Pseudagrion (A) salisburyense Ris, 1921
Slate Sprite
Type locality: M'Fongosi, Natal, South Africa
Diagnosis
Male is similar to P. spernatum by (a) mostly species of open or montane habitats; (b) labrum green to blue; (c) frons, Abd and often head and/or thorax usually pruinose; (d) thorax extensively black, usually with distinct (sometimes pruinose) antehumeral stripes; (e) legs usually at least broadly marked with black. Tarsal claws with small hook or notch beside main hook; (f) cerci short, only slightly longer than paraprocts (lateral view), lower branch only slightly longer than upper, gap between them mere notch or slit, flange of lower branch usually rather prominent and oblique relative to main axis of cercus (dorsal view); (g) paraprocts pointed and up-turned. However, differs by (1) smaller size, Hw 18-23 mm; (2) postclypeus blue with black base, rather than all black; (3) lower branch of cerci rather horizontal (lateral view). [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]
Habitat description
Mostly streams, but also rivers and standing waters, in open landscapes, but sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Often calmer sections (like pools) with emergent vegetation and a sandy, soft (like muddy) and/or possibly gravelly bottom. From 0 to 2600 m above sea level, but mostly between 600 and 1700.
Distribution
Male © Allan Brandon
 Appendages (dorsal view) |
 Appendages (lateral 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):
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Clausnitzer, V. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Clausnitzer, V. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, below Vumba Mts, Burma Valley © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Vumba Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
References
- Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [PDF file]
- Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966). Check-list of dragonflies (Odonata) from Malawi, with description of a new Teinobasis Kirby. Arnoldia, 2, 1-24. [PDF file]
- Ris, F., and Schmidt, E. (1936). Die Pseudagrion-Arten des kontinentalen Afrika. (Insecta, Odonata). [posthumous, Schmidt based on Ris' notes - sp authorship Schmidt] Abhandlungen Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 433, 1-68. [PDF file]
- Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]
Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-31].
