JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hornbill House, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, Mumbai 400 001.

Executive EbItor

Asad R. Rahmani, Ph. D.

Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai

Copy Epitor

Ranjit Manakadan, Ph. D.

Bombay Natural History Society

Copy AND PropucTION EDIToR

Vibhuti Dedhia, M. Sc.

Bombay Natural History Society

Editorial Board

Ajith Kumar, Ph. D.

Aasheesh Pittie, B. Com.

National Centre for Biological Sciences,

Bird Watchers Society of Andhra Pradesh,

GKVK Campus, Hebbal, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Karnataka G.S. Rawat, Ph. D.

C.R. Babu, Ph. D. Wildlife Institute of India,

Professor, Centre for Environmental Management Dehradun, Uttarakhand

of Degraded Ecosystems, J.D. Marcus Knight, Ph. D.

University of Delhi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

New Delhi J.S. Singh, Ph. D.

Anwaruddin Choudhury, Ph. D., D. Sc. Professor, Saulelee: Hindu University

The Rhino Foundation for Nature, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Guwahati, Assam S. Subramanya, Ph. D.

; University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK,

Het I ey SS Hebbal, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation,

Universiti Malaysia, Sarawak, R. Sukumar, Ph. D.

Malaysia Professor, Centre for Ecological Sciences,

Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Romulus Whitaker, B. Sc.

Madras Reptile Park and Crocodile Bank Trust,

Tamil Nadu

S.R. Yadav, Ph. D.

Shivaji University, Kolhapur,

Maharashtra

Y.V. Jhala, Ph. D.

Wildlife Institute of India,

Dehradun, Uttarakhand

K. Ullas Karanth, Ph. D.

Wildlife Conservation Society — India Program,

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Consultant Editors

Gayatri W. Ugra, Ph. D.

Bombay Natural History Society

Raghunandan Chundawat, Ph. D.

Wildlife Conservation Society, Bengaluru

Nigel Collar, Ph. D.

BirdLife International, UK

Rhys Green, Ph. D.

Royal Society for Protection of Birds, UK

Qamar Qureshi, M. Phil.

Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun

Editorial Assistant: Sonali V. Vadhavkar, M. Sc.

Layout and Typesetting: V. Gopi Naidu

recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Enquiries concerning

reproduction outside the scope of the above should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary, BNHS at the address given above.

EDITORIAL

VOLUME 112(1): APRIL 2015

CONTENTS

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A SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE PROTOCOL FOR DNA ISOLATION FROM AVIAN BLOOD

Mandar Dilip Kulkarni, Rohan Shringarpure, Purvi Bhatt, Nikita Prakash and Vibhu Prakash ................:::::ccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

DOES CAPTIVITY AFFECT THE AEROBIC CULTURABLE GASTROINTESTINAL AND RESPIRATORY MICROFLORA OF THE

INDIAN GYPS VULTURES?

Rohan Narendra Shringarpure, Mandar Dilip Kulkarni, Chhaya Sawant, Ashok Bhagwat and Vibhu Prakash...............:::00:08

TRACKING THE MOVEMENT PATTERN OF BAR-HEADED GOOSE ANSER INDICUS CAPTURED FROM THE GHARANA

1. NATURE AND NATION: ESSAYS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY

CONSERVATION RESERVE, INDIA

Neeraj Mahar, Bilal Habib, Tahir Shawl, Govindan Veeraswami Gopi, Intesar Suhail, Jigmet Takpa and Syed Ainul Hussain..

REVIEW

Reviewed try Asie Axe rcalaranenrn ttt cee Stee ES ae ae cd ae rama mruarscaadles ‘ee,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

MAMMALS

ft.

Anote on seed dispersal of Rock Banana Ensete superbum

by Asian Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus

at Sinhgad fort, Maharashtra, India

Amol R. Kulavmode, Vithoba M. Hegde and

Ashish Agkambale .........:¢. 45.040 canoe ee tae ee

Predation on Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra fawn by Wild

Boar Sus scrofa in Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary,

Tamil Nadu, India

Dhanaraj Sadrack Jabaraj Frank, Govindan Veeraswami

Gopi and Kalayanasundaram Sankar ..............::::0eceeeeeee

AVES

Indian Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa feeding on carrion

Asif N. Khan.............. an tbllbrs Urvlady Seales ARNE Ae Satine

New record of Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca

(Guldenstadt, 1770) from Andaman & Nicobar Islands,

India

C. Sivaperuman, G. Gokulakrishnan and J. Dinesh......

Record of Common Tern Sterna hirundo from Andaman

& Nicobar Islands, India

PSit NN; RING. sans isPeaerasaeean eet eee eae ee

Sighting of Greater Scaup Aythya marila and Pallid

Scops-owl Otus brucei in Eastern Kutch of Gujarat, India

A. Mohamed Samsoor Ali, S. Ramesh Kumar and

PRR, AUN. vicina con enna centile eae ae eee ee oie ana reer areaete

First photographic record of nest of Indian Reed-warbler

Acrocephalus (stentoreus) brunnescens from Navi

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Sujit Narwade, Mrugank Prabhu, Parveen Shaikh,

Priyanka Ambavane and Asad R. Rahman .................

First record of the Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus

frontalis in Central India

Perio Baoan aeleasnmeth arene: tadeiteeeneeenO eat aaamaiee exec ve

FISH

10.

Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus, 1766)

nesting on Bottlebrush trees Callistemon in Jodhpur,

Rajasthan, India

Sanjeev Kumar and Seema Kumat.............::00:cceerereeeees

A report on the exotic Moonlight Gourami Trichopodus

microlepis Gunther (Perciformes: Percoidei:

Osphronemidae: Luciocephalinae) from Chalakudy

river, Kerala, India

M.H. Shyla and K.S. Jameela Beevi ................::::::eee

INSECTS

act.

12.

Blue Glassy Tiger /deopsis similis persimilis (Moore 1879) —

first record for India from Namdapha National Park,

Arunachal Pradesh

Divakar Thombre and Isaac Kehimkar....................::068

Scarce Blue Tiger Tirumala gautama gautama (Moore,

1877) — First record in the Andaman Islands, India

Le ered eA RGHE fal awl cadiiatsvans aed can cae acetadne iateateah ona teer

Range extension of Lesser Three-ring Ypthima

inica Hewitson (1864) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

southwards to the Northern Western Ghats, India

Pal CU PTE Ss AN an FP ses sav tinnimanenaytehade sane aapinarcds

OTHER INVERTEBRATES

14. Cannibalistic behaviour in the Mangrove Crab

Parasesarma plicatum (Latreille, 1803)

V.P. Praveen, K. Shanij, S. Suresh and

TS Nee ences 2h. 5 ke as cael Solana Eee

BOTANY

15. Pycnocycla Lindl. (Apiaceae): a new generic record for

Maharashtra State, India

1 NER GOGO Ie IRIN PON on Sorin pnp asly ancora canadien ext

16. Enydra fluctuans Lour. — an addition to the flora of Kerala, 18. Anextended distribution of Amorphophallus konkanensis

India Hett., S.R. Yadav & K.S. Patil with notes on its floral

Sojan Jose, V. Suresh, R. Prakashkumar and variations

PA Madhtso@rahialitn sce) cang.r ccd ieee exe eee renee 46 Avinash R. Gholave and S.R. Yadav...........:::::ccceeeeeeeees

17. Papilionanthe Schltr. (Orchidaceae) — a new generic 19. Additional plant records for Karnataka, India

record for Chhattisgarh, India Nilesh V. Malpure, Arun N. Chandore and

Oh | CNet Sell ANN CA Dn. dacrte gcd pipes ee eae eral WOR ache out 47 OUR 6 tea 725 Fe aa eon Wea Pa) he ee pele Ph hs Oe

Cover Photograph: Orange Cup Coral Tubastraea coccinea by Shakti Vel

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,

GOVT. OF INDIA,

FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE JOURNAL.

Editorial

Species Guardians and Species Champions:

Is the Indian corporate world listening’?

BirdLife International, perhaps the largest conservation organization in the world with Partners and

Affiliates in 120 countries (BNHS is BirdLife Partner in India) has initiated a novel programme called

Species Guardians and Species Champions. It is succinctly displayed on their website: “The most threatened

bird species often require direct species-specific interventions in order to improve their status. BirdLife

International’s Preventing Extinctions Programme has taken action for over 500 (40%) of the world’s

threatened bird species since 2008. For many Critically Endangered species, BirdLife has identified Species

Guardians (organizations or individuals who are best placed to implement the priority actions for threatened

species) and is recruiting Species Champions (companies, institutions, and individuals who provide the

funds to support the work of Species Guardians).”

There are many corporates in India, some very well-intentioned, who want to do something for wildlife

and environment, but do not know how to go about it. Most of them end up funding school awareness,

tree plantation, and watershed programmes, which are good in the long-term but may not help species that

are threatened and dying of neglect. Many Critically Endangered species, listed by IUCN, need targeted

programmes in the form of in situ and ex situ conservation.

If you look at the Corporate Social Responsibility section of an annual report of a corporate, all

read the same. Happy, neatly dressed children digging pits in a line in a school playground, mugshots of

bosses and their wives planting trees, school awareness classes, and children clumsily holding binoculars

on a birding trip. Some of the larger corporates fund glamorous tiger-conservation programmes and feel

satisfied that they have saved the environment and our natural world. Is this enough to save our wildlife

and environment? Can’t they help to save non-glamorous, gravely threatened species facing immediate

threats of extinction? Can’t the corporates adopt a species or a group of species, and habitats and work

with conservationists and the government to reverse their decline? Many corporates depend upon the

natural resources that come from the habitats where threatened species live. Shouldn’t they pay back

for the services that biodiversity gives them? These are the questions that come to my mind when I read

glossy annual reports of corporates.

I think it is time that corporates get involved in real conservation issues and help in reversing the

decline of many Critically Endangered species. India has the misfortune of having one of the highest

numbers of globally threatened and near threatened bird species in the world. The IUCN Red List 2014 for

birds mentions 174 species in India, about 13 per cent of India’s total bird species. For many species, their

maximum numbers are present in India and if they become extinct here, they will be globally extinct. But,

how many corporates care? The case of vulture decline is too well-known to repeat here. The Critically

Endangered status of vultures is shared by Great Indian Bustard, Sociable Lapwing, Bengal Florican, Forest

Owlet, White-bellied Heron, and many more. Perhaps less than 50 individuals of White-bellied Heron are

left in India and Bhutan. Can’t the rich tea estates of Assam and West Bengal come forward to save this

magnificent bird of shallow, boulder-strewn streams of East Himalaya? Another bird that can become their

conservation mascot is the White-winged Duck. A long time ago, many tea estates were established after

cutting down the forests and draining wetlands where this Endangered duck lived for millions of years. Is

it not time to do something for this beleaguered bird?

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92196

Rapid industrialization is taking place in the prime habitat of the Great Indian Bustard, resulting in

95-98% decline in its population during the last 50 years. Once widely distributed from Haryana-Punjab

in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south, and from Rajasthan-Gujarat in the west to Odisha in the east, the

Great Indian Bustard now survives in two viable populations: Naliya landscape in Kachchh and Jaisalmer

in Rajasthan. Vast grasslands of Naliya were first taken over by the Indian Air Force in the 1970s, and now

the remaining ones are dotted by windmills or converted into agricultural fields. Windmill companies which

make so much profit can become GIB Champion in India. For two years we negotiated with a bank that

was opening branches in Rajasthan to fund GIB conservation programme, but unsuccessfully. Their initial

yes never materialized as their MD was interested only in workshops and limited awareness programmes

that give high profile to the bank.

We have many threatened species in immediate danger of extinction. The Government of India does

not have funds, or the inclination to go beyond Project Tiger. Hangul in Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur Thamin

in Manipur, River Dolphin in the Ganga, endemic frogs of the Western Ghats, endemic hill-stream fishes

of Kerala, Mahseer fish of Cauvery river, Dugong of Andaman & Nicobar — the list is endless. All these

species can become good conservation emblems of their ecosystems. There are dedicated people (species

guardians) working for their protection but most do not have enough resources. For some species, Recovery

Plans have been prepared but they are lying in cold storage due to lack of funds. For example, Hangul,

the State Animal of Jammu & Kashmir, can be easily revived by in situ and ex situ protection. A Hangul

Conservation Breeding Centre has even been established, but the State Government says that it does not

have funds to run it. Imagine a large corporate saving Hangul from extinction by sponsoring a long-term

conservation plan. What better publicity and satisfaction could one ask for? Is any corporate group listening?

Asad R. Rahmani

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

A SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE PROTOCOL FOR DNA ISOLATION

FROM AVIAN BLOOD

MAnbAR Diuie KULKARNI??, ROHAN SHRINGARPURE! “4, PuRVI BHATT’, NIKITA PRAKASH!? AND

VIBHU PRAKASH!®*

‘Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Dr. Salim Ali Chowk, S.B. Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India.

*School of Science, University of NMIMS (Deemed-to-be University), JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai 400 056,

Maharashtra, India.

7Email: [email protected]

“Email: [email protected]

°Email: [email protected]

7Email: [email protected]

* Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92186

One of the many challenges encountered during species conservation programmes is genetic management of threatened

populations. Declining populations face the threat of genetic drift and/or imbalance in sex ratios, adding to the risk

of extinction. The primary step in genetic management of any population is the isolation of DNA from an available

tissue sample. Good quality and quantity of DNA, whenever isolated, could be preserved and applied in a number of

studies. Collection of blood, which is a very good source of DNA, from birds is possible in conservation programmes.

A simple and inexpensive protocol for DNA isolation facilitates processing the blood samples in the field with ease.

Commercial kits, though available, are expensive and have limited shelf life. Herein, we report a simple protocol of

DNA isolation from avian blood. The protocol did not employ any proteases or organic solvent, making it comparatively

inexpensive. This protocol, initially developed for vulture blood, was successfully applied later for other species. The

protocol could isolate DNA sufficient for at least 50 amplification reactions. The isolated DNA was found suitable for

3-7

spectrometry as well as downstream applications like PCR and cloning.

Keywords: DNA isolation, avian blood, simple, inexpensive, vultures

Out of 10,425 species of birds worldwide, 1,375 are

threatened with the possibility of extinction, while 971 species

of birds are near threatened (IUCN 2015). This situation is

alarming for the ecosystem, as many of the threatened

species are indicator species or they occupy crucial niches

in food chains and food webs, notably the California Condor,

Ridgway’s Hawk, Walden’s Hornbill, and Asian vultures

(IUCN 2015). To revive the population of threatened bird

and mammalian species, a number of conservation initiatives

have been undertaken by various organizations. One of the

many challenges faced by the ex situ and in situ conservation

programmes is genetic management of the populations of

threatened species. Population declines are responsible for

creating genetic bottlenecks (resulting in genetic drift) and/or

imbalance in the sex ratio, which further threaten the species

(Belovsky et al. 1999; Breininger et al. 1999; Fischer and

St6cklin 1997; Newmark 1995). Hence, one of the most

important areas of study, which emerged recently, has been

the application of population genetics and molecular tools

for assisting conservation programmes. Studies like analysis

of the genetic diversity of a population (Banhos ef al. 2008;

Geyer et al. 1993; Haig et al. 1990; Miller et al. 1994),

molecular sexing (Chou et al. 2010; Ghorpade et al. 2012),

and phylogenetics (Arshad et al. 2009; Geyer et al. 1993)

have gained crucial importance in the conservation of rare

and endangered species.

The first step in any genetic study is collection of

genetic material. A good quality and quantity of DNA could

be preserved over years and could be used in various studies,

as well as applications. In conservation breeding programmes,

blood collection from live as well as dead birds (clotted blood)

is possible as birds are held in captivity. However, the absence

of a simple and inexpensive protocol for DNA isolation from

the collected blood has been a major impediment. A number of

kit-based protocols are available for DNA isolation from avian

blood. However, these kits are expensive, have a short shelf

life, and are practical only if a large number of samples need to

be processed. Moreover, the use of kits might require specific

equipment for sample processing, which may not be available

in basic laboratories. Other published protocols (Bailes et al.

2007; Khosravinia et al. 2007) require proteases, besides being

labour intensive, and often time consuming. One of the simple

and inexpensive protocols initially developed for human

blood samples that entailed 30-min treatment of samples with

0.2 M NaOH had been used for extraction of genomic DNA

from avian blood (Rudbeck and Dissing 1998), which isolated

genomic DNA sufficient for 50 to 100 amplification reactions.

A similar approach had been used for extraction of genomic

DNA ISOLATION FROM AVIAN BLOOD

DNA from feathers as a potential source (Malago et al. 2002).

However, alkaline treatment denatures the DNA, leaving it

unsuitable for quantification by sensitive-dye-fluorescence

or analysis by restriction endonuclease digestion (Bailes et

al. 2007). Besides, sample processing could differ when the

standard protocols available for isolation of genomic DNA

from mammalian blood are applied for isolating genomic

DNA from avian blood due to presence of nucleated RBCs

in birds (Grimberg et al. 1989; Helms 2002; Sambrook et al.

1989; Yokota et al. 1998).

We report a simple and inexpensive protocol for

isolation of genomic DNA from avian blood. This protocol

was developed at the BNHS-Vulture Conservation Breeding

Centre (VCBC), Pinjore, Haryana, and School of Science,

University of NMIMS, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The BNHS-

VCBC at Pinjore is the largest conservation breeding centre

for any bird in Asia and houses more than 200 vultures

belonging to three Critically Endangered Gyps species,

namely Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis,

Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus and Slender-billed Vulture

Gyps tenuirostris. The reported protocol was initially

developed for isolation of DNA from the vultures at VCBC

and was later applied for other species.

Abbreviations used in the text

DNA — Deoxyribonucleic Acid, PCR — Polymerase

Chain Reaction, IUCN — International Union for Conservation

of Nature and Natural Resources, NaOH — Sodium hydroxide,

RBCs — Red Blood Cells, EDTA— Ethylenediaminetetraacetic

acid, NaCl — Sodium chloride, CHD — Chromodomain

Helicase-DNA-binding protein gene, NCBI — National Centre

for Biotechnology Information, SDS — Sodium Dodecyl

Sulfate, TE — Tris EDTA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sample Collection

Blood samples from Slender-billed Vulture Gyps

tenuirostris, Oriental White-backed Vulture G. bengalensis,

Long-billed Vulture G. indicus, and Himalayan Vulture

G. himalayensis were collected during routine health checks

at the BNHS-VCBC, Pinjore, in September 2012. Blood from

injured Cinereous Vultures Aegypius monachus was also

collected during the same period. Blood sample from Black

Kite Milvus migrans govinda was collected from Bombay

Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai, in January 2010. Blood

sample from Domestic Fowl Gallus gallus was collected from

a local slaughterhouse in Pinjore, Haryana, in September

2012. The samples were collected in 4 ml EDTA vials and

were stored at 4 °C until DNA isolation.

Protocol of DNA isolation from avian blood

In a 2.0 ml microfuge tube, 3—4 ul of avian blood

was added to 1.5 ml of buffer A (0.005 M Tris-Cl, 0.3%

Triton X-100, 0.002 M EDTA). The contents were mixed

by gently inverting the tube and the resulting solution was

left undisturbed for 5—7 min at room temperature. The tube

was then centrifuged for 2—3 min at 1,250x g in a fixed

angled rotor at room temperature. To the resulting pellet,

400 ul of reagent B (0.2 M Sodium acetate and 0.002 M

EDTA) was added. The content was then mixed by shaking

the tubes vigorously to form a homogenous solution. 40 ul

of 10% SDS was added to this homogenous solution and

the contents of the tube were mixed gently by inverting the

tube a few times. The resultant solution was then kept at

60 °C for one hour in a water bath. After an hour, the tube

was removed and allowed to cool at room temperature.

Then, 620 ul of 5.3 M NaCl was added and the contents

were mixed well by repetitive pipetting (15—20 times) till a

milky white homogenous solution was formed. The tube was

then centrifuged at 1,000x g for 10 min at room temperature.

Resulting supernatant was carefully transferred into a

fresh 2.0 ml microfuge tube and 800 ul of ice-cold

isopropanol was added to it; the contents were mixed

well by inverting the tube and left undisturbed at 0-4 °C

for 15—20 min and centrifuged for 6 min at 5,000x g,

the supernatant was discarded. The resulting DNA pellet

was washed with | ml of 70% ethanol and then centrifuged

at 5,000x g for 6 min. Finally, the DNA pellet was dried

at room temperature and resuspended in 100 ul of 1x TE

(0.01 M Tris-Cl pH-8.0, 0.001 M EDTA pH-8.0) buffer

pH 8.0.

The protocol did not employ any proteases or organic ©

solvents like phenol. Also, all the centrifugation steps were

carried out at room temperature.

Using this protocol, DNA was isolated from Slender-

billed Vulture (male and female individuals), Oriental

White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Cinereous

Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Black Kite, and Domestic

Fowl. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the isolated

DNA was carried out using 1% agarose gel electrophoresis,

spectrometry and PCR, as well as cloning and characterization

of CHD gene (Kulkarni et al. 2014). Spectrometry was

carried out using the Nanodrop 1000 spectrophotometer and

ND 1000 V3.7.1 software.

PCR amplification of CHD gene from Gyps tenuirostris

using P2/P8 primers

The partial CHD-W and CHD-Z sequences were

amplified using the P2/P8 primer pair (Griffiths et al. 1998).

Genomic DNA isolated from known-sex individuals of a

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

DNA ISOLATION FROM AVIAN BLOOD

male (A63) and a female (A60) Slender-billed Vulture were

used in PCR to amplify the CHD-W and CHD-Z sequences.

PCR was carried out in 25 ul reaction volume, consisting

of 1x reaction buffer with 2 mM Magnesium chloride,

0.2 mM of each dNTP, 100 ng genomic DNA, 0.4 uM of

each P2 (Forward 5’-TCTGCATCGCTAAATCCTTT-3’)

and P8& (Reverse 5’-CTCCCAAGGTGAGRAAYTG-3’)

primers and 1 U PfuUltra II fusion HS DNA polymerase.

Negative control with no genomic DNA was also run with

every PCR. Thermal cycling conditions were set as: initial

denaturation at 94 °C for 4 min, followed by five cycles of

94 °C for 30 s, 49 °C for 30 s, 72 °C for 30 s, and 49 cycles

of 94 °C for 30 s, 48 °C for 20 s, 72 °C for 20 s, with final

extension at 72 °C for 5 min. The obtained PCR products were

separated on 2% agarose gel and were then purified using

QIA quick gel extraction kit for subsequent applications,

wherein cloning of the purified PCR products in pJET1.2

vector and the sequencing of the recombinant plasmids

encoding CHD-W and CHD-Z amplicons was carried out

(Kulkarni et al. 2014).

RESULTS

Purity assessment and quantification of the isolated

DNA

The purity of isolated DNA was studied by subjecting

it to gel electrophoresis and spectrometry. It is evident from

the gel electrophoresis pattern depicted in Fig. 1 that the

isolated DNA was intact as no fragmentation or smearing of

DNA was observed on the gels. The concentration of the DNA

isolated from the mentioned blood samples of two Slender-

billed Vultures and five individuals each of White-backed

Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Himalayan

Pe eS PE hea ea

Fig. 1: Gel electrophoresis of DNAisolated from various avian species

in 1% agarose (M: A-DNA/Hindlll digest marker, lanes 1—7 represent

genomic DNA isolated from: Oriental White-backed Vulture, Long-

billed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Cinereous

Vulture, Black Kite and Domestic Fowl, respectively

J, Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

Vulture and Black Kite was found to be in the range of 110.0

to 360.8 ng/ul and the 260nm/280nm ratio for all the samples

was found to be in the range 1.87 to 1.93.

