Protosticta jirapornae, Makbun, 2025

Makbun, Noppadon, 2025, Description of Protosticta jirapornae sp. nov. from northern Thailand (Odonata: Platystictidae), Zootaxa 5642 (1), pp. 59-67 : 60-66

Protosticta jirapornae sp. nov.

( Figs 1–18 )

Protosticta khaosoidaoensis Asahina, 1984 — van Tol 2008: 220–221, figs 5–7; Hämäläinen & Pinratana 1999: 60, 2000: 157; Makbun 2011: 23, 35, 66, figs 5.6, 17; Makbun et al. 2011: 63.

Holotype. 1♂, Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, Muang , 15.vi.2023, N. Makbun leg.

Paratypes. 1♂, same location and collector as the holotype, 16.vi.2023 ; 2♀♀, same location and collector, 6.viii.2023 ; 1♀, same location and collector, 27.v.2010 ; 1♂, same location and collector, 8.vii.2009 ; 3♂♂, 2♀♀, same location and collector, 11.vii.2009 ; 1♀, same location and collector, 22.vii.2009 . 1♂, same location and collector, 18.viii.2009 .

Additional observations. 2♂♂, Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, Mae Rim, small forest stream (870 m asl), 17.vii.2023, Akihiro Tamada ; 1♂, Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, Muang, Suthep, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park , Montha Than Waterfall (18.816848, 98.925853, 694 m asl), 20.v.2023, Aubin Bernard (https://www.inaturalist. org/observations/205495873) ; 1♂ 1♀, 14.vi.2024, Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, Muang, Suthep, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park , Dave Eric Sargeant .

Etymology. The new species is named in honour of Jiraporn Meewasana, a former assistant superintendent of Suthep-Pui National Park, in recognition of her dedicated efforts towards the biodiversity of the park and its surrounding areas. Her contribution has raised public awareness and facilitated the development of effective conservation plans. She also kindly supported and helped the author in various way. The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case.

Description of holotype ( Figs 1 , 3–12 )

Head ( Fig. 3 ). Labium dirty dark brown with golden brown setae; labrum bluish white with lower half black; genae black with bluish white spot adjacent to labrum; anteclypeus bluish white; scape light brown, pedicel and flagella dark brown; ocelli whitish; rest of head shining black.

Thorax ( Figs 4–7 ). Prothorax yellowish with black markings ( Figs 4–5 ); propleuron with an obscured brownish black spot ( Fig. 4 ); anterior lobe of prothorax with a small medioposterior spot; middle lobe with a pair of medioposterior triangular spot; posterior lobe black with pale laterally ( Fig. 5 ). Synthorax ( Figs 6–7 ): dorsal carina and mesepisternum and mesepimeron shining black ( Fig. 6 ); mesinfraepisternum shining black with yellowish lower part; metepisternum and metepimeron yellowish with broad shining black stripe covering metapleural suture except metathoracic spiracle; venter of metathorax yellowish ( Fig. 7 ). Legs yellowish, coxa and trochanter yellowish without setae, femur and tibia with poorly defined narrow brown stripe along much of extensor surface and lower part flexor surface, rest of legs yellowish, claws black.

Wings hyaline with dark brown veins; 2 Ax and 15 Px in forewings and 14 in hindwings; anal bridge vein (ab) absent, arculus slightly distal to Ax2; Pt dark brown with fine outer pale ring, trapezoidal with costal side shorter than anal side, covering one underlying cell and small parts of those on either side.

Abdomen brownish black with whitish markings, elongate and broadening at the posterior of S7. S1 with a lateral marking. S2 with a basodorsal triangular marking, occupying almost a half of the segment, and a black apical ring. S3 with a small basomedial triangular spot and a basolateral triangular spot connected with a narrow basal ring. S4–7 with a small basodorsal spot, a triangular subapical lateral marking and a black apical ring. S8 with a lateral marking, occupying about basal two third of the segment. S9 whitish with a narrow black basal stripe and a black marking on posteroventral corner of either side. S10 entirely black ( Figs 8–10 ).

