[Entomology • 2025] Merogomphus aryanadensis & M. flavoreductus • Two New Species of Merogomphus Martin, 1904 (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) from the Western Ghats, India

Merogomphus aryanadensis sp. nov. from Kerala
and M. flavoreductus sp. nov. from Maharashtra, India. 

A. V. Chandran,  Sawant, R. Chandran, Koparde, Jose & Kunte, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.1 

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Abstract

We describe two new species of dragonflies from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, Merogomphus aryanadensis sp. nov. from Kerala and M. flavoreductus sp. nov. from Maharashtra, India. Morphologically, these species are closely aligned with M. tamaracherriensis Fraser, 1931, an endemic species of the Western Ghats; however, they are distinguished by unique features in their caudal appendages, accessory genitalia, and body markings. Additionally, both species are considerably smaller than other known Merogomphus spp. found in India. The differential diagnosis presented includes a comprehensive morphological photographic assessment of the two new species described and their two endemic congeners, also from the Western Ghats. We also establish a significant genetic distance between these newly described Merogomphus species and M. tamaracherriensis.

Odonata, Aryanad, biodiversity hotspot, Kerala, Maharashtra, phylogeny, Sindhudurg, species discovery, taxonomy

Merogomphus aryanadensis sp. nov.

 Merogomphus flavoreductus sp. nov. 

Ayikkara Vivek CHANDRAN, Dattaprasad SAWANT, Reji CHANDRAN, Pankaj KOPARDE, Subin Kaniyamattathil JOSE and Krushnamegh KUNTE. 2025. Two New Species of Merogomphus Martin, 1904 (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) from the Western Ghats, India.  Zootaxa. 5588(2); 201-226. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.1 [2025-02-14] 

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[Entomology • 2022] Burmagomphus chaukulensis • A New Species of Dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) from the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India

Burmagomphus chaukulensis  Joshi, Ogale & Sawant, 

in Joshi, Sawant, Ogale & Kunte, 2022.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5133.3.6 

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Abstract

We describe a new species of dragonfly, Burmagomphus chaukulensis sp. nov., based on four males and two females from Chaukul, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra located in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot of India. The newly described species is diagnosed from its congeners by a combination of following characters: the shape of male caudal appendages (prominent lateral spines on cerci) and the lateral thoracic markings (stripe on mesepisternum reduced and pointed anteriorly). Additionally, B. chaukulensis is unique in terms of the shape of hamuli, strongly angulated with spines at both sides. An updated identification key to Indian Burmagomphus spp. is also provided.

Key words: Burmagomphus, laidlawi, cauvericus, endemic, Sindhudurg, Western Ghats, endemic species, new species description, species discovery, taxonomic keys

Burmagomphus chaukulensis sp. nov.

Shantanu Joshi, Dattaprasad Sawant, Hemant Ogale and Krushnamegh Kunte. 2022. Burmagomphus chaukulensis, A New Species of Dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) from the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India. Zootaxa. 5133(3); 413-430. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5133.3.6

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[Entomology • 2020] Onychogomphus cazuma ( Odonata: Gomphidae) from Spain: Molecular and Morphological Evidence supports the Discovery of A New European Dragonfly Species

Onychogomphus cazuma Barona, Cardo & Díaz, 

in López-Estrada, Barona Fernández, ... et Díaz-Martínez, 2020. 

 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3823337

 Researchgate.net/publication/341965769

Abstract

Onychogomphus cazuma Barona, Cardo & Díaz sp. nov. is described from the mountainous inland area of Valencia in central-eastern Spain. The new species presents a combination of morphological characters that distinguishes it from all other species of the genus and can be readily identified by the morphology of the male appendages and the female vulvar scale, and by the shape of the median lobe of the prementum and the labial palps of the exuvia. Molecular analysis of two genetic markers, one nuclear and one mitochondrial (PRMT and COII), supports the full species rank for this new taxon, which is sister to the north-western African endemic O. boudoti. Despite its small known distribution and the vulnerability of its habitat, available data are still insufficient to place this new species into an IUCN Red List of Threatened Species category.

Key words. Anisoptera, Iberia, Valencia, taxonomy, phylogeny

 Onychogomphus cazuma sp. nov.:
a - head and thorax detail (Rambla del Ral, photo: Toni Alcocer); b - type locality (Cazuma river, photo: J. B. Fernández);
c - habitus (Cazuma river, photo: C. Díaz-Martínez); d - lateral thorax (RAL1, Rambla del Ral, photo: C. Díaz-Martínez); e - lateral view of male genitalia (RAL1, Rambla del Ral, photo: C. Díaz-Martínez);
f - Rambla del Ral (photo: C. Díaz-Martínez); g - habitus (Cazuma river, photo: Toni Alcocer).

