Telebasis

Selys, 1865

Firetails

Telebasis is a of in the , occurring throughout the Neotropics. Most display red coloration, though a few species occur in South America. The genus was taxonomically revised by Rosser Garrison in 2009. Larval varies among species; for example, Telebasis obsoleta has five palpal , a trait shared only with T. demerara, while other species have six or seven.

Telebasis byersi by (c) Eric Haley, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Telebasis boomsmae by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Telebasis versicolor by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Telebasis: //ˌtɛl.ɛˈbeɪ.sɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Larval identification to level relies on palpal count and prementum denticle patterns. T. obsoleta and T. demerara share five palpal setae versus six or seven in other Telebasis species; these two species can be separated by the presence of two small denticles near the prementum tip in T. obsoleta and by coloration. identification relies on coloration and geographic distribution within the Neotropics.

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Distribution

Neotropical region; recorded from Argentina, Colombia, and elsewhere in Central and South America.

Life Cycle

Aquatic larval stage with final described for at least T. obsoleta; stage aerial.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Coenagrionidae generaTelebasis is distinguished within by its Neotropical distribution and predominantly red coloration in most .
  • Telebasis demeraraShares five palpal with T. obsoleta in larval stage, requiring examination of prementum denticles and color pattern for separation.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Rosser Garrison published a taxonomic revision of Telebasis in 2009, contributing to the of New World .

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Sources and further reading