Context:
The pristine hills of the Meghamalai in Tamil Nadu have thrown up a new species of ‘silverline’ butterflies.
Relevance:
Species in News
Dimensions of the Article:
- Cigaritis Meghamalaiensis: A New Butterfly Species
- Periyar Tiger Reserve: Key Facts
Cigaritis Meghamalaiensis: A New Butterfly Species
- Recently discovered butterfly species in the Western Ghats, named Cigaritis meghamalaiensis.
- Marks the first butterfly species described from the Western Ghats in 33 years.
- Discovered in the high elevations of Periyar in Idukki in 2018, with subsequent findings revealing its confinement to the Meghamalais and the adjoining Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- Unique features include conjoined discal and post-discal bands on the forewing underside, setting it apart from other Cigaritis species in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
Periyar Tiger Reserve: Key Facts
- Located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, named after the River Periyar originating within the reserve.
- Drained by two main rivers, Pamba and Periyar.
- Rich biodiversity with tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous vegetation.
- Home to various tribal communities, including the Mannans and the Palians.
- Diverse flora, including teak, mangoes, rosewood, jamun, jacarandas, terminalias, tamarind, royal ponciana, and bamboos.
- Fauna includes elephants, wild pigs, sambar, gaur, mouse deer, dole or barking deer, Indian wild dog, and tigers.
-Source: The Hindu
