Epipleoneura spatulata Rácenis, 1960

Pessacq, Pablo, 2014, Synopsis of Epipleoneura (Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae, “ Protoneuridae ”), with emphasis on its Brazilian species, Zootaxa 3872 (3), pp. 201-234 : 228

Epipleoneura spatulata Rácenis, 1960

( Fig. 26 )

Epipleoneura spatulata Rácenis 1960: 35 –37, figs. 3a–b (new species, description of male, illustration of male S 10 in posterior and lateral view, type material at MIZA). Garrison et al. 2010: 352, 355, fig. 2352 (included in list of species, illustrations of epiproct in posterior view).

Diagnosis. The cercus of this species ( Fig.26 ) is similar to that of E. angeloi , E. haroldoi , E. manauensis , and E. williamsoni , and is described under the first species. Epipleoneura spatulata is most similar to E. williamsoni and E. angeloi ( Figs. 23 and 24 ) in general conformation of cercus and epiproct but can be distinguished from them by the shorter cercus, the ventral branch directed posteriorly and flattened dorso-ventrally and the shorter epiproct branches. Genital ligula not described. Female unknown.

Distribution. Southern Venezuela, Amazonas State (type locality, Minisia de Orinoco, about 03º56’N, 67º26’W).

Notes. In my brief visit to MIZA ( Venezuela) in 2009, I examined the holotype of E. spatulata in order to include it in a cladistics analysis. I registered the presence of a small black spine close to apex on inner margin of cercus dorsal branch, a character also found in E. albuquerquei , E. angeloi , and E. williamsoni , the last two closely related species. Unfortunately, I only made a schematic drawing of its genital ligula that does not allow for clear identification of specific characters.

Figures

FIGURES 25 – 27. Male caudal appendages, 25 a: cercus dorsal view, 25 b: cercus inner view, 25 c: cercus lateral view, 25 d: epiproct posterior view, 25 e: caudal appendages latero-posterior view, 26 – 27 a: lateral view; b: posterior view, c: lateroposterior view. Figure 25 e original drawings by R. W. Garrison, modified by the author.

FIGURES 22 – 24. Male caudal appendages, a: lateral view; b: posterior view, c: latero-posterior view. SS: subapical spine.