Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 5821 No. 2: 29 May 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-05-29
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4
Page range: 219-235
Abstract views: 96
PDF downloaded: 62

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.—a new Hooktail species from the rainforests of eastern Madagascar (Odonata: Gomphidae)

Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research; National Institute of Biology; Ljubljana; Slovenia
Laboratory of Nature Education and Conservation; Faculty of Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań; Poland
Kościelna 41; PL-35-505 Rzeszów; Poland
Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research; National Institute of Biology; Ljubljana; Slovenia
Odonata dragonflies Anisoptera endemic new species Paragomphus fritillarius taxonomy biogeography Malagasy Region

Abstract

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Madagascar, Taolagnaro District, Iaboakoho, Réserve de Ressources Naturelles de la Forêt Naturelle de Tsitongambarika, Ampasy; Lat. -24.57840°, Lon. 47.14493°; 4.xii.2024; to be deposited in RMNH, Leiden), is described as new to science. The new endemic species is known only from the holotype, the paratype deposited in the MNHN, Paris, and an additional specimen deposited in NHRS, Stockholm. It has been recorded from three localities in the eastern part of the island, scattered over a distance of 1,033 km, within the Madagascar Humid Forests ecoregion. Despite the pronounced variation in the colour pattern, the three known specimens are interpreted as conspecific based on concordant diagnostic morphological characters, particularly the nearly identical structure of the secondary genitalia and cerci. The new species is related to P. fritillarius (Selys, 1892) and P. sofiae Bernard & Daraż, 2026. From these two more brightly coloured, spotted Hooktail species, P. matroka sp. nov. differs in its considerably darker colouration, a reduced pattern of smaller light markings on the synthorax, and clearly different secondary genitalia. The discovery of a new species underlines the need for additional intensive odonatological studies in Madagascar. Improving knowledge of species distributions, taxonomy, phenology and ecological requirements is crucial, especially in the context of threat assessments and conservation of endemic odonate fauna.

