The phylogenetic relationships among members of the Odonates were inferred from mitochondrial DNA 12S ribosomal RNA sequence data. These data show support for a monophyletic Anisoptera suborder, which are consistent with previous phylogenetic work performed on the group. However, the Zygoptera are paraphyletic based on mitochondrial DNA evidence. In particular, the family Lestidae appears more ...

This paper reports four species of the genus Conocephalus from Hainan, China, including Conocephalus (Xiphidion) hainanensis sp. nov. and two new records: C. (Anisoptera) maculatus (Le Guillou, 1841) and C. (Conocephalus) bambusanus Ingrisch, 1990.

This study reported the 15,435 bp-long complete mitochondrial genome of the relict Epiophlebia superstes (Odonata, Epiophlebiidae), an enigmatic dragonfly of the paraphyletic 'Anisozygoptera' possessing characteristics similar to members of both extant odonate suborders, the Zygoptera and the Anisoptera. This mitogenome comprises the common set of 37 genes and an A + T-rich control region, and ...

Many studies have demonstrated that the nonconsumptive effect (NCE) of predators on prey traits can alter prey demographics in ways that are just as strong as the consumptive effect (CE) of predators. Less well studied, however, is how the CE and NCE of multiple predator species can interact to influence the combined effect of multiple predators on prey mortality. We examined the extent to whic...

The previously unknown male of Conocephalus (Anisoptera) yunnanensis Shi et Feng, 2009 is described for the first time. female this species redescribed. photographs habitus and characteristic taxonomic features both sexes are also provided.

Phaenandrogomphus safei is described from a male from the Kalabakan Forest Reserve, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. It is the first species of Phaenandrogomphus to be recorded from Borneo. Onychogomphus treadawayi, known from Busuanga Island in the Palawan region of the Philippines, is transferred to Phaenandrogomphus. 

A robust technique for determining the wing kinematics, body position and attitude of a free-flight dragonfly is described. The new method is based on a projected comb-fringe technique combined with the natural landmarks on a dragonfly, allowing us to establish the local body-centered coordinate system with high accuracy, and to measure the body attitude at any instant. The kinematic parameters...

Detailed measurements of head and body motion have revealed previously unknown complexity in the predatory behavior of dragonflies. The new evidence suggests that the brains of these agile predators compute internal models of their own actions and those of their prey.