Epiprocta

Definition

A suborder of Odonata comprising the dragonflies (Anisoptera) and the relict damsel-dragonflies (Epiophlebioptera), united by the presence of an epiproct—a dorsal appendage of the tenth abdominal segment involved in mating clasping. Established in 1992 to replace the paraphyletic grouping Anisozygoptera, Epiprocta represents the sister clade to Zygoptera (damselflies) and first appears in the Early Jurassic fossil record.

Etymology

From Greek epi- (upon) + proktos (anus), referring to the epiproct appendage characteristic of this group.

Example

In modern odonate classification, the green darner (Anax junius) belongs to Epiprocta as a member of the infraorder Anisoptera, whereas the relict Asian species Epiophlebia superstes is placed in the infraorder Epiophlebioptera within the same suborder.

Synonyms

• Epiproctophora

Related Terms

• Anisoptera
• Zygoptera
• Epiophlebioptera
• Odonata
• Epiproct
• Anisozygoptera
• Palaeoptera

Usage Notes

Epiprocta is a crown-group concept that supersedes the older, paraphyletic suborder Anisozygoptera. Some classifications still use Anisoptera as a suborder, making Epiprocta controversial or synonymized in certain taxonomic treatments. The infraorder rank of Anisoptera within Epiprocta reflects phylogenomic evidence that true dragonflies and Epiophlebia form a clade excluding damselflies.