[16.] 29 January 2017, emergence: 9 teneral individuals (3 M).

[19.] 21 April 2015, emergence: several individuals (2 M, 1 F); 29 January 2017, emergence: several individuals (1 M).

Very widespread in the Afrotropics, from Senegal and Sudan to South Africa, but known from a relatively low number of localities. Also in Zambia, previously known only from few records in the 1960s at the south-eastern border of the country, along the Zambezi River between Livingstone and Katambora Rapids (Pinhey 1984). Being to a large degree related to temporary standing waters, it occurs in grassy, reedy or sedge-lined shallow pans, ponds and rain-pools ‘in dry bush country’ especially in the savannah belt (Pinhey 1984, Tarboton and Tarboton 2015; see also the new localities). However, the recorded frequency of L. ictericus does not follow the abundance of such habitats: both Pinhey (1984) and Tarboton and Tarboton (2015) provided information about its local(ised) distribution and this fact was confirmed in the study area. Some unrecognised habitat requirements or simply low exploration level of these habitats might have been responsible for this inconsistency.

[3.] 26–28 January 2017, several individuals, mostly teneral/juvenile, but also adult (2 M: teneral and adult).

[4.] 28 April 2015, 2 adults (1 M).

[5.] 25 April 2015, 1 M, 1 F; 28 April 2015, 1 F.

[6.] 26 January 2017, 4 tandems (2 ovipositing) and 1 female (1 M and 1 F), mostly in the widest (1.5 m) and shallowest, partly sunny section, attracted by favourable oviposition conditions.

[8.] 20 January 2017, 2 males, 1 female (1 M, 1 F).

[11.] 19 January 2017, 1 F.

Widespread in a basin of the mountain Mikwa stream from its source to its lower reach, between 1,180 and 640 m a.s.l. Recorded at six localities, three related to the main stream and three to its tributaries. Occurred at side seepages and trickles and at the main beds of narrow and shallow streams. Teneral and juvenile individuals observed low on the herbaceous vegetation and bushes. Adults settled either quite high (two to several metres) on tree leaves or low in the direct neighbourhood of seepages and trickles. Especially on trees, selected small sunny spots in shady surrounds. Oviposition in submerged tree roots or thin rootlets in a very shallow current water of a small stream (Fig. 1); these favourable microhabitat conditions attracted three tandems in a short time. In the peak of the rainy season (the second half of January), the species occurred in all visited appropriate places and both the emergence and reproductive activity were recorded. At the very end of the rainy season (in late April), its occurrence was already limited to some places and its numbers were lower.

Recorded mostly in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, with only one locality known in Katanga, DR Congo and one, raising doubts, in western Zambia (Fig. 10f) (Dijkstra 2018). The last site, the Sefula River in Barotseland (Pinhey 1984), might have been believed doubtful due to the plain nature of the area and the river that additionally does not flow through the forest, hence seems not to provide the necessary habitat conditions for the Afro-montane species of shaded forest. This inconsistency concerns not only coordinates given by Pinhey (1984) but also other sections of the river. However, as the exact location and habitat have remained unknown, there is no argument to finally reject the locality and it may be treated as not confirmed. In this unclear situation, the Mikwa stream basin appears the first doubtless location of a strong population of A. marshalli in Zambia (Fig. 10f).

Figure 1. 

Allocnemis marshalli ovipositing in tree roots in a small mountain stream near Chingombe, Zambia (phot. B. Daraż).

[1.] 20 December 2013, after first intensive rains but still without water, 3 M and 1 F.

[2.] 30 April 2015, emergence and reproductive activity: 1 tandem, 1 teneral male and 1 adult male (3 M, 1 F).

Mostly West and Central African species reaching south to Zambia and Malawi. In Zambia not rare, but previously known only in northern parts approximately to the latitude of Chingola and the Kasanka National Park (Pinhey 1984 and many unpublished records in ODA). The new localities extend the known species distribution range ca. 200 km southwards.

[1.] 20 December 2013, after first intensive rains but still without water, 2 M.

[12.] 16 December 2013, 1 F.

[25.] In moderate numbers in a very restricted area still without water: 9 December 2013, 2 M; 12 December 2013, 1 F; 17 December 2013, 3 M; 19 December 2013, 3 M, 2 F.

