A review of the damselfly fauna of the Austral Islands, French Polynesia, with descriptions of two new species (Odonata: Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

Abstract

The Zygoptera biota of the Austral Islands in French Polynesia is reviewed, and two new endemic species are described: Ischnura rurutana endemic to the island of Rurutu, and Ischnura jeanyvesmeyeri endemic to the island of Raivavae. Additional notes on coloration and ecological preferences are also given for Ischnura thelmae Lieftinck, 1966, endemic to Rapa, and the occurrence of the widespread species Ischnura aurora Brauer, 1865 on all the high islands in the Australs is briefly noted. Color photographs of adult males are provided for all three endemic Austral Island species, as well as figures of the male wing venation, pterothoracic color patterns, and male secondary genitalia, and the female dorsal pterothorax and lateral terminal abdomen. Scanning electron micrographs of the male abdominal appendages in various views are provided for all three endemic Austral Island Zygoptera species. Photographs are also provided for the breeding habitat and immature stage of I. rurutana.