References

  1. Antonelli, A., Smith, R.J., Perrigo, A.L., Crottini, A., Hackel, J., Testo, W., Farooq, H., Torres Jiménez, M.F., Andela, N., Andermann, T., Andriamanohera, A.M., Andriambololonera, S., Bachman, S.P., Bacon, C.D., Baker, W.J., Belluardo, F., Birkinshaw, C., Borrell, J.S., Cable, S., Canales, N.A., Carrillo, J.D., Clegg, R., Clubbe, C., Cooke, R.S.C., Damasco, G., Dhanda, S., Edler, D., Faurby, S., de Lima Ferreira, P., Fisher, B.L., Forest, F., Gardiner, L.M., Goodman, S.M., Grace, O.M., Guedes, T.B., Henniges, M.C., Hill, R., Lehmann, C.E.R., Lowry, P.P. II, Marline, L., Matos-Maraví, P., Moat, J., Neves, B., Nogueira, M.G.C., Onstein, R.E., Papadopulos, A.S.T., Perez-Escobar, O.A., Phelps, L.N., Phillipson, P.B., Pironon, S., Przelomska, N.A.S., Rabarimanarivo, M., Rabehevitra, D., Raharimampionona, J., Rajaonah, M.T., Rajaonary, F., Rajaovelona, L.R., Rakotoarinivo, M., Rakotoarisoa, A.A., Rakotoarisoa, S.E., Rakotomalala, H.N., Rakotonasolo, F., Ralaiveloarisoa, B.A., Ramirez-Herranz, M., Randriamamonjy, J.E.N., Randriamboavonjy, T., Randrianasolo, V., Rasolohery, A., Ratsifandrihamanana, A.N., Ravololomanana, N., Razafiniary, V., Razanajatovo, H., Razanatsoa, E., Rivers, M., Sayol, F., Silvestro, D., Vorontsova, M.S., Walker, K., Walker, B.E., Wilkin, P., Williams, J., Ziegler, T., Zizka, A. & Ralimanana, H. (2022) Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity: evolution, distribution, and use. Science, 378 (6623), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abf0869
  2. Bedjanič, M. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B. (2024) Glimpses into dragonfly fauna (Odonata) of Madagascar. In: Prunier, F., Cabana, M. & Villasán, M. (Eds.), ECOO 2024, 7th European Congress on Odonatology, 25–28 June 2024, Sevilla, Spain, Book of Abstracts. AEA El Bosqe Animado, Benarrabá, pp. 59.
  3. Bernard, R. & Daraż, B. (2026) Paragomphus sofiae sp. nov.—a new spotted species of Hooktail from Madagascar (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae). Zootaxa, 5757 (4), 357–368. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.4.4
  4. Bernard, R., Daraż, B., Ravelomanana, A. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B. (2025) Six new species of Nesocordulia McLachlan, 1882 reveal an insular evolutionary radiation of dragonflies on Madagascar (Odonata: Anisoptera: Libelluloidea). Zootaxa, 5660 (2), 151–193. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5660.2.1
  5. Cowley, J. (1934) Changes in the generic names of the Odonata. The Entomologist, 67, 200–205.
  6. Dijkstra, K.-D.B. (2022) Odonata, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Angidina. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.), The New Natural History of Madagascar Vol. 1. Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford, pp. 953–962. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2ks6tbb.121
  7. Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & Clausnitzer, V. (2014) The dragonflies and damselflies of Eastern Africa. Handbook for all Odonata from Sudan to Zimbabwe. Series: Studies in Afrotropical Zoology. Vol. 298. Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, 264 pp.
  8. Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & Cohen, C. (2021) Dragonflies and Damselflies of Madagascar and the western Indian Ocean Islands. Fondation Vahatra, Antananarivo, 193 pp.
  9. Fraser, F.C. (1955) Paragomphus z-viridum, nouvelle espèce de Gomphide (Odonata). Le Naturaliste Malgache, 7 (1), 53–54.
  10. Fraser, F.C. (1956) Insectes: Odonates Anisoptères. Series: Faune de Madagascar, Vol. 1. Publications de l’Institut de Recherche Scientifique de Madagascar, Tananarive-Tsimbazaza, 125 pp.
  11. Goodman, A., Abbott, J.C., Bybee, S., Ehlert, J., Frandsen, P.B., Guralnick, R., Kalkman, V.J., Newton, L., Pinto, A.P. & Ware, J.L. (2025) Systematic and taxonomic revision of emerald and tigertail dragonflies (Anisoptera: Synthemistidae and Corduliidae). Systematic Entomology, e70000. https://doi.org/10.1111/syen.70000
  12. Goodman, S.M. (Editor) (2022) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Volume 1 & 2. Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford, 2,296 pp.
  13. Goodman, S.M. (2023) Updated estimates of biotic diversity and endemism for Madagascar—revisited after 20 years. Oryx, 57 (5), 561–565. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605322001284
