Nesocordulia coloratissima Bernard, Daraż, Ravelomanana & Dijkstra, 2025
publication ID |
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5660.2.1 |
publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:103B00A2-9573-45C1-B1AE-A1FA9772E247 |
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16602826 |
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/B042BE13-FF9B-AA71-71DD-5393FAC3FBD7 |
treatment provided by |
Plazi |
scientific name |
Nesocordulia coloratissima Bernard, Daraż, Ravelomanana & Dijkstra |
status |
sp. nov. |
Nesocordulia coloratissima Bernard, Daraż, Ravelomanana & Dijkstra sp. nov. —Flame-tipped Knifetail
Figs 1 View FIGURE 1 , 15–19 View FIGURE 15 View FIGURE 16 View FIGURE 17 View FIGURE 18 View FIGURE 19 , 20c,d View FIGURE 20
http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:45F48E7A-7BEE-46C6-9D2C-D585834376C8
Etymology. A declinable feminine Latin adjective, formed from colorata- plus superlative suffix -issima, “the most colourful”. This is the most variegated species, with a striking spectrum of black, rusty brown, yellow, and white, as well as metallic with green, blue, golden, bronze, and violet reflections.
Type material. Holotype male ( RMNH.INS.1679786)and two paratype males ( RMNH.INS.1552533, 1552535), all from Isalo Ranch , 22.5919° S, 45.3921° E, 805 m asl, near Isalo National Park , Ihorombe Region , Madagascar, 09.01.2016, leg. K.-D.B. Dijkstra and A. Ravelomanana. Two paratype females: ( RMNH.INS.1679787), Isalo Ranch , 22.5919° S, 45.3921° E, 805 m asl, near Isalo National Park , Ihorombe Region , Madagascar, 09.01.2016, leg. K.-D.B. Dijkstra and A. Ravelomanana, and ( RMNH.INS.1679789), Kirindy Forest near lodge and research station, 20.07° S, 44.66° E, 58 m asl, Menabe Region, Madagascar, 14.11.2014, leg. K.-D.B. Dijkstra. GoogleMaps
Photographic records. All individuals identified by us from photographs (originally given as N. malgassica at the indicated internet platforms). [1] Female, 22.4655° S, 45.2619° E, 968 m asl, Isalo National Park, Ihorombe Region, 25.11.2018, photo by Charles Sharp (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Nesocordulia_malgassica _ female.jpg). [2] Male, 22.5583° S, 45.3969° E, 761 m asl, near Isalo National Park, Ihorombe Region, 02.02.2020, photo by Valentina Volkova (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39941193). [3] Female, 22.5393° S, 45.3776° E, 803 m asl, Isalo National Park, Ihorombe Region, 21.11.2023, photo by user name “augerben” (https://www. inaturalist.org/observations/195677439).
Diagnosis. This rather small Nesocordulia species is the most colourful and extensively yellow-marked in the genus. The black abdomen marked with yellow up to the base of S7, while the remainder is uniformly rufous, is unique, as are the yellow occipital triangle, yellow frons sides, broadly yellow centre of labrum, and the especially large yellow spot on the mesepimeron and metepisternum (sometimes narrowly divided into two large triangular spots but more frequently fused). The hamule and cerci are also unique (see Figs 15–16 View FIGURE 15 View FIGURE 16 and 17–18 View FIGURE 17 View FIGURE 18 , respectively), although the former is similar to that of N. evanida .
Description. Holotype male. Total length 45.0, abdomen (excluding appendages) 31.5, Fw 31.9, Hw 31.0, Fw Pt 2.1, cerci 2.2. Fw Ax 12, Fw Px 7–8, Hw Ax 7–8, Hw Px 9–10.
Head. Face dark metallic, marked extensively with yellow ( Fig. 1e View FIGURE 1 ). Vertex and postfrons metallic blue with some green and violet reflections. Frons sides pure yellow. Antefrons mostly glistening dark bronze with a greyish creamy bar along the clypeus margin. Anteclypeus and centre of postclypeus yellow, sides of postclypeus metallic (green and dark bronze). Labrum glossy brownish black with a large yellow centre and a small dark brown spot in the middle. Labium yellow ( Fig. 1f View FIGURE 1 ). Occipital triangle yellow. Postgenae black. Eyes in life purplish brown anterodorsally and light blue posteroventrally, with a thin bright green line in between ( Fig. 1a View FIGURE 1 ).
Thorax. Synthorax brown and dark-metallic (mostly green reflections), with three pure yellow spots on sides: the upper large spot, extending across the mesepimeron and metepisternum and forming two branches around the metastigma, and two spots situated along the lower margin, one smaller on the metakatepisternum below the metastigma and one larger and oblong covering the posterior half of the metepimeron and adjacent to the yellow poststernum ( Figs 1a View FIGURE 1 , 19 View FIGURE 19 ). Middorsal carina mostly yellow, contrasting with the metallic green mesepisternum.
Wings. Membrane partly slightly tinted with brownish amber, especially in anterior parts and at wingtips. Pt medium-sized, black ( Fig. 1b View FIGURE 1 ).