Onychogomphus cazuma Barona, Cardo & Díaz sp. nov. 

Etymology: The epithet cazuma (noun in apposition and, therefore, invariable) refers to the type locality, which was also the site where we first realized that it could be a new species.

E. Karen López-Estrada, Javier Barona Fernández, Nuria Cardo-Maeso, Santiago Teruel Montejano and Cecilia Díaz-Martínez. 2020. Onychogomphus cazuma sp. nov. from Spain: Molecular and Morphological Evidence supports the Discovery of A New European Dragonfly Species (Odonata: Gomphidae). Odonatologica. 49(1-2); 125-154. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3823337

https://bioone.org/journals/odonatologica/volume-49/issue-1-2/zenodo.3823337/Onychogomphus-cazuma-sp-nov-from-Spain--Molecular-and-morphological/10.5281/zenodo.3823337.short

Researchgate.net/publication/341965769_Onychogomphus_cazuma_from_Spain

 twitter.com/WorldDragonfly/status/1483113330265006083

[Entomology • 2020] Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis • A New Gomphid Dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) and the First Record of S. malayanus from Thailand

Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis 

Chainthong, Sartori & Boonsoong, 2020

แมลงปอเสือทองผาภูมิ || DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4763.2.6

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  facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand 

Abstract

Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis sp. nov. is described from a type series of specimens reared from larvae (holotype ♂, Huai Khayeng, Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi Province; ..., 206 m a.s.l., larva collected on 14.XII.2014; adult emerged on 30.IV.2015). All larvae were collected from the same locality in western Thailand. Description of the larva (based on preserved exuviae) is provided as well. The adult of this species can be distinguished from other Stylogomphus Fraser, 1922, by the morphology of the male anal appendages, pterothoracic pattern, abdominal pattern, male genitalia and female valvula vulvae (detail provided in the differential diagnosis below). This is the first species of Stylogomphus to be described from Thailand. This study also reports the first record of Stylogomphus malayanus Sasamoto, 2001, from Thailand.

Keywords: Odonata, Gomphidae, Stylogomphus, Thailand

Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis sp. nov.

 Damrong Chainthong, Michel Sartori and Boonsatien Boonsoong. 2020. Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae), A New Gomphid Dragonfly and the First Record of S. malayanus Sasamoto, 2001 from Thailand. Zootaxa. 4763(2); 231–245. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4763.2.6

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...รายงานในวารสาร Zootaxa ประเทศไทยมีแมลงปอเสือปลายงอน 2 ชนิดคือ แมลงปอเสือปลายงอนทองผาภูมิ (Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis) ที่เป็นชนิดใหม่ และแมลงปอเสือปลายงอนถิ่นใต้ (Stylogomphus malayanus) ที่เป็นรายงานใหม่ของประเทศ (จากเดิมเจอแค่ที่ประเทศมาเลเซีย) นับเป็นการค้นพบที่น่าตื่นเต้นทีเดียว...

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[Entomology • 2019] Macrogomphus phalantus jayavarman • A New Subspecies of Macrogomphus Selys, 1858 (Odonata: Gomphidae) from Continental South-east Asia

Macrogomphus phalantus jayavarman

Kosterin, 2019

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4615.1.3 

Abstract

The taxa of the genus Macrogomphus Selys, 1858 occurring in continental south-east Asia are reconsidered. Macrogomphus rivularis Förster, 1914 (described from Vietnam), M. borikhanensis Fraser, 1933 (described from Laos), and M. guilinensis Chao, 1983 (described from China), are synonymised with M. albardae Selys, 1878. The relationship and conspecificity of the latter with M. parallelogramma Burmeister, 1839 are doubtful, perhaps they are bona species. Males of M. albardae (and seemingly of parallelogramma as well) are approximately trimorphic for the pale pattern of the abdominal S3–S6, being of either a ‘dashed morph’ (with small isolated anteriolateral spots and conspicuous middorsal streaks), or a ‘ringed morph (with broad anterior rings and less conspicuous middorsal streaks), or an ‘intermediate morph’. Validity of the species M. matsukii Asahina, 1986 is doubted; its holotype could be an aberrant male of M. albardae. The main diagnostic character of M. albardae, M. phalantus Lieftinck, 1935 and probably M. parallelogramma, is clarified to be the structure of the cercus inner branch. Macrogomphus phalantus jayavarman subsp. nov. is described from temporarily inundated forest at the northern bank of the great Lake Tonlé Sap of Cambodia (Siem Reap Province, 1.5 km SSW of Kampong Pluk village, 13.1956° N, 103.9725° E, 3 m a.s.l.), which is ca 1,300 km north and overseas from the presumed range of M. phalantus phalantus.

