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

2025/11/25 by KOOLIKKUNNU ABDUL RAZAK MUHAMMED HANEEF, AYIKKARA VIVEK CHANDRAN, DATTAPRASAD SAWANT +3 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology #Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy #Species Distribution and Climate Change

paper · doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5723.3.3

openalex publication_date 2025/11/25 · openalex created_date 2025/11/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/08

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.

Discussions

• A wonderful discovery of a new species, Protosticta sooryaprakashi damselfly, from the Western Ghats, India! The paper is at: doi.org/10.11646/zoo... We have nearly doubled the known Protosticta speci [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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