Context

In a latest development, researchers have collaborated to discover two damselfly species from Satara district in Maharashtra, which forms part of northern Western Ghats.

About

About the discovery

• The new endemic damsels were Euphaea thosegharensis and Euphaea pseudodispar.
• Genus: They belong to the genus Euphaea.
• Euphaea thosegharensis is similar to Euphaea cardinalis, while Euphaea pseudodispar is similar to Euphaea dispar but can be easily separated by its colouration and morphology.
• They are restricted to the high elevation streams and riparian patches of Satara district around Thoseghar and Kaas lake in Maharashtra. 
• The discoveries have been published in the recent issue of Journal of Threatened Taxa.

Euphaea Prior to the findings, only three endemic species of Euphaea were known from Western Ghats. These include:  Euphaea fraseri, a very common species in the forested foothills of Western Ghats.  It is found from Kanyakumari to Maharashtra. Euphaea dispar, which is restricted to the north of the Palakkad Gap from South Kanara and Coorg to Nilgiris. Euphaea cardinalis, a montane species found south of the Palakkad Gap in Anamalais, Palnis and Agasthyamalai Hills.