Donatologists reaffirmed the presence of elusive dragon species, Crocothemis erythhraea, in areas with high development of the southern western Ghats. The species was previously incorrectly identified or overlooked in this area because of its close similarity to a more widespread lowland species, Crocothemis servilia.
Rod Crocothemis in India includes two known species – C. Servilia and C. erythhraea. While C. Servilia is common across low -light areas, C. Erythhraea is known from high heights in parts of Europe and Asia, including the Himalayas.
Previous reports of C. Erythhrae of Western Ghats were questioned due to lack of physical samples and confused with C. servilia.
According to Kalesh Sadasivan, the main author of this study published in the International Journal of Odonatologists, photographs of the potential pattern C. Erythhraea were taken from the high ranks during the annual faunal survey in 2018. These records were quoted in 2011. an excessive survey beyond excessive survey.
Field
This triggered several field expeditions between 2019 and 2023 in places with high heights across the western Ghats, including Wagamon, Rajakumari, Padpadum Shola and Paambicula. The samples were collected and analyzed using both morphological and molecular techniques.
Morphological identification focused on diagnostic properties, such as male genitals, especially the structure of the hamule. The research was also carried out bar coding DNA.
Molecular analysis showed that samples with high heights of Western Ghats coincide C. Erythhraea found in the Himalayas. On the other hand, C. Servilia was confirmed in the lowlands of the Himalayas and southern India.
The study confirmed that the Western Ghats hosts both species, C. Erythhraea, which is limited to cold, high -rays (> 550 m), while C. Servilia is common for lowland stations (<600 m).
Cooler
Scientists explain that C. erythhraea colonized South India during the Pleistocene period, when colder climatic conditions allowed a slight fauna to extend their reach south. When the climate warmed up, these populations were stuck in Montane locations such as Sholas and Pastviny Munnar and Paambikula, where they survived in isolation.
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Published – 29 August 2025 20:14
