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| Paragomphus matroka Bedjanič, Bernard, Daraż & Yu, 2026 |
Abstract
Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Madagascar, Taolagnaro District, Iaboakoho, Réserve de Ressources Naturelles de la Forêt Naturelle de Tsitongambarika, Ampasy; Lat. -24.57840°, Lon. 47.14493°; 4.xii.2024; to be deposited in RMNH, Leiden), is described as new to science. The new endemic species is known only from the holotype, the paratype deposited in the MNHN, Paris, and an additional specimen deposited in NHRS, Stockholm. It has been recorded from three localities in the eastern part of the island, scattered over a distance of 1,033 km, within the Madagascar Humid Forests ecoregion. Despite the pronounced variation in the colour pattern, the three known specimens are interpreted as conspecific based on concordant diagnostic morphological characters, particularly the nearly identical structure of the secondary genitalia and cerci. The new species is related to P. fritillarius (Selys, 1892) and P. sofiae Bernard & Daraż, 2026. From these two more brightly coloured, spotted Hooktail species, P. matroka sp. nov. differs in its considerably darker colouration, a reduced pattern of smaller light markings on the synthorax, and clearly different secondary genitalia. The discovery of a new species underlines the need for additional intensive odonatological studies in Madagascar. Improving knowledge of species distributions, taxonomy, phenology and ecological requirements is crucial, especially in the context of threat assessments and conservation of endemic odonate fauna.
Odonata, dragonflies, Anisoptera, endemic, new species, Paragomphus fritillarius, taxonomy, biogeography, Malagasy Region
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| Male of Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype, type locality); (a) habitus in lateral view; (b) synthorax in lateral view; (c) secondary genitalia and part of proximal portion of hind wing with anal triangle and tornus; (d) head in dorsofrontal view; (e) penis in lateral view, subsequently expanded; (f) caudal appendages in lateral view; (g) S7–10 and caudal appendages in ventral view; (h) S7–10 and caudal appendages in dorsal view. Photographs by Kuang-Ping Yu & Matjaž Bedjanič. |
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| Paragomphus matroka sp. nov., male (paratype, MNHN Paris; Moramanga District, central-eastern Madagascar). (a) habitus in dorsal view and labels; (b) head, thorax and anterior part of abdomen (S1–4) in lateral view; (c), (d), and (e) S10 and caudal appendages in dorsal, lateral and ventral view, respectively; (f) secondary genitalia in lateral view, with penis partly exposed; (g) secondary genitalia in ventral view; (h) secondary genitalia in lateroventral view to show hook of the posterior hamule hidden behind its outline. Photographs by Bogusław Daraż. |
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| Paragomphus matroka sp. nov., male holotype, colouration in life: (a) dorsolateral view; (b) frontolateral view (Right tributary of the ampasy River 700 m NW of ampasy Research Station, tsitongambarika, anosy Region, southeastern Madagascar; 4.xii.2024). Photographs by Matjaž Bedjanič. |
Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.
Common name (en): Dark Hooktail
Nom commun (fr): Paragomphe sombre
Differential diagnosis. Paragomphus matroka is a large, dark endemic representative of the genus, belonging to a group of two additional endemic Madagascan species with a “spotted” thorax—P. fritillarius and P. sofiae—which closely resemble each other and are characterized by brighter, predominantly yellow-and-black colouration.
The new species remotely resembles P. fritillarius in the pattern of yellow spots on the synthorax and abdomen, the reddish-brown terminal abdominal segments, and the general shape of the cerci. However, it is readily distinguished by its overall darker colouration and the unique morphology of the hamules. the most significant colouration differences occur on the face, which is predominantly brown in P. matroka, versus interspersed yellow and black in P. fritillarius, and on the dark brown synthorax sides, where the yellow spots within the mesepimeral and metepimeral stripes are distinctly ...
Etymology. the species epithet is to be treated as a noun in apposition. it is derived from the Malagasy word “matroka”, meaning “dark-coloured” and it refers to the relatively dark colouration of the new species in comparison to its congeners.
Matjaž BEDJANIČ, Rafał BERNARD, Bogusław DARAŻ and Kuang-Ping YU. 2026. Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.—A New Hooktail Species from the Rainforests of eastern Madagascar (Odonata: Gomphidae). Zootaxa. 5821(2); 219-235. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4 [2026-05-29]