Paragomphus cognatus

{{Speciesbox

| image = Paragomphus_cognatus,_rock_hooktail_33119-1.jpg

| image_caption = Male

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Clausnitzer, V. |author2=Dijkstra, K.-D.B. |author3=Suhling, F. |date=2016 |title=Paragomphus cognatus |volume=2016 |page=e.T59974A85810583 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T59974A85810583.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}

| genus = Paragomphus

| species = cognatus

| authority = (Rambur, 1842)

| synonyms =

}}

Paragomphus cognatus, the rock hooktail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae.

Distribution

It is found in Africa, from South Africa to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Kenya.{{cite web|last1=Dijkstra|first1=K.-D.B.|title=ADDO -- African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online|url=http://www.zoology.uct.ac.za/index.php?taxon_id=56700|website=www.zoology.uct.ac.za|access-date=26 April 2017|language=en}}

Habitat

Its natural habitats are streams and rivers in a wide variety of vegetation types, including fynbos and grassland, savanna and forest.

Identification

Male: Key features for identification of the males are the shape of the cerci (appendages at the end of the abdomen of males) and the pattern of the markings on the thorax. The ends of the cerci diverge, and they are thick and truncate. In southern Africa (south of 15°S), the shape of the cerci separate this species from other dragonflies.{{cite book|last1=Dijkstra|first1=K.-D.B.|last2=Clausnitzer|first2=V.|title=The dragonflies and damselflies of eastern Africa|date=2014|publisher=Royal Museum for Central Africa|location=Tervuren|isbn=978-94-916-1506-1}}

Paragomphus cognatus Rock Hooktail.jpg|Male rock hooktail; side view

Paragomphus cognatus.jpg|Male

Paragomphus cognatus S9 S10 & cerci.jpg|Male abdomen: S9, S10, cerci and epiproct

Habits

Frequents rocky streams, rivers, river-pools. Typically perches on mid-stream rocks.

References

External links

[https://thebdi.org/2020/06/01/rock-hooktail-paragomphus-cognatus/ Rock hooktail] Species text in the Online Atlas of South African Odonata

Category:Gomphidae

Category:Insects described in 1842

Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot