PhD Theses (SACON)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/138
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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 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 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 districtItem Pesticide Residues in select components of an Agroecosystem adopting organic and conventional farming in Padayetti Village, Palakkad District, Kerala(SACON, 2014) Ganesan, K.; Muralidharan, S.The ever increasing human population and the corresponding demand for food have forced the producers to intensify their efforts to increase the productivity. Among the grain crops, paddy is the highest pesticide consuming crop in India. Increasing awareness on health and many environmental issues associated with the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to interest in alternate methods of agricultural farming which are environment-friendly and economically feasib le. The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) through Department of environment and Climate Change (DoEee) launched a demonstration project known as "Granary of Kerola" in Palakkad district in 2009 to conserve biodiversity associated with agroecosystems by totally avoiding chemical inputs in agriculture. To protect the paddy crop from weeds, insects and diseases, pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are used. Moreover, determination of pesticide residues in paddy has become increasingly essential for consumers, producers and authorities responsible for quality control. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate pesti cide residues in different environmental components adopting two different types of cultivation methods, namely organic and conventional.Item Avian Species selection in Urban Habitats: A study in Coimbatore, India.(SACON, 2013) Rajini, J.; Azeez, P.A.Survival of a species is closely associated with changing habitats. We studied this in the context of urbanization that brings massive changes in the landscape. The study is contextual in view of high rates of conversion of natural landscapes into urban areas. With the ascent of urbanization, many species disappear while some species become abundant. The present study investigated avian species and their distribution along a rural-urban gradient of the Coimbatore city - a fast growing city in Tamil Nadu, India. The study was taken up to explore the factors that affect the distribution of avian species across an urbanisation gradient and to identify survival strategies adopted by avian species in urban areas.Item Organochlorine pesticides, population and reproductive success of fish-eating birds in select heronries in Tamil Nadu(SACON, 2013) Jayakumar, S.; Murlidharan, S.Colonial water birds are one of the major vital components of a wetland ecosystem. They serve as an excellent indicator of wetland health. In India. destruction of fresh water wetlands and entry of contaminants pose significant threats to the long-term stability of the population of colonial water birds and their habitats. Enormous quantities of man-made chemicals are used in modern agriculture. Despite obvious benefits, their indiscriminately has resulted in accumulation of residues in food and animal tissues causing environmental and ecological impact. Presence of pesticide residues, particularly persistent organochlorines in different biological and non-biological components has raised concern about their long-term accumulation and effects. Birds occupy different trophic levels in different food chains and hence are exposed to different concentrations of contaminants through their food. III effects of pesticides on wildlife. especially raptors, waterfowl and fish-eating birds have been extensively studied around the world. But, in India such information on birds particularly fish-eating birds (colonial birds) is limited. Although. some information is available on the residue levels of pesticides present in eggs of fish-eating and insectivorous birds in lndia, they fail to bring out the exact scenario of pesticide usage in agricultural areas and residue levels in eggs, and the consequent impact on breeding outcome. Further. there are 110 studies which have repol1ed the residue levels in eggs and simultaneously monitored the population of birds over a period of time in India. The present work was conducted in select heronries in Tamil Nadu with the following objectives; identify the heronries in Tamil Nadu, monitor the population and study breeding ecology of colonial nesting birds in select locations. document the residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in fishes, eggs and tissues of colonial nesting birds and asses the impacts.