Rare Dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea Western Ghats

New studies have also established the existence of the rare dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea in the southern Western Ghats, eliminating past confusion between the common lowland dragonfly Crocothemis servilia and this rare one. The finding underscores that contemporary field research and DNA techniques have played a role in documenting biodiversity.

Species Overview

The genus Crocothemis of India comprises two species, the lowland (or widespread) C. servilia and C. erythraea, a high-altitude specialist. With a known European, Asian and Himalayan distribution, the presence of C. erythraea in the Western Ghats was long controversial because of misidentification.

Field Studies and Identification.

Specimen was collected by expeditions (2019-2023) in Wagamon, Rajakumari, Pampadum Shola, and Parambikulam. Morphological characteristics (especially male genitalia) were used to identify the researchers, and they matched the Himalayan C. erythraea with DNA barcoding.

Habitat and Range

C. erythraea occurred only in cool montane conditions above 550 metres, such as shola forests and grasslands, but C. servilia has a lower limit of below 600 metres. This altitudinal distinction accounts for past problems of taxonomic confusion.

Evolutionary History

According to scientists, C. erythraea arrived in southern India in the Pleistocene Ice Age when colder temperatures allowed the migration of temperate species southwards. Subsequent warming isolated populations in such refuges as Munnar and Parambikulam.

Significance

The rediscovery corrects the existing distribution of Crocothemis species in India and reinforces the Western Ghats as climate refuges. It also demonstrates how field surveys should be used alongside molecular tools in order to effectively conserve biodiversity.