WII Technical Reports/Books/Manuals
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/314
Browse
7 results
Search Results
Item Monitoring tiger and its prey in Chilla range, Rajaji National Park, Uttaranchal, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2006) Harihar, Abhishek; Pandav, Bivash; Goyal, S.P.The Rajaji National Park along with the adjoining Corbett Tiger Reserve forms the north-western limit for the distribution of the Tiger and Elephant in the Indian Subcontinent. Most parts of this landscape are under anthropogenic influence. Following the notification of the earlier sanctuaries (Rajaji, Motichur & Chilla) to a National Park (Rajaji National Park) in 1983, voluntary relocation of human (Gujjar community) settlements is underway (since 2002). The Chilla Range of Rajaji National Park is presently void of human settlements (Gujjars) and is showing very healthy resurgence of vegetation indicating promising signs of recovery with respect to utilization of the area by wildlife. This study carried out across two years (2004- 2005 to 2005-2006) aimed at monitoring the tiger population within Chilla range following a human resettlement program. Photographic capture-recapture analysis (450 trap nights each year) was used to estimate the density of tigers. Ecological density of wild ungulate prey species was estimated using line transects in conjunction with distance sampling. A total of nine permanent transects were laid and sampled eight times each, every year (102.8 km of walk each year). Food habits of tiger were determined by analysing field collected scats. Our results indicated that Chilla range supports a high ungulate prey density (76.5 individuals km-2 in 2005; 70.98 individuals km-2 in 2006) and has the highest reported sambar density (25.67 individuals km-2 in 2005; 24.69 individuals km-2 in 2006). Though we photographed 12 different individuals during our study (2004-06), the tiger density was found to be low (3.01 tigers 100km-2 in 2005; 2.54 tigers 100km-2 in 2006). The current wild prey biomass off take by tigers was estimated to be 2.78%. However, a predicted ~14 tigers 100km-2 can be supported within Chilla range given a 10% biomass off take (following the model developed by Karanth et al., 2004b). Past anthropogenic pressures have probably caused a downward trend in the tiger densities. From the photographs obtained during this study, it is clear that tigers are breeding in Chilla range. Given adequate protection Chilla can serve as a major source population from where tigers will breed and disperse into neighbouring forests within the Shivalik landscape. A continuous monitoring program is envisaged to document this recovery of predators, prey and their habitatItem A rapid assessment of herpetofaunal diversity in Manas-Bhutan transboundary landscape(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Das, A.; Sharma, P.; Harikrishnan, S.; Ghosh, S.; Nath, A.; Dhar, D.; Mondol, J.; Wangdi, Y.This report provides a rapid assessment of the herpetofaunal diversity at the World Heritage site Manas which acts as a transboundary complex for a variety of species. The survey was conducted between 16 June 2014-23 June 2014. In Manas National park (MNP), India we surveyed Mathanguri, Doimari, Kuribeel, Uchila, Lotajhar and Bansbari areas and in Royal Manas National Park (RMNP), Bhutan, we surveyed Manas range and Panbang area. We used visual encounter search; opportunistic search and pitfall method to document the diversity of herpetofaunal species. Habitats surveyed include semi-evergreen forest, moist mixed deciduous forest, grassland, wetland and marshy areas. From MNP, we recorded 17 species of amphibians belonging to 13 genera and five families. Record of Feihyla vittatus, Rhacophorus maximus, Rhabdophis himalayanus and Microhyla butleri are significant. From RMNP, we recorded 12 species of amphibians belonging to 10 genera. 31% of all the recorded species from RMNP constitute new report for Bhutan. Among amphibians, Uperodon globulosus and Ingerana borealis are a new addition to Bhutan fauna. Records of Calotes maria, Cnemaspis assamensis, Ptyctolaemus gularis, Varanus salvator from RMNP also adds to new records for Bhutan. Among the recorded species, Python bivittatus and Varanus bengalensis have been accorded the highest legal protection status, under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Naja naja, Ophiophagus hannah and Xenochrophis piscator are listed in Schedule II, while all the other snake species are under Schedule IV of the Act. Of the recorded species Varanua bengalensis, Melanochelys tricarinata are under Appendix I of CITES, Varanus salvator, Python bivittatus, Hardella thurjii, Melanochelys trijuga, Indotestudo elongata, Ophiophagus hannah, are listed in Appendix II of CITES. The only amphibian species Hoplobatrachus tigerinus is under CITES II and Xenochrophis