Chlorocypha aurora Dijkstra, Kipping & Schütte, 2015
Aurora Jewel

Type locality: Kribi, Cameroon

Diagnosis

Male is near the Upper Guinean C. luminosa and potentially sympatric C. neptunus and C. pyriformosa by (a) small size, Hw 18.5-19.5 mm (n = 7); and (b) fairly extensive black abdominal markings. However, is the only Chlorocypha species to combine this with (1) a contrastingly yellow-marked head and thorax; (2) yellow-stained wings, especially at their bases; (3) entirely black tibiae with some light pruinosity, rather than with yellow or white anterior streaks; and (4) a reddish orange abdomen with the less extensive black markings on S2 (almost) continuous between the basal and apical border, S3-5 and sometimes S6 each with an apical black bar, and yellow lateral carinae of S4-8. The colour of C. luminosa has a deeper yellow tone and is more uniform across the body and wings, C. neptunus has an especially extensively black abdomen, and C. pyriformosa becomes almost red on the abdomen and black on the thorax. [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Rivers in open areas in forest. Probably often with submerged roots, dead trunks or branches, coarse detritus, and a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom. Only recorded near sea level.

Distribution

Map citation: Clausnitzer, V., K.-D.B. Dijkstra, R. Koch, J.-P. Boudot, W.R.T. Darwall, J. Kipping, B. Samraoui, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & F. Suhling, 2012. Focus on African Freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 129-134.

Reference

• Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Mézière, N., and Kipping, J. (2015). Sixty new dragonfly and damselfly species from Africa (Odonata). Odonatologica, 44, 447-678.

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-11-15].