[Entomology • 2024] Prodasineura sangkhla • A New Damselfly (Odonata: Platycnemididae) from western Thailand

 

Prodasineura sangkhla

Keetapithchayakul, Makbun, Ignatius & Phan, 2024

 

แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5551.1.5

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Abstract

Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov. is described from the Takhian Thong waterfall near the Thai-Myanmar border, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. It differs from all other species of Prodasineura Cowley, 1934 by the combination of the characters including white pruinescence on prothorax, synthorax and some parts of legs, blue markings on S10 and anal appendages, shape of anal appendages in males, and shape of occipital band and posterior process of posterior lobe in females.

Odonata, dragonfly, Zygoptera, new species, morphology

Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov.

Tosaphol Saetung Keetapithchayakul, Noppadon Makbun, Kaewpawika Jitthamma Ignatius, Quoc Toan Phan. 2024. Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov., A New Damselfly from western Thailand (Odonata: Platycnemididae). Zootaxa. 5551(1); 131-140. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5551.1.5

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand/posts/8797497557012078/

[News] แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละ (Prodasineura sangkhla) แมลงปอชนิดใหม่ชนิดแรกและชนิดส่งท้ายปี 2024

แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละได้รับการบรรยายเป็นชนิดใหม่สด ๆ ร้อน ๆ วันนี้ในวารสาร Zootaxa ครับ

คณะผู้บรรยายค้นพบแมลงปอเข็มชนิดนี้พร้อม ๆ กับแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มชนิดอื่น ๆ อีก 3 ชนิดคือ แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มดำ (Prodasineura autumnalis) แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มเอราวัณ (P. laidlawii) และแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มเสี้ยวส้ม ฟอร์มตะวันตก (P. sp. [nec. verticalis]) แต่ด้วยลักษณะอันโดดเด่นของตัวผู้ ทำให้เราแยกแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละได้ไม่ยาก กล่าวคือ อกและโคนท้องที่มีสีขาว และปลายท้องและรยางค์ปลายท้องที่มีสีฟ้า แต่สำหรับตัวเมีย หากมองด้วยตาเปล่า อาจจะแยกได้ยาก เพราะมีลายสีเหลืองสลับดำเหมือนกันหมด ต้องมานั่งจ้องลักษณะอกปล้องแรก (หรือที่เรียกกันง่าย ๆ ว่า คอ) และจำนวนหนามที่อยู่ด้านล่างของปลายรยางค์ปลายท้อง ถึงจะสามารถจำแนกได้อย่างถูกต้องแม่นยำครับ

แมลงปอเข็มชนิดนี้พบเกาะตามปลายใบไม้และกิ่งไม้เหนือลำธารที่อำเภอสังขละบุรี จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี และคาดการณ์ว่าน่าจะเจอทางฝั่งประเทศเมียนมาด้วยเช่นกัน เพราะจุดที่เจอมันอยู่ใกล้ชายแดนครับ

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A new species of genus Prodasineura, P. sangkhla, was described from Sangkhla Buri, Kanchanaburi Province. The description was published in Zootaxa today.

This new species co-occurs with other three members of the genus, that is P. autumnalis, P. laidlawii and P. sp. [nec. verticalis]. With white pruinosed thorax and blue abdomenal tip, males of P. sangkhla is easily differentiated from those species. Unlike the males, the general appearance of the females are similar to the congeners found in the area but you need to look at shape of prothorax and number of ventral spine on cerci for making an accurate ID.

Prodasineura sangkhla was spotted perching on leaf or twig along the stream in Sangkhla, Kanchanaburi Province and expected to be found in nearby area in Myanmar.

[Entomology • 2024] Melanoneura agasthyamalaica • A New Species of Melanoneura (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) from the Western Ghats, India

 

Melanoneura agasthyamalaica Chandran, Chandran, Jose & Koparde, 

in V. Chandran, R. Chandran, Jose, Payra et Koparde, 2024.

