tiger, leopard, dhole density and activity by t. ramesh
TRANSCRIPT
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SS 1PLANT ENDEMISM IN WESTERN GHATS AND IDENTIFICATION OF
CRITICAL SPECIES AND HABITATS
The flora of Western Ghats comprises about 10500 species from unicellular cyanobacteria to the flowering plants. In the floristic spectrum ofIndia the Western Ghats flora represents about 25 percent. Of the 4000 species of flowering plants about 1500 species are endemic toWestern Ghats. The Western Ghats mountain chain is part of the Indian plate of the Gondwanaland origin. The flora of Indian plate wassubjected to different climate stresses during its passage from southern latitudes (c.100my BP) resulting in the impoverishment of its palaeotropicflora. Just as Himalayas presides over the biogeography of India, the Western Ghats to a large extent presides over the ecology and biogeographyof Peninsular India. The physiographic features of the mountain chains of Northern Western Ghats straddling through the states of southernGujarat, Maharashtra, northern Karnataka having steep gradient on the windward side and gradual sloping on the leeward side is in quitecontrast to the steep slope on the leeward side and gradual sloping on the windward side of the southern Western Ghats straddling thesouthern Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The latitudinal position and altitudinal gradients with its rainfall patterns of south- west and north-east monsoons, changes of climatic shifts due to variations in dry months on the leeward side of the mountains, the stratified mountaintopography due to flow of Deccan lavas, the presence of mosaic of soil types, soil nutrients have resulted in a mosaic of ecological islands, nichesand refugia which favour high degree of endemism, viccariance and relicts. One of the criteria for selecting habitats for conservation is thedegree of endemism. Scientifically planned protected area network should include such endemic centres, however small they may be, and thiswould ensure saving species of restricted distribution. Most of the endemic plants of Western Ghats are palaeoendemics occurring in theecological niches, habitat temperature/ rainfall gradients and interphases. There are two mega endemic centres ie. southern Western Ghats andnorthern Western Ghats which includes six micro endemic centres in Western Ghats: i.e., Agasthyamalai hills, Anamalai-High Ranges, Nilgris-Silent valley-Waynad-Kodgu region, Shimoga- Kanara, Mahabaleswar-Khandala, Konkan-Raigad centre. There are about 60 endemic genera inWestern Ghats of which 49 are monotypic. The endemic genera of Western Ghats are diverse assemblages of herbs, succulent scapigerous herbsshrubs, climbers and trees. Trees are poorly represented in the endemic generic category. It is generally considered that woody life forms are ofrelictual nature. The arborecent nature at the generic level is seen in the endemic genera Poeciloneuron, Blepharistemma, Erinocarpus,Pseudoglochidion, Otonephelium and Meteoromyrtus. The presence of endemic elements in a flora which are taxonomically isolated from thenearest taxonomic group indicates its isolation from the main stock for a long period of time. Such taxonomically isolated endemic genera theage of its origin, since intermediate groups might have become extinct due to palaeoclimatic changes. The following endemic genera of WesternGhats are of phylogenetic and taxonomic importance: Haplothismia, Indotristicha and Hubbardia. Some of the important endemic tree speciesof Western Ghats which occur in specific ecological niches and which may come down in populations are highlighted in the paper. In thepresent scenario of the Western Ghats the genotypic and ecological basis of populations of 45 endemic species are critical for survival. In orderto stop looming extinction, it is necessary to study the conservation biology of the threatened endemic species.
Nayar, M.P. Former Director, Botanical Survey of India
Environmental Resources Research Centre, 10/30.N.C.C.RoadPerrorkada, P.O. Thiruvananthapuram-695005, Kerala
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SS 2AN OVERVIEW OF MICRO-FUNGAL DIVERSITY IN THE FORESTS OF
WESTERN GHATS, INDIA
Fungi are achlorophyllous, filamentous or unicellular, micro-organisms which subsist as saprophyte, parasite ormutualists. Micro-fungi produce small fruiting bodies. Taxonomically they belong to Zygomycota and Ascomycotawith their anamorphs. Though microscopic they are a diverse group of organisms. The forests of Western Ghats forman important zone of fungal biodiversity in the world. Since 1990, we made consistent efforts to systematicallycollect, isolate, identify and document the micro-fungi of the region, major areas of survey included freshwateraquatics, marine driftwoods, decaying plant debris (litter and humus), endophytes, aerial leaves (folliicolous), deador live insects (entomogenous), soil and herbivore dung (coprophilous). This paper gives an overview of the microfungaldiversity of region, various isolation techniques utilized in present study and a checklist of the fungi isolated andidentified till date from the forests of Western Ghats along with illustrations of novel and interesting fungi hithertopublished by the author. The paper also discusses about the on-going ex-situ conservation and bioprospectingefforts at Goa University.
Bhat, D.J.Department of Botany, Goa University,
Taligao plateau, Goa [email protected]
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SS 3WESTERN GHATS BIODIVERSITY OPEN COLLABORATIVE
INFORMATION SYSTEM –KNOWLEDGE COMMONS
FOR CONSERVATION
Over the last few decades there has been an explosion of studies to assess the past and present status of species and ecosystems ofthe Western Ghats. Despite the opportunities provided by these studies there are concerns about the present status of biodiversity,and the ability to predict the response of biodiversity to local and global environmental change. There are extensive studies andcollection of specimens, species occurrence records, and distribution maps of species of the Western Ghats dispersed among manyinstitutions and individuals. A primary impediment for any comprehensive biodiversity conservation effort is to know the availabilityof multitude of datasets and the access to these datasets. Lack of a good social network among the stakeholders of conservation inWestern Ghats also partly contributes to this problem. So, all the data, information, and knowledge generated by various entitiesduring various time periods across various themes, if shared on an open, collaborative information platform, could serve to overcomethe stated impediments. The Western Ghats Biodiversity Open Collaborative Information System or shortly Western Ghats Portal(WGP) aims to serve as a one-stop solution for biodiversity information needs of Western Ghats conservation community. WGP willbe a collaborative information system that will aggregate and integrate an array of biodiversity knowledge (eg. datasets, analysistools and published works) available with several entities in order to identify and prioritize conservation of biodiversity in the WesternGhats. Such a comprehensive, single point, collaborative and community owned information system will facilitate a transparent andinformed approach towards conservation. WGP portal intends to aggregate biodiversity information for public good, by leveragingWeb 2.0 technology to aggregate data and publish it on a portal with the objective of “connect, share, disseminate”. All data on theportal will be freely and openly available to the public over the Internet and distributed under the Creative Commons (CC) licenses.WGP will have five major components. They are (a) a WebGIS platform, (b) a non-map module like species pages with rich content,(c) a collaboration and social networking module for stakeholders, contributors, reviewers and end-users, (d) Application tools fordata visualization and species identification and (e) Application programming interfaces for exchanging data with other globaldatabases. WGP will evolve as a public knowledge base on Western Ghats biodiversity as it will be, (a) a community initiative, (b) aknowledge sharing platform and (c) a portal of high standards interacting with other global biodiversity informatics initiatives.
Ramesh B.R.Ramesh B.R.Ramesh B.R.Ramesh B.R.Ramesh B.R. 1 1 1 1 1, Balasubramanian, D., Balasubramanian, D., Balasubramanian, D., Balasubramanian, D., Balasubramanian, D.11111, Prabhakar, Prabhakar, Prabhakar, Prabhakar, Prabhakar, R., R., R., R., R.2,,,,,Ayyappan, N.Ayyappan, N.Ayyappan, N.Ayyappan, N.Ayyappan, N.11111, Narendiran, K., Narendiran, K., Narendiran, K., Narendiran, K., Narendiran, K.1 1 1 1 1 and Muthusankar and Muthusankar and Muthusankar and Muthusankar and Muthusankar, G., G., G., G., G.11111
1 French Institute, Pondicherry - 605 001 (Corresponding author)2 Strand Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore 560024.
email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected];
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DIVERSITY OF MOTH FLIES AND SAND FLIES
(DIPTERA: PSYCHODIDAE) OF THE WESTERN GHATSSS 4
Moth flies and sand flies are tiny true flies of the family Psychodidae (Insecta: Diptera) comprising one of the oldestlineages of lower Diptera originated in the Permian (250 Million Years Ago). Members of the Psychodidae are widespreadin tropical and subtropical countries exhibiting morphological and ecological diversities with 2,900 species classifiedinto 6 subfamilies: Bruchomyiinae, Sycoracinae, Horaiellinae, Trichomyiinae, Psychodinae and Phlebotominae. Adultflies of the non-phlebotomine Psychodids and their immature stages are associated with moist habitats, whilePhlebotminae, often referred as Phlebotomine sand flies are known for their blood-sucking habitat and terrestrialbreeding. Aquatic habitats of moth flies are vulnerable to ecological changes, thus some species are indicatorspecies. Sand flies in the genus Phlebotomus that contains vectors of human leishmaniasis reported in the westernghats. Because of their cryptic biology and behaviour, the knowledge of Indian psychodids is only partial with lessthan 100 known species. This paper deals with Psychodid fauna of the Western Ghats: (i) on the taxonomic classifiedcheck list and their biogeographical patterns, (ii) epidemiological implication of sand flies involved in the new foci ofleishmaniasis from the western ghat states of Kerala and Gujarat.
K. IlangoZoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre
#130 Santhome High Road, [email protected]
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SS 5WESTERN GHATS FRESHWATER BIODIVERSITY:
AN ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CONSERVATION STATUS
The Western Ghats is an exceptional hotspot of freshwater biodiversity, with an estimated 289 species freshwater fishes, at least 80species of molluscs an estimated 160 species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) and over 500 species of aquatic plants. Thesefreshwater species and their associated wetland ecosystems are hugely important to local and regional livelihoods. The WesternGhats rivers provide water to 245 million people in the Indian peninsular states, over 200 species of fish are used for food and 100species are harvested for the aquarium trade. Freshwater biodiversity is also critical in supporting the provision of many indirectecosystem services such as the control of pest species, filtration of water and flood control. Despite the importance of freshwatersystems, they are amongst the most endangered of Earth’s ecosystems. There is considerable evidence to show that the freshwaterecosystems of the Western Ghats are facing growing impacts from economic development through increased quantities of silt runoffinto rivers (associated with deforestation), dams and irrigation projects, sand mining, chemical and biological pollution of rivers,overharvesting, and introduction of exotic fishes. River systems in the region have lost more than 30 native species over the last 60years as a result of these activities. These threats to the freshwater ecosystems of the Western Ghats also impact the large number ofpeople who rely on these ecosystem resources, especially the most disadvantaged people – the poorest of the poor that are mostheavily dependent on aquatic resources (particularly for food from fisheries). Accurate, up to date and easily accessible informationis needed on the status, distribution and value of freshwater biodiversity in the Western Ghats to ensure that development andconservation planning is well informed. This project (funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), and run by theInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Zoo Outreach Organisation (ZOO)) will fill the information gap thatcurrently impairs conservation planning and policy decisions by implementing comprehensive IUCN Red List assessments and digitaldistribution maps of the freshwater biodiversity (all species of freshwater fishes, molluscs, odonates and selected plant families)throughout the Western Ghats region. This has been completed through Indian and international experts to compiling the most upto date species data which has been peer reviewed at workshops in India. The project is not yet complete (May 2011) thereforepreliminary results of this assessment will be presented at the IBC 2010, showing the areas of greatest freshwater biodiversity speciesrichness, threatened species, endemic species and area of conservation priority (Key Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero ExtinctionSites). The final results will be published in a report written by the taxonomic experts and all the data, including digital speciesdistributions will be made freely available through the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (http://www.iucnredlist.org/).
Smith, K.G.,Smith, K.G.,Smith, K.G.,Smith, K.G.,Smith, K.G.,1 Molur Molur Molur Molur Molur, S.,, S.,, S.,, S.,, S., 2 and Daniel, B.Aand Daniel, B.Aand Daniel, B.Aand Daniel, B.Aand Daniel, B.A..... 31Freshwater Biodiversity Unit, Species Programme,
IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature, 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 ODL, [email protected] (Corresponding author)
2,39A, Lal Bahadur Colony, PB 1683, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu , [email protected], [email protected]
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SS 6CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHY: SAVING THE WORLD;
ONE IMAGE AT A TIME..
Balan MadhavanFellow, International League of Conservation Photographers (www.ilcp.com)
www.balan.in
The world around us is changing.. and it is not for the good. Global warming and climate change are no longer termsdiscussed exclusively among the academicsand scientific communities of the world. It is a reality that we all need toface andaddress every moment of our life. In a world where the common man, out of ignorance, is more responsiblefor the ill effects of climate change than all the corporates put together, it is the responsibility of the creativepersonalities of the world to use their knowledge, skill and popularity to spread the message of conservation to themasses. And 21st Century is the era of visual communication and photography is the best tool to spread this message.The 9th World Wilderness Congress held in Merida, Mexico emphasized the role photographers and filmmakersshould play in making the common man aware of their responsibility to nature & environment. We should alsounderstand that while protection is a policing job for the authorities, conservation is an emotional subject.It is an accepted fact that people will try to conserve and protect only those things that they love. Nobody wouldwant to save a particular ecosystem for the reason that it is home to a rare species of plant or animal. But they will beconcerned about a beautiful landscape or a waterfall in that ecosystem if an image of that place has touched theirsoul. In order to achieve this the academics and scientific community should welcome the creative persons among uswith both hands to communicate to the masses. The collective strength of writers, poets, actors, architects, musicians,sportsmen etc. should be tapped by the conservationists. Through their creative expressions, the artists can influencethe minds of the masses and evoke a feeling of love to the nature around them. This, and this alone, will save ourworld, save our children and theirs to come, as saving and preserving comes only from caring and loving. This will bea Multimedia presentation with examples of work done in various parts of the world by the International League ofConservation Photographers, of which the author is the Only Fellow from India. Visual campaigns and their outcomewill be discussed in the presentation.
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SS 7MAINSTREAMING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
IN THE PRODUCTION LANDSCAPE -
INITIATIVES OF KANAN DEVAN HILLS PLANTATIONS COMPANY IN MUNNAR
The Western Ghats of India is considered one of the Biodiversity hotspots in the world. It is a large repository ofinvaluable species of plants and animals. The region with several endemics has also a number threatened species.Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited is one of the largest single stakeholders in this ecologicallyimportant landscape. The tea plantation of the Company, the largest participatory management companies in theplantation sector is located in Munnar. The company, located within the landscape with a number of Protected Areas,has been active in conservation of the area with several initiatives of ecological significance. The company has pursuedthe rich tradition of environment conservation, initiated by its predecessors and fulfills its responsibility in assistingthe Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department in the management of the Eravikulam National Park, the formation ofwhich was facilitated by the predecessors of the Company. The company implements a unique Shola rejuvenationprogramme, to help regenerate degraded patches in the pristine shola forests, which lie within the company’sholdings. The protection of the Shola forests is an integral part of the company’s functions, and the success of thiseffort finds mention in a study conducted by a premier research institution. The plantation areas within the landscapeare well preserved and act as wildlife refuges and ‘corridors’ for animal movement. The sightings of animals indifferent estates are periodically and systematically recorded in a format. The documentation reveals a well distributedand diverse wildlife population in the tea garden areas. Steps are taken to avoid disturbance to wildlife promotingco-existence thus avoiding conflict from the human wildlife interaction. The Company is also involved in the welfareprogrammes of the Muduvans, the indigenous community of the area by providing employment in the conservationactions and supporting them for their welfare. The Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Company also facilitates conservationoriented programmes by providing logistics and forum for discussion on conservation initiatives. The paper attemptsto give the details of the Company initiatives in mainstreaming biodiversity in production sector.
Mohan C. Varghese and Balasubramanian, S.High Range Wildlife & Environment Preservation Association, Kanniamallay, Munnar- 685612, Kerala
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01 I1
Although sustainability of mankind on this planet largely depends on biodiversity resources and since the beginningof the civilization most religions and social doctrines have emphasized on contentment and judicious use of resources,there has been gross negligence to manage it properly. Exceeding overexploitation and mismanagement of biodiversityhas become catastrophic now and future of this planet is in great danger. Despite better awareness and facilities, thecasualness towards biodiversity conservation and management is unsatisfactory even in developed counties. Thereis an immense lack of public and political will in sincerely implementing the policies and legislations that are formulatedafter great deliberations, meetings and seminars. Owing to globalization the consumerism is widely spreading. Wehave to chalk out plans based on local needs and expertise which are simple and effective as well as safeguardjudicious use of biological resources. Without effective will power and engaging locals in capacity building conservationand management of biodiversity will remain illusive; and degradation of our planet will continue. By encompassinga number of bio-geographical zones and diversified climatological regimes, India is bestowed with a very richbiodiversity and is rightly considered as one of the twelve Mega-biodiversity areas of the world. Comprising of 1260species of birds, the avian diversity of the country is also quite rich and has been rather well documented. India hasa history of three centuries old ornithology. However, despite a glorious past, due to gradual decline in the qualityand content of most of the wildlife habitats, the future of India’s wildlife, vis-à-vis birds, is far from secure.Environmental degradation, more notably the decline and fragmentation of forest cover in India is perhaps the mostdamaging factor for jeopardizing the sustainability of our faunal and floral heritage. Indiscriminate use of pesticidesand insecticides and ineffective implementation of wildlife protection acts to control poaching are other anthropogenicpressures adversely affecting the avifauna of the country. On a rough estimate over hundred species of Indian birdsare struggling under various categories of endangerment, while future of the rest is also insecure. While vultureshave vanished from several areas, population of common birds like house sparrows is declining. Though this isperhaps a global phenomenon, we need to discuss this issue more seriously. In addition to various conservationmeasures prevailing in the country we ought to emphasize the importance of education and awareness moreelaborately and effectively. There is an urgent need to identify areas of gaps even in the regime of research andmanagement. India being such a large country more coordinated efforts are needed for the proper management ofany sector as well as for the conservation of our biodiversity. Several theoretical exercises, including preparation ofNational Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), have so far not yielded desired results.
Yahya, H.S.A.Dept. of Wildlife Sciences, AMU Aligarh
Present Address: OSD AMU Malapurram Centre, [email protected]
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE
IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO AVIFAUNA
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FRESHWATER BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ASSESSMENTS
IN THE EASTERN HIMALAYA BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT01 I2
The Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot contains exceptional freshwater biodiversity and ecosystems that are of vital importanceto local and regional livelihoods, but these are under threat from the developmental and use pressures arising from the 62 millionpeople living in the area. Widespread plans for large water resource development in the region could put further pressure on theecosystems. It is of great importance to support sustainable use and conservation of freshwater in order to safeguard the livelihoodsof those dependent upon the biodiversity of inland waters. A two year project, funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthurFoundation, assessed the conservation status and mapped the global distributions of key freshwater species, aiming to address thelack of baseline information on freshwater species distributions and their ecological requirements through the implementation ofassessments throughout the Hotspot. The project encompassed the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Kaladan and Irrawaddy River basins.Selected priority groups of freshwater species (fishes, molluscs, and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)) that cover a range oftrophic levels and thereby provide an indicator of the condition and conservation status of freshwater ecosystems. With advice fromregional project partners and from relevant IUCN Species Survival Commission Specialist Groups, regional and international expertswere identified and trained in the application of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria to assess each species risk of extension, theuse of IUCN’s Species Information Service database, and GIS mapping at a training workshop held in Nepal in July 2009. The expertscompiled available data on species distribution, habitat requirements, ecology, population trends, and threats, and assessed eachspecies risk of extinction. A global distribution map was produced for each species, showing ‘known’ and ‘inferred’ presence at theriver sub-catchment level using HydroSHEDS GIS data as the base layer. Expert review workshops were held (in Kolkata and inCoimbatore, India) to ensure that the species assessments and distribution maps were informed by the best available knowledge.Completed assessment and distribution maps have been published on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM and made freelyavailable through a project report and CDrom containing species assessments and maps. A total of 1,076 species were included inthe assessment. Regions of high species richness and endemism, and areas where environmental threats are greatest, have beenidentified and mapped. Whilst few species were assessed as Threatened (7.3% of species assessed as Critically Endangered, Endangered,or Vulnerable), very high levels of Data Deficient species (31.3%) were identified, highlighting the urgent need for a greatly increasedlevel of research into species taxonomy, distributions, and populations trends, as well as into threats to species and their habitats.Over all groups, 55.9% of species were assessed as Least Concern. Dams, fishing, pollution, deforestation, and residential andcommercial development were cited as the leading threats across the region. With the threats for more than 45% of species unknown,the results again highlight the importance of further research into the distribution and impact of key threats to freshwater systems.
Allen, D.,Allen, D.,Allen, D.,Allen, D.,Allen, D.,1 MolurMolurMolurMolurMolur, S.,, S.,, S.,, S.,, S., 2 and Daniel, B.A and Daniel, B.A and Daniel, B.A and Daniel, B.A and Daniel, B.A.....2
1Freshwater Biodiversity Unit, IUCN Species Programme, 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK,[email protected]. (Corresponding Author)
2Zoo Outreach Organisation, 9A, Lal Bahadur Colony, PB 1683, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu,[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
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DISTRIBUTION, DIVERSITY AND EX SITU CONSERVATION OF
NOTHAPODYTES NIMMONIANA, AN ANTI-NEOPLASTIC PLANT,
IN WESTERN GHATS OF INDIA
Nothapodytes nimmoniana Graham is an important Indian medicinal plant with rich source of quinoline alkaloidCamptothecin which is one of the most promising anticancer drug of the twenty first century. It is a medium sizedtree distributed in the evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests of Western ghats of India, North East India,Srilanka, Myanmar and Thailand. In our recent study in four states of Western Ghats (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnatakaand Maharashtra), we could observe tremendous morphological, and genetic variability in N. nimmoniana. ISSRanalysis of 12 populations showed that high genetic variation among the populations (73.7%) and low variationwithin the populations (41.09%). Among the populations, population from Coorg showed highest intrapopulationdiversity (53.3%) followed by population from Chickamagalur (52.4%), whereas population from Kodaikanal showedlowest (31.6%) intrapopulation diversity. morphological Variation was evaluated by in situ evaluation of leaf length,leaf breath, petiole length, intermodal length and lenticels length. Although the local people are not aware of itsmedicinal value, they were destructively harvesting the species for multinational companies. Dried raw material wasexported from India to countries like Japan, USA and Spain and the export business was completely managed byprivate sector. Due to this destructive harvesting and habitat loss the population number and size were rapidlydecreasing and the species is under serious threat. In fact, it is estimated that in the last decade alone, the populationhas declined 50-80% leading to the red listing of the species. The species was confined to the remnant of forestpockets and needed urgent attention for its conservation. To counter over-exploitation of wild populations andconsequent threats to biodiversity, sustainable harvesting practices need to be adopted for and conservation of thismedicinally important species . These issues and diversity and ex situ conservation strategy for this species will bediscussed in this presentation
Abdul Kareem, V.K.. Rajasekharan , P.E.* and Vasantha Kumar, T.Division of Plant Genetic Resources, Section of Medicinal crops
Indian Institute of Horticultural Research,Hessaraghatta lake PO, Bangalore 560 089
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OCCURRENCE AND DIVERSITY OF TERMITOMYCES SPECIES IN
KODAGU DISTRICT OF WESTERN GHATS
The termites belong to subfamily Macrotermitinae have been an obligate symbiotic relationship with fungal genusTermitomyces. The fungus-growing termites cultivate Termitomyces fungus in a comb like structures that made fromfecal plates consists of semi digestive plant material passed quickly through the termites of mid gut. The nest ofMacrotermitinae is inoculated by viable ‘conidiophores’ of Termitomyces by young workers to the comb. In thismutualistic symbiosis the fungal symbiont degrades complex substances such as lignin or cellulose into substancesthat can be used by termites and along with mycelium which acts as a source of protein to the termites. On the otherhand the termites provide the favorable home environment for Termitomyces species. This type of association is verycommon in the regions of Western Ghats of India. The diversity and wealth of mushroom flora in the Kodagu region(Western Ghats) is a place of mycologist’s paradise. However, there is a great threat to the species of Termitomyces,as these mushrooms are hand picked by the local people unscientifically from the termite nests as they are edible.The exact number and the occurrence of Termitomyces species in the Kodagu region have not been investigated. Astudy was conducted in the eastern part of Western Ghats of Karnataka during May 2009 to September 2010 in theKodagu region to record the occurrence of rich and unique assemblage of Termitomyces. All the available specieswere carefully studied without damaging the termite nests. All the Termitomyces species were also examined in thelaboratory based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The species were identified based on mushroomkeys described and illustrations were made with the help of Camera Lucida. The voucher specimens were depositedin the Museum at the Department of Studies in Botany University of Mysore, Mysore. Eight diverse species ofTermitomyces namely T. microcarpus, T. indicus, T. clypatus, T. cylindricus, T. globulus, T. eurhizus, T. heimii, T. mammiformisbelong to the genus Termitomyces and one species namely Sinotermimyces taiwanensis belong to Sinotermitomyceswere identified based on macromorphological characteristics such as basidiocarps such as pileus, lamellae, stipe,pseudorhiza, partial veil and micromorphological characteristics such as basidiospore, basidia ,cystidia andhymenophoral trama. As there is great demand for these mushrooms particularly during mid monsoon, mushroompickers are damaging the termites nests and there is threat to the diversity of Termitomyces. There is an urgent needto protect nests so that conservation and sustainable utilization of Termitomyces possible. This is the first report onthe diversity of Termitomyces species in Kodagu region of Karnataka.
