Description ofProtosticta armageddonensis sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats of India

Abstract

A new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) is described based on two male specimens collected from Kerala, at the southern end of the Western Ghats in India. We compared P. armageddonensis sp. nov. with the three closely similar Protosticta species recently described from the Western Ghats, namely P.anamalaica Sadasivan, Nair & Samuel, 2022, P. cyanofemora Joshi, Subramanian, Babu & Kunte, 2020, and P. monticola Emiliyamma & Palot, 2016, to provide comprehensive differential diagnosis. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters, including the structure of prothorax, caudal appendages, genital ligula, and markings on the 8th abdominal segment. A revised key of Protosticta spp. of the Western Ghats, based on mature male specimens is provided.

Description ofPhylloneura rupestrissp. nov. (Odonata, Platycnemididae) from the Western Ghats, India with notes on its reproductive behavior

“…An IUCN assessment indicates that 10% of the world’s Odonata are threatened with extinction, although the study only covered a quarter of all species known (Clausnitzer et al 2009). The Western Ghats is a global biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al 2000) with several new species of Odonata described in recent times (Payra et al 2023; Vijayakumaran et al 2022; Joshi et al 2022; Rangnekar et al 2019). However, P. rupestris sp.…”

Description ofProtosticta sexcoloratussp. nov. (Odonata, Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India

“…The following differential diagnosis of male 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).…”

“…It is a diverse group with 55 species described till date (Paulson et al 2023). The Western Ghats of India has 15 described Protosticta species, many of which were discovered only recently (Joshi et al 2020, Sadasivan et al 2022, Vijayakumaran et al 2022, Payra et al 2023). Most of these damselflies have highly restricted distribution range within the Western Ghats, and are hence, of conservation concern.…”