Agasthyamalai bambootail  ||  www.biotaxa.org/ijo/article/view/86296

 Researchgate.net/publication/384741197

 

Abstract

Melanoneura Fraser, 1922 is a genus of damselflies which was, to date, regarded as monotypic. It is represented by the nominate species, Melanoneura bilineata Fraser, 1922 which is endemic to the Western Ghats in India. We describe the population of Melanoneura in the Agasthyamalai landscape of the Western Ghats as a species new to science based on differences in the structure of male cerci, mesostigmal plates, genital ligulae, and the structure and marking of the prothorax. Subtle differences in body markings are also documented. Further, we demonstrate a significant genetic distance (7.2–7.4%) between the new species and M. bilineata, based on mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I analysis. Our study combines morphological and genetic evidence to describe a new species belonging to the genus Melanoneura, cancelling its monotypic nature.

 

Keywords: Zygoptera, bambootail, biodiversity, damselfly, dragonfly, endemic, monotypic, new species, taxonomy

Order Odonata Fabricius, 1793

Suborder Zygoptera Selys, 1854

Superfamily Coenagrionoidea Kirby, 1890

Family Platycnemididae Jacobson and Bianchi, 1905

Genus Melanoneura Fraser, 1922

Type species: Melanoneura bilineata Fraser, 1922

Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n. ♂ in habitat.

Melanoneura agasthyamalaica Chandran, Chandran, Jose & Koparde sp. n.

Diagnosis: Male Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n. can be distinguished from its only congener, M. bilineata, by the following features: posterior lobe of prothorax with a more rounded posterior margin (posterior lobe of prothorax with a relatively straight posterior margin in M. bilineata). Mesostigmal plates flat (mesostigmal plates curled at the tips in M. bilineata) (Figures 3 & 4). Pt in FW squarish, covering just over one cell (Pt in all wings rectangular, covering two cells in M. bilineata) (Figure 5). Cerci more elongated, as long as paraprocts, with a more pointed spine (cerci shorter, falling just short of paraprocts, with a more rounded spine in M. bilineata) (Figures 6 & 7). The outer processes of the distal segments of genital ligula are spatulate in both taxa. The inner processes are shallowly divided in the new taxon and deeply divided in M. bilineata (Figures 8 & 9). The following differences in body markings are also seen, but these could be ....

Etymology: The species epithet agasthyamalaica is derived from the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve of the Western Ghats, the landscape from where this species is first described.

Habitat of Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n.

  

A. Vivek Chandran, Reji Chandran, Subin Jose, Arajush Payra and Pankaj Koparde. 2024. Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n. (Odonata, Platycnemididae) from the Western Ghats, India. International Journal of Odonatology. 27; 213-226. www.biotaxa.org/ijo/article/view/86296

DOI: doi.org/10.48156/1388.2024.1917298 

  Researchgate.net/publication/384741197_Melanoneura_agasthyamalaica_sp_n_from_the_Western_Ghats_India

[Entomology • 2023] Protosticta sexcoloratus • A New Species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India

Protosticta sexcoloratus 

 Chandran, Muneer, Madhavan & Jose, 2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2023.11.010

Abstract

Protosticta Selys, 1885 is a speciose genus of damselflies distributed in the tropical and subtropical forests of Asia. During an ongoing study to document the odonate diversity of the Western Ghats, we came across a colony of Protosticta species in Wayanad, Kerala, that appeared different from all other species hitherto described. We describe this population as a new species after detailed morphological comparison with closely similar species occurring in the region.

Keywords: biodiversity, endemic, shadow, damsel, taxonomy, Zygoptera

 

  Live photographs of Protosticta sexcoloratus sp. nov. male:
A, in the habitat; B, dorsal view of head and thorax; C, face; D, caudal appendages; E, legs; F, lateral view of head and thorax.

 Live photographs of  Protosticta sexcoloratus sp. nov. female:
A, in the habitat; B, dorsal view of head and thorax; C, head, legs and venter of thorax; D, lateral view of head and thorax.