Abolfazl Pahlevanlo and Janardhana., G.R.*Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory
Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Mysore – 570 006Karnataka State -India* [email protected]
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SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE OF
CYCLEA PELTATA DIELS., AN IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANT OF
WESTERN GHATS
Cyclea peltata Diels. (family- Menispermaceae) is a climbing shrub with peltate leaves, distributed widely in theWestern Ghats of Karnataka. The leaves of the plant are known to be medicinally important and they are indicated inayurvedic literature as a medication for Urinary Tract Infections and skin diseases. The scientific validation of its use inthe treatment of microbial infections is yet to be done. The leaves of the plant were evaluated for antimicrobialproperty. Polarity based solvent extraction of the leaves was carried out and the extracts were subjected to antibacterialand antifungal activity assay by cup diffusion and disc diffusion methods. Bacillus cereus (MTCC 1272), Escherichiacoli (MTCC 7410), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 7443) served as the testbacteria, whereas Candida albicans (MTCC 183), Epidermophyton floccosum (MTCC 613), Microsporum canis (MTCC2820), Microsporum gypseum (MTCC 2830) and Trichophyton rubrum (MTCC 296) served as test fungi. The ethylacetate extract showed significant antibacterial activity. Further work to isolate and characterize the bio-activecompound is in progress. The present investigation aids in the scientific validation of traditional medicinal use of thisplant.
Akhilesh Bhat and Raveesha, K.A.Herbal Drug Technology Laboratory, Department of Studies in Botany
University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570006
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UNDERSTANDING SPECIES-HABITAT RELATIONSHIP AND ROLE OF
ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF
HORNBILLS AND THEIR HABITAT, ANAMALAI’S (PARAMBIKULAM
TIGER RESERVE) SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS
The forests of Anamalai’s landscape are one of the important among the three biodiversity hot spots in the Western Ghats and were reported as the most important habitat forthe Hornbills in the entire Western Ghats. Degradation of potential forests with suitable nesting trees and poaching of hornbill squabs were reported as the major reasons forthe diminishing of hornbill population. Potential moist primary forests in the landscape are located around the boundary of recently established Parambikulam Tiger Reserve ofKerala. Hunting by the endemic ‘Kadars’ were cited as an important threat to hornbill population in the Anamalai Landscape unit, most important Hornbill habitat of WesternGhats and suggested need of continuous monitoring and protection against hunting of squabs as an important conservation measure. The ‘Kadars’ are non agrarian, forestdwelling, primitive tribe with a limited population (<2000) within 24 settlements of the landscape. This paper elucidate the significance of involving local ethnic communitiesin monitoring and conservation of important species like hornbills, need of assessing the status of habitat and understanding species-habitat relationship in the conservationand management of biodiversity. A preliminary survey in the Vazhachal division conducted during 2004-05 with support of the Kerala Forest Department (KFD) and theendemic Kadar tribal people. The survey was developed into a participatory monitoring and conservation programme with involvement of community groups (VSS—VanaSamrakshana Samithy). They were trained in the field to monitor hornbills during the nesting season. Protection of nesting trees was ensured with regular patrolling of theselected tribal guards. A support from the CEPF-ATREE small grants 2009 was used to strengthen and spread the program across the landscape involving local ethnic peopleand also to asses the status of the nesting habitat of Great Hornbill and Malabar Pied hornbills in the area. Mapping of the potential vegetation and hornbill nest sites weredone using GIS. Analysis of the composition and status of nesting trees and their habitat was done while laying out 15 m radius circular plots. Protection and monitoring allthe identified nest trees through empowering the ‘Kadar’ tribesmen was also done. A total of 62 Great Hornbill 6 Malabar Pied Hornbill were protected during the study.Involvement of 36 ‘Kadar’ tribesmen from 11 settlements of the Vazhachal and Parambikulam forest divisions were ensured during the process. An initial survey was conductedat the adjoining divisions. The potential forest area suitable for hornbill nesting in the landscape is about 890 sq km, about 43 % of the total forest area (2027 sq. km). Theseinclude 620 sq km (70%) within six forest administrative divisions of the Kerala state and the rest 270 sq km (30%) in the Valparai-Topslip area of Tamil Nadu. The Sholayar andVazhachal forests of the Vazhachal forest division account for the 80% Great Hornbill nests and the covers about 50% of suitable hornbill habitat of the landscape. The GreatHornbill here found to depend on 19 emergent trees species of which 90% of the species are endemic plants and 50% are of endangered (RET) category. About 85% of nesttrees of Great Hornbills and all the recorded nests of Malabar Pied Hornbills were prone to various threats indicating the vulnerability of Hornbill nest sites. There is directcorrelation between degradation nest trees with that of representing vegetation. The Malabar Pied hornbills found restricted to a single location in the low elevation (100-300m) riparian evergreen forests of Vazhachal. All the six nest trees located are under threat and suitable nest trees are absent in the habitat. Urgent measures should beinitiated to protect the species from extinction. Understanding the status of nesting habitat and species-habitat relationship would provide important data in the conservationof species like Hornbills and that could lead us into effective specific habitat enhancement and protection strategies. It is important to protect all the nesting sites of hornbillsin the landscape with proper participatory protection and habitat enhancement activities. Involvement of local ethnic community can contribute significantly to the conservationand monitoring of forest habitats and also for important species. The very knowledge and skill within each ethnic group could be utilized in the conservation of biodiversity andthat can also support the survival right of the ethnic groups.
Amitha Bachan K. H.*1 and Kannan, R. 2
1.‘Aranyak’, Kandarumadathil, Mathilakam P.O. 680685, Thrissur Dt., Kerala, India.Ph: 09497627870, email: [email protected].
2.Department of Biology, University of Arkansas—Fort Smith, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913, USA
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THE COMMUNITY COMPOSITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF
THE RIPARIAN VEGETATION OF THE CHALAKKUDY RIVER,
WESTERN GHATS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN THE MANAGEMENT
OF FORESTED LANDSCAPE AND BIODIVERSITY
The riparian vegetation is a very less understood, but most wide spread and extensively manipulated ecosystem of the world. The term ‘Riparian’ was used by many scientiststo address diverse conditions of wetlands, including marginal vegetation of waterbodies with stagnant water such as lakes and ponds. It is clear that all the riparian zones arewetlands and a clear delineation from all other wetlands is a necessity. Studies on the riparian plant communities were very limited from the tropical countries and were seldomconducted in the Indian region and also from the Western Ghats. This pioneering work brings about definition, community composition and bioclimatic classification of theriparian vegetation of the Chalakkudy river basin, an important river originating exclusively within the Anamalai landscape unit of the Southern Western Ghats. Bioclimate andvegetation of the river basin were analysed according to methods provided by Meher-Homji (2001) and using 20 years of rainfall data. The GIS utility was used for mapping thephysical and vegetation features of the river basin. A clustered random sampling method was employed for Phytosociological analysis of the vegetation. About 109 plots of 15x 20 sizes were taken from different riparian samples of the river basin during the 2001-2009 periods. All the plant species were identified during floristic exploration and theplot data were statistically differentiated using cluster analysis based on species similarity. Each clusters then obtained were analyzed for phytosociological characteristicsincluding Importance Value Index to understand community composition. The clusters were brought under representing bioclimate and compared using PCA for the overallDominance (Simpson diversity), Shanon Diversity and Basal Area and understood the hierarchy relationship to bring out the classification. About 85 % of the phytosociologicalsamples collected during the study were segregated successfully during cluster analysis into 20 riparian plant community associations. These were successfully grouped underfour major bioclimate of the river basin and classified according to bioclimatic classification of the major vegetation types of Peninsular India (Meher-Homji 2001). Variations inthe community composition in each representing riparian vegetation types were compared with environmental parameters using PCA for identifying responses of the ripariancommunities to various environmental factors including disturbances. The significance of the riparian plant communities in the conservation and management of biodiversity ofthe forested landscapes were discussed in detail. The Chalakkudy river basin has a diverse bioclimate ranging from Primary Dry deciduous types with 1300 mm annual rainfallto Wet evergreen types with rainfall greater than 4000 mm. Detailed analysis of the rainfall with the ‘Probable year mean’ provided satisfactory explanation to the representingbioclimate of the basin. Peculiar physiography of the Kuriyarkutty sub basin is accounted for the dry vegetation type in the area. A clear definition of the riparian system has beenbrought out while delineating it from other wetland ecosystems. The vegetation mapping provided information on the extent and distribution of riparian vegetation in the riverbasin along with all other primary and secondary forest types. The riparian vegetation is estimated to have nearly 480 ha, distributed mainly in the low-medium elevation areaof the Chalakkudy river. About 85% of the phytosociological samples collected during the study were segregated successfully into 20 riparian plant community associations. Themajor primary riparian vegetation types include 1. Dry Deciduous Riparian forest (Primary) 2. Moist Deciduous Riparian forest (Primary) (II. 14. Rip) 3. Montane Shola/EvergreenStreamside/riparian forest (IV.21. Rip.) 4. Evergreen Riparian vegetation (Low-elevation) (IV. 26. Rip.) and 5. Moist (Wet) Evergreen Riparian forest (IV. 27. Rip.) This also include16 subtypes representing various stages (pioneers, seral, climax and secondary). A detailed account of the dominant plant communities in each layer of the vegetation wasprovided for each major and sub types. The low-medium elevation evergreen riparian vegetation showed maximum dominance and diversity and the secondary dry and moisttypes showed least values. Basal area ranges from 1.27 m2/ha to 0.013 m2/ha. Shannon Diversity Index H’ varies between 1.618 and 0.466. Simpson Index for negativeDominance was in between 0.4 and 0.026. The riparian vegetation in the Vazhachal-Orukombankutty area accounted for the 62% available in the region and 70-80% of floraincluding many endemics and threatened species with narrow range of distribution. The riparian vegetation is the only corridor between fragmented primary forests in thelandscape. The relics of riparian vegetation in the degraded forest areas including that of plantations found shelter the natural gene pool of the area including many species ofplants and animals. Every riparian vegetation in an area provides elements for future vegetation dynamics. All these were accounted for the great significance of the riparianforests in the conservation biodiversity. Various riparian subtypes especially degraded secondary types correlated successfully with various environmental factors such as streamflow diversion and regulation due to Dams and also degradation of surrounding vegetation due to various plantation and forestry activities. This bench-mark data on variousriparian forest types could be used as a measure to understand status of riparian vegetation in a landscape and its impact of various interventions in the riverfront.
Amitha Bachan K. H.*1 and Pradeep, A. K.2
1.‘Aranyak’, Kandarumadathil, Mathilakam P.O. 680685, Thrissur Dt., Kerala, India. email: [email protected] Curator, Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala, India. Email:[email protected]
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OCCURRENCE, SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE OF
CHAETODONTID FISHES ALONG VIZHINJAM COAST,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA
Many popular species of marine ornamental fishes are available around the Vizhinjam coast, southwest coast ofKerala. Around 150 species of ornamental fishes belonging to 35 families were collected and studied. Among them,one of the most prevalent groups is Butterfly and Banner fishes, which belong to the family Chaetodontidae. Alongthe Vizhinjam coast, family Chaetodontidae shows a very rich biodiversity with 20 species of fishes. The fishes weresurveyed using a specially designed trap operated in Vizhinjam Bay. The most dominant species among the butterfliesis Chaetodon collare and among banner fishes, Heniochus acuminatus. Maximum catch of Chaetodon collare wasduring April to August and for Heniochus acuminatus was during June to September. Maximum diversity ofCheatodontids were during June-July months. These fishes are mostly trapped in gill nets and shore seines andultimately rejected as thrash fishes. Most of these fishes have high preference in the aquarium market.
Anil, M.K., Santhosh, B., Prasad, B.O., Jasmine, S. and Rani Mary GeorgeResearch Centre of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute,
Vizhinjam, Kerala-695221, India.
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EXPLORATION OF ANT DIVERSITY ACROSS AN ELEVATION
GRADIENT IN EAGLENEST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
(NE HIMALAYAS, ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
Elevation gradients are highly heterogeneous in terms of environmental conditions, habitat types and speciesassemblages. Pattern of change in species diversity across elevation can therefore answer several questions aboutdistribution of species on environmental gradients. Unexplored natural areas covering wide elevation range aretherefore important target areas of ecological studies. Here we present the results of pilot study of ants across anelevation gradient in Eaglenest Wildlife sanctuary (NE Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh). Sampling was done from 6locations at 500m intervals between 500m and 2500m. Ants were collected from a 50m transect using 10 pitfalltraps of 5cm diameter and hand collection was done near the transect. During this effort 36 species of ants werecollected and most species were recorded from 700m elevation. Species ranges appear to be short and thereforehigh turnover in species composition is expected. This short sampling effort has recorded more than 50% of speciesreported in ant fauna of the state. This suggests that ant diversity of the region remains highly unexplored.
Aniruddha Marathe* and Priyadarsanan Dharma RajanAshoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore - 560 064, India.
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION OF
TRICHOPUS ZEYLANICUS SUBSPECIES TRAVANCORICUS
THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED CULTIVATION
Trichopus zeylanicus sub-species travancoricus, a perennial herb, belongs to the family Trichopodaceae and it ispopularly known as ‘Arogyapacha’. Trichopus zeylanicus sub-species travancoricus is endemic to the southern part ofthe Western Ghat mountain ranges, in India. The fruit of this plant is consumed by Kani tribes of Kerala (India) forgetting instant stamina, amelioration of old age-related disorders. The Kerala Kani Samudhaya Kshema Trust was thekey player in supplying the raw material for producing “Jeevani” the wonder Drug formulated out of Trichopuszeylanicus. In the recent years the benefit from this channel stopped which resulted in the mass decline of area thatTrichopus zeylanicus was once cultivated. Universally it is found that genetic biodiversity of traditional medicinalherbs and plants is continuously under the threat of extinction as a result of growth-exploitation, environment-unfriendly harvesting techniques, and loss of growth habitats and unmonitored trade of medicinal plants. Freeradical scavenging assay done at our lab on Trichopus zeylanicus confirmed the presence of antioxidants in significantamount, which in turn may be the reason for its anti-fatigue property by scavenging the free radicals in the body. Thisis a scientific proof of the traditional practice of Kani tribes who use Trichopus zeylanicus seeds as an immediateenergy booster. At this juncture, our aim of study is to develop a value added product and there by increase theeconomic value of Trichopus zeylanicus. With the collaboration of Kerala Kani Samudhaya Kshema Trust we areencouraging the original knowledge bearers, the Kani tribes for mass cultivation of the Trichopus, which will lead tothe sustainable development options for these highly threatening plant species and more broadly for the local Kanipeople of the Western Ghat region.
Anoop, P.K.*1, Dileep Kumar, R.2, Narayanan, M.3,Sugunan, V.S. 4 and Oommen V.Oommen1,2
1Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Kerala, 2Department of Zoology,University of Kerala, 3Kerala Kani Samudhaya Kshema Trust, Kottoor,
4Department of Zoology, University College, Thiruvananthapuram.*Email ID: [email protected]
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ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANALGESIC AND ANTI-LIPID PEROXIDATIVE
PROPERTIES OF THE FERTILE FRONDS OFDRYNARIA
QUERCIFOLIA (L.) J. SMITH.
Infectious and inflammatory diseases are among those treated using traditional remedies. Although several modern drugs are used to treat thesetypes of disorders, their prolonged use may cause severe adverse side effects. Consequently there is a need to develop new anti-inflammatoryagents with minimum side effects. As most of the present day analgesic drugs exert a wide range of side effects, a study on plant species thatare traditionally used as pain killers shall be a logical and fruitful research strategy, in the case of analgesic drugs. Lipid peroxidation refers to theoxidative degradation of lipids. Measurement of lipid peroxide levels plays a significant role in evaluating cellular damage caused by oxidativestress. The level of lipid peroxides is an index of cellular membrane damage caused by the action of free radicals. Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith(Polypodiaceae), an epiphytic or epilithic medicinal pteridophyte has been widely used by ethnic groups of India to treat inflammation, rheumatism,bone fracture, and jaundice. The fronds are used for poulticing swellings. Nicobarese use the plant to treat bodyache, headache and rheumaticpain. In the present study, pharmacological analysis of fertile fronds of Drynaria quercifolia has been undertaken with respect to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-lipidperoxidative properties. The fertile fronds of D. quercifolia were washed thoroughly, shade-dried andpowdered. The powder was extracted with ethanol for 24 h, the extract filtered and concentrated at 40° C under reduced pressure (yield, 6% w/w). The crude ethanolic extract (FF) was suspended in 1 % Tween-80 to required concentrations and used for the experiments. The anti-inflammatory effect of FF was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in Wistar rats, acetic acid induced vascular permeability inSwiss albino mice. In vitro HRBC membrane stability effect was also studied. Analgesic activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing andformalin induced paw licking test in Swiss albino mice. In vitro anti lipid peroxidation assay was performed. FF was also subjected to preliminaryphytochemical screening. The total phenolic content in FF was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu’s method. Oral administration of FF producedsignificant inhibition of carrageenan – induced paw oedema in rats, acetic acid induced vascular permeability in mice, and in vitro hyposalineinduced HRBC membrane damage, almost comparable to that caused by indomethacin. FF significantly attenuated acute and delayed phases offormalin-induced pain and acetic acid - induced writhing episodes in mice. The analgesia was comparable to that produced by sodium salicylateand aspirin respectively. FeCl
2 – AA treatment resulted in an increase in lipid peroxidation levels in rat liver homogenate. FF significantly reduced
accumulation of lipid peroxides in vitro in a dose dependent manner. Phytochemical analysis gave positive tests for phenolics, flavonoids,steroids, saponin and tannins. TLC studies helped to confirm the presence of •-sitosterol. The total phenolic content in FF was 76 mg/g of gallicacid equivalent. The results suggest that FF has potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-lipid peroxidative effects and justifies its use foralleviating painful inflammatory conditions in the traditional Indian system of medicine.
Anuja, G. I., Latha, P. G.*, Suja, S. R., Shine, V. J., Shyamal, S., Sini, S.,Shikha, P., Krishnakumar, N. M., Sreejith, G., Rajasekharan, S.
Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode,Thiruvananthapuram 695 562, Kerala, India,
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ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF THE FOREST TREES USED IN FESTIVALS
OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION IN THE LATERITIC ZONES OF INDIA
Indigenous plants are used as food, fuel, medicine, in festivals and rituals by tribal and other village people. The forest- basedfolkways and festivals of the Chotanagpur plateau areas are karam or plantation, sohrae/bandhna or harvesting, baha or floweringfestival, sakam/pata parab or leaf -emergence festivals whereas the women keep themselves away from the hunting festival. Theyspontaneously compose lyrics on trees like Shorea robusta Gaertn. f., Buchanania lanzan Spreng., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze,Madhuca latifolia (L.) Macbride, Mangifera indica L., Mytragyna parviflora Korth., Aegle marmelos Corr., Alangium salvifolium (L.)Wang., Azadirachta indica A.Juss., Bauhinia spp.., Pterospermum acerifolium Willd., Phyllanthus emblica Gaertn, Saraca asoca (Roxb.)De Wilde, Syzygium cumini Skeels, Tamarindus indica L. and also Acacia nilotica, Ailanthus excelsa, Albizzia spp., Anogeissus latifolia,Arthocephalus chinensis, Artocarpus heterophylla, A.hirsutus, Bombax ceiba, Careya arborea, Dalbergia latifolia, D.sissoo, Diospyrosmelanoxylon, Dillenia aures, Emblica officinalis, Ficus glomerata, Garuga pinnata, Gmelina arborea, Haldinia cordifolia, Hymenodictyonexcelsum, Lagerstroemia spp., Lannea grandis, Litsea sebifera, Mitragyna parviflora, Moringa tinctoria, Schleichera oleosa, Swieteniaspp., Semicarpus anacardium, Sterculia urens, Spondias pinnata, Pterocarpus dalbergioides, P. marsupium, P. santalinus, Tectonagrandis, Terminalia arjuna, T.belerica, T. chebula, T.tomentosa, Toona ciliata; Climbers and shrubs: Bauhnnia vahili, Millettia auriculata,Butea superba, Combertum decandrum, Smilax spp .Dioscorea spp. Asparagus racemosus, Abrus precatorius Woodfordia fruticosa,Zizyphus spp. Bambusa arundinacea, Dendrocalamus strictus, Borassus flabellifer. The trees are praised as Goddess jahera, therepresentative of Mother Nature. Felling of flowering branches is prohibited among santhal, oraon, munda and many other ethnicgroups. The tribal females sing in chorus of the festivals and in the evening while returning after whole day toil. Males play flute anddrum accompaniments. The Deities, Durga, Lakhshmi, Saraswati, Krishna, Shiva, and the Pongal, Onum festivals in the lateritic zonesof eastern and western ghats are also nature and plant based but that have been replaced by images, idols and unnecessary accessoriesthat cause threat to the environment. The nature based festivals, eco friendly methods of collection of the non timber forest productsby women and children are important for the cultural stabilization and conservation of the vanishing Chotanagpur plateau forest, aunique biodiversity minor hot spot of India. The indigenous tropical trees rich in tannoid principles and other phenolic compoundstraditionally known to have high medicinal value that can be evaluated by free radical scavenging capacity, hepatoprotective,antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antitumour and anticancer activities. Plants with high medicinal potential and other economicimportance could be selected for plantation programs.The traditional method of extractions for medicine, fuel, dye and otherproducts are to be improved following nondestructive harvesting methods for income generation opportunities to the local people.
Archana BanerjeeSurendranath College, Kolkata 700009.
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PRESENT STATUS OF RARE RAPTORS OF WESTERN GHATS
An attempt was made to evaluate the present status of seven raptor species of the Western Ghasts during 2004 viz.Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni, Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes, Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus, Rufous-belliedHawk Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii kienerii, Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus, Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetusnipalensis, and Indian Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis. The survey was carried out at sixteen sites in six states of thecountry (i.e. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat). All the species except were recorded inthe present survey. Of all, the Jerdon’s Baza with no sighting in the present survey was found to be the rarest raptorspecies followed by Mountain Hawk Eagle. The present study recommends strongly for the expansion of field workwith emphasis on collecting information on species’ ecological requirements, distribution, population estimates andhome range sizes.
Ashok VermaDepartment of Forestry, Wildlife & Environmental Sciences,
Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, Chhatis Garh 495 009
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BIODIVERSITY AND NESTING ECOLOGY OF DWARF BEE APIS FLOREA
( FABR.) IN THE CAUVERY DELTAIC REGION
OF TAMILNADU, SOUTH INDIA.
Biodiversity and nesting ecology of Dwarfbee Apis florea was carried out in the cauvery deltaic region of Tamilnadu,(Nagapattinam,Dist.) A total of 137 colonies were located covering 44 villages, out of which 108 were live and 29were abandoned. The plants for nest-site selection by Apis florae were classified into two categories such as trees andshrubs. All the colonies were found on 12 tree sps., and on 9 shrubs. Out of 21 plant species both the tree andshrubs, maximum 92 colonies were observed in the Bambusa arudinaceae and followed by 28 and 17 were found inMangifera indica and Prosobis julifera respectively. The preference of nest site selection of Apis florea were found at4 to 6m height from the ground invariably near to a water source. The direction of colonies in the nest sites were inaccordance with the prevailing wind direction. Thus, the aspect of nesting ecology of dwarf bee studied appears tohave largely unchanged from its open nesting behavior.
Baskaran, M.* and Thiyagesan, K.Division of Wildlife Biology,
P.G. and Research Department of Zoology,A.V.C. College (Autonomous), Mannampandal, 609 305,TN., India
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BUTTERFLY DIVERSITY OF WESTERN GHATS GRASSLANDS OF
KERALA – A CASE STUDY IN VAGAMON
The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountains is one of the world’s ten “hottest biodiversity hotspots”. The WesternGhats boasts exceptional endemism for many taxonomic groups, including plants (35%), fishes (42%), reptiles (48%) and amphibians(75%). The habitat types of the southern Western Ghats include the wet montane evergreen forests and shola-grassland complexesat elevations over 1000 meters. The South Western Ghats montane rain forests are the most species-rich ecoregion in peninsularIndia; eighty percent of the flowering plant species of the entire Western Ghats range are found in this ecoregion. It also holds a veryrich butterfly fauna with a number of endemics (Gaonkar, 1996). Butterflies are widely considered as good ecological indicators interms of anthropogenic disturbance and habitat quality and important ‘flagship taxa’ in biodiversity inventories. Vagamon (90 34’ Nand 760 58’ E) is a hill station in Kerala, located on the western fringes of Idukki district, bordering with Kottayam district. It fallswithin the Western Ghats, lies 1100 metres above MSL and is rich in endemic flora and fauna. This area, unique for grasslands andshola forests with laterite soil type has an extent of 27.19 sq. km. However the threats to this ecoregion’s natural habitats andbiodiversity are manifold. Recent introduction of tourism development activities has resulted in deterioration of the environmentalquality of these hills. The wetlands and sholas are being drained, cleared and filled at an alarming pace. Extensive developmentalactivities like road construction in the grass lands undermined the stability of hill slopes and cause hazards like landslides. Thepresent study is intended to reveal the current status of butterfly fauna in the hill areas of Vagamon. The methodology consists ofobservation of butterflies in selected transects along different types of habitats such as sholas, grass lands, croplands and streams.Butterfly species were identified directly in the field or, in difficult cases, following capture or photography. Collection was restrictedto those specimens that could not be identified directly and released them after identification. Nomenclature and systematicsfollowed are after Gaonkar (1996). A total of 112 species of butterflies belonging to five families were recorded during the studyperiod. The family Nymphalidae dominated with 44 species followed by Lycaenidae (24), Hesperiidae (19),Papilionidae (13) andPieridae (12). This included four species endemic to the Western Ghats. They are Troides minos Cramer (Southern Birdwing), Pachlioptapandiyana Moore (Malabar Rose), Parantica nilgiriensis Moore (Nilgiri Tiger) and Aeromachus pygmaeus Fabricius (Pygmy GrassHopper). The butterflies observed were segregated into categories such as Common (C), Uncommon (UC) and Rare (R) based ontheir occurrence during the survey. Catopsilia Pomona (Common Emigrant), Ypthima huebneri (Common Four-ring) and Tirumalalimniace (Blue Tiger) were the common species found in the study area.
