three nature conservationists have “rediscovered” damselfly species “Lestes Patricia” (Representational)
Satara:
Three nature conservationists from Satara in Maharashtra claimed to have “rediscovered” a “almost extinct” damselfly species “Lestes Patricia” after virtually 100 years.
A colony of this sub-species, christened “Lestes patricia taamrpatti”, was found by Dr Shriram Bhakare, Sunil Bhoite and Pratima Pawar-Bhoite from Umrodi Dam space, located on the foothills of the northern Western Ghats within the district.
In line with the researchers, a single male specimen of Lestes patricia, endemic to the Western Ghats, was first found in 1922 from Kodagu (Coorg) district in Karnataka and the one specimen presently accessible is at Pure Historical past Museum, London.
“The found colony of recent species carefully match the specimen of the only recognized male of Lestes patricia from the London-based museum. Nevertheless, there are steady variations between the newly discovered species and outline of Lestes patricia,” mentioned Mr Bhoite.
“Whereas evaluating the physique construction and options of the newly discovered species with an current specimen of Lestes patricia from the London-based museum, steady variations have been discovered. That’s the reason the sub-species from the damselfly household has been named Lestes patricia taamrpatti,” he added.
Dr Bhakare, an ophthalmologist from Satara, mentioned the rationale behind including the phrase “taamrpatti” was as a result of the species has a coppery red-brown uniform band bordered by black.
“The probability the newly found inhabitants is, in actual fact, a definite species can’t be dominated out, however can’t be confirmed till additional, contemporary specimens of Lestes patricia are made accessible from the locality in Kodagu.
“For the reason that steady options noticed within the newly found inhabitants preclude it from being indisputably positioned below Lestes patricia, but given the dearth of comparative materials, it’s not potential to put it as a brand new species with certainty,” he added.
So the newly found inhabitants from Maharashtra is tentatively positioned as a subspecies of Lestes patricia, Dr Bhakare knowledgeable.
He mentioned a analysis paper on discovery of the almost extinct species was printed in Bionotes Journal just lately.
The researchers mentioned 10 specimens, comprising six males and 4 females, have been collected for examination.
Of the 10, two male and two feminine specimens have been deposited with Bombay Pure Historical past Society (BNHS), whereas the remaining will likely be saved at different depositories within the nation for additional analysis.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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