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Issue: Vol. 5821 No. 2: 29 May 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-05-29
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4
Page range: 219-235
Abstract views: 92
PDF downloaded: 55

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.—a new Hooktail species from the rainforests of eastern Madagascar (Odonata: Gomphidae)

Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research; National Institute of Biology; Ljubljana; Slovenia
Laboratory of Nature Education and Conservation; Faculty of Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań; Poland
Kościelna 41; PL-35-505 Rzeszów; Poland
Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research; National Institute of Biology; Ljubljana; Slovenia
Odonata dragonflies Anisoptera endemic new species Paragomphus fritillarius taxonomy biogeography Malagasy Region

Abstract

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Madagascar, Taolagnaro District, Iaboakoho, Réserve de Ressources Naturelles de la Forêt Naturelle de Tsitongambarika, Ampasy; Lat. -24.57840°, Lon. 47.14493°; 4.xii.2024; to be deposited in RMNH, Leiden), is described as new to science. The new endemic species is known only from the holotype, the paratype deposited in the MNHN, Paris, and an additional specimen deposited in NHRS, Stockholm. It has been recorded from three localities in the eastern part of the island, scattered over a distance of 1,033 km, within the Madagascar Humid Forests ecoregion. Despite the pronounced variation in the colour pattern, the three known specimens are interpreted as conspecific based on concordant diagnostic morphological characters, particularly the nearly identical structure of the secondary genitalia and cerci. The new species is related to P. fritillarius (Selys, 1892) and P. sofiae Bernard & Daraż, 2026. From these two more brightly coloured, spotted Hooktail species, P. matroka sp. nov. differs in its considerably darker colouration, a reduced pattern of smaller light markings on the synthorax, and clearly different secondary genitalia. The discovery of a new species underlines the need for additional intensive odonatological studies in Madagascar. Improving knowledge of species distributions, taxonomy, phenology and ecological requirements is crucial, especially in the context of threat assessments and conservation of endemic odonate fauna.

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How to Cite

Bedjanič, M., Bernard, R., Daraż, B. & Yu, K.-P. (2026) Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.—a new Hooktail species from the rainforests of eastern Madagascar (Odonata: Gomphidae). Zootaxa, 5821 (2), 219–235. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4