Genus Cornigomphus Martin, 1907
scarce horntails
Type species: Cornigomphus guineensis Martin, 1907
Introduction
The genus was long only known from the damaged holotype of C. guineensis described in 1907 from mainland Equatorial Guinea, but is congeneric and possibly even conspecific with Paragomphus mariannae (placed later in Onychogomphus) described 85 years later from Guinea and Gabon. All records are from rainforest streams, with additional specimens known from Liberia and Ghana. The status of the genus and its two species require confirmation, but the distinctive structure of appendages and secondary genitalia suggest Cornigomphus is valid. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]
Diagnosis
No full diagnosis of this genus is presently available, although it is easily recognised by the male appendages. Please refer to the references provided under C. mariannae.
Cornigomphus guineensis Martin, 1907. © Nicolas Meziere
Cornigomphus mariannae (Legrand, 1992). Male © KD Dijkstra
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
- Martin, R. (1907). Odonates de la Guinée espagnole. Memorias Sociedad espanola Historia natural, 1, 421-432. [PDF file]
Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-09-08].