Molecular phylogeny and updated classification of jewel damselflies (Odonata: Zygoptera: Chlorocyphidae)

Chlorocyphidae (Odonata: Zygoptera) represent a family of odonates found in tropical Asia and Africa, composed of 162 species. The family is characterized by a pronounced snout-like clypeus, wings that usually extend beyond the abdomen, and striking male coloration correlated with elaborate courtship behavior. Morphological differences between species and among genera are limited. To date, there is no extensive phylogeny of the group. As a result, the current classification is primarily based on coloration and morphological features that have not been tested in a phylogenetic framework. Our taxon sampling includes 90 species (> 55% of diversity). We targeted 92 AHE genes to test previous hypotheses of chlorocyphid classification. We present an updated classification. We recover Chlorocyphidae as monophyletic and Cyrano as sister to the remaining genera. We describe two new subfamilies, increasing the number to six: Cyranoinae Fomekong-Lontchi, Kalkman and Bybee subfam. nov . and Indocyphinae Fomekong-Lontchi, Kalkman and Bybee subfam. nov . A total of 26 species are reclassified to another genus (highlighting the difficulty with Chlorocyphidae morphology and classification), of which 13 are placed in two newly described genera: Ebenocypha Fomekong-Lontchi, Kalkman and Bybee gen. nov . and Scapanocypha Fomekong-Lontchi, Kalkman and Bybee gen. nov . Also, the genera Melanocypha , Pachycypha , Sclerocypha , and Watuwila are synonymized with Libellago . This new classification provides a framework for future studies of chlorocyphid evolution, including their courtship and biogeography.