[Entomology • 2020] Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni • A New Monotypic Genus of Coenagrionidae (Odonata: Zygoptera) from Colombian Amazon

 Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni

Stand-Pérez & Pérez-Gutiérrez, 2020. 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4845.4.7 

Researchgate.net/publication/344100303

Abstract

Pseudotepuibasis gen. nov. is erected for P. garrisoni sp. nov. from the Colombian Amazon (December 2015, Caquetá Department, Solano Municipality, Araracuara, Guacamayo Guard, -72.2497, -0.6308, L. Pérez leg.). Male and female of this new genus are described and illustrated, cerci of male with a ventrobasal spur for which it is considered in the tribe Teinobasini, close to Tepuibasis De Marmels, 2007 and Austrotepuibasis Machado & Lencioni, 2011, by its color pattern and cerci morphology; and close to Leptobasis Selys, 1877 and Mesoleptobasis Sjöstedt, 1918, by its genital ligula. Some notable characters of Pseudotepuibasis are a chitinized spine-like process directed posteriorly on the genital ligula, male cerci with chitinized median tooth, and thoracic color pattern.

Keywords: Odonata, Damselfly, Teinobasini, Guyana shield, tepui, integrative taxonomy, biogeography

 Habitus scan of Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni;
(A) Male holotype; (B) Female allotype. 

 Habitus of female of Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni.

Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni gen. nov. et sp. nov.

 Surroundings of habitat of Pseudotepuibasis garrisoni in rocky plateau with dwarf forest; in the background the Caquetá River.

Miguel Ángel Stand-Pérez and León Andrés Pérez- Gutiérrez. 2020. Pseudotepuibasis gen. nov., A New Monotypic Genus of Coenagrionidae from Colombian Amazon (Odonata: Zygoptera). Zootaxa. 4845(4); 576–584. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4845.4.7 

Researchgate.net/publication/344100303_Pseudotepuibasis_a_new_monotypic_genus_of_Coenagrionidae_from_Colombian_Amazon

[Entomology • 2026] Calicnemia arunachala, Ca. naga, Ca. mimumkoa, Coeliccia magna, ... • Six New Species of Calicnemia Strand, 1926 and One New Species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) from northeastern India

 Calicnemia arunachala  &  C. mimumkoa 

Sawant, Joshi & Kunte, 

in Sawant, Joshi, Pawar, Khan, Nawge et Kunte, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.4.1 

Researchgate.net/publication/401210423  

 facebook.com/DattaprasadSAWANT1

 

Abstract

We erect six new species of the genus Calicnemia Strand, 1926, namely, Ca. ardena sp. nov., Ca. arunachala sp. nov., Ca. flavovittata sp. nov., Ca. mimumkoa sp. nov., Ca. naga sp. nov. and Ca. rubromacula sp. nov.; and one new species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890, Co. magna sp. nov., from northeastern India. The new Calicnemia spp. are distinguished based on the structure of the genital ligula, colouration patterns of the thorax and abdomen, and the shape of caudal appendages. Based on the morphology of the genital ligula, we propose a third species group within Calicnemia, in addition to the two previously recognised species groups. This new species group accommodates Ca. ardena sp. nov. and Ca. rubromacula sp. nov., which possess short, bifurcated genital filaments that do not align with the diagnostic characteristics of the existing species groups. Additionally, Ca. erythromelas (Selys, 1891) previously reported from India is shown to be misidentified, and the Indian material is identified as Ca. naga sp. nov. Updated identification keys for all known Calicnemia males are provided, along with detailed illustrations of diagnostic features. Coeliccia magna sp. nov., erected from Arunachal Pradesh, is distinguished from congeners by its larger body size, complete blue antehumeral stripes, and distinct male and female morphological features. We further provide lateral thoracic illustrations of Coeliccia spp.

Odonata, Arunachal Pradesh, identification key, new species descriptions, Siang, taxonomy

 Calicnemia ardena sp. nov., Ca. arunachala sp. nov., 

Ca. flavovittata sp. nov., Ca. mimumkoa sp. nov., 

Ca. naga sp. nov., Ca. rubromacula sp. nov. 

Coeliccia magna sp. nov. 