Brilliant Rajan, Vincy Mary Varghese, Toms AugustineBabu Padmakumar and PradeepKumarA. P.
School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
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ECOBEHAVIOURAL STUDY OF INDIAN PEAFOWL (PAVO CRISTATUS)
IN THE MACHIYA SAFARI BIOLOGICAL PARK OF JODHPUR
(RAJASTHAN), INDIA
Birds evolved more than 150 million year ago. They have a close relationship with humans as part of biodiversity, aspest , as wisdom, as objects of beauty and wonder, as food and indicator of environmental health. The study areaMachiya Safari Biological Park (MSP) is about 8-10 km away from Jodhpur city. The present contribution is based onthe recent field observation made during 65 field visits of 3 hours each during March 2010 to July 2010. The studybird Indian Peafowl or Peacock (Pavo cristatus) is widely distributed in India and declared as National Bird of India in1963. In our study area (Machiya Safari Biological Park which is a protecte area) Indian Peafowl generally find nearmosaic of scrubs, near canal which is passing from, near another water bodies except canal and open area withadequate site for dust bating. In study area generally they roosted on tall trees and top of Machiya fort which islocated in the MSP. Present paper highlight about its population and distribution status, activity pattern, food andfeeding habits and the many ethological aspects of Pavo cristatus in the Machiya Safari Biological park of Jodhpur(MSP). In the absence of reliable data it is hard to place population size in Park but number of individuals in this smallarea are about 125. The Indian Peafowl is under threat and is listed as least concern species in the redlist of InternationalUnion for Conservation of Nature. In the India it is utmost protection by inclusion in the schedule I of Indian Wild LifeAct, 1972.
Chena Ram*, Goutam Sharma and Rajpurohit, L.S.Chena Ram*, Goutam Sharma and Rajpurohit, L.S.Chena Ram*, Goutam Sharma and Rajpurohit, L.S.Chena Ram*, Goutam Sharma and Rajpurohit, L.S.Chena Ram*, Goutam Sharma and Rajpurohit, L.S.Animal Behaviour Unit
Department of Zoology, J.N.V. Univrsity, Jodhpur*[email protected]
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ECHINODERM BIODIVERSITY ALONG KERALA COAST, INDIA
Phylum Echinodermata comprise fascinating group of free living non parasitic organism found at all ocean depths.Echinoderms were collected from five coastal stretches of Kerala coast ñ Poovar -Kovalam (Thiruvananthapuramdistrict), Thirumullavaram-Neendakara (Kollam district), Thikkodi- Kozhikkode, Kannur and Kasargod during 2007-2009 period and from the intertidal belt and shallow coastal waters by SCUBA diving. Collections were also madeusing bottom trawlers along Kerala coast up to a depth of 100 m. A total of 57 species of echinoderms are collectedalong Kerala coast, which include 3 species of Crinoids, 11 species of Asteroids, 10 species of Ophiuroids, 16 speciesofEchinoids, 17 species of Holothuroids. Most of echinoderms from Kerala coast were obtained in shallow water (<30meters depth) and from the rocky shore areas. The 10 species of echinoderms reported for the first time from Indiaincluded four species of sea cucumbers and 3 species each of star fish and sea urchins. Stomopneustes variolaris andLovenia elongata are reported for the first time from Kerala coast. Temnopleurus hardwicki, Temnopleurus reevesiand Pericosmus melanostomus are new reports from India. Class Holothuroidea representing 17 species forms thespecies-rich taxon of echinoderm in Kerala coast. Stichopus herrmanni, and Phyllophorus cebuensis are new reportsto Southwest coast of India. Holothuria imitans, Trachasina crucifera, Trachythyone typica and Thyonina articulata arenew reports from India. Total new records of echinoderms from Kerala coast include 28 species representing 1species of Crinoid, 6 species of Asteroid, 6 species of Ophiuroid, 5 species of Echinoid and 10 species of Holothuroidechinoderms.
Deepa, R.PDeepa, R.PDeepa, R.PDeepa, R.PDeepa, R.P.....1 and Biju KBiju KBiju KBiju KBiju Kumarumarumarumarumar, A, A, A, A, A,,,,,21Dept. of Zoology, N.S.S College, Pandalam 689 501, Kerala.
Email: [email protected]. of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala,
Thiruvananthapuram 695 581, Kerala. Email: [email protected]
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HABITAT LOSS FORCING KING COBRAS (OPHIOPHAGUS HANNAH)
TO MIGRATE TO HUMAN HABITATS?
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake, widespread throughout SoutheastAsia and parts of India, and is found mostly in jungles with thick undergrowth, cool swamps and bamboo clusters.The king is fierce, agile, and can deliver a large quantity of highly potent neurotoxic venom (600mg) in a single biteand is one of the most dangerous and feared Asiatic snakes. The current study aimed to document the migrationstatus of king cobra from human habitats of Kerala region, to record the seasonal day-night data, and to establish abaseline dataset for future comparisons. A preliminary survey of on the sightings of king cobras on human habitatsof entire Kerala region conducted during the period October 2008 - November 2010. Almost all these snakes werecaught by local snake catchers from places like bathrooms, courtyards of houses and thoroughly frequented publicpaths and released into the forest region. A total of 26 sightings were recorded across various locations of Keraladuring the period of survey and were frequently seen during the rainy season. The occurrences are very strange asking cobras are never known to trespass into human habitats and also expose the danger of humans getting contactwith snake. The migration of king cobras from their natural habitats in bamboo-rich dense evergreen forests (habitat-loss) to villages may be due the large-scale deforestation and the disturbances caused by poachers and illicit liquor-brewers scouring the habitats of the magnificent snakes. Deforestation and increasing human population, whichresults in utilization of agricultural land or forest land for in-habitation or for industrialization. Much of the kingcobras rainforest habitat has unfortunately been lost as a result of deforestation in response to increasing demandfor timber and agricultural land, fuelled by spiralling human population growth. The remaining rainforests of theWestern Ghats are heavily fragmented, and the area is in urgent need of research, conservation and educationactivity, both for the survival of the kings’ habitat, and the welfare of the millions of people dependent on the forestfor resources and water.
Dileep Kumar, R*1 , Suresh, B.2, Baiju, S.2,Anaswara, K.1, Divya, L.1 and Oommen, O.V1
1 Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom – 6955912 Reptile Study Group, Thiruvananthapuram – 695573
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DIVERSITY OF MANGROVE LITTER INHABITING MICROARTHROPODS
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEIR FUNCTIONAL ROLE
IN MIDNAPORE (EAST) COAST , WEST BENGAL, INDIA.
Microarthropods , an important faunal components in mangrove estuarine complex have been found to play significantrole in nutrient cycling in mangrove ecosystem and exhibited spatial and temporal variation in respect of their densityand distribution . The present paper deals with the diversity, seasonal variation of population density and communityindices in relation to major ecological parameters in coastal estuarine environment of Midnapore(East) , West Bengal,India. All total number 44 species under 18 genus 12 families of microarthropods have been recorded from differentecozones and litters of different mangrove species of the study areas. Maximum density and diversity have beenshown at Nayachar Island followed by Dadanpathrabhar, Khejuri and Junput . A comprehensive laboratory studies onthe role of different microarthropods in the decomposition of a selected mangrove plant species revealed successionaloccurrences of different microarthropods in different stages of decomposition. Microarthropodal materials fromsoil/litter were collected by stainless steel corer followed by an extraction process with Tullgreen faunal. Preservedsample (70% alcohol) have been identified and quantified under stereoscopic binocular microscope. The changes ofphysio-chemical parameters also studied viz. p H ,organic carbon(%) , salinity(ppt), total-N(ppm), total-P(ppm),available-K(PPM) to relate such changes with the changing pattern of species composition, density fluctuation ofspecies composition and density fluctuation of microarthropods in different selected study areas.
Dey, M.K.*1, Hazra, A.K.1 and Chakraborty, S.K.2
1. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata-700053, West Bengal, India.2. Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University,
Midnapore-721102, West Bengal.*[email protected]/[email protected]
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IS THOTTEA BARBERI, AN ENDEMIC ENDANGERED TAXON
OF SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS, STRUGGLING FOR
ITS EXISTENCE? – AN INSIGHT
Thottea barberi (Gamble) Ding Hou (Aristolochiaceae), endemic to southern Western Ghats, is in the brink of extinctionand listed as an endangered species. In traditional medicine, Thottea spp. are used as an antidote to snake poisonand as a remedy for stomach ache. Except some floristic reports, a detailed scientific investigation was not recordedtill now in T. barberi. Studies on quantitative assessment play a vital role in the ecology of the endemic endangeredspecies and it helps in determining the performance of populations under different sets of conditions and providesdesired information about the specialized ecological requirements of a taxon. Considering these factors, we conductedfloristic explorations and population viability assessment of this neglected taxon as an attempt to analyze its presentstatus. Survey and mapping of T. barberi were done by quadrat sampling method and using Global PositioningSystem. During floristic explorations, we were able to locate populations of this species only from Athirumala andChemmunji Hills. Population described earlier from Pongalappara was completely deteriorated. On subsequent visits,decline in population strength and gradual increase in population fragmentation and narrow distribution rangewere noticed. When the plants were brought to lower altitudes, they show only 10% survival rate, extremely stuntedgrowth and gradual death. Protein profiling of these plants using SDS-PAGE showed loss of protein bands comparedto the plants in its natural habitat. Quantification of stress enzymes and isozyme analyses showed that the plant isfacing severe stress during its acclimatization in lower altitudes. This confirms that T. barberi very much requires itsnatural habitat for its survival. Thottea barberi exhibits less flower production, lack of effective pollination, low levelof fertilization, abortion of seeds and pre-mature fruit predation. The plant propagates mainly by runners and theyexhibit very slow growth rate and plantlets are found to be susceptible to various fungal diseases. All these factorsrevealed that T. barberi is struggling hard for its existence. This has a conservation implication, as the species withspecific habitat requirements have greater possibilities of extinction than the species with broad habitat range. Sincea minimum population size is required for a long term viability of T. barberi. So the status of the plant is found to bechanged from endangered to critically endangered. This valuable medicinal plant species need immediate attentionand intensive management for its survival
Femy K. Haneef*, Radhamany, P. M. and Gangaprasad, A.Department of Botany, University of Kerala,
Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India-695581*[email protected]; [email protected]
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ESTIMATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN CELASTRUS
PANICULATUS USING ISSR
Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Jyotishmati) commonly called climbing staff tree / Black oil plant / intellect tree, is an important medicinal plantbelonging to the family Celastraceae. It is a large, woody, unarmed climbing shrub reaching to a height of 10 m, distributed throughout Indiaupto an altitude of 1200m, mainly in deciduous forests. The species is vulnerable in the Western Ghats of South India (Rajesekharan andGaneshan, 2002). Its bark is an abortifacient, depurative and a brain tonic. Root bark extract also showed anti-malarial activity (Rastogi andMehrotra 1998). Leaf sap is a good antidote for opium poisoning. Seeds are useful in abdominal disorders, leprosy, skin diseases, fever and forstimulating the intellect (Prajapati et al 2003). Among the Gonds tribe of Uttar Pradesh, India, the powdered root is considered useful for thetreatment of cancerous tumors (Parotta, 2001). Chemical constituents as revealed by phytochemical analysis were sesquiterpene alkaloids likeCelapagine, Celapanigine and Celapanine (CSIR 1992). While observing the accessions established in the Gene Bank of Arya Vaidya Sala (AVS),Kottakkal, Kerala, a wide range of morphological variations was observed in this species. Variations in shape and size of leaves, pubescence andglabrous nature of leaves, variations in flowering and fruiting etc could be observed. The difference is so marked that often doubts arise whetherthese are different varieties. Hence an initial investigation has been carried out with the collections from Kerala. Knowing the extent of geneticvariation will help evolve a strategy for conserving this important medicinal plant. Total of 15 accessions of C. paniculatus was collected from theGene Bank of AVS. Total genomic DNA was isolated from young leaves following the CTAB extraction method (Murray and Thompson, 1980).DNA was re-suspended in 100 µl 1 X TE buffer (pH 8.0). Quantification and purity of the genomic DNA was determined by Biophotometer(Eppendorf). DNA samples were diluted with sterile distilled water to 10 or 100 times depending upon the concentration of DNA. ISSR assay wascarried out in 0.5 ml PCR tubes with 25µl reaction mixture containing 2.5µl reaction buffer, 0.5 µl dNTPís (Finnzymes, Finland), 0.5 U Taqpolymerase (Finnzymes, Finland), 0.3 µl primer (Biogene, UK) and 50 ng of genomic DNA on a MJ Research thermalcycler. After the initial cycleof 2 min at 94 oC, 2 min at 52 oC and 2min at 72 oC, 35 cycles of 1 min at 94 oC, 1 min at 52 oC and 2min at 72 oC were performed. The last cyclewas followed by 7 min extension at 72 oC. Amplified products were resolved in 1.2% agarose gel (1 X TBE) stained with Ethidium Bromide (EtBr).The gels were scanned in Geldoc (Alpha Imager, USA) and the images were documented and analysed. A total of 12 primers was used for theestimation of variation in Celastrus paniculatus. 214 scorable markers were produced among the genotypes. The size of the amplified productsranged from 210 to 5090 bp. The number of scorable markers produced per primer ranged from 11 to 25. The total number of polymorphicmarkers and the percentage of polymorphism were 207 and 96% respectively. On an average the primers generated 17.8 products and 17.2polymorphism per primer. Eight primers produced 100% polymorphism and not a single primer revealed 100% monomorphism. The similarityindex ranged from 0.20 to 0.72 with a mean value of 0.51 thereby suggesting high level of genetic variability in the species. This study includedaccessions from wide spread area and the extent of variability was also high. Further studies need to be carried out to find the extent of variabilitywithin and between populations so that appropriate management prorgammes can be designed to conserve this species. If the genetic variationis high between populations, each population should be regarded as an important contributor to the overall amount of genetic variations.
Gerald Martin*, Raghu A.V., Geetha S. P. and Indira BalachandranCentre for Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya Sala, AVS Square,
Kottakkal, Malappuram, Kerala - 676 503, India*[email protected]/[email protected]
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MARINE MICROPHYTOBENTHOS ON SANDY BEACHES
OF NORTH KERALA COAST
The sandy beaches of Kerala coast is growing rapidly into hot tourist spots. The sandy beaches of North Kerala isfound to have a rich species composition of microphytobenthos. A preliminary study along ten selected stationsalong the Arabian Sea coasts of Kannur and Kasargod districts- North Kerala, revealed the presence of several speciesbenthic microalgae of the classes Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Dinophyceae. The hydrography and peculiaritiesof the sandy beaches are being correlated with the qualitative nature of the microalgae. It was found that thesubstratum quality affected the species composition of microalgae. The study becomes significant because marinemicrophytobenthos along North Kerala coast is less studied and it becomes the baseline data.
Harikrishnan E1*, Rajasekharan Nair, P T1 and Joseph, K J 2
1.Dept of Botany, Payyanur College, P O Edat, Kannur-6703272.Professor (Retired), Dept of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, CUSAT, Kochi-16, Kerala.
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DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ENDEMICITY OF EARTHWORMS
IN THE SOUTHERN KERALA STRETCH OF WESTERN GHATS
Diversity and distribution of the earthworm fauna in Southern Kerala stretch of Western Ghats was studied. The studyarea constitutes different sites from the urban, suburban and hilly areas as well as the high altitude stretches of up to1890 m surrounded by shola forests regions. A total of 12 species of earthworms belonging to 6 genera comingunder 4 families were recorded from the pedoecosystems of this region. These species were Pontoscolex corethrurus,Lampito mauritii, Perionyx excavatus, Perionyx sansibaricus, Perionyx pullus, Megascolex cochinensis, Megascolexkonkanensis, Megascolex travancorensis, Megascolex trivandranus, Dichogaster annae, Dichogaster travancorenesis,Drawida travancorensis. They belonged to the families, Glossoscolecidae, Megascolicidae, Octochaetidae andMoniligastridae. Of the 12 species recorded, P. corethrurus is exotic peregrine and L. mauritii, P. sansibaricus, P.excavatus, P. pullus, M. cochinensis, M. travancorensis, M. trivandranus, M. konkanensis, , Dichogaster travancorenesis,D. annae and Drawida travancorensis are native. It is found that M. trivandranus, M. travancorensis and M. cochinensisare endemic to the southern stretch of Western Ghats of Kerala. Of all the sites surveyed in this region, Karumam, asuburban hamlet, exhibited the highest density of the worms. The worms coming under the family Megascolecidaewere common across all the localities and habitats, except in Kazhakkuttam. The species, M. cochinensis and P. pullusare being reported for the first time from Thiruvananthapuram. The earthworms belonging to the major familyLumbricidae could not be located from the study area. The worms belonging to the genus Megascolex exhibitedhighest density and L. mauritii is the only species common to all the localities. Co-existence of as many as fourdifferent species has been noticed from the same collection site. The present study has revealed that the speciesdiversity of earthworms in this stretch of Western Ghats is much more than what has been recorded during the pastseventy five years.
Jaya Manazhy1, Aja Manazhy1, Vijayakumaran Nair, K.21Research scholar, Department of Zoology, Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram, India (e-mail:
[email protected]; [email protected])2Department of Zoology, Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram, India
(e-mail: [email protected])
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ANURAN FAUNA OF HIGHER ALTITUDES OF ARAVALLI HILLS,
RAJASTHAN, INDIA
The decline in amphibian population is a major concern throughout the world. The widespread approach of surveysand preparation of checklists should be taken along with quantitative estimates to devise potential conservationmeasures. Southern parts of Rajasthan hold many sites which need immediate attention. The present studies wereconducted in the series of field explorations to measure attributes such as abundance, richness, diversity indices ofanuran fauna of the Aravallis. The study was carried out for three years from mid 2006 to 2009 in the terrains of ninedistricts of southern Rajasthan. Extensive field surveys of the region were conducted along with the transect sampling.The visual encounter method and call census were the main techniques used during the field works. Regular seasonalsurveys along with periodic transect sampling were undertaken for the collection of data from the two selected sitesviz., Abu Hills and Kumbhalgarh Hills, for the observations on high altitudes of Aravallis comprising of altitudes>800msl. Habitats of southern Rajasthan were home for ten anuran species, of which sampling sites harbored eightspecies of anurans. These were Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Fejervarya limnocharis, Duttaphrynusmelanostictus, Bufo stomaticus, Microhyla ornata, Sphaerotheca breviceps and Uperodon systoma. Three species F.limnocharis M. ornata and E. cyanophlyctis were found throughout the altitudinal range, former two species foundall over hills in the wet and humid habitats from the foothills to the high peaks whereas later was restricted to thewater bodies at all altitudes. The species richness decreased with the elevational gradient at both the sampling sites.The range of 800 to 1000msl of Abu Hills and the range of 600 to 800msl of Kumbhalgarh Hills were found asimportant altitudinal range for the anuran diversity. During the study, it was found that habitat alteration is majorcause of concern for the future of the anurans. The present investigation may become baseline information for thefurther investigations and comparisons for the Aravallis.
Krishan Kumar Sharma* and Satya Prakash MehraLaboratory of Biodiversity Research, Department of Zoology, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer
305009 Rajasthan, India, ph: 09414280984*[email protected], [email protected]
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COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT CLUSTERING PATTERNS AND
DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICAL KEY FOR VIGNA TAXA
Vigna belonging to the family Leguminoseae is a large genus comprising of seven sub-genera and over 150 species(Verdcourt, 1970; Marechal and Baudoin 1978). One-hundred and fifty accessions belonging to 22 different taxa ofVigna maintained at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Regional Station, Thrissur were observed for 48qualitative and 24 quantitative characters. Cluster analysis was performed using NTSYS programme for quantitativeand qualitative characters separately. For each qualitative cluster the percentage of accessions of each taxa distributedinto various quantitative clusters were worked out to find out the relationship between qualitative and quantitativeclustering patterns. The weighted averages of various quantitative characters in different taxa were computed usingthe formula
nWeighted average = Σ p
i x
i i ————————
nΣ p
ii
Where ‘pi’ is the percent accessions falling in quantitative cluster ‘i’, x
i the corresponding character mean based on
the members falling in quantitative cluster ‘i’ and ‘n’ is the total number of quantitative clusters. The number ofclusters formed based on qualitative characters and quantitative characters were different. The clustering based onqualitative characters and quantitative characters grouped the 150 accessions into 10 and 5 clusters respectively. Theresult showed that majority of accessions of each taxa in a single qualitative cluster fell into a single quantitativecluster indicating the similarity among these accessions at quantitative level also. The key quantitative characters foreach taxa were identified as those which had a CV above 25 percent in all the respective quantitative clusters inwhich the accessions of the taxa were distributed. Using these key quantitative characters a statistical key wasdeveloped for distinguishing the various taxa.
Latha, M., Presannakumari, S., Krishnan, Abraham, Z. and Minimol, J.S.National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, KAU P.O.,
Vellanikkara, Kerala 680 656
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ROLE OF VARIENTS AND STORAGE CONDITION, IN
STANDARDIZATION OF RAW MATERIALS
Standardization of raw, materials is one of the major challenges faced by Ayurvedic Industry. There are various factorshindering the possibility of standardization of raw materials such as location, genotypical and phenotypical variability,ontogenic variability, adulterations, storage conditions, hygiene, period of storage moisture, fungal and bacterialcontaminations, presence of termites and insects, residual pesticides, chemical fertilizers, presences of heavy metal,etc. This article describes the role of location, period and storage conditions for preservation in standardization ofraw materials.
Madhavachandran, N.Manager, Research & Development
Nagarjuna Herbal Concentrates Ltd, Kalayanthani P.O. Thodupuzha,Idukki District, Kerala
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FISH FAUNAL DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND CONSERVATION
STATUS IN ANAMALAI TIGER RESERVE
In India, the traditional approach to wildlife conservation has been focused on the “charismatic” large vertebratesand their habitats. This has involved the creation of sanctuaries or national parks for their protection. Western Ghatssubdivided into a northern section (the Deccan trap area from the river Tapti), a middle section (upto the Nilgiri hills)and a southern section (the Anamalai, Palani and Cardamom hills). The fish diversity of Middle Western Ghats is notstudied well. Many of the species recorded from Anamalai hills are under tremendous stress due to habitat changesand other human induced impacts. Therefore an attempt was made to provide information on the diversity andconservation status of the fishes in relation to species richness and abundance, assess habitat changes, their causesand evolve strategies for their conservation. Sampling site was chosen in the streams/rivers to represent a wide rangeof habitat conditions such as altitude, stream order, habitat types, forest type, velocity, disturbed and undisturbedhabitat. At each sampling site, fishes were visually counted as far as possible and then fishes were sampled using gillnets (different 8 mm – 22 mm), cast nets and dip nets depending upon the depth. Sampling was conducted in 46sites of Parambikulam river basin, Idamala Ar Basin, Aliyar Basin, Thirumurthi river basin, Amaravathi river Basin inAnamali hills. A total of 68 species were collected which belonging to 8 orders, 16 families and 30 genera. In this 6species are found to be new (under publication). Among the 68 species family belonging to Cyprinidae was thedominant family with 44 species (69.9%) compared to other families. The maximum species richness (S), diversity (H’)was observed in Parambikulam basin (S-38; H’-1.44) followed by Aliyar (27; 1.35), Idamalai Ar (22; 1.24), Amaravathi(20; 1.30) and Thirumurthi (16; 1.12) river basins (Fig. 3&4). Maximum diversity and richness was recorded inVarakali Ar Camp site and the maximum abundance was recorded in Ambili check Dam. The distribution of endemic,threatened and exotic fishes were identified, this is very important for the conservation of fish fauna of Anamali hills.There is lot of taxonomic ambiguities in the genus Tor and also in the order Cypriniformes. Barcoding will help to salvethe taxonomic ambiguities of many species and it will help for it conservation.
Manimekalan, A.Department of Environmental Sciences,
Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India-441 [email protected]
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BRYOPHYTE DIVERSITY ALONG A GRADIENT OF HUMAN
DISTURBANCE IN THE PONMUDI HILLS, OF KERALA,
WESTERN GHATS
Ponmudi, the golden peak is a hill station in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in South India. It is on theouter edge of the SouthernWestern Ghats near Agasthyakoodam which is perched at 1868 m and the second tallestpeak after Anamudi. Altitude ranged from 90 - 1868 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runsparallel to the Arabian Sea. Thick tropical forest greets one at the foot of the Ponmudi hill range. The road passesunder a canopy of thickly matted foliage. The forest recedes gradually giving way to neatly clipped tea bushes andplantations like rubber, pepper, cardamom and tea. The change is abrupt. Meenmutty Falls is also a famous attractionin the area. This study examined the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on species richness, pattern of bryophytediversity, in the Ponmudi hill forests of kerala. Bryophyte species richness and biological diversity varied along adisturbance gradient in different forest types. A total of 134 species were identified. The highest species richness(125 species) was found in the low disturbed forest type, and the lowest species richness (19 species) in the highlydisturbed forest type. Bryophyte density declined with an increase in disturbance intensity. Highly disturbed forestscan no longer be considered natural habitats for natural plant species due to shifting cultivation and agroforestry.Highest Species diversity was shown by evergreen forest followed by degraded forests and plantations. Similarly,highest number of exclusive species was noted in the natural forest than the monoculture plantations. The latter havemore generalized and tolerant species. Thus the study reveals the human interference leading to replacement ordisappearance of species.