Order Odonata Fabricius, 1793 

Suborder Zygoptera Selys, 1854

Superfamily Platystictoidea Kennedy, 1920

Family Platystictidae Kennedy, 1920

Genus Protosticta Selys, 1885

Type species: Protosticta gravelyi Laidlaw, 1915

Protosticta sexcoloratus Chandran, Muneer, Madhavan and Jose sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Unlike in most Protosticta species, the male and female Protosticta sexcoloratus sp. nov. are colored very differently. The following differential diagnosis of Protosticta sexcoloratus sp. nov. is based on recently published descriptions and keys (Joshi et al. 2020; Sadasivan et al. 2022; Vijayakumaran et al. 2022; Payra et al. 2023).

Etymology. The species epithet sexcoloratus highlights the difference in coloration between the sexes. In the new species, the sexes are of the same length, but show distinct difference in coloration.

 

 Ayikkara Vivek Chandran, Puthukudy Kunjamu Muneer, Maran Madhavan and Subin Kaniyamattathil Jose. 2023. Description of Protosticta sexcoloratus sp. nov. (Odonata, Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2023.11.010

[Entomology • 2021] Lyriothemis pallidistigma • A New Species of Lyriothemis Brauer, 1868 (Odonata: Libellulidae) from Vietnam and Thailand

Lyriothemis pallidistigma

 Kompier, Holden & Makbun, 2021

แมลงปอบ้านมนจันทบูร  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4933.4.9

 facebook.com/NoppadonMakbun

  facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand

Abstract

Lyriothemis pallidistigma sp. nov. (holotype male: Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Prov., southern Vietnam) is described. This species is reminiscent of L. defonsekai van der Poorten, 2009 and L. elegantissima Selys, 1883, but can be separated by the shape of its secondary genitalia and its patterning. Information on its biology and ecology is provided.

Keywords: Odonata, Libellulidae, Lyriothemis pallidistigma, new species, Vietnam, Thailand

Lyriothemis pallidistigma sp. nov. 

แมลงปอบ้านมนจันทบูร

Tom Kompier, James Holden and Noppadon Makbun. 2021. A New Species of Lyriothemis Brauer, 1868 from Vietnam and Thailand (Odonata: Libellulidae). Zootaxa. 4933(4); 586–594. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4933.4.9

 facebook.com/NoppadonMakbun/posts/5797953973555392

  facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand/permalink/3744367148991836/

[Entomology • 2023] Protosticta armageddonia • A New Species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India

Protosticta armageddonia

Payra, Chandran, Deshpande & Koparde, 2023

 

 DOI:  10.48156/1388.2023.1917043

Photos: R. Chandran.

Abstract

A new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 is described based on specimens collected from Kerala, northeast of Thiruvananthapuram, in the southern parts of the southern Western Ghats of India. Protosticta armageddonia sp. nov. is compared with all other known Protosticta species of the Western Ghats to provide comprehensive differential diagnosis. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters, including a marking on the ventral side of thorax, structure, and colour of the prothorax, markings on the 8th abdominal segment, and the structure of caudal appendages and genital ligula. Furthermore, we provide preliminary information on the ecology and natural history of the new species.

Keywords: Damselfly, biodiversity hotspot, climate change, ecological armageddon, endemic, montane ecosystem

  

Habitus of Protosticta armageddonia sp. nov.
a, c – mature male; b – young male; d, e – male with “white coating” on dorsum of head, prothorax and thorax.

Photos: R. Chandran.

 

Arajush Payra, Reji Chandran, Ameya Deshpande and Pankaj Koparde. 2023. Description of Protosticta armageddonia sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats of India. International Journal of Odonatology. 26; 93-102. DOI:  10.48156/1388.2023.1917043

 

[Entomology • 2016] Psaironeura angeloi • A New Species of Damselfly (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) from Central and South America

 Psaironeura angeloi

Tennessen, 2016

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4078.1.5 

 Researchgate.net/publication/293636616

Photo by K.J. Tennessen. 

Abstract

Psaironeura angeloi sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in FSCA: ECUADOR, Esmeraldas Province, small stream 5.6 km NW of Lita, 00.893°N 78.510°W, 4.II.1997, KJT leg.) is described and illustrated based on specimens from Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, bringing the total number of species in the genus to five. The new species is closely related to P. remissa (Calvert), a Mexican/northern Central American species with broad, foliate male cerci, but is distinct in that the long flagella of the genital ligula lack a small sharp spine unique to P. remissa, labrum and clypeus are orange-red, and the back of the head is mostly pale in both males and females. In life, the eyes of the new species are bright red in males versus green and black in P. remissa.

