''Austrogomphus'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
dragonflies
A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of dragonflies are known. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threate ...
in the family
Gomphidae
The Gomphidae are a family of dragonflies commonly referred to as clubtails or club-tailed dragonflies. The family contains about 90 genera and 900 species found across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The name refers ...
,
endemic to Australia.
Species of ''Austrogomphus'' are tiny to medium-sized dragonflies, black in colour with yellowish markings.
They are commonly known as hunters.
Species
The genus ''Austrogomphus'' includes the following species
in two subgenera:
Subgenus Austrogomphus
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Austrogomphus angelorum'' - Murray River hunter
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Austrogomphus arbustorum'' - toothed hunter
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Austrogomphus australis'' - inland hunter
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Austrogomphus collaris'' - western inland hunter
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Austrogomphus cornutus'' - unicorn hunter
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Austrogomphus doddi'' - northern river hunter
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Austrogomphus guerini'' - yellow-striped hunter
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Austrogomphus mjobergi
''Austrogomphus mjobergi'', also known as ''Austrogomphus (Austrogomphus) mjobergi'', is a species of dragonfly of the family Gomphidae,
commonly known as the pimple-headed hunter.
It inhabits rivers and pools across northern Australia.
''Aust ...
'' - pimple-headed hunter
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Austrogomphus mouldsorum'' - Kimberley hunter
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Austrogomphus ochraceus'' - jade hunter
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Austrogomphus pusillus'' - tiny hunter
Subgenus Pleiogomphus
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Austrogomphus (Pleiogomphus) amphiclitus'' - pale hunter
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Austrogomphus (Pleiogomphus) bifurcatus'' - dark hunter
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Austrogomphus (Pleiogomphus) divaricatus'' - fork hunter
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Austrogomphus (Pleiogomphus) prasinus'' - lemon-tipped hunter
Recently the following species were moved from the genus ''Austrogomphus'' to ''Austroepigomphus'':
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Austroepigomphus praeruptus
''Austroepigomphus praeruptus'', also known as ''Austroepigomphus (Austroepigomphus) praeruptus'', and up until recently ''Austrogomphus praeruptus'', is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae, It is known by the common names, Twinspot Hu ...
'' - twinspot hunter
*''
Austroepigomphus gordoni
''Austroepigomphus gordoni'', also known as ''Austroepigomphus (Xerogomphus) gordoni'', and up until recently ''Austrogomphus gordoni'', is a species of dragonfly of the family Gomphidae, commonly known as the western red hunter.
It inhabits str ...
'' - western red hunter
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Austroepigomphus turneri
''Austroepigomphus turneri'', also known as ''Austroepigomphus (Xerogomphus) turneri'', and up until recently ''Austrogomphus turneri'', is a species of dragonfly of the family Gomphidae, commonly known as the flame-tipped hunter.
It inhabits b ...
'' - flame-tipped hunter
Etymology
The genus name ''Austrogomphus'' is derived from two words: the Latin word auster meaning south wind, hence south; and the Greek word gomphus (γόμφος) meaning peg or nail. It is suggested that the shape of the male tail is generally like that of a bolt used in ship building.
''
Gomphus'' is also a genus of dragonfly, with some similarities to ''Austrogomphus'', both belonging to the much larger family group,
Gomphidae
The Gomphidae are a family of dragonflies commonly referred to as clubtails or club-tailed dragonflies. The family contains about 90 genera and 900 species found across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The name refers ...
. In 1854
Edmond de Sélys Longchamps
Baron Michel Edmond de Selys Longchamps (25 May 1813 – 11 December 1900) was a Belgium, Belgian Liberal Party (Belgium), Liberal Party politician and scientist. Selys Longchamps has been regarded as the founding figure of odonatology, the stud ...
named the sub-genus ''Austrogomphus'' probably as a southern or Australian component of the gomphid group.
See also
*
List of Odonata species of Australia
This is a list of species of damselflies and dragonflies recorded in Australia.
Common names of species are linked, beside their scientific names.
The list is split into two groups: damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and other dragonflies (infra ...
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1313254
Austrogomphus
Gomphidae
Anisoptera genera
Odonata of Australia
Endemic fauna of Australia
Taxa named by Edmond de Sélys Longchamps
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot