The Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Kerala – Status and Distribution

The odonate diversity of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Western Ghats (WG) of Kerala state, is discussed in this paper. A total of 181 species belonging to 87 genera and 14 families have been compiled for Kerala and this includes 68 Western Ghats endemics. A total of 116 species of odonates including 33 endemics were recorded for the region. A total of 41 damselflies (Zygoptera) and 75 dragonflies (Anisoptera) were recorded for the sanctuary. Shendurney thus harbours 56.04 % of WG and 64.08 % of the odonate diversity of Kerala. In addition, this includes 48.52% of Kerala and 41.25 % of endemic odonates of Western Ghats. About 29% of all the species recorded for the Shendurney are endemic to WG. With respect to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, one species is ‘Endangered’, three ‘Vulnerable’, two ‘Near Threatened’, 84 ‘Least Concern’, 20 ‘Data Deficient’, and six species whose IUCN Red List status was not assessed. Family Libellulidae (41 species) dominated the odonate diversity, followed by Coenagrionidae (15 species) and Gomphidae (13 species). Regarding the occurrence status, we found that 11 species were Very Common, 42 species were found to be Common, 34 species Not Rare, 10 species were Rare, and 19 species were Very Rare inside the sanctuary. None of the species listed is protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Western Ghats, India

Sadasivan¹,

Nair²,

Samuel³

2022

“…These species from seepages, streamlets, and hill streams are the most vulnerable in the wake of climate change (Rogers et al 2020). As per Nair et al (2021), the checklist of odonates of Western Ghats currently stands at 207 species with 80 endemics. The state of Kerala has 181 odonate species with 68 endemics (Nair et al 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from Western Ghats, India

Sadasivan¹,

Nair²,

Samuel³

2022

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.

“…The comments provided above need to be considered before the checklists prepared by Nair et al (2021) are used by biodiversity managers, researchers, and interested public. It will be beneficial if the authors address the issues pointed out and publish a corrigendum.…”

Section: J Ttmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We would like to commend Nair et al (2021) for attempting to compile checklists of Odonata species recorded from the Western Ghats and within the political boundaries of Kerala state. Regional checklists form the baseline of biodiversity documentation and are crucial for conservation planning.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Comments on “The Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Kerala – Status and Distribution”

Chandran¹,

Sherif²

2022

This is a rejoinder to the article “The Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Kerala – Status and Distribution”. In the said paper, certain species are of doubtful occurrence in Kerala and the Western Ghats. First reports of certain species which were available in open-access biodiversity portals and published articles in peer-reviewed journals were ignored. Additions to the checklists have been made without conducting taxonomic investigations, or in one case, even presenting a photograph. These shortcomings will lead to confusion and misunderstanding among odonatologists and naturalists in the region.