Keywords: Odonata, Gomphidae, Macrogomphus Selys, 1858, Macrogomphus parallelogramma, Macrogomphus albardae, Macrogomphus phalantus, new synonyms, new subspecies, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, China

Macrogomphus phalantus jayavarman subsp. nov.

Oleg E. Kosterin. 2019. New Synonyms and A New Subspecies of Macrogomphus Selys, 1858 (Odonata: Gomphidae) from Continental South-east Asia. Zootaxa. 4615(1); 57–90. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4615.1.3

    

[Entomology • 2018] Microgomphus farrelli • A New Species of Dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) Based on Adults of Both Sexes and Larvae from Northern Thailand

Microgomphus farrelli  

Makbun & Fleck, 2018. 

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4422.3.10

 facebook.com/NoppadonMakbun • ThaiOdonata.blogspot.com

Abstract

The new gomphid species, Microgomphus farrelli sp. nov., is described and illustrated on the basis of male and female adult specimens and larvae collected from Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son province, Northern Thailand. It is compared with other species of the genus. Based on the larvae this species is most closely related to Microgomphus svihleri (Asahina, 1970), comb. nov., which is the senior and valid synonym of Microgomphus thailandicus Asahina, 1981, syn. nov.

Keywords: Odonata, dragonfly, Anisoptera, Gomphidae, Microgomphus, new species, Thailand

  Noppadon Makbun and Günther Fleck. 2018. Description of Microgomphus farrelli sp. nov. (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) Based on Adults of Both Sexes and Larvae from Northern Thailand. Zootaxa. 4422(3); 442–450. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4422.3.10

 facebook.com/NoppadonMakbun/posts/2462622937088529

 thaiodonata.blogspot.com/2011/02/microgomphus-thailandica.html

[Entomology • 2017] Gomphidictinus tongi • Gomphidictinus (Odonata: Gomphidae) in China

Gomphidictinus tongi 

Zhang, Guan & Wang, 2017

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.7 

Abstract

A new gomphid species, named as Gomphidictinus tongi sp. nov. (Holotype male, Mt. Diaoluoshan, altitude 930m a.s.l., Lingshui County, Hainan Province, China) is described here. It is regarded as the third species of Gomphidictinus based on the presence of the basal spine on median segment of the penis organ. Gomphidia interruptistria Zha, Zhang & Zheng, 2005 is regarded as a junior synonym of Gomphidictinus perakensis (Laidlaw, 1902), which is recorded from Yunnan, China.

Keywords:  Odonata, dragonfly, Anisoptera, China, Yunnan, new species

 Hao-Miao Zhang, Zhao-Ying Guan and Wen-Zhi Wang. 2017. Updated Information on Genus Gomphidictinus (Odonata: Gomphidae) in China with Description of Gomphidictinus tongi sp. nov. Zootaxa.  4344(2); 321–332.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.7

[Entomology • 2017] Anisogomphus yingsaki • A New Gomphid Species (Odonata: Gomphidae) from Thailand

 Anisogomphus yingsaki  Makbun‎, 2017

แมลงปอเสือต่างลายขาว | DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4306.3.10 

Abstract

Anisogomphus yingsaki sp. nov. (holotype male: Ban Na Kha, Ban Muang, Sakon Nakhon province, Thailand, altitude 170–175 m, 22-vi-2016) is described and illustrated. The new species is most similar to A. bivittatus from India and Nepal, and also A. flavifacies, and A. resortus from China in the shape of anal appendages. However, it can be separated from all of these by a combination of the following characters: shape of antehumeral stripes, abdominal pattern, shape of vesica spermalis and female valvula vulvae. The behavior of the new species, including crepuscular activity, is briefly discussed.

Keywords: Odonata, dragonfly, Odonata, Anisoptera, Gomphidae, Anisogomphus, new species, Thailand

Noppadon Makbun‎. 2017. Anisogomphus yingsaki (Odonata: Gomphidae) sp. nov., A New Gomphid Species from Thailand. Zootaxa. 4306(3); 437–443. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4306.3.10

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[Entomology • 2017] Burmagomphus chiangmaiensis • A New Species of the Genus Burmagomphus Williamson (Odonata: Gomphidae) from Northern Thailand

Burmagomphus chiangmaiensis Makbun, 2017

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.1.7 

Abstract

Burmagomphus chiangmaiensis sp. nov. (holotype: Ban Luang, Chom Thong, Chiang Mai province, Thailand, 890-900 m, 14 v 2012) is described and illustrated. It can be differentiated from its most similar congener, B. apricus from China, by shape of posterior hamulus, yellow trapezoid band on occiput, and larger size.

