Platysticta serendibica Bedjanic & van Tol, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Tol, Van
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Odonata
Platystictidae
Platysticta
Platysticta serendibica

description: 22. Platysticta serendibica Bedjanič & van Tol sp. nov.
Figs 124−131, 172−173; Map 9.
Platysticta sp. nov. A—Bedjanič et al. (2014): 144 [differential characters, biology, distribution, photograph of Ƌ and ♀ in copula].
SPECIES DIAGNOSIS IN THE KEY → 21b; NUMBER OF KNOWN LOCALITIES— Bedjanič et al. (2014): 54 [corrected to 51 localities by listing known faunistic records in the present paper].
Type material. Holotype: 1Ƌ (mature male), Kanneliya Forest; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.2291, E80.3834; alt. 180m; 8 & 9-vi-1975; D.H. Messersmith, G.L. Williams & P.B. Karunaratne leg.(in USNM, reg. no. USNM ENT 00359749); Paratypes: 1Ƌ (in USNM, reg. no. USNM ENT 00359739), locality data the same as for holotype; 1 juv. Ƌ, Lankaberiya-dola; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.5021, E80.5547; alt. 330m; 20-iv-1973; R. Baumann & J. Cross leg. (in USNM, reg. no. USNM ENT 00359667); 1Ƌ juv., Sooriyakanda, stream; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.4344, E80.6295; alt. 890m; 19-iv-1973; R. Baumann & J. Cross leg. (in USNM, reg. no. USNM ENT 00359663); 1Ƌ, Tunmodera, near Labugama; Colombo District, Western Province; N6.8635, E80.1663; alt. 100m; 19-ix-1970; O.S. Flint leg. (in USNM, reg. no. USNM ENT 00359741); 1Ƌ, 1♀ juv., Sinharaja; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.4087, E80.4447; alt. 770m; 22-iv-1973; R. Baumann & J. Cross leg. (in USNM, reg. nos USNM ENT 0 0 359656, 00359657); 1Ƌ, 1♀ (both in alcohol), Hunnas Falls, small stream at the road from Hunnas Falls to Elkaduwa; Matale District, Central Province; N7.4083, E80.6815; alt. 780m; 24-v-2009; M. Bedjanič leg. (in RMNH, reg. nos. RMNH.INS.229759-229760); 1Ƌ (in alcohol), Kithulgala, stream among plantation near Kithulgala; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.9991, E80.3931; alt. 70m; 25-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič leg. (in RMNH, reg. no. RMNH.INS.503237); 1Ƌ, 1♀, Lankaberiya Estate, stream on the road Deniyaya-Rakwana in Lankaberiya Estate; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.3976, E80.6516; alt. 840m; 16-v-2009; M. Bedjanič leg. (to be deposited in CNMS).
Etymology. The species epithet is a latinized adjective relating to Sri Lanka, after the old Arabic name Serendib for the island of Sri Lanka.
Diagnosis. Another large Platysticta, allied to P. maculata, with coloration generally similar to other species of the genus. Dorsum of median lobe of prothorax bicoloured white and black; based on this character it is easily separated from P. ap i c a l i s and P. secreta sp. nov., in which the median lobe of the prothorax is completely white. Anterior lobe of prothorax black in both sexes, while in P. maculata it is white or has some black only medially. Conspicuous paired bulges of the median prothoracic lobe are bluntly conical, with tips slightly pointed medially and coloured to different degree with white and black, while in P. macul ata the paired bulges are more evenly rounded and mostly black on dorsum. In males, the tips of the inferior anal appendages are not turned inwards, as in P. maculata. In females of P. serendibica sp. nov., S9 is predominantly sky blue dorsally, while in P. maculata the blue colour on the dorsum of S9 is largely obscured by black. Furthermore, apices of wings of both sexes of P. maculata are consistently clear, while the wings of P. serendibica sp. nov. are tipped dark brown in mature males.
Description of holotype male [dried specimen, USNM ENT 00359749]. Head.—Basal portion of labium light brown, more than anterior half dark brown. Bases of mandibles light brown, laterally dark brown, with grey dorsolateral portions towards labrum and anteclypeus. Labrum white, its anterior half black, with rather long brown setae. Anteclypeus white, genae, postclypeus and frons shiny black. Anterior border of postclypeus with a dozen evenly placed long light setae from side to side. Vertex, occiput and epicranium glossy black. Occiput behind ocelli with row of three transversely and closely situated long light setae on each side below lateral ocellus and three shorter setae above angulated edge of postoccipital ridge. Rear of head black. Transverse postoccipital ridge developed, angulated, with not very prominent edges. Paraorbital carina well developed. Antennae dark brown. Eyes in preserved specimen brown. (Fig. 124).
