Libelluloidea Explained

Libelluloidea is a superfamily of dragonflies.

A 2007 phylogenetic analysis suggests that this superfamily contains four families:^[1]

• Corduliidae
• Gomphomacromiidae
• Libellulidae
• Macromiidae

Some authors include other families here, including Synthemistidae^[2] and the monotypic Neopetaliidae.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Ware, J., May, M., & Kjer, K. (2007). Phylogeny of the higher Libelluloidea (Anisoptera: Odonata): an exploration of the most speciose superfamily of dragonflies. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 45(1), 289-310.
2. Dijkstra, K. D. B., et al. (2013). The classification and diversity of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata). In: Zhang, Z.-Q.(Ed.) Animal Biodiversity: An Outline of Higher-level Classification and Survey of Taxonomic Richness (Addenda 2013). Zootaxa, 3703(1), 36-45.
3. Carle, F. L., Kjer, K. M., & May, M. L. (2008). Evolution of Odonata, with special reference to Coenagrionoidea (Zygoptera). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny, 66(1), 37-44.