Aciagrion bapepe Dijkstra ^ZBK sp. nov. – Congo Slim (Type Photo 11, Photos 18, 40, Fig. 7)

Taxonomy

Morphologically and ecologically nearest to A. balachowskyi Legrand, 1982 and A. nodosum (Pinhey, 1964) but genetically nearer A. gracile (Sjöstedt, 1909) and treated as a distinct species on account of its unique male appendages by Dijkstra & Clausnitzer (2014).

Material studied

Holotype ♂. RMNH.INS.502135, Congo-Kinshasa, Province Equateur, Lower Itimbiri, Loeka River (= Gwolo) mouth, tributary, forest and Itimbiri around mouth, 360 m a.s.l. (2.038 ° N 22.826 ° E), 16 -v- 2010, leg. K.- D.B. Dijkstra, RMNH .

Further material. CONGO-KINSHASA (Province Equateur): 3 ♂, as holotype . 1 ♂ 1 ♀, Lower Itimbiri, 2 km downstream of Kona camp, swamp forest, 401 m a.s.l. (2.013 ° N 22.782 ° E), 17 -v- 2010, leg. K.- D.B. Dijkstra, RMNH . 1 ♂ (RMNH.INS.502128), 2 ♀ (RMNH.INS.502153), Lower Itimbiri, Kona forest, swamp forest, 362 m a.s.l. (2.040 ° N 22.788 ° E), 12 -v- 2010, leg. K.-D.B. Dijkstra, RMNH .

Genetics

Two unique haplotypes (n = 3) nearest to A. gracile .

Male morphological diagnosis

Most similar to A. balachowskyi and A. nodosum by (a) the complete black middorsal stripe on the mesepisterna; (b) the cerci that are about as long as the paraprocts and bear a conspicuous ventral process in lateral view; and (c) the large tooth surpassing the base of the paraprocts (Fig. 7). However, (1) is larger, Hw 23.0–25.0 mm (n= 5) rather than 19.0–21.0 mm; (2) Pt are reddish brown with maturity, instead of blackish; (3) S 10 is largely blue and not at least dorsally extensively black; and (4) the cerci have a distinctly pointed apex that is abruptly separated from the triangular ventral process, rather than being more or less continuous with it (Fig. 7).

Etymology Name is derived from a local word meaning dragonfly or damselfly (noun in apposition). Range and ecology

Discovered in forest understory around 360 and 400 m a.s.l. close to the large blackwater Itimbiri River (Photo 18) in central Congo-Kinshasa, probably breeding in floodwater pools. Found with Pseudagrion malagasoides Pinhey, 1973 that, while not closely related, has a similar habitat and general appearance.