Anal appendages black covered with golden brown setae (one paraproct distorted) ( Figs 8–10 ). In lateral view, cerci curved down, broad at base, gradually tapering to triangular expansion with blunt apex in apical third, with a blunt dorsal spine at half of its length ( Fig. 8 ). From dorsal perspective, cerci bend slightly inward with a blunt spine on upper margin and two blunt spines (a big one and a small one) on lower margin at half of their length, with tis curved obliquely downward ( Fig. 9 ). Paraprocts clearly shorter than cerci, with strongly inwardly curved apices, broad at base and tapering, armed with a subbasal blunt protuberance on dorsal margin. Their apical bluntly triangular portions twisted strongly inwards. Each of paraprocts furnished with a tuft of setae directed slantly downward at underside of apex ( Figs 8, 10 ).

Genital ligula as in Figs 11–12 . The apical lobe with two pointed-tip flagella curved inward.

Measurements (in mm). Total length: 43.00, HW: 21.40, abdomen including appendages: 37.00.

Variations in paratype males. All paratype males exhibit reduced overall measurements in comparison with the holotype, with shorter total length, length of HW, and length of abdomen including anal appendages (40.43– 43.79, 20.29–21.93, and 34.99–37.35, respectively). Px in HW ranges between 13 and 14 (mostly 14). Notably, one male displays a more prominent posteromedial spot on the anterior lobe of the prothorax.

Description of paratype females ( Figs 13–18 ). The general appearance and body colouration are consistent with those of the holotype. Differences to the holotype are as follows: the head features genae that are black, with an upper anterior bluish-white spot adjacent to the labrum; the pedicel is dark brown with pale base. The anterior lobe of the prothorax bears a dorsal spot, the middle lobe with a black bilobed spot on the posterior margin, and the posterior lobe marked with a large black band and brown laterally. Both wings exhibit 14 Px. The abdomen is broadened at segments S8–9; segment S7 has a broad bluish-white apical ring; segment S9 is dark brown dorsally. The cerci are black, short, and triangular in shape. The ovipositor is covered with golden-brown setae, extending beyond the tip of the cerci; the style is black with a pale tip, and the terebra of the ovipositor is a dirty brownish colour.

Measurements (in mm). Total length: 37.50, HW: 21.00, abdomen including appendages: 31.00.

Variations in paratype females. All paratype females are comparatively larger in terms of total length, length of HW, and length of abdomen including anal appendages, measuring 36.76–38.62, 19.19–21.18, and 27.96–31.36, respectively. The number of Px varies from 14 to 16 in FW and from 14 to 15 in HW.

Differential diagnosis. Protosticta jirapornae belongs to the trilobata -group, which, according to Kompier (2016, 2018), consists of the following species: P. beaumonti Wilson, 1997 , P. caroli van Tol, 2008 , P. khaosoidaoensis , P. linnaei van Tol, 2008 , P. nigra Kompier, 2016 , P. proboscis Kompier, 2016, P. pseudocuriosa , P. satoi Asahina, 1997 , P. socculus Phan & Kompier, 2016 , P. spinosa Phan & Kompier, 2016 and P. trilobata .

Since P. jirapornae was previously misidentified as P. khaosoidaoensis , it can be distinguished from the latter by the following morphological characters: in males, (1) the anterior and middle lobes of prothorax marked with a black dorsal spot and unmarked, respectively ( Fig. 5 ) (unmarked in P. khaosoidaoensis as on fig. 8 in Asahina 1984a), (2) the posterior lobe of the prothorax possesses the large black dorsal band ( Fig. 5 ) (a black middorsal spot in P. khaosoidaoensis as on fig. 8 in Asahina 1984a), (3) the paraprocts shorter than the cerci ( Figs 8–10 ; fig. 6 in van Tol 2008) (as well as the cerci in P. khaosoidaoensis as on fig. 13 in Asahina 1984a), (4) a large cup-like structure with a small spine at the dorsal apex of the paraprocts absent ( Fig. 9 ; fig. 7 in van Tol 2008) (present in P. khaosoidaoensis as on fig. 10B in Phan & Kompier 2016), (5) the expansion of the second segment of the genital ligula cordate in shape when viewed ventrally ( Fig. 11 ) (oval in P. khaosoidaoensis as on fig. 10 in Asahina 1984a), and (6) the synthoracic bluish white narrow stripe over dorsal carina absent ( Fig. 6 ; fig. 5 in van Tol 2008) (present in P. khaosoidaoensis ).