piscator is under Appendix III of CITES.Item Diversity of moths Lepidoptera: Heterocera) and their potential role as a conservation tool in different protected areas of Uttarakhand(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Uniyal, V.P.; Dey, P.; Sanyal, Abesh KumarMoths have long been regarded as the “poor cousins” of butterflies in Lepidoptera conservation, and have lagged well behind butterflies in popularity and in the attention given to their conservation status and needs. Only rarely do they gain greater prominence, despite the enormous taxonomic and biological variety they display. Forest moth species have important functional roles as selective herbivores, pollinators, detritivores, and prey for migratorial passerines. Furthermore, they have shown promise as forest indicator taxa. Keeping in view of these various roles of moths in ecosystem, the present study is proposed to be undertaken in the Western Himalayan Landscape of Uttarakhand, in 12 protected areas: Corbett NP, Rajaji NP, Gangotri NP, Govind NP, Nanda Devi NP, Valley of Flowers NP, Askot Musk Deer WLS, Binsar WLS, Govind Pashu Vihar WLS, Kedarnath WLS, Mussoorie WLS and Sonanadi WLS. The objective of this study was to document rich moth fauna of Uttarakhand. The study was an interesting attempt to make an inventory of moth species in various sites and to see diversity and richness with respect to different vegetation structure and composition and measure different habitat covariates. The influence of climatic, topographic and anthropogenic effect on moth assemblages were studied. The study expects to establish moth assemblage as surrogate for entire insect community and use them as indicator taxa in rapid habitat-quality assessment program. The study was conducted in some Protected Areas of Uttarakhand: 1) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve 2) Gangotri National Park 3) Govind Wildlife Sanctuary 4) Askot Wildlife Sanctuary The study area was stratified on the basis of elevation & vegetation types to explore the moth diversity along the gradient. Each site will was selected randomly at a particular elevation band so that the vegetation types are included in them. The number of trap sites were selected at each stratum so that comprehensive representation of the moth diversity can be accounted. The trap sites were situated in the centre of plots with a homogeneous vegetation cover, so that moth catches at weak light sources should largely reflect the local communities. The minimum distance between neighbouring sites were 50 m, with lamps not being visible from neighbouring sites, so that cross-habitation sampling does not occur. At each site 2-3 night sampling were done for 3-4 hours from dawn. The moths were trapped by their attraction to weak light sources. 5days prior to and after full moon were not sampled. iii Among five subfamilies of Geometridae sampled across different elevation and forest types, Ennominae was the dominant (92 species), followed by Larentiinae (37 species), Geometrinae (28 species), Sterrhinae (11 species) and Desmobathrinae (1 species). Altitudinal distribution of the four major subfamilies (Figure 3) showed that the subfamily Larentiinae was exceptionally distributed towards higher altitude while the other three were diverse in lower and middle elevation zones. We documented 36 species which were previously unrecorded from Uttarakhand. Among them 19 species were of subfamily Ennominae: Anonychia violacea, Biston falcata, Psilalcis inceptaria, Medasina interruptaria, Medasina cervina, Erebomorpha fulguraria, Ourapteryx convergens, Arichanna tenebraria, Gnophos albidior, Hypomecis ratotaria, Loxaspilates hastigera, Odontopera heydena, Odontopera lentiginosaria, Plagodis inustaria, Psyra debilis, Opisthograptis sulphurea, Opisthograptis tridentifera, Sirinopteryx rufivinctata and Tanaoctenia haliaria; 3 species of subfamily Geometrinae: Chlorochaeta inductaria, Chlorochaeta pictipennis, Pingasa rubicunda; and 13 species were of subfamily Larentiinae: Photoscotosia multilinea, Photoscotosia metachryseis, Cidaria aurata, Electrophaes recta, Eustroma chalcoptera, Hydrelia bicolorata, Stamnodes pamphilata, Trichopterigia rufinotata, Triphosa rubrodotata, Perizoma albofasciata, Euphyia stellata, Xanthorhoe hampsoni and Heterothera dentifasciata. One species Rhodostrophia pelloniaria of subfamily Sterrhinae was also the first record from Western Himalaya. In Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve species of Geometridae family were found to be most abundant in both Joshimath (0.71) and Lata (1.15) gradient across all the sampling plots. The second most prominent family is Noctuidae with high abundance in Lata (0.65) but low abundance in Joshimath. The temperate forest type showed the maximum species richness in both Joshimath (243) and Lata (150) gradient. The extent of temperate forest