Amplification of CHD-W and CHD-Z sequences by

P2/P8 PCR

Amplification of the CHD-W and CHD-Z sequences of

Slender-billed Vulture was carried out using P2/P8 primer

pair. A total of 2 samples, i.e. a male and a female Slender-

billed Vulture were processed. Both the individuals showed

a band of 400 bp on 2% agarose gel (Fig. 2). Amplification

of CHD alleles from the isolated DNA and its further use

in cloning and sequence characterization was successfully

carried out.

DISCUSSION

The DNA isolation protocol was derived from

two different approaches used for isolation of genomic

DNA from mammalian blood samples (Helms 2002;

Sambrook et al. 1989). These approaches used either

proteases (e.g., proteinase K) and/or organic solvents

(e.g., phenol:chloroform) for digestion of cellular proteins and

separation of nucleic acids or both. However, the developed

protocol employed detergents for lysis of cellular proteins

and saturated NaCl for purifying the DNA. Unlike the known

DNA isolation protocol, no proteases or organic solvents,

like phenol were employed in this study; these reagents are

expensive and require storage at -20 °C and 4 °C, respectively.

Also, all the centrifugation steps in the present protocol can

be carried out at room temperature. Thus, the new protocol

is comparatively inexpensive and can be easily used in

a laboratory with basic facilities. Further, as no alkaline

treatment was employed, the isolated DNA can be used for

quantification by sensitive intercalating-dye-fluorescence or

analysis by restriction endonuclease digestion (Bailes et al.

2007). Furthermore, avoiding use of potentially hazardous

M 1 2 3

400 bp

300 bp |

200 bp

100 bp &

Fig. 2: Gel electrophoresis of P2/P8 PCR amplicons of CHD gene

of Slender-billed Vulture in 2% agarose gel (M: 100 bp DNA ladder,

lanes 1-3 represent PCR amplicon of CHD gene from samples; no

template control, Slender-billed Vulture male (A63) and Slender-

billed Vulture female (A60)

DNA ISOLATION FROM AVIAN BLOOD

organic solvents like phenol make the approach simple and

eco-friendly. Since steps like separation of aqueous phase or

spooling out the separated DNA were eliminated, the protocol

proved easier to perform as compared to routine laboratory

protocols (Sambrook et al. 1989).

The results of the qualitative and quantitative

assessment using spectrometry analysis and agarose gel

electrophoresis also proved the efficacy of the protocol. DNA

isolated from all samples was within acceptable purity and

the quantification results proved that the least concentration

of isolated DNA was also good enough for performing at

least 50 amplification reactions.

The PCR products obtained for CHD-Z (386bp) and

CHD-W (389bp) from Slender-billed Vulture samples were

confirmed by sequence analysis after cloning them. The

sequences corresponding to CHD-W and CHD-Z genes of

the Slender-billed Vulture were submitted to NCBI GenBank

and were assigned NCBI accession numbers KF977833 and

KF977832, respectively. Since the isolated DNA from two

Slender-billed Vulture samples (known male and female)

was successfully used in the cloning and characterization of

CHD-W and CHD-Z sequences (Kulkarni et al. 2014), it is

inferred that the DNA isolated by the protocol established

in this study is of high quality and can be employed in

downstream applications without further purification.

Conservation Implications

The findings of the study revealed a simple and

inexpensive DNA isolation protocol for processing avian

blood. This protocol could assist in genomic studies at the

increasing number of Conservation Breeding Programmes of

birds across the world where only basic laboratory facilities

are available. Further applications of this protocol may

include isolating DNA from bird carcasses, which would

allow the researchers to collect additional information while

investigating the causes of mortality in birds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Dr. Deepak Apte, Director, Bombay

Natural History Society, Mumbai, and the Dean, School of

Science, University of NMIMS, for providing the necessary

facilities, and Royal Society for Protection of Birds for

funding the study. We are grateful to Dr. Amarinder Kaur,

IFS, Chief Wildlife Warden of Haryana, for kindly providing

permission and extending all support. We are grateful to

Dr. Mohini Saini, Principal Scientist, Indian Veterinary

Research Institute, for providing help and support in

cloning and DNA sequencing. Bombay Veterinary College,

Parel, Mumbai, helped in getting the sample from Black

Kite.

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N. Prakash, A. Das, A.K. SHARMA & M. Saini (2012): Molecular

sexing of threatened Gyps vultures: an important strategy for

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Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

DOES CAPTIVITY AFFECT THE AEROBIC CULTURABLE GASTROINTESTINAL AND

RESPIRATORY MICROFLORA OF THE INDIAN GYPS VULTURES?

ROHAN NARENDRA SHRINGARPURE!?, MANDAR DiLip KULKARNI!*, CHHAYA SAWANT*®, ASHOK BHAGWAT” AND

ViIBHU PRAKASH!>*

‘Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India.

*Shri Chhota Bhai Patel Research Centre, Vile Parle, Mumbai 400 056, Maharashtra, India.

>Email: [email protected]

“Email: [email protected]

>Email: [email protected]

‘Email: [email protected]

7Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92188

Long-term captivity is known to alter the microflora of animals. This alteration in microflora could be because of diet

or the environment, and might affect the normal physiological functions of the animal. This study was conducted to

assess whether captivity had altered the microflora of the critically endangered Gyps vultures of three species — Long-

billed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, and Slender-billed Vulture — at the BNHS-Vulture Conservation Breeding

Centre, Pinjore, Haryana. Cloacal and choanal swabs from 17 captive vultures, hatched at the Centre, were collected

and analyzed for aerobic culturable bacteria. The birds were hatched in captivity and were in captivity since hatching

till the time of sampling. Results from these samples were compared with the patterns obtained from 32 wild hatched

vultures held in captivity at the centre, with patterns from four free ranging Red-headed Vultures used as control. No

significant differences were found between the microflora of the captive and wild hatched vultures held in captivity,

thus indicating that captivity had not affected the microflora of the captive hatched vultures. This study is the first of a

series of planned studies, to ensure that the captive hatched vultures remain healthy and fit to be released in the wild.

Key words: aerobic culturable bacteria, Gyps vultures, Red-headed Vulture, gastrointestinal microflora, respiratory

8-13

microflora

INTRODUCTION

Gut microflora and its role in studying the ecology

and evolution of animals is a burgeoning area of interest

(McFall-Ngai et al. 2013). However, the studies have

been mostly restricted to humans. Recently, scientists

have successfully demonstrated the role of gastrointestinal

microflora in determining the health of various animals but

predominantly humans. Zupancic et al. (2012) investigated

the gut microflora of individuals linked with obesity and

metabolic syndrome and reported 26 bacterial species, which

appeared to be linked with metabolic disorders. Ridaura et al.

(2013) artificially exposed different groups of germ free mice

to bacteria, from lean and obese individuals, and observed the

mice getting the ‘lean’ bacteria to stay lean as compared to

the mice with ‘obese’ bacteria, despite both groups receiving

the same amount of food.

Studies to identify the normal microflora of animals

bred and reared in captivity become important as these help

to identify pathogens and control disease. Also, as adverse

changes in the normal microflora lead to the development of

metabolic disorders, it is important to check whether such

changes occur in animals in captivity. Hence, such studies

are a valuable contribution to the conservation of the animal

species.

Several studies have reported a significant difference

between the microflora of wild and captive animals of the

same species (Ley et al. 2008; Nelson et al. 2013; Scupham et

al. 2008; Uenishi et al. 2007; Villers et al. 2008; Wienemann

et al. 2011; Xenoulis et a/. 2010) and concluded that this

difference existed between animals born in the wild and

those born in captivity. Dhanasiri et a/. (2011) documented

a decrease in microbial diversity in the Atlantic Cod as the

animals entered captivity.

Conservation breeding programmes are important tools

for saving species from extinction, but they require keeping

birds or animals in captivity for long periods of time. To

ensure that captivity does not eventually have an adverse

effect on the normal microflora of the animals, comparative

studies on the microflora patterns between wild and captive

hatched individuals become essential. With such information,

it will be possible to determine if any abnormal bacterial

prevalence in the captive animals is affecting their health.

A conservation breeding programme was initiated by

the Bombay Natural History Society and Forest Department,

Haryana, to save three Gyps species — White-rumped Vulture

Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus, and

Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris — from possible

extinction. The populations of these three resident Gyps

vultures in the Indian subcontinent have declined by over

GASTROINTESTINAL AND RESPIRATORY MICROFLORA OF CAPTIVE GYPS VULTURES

99% in the past two decades due to diclofenac contamination

of domesticated animal carcasses (Green et al. 2004; Oaks

et al. 2004; Prakash et al. 2012). Vultures provide an

important ecosystem service by feeding on dead animals,

thus limiting the multiplication and spread of pathogenic

organisms that the carcasses could harbour. The conservation

breeding programme was initiated for these species as it was

considered to be the most urgent conservation action to save

these species from extinction. The founder population was

established by bringing wild birds into captivity.

This paper compares the bacterial flora between the

vultures hatched in captivity with those hatched in the wild.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study area

The study was carried out on three Gyps species of

vultures, bred in captivity and housed at the BNHS- Vulture

Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC), Pinjore, Haryana,

India. The site lies within the normal distribution range for

all the three species (Ali and Ripley 1983).

The study animals

The vultures were kept in flocks in near natural

conditions in big aviaries (30.48 x 12.19 x 6.10 m). They

were fed on skinned goat carcasses. All the birds studied had

hatched in captivity to parents caught from the wild, while

the wild hatched birds had hatched in the wild to free ranging

parents. All the sampled birds were fully grown and were not

dependent on parents for food.

Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus is another

vulture species resident in the Indian subcontinent. The

feeding habits of this species are similar to the Gyps vultures

and it feeds on carcasses often with Gyps vultures.

The diet of the Gyps and Red-headed vultures mostly

consists of carrion. In the wild, they feed on the carcasses

of a number of large vertebrates, especially large ungulates

both domestic and wild. The captive vultures sampled during

the study were fed only on skinned goat and sheep carcasses.

Gyps vultures are adapted to consume the soft tissues such

as muscle and visceral organs of animal carcasses, while the

Red-headed vulture, in addition to feeding on the muscle and

internal organs, can also feed on the tough outer skin of the

carcass (Ali and Ripley 1983).

Processing of samples

Cloacal and choanal swabs of 6 randomly selected

White-rumped vultures, 6 Long-billed vultures and

5 Slender-billed vultures housed at the VCBC were collected

during the annual health check in October 2011. Cloacal and

choanal swabs of four free ranging Red-headed vultures were

collected when they were captured for application of PTTs

for satellite telemetry studies conducted between November

2012 and March 2013. The samples were taken in duplicate

and were analyzed simultaneously.

In order to get a holistic picture of all the aerobic

culturable bacterial types, selective media was not used.

Both sets of swabs were inoculated in Soyabean Casein

Digest Broth in duplicate, to enrich the bacteria present

in the sample. 10 ul of the overnight culture from both

the sets was then used to streak onto Nutrient Agar plates,

to get isolated colonies of the bacteria in the culture.

These plates were observed for different colony types on

the basis of their colony characters. The different colony

types were isolated for further identification. The method

of enrichment and isolation of different species of bacteria

was followed as described in Bangert et a/. (1988), Blanco

et al. (2006), and Kocijan et al. (2009). Preliminary tests

to identify the genus and secondary biochemical tests to

identify the species of bacteria were followed as described

in standard literature (Holt et a/. 1984; Quinn et al. 1994).

The secondary biochemical tests employed for the genus

and species identification of the isolates are summarized

in Table 1.

Table 1: Summary of biochemical tests used for species level identification

Group of organism Tests applied

Gram negative rods and coccobacilli

Fermentation of sugars glucose, sucrose, maltose, mannitol, xylose, trehalose, and lactose,

growth on MacConkey’s agar and EMB agar, Oxidase test, nitrate test, indole test, MR test,

VP test, Citrate utilization test, Urease test, growth on TSI agar to check for H,S production.

Gram positive catalase positive cocci

Haemolysis on sheep blood agar, slide coagulase, tube coagulase, growth at 6.5% NaCl, DNase,

TNase, Phosphatase, resistance to Novobiocin, fermentation of sugars mannitol and trehalose.

Gram positive catalase negative cocci Haemolysis on sheep blood agar, fermentation of esculin, bile tolerance, growth at 6.5% NaCl,

hydrolysis of hippurate, resistance to Bacitracin, fermentation of sugars Lactose, Mannitol,

Trehalose, Sorbitol, and Raffinose.

Gram positive rods

Presence of endospores, presence of volutin granules, motility in semi-solid medium, nitrate

reduction test and colony morphology.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015 |

GASTROINTESTINAL AND RESPIRATORY MICROFLORA OF CAPTIVE GYPS VULTURES

Results from these tests were fed into an online

bacterial identification system called ABIS (www.tgw1916.

net). The identification results using above mentioned

software were comparable with the results obtained using

standard literature. Isolates requiring further confirmation

for species identification were identified by 16s rRNA

sequencing. This was done commercially-in India.

Analysis

All species of bacteria isolated were grouped into five

families according to their biochemical characteristics (namely

Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, Streptococcaceae,

Staphylococaceae, and Bacillaceae). The differences in the

microflora between the wild and captive hatched individuals

were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests (Blanco et

al. 2007; Shringarpure et a/. 2014). To determine the

habitat specificity of the bacteria, that is to check whether

the identified bacterial group was more common in the

gastrointestinal or the respiratory tract, the prevalence

patterns of the bacterial group was compared between the

gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts of all captive hatched

individuals using Mann-Whitney U tests. This was also

done to check if the patterns observed were similar to those

of wild hatched birds. All analyses were performed using

lacostatistical software GraphPad Prism version 5.

RESULTS

Richness and diversity of bacterial species in

gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts

Ten culturable bacterial species each were isolated from

the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts of all the captive

hatched Gyps vultures. Samples from the Red-headed Vulture

had six culturable bacterial species in the gastrointestinal tract

and three species in the respiratory tract. The various groups

of bacteria isolated from gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts

across the Gyps vulture species are summarized in Table 2

and Table 3 respectively, while bacteria isolated from the

Red-headed Vulture are shown in Table 4.

Comparison of bacterial species richness and diversity

Comparison of the richness and diversity of the

bacterial families Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae,

Streptococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Bacillaceae

between gastrointestinal tract samples of wild and captive

hatched birds revealed that the patterns of all the bacterial

families were similar between both the vulture groups (p>0.05,

Mann-Whitney U test). Analysis of respiratory tract samples

between wild and captive hatched vultures also showed that

the microflora between the two vulture groups was similar.

While determining the habitat specificity of the bacteria

among the captive Gyps vultures, it was found that bacteria

belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae were more

prevalent in the gastrointestinal tract (p=0.0117, Mann-

Whitney U test). Bacillaceae were found to be more common

(p=0.0247, Mann-Whitney U test), in the respiratory tract. The

gastrointestinal tract samples from the Red-headed Vulture

showed Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae, while the

respiratory tract samples showed Staphylococcaceae and

Streptococcaceae as the major contributors to its microflora.

In the Red-headed vulture, there was only one case each,

where the gut showed the presence of Staphylococcaceae and

the respiratory tract contained Enterobacteriaceae.

DISCUSSION

The common and rare bacteria encountered in captive

hatched vultures were similar to those obtained from the

wild hatched ones. In the gastrointestinal tract samples,

Escherichia coli occurred in over 80% of the bird samples,

except for the White-rumped vulture, where it was found in

only 67% of the samples. Although similar, the prevalence is

much lower than that found in the wild hatched birds, where

it was present in over 90% of the samples (Shringarpure et

al. 2014). There was also a slight difference in the prevalence

of enterococcal species, which were present in 70-80% of

the samples in wild hatched birds but only in 50-60% of the

samples in captive hatched ones. The free ranging Red-headed

vulture also showed a high prevalence of these species in the

gastrointestinal tract. These species are common inhabitants

of the gastrointestinal system of humans and other species of

animals, including birds, and are responsible for metabolism

of carbohydrates to generate energy, production of vitamin

K, immunostimulation, creation of anaerobic conditions to

facilitate succession by strict anaerobes and out-competing

pathogens (Silva et al. 2011). Unlike the captive Gyps

vultures, which showed some prevalence of staphylococcal

and streptococcal species in the gastrointestinal tract, only

one Red-headed vulture had staphylococcal species in its

gastrointestinal system.

In the respiratory tract samples, organisms from

the group Staphylococcaceae, especially Staphylococcus

epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus were found

to be common in the respiratory environment, and were

likely members of the normal flora of the respiratory tract.

The staphylococcal species were also commonly found in

the respiratory tract of the free ranging Red-headed vulture,

but unlike the Gyps vultures, whose respiratory tract also

showed prevalence of enterobacterial species, only one Red-

headed vulture had Escherichia coli in its respiratory tract.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

GASTROINTESTINAL AND RESPIRATORY MICROFLORA OF CAPTIVE GYPS VULTURES

Table 2: Prevalence of bacterial microflora in the respiratory tract of the three Gyps vultures

Bacterial Species

Bacillaceae Bacillus cereus

Enterobacteriaceae Citrobacter freundi

Escherichia coli

Enterobacter asburiae

Enterococcaceae Enterococcus durans

Enterococcus faecalis

Streptococcaceae Streptococcus pneumoniae

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius

Staphylococcaceae Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

Vulture species

*The values represent the percentage of birds tested positive for the bacterial species with one sample per bird

Table 3: Prevalence of bacterial microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of the three Gyps vultures

Bacterial Species

Bacillaceae Bacillus cereus

Enterobacteriaceae Escherichia coli

Proteus vulgaris

Salmonella enterica

Yersinia fredrikseni

Enterococcaceae Enterococcus avium

Enterococcus faecalis

Streptococcaceae Streptococcus pneumoniae

Staphylococcaceae Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus microti

White-rumped Long-billed Slender-billed

(N=6) (N=6) (N=5)

33% 17% 60%

17% 0% 0%

50% 50% 20%

0% 0% 20%

34% 34% 20%

34% 0% 20%

17% 17% 0%

34% 67% 0%

17% 50% 40%

Vulture species

White-rumped Long-billed Slender-billed

(N=6) (N=6) (N=5)

0% 17% 40%

67% 83% 80%

33% 17% 0%

0% 0% 20%

33% 17% 0%

17% 0% 20%

50% 17% 40%

17% 17% 0%

50% 34% 40%

17% 17% 0%

“The values represent the percentage of birds tested positive for the bacterial species with one sample per bird

The staphylococci are able to colonize the respiratory tract

on account of its almost neutral pH (range 7.2—7.4, compared

to pH 1-2 in the gastrointestinal tract). Also, these organisms

colonize the respiratory tract at an early stage on account of

their tissue specificity and out-compete the other bacterial

groups for binding sites (Todar 2008). Thus, their major role

in the respiratory tract is the prevention of pathogens from

the environment from colonizing the respiratory tract.

Bacillus cereus was commonly found in the

gastrointestinal tract as well as respiratory tract of the sampled

captive hatched vultures. This organism was also commonly

found in the wild hatched vultures (Shringarpure et al. 2014),

as well as in several surveys of bacterial flora in the Turkey

vulture (Winsor ef a/. 1981); Egyptian vulture (Blanco et al.

2006) and Eurasian Griffon vulture (Kocijan et al. 2009), but

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

not in the free ranging Red-headed vulture. Bacillus cereus

does not appear to have any role in these systems and is

probably a transient flora obtained from the environment.

The bacteria in the vulture gastrointestinal tract included

Yersinia fredriksenii, Salmonella enterica, Proteus vulgaris,

and Staphylococcus microti. Their rare prevalence and lack

of symptoms in the host indicate that these are also transient

flora obtained from food (Salmonella enterica and Proteus

vulgaris). Similarly, the rarely encountered bacteria in the

respiratory tract such as Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter

asburiae, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius represent

the transient flora of the respiratory tract.

No statistically significant differences were found in the

richness and diversity of any of the five families of bacteria

between the wild hatched and captive hatched vultures. The

GASTROINTESTINAL AND RESPIRATORY MICROFLORA OF CAPTIVE GYPS VULTURES

Table 4: Prevalence of bacterial species in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts of

free ranging Red-headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus

Bacterial species

Enterobacteriaceae Citrobacter werkmanii

Escherichia coli

Proteus vulgaris

Enterococcaceae Enterococcus avium

Enterococcus caccae

Staphylococcaceae Staphylococcus capitis

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Streptococcaceae Streptococcus equi

Cloacal swabs (N=4) Choanal swabs (N=4)

25% 0%

75% 25%

25% 0%

50% 0%

25% 0%

0% 75%

0% 50%

“The values represent the percentage of vultures tested positive for each bacterial species with one sample per bird

prevalence of species indicated as normal microflora was

slightly low in the captive hatched birds, which needs to be

investigated further using more samples. Similarly, visible

differences were observed between the pattern of prevalence

of bacteria among the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts

of the Gyps vultures and the free ranging Red-headed vulture.

CONCLUSION

Not many attempts have been previously made to

document the normal microflora of the three critically

endangered Gyps vultures, either in wild or in captivity.

Comparative studies of patterns of microflora between

wild hatched and captive hatched vultures were essential

to determine whether the birds hatched in captivity were

healthy. Conservation breeding programmes are important

tools to prevent extinction of species, but they require that

the animals are kept in captivity for long periods of time.

The differences in the microflora patterns observed between

the captive hatched and wild hatched birds might just be

due to the difference in diversity of food given to them.

The present study is the first report of such a comparative

study. From the results, it seems that the present captive

management strategies have not significantly altered the

microflora of the vultures bred in captivity. The composition

of gastrointestinal microflora appears to be determined by

the diet, as the organisms isolated from the gastrointestinal

system are commonly reported in the animals, which form the

food source of the vultures, and captivity has not much role

to play. This was possibly because of the existing husbandry

and care protocols which ensured that the captive vultures

live similarly as they would in the wild. Also, the composition

of respiratory microflora appears to be determined by the

microbial composition in the environment, and would remain

similar whether in wild or in captivity. Such studies need to be

continued and built upon further till the duration in captivity

of the vultures, to ensure that the patterns are maintained.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was funded by the Royal Society for

Protection of Birds, UK, through a grant from the Darwin

Initiative for the Survival of Species, UK, for the Vulture

Conservation Breeding Programme. We would also like to

thank Ms. Nikita Prakash for her valuable inputs in the review

of the article and Drs. Richard Cuthbert and Toby Galligan for

help in statistical analysis and review of the article. We would

also like to thank the Forest Department, Government of

Haryana and Dr. Amarinder Kaur, Additional Principal Chief

Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Haryana,

for permissions for sample collection. We are also thankful to

Dr. Deepak Apte, Director, Bombay Natural History Society,

for his constant encouragement and support. We are grateful

to Dr. Aparna Khanna, Dean, School of Science, SVKM's

NMIMS Deemed-to-be University for providing us with the

necessary facilities and technical guidance.

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FROM THE GHARANA CONSERVATION RESERVE, INDIA

NEERAJ Manar!?, BILAL Hapis!*, Tanir SHAWL”’, GOVINDAN VEERASWAMI Gopt'”, INTESAR SUHAIL”®,

JIGMET TAKPA*” AND SYED AINUL Hussain! >*

'Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box #18, Chandrabani, Dehradun 248 001, Uttarakhand, India.

