Volume 14 | Number 2 | November 2025
v14i2.373eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.373
Submitted date: 30 September 2024
Accepted date: 22 September 2025
Published date: 30 October 2025
Pp. 206–213.
DIVERSITY, SEASONALITY, AND HERBIVORE PALATABILITY OF THE GRASSES OF KAVALEDURGA FORT, WESTERN GHATS, INDIA
Hanchali U. Abhijit, Hanchali U. Vishwajit, Krishna Kulkarni* & Raghavendra P. Bhat
*Corresponding author. E-mail: krishecol@gmail.com
Abstract
The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India, face environmental changes from human activities. While various species have been studied, grass ecology remains underexplored in this region. This study reports on the diversity, seasonality, and herbivore palatability of grass species at Kavaledurga Fort in Karnataka, a tourist spot where wild small mammals and livestock graze. From 2019 to 2022, we documented 51 grass species from 33 genera, 9 tribes, and 6 subfamilies across various microhabitats. Over 80% of the grasses flower and fruit between August and December, coinciding with the late monsoon to early winter period. The dominant subfamilies were Panicoideae and Chloridoideae, accounting for 88% of species. About 47% of the species were palatable to herbivores, while 35% were not. Our study highlights the ecological importance of grass flora in the historical forts of Western Ghats, emphasizing the need for continued documentation and monitoring, as these often-neglected habitats face growing pressures.
Section Editor: Jess Rickenback
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.373
Submitted date: 30 September 2024
Accepted date: 22 September 2025
Published date: 30 October 2025
Pp. 206–213.
DIVERSITY, SEASONALITY, AND HERBIVORE PALATABILITY OF THE GRASSES OF KAVALEDURGA FORT, WESTERN GHATS, INDIA
Hanchali U. Abhijit, Hanchali U. Vishwajit, Krishna Kulkarni* & Raghavendra P. Bhat
*Corresponding author. E-mail: krishecol@gmail.com
Abstract
The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India, face environmental changes from human activities. While various species have been studied, grass ecology remains underexplored in this region. This study reports on the diversity, seasonality, and herbivore palatability of grass species at Kavaledurga Fort in Karnataka, a tourist spot where wild small mammals and livestock graze. From 2019 to 2022, we documented 51 grass species from 33 genera, 9 tribes, and 6 subfamilies across various microhabitats. Over 80% of the grasses flower and fruit between August and December, coinciding with the late monsoon to early winter period. The dominant subfamilies were Panicoideae and Chloridoideae, accounting for 88% of species. About 47% of the species were palatable to herbivores, while 35% were not. Our study highlights the ecological importance of grass flora in the historical forts of Western Ghats, emphasizing the need for continued documentation and monitoring, as these often-neglected habitats face growing pressures.
Section Editor: Jess Rickenback
v14i2.372eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.372
Submitted date: 24 December 2024
Accepted date: 22 September 2025
Published date: 16 October 2025
Pp. 195–205.
FIRST DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ADULT MALE AND TADPOLES OF Leptobrachella korifi MATSUI, PANHA & ETO, 2023 (AMPHIBIA: MEGOPHRYIDAE)
Peerasit Rongchapho, Kriangkrai Chaipiset, Sutee Duangjai, Chantip Chuaynkern & Yodchaiy Chuaynkern*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: yodchaiy@kku.ac.th
Abstract
We provide the first identification of male specimens of Leptobrachella korifi from its type locality in Doi Inthanon, Thailand, along with a description of its tadpole, using DNA barcoding identification. This account is based on the discovery of male and tadpole specimens of L. korifi from Inthanon National Park. Less than 0.1% of the 12S rRNA, tRNA-Val, and 16S rRNA gene sequences from the tadpoles deviate from those of the holotype of L. korifi in GenBank and the adult, thereby clarifying the identification. Adults were typically seen at night calling while resting on the dry litter of bushes surrounding streams and waterfalls, where tadpoles of this species were collected. The characters of adult males of this species are: small-sized (SVL 22.8±1.85 mm); dorsal skin smooth; venter dusted with a fine brown network; ventrolateral glands completed; distinct axillary gland, parabrachial gland, and femoral gland; toe webbing with basal and lateral fringes narrow. Tadpole’s coloration in life is beige with brown blotches on the body, tail, and fin. The Keratodont Row Formula is 1:3+3/2+2:1.
Section Editor: Truong Q. Nguyen
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.372
Submitted date: 24 December 2024
Accepted date: 22 September 2025
Published date: 16 October 2025
Pp. 195–205.
