A remarkable new genus and species of dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Libellulidae) from Brazil and notes on its bionomics and phylogenetic affinities

Abstract

Abstract. Orionothemis felixorioni n. gen., n. sp. from Bahia state, Brazil, is described and illustrated from larvae, reared adults and an immature adult male taken in association with its possible larval shuck. This taxon exhibits remarkable features among the Odonata, such as enormous dorsal and lateral spines perpendicular to the body axis, totally fused last abdominal segments in the larva, strongly differentiated and sexually dimorphic posterior legs, and the incompletely chitinized eighth abdominal tergite of the adult. Orionothemis is closely related to Elasmothemis (Neotropical) and Onychothemis (South-East Asia). The larvae were collected in the abundant immersed vegetation in a clear and cool stream in the Brazilian 'planalto' (central plateau) in an area that is endangered by deforestation and irrigation. Better knowledge of the libellulid or more generally odonata larvae could help taxonomy and phylogeny of the group.

Navicordulia aemulatrix sp. nov. (Odonata, Corduliidae) from northeastern Santa Catarina State, Brazil

“…Vick & Chelmick (2001). *Fleck et al (2009) cited two new species of Aeschnosoma from Bahia, however its inclusion pending a formal description. Navicordulia may be due the weak level of sclerotization of this sclerite.…”

Carajathemis simone, new genus and species from Brazil (Odonata: Libellulidae)

“…Since then the number of genera continually increased until the end of the decade of 1950 when 90% of the presently accepted genera had been described. From then on, the erection of new libellulid genera occurred sporadically and only four genera have been erected in the Neotropical region in the last 65 years: Nothodiplax, Elasmothemis, Garrisonia and Orionothemis, respectively described by Belle (1984), Westfall (1988), Penalva and Costa (2007) and Fleck et al (2009). Among the Odonata material that I received from Carajás, state of Pará, called my attention a very large and laterally striped libellulid collected in a "canga" (laterite) lake within the forest, clearly an undescribed genus and species.…”

Preliminary notes on the genusAeschnosomaSelys 1870 (Odonata: Anisoptera: Corduliidaes. str.)

“…inhabit an area under severe agro-industrial pressure (Andrade et al 2002). Th is region, which is still not protected by any conservation units, shows a high diversity and the unique fauna observed until now implies that preservation actions should be urgently undertaken (see Fleck et al 2009). A. louissiriusi n. sp.…”