*Department of Wildlife Protection, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Rajbagh, Silk Factory Road, Pollution Control Board Campus,

Srinagar 190 001, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

7Email: [email protected]

‘Email: [email protected]

°Email: [email protected]

7Email: [email protected]

‘Email: [email protected]

"Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92194

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus is a long distance migrant to the Indian subcontinent, with the major population breeding

in China. There is a small breeding population in Ladakh, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan. To gain an understanding of

their movement pattern and home range, we monitored two PTT tagged Bar-headed Geese (BG111847 & BG111848)

captured from the Gharana Conservation Reserve, Jammu & Kashmir, India, during March to August 2012. The origin

of the tagged birds, whether from Ladakh or extralimital, could not be ascertained as both the PTTs functioned only

for 5-6 months; also, the birds did not move to their breeding grounds till the signals were received in August. During

the tracking period, the PTT fitted geese used the Tawi river floodplains of India and Pakistan, in Jammu and Sialkot

districts respectively. BG111847 used a 431 km long stretch of the Tawi floodplains, while BG111848 used only a

54 km stretch. The home range of BG111847 was 52.60 sq. km [85% MCP (Minimum Convex Polygon)] and the core

area was 7 sq. km (50% MCP), while the home range for BG111848 was 29.68 sq. km (85% MCP) and the core area was

2 sq. km (50% MCP). Post winter, the two geese used around 17 small wetlands in the Tawi river floodplains, moving

between India and Pakistan intermittently, indicating the need for cross-border efforts for the long-term conservation

of the species in this region. Our results are preliminary and further studies are needed to understand the migration

pattern and habitat use of the Bar-headed Goose wintering in the Gharana Conservation Reserve and adjoining areas.

Keywords: Bar-headed Goose, satellite telemetry, migration, home range, wetland, Platform Transmitter Terminal,

Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

14-22

TRACKING THE MOVEMENT PATTERN OF BAR-HEADED GOOSE ANSER INDICUS CAPTURED

Important Bird Area

INTRODUCTION

The Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus occurs in

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Bhutan, China,

India, Mongolia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand,

Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan (IUCN 2014). The major

breeding population inhabits China, with smaller populations

in Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan (Koppen et al. 2010; Takekawa

et al. 2009). In India, breeding Bar-headed Goose has been

reported from Ladakh (Ali and Ripley 1987) where about 500

pairs breed around several lakes and marshes (Hussain and

Pandav 2008; Hussain et a/. 2008; Prins and Wieren 2004).

Migrating Bar-headed Geese have been reported from many

protected and non-protected wetlands of Assam, Himachal

Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,

Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala,

and Maharashtra (Ali and Ripley 1987; Neelakantan et al.

1993; Rahmani 1992; Rahmani and Arora 1992; Rahmani

and Islam 2008; Rahmani et al. 2010).

The Bar-headed Goose is listed as a Schedule I species

under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and J&K

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978. Globally, it is a “Least

Concern” species (BirdLife International 2002; Collar et al.

1994), though it is believed that its population is declining

rapidly due to habitat loss, illicit egg collection, and hunting

(Koppen et al. 2010). Its global population is estimated to be

<60,000 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999), with estimates

of around 20,000—30,000 wintering in India (L1 et al. 2009).

Over 30,000 birds are reported during winter in China and

the Tibet Autonomous Region (Bishop and Drolma 2007;

Bishop et al. 1997).

Scientists and naturalists have always been fascinated

by the Bar-headed Goose due to its ability to fly over the

Himalaya during migration to the Indian subcontinent and

back (Hawkes et al. 2010, 2013; Javed et al. 2000; Kalra et al.

2011; Lee et al. 2008; Swan 1970; Scott and Milsom 2007).

Kasambe et al. (2008) recovered neck-collared Bar-headed

Geese in Maharashtra and Karnataka which were tagged in

TRACKING MOVEMENT PATTERN OF BAR-HEADED GOOSE CAPTURED FROM GHARANA CONSERVATION RESERVE

Mongolia. Similarly, a neck-collared Goose from Mongolia

was reported in Tamil Nadu during winter (Van der Ven ef

al. 2010). The species was found to migrate c. 780 km over

the Himalaya from India to China (Javed et al. 2000). Kalra

et al. (2011) also recorded their migration between India and

China. Platform Transmitter Terminal (PTT) deployed geese

in China, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan have been reported

from Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Pong Dam

(Himachal Pradesh) in India. Bar-headed Geese have been

identified as carriers of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus

(Bourouiba et al. 2010; Chen et al. 2005; Prosser et al. 2011;

Zhou et al. 2006), which necessitates monitoring of their

movement pattern at international and regional levels. Hence,

we undertook this study to examine the movement pattern and

habitat use of the Bar-headed Goose frequenting the Gharana

Conservation Reserve using satellite telemetry.

Capture site

The Gharana Conservation Reserve is an ‘Important

Bird Area’ (Islam and Rahmani 2004), situated near Gharana

village in Ranbirsinghpora tehsil in the Tawi floodplains

(32° 32' 26" N; 74°41’ 24” E) of Jammu & Kashmir State. It

is c. 500 m from the India-Pakistan international border and

is a small wetland with an area of c. 100 ha surrounded by

agricultural lands. The wetland is covered with Water Hyacinth

Eichhornia crassipes and Typha sp. (islam and Rahmani

2004). The Tawi river, agricultural lands, and several small

wetlands adjacent to Gharana offer habitats for waterbirds

in the floodplains. A study reported 21 species of waterbirds:

from this wetland (Sharma and Saini 2012) with around 20,000

birds reported during winter, which includes more than 2,000

Bar-headed Geese (Islam and Rahmani 2004). The adjacent

floodplains of Indus, Degh, Panynad, and Ravi rivers in

Pakistan also have wintering population of Bar-headed Geese

numbering around 5,000 (Koppen ef a/. 2010; Van der Ven et al.

2010). The nearest breeding ground for the Bar-headed Goose

from Gharana is Ladakh, c. 300 km to its north. The breeding

sites in Ladakh mainly comprise lacustrine (e.g., Tso Kar,

Tso Morriri) and palustrine (e.g., Dungti, Chushul) wetlands

(Chandan et al. 2005; Islam and Rahmani 2004; Prins and

Weiren 2004). In China, their breeding sites are steppes, saline

meadows, swamp meadows, alpine meadows, aid cropland

habitats, while preferred stopover sites are lakes, marshes, and

shallow wetlands (Zhang ef al. 2011).

METHODS

Capture and deployment of PT Ts

On March 19, 2012, seven adult Bar-headed Geese were

captured from the Gharana Conservation Reserve using noose

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

snares by trained professional bird trappers of the Bombay

Natural History Society. After biometric measurements, two

individuals were randomly selected for the deployment of

pre-designed PTTs. The PTT model TAV-2630, with around

nine months of battery life, was attached onto the backs of

the birds with a backpack harness. The weight of PTT was

29 gm, which is around 1% of the total body weight of the

geese and is within the recommended 3% weight limit (Wilson

and McMahon 2006). Unique identification numbers were

given to the birds, viz. BG111847 and BG111848, for receiving

data from ARGOS (ARGOS 2007). PTTs were set to receive

five fixes per 24 hour cycle. Generally, ARGOS provides fix

(location) classes of different accuracies; the high accuracy

fix classes are 3, 2, 1 and 0. Low accuracy classes A, B, and

Z are also transmitted from the PTT. The high accuracy fix

classes provide a range of error as follows: 3 = <150 m, 2 =

150-350 m, 1 = 350—1,000 m and 0 = >1,000 m. As classes

A, B, and Z indicate poor satellite connection (ARGOS 2007),

only classes 3 to 0 were used for analysis (Ueta 2000).

Data analysis

We used adehabitatHR for home-range and

movement pattern analysis in R core 3.0.2 version software

(R Development Core Team 2014). Conventional Minimum

Convex Polygon (MCP) method was used for home range

analysis and core area was calculated with 50% MCP.

ARGOS fixes received from both individuals were overlaid

on Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps using ArcGIS Version

9.3 (ESRI 2008). Habitat types were broadly divided into five

categories, namely water (river and waterbodies), vegetation

(largely grass-dominated areas), settlement (village and town),

agriculture, and open areas (uncultivated and riverbed). We

used Google Earth images Version 6.1 (Google, Mountain

View, California, USA) to identify wetlands utilized by the

geese and the potential wetlands in the region suitable for

geese and other waterbirds.

RESULTS

Performance of PTTs

We received 647 fixes between March and August

2012, with maximum fixes during April, and minimum during

August 2012 (Fig. 1). We analyzed 205 high class fixes [from

both geese, Location Class (LC) 3 (33%), followed by LC

2 (32%), LC 1 (26%) and LC 0 (9%)], of which 176 fixes

were of BG111847 and 29 were of BG111848. The PTT

on BG111847 functioned till August 2012 while that on

BG111848 provided irregular fixes till July 2012 (Table 1).

Both the PTTs functioned for 5—6 months below the expected

life of 9 months.

ie)

TRACKING MOVEMENT PATTERN OF BAR-HEADED GOOSE CAPTURED FROM GHARANA CONSERVATION RESERVE

Table 1: Home range (50% & 85% MCP) and movement pattern of two PTT-fitted Bar-headed Geese

captured in Gharana Conservation Reserve

Bird ID Start Date Total Fixes used for End Date 50% MCP 85% MCP Movement

Fixes analysis (sq. km) (sq. km) (km/day)

BG111847 March 19, 2012 550 176 August 25, 2012 "bs 52.60 2.69

BG111848 March 19, 2012 97 29 July 7, 2012 2 29.68 0.46

Spatial Distribution

We computed 85% MCP after excluding the outliers. As

depicted in Fig. 2, 90% MCP for BG111847 was justifiable,

unlike BG111848. As prominent increase in home range of

BG111848 till 90% was ineffective, we determined home

range using an acceptable average of 85% MCP, and core

range was computed with 50% MCP. Average home range

of the two birds was calculated as 41 sq. km (85% MCP),

and core area as 4 sq. km (50% MCP).

200

180

160

140

120

100

Monthly Fixes

March April May June July August

Month

Fig. 1: Monthly fixes received from ARGOS for two PTT-fitted

geese captured in Gharana Conservation Reserve

111847

Home-range size (Sq. km)

20 40) «660

50 60 70 80 90

Home-range level (%)

Fig. 2: Saturation in home ranges of two PTT-fitted Bar-headed

Geese captured in Gharana Conservation Reserve

Individually, the home range of BG111847 was

52.60 sq. km with a core area of 7 sq. kmthat mainly consisted

of wetlands/waterbodies. The core area for BG111847 was

in Chaprar, Pakistan, and near Ranbirsinghpora, India. The

home range of BG111848 was 29.68 sq. km between March to

July (Fig. 3), with a core area of 2 sq. kmin and around Tawi

river within Indian territory, c. 12 km away from Gharana

(Fig. 4). Both the individuals did not return to Gharana after

tagging; they moved towards the north and used the Tawi

floodplains extensively. There was an overlap of 10 sq. km

area between the home ranges of these two birds, but no

interaction was recorded since very few fixes were received

from the overlapping area (Fig. 3).

Movement Pattern

Instead of migrating towards Ladakh/Central Asia/

China, the geese that were tagged in March 2012 remained

in Tawi floodplains till July-August 2012. The birds moved

extensively within areas of the Tawi floodplains in Jammu

(India) and Sialkot (Pakistan). For BG111847, the total

movement was computed as c. 431 km and the average

movement was 2.69 km/day (Table 1), while the maximum

distance between two consecutive fixes was 25 km. The

PTT-fitted goose occasionally visited nearby areas of River

Chenab in Pakistan (Fig. 5). Eventually, BG111847 settled

in Chaprar (Pakistan) till we received the last fix in August

2012. BG111848 moved c. 54 km, and the average distance

travelled was 0.46 km/day with a maximum of 13 km between

two consecutive fixes on March 21, 2012; the last fix for this

bird was received in July 2012.

Habitat Use

Most of the fixes were received from open areas (a

combination of open barren lands, empty crop lands and

riverbeds), followed by vegetation (mostly grass-dominated

areas), agriculture and wetlands (Fig. 6). Fixes were not

received from any human settlements, indicating that the

geese avoided such areas. The least number of fixes were

received in water/wetland habitats, most of the fix clusters in

other habitat types were within 1—2 km of the Euclidean flight

distance from the wetlands. The total area used by the two

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

TRACKING MOVEMENT PATTERN OF BAR-HEADED GOOSE CAPTURED FROM GHARANA CONSERVATION RESERVE

Co] 95% mcr 111847

EC") e5% mcr 111848

M4vWE 74°4aVE 74°4e2

Esa

: MS7CE 74°41 I0E

Fig. 3: Home ranges (85% MCP) of two PTT-fitted Bar-headed Geese captured in Gharana Conservation Reserve

Table 2: Wetlands in Tawi floodplain of India and Pakistan

Wetland

ID (see

Fig. 7)

CONDO OO BW DY —

ay es 16

— Ae

AC 255 Ga me)

S Ci -& ao Pp

Area (sq. km)

0.005

0.004

0.006

0.001

0.431

0.001

0.014

0.002

0.019

0.014

0.023

0.0008

0.125

0.014

0.004

0.0006

Perimeter

(km)

OES

C292

0.418

0.146

4.5

O48

0.057

0.21

0.246

0.781

O72

0.7

0.126

5.6

0.727

0.666

0.13

Type

Canal

Pond

Pond, Canal

Pond

Stream

Canal

Pond

Source: - Google Earh Image; | - India and P — Pakistan

Country

|&P

Eee Be 4 ED. oe

oT -

birds was c. 72 sq. km, of which open area constituted 31.78

sq. km, followed by areas with grass-dominated vegetation

(25.58 sq. km), agriculture (10.41 sq. km), and river/wetland

(3.21 sq. km). The home range, however, encompassed 0.47

sq. km human settlements.

Important wetlands in the Tawi floodplain

The birds used around 17 small wetlands in the Tawi

floodplain (Fig. 7; Table 2), varying in size from c. 0.0006

to 0.431 sq. km with a total available area of c. 0.66 sq.

km, of which c. 0.44 sq. km was in India and c. 0.22 sq.

km in Pakistan. Most of these wetlands served as optional

habitats for the geese. Occasionally, stagnant water canals

were used. In Chaprar (Pakistan), c. 0.20 sq. kmcluster of

wetlands were utilized by BG111847 in July and August.

Among these clusters, smaller wetlands of size 0.0008 sq.

km also served as staging sites (Table 2). Apparently, these

are potential habitats for waterbirds in the Tawi and Chenab

river floodplains in India and Pakistan (Fig. 7).

DISCUSSION

Neck-banded Bar-headed Geese have been reported

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

TRACKING MOVEMENT PATTERN OF BAR-HEADED GOOSE CAPTURED FROM GHARANA CONSERVATION RESERVE

waren

oe oP

7S WE ewe weE

¢ | Wt Water/ Wetland

| Be Vegetation

Me Settlement

Open

..-=-Indo- Pak Border

2 2

WE = - 14 4Z3TE

(C] 50% Mcp 8HG111847

50% MCP BHG111848

Fig. 4: Core areas (50% MCP) of two PTT-fitted Bar-headed Geese captured in Gharana Conservation Reserve

to visit the Gharana Conservation Reserve (Agency India

Press; December 23,°2014 ;: “DNA December 27, 20117,

which are believed to have been tagged in Mongolia, the

Qinghai province of China, or possibly Himachal Pradesh

(A.R. Rahmani, pers. comm.). Earlier satellite tracking

studies reported the maximum migration distance of the

Bar-headed Goose to be 3,000 km, from Mongolia to India

(Hawkes et al. 2013; Takekawa et al. 2009). PTT-fitted Bar-

headed Geese from Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and

Sur Sarovar (Uttar Pradesh) moved to their breeding grounds

in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and Xizang Province

(China) by March—April (Javed et al. 2000; Kalra et al. 2011).

However, our study showed a comparatively short movement

(maximum 431 km) and the birds were recorded in the Tawi

floodplains of India and Pakistan till August (Table 3). This

indicates that either the PTT-fitted birds are from a resident

population of nearby areas, such as Ladakh, or they did not

return to their breeding sites because of some other reason,

which needs further investigation.

The extent of area utilized by the two PTT-fitted birds

in our study varied perhaps due to the availability of suitable

habitats or inter/intra-specific competition among species

(Schoener 1968; Nudds and Ankney 1982). However, from

the small sample size, we could not make any definitive

conclusion in the difference observed in the extent of area

used by these two birds. Gharana is a very small wetland,

so, agricultural land around it and other smaller wetlands

serve as an obligate habitat for wintering waterbirds such

as Bar-headed Geese. The PTT-fitted birds did not return to

Gharana, but used nearby wetlands and agriculture fields and

50 |

45 4

40 -

30 -

20 -

% of Fixes/ habitat

eeeetvertenton,

eeniecremtewereed eernenierarecg sence Poser srmessnginenscemttent etn entre nto ice eect

z 7 t

0 i 3 i t

Water Vegetation Settlement Agriculture Open/ Sand

Habitat Type

Fig. 6: Percentage of ARGOS fixes of two PTT-fitted

Bar-headed Geese captured in Gharana Conservation Reserve

in different habitats

Note: Vegetation here denotes grass-dominated areas

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

TRACKING MOVEMENT PATTERN OF BAR-HEADED GOOSE CAPTURED FROM GHARANA CONSERVATION RESERVE

TEOO'E

SON

'x20'N

7eVE OE fe ware’

ES Water/ Wetland ‘

EEE Vegetation — Movement of BHG111847

awe Movernent of BNGILISGS

shasaanacaanasnisipestiiie:

Fig. 5: Movement pattern of two PTT-fitted Bar-headed Geese captured in Gharana Conservation Reserve

Fig. 7: Important wetlands outside Gharana Conservation Reserve, India

Source: Google Earth accessed 12 September 2014

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

TRACKING MOVEMENT PATTERN OF BAR-HEADED GOOSE CAPTURED FROM GHARANA CONSERVATION RESERVE

Table 3: Migration and movement pattern of satellite-tracked Bar-headed Geese

Reference Type of Total distance Individuals Countries recorded Type of migration Stopover Total Total

Transmitter covered (km) tagged sites days of Fixes

movement

Javed et al. 2000 PRE ~780 2 India, China Spring 3 137 192

Takekawa et al. 2009 PTT 500—3,000 60 China, India, Winter, Fall, NA 1-213 93,009

Mongolia, Nepal Spring, Breeding,

Moult

Koppen et a/.2010 PIT 790-1 ,550 4 Uzbekistan, Autumn and 4 1-53 5000

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Spring

India, Pakistan

Guo-Gang et al. sul 8 1,270-1,470 10 China Autumn 4. 50-90 NA

2011

Cui et al. 2011 Pag 17.89-404.41 21 China Moult, Autumn NA 185-298 16,342

and Breeding

Prosser ef al. 2011 abil 260-—2,330 15 China, India Breeding and 7 1-154 NA

Spring

Kalra et al. 2011 PIT 807-—1,305 4 China, India Winter Z 193-263 4663

Zhang et al. 2011 Paen 1,300-1,500 11 China Autumn 73-83 NA

Hawkes ef al. 2013 PTT 3,000 91 India, China Autumn and NA 135-1,216 NA

Spring

This Study aul 54-431 2 India, Pakistan Winter NA 115-160 647

*NA= Not Available

grasslands in India and Pakistan, indicating that this landscape ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

as a whole is important for migratory birds.

In the last few decades, hunting and anthropogenic

pressures have adversely affected the population of the Bar-

headed Goose in Kyrgyzstan (Koppen et al. 2010). Even

if these birds do not migrate to other countries, there still

exists a potential threat of avian influenza via interaction with

migratory populations of other species. Hotspots of interaction

must be located and prioritized for national and trans-boundary

conservation efforts, since there might be possibilities of

uncertain conservation status in other countries. For instance,

in India, population loss of Siberian Crane was attributed to

population decline during migration (Meine and Archibald

1996). Thus, the conservation of migratory Bar-headed Goose

populations would be uncertain without trans-boundary

collaborations. Additionally, studies with a landscape approach

are needed for the identification and conservation of multiple

stopover sites, since waterbirds migrate long distances within

different geographic regions and countries seasonally.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Chief

Wildlife Wardens, Government of Jammu & Kashmir

(J&K) for providing support during the study. We would

like to thank the Director and Dean, Wildlife Institute of

India, for their support and guidance. We are grateful to

Mr. Asif Mehmood, Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu, and

Dr. Samina Amin Charoo, Research Officer, Department

of Wildlife Protection, J&K, for providing the necessary

support. We thank Dr. Asad R. Rahmani, Director, BNHS,

for permitting us to use tags and bands, and the services

of Mr. Ali Hussain. We take this opportunity to thank

Mr. Ali Hussain and Mr. Md. Sikandar for capturing

the birds. We acknowledge the support of the field staff

in the Gharana Conservation Reserve. We also thank

Shivam, Pariva, Upma, Amanat, and Aditi for their

valuable help during the analysis and in writing the

manuscript.

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J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

23-24

REVIEW

NATURE AND NATION: ESSAYS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY by Mahesh Rangarajan.

2015. Published by Permanent Black in association with Ashoka University, Ranikhet.

Size: 21 cm x 13.5 cm. Price: Rs. 795/-. Hardbound.

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92195

Mahesh Rangarajan, former Director of Nehru

Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi, and Professor

of History, Delhi University, is perhaps India’s finest

environmental historian, with a deep interest in wildlife

conservation and human rights. His essays are a treat to

read and his lectures are a delight to hear. He has written

many seminal books, such as INDIA’S WILDLIFE HISTORY: AN

INTRODUCTION (2000), THE OXFORD ANTHOLOGY OF INDIAN

WILDLIFE (in two volumes, edited, 2001—02), INDIA’s

ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY: A READER (co-edited, 2012). His

books, essays in journals and magazines such as Economic

and Political Weekly, and lectures have helped to formulate

new thinking in wildlife conservation where human beings

and human welfare, particularly of the marginalized

communities, is an integral part of wildlife and environmental

conservation.

His present book is a joy to read, with 10 longish

chapters/essays on varied subjects ranging from ‘Of Nature

and Nationalism: Rethinking India’s Nehru’ to ‘Parks,

Politics, and History: Conservation Dilemmas in Africa’.

Each chapter is lucidly written and profusely referenced — a

clear indication of his erudition. For quick reference and

notes, a citation is given at the bottom of the page, with full

bibliographic references given at the end of each chapter.

This helps in going to the original reference and learning

more on the subject.

Although all the chapters are enjoyable, I liked

Chapter 3: ‘From Princely Symbol to Conservation Icon’.

This is about the political history of the Asiatic Lion in

India. Unfortunately, this majestic beast is still a political

‘animal’. The Gujarat government is still refusing to give

a pride of Asiatic Lions, mistakenly called Gir Lion, to

the Madhya Pradesh government for reintroduction in

Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary that was meticulously and

scientifically developed to receive them after they became

locally extinct more than a 100 years ago. Besides some

inane reasons of temperature differences in Gir and Kuno-

Palpur, some say that the introduced lions will become man-

eaters. Mahesh has rightly pointed out “no single region

in India had a history of man-eating lions in quite the way

in which the Sundarbans of the Bengal delta were known

for harbouring dangerous tigers. The lion was the scourge

of domestic animals rather than people.” With the arrival

of the British and rifles, rapid decline of Asiatic Lion took

place due to the relatively open countryside in which it lived.

For example, George Acland Smith, a British officer, shot

50 lions in the Delhi region in 1857-58. His total tally

was 300 lions. With such a massacre of the noble beast, no

wonder it became extinct in the greater part of its range, with

only a few surviving in the Gir forests by the early 1900s.

How the Nawab of Junagadh revived the population is too

well-known to be commented upon here.

