Phyllomacromia melania (Selys, 1871)
Sombre Cruiser
Synonyms:
- scientific: P. funicularia (Martin, 1907); P. bredoi (Schouteden, 1934); P. martorelli (Compte Sart, 1964)
- vernacular: Western Unicorn C.
Type locality: Old Calabar, Nigeria
Diagnosis
Male is similar to P. gamblesi and P. monoceros by (a) larger size, Hw 34-42 mm; (b) thorax with 2-3 pale stripes on each side; (c) hook of hamule short, may have 2-3 points, although this is often concealed; (d) dorsum of S10 with peak bearing 1 cone, but without tooth at base of peak; (e) cerci and epiproct both dark cerci; (f) cerci long and slender but with blunt tips. However, differs by (1) antehumeral stripe often absent or reduced to ventral half; (2) border of hamule sharply angled before hook, this hook with 2-3 points; (3) black tip of genital lobe often separated from black on dorsum of S2 by yellow band. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]
Habitat description
Streams shaded by forest, but sometimes also in open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Often with coarse detritus and a sandy, soft (like muddy) and/or probably gravelly bottom, and probably submerged roots. From 0 to 1600 m above sea level.
Distribution
© KD Dijkstra
 Appendages (dorsal view) |
 Appendages (lateral view) |
 Abdominal segment 2 (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):
Female; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Liberia, Grand Gedeh County, Putu Iron Ore Mining concession © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogooué, "Africa No1" (= Station de radiodiffusion de Moyabi) © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & Cédric Vanappelghem
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Kundelungu National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Kundelungu National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Liberia, Nimba County, West Nimba Proposed Forest Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, route Koulamoutou-Pana arpès Dienga © Mézière, Nicolas
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, piste à droite avant africa n°1 (direction franceville) © Mézière, Nicolas, Renoult Julien
Male; Gabon, NGOUNIE, route Mouila-Mimongo © Mézière, Nicolas
Female; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, Africa n°1 © Mézière, Nicolas, Renoult Julien
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Clausnitzer, V. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
References
- de Sélys-Longchamps, E. (1871). Synopsis des Cordulines (en deux parties). Bulletin Academie royale Belgique, 31, 1-128.
- Longfield, C. (1959). The Odonata of N. Angola. Part II. Publicacoes culturais Companhia Diamantes Angola, 45, 13-42. [PDF file]
- Fraser, F.C. (1928). Odonata of the African continent. Transactions Entomological Society London, 76, 123-138. [PDF file]
- Martin, R. (1907). Odonates de la Guinée espagnole. Memorias Sociedad espanola Historia natural, 1, 421-432. [PDF file]
- Gambles, R.M. (1979). West African species of Macromia (Odonata: Corduliidae) belonging to picta and sophia groups. Systematic Entomology, 4, 389-407. [PDF file]
Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-31].
