October 1, 2025

KEY POINTS:

  • The Spiny Horntail was spotted, during a recent expedition to the Kottiyoor forests of Kannur.
  • The species that is known to be endemic to the Western Ghats was discovered in Maharashtra earlier this year.
  • The discovery that was recorded from Kottiyoor was confirmed by an odonate expert who represents the TNHS Odonata Research Group (TORG) of the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS).
  • Researchers had spotted the species from Chaukul in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.
  • Prior to their finding, the dragonflygenus Burmagomphus was represented by three species – B. cauvericus, B. pyramidalis and B. laidlawi. While B. laidlawi is found throughout the Western Ghats, B. cauvericus is more restricted in its distribution. B. pyramidalis is found in the Western Ghats as well as in Peninsular India. All other species of the genus are found in the Western and Eastern Himalayas.
  • The new species can be separated from its congeners by the markings on the lateral thorax and peculiar shape of anal appendages.
  • According to a paper published by TORG, 181 odonata species have been recorded in Kerala. The addition of B. chaukulensis will take the count to 182.
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