[Entomology • 2025] Protosticta sooryaprakashi • A New Species of Protosticta (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India

Protosticta sooryaprakashi

 Haneef, Chandran, Sawant, Beevi, Koparde & Kunt, 2025

Kodagu Shadowdamsel  |  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5723.3.3 

 facebook.com/Krushnamegh

 

Abstract

We erect a new species of damselfly, Protosticta sooryaprakashi sp. nov. from Sampaje, Kodagu District, Karnataka, India (type specimens are deposited in the Biodiversity Lab Research Collections, currently held at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru). Morphologically, this species shows close affinity with the members of the P. sanguinostigma Fraser, 1922 group; however, it is distinguished by unique features in its prothorax, caudal appendages, and accessory genitalia. Additionally, the analyses also revealed a significant genetic distance between the new species and other species of this group. We present an updated identification key to the males of Protosticta Selys, 1885 species in the Western Ghats, incorporating newly available diagnostic information.

Odonata, Karnataka, phylogeny, Sampaje, species discovery, sympatry, taxonomy

Protosticta sooryaprakashi sp. nov.

 

 

Koolikkunnu Abdul Razak Muhammed HANEEF, Ayikkara Vivek CHANDRAN, Dattaprasad SAWANT, Yousuf Pachani Maimoonath BEEVI, Pankaj KOPARDE and Krushnamegh KUNTE. 2025. Description of Protosticta sooryaprakashi sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India.  Zootaxa. 5723(3); 359-383. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5723.3.3 [2025-11-26] 

 facebook.com/Krushnamegh/posts/2059278128160631

[Entomology • 2025] Sulcosticta fliedneri • A New Damselfly (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from Luzon, Philippines

  

Sulcosticta fliedneri  

Phan, Keetapithchayakul & Digma, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5701.5.7 

 facebook.com: Phan Toan

 

Abstract

Sulcosticta fliedneri sp. nov. (holotype ♂, 15.__° N, 121.__° E, 65 m a.s.l., Dingalan, Aurora, Luzon, deposited at Cavite State University, Philippines) is described from Luzon Island based on specimens of both sexes. The new species is diagnosed by the distinctive morphology of the male’s anal appendages: cerci robust with a small distal tubercle and paraprocts black, acutely curved at the tip.

Odonata, Zygoptera, new species, island fauna, Philippines

Sulcosticta fliedneri sp. nov. 

Quoc Toan PHAN, Tosaphol Saetung KEETAPITHCHAYAKUL and Jonathan Rodrin DIGMA. 2025. Sulcosticta fliedneri sp. nov. (Odonata: Platystictidae), A New Damselfly from Luzon, Philippines.  Zootaxa. 5701(5); 586-596. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5701.5.7 [2025-10-07]

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[Entomology • 2025] Protosticta jirapornae • A New Species of Protosticta (Odonata: Platystictidae) from northern Thailand

Protosticta jirapornae Makbun, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5642.1.6  

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand

 

Abstract

Protosticta jirapornae sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on specimens of both sexes collected from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. This taxon was previously recognised as the northern population of P. khaosoidaoensis Asahina, 1984, which is geographically isolated from its type locality in Chanthaburi Province, eastern Thailand. The new species can be distinguished from P. khaosoidaoensis and other closely related congeners by the distinctive markings on the prothorax and synthorax in both sexes, as well as the structure of the male anal appendages and the morphology of the genital ligula.

Odonata, dragonfly, Zygoptera, Protosticta , new species, Protosticta khaosoidaoensis 

Noppadon MAKBUN. 2025. Description of Protosticta jirapornae sp. nov. from northern Thailand (Odonata: Platystictidae).   Zootaxa. 5642(1); 59-67. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5642.1.6 [2025-05-27] 

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand/posts/9836801499748340/

[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 • 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 • 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

 facebook.com/KaleshSadasivan 

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

 facebook.com/KaleshSadasivan/posts/5556707951054332

[Entomology • 2019] Protosticta binhi • A New Species of Damselfly (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Protosticta binhi 

 Phan, To, Trinh & Dinh, 2019

DOI: 10.1080/13887890.2019.1696238

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Abstract

Protosticta binhi sp. n. is described from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (holotype male: Vietnam, Gia Lai Province, K’Bang District, Dak Roong Commune, Dak Hro village, ..., 1130 m asl, 22 May 2018, T.odo. 22051810, Zoological Collection of Duy Tan University). The new species can be easily distinguished from all other Protosticta species by the combination of huge body size, bird-head shape of cerci and paraprocts broad and apically armed with several sharp subapical projections in the male, and the anterior pronotal lobe of the prothorax well developed in the female.

