Anax gladiator Dijkstra & Kipping, 2015
Swordbearer Emperor

Type locality: Upemba NP, Kabwekanono, DRC

Diagnosis

Male belongs to the speratus-group on account of (a) the unmarked frons; (b) the reddish femora contrasting with the black tibiae; (c) the presence of an accessory lamina on S10, a small process visible between the cerci in dorsal view; (d) the cerci with broadened and rounded apices; and (e) the epiproct that is at least half as long as the cerci. Most recalls the sympatric A. speratus by (f) the entirely orange to red abdomen. However, is (1) smaller on average, Hw 49.0-54.0 mm (n = 12) rather than 52.0-57.0 mm (n = 11); (2) with maturity the frons and thorax remain green, rather than becoming orange to reddish; (3) the apical borders of S2-6 lack lateral black dots; (4) S10 has its dorsal ridge raised into a high triangular spike, rather than low and sloping down to apex; and (5) the epiproct is well over half as long as the cerci, rather than about half. [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Streams in open landscapes. Often boggy with blackwater and emergent vegetation. From 1200 to 1800 m above sea level.

Distribution

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):

Reference

• Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Mézière, N., and Kipping, J. (2015). Sixty new dragonfly and damselfly species from Africa (Odonata). Odonatologica, 44, 447-678.

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-09].