Philosina
| Philosina | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Superfamily: | Philogangoidea |
| Family: | Philosinidae |
| Genus: | Philosina Ris, 1917[1] |
 | |
| Distribution of Philosina | |
Philosina is a genus of damselflies in the family Philosinidae.[2][3] The genus is found in eastern and southeastern Asia, where its species inhabit forest streams.[3]
Description
Philosina species are medium-sized to large damselflies with a robust body and long, narrow wings that are held open at rest.[1][3] Adults are predominantly dark in colour with contrasting yellow, red or pale markings, and mature individuals may develop a bluish pruinosity on the thorax and abdomen.[1][3]
In his original description, Ris noted that the general appearance of Philosina resembles that of the calopterygid genus Philoganga, although the wing venation differs markedly.[1] The wings are densely veined, with numerous intercalated veins towards their tips, and are usually clear, although P. buchi has a diffuse dark patch near the wing apex.[1][3]
Taxonomic history
Ris established Philosina in 1917 for Philosina buchi, a species from Fujian Province in south-eastern China.[1] He placed the genus within Selys' "Legion Podagrion", noting similarities to Philoganga, Mesopodagrion and other unusual damselflies then associated with that group.[1]
During much of the twentieth century, Philosina was included within the broad family Megapodagrionidae.[4] Molecular phylogenetic studies later showed that Megapodagrionidae, as traditionally defined, was not a natural group. As a result, Philosina and the related genus Rhinagrion are now placed in the family Philosinidae.[3]
Species
The following species are currently placed in Philosina:[2]
- Philosina alba
- Philosina buchi
- Philosina nigromacula
Etymology
Ris stated that the genus name Philosina was chosen because it recalls the related genus Philoganga, whose general appearance it resembles.[1] The exact derivation of the name was not explained by the author.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ris, Friedrich (1917). "Eine neue Agrioniden-Gattung der „Légion Podagrion" (Odonata) aus China". Tijdschrift voor Entomologie (in German). 60: 185–191 [185].
- 1 2 Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral. University of Alabama. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B.; Kalkman, Vincent J.; Dow, Rory A.; Stokvis, Frank R.; Van Tol, Jan (2014). "Redefining the damselfly families: A comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Zygoptera (Odonata)". Systematic Entomology. 39 (1): 68–96. doi:10.1111/syen.12035.
- ↑ Rácenis, Janis (1959). "Notas taxonómicas sobre la familia Megapodagrionidae (Odonata: Zygoptera) con la sinopsis de las especies venezolanas". Acta Biológica Venezuélica. 2: 335–367.