PhD Theses (SACON)
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Item Population dynamics of the Edible-Nest Swiftlet Aerodramus Fuciphagus Inexpectatus in the Andaman Islands(SACON, 2024) Prathamesh, H.G.; Manchi, Shirish S.Population dynamics play a fundamental role in ecological research and have important implications. It refers to the study of how the size and composition of populations of organisms change over time and in response to various factors such as birth and death rates, immigration and emigration, environmental conditions, resource availability, and interactions with other species. Many researchers have long studied terrestrial avian population dynamics; however, birds in hypogean environments, such as the Edible-nest Swiftlet, did not receive much attention. The Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus inexpectatus) is a cave-dwelling bird studied primarily in ex-situ habitats due to its economic importance. The studies in wild or urban areas majorly focus on breeding biology, ecology, habitat, and population trends. However, many aspects of population dynamics are never attempted due to a lack of resources and practical difficulties, such as in the Andaman Islands. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the population dynamics of the Edible-nest Swiftlet in the Andaman Islands. The study aims to investigate the various aspects of population dynamics: site fidelity, colonial sex ratio, and inter-colonial dispersal patterns, considering the biotic and abiotic factors influencing these traits. The study overall intends to provide valuable insights into the swiftlet’s research and conservation.Item Molecular markers and feather microstructures of select traded avian species in Assam(SACON, 2019) Ray, Swapna Devi; Singh, Ram Pratap; Pramod, P.The illicit trade of birds is widespread across the globe, causing the major concern of population declines of several elusive and endemic species. It is the fastest growing business with ease of moneymaking with minimum effort. The major driving factors of the illegal bird trades vary and include traditional beliefs, traditional medicines, different socio-cultural issues. superstition s. and the easiest connectivity among the participants in the trade. 11 is a serious matter of concern where the ongoing scenario always remains clandestine. This study provides information for the first time on illegally traded avian species in Assam. The state of Assam is a "Gate-way" of travel and transport and is marked as the "Transitory Route" for illegally traded birds in India due to its transboundary nature. Moreover, different socio-cultural practices followed by the local tribes also plays significant role in the illegal bird trade scenario in Assam. Using the snowball sampling method, a systematic market survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire for illegally traded birds and local people's perceptions towards issues associated with the traded birdsItem Comparative assessment of select faunal taxa with reference to various growth stages of paddy in organic and non-organic fields of Kathiramangalam, Tanjavur District, Tamil Nadu(SACON, 2021) Chaithra Shree, J.; Pramod, P.Agro-ecosystems cover 43% or India's land area and also harbour wildfire. The paddy is a unique ecosystem that is known to support diverse wildlife in a short period. being a man-managed ecosystem. The change in management practices are known to impact the biodiversity of agro-ecosystems. The biodiversity supported by the paddy fields or adhiramanagalam were studied using select indicator taxa vi:. birds, butterflies and odonates and their communities were compared between two cultivation regimes viz. Organic and non-organic. with the following objectives I. To study the Community structure and variability of select faunal indicator taxa supported by the paddy fields. 2. To compare the changes in the community of select faunal taxa across paddy growth stages between organic and non-organic paddy cultivation regimes. These objectives were achieved by collecting species abundance data on birds, butterflies and odonates. during two cropping cycles of paddy by strip transect method. One Km transect with 50 m breadth was marked in paddy fi elds under organic and non-organic cultivation regimes each. The vegetation in the sampling area was recorded. The environmental, habitat conditions and physico-chemical water parameters wereItem Study of the flora of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Southern Eastern Ghats, India(SACON, 2019) Prakash, L.; Balasubramian, P.Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (latitude II" 29' IS" to Il u 43' II" N and longitude 760 50' 69"to 77 0 27' 22" E) forms a major biodiversity rich area in Eastern Ghats. India with a mixture of both indigenous and exotic species. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve bas got a high diversity of flora and fauna owing to its unique location which is a confluence of two distinct geographical regions, namely the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats. The Tiger Reserve is rich in floristic diversity and 14 different types of forests from dry scrub to West-coast semi evergreen forests occur here. A threatened tree species, Sandal (Santalum album) occurs predominantly in the dry forests of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. The study area has some major perennial river systems such as Moyar and Bhavani. The major indigenous tribal communities of this region constitute Irulars, Ooralis. Kurumbas and Soligars. A total of 17 intensive field exploration trips were conducted covering different seasons between August 2014 to March 2017Item Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in Pallikaranai wetland, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Fish as an Indicator.