Description of Phylloneura rupestris sp. n. (Odonata, Platycnemididae) from the Western Ghats, India, with notes on its reproductive behaviour

A. Vivek Chandrana,b , Reji Chandranb , S. R. Surajc , Subin K. Josea , Pankaj Koparded

  1. Aqua Research Lab, Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala 680125, India
  2. Society for Odonate Studies, Vellooparampil, Kuzhimattom PO, Kottayam, Kerala 686533, India
  3. Shola Nature Society, SRS Bhavan, Choodal, Meenmutty PO, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram
  4. Department of Environmental Studies, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra, 411038, India

International Journal of Odonatology, Volume 27, Pages 26-36, 2024
https://doi.org/10.48156/1388.2024.1917259
Published: 13 February 2024 (Received: 3 October 2023, Accepted: 6 February 2024)

Abstract

Phylloneura Fraser, 1922 is a genus of damselflies that, to date, has been regarded as monotypic, represented solely by Phylloneura westermanni (Hagen in Selys, 1860) which is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. In our study, we happened upon a population of Phylloneura near the Ponmudi Hills, Thiruvananthapuram, which was notable for displaying morphological and behavioural differences from P. westermanni. Here, we describe it as a species new to science, providing detailed photographs and illustrations. We also provide notes on its reproductive behaviour.
https://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/bd99d1cb-219c-4a64-9fff-fa061956f73f

Keywords: Zygoptera, damselfly, dragonfly, bambootail, biodiversity, endemic, new species, oviposition

Issue section: Original Article