Thorax. —Anterior lobe of prothorax black, elevated, evenly rounded, with upturned and thickened anterior margin. Median lobe with conspicuous paired bulges on each side of middle, which are bluntly conical, with tips slightly pointed medially. Median lobe predominantly white from side, but narrow posterior border as well as median section, between bulges and on their inner side, black. Posterior margin of posterior prothoracic lobe only slightly upturned posteriorly, evenly rounded (Figs. 124–125). Dorsum of synthorax black, as are sides of thorax laterally beyond metapleural suture to anterior third of metepimeron. Mesepimeron with an oblique light bluish lateral stripe. Posteroventral part of metepimeron white, light yellowish below. Legs yellowish white on coxae and trochanters, greyish brown distally, with brown bristles (Fig. 124).
Wings. —Wings clear, venation dark brown. Apices of wings enfumed dark brown to level of proximal side of pterostigma in forewings and slightly beyond in hindwings, fading proximally. Both forewings with 22½ Px, left hindwings with 19 and right hindwings with 19½ Px. Arculus stalked and positioned distal to Ax2. R4+5 well proximal of subnodus. IR3 separates from R4+5 at level of first crossvein distal to arculus. Vein R3 originates in right forewing slightly proximally to level of Px 7 and in hindwings at level of Px 6. Vein IR2 not markedly zigzagged. Y vein well stalked. CuP reaching hind margin of forewings slightly distal of level of Px 6 and in hindwings at level of Px 7. Number of cells between Arc and place where CuP meets hind margin of hindwing 12. Pterostigma brown, encircled by very thin lighter line and surrounded by thick dark brown veins, approximately two times wider than high. Its proximal side oblique, distal side slightly conical in middle due to distal supplementary vein arising at this point, except for left forewing in which its distal side is slightly convex.
Abdomen.—Slender, long, ground colour dark brown dorsally, ventrolaterally and ventrally. S1 with basal triangular lateral ochreous patch pointed posteriorly, same on S 2 in which light triangular light coloration reaches segment end. S4−S7 with ochreous ventrolateral markings broader basally. Dorsum of S8–10 light blue, marking on S8 rounded proximally, nearly reaching segment base (Fig. 126). Anal appendages dark brown. Superiors twice as long as inferiors and 2.5 length of S10. In dorsal view superiors narrow and almost straight, obliquely pointed towards middle, with apices touching at end. Laterally flattened, markedly constricted in middle, with broadened distal halves. Inner side of these broader apical parts shallowly hollowed, dorsally with blunt rounded protuberance, situated in middle of distal third of the appendage. Inferiors with strong base, which bears small median projection on dorsum, then narrowed, flattened and twisted inwards, with obliquely pointed tips gently curved upside (Figs. 126–127).
Measurements [in mm]. Ƌ—head width: 5.08; abdomen length: 48.3; fore- and hindwing length: 35.3, 35.2; fore- and hindwing pterostigma length: 1.75, 1.85; superior appendages: 1.11.
Description of paratype female [dried specimen, Lankaberiya Estate]. General habitus very similar to male (Fig. 128). Venation similar to male. Apices of wings clear. Left forewings with 19 and right forewings with 20 Px, left hindwings with18 and right hindwing with 17½ Px. Vein R3 originates in left forewing at the level of Px 6, between Px 4 and Px 5 in right forewing and slightly proximally to level of Px 5 in hindwings. Y vein shortly stalked. CuP reaching hind margin of forewings approximately at level of Px 6. Anterior lobe of prothorax black, anterior margin slightly elevated, evenly rounded and thickened, posterior portion broadened medially and pressed posteriorly, with rounded notch in middle. Median lobe whitish ventrolaterally but paired bluntly conical bulges on each side of middle gradually dark brown and black in the deep depression in-between. Posterior margin of black posterior prothoracic lobe only slightly upturned posteriorly. Posterior lobe narrow laterally, abruptly broadened and rounded across dorsum (Fig. 129). Vertex of synthorax black, rest of thorax also with black ground colour. Lateral stripe on mesepimeron and two thirds of metepimeron creamy white. Dorsum of S10 of abdomen light blue, as is intersegmental membrane between S9 and S8. S9 also blue on dorsum, but rounded off and narrowly obscured by black basally. Cerci dark brown. Ovipositor and styli reaching tip of cerci (Fig. 130).
