Description of Phylloneura rupestris sp. n. (Odonata, Platycnemididae) from the Western Ghats, India, with notes on its reproductive behaviour

Abstract

Phylloneura Fraser, 1922 is a genus of damselflies that, to date, has been regarded as monotypic, represented solely by Phylloneura westermanni (Hagen in Selys, 1860) which is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. In our study, we happened upon a population of Phylloneura near the Ponmudi Hills, Thiruvananthapuram, which was notable for displaying morphological and behavioural differences from P. westermanni. Here, we describe it as a species new to science, providing detailed photographs and illustrations. We also provide notes on its reproductive behaviour.