FIRST DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ADULT MALE AND TADPOLES OF Leptobrachella korifi MATSUI, PANHA & ETO, 2023 (AMPHIBIA: MEGOPHRYIDAE)
Peerasit Rongchapho, Kriangkrai Chaipiset, Sutee Duangjai, Chantip Chuaynkern & Yodchaiy Chuaynkern*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: yodchaiy@kku.ac.th
Abstract
We provide the first identification of male specimens of Leptobrachella korifi from its type locality in Doi Inthanon, Thailand, along with a description of its tadpole, using DNA barcoding identification. This account is based on the discovery of male and tadpole specimens of L. korifi from Inthanon National Park. Less than 0.1% of the 12S rRNA, tRNA-Val, and 16S rRNA gene sequences from the tadpoles deviate from those of the holotype of L. korifi in GenBank and the adult, thereby clarifying the identification. Adults were typically seen at night calling while resting on the dry litter of bushes surrounding streams and waterfalls, where tadpoles of this species were collected. The characters of adult males of this species are: small-sized (SVL 22.8±1.85 mm); dorsal skin smooth; venter dusted with a fine brown network; ventrolateral glands completed; distinct axillary gland, parabrachial gland, and femoral gland; toe webbing with basal and lateral fringes narrow. Tadpole’s coloration in life is beige with brown blotches on the body, tail, and fin. The Keratodont Row Formula is 1:3+3/2+2:1.
Section Editor: Truong Q. Nguyen
v14i2.371eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.371
Submitted date: 15 October 2024
Accepted date: 22 September 2025
Published date: 16 October 2025
Pp. 188–194.
COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY AND ADVERTISEMENT CALL OF Microhyla fissipes BOULENGER, 1884 AND M. heymonsi VOGT, 1911 (AMPHIBIA: MICROHYLIDAE) FROM TAIWAN
Mahmudul Hasan*, Chun-Fu Lin, Ha-Cheol Sung, Jiyoung Yun & Masayuki Sumida
*Corresponding author. E-mail: mhasan@jstu.ac.bd
Abstract
We evaluated differences in morphology and advertisement calls of Microhyla fissipes and M. heymonsi from Nantou County, Taiwan, to better delineate the species and to improve our ability to identify them in the field. M. heymonsi in the tadpole stage is easily recognized due to the presence of an upturned funnel-like oral disc in the mouth, which has not been noted in other microhylids so far. While the two species exhibit similar call structures in temporal attributes with a series of calls each with rapidly repeating pulses, they were distinguishable with different pulse numbers per call and pulse rate. Mean call duration for M. fissipes and M. heymonsi was 0.31 ± 0.03 s (n = 97) and 0.36 ± 0.09 s (n = 153), respectively, with the calls comprising 14.3 ± 0.9 and 10.27 ± 2.09 repeating pulses with a pulse rate of 46.66 ± 2.65/s and 28.95 ± 2.91/s, respectively.
Section Editor: Vladislav Gorin
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.371
Submitted date: 15 October 2024
Accepted date: 22 September 2025
Published date: 16 October 2025
Pp. 188–194.
COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY AND ADVERTISEMENT CALL OF Microhyla fissipes BOULENGER, 1884 AND M. heymonsi VOGT, 1911 (AMPHIBIA: MICROHYLIDAE) FROM TAIWAN
Mahmudul Hasan*, Chun-Fu Lin, Ha-Cheol Sung, Jiyoung Yun & Masayuki Sumida
*Corresponding author. E-mail: mhasan@jstu.ac.bd
Abstract
We evaluated differences in morphology and advertisement calls of Microhyla fissipes and M. heymonsi from Nantou County, Taiwan, to better delineate the species and to improve our ability to identify them in the field. M. heymonsi in the tadpole stage is easily recognized due to the presence of an upturned funnel-like oral disc in the mouth, which has not been noted in other microhylids so far. While the two species exhibit similar call structures in temporal attributes with a series of calls each with rapidly repeating pulses, they were distinguishable with different pulse numbers per call and pulse rate. Mean call duration for M. fissipes and M. heymonsi was 0.31 ± 0.03 s (n = 97) and 0.36 ± 0.09 s (n = 153), respectively, with the calls comprising 14.3 ± 0.9 and 10.27 ± 2.09 repeating pulses with a pulse rate of 46.66 ± 2.65/s and 28.95 ± 2.91/s, respectively.
Section Editor: Vladislav Gorin
v14i2.370eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.370
Submitted date: 7 December 2024
Accepted date: 22 June 2025
Published date: 21 August 2025
Pp. 180–187.
SPECIES RICHNESS, ENDEMISM AND BIOGEOGRAPHY OF FRESH WATER DIATOMS (OCHROPHYTA: BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) FROM INDONESIA: A REVIEW
Ni Made D. Swastiki, Dian Hendrayanti* & J. Patrick Kociolek
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dian.hendrayanti@sci.ui.ac.id
Abstract
We present the first cumulative list of freshwater diatoms from Indonesia, encompassing literature extending from 1865 until 2023. A total of 1160 names have been published. With a consideration of homotypic synonyms, the total number of different freshwater diatom taxa reported from Indonesia is over 1050. Genera with the largest number of reported species include Nitzschia (94), Cymbella sensu lato (73), Eunotia (72), Pinnularia (67), Surirella (60), and Gomphonema (48). There are two genera endemic to Indonesian freshwaters, namely Alveocymba and Celebesia, while all but one species of Tetralunata are endemic. Over 30% of the reported taxa are endemic to Indonesia. The flora of Indonesia is similar in size to that reported for all of Europe. The reported freshwater diatom flora of Indonesia, with the desmid flora, when combined, surpasses the number of all other algae reported for Indonesia.