Manoj, G.S and Murugan, K*Department of Botany, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
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DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF BACILLUS STRAINS FROM
THE WATER SAMPLES OF A TROPICAL WETLAND ECOSYSTEM
Microbial diversity of unexplored geographical locations assumes significance considering the various physiological and metabolic capabilities ofmicroorganisms, especially bacteria. Many of them may possess the ability to solve new and emerging disease problems and to advancebiotechnology. Bacillus species constitute a diverse group of bacteria widely distributed in soil and the aquatic environment. Bacilli are spore-forming, rod shaped bacteria with fermentative, respiratory, or mixed metabolism. The present study was carried out in the Kumarakom regionof Vembanadu lake which is virtually an unexplored wetland ecosystem as far as the microbial diversity is concerned. Water samples werecollected from five different sites in the Kumarakom lake during July-2007 to June 2008. The broad objective of this investigation was to explorethe diversity of Bacillus strains isolated from water samples. In this study, Bacillus strains isolated from the wetland were characterized bymorphological and biochemical methods as described in Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology (Eighth edition, 1974). Morphologicalfeatures were observed microscopically after gram staining and spore staining, which could reveal not only the presence of spore but also itsshape, position of spore and mother cell’s change. The size and location of the spore within the vegetative cell are also significant for theidentification of organisms. Spores can be centrally, subterminally or terminally located and they can be smaller or larger in diameter than thevegetative cell. Physiological characteristics such as production of acetoin, growth under anaerobic conditions, nitrate reduction, phenylalaninedeamination, production of oxidase, utilization of citrate, glucose, cellobiose, galactose, raffinose, xylose, mannitol, arabinose, lactose andsucrose were also investigated. The strains were also observed for their growth under various temperatures (25oC, 35oC, 45oC and 55oC) and atvarious salt concentrations such as 5%, 7% and 10% of NaCl. The isolates were tested for their ability to elaborate various hydrolytic enzymessuch as amylase, protease, DNase, hippurase, lipase, urease and tyrosinase. In the present investigation the taxonomic characteristics of 142Bacillus sp. isolated from water samples of Vembanad lake were studied. Sixty nine percent of isolates were identified up to their species leveland they were assigned to 20 groups based on their character similarities. Analysis of the data revealed that B. subtilis ssp. subtilis (16.2%) wasthe most predominant species in the region under study followed by B. cereus (14.08%). More diverse strains were isolated during the monsoonseason, probably due to land run-off and possible strains from terrestrial origin. The isolates show differences in certain characteristics such as,shape of the spore, position of the spore and swelling of the sporangium. About 53% and 23% of the total isolates could grow in media withsalt concentrations of 7% and 10% respectively. Nearly 16% of the isolates were able to survive temperature up to 55oC. While 35% of theisolates exhibited DNase activity, the ability to hydrolyse casein, Tween 80 and starch were frequently encountered. Only 13% of isolates werecapable of elaborating tyrosinase. Carbohydrate fermentation ability of Bacillus isolates revealed that glucose is the most preferred carbonsource. Several strains of Bacilli encountered in the present study could be further exploited for several biotechnology applications in industry.
Maya George*1 and Mohamed Hatha, A. A.2*1. School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, [email protected],
2.Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University ofScience and Technology, Cochin-682 016, [email protected].
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POISONOUS INVADERS OF THE HIMALAYAN PARADISE
Invasive alien species pose a significant threat to biodiversity. Moreover, compelling evidence exists, based on globaltrade and movement patterns that the magnitude of this threat is increasing globally. There is a strong belief thatinvasive alien species alter ecosystem processes, decrease native species abundance and richness via competition,predation, hybridization and indirect effects, changes community structure and alter genetic diversity. Here wedocument the poisonous plant species of Kashmir Himalaya, which are alien to this region and have started invadingthis recently declared Biodiversity hotspot. A survey of the poisonous plant diversity in the flora of the region wasmade. A total of 154 poisonous plant species belonging to 127 genera and 59 families were recorded. Of these 138species representing 89.61% are used for medicinal purposes. Asteraceae has the highest number (17) of plantspossessing medicinal properties followed by family Ranunulaceae (11). Information of these species is presentedwith their medicinal properties. Among all the poisonous plants, 90 (58%) species are aliens to the area and amongthese alien plants species 34 (38%) are invasives.
Mudasir Ahmad*1, Shah, M. Y1., Naqshi, A.R.1 and Rashid, I2.1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar – 190006
2Govt. Degree College Baramulla, Kashmir.*[email protected]
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BUTTERFLY MIGRATION STUDIES IN KERALA PART OF
WESTERN GHATS – AN OVERVIEW
Bird migration has been known for about hundreds if not thousands of years, but the migration of butterflies is arelatively a recent discovery. Unlike birds, most butterflies migrate in one direction only from the place where theyare born to a new area. There are several possible reasons for this – to avoid overpopulation; shortage of larval foodplants; to find a new home when a temporary habitat is destroyed; or to respond to the changing seasons. Anothertheory is that these migrations are some times a survival of bygone habits caused by climate or other reasons, andnow the instinct remains though the conditions no longer exist. In India about 64 species of butterflies showmigratory behaviour. Most of the migratory flights are recorded from the Himalaya, Palni Hills, North-eastern Indiaand Nilgiris. No historical records of butterfly migration has been documented from Kerala part of Western Ghats inthe past. In the present communication we have made an attempt to study the migration of butterflies in the Keralapart of Western Ghats and adjoining areas like Anamalai, Nilgiris, Coorg and Palni Hills. The present study revealsthat about 46 species of butterflies regularly take part in migration. The common migrant butterfly species of Keralaare the Dark Blue Tiger (Tirumala septentrionis), Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace), Common Crow (Euploea core), DoubleBranded Crow (Euploea sylvester), Common Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona), Mottled Emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe),Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus) and the Common Albatross (Appias albina). The migratory path of mixed danainebutterflies typically takes place from Western Ghats to plains during April/May and also from the plains to Ghats inOctober or November. Normally the danaine migrations initiate immediately after a shower (south west monsoon ornorth east monsoon). The migration of Emigrants and the Lime Butterfly is mainly noticed during April or May flyingfrom Western Ghats to plains or from southeast to north. The altitudinal migration of Common Albatross butterflyis regularly observed in December-February, along the tracts of southern Western Ghats.
Muhamed Jafer PalotWestern Ghat Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India
Kozhikode- 673 006, [email protected]
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SCHEMATIC IDENTIFICATION OF ‘CHETHIKODUVELI’ (PLUMBAGO
ROSEA L.) IDEOTYPE FOR OPTIMAL PLUMBAGIN CONTENT
Plumbago rosea (Chethikoduveli) and Plumbago zeylanica (Vella koduveli) are two medicinally important species and a well known source ofnaturally occurring naphthoquinone ‘plumbagin’. The species require fifteen to eighteen months for production of tuberous roots containingthis therapeutically active component. The roots are used in various ayurvedic preparations after proper curing and drying. Pharmaceuticalcompanies largely depend on material procured from naturally occurring stands which are being depleted rapidly, raising concern about possibleextinction and providing justification for conservation of this species. The cultivation of the Plumbago species is limited, owing to the perennialnature of the species. As such their large-scale cultivation is economically less attractive. The present study was carried out in the Department ofPlant breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2005-2007 with the major objective to collect and evaluate Plumbagogermplasm for selecting ideotype/ideotypes with optimal plumbagin content. Twenty five accessions of Plumbago rosea and one accession ofPlumbago zeylanica were collected and evaluated in replicated trial for genetic variability with respect to their morphological and biometricaltraits including plumbagin content. Plumbago species being perennial, seasonal observations on the six morphological characters namely plantheight, number of branches per plant, internodal length, number of leaves, leaf length and leaf breadth were recorded up to fifteen months, thetime maturity for harvest. The data were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance. For each character different homogenoussubsets of the accessions were obtained. As the realization of optimal plumbagin content was the strategy, accessions which were common toall the subsets for each character were identified and listed. From such groups the accessions further common for all the morphologicalcharacters were selected. This process resulted in the selection of IC-566507, the lone accession which was common to all subsets for the all thecharacters except internodal length. In addition to this accession, two accessions IC-566511 and the P. zeylanica accession were identified asoutliers for the reason that the P. zeylanica accession possessed maximum values and the accession of P. rosea IC-566511 possessed minimumvalues with respect to four characters namely, plant height, number of branches, internodal length and number of leaves. The distinctiveness ofthe accession IC-566507 with the outliers such as accession IC-566511 and P. zeylanica accession was investigated through graphical method.The accession IC-566507 with 86.11 cm height, 14.78 branches, 202 leaves, 6.93 cm leaf length and 3.75cm leaf breadth was identified as themost suited accession to yield optimal plumbagin content. Repeated measures ANOVA was based on morphological traits or rather aboveground characters alone. The development of ideotype plant in Plumbago species is justified when the root characters and plumbagin contentare also simultaneously considered along with morphological characters. Hence, for developing an ideotype with optimal plumbagin contentcross tabulation of six morphological traits and five biometric traits namely, number of roots, root girth, total biomass, dry root weight and freshroot weight along with two additional traits namely dry weight recovery of roots and root length with plumbagin content was carried out. Thechi-square statistics for cross tabulation of plumbagin content with number of branches, plant height, number of leaves, root number,freshplant weight, dry root weight and dry weight recovery were found to be significant. Thus, plumbagin content may be a variable character withrespect to all these morphological and root characters especially dry weight recovery. As the objective of present study was to achieve optimalplumbagin content, 2 to 3 per cent plumbagin was identified as the threshold level. The threshold levels of the characters influencing optimallevel of plumbagin were also identified. Thus, the desirable characters of P. rosea yielding an optimal plumbagin content may be identified for thefollowing ranges such as 1-20 number of branhces,50-100 cm plant height,100-200 number of leaves, 5-15 number of roots, 150-250 g freshplant weight, 20-40 g dry root weight and 25-35 per cent dry weight recovery of roots. Development of the characteristics of Plumbago roseato these levels will yield fruitful results.
Namboodiri Raji Vasudevan*1 and Krishnan, S.2
1. C.C.R.P (Cadbury-KAU Co-operative Cocoa Research Project), Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur -6806562.Department of Agricultural statistics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur -680656
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MARINE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN INDIA
The coastal marine ecosystems play a vital role in India’s economy by virtue of their natural resources, potentialhabitats and wide biodiversity. India has a long coastline of 8129 kms with Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.5million sq.km which is an important area both for exploration and exploitation of natural resources. Marine biodiversityaffords enormous economical, environmental and aesthetic value to human kind. Humans have long depended onmarine aquatic resources for food, medicine and materials as well as for recreational and commercial purposes suchas fishing and tourism. Marine organisms also rely upon the great biodiversity of habitats and resources for food,materials breeding and larval disposal environment. This interdependence is essential and maintaining a balancebetween them is cardinal. But the marine ecosystems are deteriorating at an alarming rate. The factors responsiblefor it are over exploitation of species, introduction of exotic species, pollution from urban, industrial, and agriculturalareas as well as habitat loss and alteration of water diversion, excessive use of water resources etc. As a result,valuable marine aquatic resources are becoming increasingly susceptible to both natural and manmade environmentalchanges. The present paper deals with the strategies to protect and conserve marine biodiversity which are necessaryto maintain the balance of nature and support the availability of natural resources for future generations in India.
Nammalwar, P.Project Leader (INCOIS)
Institute for ocean management, Anna university, [email protected]
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Kerala is one of the states with reserves of evergreen forest in southwestern India. The high avian species diversity inthe tropics is largely contributed by the rainforest in the high ranges. The diverse vegetation grown in these areas andthe microhabitats provide the avifauna the food, nesting and roosting places. The cardamom research stationPampadumpara a, High range station of Kerala Agricultural University is situated in cardamom Reserve hills of Idukkidistrict. The area, a century ago must have been a tropical ever green forest of Indo-Malayan type. A study wasconducted on the avifauna of this campus and neighboring areas where cardamom and coffee are widely cultivated.This campus represents a tropical evergreen forest altered and exploited by manmade factors. The plants, trees,insects, birds, reptiles and other animals still remains are those which successfully adapted to semi altered naturalecosystem. These are sufficiently numerous and diverse to justify the area being considered a prospective biodiversityzone. The most frequent and abundant species were Indian Tree pie, White billed tree pie, Hill Myna, Blue wingedparakeet, Lorikeets, Rocket tailed Drango, and Jungle babbler. Three species endemic to Western Ghats i.e. Whitebilled tree pie, Blue winged parakeet and Malabar whistling thrush were recorded in the station. Around 100 speciesrepresenting about 30 families were recorded in our study. These also include many winter visitors. In spite ofenvironmental alterations, CRS Pampadumpara still remains a sufficiently variegated bird population to be considereda viable hill bird sanctuary.
Narayana, R.*, Murugan, M., Dhanya, M.K., and Sreekala, G.S.Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara,Kerala Agricultural University. Idukki - District
STUDY ON AVIFAUNA ASSOCIATED WITH CARDAMOM RESEARCH
STATION. PAMPADUMPARA, KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY.01 32
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DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF THE GENUS CRYPTANTHUS USING
MORPHOLOGICAL AND CYTOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
The genus Cryptanthus consists of about 50 terrestrial species belonging to the family Bromeliaceae and subfamilyBromelioideae. They are commonly called ‘earth stars’ because of their shape. In the present study morphologicaland cytological characters of 6 species of Cryptanthus was analysed. Morphology was studied and discussed withthe emphasis on 12 quantitative and 12 qualitative characters. Statistical tool such as UPGMA cluster analysis wasused for the elucidation of species variation and their inter relationships. Cytological study was carried out usingmitotic chromosome analysis and karyotypic analysis. From the morphological studies on the inflorescence andflower character, variation was observed in the Cryptanthus species. Stomata was paracytic in all the species exceptC. beuckeri and C. bivittatus ‘Tricolor’ which contain paratetracytic type of stomata. Cytological study showed thatall the species of Cryptanthus except C. bivittatus ‘Tricolor’ (2n=50) have somatic chromosome number 2n=34. Thepresent study support dibasic model of chromosome evolution in Cryptanthus. Within this genus, except C. bivittatus‘Tricolor’ cryptic structural hybridity play a role in the species diversity.
Nisha Raj, R.S. and Radhamany, P.M.Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Kariavattom,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India-695581e-mail:[email protected]
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COASTAL AND MARINE BIODIVERSITY - THE INDIAN SCENARIO
Coastal and marine ecosystems are the global storehouses for rich biodiversity. Conservation and sustainable utilization of the marine biologicalresources are of critical importance for meeting the health and wealth of human population. About 55% of the world’s population and morethan 70% of the East Asian population lives in coastal areas, and depends on coastal and marine resources for food, employment and income.The total number of species in marine ecosystems will probably remain unknowable. According to Census of Marine Life (COML), the marinespecies may number between 1 and 1.4 million excluding microbes. According to the Global Biodiversity Assessment produced by the UnitedNations Environment Programme, there are 1,78,000 marine species in 34 phyla so far discovered. The most diverse regions identified by theCOML are around Australia and South East Asia. Among the Asian countries, India is perhaps the only country that has a long record ofinventories of coastal and marine biodiversity. India is one among 17 mega-biodiversity countries and 25 hotspots of the richest and highlyendangered eco-regions of the world. India has 8,118 kms long coastline, 0.53 million sq. km shelf area and 2.02 million sq. km of exclusiveeconomic zone adjoining the offshore islands and a productive coastal ecosystems such as estuaries, lagoons, mangroves, backwaters, saltmarshes, seagrasses, rocky shores, sandy stretches and coral reefs, which are characterized by distinctive biotic and abiotic assets and practices.The number of species known could be of the order of 13,000 or higher in India (Ramakrishna and Venkataraman 2002). Coastal zonerepresents 18% of the earth surface, providing space for 60% of the human population since about 70% of the world’s cities with populationmore than 1.6 million are located in coastal zone and 90% of the world fish catch is obtained from this zone. It represents about 18-33% of totalprimary production which is basic energy for finfish and shellfish stock. This zone has high biological potential as it serves as feeding, nursery andspawning grounds with rich biodiversity and as in intermediary biotope between marine and freshwater environments (Venkataraman, 2003).Marine and coastal ecosystems provide a wide range of important products and services. Fish, crustaceans and mollusks are major food and theyprovided about 7 million tones of human food and live stock supplements in the year 2007-2008 in India (CMFRI, 2009). The recent trend oncoastal and marine biodiversity components has been of great concern. Climate change, over exploitation, pollution and habitat loss can beaccelerated the species loss that, according certain estimates is of the order of species per day. About half of the world’s coastal ecosystems facethreats to their existence due to human activities. About 35% of the mangroves and 20% of the coral reefs have been destroyed on a worldwide.The coastal and marine ecosystems have also become the ultimate sink for discharges of waste, spillage of oil, discharge of radioactive materials,alien species by ballast water and eutrophication due to domestic and industrial waste run-off. In recent years, s significant improvement inmanagement of coastal and marine resources has been observed in India. But there is still a considerable improvement is needed to conserve thecoastal and marine biological resources.
Perumal SanthanamDepartment of Marine Science, School of Marine Sciences,
Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620 024. Tamil Nadu,[email protected]
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SPECIES COMPOSITION, DISTRIBUTION AND BIOMASS
OF MACROALGAE IN THE SEAGRASS ECOSYSTEM
OF MINICOY ATOLL, LAKSHADWEEP, INDIA
Spatial and temporal variations in species composition, distribution and biomass of macroalgae in the seagrassecosystem of Minicoy Atoll of Lakshadweep, India were assessed for two years (2000-2002). Four stations wereselected for the study. The seagrass ecosystem consists of five species of seagrasses, namely, Thalassia hemprichii,Halophila ovalis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halodule uninervis and Cymodocea serrulata. During the study period, 42species were obtained from the seagrass meadow. They belonged to 3 classes, 9 orders, 17 families and 26 genera.The most dominant group was Class Rhodophyceae, represented by 4 orders, 9 families and 12 genera and 20species, followed by Class Chlorophyceae, having 2 orders, 5 families, 8 genera and 16 species. Class Phaeophyceaeconsisted of 3 orders, 3 families, 5 genera and 6 species. Halimeda gracilis formed the most dominant species in theStation I (33.75%) and Station II (60.9%), whereas G. crassa formed the dominant species (31.18%) in the Station IIIand G. edulis (17.40%) in the Station IV. Class Rhodophyceae contributed a major share in the total seaweed biomassand distributed almost uniformly in all the stations. Classes Chlorophyceae and Phaeophyceae showed significantvariations in biomass seasonally and spatially. Both the drifting and rhizophytic macro algae in the seagrass ecosysteminfluenced the structural complexity, as they act as food source for numerous organisms and as shelter. From theresults, it could be inferred that the potential for changes in the distribution and abundance of macro algal communitiesof seagrass habitats could be correlated with changes in environmental regime, especially pH and dissolved oxygen.The changes on the tidal emergence and submergence, topography of the coast, surf action and levels at which theplants grow, contributed much to the fluctuations in the distribution, abundance and community structure of macroalgae in the seagrass ecosystem of Minicoy Atoll.
Prabhakaran, M.P*1., Pillai, N.G.K.2 and Bijoy Nandan, S.1
1School of Marine Sciences, CUSAT, Kochi - 6820162Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, Kerala State, India 682 018
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MICROBIAL DIVERSITY IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT
Agricultural practices in India is heavily dependent on agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. These agrochemicalshave greatly influenced natural rhizosphere microbes in agro systems and led to the frequent and deliberatecontamination of cultivated soils. The economic and ecological problems of today have re-invigorated the idea ofusing natural rhizosphere microbial population in order to reduce the application of costly and environmentally-polluting agrochemicals to a minimum. Plant beneficial microbialresources promise to replace and/or supplementmany such destructive, high intensity practices and support ecofriendly crop production. Plant growth promotingrhizobacteria (PGPR) may promote plant growth directly through the processes such as by fixation of atmosphericnitrogen, solubilization of phosphorous, production of siderophores that solubilize and sequester iron, or productionof plant growth regulators (hormones), lytic enzymes and hydrogen cyanide. Some bacteria support plant growthindirectly, by improving and/or eliminating the growth-restricting conditions either via production of antagonisticsubstances or by inducing resistance against plant pathogens and through competition for nutrients and space canimprove significantly plant health and promote growth, as evidenced by increases in seedling emergence, vigor, andyield. Thus, microbial diversity has ecological, environmental, and social benefits. It plays a crucial role as integralcomponent of sustainable development.
Pramod W. Ramteke* and Ashok RathoreSam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and sciences (SHIATS)
Allahabad 211007, UP, India, Mob: 91-9415124985*[email protected]; [email protected]
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HUMAN –ELEPHANT CONFLICTS IN KERALA: THE PATTERN
OF CROP RAIDING BY ASIAN ELEPHANTS IN MUNNAR REGION
OF WESTERN GHATS
A preliminary study was conducted on the crop raiding pattern of Asian elephants at Munnar region of Kerala, SouthIndia. Munnar region is predominantly hilly plantation, tribal dominated region and lies at the eastern part of Idukkidistract of Kerala state. The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 2,000 meters (6,562 ft) to 2,600meters (8,530 ft) above mean sea level. The temperature ranges between 10 °C (50 °F) and 0 °C (32 °F) in winter and8 °C (46.4 °F) and 16 °C (60.8 °F) in summer. Most of the native flora and fauna of Munnar have disappeared due tosevere habitat fragmentation resultant from the creation of the plantations. The land use of Munnar can be groupedinto natural vegetation (forest) and plantations. The terrain is highly undulating and slope varies from gentle to verysteep. The average rainfall is 4260mm. We collected data by people participation surveys during the period fromApril 2008-to March 2010 by monitoring 15 settlement areas/fields, interviewing farmers and local people. . Werecorded total 222 cases of conflicts for the two years and all are crop raiding. Crop raiding was the primary form ofconflict between elephants and humans and was reported by all the settlement areas studied Two man slaughtersincidents were reported in the study period and both are occurred on the buffer areas of the forest. The maximumraids occurred in Thenmala Tea Factory area settlement in 2008-09 and Devikulam- Gundala-Muthuvakundu areawhich is followed by Marayoor and Kundala Chanrose settlements in 2009-10 periods. There is a marked increase inthe crop raids in the 2009-10. The majority of crop raiding was reported to have occurred in two peak periods, onefrom February to May and the other from September to December. The major crops raided were plantain, coconutand all other usual crops such as sugar cane, paddy, cabbage, carrot etc. Female groups damaged more area thanmale groups. The major reasons of HEC, current mitigation measures practiced as well as the problems of habitatdegradation and conservation practices in this area are discussed in detail.
Prasad, G.1, Rajesh Reghunath2 and V. Prasannakumar3
1Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala2Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
3Centre for Geo-Information Science and Technology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
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DIVERSITY OF LITTER DEGRADING MICROFUNGI FROM
THE FORESTS OF WESTERN GHATS, INDIA
Western Ghats, one of the mega biodiversity hotspots is a treasure house for several new and interesting fungi.Tropical forests produce a large amount of litter which is a favoured source of nutrient for fungal colonization.Generally, litter is divided into leaf litter, branch litter, bark litter, fruit litter and seed litter. Fungi are the majordegraders of plant litter which is composed of basically cellulose and lignin. Litter fungi play a major role in carbonand nitrogen cycling in forest ecosystem. In an attempt to document the biodiversity of litter fungi of the region,litter samples were collected from different places in Goa and some parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra. Thefungi were isolated and cultured by direct isolation, moist chamber incubation and particle filtration methods. In all300 litter fungi belonging to 140 genera of hyphomycetes, ascomycetes and coelomycets were isolated. Theseincluded several rare and interesting species in the monotypic genera like Bibanasiella, Cheiromyceopsis, Esdipatilia,Megacapitula, Pseudogliophragma, Morrisiella etc. New species belonging to Dendryphiopsis, Digitoramispora,Spondylocladiopsis, Stauriella, Tetraploa and Vamsapriya have been recorded. This study further extends the distributionof these fungi to the Western Ghats region of Goa.
