@article {163994, title = {Description of Lyriothemis keralensis sp. n. (Odonata: Libellulidae) from the southwestern coast of India}, journal = {International Journal of Odonatology}, volume = {29}, year = {2026}, month = {2026-02-07}, type = {Research Article}, abstract = {

A new species of dragonfly,\ Lyriothemis keralensis\ sp. n. is described from the coastal plains adjoining the Western Ghats of Kerala, southern India, based on a male holotype (IBC-CD161) and a female paratype (IBC-CD310) (type specimens are deposited in the Biodiversity Lab Research Collections, currently held at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru). This taxon was hitherto misidentified as\ L. acigastra\ (Selys, 1878) from which it differs in having leaner abdomen, and differently shaped secondary genitalia and caudal appendages. Information on its biology and ecology are provided.

}, keywords = {anisoptera, conservation, dragonfly, endemic, insect diversity, new species, taxonomy}, url = {https://www.biotaxa.org/ijo/article/view/88280}, author = {DATTAPRASAD SAWANT and A. Vivek Chandran and Renjith Jacob Mathews and Krushnamegh Kunte} } @article {164799, title = {Six new species of Calicnemia Strand, 1926 and one new species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) from northeastern India}, volume = {5760}, year = {2026}, month = {2026-02-25}, chapter = {401-449}, abstract = {

We erect six new species of the genus Calicnemia Strand, 1926, namely, Ca. ardena sp. nov., Ca. arunachala sp. nov., Ca. flavovittata sp. nov., Ca. mimumkoa sp. nov., Ca. naga sp. nov. and Ca. rubromacula sp. nov.; and one new species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890, Co. magna sp. nov., from northeastern India. The new Calicnemia spp. are distinguished based on the structure of the genital ligula, colouration patterns of the thorax and abdomen, and the shape of caudal appendages. Based on the morphology of the genital ligula, we propose a third species group within Calicnemia, in addition to the two previously recognised species groups. This new species group accommodates Ca. ardena sp. nov. and Ca. rubromacula sp. nov., which possess short, bifurcated genital filaments that do not align with the diagnostic characteristics of the existing species groups. Additionally, Ca. erythromelas (Selys, 1891) previously reported from India is shown to be misidentified, and the Indian material is identified as Ca. naga sp. nov. Updated identification keys for all known Calicnemia males are provided, along with detailed illustrations of diagnostic features. Coeliccia magna sp. nov., erected from Arunachal Pradesh, is distinguished from congeners by its larger body size, complete blue antehumeral stripes, and distinct male and female morphological features. We further provide lateral thoracic illustrations of Coeliccia spp.

}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5760.4.1}, url = {https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5760.4.1}, author = {DATTAPRASAD SAWANT and SHANTANU JOSHI and UJWALA PAWAR and FAHIM KHAN and VIRAJ NAWGE and Krushnamegh Kunte} } @article {157488, title = {Additions to the moth (Lepidoptera) fauna of India from the eastern Himalaya and northeastern region: Part 2}, journal = {Tropical Lepidoptera Research}, volume = {35}, year = {2025}, month = {16 May 2025}, type = {Research Article}, abstract = {

Thirteen moth species,\ Pyrinioides oquiho\ Owada \& Kobayashi, 2020,\ Mellea atristrigulalis\ (Hampson, 1896) (Thyrididae),\ Rotunda rotundapex\ (Miyata \& Kishida, 1990) (Bombycidae),\ Metabraxas pectinella\ Yazaki, 2020 and\ Psilalcis inoueorum\ Sato, 2008 (Geometridae),\ Garudinia latana\ (Walker, 1863),\ Teulisna maculata\ Fang, 2000,\ Sesapa honbaensis\ Dubatolov \& Bucsek, 2013,\ Ovipennis milani\ (Černý, 2009),\ Nudina ankistro\ Volynkin, Huang, Bolotov \& Spitsyn, 2021,\ Nudina witti\ Spitsyn, Volynkin, Huang \& Bolotov, 2021 (Erebidae, Arctiinae),\ Lymantria\ (Beatria)\ hauensteinihauensteini\ Schintlmeister, 2004 (Erebidae, Lymantriinae), and\ Hepsidera lignea\ Swinhoe, 1902 (Eerebidae, Herminiinae) are reported from India for the first time. Of these records, two genera,\ Rotunda\ Wang, X. \& Zolotuhin, 2015 and\ Nudina\ Staudinger, 1887 are reported from India for the first time.

