Rhinagrion tricolor

[Sebbe]

Rediscovery of R. tricolor in Java after 59 years

Rhinagrion tricolor is a damselfly belonging to the family Megapodagrionidae that is endemic to Java. It was IUCN red-listed as Data Deficient by Dow (2009). The damselfly was first discovered in Java, Indonesia on 13 September, 1935 by M. Bartels at Cipandak. Other records were made in Java between 1935 and 1958 at Cipandak, Cidaun, Cipunage, Cidamar, Kalipucang, Sindangbarang and Ujung Kulon. R. tricolor was not recorded during the recent Java Odonata Survey conducted from 2010 to 2014 (Setiyono, 2014). Kalkman et al (2011) described R. tricolor as having abdominal segments 8-9 coloured a chracteristic red color on the dorsum and sternum. The species occurs in dense primeval forest streams up to 300 m above sea-level. Males perch over the water on branches of fallen trees. Females oviposit in moss-covered logs and boulders in midstream (Lieftinck 1954).

worlddragonfly.org/?page_id=125

[surroundx]

Scientific Name: Rhinagrion tricolor (Krüger, 1898)
Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Data Deficient ver 3.1
Year Published: 2009
Date Assessed: 2007-03-23
Assessor(s): Dow, R.A.
Reviewer(s): Kalkman, V. & Clausnitzer, V. (Odonata Red List Authority)
Justification:
There are very few published records and a complete lack of recent data on this species. Of the probably 20 or less specimens of this species ever collected, only one dates from after 1937. Given the lack of expert sampling on Java for many decades, it is not possible to determine if the lack of recent records is due to lack of sampling or because it is becoming scarcer (but a combination of both factors seems likely); this issue will only be resolved with extensive fresh sampling in Java, until such sampling is carried out, and even taking a precautionary attitude, Rhinagrion tricolor is best assessed as Data Deficient.
Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: Rhinagrion tricolor is known only from Java (Krüger 1898; Laidlaw 1924; Lieftinck 1934, 1954), there is a lack of published information on its distribution on the island, however most, if not all, material in the collections of the National Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Leiden is from west and south-west Java (V. Kalkman pers. comm. 2007).
Countries occurrence:
Native:
Indonesia (Jawa)
Additional data:
♦ Lower elevation limit (metres): 100
♦ Upper elevation limit (metres): 300
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]

Population: In 1934 only four specimens of this species were known (Lieftinck 1934). Material collected later is in the collections of the Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Leiden, where a total of 17 specimens are preserved, presumably including some of the original four. Of these all but one date from 1937 or before, the other is from 1958. The paucity of records since 1937 is most likely due to a lack of expert sampling on Java since that time, but habitat loss is also likely to be a factor.
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Additional data:
♦ Population severely fragmented: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: The species prefers deeply recessed streams in dense primeval forest, 100 - 300 m above sea-level. Males rest on branches of trees fallen into the water. Females oviposits in moss-covered logs and boulders in midstream (Lieftinck 1954).
Systems: Freshwater
Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): There has been extensive loss of lowland forest in Java; this is a serious cause for concern with regards to this species.
Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: There is an urgent need for more data on this species. Fresh searches should be made in Java.
Citation: Dow, R.A. 2009. Rhinagrion tricolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009: e.T163813A5655344. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T163813A5655344.en. Downloaded on 20 October 2017.

Source: www.iucnredlist.org/details/163813/0