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Issue: Vol. 24: 31 Jul. 2023
Type: Article
Published: 2023-07-31
DOI: 10.11646/zoosymposia.24.1.7
Page range: 57-69
Abstract views: 228
PDF downloaded: 3

Factors structuring patterns of Ephemeroptera (mayflies) species assemblages in different segments of the Western Ghats of peninsular India—a snapshot

Flat 3, Gokulam Apartments, No.7, Gokulam Colony, West Mambalam, Chennai-600 033, India
Department of Zoology, The Madura College (Autonomous), Madurai-625 011, Tamil Nadu, India
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028, India, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai- 600005
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028, India
Ephemeroptera trait-based species assemblages EphemeropteraWestern Ghats Geographical barriers sky islands

Abstract

Species assemblage patterns of the mayflies (Ephemeroptera) in different segments of the Western Ghats (WG) of peninsular India including those on “sky islands” are presented. An updated checklist of species of WG mayflies is provided and sorted by traits of individual species and supplemented by personal observations. Comparisons are made in this context with patterns of current distribution of some ancient lineages of myriapods, amphibians and birds from the WG focusing on relative roles of geographical barriers (gaps), paleoclimatic, eco-evolutionary scenarios and anthropogenic impacts. This is to highlight the need to prioritize conservation of this rapidly shrinking precious biological heritage. Future work on molecular aspects of intra- and interspecific diversity of mayflies, which are “sentinels of inland water ecosystem health” should be augmented in tune with current research trends in montane “sky islands” especially from adjacent Oriental tropics.

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