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New Mexico Rare Arthropod Resource

The New Mexico Rare Arthropod Resource

 
Gomphurus lynnae (Columbia Clubtail)  


Taxonomy

  • Class: INSECTA
  • Order: ODONATA
  • Family: GOMPHIDAE
  • Genus: Gomphurus
  • Scientific Name: Gomphurus lynnae Paulson, 1983
  • Common Name: Columbia Clubtail
  • Synonyms:

Taxonomic Name Source


Cameron Eckert ()
Species Occurrence Data From: Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

Agency Conservation Status



  • SGCN
  • NMDGF:
  • USFWS:
  • BLM:
  • USFS:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
  • Nature Serve Global: G3
  • NHNM State: SNR
  • NM Endemic NO


Agency Conservation Status



SGCN NMDGF USFWS BLM Status USFS IUCN
Red List		 Nature Serve
Global		 NHNM State NM Endemic
Least Concern G3 SNR NO


Description

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The Columbia Clubtail is a medium-sized dragonfly (about 54 mm to 60 mm long). Both males and females are black and yellow patterned on the head, thorax, and abdomen, with bright blue eyes. There is a powdery substance (known as pruinosity) on their thorax. Both sexes have a distinctive club at the end of their abdomens, though the male boasts a slightly larger club (WDFA 2024).

Habitat and Ecology

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The Columbia Clubtail occurs in moderately sized sandy to muddy rivers in open, arid grasslands, usually bordered at least in part by riparian woodlands (Paulson 2018).

Geographic Range

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This species is found in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho with isolated populations in Nevada and New Mexico. It is fairly widespread and locally common in the Pacific Northwest, and it may be found in additional occurrences across its range (Sears 2021). Outside the Pacific Northwest, only two occurrences are known; in New Mexico, it is known only from the Gila River, in the Gila Wilderness (Tennessen 2013) and in Nevada, it is known only from the Humboldt River (Danforth 2014).

Conservation Considerations

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This species is included as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the Washington Department of Fish (WDFW) and Wildlife State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). It is also considered a Priority Species under WDFW’s Priority Habitat and Species Program, which ensures protective measures are taken to ensure the survival of the species. Some protective measures include monitoring water quality near agricultural areas, protecting riparian vegetation at key sites, and monitoring streams for invasive species and impacts of climate change (WDFW 2024). Research needs for this species include habitat requirements, particularly aquatic larval substrates, river and stream or lake and pond characteristics, and other key habitat features (WDFW 2024).

Threats

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There are no range wide threats known for this species (Paulson 2018). In some cases, localized threats may exist, including water system modifications, namely the construction of dams, modern agricultural practices, introduced predator fish and invasive aquatic plants, and climate change (Blackburn 2019, Sears 2021). Other potential threats may include habitat loss and degradation due to road construction, development, river impoundments, and grazing (Blackburn 2019). Overgrazing, fires, and pollution are likely the major threats to the watersheds where is species is found (Dunkle 2005).

Population

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The population size and trend are not known for this species, though it appears to be quite abundant and stable in the Pacific Northwest (Paulson 2018). The health of the population in New Mexico is unknown.

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