Onychogomphus supinus

Onychogomphus supinus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Gomphidae
Genus:	Onychogomphus
Species:	O. supinus
Binomial name
Onychogomphus supinus Hagen in Selys, 1854

Onychogomphus supinus is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. English names include lined claspertail ^{[2] [3]} and gorge claspertail. ^[4]

Distribution and status

This species may be restricted to southern Africa (Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe). Records from elsewhere in Africa (Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Senegal) are doubtful, due to taxonomic uncertainty. The form found in Senegal has been described as Onychogomphus supinus xerophilus. ^[1]

The species is widespread, and has been assessed as Least Concern in southern Africa and as Data Deficient in West Africa. ^[1]

Habitat

Onychogomphus supinus is found in and near streams and rivers in bush or woodland. ^[1]

Identification

In South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the shapes of the claspers are diagnostic, as are the patterns on the thorax and abdomen. ^[2] Taxonomy and identification of similar species further north is uncertain. ^{[1] [2]}

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  Male
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  Male
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  Male
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  Detail of abdomen of male, showing claspers
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  Male
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  Male
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  Male
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  Male
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  Female
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  Female

References

1. Clausnitzer, V.; Dijkstra, K.-D.B.; Suhling, F. (2010). "Onychogomphus supinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T59946A12176231. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T59946A12176231.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
2. Dijkstra, K.-D.B.; Clausnitzer, V. (2014). The dragonflies and damselflies of eastern Africa. Tervuren: Royal Museum for Central Africa. ISBN   978-94-916-1506-1.
3. Tarboton, Warwick; Tarboton, Michèle (2015). A Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik Nature. ISBN   9781775841845.
4. Samways, Michael J. (2008). Dragonflies and damselflies of South Africa (1st ed.). Sofia: Pensoft. ISBN   978-954-642-330-6.

External links

• Media related to Onychogomphus supinus at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Onychogomphus supinus at Wikispecies
• Lined claspertail Species text in the Online Atlas of South African Odonata