Scientists discover new dragonfly sub-species

Scientists have discovered three ancient dragonfly sub-species indigenous to China at the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, one of the researchers announced on Wednesday.

"The three sub-species are found nowhere else in the world," said Zhang Haomiao, an aquatic animal researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Zhang said the sub-species can be used to monitor water quality, as they live only in the relatively pristine streams of Shennongjia and cannot tolerate polluted water.

The dragonflies do not like sunshine and only become active after dusk, the researcher said.

The scientists' findings have been published in the International Journal of Odontology.