A group of researchers from within Kerala and beyond has made a remarkable discovery—a new species of damselfly in the Thiruvananthapuram district. This species, named Agasthyamalai Bambootail (Malayalam: Agasthyamala Mulavalan), was found in Manjadininnavila, a region under the Aryanad grama panchayat, located near the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary.
Naming and Characteristics
The name “Bambootail” was given due to the damselfly’s long cylindrical abdomen, which closely resembles a bamboo stalk, giving it the local name Mulavalan Thumbikal. The discovery site, Agasthyamalai, is part of the Western Ghats landscape, which influenced the name of this rare species.
The Agasthyamalai Bambootail belongs to a group of damselflies known as bambootails. The only other species in this genus is the Malabar Bambootail (Melanoneura bilineata), found in the Coorg-Wayanad landscape of the Western Ghats.
Key Differences from Malabar Bambootail
According to experts, the Agasthyamalai Bambootail can be distinguished from other species of bambootails by:
- The absence of the anal bridge vein in their wings.
- The differences in the structure of the prothorax, anal appendages, and secondary genitalia.
In terms of genetic differences, molecular studies have revealed a 7% difference in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase-I gene between the Agasthyamalai Bambootail and the Malabar Bambootail.
Habitat and Conservation Importance
The Agasthyamalai Bambootail was first discovered in small streams flowing through homeyards into the Karamana River—an ecosystem outside the reserve forest. This highlights the importance of habitats outside protected areas in preserving biodiversity. Apart from the type locality, the species has also been recorded in the Ponmudi hills and Bonacaud, all part of the same landscape.
Research Team
The research team that discovered the Agasthyamalai Bambootail includes:
- Vivek Chandran
- Dr. Subin K Jose (Christ College, Irinjalakuda)
- Reji Chandran (Society for Odonate Studies)
- Dr. Pankaj Koparde and Arajush Payra (MIT World Peace University, Pune)
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Where was the Agasthyamalai Bambootail discovered?
a) Coorg
b) Ponmudi Hills
c) Manjadininnavila
d) Wayanad
Answer: c) Manjadininnavila - What is the key distinguishing feature of the Agasthyamalai Bambootail?
a) Short wings
b) Anal bridge vein absence in wings
c) Cylindrical body
d) Red color spots on the wings
Answer: b) Anal bridge vein absence in wings - What genetic difference was found between the Agasthyamalai Bambootail and Malabar Bambootail?
a) 3% difference in nuclear DNA
b) 7% difference in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase-I gene
c) 12% difference in mitochondrial DNA
d) 5% difference in nuclear cytochrome oxidase-I gene
Answer: b) 7% difference in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase-I gene - Which region of the Western Ghats is the Malabar Bambootail found?
a) Agasthyamalai
b) Ponmudi Hills
c) Coorg-Wayanad landscape
d) Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: c) Coorg-Wayanad landscape - What significance does the habitat of the Agasthyamalai Bambootail highlight?
a) Importance of wildlife sanctuaries
b) The value of protected areas in forest conservation
c) Importance of habitats outside protected areas in conserving biodiversity
d) The impact of river systems on damselfly population
Answer: c) Importance of habitats outside protected areas in conserving biodiversity