taxonID	type	description	language	source
500D87B0FFB04109EB829B66FEA7FF01.taxon	materials_examined	1 ♂ (IBC-CD 179), Periya, Wayanad District, Kerala, India (11.76930 ° N, 75.82827 ° E, 848 m a. s. l.), 11. vi. 2022, A. Vivek Chandran leg. 1 ♂ (IBC-CD 258), Periya, Wayanad District, Kerala, India (11.82166 ° N, 75.81675 ° E, 885 m a. s. l.), 23. iii. 2025, A. Vivek Chandran leg.	en	Chandran, Ayikkara Vivek, Sawant, Dattaprasad, Chandran, Reji, Koparde, Pankaj, Ogale, Hemant, Rane, Abhishek Ashok, Kunte, Krushnamegh (2025): Two new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 5679 (4): 451-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1
500D87B0FFB34107EB829FA4FBDFFF2D.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. 1 ♂ (IBC-CD 209), Manjadininnavila, Aryanad Grama Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India (8.6195 ° N, 77.1058 ° E, 115 m a. s. l.), 22. v. 2024, A. Vivek Chandran leg. Paratypes. 2 ♂♂ (IBC-CD 212 and IBC-CD 213), the location same as for the holotype, 5. viii. 2024, Reji Chandran leg.; 1 ♀ (IBC-CD 216), the location same as for the holotype, 5. viii. 2024, Reji Chandran leg.	en	Chandran, Ayikkara Vivek, Sawant, Dattaprasad, Chandran, Reji, Koparde, Pankaj, Ogale, Hemant, Rane, Abhishek Ashok, Kunte, Krushnamegh (2025): Two new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 5679 (4): 451-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1
500D87B0FFB34107EB829FA4FBDFFF2D.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species epithet sanguinithorax is a noun in apposition, derived from the Latin sanguis meaning ‘ blood’ and thorax, referring to the deep reddish colouration of the thorax, which is a distinguishing feature of this species. Proposed English name. Crimson Shadowdamsel. This name is given based on the vivid reddish colouration of the thorax, a distinguishing feature of the species and the basis for the epithet sanguinithorax.	en	Chandran, Ayikkara Vivek, Sawant, Dattaprasad, Chandran, Reji, Koparde, Pankaj, Ogale, Hemant, Rane, Abhishek Ashok, Kunte, Krushnamegh (2025): Two new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 5679 (4): 451-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1
500D87B0FFB34107EB829FA4FBDFFF2D.taxon	description	Description of holotype IBC-CD 209 (Figs. 1 – 2). In life, the thorax dark crimson red and brownish black with bluish – white markings. Post – mortem, some bluish – white markings fade away. Head (Fig. 1 a – b). In life, eyes bottle green with a broad band of reddish brown in the middle. Post – mortem, eyes and the band turn darker. Labium pale yellowish brown, labrum, anteclypeus, and bases of mandibles turquoise blue. Labrum has a thick, black apical border. Postclypeus black. Antefrons and postfrons dark brown. Scape and pedicel of antennae light brown, flagellum dark brown. Ocelli round and translucent, median much larger than lateral. Occipital bar black, behind head light brown. Thorax. Prothorax (Fig. 1 d – e). Dark rufous brown without any markings in life. Post – mortem, the anterior and middle lobes turn light brown, while posterior lobe turns blackish. The twin protuberances of middle lobe bean – shaped in dorsal view. Posterior lobe with a shallow depression at either end. Dorsal half of propleuron rufous brown, yellowish white below. Pterothorax (Fig. 1 f – g). In life, the ground colour is crimson red, which becomes rufous brown post – mortem. Mesostigmal plates and mid – dorsal carina black. Broad, dark green stripes on mesepisternum. Mesepimeron crimson red. More than half of metepisternum bluish white, rest crimson red, the bluish white fades post – mortem. Metepimeron bluish white in life, fades to pale yellow post – mortem. Mesinfraepisternum crimson red, pale towards coxa. Metinfraepisternum and ventral side of thorax yellowish white. Legs. Pale brown. Femora lined with dark brown on extensor surface. Tibiae and tarsi dark brown. Wings (Fig. 2 a). Hyaline, Pt blood – red, rectangular, covering one cell. One cell between RP 3 + 4 - IR 2 and RP 2 - IR 1 in FW and HW. 2 Ax in all wings. 