P. lucia is a widespread African sp. with a checkered taxonomic history. Currently 2 ‘forms’ or subspecies, P. l. lucia and P. l. portia are recognized, although debate over the taxonomic status of these taxa has hardly let up over the last 230 years. The 2 ‘forms’ show distinctive wing pattern differences although other aspects of their morphology are very similar. They can occur highly sympatrically at some localities in southern Africa, as well as elsewhere, thus raising the question of whether they are two species or one perhaps with balanced polymorphism. DNA sequence data from the ITS2 and COI genes were collected from specimens of both these ‘forms’ to assess more rigorously the taxonomic status of these taxa. The closely related P. deceptor (Calv.) and P. jucunda (Ramb.) were included in the data set to provide a baseline for comparisons. Specimens from all 4 taxa were from pools of the flood plain of the Sabie R., Kruger National Park, South Africa, and were potentially able to interbreed. Both phylogenetic analyses and comparisons of sequence divergence levels strongly support the hypothesis that the 2 ‘forms’ of P. lucia are reproductively isolated and should be accorded full species status as P. lucia (Drury, 1773) and P. portia (Drury, 1773).

Odonatologica

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Societas Internationalis Odonatologica

A. Mitchell, & M.J. Samways. (2005). The morphological ‘forms’ of Palpopleura lucia (Drury) are separate species as evidenced by DNA sequencing (Anisoptera: Libellulidae). Odonatologica, 34(2), 173–178.