Maharashtra: “Nearly Extinct” Damselfly Species Found Near Satara Dam

Satara:

3 nature conservationists from Satara in Maharashtra claimed to have “rediscovered” a “just about extinct” damselfly species “Lestes Patricia” after virtually 100 years.

A colony of this sub-species, christened “Lestes patricia taamrpatti”, was once came upon by way of Dr Shriram Bhakare, Sunil Bhoite and Pratima Pawar-Bhoite from Umrodi Dam house, located on the foothills of the northern Western Ghats within the district.

In line with the researchers, a unmarried male specimen of Lestes patricia, endemic to the Western Ghats, was once first came upon in 1922 from Kodagu (Coorg) district in Karnataka and the one specimen lately to be had is at Herbal Historical past Museum, London.

“The came upon colony of recent species carefully fit the specimen of the only identified male of Lestes patricia from the London-based museum. Alternatively, there are solid variations between the newly discovered species and outline of Lestes patricia,” mentioned Mr Bhoite.

“Whilst evaluating the frame construction and contours of the newly discovered species with an current specimen of Lestes patricia from the London-based museum, solid variations had been discovered. This is the reason the sub-species from the damselfly circle of relatives has been named Lestes patricia taamrpatti,” he added.

Dr Bhakare, an ophthalmologist from Satara, mentioned the explanation at the back of including the phrase “taamrpatti” was once for the reason that species has a coppery red-brown uniform band bordered by way of black.

“The possibility the newly came upon inhabitants is, if truth be told, a definite species can’t be dominated out, however can’t be showed till additional, contemporary specimens of Lestes patricia are made to be had from the locality in Kodagu.

“Because the solid options noticed within the newly came upon inhabitants preclude it from being without a doubt positioned beneath Lestes patricia, but given the loss of comparative subject material, it isn’t imaginable to put it as a brand new species with sure bet,” he added.

So the newly came upon inhabitants from Maharashtra is tentatively positioned as a subspecies of Lestes patricia, Dr Bhakare knowledgeable.

He mentioned a analysis paper on discovery of the just about extinct species was once revealed in Bionotes Magazine just lately.

The researchers mentioned 10 specimens, comprising six men and 4 women folk, were accumulated for exam.

Of the 10, two male and two feminine specimens were deposited with Bombay Herbal Historical past Society (BNHS), whilst the remainder can be saved at different depositories within the nation for additional analysis.

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