Another wonderful chapter is ‘Of Nature and

Nationalism: Rethinking India’s Nehru’. The learned

author has shown how Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first

Prime Minister of India and the architect of modern India

was essentially a lover of nature, fascinated by mountains,

rivers, forests, animals, and trees. Nehru was a devotee of

modernity, science, and technology. His famous words “Large

dams are the temples of modern India” is now derided by

many people who oppose large dams, but Nehru’s statement

was contextual. The newly emerged nation, after the horrific

killings of Partition and struggling to contain its poverty,

needed a symbol to look up to. For Nehru, Bhakra Nangal

Dam was the symbol indicating his vision of industrialized

and modernized India. This chapter succinctly describes

Nehru’s vision of India. In his vision, Nature was not

neglected. For example, when he came to know that the

Asiatic Lion was again in danger of extinction due to anarchy

after the Nawab of Junagadh fled to Pakistan, he implored

the officials to protect these animals. He wrote “It would

be a great pity if they were allowed to be shot or otherwise

to suffer extinction.” How I wish such quick conservation

actions could be taken for a plethora of species that are now

on the verge of extinction.

The third chapter that I liked most is ‘The Politics

of Ecology: The Debate on Wildlife and People in India

1970-1995’. These were the formative years of Mahesh

Rangarajan when he was developing his thoughts as a

young man, a member of a newly established Bird Club in

Delhi, voracious reader of the wonderful nature articles by

M. Krishnan in The Statesman. These were the years (1970s

to early 1980s) when under Indira Gandhi, the Indian Board

for Wildlife (now called National Board for Wildlife)

would meet almost twice a year. These were the years when

the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the Forest (Conservation)

REVIEW

Act were established, which are even now helping

the natural security of India. This was the time when large

numbers of protected areas were established. This was

also the time when the foundation for the Environment

(Protection) Act was laid. All this is very well brought out

in this chapter.

Overall the book is wonderful and informative,

never too heavy to read. I would recommend it highly to

young researchers, wildlifers, conservationists, human

right activists, and most importantly to decision makers.

M@ ASAD R. RAHMANI

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

25-52

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

1. ANOTE ON SEED DISPERSAL OF ROCK BANANA ENSETE SUPERBUM

BY ASIAN PALM CIVET PARADOXURUS HERMAPHRODITUS

AT SINHGAD FORT, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

AMOL R. KuLAVMopeE!*, VITHOBA M. HEGDE” AND AsHISH A. KAMBALE?

'Plot no. 16, Indrajeet Nagar, Maner mala, Unchagaon, Karveer, Kolhapur 416 005, Maharashtra, India.

Email: [email protected]

“Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India.

Email: [email protected]

°5B, Laxmi Colony, Shingnapur Phata, Shingnapur, Karveer, Kolhapur 416 010, Maharashtra, India.

Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92319

Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesm., commonly known

as Rock Banana, is a close relative of banana Musa sp. It is

endemic to the Western Ghats, and grows in rocky crevices

and steep slopes. It appears after the first monsoon shower and

attains full growth by post-monsoon (October-November).

Most of the Rock Banana flower in monsoon and fruiting

takes place in the dry season; mature fruits can be observed

from February till end of May. As summer approaches, the

plant starts dying and only dried stumps remain by March—

May. As this species is non-stoloniferous, it propagates

through seeds and needs an effective seed disperser for

regeneration (Gokhale et al. 2010). However, the plant may

appear to be stoloniferous when its seeds grow in closed

clumps. Though commonly seen in the Western Ghats, Rock

Banana population is declining fast due to various biotic and

abiotic pressures (Gokhale et a/. 2010).

Punekar (2002) reported Ensete superbum as a food

plant of Hanuman Langur Semnopithecus dussumieri, whereas

Mudappa et al. (2010) observed seeds of E. superbum in the

faecal matter of Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni.

Gokhale et al. (2010) reported several species of birds visiting

this plant for its fruits, as well as insectivorous birds such as

Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Picoides nanus, Franklin’s

Prinia Prinia hodgsonii, Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike

Coracina melanoptera, and Common Tailorbird Orthotomus

sutorius. It is very likely that these birds are attracted by the

nectar or by insects associated with flowers, and may not have

arole in seed dispersal. We conducted this study because there

is no substantial information on seed dispersal of E. superbum

by other frugivorous animals, post-dispersal germination

percentage, or fate of dispersed seeds.

The study site Sinhgad fort (18° 21’ 56” N; 73 ° 45’

26" E), Pune, Maharashtra, is situated in Bhuleshwar hill

range — spreading east-west to the main ranges of northern

Western Ghats. The entire c. 23 ha area of the fort is a small

basaltic highland at an elevation of 1,280 m above msl. The

terrain is steep and rugged. The steep slopes and mountain

top are covered with basaltic bedrock or a shallow, loose

layer of soil which bears mainly herbaceous plants. Forest

patches can be seen at the base of the hills, on gentle slopes,

and around gullies and nullahs. E. superbum is predominantly

found on such slopes. Based on the level of anthropogenic

disturbance and vegetation composition, the study area was

broadly categorized as: a) human habitation occupying

c. 30% of the total area of Sinhgad and b) grassland

surrounding human habitation occupying c. 70% of the

total area. Human habitation included houses, lodges,

telecommunication offices, and ancient structures such as

cisterns and ruined temples. Vegetation in human habitation

was mainly introduced and exotic species, whereas vegetation

observed in grassland was similar to that of the rocky

highlands of the northern Western Ghats, dominated by

herbs with scattered shrubs and stunted trees. Vegetation on

these rocky highlands, especially herbs, shows remarkable

seasonality, 1.e., luxuriant growth of herbs in monsoon

followed by almost barren highlands, with patches of grasses

and a few perennial herbs.

We conducted field survey fortnightly during the dry

season (January—May) in 2012 and 2013. Due to heavy

rainfall and prolific growth of grasses, we were unable to

collect data during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods. In

summer season, there was scarcity of fruits, and we observed

that Ensete superbum and Ficus racemosa were the only

profusely fruiting plants on the fort and surrounding areas.

Asian Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus in Sinhgad

mostly rested in rocky crevices and thick vegetation in gullies

during the day, appeared after dusk and started climbing

steep slopes to reach the fort in search of food, especially

E. superbum, F. racemosa in and around garbage dumps.

Sighting of 3—5 civets feeding on the garbage dumps near

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

human habitation was not uncommon at Sinhgad. We walked

around the fortified edges of the fort and searched for the

civets. Eight independent surveys were conducted to study the

relative abundance of the civets at Sinhgad. The total distance

walked was 20 km (2.5 km/survey) and the average number

of civets recorded was 3.8 (range 1-6). Pooled encounter rate

was 0.19 civets /km.

We found that Asian Palm Civet P. hermaphroditus

was the major seed disperser of E. superbum, hence we

concentrated our efforts on this species. We collected a total of

171 faecal samples of the civet during this investigation. The

total number of seeds counted was 13,698 with an average

of 80.11 +4.64 seeds/scat (range 31—157). In 2012, we found

127 faecal samples while in 2013 they were reduced to 44.

Seeds collected from scats and control samples were induced

for germination. A total of 100 seeds were germinated in

plastic trays using the same field soil during the following

monsoon. We found that seeds from civet faeces showed 1%

germination, whereas in the control germination rate was

6%. In other studies (Mudappa ef al. 2010), germination

percentage of the excreted seeds is always greater than

control seeds because of endozoochory, but in our study the

rates of germination were unexpectedly lower and could not

be explained. Further investigation is needed to understand

this pattern of seed germination.

In the northern Western Ghats, most of the rocky

plateaux face several threats (except those in protected areas),

and immediate conservation action is needed to protect them

(Watve 2013). Sinhgad fort has immense pressure from

tourism activities, which affect the habitat found on this

basaltic plateau (Watve 2013). Besides tourism, due to its

easy accessibility Sinhgad also faces other anthropogenic

pressures such as uncontrolled grazing and post-monsoon

fires. In 2013, due to human-induced fires, we found a very

small number of civet faecal samples, which may have been

due to burning of most of its habitat on the fort. Alternatively,

the civets may have temporarily changed to other diet. This

change in the civet’s diet may affect dispersal of FE. superbum

and could also lead to human-wildlife conflict. The current

study showed that EF. superbum was a major food component

of Asian Palm Civet’s diet during dry season. We recommend

further detailed investigation to provide more data to

understand rocky outcrop habitats and human-modified

ecosystem at Sinhgad.

REFERENCES

GoKHALE, M.V., S.S. SHAIKH & N.S. CHAVAN (MULIK) (2010): Ensete

superbum (Roxb.) Cheesm.: Potential plant species for eco-

restoration programme. Jnt. J. for Usuf. Mngt 11 (1): 90-93.

Mupapra D., A. KuMaR & R. CHELLAM (2010): Diet and fruit choice

of the brown palm civet Paradoxurus jerdoni, a viverrid endemic

to the Western Ghats rainforest, India. Trop. Conserv. Sci. 3(3):

282-300.

PuNEKAR, S.A. (2002): Some food plant of Hanuman Langur

Semnopithecus entellus (Drufense) in the Western Ghats of the

Maharashtra, India. Zoos' Print Journal 17(6): 797-801.

Wartve, A. (2013): Status review of rocky plateaus in the northern

Western Ghats and Konkan region of Maharashtra, India with

recommendations for conservation and management. Jo7T 5(5):

3935-3962.

2. PREDATION ON BLACKBUCK ANTILOPE CERVICAPRA FAWN BY WILD BOAR

SUS SCROFA IN POINT CALIMERE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

DHANARAJ SADRACK JABARAJ FRANK!”*, Gopt GOVINDAN VEERASWAMI!? AND KALAYANASUNDARAM SANKAR!*

‘Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani P.O., Dehradun 248 001, Uttarakhand, India.

"Email: [email protected]

7Email: [email protected]

‘Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92321

Wild Boars are generalist feeders and are considered

as opportunistic omnivores (Rosell et al. 2001; Schley and

Roper 2003). The ability to adapt to diverse food habits has

helped them to establish their populations in a wide range

of habitats and hence they have a large geographical range

(Baubet et al. 2004). Wild Boars are variously reported to

be frugivores, crop pests, seed bank destroyers, predators

and plant dispersers (Bueno et al. 2011; Geisser and Reyer

2004; Genov 1981; O’Connor and Kelly 2012). Studies in

Europe have shown that wild boars scavenge on carrion and

predate on ground nesting birds and amphibians (Carretero

and Rosell 1999; Giménez-Anaya et al. 2008; Herrero et al.

2005). However, detailed analysis of the food habits of wild

boars showed foraging preference of plant matter over animal

matter (Ballari and Barrios-Garcia 2014).

We report an incident of Wild Boar (adult male) preying

on Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra fawn at around 10:30 hrs

on January 21, 2013, in Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary,

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Fig.1: Wild Boar preying on the Blackbuck fawn

southern India. The Sanctuary has patches of stagnant water

in the low-lying areas due to rain received from the North-

east monsoon. The Wild Boar was seen chasing a Blackbuck

fawn and knocking it down in the grassland habitat (Fig. 1).

The mother of the fawn gave an alarm call and tried to help,

but her efforts were in vain. The fawn attempted to escape

from the Wild Boar but could not once it entered the water.

The Wild Boar chased the fawn in the water and bit into its

back. The severely injured fawn managed to escape, but

died because of excessive bleeding. The Wild Boar left the

place leaving the dead fawn behind as its mother was nearby

and repeatedly giving alarm calls. The fawn was around 3—

5 days old. This entire incident happened in three minutes. We

observed wild boars chasing blackbuck fawns during January

to April 2013, on three occasions, in the study area. Though

there were reports of blackbuck fawns being preyed upon

by jackals Canis aureus and stray dogs in Point Calimere

Wildlife Sanctuary by the locals, this is the first report of

predation by Wild Boar.

Wild Boar is one of the most widely distributed

mammals in the world (Massei and Genov 2004) and a few

studies have documented predation of wildlife species by wild

boar (Loggins et al. 2001; Oliver and Brisbin 1993) hunting

and consuming young lambs in Australia (Pavlov and Hone

1982). In India, there are reports of predation by Wild Boars

on Bonnet Macaque Macaca radiata in Bandipur National

Park (Shreejata 2014) and on Chital Axis axis in Bandhavgarh

National Park (Behera and Gupta 2007). There are also reports

of wild boars carrying newborn Chital fawns in Sariska Tiger

Reserve (Sankar pers. obs.). However, reports of active

predation on other vertebrates by Wild Boar are limited.

REFERENCES

BALLARI, S.A. & M.N. Barrios-Garcia (2014): A review of wild boar

Sus scrofa diet and factors affecting food selection in native and

introduced ranges. Mammal Review 44: 124-134.

BAuBET, E., C. BONENFANT & S. BRANDT (2004): Diet of the wild boar

in the French Alps. Galemys16: 99-111.

BEHERA, S. & R.P. Gupta (2007): Predation on Chital Axis axis by Wild

Pig Sus scrofa in Bandhavgarh National Park J. Bombay Nat. Hist.

Soc. 104(3): 345.

BUENO, C., R. REINE, C. ALADosS & D. GOMEz-GarciA (2011): Effects of

large wild boar disturbances on alpine soil seed banks. Basic and

Applied Ecology 12: 125-133.

CaRRETERO, M.A. & C. RosELL (1999): Salamandra salamandra (fire

salamandra) predation. Herpetological Review 30: 161.

GeIssER, H. & H.U. REYER (2004): Efficacy of hunting, feeding, and

fencing to reduce crop damage by wild boars. Journal of Wildlife

Management 68: 939-946.

Genov, P. (1981): Food composition of wild boar in north-eastern and

western Poland. Acta Theriologica 26: 185-205.

GIMENEZ-ANAYA, A., J. HERRERO, C. ROSELL, S. Couto & A. GARCiIA-

SERRANO (2008): Food habits of wild boars (Sus scrofa) in a

Mediterranean coastal wetland. Wetlands 28: 197-203.

HERRERO, J., I. IR1zAR, N.A. LASkuRAIN, A. GARC{A-SERRANO &

R. GarclA-GONnZALEZ (2005): Fruits and roots: wild boar foods

during the cold season in the south western Pyrenees. /talian

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

Journal of Zoology72: 49-52.

Locamns, R.E., J.T. Witcox, D.H. VAN VurEN & R.A. SWEITZER (2001):

Seasonal diets of wild pigs in oak woodlands of the central coast

region of California. California Fish and Game Quarterly 88: 28-34.

Massel, G. & P. GENov (2004): The environmental impact of wild boar.

Galemys 16: 135-145.

O’Connor, S.J. & D. KELLY (2012): Seed dispersal of Matai

(Prumnopitys taxifolia) by feral pigs (Sus scrofa). New Zealand

Journal of Ecology 36: 228-231.

Oxtver, W.L.R. & IL. BrisBin (1993): Introduced and feral pigs:

problems, policy and priorities. Pp. 179-191. Jn: Oliver, W.L.R.

(Ed.): Pigs, peccaries and hippos: status survey and action plan.

IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Paviov, P.M. & J. Hone (1982): The behaviour of feral pigs, Sus

scrofa, in flocks of lambing ewes. Australian Wildlife Research

9: 101-109.

ROSELL, C., P. FERNANDEZ-LLARIO, J. HERROR & EL JABALI (2001): Sus

scrofa. Galemys 13: 1-25.

ScHLEY, L. & T.J. Roper (2003): Diet of wild boar, Sus scrofa in western

Europe, with particular reference to consumption of agricultural

crops. Mammal Review 33: 43-56.

SHREEJATA, G. (2014): A Wild Boar hunting: predation on a Bonnet

Macaque by a wild boar in the Bandipur National Park, southern

India. Current Science 106: 1186-1187.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

3. INDIAN BLACK IBIS PSEUDIBIS PAPILLOSA FEEDING ON CARRION

Asif N. KHAN!

‘Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Dr. Salim Ali Chowk, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001,

Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected]

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92323

The Indian Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa is endemic

to the Indian subcontinent and occurs in various habitats

from desert to wetlands from south-east Sind, eastwards to

Bangladesh and southwards, especially along the eastern

Peninsula (Manakadan et al. 2011). It is reported to feed on

a varied diet, ranging from frogs, small fish, earthworms,

lizards, small snakes, scorpions, crustaceans, grain beetles,

and other insects (Ali and Ripley 1987).

During a BNHS camp at Rajasthan, two birds were

spotted at the Jor Beed carcass dump near Bikaner (27°

57’ 57” N; 73° 22’ 43" E). They seemed to be pecking at

carcasses, and were spending a considerable amount of time

at each spot. On observing with a spotting scope, it was seen

that the birds were not feeding on the maggots, as presumed,

but were tearing small pieces of flesh from the carcass, and

feeding on it. The birds spent around 10—15 minutes on each

carcass before moving on to the next. This is possibly the

first record of the species feeding on carrion.

REFERENCES

Au, S. & S.D. RipLey (1987): Handbook of the Birds of India

and Pakistan. Compact Edition. Oxford University Press,

Bombay.

MANAKADAN, R., J.C. DANTEL & NIKHIL BHOPALE (2011): Birds of the

Indian Subcontinent — A Field Guide. Bombay Natural History

Society, Mumbai and Oxford University Press, Delhi. Pp. 45.

4. NEW RECORD OF FERRUGINOUS POCHARD AYTHYA NYROCA (GULDENSTADT, 1770)

FROM ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA

C. SIVAPERUMAN!*, G. GOKULAKRISHNAN!? AND J. DinesH!*

‘Zoological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, Port Blair 744 102, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India.

"Email: [email protected]

>Email: [email protected]

*Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92327

The Andaman & Nicobar archipelago comprises 572

islands, islets, and rocky outcrops extending over 800 km

and running north to south between 6° 45'—13°30' N and 90°

20’'—93° 56’ E with an area of 8,249 sq. km. The Andaman

& Nicobar Islands can be broadly divided into two groups,

namely the Andamans and the Nicobars. These two groups

are separated by the ten-degree channel, which is about

150 km wide and 400 fathoms deep. Average annual

temperature varies from 24° to 28° C and the rainfall is

slightly higher in Nicobar, with an annual average of 3,000 to

3,500 mm. The elevations range from sea level to 732 m at

Saddle Peak in North Andaman and 642 m at Mount Thulier in

Great Nicobar Island, Nicobar group. The study on avifauna of

Andaman & Nicobar Islands were initiated by Beavan (1867)

listing the avifauna of Andaman Islands, followed by Hume

(1873, 1874a,b, 1876), and Abdulali (1964, 1965, 1967, 1971,

1978, 1981). Recently, a few researchers contributed to the

avifauna of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Chandra and Kumar

1994; Chandra and Rajan 1994; Ezhilarasi and Vijayan 2006;

Pande et al. 2007; Sankaran 1995, 1998, 2001; Sankaran and

Vyayan 1993; Sivakumar 2007; Sivakumar and Sankaran

2002; Sivaperuman ef al. 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014; Tikader —

1984; Viayan 1996, 2007; Yahya and Zarri 2003; Yoganand

and Davidar 2000).

As a part of major ecological studies on wetland birds

in south Andaman initiated during 2012, supported by the

Science Engineering Research Board (SERB), Ministry of

Science & Technology, and INS Utkrosh, Ministry of Defence,

Government of India, we have been surveying the tsunami

inundated wetlands of South Andaman to assess wetland bird

communities. During these surveys a pair of Ferruginous Duck

Aythya nyroca (Gildenstadt) was recorded at Sippighat, South

Andaman (11° 36.230’ N; 92° 41.435’ E) on December 17,

2014, along with a flock of Lesser Whistling Teal Dendrocygna

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

javanica, Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio, Cotton Teal

Nettapus coromandelianus, and Common Moorhen Gallinula

chloropus. The Ferruginous Duck was sighted again on

December 19 and 21, 2014, in the same location. The tsunami

inundated wetlands in South Andaman have attracted larger

numbers of waterbirds during these years; as a result the authors

recently reported many new sightings of migratory birds from

this region (Sivaperuman et al. 2012, 2013, 2014).

The Ferruginous Duck sighted were adult male

and female. The head, neck and breast of male was deep

chestnut while female had dull reddish head, neck and breast.

According to Ali and Ripley (1983) and Arun Kumar et al.

(2005), this species is common in North India, Pakistan,

Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.

It breeds in Central Asia to Western China and Western

Mongolia, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh in India, central

and eastern Europe, and north Africa (Arun Kumar et ai.

2005; Vinicombe 2000). The Ferruginous Duck is listed

as Near Threatened (NT) in the IUCN Red List (BirdLife

International 2012) and also listed in the Appendices I and

II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS or Bonn

Convention). Review of literature revealed that this species

has not been reported from Andaman & Nicobar Islands and

this is the first report of Ferruginous Duck from the Islands.

REFERENCES

ABDULALI, H. (1964): Four new races of birds from the Andaman and

Nicobar Islands. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 61(2): 410-417.

ABDULALI, H. (1965): The birds of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 61(3): 483-571.

ABDULALI, H. (1967): The birds of the Nicobar Islands, with notes on

some Andaman birds. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 64(2): 139-190.

ABDULALI, H. (1971): Narcondam Island and notes on some birds from

the Andaman Islands. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 68(2): 385-411.

ABDULALI, H. (1978): The birds of Great and Car Nicobars with some

notes on wildlife conservation in the Islands. J. Bombay Nat. Hist.

Soc. 75(3): 744-772.

ABDULALI, H. (1981): Additional notes on Andaman birds. J. Bombay

Nat. Hist. Soc. 78(1): 46-49.

Au, S. & S.D. Riptey (1983): Handbook of the Birds of India

and Pakistan. Compact Edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

737 pp. :

ARUN Kumar, J.P. Sati, P.C. TAK & J.R.B. ALFRED (2005): Handbook on

Indian Wetland Birds and their Conservation. Zoological Survey

of India, Kolkata. 468 pp.

BgavaNn, R.C. (1867): The avifauna of the Andaman Islands. [bis 3(3):

314-334.

BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2012): Aythya nyroca. The IUCN Red List

of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>.

Downloaded on December 23, 2014.

CHANDRA, K. & S. KuMAR (1994): Observations on avifauna of Great

Nicobar Islands, India. Indian Forester 120(10): 953-955.

CHANDRA, K. & P.T. Rasan (1994): Observations on the avifauna of

Mount Harriet National Park, South Andaman (A&N Islands).

Indian Forester 122(10): 965-968.

EzuILARASI, N. & L. Vuayan (2006): Birds of Chidiyatapu Biological

Park, South Andaman. Zoos’ Print Journal 21(12): 2517-2518.

Hume, A.O. (1873): Notes. Avifauna of the Islands of the Bay of Bengal.

Stray Feathers 5: 421-423.

Hume, A.O. (1874a): Additional notes on the avifauna of the Andaman

Islands. Stray Feathers 2(6): 490-501.

Hume, A.O. (1874b): Contributions to the ornithology of India. The

Islands of the Bay of Bengal. Stray Feathers 2(1—3): 29-324.

Hume, A.O. (1876): Additional notes on the avifauna of the Andaman

Islands. Stray Feathers 4(4—6): 279-294.

PANDE, S., N. SANT, S. RANADE, S. PEDNEKAR, P. Mestry, P. DESHPANDE,

S. KHARAT & V. DESHMUKH (2007): Avifaunal survey of Andaman

and Nicobar Islands, January 2007. Indian Birds 3(5): 162—180.

SANKARAN, R. (1995): The distribution, status and conservation of

the Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis. Biological

Conservation 72(1): 17-26.

SANKARAN, R. (1998): An annotated list of the endemic avifauna of the

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

Nicobar Islands. Forktail 13: 17-22.

SANKARAN, R. (2001): The status and conservation of the Edible-nest

Swiftlet (Collocalia fuciphaga) in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Biological Conservation 97(3): 283-294.

SANKARAN, R. & L. VuAyAN (1993): The avifauna of the Andaman

and Nicobar Islands: A review and the current scenario.