14 Px in all wings except right HW, where it is 13. Abdomen (Fig. 1 c). Blackish brown marked with pale bluish white. S 1 – 2 white ventrolaterally. S 3 with a narrow annule at the base. S 3 – 4 have a faded white ventral stripe in the middle. S 4 – 7 with broader annules which are more extended ventrolaterally, the one on S 7 being turquoise blue. S 8 turquoise blue with black apical border, this black continuing along the mid – dorsum in a gradually narrowing fashion. S 9 – 10 fully black without any marking. S 6 is the longest segment, almost of same width throughout. S 7 also very long, but broadens apically. S 8 shorter, less than half the length of S 7, slightly broadens apically. S 9 shorter than S 8, narrows apically. S 10 very short. Accessory genitalia (Fig. 2 b – e). Lamina depressed. Anterior hamuli broad with blunt ends. Posterior hamuli short and setaceous. Vesica spermalis elongated. Genital ligula: proximate segment setaceous, long and curved. Middle segment short, broadens apically. Distal segment produced into two filaments with nearly triangular tips. Caudal appendages (Fig. 2 f – h). Black. Cerci more than twice the length of S 10, with a large, sharp spine before the middle, making an angle of about 60 ° with the cerci. The apical half of cerci broad and flattened, ending in pincer – like tips. The inner fork is short, with rounded border, resembling thumb. The outer fork is longer, with a shallow notch making the apex bilobed. The dorsal surface of the cerci apex does not bear any tubercle (marked with arrow). The longer, outer fork with a broad, shallow dent. Paraprocts half the length of cerci, broad at base, curve inwards, tapering to a blunt point which is pale yellow. Paraprocts also curve upwards, almost touching the cerci at the middle. Measurements. Abdomen without appendages 37; HW 22; total length 43. Variation in males (Figs. 3 – 6). IBC- 212 male has a darker rufous ground colour post-mortem; however, the bluish white markings are well preserved. Posterior lobe of prothorax slightly asymmetrical with the left end having a shallower depression compared to the right. Px 15 in both FW, 14 in both HW. IBC-CD 213 male is more similar to the holotype, but the bluish white markings of thorax more preserved. Posterior lobe of prothorax slightly asymmetrical with the depression at the left side deeper and pronounced, shallower and less defined at the right. Px 14 in both FW, 13 in both HW. Measurements. IBC-CD 212: Abdomen without appendages 35; HW 21.5; total length 40. IBC-CD 213: Abdomen without appendages 37; HW 23.5; total length 44. Description of paratype female IBC-CD 216 (Figs. 7 – 8). In life, dark crimson red and brownish black with bluish – white markings. Head (Fig. 7 a – b). In life, eyes bottle green above and pale blue below, the two colours separated by a broad, equatorial band of reddish brown. Eyes fade to pale green post – mortem and the band becomes narrower. Labium pale yellowish brown. Apical half of labrum and postclypeus black. Basal half of labrum, anteclypeus, and bases of mandibles turquoise blue. Antefrons and postfrons dark brown. Scape and pedicel of antennae light brown, flagellum dark brown. Ocelli round and translucent, median larger than lateral. Occipital bar black, behind head light brown. Thorax. Prothorax (Fig. 7 d – e). Dark rufous brown without any markings in life. Post – mortem, the anterior lobe turns light brown, while the middle and posterior lobes turn blackish. The twin protuberances of middle lobe bean – shaped in dorsal view. Posterior lobe with asymmetrical depressions at either ends, the left one being shallow and the right one deeper. Dorsal three – quarters of propleuron rufous brown, yellowish white below. Pterothorax (Fig. 7 f – g). In life, the ground colour is dark crimson, which becomes rufous brown post – mortem. Mesostigmal plates and mid – dorsal carina black. Broad, dark green stripes on mesepisternum. Mesepimeron dark crimson. More than half of metepisternum bluish white, rest dark crimson. Metepimeron bluish white in life, fades to pale yellow post – mortem. Mesinfraepisternum dark crimson, pale towards coxa. Metinfraepisternum and ventral side of thorax yellowish white. Legs. Pale brown. Femora lined with dark brown on extensor surface. Tibiae and tarsi dark brown. Wings. Hyaline, Pt blood – red, rectangular, covering one cell. Ab is absent. One cell between RP 3 + 4 - IR 2 and RP 2 - IR 1 in FW and HW. 2 Ax in all wings. 12 Px in all wings, except left HW, where it is 11. Abdomen (Figs. 7 c, 8 e – f). Blackish brown marked with pale bluish white as follows. S 1 with a large ventral spot. S 2 with a narrow basal ring that continues as a ventral stripe till three – quarters of the segment. S 3 – 4 have a faded white ventral stripe in the middle, much smaller than in the male. S 3 – 7 with broader annules which are more extended ventrolaterally, the one on S 7 being turquoise blue. S 8 – 10 black with a brownish tinge ventrolaterally. S 8 short, cylindrical, as broad as S 7. S 9 broader and longer than S 8. S 10 very short and narrow. Caudal appendages (Fig. 8 b – d). Cerci black, conical, shorter than S 10. Paraprocts much shorter and stubby. Vulvar scale robust, extending beyond the abdomen. Measurements. Abdomen without appendages 30; HW 20; total length 35.	en	Chandran, Ayikkara Vivek, Sawant, Dattaprasad, Chandran, Reji, Koparde, Pankaj, Ogale, Hemant, Rane, Abhishek Ashok, Kunte, Krushnamegh (2025): Two new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 5679 (4): 451-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1
