Vol. 60, 2021

(update: 2021.06.18)
 

Classification and Morphology of Rhinocypha spp. (Odonata): A Comprehensive Taxonomic Study Within the Females

Noorhidayah Mamat^1,*, Arpah Abu¹, and Norma-Rashid Yusoff¹

¹Institute of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. *Correspondence: E-mail: nhidayahm@um.edu.my (Mamat).
E-mail: arpah@um.edu.my (Abu); ynorma@um.edu.my (Yusoff)

Received 31 January 2021 / Accepted 25 May 2021
Communicated by Y. Miles Zhang

Studies on Odonata have gained attention worldwide as well as locally in Malaysia. Although there is a wealth of data available to be utilized for solving taxonomic problems, ecological and behavioural research areas are more favoured than taxonomy and systematics. Thus, there are confusions over how to correctly identify closely related and sympatric species, especially in female odonates. One such example is in the genus Rhinocypha. Consequently, the present study focuses on taxonomic work, employing multi-approaches in the form of morphological (morphological diagnostics, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and geometric morphometric analysis), applying the molecular technique. Seventeen morphological characteristics were created to differentiate between the females of Rhinocypha spp. A FESEM was used on the female’s ovipositor to focus on the anal appendages and sheathing valve (V3). Also, the phylogenetic patterns expressed by COI and 16S rRNA genes, and canonical variate analysis for the wing geometric morphometric revealed three clusters that supported the distinction of the Rhinocypha group. In summary, this study effectively developed an integrated approach of classic morphological and trendy molecular, combined with FESEM microscopy techniques, which provided corroborative evidence and resolved taxonomic uncertainties.

Key words: Dragonflies, Female’s ovipositor, Geometric morphometric, Mitochondrial COI, 16S rRNA.

Citation: Mamat-Noorhidayah, Abu A, Yusoff N. 2021. Classification and morphology of Rhinocypha spp. (Odonata): a comprehensive taxonomic study within the females. Zool Stud 60:47. doi:10.6620/ZS.2021.60-47.

Supplementary Materials: Appendix 1