Lestinogomphus venustus Dijkstra & Mézière ^ZBK sp. nov. –

Lovely Fairytail (Type Photo 30, Photos 44, 62, Figs 16, 17)

Taxonomy

See general rationale for Lestinogomphus under L. calcaratus sp. nov. No genetic data is available for this taxon, but its markings and morphology are unlike any other species in the genus.

Material studied

Holotype ♂. Gabon, Haut-Ogooué Province, 5 km after Bongoville toward Léconi, Ekala, Andzaba River, sandy and swampy stream (Photo 62), 389 m a.s.l. (1.6319 ° S 13.8888 ° E), 28 -iii- 2010, leg. N. Mézière & J. Renoult, RMNH . Further material. 1 ♂, as holotype, RMNH .

Genetics

No data available.

Male morphological diagnosis

Very small dragonfly (Hw 18.5 –19.0 mm; n= 2) that recalls L. angustus by (a) the fairly long S 10, its dorsal length being 1.9 –2.0x its apical height; (b) the prominent pair of teeth near the base of the epiproct dorsum (Fig. 16). However, (1) the thoracic markings are unique in the genus: the green on the collar is merged as in all species but barely extends along the middorsal carina; the pale postdorsal stripes are reduced to be virtually invisible; the green ante-humeral stripes are widened to extend well below the humeral suture; the humeral and interpleural black markings are merged to form a broad but isolated black stripe between the ante-humeral stripe and metastigma; and a black metapleural stripe is absent, while it is present in most Lestinogomphus, especially if these are so dark, i.e., with extensive black on face, tibiae and abdomen (Fig. 17); (2) the distal border of the posterior hamule is more sharply notched than any other species; and (3) the subbasal teeth of the epiproct, while distinct, are much smaller (Fig. 16).

Etymology Latin “lovely, graceful” for an especially attractive species of this elegant genus (masculine adjective). Range and ecology

The males perched on vegetation above a small sandy stream on the edge of the Batéké Plateau in south-eastern Gabon.