Section Editor: David Williams
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.370
Submitted date: 7 December 2024
Accepted date: 22 June 2025
Published date: 21 August 2025
Pp. 180–187.
SPECIES RICHNESS, ENDEMISM AND BIOGEOGRAPHY OF FRESH WATER DIATOMS (OCHROPHYTA: BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) FROM INDONESIA: A REVIEW
Ni Made D. Swastiki, Dian Hendrayanti* & J. Patrick Kociolek
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dian.hendrayanti@sci.ui.ac.id
Abstract
We present the first cumulative list of freshwater diatoms from Indonesia, encompassing literature extending from 1865 until 2023. A total of 1160 names have been published. With a consideration of homotypic synonyms, the total number of different freshwater diatom taxa reported from Indonesia is over 1050. Genera with the largest number of reported species include Nitzschia (94), Cymbella sensu lato (73), Eunotia (72), Pinnularia (67), Surirella (60), and Gomphonema (48). There are two genera endemic to Indonesian freshwaters, namely Alveocymba and Celebesia, while all but one species of Tetralunata are endemic. Over 30% of the reported taxa are endemic to Indonesia. The flora of Indonesia is similar in size to that reported for all of Europe. The reported freshwater diatom flora of Indonesia, with the desmid flora, when combined, surpasses the number of all other algae reported for Indonesia.
Section Editor: David Williams
v14i2.369eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.369
Submitted date: 24 August 2024
Accepted date: 22 June 2025
Published date: 21 August 2025
Pp. 174–179.
A GEOSPATIAL APPROACH TO THE DISTRIBUTION, DENSITY, AND HOTSPOTS OF FRESHWATER CRABS (DECAPODA: GECARCINUCIDAE) IN SRI LANKA
Dinesh Gabadage, Tharana I. Laksith*, Sachini K. Dissanayake, Lakna S. Elvitigala & G.M. Edirihinghe
*Corresponding author. E-mail: tharanainu@gmail.com
Abstract
Sri Lanka harbors a notable diversity of freshwater crab species. 50 endemic species out of 51 described species in seven genera are found in Sri Lanka. In this study, freshwater crab distribution, densities, and hotspots were identified using geospatial techniques with a collection of data consisting of field surveys and available literature from 1960 to the present. The distribution of freshwater crabs shows distinctive patterns across the country, with spatial distribution clustered in the wet zone. Genus Oziothelphusa exhibited a widespread distribution over Sri Lanka. Density maps reveal high-density clusters in the wet zone, exhibiting a preference by crabs for wetter conditions. Ultimately, the hotspot analysis revealed that the central highlands, southwestern, and western lowlands of the wet zone of the country are the hotspots for freshwater crabs with 99% confidence. The results emphasize the importance of prioritizing conservation plans for the long-term survival of freshwater crabs in Sri Lanka.
Section Editor: Seth J. Wenger
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.369
Submitted date: 24 August 2024
Accepted date: 22 June 2025
Published date: 21 August 2025
Pp. 174–179.
A GEOSPATIAL APPROACH TO THE DISTRIBUTION, DENSITY, AND HOTSPOTS OF FRESHWATER CRABS (DECAPODA: GECARCINUCIDAE) IN SRI LANKA
Dinesh Gabadage, Tharana I. Laksith*, Sachini K. Dissanayake, Lakna S. Elvitigala & G.M. Edirihinghe
*Corresponding author. E-mail: tharanainu@gmail.com
Abstract
Sri Lanka harbors a notable diversity of freshwater crab species. 50 endemic species out of 51 described species in seven genera are found in Sri Lanka. In this study, freshwater crab distribution, densities, and hotspots were identified using geospatial techniques with a collection of data consisting of field surveys and available literature from 1960 to the present. The distribution of freshwater crabs shows distinctive patterns across the country, with spatial distribution clustered in the wet zone. Genus Oziothelphusa exhibited a widespread distribution over Sri Lanka. Density maps reveal high-density clusters in the wet zone, exhibiting a preference by crabs for wetter conditions. Ultimately, the hotspot analysis revealed that the central highlands, southwestern, and western lowlands of the wet zone of the country are the hotspots for freshwater crabs with 99% confidence. The results emphasize the importance of prioritizing conservation plans for the long-term survival of freshwater crabs in Sri Lanka.
Section Editor: Seth J. Wenger
Hubungi Kami
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