500D87B0FFBD4113EB829D56FBDFFBC5.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. 1 ♂ (IBC-CD 342), Vanoshi, Dodamarg Taluka, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India (15.7225 ° N, 73.9790 ° E, 21 m a. s. l.), 11. viii. 2024, Abhishek Rane leg. Paratypes. 1 ♂ (IBC-BN 825), Papdi, Nene village, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India (15.9247 ° N, 74.0245 ° E, 776 m a. s. l.), 10. vi. 2021, Hemant Ogale leg.; 2 ♂♂ (IBC-CD 341 and IBC-CD 343), the location, date of collection, collector same as holotype; 2 ♀♀ (IBC-CD 344 and IBC-CD 345), the location, date of collection, collector same as holotype.	en	Chandran, Ayikkara Vivek, Sawant, Dattaprasad, Chandran, Reji, Koparde, Pankaj, Ogale, Hemant, Rane, Abhishek Ashok, Kunte, Krushnamegh (2025): Two new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 5679 (4): 451-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1
500D87B0FFBD4113EB829D56FBDFFBC5.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species epithet shambhaveei is a noun in genitive case, derived from the Sanskrit word Shambhavee meaning ‘ beloved of Lord Shiva, ’ a principal deity in Hindu mythology. This species was first observed at Hiranyakeshi area of Amboli, which holds religious significance as a sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva. Proposed English name. Konkan Shadowdamsel. This vernacular name is proposed to honour the rich biodiversity of the Konkan region, located at the foothills of the Western Ghats.	en	Chandran, Ayikkara Vivek, Sawant, Dattaprasad, Chandran, Reji, Koparde, Pankaj, Ogale, Hemant, Rane, Abhishek Ashok, Kunte, Krushnamegh (2025): Two new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 5679 (4): 451-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1
500D87B0FFBD4113EB829D56FBDFFBC5.taxon	description	Description of holotype IBC-CD 342 (Figs. 9 – 10). Head (Fig. 9 a – b). Labium brown; labrum, anteclypeus, base of mandible bluish white; mandible, postclypeus black; frons dark brown; occiput black; ocelli dark brown to black; postocular area dark brown; antennae pale brown. Eyes bottle green with a narrow brown band in the middle in life, darker or paler post – mortem with obscure middle band. Thorax. Prothorax (Fig. 9 d – e). Dark brown in life with sky – blue marking on lateral of middle lobe, black mark on mid part of posterior lobe. Post – mortem, all lobes brown; anterior lobe paler on side, dark in the middle; middle lobe with lateral faded sky – blue mark on each side, black on mid part, slight protuberance on each posterolateral aspect; posterior lobe with dark brown to black markings, posterior border with a wide cleft on either side. Pterothorax (Fig. 9 f – g). Ground colour is dark brown in life, medium to dark brown post – mortem. Mesostigmal plates and mid – dorsal carina black; medial two thirds of mesepisternum dark olive, lateral one third medium to dark brown; mesepimeron medium to dark brown; upper half of metepisternum bluish white, lower half medium brown; metepimeron bluish white in life, pale yellow post – mortem; metapleural suture black. Mesinfraepisternum medium to dark brown, pale towards coxa; metinfraepisternum and ventral thorax pale yellow. Legs. Coxae pale yellow. Femora pale brown with dark brown line in extensor surface, brown mark on lower one third part. Tibiae and tarsi pale brown to brown; tibio – femoral joints black; spines brown. Wings (Fig. 10 a). Hyaline; venation dark brown to black; Pt dark brown, rectangular, covering one cell; a very small indentation on the posterior border of wing apex. One cell between RP 3 + 4 - IR 2 and RP 2 - IR 1 in FW and HW. 2 Ax in all wings. 