In females, the new species can be separated from P. khaosoidaoensis by (1) the anterior and middle lobes of the prothorax furnished with a dorsal spot and a dorsal marking on the posterior margin, respectively ( Fig. 15 ) (unmarked in P. khaosoidaoensis as on fig. 9 in Asahina 1984a), (2) the posterior lobe of the prothorax marked with a large black band ( Figs 14–15 ) (a black pentagonal spot in P. khaosoidaoensis as on fig. 9 in Asahina 1984a), and (3) the synthoracic bluish white narrow stripe over dorsal carina absent ( Fig. 16 ) (present in P. khaosoidaoensis ).

Beyond P. khaosoidaoensis , the newly described species shares its broad metapleural stripe on the synthorax and the predominantly or entirely whitish S 9 in the male with P. caroli , P. linnaei , P. proboscis, and P. spinosa of the trilobata -group. However, it can be differentiated from all of them by a combination of characters as follows: in males, (1) the anterior lobe of prothorax with a small medioposterior spots ( Fig. 5 ) (a median trapezoid spot in P. caroli (fig. 19 in van Tol 2008, fig. 2B in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 1 in Phan et al. 2022); the narrow brown stripe over anterior ridge in P. linnaei (figs 23, 26 in van Tol 2008, fig. 5 in Phan et al. 2022); unmarked in P. proboscis (fig. 1 in Kompier 2016a) and P. spinosa (figs 8A–B in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 10 in Phan et al. 2022)), (2) the middle lobe of prothorax with a pair of subdorsal spots on posterior margin ( Fig. 5 ) (variegated brownish black dorsal markings with lateral narrow stripes in P. caroli (fig. 19 in van Tol 2008, fig. 2B in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 1 in Phan et al. 2022); unmarked in P. linnaei (figs 23, 26 in van Tol 2008, fig. 5 in Phan et al. 2022) and P. proboscis (fig. 1 in Kompier 2016a); a median black marking in P. spinosa (figs 8A–B in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 10 in Phan et al. 2022)), (3) the posterior lobe of prothorax marked with a large black dorsal band ( Fig. 5 ) (entirely black in P. caroli (fig. 19 in van Tol 2008, fig. 2B in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 1 in Phan et al. 2022) and P. proboscis (fig. 1 in Kompier 2016a); brownish black with a pale narrow stripe on anterior ridge in P. linnaei (figs 23, 26 in van Tol 2008, fig. 5 in Phan et al. 2022); a median black marking in P. spinosa (figs 8A–B in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 10 in Phan et al. 2022)), (4) cerci in lateral view with a blunt dorsal spine medially and blunt triangular tip ( Fig. 8 ) (a prominent dorsal spine halfway and half depressed tip in P. caroli (fig. 20 in van Tol 2008, fig. 2E in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 2 in Phan et al. 2022); a small protuberance at middle and bilobed tip in P. linnaei (fig. 24 in van Tol 2008, fig. 6 in Phan et al. 2022); no dorsal spine at middle, and drooping tip in P. proboscis (fig. 3 in Kompier 2016a); small dorsal protuberance at middle and smooth tip in P. spinosa (fig. 8D in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 12 in Phan et al. 2022)), (5) paraprocts in ventral or dorsal view with strongly inwardly curved triangular tip ( Fig. 10 ) (paraprocts with a long and stout terminal spine in P. caroli (fig. 21 in van Tol 2008, fig. 20 in Kompier 2016a, fig. 2F in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 4 in Phan et al. 2022); paraprocts elongate and distally possessed with a subterminal cup-like structure on its dorsal surface in P. linnaei (fig. 25 in van Tol 2008, fig. 8 in Phan et al. 2022) and P. proboscis (fig. 3 in Kompier 2016a); paraprocts with a long and slender spine inward directed at middle and another directed inward and posteriad at the apex in P. spinosa (fig. 8E in Phan & Kompier 2016, figs 11, 13 in Phan et al. 2022)), and (6) propleuron unmarked ( Fig. 4 ) (same in P. caroli (fig. 19 in van Tol 2008, fig. 2A in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 1 in Phan et al. 2022), P. proboscis (fig. 1 in Kompier 2016a) and P. linnaei (fig. 23 in van Tol 2008, fig. 10 in Kompier 2016a, fig. 5 in Phan et al. 2022); black in P. spinosa (fig. 8A in Phan & Kompier 2016, fig. 10 in Phan et al. 2022)).