A quite recently described species, previously known only from uplands (1,150 m a.s.l. upwards) in a relatively narrow range between northern and central Zambia and Malawi (Dijkstra 2007b, 2018, unpublished records in ODA). Two of the new localities situated at lower elevations (510–530 m a.s.l.), at the bottom of the rift valley, at the southern border of the known species range. In the study area, related to temporary waters, rich in grassy and other herbaceous vegetation that correspond to the habitat spectrum given by Dijkstra (2007b, 2018). Already present at these sites when they are still dry, just before and after first intensive rains of the wet season.

[1.] 20 December 2013, after first intensive rains but still without water, 1 male, 1 tandem (2 M, 1 F); 31 January 2017, several individuals, 1 tandem (5 M, 2 F).

[2.] 30 April 2015, 1 teneral M.

[12.] 18 December 2013, 1 M.

[17.] 20 April 2015, 1 teneral M.

A recently described species, previously known from uplands (1,000 m a.s.l. upwards) in a relatively narrow range from northern Zambia through central and southern Malawi to northern Mozambique (Dijkstra et al. 2015, Dijkstra 2018). Four new localities showed fairly frequent occurrence also in central Zambia and not only in the upland plateau but also at lower elevations (520–530 m a.s.l.) at the bottom of the rift valley. In the study area, inhabited temporary or at least highly astatic water-bodies with abundant grassy and other herbaceous vegetation, but greater population numbers were recorded only in a large temporary clear-water pool in an upland dambo. The recorded habitat spectrum follows the preferences described by Dijkstra et al. (2015). Worth noticing is the early beginning of reproductive activity in the still dry breeding habitat, but after first intensive rains of the wet season.

[20.] 8 December 2013, 3 males (2 M) in two small patches of floating Pistia in lateral river branches (but within the river bed), currently shallow and barely flowing or stagnant, but during the rainy season deeply flooded by the strong swollen river. The species occurrence in such a river is noteworthy as the species is mostly associated with standing and often temporary waters, but also streams (Dijkstra 2018).

Mostly occurs in Eastern Africa, from South Sudan to Mozambique (Dijkstra 2018). In Zambia, previously known only from the north: very few data given by Pinhey (1984) and recent records from Sakufola nr. Ikelenge, Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage nr. Chingola and Shiwa N’gandu nr. Chinsali in November-December 2014 (J. Kipping coll., unpublished records in ODA). The new locality delineates the south-western border of the known species range.

[12.] 14 December 2013, 3 males above the water table of the pond (2 M).

[14.] 14 April 2015, 1 M.

[15.] 15 April 2015, fairly numerous, tandems (4 M 1 F), a male caught and consumed by male Pseudagrion gamblesi Pinhey, 1978.

[16.] 29 January 2017, 1 M (donated to the collection of Jens Kipping).

[18.] 21 April 2015, 1 teneral M.

[24.] 12 December 2013, 1 teneral M probably originating from the stream.

[26.] 17 December 2013, several males above the water table of wide and calm sections of the river (3 M).

An East African species occurring from Ethiopia to northern South Africa (Dijkstra 2018). In Zambia, previously known only from several localities at the southern border, from environs of Livingstone and the Musaya River (unpublished records in ODA, J. Kipping pers. comm.), with several records in the adjacent areas of Zimbabwe (Pinhey 1984). In the study area, not recorded in the mountains and the upland plateau and occurs only at the bottom of the rift valley where it is widespread and fairly common. The contrast between this relatively high frequency and small amounts of older Zambian data being localised only along the Zambezi River may be a result of the concentration of earlier Zambian studies in uplands while the species seems to prefer hot lower elevations. In the study area, occurs in both temporary and permanent waters, especially in broad and calm sections of watercourses and stream pools.

[13.] 27 April 2015, 1 M foraging in a small meadow surrounded by trees, during the civil twilight phase.

Mostly recorded between 10° N and 10° S (Dijkstra 2018), reaching southwards to northern Zambia where previously known from four localities from the first half of the 1960s, the southernmost being Chingola (Pinhey 1984), and a recent record from Sakeji School near Ikelenge (1 M, 25 November 2014, J. Kipping coll.). The new locality, situated ca. 300 km SE of Chingola, extends the known distribution range of the species to the south (Fig. 10b).

[13.] 22 April 2015, 1 M; 26 April 2015, 1 F (Fig. 2). Both individuals foraged flying low above the ground or herbaceous vegetation in open places partly surrounded by trees, from sunset (17:49 h but with overcast sky) almost to the end of civil twilight (18:09 h).