Measurements [in mm]. ♀ —head width: 5,5; abdomen length: 40.8; fore- and hindwing length: 33.2, 32.9; fore- and hindwing pterostigma length: 1.7, 1.83; ovipositor: 3.8.
Remarks. Variation in paratypes. Wings of paratype male from Kanneliya depicted in Fig. 131. Left forewings with 20 and right forewings with 20½ Px, hindwings with 18½ and 19 Px. Vein R3 originates in all wings at the level of Px 5. Apices of wings enfumed dark brown one cell proximal of level of proximal side of pterostigma, proximally with clear centres of cells. In other paratypes the nodal index ranges from 18½ to 21½ Px in forewings and from 16½ to 20½ Px in hindwings. Second female paratype in forewings with 18½ and 18 and in hindwings with 16½ and 17 Px. Apices of wings clear in juvenile female paratype from Sinharaja. In male paratypes from Sinharaja and Tunmodera apices of wings enfumed dark brown slightly proximal of the level of proximal side of pterostigma, while in juvenile paratype males from Lankaberiya-dola, Lankaberiya Estate and Sooriyakanda apices of wings are clear, with pterostigma of lighter brown colour. In all paratypes the anterior and posterior lobe of prothorax are consistently black. Coloration of the middle lobe is subject to variation, but in most cases the bluntly conical bulges are white laterally, while its inner sides, sometimes to the top and even over, the median portion between them and posterior part of middle lobe are black. Coloration in life. Eyes of both sexes in life black, with contrasting whitish-grey posteroventral portions. Ground colour of synthorax black. Lateral stripe white, only slightly bluish. Dorsum of last abdominal segments sky blue in both sexes, occasionally the blue coloration obscured proximally on S 9 in females (Figs. 172−173). Habitat.—As it is evident from the number of known localities and from the distribution map, P. serendibica sp. nov. seems to be the most common endemic representative of its genus in Sri Lanka. It is distributed in central and southwestern parts of the island, predominantly in lowlands but also up to 1,000 metres in the hills. The adults are on the wing between March and October. It inhabits small streams, often with tiny waterfalls which are at least partly overgrown with corridor of natural vegetation and at least partly shaded. Apart of such partly degraded habitats it also favours streams and trickles in secondary and primary forest patches. Conservation.—Its habitats are under heavy pressure and have vanished at an alarming rate in the last few decades. At most places the populations of P. serendibica sp. nov. appear to be small; however, due to its relatively large range and considerable number of localities it is here evaluated in the non-acute category of near threatened.
Measurements [in mm, paratypes]. Ƌ—abdomen length: 38.4−53.2; fore- and hindwing length: 28.7−36.8, 28.5−36.8; ♀ —abdomen length: 40.27; fore- and hindwing length: 31.4, 31.3.
Faunistic records [localities listed north to south]: (1) Wattegama, stream on the road Bandarella- Wattegama; Kandy District, Central Province; N7.3715, E80.7238; alt. 815m; 24-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 3♀, 2Ƌ.— (2) Panwila, stream at B205 road 5km NE of Wattegama; Kandy District, Central Province; N7.3715, E80.7238; alt. 820m; 28-x-2012; M. Bedjanič; 1Ƌ.—(3) Madugoda, Stream 20mi E of Kandy; Kandy District, Central Province; N7.3247, E80.9433; alt. 385m; 12-iii-1962; P. Brinck, H. Andersson & L. Cederholm; LIEFTNICK (1971); 1♀.—(4) Hunnas Falls, small stream at the road from Hunnas Falls to Elkaduwa; Matale District, Central Province; N7.4083, E80.6815; alt. 780m; 24-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 2♀, 10Ƌ.—(5) Small seep 2km N of Hunas Falls on Elkaduwa road; Matale District, Central Province; N7.4069, E80.6818; alt. 690m; 27-x-2012; M. Bedjanič; 1Ƌ.—(6) Laxapana, small stream on the road Kithulgala towards Polpitiya 6km NW of Laxapana; Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province; N6.9729, E80.451; alt. 260m; 27-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič; 5♀, 10Ƌ.—(7) Laxapana, small stream on the road Kithulgala towards Hitigegama 5km NW of Laxapana; Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province; N6.9635, E80.4566; alt. 270m; 27-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič; 10Ƌ.