Odonate survey finds 5 new species in Thiruvananthapuram division

Five new species of dragonflies and damselflies had been found within the newest survey of odonates held in Thiruvananthapuram wildlife division. The survey held from September 12 to 14 documented a formidable 121 species of dragonflies and damselflies.

The survey was collectively carried out by the Society for Odonate Studies and the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department. “The examine marked a significant milestone in regional biodiversity research,” stated odonate professional Sujith V. Gopalan.

N. Syam Mohanlal, forest conservator, ABP circle, inaugurated the survey. S.V. Vinod, wildlife warden, flagged off the train. Two dozen volunteers took half within the survey guided by odonate specialists like Dr. Gopalan, Vivek Chandran, Muhammed Sherif, Renjith Jacob Mathews and Reji Chandran.

The examine happened throughout 10 strategically chosen camps and adjoining habitats. “Camps had been chosen alongside an altitudinal gradient to embody most habitat range and microhabitats throughout the division,” stated Dr. Gopalan.

As many as 73 species of dragonflies and 48 species of damselflies had been recorded within the three-day evaluation. They included the 5 species newly present in Thiruvananthapuram.

They are Merogomphus aryanadensis (dainty longleg), Protostictasanguinithorax (crimson reedtail), Anax indicus (lesser inexperienced emperor), Macromia bellicose (militant torrent hawk) and Lestes dorothea (forest spreadwing).

Among the brand new 5, dainty longleg and crimson reedtail stood out as notably noteworthy species, each having been described to science for the primary time simply final 12 months.

The survey additionally introduced forth a number of taxonomic updates, bringing native data in step with the most recent scientific reclassifications.

Phylloneura westernmanni was up to date as Phylloneura rupestris (cliffside bambootail), Melanoneura bilineata up to date as Melanoneura agasthyamalaica (Agasthyamalai bambootail), and Lyriothemis flava redefined as Lyriothemis abrahami (Abraham’s bloodtail).

Some survey camps, like Anchunazhikathode documented over 46 species and websites like Pulininnakala and the close by space documented 80 plus species, reflecting the pristine high quality of the area’s ecosystems.

The examine discovered a wholesome inhabitants of stream-dwelling torrent darts, together with Euphaea fraseri (Malabar torrent dart) and Euphaea cardinalis (Travancore torrent dart), in addition to Myristica swamp specialists like Calocypha laidlawi (Myristica sapphire), a uncommon and hanging damselfly endemic to this habitat.

The record additionally included shade-loving damselflies like Protosticta ponmudiensis (Travancore reedtail) and the lately described Protosticta armageddonia (armageddon reedtail), alongside bambootail species from the genera Esme and Caconeura.

Other charismatic regional endemics, together with Epithemis mariae, Gomphidia kodaguensis, in addition to species of Epophthalmia, Macromia, and Idionyx had been additionally noticed.

“The excessive variety of endemic odonate species discovered within the survey factors to the ecological richness and pristine nature of the area’s habitats,” stated Dr. Gopalan.

Being extremely delicate to environmental change, odonates function important indicators of ecosystem well being, reflecting the standard of water methods and forest habitats.