Notogomphus gorilla Dijkstra

Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B., Kipping, Jens & Mézière, Nicolas, 2015, Sixty new dragonfly and damselfly species from Africa (Odonata), Odonatologica 44 (4), pp. 447-678 : 571-573

Notogomphus gorilla Dijkstra sp. nov. – Gorilla Longleg (Type Photo 33, Figs 18, 19)

Taxonomy

Pinhey (1961 b) described a pair of »large Notogomphus , closely allied to butoloensis « from Bwamba Forest (= Semliki National Park) in western Uganda under the name N. leroyi . NMBZ has the male of this pair and two from sites nearby, all identified as N. leroyi . These agree with two large males collected recently in south-western Uganda. The holotypes of N. butoloensis Fraser, 1952 ( BMNH) and N. leroyi ( MRAC) are similar in their moderate size, markings ( Fig. 18), clubbed abdomen and distinctive appendages ( Fig. 19). While apparently conspecific with each other [new synonymy], they differ from the large males. The female holotype of N. anaci Fraser, 1955 ( MRAC) is large and from the same type locality as N. leroyi . Three matching topotypical males agree with the holotypes of N. spinosus ( ZMHB) and N. verschuereni (Schouteden, 1934) ( MRAC) in their large size, facial markings ( Fig. 18), appendages ( Fig. 19), and unique green dorsum of S 2 with only two apical black marks. The head structure and vulvar scale, as well as size and coloration, of the N. anaci holotype and topotypical females of N. spinosus in ZMHB and ISNB also agree. However, while N. anaci and N. verschuereni thus appear conspecific with N. spinosus [new synonymies], Pinhey’s species differs and remains unnamed. No genetic data is available, but the species was treated as distinct by Dijkstra & Clausnitzer (2014) on account of its morphology.

Material studied

Holotype ♂. Uganda, Western Region, Kanungu District, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , Buhoma , Munyaga Valley , Munyaga Stream , 1600 m a.s.l. (0.9916 ° S 29.6083 ° E), 17 -v- 2003, leg. K.-D.B. Dijkstra, ZMMU . Further material. CONGO-KINSHASA (Province Orientale): 1 ♂, Ituri, Mont Hoyo , 1250 m a.s.l., 05-x- 1957, leg. E.S. Ross & R.E. Leech, NMBZ . UGANDA (Western Region): 1 ♂, Kanungu District, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , Buhoma , Munyaga Valley , Bizenga Stream , 1500 m a.s.l. (0.5912 ° S 29.3642 ° E), 2002–2003, leg. J.J. Kisakye & S.G. Kyobe, ZMMU . 1 ♂, Bundibugyo, Bwamba , v- 1954, leg. T.H.E. Jackson, NMBZ . 1 ♂, Kigezi, Kayonzi , v- 1957, leg. unknown, NMBZ .

Genetics

No data available.

Male morphological diagnosis

Nearest to N. leroyi by its dark coloration with (a) largely black lower frons, clypeus and labrum; (b) distinct black interpleural and metapleural stripes on the thorax as well as well-defined pale postdorsal and ante-humeral stripes separated from each other and the pale area of the middorsal carina ( Fig. 18); (c) widely clubbed S 7–9, with S 8 about as long as high or wide; (d)quite uniformly dark rufous S 8–10; and (e) strongly diverging branches of epiproct ( Fig. 19). Differs, and nearer N. spinosus , by its (1) great size, Hw 36.0–38.0 mm (n = 5) rather than 31.0–34.0 mm (n = 4); (2) very small pair of basal green spots on the black labrum; (3) green rather than black occiput, although with a broad black border; (4) humped rather than smoothly curved anterior border of the posterior hamule; and (5) cerci parallel and of rather even width throughout in dorsal view, rather than converging and distally widened ( Fig. 19). Unlike both N. leroyi and N. spinosus (6) the dorsum of S 7 is black with only yellow smears laterally; and (7) the cerci have a relatively small ventral tooth.

Etymology

This large dark species is named after the Mountain Gorilla ( Gorilla beringei beringei ), for which its type locality is best known (noun in apposition).

Range and ecology

Forest streams between about 700 and 1 600 m a.s.l. in western Uganda and adjacent Congo-Kinshasa ( Map 8).