Recorded and lost: Methles indicus Régimbart, 1899 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) a new distribution record from the state of Telangana: a case study on habitat loss due to urban encroachment

Authors

  • Shiva Shankar Freshwater Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Hyderabad, Telangana 500048, India; Department of Zoology, Virudhunagar Hindu Nadars Senthikumara Nadar College (Autonomous) (Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University), Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu 625021, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8273-3985
  • Deepa Jaiswal Freshwater Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Hyderabad, Telangana 500048, India.
  • Devadoss Kumar Department of Zoology, Virudhunagar Hindu Nadars Senthikumara Nadar College (Autonomous) (Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University), Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu 625021, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10446.18.7.29350-29353

Keywords:

Ameenpur Lake, anthropogenic pressure, aquatic beetle, biodiversity heritage site, biodiversity loss, Coleoptera, habitat condition, riparian vegetation

Abstract

Globally, freshwater ecosystems are facing a high level of threat due to rapid development, urbanization, and anthropogenic pressures. Ameenpur Lake, a designated biodiversity heritage site in Hyderabad, Telangana, has significantly supported wide variety of aquatic biodiversity. During field explorations, the aquatic coleopteran species Methles indicus Régimbart, 1899, was recorded from banks of this lake and marked as first distributional occurrence from the state. However, subsequent habitat degradation caused by extensive construction and encroachment has led to the apparent local elimination of this species. The study highlights the loss of Methles indicus as a sign of declining freshwater habitat health and emphasizes the urgent need for habitat preservation and successful conservation strategies.

References

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Published

26-07-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 7 (2026)

Section

Short Communications

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Copyright (c) 2026 Shiva Shankar, Deepa Jaiswal, Devadoss Kumar

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