Austrocordulia is a genus of dragonfly in the family Austrocorduliidae. It is endemic to northern and eastern Australia. Species of Austrocordulia are medium-sized, dark-coloured dragonflies, either brown or black with yellow markings.
Taxonomic history The genus Austrocordulia is currently placed in the family Austrocorduliidae following recent taxonomic revision.
Earlier sources considered it part of several different families including Synthemistidae and Corduliidae, and at one point it was regarded as incertae sedis within Libelluloidea.
Species The genus includes the following species: Austrocordulia leonardi – Sydney hawk Austrocordulia refracta – eastern hawk Austrocordulia territoria – Top End hawk
Etymology The genus name Austrocordulia combines the prefix austro- (from Latin auster, meaning “south wind”, hence “southern”) with Cordulia, a genus name derived from Greek κορδύλη (kordylē, “club” or “cudgel”), alluding to the clubbed shape of the abdomen in males. The name refers to a southern representative of that group.
See also List of Odonata species of Australia
References