Mumbai: Rare damselfly rediscovered after a century in Aarey forest

In a remarkable discovery that showcases the extraordinary biodiversity of Mumbais Aarey Forest wildlife researcher Shantanu Joshi in collaboration with Dr Dattaprasad Sawant of KEM Hospital and a dedicated team of researchers led by wildlife researcher Rajesh Sanap has successfully rediscovered a species of damselfly that had remained unseen by scientists for over a centuryThis significant revelation occurred within the boundaries of the Aarey Milk Colony and the pristine surroundings of Sindhudurg adding a fascinating chapter to the regions natural diversityRajesh Sanap one of the authors of the scientific paper stated Lestes nigriceps commonly known as the Darkstriped spreadwing has been rediscovered after nearly a century from Aarey Milk Colony Mumbai Suburban District and the lateritic plateaus of Sindhudurg District The findings also highlight the areas rich biodiversityThe scientific paper published in the International Journal of Odonatology on October 16 involved a team of researchers including Shantanu Joshi Dattaprasad Sawant Akshay Dalvi Yogesh Koli Muhammed Haneef Rajesh Sanap and Krushnamegh KunteThis rediscovery is a testament to the hidden treasures of the Aarey Forest where nature continues to unveil its secrets offering valuable insights into the regions unique ecosystemsThe damselfly Lestes nigriceps is known for its glittering emerald stripes on its thorax striking turquoiseblue eyes and the distinctive shape of its abdomens end organs called caudal appendages Spreadwings are recognised for their behavior of perching with partially opened wings setting them apart from most damselflies that perch with fully closed wingsIndia is home to 12 species of spreadwings including the newly rediscovered Darkstriped spreadwing While the Western Ghats a UNESCO World Heritage site and biodiversity hotspot previously housed only 8 known species the recent discovery increases the count to 9The Darkstriped Spreadwing was originally discovered in 1924 in Pusa Bihar by British Odonata scientist Lt Col F C Fraser Subsequently the species remained enigmatic until scientist Oleg Kosterin found a population in Eastern Cambodia in 2019 However the Indian Peninsula had no confirmed records of the Darkstriped Spreadwing until its rediscovery in the Western GhatsThis discovery emphasizes the importance of exploring and conserving the vast uncharted habitats within the Western Ghats contributing to our understanding of the regions remarkable biodiversityThe Aarey Forest already renowned for its ecological significance now boasts a count of 54 Odonate species thanks to the dedication and expertise of these researchersNotably this research was made possible with the support of various contributors including Dr Ben Price and Dan Hall who provided valuable photographs and resource material Mohamed Haneef from Kerala also played a crucial role in providing resources for comparison with other Spreadwing species of Southern India while Dr Krushnamegh Kunte of NCBS Bengaluru provided essential laboratory and microscopic assistanceThe Darkstriped Spreadwing is believed to have a seasonal flight pattern emerging from late July to midSeptember It primarily breeds in stagnant water bodies such as ponds and seasonal lateritic pools with abundant aquatic vegetation Aarey Colony currently houses the largest known breeding population of Darkstriped Spreadwing but it is likely that many other such populations exist in wetlands throughout MaharashtraOdonates a group comprising dragonflies and damselflies are vital components of aquatic ecosystems Their nymph stages from egg to exuvia are spent underwater where they play a crucial role in controlling mosquito larvae and other small aquatic insects As they transition to their adult stage they continue to contribute to ecosystem balance by preying on other insects including mosquitoes and beesThe life cycle of Odonates consists of three stages egg aquatic larval and shortlived adult stages This rediscovery reinforces the need to protect and preserve the natural wonders of the Aarey Forest and other ecologically significant regions