As the females of P. proboscis remains unknown, comparisons of females were made between P. jirapornae and the three remaining congeners for which females are known. The new species differs from these congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) the anterior lobe of prothorax with a dorsal spot ( Fig. 15 ) (same in P. caroli (figs 2H–I in Phan & Kompier 2016); unmarked in P. linnaei (fig. 10 in Kompier 2016a) and P. spinosa (figs 8H–I in Phan & Kompier 2016)), (2) the middle lobe of prothorax with a black bilobed spot on posterior margin ( Fig. 15 ) (a black dorsal bilobed spot on the posterior margin with narrow lateral stripes over notopleural suture in P. caroli (figs 2H–I in Phan & Kompier 2016); unmarked in P. linnaei (fig. 10 in Kompier 2016a); a well-defined black dorsal marking in P. spinosa (figs 8H–I in Phan & Kompier 2016)), (3) the posterior lobe of prothorax marked with a large black dorsal band and brown laterally ( Fig. 15 ) (entirely black in P. caroli (figs 2H–I in Phan & Kompier 2016) and P. linnaei (fig. 10 in Kompier 2016a); a black dorsal marking and yellowish laterally in P. spinosa (figs 8H–I in Phan & Kompier 2016)) and (4) propleuron unmarked ( Fig. 14 ) (same in P. caroli (fig. 2H in Phan & Kompier 2016) and P. linnaei (fig. 10 in Kompier 2016a); black in P. spinosa (figs 8H–I in Phan & Kompier 2016)).

Habitat and Ecology. Protosticta jirapornae inhabits small, shallow, partially shaded streams within evergreen forests at altitudes of 690–1,200 m asl. It is often observed resting on leaves or twigs close to the ground in shaded areas along the streams. Newly emerged males and females are typically found slightly farther from the streams in comparison to fully matured adults. The flight period extends from May to August. This species co-occurs with two other platystictid species, P. trilobata and Drepanosticta anascephala Fraser, 1933 , as well as other notable species including Cryptophaea saukra Hämäläinen, 2003 , Coeliccia doisuthepensis Asahina, 1984 , Caliphaea thailandica Asahina, 1976 , and Noguchiphaea yoshikoae Asahina, 1976 .

Figures

FIGURES. 1–2. Protosticta jirapornae sp. nov. in life; (1) male; (2) female.—Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, Doi Suthep National Park, 6.vii.2024. Photo: N. Makbun.

FIGURES. 3–10. General morphology of Protosticta jirapornae sp. nov., holotype ♂; (3) head in dorsal view; (4) prothorax in lateral view; (5) prothorax in dorsal view; (6) synthorax in dorsal view; (7) synthorax in lateral view; (8) anal appendages in lateral view; (9) anal appendages in dorsal view; (10) anal appendages in ventral view. Note: left paraproct on Figs 8–10 bent ventrally due to preparation.

FIGURES. 11–12. Genital ligula of Protosticta jirapornae sp. nov., holotype ♂; (11) ventral view; (12) lateral view.

FIGURES. 13–18. General morphology of Protosticta jirapornae sp. nov., paratype ♀; (13) head in lateral view; (14) prothorax in lateral view; (15) prothorax in dorsal view; (16) synthorax in lateral view; (17) abdominal tip in lateral view; (18) abdominal tip in dorsal view.