Cordulegaster diadema Selys, 1868

Novelo-Gutiérrez, Rodolfo, 2018, Cordulegaster virginiae sp. nov. from Mexico, including a comparison with C. diadema Selys, 1868, and a redescription of its larva (Odonata: Cordulegastridae), Zootaxa 4394 (3), pp. 371-382 : 376-378

Cordulegaster diadema Selys, 1868

( Figs. 10–13 )

C. godmani McLachlan, 1878 . (Lectotype ♂ in NHMUK). Syn. nov.

Material studied: 6♂, 5♀ ( IEXA) , 3♂ (RWG). MEXICO : Chiapas; Angel Albino Corzo, Reserva “ El Triunfo ” (15°39’29.81” N; 92°48’34.10” W), elevation 1994m, stream at cloud forest, 11 August 1983, R. Novelo leg., 2♀ . Distrito Federal; Los Dínamos (19°17’50.18” N; 99°15’09.84” W), elevation 2577m, stream at coniferous forest, 26 October 1986, A. Gómez leg., 1♂ . Estado de México; Chalmita (18°57’53.63” N; 99°25’30.93” W), elevation 1985m, stream at pine forest, 26 October 1996, R. Novelo, V. García leg., 1♀ . Hidalgo; Zacualtipán, Tepeoco (20°41’04.25” N; 98°40’15.80” W), elevation 1800m, stream at pine forest, 15 November 1985, R. Novelo, V. García, S. Ibáñez leg., 1♂, 1♀ ; Cacala (20°38’35.11” N; 98°39’44.88” W), elevation 1979m, stream at pine forest, 1 September 1985, J. Peña leg., 1♂ . Puebla; km 21.5 road Atlixco-Jantetelco (18°50’38.78” N; 98°32’14.69” W), elevation 1810m, stream in cropping area, 12 October 2016, R. Novelo, J.A. Gómez, M. Torres, V. García leg., 2♂ . Veracruz; Coatepec, Río Ahuacatlán (19°28’19.90” N; 96°59’04.65” W), elevation 1369m, stream at cloud forest, 25 September 2001, R. Novelo, J.A. Gómez leg., 1♂ ; Jilotepec (19°37’04.13’’ N; 96°54’27.16’’ W), 24 October 2016, R. Arce leg., 1♀. HONDURAS : Cortés; San Pedro Sula, Cusuco National Park (15°31’23” N; 88°16’53” W), elevation 1496, 12 July 2012, I. Argueta leg., 1♂ . PANAMA : Chiriquí; Bambito (8°50’00” N; 82°36’00” W), elevation 1700m, 24 August 1976, H.G. Real leg., 1♂ .

Remarks. The extent of pale coloration on males of C. diadema is variable in the three tagmata. Apparently, the males inhabiting drier areas have more yellow coloration on body, as can be seen in the specimens collected in the state of Puebla ( Fig. 12a ). Specimens collected in coniferous forest and cloud forest of Hidalgo and Veraruz states tend to be more obscure and slightly larger in size ( Fig. 12b ). The specimens of C. godmani recorded from Zacualtipán ( Novelo-Gutiérrez & Peña-Olmedo 1980) indeed belong to the obscure form of C. diadema .

Specimens deposited in IEXA, collected in Mexico and formerly identified as C. godmani , were reexamined and compared to McLachlan´s description of C. godmani , as well as to Mexican specimens of C. diadema . Also, Cornelio Bota-Sierra kindly compared and photographed the lectotype male of C. godmani at NHMUK ( Figs. 10b, 11b , 13b ), and Rosser Garrison generously compared and photographed specimens of C. godmani from Honduras (Cortés, Cusuco National Park), and Panama (Chiriquí, Bambito) ( Figs. 10c, 11c , 13a ) from his collection to pictures of the new species here described. After a thorough examination of all the specimens mentioned, I conclude that C. godmani is a junior synonym of C. diadema (cf. Figs. 10 b-c, 11b-c, 13a-b). Judging by the body dimensions, color pattern, and features of the anterior hamuli, the specimens from Costa Rica described by McLachlan (1878) belong to the obscure form of C. diadema . Moreover, the altitudinal range he mentioned (6000–7000 feet = 1829–2134m asl) falls into the range recorded in Mexico for C. diadema .

Figures

FIGURES 10–11. Details of the morphology of Cordulegaster diadema. 10) Lateral view of hamuli and genital ligula: a, male from Puebla;b, right anteriorhamule(lectotype male of C.godmani from CostaRica,NHMUK);c, rightanteriorhamule (male C.diadema from Bambito, Panama).11) Ventral view of accessory genitalia:a, male from Puebla;b, anterior hamuli (lectotype male of C. godmani from Costa Rica, NHMUK); c, anterior hamuli (male C. diadema from Bambito, Panama). Photos of figures 10b, 11b by C.Bota-Sierra; 10c, 11c by R.W. Garrison.

FIGURES 12–13. Cordulegaster diadema, males. 12) a: “Yellow form” (Puebla state); b: “dark form” (Hidalgo state) (note frons obscure, mesepimeral band narrower and lesser extent of yellow on abdomen as compared to the “yellow” form). 13) a: Left lateral view (Bambito, Panama); b: Dorsal view (lectotype of C. godmani from Costa Rica, NHMUK). Photos of figures 13a and 13b by R.W. Garrison andC. Bota-Sierra, respectively.