Biology:Platycypha fitzsimonsi

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Short description: Species of damselfly

Platycypha fitzsimonsi
Male
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Chlorocyphidae
Genus: Platycypha
Species:
P. fitzsimonsi
Binomial name
Platycypha fitzsimonsi
Pinhey, 1950

Platycypha fitzsimonsi, the boulder jewel or Fitzsimon's jewel is a species of damselfly in the family Chlorocyphidae. It is endemic to South Africa where its natural habitats include wooded and forested streams and rivers.[2]

This is a fairly small species; 29–34 mm long with a wingspan of 46–54 mm. The mature male has an orange-red and black striped thorax and a distinctive red, black and blue abdomen. Females and immature males are dark brown and khaki.[2]

Like several other Chlocyphidae, males extend and vibrate their tibia displaying the white colouration (foot waggling) towards ovipositing females as a courtship display.[3]

References

  1. Suhling, F. (2017). "Platycypha fitzsimonsi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T63208A75262122.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/63208/75262122. Retrieved 11 November 2021. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Tarboton, W.R.; Tarboton, M. (2005). A fieldguide to the damselflies of South Africa. Tarboton. ISBN 0-620-33878-4. 
  3. Richardson, H. M. (1982). "Courtship displays and mating behaviour of three species of Chlorocyphidae (Zygoptera)". Odonatologica 11 (1): 53–58. https://natuurtijdschriften.nl/pub/591569/OJIOS1982011001007.pdf. 
  • Data related to Platycypha fitzsimonsi at Wikispecies
  • Platycypha fitzsimonsi on African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online
  • Boulder jewel Species text in the Online Atlas of South African Odonata

Wikidata ☰ Q1922663 entry