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| Protosticta francyi Sadasivan, Vibhu, Nair & Palot, in Vijayakumaran, Nair, Samuel, Palot & Sadasivan, 2022. |
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
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| Protosticta francyi sp. nov. B-Live male; C-Live female. photos: Vibhu V. |
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| 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 |
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| 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.
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| 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.
thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/new-damselfly-species-discovered-in-brahmagiri-hills/article66078173.ece
