PhD Theses (SACON)
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Item Study on avian frugivory and seed dispersal in the shoal forests of Nilgiri Hills, Western Ghats, India.(SACON, 2013) Anbarasu, C.; Balasubramanian, P.A study on avian frugivory and seed dispersal in 111'0 shola forests of Nilgiri hills, Western Ghats was carried out from January 2009 to July 20 I I. Longwood shola is situated between 11 °43.494'N and 0760 87A63'E) and Eppanadu shola between I lo29. IS]'N and 0760 47.223'E. The objectives or the present study were, i). study avian frugivory and find out major frugivores in the shola forests ii). assessing fruiting phenology of fleshy-fruited tree species and find out the fruiting seasonality, iii). establish the role of avian frugivores in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Vegetation sampling was done in both the shola forests, Longwood and Eppanadu. One h3 plot (50x20m) were laid in e3ch of the above-mentioned two shola s. Data collected were analyzed to obtain quantitative structure and composition of plant communities. Fruiting periodicity was determined by monitoring tagged trees for 24 months.Item Studies on Frugivory and Seed Dispersal by Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) in Sathyamangalam Forest Division, Eastern Ghats(SACON, 2010) Santhosh Kumar, E.; Balasubramanian, P.Seed dispersal refers the removal and deposition of seeds away from parent plants, by which a plant scatter its offspring away from their source of origin to reduce competition. Seed dispersal and its establishment are the crucial moments in the life cycle of plants which determine the success of plant populations. Basic knowledge about fruit-frugivore interactions and especially the seed dispersal process in forest ecosystems is essential for conservation of endangered animals and the forest itself. Fruit consumption by birds is an important species interaction that contributes to seed dispersal in forests. Hornbills, being primary frugivores of the tropical forest, play an important role in seed dispersal and regeneration of forest trees. Their ability to open and swallow large, ripe fruits and their defecation and regurgitation of undamaged viable seeds make them ideal dispersers. Hornbills are one of the most recognizable groups among birds. They are distributed in Sub-saharan Africa, Australia, South-east Asia and India. Among the 54 species of hornbills in the world, 9 species occur in India. Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) also known as Common Grey Hornbill is distributed in India, Pakistan, Nepal and North-west Bangladesh. Hornbills have specific food preferences and foraging techniques. A review of literature revealed the absence of detailed research on Indian Grey Hornbill. Hence, a study was undertaken with the following objectives, I. assess 94 frugivory by Indian Grey Hornbill and establish its role in seed dispersal and regeneration of its food plants. The study was carried out in Sathyamangalam Forest Division