Description

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Context:

Lyriothemis abrahami, a new dragonfly species long misidentified as L. flava, has been officially documented after a decade of research by Indian scientists.

About Lyriothemis abrahami:

Aspect	Details
Discovered In	Kerala, India
Habitat	Breeds in small water pools found in tree holes
Key Features	- Exhibits strong sexual dimorphism - Males: Uniquely shaped hamules - Females: Jet black bodies with yellow triangular spots
Elevation Range	Found in forests from 50 m to 1,100 m above sea level
Forest Types	Lowland rainforests, mid-elevation evergreen forests, and deciduous forests
Biodiversity Significance	Increased Kerala’s odonate species count to 191, including 78 endemic species
Ecological Role of Dragonflies	- Indicators of forest and freshwater ecosystem health - Apex insect predators - Regulate mosquito and pest populations, especially in urban and forest areas

Source: The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Lyriothemis abrahami, recently discovered in Kerala, is:

A) A rare amphibian found in the Western Ghats

B) A freshwater fish species endemic to Kerala rivers

C) A dragonfly species that breeds in tree holes

D) A butterfly species found in alpine meadows

Answer: C

Explanation:

Lyriothemis abrahami is a newly discovered dragonfly species in Kerala that breeds in tree-hole water pools and exhibits strong sexual dimorphism. Found between 50–1,100 m in diverse forest types, it highlights Kerala’s rich odonate diversity and the ecological role of dragonflies as indicators of ecosystem health and insect population regulators.