Pratibha J.1, Bhat, D.J. 2 and Raghukumar, S.1
1Myko Tech Pvt. Ltd., Mapusa Industrial Estate, Mapusa Goa – 403507, India2 Department of Botany, Goa University, Goa 403206 India
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ANTS ( FORMICIDAE): NEST AND HABITAT
Ants are the diverse group of insects, and having a highly developed social animal. Ants form one of the verydominant arthropods of about 12071 living species with 28 subfamilies,71 tribes and 408 genera. (Bolton, 2005).Ants, like the honey bees and one section of the wasps are social insects , with a well established nest or community.they display a remarkable range of social behavior, foraging habits and association with other organisms( HÖlldoblerand Wilson, 1990). Some species even form symbiotic association with particular group of plants, which producesuitable pre-formed nest sited to attract the ants to take up residence (Bolton, 1994). The design and architecture ofnest is distinctly purposeful and constructed with patience. They construct nests in various types of habitats somenest in cavities in plants, but majority of ants make net in the ground. Same colony of ants may adopt very differentmethods of nest building at different periods during the growth and development (Wheeler, 1913)
Presty John1, Rabeesh, T.P. and Karmaly .K.ADept. of Zoology, St.Xavier’s College for women, Aluva
1Dept. of Zoology, S. H. College Thevara*[email protected]
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CHERAI BEACH- A HAVEN OF TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY
Sandy beaches harbour a plethora of life forms in the interstices of fine and coarse sand grains. In the light of enhanced rate of species extinction caused byhuman (anthropogenic) activity, the need for a reliable estimate of the variety of species has become a need of the hour. A study of psammophilous fauna ofCherai beach (lat.10° 09' N; long.76º 02’E), revealed that species from nine taxa dominated by nematodes abound this beach. Curiously enough, gastrotrichsoccupied the second position. Miniaturisation of body along with bizarre morphological architecture by representatives of macrobenthic group especiallypolychaetes, cnidarians and copepods became common residents of the interstitial realm. Despite the heterogeneity of the various animal groups present inthis microcosm, all interstitial taxa are subject to integrating adaptations by the constraints and dynamics of this habitat. Methodology includes collection ofsediment samples, extraction of interstitial fauna by sedimentation-decantation method (Wieser,1960),sorting, preparation of microscopic slides of organismsby graded alcohol series and Seinhorst’s method(1959) and detailed examination of specimens using high power microscope equipped with 100X oil immersionlens. Categorisation of nematode species into different trophic groups was done (Wieser, 1953). CHN analysis (using CHN analyzer Elementar VarioIII) andtextural analysis of sediments was carried out (Buchanan, 1984). Hydrographic parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen (Winkler’smethod) were noted. Taxonomic studies of selected aberrant groups brought to light forty three species that come under Nematoda, Gastrotricha, Polychaeta,Kinorhyncha, Isopoda and Cnidaria. Subjected to considerable daily and seasonal fluctuations, the taxa occupying this beach exhibit variegated morphologicalfeatures. Macrodasyd gastrotrich, Pseudostomella cheraensis Priyalakshmi et.al. (2007) is new to science. Halichaetonotus spinosus and Halichaetonotus sp.(Gastrotricha) are premier records from the Indian beaches. All the gastrotrich species recorded from Cherai are premier reports from the coast of Kerala. Astriking feature of the species distribution is the distinct discontinuity in its occurrence and abundance. Nematode community and their diversity are largelydetermined by the sediment structure. The moderately well sorted medium sand harboured a rich and diverse nematofauna, though the density of some of theforms was low. 28 species belonging to 3 orders, 12 families and 22 genera abounded this beach. Distribution and abundance of the type of trophic groupshighlighted the presence of deposit feeders at par with predators indicating the over-riding importance of the quality of organic matter as a source of energy.The pattern of prevalence of nematode communities was such that two sampling locations with more or less same pattern of substratum were occupied by twodifferent species. Species like Daptonema setifer, Rhynchonema hirsutum and Paramonhystera albigensis found in abundance in one season were outnumberedby Onyx perfectus, Oxyonchus culcitatus and Gammanema sp. in the following season. Faunal diversity of Cherai was enriched by 7 interstitial polychaetes suchas Pisione remota, Pisione sp., Saccocirrus minor, Protodrilus pierantonii, Protodrilus sp., Hesionides sp., and Polygordius madrasensis. Though a taxonomicenquiry was not possible, turbellarians made their presence in fairly good numbers. A good representation of a typical mud dweller, Cateria styx (Kinorhyncha)is indicative of the faunal richness of this habitat. The species preference of the substratum was evident by the presence of single species of isopod, Angeleriaphreaticola in large numbers. A group with erratic distribution and rare occurrence was Cnidaria with very few numbers of Halammohydra octopodides. Aninteresting (remarkable) observation made was the quantum of harpacticoids wherein, 7 species present in the sediment sample are all new to science(unpublished data). BEST analysis revealed the correlation co-efficient (Rho) to be 0.202 and 0.075 for sediment and hydrographic parameters respectively.Organic carbon and Nitrogen determined the abundance and distribution of fauna and among the hydrographic parameters, Dissolved Oxygen seemed to bethe most important factor. The diversity of interstitial taxa in Cherai is an index of the high nutritional nature of this pristine beach.
G. Priyalakshmi1* and N. R. Menon2
1Department of Zoology, Bharata Mata College, Thrikkakara, Kerala, India.Pin: 682021; Mob: 9895104164; E-mail: [email protected]
2Emeritus Professor and Hon. Director, C-IMCOZ, School of Marine Science, CUSAT & NERCI, Kerala,India.Pin:682016 E-mail:[email protected]
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POPULATION ECOLOGY OF DIPTEROCARPUS BOURDILLONII
BRANDIS, A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED TREE SPECIES
Dipterocarps are well known for the timber value of their species. The Indian species of the genus are Dipterocarpusbourdillonii and D. indicus, both are endemic to the Western Ghats. The timber of the species has long been exploitedfor their softwood. Dipterocarpus bourdillonii, is a flagship species identified as typical tree in composition andarchitecture of the low elevational evergreen forests and its population is very low compared to D. indicus. As per theCAMP (Conservation Assessment and Management Plan) process, the species has been given the ‘Critically Endangered’status. The future genetic value, the endemicity, the discontinuous distribution, and critically endangered status ofthe species underline the urgent need for its conservation. Intensive field investigations in Central Western Ghats(Karnataka) region shows that D. bourdillonii is largely confined to southern part of the state (Kodagu or Coorgdistrict) while D. indicus is widely distributed all through the state. Although the area of distribution of the species isrestricted to Coorg, it is broken into a few disjunct patches, especially towards the northern part of the district. As ofnow only fourteen individuals of the species are identified in the entire state of Karnataka and their distribution isbroken into three patches within the distance of 7-8 kms in the District. The species is recorded only along streamsand in some inaccessible areas of Kadamakkal forests in Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuary, Kodagu (Coorg) at an elevationof less than 300m. Dipterocarpus bourdillonii started to bear flowers from November, set fruits during December andretained till April to May. A weevil belonging to Alcidode sp. caused severe damage to its flower and fruits whichresulted in very poor natural regeneration of the species. The regeneration pattern of the species was assessed underthe adult tree. As the D. bourdillonii seeds are winged and they are wind dispersed, the seeds fall at certain distancefrom base of the tree. Number of D. bourdillonii regenerates increases as the distance increases from base of themother tree and maximum number (20) of regenerates was found at 10-15 m distance, afterwards it stated todecrease. Girth class distribution of D. bourdillonii regenerates shows that the highest per cent (33.3%) of regeneratesare of Class II and it was followed by Class I. Species richness under the mother tree was gradually increased as thedistance increases from the its base.
Puttaswamy, H.*1, Kushalappa2, C.G. Swarupanandan,3 K. and Ajayan, K.V1.1.Research Scholars, College of Forestry, Ponnampet, Kodagu – 571216
2. Professor and Head, Dept. of FBT, College of Forestry, Ponnampet, Kodagu3. Scientist ‘F’, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Peechi, Thrissur
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GENETIC DIVERSITY OF ANTAGONISTIC POTENTIAL STREPTOMYCES
SPP. ISOLATED FROM NAMBOR RESERVE FOREST OF ASSAM, INDIA
In this study we isolated thirty Streptomyces from Nambor Wild Life Sanctuary of Assam, India. All the isolates werescreened for extracellular enzyme production such as proteases, chitinase, â-glucanase and antimicrobial metabolites.Out of 30 isolates 4 showed protease production, 6 had the ability to degrade colloidal chitin and 5 degradedlaminarin when amended in the growth media. Moreover 60% of isolates showed antagonistic potential againstphytopathogenic fungus viz. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (Foc), Fusarium semitectum (Fs), Aspergillus niger (An),Rhizoctonia solani (Rs) and bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) and Escherichia coli (Ec). Phylogeneticrelationship of the Streptomyces were analyzed by 16S rDNA-RFLP and BOX profiling with respect to reference strainsof Streptomyces glaucescens (MTCC 276), Streptomyces coelicolor (MTCC 8), Streptomyces fradiae (MTCC 321).Investigation of polymorphic bands of 16S rDNA using three tetra cutter restriction enzymes (HaeIII, AluI and MspI)revealed considerable variations among the isolates.
Rajal Debnath, Rupak K Sarma, Tarun C Bora, and Ratul Saikia*Biotechnology Division North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR),
Jorhat 785006, Assam, India *[email protected]
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DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION MAPPING AND EX SITU CONSERVATION
OF RARE, ENDANGERED AND THREATENED MEDICINAL
SPECIES OF THE CENTRAL WESTERN GHATS
Targeted exploration and collection missions were conducted in Western Ghats of Karnataka,Kerala and Tamilnaduand variability in targeted species of RET medicinal plants collected from hotspots of south from 31 collectionmissions-374 accessions collected Pass port data has been collected for every accession and an attempt was madeto develop descriptors. The distribution of the RET species was mapped using the primary data which was obtainedfrom the various exploration and collection missions conducted in south India. The latitude, longitude and altitude ofthe locations were obtained using a global positioning system (Garmin) Using the passport data the distribution of32 target species were mapped using DIVA GIS software. Domain model DIVA GIS (Hijmans et al, 2003) distributionmap of 32 RET medicinal plants were created using DIVA GIS Software. With the help of Bioclim/Domain tool thepossible habitat of various ret species was predicted (Map 2).Out of 19 climatic variables four of them were used forthis prediction. With the help of Bioclim/Domain tool was used predictive niche modeling. For ex situ conservation ofspecies an integrated strategy has been employed. A Field Gene Bank (FGB) is established for targeted RET medicinalplants at IIHR, Bangalore. The present FGB at IIHR established the following species accessions of RET medicinalplants : Kaempferia galanga11, Kaempferia galanga 8, Holostemma adakodien 4, Oroxylum indicum 9, Embeliaribes 2, Celastrus paniculatus 23, Decalepis hamiltonii 6, Aristolochia tagala 3, Saraca asoca 6, Alpiniagalanga19,Kaempferia galang 26,Rauvolfia serpentiana10. The FGB is completely organic in mangement and chemicalsprays and fertilisers were avoided. Adaptability of species to the new location, pollination ecology, and morphologicalcharacterization was taken up in the FGB. Seed bank for RET medicinal plants established for Oroxylum indicum,Decalepis hamiltonii, Holostemma adakodien. In vitro multiplication and coservation protocols were optimised forAlpinia calcarata, Kaempfieria galanga and Acorus calamus.implications of these strategies in conservation of theseRET medicinal plant species will be discussed in the presentation.
Rajasekharan, P.E., Ravish, B.S., Mini, S. and Vasantha Kumar, T.*Division of Plant Genetic Resources, Section of Medicinal crops
Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake POBangalore 560 089
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Among the extant amphibians the least known are caecilians (Order Gymnophiona), probably because most speciesof this largely tropical group live in soil. Caecilians are elongate and limbless and have skin that is divided into annuli,so they appear superficially snake- or worm-like. The Western Ghats is a centre of caecilian diversity with more than10% of global species diversity occurring here. There has been a substantial increase in knowledge of the caeciliansof the Western Ghats in the last 10 years, and much of this has been possible because they can be found inanthropogeneic habitats as well as (their presumably natural home) forests. Indeed, some species occur in very highdensities in altered habitats, to the point where they can be locally the most abundant vertebrates. The adaptabilityof some caecilians to human-altered landscapes results in face-to-face interactions with humans along the Ghatsregion. Preliminary previous work in peninsular India indicated that at least some caecilian species might be persecutedby humans, as well as killed accidentally on roads and in plantations. In order to study caecilian anthrozoology infurther detail we interviewed people from all walks of life who were encountered at caecilian localities along theWestern Ghats region of Kerala during January 2008- October 2010. There is no specific name for caecilians in thelocal language. Different names people use for caecilians are invariably applied also to soil-dwelling snakes. Caeciliansare identified by laypeople usually as earthworms or snakes, depending on the species in question. People generallyfind caecilians frightening (if they believe them to be snakes) or at least slimy and unappealing. Occasional fear existsbecause of misidentification and myths and not through harmful experiences. Knowledge that caecilians are amphibiansis almost non-existent. Culturally, in this part of the Ghats caecilians are not well represented except for some faintproverbs and one or two mentions in writings in the local language. Our findings might cause some concern forcaecilian conservation in anthropogenic habitats, but we also found that laypeople responded well to brief, informaleducation sessions and demonstrations that these animals are not dangerous and may even be beneficial in thehealth of agricultural soils.
Ramachandran Kotharambath* and Oommen V. OommenDepartment of Zoology, University of Kerala,Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram-695581
HUMAN PERCEPTIONS OF, AND INTERACTIONS WITH, CAECILIAN
AMPHIBIANS IN THE SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS OF INDIA01 44
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LARGE PREDATORS AND PREY POPULATION IN MUDUMALAI
TIGER RESERVE, WESTERN GHATS
The abundance and prey availability of tiger, leopard and dhole were studied within an intensive study area of 187km2 covering deciduous forest, semi evergreen forest and dry thorn forest of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadubetween January 2008 and April 2010. Population of tiger and leopard was estimated using camera traps with 50trap stations by capture-recapture method. Dhole population was estimated by vehicle transects with a total effortof 4496 km. Time activity pattern of large carnivores was examined from photo-captures. Prey availability wasestimated using line transects laid randomly with a total effort of 473 km. The density (individuals/100 km2) estimateof tiger using half mean maximum distance moved, full mean maximum distance, spatially explicit maximum likelihoodand inverse prediction methods was 12.1 ± 2.6
SE, 9.1 ± 2.3
SE, 9.2 ± 2.4
SE, 10.7 ± 4.4
SE respectively and for leopard
the density estimates were 17.4 ± 4.2SE
, 13.7 ± 3.3SE
, 15.1 ± 5.0SE
, 20.7 ± 9.9SE
respectively. Camera trappingrevealed 28 individual tigers (seven males, 17 females and four unidentified individuals) and 31 leopards (11 males,17 females and three unidentified individuals) from an effort of 2000 trap nights. Dhole density estimate (individuals/100 km2) was 37 ± 16
SE. Tiger showed crepuscular activity, leopards were active throughout the day while dholes
were found to be diurnal. The estimated density of prey species was in the following order: chital (43.8 ± 10.7SE
),common langur (31.0 ± 3.8
SE), gaur (6.7 ±1.3
SE), Indian giant squirrel (6.4 ± 10.7
SE), sambar (4.9 ± 0.96
SE),
elephant (4.9 ± 0.75SE
), grey jungle fowl (3.9 ± 1.2SE
), red spur fowl (2.7 ± 1.6SE
), black-naped hare (2.7 ± 1.5SE
),barking deer (1.5 ± 0.73
SE), peafowl (1.3 ± 0.80
SE), wild pig (1.2 ± 0.52
SE), bonnet macaque (1.0 ± 0.59
SE), mouse
deer (0.95 ± 0.47SE
) and chausingha (0.35 ± 0.35). This study indicates high availability of prey species for thesustenance of high predator populations in the Mudumalai landscape which is most important for conservation oftiger, leopard, dhole and biodiversity of Southern Western Ghats.
Ramesh, TRamesh, TRamesh, TRamesh, TRamesh, T.*, Riddhika, K.,.*, Riddhika, K.,.*, Riddhika, K.,.*, Riddhika, K.,.*, Riddhika, K., SankarSankarSankarSankarSankar, K. and Qureshi, Q., K. and Qureshi, Q., K. and Qureshi, Q., K. and Qureshi, Q., K. and Qureshi, Q.Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box 18, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India.
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MICROBIAL POPULATION IN THE CONTINENTAL SHELF
SEDIMENTS OF KERALA COAST
Microorganisms play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of elements. A comprehensive study on microfaunal community structure in the sediments will help us to understand the role of microbes in the benthic realm andgroup of microbes involved in the specific transformations. Microbial population in the shelf sediments of Keralacoast have been studied during the 258th cruise of the Research vessel FORV Sagar Sampada. Sediment samples werecollected from the shelf regions (50 and 200m depths) of Kerala covering 9 stations over 5 transects (Trivandrum,Kollam, Cochin, Kozhikode & Kannur).Sediment texture analysis was carried out using particle size analyzer (SYMPATECH, Germany) and organic matter by wet oxidation method (El Wakeel & Riley, 1957).Total count of bacteria wascarried out by Acridine orange direct count (AODC) method. Microbiological analysis was carried out by usingconventional spread plate method. Bacterial isolates were identified up to generic level as per Bergey’s Manual ofSystematic Bacteriology (1984). Generally the sediment was olive green in color. At 50m depth the sediment wasmainly silty sand in nature but at 200m depth it was generally sandy in nature. The organic matter compositionranged from 0.9516 – 3.09 % and it was found that at 50m depth zone, the organic matter increased towards thenorthern side. Total bacterial count was higher at 50m depth compared to 200m depth and ranged from 6.01×106
to 6.8×107 cells/gm dry wt of the sediment.In the present study a postive correlation could be observed betweenbacterial population and organic matter in the study area.Yeast population ranged from 0.04 to 3.22 cfu/gm dry wt.of the sediment and fungal population from 0.0462 to 0.76 cfu/gm dry wt. of the sediment. Yeast population wasfound to be higher at 50m depth whereas fungal population at 200m depth. Out of 164 isolates, 54% were gramnegative and 46% gram positive. Alteromonas(16%) and Micrococcus (13%) were found to be the dominant genusin the sediment samples followed by Bacillus (11%).In the present study, it could be observed that the bacterialpopulation was more at 50m depth compared to 200m depth and organic matter play a significant role controllingthe distribution of heterotrophic bacteria in the marine sediments.
Ramya,K.D1, Jimly Jacob1, Bright Singh, I.S 2 and Rosamma Philip*1
1Department of Marine biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry,Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Cochin-16.
2National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and Technology Fine Arts Avenue, Cochin-16. *[email protected]
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DIVERSITY OF SOIL MICROARTHROPODS WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO COLLEMBOLA UNDER DIFFERENT LANDUSE
PATTERNS OF CACHAR DISTRICT, ASSAM
Deforestation and land use conversion has been attributed as the major cause for decline in biodiversity. We attemptedto correlate land-use variables with arthropod community across a diversification gradient in land use patterns in theCachar District of Assam. Field experiments were also conducted to explain the effect of deforestation on arthropodcommunity vis-a-vis use of arthropod as bioindicators of forest degradation. Five (5) soil sample units were takenthrough stratified sampling, strata being the rate of degradation in the forest area. Soil sampling was conductedwith stainless steel soil augur (2.5cm diameter) at a depth of 0-10cm. Tullgren funnel extractor was employed forspecimen collection. Specimens were mounted in DPX mounting and identified. Result revealed total sixteen order ofphylum arthropoda were extracted from all the investigated sites. Cryptosigmatid mites were predominant order inundisturbed forest, moderately disturbed forest and grassland. Collembola (54624.22 ± 6229.08 No.m-2) and diptera(14675.16 ± 2838.91No.m-2) were the dominant orders in severely disturbed forest and deforested land respectively.The dominancy of cryptostigmatid mites may be due to their capability to withstand wide range of microclimaticconditions. The result of similarity test (Jaccard index of similarity) between the land use patterns showed thatmaximum diversity among undisturbed forest and moderately disturbed forest (52.94) while minimum was found indeforested land and moderately disturbed forest (15.38). Shannon wiener index of diversity revealed that collembolancommunities are related to forest decline. Therefore collembola may act as bioindicators of land use patterns.
Ranabijoy Gope and Ray, D.C.*Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University,
Silchar, Cachar, Assam – 788011*[email protected]
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BREEDING STATUS OF LESSER SAND PLOVER FROM
CHANDERTAL WETLAND– A NEW RECORD
Chandertal wetland is situated above the tree line in north-west Himalayas, at an altitude of 4370 meters above themean sea level and is internationally known as Ramsar site (No. 1569) due to its unique and a few endangered floraland faunal elements. The lake with its 2.5 km circumference and with a few small semi-permanent water bodiesinterspersed in between grassy meadows and rocky pastures, hosts different alpine chordates and non chordateorganisms. About 80% birds of Indian subcontinent have been noticed throughout the Himalayan range, but theavian species composition found in western Himalayas is less as compared to its eastern part, due to decreasedprecipitation and trend of the Himalayas which follows a more northerly course. The alpine meadows and pasturesalong with sandy and rocky areas surrounding the Chandertal lake acts as perfect breeding grounds for high altitudebirds in summer season. With the onset of summer, snow melts and wetland support the growth of floral and faunalspecies (aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates) which become easy food resources for breeding birds and othervertebrates. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus Pallas 1776 is a wader noticed in sanctuary area within breedingplumage and its juveniles.
Ranjit Singh* and Thakur, D. R.Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla - 5, India
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ASSESSING THE LONG TERM IMPACT OF BOTTOM TRAWLING
BY SINGLE DAY FISHING TRAWLERS (SDF) AT MANGALORE
AND MALPE (KARNATAKA) DURING 1989-2002.
In India fish and fisheries have always played an important role in nutrition and livelihood. However, concentratedefforts at development of Indian fisheries began only after the Independence of India, then over a span of 50 years,marine fish catches increased considerably from 0.6 to 3.3 million t. The single day trawl fishery (SDF) catch data forMangalore landing center and Malpe landing centre was taken from Central Marine Fisheries Research Institutedatabase. Fishes were classified into target and non-target. Catch details of sensitive species such as Cynoglossusmacrostomus, sharks and rays were obtained. The data was further analyzed using PRIMER software for TaxonomicDistinctness (TD) as explained in chapter 2. The mean trophic level of all the species recorded in the catch wascalculated for the period 1989-2002. In summary, both at Mangalore and Malpe, finfishes were the most dominantgroup in the SDF catch followed by stomatopods and shrimps. A general increase in shrimp catches (target) in SDFoperated off Mangalore-Malpe coast was observed during 1990s and then the catches showed a decreasing trend.Generally, the MTL of the total trawl catch showed a decreasing trend from 3.12 in 1989 to 3.05 in 2002 and MTL ofnon-target in trawl catch at Mangalore showed significant reduction (R2 = 0.57). This reduction in MTL of non-target species in the SDF catch at Mangalore indicates the exploitation of smaller fishes such as plankton feeders. Italso indicates that the fishing may decline along with the already declining trophic level along the Mangalore andMalpe coast in the next decades. Bottom trawling may adversely affect the habit and habitat of bottom dwellingfishes like flatfish, shark and rays. A gradual decrease in landing of these species from Karnataka waters has beennoticed. Significant reduction in the landing of sharks in trawl catch at Mangalore (R2=0.43) and Malpe (R2=0.23)and rays at Mangalore (R2=0.57) was observed during 1989 to 2002.
Raveendra Durgekar*, Zachariah, P.U.,Anoop Krishnan. A and Krishnakumar, P.K.
Central marine Fisheries Research Institute, marine Drive Extension,Ernakulam North, Ernakulam: 682018
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PATTERNS OF DISTRIBUTION OF BRYOPHYTES IN NEYYAR
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, KERALA
The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern state of Kerala in India is spread over the southeast corner of theWestern Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 km2. It is located between 77° 8’ to 77° 17’ East Longitude and 8° 29’to 8° 37’ North Latitude, central location 8°332N 77°12.52E / 8.55°N 77.2083°E / 8.55; 77.2083. Although it wasdeclared as a sanctuary in 1958, not much was done about wildlife conservation, until 1985, when a separatewildlife wing was set up and as a result, conservation efforts have gathered momentum. This is the drainage basin forthe Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar which originate in Agasthyarkoodam, the second highestpeak in Kerala. The towering peak of Agasthyamalai at an elevation of 1868 meters is a very prominent landmark.Bryophytes are nonvascular plants generally reproducing by spores. They are considered to be pioneers that colonizeterrestrial habitats from an aquatic environment. They are the simplest and the most primitive of the land plants andlack well developed conductive tissue system. A total of 76 species of bryophytes were recorded from 16 transectsof 50 m x 10 m between altitudes of 90 to 1868 m of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary.Forty-one of these are lignicolousspecies occurring on woody, 14 are terricolous growing on soil and 10 are saxicolous inhabiting rocks only. Theother 11 species occur on more than one major types of substrate. Bryophyte species diversity is at its highest inmiddle altitudes where all three major substrates are simultaneously available. Bryophyte species diversity ofNeyyar Wildlife Sanctuary appears to be under threat from deforestation and fires, as well as from loss of soilmicrohabitats due to overgrowth of weeds seemingly caused by cessation of summer grazing. Deforestation,excessive fuel wood collection and fire, all adversely affecting wood loving species of bryophytes appear to be majorthreats to the rich bryophyte flora of the hills. Although firm evidence is lacking, it is also possible that the ban onsummer grazing in the meadows of Agasthyamalai may be adversely affecting bryophyte diversity, since this cessationof grazing has led to spread of weedy species and shrinkage of soil microhabitats of the bryophytes. The rich bryophyteflora of Neyyar belt could play an important economic role as well.
