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v5i1.91ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.91
Submitted date: 18 October 2012
Accepted date: 9 April 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 60–66.
DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THREE POPULATIONS OF INDIAN FLYING FOX (Pteropus giganteus) FROM PURULIA DISTRICT OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA
Somenath Dey, Utpal Singha Roy* & Sanjib Chattopadhyay
*Corresponding author. E-mail: srutpal@gmail.com
Abstract
The present study was carried out to monitor three roost sites of Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) populations during the period November 2010 to October 2011 near Purulia, West Bengal, India. At all three sites, bats were found to occupy different tree species (Eucalyptus sp., Dalbergia latifolia, Tamarindus indica and Terminalia arjuna) outside villages for day roost sites in close proximity to water bodies. Behavioural observations were made based on all occurrence method where all behaviours observed for duration of 30 minutes was noted during each census for the entire study period. Favourable roosting conditions were found to support higher bat abundance. Moreover, bat abundance and ambient temperature were found to be negatively correlated, and mass die–offs and population decline were recorded in the hotter months of the year (April–July). Study of bat guano revealed aspects of their feeding habits and their pivotal role as seed dispersers. Information from local villagers affirmed that the bat populations occurring at the roost sites are more than a century old and are regarded as sacred. Moreover, no direct conflicts were recorded between the bats and villagers during the present study. According to the villagers bat populations are declining due to road expansion, cutting of trees and hunting by outsider nomads; these aspects need serious attention from the authorities concerned.
Key words : Chiroptera, habitat selection, vermin, behaviour, threats, ecology, conservation
Section Editor: Judith Eger
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.91
Submitted date: 18 October 2012
Accepted date: 9 April 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 60–66.
DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THREE POPULATIONS OF INDIAN FLYING FOX (Pteropus giganteus) FROM PURULIA DISTRICT OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA
Somenath Dey, Utpal Singha Roy* & Sanjib Chattopadhyay
*Corresponding author. E-mail: srutpal@gmail.com
Abstract
The present study was carried out to monitor three roost sites of Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) populations during the period November 2010 to October 2011 near Purulia, West Bengal, India. At all three sites, bats were found to occupy different tree species (Eucalyptus sp., Dalbergia latifolia, Tamarindus indica and Terminalia arjuna) outside villages for day roost sites in close proximity to water bodies. Behavioural observations were made based on all occurrence method where all behaviours observed for duration of 30 minutes was noted during each census for the entire study period. Favourable roosting conditions were found to support higher bat abundance. Moreover, bat abundance and ambient temperature were found to be negatively correlated, and mass die–offs and population decline were recorded in the hotter months of the year (April–July). Study of bat guano revealed aspects of their feeding habits and their pivotal role as seed dispersers. Information from local villagers affirmed that the bat populations occurring at the roost sites are more than a century old and are regarded as sacred. Moreover, no direct conflicts were recorded between the bats and villagers during the present study. According to the villagers bat populations are declining due to road expansion, cutting of trees and hunting by outsider nomads; these aspects need serious attention from the authorities concerned.
Key words : Chiroptera, habitat selection, vermin, behaviour, threats, ecology, conservation
Section Editor: Judith Eger
v5i1.90ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.90
Submitted date: 7 June 2012
Accepted date: 30 November 2012
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 50–59.
BAT FAUNA OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYA OF INDIA: A ZOOGEOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE
Uttam Saikia* & Ananda Ram Boro
*Corresponding author. E-mail: uttamzsi@gmail.com
Abstract
A zoogeographic analysis of the chiropteran fauna of western Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is presented. Based on field surveys, study of museum specimens and published literature, 44 species of bats in 20 genera have been reported from the study area. By virtue of its transitional position between the Oriental and Palearctic biogeographic realms, the chiropteran fauna of western Himalaya exhibit an intermixing of elements from both the realms. At the species level, Oriental elements (25 species) dominate Palearctic (17 species) and Ethiopian (1 species) components, while the zoogeographic affinity of one species, Miniopterus schreibersii, is indeterminate. Some zoogeographic aspects influencing the present faunal composition of the region are also discussed. Considering the lack of studies on bat fauna in this part of the Himalaya, it is expected that intensive studies will shed new light into the zoogeography of these lesser known mammals.
