Refining the identification criteria for forma typica and brachycerca in exuviae of Boyeria irene (Odonata: Aeshnidae)
Subject
Dragonfly Anisoptera Rivers Iberian Peninsula Spain Portugal
Date
2022-01-04T17:27:48Z 2022-01-04T17:27:48Z 2021
Description
In female imagines of Boyeria irene, two forms are known according to the length of
the cerci: forma brachycerca (short appendages) and f. typica (long appendages). Both forms
are also recognisable in exuviae. Hitherto, no accurate measurements have been performed
to distinguish between the two forms. Hence, we measured and analysed the absolute and
relative length of the cerci in both sexes of exuviae from 11 populations originating from the
centre and north of the Iberian Peninsula. We show that there are specimens intermediate
between the two forms and that dimorphism is also present in males. The brachycerca form is
more frequent in the north than in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Correct identification
of both forms should always be based on accurate measurements of the length of the cerci. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