The female (Fig. 2) identified on the basis of the combination of features: a) S3 constricted (‘waisted’) in 1/3–2/5 of its length; b) lateral carinae on S2 bent; c) cerci unmeasurable (broken and incomplete, Fig. 2a, b), but already in their basal part clearly broader than cerci in the compared Gynacantha sp., the shape of the existing fragments allows cerci to be assessed as leaf-like in contrast to stiletto-like cerci of the collected female of Gynacantha sp.; d) S9 only slightly longer than S8 (Fig. 2a, b, d); e) ventral carinae of S3–5 almost bare (only one denticle on S4 and three on S5); f) Hw: 51.1; g) dark T-mark on frons swollen, mushroom-like, with a broad elliptical stem with convex margins and with a thick and broadly spread ‘mushroom cap’ (Figs 2c, 3b). The last trait is not included in keys, but is similar in the collected male and female of villosa and different in the collected male of G. vesiculata (the stem quite broad, but triangular-deltoid and the upper arm (i.e. the cross-bar) less defined, blurred and flatter, Fig. 3a) and another in the collected female of Gynacantha sp. (the stem relatively narrower, weakly triangular-almost rectangular, with straight or weakly convex margins, Fig. 3c). This trait may be diagnostic as in some other species of Gynacantha, but requires confirmation in a larger sample. The listed combination of features suggests a typical form of G. villosa, also known from Katanga and excludes a misidentification of G. vesiculata (see Dijkstra 2005a).

One of most common large Gynacantha-species, mostly known from Eastern Africa and southern parts of Central Africa (Dijkstra 2018). In Zambia, previously recorded only from several localities in northern parts and at the southern border (Pinhey 1984, unpublished records in ODA).

Figure 2. 

Gynacantha villosa, a female from Chingombe, Zambia: a a general dorsal view b distal segments of abdomen with remaining proximal parts of cerci c head with a T-mark on the frons d a general lateral view (phot. B. Daraż).

Figure 3. 

Frons in dorsal view, with a potentially diagnostic T-mark, of the individuals collected in Chingombe, Zambia: a male of Gynacantha vesiculata b female of Gynacantha villosa c female of Gynacantha sp. (phot. R. Bernard).

[13.] 15 April 2015, 1 F foraging at various heights, from above the herbaceous vegetation up to several metres, in an open place partly surrounded by trees (in the same place as H. trinervulata in the next days), just before 18:00 h, i.e. shortly after sunset (17:53 h), during the civil twilight phase.

The collected female of Gynacantha sp. (Fig. 4) was compared with a female of G. villosa (Fig. 2), collected exactly at the same place. The following differences were noticed (Gynacantha sp. versus G. villosa): a) Hw: 54.0 versus 51.1; b) body: very robust versus clearly less robust; c) S3 almost cylindrical, only slightly narrowed in its proximal part versus constricted (‘waisted’) in 1/3–2/5 of its length; d) ventral carinae of S3–5 richly denticulate versus almost bare (only one denticle on S4 and three on S5); e) S9 about 1.5× as long as S8 (145–150%) (Fig. 4b, c) versus only slightly longer than S8 (Fig. 2a, b, d), this difference also being reflected in a striking contrast in size of the ovipositor; f) cerci narrow stiletto-like (6×0.6) (Fig. 4b, c) versus those of villosa unmeasurable (broken and incomplete), but at the same level in the proximal part clearly wider, so extrapolated as leaf-like (Fig. 2a, b); f) dark T-mark on frons relatively narrow and straight (Fig. 3c) versus more swollen, mushroom-like (Figs 2c, 3b), this difference being due to:

i. a quite thin weakly triangular-almost rectangular stem with straight or weakly convex margins (Fig. 3c) versus a relatively broader elliptical stem with convex margins (Figs 2c, 3b),

ii. a quite flat and rather short upper arm (cross-bar, Fig. 3c) versus a thicker and broadly spread ‘mushroom cap’ (Figs 2c, 3b).

The last trait is not included in keys, but its similarity in the collected male and female of G. villosa and different images in the collected female Gynacantha sp. and male G. vesiculata are worth noticing and checking on larger material.

The COI sequence of the studied female of Gynacantha sp., analysed in BOLD (The Barcode of Life Data System), is:

i. very different from sequences of Gynacantha cylindrata and G. vesiculata;

ii. almost the same as an unpublished sequence of Gynacantha villosa from Tanzania (similarity 99.85%) and very close (99.26%) to a published sequence of villosa from coastal Kenya;

iii. clearly different (similarity 93.83 and 94.29%) from unpublished sequences of Gynacantha villosa from Ethiopia and Zambia.