—(8) Laxapana, small stream on the road Kithulgala-Laxapana 7km NW of Laxapana; Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province; N6.9791, E80.4588; alt. 270m; 28-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič & K. Conniff; 5♀, 20Ƌ.—(9) Laxapana, small stream on the road Kithulgala-Laxapana 5.7km NW of Laxapana; Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province; N6.9706, E80.4626; alt. 260m; 28-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič & K. Conniff; 10Ƌ.—(10) Two small streams 1km before village Kothmalle on Kandy - Rambodde road; Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province; N7.0713, E80.6748; alt. 910m; 20-iv-2003; M. Bedjanič; 1♀ juv.—(11) Tunmodera, near Labugama; Colombo District, Western Province; N6.8635, E80.1663; alt. 100m; 19-ix-1970; O.S. Flint; 1Ƌ.—(12) Bodhinagala, path to temple; Kalutara District, Western Province; N6.7651, E80.1496; alt. 90m; 6-v-2009; G. de Silva Wijeyeratne; 11-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 5♀, 10Ƌ; 6-x-2010; K. Conniff.—(13) Kitulgala, Gonagamuwa Road At Coffee Planters Bungalow; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.015, E80.3787; alt. 180m; 9-vii-2010; K. Conniff et al. —(14) Weweltalava, natural forest 11km E of Yatiyanthota; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0453, E80.3912; alt. 950m; 23-vi-2012; S. Goonathilake; 1Ƌ.—(15) Kithulgala, stream among plantation near Kithulgala; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.9991, E80.3931; alt. 70m; 25-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič; 2Ƌ.—(16) Kitulgala; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0011, E80.4001; alt. 190m; 15-iv-1932; G.M. Henry; FRASER (1933b); 31-v-1975; S.L. Wood & J.L. Petty; 1Ƌ.—(17) Kithulgala, small stream in the secondary forest 1km S of the bridge near Plantation Hotel in Kithulgala; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.9844, E80.4137; alt. 180m; 21-v- 2009; M. Bedjanič; 5Ƌ, 1cop.—(18) Kithulgala, stream among plantations on the way to the forest; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.9863, E80.4142; alt. 120m; 21-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 1♀, 5Ƌ.—(19) Kithulgala, stream and abandoned ricefield near Kelani river 2km upstream of the bridge; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.9786, E80.426; alt. 120m; 22-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 1Ƌ.—(20) Mahabage, Ing oya; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0068, E80.428; alt. 250m; 11-vi-2006; K. Conniff; 5♀, 7Ƌ, 1cop.; 1-vii-2006; K. Conniff; 4♀, 5Ƌ; 14-x-2010; K. Conniff. —(21) Mahabage, Ing Oya, left tributary of Ing Oya on the way from River Resort to Beliena Cave; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0082, E80.4291; alt. 220m; 26-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič; 5Ƌ.—(22) Mahabage, Ing Oya, small seepage beside the road from River Resort Hotel to Beliena Cave; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0072, E80.4295; alt. 280m; 26-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič; 5Ƌ.—(23) Mahabage, Beli Lena; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0115, E80.4342; alt. 270m; 8-x-2010; K. Conniff. —(24) Mahabage, Ing Oya, River Resort Hotel; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N7.0118, E80.4346; alt. 270m; 25-vii-2009; M. Bedjanič; 2♀, 10Ƌ.—(25) Kithulgala, left tributary of Kelani river in secondary forest 3km upstream of the bridge near Plantation Hotel in Kithulgala; Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.9739, E80.4368; alt. 390m; 22-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 1♀, 5Ƌ.—(26) Palabaddala, 50- acre forest; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.808, E80.4032; alt. 770m; 22-vi-2008; A. Salgado; 1Ƌ.—(27) Sinharaja, stream along the road from Martin's to the new visitors centre; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.4315, E80.4152; alt. 450m; 14-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 5♀, 10Ƌ.—(28) Sinharaja, stony stream 700m from the entrance on the way to new entrance gate; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.4297, E80.4163; alt. 480m; 13-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 3♀, 10Ƌ.—(29) Sinharaja; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.4087, E80.4447; alt. 770m; 22-iv-1973; R. Baumann & J. Cross; 1Ƌ, 1♀; 7-vi-2006; G. de Silva Wijeyeratne; 1Ƌ; 7-x-2010; K. Conniff.