Petalura pulcherrima is a species of Australian dragonfly in the family Petaluridae,[3] commonly known as a beautiful petaltail.[4] It is a very large and slender dragonfly, mostly black or dark brown with yellow markings and its eyes widely separated on top of its head. It has clear wings and a very long, narrow pterostigma.[4]
| Beautiful petaltail | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Petaluridae |
| Genus: | Petalura |
| Species: | P. pulcherrima
|
| Binomial name | |
| Petalura pulcherrima | |
| |
11. Colour pattern of abdomen
12. Inferior appendage from below
13. Colour pattern of head from in front
14. Colour pattern of thorax from above
Petalura pulcherrima is endemic to coastal rainforests and monsoon-forest streams of Cape York in Queensland, Australia.[5] Like other species of the genus Petalura, its larvae live in burrows beside rainforest streams, with an opening above water level.[6]
Petalura pulcherrima appears similar to Petalura ingentissima which is larger still and is also found in coastal north-eastern Queensland.[4]
Petalura pulcherrima is rarely seen. The IUCN Red List considers it to be a vulnerable species, with fragmentation of its habitat by human interference a major factor.[1]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Dow, R.A. (2019). "Petalura pulcherrima". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T16712A87528690. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T16712A87528690.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Tillyard, R.J. (1912). "On some Australian Anisoptera, with descriptions of new species". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 37: 582 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ "Species Petalura pulcherrima Tillyard, 1913". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ a b c Theischinger, Günther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-64309-073-6.
- ^ Theischinger, Gunther; Endersby, Ian (2009). Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata (PDF). Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. p. 233. ISBN 978-1-74232-475-3.
- ^ Watson, J.A.L.; Theischinger, G.; Abbey, H.M. (1991). The Australian Dragonflies: A Guide to the Identification, Distributions and Habitats of Australian Odonata. Melbourne: CSIRO. ISBN 0643051368.