Six New Odonate Species Discovered in Silent Valley
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: Species like the Long-legged Clubtail and Blue-necked Reedtail were absent from the official faunal inventory of Silent Valley National Park. NOW: Six new odonate species have been formally documented, proving their existence in the park's freshwater habitats.
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BEFORE: The precise micro-distribution of several Western Ghats endemic odonates within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was poorly mapped. NOW: The survey's record of 83 species provides a robust, updated baseline for tracking insect endemism and range expansions/contractions.
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BEFORE: Bioindicator data for the park's aquatic ecosystems relied on older or less comprehensive macro-invertebrate surveys. NOW: The newly recorded presence of sensitive damselflies and dragonflies offers current, high-resolution evidence that the park's streams remain unpolluted.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Odonates and Silent Valley National Park? 1. Odonates, which include dragonflies and damselflies, act as reliable bioindicators for the health of freshwater ecosystems. 2. Silent Valley National Park is located in the Western Ghats and is drained by the Kunthipuzha River.