fulvellum which we designate as lectotype, and its comparison with additional male and female specimens from Peru, this species is assigned to a new genus, Dolonagrion, and both sexes are redescribed, diagnosed, and illustrated.