The larva of Dicterias Selys, 1853 (Odonata: Heliocharitidae [= Dicteriadidae]), and taxonomic and phylogenetic notes on Heliocharitidae

Abstract

The larva of Dicterias Selys, 1853, a monotypic genus, is described and illustrated for the first time. It is morphologicallyvery close to the larva of Heliocharis Selys, 1853. The larvae of these two genera are compared, and a larval diagnosis forthe family is provided. The family Heliocharitidae (= Dicteriadidae) shares derived characters with some Calopterygoideaand is probably related to Calopterygidae. The larvae of Heliocharitidae are also amazingly similar to those of some Mega-podagrionidae, and long-legged Megapodragrionidae related to Megapodagrion could be related to the family Heliocharitidae and could represent a basal stem within the Calopterygoidea.

Redefining the damselfly families: a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Zygoptera (Odonata)

“…In comparison to other formerly ‘megapod’ genera, both the adults and larvae have very long legs. The latter have long triquetral paraprocts and long antennae with an elongated first segment (De Marmels, ; Kalkman et al , ; Neiss et al , ; Fleck et al , ). Fleck et al () noted a close resemblance between Allopodagrion , Megapodagrion and Teinopodagrion larvae and those of Calopterygidae and Dicteriadidae, but our dataset provides no support for a relationship with these groups.…”

“…The latter have long triquetral paraprocts and long antennae with an elongated first segment (De Marmels, ; Kalkman et al , ; Neiss et al , ; Fleck et al , ). Fleck et al () noted a close resemblance between Allopodagrion , Megapodagrion and Teinopodagrion larvae and those of Calopterygidae and Dicteriadidae, but our dataset provides no support for a relationship with these groups. Megapodagrion and Teinopodagrion were not recovered close to any other ‘megapods’, and as they possess distinct morphology, Megapodagrionidae should be restricted to just these three genera.…”

Elektroeuphaea gen.n., the oldest representative of the modern Epallaginae from Eocene Baltic amber (Odonata: Zygoptera: Epallagidae)

“…An attribution to Heliocharitidae or to Calopterygoidea (Calopterygida in Bechly 1996, but see Fleck et al 2012) is unlikely because the discoidal cell is free in Elektroeuphaea gen.n., unlike being traversed by at least one crossvein in these groups (but some Epallaginae also have a crossed discoidal cell, see below). Also the family Heliocharitidae Tillyard et Fraser, 1939 is excluded because the primary antenodal crossveins cannot be distinguished from the secondary ones and the nodal veinlet is as oblique as the subnodal veinlet.…”