Figure 4. 

Gynacantha sp., a female from Chingombe, Zambia: a head, thorax and proximal segments of abdomen in lateral view b and c distal segments of abdomen with stiletto-like cerci in dorsal and lateral view (phot. B. Daraż).

These results and the BOLD TaxonID Neighbour-Joining Tree suggest that the name Gynacantha villosa comprises two different species and the studied female of Gynacantha sp. from central Zambia belongs to the taxon represented by the Tanzanian-Kenyan sequences. Already Dijkstra (2005a) has documented that coastal Tanzanian females of villosa are different from typical villosa as their S3 is almost cylindrical, cerci narrow and stiletto-like (6.5×0.6 mm), S9 almost twice as long as S8 and ventral carinae S3–5 denticulate. The collected female of Gynacantha sp. from central Zambia has similar traits, so the second species within the present Gynacantha villosa may be recognisable, not only at a molecular level, but also in morphological features. However, all these molecular-morphological puzzles require further studies. Worth noticing is the sympatric occurrence of both species hidden under the name villosa, not only in larger scale, but even at the same locality: everything shows that we collected both these taxa, called in our article Gynacantha villosa and Gynacantha sp., in Chingombe, Zambia.

[13.] 11 December 2013, 1 F; 10 April 2015, 1 M, 1 F; 23 April 2015, 1 M; all the individuals foraging in the same very small area of 400 m²; on 10 April (sunset 17:57 h, end of civil twilight 18:18 h) the female appeared at 17:46 h flying very low in a deep shade under the mango tree while the male was collected at 18:00 h in a slightly lighter place but still under trees.

As only few individuals of the species were earlier known and analysed (Dijkstra 2005a), we showed the collected male and female (Fig. 5) and gave some measurable traits of Zambian specimens. Two males: Hw 43 and 47, FwAx 24/21 and 21/22, Al 9 and 10, At 3. Two females: Hw 48.5 and 49.5, FwAx 23/24, Al 10. All the diagnostic traits given by Dijkstra (2005a) and by Dijkstra and Clausnitzer (2014) occurred in Zambian males and females and differences, if found, were minute: S3 in two males were slightly more narrowed than in figures in literature, but not so narrowed as in other species and the genital fossa border of one male had 6 denticles on each side versus a diagnosed range 0–4 (in the second male 1 and 2).

A new species for Zambia. Previously known only from four localities, two in E Tanzania (Kichi Hills and Muheza District), one in N Malawi (Nkhata Bay) and one in Katanga (Lubumbashi) in DR Congo (Fraser 1956, Dijkstra 2005a, 2018, Clausnitzer 2006, unpublished records in ODA). The new locality, situated ca. 400 km SE of Lubumbashi and 560 km SW of Nkhata Bay, significantly extends the known distribution range of the species to the south (Fig. 10d). During the editorial process of our article, new data have been collected by Herb Kageler on Oldonyo Farm (17°14.27'S 29°35.94'E), near Tengwe, Hurungwe District, in northern Zimbabwe, showing that the species range reaches even further to 310 km to the south (Fig. 10d). The male and female photographed in Zimbabwe (17 and 18 September 2018) flew into the house in the morning (H. Kageler pers. comm.).

Figure 5. 

Gynacantha immaculifrons from Chingombe, Zambia: a male b head with a diagnostic almost unmarked postfrons c male appendages in dorsal view d female (phot. B. Daraż).

[3.] 26 January 2017, 2 ovipositing females (1 F, Fig. 6); 28 January 2017, 3–4 ovipositing females (1 F). Appeared in the advanced afternoon, mostly between 15:00–16:00 h (exceptionally earlier), only in good weather conditions (sunny, high temperatures). Occurred only at shaded short calm sections of the stream, without recognisable current and with detritus on the bottom. Especially concentrated at a stream pool with a very thick layer of soft deposits suffused with water and old leaves where females oviposited into submerged substrates at the shoreline. The microhabitat conditions closely resembled those described by Dijkstra (2018); however, the species occurred not in standing and temporary waters, but in permanent and flowing ones.

Two females: very large, Hw 54.2 and 55.3, FwAx 31 and 31/30, FwMx 6/7 and 5(and two halves)/7, HwMx 5 and 6. In one female FwMx 1–2 higher than HwMx in both wings, in the second female such a situation in one wing. HwAl 12/14 and 12/11. Measurable and countable data on female fuliginosa are scarce. However, Dijkstra (2005a) mentioned a large female (Hw 54) and ranges of vein numbers given by him for males also fully cover the Zambian females. The difference in Mx between Fw and Hw follows the tendency noticed in Central African males in contrast to West African ones (Dijkstra 2005a).