Dattaprasad SAWANT, SHANTANU JOSHI, UJWALA PAWAR, FAHIM KHAN, VIRAJ NAWGE and KRUSHNAMEGH KUNTE. 2026. Six New Species of Calicnemia Strand, 1926 and One New Species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) from northeastern India.  Zootaxa. 5760(4); 401-449. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.4.1 [2026-02-25]

 Researchgate.net/publication/401210423_Six_new_species_of_Calicnemia_et_Coeliccia_from_northeastern_India

  facebook.com/DattaprasadSAWANT1/posts/25960702353552123

[Entomology • 2025] Coeliccia sirindhornae • A New Damselfly (Odonata: Platycnemididae) from Northwest Thailand

Coeliccia sirindhornae

Makbun, Phan, Ignatius & Keetapithchayakul, 2025

 Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8 

แมลงปอเข็มท้องยาวเทพรัตน์  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266860 

photographed by Noppadon Makbun

facebook.com: แมลงปอของไทย Dragonflies of Thailand

Abstract

A new species of the genus Coeliccia Kirby, 1890, C. sirindhornae sp. nov., is described based on specimens of both sexes collected from Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. This species can be differentiated from its congeners by its unique combination of morphological characters, including the shape of antehumeral stripe, the structure and pattern of prothorax, and the shape of anal appendages in both sexes, and the markings on the terminal abdominal segments in female.

Keywords: Damselfly, new species, Zygoptera, Kanchanaburi, Coeliccia

Coeliccia sirindhornae sp. nov. A. Holotype ♂. B. Paratype ♀.

Coeliccia sirindhornae sp. nov. 

แมลงปอเข็มท้องยาวเทพรัตน์   

Coeliccia sirindhornae sp. nov., in typical location.
A. Male. B. Female.
Kanchanaburi, Sangkhla Buri, Prangphle, 2–iv–2017

 photographed by Noppadon Makbun

Noppadon Makbun, Quoc Toan Phan, Kaewpawika Jitthamma Ignatius and Tosaphol Saetung Keetapithchayakul. 2025. Coeliccia sirindhornae sp. nov., A New Damselfly (Odonata: Platycnemididae) from Northwest Thailand.  Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8;  415-425. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266860 

 facebook.com/groups/208226375939282/posts/25060150923653483

[Entomology • 2025] Onychargia hungeri • Notes on the Genus Onychargia Selys, 1865 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) with Description A New Species from southern Vietnam

 

 Onychargia hungeri 

Tran, Huong & Phan, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5729.4.2 

  facebook.com: Minh Khang TRAN 

Abstract

This study updates the distribution and provides notes on the habitat of three species of the genus Onychargia Selys, 1865 in Vietnam, including the description of a new species, Onychargia hungeri sp. nov. (holotype ♂, 10.52238° N, 107.47591° E, altitude 41 m, Binh Chau-Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve, Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam), which is described based on male and female specimens. The new species can be easily distinguished from two other congeners by having smaller body size, U-shaped pruinosity on male’s synthorax and differences in the male’s appendages structures.

Odonata, new species, damselfly, swamps, coastal forests, Vietnam

Onychargia hungeri sp. nov.

Minh Khang TRAN, Le Thi Thu HUONG and Quoc Toan PHAN. 2025. Notes on the Genus Onychargia Selys, 1865 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) with Description of O. hungeri sp. nov. from southern Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5729(4); 519-534. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5729.4.2 [2025-12-17]

  facebook.com/MinhKhangTRAN351474/posts/1618430629604497

[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]

 facebook.com/PhanToan988/posts/25697697683164012

[Entomology • 2024] Devadatta adii • A New Species of Devadatta (Odonata: Zygoptera: Devadattidae) from Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Devadatta adii Joshi, Sawant & Kunte,

in Sawant, Joshi, Pawar, Naik, Khan, Nawge et Kunte, 2024.

Golden Grisette  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5519.4.6 

  facebook.com/indianodonata 

 facebook.com/DattaprasadSAWANT1

 Researchgate.net/publication/384806577

 

Abstract  

We erect a new species Devadatta adii sp. nov. based on five males and five females collected from Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The males of the new taxon are unique in terms of having a golden yellow lateral pterothorax, strongly curved cerci and filamentous genital ligula. We also provide illustrations of male thorax and caudal appendages of Devadatta spp.