Keywords: Odonata, Psaironeura, Protoneuridae, Zygoptera, new species, Central America, South America

Male of  Psaironeura angeloi sp. nov. perched along small stream, near Chindul, in Manabí Province, Ecuador.

Photo by K.J. Tennessen. 

Kenneth J. Tennessen. 2016. Psaironeura angeloi, A New Species of Damselfly (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) from Central and South America. Zootaxa. 4078(1):28-  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4078.1.5  

Researchgate.net/publication/293636616_Psaironeura_angeloi_a_new_species_of_damselfly_from_Central_and_South_America

[PaleoEntomology • 2023] A New Liassophlebiidae (Odonata: Heterophlebioidea) from Strata close to the Triassic-Jurassic Boundary in Somerset, UK

An artist’s impression of Liassophlebia sp., resting on a frond of the palaeofern species Phlebopteris muensteri.

in Swaby, Coe, Hutchinson, Riva & Nel, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2261957 

  twitter.com/EmilyJSwaby

Artwork: Jules Kiely and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

ABSTRACT

Liassophlebiidae is an extinct family of damsel-dragonflies found in Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic strata of Europe, Asia and Antarctica. Whilst Liassophlebiidae is well represented by Lower Jurassic fossils, their lowest occurrence in the Upper Triassic has hitherto only been suggested by three fragmentary specimens. These were originally ascribed to two species: Liassophlebia withersi and Liassophlebia batheri, but the latter is now considered nomen dubium. Here we describe a fourth, better preserved specimen that is likely to be Rhaetian (Late Triassic) in age. The specimen, BRSMG Cg3101 a+b, was collected from Bowdens Quarry, Somerset, UK, from the lower part of the White Lias Formation. The specimen comprises an incomplete forewing attributed to Liassophlebia due to: the small number of antenodals, antesubnodals and crossveins between RP and MA based RP3/4 in the base of RP2 opposite the subnodus; a straight and elongate secondary longitudinal vein in the postdiscoidal area; numerous cells and secondary veins in radial and median areas. The specimen is likely to represent a new species and provides stronger evidence than the previous three specimens of the presence of Liassophlebiidae during the late Rhaetian. Its stratigraphical position suggests that Liassophlebiidae arose in the immediate aftermath of the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction.

KEYWORDS: Insecta, Odonatoptera, stem Anisoptera, diversity, Triassic, Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction

 An artist’s impression of Liassophlebia sp., resting on a frond of the palaeofern species Phlebopteris muensteri.
 the forewings are based on the specimen BRSMG Cg3101 a+b described herein. As the new specimen is incomplete, other specimens within the genera were used to create this artist’s impression as follows: the hindwing is based on the holotype specimen of Liassophlebia magnifica (NHMUK I.6648/I.10462); and the body proportions are based on the incomplete abdomens of the holotypes ‘Liassophlebia’ clavigaster (NHMUK I.10433) and ‘Liassophlebia’ hopei (OUMNH J.55084 a and b).

The colour and body morphology, including resting wing posture is inferred from present day Anisoptera. © Jules Kiely and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

Emily J. Swaby, Angela L. Coe, Deborah Hutchinson, Lee Riva and André Nel. 2023. A New Liassophlebiidae (Odonata: Heterophlebioidea) from Strata close to the Triassic-Jurassic Boundary in Somerset, UK. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2261957  

  twitter.com/EmilyJSwaby/status/1713887357215158465

[Entomology • 2023] Dimeragrion baniwa • A New Species of Dimeragrion Calvert, 1913 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Heteragrionidae) from Northwestern Brazil

Dimeragrion baniwa   

Mendoza-Penagos, Gonçalves & Vilela, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5318.3.6   

 Researchgate.net/publication/372464309

 

