Corduliidae

Carvalho, Alcimar L., Salgado, Luiz Gustavo V. & Fleck, Günther, 2008, Description of the larva of Lauromacromia picinguaba Carvalho, Salgado & Werneck-de-Carvalho 2004, with a key to the genera of Corduliidae larvae occurring in South America (Odonata: Anisoptera), Zootaxa 1848, pp. 57-65 : 62-63

Key to full grown larvae of known genera of Corduliidae occurring in South America

Larvae of only 17 species within seven genera of South American Corduliidae (as adopted by Davies & Tobin 1985) are described, compared to about 40 species within eight* genera ( Table 1 ). Previously published keys for genera include Costa & Santos (2000) for neotropical species, Costa et al. (2004) for Brazilian genera, and Heckman (2006) for South American species. Costa & Santos (2000) key larvae of nine species within five genera, Costa et al. (2004) key four genera, and Heckman (2006) is a compilation from previous literature.

The key allows for identification of larvae to genus from South America, but it can be used for most of Central American genera as well. Characters were culled from existing literature and collection material ( Table 1 ). The larva of Paracordulia Martin 1906 , with its monotypic species, P. sericea (Selys, 1871) , is unknown; and Navicordulia Machado & Costa 1995 , with 10 species is thus far known only from the description of the Venezuelan N. nitens ( De Marmels) ( De Marmels 1991) .

1 Dorsal hooks (mid-dorsal spines or knobs) present on some abdominal segments.....................................2

- Dorsal hooks lacking on all abdominal segments........................................................................................4

2 Lateral spines absent on abdominal segments 4–7; abdomen elongated, not broadly depressed.................. .................................................................................................................................................. Navicordulia

- Lateral spines present on abdominal segments 4–7; abdomen rounded, broadly depressed.......................3

3 Ridge of frons armed with spine-like and scale-like setae; dorsal surface of occiput (epicranium) without a pair of prominent nipple-shaped tubercles .......................................................................... Lauromacromia

- Ridge of frons covered with microscopic prickles; dorsal surface of occiput (epicranium) with a pair of prominent nipple-shaped tubercles ...................................................................................................... Rialla

4 Distal margin of labial palps without setae and distinct crenulations; lateral abdominal spines absent ....... ......................................................................................................................................... Gomphomacromia

- Distal margin of labial palps with setae grouped in distinct crenulations; lateral abdominal spines present at least on 9..................................................................................................................................................5

5 Lateral abdominal spines on 9 as long as or longer than four times the length of middorsal line of same segment; ridge of frons with spine-like setae curved posteriorly ............................................ Aeschnosoma

- Lateral abdominal spines 9 shorter than four times the length of middorsal line of same segment; ridge of

frons with cylindrical or scale like setae directed anteriorly.......................................................................6 6 Ridge of frons prominent, with scale-like setae; antennae shorter than middorsal length of head .............. ................................................................................................................................................... Neocordulia - Ridge of frons low, with cylindrical setae; antennae as long as or longer than middorsal length of head.... ............................................................................................................................................. Cordulisantosia