Is it a Highland Darter?

[dewmuw]

I'm leaning towards Highland Darter for this image. Taken in Sutherland, Scotland. Any positive IDs would be gratefully received.

[GuyF]

This is a female Black Darter, one of the main things to look for is the thick black stripe with small yellow dots on the side of the thorax, the other darters don't have this.
Guy

[Ollie]

I will second that female Black Darter
Roger

[dewmuw]

Thanks guys that's very helpful. Cheers.

[WhiskyBottle]

Black Darter.

It's questionable if there is such a thing as a Highland Darter or if it's just a dark northern form of the Common Darter.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

Black Darter.

It's questionable if there is such a thing as a Highland Darter or if it's just a dark northern form of the Common Darter.

I believe there's some molecular work currently being done on this to clarify the debate.

[leifus]

great photo of a female black darter

Just curious but how do you tell a common darter from a highland? Is it just the colour or also the thorax markings?

[Hedge Witch]

The Highland is darker than the very similar Common Darter, and the thorax has bolder black markings and the stripe on the legs is less obvious.

Since microscopic examination of genitalia is used to tell them apart, one would have to suspect they are a separate species, or am I wrong?

[earthdragon64]

There is a genetic study due to be published either later this year or early next year, that should definitively answer whether or not the Highland Darter is a seperate species from the Common Darter.

[leifus]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

The Highland is darker than the very similar Common Darter, and the thorax has bolder black markings and the stripe on the legs is less obvious.

Since microscopic examination of genitalia is used to tell them apart, one would have to suspect they are a separate species, or am I wrong?

thank you!!