The Odonata (Insecta) of Patagonia: A synopsis of their current status with illustrated keys for their identification
Author
Muzón, Javier
Author
Pessacq, Pablo
Author
Lozano, Federico
text
Zootaxa
2014
3784
4
346
388
journal article
46101
10.11646/zootaxa.3784.4.2
392d0637-1e41-476c-9f59-b5565720ee40
1175-5326
225033
D24E3364-03AC-48E3-891C-DF4E20EE604F
Gomphidae
(
Fig. 52
)
This family is represented in Patagonia by four species in two genera:
Neogomphus
and
Progomphus
. The Patagonian endemic genus
Neogomphus
is composed of the Chilean endemics
N. bidens
and
N. molestus
as well as
N. edenticulatus
, recorded on both sides of the Andes; all of them inhabit
Nothofagus
forests.
FIGURE 52.
Distribution maps. a
Neogomphus edenticulatus
and
N. bidens
; b
N. molestcus
,
Progomphus joergenseni
, and
Neopetalia punctata
.
Neogomphus molestus
apparently prefers rapid rivers, whereas
N. bidens
prefers large and slow ones.
Neogomphus edenticulatus
exhibits a wider habitat preference, being the only Patagonian gomphid found at lakes as well as streams and rivers (
Carle & Cook 1984
).
Neogomphus bidens
and
N. edenticulatus
have been recorded in sympatry (
Carle & Cook 1984
).
The neotropical speciose genus
Progomphus
is represented only by
P. joergenseni
, an Andean species recorded from
Peru
and
Bolivia
to
Argentina
and
Chile
; this species has a scattered distribution restricted to permanent,
1–2 m
wide, sandy streams fed by spring waters, being on occasions abundant (
e.g.
Valcheta stream headings in Somuncura plateau). Described larvae were collected in sandy beds at depths of
30–40 cm
. Adults fly along the stream, resting on boulders. (
Muzón
et al.
2005
,
2010
; Muzón & Lozano 2011).
All Patagonian gomphid larvae have been described (
Needham & Bullock 1943
;
Belle 1992
; Muzón & Lozano 2011). Both genera can be easily separated not just by their different distribution patterns (forest vs. steppe habitats), but by the orientation of the wingpads: widely divergent in
Progomphus
and parallel in
Neogomphus
(
Fig. 41
).