Key words : Chiroptera, species diversity, zoogeographic affinity, disjunctive distribution
Section Editor: Judith Eger
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.90
Submitted date: 7 June 2012
Accepted date: 30 November 2012
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 50–59.
BAT FAUNA OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYA OF INDIA: A ZOOGEOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE
Uttam Saikia* & Ananda Ram Boro
*Corresponding author. E-mail: uttamzsi@gmail.com
Abstract
A zoogeographic analysis of the chiropteran fauna of western Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is presented. Based on field surveys, study of museum specimens and published literature, 44 species of bats in 20 genera have been reported from the study area. By virtue of its transitional position between the Oriental and Palearctic biogeographic realms, the chiropteran fauna of western Himalaya exhibit an intermixing of elements from both the realms. At the species level, Oriental elements (25 species) dominate Palearctic (17 species) and Ethiopian (1 species) components, while the zoogeographic affinity of one species, Miniopterus schreibersii, is indeterminate. Some zoogeographic aspects influencing the present faunal composition of the region are also discussed. Considering the lack of studies on bat fauna in this part of the Himalaya, it is expected that intensive studies will shed new light into the zoogeography of these lesser known mammals.
Key words : Chiroptera, species diversity, zoogeographic affinity, disjunctive distribution
Section Editor: Judith Eger
v5i1.89ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.89
Submitted date: 4 October 2012
Accepted date: 10 March 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 44–49, Pl. 6.
ETHOGRAM OF COURTSHIP AND MATING BEHAVIOUR OF Sitana cf. ponticeriana (REPTILIA: DRACONINAE: AGAMIDAE) IN INDIA
Pratyush Patankar, Isha Desai, Jignesh N. Trivedi & Suresh Balakrishnan*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: suved9@hotmail.com
Abstract
The current study describes and interprets the courtship behaviour exhibited by Sitana cf. ponticeriana. An ethogram comprised of 20 behavioural acts was compiled. Though complex communications were lacking in Sitana cf. ponticeriana, other acts were by and large similar (and perhaps evolutionarily homologous) to other agamids. The courtship behaviour was divided into three distinct patterns – orientation, persuasion and copulation. Gular flap extensions by the males of Sitana cf. ponticeriana was a peculiar display but not unique to this species. Head bobbing, which is a common feature to many agamids, was rare and functioned to enhance the visual acuity rather than to serve as a social signal. Neck grip was also a very short event performed rapidly by the male to subdue the female. Rest events of the courtship were more or less similar to other types of lizards. Tail twitching and tail twisting seemed to express high levels of arousal rather than ritualized social signals.
Key words : fan–throated lizard, orientation, persuasion, copulation, behaviour type, ethology
Section Editor: Ulrich Manthey
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.89
Submitted date: 4 October 2012
Accepted date: 10 March 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 44–49, Pl. 6.
ETHOGRAM OF COURTSHIP AND MATING BEHAVIOUR OF Sitana cf. ponticeriana (REPTILIA: DRACONINAE: AGAMIDAE) IN INDIA
Pratyush Patankar, Isha Desai, Jignesh N. Trivedi & Suresh Balakrishnan*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: suved9@hotmail.com
Abstract
The current study describes and interprets the courtship behaviour exhibited by Sitana cf. ponticeriana. An ethogram comprised of 20 behavioural acts was compiled. Though complex communications were lacking in Sitana cf. ponticeriana, other acts were by and large similar (and perhaps evolutionarily homologous) to other agamids. The courtship behaviour was divided into three distinct patterns – orientation, persuasion and copulation. Gular flap extensions by the males of Sitana cf. ponticeriana was a peculiar display but not unique to this species. Head bobbing, which is a common feature to many agamids, was rare and functioned to enhance the visual acuity rather than to serve as a social signal. Neck grip was also a very short event performed rapidly by the male to subdue the female. Rest events of the courtship were more or less similar to other types of lizards. Tail twitching and tail twisting seemed to express high levels of arousal rather than ritualized social signals.
Key words : fan–throated lizard, orientation, persuasion, copulation, behaviour type, ethology
Section Editor: Ulrich Manthey
v5i1.88ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.88
Submitted date: 3 June 2012
Accepted date: 23 May 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 36–43, Pl. 5.