}, doi = {10.5281/zenodo.15359779}, url = {Additions to the moth (Lepidoptera) fauna of India from the eastern Himalaya and northeastern region: Part 2}, author = {Sanjay Sondhi and Rachit Pratap Singh and Ujawala Pawar and Krushnamegh Kunte} } @article {155541, title = {Around the World in 26 Million Years: Diversification and Biogeography of Pantropical Grass-Yellow Eurema Butterflies (Pieridae: Coliadinae)}, journal = {Journal of Biogeography}, year = {2025}, month = {22 February 2025}, abstract = {

Grass-yellow butterflies (Eurema) are a group of pantropical Pieridae distributed throughout Asia, Australasia, Africa and the New World. However, little is known about their diversification, including the biogeographic mechanism(s) explaining their circumglobal distribution. We present the first densely sampled, time-calibrated phylogeny and biogeographic reconstruction of grass-yellows to confirm the monophyly of the genera, re-evaluate their taxonomy and infer the biogeographic events contributing to their worldwide distribution.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.15107}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jbi.15107}, author = {Jing V. Leong and P{\'a}vel Matos-Marav{\'\i} and Rayner N{\'u}{\~n}ez and Renato Nunes and Weijun Liang and Krushnamegh Kunte} } @article {157485, title = {Caliphaea sinuofurcata sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Calopterygidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {5637}, year = {2025}, month = {20 May 2025}, pages = {139-154}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {139}, abstract = {

We describe a new species,\ Caliphaea sinuofurcata\ sp. nov.,\ based on two male and one female specimens collected from Upper Siang District and Lower Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The newly described species can be distinguished from its congeners by characteristic shape of paraproct and genital ligula. Additionally, we provide illustrations of the male caudal appendages for all known\ Caliphaea\ spp.

}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.6}, url = {https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5637.1.6}, author = {DATTAPRASAD SAWANT and SHANTANU JOSHI and UJWALA PAWAR and VIRAJ NAWGE and Krushnamegh Kunte} } @article {155514, title = {DNA barcodes narrow down the possible sources of introductions of an invasive banana skipper, Erionota torus Evans (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae)}, journal = {CABI Agriculture and Bioscience}, volume = {6}, year = {2025}, month = {27 February 2025}, abstract = {

The banana skipper,\ Erionota torus\ Evans (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae, Erionotini) is a South-east Asian pest of banana that, in the last 60 years, has spread to the southern Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and La R{\'e}union, and potentially threatens Africa and Tropical America. A partial library of DNA barcodes from the indigenous and introduced ranges was built. Based on our analysis, the indigenous populations can be divided into an {\textquoteleft}East{\textquoteright} group, in China and Vietnam, and a {\textquoteleft}West{\textquoteright} group in India, Nepal, Myanmar and west Malaysia. Further, within the {\textquoteleft}West{\textquoteright} group, there is a coherent {\textquoteleft}Malaysia{\textquoteright} subgroup from west Malaysia. Introduced populations in south India, La R{\'e}union and Taiwan showed almost no variation in barcodes, suggesting they are each based on a single homogenous introduction. We conclude that the introduced populations in Taiwan and Japan match the {\textquoteleft}East{\textquoteright} group, the introduced populations in Mauritius and La R{\'e}union match the {\textquoteleft}Malaysia{\textquoteright} subgroup and the introduced population in south India matches the {\textquoteleft}West{\textquoteright} group. These results are discussed in the context of existing ideas regarding the source of each introduction, and the implications in terms of pathways of entry.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1079/ab.2025.0016}, url = {https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/ab.2025.0016}, author = {Matthew J.W. Cock and Alan G. Buddie and Giovanni Cafa and Hideyuki Chiba and Athulya Girish Kizhakke and Hsu Yu-Feng and Krushnamegh Kunte} } @article {157489, title = {Metabolic Diversity of a Widely Distributed Tropical Freshwater Crab Is Not Underpinned by Genetic Differences}, journal = {Journal of Biogeography}, year = {2025}, month = {26 April 2025}, abstract = {

Aim

The aim of this study was to understand the interplay between local and regional factors as drivers of population physiological diversity in a tropical freshwater crab species.

Location

Western Ghats, south-west India.

Taxon

Barytelphusa cunicularis,\ Brachyura, Crustacea.

Methods

We applied an integrative approach combining population genetics and whole animal physiology, using the tropical freshwater crab\ Barytelphusa cunicularis\ as our model species. We tested for effects of population location (e.g., latitude, altitude), season (as a proxy for rainfall and water temperature) and/or warming on indices of whole animal respiratory physiology (metabolic rate, MO2) and hypoxic performance (Pcrit, i.e., the PO2\ at which routine MO2\ can no longer be sustained) in five widely distributed populations of this species. We also generated population genetic data (mtDNA COI and nDNA histone H3 sequences) to determine the extent of any population genetic structuring and/or cryptic species diversity present to verify that we were investigating a single species.

Results

Despite a high level of genetic structuring between the different populations of\ B. cunicularis\ examined, the genetic distances observed were consistent with intra- and not interspecific differences in freshwater crabs. Populations varied in the diversity of the physiological (MO2) responses observed. There were significant effects of season and population on respiration in response to temperature and Pcrit\ in response to acute hypoxia.