Keywords: dragonfly; damselfly; new species; Protostictinae

Taxonomy: 

Family Platystictidae Kennedy, 1920 

Subfamily Protostictinae Dijkstra, Kalkman, Dow, Stokvis & van Tol, 2013 

Genus Protosticta Selys, 1855 

Figures 1, 2. Habitus of (1) holotype ♂ and (2) paratype ♀ of Protosticta binhi sp. n.

Figures 3–6. Head of holotype ♂ and paratype ♀ of Protosticta binhi sp. n. (3, 5) in frontal view; (4, 6) in dorsal view.

Protosticta binhi sp. n. Phan, To, Trinh & Dinh 

Etymology: The first author chose the specific name “binhi” after the last name of his father, Mr. Phan Dinh Binh (born in 1952) to whom he is grateful for his love and support. A noun in genitive case.

Diagnosis: The bird-head shape of the cerci, the paraprocts longer than the cerci, broad and armed with several sharp subapical projections of the male are unique amongst Protosticta species; anterior pronotal lobe of prothorax of the female extends up and backward much further than in the known Protosticta females.

Habitat and ecology: The new species was found in a shaded shallow narrow (about 1–3 m width) forest mountain stream with slow running water, with a sandy bottom with many large rocks in Dak Hro village (1130 m asl).

  

Quoc Toan Phan, Van Quang To, Dang Mau Trinh and Van Khuong Dinh. 2019. Description of Protosticta binhi sp. n. from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae), International Journal of Odonatology. 22(3-4); 199-206, DOI: 10.1080/13887890.2019.1696238

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[Entomology • 2018] Drepanosticta adenani • A New Species (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Drepanosticta adenani  Dow & Reels, 2018

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.3.6

twitter.com/Naturalis_Sci 

Abstract

Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov. (holotype ♂, from a tributary of Sungai Jela, Nanga Segerak area, Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, Sri Aman Division, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, 18 vii 2016, deposited in the Natural History Museum, London) is described from both sexes.

Keywords: Odonata, Zygoptera, Platystictidae, Drepanosticta, adenani, Borneo, Sarawak, Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, new species

FIGURES 1–2. Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov.:
(1) Holotype male, head dorsal-frontal view; (2) paratype female (SAR16_PST12), head dorsal-frontal view. 

FIGURES 6–11. Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov., synthorax in lateral view:
(6) holotype male; (7) paratype female (SAR16_PST12). Markings of terminal abdominal segments:
(8) holotype male, lateral view; (9) paratype female (SAR16_PST12), lateral view;
(10) holotype male, dorsal view; (11) paratype female (SAR16_PST12), dorsal view. 

Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov.

Etymology. The species epithet adenani, a noun in the genitive case, is a dedication to the late Tan Sri Adenan bin Satem (27 January 1944–11 January 2017), Chief Minister of Sarawak from 2014–2017, in recognition of his support for biodiversity research and conservation in Sarawak, and for starting the Research for Intensified Management of Bio-rich Areas (RIMBA) project, which includes LEWS.  

Rory A. Dow and Graham T. Reels. 2018. Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov., from the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary in Sarawak (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae). Zootaxa. 4379(3); 429–435.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.3.6

 researchgate.net/publication/323201539_Drepanosticta_adenani_from_Lanjak_Entimau_Sarawak

 twitter.com/Naturalis_Sci/status/973153590129909760

[Entomology • 2018] Drepanosticta emtrai • A New Species of Damselfly (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from Vietnam with A Discussion of Drepanosticta vietnamica Asahina, 1997

Drepanosticta emtrai 

Dow, Kompier & Phan, 2018

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4374.2.7 

 VNCreatures.net 

Abstract

Drepanosticta emtrai sp. nov. is described from Vietnam (holotype male Ha Tinh Province, 9 vi 2015, to be deposited in RMNH). The new species is allied to D. carmichaeli (Laidlaw, 1915) and a number of other species of Drepanosticta including D. vietnamica Asahina, 1997. New illustrations of the paratype of D. vietnamica are provided and the species is discussed. The Drepanosticta carmichaeli-group, to which the above mentioned species belong, is defined and discussed.

