Anax gladiator Dijkstra &amp; Kipping, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B.
name: Kipping, Jens
name: Mézière, Nicolas
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2015
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Odonata
Aeshnidae
Anax
Anax gladiator
Anax congoliath

description: <i>Anax gladiator</i> Dijkstra &amp; Kipping sp. nov. – Swordbearer Emperor (Type Photo 24, Photos 31, 37– 38, Fig. 14) Taxonomy Belongs to the genetically, morphologically and ecologically distinct <i>speratus</i> -group of <i>Anax</i> Leach, 1815 (see below). Overlaps geographically with <i>A. speratus</i> Hagen, 1867 that is most similar in coloration, but probably also with <i>A. congoliath</i> Fraser, 1953 that is closer structurally and genetically (Tree 3) (Map 6). However, is highly distinct from both, and treated as such by Dijkstra &amp; Clausnitzer (2014). A fourth species in this group has long remained in synonymy with <i>A. speratus</i> but replaces it from the Cape Verde Islands to Nigeria and possibly further east: <i>A. rutherfordi</i> McLachlan, 1883 is distinct genetically (Tree 3) and has (1) smaller size on average, Hw 49.0– 54.0 mm (n= 5) rather than 52.0–57.0 mm (n = 10); (2) the apices of the mid and hind femora and anterio-exterior side of the front femora black, rather than all femora all red; (3) the apical borders of S 2–6 without lateral black dots; (4) the basal half of the dorsal ridge on S 10 distinctly raised, rather than low and sloping to apex; and (5) the epiproct 60 % as long as the cerci, rather than 50 % (Fig. 14) [rejected synonymy]. Material studied <b>Holotype</b> <b>&amp;male;</b> <b>:</b> RMNH.INS.505566, Congo-Kinshasa, Katanga, Upemba National Park, Kabwekanono, source area of Kafwi, stream through gallery forest and bogs in open grassy plains, 1770 – 1820 m a.s.l. (8.937 ° S27.166 ° E), 16 -xi- 2011, leg. K.-D.B. Dijkstra, RMNH. <b>Further material:</b> CONGO-KINSHASA (Katanga): 1 &amp;male; (RMNH.INS.505567), as holotype, RMNH. 1 &amp;male; (RMNH.INS.505596), Upemba National Park, Munte, river with grassy verges, gallery patches and rapids in miombo woodland, 1450 m a.s.l. (8.77 ° S26.84 ° E), 18 -xi- 2011, leg. K.-D.B. Dijkstra, RMNH. 3 &amp;male;, Lubumbashi, xi- 1952, leg. C. Seydel, MRAC. 1 &amp;male;, Karavia (Elisabethville), ix- 1951, leg. C. Seydel, MRAC. ZAMBIA (Northern Province): 1 &amp;male; (RMNH.INS.508082), Shiwa N’gandu, Kapishya Hot Springs, Mansha River, calm section of clear blackwater river, 1434 m a.s.l. (11.1702 ° S31.6053 ° E), 13 -xii- 2014, leg. J. Kipping, RMNH. 1 &amp;male; (Photo 37), same locality, 04-xii- 2014, CJKL. 1 &amp;male;, Shiwa N’gandu, Kapishya Hot Springs, small clear stream and pools W of Kapishya, 1456 m a.s.l. (11.1939 ° S31.5617 ° E), 06-xii- 2014, leg. J. Kipping, CJKL. 1 &amp;female;, Shiwa N’gandu, Kapishya Hot Springs, ovipositing at small sandy and warm (36 ° C) stream flowing off hot springs to the nearby Mansha River, 1434 m a.s.l. (11.1706 ° S31.6013 ° E), 04-xii- 2014, leg. J. Kipping, CJKL. ZAMBIA (Northwestern Province): 1 &amp;male; (RMNH.INS.508081), Sakeji River S of Sakeji Mission School, E of Ikelenge, calm section of clear blackwater river, 1385 m a.s.l. (11.2355 ° S24.3100° E), 25 -xi- 2014, leg. J. Kipping, RMNH. 1 &amp;male;, same locality, same dates, CJKL. Genetics Five unique haplotypes (n= 5) nearest to <i>A. congoliath</i> (Tree 3). Male morphological diagnosis Belongs to the <i>speratus</i> -group on account of (a) the unmarked frons; (b)the reddish femora contrasting with the black tibiae; (c) the presence of an accessory lamina on S 10, a small process visible between the cerci in dorsal view; (d) the cerci with broadened and rounded apices; and (e) the epiproct that is at least half as long as the cerci (Fig. 14). Most recalls the sympatric <i>A.speratus</i> by (f) the entirely orange to red abdomen. However, is (1)small- er on average, Hw 49.0–54.0 mm (n= 12) rather than 52.0–57.0 mm (n = 11); (2) with maturity the frons and thorax remain green, rather than becoming orange to reddish; (3) the apical borders of S 2–6 lack lateral black dots; (4)S 10 has its dorsal ridge raised into a high triangular spike, rather than low and sloping down to apex; and (5) the epiproct is well over half as long as the cerci, rather than about half (Fig. 14). Etymology Latin “sword-bearer” refers to the blade-like spike at the abdomen tip (noun in apposition). Range and ecology As with all <i>speratus</i> -group species inhabits streams and small rivers, rather than standing waters as other African <i>Anax</i>. These are nutrient-poor and slightly acidic with peat moss and/or blackwater, and typically open with some gallery or miombo forest nearby (Photo 38), on sandy plateaus between 1 385 and 1 820 m a.s.l. in Katanga and northern Zambia. Flow can be fast but there are always calm sections, e.g., it was seen in Zambia along a lake below its inflow. Ovipositing females without guarding males were observed on a stream flowing from hot springs and in small pools beside a river. There is an unconfirmed record near the Nyika Plateau of northern Malawi (Allen Barlow pers. comm.) and a possible sighting in suitable habitat near Negage in northern Angola (obs. K.-D.B. Dijkstra) suggesting the species is widespread across the sandy plateaus of southern central Africa.
description: Published as part of <i>Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B., Kipping, Jens &amp; Mézière, Nicolas, 2015, Sixty new dragonfly and damselfly species from Africa (Odonata), pp. 447-678 in Odonatologica 44 (4)</i> on pages 539-544, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.35388