Crocothemis sanguinolenta (Burmeister, 1839) is a widespread Afrotropical species whose area of distribution extends into the south of the Arabian Peninsula (Schneider & Krupp 1993, Schneider & Dumont 1997, Schneider & Parr 1998). Additionally, isolated populations have been found in the Dead Sea Basin. The first report from this region is by Morton (1924), although his locality "Dead Sea" is not very specific. The species is now known from three localities in Jordan (Schneider 1982, 1985). In Israel it is thus far known only from En Gedi on the Dead Sea coast (31°27'N/35°22'E), where a male was photographed by the second author on 20 April 1997. The species was numerous at this locality on 23 July 1997 and a male was collected (observation E. Grootveld). The habitat, an oasis stream, is similar to that in Jordan. The presence of this species at this locality has gone almost unnoticed, even though a female and a male were collected there on 16 March 1958 and 10 May 1958 respectively. These are in the collection of Tel Aviv University and were originally misidentified as Crocothemis erythraea (Brullé, 1832) and Brachythemis leucosticta (Burmeister, 1839) respectively (pers. comm. W. Schneider). Adding Crocothemis sanguinolenta, the number of dragonfly species known from Israel now stands at 63 (De Marmels 1995, Dumont 1991). These authors and Furth (1983) list sixteen species for En Gedi. It is surprising that this striking species was not recorded more frequently, despite an extensive limnological survey of the oasis (Furth 1983). Larvae uncertainly assigned to Sympetrum fonscolombii (Selys, 1837) in that study may refer to C. sanguinolenta.

Morton (1924) already noticed that his specimens differed from African ones. These were later described as a separate subspecies, Crocothemis sanguinolenta arabica Schneider, 1982. According to Schneider (1982) the male of the subspecies arabica differs from the nominate in being smaller, having a more open venation, less yellow on the wing bases and no dark markings on the abdomen. The single male from Israel is compared with material from Jordan, Yemen, Oman and Uganda in Table 1. It must be noted that the Ethiopian specimen illustrated by Schneider (1982) has extremely extensive yellow bases, invading at least ten cells of the anal loop. The Israeli specimen fits arabica in most features, besides having more yellow on the wing. The Yemenite males are most typical of the nominate, although the yellow is even more restricted than in known specimens of arabica. Waterston (1984) describes a male from south-west Saudi Arabia as being similar to the Yemenite examples. The specimen from Oman combines characteristics of both subspecies. In conclusion, it is impossible to assign the South-Arabian material to either of them.

A male of Crocothemis sanguinolenta in Israel. Locality: En Gedi on the Dead Sea coast.  Photographed by Niels Dingemanse on 20 April 1997

Despite the small sample size studied, it is obvious that the distinction between arabica and sanguinolenta is not clear-cut and that intermediate forms occur. According to Buchholz (1959) the species is variable in size and markings throughout Africa. This variation includes the extremes shown by arabica. It appears that individuals in hot, dry areas tend to be smaller with a more open venation, less yellow on the wing bases and less abdominal markings. Whether this is merely a developmental response to environmental variation is unknown. If so, only geographical arguments would warrant the distinction of a Levantine subspecies. We do not believe that this justifies the recognition of the subspecies arabica.

Abdl

Hwingl

Postd

Disc

Mark

Ybase

Israel (1)

22

26,5

2

1

-

2-3

Jordan (5)

20-22

24,5-26,5

2

0-1

-

1

Oman (1)

19,5

23,5

3

2

-

2-3

Yemen (3)

21,5-25

26-29

3

2

3-4

0

Uganda (3)

23-25

27,5-29

3

2

3-7

2-3

References