Keywords: Odonata, Platystictidae, Vietnam, Drepanosticta emtrai, Drepanosticta carmichaeli-group, Drepanosticta vietnamica, new species

 Rory A. Dow, Tom Kompier and Quoc Toan Phan. 2018. Drepanosticta emtrai sp. nov. from Vietnam with a discussion of Drepanosticta vietnamica Asahina, 1997 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae).  Zootaxa. 4374(2); 273-282. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4374.2.7
 ResearchGate.net/publication/322579604_Drepanosticta_emtrai_from_Vietnam 

PHÁT HIỆN MỘT LOÀI CHUỒN CHUỒN MỚI PHÂN BỐ RỘNG Ở VIỆT NAM  VNCreatures.net/all_species/new0013.php

[PaleoEntomology • 2017] Mesosticta davidattenboroughi • Mesostictinae subfam. nov., An Archaic Group of Platystictid Damselflies (Odonata: Zygoptera) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber

Mesosticta davidattenboroughi

 Zheng, Wang, Nel, Jarzembowski, Zhang & Chang, 2017

 DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2017.1348395 

Abstract

Odonatans are quite rare in the fossil record compared with the other insects, especially in Cretaceous amber inclusions. The extant family Platystictidae is one of the most diverse Zygoptera, but short of fossil records. In this paper, a new species, Mesosticta davidattenboroughi sp. nov., is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, representing the third-known fossil species of Platystictidae. Mesosticta davidattenboroughi sp. nov. has a long IR1 beginning one cell distal of the base of RP2, confirming the previous attribution of Mesosticta Huang, Azar, Cai & Nel, 2015 to Platystictidae. It differs from other species of Mesosticta in having a long IR1 and a basally crossed subdiscoidal cell. The fossil genus Mesosticta shares the diagnostic characters of the modern platystictid genera, viz. a basally recessed ‘CuP’ (shared by all species), a very long IR1 (only in Mesosticta davidattenboroughi sp. nov.), and a specialized subdiscoidal area mostly rhomboidal in shape (only in Mesosticta electronica Zheng, Zhang, Chang & Wang, 2016). Based on the platystictid damselflies from Burmese amber, a new subfamily Mesostictinae subfam. nov. is established. Mesostictinae subfam. nov. represents the first fossil group of modern platystictid damselflies, documenting the appearance of Platystictidae as early as mid-Cretaceous. It differs from modern Platystictidae by the presence of fewer postnodal and postsubnodal crossveins, a short MP, the base of RP2 being nearer to the subnodus and the nodus lying more distally.

Keywords: Platystictidae, Zygoptera, Odonata, Cenomanian, Cretaceous, Burmese amber

Figure 1. Mesosticta davidattenboroughi sp. nov., holotype, NIGP164541, photograph of specimen. 

Order Odonata Fabricius, 1793

Suborder Zygoptera Selys-Longchamps, 1854

Superfamily Platystictoidea Kennedy, 1920

Family Platystictidae Kennedy, 1920

Subfamily Mesostictinae subfam. nov.

Type genus. Mesosticta Huang, Azar, Cai & Nel, 2015.

Mesosticta Huang, Azar, Cai & Nel, 2015 

Type species. Mesosticta burmatica Huang, Azar, Cai & Nel, 2015. 

Included species. Mesosticta electronica Zheng, Zhang, Chang & Wang, 2016; Mesosticta davidattenboroughi sp. nov. 

Mesosticta davidattenboroughi sp. nov. 

Type species. NIGP164541, two complete forewings attached to body.

 Diagnosis. Forewing characters: IR1 long, originating one cell distal of base of RP2, nearer to N than to Pt; Arc aligned with Ax2; subdiscoidal cell basally crossed by one vein. 

Etymology. In honour of Sir David Attenborough, on his 90th birthday, for his appreciation of dragonflies. 

Locality and horizon. Hukawng Valley, Kachin Province, Myanmar; lowermost Cenomanian, lowermost Upper Cretaceous.

Figure 7. Hypothetical position of Mesosticta davidattenboroughi sp. nov. in phylogenetic tree of Zygoptera. All line drawings are based on forewings (phylogeny based on Dijkstra et al. 2014; line drawing of Sinosticta ogatai Matsuki & Saito, 1996 after Wilson 1997; line drawing of Palaemnema picicaudata Kennedy, 1938 after Kennedy 1938; line drawings of Platysticta deccanensis Laidlaw, 1915 and Protosticta himalaiaca Laidlaw, 1917 after Fraser 1933).

