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Type: Articles
Published: 2007-05-07
Page range: 19–34
Abstract views: 40
PDF downloaded: 2

Two new relict Syncordulia species found during museum and field studies of threatened dragonflies in the Cape Floristic Region (Odonata: Corduliidae)

National Museum of Natural History Naturalis, PO Box 9517, NL-2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, P Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, P Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
Odonata Anisoptera Syncordulia South Africa conservation systematics biogeography key

Abstract

Red List assessments often require the verification of records and taxonomy in museum collections and the field. Such research during an assessment of threatened dragonflies in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) biodiversity hotspot, led to the discovery of two new narrow-range endemic Syncordulia species, bringing the known total to four in the genus. The new species, Syncordulia legator and S. serendipator, are described with emphasis on their identification, ecology and biogeography. Morphological diversity within the genus and the absence of obvious close relatives suggest an ancient and isolated presence in the CFR, emphasizing the uniqueness and conservation importance of the region’s endemic odonate fauna.

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