Odonata, Species discovery, new species, taxonomy, India

Dattaprasad SAWANT, Shantanu JOSHI, Ujwala PAWAR, Pratiksha NAIK, Fahim KHAN, Viraj NAWGE and Krushnamegh KUNTE. 2024. Devadatta adii sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Devadattidae) from Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India.  Zootaxa. 5519(4); 571-589. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5519.4.6 [2024-10-10]

  facebook.com/indianodonata/posts/924755173011587

  facebook.com/DattaprasadSAWANT1/posts/8474774165904879

 Researchgate.net/publication/384806577_Devadatta_adii_sp_nov_from_Upper_Siang_District_Arunachal_Pradesh_India

[Entomology • 2025] Caliphaea sinuofurcata • A New Species of Caliphaea (Odonata: Calopterygidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Caliphaea sinuofurcata

 Sawant, Joshi, Pawar, Nawge & Kunte, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.6

Abstract

We describe a new species, Caliphaea sinuofurcata sp. nov., based on two male and one female specimens collected from Upper Siang District and Lower Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The newly described species can be distinguished from its congeners by characteristic shape of paraproct and genital ligula. Additionally, we provide illustrations of the male caudal appendages for all known Caliphaea spp.

Odonata, species description, species discovery, Indian Odonata, Dibang valley, Upper Siang District

 

Caliphaea sinuofurcata sp. nov.

Dattaprasad SAWANT, Shantanu JOSHI, Ujwala PAWAR, Viraj NAWGE and Krushnamegh KUNTE. 2025. Caliphaea sinuofurcata sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Calopterygidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India.  Zootaxa. 5637(1); 139-154. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.6 [2025-05-20]

[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 • 2024] Prodasineura sangkhla • A New Damselfly (Odonata: Platycnemididae) from western Thailand

 

Prodasineura sangkhla

Keetapithchayakul, Makbun, Ignatius & Phan, 2024

 

แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5551.1.5

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand

 

Abstract

Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov. is described from the Takhian Thong waterfall near the Thai-Myanmar border, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. It differs from all other species of Prodasineura Cowley, 1934 by the combination of the characters including white pruinescence on prothorax, synthorax and some parts of legs, blue markings on S10 and anal appendages, shape of anal appendages in males, and shape of occipital band and posterior process of posterior lobe in females.

Odonata, dragonfly, Zygoptera, new species, morphology

Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov.

Tosaphol Saetung Keetapithchayakul, Noppadon Makbun, Kaewpawika Jitthamma Ignatius, Quoc Toan Phan. 2024. Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov., A New Damselfly from western Thailand (Odonata: Platycnemididae). Zootaxa. 5551(1); 131-140. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5551.1.5

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand/posts/8797497557012078/

[News] แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละ (Prodasineura sangkhla) แมลงปอชนิดใหม่ชนิดแรกและชนิดส่งท้ายปี 2024

แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละได้รับการบรรยายเป็นชนิดใหม่สด ๆ ร้อน ๆ วันนี้ในวารสาร Zootaxa ครับ

คณะผู้บรรยายค้นพบแมลงปอเข็มชนิดนี้พร้อม ๆ กับแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มชนิดอื่น ๆ อีก 3 ชนิดคือ แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มดำ (Prodasineura autumnalis) แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มเอราวัณ (P. laidlawii) และแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มเสี้ยวส้ม ฟอร์มตะวันตก (P. sp. [nec. verticalis]) แต่ด้วยลักษณะอันโดดเด่นของตัวผู้ ทำให้เราแยกแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละได้ไม่ยาก กล่าวคือ อกและโคนท้องที่มีสีขาว และปลายท้องและรยางค์ปลายท้องที่มีสีฟ้า แต่สำหรับตัวเมีย หากมองด้วยตาเปล่า อาจจะแยกได้ยาก เพราะมีลายสีเหลืองสลับดำเหมือนกันหมด ต้องมานั่งจ้องลักษณะอกปล้องแรก (หรือที่เรียกกันง่าย ๆ ว่า คอ) และจำนวนหนามที่อยู่ด้านล่างของปลายรยางค์ปลายท้อง ถึงจะสามารถจำแนกได้อย่างถูกต้องแม่นยำครับ

แมลงปอเข็มชนิดนี้พบเกาะตามปลายใบไม้และกิ่งไม้เหนือลำธารที่อำเภอสังขละบุรี จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี และคาดการณ์ว่าน่าจะเจอทางฝั่งประเทศเมียนมาด้วยเช่นกัน เพราะจุดที่เจอมันอยู่ใกล้ชายแดนครับ

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A new species of genus Prodasineura, P. sangkhla, was described from Sangkhla Buri, Kanchanaburi Province. The description was published in Zootaxa today.

