Platycypha pinheyi Fraser, 1950
Tanganyika Jewel

Type locality: Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. fitzsimonsi and P. inyangae by (a) humeral and metapleural stripes narrow, about as wide as hind femur is thick, black of mesepimeron usually clearly dissected by pale ‘posthumeral’ stripe; (b) tibiae wider, outer dilation of hind tibia 1-2x as wide as shaft, with red posterior sides; (c) femora largely dark, typically contrasting with white, yellow and/or red tibiae; (d) dorsum S2-6 rufous with black dorsal carinae, S7-10 blue; (e) paraprocts at least half as long as cerci. However, differs by (1) smaller size, Hw 18-20 mm; (2) restricted to rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Large lakes in open landscapes. Often splash zones, usually with rocks, and probably submerged roots, dead trunks or branches and/or coarse detritus. Between 700 and 800 m above sea level.

Distribution

Abdomen (dorsal view)

Map citation: Clausnitzer, V., K.-D.B. Dijkstra, R. Koch, J.-P. Boudot, W.R.T. Darwall, J. Kipping, B. Samraoui, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & F. Suhling, 2012. Focus on African Freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 129-134.

Reference

• Fraser, F.C. (1950). A revision of the Chlorocyphidae: addenda, with key to the Platycypha and Chlorocypha and description of new species. Bulletin Institut royal Sciences naturelles Belgique, 26, 1-18. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-11-14].