The Synthemistidae are the family of dragonflies commonly known as tigertails, or sometimes called southern emeralds. This family is sometimes treated as a subfamily of Corduliidae. This is an ancient dragonfly family, with some species occurring in Australia and New Guinea. Most species are small in size and have narrow abdomens. Their nymphs are bottom dwellers, and resist droughts by burying themselves very deeply. Synthemistid dragonflies frequently prefer marshy areas, as well as fast-flowing streams. The family Synthemistidae is sometimes called Synthemidae.
Choristhemis olivei, more commonly known as delicate tigertail, is a species of Odonata spanning from the family Synthemistidae and the genus Choristhemis. This species originates from north-eastern Queensland, Australia, and some scientists speculate that this species are endemic to Mount Lewis. Specimens of the Choristhemis olivei were first discovered in 1908 by R. J. Tillyard when two males of this species were found in Australia and documented in 1909. In 1999, one additional male was collected and documented by Günther Theischinger. The species is also noted in the Zoological Society of London. More recently, two scientists discovered a multitude of Choristhemis olivei on Thornton Peak, located on Cape Tribulation. One of these scientists took a sample of the larvae found on Thornton Peak for further research.
Tonyosynthemis ofarrelli, more commonly known as the slender tigertail, is a species of Odonata from the family Synthemistidae. It is found in Queensland, Australia, along the eastern coast. They tend to live along or near freshwater streams or rivers, which is also where Odonata tend to lay their eggs.
Tonyosynthemis claviculata, commonly known as the clavicle tigertail, is a species of dragonfly. They are found in Queensland, Australia, along streams and rivers, or near the eastern Australian coast and drainage basins.
Eusynthemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Synthemistidae. They are commonly known as tigertails. Species of this genus are found mostly in Australia with one species, Eusynthemis frontalis, found in the Solomon Islands.
Choristhemis is a genus of small dragonflies in the family Synthemistidae found in eastern Australia. They are small to medium-sized slender dragonflies with dark colouring and light markings and a relatively weak flight.
Synthemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Synthemistidae. Species of Synthemis are medium-sized, slender, black and yellow dragonflies.
Palaeosynthemis is a genus of dragonflies. The genus includes these species:
Synthemis tasmanica is a species of dragonfly in the family Synthemistidae, known as the Tasmanian swamp tigertail. It is found in Tasmania, Australia, where it inhabits seepages and bogs. It is a slender, medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings.
Eusynthemis aurolineata is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the variable tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits mountain swamps and streams in eastern Australia
Eusynthemis nigra is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the black tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits streams in eastern Australia
Eusynthemis barbarae is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the Mount Lewis tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits rainforest streams in north-eastern Australia
Eusynthemis brevistyla is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as a small tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits streams in south-eastern Australia
Eusynthemis virgula is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the golden tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits streams in south-eastern Australia.
Eusynthemis netta is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the pretty tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits rainforest streams in north-eastern Australia
Eusynthemis rentziana is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the swift tigertail. It is a slender, medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits streams in eastern Australia
Eusynthemis ursula is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the Beech tigertail. It is a slender, medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It has been found near the source of small streams at altitude in the vicinity of Barrington Tops, New South Wales, Australia
Eusynthemis tenera is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the rainforest tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits rainforest streams in north-eastern Australia
Eusynthemis tillyardi is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the mountain tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits coastal and mountain streams in south-eastern Australia