A redefinition of the genus Diplacina Brauer, 1868, with the establishment of Papuathemis gen. nov. (Odonata: Libellulidae)

The genus Diplacina as presently recognised consists of a group of 10 species restricted to the Philippines and Sulawesi and another of 18 species found in the Moluccas and New Guinea. Based on both morphological and molecular data, these geographical assemblages are shown to represent two distinct clades, not even closely related, which should be recognised as separate genera. The holotype of Diplacina, D. nana Brauer 1868, is a Philippine species hence the 10 species from the Philippines and Sulawesi are retained in Diplacina. For the Moluccan and New Guinean species, the new genus Papuathemis is erected.