Remya Krishnan, Shilpa Satheesh L and Murugan, K*Department of Botany, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
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HABITAT OCCUPANCY OF SMALL FELIDS, VIVERRIDS AND
HERPESTIDS IN MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE, TAMIL NADU
Small carnivores represent some of the most threatened species, but also the least known because of their rarity,elusiveness and cryptic habits. Conservation efforts commonly use habitat models as a surrogate of empirical data onmonitoring the status of multi-species when documenting species occurrence as well as to predict the efficacy ofmanagement interventions. Occupancy surveys offer a potentially efficient and robust means of assessing elusivecarnivore populations. We evaluated the influence of habitat models on site occupancy rates of small felids, viverridsand herpestids using presence/absence data in a capture-recapture framework from systematically placed remotecamera traps (1.25 km x 1.25 km grids) in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu over a period of 6 months fromNovember 2009 to April 2010. We identified 64 sites covering three different habitat types (dry thorn forest, deciduousforest and semi-evergreen forest) which were repeatedly surveyed for 30 days in the dry season amounting to 1920trap nights. The habitat models increased site occupancy rates of certain small carnivores. The dry thorn forestinfluenced site occupancy rate of jungle cat (psi = 0.19 ± 0.06
SE), small Indian civet (psi = 0.26 ± 0.09
SE), ruddy
mongoose (psi = 0.14 ± 0.06SE
) and grey mongoose (psi = 0.13 ± 0.07SE
) while the semi-evergreen forest increasedsite occupancy of brown palm civet (psi = 0.33 ± 0.27
SE). The study revealed that habitat type contributed to the
distribution of small carnivores indicating species-habitat relationships. Occupancy estimates from this study providea benchmark for long-term monitoring of small carnivore populations in the future.
Riddhika Kalle*, Ramesh Tharmalingam,Sankar Kalyanasundaram and Qamar Qureshi
Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box # 18, Chandrabani Dehra Dun-248 001, Uttarakhand, India; Tel: 09751499125
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STUDIES ON BUTTERFLY DIVERSITY OF TENGA WATERSHED AREA,
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Watershed represents a segment of the landscape with a common hydrological boundary within which the biotic communities link inextricably.The goal of watershed management is to plan and work towards an environmentally and economically healthy watershed for the benefit ofbiotic communities in the watershed area itself and its dependent territories. In this context, the watershed areas of Arunachal Pradesh havetremendous prospect not only for the state alone but also for the entire plain land of Assam. Butterflies are designated as the indicator speciesfor assessing quality of environment. Watershed areas, which take active role in biodiversity wealth, need to be examined for understanding thechanges and initiating remedial measures (if needed) to restore quality. Therefore, an attempt has been made to assess butterfly diversity in awatershed i.e. Tenga and to utilize it as potential indicator. So far, there is not any report of butterfly fauna of Tenga watershed. Tenga watershedof Arunachal Pradesh is located at 27.211 N-27.235 N latitude and 92.466 E-92.484 E longitude covering an area of 232.18 hectare ataltitudinal range of 1360 m to 2600 m. The local people of Tenga watershed are primarily dependent on jhum cultivation. Slash and burnshifting or jhum cultivation, the predominant form of agriculture in hill tracts of the watershed is established within natural alpine forests ofTenga Valley. Pinus wallichiana, Pinus khasiana are dominant in this area, but alpine trees like Rhododendron nivale., R. anthopogon, R. thomsonii,Sedum sp., Festuca sp., Rhodiola sp, Saxifraga sp., Saussaurea sp., Arenaria sp., Rheum sp. etc. are also present in some packets. Butterflieswere surveyed in four seasons i.e. pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter at Tenga watershed of Arunachal Pradesh. Surveys wereconducted in two line transects drawn within 200 x 200 m of grid. Grids were located in the field by comparing field GPS data with base mapof the watershed and accordingly GPS was used to trek the line transects. The butterflies observed in the line transects were either caught withaerial net or photographed for recording species diversity. Butterflies observed on either side of transact up to 5 m wide were considered forrecording. During survey a total of 80 species of butterflies were recorded for the first time at the watershed. Among them 47, 49, 33 and 25species of butterfly were recorded during pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter period, respectively. Of these Nymphalidae andPieridae were found to be the dominant families, in contrast to Papilionidae, Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae. A few butterfly species protectedunder Schedules of Wildlife Protection Act was also recorded. During the survey period, it was observed that many new areas within thewatershed were opened for jhum cultivation by removing natural vegetation. The process may affect butterfly population in future due to lackof suitable host plants and disturbance of natural ecosystem. Extensive use of pesticides in the jhum crops prevalent in the watershed maycontaminate the natural ecosystem. As this is a watershed area, so pesticide pollutants may be washed out to other areas through water. Theinvestigation will open a fruitful indication of the health and status of the watershed as well as to strategize a comprehensive plan for managementof baseline ecological aspects of the watershed through butterfly indicator.
Ridip Choudhury*, Mech, J., Das, N., Bhuyan, M. and Bhattacharyya, P.R.Division of Medicinal, Aromatic and Economic Plants,
North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat-785006, Assam*[email protected]
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DIVERSITY AND SPATIOTEMPORAL VARIATION OF
ACTINOMYCETES POPULATION IN THE SOILS OF TROPICAL
MONTANE FOREST OF WESTERNGHATS, KERALA
Actinomycetes are Gram positive, aerobic and mycelium forming bacteria and this group of prokaryotes is well-known for their activity in nutrient cycling,nitrogen fixation, production of secondary metabolites and plant-growth support in soil. Plant-growth promotion may occur due to both direct and indirecteffects. Direct effects comprise production of phytohormones, phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation and increased nutrient uptake. While indirect effectsmay be due to the control of pathogens by the production of secondary metabolites, competition, parasitism and induction of resistance. Thus the studies onsoil actinomycetes are very important. Although some information is available on the populations of actinomycetes in a range of soils, virtually nothing isknown about the population of actinomycetes in the soils of shola and grassland soils of tropical montane forests of Kerala. The present study is aimed atexploring the diversity and spatio temporal variation of actinomycetes in the soils of tropical montane forest. Floral composition of the study sites were alsoanalysed. The study area is located at the top areas of Eravikulam National park lies between 10º05’N - 10º20’N latitude and 77º0’E - 77º10’E longitude inIdukki district (Anamudy region) at an altitude of 1900 - 2400 m above MSL. Most of the land in this area is covered by grass lands and shola. In the presentstudy soil samples were collected from twelve selected sites six from shola forest and six from grassland at different altitudes. The soil samples were collectedfrom the pre-fixed stations in the shola forest and grassland. Collections were carried out during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Soilsamples were collected from a depth of 15 to 20 cm from the surface after removing the top soil. Isolation and enumeration of actinomycetes were carried bystandard serial dilution plate technique using Kusters Agar. Actinomycete strains which are maintained as pure culture on Kusters Agar were characterized bymorphological tests as per Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology (2000) and physiological tests (Gordon, 1967). The morphology of actinomycetesstrains was examined using slide culture technique (Bergey’s Manual of Determinate Bacteriology, 2000). For the vegetation study qualitative and quantitativemethods were employed. The qualitative method included the collection, Identification and verification of plant components using standard floras andherbarium. The vegetation quantity was determined by Quadrate method. Actinomycetes population of the grassland and shola soils of tropical montaneforest showed variation in their load both spatially and temporally. Actinomycetes load high during pre monsoon followed by post monsoon and monsoonseasons. In shola soils Actinomycetes load ranged from 21×102 to 40×103 CFU/g and in grassland soil it is ranged from 44×103 to17×103 CFU/ g during thethree seasons studied. The identification of the total isolates collected (36) from shola soil revealed that most of the isolates were belongs to the genusStreptomyces (17) followed by Nocardia (9), Micromonospora (3), Pseudonocardia (2), Streptosporangium (2), Nocardiopsis (2) and Saccharomonospora (1).Characterisation of the isolates (33) from grassland soils exposed that the majority of them were come under Streptomyces (15) followed by Nocardia (11),Micromonospora (2), Pseudonocardia (2), Streptosporangium (1), Nocardiopsis (1) and Saccharomonospora (1). In shola forest, the sampling location comprisedof altogether 28 species of plants belongs to 19 families. The flora is dominated by trees (42.85%) followed by shrubs (39.28%) and herbs (17.85%). The mostdominant family based on the species diversity was Lauraceae (4 spp) followed by Acanthaceae, Rubiaceae, Myrsinaceae and Myrtaceae with two species each.Analysis of plant diversity of the grassland sampling locations recorded 8 families of plant species and the vegetation profile showed that grass speciesdominated the vegetation followed by herbs and shrubs. In conclusion diversity and variation of actinomycetes in shola and grassland soils of tropical montaneforest showed more or less same pattern and exhibited good diversity. Further studies on their activity in nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, production ofsecondary metabolites and plant-growth assume significance.
Rinoy VRinoy VRinoy VRinoy VRinoy Varghesearghesearghesearghesearghese11111, Suchithra R., Suchithra R., Suchithra R., Suchithra R., Suchithra R.11111, Nishamol S., Nishamol S., Nishamol S., Nishamol S., Nishamol S.11111, Joby P, Joby P, Joby P, Joby P, Joby Paulaulaulaulaul and Mohamed Hatha* Mohamed Hatha* Mohamed Hatha* Mohamed Hatha* Mohamed Hatha*22222
1School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam2Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry,
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala*[email protected]
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A SURVEY ON THE FINFISH DIVERSITY OF THE SUNDERBANS
ECOSYSTEM
Sunderbans ecosystem is considered to be unique due to its species richness in terms of diverse mangrove flora and mangroveassociated fauna of different groups. This unique ecosystem has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and it representsthe largest single chunk of deltaic mangrove forest on this planet formed at the mouth of the Ganga - Brahmaputra river system, bothin India and Bangladesh. Indian Sunderbans is situated within the longitude 88°102 E - 89°512E and latitude 21°312N - 22°302N,under the jurisdiction of both 24 Parganas districts (South and North) of West Bengal. In the present study, survey has been conductedto study the fish diversity and species abundance in the Sunderbans region. Samples were collected from 18 sampling stationscovering the various rivers, canals and creeks, viz., Matlah, Bidya, Gomdi, Ganral, Durgadwani, Jheela and Thakuran. All the fishinggears that were operational during the study period were covered to estimate the species composition. Water samples were alsocollected and it was observed that the salinity varied from 14.8 ppt (Durgadwani – Gomdi river crossing) to high value of 33.9 ppt(Fraserganj). A total of 118 species of fin fishes belonging to 40 families were reported during the study. 57% of the total fish speciesbelonged to nine families, viz., Clupeidae (shads and sardines), Engraulidae (anchovies), Pristigasteridae (ilishas and pellonas), Mugilidae(mullets), Carangidae (trevallies and queen fishes), Sciaenidae (croakers), Ariidae (sea catfishes), Hemiramphidae (half beaks) andGobiidae (gobies and mudskippers). Sciaenids were the dominant group in terms of species diversity and comprised of 14 speciesfollowed by Gobiidae (13 species) and Engraulidae (10 species). Overall catch composition shows that the Bombay duck, Harpodonnehereus, is the most abundant species contributing to 41.95% of the total catches followed by Liza parsia (24.24%) and Escualosathoracata (16.23%). The mudskippers (Boleophthalmus boddarti, Periophthalmus koelreuteri, Periophthalmodon schlosseri and P.tredecemradiatus) are another dominant group even though they are not generally a part of commercial catches. Among elasmobranchs,the most dominant species was the sting ray, Himantura bleekeri. Majority of the fishes (88 species) were marine migrants followedby estuarine residents (28 species). Two freshwater migrants were also observed during the study, viz., Pangasius pangasius andSperata aor. Targeted fishing for Penaeus monodon seed (locally known as “bagda”) has now become a serious threat to the fishbiodiversity of this region.
Roshith, C. M.*, Manna, R. K., Naskar, K. R., Utpal Bhaumik,Roy Chowdhary, A. and Sanfui, D.
Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR), Barrackpore,Kolkata, West Bengal – 700 120
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Rudra Prasad Das1, Balakrishnan Valappil2, Nelson Rodrigues3,Sasikumar, K.4 and Arjan Basu Roy*5
1,5Nature Mates-Nature Club, 6/7 Bijoygarh, Kolkata-7000322,3DiversityIndia, 5, Koustubha CHS, B.P. Deshpande Road, Vishnunagar, Naupada, Thane, 400602
4Department of Forest, Government of Tripura*[email protected]
The state of Tripura is situated in the south-western extremity of north-east India. It shares an international boundarywith Bangladesh on its north, south and south-eastern part; whereas on eastern side it shares a common boundarywith two Indian states, Assam and Mizoram respectively. The state is located in the Bio-geographic zone of 9B-North-East Hills and has a predominantly hilly terrain with an altitudes ranging from 50 to 3080 ft above sea level. Asbecause, it is geographically situated in the Indian sub-region of Oriental Zoo-geographic region, therefore possessesa very close affinity and resemblance with floral and faunal components of Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese sub-regions. Tripura is not a big state with an area covering only 10,491.69 sq. km., but around 60% of that area hasforest cover. The main forest types are tropical evergreen, semi evergreen, and moist deciduous; also sizeable area iscovered with bamboo brakes. Tripura is extremely rich in bio-diversity point of view. However, little studies had doneon its butterfly diversity. Keeping that in consideration, one preliminary survey for butterfly fauna was planned duringOctober-November 2009. During this seventeen days long survey period, a large part of the state was covered. Anamazing 196 species of butterflies from five different families were recorded from different habitats such as plantation,cultivation and natural forests. Nymphalidae was the dominant family, with most number of species (81), followedby families Lycaenidae (44), Hesperiidae (39), Pieridae (18) and Papilionidae (14) respectively. Among the recordedbutterfly species, some of them are protected under different schedules of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.During the study, more number of species was recorded from the natural forest area which supports a large diversityof flora. The results showed that the change of environment quality and altitude influenced the diversity of butterflyremarkably. The diversity pattern shows extreme richness in the Jampui Hills region, whereas in Sepahijala WildlifeSanctuary it is considerably low. The other regions of Tripura show moderate diversity of butterfly species. The resultalso indicates that the fragmentation of habitat and the overall degradation of habitat quality have tremendousimpact on Butterfly diversity. The present information will be helpful for further detailed study on butterfly diversityof this region.
BUTTERFLIES OF TRIPURA 01 55
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sRupak K Sarma, Rajal Debnath, TRupak K Sarma, Rajal Debnath, TRupak K Sarma, Rajal Debnath, TRupak K Sarma, Rajal Debnath, TRupak K Sarma, Rajal Debnath, Tarun C Bora, Ratul Saikia*arun C Bora, Ratul Saikia*arun C Bora, Ratul Saikia*arun C Bora, Ratul Saikia*arun C Bora, Ratul Saikia*
Biotechnology Division, North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR), Jorhat – 785006, Assam., India.
EXPLORATION OF GENETIC AND FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY
OF FLUORESCENT PSEUDOMONADS ISOLATED
FROM KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK, ASSAM, INDIA.
Thirty -five fluorescent pseudomonads from rhizospheric soil were isolated and screened for the production of enzymesand hormones such as phosphatase, protease, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and antimicroboal metabolites. Out of 35isolates; 10 isolates have the ability to produce plant growth hormone IAA, 5 isolates exhibited ACC deaminase;similarly 12 isolates produced protease and 5 have the ability to produce phosphatase. Isolates showed goodantagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. raphani (For), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri(Foc), Fusarium semitectum (Fs), and Rhizoctonia solani(Rs); and bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.Genetic diversity among these fluorescent pseudomonads was analysed through 16S rDNA-RFLP and BOX – PCRfingerprinting with respect to four reference strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIM 2099T, P. aeruginosa MTCC2582T,P. aureofaciens NCIM 2026T, and P. syringae MTCC 673T. 16S rDNA-RFLP analysis using three tetra cutter restrictionenzymes (HaeIII, AluI and MspI) revealed huge genetic variations among the isolates.
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INVENTORY ON NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS DIVERSITY
OF PLANT ORIGIN, USE AND LOCAL DEPENDENCE
IN MIZORAM, NORTH-EAST INDIA
North-East India is one of the 12th Mega-biodiversity ‘hot spot’ of the world with high degree of endemism andendangerment. The people of this region who are popularly known as ‘ecosystem people’ largely depend on forestresources for varied purposes. The annual production of the marketable forest products for some north eastern statelike Meghalaya is reported to be more than `1926 million, however, for the state of Mizoram, the contribution ofNTFPs to the economy of the state largely remain unaccountable due to lack of systematic NTFP inventory . Thepaper reports preliminary findings of a NTFP study which covered 34 villages under 10 forest areas in the state ofMizoram. A total of 314 different species (168 medicinal plants, 40 fruit species, 17 edible plant species, 15 fodderspecies, 22 fuel wood species, 9 canes, 6 palms, 10 Ornamental species, 17 bamboo species) belonging to 100 plantfamilies contributed to NTFP diversity in the state. A diverse variety of NTFPs of plant origin like bamboo poles, smalltimber, broom grass, rattan, medicinal plants, vegetables, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, leaves, availability of differentkinds of flowers during winter months and numerous fruits, bark of some trees, honey, orchids during summermonths not only supplement dietary requirement of the rural poor but also provide good income during the ‘bloom’period’. The study further reveals that a diverse variety of forest produce could potentially find alternative livelihoodfor the forest fringe villages provided marketing interventions and other measures are undertaken to promote suchproducts facilitated by appropriate government policies/incentives are made to the people to promote cultivation ofsuch produce in the degraded/un-classed forests.
Sahoo, U.K.*, Jeeceelee, L., Lalremruata, J.H.1 and Lalramnghinglova, H.1
Department of Forestry, Mizoram University, Post Box 190, Aizawl (Mizoram), India1 Department of Environment Science, Mizoram University, Post Box 190,
Aizawl (Mizoram), India* [email protected]
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DIVERSITY OF ARBOREAL AND SOIL COLLEMBOLANS
IN SUBTROPICAL EVERGREEN FOREST OF SOUTHERN
ASSAM, N. E. INDIA
In tropical evergreen forest of Southern Assam, we examined the composition and diversity of collembolan communitiesin the canopy attached litter (dead branches) of three dominant plant species (Toona ciliate M. Roem, ArtocarpusChama Buch-Hum. and Zanthoxylum limonella (Dennst.) Alston) and compared them with those in soil communitiesof the same species. Five (5) soil samples units were taken from the root zone of the selected tree species having fiveindividuals of each species with stainless steel soil augur (2.5cm diameter) at a depth of 0-10cm. Branch clippingmethod was applied for collection of canopy litter microarthropods and Tullgren funnel extractor was employed forextraction of collembola from both soil and branch litter. Specimens were mounted in DPX mounting and identified.Detritivorous and fungivorous collembolans were dominant in the canopy. Numbers of all microarthropods per unitdry weight of leaf or per unit area of branch ranged from 0.40 to 0.63 g-1 dry weight on T. ciliate, 0.17 to 0.34 g-1 dryweight on A. Chama and 0.35 to 0.52 g-1 dry weight on Z. limonella. In the root zone soil, the number of individualsper unit ground area ranged from 46878.99±3091.11 individuals m-2 in T. ciliate, 52586±4797.39 individuals m-2 inA. Chama and 39541.41±4056.00 individuals m-2 in Z. limonella. Study on diversity indices revealed that speciesrichness was higher in the soil (ranged between 10 to 14) compared to canopy litter (ranged between 4 to 5). Similartrend of result also found in case of diversity index. This may be due to the fact that canopy only having litter dwellingcollembolan while soil having both true litter and truly soil inhabiting species. Distribution of collembola in thecanopy litter suggested that the decomposition of dead branches initiated in the canopy.
Salam Manoranjan Singh, Leimapokpam Amarjit Singh,Ranabijoy Gope and Ray, D. C.*
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University,Silchar, Cachar, Assam – 788011
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A NOTATIONAL COMPOSITION OF BIRD SPECIES OF NILGIRI
WESTERN SLOPE FORESTS – A PARADISE OF AVIFAUNA
IN THE SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS
Avifaunal composition of Nilgiri Western Slope forests was studied. A total of 160 species were identified of which9.38% are migratory. 56.25% were common, 35.46% were not common, 1.94% were rare, 1.25% were local migratoryby status. Very high richness index (25.56846) and Shannon’s diversity index (4.822978) indicating a luxuriant birdspecies composition in this habitat. The low value of dominant index (0.008) indicating co-dominance of species andthe evenness index value near to one indicating even distribution or continuous distribution of bird species in thislocality. Lower anthropogenic disturbances, lack of hydroelectric dams, forest continuity and luxuriant vegetation ofthe area harbours good avian population in this locality and the area can be considered as a paradise for avianconservation in the Southern Western Ghats.
Sanalkumar, M G 1*, Balamurali, R. S.1, Nandakumar, S.1 and Sankar, S.2
1.PG & Research Department of Zoology, N.S.S. College, Pandalam 689 5012.Division of Forestry & Human Dimensions, Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi 680 653, Kerala, India
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Rich biodiversity is an indication of the health of a particular habitat and its potential to sustain life. Fishes are paraphyletic collectionof taxa which represent visible measure of stream ecosystem structure and function. A data base on fish diversity of River Achenkovilin relation to physico-chemical parameters is essential as a decision making tool for conservation and management of fish germplasm,declaration of part of the river as aquatic sanctuaries, protection and preservation of endangered species and mitigation ofanthropogenic activities. Fish and surface water samples were collected seasonally from three sites of Achenkovil River duringSeptember 2009- August 2010. Fish samples collected were preserved in 5% formaldehyde for taxonomic identification using standardkeys. Surface water samples for physico-chemical analysis were collected in 1L sterilized plastic containers and were analyzed usingstandard procedures. Statistical analysis was done by using standard procedures. Diversity indices were also calculated to explain thesite wise variation in the Piscian diversity, dominance, abundance, richness, evenness and distribution. 54 fish species belonging to21 families were collected and identified from the study area of which 5 species are endangered and 6 species are vulnerableaccording to IUCN norms. Family Cyprinidae recorded dominant. Three species found to be endemic to Kerala. The Shannon-Weinerdiversity index (H’) value is in the range 1.43-1.25. Similarly Simpsons Dominance index (D) is in the range 0.06-0.03. Hill’s Number(H
0) shows the range of 35-27. The Mergaleff species richness index (M) is in the range 25.07-24.16. Mackintosh Distance (U) value
shows the range of 1.08-1.09 indicating that fishes possess only a narrow range of distribution. Mackintosh species Evenness (E)values shows the range of 1.154-1.156 which denotes uneven distribution in these sites. Almost all numerical values in the presentstudy shows statistical significance (P<0.05). Various Biodiversity indices show that the downstream of the river is more diverse thanmidstream and upstream. Principle component analysis (PCA) of the category multivariate analysis was employed to find out theprinciple factors in water affecting the distribution of fishes. Principal component analysis indicates that Dissolved oxygen is the firstprincipal component affecting the density and diversity of fish. Nitrate is the second principal component and pH is recorded thethird principal component. The study explains that water quality parameters have influence in the diversity and distribution of fishesat river Achenkovil. The presence of rare and endemic forms of fishes in the river makes it qualify as fresh water sites of exceptionalfish diversity. But nowadays pollution due to domestic, urban sewage and runoff from agricultural fields have led to water qualitydeterioration and fish mortalities and toxicity to organisms prevails. Add to this unscientific sand mining resulted in the destructionof feeding and breeding grounds of fishes apart from reducing the self cleaning capacity of river water. In this context the existenceof many endemic, endangered and vulnerable species in the river arise the importance of the continuous biodiversity monitoring andconservation of river Achenkovil.
ICHTHYOFAUNAL DIVERSITY OF RIVER ACHENKOVI
IN RELATION TO WATER PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Santhy.G*. sanalkumar, M.G. and Balamurali, R.SPG & Research Department of Zoology, N.S.S. College, Pandalam 689 501, Kerala, India
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The State of Rajasthan shows a wide diversity of habitats. The Aravalli (a beam lying across) hills running diagonally across the stateform the geomorphic and climatic boundary of the desert in the east. These ranges form a Labyrinth of low hills in southern parts andstretch north-east in the form of undulating low hills. Towards southwest, the ranges become more prominent with peaks upto1,055msl. The avifaunal study was conducted in the selected habitats of the southern parts of Aravallis from July 2006 to March2010. Line transect and point count methods were mainly employed for sampling. Seasonal field visits in the morning and eveninghours were made for collecting observations. About 295 bird species representing 69 families were recorded from the whole of theregion comprising of nine districts of southern Rajasthan. Out of the total 295 species, 185 species were recorded from the terrestrialhabitats and 110 species from the aquatic habitats. These also include 23 globally threatened (GT) species. The GT species includethree critically endangered (CR) vulture species, namely Indian White-backed (Gyps bengalensis), Long-billed (Gyps indicus) and Red-headed (Sarcogyps calvus); two endangered (EN) species Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and Lesser Florican (Sypheotidesindica); six vulnerable (VU) species Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus), LesserKestrel (Falco naumanni), Sarus Crane (Grus antigone), Pied Tit (Parus nuchalis) and Green Avadavat (Amandava formosa). Nearthreatened (NT) species recorded from the area include Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala),Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), Oriental White Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterusminor) Ferruginous Pochard (Aythya nyroca), Greater Grey-headed Fish-Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus), Laggar (Falco jugger),Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Black-bellied Tern (Sterna acuticauda) and EuropeanRoller (Coracias garrulus). 19 GT species showed their presence in habitats of the eastern and western peripheral habitats of Aravalliswithin study area whereas 16 GT species were recorded from habitats from central parts of Aravallis. Habitats of southern parts werehome for 15 GT species and northern parts harbored 12 GT species. All the three CR species of vultures were recorded in theperipheral habitats of the study area. EN species of vulture was recorded from all the habitats of study. Among the VU species SarusCrane and Dalmatian Pelican were recorded from all the major wetland habitats of study area. All other GT species were havingrestricted distribution. Green Munia was found distributed in the terrestrial habitats hilly terrain of Abu Hills and Kumbhalgarh Hills.The distribution ranges of all the GT species were plotted on the map and specific sites were marked for the species with restrictedrange.