Abstract

Dimeragrion Calvert, 1913 is a genus with five species, restricted to the Pantepui region. Here, we describe Dimeragrion baniwa sp. nov. (Holotype. ♂ (LABECO, N° 12276), BRAZIL, Amazonas, São Gabriel da Cachoeira, (0.017, -66.891, 81 m a.s.l.), first-order stream inside Terra Firme Forest, in lateral swamps: 29.xi.2021, C. C. Mendoza-Penagos & M. Gonçalves, leg.), the sixth species of the genus from 13 males and 3 females collected in the municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira in the Brazilian Amazon, located at the southern extreme of the Pantepui region. Additionally, we provide photographs of the diagnostic characters of the male and female, photographs of live specimens as well as information on their biology. Finally, identification keys are provided, as well as a distribution map of the species of the genus.

Keywords: Odonata, Amazon rainforest, Neotropical, Damselfly, streams 

 Dimeragrion baniwa. Holotype from Amazonas State, Brazil:
(a) left view of habitus; (b) detail of head frontal view; (c) detail of head dorsal view; (d) hind wing; (e) S1–2 ventral view; (f) genital ligula ectal view; (g) genital ligula lateral view.

 Abbreviations: Flg, lateral flagella; Tf, terminal fold; VTb, ventral tubercle. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Dimeragrion baniwa: (a) male in dorsal view; (b) male in lateral view; (c) habitat.

Photos: Mendoza-Penagos, C.C.

Cristian Camilo Mendoza-Penagos, Myckey Kenzy E. Silva Gonçalves and Diogo Silva Vilela. 2023. A New Species of Dimeragrion Calvert, 1913 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Heteragrionidae) from Northwestern Brazil. Zootaxa. 5318(3): 411-420. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5318.3.6

 Researchgate.net/publication/372464309_A_new_species_of_Dimeragrion_from_NW_Brazil

[Entomology • 2021] Heteragrion lencionii • A New Species of Damselfly (Odonata: Zygoptera: Heteragrionidae) from Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Northeastern Brazil

Heteragrion lencionii Vilela, Farias & Santos. 2021

(d-e) Heteragrion aurantiacum Selys, 1862 from São Paulo, Brazil 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4966.4.6  

Researchgate.net/publication/351346830

 

Abstract

The Neotropical genus Heteragrion Selys, 1862 is one of the most speciose among Zygoptera. Notwithstanding, most of its species are poorly known, especially those from undersampled areas such as Northeastern Brazil. Here, we describe Heteragrion lencionii sp. nov., from protected areas of Sergipe state (Holotype ♂, Brazil, Sergipe, Areia Branca, Serra de Itabaiana National Park, -10.7484, -37.3390, 179 m, 7.xii.2020, A.B. Farias & A.E. dos Santos leg., in UFS). This is only the second Heteragrion species discovered as new for the Northeastern region of Brazil, separated from other congeners by cercus morphology and thoracic coloration pattern.

Keywords: Odonata, Damselfly, Neotropical, New species, Sergipe state, Atlantic Forest

Heteragrion lencionii sp. nov. from Sergipe, Brazil, male holotype:
(a) lateral view of habitus, (b) dorsal view of head, (c) dorsal view of thorax;
Heteragrion aurantiacum Selys, 1862 from São Paulo, Brazil: (d) dorsal view of head, (e) dorsal view of thorax.

Habitats of Heteragrion lencionii sp. nov.:
 (a) type locality at the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, (b-c) Mata do Junco Wildlife Refuge, (d) Federal Institute of Sergipe/São Cristóvão.

Heteragrion lencionii sp. nov.

