Protosticta sooryaprakashi
Why in news?
- Protosticta sooryaprakashi, known as the Kodagu shadowdamsel, is a newly described species of damselfly from the Western Ghats region of India. It was formally described in 2025 based on specimens collected from banks of the Sampaje River and in the high-altitude forests of Agumbe in Kodagu District, Karnataka.
About
- Discovery: The species was formally described in 2025.
- Location: It is found in Karnataka, India, specifically in the Kodagu district and surrounding areas of the Western Ghats, including along the banks of the Sampaje River and in the high-altitude forests of Agumbe.
- Naming: The species is named in honor of Dr. Sooryaprakash Shenoy, an eminent botanist and Head Scientist at the Dr. Shivaram Karanth Nisargadhama in Pilikula, Karnataka, who dedicated his life to biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats.
- Characteristics:
- Males are distinguished by a prominent sky-blue marking on the prothorax (the segment behind the head) and a dark brown to black body.
- A unique feature observed under microscopic examination is that the tips of the male's reproductive organ are shaped like a duck's head.
- It is described as being smaller and more delicate than its close relatives, making it the thinnest member of the damselfly family.
- It has a unique blue spot on its neck and at the tip of its body.
- Habitat: The Kodagu Shadowdamsel is a shade-loving insect, typically found in low-light habitats such as areca nut plantations and adjacent areas along river banks, or in dense, shaded forests. Unlike dragonflies, which prefer sunny areas, damselflies like this species favor cool, shaded environments.
- Ecological Significance: Entomologists consider the presence of the Kodagu Shadowdamsel to be an indicator of a healthy ecosystem with minimal pollution, as it requires pristine environmental conditions to breed.
Significance
The discovery of Protosticta sooryaprakashi highlights the rich and often hidden biodiversity within the Western Ghats. Entomologists suggest that the presence of this damselfly indicates a healthy environment with low pollution levels, as it requires pristine conditions to breed.
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