Dragonflies in distress: Scientists sound alarm in India's ecological hotspot
Summary
A two-year study found 143 species of dragonflies and damselflies in India’s Western Ghats, with 40 species found only there. However, about 35% of previously recorded species were not found, suggesting possible local extinctions, which could mean the region’s ecosystem is in trouble.Key Facts
- The study was funded by India’s Department of Science and Technology and conducted from 2021 to 2023 across five states.
- At least 40 species of dragonflies and damselflies in the Western Ghats are endemic, meaning they live nowhere else.
- Researchers did not find 79 species previously reported, a 35% decline in these insect populations.
- The Western Ghats is a 1,600 km long mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a major biodiversity hotspot.
- Threats to the region include urban growth, farming, livestock grazing, infrastructure projects, invasive species, and mining.
- Dragonflies and damselflies are important indicators of ecosystem health; their decline signals environmental problems.
- The team discovered seven new species, naming one “protosticta armageddonia” to highlight global insect population declines.
- Researchers are building a genetic library to help further study and protect these species.
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