type was the most within our sampling altitude range (2000-3800m) and is more heterogenous in vegetation structure with mixed coniferous tree species diversity (Pine-Fir) in the lowest reaches and oak and deodar species in the midaltitudes. The highest elevation band in Joshimath gradient was 3200m, so there was no sampling in the alpine scrubland forest type in this gradient In Gangotri National Park and Govind Wildlife Sanctuary the diversity was maximum in lower altitude zone and decreased gradually in three subsequent zones (Fig 7a). Fisher’s alpha was highest, 85.37±3.31 in 1400m-1900m, and lowest 48.02±1.75 in 2900-3400m. Simpson’s Index was 112.14±4.56, 93.27±3.84, and 76.04±4.73, iv 65.89±2.74 in 1400-1900m, 1900-2400m, 2400-2900m and 2900-3400m respectively. Observed species richness and estimated species richness (Fig. 7b) was 271, 293.54±9.37 for 1400m-1900m, 193, 196.76±3.07 for 1900m-2400m, 203, 217.8±8.26 for 2400m-2900m and 203, 211.09±5.17 for 2900m-3500m. The percent completeness, represented as ratio between observed species richness and estimated species richness was 92%, 98%, 93%, and 96% respectively for the four altitudinal zones studied. Alpha diversity (Fisher’s alpha) and Simpson’s index were highest (Fig 8a) in Subtropical Pine Broadleaved Mix forest (80.89±3.56, 105.18±7.56) and Western Mix Coniferous forest (82.66±2.84, 108.23±2.4) and lowest in Subalpine forest (47.47±1.9, 62.36±2.94). Almost similar diversity patterns were recorded in Moist Temperate Deciduous forest (48.21±2.51, 71.43±5.74) and Western Himalayan Upper Oak forest (56.69±2.24, 70.97±3.38). At habitat level also, relatively, sampling success was achieved with no major difference in observed species richness and estimated species richness using Chao 1. Observed and estimated species richness was highest (Fig. 8b) in Western Mixed Coniferous forest (294, 306.99±6.11) and lowest in Moist Temperate Deciduous forest (152, 156.26±3.24). The values for observed and estimated species richness for other vegetation classes were like 237, 264.84±11.56 for Subtropical Pine Broadleaved mix forest, 210, 226.13±8.29 for Western Himalayan Upper Oak forest and 187, 193.86±4.67 for Subalpine forest. In conclusion, despite gradual and small distances between various habitat types studied, each one had significant resources to support its own characteristic moth assemblage. Overall, local diversity among moth communities were high all through the gradient signifying enough resource availability at every altitude and vegetation zones studied. The high diversity documented for the first time of a major herbivorous insect community in this typical Western Himalayan altitudinal gradient can be instrumental enough to ascertain its conservation significance. The results confirm that unless sampled extensively over a large temporal scale, the recorded species number is an unreliable measure of diversity because of its dependence on the number of specimens collected. Use of a set of sample size independent diversity measures like Fisher’s alpha, Chao I and Jackknife should complement each other in different aspects of diversity as well as mathematical assumptions underlying their usage. Concordant diversity picture yielded by all these different measures should also minimize the possible risk of misinterpretations.This study has covered an elevational range from 600m-3800m spread across different protected areas of Uttarakhand. Still there is a gap in moth samples between 1000m- 1500m, which is mainly due to the absence of suitable natural sites in this range which are free from human disturbance. The sampling of entire elevational gradient would generate a more discernible pattern with relevant ecological explanations. Although our data is still scattered and more intensive sampling can result in more addition to this species record of Geometridae, future research on this current database should benefit the conservation of entire moth assemblage and their habitats in Western Himalayan Biogeographic province.Item Causes of avian diversity gradients along the Himalayas(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Kumar, R.S.; Singh, P.; Mohan, D.; Gupta, S.K.; Rana, S.K.; Singh, A.Studies on bird species diversity across the Himalayan mountain range in India have shown that the southeast parts of the Himalaya has threefold more number of breeding bird species in comparable areas than northwest Himalaya (Price et al., 2011; White, 2016). To understand the causes of this diversity gradient along the Himalayas the present study was undertaken. For this study two phylogenetically coherent groups of flycatchers comprising 9 and 10 species respectively from the Ficedula/Muscicapella and Niltava/Cyornis genera were taken up. Phylogenetic coherence of the two groups was confirmed through a recent analysis of Himalayan passerines (Price et al, 2014). The