Major Group: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Austropetaliidae (formerly part of Neopetaliidae)
Genus: Austropetalia
This family is represented in Australia by a single genus, Austropetalia Tillyard. |
Descriptive Features: prementum stout
premental ligula widely rounded, with only slight indication of median cleft, a very small denticle each side of it
labial palps evenly tapered and almost straight, denticulate but without end hook on inner margin
antennae 5-segmented
prothoracic processes a trifid structure
pronotal lobes not distinctly differentiated
femora and tibiae with very distinct large bumps
abdomen with very small, possibly paired, middorsal tubercles and very small laterodorsal lobes on segments 3-7, and with only simple middorsal processes on segments 8 and 9
broad lateral lobes on abdominal segments 2-8
armour-like exoskeleton
non-laterally produced mesokatepisternum
Total length: 31.5 - 35.0 mm |
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Austropetalia tonyana |
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Austropetalia tonyana |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Species
Austropetalia patricia Tillyard
Austropetalia tonyana Theischinger |
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Distribution: Vic, E NSW
Sensitivity Rating: none
Functional Feeding Group: predators |
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Rose River Tributary |
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Ecology: Adults are commonly known as 'mainland redspots'.
Instream habitat: The semi-aquatic Austropetalia larvae can live in damp situations including, splash zones of waterfalls and sphagnum swamps in montane areas. Larvae have been found in crevices in damp logs or between small flat rocks on ledges of waterfalls, receiving only water splashed onto logs or rocks. These rocks would be in the main flow during high flows over the falls. However, exuviae have also been found along a steep rocky creek and along a small overgrown trickle on softer ground.
Feeding ecology: Larvae are predators
Habit:
Life history:
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Information Sources: Theischinger 2002, Theischinger & Hawking 2006
Key to Species: Theischinger 2002 |
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