Context
In a latest development, researchers have collaborated to discover two damselfly species from Satara district in Maharashtra, which forms part of northern Western Ghats.
About the discovery
- The new endemic damsels were Euphaea thosegharensis and Euphaea pseudodispar.
- Genus: They belong to the genus Euphaea.
- Euphaea thosegharensis is similar to Euphaea cardinalis, while Euphaea pseudodispar is similar to Euphaea dispar but can be easily separated by its colouration and morphology.
- They are restricted to the high elevation streams and riparian patches of Satara district around Thoseghar and Kaas lake in Maharashtra.
- The discoveries have been published in the recent issue of Journal of Threatened Taxa.
Euphaea
- Prior to the findings, only three endemic species of Euphaea were known from Western Ghats. These include:
- Euphaea fraseri, a very common species in the forested foothills of Western Ghats. It is found from Kanyakumari to Maharashtra.
- Euphaea dispar, which is restricted to the north of the Palakkad Gap from South Kanara and Coorg to Nilgiris.
- Euphaea cardinalis, a montane species found south of the Palakkad Gap in Anamalais, Palnis and Agasthyamalai Hills.
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