A new species in the genus Amphipteryx Selys, 1853 (Odonata,Amphipterygidae) from Pico Bonito National Park,Honduras

The Mesoamerican damselfly genus Amphipteryx includes four species: Amphipteryx agrioides (Mexico), A. chiapensis (Mexico), A. meridionalis (Honduras) and A. nataliae (Verapaz, Guatemala). We describe a fifth species, Amphipteryx jaroli, from the cloud forest in Pico Bonito National park, Honduras. Additionally we include an up to date key of all species in the genus for both sexes.     

THE FIRST DAMSELFLIES FROM THE LOWERMOST EOCENE OF DENMARK, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBFAMILY (ODONATA, ZYGOPTERA: DYSAGRIONIDAE)

Abstract:  Eodysagrion mikkelseni gen. et sp. nov., type species of the new subfamily Eodysagrioninae, and the dysagrionine Primorilestes madseni sp. nov., the first thaumatoneurid damselflies from the lowermost Eocene of Denmark, are described. They confirm the presence of this American family in the Palaeogene of Western Europe.     

Do different dispersal capacities influence the biogeography of the western Palearctic dragonflies (Odonata)?

The biogeography of the western Palearctic has been intensively studied for more than a century. Recent advances in genetics have allowed the testing of old theories based on distribution patterns, although these analyses are obviously restricted to a reduced number of specific genetic data sets. On the other hand, an increased knowledge on the distributions of species and advances in computer capacities have allowed more detailed biogeographical analyses based on species presence/absence. In the present study, we selected the Odonata as the study group. For all 162 species native to the western Palearctic, we compiled their respective presence or absence in 97 predefined biogeographical regions. Using cluster analyses and principal component analyses, both based on Jaccard similarity coefficients, we analysed the differentiation among these regions and species. In subsequent analyses, the data set was reduced to the Zygoptera, Anisoptera, and the western Palearctic endemics. All analyses consistently showed different faunal regions and faunal elements. In particular, the (1) western and (2) eastern Mediterranean; (3) Central and (4) Northern Europe; and (5) the British Isles were invariably found in all cases. Although the two major Mediterranean regions were characterized by several endemic faunal elements, Northern Europe and the British Isles lacked such elements, but were characterized by faunal compositions strongly deviating from the rest of the western Palearctic region. Moderate differences between Zygoptera and Anisoptera existed, with the latter more clearly redrawing the Mediterranean refuge areas, whereas the former reflected to a greater extent the postglacial expansion patterns from these regions. In general, our findings underline the old biogeographical theories, but refine especially our understanding of the Atlanto‐ and Ponto‐Mediterranean region. Central Europe, comprising the area with the highest species numbers of our whole study region, unravels as a crossroad of postglacial immigrations, but might also represent a region of in situ glacial survival. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 99 , 177–195.     

On the biology of the damselfly Nosoticta kalumburu Watson & Theischinger (Zygoptera: Protoneuridae)

The habitat and the territorial and reproductive behaviours of a recently named Australian protoneurid damselfly, Nososticta kulumburu Watson & Theischinger are described. Nososticta kalumburu breeds in shallow, narrow (<2 m wide) fast-flowing permanent streams in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The presence of suitable perches (protruding rocks or overhanging vegetation) seems to be important in determining its distribution. It is a sexually dimorphic species; males have prominent dark brown spots on the wings and a blue pruinescence, which the females lack. Males are strongly territorial. Territories (radius around I m) are small in both high and low density populations and are defended vigorously against conspecific males. Male courtship behaviour towards potential mates involves a vigorous hovering flight in front of, and by the side of, the female, during which the prominent dark brown spots on all four wings are dispalyed. Mean length of copulation is 15.4 min. Two stages of copulation were recognized. It is thought that the first stage which occupies most time (94.7%) is concerned with removing sperm from previous matings in the usual zygopteran manner. Oviposition begins in tandem in the stems of aquatic macrophytes or the roots of terrestrial plants that hang into thc water. Males exhibit plasticity in post-copulatory guarding bchaviour: in pairs undisturbed during the early stages of oviposition, the male may release the female before the current bout of egg-laying has been completed and attempt to regain a territory. The penis is unusual in having a heavily armoured shaft and two pairs of cornua; it is probably used in sperm removal as well as intromission.