Archives
v14i2.386eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.386
Submitted date: 28 July 2024
Accepted date: 22 July 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 310–312.
Comparative assessment of avian diversity in cemented and non-cemented ponds
H.A. Khandelwal, V.S. Soni, N.P. Maheta* & D.M. Bhatt
*Corresponding author. E-mail: niketa.maheta@yahoo.com
Water bodies are vital for sustaining life. India has about 2.42 million water bodies, with 97.1% in rural and 2.9% in urban areas; ponds make up 59.5% of these. Gujarat has 54,069 water bodies, of which only 8.71% are ponds. In Gujarat, 98.3% lie in rural areas, where ponds account for 7.9%, while in urban areas, ponds make up 56.3%. Gujarat State of India harbours 615 species of birds. Avifaunal diversity and abundance vary seasonally based on food availability, habitat characteristics, and breeding site preferences. Urbanization and population growth lead to habitat fragmentation, altered vegetation, and reduced natural resources, affecting bird diversity, abundance, and distribution. Urban expansion causes biodiversity loss, native species decline, and increased extinction rates. Bird responses vary based on dietary guilds, nesting, and roosting habits, and even minor habitat changes can impact their behaviour. Previous studies confirmed that urbanization impacts avian species abundance, richness, diversity, and distribution.
Section Editor: Wolfgang Fiedler
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.386
Submitted date: 28 July 2024
Accepted date: 22 July 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 310–312.
Comparative assessment of avian diversity in cemented and non-cemented ponds
H.A. Khandelwal, V.S. Soni, N.P. Maheta* & D.M. Bhatt
*Corresponding author. E-mail: niketa.maheta@yahoo.com
Water bodies are vital for sustaining life. India has about 2.42 million water bodies, with 97.1% in rural and 2.9% in urban areas; ponds make up 59.5% of these. Gujarat has 54,069 water bodies, of which only 8.71% are ponds. In Gujarat, 98.3% lie in rural areas, where ponds account for 7.9%, while in urban areas, ponds make up 56.3%. Gujarat State of India harbours 615 species of birds. Avifaunal diversity and abundance vary seasonally based on food availability, habitat characteristics, and breeding site preferences. Urbanization and population growth lead to habitat fragmentation, altered vegetation, and reduced natural resources, affecting bird diversity, abundance, and distribution. Urban expansion causes biodiversity loss, native species decline, and increased extinction rates. Bird responses vary based on dietary guilds, nesting, and roosting habits, and even minor habitat changes can impact their behaviour. Previous studies confirmed that urbanization impacts avian species abundance, richness, diversity, and distribution.
Section Editor: Wolfgang Fiedler
v14i2.385eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.385
Submitted date: 27 January 2025
Accepted date: 21 April 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 309.
First record of the cobweb spider (Steatoda erigoniformis) from Gujarat
S.I. Parmar & P.J. Pandya
*Corresponding author. E-mail: pranavpandya1@yahoo.com
The genus Steatoda Sundevall, 1833 (Family Theridiidae) is represented by 6 species in India. Steatoda erigoniformis has been previously reported from Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Here we provide the first report from Gujarat State. The specimens were hand-collected and studied under a Zeiss Stemi 508 stereomicroscope, photographed using an Axiocam Erc 5s microscopic camera. The species was identified based on Levy & Amitai (1982) and Tripathi et al. (2023). The specimens have been deposited in the Department of Zoology, R.R. Lalan College, Bhuj-Kachchh, Gujarat, India.
Section Editor: Paula E. Cushing
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.385
Submitted date: 27 January 2025
Accepted date: 21 April 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 309.
First record of the cobweb spider (Steatoda erigoniformis) from Gujarat
S.I. Parmar & P.J. Pandya
*Corresponding author. E-mail: pranavpandya1@yahoo.com
The genus Steatoda Sundevall, 1833 (Family Theridiidae) is represented by 6 species in India. Steatoda erigoniformis has been previously reported from Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Here we provide the first report from Gujarat State. The specimens were hand-collected and studied under a Zeiss Stemi 508 stereomicroscope, photographed using an Axiocam Erc 5s microscopic camera. The species was identified based on Levy & Amitai (1982) and Tripathi et al. (2023). The specimens have been deposited in the Department of Zoology, R.R. Lalan College, Bhuj-Kachchh, Gujarat, India.
Section Editor: Paula E. Cushing
v14i2.384eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.384
Submitted date: 28 February 2025
Accepted date: 21 October 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 303–308.
Two newly recorded gobiid fishes (Sicyopus spp.) from Sumatra, Indonesia
T. Harefa*, H. Haryono, R. Rusdianto, F.M. Nur, D.F. Mokodongan & K. Wibowo
*Corresponding author. E-mail: tonisharefa@gmail.com
Fishes of the family Gobiidae, with an incredible diversity of over 2,000 species across 250 genera, represent one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates. The subfamily Sicydiinae is a speciose group of gobies that occupy tropical to temperate island streams in Indo-Pacific regions. Within this subfamily, the genus Sicyopus Gill, 1863, consists of eight valid species. This genus can be recognised by possessing widely spaced, mostly recurved, conical teeth on both the premaxillary and dentary jaws. Additionally, the premaxillary ascending process is narrowly tipped dorsally, and the tongue is free from the mouth floor. Recent ichthyofaunal surveys conducted in the streams of western Sumatra resulted in the collection of several specimens belonging to two distinct Sicyopus species. These findings represent novel records and significant range extensions for Sicyopus spp. within the Indonesian archipelago. Brief descriptions of the two newly recorded species based on the current collected specimens, as well as morphological character comparisons, are presented in this study..
