Survey discovers six new species from Periyar Tiger Reserve in Keralam

Highlighting the rich biodiversity of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Keralam’s Thekkady, a four-day faunal survey recorded six species previously undocumented in the reserve, including one bird, one butterfly, and four odonate species.

According to officials, the newly recorded bird species is the golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis). A total of 174 bird species were documented during the exercise, raising the reserve’s cumulative bird count to 347.

The survey also recorded the common onyx butterfly (Horaga onyx). With 192 butterfly species sighted during the four-day event, the total number of documented butterfly species in the reserve has risen to 284.

Common onyx butterfly (Horaga onyx).
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Odonate species

Additionally, four odonate species (dragonflies and damselflies) were recorded in the reserve for the first time: the parakeet darner (Gynacantha millardi), fraser’s clubtail (Acrogomphus fraseri), spiny horntail (Burmagomphus chaukulensis), and nilgiri clawtail (Lamelligomphus nilgiriensis). With 68 odonate species documented in total, the consolidated odonate checklist for PTR now stands at 111.

Spiny horntail (Burmagomphus chaukulensis).
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Beyond birds, butterflies, and odonates, the composite assessment documented 15 mammal, 30 spider, 34 ant, and five cicada species.

Kalesh Sadasivan, research associate of the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS) noted that the golden-headed cisticola is a rare species typically found at higher elevations. He added that the findings reflect the importance of the reserve’s elevational gradient, evergreen forests, grasslands, and ecotonal habitats in supporting diverse wildlife assemblages.

“The healthy ecosystem and unpolluted water bodies in PTR are behind these new records. Surveys have been conducted regularly over the last decade, consistently documenting new additions,” Dr. Sadasivan said.

Necessity of surveys

P.P. Pramod, field director of PTR, stated that adding six new distribution records to an area as intensively studied as Periyar highlights the necessity of systematic biodiversity surveys. “These studies help us understand changes in species distribution and habitat use, strengthening the evidence base for long-term conservation management,” he said.

“The survey covered widely separated camps representing varied elevations, habitats, and levels of accessibility,” said Periyar East division deputy director Midhun Mohan.

Fraser’s clubtail (Acrogomphus fraseri).
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Held from September 10 to 13, the survey was a collaborative effort involving 75 delegates from 21 NGOs, academic and research institutions, along with Forest department officials and frontline staff. Participants were organised into 21 teams deployed across 20 active base camps to cover all major ecological zones of the tiger reserve.