STATUS OF THE GLOBALLY THREATENED SPECIE
IN THE HABITATS OF SOUTHERN ARAVALLIS, RAJASTHAN, INDIA
Sarita Mehra*1, Satya Prakash Mehra2 and Krishan Kumar Sharma3
Rajputana Society of Natural History, Kesar Bhawan, 16/747, P. No. 90,B/D Saraswati Hosp., Ganeshanagar, Pahada, Udaipur 313001 Rajasthan, India
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The present study was carried out in the tropical wet evergreen forests of Western Ghats region of Karnataka state(Kodagu and Uttar Kannada districts), south India. Sampling was done by using randomized sampling technique,wherein, a belt transact of one kilometer length and five meter width were laid randomly in a grids of 6.25 sq. km.Totally 22 such grids were sampled for trees measuring e” 30 cm GBH (1.37 m). The data was analyzed for speciesrichness, threatened and endemic species richness, Shannon’s diversity index and prevalence index. For each of thesemeasurements a score was assigned to compute the Conservation Priority Area Index. Among the four top conservationpriority areas in Kodagu region, three were with in the protected area network (Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary), andother site is bordering the Talakauvery wildlife sanctuary. Even though, Marigundi and Beedalli sites come underPushpagiri wildlife sanctuary, the conservation value was least. None of the conservation priority areas fall with inthe protected area network/nor close to it in Uttara Kannada district. Hence, there is an urgent need to take suitablemeasures in formulating new protected areas network, and inclusion of priority areas which are close to/borderingprotected areas.
FLORISTIC STRUCTURE, DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TROPICAL WET EVERGREEN
FORESTS OF WESTERN GHATS OF KARNATAKA
Sathish, B.N1*. Kushalappa,C.G1.and Viswanath, S.2
1.College of Forestry, Ponnampet, 2.Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore.
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DIVERSITY OF DUNG BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE:
SCARABAEINAE) OF SHENDURNEY WILDIFE SANCTUARY
(WESTERN GHATS: KERALA)
Dung beetles play a major role in our ecosystem. The scientific interests on dung beetles are increasing worldwidebecause of their value in ecosystem functions like nutrient cycling, pollination, secondary seed dispersal and parasitesuppression. The sub-family Scarabaeinae; the true dung beetles, comprises of almost 5,700 species worldwide. Thedung beetles have been identified as an ideal focal group for biodiversity monitoring and inventory, because theyfulfill all the requirements of a useful bio-indicator. This study aims to assess the diversity of dung beetles in fivedifferent forest types of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary viz. myristica swamps, low- elevation evergreen, moistdeciduous, degraded and the mid-elevation evergreen forests. Dung beetles were sampled by six randomly placedbaits of one litre cow dung in three seasons: pre-monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. The dung baits were retrievedafter 24 hrs and the beetles were recovered by floating. The beetles were more abundant and species rich in degradedforest followed by the moist deciduous forest and they were least abundant and species rich in the myristica swamps.The species richness of mid elevation evergreen forest were almost the same as the low elevation evergreen, whiledung beetles were more abundant in mid elevation evergreen. The degraded habitat was more species rich in winter.The mid elevation and low elevation evergreen didn’t show any significant difference in the dung beetle diversityacross various seasons.
Seena Narayanan Karimbumkara* and Priyadarsanan Dharma RajanInsect Taxonomy and Conservation Laboratory,
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment,Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Post Jakkur, Bangalore. Pin: 560 064.
Ph: 91-80-23635555, Fax: 91-80-23530070*[email protected]
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DIVERSITY AND FAUNASTIC STUDIES ON GELECHIOIDEA
(INSECTA: MICROLEPIDOPTERA) OF WESTERN GHATS, KERALA
In a study on the Microlepidoptera fauna of Kerala, 42 species of insects mostly belonging to Gelechiidae andOecophoridae were recorded. The fauna was rich and diverse and contained several new reports to the state andsouth India. Taxonomic Segregation indicates that the main characteristics of the main characteristic of gelechiiodieaare Vertex and frons, antenna smaller than 3/4th length of forewings, labial palpus upturned, second segment long,acute, hindwing with vein R1 and Sc beyond base of wing, discocellular perpendicular to long axis of wings. Otherthan light trap, a new method was followed for Microlepidoptera collection, which is helpful in taxonomic studies.An inventory of 42 species is given with new records; an endeavor for the first time to the state.
Shamsudeen, R.S.M.*1 and George Mathew2
1 Department of Zoology, Sir Syed College, Taliparamba, Kerala-670142 2 Division of Entomology, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi-680653
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FLORAL BIODIVERSITY OF MODERATE TO STEEP SLOPE LAND IN
SEMI-ARID AREA : A CASE STUDY NEAR ARAVALI HILLS, AVIKANAGAR
A field study was carried out at sloppy degraded area of CSWRI Avikanagar during 2007-2008. Results reveal thatfloral biodiversity of the study area comprised of 62 plant species belonging to 28 families. It holds 26 dicotyledonsand 2 monocotyledons, consisting 8 trees, 20 shrubs and 34 herbs and grass. Out of these, 26 species were annual1 was biannual and 35 were belongs to perennial in nature. Among the 62 species, 11 species belonged to Poaceae,7 species to Fabaceae and 5 species to Tiliaceae families. Others families were represented in the study area havingless than 5 species. There was an interaction among the existing soil condition, climate condition, grazing pressureand biodiversity. Observations of all the three seasons viz. summer, rainy and winter and Shannon and Weaver Indexindicated that grazing could be maintained the small ruminants without much problems, since sufficient specieswere available during the lean period also.
Sharma, R. B.1 and Sharma, S. C.2
Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute,Avikanagar, Rajasthan 304 501, India
environmentalistrbs @ yahoo.com
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Laccase production efficiency was assessed among different microbial strains isolated from different sources. Soilwas collected from forest area of Kerala and was screened for laccase enzyme. The concentration of screeningsubstrate was doubled for selective isolation of potent strains. Colonies producing reddish brown zones by theoxidation of guaiacol to biphenoquinone was selected for secondary screening studies. Out of 41 cultures isolated bythis technique 3 fungal and 1 bacterial strains were found potent laccase producers. The Vogel’s Minimal media wasselected as optimum media for production of enzyme. The enzyme assay was carried out using ABTS as substrate.The production of laccase was monitored and the enzyme production pattern of each organism was found different.The maximum production of laccase by the bacteria, KBB
4 was on 4th day of inoculation where as the fungal strains
KBF1, KBF
2 and KBF
3 produced maximum enzyme on 23rd, 102 and 7th day of inoculation respectively. The ability of
organisms to oxidize phenolic compounds was also studied. The tolerance for the substrates and oxidation studywere conducted with 0.005% of guaiacol, p cresol, p aminophenol, p phenylene diamine, tropolone and hydroquinone.The bacterial strain was able to grow in the presence of guaiacol, p cresol, p aminophenol, p phenylene diamine andhydroquinone. But no growth was observed in the presence of tropolone. The strain could oxidize only guaiacol, pphenylene diamine and hydroquinone. The isolated fungal strains showed a diversity in the growth and oxidationpattern. All the fungal strains oxidized guaiacol where as p phenylene diamine was oxidized only by the ascomycetesKBF
2. Based on the ability to oxidize these compounds the organisms can be selected for various detoxification
applications.
Sheena Devasia and Jayakumaran Nair, A*Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom,
P. O. Box – 695581, Thiruvananthapuram*[email protected]
DIVERSITY OF LACCASE PRODUCING MICROBIAL STRAINS
FROM FOREST SOIL OF KERALA01 66
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ENVIRONMENTAL CORRELATES OF SPECIES DIVERSITY
IN THE WESTERN GHATS BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT, INDIA
Tropical forests support the most diverse plant communities on earth, with hundreds of tree species coexisting in asingle hectare. Though there are many studies to identify the environmental correlates of such species richness, mostof them were carried out in the Neotropics with very little in the Old world tropics. The present study characterise thetree communities with respect to topographic and climatic variables, and identify the most important environmentalcorrelate of species richness in an Old world tropical Biodiversity Hotspot in India. Digitally derived environmentalvariables in combination with tree species richness information were analysed using Canonical CorrespondenceAnalysis (CCA) to characterise the communities. Multiple regression technique based on stepwise backward eliminationwas used to identify the most important environment correlate of species richness. Canonical correspondence analysisresults six major tree communities along the first and second axes. Precipitation is the dominant environmentalgradient influencing vegetation patterns on the first CCA axis while elevation showed the highest correlation with thesecond CCA axis. Backward elimination regression technique yielded precipitation as the most important environmentalcorrelate of species richness. Results were in agreement with the observations in the Neotropics that rainier areasmaintain high species diversity.
Shijo Joseph1,2,3 *, Ch. Sudhakar Reddy1, Anitha, K3. and Thomas, A. P.31. Forestry and Ecology Division, National Remote Sensing Centre,
Indian Space Research Organization, Hyderabad, India.2. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Enviornment (ATREE), Jakkur, Bangalore, India
3. School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India.*[email protected]
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REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE ENDEMIC AND THREATENED
CYPRINID, PUNTIUS DENISONII IN THE WESTERN GHATS AND
ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION
The Denison’s Barb, Puntius denisonii is an endemic and threatened cyprinid of the Western Ghats Hotspot that iscurrently the focus of unmanaged collections for the aquarium pet trade. Baseline information on the reproductivebiology of P. denisonii, from three major river systems (Chandragiri, Valapatanam and Chaliyar) flowing through theHotspot, was generated to inform conservation action. Maximum observed length in P. denisonii was 180mm (males)and 163mm (females) respectively. Males attained sexual maturity at a lower size than females with mean size at firstmaturity determined as 91.5 ± 12.39mm for males and 100.5 ± 9.71mm for females. Fish spawned from Octoberto March with minor differences in the peak breeding months between river systems. Sex ratio of P. denisonii deviatedsignificantly from 1:1 and was extremely skewed in favour of males (÷2 between 19.810 and 63.947). Absolutefecundity varied from 376 (fish of 102mm total length) to 1098 (fish of 106mm total length) eggs. Based on resultsof the present study, it has been revealed that the existing conservation plans for P. denisonii in Kerala including closedseasons and minimum catch size have been wrongly designed, and offers little or no protection to wild stocks.Improved conservation plans based on results of current and recent studies have been suggested.
Simmy Solomon1, Ramprasanth, M. R. 1, 2, Fibin Baby1, Josin Tharian1, 3,Benno Pereira1, Anvar Ali1 and Rajeev Raghavan*1, 4
1Conservation Research Group, St. Albert’s College, Kochi, Kerala, India2Integrated Rural Technology Center (IRTC), Mundur, Palakkad, Kerala, India
3Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, St. Johns College, Anchal, India4Durrell Institute of Conservation & Ecology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
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EVALUATION OF WOUND HEALING POTENTIAL OF KAEMPFERIA
ROTUNDA L. BY IN VIVO EXCISION AND INCISION MODELS
Wound healing is an intricate, organized response to tissue injury, that involves cellular and extra cellular matrix components.Usually,woundhealing is a self-controlled physiological process and does not need much treatment.But in patients with some disease conditions or complicationssuch as diabetes, ischemia and immunosuppression, the healing process is disrupted. Postponed or incomplete wound healing becomestroublesome, leading to discomfort, infection, prolonged hospitalization and increased risk of amputation.The use of agents expediting healingis therefore strongly suggested. Kaempferia rotunda L. (Zingiberaceae) is a handsome herb with tuberous fleshy roots, with a bitter, pungent,camphoraceous taste. It is commonly known as ‘Chengazhineerkkizhangu’ in traditional medicine of Kerala. The juice of the tuber is given indropsical affections of hands and feet and as effusions in joints. It also improves burning sensation. The rhizomes of K. rotunda were extractedwith ethanol overnight with constant stirring. This crude extract, referred to as KR, was studied for its wound healing effects on two differentcutaneous wound models, excision and incision wounds in Wistar rats. In the excision model, the skin of the impressed area was excised to fullthickness to obtain a circular wound area of about 500 mm2.After wound creation, experimental animals were divided into six groups (six/group).Group I, the vehicle control group was topically treated with petroleum jelly. The animals of groups II, III, IV and V were topically treatedwith 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 % of KR ointment respectively.Group VI served as the reference standard and was treated with 5% (w/w) betadine ointmentin an identical manner. The healing was assessed by determination of the rate of wound contraction and period of epithelialization.This wasfollowed by histopathological study in which wound tissue specimens from control, test and standard treated rats were collected. 3-5µm thicksections were cut and stained with Harris’s haematoxylin and eosin and observed in respect of fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition,angiogenesis and re-epithelialization. In the incision wound model, the degree of healing was gauged by determining the skin breaking strength.The categorization and treatment of experimental animals was similar to that of the excision wound model.Preliminary qualitative phytochemicalscreening of KR was performed for the identification of various classes of active chemical constituents using standard methods. The totalphenolic content (TPC) in the KR was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent with gallic acid as calibration standard. KR treatmentproduced a significant increase in wound contraction and decrease in epithelialization period of excision wound and a significant increase in thetensile strength of the incision wound when compared to vehicle control. Histological study of the excision wound tissue obtained from the KRtreated group showed elevated levels of discreetly organized bands of collagen and profusion of fibroblasts, compared to the control. In effect,KR appeared to facilitate the healing process.Preliminary phytochemical analysis of KR showed the presence of phenolics (80.28 mg/g of gallicacid equivalents), crotepoxide, â-sitosterol, stigmasterol, coumarins, triterpenes and tannins. Increased wound contraction, tensile strength,augmented fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition caused by K. rotunda support its traditional use in the topical management ofwounds.
Sini, S. 1, Latha, P.G.* 1, Anilkumar, T.V. 2, Suja, S.R. 1, Shyamal, S. 1,Shine, V.J. 1, Anuja, G.I. 1, Shikha, P. 1, Krishnakumar, N.M. 1,
Sreejith, G. 1, Vineetha, V.P. 2 and Rajasekharan, S. 1
1Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode,Thiruvananthapuram-695562, India.2Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute fo
Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram-695012, India*[email protected]
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BIODIVERSITY OF MARINE ORNAMENTAL FISHES
ALONG KERALA COAST
The fish fauna in marine environs, particularly those associated with coral reefs, rocky pools, sea grass beds, mud flatsare renowned for their colouration, peaceful nature, tiny sizes and their ability to adapt to the confines of aquariumtanks. The wide varieties of natural animals along with modern technologies in aquarium keeping like live rocks, forbetter management and maintenance enhances the marine ornamental fish industry day by day. Among 1,471species of marine ornamental fishes in the international trade, as many as 400 species were occurring in coastalwaters and the coral reef ecosystem surrounding the islands and mainland of India. The coral reef patches and rockypools on the shores of the Lakshadweep sea along with artificial rocky areas formed by sea wall construction materialsharbours a wide variety of marine ornamental fishes all along the 590 kms coastal line of Kerala. Even though wehave a good potential of marine ornamental fishes along Kerala coast, the absence of a primary data on the availabilityand abundance of marine ornamental fish is a major restriction in the expansion as well as regulation of marineornamental fish trade in the state. The current study aims an inventory to reveal the potential resources of marineornamental fishes along Kerala coast and discusses strategies for their conservation and sustainable management.The survey conducted during May 2008 to October 2010 at rock pool areas and major fishing harbours along Keralacoast revealed the presence of 117 species of ornamental fish categorized under 9 orders, 46 families and 78 genera.Shannon diversity index of ornamental fish recorded a higher value of 4.025 in Kerala coast and the Margalef speciesrichness was 15.74. The values of Pielou’s evenness index (0.4784) showed lesser even distribution of species, withrelatively more value for dominance index 0.9739. The species-rich fish families were Pomacentridae (damsel fishes),Scorpaenidae (Scorpion fishes), Serranidae (groupers) and Lutjanidae (snappers) (8 species each). The groupers andsnappers, representing the genera Epinephelus and Lutjanus with 7 species each respectively, represented the mostdiverse ornamental fish genera of Kerala coast followed by Lion fishes of genera Pterois (4 species). Four species arenew records to Kerala coast. The newly reported species were Pterois mombasae, Minous dempsterae (Family:Scorpaenidae), Epinephelus radiatus (Family: Serranidae) and Lutjanus decussatus (Family: Lutjanidae). The Kovalam-Poovar belt in Thiruvananthapuram district, Thangasseri-Kollam belt in Kollam district, Kozhikode and Kannur-Kasargodebelt were identified as the areas rich in ornamental fish diversity.
Sirajudheen, TSirajudheen, TSirajudheen, TSirajudheen, TSirajudheen, T.K. and Bijukumar.K. and Bijukumar.K. and Bijukumar.K. and Bijukumar.K. and Bijukumar, A, A, A, A, A.*.*.*.*.*Dept. of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695581, Kerala*[email protected]
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“OXIDATIVE STRESS” EXPERIENCED BY FRESH WATER FISH,
ANABAS TESTUDINEUS EXPOSED TO SEWAGE EFFLUENTS
OF PARVATHYPUTHENAR.
Parvathyputhenar, an artificial canal dating back to the Travancore era, was used for navigation, as an avenue of leisure andeven the water was used for bathing and drinking. But over years, it has become a major source of environment pollution,posing a health hazard for city residents. In Thiruvananthapuram, a sewage farm was established five decades back atMuttathara. Domestic wastes from the city brought here are drained to the nearby grass land and after this the effluentswithout any treatment is directly emptied into Parvathyputhenar, which is the study site. Sewage effluents are a source ofchemicals that may alter endocrine function thereby, adversely affecting reproduction or development and other physiologicalactivities in animals. In the present study, the effect of sewage effluents on the antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxidedismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione content, andlipid peroxidation products Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Conjugate diene were studied in the liver along with brainacetylcholinesterase activity in a freshwater fish, Anabas testudineus. The fish weighing 40±5 gm were divided into differentgroups consisting of eight each and acclimatized in the laboratory. They were exposed to sewage effluents brought fromParvathyputhenar for a period of 7, 14 and 21 days. After stipulated period of exposure, 6 fish from each group weresacrificed and liver and brain were excised and stored at -800C for enzymes’ assay. The laboratory acclimatized fish kept indechlorinated tap water served as control. Exposure to sewage effluents significantly decreased the activity of SOD, Gpx,and GST. But after 21 days of exposure, the activities of SOD and GST were restored. While the activities of Catalase andGlutathione content and the lipid peroxidation products such as MDA and Conjugate diene were significantly increasedafter sewage exposure. The present data support the idea that after an initial decrease/increase in the activity of the antioxidantenzymes, the fish readjusted in an adaptive phase that restored the level of SOD and GST by 21st day. It was found thatexposure to sewage effluents significantly decreased acetylcholinesterase activity for all the time periods. Oxidative stress(OS) is caused by an imbalance of oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the former, and is capable of inflicting injury onmembrane lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Moreover, oxidative stress is apparent in pathology associated with aging andmany age related chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegenerativediseases. Alterations in the antioxidant enzymes activity, amelioration in lipid peroxidation products and decline inacetylcholinesterase activity following sewage effluent exposure clearly reveals that the fish experienced oxidative stress.Anabas (climbing perch) being an edible species, measures should be taken to protect it and other inhabitants and aboveall, the polluted river.
Soorya, S.R*, Aruna Devi, C., Jayalekshmi, G., Amrutha, B.V. andFrancis SunnyDepartment of Zoology, University College, Thiruvananthapuram.
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PHYTOPLANKTON PRODUCTION AND DYNAMICS IN A COASTAL
MUDFLAT ECOSYSTEM OF SEWRI - MAHUL COASTAL BAY - MUMBAI
The phytoplankton production and its diversity in the different zones of the Sewri-Mahul region in Mumbai wasinvestigated during the monsoon, summer and winter periods during 2007-08 period. The composition, distribution,abundance and diversity of plankton from the different stations in the eight zones of the mudflat are presented.Theoccurrence distribution and abundance of phytoplankton was highest during the monsoon and the summermonths.Chlorophyceae, myxophyceae and Bacillariophyceae formed the major groups of phytoplankton encounteredduring the study. The myxophyceae (50.76%) followed by bacillariophyceae (21.34%) and chlorophyceae (11.19%)showed the highest mean percentage abundance in the eight zones in the three seasons. Season wise analysis alsoshowed a similar trend in the eight zones. During the monsoon and winter periods the myxophyceae was thedominant planktonic group followed by bacillariophyceae. In summer the variations between the myxophyceae andbacillariophyceae was only marginal whereas it showed wide differences with chlorophyceae. Three species of SpirulinaViz. S. major, S. subsalsa and S. subtilissima represented the myxophyceae during monsoon season. The speciesdiversity (Shannon) of phytoplankton also was highest during the summer (av. 1.386) followed by the monsoon(av.1.02) and the winter (av. 0.97). The richness and evenness indices also showed a similar trend as the ShannonWeiner diversity values. The abundance of plankton showed a positive correlation with dissolved oxygen and pHvalues in the different study stations.
Sreedevi, O.K.1, Bijoy Nandan, S.1and Lalitha Vijayan2
1Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology & BiochemistrySchool of Marine Sciences
Cochin University of Science & Technology, Cochin-16.2Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore.
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A NOTE ON THE COLOURMORPHISM OF RAORCHESTES
AKROPARALLAGI FROM WESTERN GHATS
The Western Ghats is a known hot spot of biodiversity (Myers et al., 2000). The region is known to harbour almost325 globally threaten species and also possess a high degree of endemism, especially in the case of lower vertebrateslike Fishes, Reptiles and Amphibians. This endemism has been attributed to the prevailing geographi cal, climatic andphenological conditions providing the nec essary humid environment and habitat (Roelants et al.,2004). Amphibiansform an important faunal group of this region, but are incompletely documented (Bossuyt, 2002); as the tropicalforest areas of Southern Western Ghats is known to be a hot spot of Amphibian diversity as a very high number ofspecies been reported from the area and still more awaiting discovery and identification. The family Rachophoridae,commonly called as tree frogs, consist of more than 300 species of frogs. They are wide spread in tropical regions ofAfrica and Asia. The genus Raorchestes is a member of Rachophoridae that are currently represented by 30 speciesfrom Western Ghats.Raorchestes and Psedophilautus are unique genus in the sense that they have direct developmentwith all growth inside the egg and no free swimming tadpole stage. To differentiate between the two species ofclosely related Raorchestes is extremely difficult, because of their weak morphological difference and henceforthseveral authors (e.g. Dring, 1987; Bossuyt & Dubois, 2001) have already emphasised on the importance of nonmorphological techniques like molecular taxonomy and bioacoustics for species identification. We support the same,by providing a note on the high degree of colourmorphism and similarity that the traditional alpha taxonomy wouldfind hard to reveal. We used evidence from DNA barcoding of mitochondrial genes (16SrRNA and CO1) to investigatethe colourmorphism of Raorchestes akroparallagi from its range. The frog species Raorchestes akroparallagi is knownto show a high degree of colour variation in life (Biju and Bossuyt 2009). We hereby report six colour morphs fromthe Species, with the support mitochondrial markers and photographs. The variation in colouration and the reportedsix colourmorphs not only reinforces the significance of molecular taxonomy but also brings about the significance ofWestern Ghats as a Biodiversity hot spot and prioritisation of its conservation.
Sujith V. Gopalan, Reveendran Remya, Santhosh Kumar K and Sanil George*Chemical Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, PO- Thycaud, Poojappura,
Thiruvananthapuram - 695 014, Kerala, India
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IMPACT OF SAND MINING ON THE BIODIVERSITY
OF ZOOBENTHOS : A CASE STUDY FROM ACHANKOVIL
RIVER AT PATHANAMTHITTA REGION IN KERALA
The river ecosystem stability is basically concerned with the dynamics of relationships among the various organisms within the biotic communityof bottom sediments and water columns. Extensive illegal sand mining occurring in the river systems of Kerala has evidently deteriorated andthereby destabilized the ecosystem. Realizing these ecological aspects in environmental impact assessment related to sand mining in rivers ofKerala, an attempt is made here to evaluate the community composition of zoobenthos and their importance in keeping the riverine ecosystemstability and balance. Study area is located in the river Achankovil at Pathanamthitta region in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Ten stations wereselected in the river bottom and of these stations; three stations were disturbed area where sand mining being carried out extensively up to twofeet. In the seven undisturbed stations, sand mining was not done by the miners. Samplings were made from the disturbed areas only after theperiod of one month right from the beginning of sand extraction. Sediment samples were taken quadruplicate by using a corer (135 cm2 area)to a depth of 5-8 cm in both undisturbed and disturbed areas and were sieved through 2 mm mesh size sieve to remove coarse fractions of thesand. After that, residue was again sieved through 0.5 mm mesh sieve to separate the zoobenthos. Organisms were preserved in 5% formalinfor further study. Population density was expressed in 0.1 m2 area. The zoobenthos of the study area was mainly composed of young stages ofinsects, polychaetes, crustaceans and molluscs. Totally eighteen species were found. Insecta was the most dominant group in terms ofpopulation density as well as species diversity. All the other groups of organisms were rarely distributed in the study area. The study showed thatall the 18 species were found in the undisturbed areas of the river bottom while only 6 species were found in the mined area and which may onlybe after the colonization and rebuilding of fauna in certain period of time. The zoobenthic organisms inhabiting the riverbed sediments regulatethe fluxes of nutrients and energy through lotic ecosystem and provide a critical link between primary and tertiary production. Thus, they playmajor role in the functioning of river ecosystem and constitute an important link in the food chain as they form the food of various fishes. Thesefunctional roles make the composition of soil biodiversity so important for characterizing the ecological state of river system. The abundance anddistribution of benthic organisms in the river bed habitat is governed by the sediment characteristics, as in the present study, and also by waterquality. During sand mining process the benthic fauna of bottom habitat was drastically removed along with sand. As far as the life history ofDragon flies, May flies, Caddis flies and Chironomus are concerned the mortality of the young stages of these insects due to sand miningdefinitely affect the terrestrial ecology of the area. In the terrestrial system adult stages of these insects enter into the food chain and also playan important role in the biological control of harmful insects like mosquitoes. It can be concluded that during sand mining process a stabilizedriverine bottom habitat is not only altered but also the biodiversity of benthic habitat is lost forever. Even though there is little recovery in themined bottom habitat after certain period in the form of rebuilding of zoobenthos especially initial young stages of insects, the mining process
has profound effect on the various aspects of riverine biodiversity and ecology both directly and indirectly.