(SACON, 2020) Mythreyi, D.; Muralidharan, S.Enormous quantities of man-made chemicals are being used every day to meet the ever increasing food, energy, transport and industrial demands. During the past few decades, there has only been a steady increase in the use of these chemicals leading to their excessive presence throughout the global environment. Wetlands, being the most fragile ecosystems have suffered the maximum. Extensive stretches of wetland habitats have been altered and destroyed. Among the gazillion types of chemicals, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are significant because they are resistant to degradation in the environment and biota. Due to their fat soluble nature and resistance to degradation, ingestion of certain POPs by fauna leads to bioaccumulation throughout their lives, generally in fat tissues, and biomagnification through food chain. Among the POPs, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly prevalent in vertebrates, particularly fishes. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a unique class of POPs constituted by hundreds of individual organic compounds. These ubiquitous environmental contaminants are wide-spread in the air, bonded to particulate matter and readily bioavailable. Studies have demonstrated the carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic behaviour of many of the PAHs. Based on their properties, 16 PAHs are listed as “priority pollutants” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These 16 PAHs are being measured and monitored in different environmental components in ecosystem throughout the globe.Item Aggression and Conflict Resolution in Nicobar Long-Tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis umbrosus.(SACON, 2019) Partha Sarathi, M.; Kumara, H.N.; ThayumanavanA strong dominance hierarchy with high linearity and steepness in females indicates high competition among the females for food. This pattern was absent in the study with a moderately wrong hierarchy, possibly due to the avoidance of competition for food. This, in term, suggests that food distribution is uniform and abundant for each individual of a small group, which is the foundation of the socio-ecological theory. Furthermore, low competition in the group allows females to form close bonds and exchange affiliative behaviors as recorded in the study. Low monopolization is depicted by low steepness values and under such a regime. subordinate females do not use grooming as currency to gain access 10 food from dominant females.Item Levels of metal contamination in various species of birds in select states in India.(SACON, 2019) Kirubhanandhini, V.; Murlidharan, S.In India, studies on metal contamination on birds are a few. There is a growing concern to examine metal contamination in birds and interpret their levels; thereby appropriate measures may be taken to conserve the species. Metal levels in tissues can serve as an indication of the potential effects for alerting managers and the public to mitigating ecological problems. The presence of metal contaminants in tissues of birds is a problem that has not been fully resolved, given the ethical and legal impediments associated with the hunting and killing of bird species. The use of body feathers for studying metal contamination is another possible solution to this problem, as removal of these feathers does not injure the birds. In reference of seabirds, breast feathers are especially useful for establishing spatio and temporal patterns in bird populations and for evaluating metal contamination in species that are threatened or in danger of extinction. The present study was conducted with objective to document the levels of accumulalion of metals such as Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni , Cu and Zn in different species of birds in select states of India.Item Roosting ecology of the edible-nest swiftletin the Andaman Islands(SACON, 2017) Mohan, Mane Akshaya; Manchi Shirish, S.;the present study attempts to address certain questions relating to the roosting ecology of the cave dwelling populations of AENS in the Andaman Islands. The aim of this study was to understand more about the species habits and habitats towards strengthening the ongoing in-situ and ex-situ conservation of the AENS. This study was initiated and conducted to 1) understand the roosting patterns and behaviour of the AENS, 2) identify the biological factors affecting roosting patterns of the AENS and 3) determine the environmental factors influencing roosting patterns of the AENS.Item Study on nest tree preferences by cavity nesting birds in the riverine forests of Athikadavu Valley, Western Ghats, India.(SACON, 2017) Manikandan, P.; balasubramian, P.A study on nest tree utilization and preferences by cavity nesting birds was carried out in the riverine forests of Athikadavu Valley, Western Ghats, India from August 2012 to July 2015. In India, more than 100 species of tree-cavity nesting birds have been identified, but very little information is available about their nesting habits. In the above background, it is felt that a study on tree diversity and its use by birds in the riverine forests of an important river system-the Bhavani a tributary of Cauvery in southern India would be useful in planning biodiversity conservation. The objectives of the study were, i) Quantify the woody vegetation of the riverine forest of Bhavani river in Athikadavu Valley, ii) Find out the nest tree preferences of cavity nesting birds, and iii) Ascertain the characteristics of nest trees and nest cavities used by cavity nesting birds.Item Climate Change and Local Perception in Rajouri District, Jammu Region, Western Himalayas, India(SACON, 2016) Zeeshan, Mohd; Azeez, P.A.Climate change is a global issue that poses serious threats to wide-ranging aspects in the biosphere of which ecological security, biodiversity and livelihood are the most explicit ones. The Himalayas, unique in terms of geological and environmental settings, habitats, ecosystems and cultural diversity, is identified as highly vulnerable to climate change. In view of the reported rise in temperature in the Himalayas and gaps in related information, the present study was undertaken in Rajouri of Jammu region, Western Himalayas, India. The study explored global climate change. people's perception and engagement along with baseline study on vulnerable sectors such as water and agriculture in Rajouri district