Pp. 255-271. In: Verghese, A., S. Sridhar and A.K. Chakravarthy

(Eds): Bird Conservation: Strategies for the Nineties and Beyond.

Ornithological Society of India, Bangalore.

SIVAKUMAR, K. (2007): The Nicobar Megapode. Status, ecology and

conservation: Aftermath tsunami. Wildlife Institute of India,

Dehradun. Pp. 1-45.

SIVAKUMAR, K. & R. SANKARAN (2002): New records of birds from the

Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Forktail 18: 149-150.

SIVAPERUMAN, C., C. VENKATRAMAN & C. RAGHUNATHAN (2010): Avifauna

of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: An Overview. Pp. 399-412.

In: Ramakrishna, C. Raghunathan, and C. Sivaperuman (Eds):

Recent Trends in Biodiversity of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.

SIVAPERUMAN, C., S.K. SHAH, P.T. RAJAN & K. VENKATARAMAN (2012):

New record of Common Coot Fulica atra 1758 from Andaman and

Nicobar Islands. J. Bombay. Nat. Hist. Soc. 109(3): 199-200.

SIVAPERUMAN, C., J. DINESH & G. GOKULAKRISHNAN (2013): Sighting

of Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus Scopoli,

1758) from south Andaman. 7igerpaper 40(4) October-December:

13-17.

SIVAPERUMAN, C., J. DINESH, G. GOKULAKRISHNAN & K. VENKATARAMAN

(2014): First observations of Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura

punctulata (Linnaeus, 1758) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Tigerpaper 41(1): 32.

TIKADER, B.K. (1984): Birds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. 167 pp.

VIJAYAN, L. (1996): Status and conservation of the Andaman Teal (Anas

gibberifrons albogularis). Gibier Faune Sauvage, Game Wildl.

13(1): 831-842.

VIJAYAN, L. (2007): Ecology and conservation of the Andaman Teal.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 103(2&3): 231-238.

VINICOMBE, K.E. (2000): Identification of Ferruginous Duck and its

status in Britain and Ireland. British Birds 93: 4-21.

YAHYA, H.S.A. & A.A. Zarri (2003): Status, ecology and behaviour of

Narcondam Hornbill (Aceros narcondami) in Narcondam Island,

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

99(3): 434-445.

YOGANAND, K. & P. Davipar (2000): Habitat preferences and

distributional status of some forest birds in Andaman Islands.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 97(3): 375-380.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

5. RECORD OF COMMON TERN STERNA HIRUNDO FROM

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA

Asif N. Kuan!

‘Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Dr. Salim Ali Chowk, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001,

Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected]

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92329

The Common Tern Sterna hirundo has a large global

range, breeding in most of Europe, parts of Asia and North

America; wintering south to South America, Africa, parts

of Asia and Australia (BirdLife International 2015). In the

Indian subcontinent, it breeds in Ladakh (Pangong Tso, Tso

Kar, and Tso Moriri), Adam’s Bridge between Sri Lanka

and India, and Sri Lanka, and winters in most parts of the

mainland subcontinent in large rivers, lakes, and the coasts.

Offshore, it has been reported from the Maldives, but not

from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Abdulali 1967; Ali

and Ripley 1987; Kazmierczak 2008; Manakadan et al. 2011;

Pande and Anvita 2011; Pande et al. 2007; Rasmussen and

Anderton 2005)

On January 17, 2015, during a BNHS camp to

Andaman, a tern in non-breeding plumage was observed at

Corbyn’s Cove Beach (11° 38’ 42" N; 92° 44’ 56” E), which

appeared to be a Common Tern. It was feeding along the

entire length of the beach, during which pictures were taken.

After a few minutes, it settled on a fallen coconut trunk on the

beach, and more pictures were taken from a distance of about

10 m. From the images, the identity of the bird was confirmed

as the Common Tern, this sighting being the first record of

the species from the Andaman & Nicobar Archipelago.

The Common Tern can be separated from the similar

Arctic Tern S. paradisaea by its longer and thicker bill,

broader dusky trailing edge to outer primaries on under-wing,

and the shorter outer-tail feathers that do not reach the tail

tip. From the Roseate Tern S. dougalli, it can be separated

by the shorter tail, and presence (absence in Roseate) of dark

trailing edge to primaries on under-wing and dusky shoulder

carpel bar. The Roseate Tern also has a long, fine and slightly

downward curved bill. From the smaller White-cheeked

S. repressa, the Common Tern can be easily separated by the

whitish (vs. grey in White-cheeked Tern S. repressa) rump.

REFERENCES

ABDULALI, H. (1967): The birds of the Nicobar Islands with notes on

some Andaman birds. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 64(2): 139-190.

Aul, S. & S.D. RipLey (1987): Handbook of the Birds of India and

Pakistan. Compact Edition. Oxford University Press, Bombay.

BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2015): Species factsheet: Sterna hirundo.

Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on February 02,

2015.

KAZMIERCZAK, K. (2008): A Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian

Subcontinent. Christopher Helm, London. 352 pp.

MANAKADAN, R., J.C. DANIEL & N. BHOPALE (2011): Birds of the Indian

Subcontinent — A Field Guide. Bombay Natural History Society,

Mumbai and Oxford University Press, Delhi. 409 pp.

PANDE, S. & A. ANviTA (2011): Ethno-ornithology: Birds of the Greater

Andamanese: Names, Classification and Culture. Ela Foundation

with Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University

Press. 133 pp.

PANDE, S., N. SANT, S. RANADE, S. PEDNEKAR, P. MeEstry, P. DESHPANDE,

S. KHARAT & V. DESHMUKH (2007): Avifauna survey of Andaman

and Nicobar Islands, January 2007. Indian Birds 3(5): 162-181.

RASMUSSEN, P.C. & J.C. ANDERTON (2005): Birds of South Asia. The

Ripley Guide. Vols 1 and 2. Smithsonian Institution and Lynx

Edicions, Washington DC and Barcelona.

6. SIGHTING OF GREATER SCAUP AYTHYA MARILA AND PALLID SCOPS-OWL

OTUS BRUCEI IN EASTERN KACHCHH OF GUJARAT, INDIA

A. MOHAMED SAmsoor ALI***, S. RAMESH KUMAR! AND P.R. ARUN!

‘Environmental Impact Assessment Division, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Anaikatty 641 108,

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

"Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92332

Gujarat, the westernmost state of India, 1s an important

area for resident, wintering, and passage migrant birds because

of its diverse habitats, unique geographical location, tradition

of conservation, and as part of the migratory route of birds

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

(Khacher 1996). The deciduous and thorn forests, grasslands,

wetlands, marine intertidal areas, scrublands, and saline deserts

of Gujarat (Singh 2001) support more than 490 species of birds,

including some stray and unconfirmed records (Grimmett and

Inskipp 2003). Kachchh is one of the most important districts

of Gujarat because of its high biodiversity value (Geevan

et al. 2003). Kachchh is well-represented by resident and

migratory species of terrestrial and wetland birds, including

several globally threatened species. The avifauna of Kachchh

is documented since the British period to date, and the major

studies include Madansinhyji (1949), Ali (1960) Maharao of

Kutch (1968), Prakash (1974), Tiwari (1997), Varu (1991,

2009), and Munjpara and Gadhvi (2012) have published

accounts of the avifaunal diversity of Kachchh district.

We conducted avifaunal surveys in eastern Kachchh

district between October 2011 and May 2014, around Bachau

(23° 17’ 22” N; 70° 20' 42” E), Samakhiali (23° 18’ 74" N;

70° 30’ 70"); and amen 23°13" 36" No 70?33 7 bP E)as

part of our research project “Impact of wind farm on birds

and bats’’. The climate of the area is arid and semi-arid. The

temperature is high in most of the months, reaching 40-46 °C

during May—June, and 12—15 °C during December—January.

The mean annual rainfall received during the south-west

monsoon between June and September is 400 mm.

A total of 173 species of birds belonging to 44 families

were recorded, which included four Vulnerable and eleven

Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2015) species.

During the surveys, two records were significant; the details

of which are given below.

Greater Scaup Aythya marila

On May 23, 2013, a pair (male and female) of Greater

Scaup was observed in a freshwater pond in Samakhiali (23°

18’ 10” N; 70° 30’ 42” E). Though the pond also had large

numbers of Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha, Common

Coot Fulica atra, Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis,

Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger, and Darter Anhinga

melanogaster, Greater Scaup did not associate with them

during our observations. The following description is based

on notes made during the observation:

Male: Head, neck, breast and tail greenish black with

bright yellow eyes. Bill grey and slipper-shaped. Flank, mantle

and back grey. Female: Head, neck and chest unmarked brown

with a prominent white patch surrounding the bill.

Greater Scaup breeds across the northern limits of

Europe (including Iceland) and Asia, through Aleutian

Islands (year-round breeding) to Alaska (USA), and across

the Atlantic coast of Canada. It winters along the coasts of

North America (Atlantic and Pacific), northwest Europe,

Black and Caspian Seas, Japan, and the Yellow and East

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

China Seas (del Hoyo et al. 2005a). Two subspecies,

A. m. marila and A. m. mariloides have been recognized (del

Hoyo et al. 2005a). Of these, A. m. marila is a vagrant or rare

winter migrant to India (Kazmierczak 2000; Grimmett et al.

2011), but we observed it in summer. Winter sightings of this

species in India have been reported from Bombay Deccan

(Aspinall 1950), Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand (Kumar

and Lamba 1985), Dihaila Jheel, Karera Bustard Sanctuary,

Madhya Pradesh (Natarajan and Sugathan 1987), Nelapattu

Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh (Prashant et al. 1994), Assam

(Bhagabati and Lahkar 1998; Choudhury 2000), Sikkim

(Ganguli-Lachungpa 2002), Pohara-Malkhed Reserve Forest,

Maharashtra (Wadatkar and Kasambe 2002), Nagpur (Kedar

2012), Okhla Barrage (Vyas 2002), Pong Dam, Himachal

Pradesh (den Besten 2004), Bhindawar Bird Sanctuary, Haryana

(Harvey et al. 2006) and Yamuna river (Harvey et al. 2006).

In Gujarat, Dharmakumarsinhyi (1935, 1973) recorded it in

Bhavnagar district, and since then there has been no authentic

record of this species from Gujarat (Grimmett et a/. 2011;

Kazmierczak 2000; Rahmani and Islam 2008). This is a report

of Greater Scaup from Gujarat after 40 years, and the first record

for Kachchh district. However, recently, Shivkar and Vaze

(2014) recorded this species at Thol Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat.

Pallid Scops-Owl Otus brucei

On February 05, 2013, a dead Pallid Scops-Owl was

found under a wind turbine at Jangi (23° 13’ 52” N; 70° 34’

14” E). The bird was fresh; we noted the following characters:

Overall plumage grey with small ear-tufts on the round

head. Upper- and underparts with sharp black streaks with

thick longer streaks on breast side. Facial disc pale and plainer

and bright yellow eyes with short whitish eyebrows. Bill

brown with white bristles at sides, feet light grey.

The Pallid Scops-Owl is resident in south-eastern

Arabia and Iran, and winter in Turkey, Iraq, north-eastern

Egypt, Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western

India (Konig et al. 1999). It usually prefers cultivated areas,

riverine woodlands, stony semi-deserts, steep cliffs, and

rocky gorges where trees grow larger than bush size (Voous

1988). Its status in India is described as “rare visitor” by

Kazmierczak (2000), Grimmett et a/. (2011) and del Hoyo

et al. (2005b). Wintering distribution of Pallid Scops-Owl in

India has been reported from different regions of Maharashtra

(Abdulali 1972; Prasad 2003, 2006), Ambala, Haryana

(Roberts 1992), and Ladakh (Pfister 2001). In Gujarat, the

bird has been recorded at Saurashtra (Dharmakumarsinhj1

1955), Rajkot (Mundkur 1986), and recently at Zainabad of

Little Rann of Kachchh, Surendranagar district (Sangha and

Malik 2010). However, there are many photographic sight

records of this species from different regions of Gujarat

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

(http://orientalbirdimages.org/and http://ibc.lynxeds.com).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are thankful to Dr. P.A. Azeez, Director, SACON,

for his support and for providing facilities. We thank

Genting Energy Ltd for support in the field. We are grateful

to Dr. Rajah Jayapal, SACON, for identification of

birds and valuable comments on an earlier draft of

this note.

REFERENCES

ABDULALI, H. (1972): A catalogue of the birds in the collection of the

Bombay Natural History Society-11. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

69(1): 102-129.

Aut, S. (1945): The Birds of Kutch. Oxford University Press, Bombay.

ASPINALL, W.B. (1950): Occurrence of the Scaup Duck [Aythya marila

(L.)] in the Bombay Deccan. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 49(1): 122.

Buacasatl, A.K. & K. LAHKAR (1998): Some aspects of biodiversity

and its observation in the river islands of Brahmaputra, Assam.

WWFE-India North East Region, Guwahati and Assam Science

Society, Guwahati.

BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2015): The BirdLife checklist of the birds of the

world: Version 8. Downloaded from www.birdlife.org/datazone/

userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/BirdLife Checklist Version 80.

zip [.xls zipped 1 MB].

CuoupuHury, A.U. (2000): The Birds of Assam. Gibbon Books and

WWFE-India, Guwahati.

Det Hoyo, J., A. Ettiotr & J. SARGATAL (EDS) (2005a): Handbook of

the Birds of the World. Vol. 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions,

Barcelona. 5

Det Hoyo, J., A. Ettiotr & J. SARGATAL (EDS) (2005b): Handbook of the

Birds of the World. Vol. 2: New World Vultures to Guineafowl.

Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

DEN BestEN, J.W. (2004): Birds of Kangra. Mosaic Books, Moonpeak

Publishers, Dharamshala.

DHARMAKUMARSINHII, K.S. (1935): The occurrence of Scaup (Nyroca

m. marila Linn.) in the Bhavnagar State. J. Bombay Nat. Hist.

Soc. 38(1): 195.

DHARMAKUMARSINHII, K.S. (1955): Birds of Saurashtra. Times of India

Press, Bombay.

DHARMAKUMARSINHII, K.S. (1973): Migratory and resident waterfowl

(Anatidae) of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. Pavo 11(] &

2): 33-60.

GANGULI-LAcHUNGPA, U. (2002): Avifauna of trans-Himalayan and

alpine grasslands in Sikkim, India. Jn: Rahmani, A.R. & Gayatri

Ugra (Eds): Birds of Wetlands and Grasslands. Proc. Salim Ali

Centenary Seminar on Conservation of Avifauna of Wetlands

and Grasslands (February 12—15, 1996). Bombay Natural History

Society, Mumbai.

GEEVAN, C.P., A.M. Dixit & C.S. Sitorr (2003): Ecological-economic

analysis of grassland systems: resource dynamics and management

challenges, Kachchh District (Gujarat). Gujarat Institute of Desert

Ecology, Bhuj (Kachchh).

GRIMMETT, R. & T. INskiep (2003): Birds of Northern India. Oxford

University Press, New Delhi.

GRIMMETT, R., C. INskipp & T. INskipp (2011): Birds of India, Pakistan,

Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. 2nd edn.

Princeton University Press, New Jersey.

Harvey, B., N. DEvAsAR & B. GREWAL (2006): Atlas of the Birds of

Delhi and Haryana. Rupa & Co., New Delhi.

KAZMIERCZAK, K. (2000): A Field Guide to the Birds of India, Sri Lanka,

Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Om Book

Service, New Delhi.

Kepar, G.T. (2012): Ambazari lake — A potential stopover point of winter

migrants in central India. Indian Streams Res. J. 2(6): 1-8.

KuHaAcuer, L. (1996): The birds of Gujarat — a Salim Ali Centenary year

overview. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 93(3): 331-373.

Konia, C., F. Weick & J. BECKING (1999): Owls: a guide to the owls of

the world. Pica Press, Sussex.

Kumar, G. & B.S. LAmsa (1985): Studies on migratory birds and their

feeding behaviour in Corbett National Park. Rec. Zool. Survey of

India, Occa. Paper 76: 1-147.

MapaAnsInuil, M. (1949): Bird notes from Kutch. J. Bombay Nat. Hist.

Soc. 48(2): 373-374.

MAHARAO OF KuTcH (1968): Some bird records from Kutch. J. Bombay

Nat. Hist. Soc. 65(1): 225.

Munpbxvr, T. (1986): Occurrence of Pallid Scops Owl Otus brucei (Hume)

in Rajkot, Gujarat. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 26(1—2): 10-11.

Munypara, S.B. & I.R. Gapuvi (2012): Avian diversity in the Naliya

Grassland, Abdasa Taluka, Kachchh, India. J. Threat. Taxa 3(4):

2454-2463.

NATARAJAN, V. & R. SUGATHAN (1987): The Scaup Duck (Aythya marila)

in Madhya Pradesh. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 84(3): 679.

PFISTER, O. (2001): Birds recorded during visits to Ladakh, India, from

1994 to 1997. Forktail 17: 81-90.

PRAKASH, I. (1974): Some observations on the birds of the Great Rann

of Kutch. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 14(1): 4-6.

PRASAD, A. (2003): Annotated checklist of the birds of western

Maharashtra. Buceros 8(2 & 3): 1-174.

PRASAD, A. (2006): Birds of Western Maharashtra: A Reference Guide.

Other India Press, Goa.

PRASHANT, J.J., V.V. RAo & V. NAGuLu (1994): Checklist of waterbirds

in two different habitats in Nellore (dist.), Andhra Pradesh. Pavo

32(1 & 2): 63-69.

RAHMANT, A.R. & M.Z. Istam (2008): Ducks, Geese and Swans of India:

Their Status and Distribution. IBCN, BNHS, RSPB and Birdlife

International. Oxford University Press, Mumbai. Pp. 394.

Roberts, T.J. (1992): The Birds of Pakistan. Vol. 1. Oxford University

Press, Karachi.

SANGHA, H.S. & D. MALIK (2010): Observations on wintering Pallid

Scops Owl Otus brucei at Zainabad, Little Rann of Kachchh,

Surendranagar district, Gujarat. Indian Birds 5(6): 176-177.

SHIVKAR, A. & S. VAZE (2014): Greater Scaup form Thol Bird Sanctuary.

Indian Birds 9(4): 112.

SINGH, H.S. (2001): Natural heritage of Gujarat (forests and wildlife).

GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar, India.

Tiwari, J.K. (1997): Avian profile of Chhari-Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat,

India. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 37(1): 1-4.

Varu, S.N. (1991): Rare sightings in Kutch. Newsletter for Birdwatchers

30(11—12): 10-11.

Varu, S.N. (2009): Some rare sightings from Kachchh during 2006-

2007. Flamingo 7(1 & 2): 9-12.

Voous, K.H. (1988): Owls of the Northern Hemisphere. Collins,

London.

Vyas, S. (2002): Some interesting bird records from the Delhi area.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 99(2): 325-330.

WapatTKAR, J.S. & R. KASAMBE (2002): Checklist of birds from Pohara-

Malkhed Reserve Forest, District Amravati, Maharashtra. Zoos’

Print J. 17(6): 807-811. |

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

7. FIRST PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF NEST OF INDIAN REED-WARBLER

ACROCEPHALUS (STENTOREUS) BRUNNESCENS FROM NAVI MUMBAI,

MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Sunt NARWADE!?*, MRUGANK PRABHU!?, PARVEEN SHAIKH!*, PRIYANKA AMBAVANE!” AND

ASAD R. RAHMANI!®

‘Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India.

"Email: [email protected]

7Email: [email protected]

‘Email: [email protected]

*Email: [email protected]

’Email: [email protected]

* Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92338

Indian Reed-warbler Acrocephalus (stentoreus)

brunnescens is a winter visitor, passage migrant, and

breeder in the Indian subcontinent. It winters over most

of the Subcontinent and breeds mostly in north-western

India, especially in Srinagar valley, Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar

Pradesh, Rajasthan, as well as Baluchistan and Sind areas

of Pakistan (Rasmussen and Anderton 2012). It has been

recorded breeding regularly in Vembanad lake, Kerala

(George 1961), in southern India. It is mentioned as a very

noisy and abundant bird found in the mangroves of Mumbai

during the breeding season from May to August (Ali and

Ripley 1983). Abdulali (1981) and Prasad (2003) have

mentioned this species as a migrant, but with some breeding

in Maharashtra.

This species has been recorded throughout the year in

Mumbai and adjoining areas, and is believed to be breeding

here (Ali and Ripley 1983). Dr. Salim Ali collected a

specimen of Indian Reed-warbler on April 02, 1930, from

Rewas, Raigad district, and found that the testes of the male

were sufficiently large to suggest that the birds were at their

breeding station (Whistler 1931). Dr. Salim Ali also stated that

this species certainly breeds in the mangroves of Rewas river,

which extends along the Dharamtar Creek. He made several

attempts to procure nests and eggs from this locality, but was

unsuccessful due to the nature of the terrain and density of

vegetation. On May 06, 1931, at Mahul (Trombay Island), he

found males exhibiting excited and noisy behaviour (Anon.

1931). But no nesting of Indian Reed-warbler has been

reported from Maharashtra till date.

In Navi Mumbai area, in the west coast state of

Maharashtra, the Indian Reed-warbler has been sighted

in all mangrove areas since January 2012 (Narwade et al.

2012). The calls of this bird were heard often, but the birds

were sighted only occasionally, perched on mangroves and

associated plants. While surveying the mangrove area in

April 2014 at Pargao-Dungi villages (19° 0° 8.68” N; 73°

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

3’ 54.86” E), near Kalundre river and Panvel creek in

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, we observed high activity of

the Indian Reed-warbler. These birds were found calling

continuously from several directions, which prompted us to

conduct more visits during its breeding season, monsoon. On

June 30, 2014, at 9:30 hours, a bird was observed sitting in a

nest shaping it properly in the mangroves of Pargao village

(Fig 1). The nest was cup-shaped, made with fine grass, and

was found on Avicennia marina, 1.2 m (4 feet) above the

ground. The nest was well-hidden in the mangroves, so only

a few record shots could be obtained without disturbing the

nest. A similar looking nest was located 1.5 m (5 feet) from

the first nest. On visiting the site again in the subsequent

week, due to the thick growth of mangrove associated plants,

the nest could not be seen as the place was inaccessible. This

nesting record is evidence that Indian Reed-warbler breeds

in Mumbai and adjoining areas.

Fig 1: Nest of Indian Reed-warbler Acrocephalus (stentoreus)

brunnescens in Navi Mumbai

MRUGANK PRABHU

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

REFERENCES

ABDULALI, H. (1981): Checklist of the birds of Maharashtra with notes

on their status around Bombay. 2nd edn. Bombay Natural History

Society, Bombay.

Au, S. & S.D. Riptey (1983): Compact Edition of Handbook of the

Birds of India and Pakistan. Bombay Natural History Society

and Oxford University Press, Bombay.

Anon. (1931): Summary of Salim Ali’s notes on apparent breeding

activity of Acrocephalus stentoreus at Bombay. J. Bombay Nat.

Hist. Soc. 35(2): 453-454.

GeorcE, P.V. (1961): On the Indian Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus

stentoreus breeding in Kerala. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 58(3):

PT.

Narwabe, S.S., M.V. Praspuu, P.A. SHAIKH & A.R. RAHMANI (2012):

Baseline survey of avifauna in and around Navi Mumbai

International Airport, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Annual

report submitted by the BNHS to CIDCO, Navi Mumbai.

Pp. 87.

Prasap, A. (2003): Annotated checklist of the birds of Western

Maharashtra. Buceros §(2&3): 1-1, 1-174.

