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Rediscovery of rare Anisoptera, Camacinia Harterti, Karsh 1890 (Odonata: Libellulidae) from Sikkim Himalaya, India

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Abstract

Odonata, a primitive group of amphibiotic insects, serves as vital indicators of habitat quality and ecosystem health due to their specific habitat preferences. Additionally, they contribute significantly to pest population control due to their predatory nature during both larval and adult stage. The genus, Camacinia, belonging to sub-family Libellulinae and family Libellulidae is known to comprise three species globally, Camacinia gigantea, Camacinia harterti and Camacinia othello. In India, C. harterti was first reported from Sikkim by Martin (Bull Mus Hist Nat 1900:103–108, 1900) and was enlisted in Indian Odonata fauna by Fraser (J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 27:253–269, 1920). However, the species was removed from Indian Odonata list and was not enlisted in majority of the recent literatures on Odonates of India. Here we report the recent sighting of Camacinia harterti, Karsch (Berl Entomol Z 33:347–392, 1890) from Namphing in Namchi District, Sikkim, India. There was no report of occurrence of C. harterti from Sikkim after Martin (Bull Mus Hist Nat 1900:103–108, 1900) record, and recent sighting of this species from Sikkim, India is a rediscovery of this species after a gap of 122 years. The implications of this rediscovery are significant, prompting thorough and extensive research on Odonates in the Himalaya.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Sikkim University, Gangtok, India for providing essential facilities to undertake research on odonates. We are grateful to Forests and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim for granting us a research permit. We thank Dr K.A. Subramanian for helping us with identification and Dr Sailendra Dewan for various supports. The contribution of field assistant Mr. Harka Bahadur Thapa during sampling of odonates in the field is highly appreciated.

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  1. Ecology, Biogeography and Conservation Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, Tadong-737102, India

    Neera Rawat & Bhoj Kumar Acharya

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  1. Neera Rawat
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  2. Bhoj Kumar Acharya
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Correspondence to Bhoj Kumar Acharya.

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Rawat, N., Acharya, B.K. Rediscovery of rare Anisoptera, Camacinia Harterti, Karsh 1890 (Odonata: Libellulidae) from Sikkim Himalaya, India. Int J Trop Insect Sci 44, 989–993 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-024-01182-z

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