Sunil Kumar, R.Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology
Catholicate College (Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University)Pathanamthitta – 689 645, [email protected]
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s Parasitic Hymenoptera forms a major component of the Insect diversity and is an economically important group ofinsects. Family Pteromalidae is one of the largest families of Chalcidoidea ( Hymenoptera Parasitica ) with over 3500species described under 558 genera word wide ( Gibson et al, 1997, Noyes, 2003). Our knowledge on the Pteromalidfauna of Indian subcontinent is still far from satisfactory and only 205 species under101 genera are known from thearea (Sureshan, 2009). About 95 % of the Pteromalidae are primary or secondary parasitoids attacking a large rangeof insect orders in their various stages of development, hence playing an important role (though often hidden) in thenatural regulation of population of insect pests. They have also been proved to be one of the successful agents asbiological control agents of insect pests. Pteromlaid fauna of Indian subcontinent (including Pakistan, India, Nepal,Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka) is not isolated in the world. Apart from the cosmopolitan species introduced byman (mainly with various crops) many Palearctic genera are widely represented in the Region followed by the Ethiopian,Australian and Nearctic elements. Few genera are endemic to the Region, the statuses of which are yet to be ascertained.Among the species known from the Region about 60 % are endemic, followed by Oriental and Palearctic elements.Recent collection and study of specimens from different parts of the country proved the dominance of Palearcticspecies in the Western Himalaya , Indo-Chinese and Malayan elements in the Eastern Himalya, Ethiopian elements inthe Decan Peninsula and mixture of all these in the Indo-Gangetic plains. Besides the discovery many new taxa fromSri Lanka, many species of the Deccan Peninsula, and Western Ghats are also reported from the area. Despite havinggreat value as biocontrol agents of insects, only scanty information is available on the biology, host-parasite relationships,ecology and ethology of Pteromlaidae from the Indian subcontinent. Poor taxonomic knowledge of the group mainlyhampers the attempts to study their biology and to utilize them in biological control programmes in the Regionwhere many species with proven biological control potential are available. An increased study on the systematics,ecology, biology and ethology of Pteromalidae is imperative in order to exploit their potential in the fight againstinsect pests of our crops. The Present paper gives an overall account on the taxonomic knowledge of Pteromalide ofIndian subcontinent and patterns of distribution and probable affinities of various taxa known from the Region. Someaspects of the biology and biocontrol potential of Pteromalidae known from the Region are also discussed.
Sureshan, P.M.Western Ghat Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India,
Kozhikode . 673006, Kerala , [email protected]
BIOSYSTEMATICS OF PTEROMALIDAE (INSECTA : HYMENOPTERA :
CHALCIDOIDEA ) OF INDIAN SUBCONTINENT-AN OVERVIEW01 75
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DOCUMENTATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF AQUATIC PLANTS
IN RELATION WITH CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES
OF KUTTANAD WETLAND ECOSYSTEM, KERALA
Aquatic plants play a significant role in the self purification of wetlands and its distribution is closely related withenvironmental factors. The present study carried out in Kuttanad wetland ecosystem, part of Vembanad-Kol Ramasarsite, is unique for its ecological and cultural diversity. Comprehensive survey was carried out from January 2006 toDecember 2007 for the documentation and distribution aquatic plants with percentage cover. Water and sedimentsamples were also collected monthly from its growing habitat (a total 40 sampling locations) and were analysed asper standard procedure. Multivariate statistical tools were employed for the determination of environmental variablessupporting the aquatic plant distribution. The study recorded a total of 130 aquatic plants including 7 pteridophytes.A total of 9 exotic (non-native) plants were recorded and among them Eichhornia crassipes, Cabombo caroliniana,Salvinia molesta and Limnocharis flava are found invading in the productive paddy fields of Kuttanad. C. caroliniana,L. flava and Alternanthera philoxeroides, the recently introduced exotics, have shown gregarious growth whichreplaces local plants. E. crassipes showed high percentage cover during premonsoon season in the canal systems ofKuttanad and comparatively low during the monsoon season. Ischaemum travancorense, an endemic grass species,mainly growing in the abandoned fields, formed sudd communities. Environmental variables like COD, nitrate,potassium, BOD, phosphate and potassium in sediments have shown negative correlation with the distribution ofmacrophytes. Water quality parameters like DO, phosphate, acidity, pH, sulphate and the sediment characteristicslike pH, available nitrogen and organic carbon were highly influencing the distribution of C. caroliniana, N. hydrophylla,N. indica - H. verticellata - L. heterophylla and N. pubescens - H. aristata associates. The distribution of all aquaticplants except R. corymbosa and N. pubescence has shown negative correlation with salinity, chloride and hardness.The increase of abandoned fields and the filling of paddy fields and canal systems have greatly influenced the ecologyof Kuttanad. The seasonal salinity intrusion from the Vembanad lake is essential for controlling the aquatic plantgrowth especially for the invasive weeds. In Kuttanad, the aquatic plants are efficient in purifying the polluted watersand the periodic harvest and removal of these plants during cultivation time enable the system for restoration to agreat extent. These plants are a boon in disguise to the maintenance of the Kuttanad wetland ecosystem from furtherdeterioration.
Sylas, V.P.*, John, C. M., Joby Paul, Unni, K.S., Thomas, A.P. and Ramasamy, E.V.School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University
Kottayam – 686 560, Kerala, IndiaPhone : 0481- 2732120 Fax: 0481- 2732620
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GENERIC DIVERSITY OF BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: INSECTA)
IN PUNE DISTRICT
The beetles (Coleoptera: Insecta) play a vital role in the terrestrial ecosystem. The survey performed during 2008-2010 indicates that the fauna is rich in generic diversity in the vicinity of Western Ghats of Pune district. Presentsurvey reported in all 24 genera and 31 species of beetles from the study area. It includes 06 genera feeding onplants, 07genera of predators and 11 genera of scavengers. The rich generic diversity of beetles indicates balancedecological conditions of the ecosystem concerned.
Tamboli, A. S.*1 and Korad, V. S.21Department of Biology, Abeda Inamdar Junior College, Pune-411001.
2Department of Zoology, Fergusson College, Pune-411004.*[email protected]
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BRUCHIDS (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE) SPECTRUM
OF ACACIA CATECHU (L.F.) WILLD. FROM HIMACHAL PRADESH
The order Coleoptera of class Insecta has the largest number of described species and family Bruchidae (Coleoptera:Chrysomeloidea) is a small but economically important possessing about 2000 known species worldwide. Bruchidsare seed borers and attack on wild leguminous hosts in field and the edible legumes in stores. All the known beetlesof family Bruchidae feed on seeds of 34 families of kingdom Plantae and about 80% of them feed on the seedsbelonging to family Fabaceae. Bruchids attacking green pods of wild legumes are usually univoltine, has specific butlong developmental period and life span. These are generally referred as field bruchids. Bruchids are universal beetleinfest leguminous plant and their larvae entering the seed and feed on cotyledons and embryo and rendering themnonviable. Under the present investigation Bruchidius albizziae has been found associated with A. catechu (Willd.) indifferent parts of Himachal Pradesh, India. B. albizziae lays eggs on green pods of host plant during the month ofAugust, September or October and adults emerged by making a circular hole on the wall of seed and pods on theonset of summer in next year. Seasonal abundance of adults was maximum in the month of March and April due tothe favorable environmental conditions and lowest in December to February. Along with the emergence of adultbruchids, a larval parasitoid Entedon albiziarum Raspul belonging to subfamily Entedontinae, family Eulophidae hasalso been recorded. This bio-controlling agents play an important role in the suppression of the pest population inthe field.
Thakur, D. R. and Vinay Katoch*Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla - 5, India
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VIRULENCE DIVERSITY AMONG NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS
IN CHICKENS - A PLAQUE ASSAY APPROACH
Newcastle Disease (ND) is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease that affects all species of birds which hasworldwide distribution. ND is caused by Newcastle Disease Virus which is being classified into three pathotypesbased on the severity of the disease as velogenic, mesogenic and lentogenic .The variations in the virulence ofdifferent New castle disease virus was studied in the chick embryo fibroblast cultures by the Plaque Assay method.The plaque study was carried out in chick embryo fibroblast cell using two lentogenic and mesogenic strains. For thistwo lentogenic and two mesogenic strains were propagated in allantoic fluid of embryonated eggs and used forfurther study. The haemagglutination titre of all the strains was studied before using it for plaque assay method. Themesogenic strains showed more haemagglutination titre than the lentogenic strains. The overlay used in plaqueassay method was also varied using Agarose and Agar. The plaque assay study has shown that the size, number,morphology and the time for the formation of plaques also varied with the two different strains.
Tincy K Thomas*, Sherin, S and Jayakumaran Nair, ADepartment of Biotechnology, University of Kerala
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DIVERSITY OF SCUM ALGAE GROWING IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIA
EFFLUENTS IN WEST BENGAL
Algae are ubiquitous forms of life. They occupy a very large and diverse range of habitats. These also include areasunder stress too. The stress may relate to extreme climatic conditions and also highly polluted environments as well.The present study relates to algae growing in different polluted environs created by some industries surroundingKolkata and suburbs. Polluted environs are obviously stressful for living organisms and only stress-tolerant species cangrow under such conditions. Nevertheless, different algal groups growing as scums and blooms are encounteredthere. Literature review reveals significant works related to this perspective. The objective of the present study is tofocus on the diversity of the algae occupying the selected polluted areas and to study the organisms so as to find theirroles as bio-indicators. For the present study, five different industries in and around Kolkata were selected for thestudy. Regular sampling for algae was conducted from each industry both from the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)and from the discharge area. Different algal compositions were studied for the samples microscopically. Measurementswere taken and identifications done with the help of available literature. Each community studied was analysed fordifferent diversity & dominance indices using standard methodology. The present study revealed different algalcommunities represented in each of the different industry studied. Though no major shift was observed in thecomposition of communities in each of the area with regards to ETP sample and the discharge area sample butsignificant changes in dominant components were observed in each case. The genera/ species have been describedwith morphological characteristics and notes on their habitats for the identified species in each sample area. Detailedenumeration of the communities reveals that the scums in distillery, dairy effluents, thermal power effluents andherbal medicine unit effluents are dominated by cyanophycean members, though the dairy effluents have diatoms asco-dominant members along with the cyanophycean members, which is not observed in the other industries studied.
Tuli Bandopadhayay, Shilpa Datta, Swapna Das* and Neera Sen SarkarWest Bengal Biodiversity Board, ‘Paribesh Bhawan’, Salt Lake, Kolkata
*Department of Botany, Scottish Church College, 1 & 3 Urquhart Square, Kolkata*[email protected]
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A FEW RARE, ENDEMIC, ENDANGERED AND THREATENED PLANTS
OF WESTERN GHATS FOR CONSERVATION CONCERN
Botanical explorations were carried out for fast 8 years for collection and documentation of the medicinally importantplants of the Western Ghats forest areas of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This survey resulted in the collection ofmany species that are of conservation concern which includes rare, endemic, endangered and threatened plants. Thepresent paper presents information of 60 such Rare, Endemic and Threatened species collected and studied from theWestern Ghats region. The list includes seven species of new reports to the state, some contributed to the extendeddistribution and the others formed new locations. This paper enumerates the 60 species, with their correct botanicalname, family, local name, distribution, voucher numbers of collection, threat status and notes if any. The voucherspecimens are deposited in the herbarium of Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal,Malappuram District, Kerala.
Udayan P.S.1 and Harinarayanan, M.K.*2
1Department of Botany, Sree Krishna College, Ariyannur P.O., Guruvayur,Thrissur District, Kerala – 680 102
2Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram -24*[email protected]
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DOCUMENTATION OF FLOWERING PLANT DIVERSITY OF
KUTTANAD REGION OF VEMBANAD ESTURINE SYSTEM
Kuttanad is the southern part of the Vembanad-Kol estuarine system, a Ramsar site of Kerala. The Thannermukkamsalt water regulator divides the Kuttanad region from the rest of the estuarine system. This wetland system spreadsout in the three districts, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam covering an area of 850km 2.It is one of the majorrice growing areas of the state. This area consists of the Vembanad Lake, vast paddy fields, marshes, canals and palmgroves and offers diverse habitat for a variety of wetland vegetation. Extensive field work was conducted in this areaand plants were collected, identified and recorded. The flora of this region includes mangroves, mangrove associates,hydrophytes, medicinal plants and other important wetland dependent species. Important mangrove species foundgrowing here are Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apiculata, R.mucronata, Sonneratia caseolaris, Kandelia candal,Avicennia officinalis, Acanthus ilicifolius and Excoecaria agallocha. Anona glabra, Cerebera odollam, Ardisia liltoralis,Derris trifoliata, Morinda citrifolia,Clerodendrum inermi, Shirakiopsis indica etc. are some of the important mangroveassociates growing in this ecosystem. This wetland is also a treasure of medicinal plants. Eclipta postrata, Premnacerratifolia, Bacopa monnieri, Ipomea mauritiana, Barringtonia racemosa, Monochoria vaginalis, Hygrophila schulliare some of the examples. Calophyllum inophyllum, Erythrina fusca, Crataeva magna are some of the importantwetland dependent trees. The screw pine Pandanus odorifer is an important fibre yielding plant of this habitat.Aponogeton appendiculatus is a rare hydrophyte which is endemic to the Vembanad Lake and is included in the reddata book. Different species of true hydrophytes are also found growing here. Nymphaea nouchali, Utricularia aurea,Vallisneria natans, Potamogeton octandrus, Hydrilla verticillata, Ottelia alismoides etc are some of the examples. Inthis study it was observed that some of the invasive species become a threat to this ecosystem. Eichhornia crassipes,Limnocharis flava, Phragmites karka and Cabomba caroliniana are examples. During this study 245 hydrophytes andwetland dependant plants under 57 families were documented from this ecosystem. It is found that Cyperaceae andPoaceae are families having maximum species diversity. Among the dicot families Scrophulariaceae is having maximumrepresentation. The biodiversity of the Kuttanad area is under great pressure due to tourism activities and waterpollution. There is an urgent need to take immediate steps to conserve this fragile ecosystem.
Unnikrishnan, N.Dept. of Botany, S V R N S S College, T P Puram, Vazhoor, Kottayam. 686 505.
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IMPLICATIONS OF THE QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER
IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF KOLLAM CORPORATION, KERALA
Disease surveillance is an important component of public health programme. Although numerous epidemiologicalstudies have been conducted over the years to evaluate the role of drinking water in human illness the present statusin Kollam corporation is still not clear. Hence a water quality study was conducted in some of wards of the corporation.The test parameters were dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, conductance, hardness, pH, temperature, turbidity,essential and trace elements, dissolved solids and coliform bacteria using standard methods. The results of studyshowed an increase in certain parameters in two wards of Kollam corporation. An investigation was carried outbased on a questionnaire survey in two residential areas (College nagar and Thattamala nagar) of these wards.When the quality of sanitary facilities and handling of water in the areas were examined it was found that sanitaryfacilities were better and many people used boiled water for drinking. It was found that although the drinking waterwas contaminated with fecal coliforms, disease prevalence was less in College Nagar. 27% of individuals used unboileddrinking water. Chlorination of wells was also less frequent. 68% had proper toilet facilities and water logging wasless in this area. A similar study in Thattamala nagar showed a significant increase of several water borne diseasessuch as dysentery, gastroenteritis etc. Tonsillitis occurred in significantly higher rates among children. Other nonentericillness outbreaks have also been documented such as dermatitis, conjunctivitis and outer ear infections especiallyamong children below 15 yrs of age. People were aware of the causes of these diseases and were taking necessarymedications. Although in the first residential area ie College Nagar, self medication was prevalent, people consulteddoctors in Thattamala Nagar. 55% of individuals used to chlorinate their wells annually in Thattamala Nagar. Drainageconditions were poor in both these residential areas. Mosquito borne diseases were also reported and it was foundto be related to improper drainage system. Improper solid waste dumping was found as one of the reasons of wellwater pollution. Statistical analysis based on Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed significant correlation betweenthe extent of groundwater pollution and dumping of solid waste effluents in the immediate vicinity of well water.Also there is no doubt that storm waters are laden with Escherichia coli and other fecal indicator bacteria. It wasrevealed that coliform content was much higher than the BIS standards indicating high risk. The results of the studyhelp in enhancing awareness of health hazards of contaminated water among the individuals as well as in drawingattention of health regulatory authorities.
Usha, S.Department of Zoology, S N College for Women, Kollam, Kerala,
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HAEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE OF TWO MINOR CARPS,
PUNTIUS AMPHIBIUS (VALENCIENNES) AND PUNTIUS
FILAMENTOSUS (VALENCIENNES) (PISCES: CYPRINIDAE)
Peripheral haematological makeup is a useful indicator for assessing the status of health and environmental stress in fishes. Being poikilotherms,with limited powers of homeostasis, and because of the intimate association with their milieu in which they live, fishes are easily affected by evenminor fluctuations in the physical and chemical makeup of their environment. Information on the influence of the extrinsic and intrinsic factorson the peripheral haematological makeup of fishes would be highly useful for establishing normal values. Compared to major carps, minor carpsof India have not received due attention from haematologists. Therefore, the present study was an attempt to findout the haematological profileof two common minor Cyprinids, Puntius amphibius (Val.) and Puntius filamentosus (Val.). Peripheral corpuscular haemaogram – totalerythrocyte, leucocyte and thrombocyte counts (TEC, TLC, TTC), haemoglobin content (Hb) haematocrit (Ht), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), RBC/WBC ratio, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration(MCHC) and differential leucocyte count (DLC) of P. amphibius and P. filamentosus were analysed using standard techniques suggested by Hesser(1960), Blaxhall and Daisely (1973) and Daice and Lewis (1984). Interspecific statistical comparison of haematological parameters and differentialleucocyte counts were done by Student’s ‘t’ test. The range and mean values of peripheral corpuscular haemogram and differential leucocytecount of these cyprinids are presented in tables I – IV and interspecific comparison in table V. Except for some non-specific variations, significantsex-related differences in the peripheral haematological makeup and differential leucocyte count were not observed in these Cyprinids. However,there is a general tendancy for most of the values to be higher in males. The mean TEC, TLC, Ht and MCV were higher in males of both species.In P. filamentosus mean TTC, Hb and neutrophils were also higher in males, whereas in P. amphibius mean Hb was more or less the same in bothsexes and mean TTC was slightly lower in males. Mean MCH and MCHC in both species registered marginally higher values in females than inmales. Mean ESR of males and females of both species was similar. Four types of leucocytes – lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes andmacrophages – were encountered in both species. Lymphocytes were the most abundant leucocyte type in the peripheral blood (93.5 % in P.amphibius; 91.7% in P. filamentosus) in both. Neutrophils the second dominant type constituted 6.39% in P. amphibius and 8.17% in P.filamentosus. Monocytes and macrophages were very rare in the peripheral blood of these minor Cyprinids; both together constituted 0.11 to0.25% in P. amphibius and P. filamentosus. The results of the ‘t’ test show that all variables except TEC andESR and relative abundance ofleucocytes other than monocytes and macrophages, differed significantly (P<0.01) between the two species. The mean TLC, Ht, MCV andlymphocytes were significantly higher in P. amphibius, whereas mean TTC, RBC/WBC ratio, Hb, MCH and MCHC and neutrophil count weresignificantly higher in P. filamentosus. The range and mean values of the peripheral corpuscular haemogram and leucogram of these minorCyprinids were slightly higher than that of other Cyprinids. The observed differences are attributable to the effect of various intrinsic and extrinsicfactors and also indicative of their active mode of life.
Vijayakumari, K.N.Department of Zoology, Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, 682011
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COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE OF BENTHIC FAUNA IN A
TROPICAL KOLE WETLAND, KERALA, INDIA.
Maranchery Kole wetland, a part of Vembanadu Kole wetland, a Ramsar site between 100 20’ and 100 44’ Nlatitudes and 75.0 58’ and 760 11’ E longitudes with an area of 18,632 ha spread over Thrissur and Malappuramdistricts in Kerala state. It is a shallow water body; a part of it is under seasonal paddy cultivation or fish farmingoperations. Seasonal and monthly variations in the distribution of macrobenthos in Maranchery Kole wetland inrelation to land use pattern and sediment characteristics were studied from November 2009 to October 2010period. Water depth showed wide variation from 0.1 to 3 meters. The benthic samples included Annelida (oligochaetes),Arthropoda (insects and crustaceans), Mollusca (gastropods). The sediment temperature ranged from 270C to 310C.pH values showed no much variation among stations on a monthly scale. The oxidation reduction potential showeda reducing trend during most part of the year. Moisture content ranged from 3.17% to 4.85%. Organic Carbonranged from 2.34% at station 1 during December 2009to 9.1% in station 4 during April 2010, which is classified ashigh organic carbon availability class. Depth showed wide variations among the stations, which influenced thecommunity structure of benthic fauna. During November 2009 to January 2010, benthic population was dominatedby oligochaetes followed by insect larvae. The benthic population was dominated by insect larvae followed byoligochaetes from January 2010 to June 2010. However during June 2010 to October 2010, benthic populationshowed a considerable increase in numerical abundance which can be due to increased food availability due todecaying vegetation and plant matter in the wetland. Benthic community pattern and population was influencedstrongly by the land use pattern in Maranchery Kole Wetland.
Vineetha, S., Bijoy Nandan, S,. Rakhi Gopalan and Amal Dev, S.Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry
School of Marine SciencesCochin University of Science & Technology, Cochin 682016
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CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ENDEMIC AND THREATENED
PLANTS OF THE KALAKKAD-MUNDANTHURAI TIGER RESERVE IN INDIA
The Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Reserve, established as 17th Tiger Reserve during 1988–1989, is located in the Agastyamalai (Regional Centre ofEndemism: CPD site IS7 or one of the 25 micro centres of endemism) Biosphere Reserve covering an area of 895 km2 in the mega endemic centreof the Southern Western Ghats. The Reserve has about 2,105 species under 872 genera belonging to 157 families. An in-depth research thathas lasted for more than 13 years with the financial support of several funding agencies such as Ministry of Environment & Forests, Governmentof India, and FREEP of the World Bank routed through the Wildlife Institute of India and the Forest Department of Tamil Nadu has resulted todescribe 8 new species such as Polyalthia tirunelveliensis, Memecylon mundanthuraianum, Aganope agastyamalayana, Neurocalyx bremeri,Impatiens tirunelvelica, Syzygium agastyamalayanum, Teucrium ramaswamii, Hedyotis kottangathattiensis, and 2 new varieties such as Balanophoraindica vars. agastyamalayana and tirunelvelica, rediscovery of presumably extinct species, Wendlandia angustifolia, Marsdenia tirunelvelica,Syzygium beddomei, S. gambleanum and S. myhendrae, rediscovery of three Rubiaceous species – Knoxia sumatrensis var. linearis, Pavettaoblanceolata and Psychotria globicephala after type, emendment of incompletely described species — Cinnamomum walaiwarensis and Dalbergiatinnevelliensis, rediscovery of poorly known species — Phyllanthus beddomei and new distributional records of endemics – Ardisia blatteri,Syzygium courtallense and Dioscorea spicata. Based on the range of distribution and affinity, 217 endemic and threatened taxa comprising 186species, 5 subspecies, 24 varieties and 2 forma of the Reserve are divided into 7 categories such as 53 new species described from the Reserve,22 strict endemic species, one species as new record to Peninsular India, 12 species each showing phytogeographical affinity with the Sri LankanFlora and as endemics of the Tirunelveli District, 20 species as endemics of the Tamil Nadu and 97 species as endemics of the Tamil Nadu andKerala. They fall under 4 threat categories of the IUCN such as one probably extinct, 65 critically endangered, 96 endangered and 55 vulnerable.Habit – wise account of strength comprises 74 trees, 46 shrubs, 32 herbs, 6 each of epiphytic herbs, subshrubs, and climbing shrubs, 4 terrestrialherbs, 3 each of succulent herbs and climbers, 2 each of root parasites, decumbent herbs, scapigerous herbs, and woody herbs, 1 each ofaquatic herb, twining undershrub, scandent shrub, straggling shrub, prostrate herb, climbing herb, scandent undershrub, epiphyte, twiningherb, trailing herb, acaulescent herb, suffruticose shrub and epiphytic subshrub. Southern tropical wet evergreen forests alone have 177endemics. Remaining ones are distributed in montane, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. Conservation management priorities are elaboratelygiven. Seven types of threats have been identified. Conservation measures suggested include establishment of orchidarium, botanic garden,regulation of tourist inflow, stopping of grazing in the buffer zone, establishment of fire protection squads in each range to extinguish annualfires and punishing violators who set fires and removal of grass growth either by organized firing or by cutting during summer, ensuring switchoff of audio and video electronics in the tourist vehicles inside the Reserve and controlled and regulated pilgrimage at Sorimuthayyanar Temple.
Viswanathan, M. B.Centre for Research and Development of Siddha-Ayurveda Medicines (CRDSAM), Department of Plant Science,
Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, [email protected]
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