14-Jan-2024 07:54 PM
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Chennai, Jan 14 (Reporter) A new species of butterfly was discovered
Western Ghats get a new species of butterfly after 33 years and
is called "The Cloud Forest Silverline"
An official release here said a new species of Silver line butterfly
namely “Cigaritis meghamalaiensis" has been discovered in the
Megamalai division of Srivilliputtur Megamalai Tiger Reserve.
This marks the first discovery of a new butterfly species in the
Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu in 33 years.
The new species is named after the region – Megamalai which means
‘cloud mountain’.
With this discovery the total number of butterflies in Western Ghats will
rise to 337 species, including 40 Western Ghats endemics.
Researchers from Vanam, an NGO based in Theni led by Dr.Kalesh
Sadasivam, S.Ramasamy Kamaya and Dr.C.P. Rajkumar made the
discovery.
This has been published in the current issue of peer reviewed, journal
“ENTOMON”.
The discovery was made by the researchers with the support provided
by the Chief Wildlife Warden Srinivas Reddy, Deputy Director, Anand
and Field Director, Ms Padmawathe, the release said...////...