Genus Zygonychidium Lindley, 1970
streamertails

Type species: Zygonychidium gracile Lindley, 1970

Introduction

The genus is known only from the type series of Z. gracile collected on the Bandama River near Korhogo, northern Côte d’Ivoire, from 1969 to 1972. Probably the species occurs on other large rivers with gallery forest, perhaps from Senegal across to Nigeria or even further east, but has gone unnoticed due to its short flight season in March and April after the first rains and habit of flying 4-8 m high in trees in the late afternoon and before dusk (often in aggregations). Both sexes are medium-sized (hindwing 30-32 mm) dragonflies easily recognized by the streamer-like cerci (almost as long as abdominal segments 7-10 combined in male) and two dark brown bands on the eyes. Contrary to the suggestion made by the generic name, the genus is probably nearest Brachythemis, Parazyxomma, Tholymis and Zyxomma. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Diagnosis

No diagnosis of this genus is presently available. Please refer to the references provided.

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

• Lindley, R.P. (1970). On a new genus and species of libellulid dragonfly from the Ivory Coast. Entomologist, 103, 77-83. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-30].