Mesothemis bicolor Hagen, 1861 Morphological variability and evaluation of taxonomic characters in the genus Erythemis Hagen, 1861 (Odonata: Libellulidae: Sympetrinae) Rodríguez, Fredy Palacino Sarmiento, Carlos E. González-Soriano, Enrique Insecta Mundi 2015 2015-07-10 2015 428 1 68 3BCGY [192,487,1473,1498] Insecta Libellulidae Erythemis Animalia Odonata 19 18 Arthropoda species mithroides  ( Fig. 1a, 2a,b, 13, 18, 27, 34)   Mesothemis mithroidesBrauer inTherese, 1900: 266, pl. 3, f 5.    Mesothemis bicolor Hagen, 1861::169. Misidentification.    TypeMaterial.Not examined.   Diagnosis.Thorax and dorsum of abdomen red or reddish-brown. Dark basal area on HW dark brown, and reaching beyond the MP crossvein, sometimes reaching the anal supplementary vein. Posterior extension of ventral teeth on male cercus about the same level as the apex of epiproct or less ( Fig. 13). Posterior lobe of the vesica spermalis is covered by lateral lobe, which extends more posteriorly than medial lobe. Hook bilobed, triangular, and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of vesica spermalis ( Fig. 18). Cornua diagonal with respect to vesica spermalis transversal axis, with lobes separate to apex, and covered by lateral lobes in lateral view ( Fig. 19). LclS4/lcaS4 <2.10; WmS2/LcaS5 <3.  Morphometric ratios of males.Las/Anas<4.00; Acd/Lban<4.10; And/Lban<4.10; LHW/Acd<3.60; LHW/LFW>0.97; Las/Ddas<4.00;. LclS3/LcaS3<2.10; AnptHW/LoptHW<0.19; LHW/Lab<1.2; Lab/ LcaS3<3.00; LFW/Lnpt<3.00; Lba/Lban<2.  Head.Ll:  0.0011 –0.0015mm(M). Lw:  0.0020 –0.0036mm(M). Hwd:  0.0061 –0.0068mm(M). Hl:  0.0031 –0.0037mm(M).  Legs.Nsmf: 3–15 (M). Nshf: 7–32 (M). Hfl:  0.0056 –0.0063mm(M). Fbsd:  0.0020 –0.0025mm(M). Mfl:  0.0034 –0.0043mm(M). Dshf (the conditions separated by commas are present in different specimens): short spines-1 or 2 median spines-3 or 4 long spines, short spines-3 long spines.  Wings.LoptFW:  0.0023 –0.0035mm(M). AnptFW:  0.004 –0.006mm(M). LoptHW:  0.0023 –0.0036mm(M). AnptHW:  0.005 –0.006mm(M). DfwHW:  0.005 –0.007mm(M). LbanFW: 14.60–18.56mm(M). LbanHW: 12.61–15.87mm(M). AndFW: 6.35–8.19mm(M). Wb: 8.77–11.41mm(M). LFW: 29.9–36.19mm(M). LHW: 29.33–35.94mm(M). AnsbtFW: 17.50–23.12μ (M). AntrFW: 6.25–8.75μ (M). Lar:  0.0006 – 0.0050mm(M). LnptFW: 10.91–12.38mm(M). LnptHW: 12.24–13.70mm(M). At-MP:  0.002 –0.005mm(M). LbaFW:  0.0027 –0.0030mm(M). LbaHW:  0.0027 –0.0031mm(M). RP2-loptFW:  0.00620 –0.00625mm(M). Dat-lsbt:  0.0006 –0.0018mm(M). Lasa-ca:  0.004 –0.008mm(M). Crp: 7. Cal: 3–6. PC-RA-RP1: 2–3. CdfFW: only 3 rows of cells. Vt: 1. Csub: 3.  Abdomen.Lab: 24.00– 36.18mm(M); 21.00– 23.5 mm(F). LcaS3:  0.0008 –0.0013mm(M). LclS3: 0.0014 –0.0022(M). Lecv-clS3:  0.0013 –0.0015mm(M).  Caudal appendages.Las:  0.0009 –0.0018mm(M). Poas:  0.002 –0.004mm(M). Anas:  0.002 –0.006mm(M). Ddas:  0.002 –0.005mm(M). Epl:  0.0008 –0.0014mm(M).  