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Two damselfly species discovered in Western Ghats

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    28th Apr, 2021

In a latest development, researchers have collaborated to discover two damselfly species from Satara district in Maharashtra, which forms part of northern Western Ghats.

Context

In a latest development, researchers have collaborated to discover two damselfly species from Satara district in Maharashtra, which forms part of northern Western Ghats.

About the discovery

  • The new endemic damsels were Euphaea thosegharensis and Euphaea pseudodispar.
  • Genus: They belong to the genus Euphaea.
  • Euphaea thosegharensis is similar to Euphaea cardinalis, while Euphaea pseudodispar is similar to Euphaea dispar but can be easily separated by its colouration and morphology.
  • They are restricted to the high elevation streams and riparian patches of Satara district around Thoseghar and Kaas lake in Maharashtra. 
  • The discoveries have been published in the recent issue of Journal of Threatened Taxa.

Euphaea

  • Prior to the findings, only three endemic species of Euphaea were known from Western Ghats. These include: 
    • Euphaea fraseri, a very common species in the forested foothills of Western Ghats.  It is found from Kanyakumari to Maharashtra.
    • Euphaea dispar, which is restricted to the north of the Palakkad Gap from South Kanara and Coorg to Nilgiris.
    • Euphaea cardinalisa montane species found south of the Palakkad Gap in Anamalais, Palnis and Agasthyamalai Hills.

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