Abdomen. Colour pattern divided into two sections: S1–6 black with a bright yellow pattern of paired spots, while S7–10 mostly rusty brown ( Fig. 1a View FIGURE 1 ). The laterodorsal yellow spots on each side of S2 are of similar size, the anterior one being rather angular and the posterior more rounded, while the broad lateroventral spot extends along the whole of the segment ( Fig. 1a View FIGURE 1 ). The laterodorsal yellow pattern on S3–6 consists of anterior stripes on each segment, and posterior stripes on S3 and S4 only ( Fig. 1a View FIGURE 1 ). S7 with a basal dorsolateral yellow half-ring covering about 30% of the segment’s length (not crossing the supplementary transverse carina) and including a middorsal pale rusty smudge ( Figs 1a,c View FIGURE 1 ). Along the ventral carina: (a) on S3–6, pale yellow stripe, broadened anteriorly on each segment; (b) on S7, basal yellow spot, not merged with the yellow half-ring above it ( Figs 1a,d View FIGURE 1 ).
Secondary genitalia. In lateral view, the hamule with a shallow but fairly wide rectangular apical incision between its anterior and posterior branch, the latter being only slightly broader and about the same length as the former ( Fig. 15 View FIGURE 15 ). In ventral view, the inner lobe of the anterior branch very broad and broadly rounded inwards; at the apex, the anterior branch shallowly divided from the posterior external branch, which is visible as a rounded flat surface with a thin dark margin ( Fig. 16a View FIGURE 16 ). Genital lobe relatively narrow, directed slightly obliquely posteriorly ( Fig. 15 View FIGURE 15 ), with ochre hair-like setae.
Caudal appendages. Cerci white with dark brown base (brownish shade to 40–45% of their length) and white hair-like setae ( Figs 1g View FIGURE 1 , 17–18 View FIGURE 17 View FIGURE 18 ). In dorsal view, slightly arched inwards (banana-shaped), with a small bulge visible as a blunt angle near the base of their inner margin ( Fig. 18 View FIGURE 18 ). In lateral view, slightly arched up and not distended in their distal half, being almost equally thick throughout their length ( Figs 1g View FIGURE 1 , 17 View FIGURE 17 ); the small bulge may be visible at 1/3 of the length. Epiproct rusty cream, fairly long, reaching 80% of the cerci length ( Figs 1g View FIGURE 1 , 17 View FIGURE 17 ).
Variation in males. Total length 44.1–45.6, abdomen (excluding appendages) 31.0–32.0, Fw 31.3–32.5, Hw 30.3–31.7, Fw Pt 2.1–2.4, Fw Ax 10–12, Fw Px 7–8, Hw Ax 7–8, Hw Px 8–10. Each of the following slight variations was seen in one individual: (a) more extensive yellow centre of labrum; (b) large upper spot on synthorax narrowly divided into two spots, an anterior one on mesepimeron and a posterior one on metepisternum; (c) an additional but indistinct brownish yellow spot in the anterolateral corner of mesepisternum; (d) the posterior laterodorsal spot on S2 extended ventrally; (e) a short yellow stripe in the posterior part of S5, corresponding to the stripes on S3–4; (f) distal two thirds of S7 only partly rusty brown and partly black laterally and distally.
Paratype females. Total length 42.0–46.4, abdomen (excluding appendages) 30.5–33.0, Fw 32.5–34.4, Hw 31.1, Fw Pt 2.2–2.4. Fw Ax 10–12, Fw Px 6–9, Hw Ax 7, Hw Px 9–10. Colouration similar to that of the males with the following differences: (a) an additional large yellowish spot in the anterolateral corner of mesepisternum; (b) the anterior laterodorsal spot on S2 concave dorsally, and the posterior one enlarged ventrally ( Fig. 1b View FIGURE 1 ); (c) the yellow pattern on S3–6 complete, i.e., with two paired stripes on each segment ( Fig. 1b View FIGURE 1 ); (d) wing membrane slightly tinted with amber at its base, but not in its anterior and distal parts. Gonapophyses represented by anterior processes at the end of S8 (subgenital plate) and median processes at the base of S9. The former, a pair of flat ribbon-like arms, are largely covered by corners of the S8 tergites with only their common base discernible ( Fig. 20d View FIGURE 20 ), but may be visible when tergites are spread apart ( Fig. 20c View FIGURE 20 ), while the latter have the form of short vertical and triangular projections ( Figs 20c, d View FIGURE 20 ). Cerci short (0.9–1.0), creamy white ( Fig. 1b View FIGURE 1 ). Variation in females limited, mostly in their dimensions.
Distribution and ecology. Most records are from (and around) the popular Isalo National Park in south central Madagascar, but one is from Kirindy Forest about 280 km northwest, suggesting the species is fairly widespread ( Fig. 21 View FIGURE 21 ). Indeed, currently it is the only Nesocordulia known from the drier west of the island, as both areas are situated in the ecoregion of Madagascar Succulent Woodlands ( One Earth 2024) and the hydrographic ecoregion of Western Basins ( Sparks & Stiassny 2022). All specimens were collected resting in trees far from water.
RMNH |
National Museum of Natural History, Naturalis |
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
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