Mesopodagrion tibetanum subsp. australe Yu & Bu, 2009, ssp. nov.

Mesopodagrion tibetanum australe ssp. nov.

Mesopodagrion tibetanum: Lieftinck, 1948: 7, “ Burma, China (Shaanxi)” (in part); Asahina, 1955: 130 –133, figs. 1–6, “ Burma, China (Shaanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Yunnan)” (in part); SUI & SUN, 1986: 294 –295, Fig. 201, “ Burma, China (Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang)” (in part); Chao, 1987: 112, 120; “ Burma, China (Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang)” (in part).

Materials. Holotype: 3, China, Yunnan, Yuanjiang, Nanxi, 2100m, 20-VII-2006, Xin Yu leg. (NKUM); Paratypes: 1 3, China, Yunnan, Mt. Ailao, Xujiaba, 8-V-1984, Leyi Zheng leg. (NKUM); 1 3, 2 Ƥ, China, Yunnan, Dali, 20-VI-2005, Benyong Mao leg. (NKUM); 3 3, China, Yunnan, Lijiang, Mt. Yulong, 15-VI- 1998, Wenjun Bu leg. (NKUM); 1 3, China, Yunnan, Lijiang, Mt. Yulong, 2700m, 14-VIII-1979, Zuopei Ling leg. (NKUM); 2 3, 1 Ƥ, China, Sichuan, Luding, Mt. Gongga, 16-VI-1993, Yang Bing leg. (CUMZ); 3 3, 1 Ƥ, China, Yunnan, 1918, G. Forrest leg. (BMNH); 2 Ƥs, Upper Burma, Seinghku Valley, 5000’, 17-V- 1926, Ward leg. (BMNH); 1 3, China, Yunnan, 1918, G. Forrest leg. (CUMZ).

Etymology. The subspecific name refers to the more southerly distribution for this subspecies compared to that of the nominotypical subspecies.

Description. Male. Similar to M. t.tibetanum, but differs as follows: pale occipital bar absent (Fig. 4 c, d), Rear of head entirely pale (Fig. 3 c); antehumeral stripe narrow (about 1/3 width of mesepimeron), complete, sometimes interrupted near upper end (Fig. 4 c, d); S10 and appendages black, latero-ventrally pale (Fig. 5 f, h); bifurcate process almost as long as 1/2 width of S10, outer margin arched, smooth, black or sometimes pale, hemline of bifurcate process more than 1/3 width of S10, but not to 1/2 (Figs. 5 c, d, 12–14).

Female. Similar to male by color pattern but slightly shorter in body length and more robust. Antehumeral stripes broader than in male; S10 pale laterally; ovipositor pale dorsally beyond level of S10 (Fig. 6 c).

Distribution. A more southerly species than M. yachowensis occurring in mountainous areas southern China from central Sichuan (apparently sympatric with M. yachowensis there), south through Yunan province and into northern Burma. This subspecies is believed by V. Kalkman (pers. com.) to occur in Kangding, Sichuan and Deqen, Yunnan, China. This species occurs at higher elevations (> 3000m) compared to M. yachowensis (Fig. 7).