Amphipterygidae

Definition

A family of damselflies (suborder Zygoptera, order Odonata) characterized by long, slender abdomens and reduced wing venation. The family contains a single extant genus, Amphipteryx, restricted to humid montane forests of Mesoamerica from Mexico through Guatemala to Honduras. Adults are typically found perching on vegetation near shaded forest streams.

Etymology

From the type genus Amphipteryx (Greek amphi-, 'around/both' + pteryx, 'wing'), with the family suffix -idae.

Example

The montane damselfly Amphipteryx agrioides (family Amphipterygidae) perches with wings folded together above the abdomen, unlike the horizontally spread-wing posture of its close relatives in the family Dicteriadidae.

Related Terms

• Amphipteryx
• Zygoptera
• Odonata
• Dicteriadidae
• damselfly
• montane endemism

Usage Notes

Formerly treated as containing several genera, but modern taxonomy restricts Amphipterygidae to the single genus Amphipteryx; other former members have been reassigned to Dicteriadidae and related families. The family's restricted geographic range makes it of conservation interest for Mesoamerican cloud forest ecosystems.