Epipleoneura susanae Pessacq

Pessacq, Pablo, 2014, Synopsis of Epipleoneura (Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae, “ Protoneuridae ”), with emphasis on its Brazilian species, Zootaxa 3872 (3), pp. 201-234 : 228-229

Epipleoneura susanae Pessacq , sp. n.

( Figs. 9 , 50 )

Type material. Holotype male, Brazil. Mato Grosso State, São Lorenzo river, São Vicente, L.F. Reys leg, 22 vii 1983. Paratype ♂, same as previous but Sinop (11º50’53”S, 55º38’57”W), Braulio and O. Roppa leg, x 1976.

Male holotype. Head. Dorsally metallic green. Postclypeus black, anteclypeus yellow; labrum black with apical yellow band; antefrons with a dorsal black band following the internal and ventral margin of the antennifer at the sides, finally contacting the eyes, remainder yellow; antennifer inner and ventral side black, remaining yellow; gena black. Thorax. Prothorax metallic green. Mesepisternum and mesepimeron metallic green; color of metepisternum divided by a diagonal line from anterior end of interpleural suture to posterior end of metapleural suture, dorsal to this line metallic green, ventral to it dark yellow. Venter of thorax yellow. Legs yellow, with middle section of femur brown and its apex black. Wings hyaline, venation black; posterior right wing broken, MP ending 0.5 cell distally from the vein descending from subnodus; IR2 and RP 3 separated by a short crossvein one cell posterior to their origin; divergence of RP-RA (arculus) slightly distal to antenodal 2; IR1 beginning at postnodal 7 in Fw and postnodal 6 in Hw; RP 2 beginning at postnodal 4 in Fw and postnodal 6 in hind wing; pterostigma pale brown, about 2/3 length of underlying cell; 9 postnodals in Fw, 8 in Hw. Abdomen. S1–2 dorsally dark brown, sides brown, venter yellow; S3–7 dorsally black, sides brown, venter yellow; S8 with a more extended black pattern, venter light brown, S9 black, S10 same as S8. Segment 3 of genital ligula ( Fig. 50 ) slightly narrowed medially, sides slightly elevated, apex with two rounded lobes and a shallow medial cleft, with sides elevated, postero-lateral projections directed postero-laterally, each with short peduncle, apex widely rounded, a small rounded lobe basal to postero-lateral projection. Cercus ( Fig. 9 ) shorter than S10, with a small inner-basal tooth; dorsal branch directed dorsally, with an apical hook directed meso-ventrally; ventral branch small, developed as a projection of cercus base. Paraproct conical. Epiproct ( Fig. 9 b–c) bifurcated, branches relatively short and narrow, slightly convergent and with their bases widely separated.

Dimensions. Total length 30.9; abdomen length 26.1; Fw: 17.2; Hw: 16.15.

Paratype. Same as holotype except: prothorax brown. Pterothorax with three metallic green spots at posterior end of mesopleural, interpleural, and metapleural sutures. Mesepisternum dorsal half metallic green, remaining mesepisternum and mesepimeron brown; color of metepisternum divided by a diagonal line from anterior interpleural suture to posterior metapleural suture, dorsal to this line brown, ventral to it pale yellow; metepimeron and pterothoracic venter pale yellow. Legs yellow, with apex of femur brown. Abdomen: S1–2 dorsally metallic green, remaining light brown; S3–7 with an anterior light brown and a posterior brown ring, dorsally brown, remaining light brown; S8–10 dorsally dark brown, ventrally light brown.

Dimensions. Total length 29.5; abdomen length 24.7; Fw: 16.15; Hw: 15.

Diagnosis. Male cercus and epiproct with short branches are similar to those of E. kaxuriana and E. ottoi . E. susanae differs from both species by the widely separated branches of the epiproct (comparatively closer in E. kaxuriana , Fig. 1 b, and fused at base in E. ottoi , Fig. 3 b). Additionally, E. kaxuriana and E. ottoi also have the apex of segment 3 of genital ligula folded dorsally, and a small spine on each side, lacking in E. susanae . The apex of genital ligula with two small rounded lobes; male cercus with a small inner-basal tubercle; epiproct bifurcated, branches slightly convergent and with their bases widely separated are a unique character combination within the genus. Female unknown.

Etymology. I name this species susanae (noun in the genitive case) in honor of my beloved mother, Susana Ringuelet.

Distribution. Central Brazil, in Mato Grosso State (type locality São Lorenzo river, Sao Vicente). São Vicente locality could not be located in Mato Grosso State. São Lorenzo river runs from about 17º18’25”S, 56º43’31”W to 17º54’05”S, 57º27’38”W.

Figures

FIGURES 7 – 9. Male caudal appendages, a: lateral view; b: posterior view, c: latero-posterior view. Figure 8 modified from De Marmels (1989).

FIGURES 48 – 52. Genital ligula, a: lateral view; b: ectal view. Figures 48 and 51 modified from De Marmels (1989).

FIGURES 1 – 3. Male caudal appendages, a: lateral view; b: posterior view, c: latero-posterior view. AH: apical hook. DB: cercus dorsal branch. VB: cercus ventral branch. CIB: cercus inner-basal branch. CT: cercus inner-basal tooth. TS: triangular swollen structure.