Gynacantha khasiaca Rediscovered: UPSC Current Affairs

Q: Where was the Long-tailed Duskhawker recently rediscovered?

It was rediscovered in the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh, 110 years after its last confirmed sighting during the 1914 Abor Expedition.

Q: What is the IUCN conservation status of Gynacantha khasiaca?

The species is currently classified as "Data Deficient" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because very little information is available about its population and distribution.

Description

Why In News?

The rare Long-tailed Duskhawker dragonfly has been rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh's Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve after a gap of 110 years.

About Gynacantha Khasiaca Dragonfly

The Gynacantha khasiaca, commonly known as the Long-tailed Duskhawker, is a rare and distinct dragonfly species within the family Aeshnidae.

Identified for its unique morphology and crepuscular habits, the species serves as a biological indicator of ecosystem health in South-eastern Asia.

Robert McLachlan first described the species in 1896 based on specimens from the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya.

Habitat: The Long-tailed Duskhawker primarily inhabits South-eastern Asia, often found near forest edges and dense vegetation.

Morphological Characteristics

The species exhibits color changes based on age and sexual dimorphism.

General Features:

Large size with a slender, elongated abdomen typically measuring 47–51 mm.
Thorax: Bright green with two thick blackish-brown stripes on each side.
Wings: Hyaline (transparent) but tinted with a distinct bright amber color at the base.
Pterostigma: Dark brown, covering 4 to 5 cells.
Anal Appendages: Black. A primary diagnostic feature is the inferior anal appendages, which exceed half the length (approximately two-thirds) of the superior appendages.

Mature Males:

Eyes: Range from pale blue to olive green.
Frons: Light green featuring a prominent black "T" shaped mark on the upper side.
Abdomen: Segment 1 is green laterally and brown dorsally; Segment 2 is bluish laterally; Segments 3–7 feature jugal paired spots and greenish apical annules; Segments 8–10 are entirely black.

Young/Immature Individuals:

Younger specimens often exhibit a brown morph, which transitions to green as they age.
Eyes: Olive brown.
Thorax: Light yellowish sides.
Abdomen: Blackish-brown dorsal surface with a pale yellow underside.

Ecology and Behavior

Crepuscular Nature: Like other members of the Gynacantha genus, this dragonfly is most active during dusk/twilight.
Habitat: It inhabits dense forests, forest edges, and human habitations with heavy vegetation near aquatic bodies (rivers, marshes, and pools).
Biological Indicator: As a predator, it occupies a vital position in wetland and terrestrial food chains, serving as a reliable indicator of ecosystem health and a biocontrol agent for obnoxious insects.

Conservation Status and Threats

IUCN Red List: Categorized as Data Deficient (DD) due to limited knowledge regarding its seasonality, distribution, and low number of known localities.
Primary Threats:
- Urbanization: Rapid city expansion reduces natural and semi-natural habitats.
- Pollution: Residual habitats suffer from various pollutants that impact Odonata populations.
- Habitat Loss: The construction of buildings and concrete structures replaces the wetlands essential for their lifecycle.

Source: THEHINDU

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the recently in-news Gynacantha khasiaca:

It is a rare butterfly species recently discovered in the Western Ghats.
It is currently categorized as 'Data Deficient' by the IUCN.
It is crepuscular in nature, meaning it is highly active during twilight hours.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Gynacantha khasiaca (commonly known as the Long-tailed Duskhawker) is a rare dragonfly species, not a butterfly. It is well-known in parts of Northeast and Eastern India, though it made recent headlines for being rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh's Namdapha National Park after 110 years.

Statement 2 is correct: It is currently categorized as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, as scientists currently possess very little data regarding its population trends, breeding ecology, and exact habitat ranges.

Statement 3 is correct: The genus Gynacantha consists of large dragonflies known for their pale brown and green coloration and crepuscular behaviour, meaning they are most highly active during the low-light twilight hours (dawn and dusk).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It is a rare and elusive dragonfly species belonging to the family Aeshnidae, commonly known as the Long-tailed Duskhawker.

It was rediscovered in the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh, 110 years after its last confirmed sighting during the 1914 Abor Expedition.

The species is currently classified as "Data Deficient" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because very little information is available about its population and distribution.