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Issue: Vol. 5723 No. 3: 26 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-26
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5723.3.3
Page range: 359-383
Abstract views: 206
PDF downloaded: 4

Description of Protosticta sooryaprakashi sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India

Department of Botany; Government Brennen College; Thalassery; Kannur; Kerala; 670106; India; Society for Odonate Studies; Vellooparampil; Kuzhimattom PO; Kottayam; Kerala; 686533; India
Society for Odonate Studies; Vellooparampil; Kuzhimattom PO; Kottayam; Kerala; 686533; India; Department of Wildlife Science; College of Forestry; Kerala Agricultural University; Vellanikkara; Kerala; 680656; India; Indian Foundation for Butterflies Trust; C-703; Alpine Pyramid Apts; near Canara Bank Layout; Kodigehalli; Bengaluru; Karnataka 560097; India
Indian Foundation for Butterflies Trust; C-703; Alpine Pyramid Apts; near Canara Bank Layout; Kodigehalli; Bengaluru; Karnataka 560097; India; Grass Jewel Solutions and Shakambharee Clinic; Devgad; Sindhudurg; Maharashtra; 416613; India
Department of Botany; Government Brennen College; Thalassery; Kannur; Kerala; 670106; India
Department of Environmental Studies; Dr Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University; Kothrud; Pune; Maharashtra; 411038; India
National Centre for Biological Sciences; GKVK Campus; Bellary Rd; Bengaluru; Karnataka; 560065; India
Odonata Karnataka phylogeny Sampaje species discovery sympatry taxonomy

Abstract

We erect a new species of damselfly, Protosticta sooryaprakashi sp. nov. from Sampaje, Kodagu District, Karnataka, India (type specimens are deposited in the Biodiversity Lab Research Collections, currently held at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru). Morphologically, this species shows close affinity with the members of the P. sanguinostigma Fraser, 1922 group; however, it is distinguished by unique features in its prothorax, caudal appendages, and accessory genitalia. Additionally, the analyses also revealed a significant genetic distance between the new species and other species of this group. We present an updated identification key to the males of Protosticta Selys, 1885 species in the Western Ghats, incorporating newly available diagnostic information.

 

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How to Cite

Haneef, K.A.R.M., Chandran, A.V., Sawant, D., Beevi, Y.P.M., Koparde, P. & Kunte, K. (2025) Description of Protosticta sooryaprakashi sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa, 5723 (3), 359–383. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5723.3.3