Taxonomy, ecology and zoogeography of dragonflies (Odonata) from the north-west of Western Australia

Abstract

Thirty species of Odonata are known to occur in the north-west of Western Australia, between the De Grey and Gascoyne Rivers. Eight of these species, from the families Coenagrionidae, Protoneuridae, Gomphidae, Corduliidae, and Libellulidae, belong to taxa here described as new. All the north-western dragonflies are either of tropical affinity, or widespread species. The species confined to permanent waters, i.e. to conditions of relatively mild temperatures and high oxygen tensions, are commonly more distinct from closest relatives in the Kimberley region or northern Queensland, than Kimberley and Queensland species are from each other. Such disjunct species show limited dispersal as adults.