Daran Zheng, Bo Wang, André Nel, Edmund A. Jarzembowski, Haichun Zhang & Su-Chin Chang. 2017. Mesostictinae subfam. nov., An Archaic Group of Platystictid Damselflies (Odonata: Zygoptera) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber.  Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.   DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2017.1348395

David Attenborough gains new species namesake  phy.so/422069741 @physorg_com

[Entomology • 2014] Drepanosticta machadoi • A New Species of Damselfly (Odonata: Platystictidae) from Hindenburg Range, Papua New Guinea

Drepanosticta machadoi 

Theischinger & Richards, 2014 

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.3866.1.9 

 Abstract

Drepanosticta machadoi sp. nov. (Holotype ♂: Dablin Creek, Hindenburg Range) from Papua New Guinea is described. The new species is a predominantly black damselfly, the male with four pale/bright pattern elements on each side of the synthorax, dorsum of segments 9 and 10 largely bright blue, and a uniquely shaped posterior lobe of the pronotum which is a wide-angled fork with rather straight, narrow finger-like prongs. It is referred to the Drepanosticta conica group of species and a key to the males of the D. conica group is provided.

Keywords: Odonata, damselfly, Platystictidae, Drepanosticta, New Guinea, new species, key

 Gunther Theischinger and Stephen J Richards. 2014. Drepanosticta machadoi spec. nov. from New Guinea (Odonata: Platystictidae). Zootaxa. 3866(1); 145-50. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.3866.1.9

ResearchGate.net/publication/266627588_Drepanosticta_machadoi_spec_nov_from_New_Guinea_Odonata_Platystictidae

[Entomology • 2016] Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogeny of the Platystictidae (Insecta: Odonata) of Sri Lanka

Ceylonosticta anami  (Bedjani, 2010) 

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4182.1.1

Abstract

The 22 Sri Lankan representatives of the family Platystictidae, all endemic to the island and belonging to the distinct endemic subfamily Platystictinae, are revised, and a new reconstruction of the phylogeny based on molecular characters is provided. Five new species are described: Ceylonosticta venusta sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Rambodde Falls, at the tunnel; Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province; N7.0489, E80.6961; 12-vii-2012; to be deposited at National Museum of Natural History, Colombo, Sri Lanka), Ceylonosticta inferioreducta sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Norton Bridge, stream on the B43 road 1.5km WNW of Norton Bridge; Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province; N6.9171, E80.5075; 28-vii-2009; to be deposited at National Museum of Natural History, Colombo, Sri Lanka), Ceylonosticta mirifica sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Uwella, primary forest on the road Uwella-Ratnapura, 11.5km NW of Balangoda; Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province; N6.6968, E80.6059; 16-vii-2012; to be deposited at National Museum of Natural History, Colombo, Sri Lanka), Platysticta secreta sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Hasalaka; Kandy District, Central Province; N7.3535, E80.9509; 31-v-1975; deposited at National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, USA) and Platysticta serendibica sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Kanneliya; Galle District, Southern Province; N6.2291, E80.3834; 8 & 9-vi-1975; deposited at National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, USA). Additionally, a determination key, figures showing morphological details and coloration in life, as well as distribution maps for all species are presented. Based on molecular analysis of 21 taxa, the phylogeny of Platystictinae is presented and discussed from the zoogeographical and paleogeographical point of view. Sri Lankan species, traditionally placed in the genera Platysticta Selys and Drepanosticta Laidlaw / Ceylonosticta Fraser, separated into distinct clades within the subfamily as presently defined, but the monophyletic nature of the Platystictinae and its Sri Lankan endemicity is confirmed. For the South Indian species, formerly known as Platysticta deccanensis, morphological and molecular analyses demonstrated that it does not belong to the Sri Lankan clade and a new genus Indosticta gen. nov. is erected to accommodate it.

Keywords: Odonata, Zygoptera, Platystictidae, Platystictinae, new species, new genus, Ceylonosticta, Platysticta, Indosticta, Sri Lanka, India

M. Bedjanič, K. Conniff, R.A. Dow, F. R. Stokvis,  R. Verovnik and J Van Tol. 2016. Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogeny of the Platystictidae of Sri Lanka (Insecta: Odonata). 
Zootaxa. 4182(1); 1–80. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4182.1.1