flycatchers show a sharp decline in species number from southeast to northwest Himalaya as well as a similar mid-elevation peak corresponding to the pattern of all Himalayan passerines. The group also provides examples of species restricted to southeast (9 species), restricted to northwest (3 species) and widely distributed across Himalaya (7 species). Since resource distributions are critical to explain patterns of bird diversity, and because many bird species show strong habitat associations (Price 1991; Ghosh-Harihar and Price 2014), sampling for flycatcher distribution and abundance, vocalization, phylogenetic and habitat differences in associated vegetation from southeast to northwest Himalaya was carried out in this study. And, the fieldwork for this study was primarily conducted along two elevational gradients both in the southeast in parts of north Bengal and Sikkim, and for northwest Himalaya in parts of Jammu & Kashmir. The elevational distribution of the flycatchers showed a mid-elevational peak both in eastern and western Himalaya. In particular, the number of flycatcher species peaks at about 2000 m in the east, and plateaus from about 2000-3000 m in the west, albeit at lower levels than in the east. Previous studies had found evidence that insect food was highest at mid-elevations in the east and from east to west (Ghosh-Harihar & Price, 2014, Price et al., 2014), supporting the hypothesis that more food leads to more individuals leading to more species. The largest flycatcher species Niltava grandis and the smallest species Muscicapella hodgsoni are both confined to the middle elevations, as well as sallying species in the genera Muscicapa and Eumyias also occupied the mid-elevations, supporting the idea that a larger resource base allows for a finer partitioning of those resources. To understand whether the resources themselves are more diverse a comparison of foliage density with the flycatcher diversity along elevational gradients showed a correlation value of 0.65 for southeast and 0.33 for northwest Himalaya. The number of flycatcher species correlates well with the foliage density, except for low elevation sites in the east Himalaya, which have more foliage density and few flycatcher species. Thus, foliage density alone did not appear to explain the flycatcher pattern. Comparison of tree diversity showed a low-elevation peak in southeast and declining species number in northwest along the elevational gradients. In case of shrubs however, the variation in species diversity with increasing elevation is very less with no continuous increasing or decreasing pattern. Thus, the species diversity of woody vegetation hypothesized did not show similar patterns to the flycatcher diversity, as well as the overall avifaunal diversity along the elevational gradient. In this study, we found significant genetic differentiation between east and west populations of Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor and Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides. The genetic divergence time in the populations of F. tricolor was estimated to be more than 4.6 Mya. In the case of C. rubeculoides apart from the population in the west two distinct populations occurring in the east with one found in the upper reaches above 900 m and the other to about 300 m were found. The divergence time between the west and eastern upper population was estimated to be more than 3 Mya, while the eastern populations was estimated to have diverged 4.7 Mya. These results suggest that the recolonisation of these species to the west is not a result of recent post glacial events, and qualify to be described as separate species. To conclude, the flycatcher species richness along the elevational gradient correlated with arthropod abundance and as well with plant biomass (primary productivity), but not with the plant species richness. The reason for this may be attributed to the nature of dispersal and seasonality since unlike plants birds are highly mobile and majority of these species are summer migrants. The creation of new climatic regime after last glacial maxima has resulted in a climatic gradient which in turn is shaping the biological communities across the Himalaya. The disparity in species number from southeast to northwest is a combined result of prevalent climatic conditions coupled with community assembly processes like competition, productivity, resource availability, dispersal ability, and evolutionary dynamics.Item Diversity and ecology of herpetofauna of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh : Final Report(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Das, Abijit; Prasad, V.K.; Murthy, S.This study was conducted to know the status of herpetofauna even in the most protected areas such as Tiger Reserves and National Parks in India to protect the species from any local extinction. Hence, inventory and documentation of herpetofauna in protected areas becomes critical. In order to fill this lacuna, we executed systematic surveys using standard and integrated protocols to document the herpetofauna assemblage in Panna Tiger Reserve. The project was sanctioned for two years starting from 2017 to 2019 with two major seasons of monsoon, post monsoon, summers and winters) to collect data from the field. The objectives of the project are follows as:- To determine the species richness and diversity of herpetofauna in Panna Tiger Reserve. 