A new species of bannerwing damselfly, Polythore albistriata sp. nov. (Odonata: Polythoridae)

Abstract

The traditional method of classifying the twenty-one species within the South American genus Polythore has been relying on wing color patterns and male genital ligula shape. However, recent molecular research has shown that wing color patterns can vary significantly within some species, making it an insufficient means of species diagnosis by itself in some cases. In this study, we employ a combined approach of morphological and molecular data to describe a new Polythore species found in the southeastern Colombian Andes. Our analysis includes detailed illustrations and pictures of diagnostic features, haplotype networks for two barcode genes, COX1 and NADH I, a distribution map, and a brief discussion of the conservation status of the species. We found wing color pattern, male genital ligula morphology, and NADH I barcode sequences to be sufficiently diagnostic to identify the species as new. Our results highlight the importance of integrating multiple data sources for accurate species identifications and descriptions in this genus.