The hills of Meghamalai in Tamil Nadu have recently revealed a newfound butterfly species, Cigaritis meghamalaiensis.
- The last taxon reported from the Western Ghats was in 1990 – Eurema (Terias) nilgiriensis, the Sahyadri Grass Yellow.
About the Cigaritis meghamalaiensis:
- The Cigaritis meghamalaiensis belongs to the Cigaritis genus, and are confined to the Meghamalais and the adjacent Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- The distinct feature lies in the conjoined and parallel discal and post-discal bands on the adult butterfly’s forewing underside, differentiating it from other Cigaritis of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
About the Meghamalai Hills:
- The Meghamalai Hills is a part of the Varushanadu Hills located in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu.
- Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in this region, providing protection to the diverse wildlife inhabiting the area.
- It is famous for its tea and cardamom plantations.
- It is commonly known as the High Wavy Mountains.
- Vegetation: Scrub forests and dense evergreen forests.
- Fauna: Oriental honey buzzard, great pied hornbill, Indian brown mongoose, Jerdon’s palm civet, white-bellied short-wing, black-naped monarch, pied thrush, gaur, tiger, leopard, Elephant, mouse deer etc.
About the Periyar Tiger Reserve:
- The Periyar Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary located in Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats of Kerala.
- It encompasses the Periyar National Park, which is a crucial part of the reserve.
- It was established in 1982 and is named after the Periyar River that flows through the region.
- It is part of the Periyar-Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, which was designated by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2001.
- The Periyar Lake, an artificial reservoir created by the Mullaperiyar Dam, is an integral part of the reserve.
- The reserve is home to various tribal communities like the Mannans, Paliyans, and Ooralis.
- Vegetation: Tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
- Fauna: Elephants, tigers, Indian bison, sambar deer, gaur, wild pig, Indian giant squirrel, Travancore flying squirrel, jungle cat, Dhole, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, etc.
Ref: Source
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