A new species for Zambia. Mostly recorded from Western and Central Africa, with only few records south of 5° S and two localities known from Katanga in DR Congo (Dijkstra 2018). The southernmost historic record from around Elisabethville (Lubumbashi) (1 M, no date available, Delfosse coll., MRAC, J. Kipping pers. comm.) was doubted because of a probable geographic inaccuracy. The new locality, situated ca. 400 km SE of Lubumbashi, significantly extends the known distribution range of the species to the south (Fig. 10a) and also shows the old Elizabethville record in a new light.

Figure 6. 

Heliaeschna fuliginosa, a female from the Mikwa Stream, near Chingombe, Zambia, with some recognisable diagnostic traits: the thoracic pattern, wing rays and wing venation (phot. B. Daraż).

[13.] 16 April 2015, 1 F; 18 April 2015 1 M; 23 April 2015 1 F; all the individuals juvenile, their condition suggested their emergence on the same day. Individuals observed just before a thunderstorm on 17 April 2015 and well before sunset on 27 April 2015 highly resembled those collected (size, colours, behaviour) probably also being trinervulata. All the individuals foraged at moderate to fairly great heights, from two to several metres, in open and semi-open places in a small area of several hundred square metres and were present 13–18 minutes before sunset (time of record/sunset): 17:40/17:53 h, 17:35/17:52 h, 17:31/17:49 h.

Due to juvenile condition, colouration of individuals is partly useless. However, all the substantial diagnostic traits, i.e.: a) size (Hw 35–37), b) details of relatively open venation (Fig. 7e), c) shape of rather narrow cerci and range of long epiproct (Fig. 7c, d), d) wing bases without dark subcostal rays but with distinct amber tint (prolonged distally in ante- and postnodal areas) in both females (Fig. 7e), e) relatively short pterostigma (Fig. 7a, e) and f) pale dorsum of frons with, at most, hint of a darker cross-bar (Fig. 7b, e), are consistent with species descriptions and figures (Fraser 1955, Pinhey 1966, Dijkstra 2005a, Dijkstra and Clausnitzer 2014).

The Zambian individuals were distinguished by lower numbers of cross-veins versus higher numbers given by Dijkstra (2005a) and Dijkstra and Clausnitzer (2014), i.e.: a) Mx: 2–3 versus 3–4, b) secondary Ax present proximal to proximal primary Ax: 0–1 versus 1–2 and c) Ax: 13–17 versus 15–19. This showed that, in the smallest individuals of the genus Heliaeschna (H. trinervulata), some traits of venation may be close to Gynacantha (see Dijkstra (2005a) and Dijkstra and Clausnitzer (2014)), so they should be checked in all wings and used together with other diagnostic features.

Due to poor and not always clear material, Dijkstra (2005a) considered Heliaeschna trinervulata and Heliaeschna ugandica McLachlan, 1896 as possible varieties of a single species, the latter being the large, dark, dense-veined extreme. The unambiguity and consistency of all diagnostic traits distinguishing trinervulata versus ugandica in all the three collected Zambian individuals is an argument for the distinct specific status of trinervulata.

Previously known only from upper Zambezi rapids in north-westernmost corner of Zambia (Pinhey 1984) and from several scattered localities in Uganda, N Tanzania, N Malawi and Katanga in DR Congo, with an uncertain occurrence in Central African Republic (Fraser 1955, Pinhey 1961, 1966, Dijkstra 2005a, 2018, unpublished records in ODA, J. Kipping pers. comm.). Not recorded since 1978 (Chinteche, Malawi: 1 M, 3 May 1978, M. Parr coll., BMNH; 1 M, 25 June 1978, R. Jocque coll, MRAC, J. Kipping pers. comm.). The new locality, situated ca. 730 km SE of the upper Zambezi rapids and 540 km SW of the Malawian Chinteche, significantly extends the known distribution range of the species to the south (Fig. 10c).

Figure 7. 

Heliaeschna trinervulata from Chingombe, Zambia: male (a–d) and female (e), with recognisable diagnostic morphological traits such as: relatively open venation (a, e) with a low number of cross-veins (e.g. Ax and Mx), the pale frons with a barely marked cross-bar of T-mark (b, e), wing bases without dark subcostal rays (a, e) but with distinct amber tint in the female (e) and shape of male cerci (c, d) (phot. B. Daraż).

