Eleuthemis libera Dijkstra & Kipping, 2015
Free Firebelly

Type locality: Negage, Angola

Diagnosis

Male is superficially similar to E. buettikoferi by the abdomen being (a) entirely whitish pruinose on the upperside with maturity; and (b) largely orange on the underside. Differs from other Eleuthemis species by (1) the pale labrum with at most a hint of a black border; (2) the pale frons darkened basally at least anteriorly to the lateral ocelli; (3) the uniformly brown occipital triangle; (4) the dark metapleural stripe expanded markedly onto the metepisternum between the metastigma and wing bases, rather than being of fairly even width throughout; (5) the Fw discoidal field with 2 to 5 single cells, rather than entirely of two or more rows of cells, although rarely up to 4 are single in others; (6) the largely pale brown rather than blackish secondary genitalia; (7) the relatively large and less divergent posterior branch of the genital lobe; and (8) the hook of the hamule with a right-angled rather than acute tip. Also notable are (9) the modest size, Hw 23.0-24.0 mm (n = 4) rather than 23.5-26.5 mm (n = 10); and (10) the dark tips of Fw that extend almost halfway along Pt, rather than just touching its distal end. [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Streams shaded by gallery forest. Especially faster sections, usually with overhanging branches and/or submerged roots, and mostly a gravelly and/or probably sandy bottom. From 1100 to 1400 m above sea level.

Distribution

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.

Reference

• Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Mézière, N., and Kipping, J. (2015). Sixty new dragonfly and damselfly species from Africa (Odonata). Odonatologica, 44, 447-678.

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-11-15].