Larva. Costa and Pujol-Luz (1993)described the ochre colored larva from Rio São João ( Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). According to Costa and Pujol-Luz (1993)the larva of  E. mithroidesis the smallest of the genus. However, this proposal is hard to accept in view of  E. credulahaving the smallest adults (J. De Marmels, pers. comm.). Likewise, Costa and Pujol-Luz (1993)provided the following diagnostic characters: larva ochre. Head wide. Incisors and molars obtuse, mandibular formula L 1234 abb’ R 123 +4 xy abd. Labrum with small dark spots, 13 premental setae, eight palpal setae, cercus exceeds between 2/3 up to half the length of epiproct. Outer margin of the palp with 13 small spines, inner margin slightly crenulated and presenting 24 large spines. Thorax with prothoracic apophyses. Supracoxa round, surrounded by spines. Wing sheaths reaching the level of the sixth abdominal segment, femur 1 and 2 with a distal dark brown circular band, the third pair of legs larger. Abdomen with the sixth segment widest. Epiproct triangular; paraproct pyramidal and divergent. Total length 11.25 mm; head length 3.7 mm; labial palp length 2 mm; prementum width 2,7 mm; teca anterior length 4.62 mm; teca posterior: 4.12 mm; femur I: 1.87 mm; Tibia 1: 2.5 mm; Femur 2: 2.75 mm; Tibia 2: 3.12 mm; Femur 3: 3.75 mm; Tibia 3: 5.12 mm; lab: 5.62 mm; epl: 0.8 mm; las: 0.5 mm; paraproct length 0.7 mm.   Material examined.   BRAZIL,  Amapá, Mazagão, Rio Purcacá,  ii.1961, J.C.M. Carvalholeg., 1 male( MNRJ);   Amazonas, Parintins,  18.i.1973, N. Tangerinileg., 2 females( MNRJ);   Mato Grosso, Salobra,  05.vi.1942, C.I.O. Cruzleg., 1 female( MNRJ); same, but Entre Cuiabáe Guia,  15.iv.1963, N. Santos, Machadoleg., 1 female( MNRJ); same, but Manaus, km. 38, Eliasleg.,  xi.1959, 3 males, 1 female( MNRJ);   Espírito Santo, Rib. Do Engano, Vale do Itaúna, Travassos Santos, 1 female( MNRJ); same, but Linhares, Estr.nova para Regênciakm. 7,  01-08.iv.1972, Elias, Pauloleg., 1 male, 3 females( MNRJ); same, but  22.i.1973, N. Santos, Sandim, Vicenteleg., 1 male( MNRJ); same, but Santa Tereza, Rio Timluci, Reserva do Museu Nacional,  15.i.1967, N. Santosleg., 1 male( MNRJ);   Maranhão, Carutapera,  10.i.1959, C. Simões, O. Fontanaleg., 1 male( MNRJ);   Minas Gerais, Januária,  vii.1949, Machado, Berlaleg., 1 male( MNRJ);   Pará, Belém, Jardim Museu Goeldi,  06.ii.1956, Candidoleg., 1 male( MNRJ); same data as before except collected on following dates:  04.viii.1959, 4 males; 1956, 1 male;   São Paulo, Luis Antônio, Lagoa do Diogo,  14.i.2001, P.S.F. Peruquettileg., 1 male( MNRJ); same, but Luis Antônio, Represa Beija-Flor,  14.i.2001, P.S.F. Peruquettileg., 1 male( MNRJ);  Semprocedência, 3 males, 4 females( MNRJ).   COLOMBIA,  Atlántico, Ciénaga La Larga, Palmar de Varela,  7.ii.2008, M. Loboy M. Morenoleg., 2 males( UARC);   Bolívar, Regidor, Finca Las Brisas, Corredorde vegetación alrededor de caño, 8º 45’ 39.5”N 73º 52’ 02.2” W,  i.2009, M. Morenoleg., 2 males( UARC); same, but Finca Las Pavasó Labrador, Bosque Montaña de Toronto, 8º 46’ 43.7 N 73º 54’ 53.8” W,  i.2009, M. Morenoleg., 1 male( UARC); same, but Finca Puerto Libre, Bosque, 8º 46’ 4.4” N 73º 51’ 44.5 “ W,  i.2009, M. Morenoleg., 1 male( UARC); same, but Santa Catalina,  8.x.1999, 1 male( ICN); same, but  3.x.1999, 1 male( ICN);   Boyacá, Puerto Boyacá,  22.vi.1981, C. Bohórquezleg., 1 male( ICN);   Córdoba, Pueblo Nuevo,  20.iii.2006, N.C. Rojasleg., 1 female( ICN).   