Anax rutherfordi McLachlan, 1883
Western Orange Emperor
Type locality: Sierra Leone, no locality data available.
Diagnosis
Male belongs to the speratus-group on account of (a) the unmarked frons; (b) the reddish femora contrasting with the black tibiae; (c) the presence of an accessory lamina on S10, a small process visible between the cerci in dorsal view; (d) the cerci with broadened and rounded apices; and (e) the epiproct that is at least half as long as the cerci. Replaces A. speratus from the Cape Verde Islands to Nigeria and possibly further east, the male has (1) smaller size on average, Hw 49-54 mm (n = 5) rather than 52-57 mm (n = 10); (2) the apices of the mid and hind femora and anterio-exterior side of the front femora black, rather than all femora all red; (3) the apical borders of S2-6 without lateral black dots; (4) the basal half of the dorsal ridge on S10 distinctly raised, rather than low and sloping to apex; and (5) the epiproct 60% as long as the cerci, rather than 50%.[Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]
Habitat description
Streams in open landscapes or open areas in forest, but possibly also shaded by gallery forest. Often with emergent and probably aquatic vegetation. From 200 to 1400 m above sea level, but possibly down to sea level.
Distribution
© KD Dijkstra
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.
Barcode specimen(s):
Male; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay
Female; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay
Male; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay
; UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN, UNKNOWN
References
- McLachlan, R. (1883). Two new species of Anax, with notes on other dragonflies of the same genus. Entomological Monthly Magazine, 20, 127-131. [PDF file]
- Calvert, P.P. (1892). Preliminary notes on some African Odonata. Transactions American Entomological Society, 19, 161-164. [PDF file]
- Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
- Sjöstedt, Y. (1909). Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der schwedischen zoologischen Expedition nach dem Kilimandjaro, dem Meru und den umgebenden Massaisteppen Deutsch-Ostafrikas 1905-1906 unter Leitung von Prof. Dr. Yngve Sjöstedt. 14. Pseudoneuroptera. Odonata, 14, 1-52.
Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-11-15].