RASMUSSEN, P.C. & J.C. ANDERTON (2012): Birds of South Asia. The

Ripley Guide. Vols 1 and 2. Second edition. National Museum of

Natural History Smithsonian Institution, Michigan State University

and Lynx Edicions, Washington, D.C., Michigan and Barcelona.

WHISTLER, H. (1931): The Great Indian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus

stentoreus brunnescens (Jerdon). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

35(1—2): 450-453.

8. FIRST RECORD OF THE BLUE-FRONTED REDSTART PHOENICURUS FRONTALIS

IN CENTRAL INDIA

AMOL Bapat!

‘Aditya Garden City, 3G-02, Phase 2, Mumbai Bangalore Highway, Warje, Pune 411 052, Maharashtra, India.

Email: [email protected]

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92339

On December 02, 2014, at 08:22 hrs, a bird with

prominent blue colour, pale orange belly and broad black

T-pattern on tail was spotted sitting on a tree in Khitauli region

beat/compartment (gate) of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

(23° 42' 26.773" N; 80° 54’ 5.3856” E). Suddenly it flew to the

ground, picked up something and returned to the tree. It was

observed for 15 minutes, but could not be identified in the field.

Later, on literature survey, the characters observed confirmed

the bird to be Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis. As

this is the only species of redstart with a broad black T-pattern

on the tail, the identification was confirmed.

The Blue-fronted Redstart is a member of the family

Muscicapidae. It is resident in the Himalaya from north-east

Afghanistan and north Pakistan to north-east Arunachal

(Grimmett et al. 2011), summering at 2,700-4,900 m. In

winter it extends its range to the south Assam hills, wintering

at 1,000—3,000 m (Rasmussen and Anderton 2005). So far,

there have been no records of Blue-fronted Redstart from

Central India. Blue-fronted Redstart is being reported for the

first time in Central India (Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve) in this

note. Further systematic surveys can assess the distribution

and status of the species in and around Bandhavgarh Tiger

Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, and the possibility of vagrant or

migrant status of the bird can be explored.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I express my gratitude and extend thanks to

Mr. Dharmaraj Patil and Dr. Girish Jathar, the experts who

helped me to confirm the identification of the bird.

REFERENCES

RASMUSSEN, P.C. & J.C. ANDERTON (2005): Birds of South Asia — The

Ripley Guide, Vols I and II, 2nd edn. National Museum of Natural

History — Smithsonian Institution, Michigan State University and

Lynx Edicions, Washington DC, Michigan and Barcelona.

GrimMeETT, R., C. INskipp & T. INskipp (2011): Birds of the Indian

Subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan,

Bangladesh, and the Maldives. Helm Field Guides. Oxford

University Press.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

9. BAYA WEAVER PLOCEUS PHILIPPINUS (LINNAEUS, 1766) NESTING ON BOTTLEBRUSH TREES

CALLISTEMON IN JODHPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

SANJEEV KUMAR!* AND SEEMA KUMAR?

'Desert Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Jnalamand, New Pali Road, Jodhpur 342 005, Rajasthan, India.

Email: [email protected]

Arid Forest Research Institute, New Pali Road, Jodhpur 342 005, Rajasthan, India. Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92340

Three species of weavers, namely Black-breasted

Weaver Ploceus benghalensis, Streaked Weaver P. manyar,

and Baya Weaver P. philippinus are reported from Rajasthan

(Ali and Ripley 1987). Of these, the nests of the Baya Weaver

have been recorded from 84 species of trees and shrubs

represented by both indigenous and exotic tree species, and

20 fibre-yielding plants are known to be utilized by the bird

for nest making (Sharma 1995).

The exotic bottlebrush tree Callistemon spp., a native

to Australia, has been introduced as a garden tree and

also naturalized in many countries. It is a member of the

family Myrtaceae and is represented by about 34 species.

We recorded for the first time two species of bottlebrush,

namely Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels (Synonym:

C. lanceolatus) and C. viminalis (Gaertn.) G. Don (Synonym:

Melaleuca viminalis), being used as nesting sites by the Baya

Weaver in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India (Eds: photographic

evidence provided). We observed large numbers of their

nests on these two bottlebrush species every year since 2009:

Callistemon viminalis tree was utilized yearly (2009-2015)

and C. citrinus, for only two years (2009 and 2010). It was

observed that nesting continued on the tree that was near a

small permanent artificial water tank in the garden area, unlike

the tree that was far from the water source.

REFERENCES

Aul, S. & S.D. RipLey (1987): Compact Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New Delhi. 737 pp.

SHARMA, SATISH Kumar (1995): Ornithobotany of Indian weaver birds. Himanshu Publications, Udaipur. 235 pp.

10. A REPORT ON THE EXOTIC MOONLIGHT GOURAMI TRICHOPODUS MICROLEPIS GUNTHER

(PERCIFORMES: PERCOIDEI: OSPHRONEMIDAE: LUCIOCEPHALINAE)

FROM CHALAKUDY RIVER, KERALA, INDIA

M.H. SuyLa!”* AND K.S. JAMEELA BEgvi'?

'Department of Zoology, Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, Kochi 681 011, Kerala, India.

“Email: [email protected]

7Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92342

Trichopodus microlepis Gunther 1861 is a labyrinth

fish of family Osphronemidae native to Mekong river in

Cambodia (Rainboth 1996), Vietnam and Chao Phraya

basin (Kottelat 2001). This species has also been introduced

into the Mekong basin in Thailand (Froese and Pauly 2014;

Monkolprasit et a/. 1997), Singapore (Ng et al. 1993),

Taiwan (Liang et al. 2006), Colombia and South America

(Welcomme 1988). 7: microlepis is found in ponds and

swamps or shallow, sluggish or standing water with a lot of

aquatic vegetation (Kottelat 2001).

Several species of family Osphronemidae have been

reported from India: Pseudosphromenus cupanus (Beevi

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

and Ramachandran 2009; Baby ef a/. 2011; Manakadan er

al. 2009; Narayanan et al. 2005; Rema Devi et al. 2005),

Trichogaster fasciata (Keishing and Vishwanath 1999);

Trichogaster lalius (Manakadan et al. 2009; Ramanujam et

al. 2014); Pseudosphromenus dayi (Beevi and Ramachandran

2009). Trichopodus trichopterus and Osphronemus goramy

(Ramanujam ef a/. 2014) are the two exotic species reported.

However, there is no report of 7richopodus microlepis from

India so far. In this note, we report the presence of Moonlight

Gourami 7. microlepis from the freshwaters of Kerala. One

specimen was collected from the lower reaches of Chalakudy

river at Kanakkankadavu (11° 17' 24.6” N; 76° 10’ 5.7" E),

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Ernakulam, on April 12, 2014. The fish was collected by

cast net, preserved in 10% formaldehyde and deposited

in Maharaja’s College Zoology Museum with accession

No. MCZMEF 377.

The specimen was identified based on Topfer and

Schindler (2009), Paepke (2009), and Low and Lim (2012)

(Eds: photographic evidence provided). The specimen

had a total length (TL) of 155 mm and standard length (SL)

121 mm, dorsal fin with 4 spines and 8 rays; pectoral fin with

9 rays; ventral with one long filament and 2 rays; and

anal fin with 11 spines and 36 rays, predorsal scales 48

and 62 scales on lateral series. Body laterally compressed

and elongated, very deep, body depth 47.9% of SL.

Head and body covered with small ctenoid scales. Head

moderately large, head length 30.5%, width 15.7%, and

depth 17.3% of SL, nape distinctly concave. Eyes small,

eye diameter 21.6%, snout length 32.4% and inter-orbital

width 40.5% of HL. Mouth superior, slightly protractile,

lips well-developed. Opercle and inter opercle not serrated.

Single dorsal fin inserted posterior to the midpoint of

body, with 4 spines and 8 branched rays, dorsal fin

length 20.6% and base 14.8% of SL. Pectoral fin with

9 rays, pectoral length 28% and base 4.1% of SL. Ventral

fins inserted a little anterior to pectoral, with 3 rays, first ray

is a 135 mm long, thread-like filament extending far beyond

the caudal fin. Anal fin with 11 spines and 36 rays, anal fin

length 15.7% and base 70.2% of SL extending the whole

length of belly up to caudal fin but not confluent with it.

Caudal fin emarginate, deflected downwards with 18 strong,

branched rays, its length 27.2% of SL. Caudal peduncle

very short with a feeble black spot. Lateral line incomplete,

62 scales on lateral series. Body has an even silvery sheen

created by its small scales, tinted with a green iridescence

on the dorsal side. All fins with a yellowish tinge except

pelvic fins, which are colourless. Caudal fin with a striated

appearance due to transverse rows of small black spots.

Only four species of the genus Trichopodus

Lacepede, 1801 of family Osphronemidae are so far known:

T: trichopterus, T. leerii, T: microlepis, and T. pectoralis

(Paepke 2009). The concave slope of the head and the

long ventral fin filaments distinguish T. microlepis from

its congeners. The silvery greenish hue of the body, like

the soft glow of moonlight, gives it the name Moonlight

Gourami (Hargrove 2011). Meristics vary among the four

species: 4 spines and 8 rays on dorsal fin in 7: microlepis vs

6-8 spines and 8-9 rays in T. trichopterus, 7 spines and

10-11 rays in T. pectoralis, 5—7 spines and 8-10 rays in

T. leerii. 62 scales in lateral series in T. microlepis vs

40—52 scales in 7! trichopterus, 55—63 scales in T: pectoralis,

and 44-50 scales in 7! Jeerii. Anal fin with 11 spines and

36 rays in T: microlepis vs 10—12 spines and 33-37 rays in

T: trichopterus, 9-11 spines and 36-38 rays in T: pectoralis,

and 12—14 spines and 25-30 rays in T. leerii (Paepke 2009).

T. microlepis is a well-known food fish (Ukkatawewat

1984), and an aquarium species as it shows distinct sexual

dimorphism: male with orange or red pelvic fins and long

pointed dorsal fin, female with colourless pelvic fins and

round dorsal fin. It is reared in captivity for ornamental

purposes (Elson and Lucanus 2002; Linke 1991; Paepke

2009; Pinter 1986).

"Invasive alien species of fish that have taken

advantage of the aquarium trade are emerging as the most

important threats to fragile aquatic habitats according

to Knight (2010)". Recovery of many exotic aquarium

fishes from the natural waters of Kerala has been reported

by Ajithkumar ef al. (1998) and Biyukumar (2000). The

exotics Goldfish Carassius auratus (Rema Devi 1987), Red

Piranha Pygocentrus nattereri (Bijukumar 2000), Guppy

Poecilia reticulata, the Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis

(Daniels 2002; Krishnakumar et al. 2009), Mozambique

Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus, Common Carp Cyprinus

carpio, Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (Daniels 2002),

Loricariid catfish Plecostomus sp. (Daniels 2002), Southeast

Asian Three spot Gourami Trichopodus trichopterus

(Daniels 2006), Sword Tail Xiphophorus maculatus, Giant

Gourami Osphronemus goramy (Krishnakumar et al. 2009;

Raghavan et al. 2008a,b), Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus

(Daniels 2006; Krishnakumar et al. 2009; Ramanujam

et al. 2014) have started establishing local populations

throughout peninsular India. Around Chennai, native

Gourami Trichogaster lalia tends to coexist with the Three

spot Gourami Trichopodus trichopterus (Daniels 2006).

Unregulated introduction and farming of exotic species

are negatively impacting the native aquatic biodiversity

(Krishnakumar et al. 2011 ; Raghavan and Prasad 2006;

Singh and Lakra 2006). 7: microlepis collected from

Chalakudy river might have reached natural waters from

the aquarists accidentally. The present study highlights the

report of exotic Moonlight Gourami Trichopodus microlepis

in the natural waters of Kerala.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to the HoD, Department of

Zoology, Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, for providing

the necessary facilities to carry out the research. One of the

authors, Shyla M.H. extends her sincere gratitude to the UGC

for granting her the Teacher fellowship.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

REFERENCES

AJITHKUMAR, C.R., C.R. Buu & R. THomas (1998): Plecostomus

multiradiatus — an armoured catfish from freshwater ponds near

Kunnamkulam, Kerala and its possible impact on indigenous

fishes. LAK News, Limnological Association of Kerala. Pp. 1—2.

Basy, F., Jostin THARIAN, SIBI PHILIP, ANVAR ALI & R. RAGHAVAN (2011):

Checklist of the fishes of the Achankovil forests, Kerala, India

with notes on the range extension of an endemic Cyprinid Puntius

chalakkudiensis. Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(7): 1936-1941.

Beevi, K.S.J. & A. RAMACHANDRAN (2009): Checklist of freshwater

fishes collected from Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. Journal

of Threatened Taxa 1(9): 493-494.

Buukumar, A. (2000): Exotic fishes and freshwater fish diversity. Zoos’

Print Journal 15(11): 363-367.

DanigLs, R.J.R. (2002): Freshwater Fishes of Peninsular India.

Universities Press, Hyderabad. 288 pp.

DANIELS, R.J.R. (2006): Introduced fishes: A potential threat to the native

freshwater fishes of peninsular India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

103(2-3): 346-348.

Exson, G. & O. Lucanus (2002): Gouramis and Other Labyrinth Fishes.

Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., New York. 95 pp.

FROESE, RAINER & DANIEL, PAULY (EDS) (2014): “Zrichopodus microlepis”

in FishBase. February 2014 version.

Harcrove, M. (2011): Lunar Beauties: Moonlight Gouramis Trichogaster

microlepis. http://www.tfhdigital.com/tfh/201101#p.69. Accessed

on April 27, 2014.

KEISHING, S. & WAIKHOM VISHWANATH (1999): On a collection of fish

from the southern part of Ukhrul district, Manipur. J. Bombay Nat.

Hist. Soc. 96(1): 64-69.

Knicut, J.D.M. (2010): Invasive ornamental fish: a potential threat to

aquatic biodiversity in peninsular India. Journal of Threatened

Taxa 2(2): 700-704.

Korre.at, M. (2001): Fishes of Laos. WHT Publications Ltd., Colombo

5, Sri Lanka. 198 pp.

KRISHNAKUMAR, K., R. RAGHAVAN, G. PRASAD, A. BIJUKUMAR,

M. SEKHARAN, B. PEREIRA & A. ALI (2009): When pets become

pests — exotic aquarium fishes and biological invasions in Kerala,

India. Current Science 97(4): 474-476.

Liana, S.H., L.C. CHUANG & M.H. CHANG (2006): The pet trade as a

source of invasive fish in Taiwan. Zaiwania 51(2): 93-98.

Linkg, H. (1991): Labyrinth Fish. The Bubble Nest Builders. Tetra Press,

Melle, Germany. 174 pp.

Low, B.W. & K.K.P. Lim (2012): Gouramies of the Genus Trichopodus

in Singapore (Acanthopterygii: Perciformes: Osphronemidae).

Nature in Singapore 5: 83-93.

MANAKADAN, R., K. REMA Devi, S. SIVAKUMAR & T.J. INDRA (2009): Fish

fauna of Wetlands of Sriharikota island and their conservation

issues. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 106(3): 313

MOoNnkKOLpRASIT, S., S. SONTIRAT, S. VIMOLLOHAKAM & T. SONGSIRIKUL

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

(1997): Checklist of Fishes in Thailand. Office of Environmental

policy and Planning, Bangkok, Thailand. 353 pp.

NARAYANAN, S.P., T. THAPANJITH & A.P. THomas (2005): A study on the

icthyofauna of Aymanam Panchayat, in Vembanad wetland, Kerala.

Zoos’ Print Journal 20(9): 1980-1982.

Neo, P.K.L., L.M. CHou & T.J. LAm (1993): The status and impact

of introduced freshwater animals in Singapore. Biological

Conservation 64(1): 19-24.

PaepKE, H.J. (2009): The nomenclature of Trichopodus pectoralis

Regan,1910; Trichopus cantoris Sauvage, 1884 and

Osphronemus saigonensis Borodin, 1930 (Teleostei: Perciformes:

Osphronemidae). Vertebrate Zoology 59(1): 53-60.

Pinter, H. (1986): Labyrinth Fish (English edition). Barron’s Educational

Series, Inc., New York. 144 pp.

RAGHAVAN, R. & G. PRrAsApD (2006): A needless diversification: a

perspective on the unregulated introduction and culture of the

Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, in India. World

Aquaculture 37(1): 8-12.

RAGHAVAN, R., G. PRASAD, P.H. ANVAR ALI & B. PEREIRA (2008a): Exotic

fish species in a global biodiversity hotspot: observations from

River Chalakudy, part of Western Ghats, Kerala. India. Biological

Invasions 10: 37-40.

RAGHAVAN, R., G. PRASAD, P.H. ANVAR ALI & B. PEREIRA (2008b): Fish

fauna of Chalakudy river part of Western Ghats biodiversity

hotspot, Kerala, India: patterns of distribution, threats and

conservation needs. Biodiversity Conservation 17: 3119-3131.

RAINBOTH, W.J. (1996): Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO Species

identification field guide for Fishery purposes. FAO, Rome.

265 pp.

RAMANUJAM, M.E., K. Rema Devi & T.J. INDRA (2014): Icthyofaunal

diversity of the Adayar Wetland complex, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,

southern India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 6(4): 5613-5635.

Rema Devi, K. (1987): A golden variation. Blackbuck 3(2): 22-24.

ReMA Devi, K., T.J. INDRA, M.B. RAGHUNATHAN & M.S. RAVICHANDRAN

(2005): Fish fauna of the Anamalai hill ranges, Western Ghats,

India. Zoos’ Print Journal 20(3): 1809-1811.

SINGH, A.K. & W.S. LAKRA (2006): Alien fish species in India: impact and

emerging scenario. Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational

Health 6(3): 165-174.

TopFer, J. & I. SCHINDLER (2009): On the type species of Trichopodus

(Teleostei: Perciformes: Osphronemidae). Vertebrate Zoology

59(1): 49-51.

UKKATAWEWAT, S. (1984): Taxonomic characters and biology of some

important freshwater fishes in Thailand. Manuscript. National

Inland Fisheries Institute, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of

Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand. 55 pp.

WELCOMME, R.L. (1988): International introductions of inland aquatic

species. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 294. 318 pp.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

11. BLUE GLASSY TIGER JDEOPSIS SIMILIS PERSIMILIS (MOORE 1879) — -

FIRST RECORD FOR INDIA FROM NAMDAPHA NATIONAL PARK,

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

DIVAKAR THOMBRE!*AND ISAAC KEHIMKAR?

1301, Anand View, LBS Road, Manor Pada, Thane (W) 400 601, Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected]

"Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Dr. Salim Ali Chowk, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001,

Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92343

Introduction

The Blue Glassy Tiger /deopsis similis persimilis

(Moore 1879) is known to occur in Myanmar, southern

China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia (in

Langkawi and Kedah), Sumatra (Savela n.d.; Yutaka 2015)

and Sri Lanka (Evans 1932). It is common throughout its

range. It was treated as Danais similis in Evans (1932),

where subspecies persimilis was treated as Danais similis

vulgaris, and in Talbot (1947) as Danaus similis persimilis

(Moore). Wynter-Blyth (1957) also mentioned that it is not

found in India. So far there has been no record of this species

occurring on the Indian mainland, though it is common in

the adjoining Myanmar.

The subspecies /deopsis similis exprompta (Butler)

occurs in south-west Sri Lanka and is not rare there (Gasse

Paul Van 2013).

Material and Methods

During a BNHS Nature Camp on October 12, 2014, at

12:45 hours, one individual of Blue Glassy Tiger was seen

near Haldibari route in the drying riverbed of Noa-Dihing

in Namdapha National Park (27° 29’ 00” N; 96° 23’ 00” E).

This Park is located in Changlang district of the north-eastern

state of Arunachal Pradesh, near its border with Myanmar.

The butterfly was mud-puddling alone. Later it took

off to visit flowers of Bidens pilosa. After nectaring, it

flew further along the edge of the river bank among low

vegetation.

It was immediately distinguished from other species of

milkweed butterflies (Danainae) by the forewing, which has

a broad streak in the cell and an outwardly dented, detached

spot; a slender costal streak above the cell; two large discal

spots inwardly pointed; three long spots beyond the cell apex;

four or five subapical spots; a series of spots along the wing

margin, decreasing in size towards the apex. A short, slender

streak along the dorsum (inner margin); and above that in

space 1b, two broad streaks united at the base, the upper one

curved. These characteristic markings were clear enough to

establish the identity of the species. The images were later

compared with the illustration in Talbot’s FAUNA oF BriTISH

INDIA, vol. 2 and they matched well.

The nearest known population of this species is in

Myanmar, which is within 100 km from the current location.

The butterfly’s distribution ranges through Southeast Asia

from Myanmar eastwards, where it is commonly seen

throughout the year.

Remarks

The present sighting extends the known distribution

of this butterfly to the Indian mainland. It was recorded

in March (1983, 1987, 1992) several times and once in

November (1990) in Thailand (Yutaka 2015). The current

record confirms that it is on the wing in October.

After searching the area, we found that this was the

only individual flying. The presence of only one individual

in the area suggests that it could probably be a straggler that

had strayed during migration, or there could be a sizable

breeding population in the area close by. The behaviour of

this individual clearly indicated that 1t was localized in the

area along the drying river bed. Therefore, there is need to

confirm whether this butterfly breeds in this area and thereby

one can establish its seasonality in India.

Though this butterfly is common over most of its

known distribution range, the fact that it was only discovered

now 1s probably because no one had really looked for it in

this area earlier, and it can be easily mistaken for a Glassy

Tiger Parantica aglea (Stoll) or Blue Tiger Tirumala

limniace (Cramer). The possibility of adding this species

to the butterfly fauna of India will require the discovery of

further individuals, so more surveys should be conducted in

the region bordering Myanmar.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We are grateful to Dr. Amol Patwardhan for his

valuable inputs during drafting of this note.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

REFERENCES

Evans, W.H. (1932): The Identification of Indian Butterflies. 2nd edn.

Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay.

GAssE, PAUL VAN (2013): Butterflies of India — Annotated Checklist.

Retrieved from http://flutters.org/. Accessed in November 2014.

SAVELA, MArRKuuU (n.d.): http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/

insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/danainae/

ideopsis/. Accessed in November 2014.

TALBOT, G. (1947): The Fauna of British India — Butterflies — Vol. II.

Taylor and Francis Ltd., London.

Wynter BiyTu, M.A. (1957): Butterflies of the Indian Region. Bombay

Natural History Society, Bombay.

YutAkA, I. (2015): A Checklist of Butterflies in Indo-China. Chiefly from

Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. http://yutaka.it-n.jp/dan/30150010.

html. Accessed on March 10, 2015.

12. SCARCE BLUE TIGER TIRUMALA GAUTAMA GAUTAMA (MOORE, 1877) —

FIRST RECORD IN THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA

ISAAC KEHIMKAR!

‘Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Dr. Salim Ali Chowk, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001,

Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected]

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92344

Introduction

The Scarce Blue Tiger Jirumala gautama

gautama (Moore 1877) is known to occur in Myanmar,

Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, southern Vietnam, Hainan,

China, and northern Malaysia (in Langkawi) (Yutaka 2015).

It is treated as Danais gautama gautama in Evans (1932),

where the distribution is reported as Myanmar (Burma) and

the status is given as “Rare”. In Talbot’s FAUNA oF BriTISH

InpIA, Vol. 2, this species is treated as Danaus gautama

gautama (Moore), and the distribution is from Myanmar

eastwards. Even in the earliest published record [Ferrar

(1948)] there have been no records of this subspecies from the

present Indian political boundary (Khatri 1993; Veenakumari

et al. 2008).

The subspecies Jirumala gautama gautamoides

(Doherty) occurs in Nicobar Islands and is known to be very

rare there (Talbot 1947).

