Pseudagrion (B) niloticum Dumont, 1978
Nile Sprite

Synonyms:

• scientific: Enallagma caputavis Terzani & Carletti, 1998

Type locality: Giohar, Somalia

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. hamoni by a) face usually reddish, sometimes yellow, postocular spots and antehumeral stripes often present; (b) at least tibiae pale, contrasting with femora when these are dark; (c) lateral lobes of penis drawn out in points, directed away from apex; (d) paraprocts at most slightly longer than cerci; not hatchet-shaped, and with pointed apex (dorsal view). However, differs by (1) less widespread, and ranging from Kenya to NE Africa; (2) face and mesepisternum only with contrasting black traces, antehumeral stripe occupying most of mesepisternum, rather than both being strongly darkened with little contrast; (3) apical lobes of penis short, rather than long; (4) paraprocts curved upwards, without knob, rather than curved backwards with low dorsal knob. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Rivers and streams in open landscapes. Often with emergent vegetation. From 0 to 1300 m above sea level, but mostly below 1000.

Distribution

Appendages (dorsal view)	Appendages (lateral view)
Penis (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.

References

• Dumont, H. J. (1978). On confusion about the identity of Pseudagrion acaciae Foerster, 1906, with the description of P. niloticum spec. nov., and on the identity of P. hamoni Fraser, 1955 (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica, 7, 123-133. [PDF file]
• Clausnitzer, V., and Dijkstra, K.-D.B. (2005). The dragonflies (Odonata) of Ethiopia, with notes on the status of endemic taxa and the description of a new species. Entomologische Zeitschrift, 115, 117-130. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-30].