Diogo Silva Vilela, Antonio Bruno Silva Farias and Jean Carlos Santos. 2021. Heteragrion lencionii (Odonata: Heteragrionidae) sp. nov. from Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa. 4966(4); 476-482. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4966.4.6

  Researchgate.net/publication/351346830_Heteragrion_lencionii_sp_nov_from_Serra_de_Itabaiana_National_Park_Northeastern_Brazil

[Entomology • 2022] Anax aurantiacus • A New Dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) from mainland Southeast Asia

 Anax aurantiacus 

 Makbun, Wongkamhaeng & Keetapithchayakul, 2022

 

แมลงปอยักษ์เขียวท้องส้ม  ||  odonatologica.com

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand

facebook.com/MenzaTSaetung 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Anax, A. aurantiacus, is described and illustrated based on adults of both sexes and exuviae from Thailand. This new species was previously considered by several authors to be a form of A. immaculifrons Rambur, 1842, but was never officially described. Anax aurantiacus sp. nov. is differentiated from A. immaculifrons based on coloration and morphological differences in the adults and larvae. Two species delimitation analyses (ABGD and bPTP) were also carried out, from which can be inferred that A. aurantiacus and A. immaculifrons were different Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units. Material and images available on internet and literature show the species to be present in Cambodia, Laos, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam, with A. immaculifrons occurring in South Asia and further west. Anax immaculifrons therefore needs to be deleted from the checklists from Cambodia, Laos, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam, replaced by A. aurantiacus sp. nov. Further 

Key words. Anisoptera, new species, Anax immaculifrons, Thailand, larva, distribution

female.

Photo by Rod Swift

 male.

Photo by Noppadon Makbun

larva.

 Illustrated by Tosaphol Saetung Keetapithchayakul

Noppadon Makbun, Koraon Wongkamhaeng and Tosaphol Saetung Keetapithchayakul. 2022. Anax aurantiacus sp. nov., A New Dragonfly from mainland Southeast Asia (Odonata: Aeshnidae). Odonatologica. 51(3/4); 301-339. DOI: 10.5281/odon.v51i3-4.a6

 odonatologica.com/second-volume-of-2022-soon-to-be-sent

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand/posts/5663734790388386

 facebook.com/MenzaTSaetung/posts/9092038630813898

[Entomology • 2022] Protosticta francyi • A New Species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Brahmagiri Hills, Kerala, India

Protosticta francyi  Sadasivan, Vibhu, Nair & Palot,  

in Vijayakumaran, Nair, Samuel, Palot & Sadasivan, 2022. 

Francy’s Reed-tail  ||  entomon.in/index.php/Entomon

 Researchgate.net/publication/364639326 

ABSTRACT

A new species of  Protosticta Selys, 1885 is described from Brahmagiri hills of Coorg landscape of the Western Ghats in Peninsular India. The new species Protosticta francyi sp. nov., is a congener of  P. antelopoides Fraser, 1931 and  P. ponmudiensis Kiran, Kalesh & Kunte, 2015, occupying a similar microhabitat, but distributed north of the major biogeographical divide, the Palghat Gap. The new taxon is distinguished from all other Protosticta of  Western Ghats by the presence of long prothoracic spines in the males, the structure of the tip of the male cerci and genital ligula. A revised key to the species of  Protosticta of  Western Ghats is provided based on mature males.

KEYWORDS: Damselfly, hill stream ecology, endemic species, new taxon, revised key

Protosticta francyi sp. nov.  
 B-Live male; C-Live female.

photos: Vibhu V.

Protosticta francyi sp. nov.  Paratype female (TORG 1014).
A-Whole insect lateral view; B-Lateral view of the head, prothorax, and synthorax; C-Dorsal view of the head, prothorax, and synthorax; D-Close-up of head anterior view; E-Dorsal close-up of prothoracic spines; F-Lateral view of S7-S10 and anal appendages; G-Lateral view of S7-S10 and anal appendages.

photos: Kalesh Sadasivan

Protosticta francyi sp. nov.  Holotype male (TORG 1012).
A-Whole insect lateral view; B-Dorsal view of the head, prothorax, and synthorax; C-Close-up of head anterior view; D-Lateral view of synthorax; E-Close-up of head anterio-lateral view; F-Dorsal close-up of prothoracic spines; G-Ventral view of synthorax and head.

photos: Kalesh Sadasivan

Protosticta francyi Sadasivan, Vibhu, Nair & Palot sp . nov.

Etymology: The species is named after Dr. Francy K. Kakkassery (Retired Professor of Zoology, St.Thomas College, Thrissur), the pioneer in odonate studies in Kerala, for his contribution to odonate conservation and popularization of the subject inthe state.