  14. Goodman, S.M., Raherilalao, M.J. & Wohlhauser, S. (Eds.) (2018) The Terrestrial Protected Areas of Madagascar: Their History, Description, and Biota. Volume II: Northern and Eastern Madagascar. Site 56. Tsitongambarika. Association Vahatra, Antananarivo, pp. 1146–1158.
  15. Karsch, F. (1890) Ueber Gomphiden. Entomologisce Nachrichten, 16 (24), 370–382.
  16. McLachlan, M.R. (1882) Nesocordulia McLachlan (de νήσος = insula). Nouveau sous-genre de Cordulines de la légion Cordulia. Bulletin ou Comptes-Rendus des Séances de la Société Entomologique de Belgique, Séries 3, 26, 170–172.
  17. One Earth (2026) Bioregions: nature’s map of the Earth. The Bioregions 2023, Available from: https://www.oneearth.org/bioregions/ (accessed 20 February 2026)
  18. Paulson, D., Schorr, M., Abbott, J., Bota-Sierra, C., Deliry, C., Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & Lozano, F. (Coordinators) (2026) World Odonata List. OdonataCentral, University of Alabama. Available from: https://www.odonatacentral.org/app/#/wol/ (accessed 20 February 2026)
  19. Ralimanana, H., Perrigo, A.L., Smith, R.J., Borrell, J.S., Faurby, S., Rajaonah, M.T., Randriamboavonjy, T., Vorontsova, M.S., Cooke, R.S.C., Phelps, L.N., Sayol, F., Andela, N., Andermann, T., Andriamanohera, A.M., Andriambololonera, S., Bachman, S.P., Bacon, C.D., Baker, W.J., Belluardo, F., Birkinshaw, C., Cable, S., Canales, N.A., Carrillo, J.D., Clegg, R., Clubbe, C., Crottini, A., Damasco, G., Dhanda, S., Edler, D., Farooq, H., de Lima Ferreira, P., Fisher, B.L., Forest, F., Gardiner, L.M., Goodman, S.M., Grace, O.M., Guedes, T.B., Hackel, J., Henniges, M.C., Hill, R., Lehmann, C.E.R., Lowry, P.P. II, Marline, L., Matos-Maraví, P., Moat, J., Neves, B., Nogueira, M.G.C., Onstein, R.E., Papadopulos, A.S.T., Perez-Escobar, O.A., Phillipson, P.B., Pironon, S., Przelomska, N.A.S., Rabarimanarivo, M., Rabehevitra, D., Raharimampionona, J., Rajaonary, F., Rajaovelona, L.R., Rakotoarinivo, M., Rakotoarisoa, A.A., Rakotoarisoa, S.E., Rakotomalala, H.N., Rakotonasolo, F., Ralaiveloarisoa, B.A., Ramirez-Herranz, M., Randriamamonjy, J.E.N., Randrianasolo, V., Rasolohery, A., Ratsifandrihamanana, A.N., Ravololomanana, N., Razafiniary, V., Razanajatovo, H., Razanatsoa, E., Rivers, M., Silvestro, D., Testo, W., Torres Jiménez, M.F., Walker, K., Walker, B.E., Wilkin, P., Williams, J., Ziegler, T., Zizka, A. & Antonelli, A. (2022)Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity: Threats and opportunities. Science, 378 (6623), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adf1466
  20. RBINS (2025) Illustrations de Selys Longchamps and Severin. Available from: https://virtualcollections.naturalsciences.be/archives/dossier_illustration_selys_and_severin/africa/madagascar (accessed 26 December 2024)
  21. Samways, M.J., Córdoba-Aguilar, A., Deacon, C., Alves-Martins, F., Baird, I.R.C., Barmentlo, S.H., Brasil, L.S., Bried, J.T., Clausnitzer, V., Cordero-Rivera, A., Datto-Liberato, F.H., De Knijf, G., Dolný, A., Futahashi, R., Guillermo-Ferreira, R., Hassall, C., Juen, L., Khelifa, R., Lozano, F., Muzón, J., Sahlén, G., Sánchez Herrera, M., Simaika, J.P., Stoks, R., Suárez-Tovar, C.M., Suhling, F., Tsubaki, Y. & Vilenica, M. (2025) Scientists’ warning on the need for greater inclusion of dragonflies in global conservation. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 18 (4), 465–484. https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12819
  22. Selys-Longchamps, E. de (1854) Synopsis des Gomphines. Bulletins de l’Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres, et des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, 21 (7), 23–112.
  23. Selys-Longchamps, E. de (1892) Causeries Odonatologiques, No. 6., Les Gomphines d’Afrique. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique, 36 (3), 86–107.
  24. Sparks, J.S. & Stiassny, M.L.J. (2022) Introduction to the freshwater fishes. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.), The new natural history of Madagascar. Vol. 2. Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford, pp. 1245–1260. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2ks6tbb.159

How to Cite

Bedjanič, M., Bernard, R., Daraż, B. & Yu, K.-P. (2026) Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.—a new Hooktail species from the rainforests of eastern Madagascar (Odonata: Gomphidae). Zootaxa, 5821 (2), 219–235. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4