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Issue: Vol. 5588 No. 2: 14 Feb. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-02-14
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.1
Page range: 201-226
Abstract views: 153
PDF downloaded: 9

Two new species of Merogomphus Martin, 1904 (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) from the Western Ghats, India

Aqua Research Lab; Department of Geology and Environmental Science; Christ College (Autonomous); Irinjalakuda; University of Calicut; Kerala; India; Society for Odonate Studies; Vellooparampil; Kuzhimattom PO; Kottayam; Kerala; India
Grass Jewel Solutions and Shakambharee Clinic; Devgad; Sindhudurg; Maharashtra 416613; India; National Centre for Biological Sciences; GKVK Campus; Bellary Rd; Bengaluru; Karnataka; 560065; India
Society for Odonate Studies; Vellooparampil; Kuzhimattom PO; Kottayam; Kerala; India
Department of Environmental Studies; Dr Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University; Kothrud; Pune; Maharashtra; 411038; India
Aqua Research Lab; Department of Geology and Environmental Science; Christ College (Autonomous); Irinjalakuda; University of Calicut; Kerala; India
National Centre for Biological Sciences; GKVK Campus; Bellary Rd; Bengaluru; Karnataka; 560065; India
Odonata Aryanad biodiversity hotspot Kerala Maharashtra phylogeny Sindhudurg species discovery taxonomy

Abstract

We describe two new species of dragonflies from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, Merogomphus aryanadensis sp. nov. from Kerala and M. flavoreductus sp. nov. from Maharashtra, India. Morphologically, these species are closely aligned with M. tamaracherriensis Fraser, 1931, an endemic species of the Western Ghats; however, they are distinguished by unique features in their caudal appendages, accessory genitalia, and body markings. Additionally, both species are considerably smaller than other known Merogomphus spp. found in India. The differential diagnosis presented includes a comprehensive morphological photographic assessment of the two new species described and their two endemic congeners, also from the Western Ghats. We also establish a significant genetic distance between these newly described Merogomphus species and M. tamaracherriensis.

 

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