Syncordulia

Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B., Samways, Michael J. & Simaika, John P., 2007, Two new relict Syncordulia species found during museum and field studies of threatened dragonflies in the Cape Floristic Region (Odonata: Corduliidae), Zootaxa 1467, pp. 19-34 : 21

Key to Syncordulia species

Unique characters of each morphological type in the genus are asterisked: gracilis , serendipator and legator – venator . These are potential autapomorphies of the groups (see Discussion).

1 Synthorax with dark-bordered cream stripes posterior to humeral and metapleural sutures*. Costa pale, contrasting with dark Pt*. Dorsal carina of S2–9 pale* ( Fig. 1 ). ď: Abdomen slender, thickest (indistinctly in dorsal view) at S4–6* ( Fig. 1 ). Cerci only bent toward each other at tips*; epiproct almost as long as cerci, with a pair of small dorsal teeth at about midlength (sometimes lost) and an apical knob* ( Fig. 5 ). Ψ: Vulvar scale with inconspicuous appressed and incurved lateral lobes* ( Fig. 13 )...................... gracilis

- Synthorax rather more uniform, at most darker on sutures. Costa dark, like Pt. Dorsal carina of S2–9 (largely) black ( Figs 2–4 ). ď: Abdomen club-shaped, thickest (in dorsal and lateral view) at S7–8 ( Figs 2– 4 ). Cerci bent toward each other at about midlength, obscuring epiproct in dorsal view; epiproct less than three-quarters as long as cerci, apex without knob but hooked ( Figs 10–12 ). Ψ: Vulvar scale with prominent, often finger- or petal-like, lateral lobes ( Figs 14–16 )......................................................................... 2

2 Pale markings on S3–8 concentrated apically on segments ( Fig. 4 ). ď: Cerci stout, less than 3x as long as S10, robustly angled ventrally near base and laterally near apex*; epiproct bifurcate* ( Fig. 12 ). S1 ventrally without spikes; hamules massive* ( Fig. 8 ). Ψ: Lobes of vulvar scale less than half as long as the distance between their bases ( Fig. 16 ) .................................................................................. serendipator n. sp.

- Pale markings on S3–8 concentrated basally on segments ( Figs 2–3 ). ď: Cerci slender, over 3x as long as S10, at most weakly angled ventrally near midlength and laterally near base*; epiproct triangular ( Figs 10–11 ). S1 ventrally with pair of spikes*; hamules small ( Figs 6–7 ). Ψ: Lobes of vulvar scale over half as long as the distance between their bases* ( Figs 14–15 ) ............................................................................. 3

3 Small dorsal plate at base of each costa is pale, contrasting with dark surroundings. S3–10 brown-yellow, with contrasting narrow black line over dorsal carina and broadly black sides ( Fig. 2 ). Sum of Fw Ax and Px equals 24–28. ď: Cerci not angled laterally; epiproct just under half as long as cerci ( Fig. 10 ). Ventral spikes on S1, border of genital fossa and genital lobe pale, contrasting with dark surroundings; spikes short ( Fig. 6 ). Ψ: Lobes of vulvar scale narrow and finger-like; cerci about 2x as long as S10 ( Fig. 14 ) .... .................................................................................................................................................. legator n. sp.

- Costal plates dark, like surroundings. S3–10 deep red-brown grading into black at base and along dorsal carina; basal black enclosing pairs of contrasting whitish triangular spots ( Fig. 3 ). Sum of Fw Ax and Px equals 28–35. ď: Cerci angled laterally near base; epiproct half as long as cerci or slightly longer ( Fig. 11 ). Ventral spikes on S1, border of genital fossa and genital lobe dark, like surroundings; spikes long ( Fig. 7 ). Ψ: Lobes of vulvar scale broad and petal-like; cerci about as long as S10 ( Fig. 15 ) ......... venator

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Syncordulia male abdomen in dorsal (above) and lateral (below) view. (1) S. gracilis; (2) S. legator n. sp.; (3) S. venator; (4) S. serendipator n. sp.

FIGURES 5 – 8. Syncordulia male secondary genitalia in lateral view. The penis is indicated by dotted lines, as its position is variable. (5) S. gracilis; (6) S. legator n. sp.; (7) S. venator; (8) S. serendipator n. sp.

FIGURES 13 – 16. Syncordulia female abdomen tip in lateral (left) and ventral (right) view. (13) S. gracilis; (14) S. legator n. sp.; (15) S. venator; (16) S. serendipator n. sp.

FIGURES 9 – 12. Syncordulia male appendages in dorsal (left), lateral (right) and ventral (S. serendipator n. sp. only) view. (9) S. gracilis; (10) S. legator n. sp.; (11) S. venator; (12) S. serendipator n. sp.