Apocordulia Explained

Apocordulia is a genus of dragonflies in the family Austrocorduliidae,^[1] endemic to the Murray-Darling Basin in eastern Australia.^[2]

Apocordulia is a monotypic genus with only one species, Apocordulia macrops,^{[3] [4]} commonly known as a nighthawk.^[2] Apocordulia macrops is a medium-sized, dull coloured dragonfly with large eyes.^[2] It inhabits inland rivers ^[5] and flies at dawn and dusk.^[6]

Etymology

The word Apocordulia is derived from two words: apo from the Greek ἀπό meaning from or away, and Cordulia the genus of dragonfly. Tony Watson described the dragonfly genus Apocordulia as appearing different to the normal appearance of a Cordulia dragonfly.^[7]

The species name macrops is derived from two Greek words makros (μακρός) meaning long, and ops (ὤψ) meaning eye, describing the long eye seam.^[7]

Note about family

There are differing views as to the family that Apocordulia best belongs to:

• It is considered to be part of the family Austrocorduliidae at the Australian Faunal Directory^[1]
• It is considered to be part of the family Synthemistidae in the World Odonata List at the Slater Museum of Natural History
• It is considered to be part of the family Corduliidae at Wikispecies

See also

• List of Odonata species of Australia

Notes and References

1. Web site: Genus Apocordulia Watson, 1980. 2012. Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 24 March 2017.
2. Book: Theischinger, Günther. The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Hawking. John. CSIRO Publishing. 2006. 978-0-64309-073-6. Collingwood, Victoria, Australia. 228.
3. Web site: World Odonata List. Martin. Dennis. Slater Museum of Natural History. University of Puget Sound. Schorr. Paulson. 24 March 2017.
4. Web site: Species Apocordulia macrops Watson, 1980. 2012. Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 24 March 2017.
5. Book: Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata. Endersby. Ian. 2009. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. 978-1-74232-475-3. 241. Theischinger. Gunther.
6. Book: Watson, J.A.L.. The Australian Dragonflies: A Guide to the Identification, Distributions and Habitats of Australian Odonata. Theischinger. G.. Abbey. H.M.. CSIRO. 1991. 0643051368. Melbourne.
7. Endersby. I.. 2012. Watson and Theischinger: the etymology of the dragonfly (Insecta: Odonata) names which they published. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. 145. 443 & 444. 34–53 . 0035-9173. Biodiversity Heritage Library.