Six odonate species found in Silent Valley

Six new species of dragonflies and damselflies had been present in Silent Valley National Park throughout an odonate survey held from October 10 to 12. The survey, collectively held by Silent Valley National Park and the Society for Odonate Studies (SOS), recorded the rising richness of the park’s pristine ecosystem.

The three-day survey recorded 83 species of odonates within the park, together with the six new species. With the brand new data, the entire variety of identified odonate species within the Silent Valley National Park has elevated from 103 to 109.

The newly recorded species are Long Legged Clubtail (Merogomphus longistigma), Fraser’s Torrent Hawk (Macromia irata), Dark Daggerhead (Macromidia donaldi), Blue-necked Reedtail (Protosticta mortoni), Wayanad Torrent Dart (Euphaea wayanadensis), and Black and Yellow Bambootail (Elattoneura tetrica).

“These new additions not solely enrich the park’s odonate variety, but additionally spotlight the presence of assorted microhabitats able to supporting 109 species,” mentioned odonate knowledgeable Sujith V. Gopalan.

Freshwater high quality

Three Euphaea species (Euphaea dispar, E. fraseri, and E. wayanadensis) had been recorded through the survey. Each of those species is a identified indicator of freshwater high quality, representing particular altitudinal and microhabitat ranges, thereby confirming the wonderful ecological integrity of the park’s freshwater streams, Dr. Gopalan mentioned.

Species from the genus Protosticta (P. mortoni, P. gravelyi) and Saffron Reedtail (Indosticta deccanensis) additional emphasise the park’s position as a refuge for Western Ghats endemics depending on extremely localised habitats.

Other notable recordings embrace Pale-spotted Bambootail (Caconeura gomphoides), restricted to excessive elevations of the park, and different uncommon endemics comparable to Ruby-tailed Hawklet (Epithemis mariae), Myristica Bambootail (Phylloneura westermanni), Malabar Bambootail (Melanoneura bilineata).

“Odonates are indicators of ecosystem well being, and finding out their inhabitants standing can present helpful insights into the general wellness of the habitats they characterize,” mentioned Dr. Gopalan.

He mentioned the transect surveys performed alongside predetermined routes yielded encouraging outcomes. These transect information might be additional analysed and in contrast with earlier surveys to derive a extra detailed understanding of the ecosystem’s dynamics and developments over time.

37 volunteers

This was the fourth odonate survey in Silent Valley since 2019. Experts mentioned another survey can be performed subsequent yr as a part of a deeper research.

The survey was held throughout 12 campsites involving 37 volunteers and forest workers.

Silent Valley Wildlife Warden Arulselvan Ok. inaugurated the survey. Assistant Wildlife Wardens Vishnu V.S. and N. Ganesan spoke. Apart from Dr. Gopalan, odonate consultants Vivek Chandran, Mohammed Sherif, Renjith Jacob Mathews and Reji Chandran led the survey.