CURRENT STATUS OF Cnemaspis littoralis (JERDON, 1853) (SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) WITH DESIGNATION OF A NEOTYPE
Vivek Philip Cyriac* & P.K. Umesh
*Corresponding author. E-mail: vivek.geckobia@gmail.com
Abstract
The gecko Cnemaspis littoralis was described by Jerdon in 1853 from a single specimen found in a warehouse on the sea coast of Malabar. A search of the reptile collection of the ZSI failed to uncover any trace of the type specimen of this species; similar searches of the reptile collections of BMNH also proved abortive. Manamendra–Arachchi et al. (2007) also highlighted the need of designating a neotype as the type had been lost. Therefore we ascertain that Jerdon’s type of Cnemaspis littoralis is lost. Hence here we redescribe this species based on specimens collected from the coasts of Kozhikode district of Kerala and designate a neotype for the taxon. Cnemaspis littoralis is distinguished from all other species of Indian Cnemaspis by its overall slender form; few scattered, small, spine like tubercles on flanks; dorsal scales homogeneous; enlarged hexagonal subcaudals and large number of femoral pores (15–18) in males. We also provide observations on the natural history, reproduction and interactions of this species with invertebrates.
Key words : holotype, redescription, taxonomy, distribution, Malabar, ecology, India
Section Editor: John Rudge
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.88
Submitted date: 3 June 2012
Accepted date: 23 May 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 36–43, Pl. 5.
CURRENT STATUS OF Cnemaspis littoralis (JERDON, 1853) (SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) WITH DESIGNATION OF A NEOTYPE
Vivek Philip Cyriac* & P.K. Umesh
*Corresponding author. E-mail: vivek.geckobia@gmail.com
Abstract
The gecko Cnemaspis littoralis was described by Jerdon in 1853 from a single specimen found in a warehouse on the sea coast of Malabar. A search of the reptile collection of the ZSI failed to uncover any trace of the type specimen of this species; similar searches of the reptile collections of BMNH also proved abortive. Manamendra–Arachchi et al. (2007) also highlighted the need of designating a neotype as the type had been lost. Therefore we ascertain that Jerdon’s type of Cnemaspis littoralis is lost. Hence here we redescribe this species based on specimens collected from the coasts of Kozhikode district of Kerala and designate a neotype for the taxon. Cnemaspis littoralis is distinguished from all other species of Indian Cnemaspis by its overall slender form; few scattered, small, spine like tubercles on flanks; dorsal scales homogeneous; enlarged hexagonal subcaudals and large number of femoral pores (15–18) in males. We also provide observations on the natural history, reproduction and interactions of this species with invertebrates.
Key words : holotype, redescription, taxonomy, distribution, Malabar, ecology, India
Section Editor: John Rudge
v5i1.87ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.87
Submitted date: 8 April 2013
Accepted date: 15 April 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 32–35, Pls. 3–4.
DISCOVERY AND DESCRIPTION OF MALE SPECIMEN OF Coluber bholanathi SHARMA, 1976 (REPTILIA: COLUBRIDAE) FROM HYDERABAD, INDIA
Midathala Seetharamaraju & Chelmala Srinivasulu*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: hyd2masawa@gmail.com
Abstract
Here we present the first report of the occurrence of an endemic and little known colubrid, Sharma’s racer Coluber bholanathi Sharma, 1976, from the urban conglomerate of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, with a description of the male specimen including details on the hemipeneal structure.
Key words : Indian snakes, range extension, Sharma’s racer, hemipeneal structure
Section Editor: Gernot Vogel
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v5i1.87
Submitted date: 8 April 2013
Accepted date: 15 April 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 32–35, Pls. 3–4.
DISCOVERY AND DESCRIPTION OF MALE SPECIMEN OF Coluber bholanathi SHARMA, 1976 (REPTILIA: COLUBRIDAE) FROM HYDERABAD, INDIA
Midathala Seetharamaraju & Chelmala Srinivasulu*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: hyd2masawa@gmail.com
Abstract
Here we present the first report of the occurrence of an endemic and little known colubrid, Sharma’s racer Coluber bholanathi Sharma, 1976, from the urban conglomerate of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, with a description of the male specimen including details on the hemipeneal structure.
Key words : Indian snakes, range extension, Sharma’s racer, hemipeneal structure
Section Editor: Gernot Vogel
Hubungi Kami
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