In News:

Researchers have discovered two new species of damselflies in the Western Ghats—Konkan Shadowdamsel from Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district and Crimson Shadowdamsel (Protosticta sanguinithorax) from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district. The findings were published in the international journal Zootaxa.

About the New Species

• Group: Both belong to the genus Protosticta, commonly called Shadowdamsels, which prefer shaded forest habitats and pristine streams.
• Physical Traits:
  • Crimson Shadowdamsel → reddish body.
  • Konkan Shadowdamsel → coffee-brown ground colouration.
  • Previously, these were mistaken for the Red-spot Shadowdamsel (Protosticta sanguinostigma), described over a century ago from the Nilgiris, which is jet black in colour.
• Identification: Differentiation was confirmed using high-resolution microscopy and molecular analysis of the COI gene, a standard marker for species classification.
• Distribution: Both species are endemics with very restricted microhabitats in the Western Ghats, often outside protected areas.

Ecological Importance

• Shadowdamsels are considered bioindicators:
  • Found only in pristine forests with good canopy cover and unpolluted streams.
  • Their presence reflects the ecological health of habitats.
• Many species are microendemics, restricted to small hill ranges, making them highly vulnerable to habitat disturbance.
• Current threats include expansion of plantations, deforestation of shade trees, and loss of natural streams.

Damselflies: A Brief Overview

• Belong to the order Odonata, along with dragonflies.
• Characteristics: slender body, delicate net-veined wings, weak flight.
• Habitat: shallow freshwater ecosystems.
• Difference from dragonflies: generally smaller, more fragile, and weaker fliers.