15 Px in both FW, 14 Px in both HW. Abdomen (Fig. 9 c). Medium brown to black with pale yellow and bluish white markings. S 1 – 2 dorsally medium brown with darker posteriorly, ventrally pale yellow; S 3 medium brown with obscure pale yellow annular mark at anterior end, black posteriorly; S 4 – 5 medium to dark brown with broad pale yellow mark at anterior end, black posteriorly; S 6 – 7 dark brown to black with broad pale yellow mark at anterior end; S 8 black with bluish white mark anterolaterally separated by a thick black band on dorsum; S 9 – 10 black without any markings. S 8 gradually broadens towards posterior end, then again narrow downs from S 9. S 10 very short. Accessory genitalia (Fig. 10 b – e). Lamina depressed. Anterior hamuli broad with blunt ends. Posterior hamuli short and setaceous. Vesica spermalis elongated. Proximal segment of genital ligula blackish brown ventrally, pale dorsally, with moderate setae. Middle segment brown, short. Apical segment flattened, spatula – shaped, pale yellow to amber, with two filaments ending with reniform tips in dorsal or ventral view. The upper corners of apical segment are pointed. Middle projection is broad, roughly triangular. Caudal appendages (Fig. 10 f – h). Black. Cerci approximately thrice the length of S 10, bears a sharp prominent spine at anterior one-third, upper border of spine making ~ 160 ° angle with the cerci. The cerci apex is broad, flattened and ending with pincer – like tip resembling thumb and fingers shape. The inner fork is short, with somewhat rounded border, resembling thumb. The outer fork is longer, with a shallow notch. A small tubercle on the dorsal surface of the cerci apex (marked with arrow). Paraprocts black, curved inwards, half the length of cerci, broad at base, tapering towards apex; apex narrow, rounded; a conspicuous tubercle at the base of inner border of paraproct. Measurements. Abdomen without appendages 35; HW 20; total length 42.5. Variation in males (Figs. 11 – 12). IBC-BN 825 is slightly darker than the holotype with reduced blue markings probably due to post – mortem changes. The apical segment of genital ligula of IBC-BN 825 has prominent horns at the upper corners (Fig. 12 e – g). Rest of the characters are similar to the holotype. IBC-CD 341 male has 14 Px in both FW and 11 Px in both HW. Measurements. IBC-BN 825: Abdomen without appendages 35; HW 21; total length 42. Description of paratype female IBC-CD 345 (Figs. 13 – 14). Head (Fig. 13 a – b). Similar to male, except the labrum, anteclypeus being more vivid blue; the brown band of the eye slightly broader and overall darker head. Thorax. Prothorax (Fig. 13 d – e). Medium brown to dark brown, faint pale blue mark on lateral of middle lobe in life, obscure post – mortem. Anterior and middle lobe medium brown with central darker portion. Posterior lobe medium brown to dark brown with central part black, posterior border with two processes, the upper one longer, lower one very short, both the processes better seen in dorsal view. Pterothorax (Fig. 13 f – g). Similar to male except overall darker colouration. Legs. Coxae, femora, tibiae and tarsi pale brown; narrow dark brown streak on extensor surface of femora; tibio – femoral joint and spines dark brown. Wings (Figs. 13 c, 14 a). Hyaline; venation dark brown to black; Pt brown, rectangular, covering one cell. One cell between RP 3 + 4 - IR 2 and RP 2 - IR 1 in FW and HW. 2 Ax in all wings. 15 Px in both FW, 14 Px in both HW. Abdomen (Figs. 13 c, 14 e – f). Medium brown to black with pale yellow and bluish white markings. S 1 – 2 dorsally medium brown, ventrally pale yellow; S 3 – 4 medium brown, pale yellow at anterior end and middle of anterolateral part, black at posterior end; S 5 – 6 black, pale marks similar to previous segments; S 7 black, bluish white broad annular mark at anterior end separated by thin black line on dorsum; S 8 – 10 black, without any markings. S 1 – 8 are of equal breadth, S 9 bulkier with transverse bulge, S 10 narrow. Caudal appendages (Fig. 14 b – d). Cerci dark brown to black, conical, approximately equal to S 10, cerci apex slightly curved outwards. Paraprocts very short and globular. Vulvar scale dark brown, robust, extending beyond the abdomen. Measurements. Abdomen without appendages 22; HW 16; total length 27.	en	Chandran, Ayikkara Vivek, Sawant, Dattaprasad, Chandran, Reji, Koparde, Pankaj, Ogale, Hemant, Rane, Abhishek Ashok, Kunte, Krushnamegh (2025): Two new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 5679 (4): 451-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1
500D87B0FFAD4116EB829AE3FC30F94E.taxon	discussion	(Note: Exact cerci structure of P. anamalaica and P. monticola are not presented in the original descriptions. Hence to accommodate these species in the keys, tentative identification characters are mentioned. However, this key may get amended after thorough examination of cerci structure of these species.)	en	Chandran, Ayikkara Vivek, Sawant, Dattaprasad, Chandran, Reji, Koparde, Pankaj, Ogale, Hemant, Rane, Abhishek Ashok, Kunte, Krushnamegh (2025): Two new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa 5679 (4): 451-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5679.4.1