[21.] 15 December 2013, 1 exuviae near the bank in the transitional zone between the main flowing river branch and the side calm arm fed by seepages. Its diagnostic traits, i.e. the total length 36.5, the convex anterior border of prementum, the finger like crenation of the labial palpus, proportions between the leg length and abdomen size, as well as between the tube (S10) length and the total length, were typical of the genus and almost exactly the same as illustrated by Suhling et al. (2014), but completely different than in Neurogomphus. However, the species was identified by presumption as the new locality was situated relatively close to the known range of dissimilis and far from known ranges of two other species of Mastigogomphus (Cammaerts 2004, Dijkstra 2018).

Historically, true M. dissimilis was known only from an area between 15° and 20° S, from three localities in S Malawi, E Zimbabwe and at the southern border of Zambia (locus typicus Katambora rapids of the Zambezi River) (Cammaerts 2004). A specimen from central Angola is currently the northernmost record (unpublished record in ODA, J. Kipping pers. comm.). Further records from four localities in the Caprivi in Namibia are treated as not fully confirmed due to only preimaginal stages found (Suhling et al. 2014, Suhling and Martens 2014, Dijkstra 2018). The new Zambian locality, if confirmed, would be the northernmost known locality in the eastern part of the species range (Fig. 10h).

[9.] 7 December 2013, 1 teneral F (Hw 31, Abd 35.5, pt 3.5; Fig. 8) most probably belonging to that species.

The colour pattern already sufficiently developed to clearly assess the size and shape of pale and dark areas. The following features of this female (partly visible in Fig. 8) are typical of N. zernyi (see the original diagnosis by St. Quentin (1942), figures in Pinhey (1951), Dijkstra and Clausnitzer (2014), Dijkstra et al. (2015) and photographs on the ADDO website): a) an almost continuous pale dorsal line on S1–10; b) the pale lateral stripes on S1–10; c) the subgenital plate reaching ¼ of the S9 length; d) the tibiae with clear pale dorsal streaks; e) the pale costa; f) the dark interpleural stripe very narrow; g) the dark humeral stripe with a dorso-distal ‘head’ with a clear pale ‘eye’ in its middle; h) the pale antehumeral stripe significantly narrower than the preceding dark mesepisternal stripe and broadened dorso-distally into a small ‘head’; i) the dark mesepisternal stripe up to 2× broader than the pale postdorsal stripe in the dorsal view and narrowed dorso-distally with an arched outer margin; j) the pale postdorsal stripes, separated from the pale middorsal carina and slightly bent outwards in their proximal parts; k) the pale face. This combination of traits does not occur in other known species of Notogomphus.

Several other features of the studied female may, however, raise some doubts about species identification. They are given below versus their different picture in Pinhey (1951), Dijkstra and Clausnitzer (2014) and Dijkstra et al. (2015): a) the dark interpleural stripe discontinuous, consisting of two short distant sections, near metastigma and wing bases, versus a much longer stripe, continuous or almost continuous; b) a transverse stripe on mesokatepisternum through almost the whole breadth of it versus a shorter one forming only an upper ‘tooth’; c) the vertex behind ocelli pale versus dark; d) the antefrons pale versus pale with the dark lower border. However, at least the a.–c. differences most probably reflect only an intraspecies variation as these features in the studied female are the same or similar to those in N. zernyi in photographs on the ADDO website. The breadth and shape of the pale postdorsal stripes also seem to show some intraspecies variation as: a) in the studied female and in Pinhey (1951), they are slightly narrower in relation to the mesepisternal stripe than in Dijkstra et al. (2015) and the photograph on the ADDO website; b) in the studied female, they are more cut and less round distally than in Pinhey (1951) and Dijkstra et al. (2015).

The middorsal area of the thorax appears the most problematic. In the studied female, the whole middorsal area along both the middorsal carina and a proximal section of the ante-alar ridge is pale; only the dorsal edge of the proximal ante-alar ridge is darkened (Fig. 8a–c). As a result, a clearly pale, slightly divided middorsal stripe occurs on the whole length of the middorsal area, the pattern slightly similar to that of Notogomphus kimpavita Dijkstra & Clausnitzer or Notogomphus praetorius (Selys). In contrast, the pale middorsal stripe in figures in Pinhey (1951) and Dijkstra et al. (2015) is short and restricted only to the proximal middorsal carina, while the distal part of the middorsal area is completely dark. At present, it is impossible to assess whether this difference has a diagnostic value suggesting a new species or it is only the next indication of intraspecies variation.

