Aciagrion gracile (Sjöstedt, 1909)
Graceful Slim

Synonyms:

  • scientific: ? A. hamoni sensu Pinhey, 1972 nec Fraser, 1955; ? A. heterosticta Fraser, 1955 ssp. karamoja Pinhey, 1972; ? A. pinheyi Samways, 2001
  • vernacular: Emerald-striped Slim (Sa; pinheyi)

Type locality: Usambara Mts, Tanzania

Diagnosis

Male is similar to A. macrootithenae by (a) greater size, Hw 20-25 mm; (b) cerci with rounded apex and tooth-like ventral process close to base and often concealed; (c) paraprocts clearly longer and larger than cerci, with tooth always dorsal and very basal (often concealed in S10) and apex swollen and rounded (lateral and caudal view). However, differs by (1) being widespread; (2) apex of cerci swollen, thus tooth-like ventral process does not extend beyond it. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and mostly temporary waters in open landscapes, but sometimes also in open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation. Inferred to occur from 0 to 2300 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Benin; Côte d'Ivoire; Ethiopia; Ghana; Liberia; Malawi; Mozambique; Nigeria; Republic of Guinea; Republic of South Africa; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe; NOT confirmed: Burundi

Appendages (lateral view)

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, border with Guinea © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Female; Liberia, Nimba County, West Nimba Proposed Forest Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Tanzania, , Dar es Salaam © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, West Nimba Proposed Forest Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay

References

  • 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. 1. Odonata, 14, 1-52.
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1964). Dragonflies (Odonata) of the Angola-Congo borders of Rhodesia. Publicacoes culturais Companhia Diamantes Angola, 63, 95-130. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1972). The genus Aciagrion Selys (Odonata). Occasional Papers National Museums Rhodesia B Natural Science, 5, 1-59. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-19].