Material and Methods

During a BNHS Nature Camp in March 2010, one

individual (male) of Scarce Blue Tiger was seen on a

Rattlepod plant (Crotalaria sp.) at Kalipur, North Andaman

(13° 13'31" N; 93° 2’ 50” E) with one Blue Tiger Zirumala

limniace (Cramer). Three days later, another individual was

seen on Common Floss flower (Chromolaena sp.) nectaring

with a Blue Tiger. I almost mistook both these butterflies

for Blue Tigers, but later while photographing them at close

range I saw the difference in the forewing cell markings.

The images were later compared with the images on the

website Butterflies of Indo-China (Yutaka 2015) and with

the description in Talbot’s FAUNA oF BrirtisH INpIA, vol. 2,

and they matched well.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

On comparing the description, the specimen was

immediately distinguished by the markings on the forewing,

which has two narrow streaks in the cell, joined at the base,

and an irregular spot, sometimes divided into three, at the

apex; the upper of the two basal streaks is longer and may

extend to the apical spot; a curved discal series of streaks,

an irregular, somewhat crooked submarginal row of spots,

and a regular series of marginal dots.

The subspecies Jirumala gautama gautamoides

(Doherty) which occurs in Nicobar Islands differs in being

smaller (75—85 mm) than Tirumala gautama gautama (90-

100 mm). The main difference is in the forewing cell streaks,

where the Nicobar subspecies has a very short upper streak

which is ill-defined (Eds: photographic evidence provided).

From the current location, Myanmar and Thailand

are the nearest known localities (between 700—800 km)

of this subspecies on the mainland. The butterfly’s known

distribution range is in Southeast Asia from Myanmar

eastwards.

Remarks

The present sighting extends the known distribution

of this subspecies to India. It was recorded on the wing in

November in Vietnam (Yutaka 2015). The current record

indicates that it is on the wing in March also.

On both the days I found only a single individual,

and the behaviour of this individual clearly indicated that it

was localized and there could be a sizable breeding

population in the area. Most of the activity was nectaring

around the Common Floss flower (Chromolaena sp.) and

only once was it seen on the Rattlepod plant (Crotalaria

sp.). There is a possibility of this species being recently

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

established after being blown to the island during the

Tsunami of 2004.

There is a need to confirm whether this butterfly breeds

in this area, and thereby one can establish its seasonality in

India. Also, there is a possibility of its addition to the butterfly

fauna of India if more surveys could be conducted to confirm

the continued presence of this species in India.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Iam grateful to Mr. Sudhir Sapre for his valuable inputs

during drafting of this note.

REFERENCES

Evans, W.H. (1932): The Identification of Indian Butterflies. 2nd edn.

Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay.

Kuatrl, T.C. (1993): Butterflies of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

Conservation Concerns. Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera

32: 170-184.

TALBot, G. (1947): The Fauna of British India — Butterflies — Vol. II.

Taylor and Francis Ltd, London.

VEENAKUMARI, K., PRASHANTH MOHANRAJ, R.C. SRIVASTAVA &

V. JAYAKUMAR (2008): Butterflies of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

CARI, Port Blair.

YuTaAKA, I. (2015): A Checklist of Butterflies in Indo-China.

Chiefly from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. http://yutaka.

it-n.jp/dan/30150010.html Accessed on accessed on March

10,2015,

13. RANGE EXTENSION OF LESSER THREE-RING YPTHIMA INICA HEWITSON (1864)

(LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE) SOUTHWARDS TO THE NORTHERN WESTERN GHATS, INDIA

MANDAR ANIL SAWANT!

'B/004, Dombivli Om Prathamesh Co-op. Society, Tukaram Nagar, Ayre Road, Dombivli (East), Mumbai 421 201,

Maharashtra, India. Email: mandarsawant23(@gmail.com

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92345

Introduction

The Lesser Three-ring Ypthima inica Hewitson (1864)

is known to occur in India from Punjab to West Bengal (Evans

1932; Talbot 1947). The southernmost distribution of this

species is up to Mhow in the Indore district of Madhya Pradesh,

and from Bengal in the east to Punjab in the west (Wynter-Blyth

1957). This species is confined to the northern plains of India

at low elevations. Van Gasse (2013) mentions its distribution

in the Indian subcontinent as from the NWFP (Bunna) and

northern Punjab (Lahore region) of Pakistan through Amritsar

and Delhi region to Garhwal, central and eastern Nepal terai,

and West Bengal (Malda district), south to Madhya Pradesh

and Chhattisgarh, and northern Myanmar (Bhamo).

Material and Methods

On December 06, 2010, while photographing butterflies

in a garden near Dombivli (East), Mumbai (19° 12' 29.748"

N; 73° 05’ 16.681” E), I spotted a drab brown butterfly

sucking moisture from a leaf. I photographed it and later

while comparing its images, noted that it appeared different

from other species of the Yothima group known from the area.

The butterfly appeared very similar to Common Three-ring

Ypthima asterope (Klug), however on further comparison it

was identified as Lesser Three-ring Yothima inica Hewitson

(1864). It differed from Ypothima asterope in having one large

apical and two smaller eyespots at tornus on under hindwing

and the apical eyespot not in line with eyespots at the tornus,

whereas Ypothima asterope has two small eyespots near tornus

on under hindwing, and often a third smaller eyespot may be

present near the apex. |

So far, two species of Yothima, namely Common Four-

ring Yothima hubneri and Common Five-ring Yothima baldus

have been found all over the city. Ypthima inica has not been

reported from Mumbai region earlier, thus this is the first

record of its occurrence from Mumbai region in Maharashtra

on the western coast of India.

Remarks

The present sighting extends the known distribution of

Ypthima inica up to northern Western Ghats on the west coast

of India. While this note was being prepared, it was brought

to the author’s notice that similar sightings of this species

were recorded in Thoseghar, Satara district in Maharashtra

by Milind Bhakare on October 06, 2010 and on November

03, 2010 by Paresh Kale in Harishchandragad, Ahmednagar

district in Maharashtra.

After surveying the area in and around Dombivli

several times, I have found only one individual so far. The

presence of only one individual in the area suggests that it

could be a straggler that had strayed during migration or

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

there could be a sizable breeding population in the area

close by. Therefore, there is a need to confirm its recurrence

in this area to find out its status in the new extended

habitat.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to thank Mr. Isaac Kehimkar for his valuable

inputs and guidance while drafting this note.

REFERENCES

Evans, W.H. (1932): The Identification of Indian Butterflies. 2nd edn.

Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay. 454 pp., pl. XXXII.

GassE, PAUL VAN (2013): Butterflies of India by Paul Van Gasse.pdf.

Retrieved from http://www.flutters.org/home/docs/. Accessed on

April 21, 2015.

TaLsot, G. (1947): The Fauna of British India including Burma

and Ceylon — Butterflies — Vol. II. Taylor and Francis Ltd.,

London.

WYNnrTeR BLyTH, M.A. (1957): Butterflies of the Indian Region. Bombay

Natural History Society, Bombay.

14. CANNIBALISTIC BEHAVIOUR IN THE MANGROVE CRAB PARASESARMA PLICATUM

(LATREILLE, 1803)

V.P. PRAVEEN! **+*, K. SHanu!?, S. Surges! AND T.S. Nayar!

‘Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram 695 562, Kerala, India.

*Nature and Heritage Conservation Initiative, PRA - 87, KPV - 547, Putichy Road, Kudappanakunnu,

Thiruvananthapuram 695 043, Kerala, India.

*Government College Madappally, Vatakara, Kozhikode 673 102, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected]

“Email: [email protected]

>Email: [email protected]

°Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92347

Crabs are mostly herbivores, but they are also

opportunistic carnivores (Bliss et al. 1978). Cannibalistic

behaviour has been reported from economically important

species like Scylla serrata (Forskal) and S. tranquebarica

(Fabricius) (Baliao et al. 1981; Cholik and Hanafi 1992).

While studying the factors influencing the coexistence

of Parasesarma plicatum and Helice tridens, Kuroda et

al. (2005) happened to refer to cannibalism in a subadult

population of P. plicatum, though they did not elaborate on

this behaviour. Otherwise, there are no reports on cannibalism

exhibited by this species. We provide here, for the first

time, the entire sequence of cannibalistic behaviour of

P. plicatum documented in the laboratory of our field

station in Kunhimangalam, Kannur district of Kerala, India.

P. plicatum which is widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific

region (Rahayu and Ng 2010), inhabits marshy intertidal

areas with frequent tidal inundation.

Sixty adult crabs were handpicked at random (41 males

and 19 females) from Kunhimangalam mangrove forests (12°

15'N; 75° 13’ E) during low tide. The carapace width and wet

weight of crabs were recorded. A total of six tubs (T1—T6)

were maintained with 10 crabs per tub. Male to female ratio

of the crabs used for the experiment was assessed (Table 1).

Of the six tubs, three were maintained with equal amount of

decomposed and senescent mangrove leaf litter (25 gm each)

of Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia officinalis, Excoecaria

agallocha, and Rhizophora mucronata as these represented

the dominant litter contributing species in the study area

(Nayar 2011). The remaining three tubs were maintained

without leaf litter. The situation was closely and progressively

monitored for the next five days.

We used only adult crabs for the experiment. Carapace

width ranged from 14 to 21 mm for females and 13 to

24 mm for males (Table 2), with an average carapace width

of 17.77+2.2 mm (n=60, Mean+SD). Males and females did

not show any significant size difference in carapace width.

Average wet weight was 3.56+1.36 gm. P. plicatum showed

Table 1: Male : Female ratio before and after the experiment

Tub Type of treatment Male : Female Male : Female

no ratio before ratio after

experiment experiment

1 without litter 8:2 2:0

2 without litter 6:4 a1

2 without litter 8:2 4:0

4 with litter 8:2 4:2

5 with litter 6:4 4:2

6 with litter §'5 5:4

Total 41:19 24:9

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

cannibalistic behaviour in two ways: (1) a deliberate attack

by one crab on a seemingly weaker one, (2) when two crabs

accidentally came across each other.

The attack was either frontal or side to side. Frontal

(face to face) attack started with both the crabs exhibiting a

threat posture by standing on their walking legs and widely

stretching the chelipeds towards the opponent as shields.

This was followed by a full contact attack with the chelipeds.

This lasted for 10 to 120 minutes until the ‘attacked’ crab

succumbed. The ‘succumbed’ crab was then mass attacked

by the surrounding crabs. During the mass attack, no crab

played the role of a leader. Some crabs cut the victim’s

carapace from the base of the abdomen and removed it to

expose the soft internal tissues. The prey could be still alive

moving its legs and chelipeds. After this, three or four crabs

attacked the body of the prey and fed on the fleshy matter.

Some sliced pieces of flesh and took them away from the

spot to feed comfortably, while others attacked the eyes at

the base of the stalk, making the prey completely blind. The

crabs that did not get an opportunity to climb over the body

and eat the flesh satisfied themselves by attacking the walking

legs of the ‘succumbed’ crab. They detached the walking

legs from the body and took them away to a distance to feed

on them undisturbed. The flesh attached to the proximal

end of the cheliped was also consumed. The leftovers, after

consuming the edible parts, included ventral exoskeleton, one

to four walking legs, abdominal flap, cheliped, and detached

carapace. The duration of this cannibalistic feeding was two

Table 2: Sex, carapace width and wet weight of crabs used in the experiment

31 Male 2.0 Ar

SI no. me Carapace Wet weight

width (cm) (gm)

1 Female Za 4.2

2 Male 1.8 i te

3 Male 2 5.4

4 Male 22 53

5 Male 1.8 3.2

6 Male 1.9 3.9

& Male 1.8 3.6

8 Male 1.8 3.6

9g Male 1.8 3:5

10 Male a 2.8

11 Male 1.8 oF

12 Male 1.7 3

13 Male Ae 3.6

14 Male 1.8 3.4

15 Male slits Ze

16 Male 1.6 2.8

17 Male 15 2

18 Male 4:5 1

19 Male 3 1.7

20 Male 1.8 o.2

21 Male 2.0 4.6

aia Male Ver 6.4

23 Male 2.4 7.8

24 Male 15 Avil

25 Male 1.8 aia

26 Male 2.0 5.4

pit Male 1.8 4.1

28 Male 1:5 416,

29 Male 2.0 4.4

30 Male 1.8 3.4

isda, a ale Ge Wet weight

width (cm) (gm)

32 Male (ler 2.7

33 Male 1.8 oT

34 Male 1.8 em)

30 Male 2 SS

36 Male 2.0 5.1

Bz Male 1.9 4.7

38 Male 1.8 30

39 Male 1.8 32

40 Male 2.0 4.7

A1 Male ae 22

42 Male 1.6 28.

43 Female 1.6 2.6

44 Female 1.4 2

45 Female 1.4 1.7

46 Female 125 253

47 Female 1.8 4

48 Female 2 4.7

49 Female 7 ow

50 Female 1.8 3.0

51 Female bist, 2

52 Female 1.6 ZO

53 Female 1.6 Zo

54 Female 1.8 oa

o18) Female 1.8 MS)

56 Female 2 6

mo ¥ Female 2 5:9

58 Female hey. 20

59 Female 1.6 2

60 Female $25 2

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Fig 1: (a) Population of Parasesarma plicatum, (b) P. plicatum feeding on a detached cheliped,

(d) Remnants of P. plicatum prey after cannibalism

to four hours. The above sequences were repeatedly observed

in the first ten instances (Fig. la—d). We recorded only the

number of kills since then, for the remaining 17 events.

In side to side attack, two crabs started to fight with

their walking legs. This happened normally when two

crabs accidentally came across each other. After the initial

fight, they gradually came face to face and continued the

cannibalistic behaviour as discussed earlier. It was observed

that <10% of the attacks ended in a kill. In most instances,

after the threat posture, both the crabs avoided encounter

and dispersed.

Cannibalism is a common ecological interaction in

the animal kingdom and has been recorded in 1,500 species

(Polis 1981). It is not only restricted to carnivores, but is also

found in herbivores and detritivores (Fox 1975). Cannibalism

in P. plicatum appears to be based on well-planned strategies,

right from the selection of prey to the complete utilization

of resources, because they adopted a systematic approach to

weaken the prey by first removing one of the most important

body parts, the carapace, followed by the removal of eye

stalks, thereby blinding it. Moreover, once the carapace is

removed, the internal vital organs are exposed and this makes

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

the prey more vulnerable. Selection of prey is probably an

impulse-stimulated behaviour, irrespective of size and sex. It

was observed that once the fight started, and if one crab found

the other equally strong, the fight normally subsided without

leading to cannibalism. Vigorous activity of a comparatively

smaller crab could help in successfully overpowering a larger

opponent. The attack can be male to male, male to female

or female to female. We got 41.46% and 52.63% mortality

among the males and females respectively. Lack of food

resources can induce the possibility of cannibalism. Out of

the 30 crabs in the experimental tubs with leaf litter, nine

(30%) succumbed to cannibalism within five days, while in

tubs without leaf litter the number was 18 (60%), a twofold

increase (Table 1). This showed that lack of food availability

enhanced the chances of cannibalism in P. plicatum.

Mangrove litter is a major food for most of the

mangrove crabs (Nordhaus and Wolf 2007). It has low

nutritive value, with less nitrogen content and a higher

C:N ratio than is required for herbivores (Allen 1989).

Hence, a supply of protein is necessary for the maintenance

of normal body activity. Nitrogen, which is essential for rapid

growth and high reproductive output, is well-documented as a

limiting nutrient resource for herbivores (Wolcott and Wolcott

1984). Scavenging, predation and cannibalism have been

reported as the common adaptation among litter consuming

crabs to compensate for low nitrogen (Wolcott and Wolcott

1984, 1987, 1988). Cannibalism may be an adaptation in

P. plicatum to overcome nitrogen deficiency. Fox (1975),

Polis (1981), Polis et al. (1989), Lovrich and Sainte-Marie

(1997), and Amaral et al. (2009) observed that cannibalism

helped to control population size of crabs. It also promotes

minimum intraspecific competition for resources.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors thank the Ministry of Environment, Forests

and Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi, for

financial support.

REFERENCES

AMARAL, V., J. PAULA, S. HAWKINS & S. JENKINS (2009): Cannibalistic

interactions in two co-occurring decapod species: Effects of

density, food, alternative prey and habitat. J. Exp. Mar. Biol.

Ecol. 368: 88-93. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2008.10.025

ALLEN, S.E. (Epb.) (1989): Chemical Analysis of Ecological Materials.

2nd edn. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. 368 pp.

Bauiao, D.D., E.M. Ropricuez & D.D. Gerocui (1981): Culture of

mud crab Scylla serrata (Forskal) at different stocking densities

in brackish water ponds. SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department

Quarterly Research Report 5: 10-14.

Buss, D.E., J.V. MONTFRANS, M.V. MontTFrRaANs & J.R. Boyer (1978):

Behavior and growth of the land crab Gecarcinus lateralis

(Fréminville) in southern Florida. Bull. Amer. Mus. Natur. Hist.

160(2): 111-152.

CHOLIK, F. & A. HANAFI (1992): A review of the status of the mud crab

(Scylla sp.) fishery and culture in Indonesia. Pp. 13—28. Jn: Angell,

C.A. (Ed.): The Mud Crab. Report of the Seminar on Mud Crab

Culture and Trade. Bay of Bengal Programme. Madras, India.

Fox, L.R. (1975): Cannibalism in natural populations. Annual Review

of Ecology and Systematics 6: 87-106.

Kuropa, M., K. Wapa & M. Kamapa (2005): Factors influencing

coexistence of two brachyuran crabs, Helice tridens and

Parasesarma plicatum, in an estuarine salt marsh, Japan. J. Crustac.

Biol. 25(1): 146-153. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1651/C-2506.

Lovricu, G.A. & B. SAINTE-MARIE (1997): Cannibalism in the snow crab,

Chionoecetes opilio (O. Fabricius) (Brachyura: Majidae), and its

potential importance to recruitment. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 211(2):

225-245. doi: 10.1016/S0022-098 1(96)02715-3

Nayar, T.S. (2011): Plant crab interaction in mangrove ecosystem

with a case study from Kerala. Pp. 73-88. /n: Bhatt, J.R.,

D.J. Macintosh, T.S. Nayar, C.N. Pandey and B.P. Nilaratna (Eds):

Towards conservation and management of mangrove ecosystems

in India. IUCN, India.

Norpuaus, I. & M. Wo rF (2007): Feeding ecology of the mangrove

crab Ucides cordatus (Ocypodidae): food choice, food quality

assimilation efficiency. Mar. Biol. 151: 1665-1681.

Pouis, G.A. (1981): The evolution and dynamics of intraspecific

predation. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 12: 225-251.

Potts, G.A., C.A. Myers & R.D. Hott (1989): The ecology and evolution

of intraguild predation: potential competitors that eat each other.

Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 20: 297-330.

Ranayu, D.L. & P.K.L. Nc (2010): Revision of Parasesarma plicatum

(Latreille, 1803) species group (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura:

Sesarmidae). Zootaxa 2327: 1—22.

Wo cortt, D.L. & T.G. Wotcort (1984): Food quality and cannibalism in

the red land crab Gecarcinus lateralis. Physiol. Zool. 57: 318-324.

Wo tcort, D.L. & T.G. Wotcortt (1987): Nitrogen limitation in the

herbivorous land crab Cardisoma guanhumi. Physiol. Zool. 60:

262-268.

Wo cort, D.L. & T.G. Wotcott (1988): Availability of salts is not a

limiting factor for the land crab Gecarcinus lateralis (Fréminville).

J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 120: 199-219.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

15. PYCNOCYCLA LINDL. (APIACEAE): A NEW GENERIC RECORD

FOR MAHARASHTRA STATE, INDIA

K.V.C. Gosavi!’* AND K.N. Koi’

‘Department of Botany, HPT Arts and RYK Science College, Nashik 422 005, Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected]

*Department of Botany, PSGVPM ASC College, Shahada, Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92348

Introduction genus is represented by only a single species, Pycnocycla

Genus Pycnocycla Lindl. comprises approximately — glauca Lindl. which is reported from North West India, Bihar

12 species, distributed from mid Africa to western and — and Madhya Pradesh.

central Asia (Mukherjee and Constance 1993). In India, the During floristic survey of Nandurbar district,

Fig. 1: Pycnocycla glauca Lindl. a. Habit; b. Inflorescence top view showing flowers;

c. Inflorescence lower view showing involucral bract and bracteole; d. Mature fruits.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015 45

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Maharashtra, specimens were collected from Astambha in

the Satpura ranges, the analyses of which showed that they

belong to the genus Pycnocycla Lindl. After comparison

with literature, the specimens were confirmed as Pycnocycla

glauca Lindl, with no earlier records of the genus reported

from Maharashtra state (Cook 1958; Lindley 1839; Mukherjee

and Constance 1993; Singh and Karthikeyan 2000; Verma et

al. 1993). Thus, it is reported as a new record for Maharashtra

state in the present communication.

Pycnocycla glauca Lindl. In Royle, II. Bot. Himal.

Mount. 232. 1835; C.B. Clarke in Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind.

2: 694. 1879. P.K. Mukh., Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) in Ind.

22) 1993. oF 8 or Madhya-Prad. 521s 1993.

Perennial, rigid, erect, dichotomously branched,

pubescent or glabrous, succulent c. 60 cm tall herb (Fig. 1).

Roots fibrous. Leaves petiolate, pinnate 3, dissected, c. 10 cm

long, filiform, succulent. Inflorescence compact, compound

head-like umbel c. 2 cm in diameter. Peduncle 30-50 cm

long, terete, hairy. Involucral bracts 9-10, 2—3 mm long,

linear, acute, hairy. Rays 20—25, up to 4 mm long at maturity,

hairy, terete, bracteoles 6—8, c. 2—3 mm long, hairy, acute.

Umbellets bearing 7—9 pedicellate staminate male flowers and

single sessile central female flower; pedicel c. 2 mm long,

terete, densely pubescent; sepals 5, evident; petals 5, unequal,

1—2 mm long, white, notched at apex, lobes unequal; stamen

5, exserted with c. 4 mm long filament; anthers c. 0.5 mm

long. Hermaphrodite; pistil single, c. 4 mm long (including

style), style two, hairy. Fruit elliptic—-oblong, villous,

7-9 x 1.5—2 mm; vittae sparsely 3-4 on commissure.

Flowering and fruiting: October to May

Distribution: Ethiopia, Yemen, INDIA: N.W. India,

Punjab, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh; Maharashtra (in present

communication).

Note: This species is found growing in open

grassland on hill slopes at c. 1,010 m in Astambha in the

Satpura ranges, in association with Carvia callosa (Nees)

Bremek., Heteropogon ritchiei (Hook. f.) Blatt. & McCann,

Arthraxon lanceolatus Migq., Artemisia japonica. Thunb.,

Conyza stricta Willd., Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.)

Will. Watson, Eulalia trispicata (Schult.) Henrard and

Tricholepis amplexicaulis C.B. Clarke.

Specimen Examined: tNp1IA: Maharashtra, Nandurbar

district, Astambha (21° 40’ 28. 30” N, 74° 08’ 24.52” E),

30.x1.2014, Coll.: K.V.C. Gosavi 641 (SUK).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are thankful to Dr. S.R. Yadav, Professor and

Head, Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur,

for encouragement; to SERB, Department of Science and

Technology (DST), New Delhi, for financial assistance (File

No.:- SB/FT/LS-130/2012), under DST Fast Track Young

Scientist Scheme and to Principal, PSGVPM ASC College,

Shahada, Maharashtra, India.

REFERENCES

Cook, T. (1958): The Flora of the Presidency of Bombay (BSI Reprint.)

Calcutta. Vols I-III.