—(30) Lankaberiya-dola; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.5021, E80.5547; alt. 330m; 20-iv-1973; R. Baumann & J. Cross; 1Ƌ.—(31) Rakwana, stream at 10 bend in Balutota Pass; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.4572, E80.6246; alt. 930m; 17-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 10♀, 30Ƌ; 18-vii-2012; M. Bedjanič; 2♀, 2Ƌ.—(32) Sooriyakanda, stream; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.4344, E80.6295; alt. 890m; 19-iv-1973; R. Baumann & J. Cross; 1Ƌ.—(33) Rakwana, stream in pine plantation 700m from 10 bend in Balutota Pass; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.459, E80.6324; alt. 860m; 17-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 10Ƌ.—(34) Lankaberiya Estate, stream on the road Deniyaya-Rakwana in Lankaberiya Estate; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.3976, E80.6516; alt. 840m; 16-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 1♀, 1Ƌ.—(35) Sooriyakanda, small seep between tea plantations on the road to Deniyaya; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.3952, E80.6585; alt. 860m; 18-vii-2012; M. Bedjanič; 2Ƌ.—(36) Balangoda, stream in Pettiagala at budhist monastery NWW of Balangoda; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.653, E80.6717; alt. 680m; 16-vii-2012; M. Bedjanič; 10Ƌ.—(37) Balangoda, small stream 2.8km NW of Balangoda; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.6639, E80.6744; alt. 630m; 17- vii-2012; M. Bedjanič; 1Ƌ.—(38) Elpitiya, forest reserve 6km SE of Elpitiya; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.2654, E80.2054; alt. 150m; 2008; S. Gunasinghe; WCSG (2008).—(39) Kottawa, Kottawa Forest Reserve; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.1116, E80.3145; alt. 55m; 2008; S. Gunasinghe; WCSG (2008).—(40) Hiyare Lake; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.0586, E80.3165; alt. 110m; 2008; S. Gunasinghe; WCSG (2008).—(41) Haycockmountain, 21mi NNE of Galle; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.348, E80.3257; alt. 40m; 27-iv-1892; J.W. Yerbury; KIRBY (1894); 27-iv-1892; J.W. Yerbury; 1Ƌ.—(42) Kanneliya Reserve, small stream 500m from the entrance to Kanneliya reserve; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.2514, E80.3337; alt. 80m; 15-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 1♀, 5Ƌ.—(43) Kanneliya Reserve, small stream near the entrance; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.2509, E80.3381; alt. 40m; 15-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 1♀, 3Ƌ.—(44) Kanneliya; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.2455, E80.3544; alt. 340m; 2008; S. Gunasinghe; WCSG (2008).—(45) Kanneliya Forest; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.2291, E80.3834; alt. 180m; 22-v-1975; S.L. Wood & J.L. Petty; 1♀; 8& 9-vi-1975; D.H. Messersmith, G.L. Williams & P.B. Karunaratne; 2Ƌ.—(46) Nakiyadeniya, forest reserve 1km N of Udagama Central; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.1755, E80.385; alt. 140m; 2008; S. Gunasinghe; WCSG (2008).—(47) Sinharaja, Main path from the entrance to Sinharaja Forest Biosphere Reserve to the Kakuna Falls on Aranuwa Dola Rivulet; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.3662, E80.4755; alt. 250m; 29-iv-2003; M. Bedjanič; 1Ƌ; 2-v-2003; M. Bedjanič; 2Ƌ; 19-vii-2012; M. Bedjanič; 3Ƌ.—(48) Dediyagala; Matara District, Southern Province; N6.1893, E80.4277; alt. 230m; 2009; S. Gunasinghe; WCSG (2009).—(49) Beraliya- Akuressa; Matara District, Southern Province; N6.1001, E80.467; alt. 70m; 2009; S. Gunasinghe; WCSG (2009).—(50) Diyadawa, stream on the road Morawaka-Diyadawa on the slopes of Diyadawa forest; Matara District, Southern Province; N6.3122, E80.543; alt. 220m; 16-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 5Ƌ, 1cop.—(51) Anilkanda, stream near village Anilkanda, on the road Deniyaya-Rakwana; Matara District, Southern Province; N6.3447, E80.5937; alt. 525m; 16-v-2009; M. Bedjanič; 3Ƌ.
description: Published as part of Tol, Van, 2016, Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of the Platystictidae of Sri Lanka (Insecta: Odonata), pp. 1-80 in Zootaxa 4182 (1) on pages 43-46, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4182.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/164301