MEXICO,  Jalisco, La Huerta. Estación de Biología Chamela,  1.xi.1994, E. González-Sorianoleg., 1 male( CNIN);   Veracruz, pond 13 kmS of la Tinaja, 18°45’0” 96°26’24”,  90 m,  13.viii.1976, R. W. and J. A. Garrisonleg., 1 male( RWG);   PERU,  Dept. Loreto, Yarinacocha, forest pond at La Cabaña,  10.vii.1977, Dennis Paulsonleg., 1 male( RWG).   Remarks.We studied some large adult specimens from Mexicoand Guatemalalabeled as “new species”, but our analyses showed that these are only size variations of the species. A molecular analyses may help to clarify the identity of these specimens.   Biology.  Erythemis mithroidesadults inhabits cane fields where they feed and males display interspecific aggression, especially in the presence of their own females (F. Palacino pers. obs.).   Distribution.From U.S.A.to Argentina( Fig. 34), between 4– 970 m.asl. 1961-02 MNRJ J. C. M. Carvalho Brazil Rio Purcaca Mazagao 20 19 1 1 Amapa [375,1246,1441,1466] 1973-01-18 MNRJ N. Tangerini Brazil Parintins 20 19 2 2 Amazonas 1942-06-05 MNRJ C. I. O. Cruz Brazil Salobra 20 19 1 1 Mato Grosso 1963-04-15 MNRJ N. Santos & Machado Brazil Guia Entre Cuiaba 20 19 1 1 1959-11 MNRJ Elias Brazil Manaus 20 19 4 1 3 [393,1435,1537,1562] MNRJ Travassos Santos Brazil Vale do Itauna Rib. Do Engano 20 19 1 1 Espirito Santo 1972-04-01 1972-04-08 1972-04-01 MNRJ Elias & Paulo Brazil Linhares Regencia Estr. 20 19 4 3 1 [306,1164,1602,1626] 1973-01-22 MNRJ N. Santos & Sandim & Vicente Brazil 20 19 1 1 1967-01-15 MNRJ N. Santos Brazil Santa Tereza Reserva do Museu Nacional Rio Timluci 20 19 1 1 1959-01-10 MNRJ C. Simoes & O. Fontana Brazil Carutapera 20 19 1 1 Maranhao 1949-07 MNRJ Machado & Berla Brazil Januaria 20 19 1 1 Minas Gerais 1956-02-06 MNRJ Candido Brazil Jardim Museu Goeldi Belem 20 19 1 1 Para [400,1359,1729,1754] 1959-08-04 MNRJ Candido Brazil Jardim Museu Goeldi Belem 20 19 4 4 Para [291,1435,1761,1786] 2001-01-14 MNRJ P. S. F. Peruquetti Brazil Lagoa do Diogo Luis Antonio 20 19 1 1 Sao Paulo [192,1320,1794,1818] 2001-01-14 MNRJ P. S. F. Peruquetti Brazil Represa Beija-Flor Luis Antonio 20 19 1 1 MNRJ Brazil Sem 20 19 7 4 3 2008-02-07 UARC M. Lobo & M. Moreno Colombia Palmar de Varela Cienaga La Larga 20 19 2 2 Atlantico 2009-01 UARC M. Moreno Colombia Regidor 8.760972 Corredor 1 -73.86728 Finca Las Brisas 20 19 2 2 Bolivar 2009-01 UARC M. Moreno Colombia Finca Las Pavas 8.778806 Bosque 1 -73.91495 Labrador 21 20 1 1 2009-01 UARC M. Moreno Colombia 8.767889 Bosque 1 -73.86236 Finca Puerto Libre 21 20 1 1 [689,1305,258,282] 1999-10-08 ICN Colombia Santa Catalina 21 20 1 1 1999-10-03 ICN Colombia 21 20 1 1 [477,1304,289,314] 1981-06-22 ICN C. Bohorquez Colombia Puerto Boyaca 21 20 1 1 Boyaca 2006-03-20 ICN N. C. Rojas Colombia Pueblo Nuevo 21 20 1 1 Cordoba 1994-11-01 CNIN E. Gonzalez-Soriano Mexico La Huerta. Estacion de Biologia Chamela 21 20 1 1 Jalisco 1976-08-13 RWG la Tinaja & R. W. and J. A. Garrison Mexico 90 Veracruz 21 20 1 1 Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave 1977-07-10 RWG La Cabana & Dennis Paulson Peru Yarinacocha Dept. 21 20 1 1 Loreto