Researchers from Maharashtra and Kerala have discovered two new species of damselflies in the Western Ghats, named the Konkan Shadowdamsel and the Crimson Shadowdamsel. These species were found in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra and the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, respectively. Both belong to the “Shadowdamsel” group and are indicators of healthy, pristine forest habitats.
The discovered species
- Konkan Shadowdamsel: Found in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, it has a coffee-brown ground color.
- Crimson Shadowdamsel: Discovered in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district, it is distinguished by its reddish body
The discovered species
- Konkan Shadowdamsel: Found in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, it has a coffee-brown ground color.
- Crimson Shadowdamsel: Discovered in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district, it is distinguished by its reddish body.
Conservation concerns and ecological importance
The discovery of these new damselflies highlights several key conservation issues.
- Bioindicators: Shadowdamsels serve as important bioindicators, as their presence points to the ecological health and water quality of forest ecosystems.
- Restricted habitat: Most Protosticta species have small, restricted ranges within the Western Ghats, and the newly found species are microendemics found in small, isolated forest patches.
- Vulnerability: The Konkan and Crimson Shadowdamsels were found in microhabitats outside legally protected zones. They are therefore vulnerable to habitat loss from expanding plantations and deforestation.
- Further research: Given that many damselfly species are endemic to small areas, targeted surveys in the Western Ghats are likely to uncover more undiscovered species.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
With reference to the recent discovery of two new damselfly species, the Konkan Shadowdamsel and the Crimson Shadowdamsel, consider the following statements:
I. Both new species belong to a group commonly called ‘Shadowdamsels’, named for their brightly lit, open-field habitats
II. Both new discoveries were made in the Maharashtra
III. The damselflies are known to serve as bioindicators, signalling the health of forests and water quality
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: a
Explanation: Statement I is incorrect- The newly discovered species belong to the group ‘Shadowdamsels’ due to their affinity for well-shaded forest habitats, not brightly lit ones. Statement II is incorrect- The Konkan Shadowdamsel was found in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, and the Crimson Shadowdamsel was found in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district. Statement III is correct- Shadowdamsels are known to thrive only in pristine habitats and unpolluted streams. Their presence is an indicator of the ecological health of the forest and the quality of water.
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