Suggested Common Name: Francy’s Reed-tail. 

  the habitat at the type locality of Protosticta francyi sp. nov., in Brahmagiri Hills

photo: Vinayan P Nair

Vibhu Vijayakumaran, Vinayan P. Nair, Abraham Samuel, Muhamed Jafer Palot and Kalesh Sadasivan. 2022. A New Species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Brahmagiri Hills, Kerala, India.  ENTOMON. 47(3); 265–276.  

 entomon.in/index.php/Entomon/article/view/761

  Researchgate.net/publication/364639326_A_new_species_of_Protosticta_from_the_Brahmagiri_Hills_Kerala_India

  thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/new-damselfly-species-discovered-in-brahmagiri-hills/article66078173.ece

[Entomology • 2022] Protosticta anamalaica • A New Species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from Western Ghats, India

Protosticta anamalaica

 Sadasivan, Nair & Samuel, 2022

DOI: 10.11609/jott.7792.14.7.21421-21431

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Abstract

A new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 is described from Anamalai Hills of southern Western Ghats in peninsular India. The new species is distinguished from its regional congeners by the posterior lobe of the prothorax being devoid of spines; anterior 1/3rd of S8 pale yellow, the marking not connected dorsally; S9 completely black; caudal appendages short, sinuous, and only twice the length of S10, cerci with a small blunt basal tooth; the tip of the superior lobe of cerci not bilobed but straight, paraprocts beveled at the tip, not clubbed; pterostigma of both wings trapezoidal with maximum length less than twice the breadth, forewing with nine & hindwing with eight postnodals, and the structure of male genital ligula. The new species is described from Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary on the northwestern flanks of the Anamalai hills. A key to the identification of Protosticta of the Western Ghats is provided based on mature males.

Keywords: Anamalai Hills, damselfly, endemic species, Kerala, new description, Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary.

Protosticta anamalaica sp. nov.
 holotype male (TORG 1001)
 paratype female (TORG 1002)
B—immature male in field; C—immature female in field.

photos: Kalesh Sadasivan.

Protosticta anamalaica sp. nov.

 

 Diagnosis: The new species is distinguished from its congeners in the Western Ghats by the combination of posterior lobe of prothorax devoid of spines and its posterior border not expanded; anterior 1/3rd of S8 pale yellow and the marking not connected dorsally; S9 completely black; pterostigma dark brown, trapezoidal with a length twice the breadth, and Fw and Hw with 10 or less Px; cerci with a small blunt basal protuberance; paraprocts not clubbed at apices, the outer fork of cerci not bilobed, its tip being straight and not incurved.

 

Etymology: The species is named ‘anamalaica’ after the Anamalai hills, on which lies Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary, the type locality.

Suggested common name: The Anamalai Reedtail is the common name suggested for this species based on its distribution in the Anamalai Hills.

Habitat and Ecology: 

The species was first collected from a mid-elevation semi-evergreen forest at 950 m bordering a secondary grassland in Peechi Wildlife Division on the western flanks of Anamalais in November 2021 (Image 2A). The females were first discovered perched on dark trunks of trees at heights less than 2 m above the forest floor (Image 2C). They flew to higher levels of the trunk when disturbed. The males were also found in the same habitat on tree trunks (Image 2B). The females generally outnumbered the males (males: female, 1:2). A small shallow perennial seepage (50 cm wide, 10 cm depth) was found within 150 m of the forest where the males and females were first sighted. Males were seen perched on the low fringing vegetation and twigs (<10 cm high) very close to the edge of the water defending their very small territories (roughly 25 cm2). Males from adjacent territories were seen fighting head-on to protect their waterfront. The females were seen perched on dark shady pockets of the vegetation along the edges of the hill stream. Tenerals were also seen during the last week of November 2021. The damselflies sought shelter in the adjacent forest in windy weather.

Kalesh Sadasivan, Vinayan P. Nair and K. Abraham Samuel. 2022. A New Species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 14(7); 21421–21431. DOI: 10.11609/jott.7792.14.7.21421-21431

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