LINDLEY, J. (1839): Notes upon some of the Himalayan Umbelliferae.

In: Royte, J.F. Illustrations of the botany and other branches of

the natural history of the Himalayan Mountains: and of the flora

of Cashmere. London. 232 pp.

MUKHERJEE, P.K. & L. CoNsTANcE (1993): Umbelliferae (Apiaceae)

of India. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.

22 pp.

SINGH, N.P. & S. KARTHIKEYAN (Eps) (2000): Flora of Maharashtra

state: Dicotyledons Vol. I (Ranunculaceae to Rhizophoraceae).

BSI, Calcutta.

VERMA, D.M., N.P. BALAKRISHNAN & R.D. Drxit (1993): Flora of Madhya

Pradesh. Vol. I, BSI, Calcutta. Pp. 520-521.

16. ENYDRA FLUCTUANS LOUR. — AN ADDITION TO THE FLORA OF KERALA, INDIA

SosAN Jose!?, V. SuresH!4, R. PRAKASHKUMAR~ AND P.V. MADHUSOODANAN~**

'Dept. of Botany, Govt Victoria College (University of Calicut), Palakkad 678 001, Kerala, India.

*Malabar Botanical Garden, GA College P.O., Kozhikode 673 014, Kerala, India.

>Email: [email protected]

*Email: [email protected]

-Email: [email protected]

‘Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92349

Introduction

Enydra Lout. is a pantropical genus of the family

Asteraceae with about 10 species (Stuessy 1978), with only

one species in India, namely EF. fluctuans (Patil et al. 2008).

The plant is well-known for its anti-inflammatory (Sannigrahi

et al. 2011), analgesic (Rahman ef a/. 2002; Sannigrahi et

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

al. 2011) and anti-diarrhoeal (Uddin et a/. 2005) properties.

The plant was first described from Vietnam in 1790. It was

later reported from northern India (Hooker 1897). This taxon

was not reported from the erstwhile Madras and Bombay

Presidencies, as evident from the absence of this genus in

Gamble and Fischer (1936) and Cooke (1908). It was first

reported from Maharashtra by Almeida and Daruwalla

(1987). The genus Enydra is not yet reported from Kerala.

This paper reports Enydra fluctuans from Shokanashini

river in Chittur village of Palakkad district in Kerala. Thus,

it is evident that the geographical distribution of the species

extends beyond its previously reported range. The specimen

has been identified using available floras and monographs.

The description is given with notes for easy identification.

Voucher specimens were deposited in the herbarium of

Malabar Botanical Garden (MBGS) and Calicut University

Herbarium (CALI).

Enydra fluctuans Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 510. 1790;

Enhydra fluctuans Lour, Hook.f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 304. 1892;

Lack. Willdenowia 10: 3. 1980; Hingtsha repens Roxb., Hort.

Beng. 62. 1814, FI. Ind. 111. 448. 1832; Tetraotis paludosa

Reinw. Syll. Pl. Nov. 2: 8. 1825.

Glabrous marsh herb; Stems elongate, simple or

divaricately branched, rooting at the nodes; Leaves opposite,

linear—oblong, acute or obtuse, base narrowed or truncate,

variable in breadth, sessile, glandular; Inflorescence a sessile

head, both axillary and terminal; Involucral bracts foliaceous,

four in number, in opposite pairs, outer pair larger than the

inner; ray florets female, many-seriate, fertile; disk florets

with a 5-fid campanulate limb. Cypsela oblong; pappus

absent.

Flowering and Fruiting: November to May.

Distribution in India: Assam, Maharashtra, West

Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Jammu

& Kashmir.

Material Examined: INpIA: Shokanashini river, Chittur

(10° 41’ 08.5” N and 76° 43’ 20.6" E; 97 m above msl)

(Palakkad district, Kerala state). Coll.: Sojan and Suresh,

10.111.2013, MBGS 5457.

Note: A rooted emergent herbaceous hydrophyte that

luxuriously spreads over the water surface, competing with

Ipomoea aquatica, Eichhornia crassipes, and Nymphoides

hydrophylla. It shows complete dominance in the absence of

Eichhornia crassipes in the river bank region.

REFERENCES

ALMEIDA, S.M. & A.R. DARUWALLA (1987): Massive occurrence of

Enhydra fluctuans (Enydra) in city pond. J. Bombay. Nat. Hist.

Soc. 84(3): 463-465.

Cooke, T. (1908): The Flora of the Presidency of Bombay. Vols I-III.

Taylor & Francis, London.

GAMBLE, J.S. & C.E.C. FiscHer (1936): The Flora of the Presidency of

Madras. Adlard & Son Ltd, London.

Hooker, J.D. (1897): The Flora of British India. Vols I-VI. Reeve &

Co., London.

PatiL, K.S., P. MAJUMDER & R.R. WADEKAR (2008): Effect of Enhydra

fluctuans Lour. leaf extract on phagocytosis by human neutrophils.

Jour. Nat. Remedies 8(1): 76-81.

RAHMAN, M.T., N. BEGumM, M. ALIMUZZAMAN & M.O.F. KHAN

(2002): Analgesic activity of Enhydra fluctuans. Fitoterapia

73(7): 107-709.

SANNIGRAHIL, S., U.K. MaAzumper, D. PAL, M.L. MisHra & S. Marry

(2011): Flavonoids of Enhydra fluctuans exhibits analgesic and

anti-inflammatory activity in different animal models. Pak. J.

Pharm. Sci. 24(3): 369-375.

Stugssy, T.F. (1978): Heliantheae — a systematic review. Pp. 621-671.

In: Heywood, V.H., J.B. Harborne, B.L. Turner (Eds): The

Biology and Chemistry of the Compositae. Academic Press,

London.

Ubpiy, S.J., M.M. Ferpous, R. Rour, M.S. ALAM, M.A.M. SARKAR

& J.A. Suter (2005): Evaluation of anti-diarrhoeal activity of

Enhydra fluctuans. Journal of Medical Sciences 5: 324-327.

17. PAPILIONANTHE SCHLTR. (ORCHIDACEAE) —

A NEW GENERIC RECORD FOR CHHATTISGARH, INDIA

ARJUN PRASAD TIWARI!

‘Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre, Allahabad 211 002, Uttar Pradesh, India. Email: [email protected]

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92354

Introduction

The genus Papilionanthe Schltr. (Orchidaceae)

comprises 11 species distributed in India, China, Southeast

Asia and the Malay Archipelago (Mabberly 2008). Of these,

4 species are found in India, Papilionanthe subulata (Willd.)

Garay, P. teres (Roxb.) Schltr., P. uniflora (Lindl.) Garay and

P. vandarum (Rchb.f.) Garay (Misra 2007). The generic name

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

is derived from the latin words papilio (butterfly) and anthos

(flower), an allusion to the butterfly-like flowers in the genus.

The genus is characterized by scandent stems, terete leaves,

large and showy flowers with distinctly spurred lip.

During a floristic survey of Surguja district, Chhattisgarh

in June 2013, specimens of Papilionanthe epiphytic on tree

trunks of Shorea robusta Roth. in Sal forests at c. 800 m

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

altitude were collected from Matranga range. After thorough

consultation of the literature and critical examination of the

specimens, it turned out to be Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.)

Schltr., which is hitherto unrecorded from Chhattisgarh

(Jha and Khanna 2005; Khanna and Jha 2005; Khanna et

al. 2005, 2009; Kotia et al. 2010, 2013; Kumar 2003; Murti

and Panigrahi 1999; Tiwari and Ansari 2014; Verma et al.

1985), and hence it is reported as a new record for the state in

the present note. The data on correct nomenclature,

basionym, relevant synonyms, brief description,

phenology, ecological notes along with specimens examined

are provided. The specimens are housed in the herbarium

of Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre,

Allahabad (BSA).

Key to the Papilionanthe species in India

1. Flowers solitary or very rarely two, up to 1.5 cm across; side

LODESOL AT IDI PANIC: LIS, cae. EI P. uniflora

— Flowers more than two in racemes, 4-10 cm across; side lobes

er lipmotbipantilew st ten oa aan AR SA 2

2. Flowers c. 5-10 cm across; petals orbicular; lip hairy; side lobes

oF lip-reundedy s.) NaAMen SAO ARR RE P. teres

— Flowers 4—5 cm across; petals oblong; lip glabrous; side lobes

il LPRGIN OMS Ga eh cce A eee, care 3

3. Petals subrhombic; lateral lobes of lip unequally bifid; spur

Cri CM nek ate RA ES, Ant LCI, ae P. vandarum

— Petals oblong; lateral lobes of lip unequally bifid; spur

EAT eee lee ieee ene P. subulata

Taxonomic Account

Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr. in Orchis 9: 78.

1915. Dendrobium teres Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 485. 1832. Vanda

teres (Roxb.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 217. 1833; Hook.f,

FI. Brit. India 6: 49. 1890.

Epiphytic herb. Stems scandent, terete, usually 2—3 m

long. Leaves alternate, terete, slender, 8-20 x 0.40.5 cm,

fleshy, obtuse. Racemes axillary, laxly 2—5-flowered, slightly

longer than leaf; peduncle stout, with 3 or 4 membraneous

sheaths; floral bracts broadly ovate, 4-6 mm long, slightly

fleshy, obtuse. Flowers pinkish, often mixed with white,

opening widely, 5-10 cm across. Sepals undulate; dorsal

sepals broadly elliptic, blunt; lateral sepals oblong, often

with a short spur outside. Petals larger, orbicular; lip yellow or

reddish brown, spotted and lined with red and purplish brown,

longer than the lateral sepals and adnate to the very short

foot, side lobes elliptic; mid lobe clawed, obovate, deeply

bifid; spur funnel-shaped, column short, stout, foot very

short. Anther 2-celled, rostellum small; pollinia 2, didymous,

subglobose; caudicle short, geniculate; gland usually large.

Capsules narrowly fusiform.

Flowering & Fruiting: June—August.

Ecological notes: Epiphyte on tree trunks of Shorea

robusta Roth. in Sal forests around 800 m altitude.

Specimens examined: Chhattisgarh, Surguja,

Matranga, 21.vi.2013, 4.P. Tiwari 73185 (BSA).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author is thankful to Dr. P. Singh, Director,

Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata and Scientist D in-

charge, Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre,

Allahabad, for necessary facilities.

REFERENCES

Joa, A.K. & K.K. KHanna (2005): Plant Wealth (Angiosperms)

of Kanger Valley National Park, Bastar (Chhattisgarh).

Phytotaxonomy 5: 12-31.

KHANNA, K.K. & A.K. JHa (2005): Some New Record of Angiosperms

for Chhattisgarh. Ann. For. 13(2): 299-303.

KHANNA, K.K., A. KuMAaR & A.K. JHA (2005): Floristic Diversity of

Chhattisgarh (Angiosperms). Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh,

Dehradun.

KHANNA, K.K., P.C. DuBey, R.L.S. SikARWAR & A.P. Trwartr (2009):

Some Angiospermic Plants new to Central India. J. Econ. Tax.

Bot. 33(4): 834-836.

Kotla, A., P. Kumar, U.L. Trwart, A. Prasap & G.S. Rawat (2010):

New distributional records of some orchids from Chhattisgarh

state (Kanger Valley National Park), India. Indian Forester 136(3):

354-358.

Kota, A., P. Kumar, U.L. Trwart, J.S. JALAL & A.N. Prasapb (2013):

Orchid diversity and distribution in Kanger Valley National Park,

Chhattisgarh. J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 37(1): 207-215.

Kumar, A. (2003): Flora of Indravati Tiger Reserve. Botanical Survey

of India, Calcutta.

MABBERLEY, D.J. (2008): Mabberley’s Plant Book — a portable dictionary

of Plants, their Classification and Uses. 3rd edn. Cambridge

University Press, Cambridge.

Misra, S. (2007): Orchids of India—a glimpse. Bishen Singh Mahendra

Pal Singh, Dehradun.

Murti, S.K. & G. PANiGRAHI (1999): Flora of Bilaspur District, M.P.

Vol. II. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta.

Tiwari, A.P. & A.A. Ansari (2014): New record of Angiospermic taxa

for Chhattisgarh. Indian Journal of Forestry 37(1): 97-102.

VERMA, D.M., P.C. Pant & M.I. HAnri (1985): Flora of Raipur, Durg

and Rajnandgaon. Flora of India — Series 3. Botanical Survey of

India, Howrah.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

18. AN EXTENDED DISTRIBUTION OF AMORPHOPHALLUS KONKANENSIS HETT.,

S.R. YADAV & K.S. PATIL WITH NOTES ON ITS FLORAL VARIATIONS

AVINASH R. GHOLAVE!”* AND S.R. YADAV!”

‘Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004, Maharashtra, India.

*Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author |

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92356

Introduction district): Gondia, 13.vi.2013 4.R. Gholave & A A. Adsul ARG

The genus Amorphophallus Blume ex Decne. has _—_31. All specimens deposited in SUK.

about 200 species distributed in tropical Africa, Madagascar, Notes: Amorphophallus konkanensis, an endemic to

tropical and subtropical Asia, Malay Archipelago, Melanesia, _—_ India, is widely distributed from Khandwa (M.P.) to northern

and Australia (Mayo et al. 1997). In India, the genus is _ Kerala. Characters of neuters in the genus Amorphophallus are

represented by three sections, namely Amorphophallus __ of taxonomic value, however the species shows considerable

Blume ex Decne., Conophallus (Schott), and Rhaphiophallus variation in the neuters (Fig. 2). Specimens (Fig. 2a) collected

(Schott) Engl. The section Rhaphiophallus has 9 species, of | from Kasargod district, Kerala (Fig. 1) show round orange

which 8 are endemic to India, while the 9th, A. sylvaticus, neuters arranged in a single row, while specimens collected

has also been reported from Sri Lanka. from Belgaum district, Karnataka (Fig. 2b) have round

During our explorations in northern Kerala, we collected = white neuters arranged in two rows. Similarly, specimens

Amorphophallus konkanensis, which forms a new record for —_ collected from Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh (Fig. 2 c

the state of Kerala. The specimens (Gholave & Yadav ARG-17) — and d) have diamond-shaped tan coloured neuters arranged

have been deposited in Shivaji University, Kolhapur. in two rows. Specimens collected from Sindhudurg district,

The present communication reports an extended Maharashtra (Fig. 2e), show diamond-shaped whitish-brown

distribution of Amorphophallus konkanensis for Kerala with — neuters arranged in two to four rows. Specimens collected

notes on diversity of neuters in the species. from Gondia district, Maharashtra (Fig. 2f), have diamond-

Amorphophallus konkanensis Hett.,S.R. Yadav & — shaped maple coloured neuters arranged in three to five

K.S. Patil, Blumea 39: 289-294. 1994.

Type: inpiA: Maneri, Sindhudurg District, 15.v.1992, ee

K.S. Patil 4687- A. Mae STs ed i

Tuberous herb, tuber globose or depressed globose; \ =

leaf solitary; petiole smooth, 20-88 cm long, lamina 30-— ae 8 200 km

80 cm in diameter, rachis winged except for the most proximal , Ay so ie

parts; inflorescence with peduncle 20—35 cm long, spadix Oe Sed “2 ' eae

stipitate, spathe 6.5—14 cm long, green; female zone cylindric et ee oe. ) eee

din : eh i a ee gs

0.6—-1.5 cm long, flowers congested; male zone cylindric, ie ee a es ag 4

1.5—3.0 cm long; staminodes congested, rhomboid, slightly 2 Bee, a < f eas 2 ie NE e Sema P t

whitish or faintly purplish or dark purple; stigma 3-lobed. Oe Aw Lice cee ae 5 vy ba

Fruits 2-4 seeded berries. << a i b ns LSet a (ae, %

Chromosome number: 2n=26 (Lekhak and Yadav ee fe ° tie eae

2011; Paulos): i ; —* eS

Flowering & Fruiting: April—June. \ wt ¢ ; a

Distribution: Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya X ee ae

Pradesh, and Maharashtra (Fig. 1). \ ax | |

Specimens Examined: INDIA: Karnataka (Belgaum | = rex ] f

district): Pedekollimatti, 14.v.2013, 4.R. Gholave & via.) ae ee:

S.R. Yadav ARG-12. Kerala (Kasargod district): Periya ‘ee 3 pS 4 New locality of occurrence in Kerala.

village, 18.v.2013, A.R. Gholave & S.R. Yadav ARG-17. 7 :

Madhya Pradesh (Khandwa district): Bhagpura, 7.vi1.2012,

A.R. Gholave & §.K. Kamble ARG 2. Maharashtra (Gondia Fig. 1: Geographical distribution of Amorphophallus konkanensis

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015 49

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Fig. 2: Variation in neuter colour, shape, size and number in individuals of different populations of Amorphophallus konkanensis

a: Kasargod, Kerala; b: Belgaum, Karnataka; c and d: Knandwa, Madhya Pradesh; e: Sindhudurg, Maharashtra; f: Gondia,

Maharashtra; g—i: Kunkeshwar, Maharashtra.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

rows. Specimens from Kunkeshwar, Maharashtra (Fig. 2 g—1)

show round red neuters arranged in two to three rows.

Hence, it can be concluded that the neuter colour can be

white, tan, orange, maple, brown, or red. Similarly, neuter

number can range from 10—25. The neuters show considerable

variation in diameter, from 3—7 mm. Arrangement of neuters

can range from 1—5 rows. However, variation in neuter

morphology is accompanied by corresponding change in

chromosome number or not is yet to be studied. So far 2n=26

is the only diploid number reported for Amorphophallus

konkanensis (Lekhak and Yadav 2011; Patil 1995). A

population-wise study of the species may reveal the presence

of cytotypes.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are thankful to the Department of

Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India for financial assistance

(PLS Sanction letter: No. BT/PR4572/INF/22/147/2012

dated 23.03.2012).

REFERENCES

LekuHak, M.M. & S.R. YApav (2011): Cytotaxonomy of some species of

Amorphophallus sect. Rhaphiophallus (Schott) Engl. (Araceae) of

the Indian Subcontinent. The Nucleus 54(3): 169-176.

Mayo, S.J., J. BoGNER & P.C. Boyce (1997): Amorphophallus. Pp. 235-

239. In: The Genera of Araceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Patit, K.S. (1995): Cytotaxonomical & Genetical studies in Araceae

from Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Ph.D. Thesis. Department of

Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. |

19. ADDITIONAL PLANT RECORDS FOR KARNATAKA, INDIA

Niveso V. Macpure!”, ARUN N. CHANDORE** AND S.R. Yapav*>*

‘Department of Botany, S.S.G.M. College, Kopargaon, Ahmednagar 423 601, Maharashtra, India.

"Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004, Maharashtra, India.

7Email: [email protected]

‘Email: [email protected]

°Email: [email protected]

*Corresponding author

doi: 10.17087/jbnhs/2015/v112i1/92360

Introduction

During a study of the flora of Belgaum district

of Karnataka (2005-2010), we collected specimens of

Ceropegia jainii Ansari & B.G. Kulk. (Apocynaceae),

Eriocaulon tuberiferum A.R. Kulk. & Desai (Eriocaulaceae),

and three species of Poaceae, namely Coelachne minuta Bor,

Glyphochloa ratnagirica (B.G. Kulk. & Hemadri) Clayton,

and Isachne borii Hemadri. These five species have so far

been reported to be endemic to Maharashtra state (Jagtap

and Singh 1999; Karthikeyan et al. 1989; Mishra and

Singh 2001). The collection of these species from Belgaum

district indicates a range extension southwards in the

Western Ghats and also forms a new record for the state

of Karnataka. The voucher specimens are deposited at the

herbarium of Botany Department (SUK), Shivaji University,

Kolhapur.

Ceropegia jainii Ansari & B.G. Kulk. in Bull. Bot. Surv.

India 22(1—4): 221. 1980 (1982). (Apocynaceae)

Flowering & Fruiting: August-September.

Locality: Lateritic plateau at Sada village on the way

to Kankumbi-Chorla.

Habitat: Open rocky places and in crevices of lateritic

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

plateaux of higher altitude.

Threat Status: Critically Endangered (Mishra and

Singh 2001).

Altitude: 812 m.

Exsiccata: NVM-3132.

Eriocaulon tuberiferum A.R. Kulk. & Desai in J.

Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 71 (1): 81—84, t. 1974. (Eriocaulaceae)

Flowering & Fruiting: July—September.

Locality: Lateritic plateaux at Kankumbi and

Amgaon. |

Habitat: Occasionally found along the margins of

temporary ponds and puddles on plateaux. Restricted to

lateritic plateaux of higher altitude.

Threat status: Endangered (Mishra and Singh

2001).

Altitude: 806 m

Exsiccata: NVM-2909.

Note: Propagates through root tubers.

Coelachne minuta Bor in J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

58: 317. 1961. (Poaceae)

Flowering & Fruiting: August—October.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Locality: Lateritic plateaux at Sada, Kankumbi, and

Amgaon.

Habitat: Open, rocky, moist grasslands, and wet places.

Threat status: Endangered (Mishra and Singh

2001).

Altitude: 808 m

Exsiccata: NVM-2910.

Note: Differs from other species of the genus by its

minute spikelets.

Glyphochloa ratnagirica (B.G. Kulk. & Hemadri)

Clayton in Kew Bull. 35: 815. 1981. (Poaceae)

Flowering & Fruiting: August—October.

Locality: Lateritic plateaux at Sada and Amgaon.

Habitat: Common on lateritic plateaux.

Threat status: Endangered (Mishra and Singh 2001).

Altitude: 807 m.

Exsiccata: ANC-931.

Note: Differs from other species of the genus by the

lower glume of sessile spikelet only with marginal tubercles

and pits on dorsal side. Grows in association with Eriocaulon

eurypeplon Korn., Danthonidium gammiei (Bhide)

C.E. Hubb., Jndopoa paupercula (Stapf) Bor, Fimbristylis

microcarya F, Muell. and Pycreus sanguinolentus (Vahl) Nees.

Isachne borii Hemadri in Indian For. 97: 233. 1971.

(Poaceae)

Flowering & Fruiting: August-November.

Locality: Lateritic plateaux at Amgaon, Sada.

Habitat: Common on lateritic plateaux.

Threat status: Endangered (Mishra and Singh

2001).

Altitude: 811 m

Exsiccata: ANC-795.

Note: Can be identified by presence of dense woolly

hairs at the base of the florets. Grows in association with

Eriocaulon eurypeplon Korn., Isachne pulchella Roth,

Glyphochloa mysorensis (Jain & Hemadri) Clayton, Indopoa

paupercula (Stapf) Bor, Fimbristylis microcarya F. Muell.

and Pycreus sanguinolentus (Vahl) Nees.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are thankful to the Head, Department of

Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, for laboratory facilities.

They are also thankful to the Karnataka Forest Department

for granting permission to collect plant material, and to

the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India,

New Delhi, for financial assistance.

REFERENCES

Jactap, A.P. & N.P. SINGH (1999): Fascicles of Flora of India (Fascicle 24) — Asclepiadaceae & Periplocaceae. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah.

Poe

KARTHIKEYAN, S., S.K. Jain, M.P. Nayar & M. SaAnsAppa (1989): Florae Indicae Enumeratio: Monocotyledonae. Flora of India Ser. 4, Botanical

Survey of India, Howrah.

Misura, D.K. & N.P. StncH (2001): Endemic and threatened flowering plants of Maharashtra. Flora of India - Ser. 4, Botanical Survey of India,

Howrah.

Printed by Printania Offset Pvt. Ltd., D-20/21, Shalimar Industrial Estate, Matunga, Mumbai 400 019 and published on April 28,

2016 by Dr. Ashok Bhagwat for Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Dr. Salim Ali Chowk,

Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India.

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(1), Jan-Apr 2015

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