Phyllogomphus bongorum Kipping, Mézière & Dijkstra, 2015
Bongo Leaftail

Type locality: Batéké Plateau, Gabon

Diagnosis

Male is nearest to the sympatric P. annulus by (a) large size, Hw 40.0-40.5 mm (n = 2); (b) the entirely dark brown labrum, clypeus, frons, vertex and occiput with only a narrow green bar centrally across the frons; (c) the smooth border of the occiput without denticles; (d) the complete yellow postdorsal, mesepimeral and metepimeral stripes on the thorax but no antehumeral and metepisternal stripes; (e) the stout posterior hamule with its posterior border semi-circular; (f) the black S4-6 with pairs of yellow basal spots; (g) the uniformly reddish brown S8-10; (h) the many anteriorly-directed denticles on the hump of the dorsal crest of S10; and (j) the brown cerci that are scarcely longer than the epiproct and have broad truncate apices and a rectangularly kinked outer border. However, (1) the posterior hamule is even less drawn out; (2) the yellow basal spots on S4-7 extend onto the underside of the abdomen, i.e. are not interrupted by black ventrally or even completely reduced; (3) the denticles on the hump of S10 are relatively larger and thus fewer in number, i.e. 25-26 instead of 31-42; (4) the lateral excavations of the apical border of S10 lack fringes of hair; (5) the apices of the cerci are even shorter; (6) the ventral flanges of the cerci that can be seen touching each other between the cerci in dorsal view have an acute rather than obtuse border; (7) the ventral tooth of the cerci is long and sharply pointed, rather than round and blunt; and (8) the epiproct is not abruptly widened close to its base, i.e. the subbasal hump visible in lateral view on its dorsal profile in P. annulus is absent. [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Not known well, but probably rivers and streams shaded by (gallery) forest. Probably often with sandy bottom. Recorded at around 400 m above sea level.

Distribution

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.

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/ [2024-10-31].