Dimerias in Peninsular India

Vol. 1(2)

A 'Dimeria-field' (mature stage) in Northern Kerala

Dimerias dominates the herbaceous stratum of western peninsular regions of India during the period of retreat-monsoon (September–November). Members of Dimeriinae are particularly abundant in the Western Peninsular India, which includes the Northern Western Ghats and its coastal zone and the Southern Western Ghats region.

The highest concentration of species is found in Southern Western Ghats. In fact 28 of the 42 Peninsular Indian taxa (including 7 varieties) can be found in this small region from the South of Goa, Karnataka, Kerala to Tamil Nadu states. 17 taxa are exclusively endemic to this region. The high degree of endemism in the Peninsular Indian region (especially in Western Ghats), both within Dimeriinae and among its allies, suggests that the subtribe originated in this area. (excerpts from Ph. D. thesis).