Rhyothemis resplendens
| Rhyothemis resplendens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male, Cairns, Queensland, Australia | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Superfamily: | Libelluloidea |
| Family: | Libellulidae |
| Genus: | Rhyothemis |
| Species: | R. resplendens |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhyothemis resplendens | |
 | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
|
Rhyothemis turneri (Kirby, 1894) | |
Rhyothemis resplendens, common name Jewel flutterer,[4] is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.[5] The genus Rhyothemis extends from Africa to the western Pacific, with five species known in Australia. The species Rhyothemis resplendens has blue metallic reflecting panels on both wing sets, and inhabits streams, rivers and still waters on and adjacent to coastal Queensland, from around Mackay to the northern part of Cape York Peninsula. It is a small dragonfly with a wingspan of 40-60mm and body length around 25mm. To the north of Australia it is found in the Moluccas, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago.[4] On the adult, markings on the hindwing are longer than those on the forewing.[4] The taxon has been assessed for the IUCN Red List as being of least concern.
Etymology
The genus name Rhyothemis is derived from the Greek ῥέω (rheō, "to flow") and -themis, from Greek Θέμις (Themis), the goddess of divine law, order and justice. In early odonate taxonomy, names ending in -themis were widely used for dragonflies. The name may refer to the irregularly banded and coloured wings of species in the genus, resembling flow banding in rhyolite.[6]
The species name resplendens is Latin for "glittering" or "shining", referring to the dark blue metallic wing markings.[2][6]
Gallery
Centenary Lakes, Cairns.jpg)
Male with wing reflections
The aptly named jewel flutterer
In Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Cattana Wetlands, Cairns
Female Cattana wetlands, Cairns
A male and female in cop. Male has blue wings, female has dark wings with a small clear patch._(1917)_(19759556614).jpg)
Figure 3. Male
Illustration of wing veins.jpg)
Photo of female wings
See also
References
- ↑ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Rhyothemis resplendens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T87535217A87540044. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T87535217A87540044.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- 1 2 Selys-Longchamps, E. (1878). "Odonates de la région de la Nouvelle Guinée". Mittheilungen aus dem K. Zoologischen Museum zu Dresden (in French). 3: 300 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ↑ Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral. University of Alabama. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO. p. 284. ISBN 0-643-09073-8.
- ↑ "Species Rhyothemis resplendens Selys, 1878". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- 1 2 Endersby, Ian; Fliedner, Heinrich (2015). The Naming of Australia's Dragonflies. Eltham, Victoria, Australia: Busybird Publishing. ISBN 9781925260625.