This new species co-occurs with other three members of the genus, that is P. autumnalis, P. laidlawii and P. sp. [nec. verticalis]. With white pruinosed thorax and blue abdomenal tip, males of P. sangkhla is easily differentiated from those species. Unlike the males, the general appearance of the females are similar to the congeners found in the area but you need to look at shape of prothorax and number of ventral spine on cerci for making an accurate ID.

Prodasineura sangkhla was spotted perching on leaf or twig along the stream in Sangkhla, Kanchanaburi Province and expected to be found in nearby area in Myanmar.

[Entomology • 2024] Melanoneura agasthyamalaica • A New Species of Melanoneura (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) from the Western Ghats, India

 

Melanoneura agasthyamalaica Chandran, Chandran, Jose & Koparde, 

in V. Chandran, R. Chandran, Jose, Payra et Koparde, 2024.

Agasthyamalai bambootail  ||  www.biotaxa.org/ijo/article/view/86296

 Researchgate.net/publication/384741197

 

Abstract

Melanoneura Fraser, 1922 is a genus of damselflies which was, to date, regarded as monotypic. It is represented by the nominate species, Melanoneura bilineata Fraser, 1922 which is endemic to the Western Ghats in India. We describe the population of Melanoneura in the Agasthyamalai landscape of the Western Ghats as a species new to science based on differences in the structure of male cerci, mesostigmal plates, genital ligulae, and the structure and marking of the prothorax. Subtle differences in body markings are also documented. Further, we demonstrate a significant genetic distance (7.2–7.4%) between the new species and M. bilineata, based on mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I analysis. Our study combines morphological and genetic evidence to describe a new species belonging to the genus Melanoneura, cancelling its monotypic nature.

 

Keywords: Zygoptera, bambootail, biodiversity, damselfly, dragonfly, endemic, monotypic, new species, taxonomy

Order Odonata Fabricius, 1793

Suborder Zygoptera Selys, 1854

Superfamily Coenagrionoidea Kirby, 1890

Family Platycnemididae Jacobson and Bianchi, 1905

Genus Melanoneura Fraser, 1922

Type species: Melanoneura bilineata Fraser, 1922

Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n. ♂ in habitat.

Melanoneura agasthyamalaica Chandran, Chandran, Jose & Koparde sp. n.

Diagnosis: Male Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n. can be distinguished from its only congener, M. bilineata, by the following features: posterior lobe of prothorax with a more rounded posterior margin (posterior lobe of prothorax with a relatively straight posterior margin in M. bilineata). Mesostigmal plates flat (mesostigmal plates curled at the tips in M. bilineata) (Figures 3 & 4). Pt in FW squarish, covering just over one cell (Pt in all wings rectangular, covering two cells in M. bilineata) (Figure 5). Cerci more elongated, as long as paraprocts, with a more pointed spine (cerci shorter, falling just short of paraprocts, with a more rounded spine in M. bilineata) (Figures 6 & 7). The outer processes of the distal segments of genital ligula are spatulate in both taxa. The inner processes are shallowly divided in the new taxon and deeply divided in M. bilineata (Figures 8 & 9). The following differences in body markings are also seen, but these could be ....

Etymology: The species epithet agasthyamalaica is derived from the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve of the Western Ghats, the landscape from where this species is first described.

Habitat of Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n.

  

A. Vivek Chandran, Reji Chandran, Subin Jose, Arajush Payra and Pankaj Koparde. 2024. Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n. (Odonata, Platycnemididae) from the Western Ghats, India. International Journal of Odonatology. 27; 213-226. www.biotaxa.org/ijo/article/view/86296

DOI: doi.org/10.48156/1388.2024.1917298 

  Researchgate.net/publication/384741197_Melanoneura_agasthyamalaica_sp_n_from_the_Western_Ghats_India

[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