The COI sequence of the studied female, analysed in BOLD (The Barcode of Life Data System), appears quite close to known unpublished sequences of Notogomphus zernyi, with similarity 98.29%. The mean genetic distance between COI sequence groups recovered in the Neighbour-Joining analysis is 1.85% (SD=0.51) (the analysis due to K.D.-B. Dijkstra pers. comm.).

Considering the middorsal problematic feature, the not-completely matched species level by the molecular data and the tendency in this genus towards forming separate taxa in isolated areas, a new species of Notogomphus cannot be totally excluded. However, the vast majority of features, typical of the species or covered by the intraspecies variation, as well as the quite high similarity of COI sequences, suggest the female of Notogomphus zernyi. Therefore, we have decided to qualify it as cf. zernyi.

N. zernyi is known from E Zimbabwe, Malawi and SW Tanzania (Dijkstra 2018, unpublished records in ODA). Probably also recorded in north-eastern Zambia from Chowo (Cholo) Forest, Nyika Plateau, at the border with Malawi: two records were given by Pinhey (1966, 1979), but assigned to Malawi. In fact, the whole Chowo forest is located on the Zambian side of the Nyika Plateau, so possibly Pinhey’s assignment was inaccurate and the Zambian origin of these data is quite probable (J. Kipping pers. comm.). The new locality is situated westwards of the previously known species range, 590 km SW of the localities in the Nyika Plateau and ca. 450 km NNW of the nearest locality in Zimbabwe (Fig. 10g).

Figure 8. 

Notogomphus cf. zernyi, a teneral female from the Mikwa Stream, near Chingombe, Zambia, with details of the thoracic pattern in dorsal and lateral views (a–c), a subgenital plate (d) and the pattern of the proximal segments of abdomen in dorsal view (e); arrows indicate the pale distal part of the middorsal stripe (phot. B. Daraż).

[3.] 26 January 2017, 3 males (2 M); 27 January 2017, 1 F; 28 January 2017, 1 M. Apart from a male intensively flying back and forth on the adjacent semi-open slope, all other individuals were observed above the water, mostly in shaded places where males flew rapidly.

In the collected males, an epiproct is only slightly shorter than cerci and all the males and the female are almost uniform in their dark and yellow pattern. A yellow spot in the frons groove and prejugal spots on S3–5 (on S5 small), separated by a black median line, point to an intermediate form (close to former onerata) between dark and pale extrema of the species (see Dijkstra 2005b).

Occurs in Eastern Africa, southwards reaching the northern parts of South Africa; its range also includes southern parts of Central Africa, i.e. Katanga and Zambia. In Zambia, previously known from several old records in the north-western ‘corner’ of the country around Ikelenge-Mwinilunga (Pinhey 1984). Recent unpublished records in ODA (J. Kipping pers. comm.) come from two localities in Central (1 F, Kundalila Falls, 2 December 2014, J. Kipping coll.) and Northern Provinces (1 M, Mutinondo Wilderness, 13 December 2014, J. Kipping coll.), ca. 160–270 km NE of our new locality.

[3.] 27 January 2017, 3 territorial males and 1 tandem in copula (Fig. 9); 28 January 2017, 1 territorial male. Only at two short wider and calm sections of the stream (stream pools), one of them being its source.

[7.] 26 January 2017, 2 territorial males (1 M collected and immediately replaced with the second one).

[10.] 19 January 2017, 2 males: an aggressive resident and a visiting intruder (with a clash); 20 January 2017, 1 territorial M.

Relatively widespread in a basin of the Mikwa mountain stream, from its source to lower reach (1,180–640 m a.s.l.). Related to very small pools in the stream valleys and wider calm sections of streams in their headwaters. All the four places were: small (a few m²), relatively deep (0.3–1 m), generally calm, but with some invisible flow or at least with water supply, permanent or at least semi-permanent, shaded with clearings, with tree branches overhanging at a height of several metres, with a layer of detritus and fallen leaves on the bottom, with sticks or stones emergent from the water or protruding from the shore and serving as roosting sites low above the water table. The male behaviour very consistent. Smaller pools ‘housed’ only one territorial male chasing away appearing intruders while, in the largest pool (a widened section of the stream), two residents occurred at a safe distance of 2.2 m. Although roosting sites were most frequently shaded, all the males appeared only in sunny weather and disappeared in cloudy times. Very shy: each movement in the surroundings was followed by their immediate, rapid and surprisingly unobtrusive vertical escape flight into the tree branches zone (see also Dijkstra and Clausnitzer 2014, Tarboton and Tarboton 2015) where they perched at a height of several metres. Returned after a few minutes or in the next sunny moment. Copulation on a stone in the stream bed within the male territory (Fig. 9).

