Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan, Sabari Janaki, and Subash Pulikkal have provided an exciting update on the elusive dragonfly, Davidioides martini Fraser, 1924, native to the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. Previously, only a few credible records existed of this species, but their recent pre-monsoon expedition to the Nilgiri Hills in Kerala has unveiled new discoveries about the insect, including the description of its previously unknown female counterpart.
Davidioides martini Fraser, 1924, was first described by Frederic C. Fraser in 1923, based on a single male specimen he collected in Kerala. Since then, this dragonfly has been spotted in a few other locations within the Western Ghats. Some records from Nepal have been deemed questionable and require further verification.
The expedition in May 2023 allowed the team to observe both male and female insects in their natural habitat, granting unique insights into their ecology. The males were spotted perched on rocks by hill streams, basking under the morning sun or resting close to the ground in the forested shade. In contrast, females were seen engaged in the oviposition process, laying eggs in the clear waters of small pools during the pre-monsoon season of May and early June.
In terms of morphology, the genus Davidioides is distinctive. It differs from all other Gomphidae genera in specific wing characteristics and its head structure. The species predominantly thrives at mid-altitudes between 400 and 900 meters above sea level. It shares its habitat with several other dragonfly species, such as Protosticta gravelyi and Heliogomphus kalarensis.
A critical revelation was the potential relationship of the Davidioides genus to others like Sinogomphus, Euthygomphus, and Asiagompohus. Differences in venation in female dragonflies highlight the need to reconsider certain characteristics in classifying the Gomphidae family. Resolving the exact taxonomy of this intriguing genus might necessitate employing molecular phylogenetic techniques in future studies.
The findings by Dr. Sadasivan, Janaki, and Pulikkal not only unravel the mystery of the Davidioides martini but also underscore the ecological richness and importance of the Western Ghats.