Main Conclusions

We conclude that local environmental factors are important in shaping physiological diversity between populations in tropical freshwater species and systems. This highlights the need to include population-level responses in any projections we make on how biodiversity will respond to ongoing and future environmental changes, including those caused by climate change.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.15147}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jbi.15147}, author = {Lucy M. Turner and Christopher J. Thorpe and Michael Collins and Smrithy Raj and Tripti Shukla and John I. Spicer and Mairi E. Knight and Dheeraj Sharma and Krushnamegh Kunte} } @article {154154, title = {Roof of the world: Home and border in the genomic era}, journal = {Molecular Ecology Resources}, year = {2025}, abstract = {

Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau, known as the {\textquoteleft}land of snow{\textquoteright} and the {\textquoteleft}roof of the world{\textquoteright}, is home to tens of millions of indigenous people who live with a staggering amount of biological diversity. In the past decade scientists have applied genomic tools and methods to substantially advance the understanding of phylogeography and genetic mechanisms behind high-elevation adaptation of local biota. However, contributions from indigenous researchers and native institutions are underrepresented in this scientific endeavour. We point to the higher degree of indigenous contribution within the discipline of conservation biology and how recognizing the prominence of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) could deliver keen molecular ecological insights. Since the Himalaya-Tibet ecological interface spans five countries, comprehensive biogeographical and phylogeographical taxon sampling in the region requires multi-national collaborations across indigenous lands as well as indigenous community participation at both national and international levels. For the next generation of indigenous molecular ecologists, researching and cataloguing the evolutionary history and genetic information of the Tibetan and Himalayan landscape is a race against the melting glacier. At the roof of the world, their scientific judgement and stewardship will have environmental impacts that percolate far beyond indigenous lands.

}, doi = { https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13827}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1755-0998.13827}, author = {Wa Da and Suresh K. Rana and Kamal Bawa and Krushnamegh Kunte and Zhengyang Wang} } @article {157486, title = {Scientific Note: The first confirmed record of the genus Scoliokona Kallies \& Arita, 1998 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Sesiinae) from India}, journal = {Tropical Lepidoptera Research}, volume = {35}, year = {2025}, month = {16 May 2025}, abstract = {

The clearwing moth species\ Scoliokona kalliesi\ Arita \& Riefenstahl, 2004 is recorded from the Jayanti region of Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India. This is the first confirmed record of this genus and species from India, substantially extending the known range of the genus to the west.

}, url = {https://journals.flvc.org/troplep/article/view/139261}, author = {Sanjay Sondhi and Axel Kallies and Rachit Pratap Singh and Arjan Basu Roy and Krushnamegh Kunte} } @article {158503, title = {Spatial occurrence records and distributions of tropical Asian butterflies}, year = {2025}, abstract = {

Insect biogeography is poorly documented globally, particularly in the tropics. Recent intensive research in tropical Asia, combined with increasingly available records from citizen science, provides an opportunity to map the distributions of tropical Asian butterflies. We compiled a dataset of 730,190 occurrences of 3,752 tropical Asian butterfly species by aggregating records from GBIF (651,285 records), published literature (27,217), published databases (37,695), and unpublished data (13,993). Here, we present this dataset and single-species distribution maps of 1,576 species. Using these maps, along with records of the 2,176 remaining species, we identified areas of limited sampling (e.g., Myanmar and New Guinea) and predicted areas of high diversity (Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo). This dataset can be leveraged for a range of studies on Asian and tropical butterflies, including 1) species biogeography, 2) sampling prioritization to fill gaps, 3) biodiversity hotspot mapping, and 4) conservation evaluation and planning. We encourage the continued development of this dataset and the associated code as a tool for the conservation of tropical Asian insects.

}, doi = {10.1038/s41597-025-05333-w}, url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-025-05333-w}, author = {Eugene Yu Hin Yau and Emily E. Jones and Toby Pak Nok Tsang and Shuang Xing and Richard T. Corlett and Patrick Roehrdanz and David J. Lohman and Adam Kai Chi Lee and Catherine Wai Ching Hai and Shawan Chowdhury and Jane K. Hill and Jade A. T. Badon and Cheong Weei Gan and Yves Basset and I-Ching Chen and Suzan Benedick and Anuj Jain and Tiffany L. T. Ki and Krushnamegh Kunte and Akihiro Nakamura and Lien Van Vu and Sarah A. Scriven and Alice C. Hughes and Timothy C. Bonebrake} } @article {154156, title = {Two new species of Merogomphus Martin, 1904 (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) from the Western Ghats, India}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {5588}, year = {2025}, month = {14 February 2025}, pages = {201-226}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {201}, abstract = {

We describe two new species of dragonflies from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot,\ Merogomphus aryanadensis\ sp. nov.\ from Kerala and\ M. flavoreductus\ sp. nov.\ from Maharashtra, India. Morphologically, these species are closely aligned with\ M. tamaracherriensis\ Fraser, 1931, an endemic species of the Western Ghats; however, they are distinguished by unique features in their caudal appendages, accessory genitalia, and body markings. Additionally, both species are considerably smaller than other known\ Merogomphus\ spp. found in India. The differential diagnosis presented includes a comprehensive morphological photographic assessment of the two new species described and their two endemic congeners, also from the Western Ghats. We also establish a significant genetic distance between these newly described\ Merogomphus\ species and\ M. tamaracherriensis.

}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.1}, url = {https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5588.2.1}, author = {AYIKKARA VIVEK CHANDRAN and DATTAPRASAD SAWANT and REJI CHANDRAN and PANKAJ KOPARDE and SUBIN KANIYAMATTATHIL JOSE and Krushnamegh Kunte} }