Keywords: dragonfly, Anisoptera, Gomphidae, Burmagomphus, new species, Thailand, Odonata

Noppadon Makbun. 2017. A New Species of the Genus Burmagomphus Williamson (Odonata: Gomphidae) from Northern Thailand. Zootaxa. 4269(1); 133–136. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.1.7

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[Entomology • 2017] Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984 (Odonata: Gomphidae), in Iran: Identification, Habitat and Behaviour

Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984 

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.6.4 

Abstract

Gomphus kinzelbachi was described by Wolfgang Schneider (1984) on the basis of a single teneral male captured by B. L. Sage on the Alwand River in eastern Iraq. In late April to early May 2016 two of the authors (TS and DI) discovered three individual-rich populations of this species on the large lowland river Karkeh in southwestern Iran (Khuzestãn). This is the first report of a breeding population of this species. Based on collected material we confirmed the structural differences of the male secondary genitalia between G. kinzelbachi and G. davidi on a larger number of animals. The female of the species is described. Gomphus kinzelbachi resembles most closely G. davidi, compared to all other West-Palearctic Gomphus species. Therefore, a direct comparison of the two species is given, and additionally some differential diagnostic hints for two other Gomphus species reported from Iran is provided. Our observations suggest that G. kinzelbachi reproduces on large clean lowland rivers in SE Iraq and SW Iran. In SW Iran only a free flowing stretch of the Karkeh, one of three parallel rivers (Karkeh, Karoon, Dez), seems to be suitable for this species. The other two rivers are affected by dams, dam construction, and increasing salinization. Additional dam constructions are also planned on the Karkeh River, thus, G. kinzelbachi may be on the brink of extinction.

Keywords: Odonata, Southwest Iran, Karkeh River, Khuzestãn, Iranian Gomphus species, Gomphus ubadschii, Gomphus schneiderii

 Gomphus kinzelbachi, male, from Iran, Karkeh River.  

Photos by D. Ikemeyer.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.6.4 

Thomas Schneider, Dietmar Ikemeyer, Sónia Ferreira and Ole Müller. 2017. Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984, in Iran: Identification, Habitat and Behaviour (Odonata: Gomphidae). Zootaxa. 4216(6); 572–584. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.6.4

  

[Entomology • 2016] Euthygomphus schorri • A New Genus with A New Species (Odonata: Gomphidae) from Cambodia: Reconsideration of the Genera Merogomphus Martin, 1904, and Anisogomphus Selys, 1857

Euthygomphus schorri   

Kosterin, 2016  

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4171.1.2  

Abstract

In the current sense, Merogomphus Martin, 1904, is an artificial genus. It includes two unrelated groups of species: those with lyrate cerci with or without an outer spine and those with simple cerci, plus two species with large and broad epiproct branches placed in Merogomphus obviously in error. At the same time a number of species similar and obviously related to the former group were described from China in the genus Anisogomphus Selys, 1857. To resolve this taxonomic tangle, the genus Merogomphus is restricted to include only species with lyrate cerci: M. pavici (Martin, 1904) (the type species), M. longistigmus (Fraser, 1922), M. vandykei (Needham, 1930), M. femoralis (Laidlaw, 1931), M. vespertinus (Chao, 1999) and M. torpens (Needham, 1930). A new genus Euthygomphus (type species: Leptogomphus martini Fraser, 1922) is erected to contain species with simple cerci and moderately divergent epiproct branches, formerly attributed to either Merogomphus or Anisogomphus: Euthygomphus parvus (Krüger, 1899) comb. nov., E. martini (Fraser, 1922) comb. nov., E. koxingai Chao, 1954 comb. nov., E. chaoi Liu 1991 comb. nov., E. jinggangshanus Liu, 1991 comb. nov., E. yunnanensis Zhou et Wu, 1992 comb. nov. Euthygomphus schorri  Kosterin, 2016, sp. nov. is described (type locality: Cambodia, Mondulkiri Province, 3.5–3.8 km ESE of Sen Monorom, holotype in RMNH), A new synonymy Merogomphus chaoi Yang & Davies, 1993 = Anisogomphus pinratani Hämäläinen, 1991, and a new combination Anisogomphus tamdaoensis (Karube, 2001) comb. nov. are proposed. The published records of ‘Merogomphus parvus’ from Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Vietnam are reidentified as Euthygomphus yunnanensis, and new records and illustrations of this species from Cambodia are provided.

Keywords: Odonata, Gomphidae, Merogomphus, Anisogomphus, Euthygomphus, Euthygomphus schorri, new genus, new species, Cambodia, classification

 Oleg E. Kosterin. 2016. Reconsideration of the Genera Merogomphus Martin, 1904, and Anisogomphus Selys, 1857, including Erection of A New Genus, with A New Species and Discussion of Additional Specimens from Cambodia.
Zootaxa. 4171(1); 51–76. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4171.1.2