Sarasaeschna

Chen, Szu-Lung & Yeh, Wen-Chi, 2014, Description of a new species of the genus Sarasaeschna Karube & Yeh, with a key to the species of Taiwan (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae), Zootaxa 3764 (1), pp. 92-100 : 99

Distribution of Sarasaeschna in Taiwan

The known localities of the four Sarasaeschna species in Taiwan were shown in Fig. 36 . They are generally widespread through the island and overlap each other in altitudinal distribution; coexistence of two species in the same locality is also common. As mentioned earlier, S. chiangchinlii is a lowland species with altitudinal range not reaching above 700 m. S. tsaopiensis has an altitudinal range from 350–1000 m, with only three known discrete localities in Yilan County in the north, Hualien County in the east and Pingtung County in the south; it coexisted with S. chiangchinlii in Gangzaishan Swamp, Pingtung at lower elevation and with S. lieni in Tsaopi, Yilan and Matailin Swamp, Hualien at higher elevation; S. tsaopiensis also exhibits geographic variation in body maculation, individuals of the southern population in Gangzaishan Swamp with reduced yellow markings on body, especially on S2 ( Fig. 14 ). S. lieni occurs at a wider elevation range, overlapping in lower mountain areas with S. tsaopiensis between 800–1000 m and with S. pyanan in higher mountain areas between 1700–2200 m. S. pyanan is mainly a high mountain species, which can only be found from 1700 m to a little above 2200 m.

Figures

FIGURE 36. Distributional maps of the Taiwanese Sarasaeschna.

FIGURES 8 – 17. Dorsal maculations of abdominal S 2 in the Sarasaeschna of Taiwan. 8, S. pyanan, male; 9, S. pyanan, female; 10, S. lieni, male; 11, S. lieni, female; 12, S. tsaopiensis, male; 13 & 14, S. tsaopiensis, females, 13, normal form, 14, dark form; 15, S. chiangchinlii, holotype male; 16 & 17, S. chiangchinlii, paratype females.