Matrona Selys 1853
Creators: name: Orr, Albert G. W.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Odonata
Calopterygidae
Matrona

description: Matrona
The genus Matrona ranges from islands of southern Japan to China, Indochina, Thailand, Myanmar and north-east India and includes nine species. It has recently undergone substantial revision (Yu et al. 2015) hence although there are several descriptions of the larvae of supposedly Matrona basilaris, based on their range some are obviously of other species, and some may be of uncertain identity. Fraser (1919b) described M. nigripectus Selys larva (as basilaris) from the Shillong area in Meghalaya, India at about 1400-1500 m, providing a habitus drawing of fair quality and a rather surreal depiction of structural details which nevertheless can be interpreted accurately enough to recognise similarities with other species. Matsuki & Lien (1978) and Ishida (1996) provided detailed descriptions and illustrations including the habitus for M. cyanoptera Hämäläinen & Yeh and M. japonica Förster respectively. Needham (1930), illustrates the basic habitus sketch of ‘ M. basilaris ’ but as it is evidently based on a specimen from mainland China (Hangchow, Zhejiang), its identity must be treated with caution, especially as it depicts exceptionally long legs. Most recently Wang et al. (2017) described and illustrated photographically M. basilaris larvae from Anhui, China. This specimen is a confirmed DNA match with adult M. basilaris hence their description can be considered definitive (Figs 30, 48, 55). All species are evidently very similar and direct comparisons of specimens are needed to determine any interspecific differences, preferably paired with confirmatory molecular determination. The revision by Yu et al. (2015) also erected a second subgenus, Matrona (Divortia but so far no confirmed larvae belonging to this taxon have been documented; but workers should be alert to the possibility that they may display clear differences from subgenus Matrona (Matrona). The habits and ecology of the species are variously described: for M. cyanoptera, “Distributed in the plains and low hills throughout Taiwan; the larva living in [the] middle section of streams resting on tree roots branches and stems in unshaded slow streams”, (Matsuki & Lien 1978); for M. basilaris, “...found both in small montane streams with sandy substrates and open rivers with stony substrates). Some [larva] even occurred in very small puddles covered with dense vegetation formed by discontinuous streams. They were usually concealed among stones and gravel, or in water plants, depending on their body colour. The habitat usually had many adults of Mnais tenuis Oguma ”, (Wang et al. 2017); and for M. nigripectus, “Generally concealed amongst debris, dead twigs etc or lying under cover of rocks. Movements sluggish, ...resembles Ranatra ...” (Fraser 1919b).
description: Published as part of Orr, Albert G. W., 2024, A review of present knowledge of larvae of the Calopterygoidea (Zygoptera) of the Oriental realm, including keys to families and known genera, pp. 209-243 in Zootaxa 5497 (2) on page 225, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5497.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/13618317