2. To map and identify the distribution pattern of herpetofauna species with respect to their habitats and breeding sites. 3. To classify the herpetofauna community assemblage across various major habitats and to identify the species diversity, richness and evenness within the various major habitats in Panna Tiger Reserve landscape. 4. To discover and describe any potentially novel species in the region. 5. To obtain the information on species ecology and natural history. Describing ecological and behavioral interaction within species and describe novel characters which be used in species monitoring programmes. 6. To build capacity and create awareness and education amongst the various major stakeholders including forest department, officials, local villagers and students to promote conservation of herpetofauna.Item Assessment of amphibians and reptilian diversity along Ganga river : progress report(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Das, Abhijit; Hussain, S.A.; Johnson, J.A.; Boruah, BitupanIn the present study an attempt has been made to survey the herpetofaunal diversity along Ganga River. The objectives of the study are to determine the species richness and diversity of herpetofauna along Ganga and Alaknanda river ii. To map the distribution of herpetofaunal species along Ganga and Alaknanda river iii. To study the reproductive biology of threatened amphibian species of the Ganga River BasinItem Assessment of mammalian diversity in Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Lyngdoh, Salvador; Parab, TusharMammalian fauna of Himachal Pradesh is an admixture of Palearctic and Oriental elements since the state encompasses two bio-geographic zones i.e. 1 and 2, which are further subdivided into A &B (Roberts 1977); and the mountainous regions form a remarkable habitat for many animals, herbivores, and carnivores alike. They constitute a significant proportion of vertebrate diversity (Chakraborty et al. 2005, Saikia et al. 2004), and the state harbours about 27 percent of total mammalian species in India (Sharma and Saikia 2009). However, the State has come under a strong threshold of development, thereby inviting over exploitation and rapid destruction on natural resources but also has been open to many innovative steps to combat loss of biodiversity. Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance and has a wide variety of biodiversity. Due to the wide variation of altitudinal zoning, it hosts a wide range of wild animals viz. Common Leopard (Panthera pardus), Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus), Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), Goral (Naemorhedus goral), Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), Himalayan Ibex (Capra ibex), Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) along with Small carnivore species like Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). These mammals acted as an excellent model for determining the state of landscape biodiversity. The information reported here would help to identify and further prioritize biodiversity rich areas within the landscape. This Landscape was a pilot site with no established methodological framework. Hence, different sets of methodologies were adopted for sampling. Camera trapping was conducted to gather evidences of animal presence and further analyze the diversity, abundance, probability of occurrence of species and activity patterns. Presence points of 8 potential indicator species were analyzed for generating habitat suitability maps. Locations of direct sightings, indirect evidences (scats, pellet, pugmark, hoof mark), animal attack sites and indigenous knowledge were accounted for. The species are selected by their ecological trends viz population, distribution range, food habits and activity patterns which gave a brief idea about the surrounding habitats. Biologically significant areas were surveyed intensively with camera traps for the first time, which revealed the presence of rare species like Himalayan Musk Deer. The baseline inventory of 22 species of mammals found in the landscape has been generated with the help of direct observations and indirect evidences. Our findings highlights the potential of Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary as a stronghold for conservation of several mammalian species.