Sunday, April 30, 2017

[Entomology • 2017] The Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Angola


Figure 5: Photographs of some of Angola’s (near) endemic dragonflies and damselflies.
Angola Sparklewing (Umma feminaHighland Blue Jewel (Platycypha bamptoniAngola Blue Jewel (Platycypha croceaBlue Wisp (Agriocnemis angolensisSarep Sprite (Pseudagrion sarepiEstes’s Sprite (Pseudagrion estesi
(a S. Fernandes Elizalde b–f J. Kipping g W. Tarboton, h K.D. Dijkstra). 

Abstract
Prior to 2012, only 158 species of Odonata were known from Angola. Surveys in 2012 and 2013 added 76 species and two further additions in 2016 brought the national total to 236 species. We provide a revised checklist with taxonomic notes and discuss the history of research, the biogeography of the fauna, and the potential for further discoveries. The national total is likely to be above 300 species. This would make Angola one of the richest countries for Odonata in Africa. The endemic species formerly classified in Chlorocypha are transferred to Platycypha.

Keywords: Africa, biogeography, checklist, diversity, conservation


Figure 5: Photographs of some of Angola’s (near) endemic dragonflies and damselflies. Angola Sparklewing (Umma feminaHighland Blue Jewel (Platycypha bamptoniAngola Blue Jewel (Platycypha croceaBlue Wisp (Agriocnemis angolensis)
 (a S. Fernandes Elizalde b–f J. Kipping g W. Tarboton, h K.D. Dijkstra).  

Figure 5: Photographs of some of Angola’s (near) endemic dragonflies and damselflies.  Sarep Sprite (Pseudagrion sarepiEstes’s Sprite (Pseudagrion estesiAngola Sprite (Pseudagrion angolenseSunrise Firebelly (Eleuthemis eogaster)
(a S. Fernandes Elizalde b–f J. Kipping g W. Tarboton, h K.D. Dijkstra).  

Figure 5: Photographs of some of Angola’s (near) endemic dragonflies and damselflies. Angola Sparklewing (Umma feminaHighland Blue Jewel (Platycypha bamptoniAngola Blue Jewel (Platycypha croceaBlue Wisp (Agriocnemis angolensisSarep Sprite (Pseudagrion sarepiEstes’s Sprite (Pseudagrion estesiAngola Sprite (Pseudagrion angolenseSunrise Firebelly (Eleuthemis eogaster)
(a S. Fernandes Elizalde b–f J. Kipping g W. Tarboton, h K.D. Dijkstra). 


Jens Kipping, Viola Clausnitzer, Sara R. F. Fernandes Elizalde and Klaas-Douwe B. Dijkstra. 2017. The Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Angola. African Invertebrates. 58(1); 65-91. DOI:  10.3897/AfrInvertebr.58.11382


Resumo: Até 2012, apenas eram conhecidas 158 espécies de Odonata em Angola. Levantamentos feitos em 2012 e 2013 acrescentaram 76 espécies que, em conjunto com dois novos registos de 2016, elevaram a lista nacional a 236 espécies. Apresentamos uma lista de referência revista, com notas taxonómicas e discussão histórica da investigação, a biogeografia da fauna e o potencial de novas descobertas. É provável que o número total de espécies no país seja superior a 300. Se assim for, Angola será um dos países africanos com maior riqueza em Odonata. As espécies endémicas anteriormente classificadas como Chlorocypha foram transferidas para Platycypha.

Palavras-chave: África, biogeografia, checklist, diversidade, conservação