A misleading representation of the asian distributioof a most intriguing dragonfly, somatochlora sahlbergi trybom, 1889: a critique of KOHLI et al. (2018)

Abstract

Recently Kohli et al. (2018) published a phylogenetic analysis of Somatochlora sahlbergi, including extensive supplementary material listing global distribution records for the species. The compilation of literature data on records of S. sahlbergi in Siberia includes an inacceptable level of false pseudo-data and incorrect statements. Further key words. Odonata, Anisoptera, Corduliidae, Russia, Siberia, geographical distribution, circumpolar species Somatochlora sahlbergi Trybom, 1889, is considered to be the world’s ‘northernmost dragonfly’. It has a charismatic appeal for European and North American odonatologists as it is one most difficult species to encounter, especially in Europe (Hämäläinen 2015). It was thought to be confined to high latitudes within or near the Arctic Circle until Belyshev & Ovodov (1961) discovered it at a latitude of 51°45’N in Irkutsk Province in Russia. Since then, evidence has accumulated indicating that the species’ range extends to the mountains of southern Siberia and the northern Khabarovskiy Kray (Kosterin 1992; Schröter 2011). The geographical distribution of the species was thoroughly reviewed by Schröter (2011), who provides detailed and precise maps of its known localities for the northern hemisphere in general, including Europe, Siberia and North America. However, that review does not give text accounts of known localities for the species. Recently, a highly interesting insight into phylogeography of S. sahlbergi