Section Editor: Brendan C. Ebner
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.384
Submitted date: 28 February 2025
Accepted date: 21 October 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 303–308.
Two newly recorded gobiid fishes (Sicyopus spp.) from Sumatra, Indonesia
T. Harefa*, H. Haryono, R. Rusdianto, F.M. Nur, D.F. Mokodongan & K. Wibowo
*Corresponding author. E-mail: tonisharefa@gmail.com
Fishes of the family Gobiidae, with an incredible diversity of over 2,000 species across 250 genera, represent one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates. The subfamily Sicydiinae is a speciose group of gobies that occupy tropical to temperate island streams in Indo-Pacific regions. Within this subfamily, the genus Sicyopus Gill, 1863, consists of eight valid species. This genus can be recognised by possessing widely spaced, mostly recurved, conical teeth on both the premaxillary and dentary jaws. Additionally, the premaxillary ascending process is narrowly tipped dorsally, and the tongue is free from the mouth floor. Recent ichthyofaunal surveys conducted in the streams of western Sumatra resulted in the collection of several specimens belonging to two distinct Sicyopus species. These findings represent novel records and significant range extensions for Sicyopus spp. within the Indonesian archipelago. Brief descriptions of the two newly recorded species based on the current collected specimens, as well as morphological character comparisons, are presented in this study..
Section Editor: Brendan C. Ebner
v14i2.383eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.383
Submitted date: 11 February 2025
Accepted date: 21 July 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 299–302.
Anatomy of the nuchal glands in red-necked keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus)
Y.N. Narindria, D.D. Cahyadi, A.Y. Prawira, S. Anita, A. Mori & S. Novelina
*Corresponding author. E-mail: savitri.novelina@apps.ipb.ac.id
The Red-necked keelback, Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel, 1837), occurs in Indonesia on Java, Sumatra, Nias, and possibly Sulawesi. This species exhibits a suite of defensive displays, including body flattening, neck flattening, neck arching, neck butting, and dorsal-facing postures. Body flattening enlarges the body profile to intimidate predators, while neck flattening accentuates the bright red coloration of the neck, a visual warning linked to the location of the nuchal glands.
Section Editor: Patrick David
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.383
Submitted date: 11 February 2025
Accepted date: 21 July 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 299–302.
Anatomy of the nuchal glands in red-necked keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus)
Y.N. Narindria, D.D. Cahyadi, A.Y. Prawira, S. Anita, A. Mori & S. Novelina
*Corresponding author. E-mail: savitri.novelina@apps.ipb.ac.id
The Red-necked keelback, Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel, 1837), occurs in Indonesia on Java, Sumatra, Nias, and possibly Sulawesi. This species exhibits a suite of defensive displays, including body flattening, neck flattening, neck arching, neck butting, and dorsal-facing postures. Body flattening enlarges the body profile to intimidate predators, while neck flattening accentuates the bright red coloration of the neck, a visual warning linked to the location of the nuchal glands.
Section Editor: Patrick David
v14i2.382eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.382
Submitted date: 16 May 2025
Accepted date: 30 October 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 296–298.
Ophiophagy in the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) from the UAE
P.L. Madurapperuma
*Corresponding author. E-mail: Pubudu.madurapperuma@emirates.com
The saw-scaled viper, Echis carinatus (Schneider, 1801), is a widespread venomous snake found across arid and semi-arid regions of the Middle East and South Asia. It is a generalist predator, known to feed predominantly on arthropods (particularly scorpions and centipedes), small lizards, rodents, and occasionally amphibians, and generally exhibits opportunistic feeding patterns typical of Old-World vipers. Despite a well-documented dietary breadth, no prior observations or records of ophiophagy (snake-eating behavior) exist for this species.
Section Editor: Ivan Ineich
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.382
Submitted date: 16 May 2025
Accepted date: 30 October 2025
Published date: 28 November 2025
Pp. 296–298.
Ophiophagy in the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) from the UAE
P.L. Madurapperuma
*Corresponding author. E-mail: Pubudu.madurapperuma@emirates.com
The saw-scaled viper, Echis carinatus (Schneider, 1801), is a widespread venomous snake found across arid and semi-arid regions of the Middle East and South Asia. It is a generalist predator, known to feed predominantly on arthropods (particularly scorpions and centipedes), small lizards, rodents, and occasionally amphibians, and generally exhibits opportunistic feeding patterns typical of Old-World vipers. Despite a well-documented dietary breadth, no prior observations or records of ophiophagy (snake-eating behavior) exist for this species.
Section Editor: Ivan Ineich
Hubungi Kami
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