A typical East African species, mostly occurring east of 30° E and ranging from Uganda and Kenya to South Africa (Dijkstra 2018). Previously, the nearest verified localities known in Zimbabwe (Pinhey 1984). The new discovery is the first confirmed occurrence of N. jonesi in Zambia (Fig. 10e). Shortly after our records, the species was also found by Bertie Brink in Katanga, DR Congo, close to the Zambian border (1 female, on the Kinsenda Mine Site, 12°15.89'S 27°57.23'E, 2 April 2017, B. Brink pers. comm.) and by Sara Elizalde in south-western Angola (1 male, Lubango, December 2017, J. Kipping pers. comm.) (Fig. 10e). The Angolan locality could have been interpreted as an exceptional outlier or, together with the new Zambian and Katangan data, as an indication that the species occurrence reaches much further west than expected before.

Figure 9. 

Notiothemis jonesi, copulation within the male territory in the bed of the Mikwa Stream near Chingombe, Zambia (phot. B. Daraż).

[23.] 21 January 2017, 3 territorial males (2 M) on overhanging dry bush branches and on sticks 0.5–2.5 m above the water table of pools. One of them also with a female in copula; the copulation wheel was formed in flight and the pair in this position flew down between overhanging bush branches. Temporary nature of the pools, their location in a ravine and presence of overhanging branches and soft bottom highly resemble the habitat description given by Dijkstra (2018).

A new species for Zambia although two nearest known localities are situated in Zimbabwe just at the border with Zambia (Pinhey 1984, unpublished records in ODA, J. Kipping pers. comm.). Widespread in Eastern Africa and also known from some localities in western parts of the continent (Dijkstra 2018).

[1.] 31 January 2017, 1 male patrolling large areas above the water table at a distance from the shores and 1 tandem: not collected but undoubtedly identified.

[2.] 30 April 2015, 1 male persistently patrolling above the water table, at a distance from the shores (1 M).

The species with a giant Afro-Asian distribution range, widespread in the Afrotropics and locally common, e.g. in parts of South Africa, but surprisingly rarely recorded in Central Africa (Dijkstra 2018). New for Zambia, with the nearest previous record in the Caprivi, Namibia (Suhling and Martens 2014).

[26.] 17 December 2013, 3 M in sunny places with stones and boulders at broader, both calm and more flowing sections of the river.

An East and South African species (Dijkstra 2018), in Zambia previously known only from three unpublished records in the south, along the Zambezi and Musaya Rivers (ODA, J. Kipping pers. comm.), with several localities in the adjacent areas of Zimbabwe (Pinhey 1984).

[27.] 13 January 2017, several males and 1 tandem (2 M).

Occurs mainly in Central Africa (Dijkstra 2018). In Zambia, previously recorded at several localities in the northern parts of the country (Pinhey 1984). More recent records reach areas south of Ndola (Nsobe Game Camp, February 2010, J. Kipping coll., unpublished records in ODA). The new locality, situated a further 100 km southwards, is the southernmost known locality of the species.

[22.] 21 January 2017, several males (3 M, two immature); 24 January 2017, in moderate numbers, dispersed at several sites. Perched in sunny places on bushes and especially on tips of sticks above the herbaceous vegetation in woodlands and at clearing edges. Certainly associated with the Lukusashi River (the locality [21.]), but absent from the bank vegetation and direct neighbourhood of the swollen river. Such a situation, noticed as often occurring in this species (Pinhey 1984), probably reflects the non-breeding phase of imaginal life, starting relatively late in the rainy season, from January (Tarboton and Tarboton 2015).

A largely East African species penetrating here and there into central and south-western parts of the continent (Dijkstra 2018). In Zambia, previously known only from two unpublished records east of Chirundu Bridge on the country’s southern border (many individuals, the Zambezi River in environs of Wildtracks Lodge, February 2007, J. Kipping coll., unpublished records in ODA). Also recorded from Chirundu Bridge in Zimbabwe by Pinhey (1984).