David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
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Dragonflies and Damselflies 23 - Highland Darters
HIGHLAND
DARTER Sympetrum (striolatum) nigrescens
HIGHLAND
DARTER Sympetrum (striolatum) nigrescens
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The exact genetic status
of this dark Scottish (probable) phenotype of the Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum has
not yet been fully established and it is therefore generally labelled either as
S. nigrescens or S. (striolatum) nigrescens as a
matter of convenience and the vernacular name of Highland Darter is
commonly used to describe it. The darker colours probably assist with
heat-absorption and retention in the cooler northern climate. If the
appropriate scientific evidence is gathered at some point in the future to
properly evaluate this insect then either an unequivocal segregation into
separate species might be achieved or the dragonfly may be confirmed as simply
being a darker form of S. striolatum. These photographs are of low resolution as
they have been copied from transparencies and as would normally be the case for
members of this genus the colours alter according to the maturity of the
dragonflies.
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