M Sc Dissertation(WII)
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Item Conserving Natural Heritage Through Genetic Assessment : The Case of Snow Leopards in Ladakh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Vishnuvardhan; Jhala, Y.V.; Srinivas, YellapuNatural world heritage sites are landscapes that sustain rare ecological processes, provide crucial habitats for the survival of many iconic species of significance and provide a wealth of ecosystem services. A part of India’s natural heritage lies m its youngest landscape, the Himalayas. This natural heritage is an asset in itself due to its immense intrinsic values. Snow leopard, an elusive inhabitant of the cold desert represents an important cultural and ecological symbol of the Central and south Asian mountain systems and acts as a flagship as well as an umbrella species. This study has been designed to assess the genetic status of this vulnerable species distributed across the union territory of Ladakh using non-invasive genetic methods. The study site comprised of four distinct regions, Hemis-Leh, Kargil, Changthang and Nubra. Putative snow leopard scat samples (N=391) were collected from the study area. DNA was extracted from all the samples and a 148 bp Mt-DNA region was amplified with a carnivore specific primer. Successfully amplified samples were sequenced for species identification. From the 95 snow leopard positive samples 56 individuals were identified using a panel of 10 microsatellites. Sex identification was also done by using AMELY gene and results showed male biased sex ratio in Ladakh. PIDsib value was 3.8x1 O’4 was indicative of sufficient power of the microsatellite panel to discriminate between siblings in a population of 10,000 snow leopards. This study provides a baseline for future comparisons since increased anthropogenic development projects may fragment this contiguous population. Genetic integrity and large gene pools are essential for long term viability of species especially in the advent of climate change and anthropogenic modifications. This study using genetic markers on the snow leopard exemplifies the use of this important tool for natural heritage management and conservationItem Investigating the Social Structure of Female Asiatic Lions(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Borah, Doli; Kolipakam, Vishnupriya; Jhala, Y.V.In this study the social structure of lion prides in the Gir landscape through behavioural observation discussed. the study was carried out in and around Gir protected area of Gujarat. In India the Gir forest only has the last free ranging population of Asiatic lion.Item Ecological Aspects of Vertebrate Scavenging in Central Indian Forests(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Iyer, Bhavya; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, QamarScavengers assist in the cycling of nutrients in the ecosystem. However, few studies have examined the relative importance of microbes, invertebrate and vertebrate scavengers on the decomposition of carrion. Biotic and abiotic factors have both been known to affect scavenger communities. Environmental factors such as region, climate, season, habitat type, along with resource-specific factors such as carcass size influence the species which feed on a carcass as well as the time to detection of the carcass and carcass persistence time. Size in particular plays an important role in the species feeding on a carcass, with larger vertebrate scavengers more prevalent at larger carcasses. Vultures are the only vertebrates which are obligate scavengers, relying on carrion alone as a food source. Other than vultures, all vertebrate scavengers are facultative scavengers. This includes most mammalian carnivores, which hunt for prey but also make use of carcass availability. This increases the interaction routes linking the processes of scavenging and predation, increasing stability of the food web. Vultures in particular, as the only obligate vertebrate scavengers, seem to play a special role in scavenger communities. Exclusion of vultures from carcasses has been linked with longer decomposition time, more intra-species contacts at carcasses (potentially leading to increased disease spread), and increased number of species feeding at the carcass. I carried out this study to better understand the interactions between scavengers and carrion, and to observe, if any, the effect vultures and carcass size have on scavenger communities. The study was carried out in two protected areas in Madhya Pradesh – Kanha Tiger Reserve and Panna Tiger Reserve – from December 2018 to April 2019. Carcasses of animals – cattle, chital, and sambar – killed by wild predators, as well as fresh carcasses (goats and chickens) were monitored using infrared camera traps. I also carried out an experiment to observe the comparative rate at which vertebrate, invertebrates and microbes consume carrion biomass using chicken carcasses and different treatments. Vertebrate scavengers were found to remove carrion at the highest rate, at 99% biomass per day, followed by invertebrates (4.9% per day), and microbes (2.9% biomass removed per day). Despite greater vulture presence in Panna Tiger Reserve, and a relatively low vulture population in Kanha, Analysis of Similarity could not find a significant difference in the vertebrate scavenger species assemblage (the number of species and the relative abundances of those species) that visited monitored carcasses between the two study sites. Carcass size also did not significantly affect which species visiting the carcasses. I carried out occupancy modelling to estimate the probability of detecting a carcass by individual species of the carcass. Covariates which were found to affect detection probability were canopy cover, initial age of carcass, initial weight of carcass, horizontal cover, and vulture presence at the carcass. The use of occupancy modelling for estimating detection probability of carrion for different vertebrate scavengers is a unique approach, and with more data can be highly informative of the patterns and processes that govern the relationship between species and carrion. Detection corrected, model inferred occupancy gave significant improvement over the naïve occupancy estimate for all species, suggesting that carcass detection by scavengers or low abundance of scavengers was a limiting factor for visits of carcasses by vertebrate scavengers.Item Dogs Finally have their Day? Aspects Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary Ladakh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Subhashini, K.; Kawlni, Lallianpuii; Jhala, Y.V.In a country with increasing numbers of free-ranging dogs that often times foray into wildlife habitats, even their presence has been established as a threat for biodiversity conservation in any landscape. Stated that they pose a problem, the means and extent of the problem needs an understanding of their ecology. This study aims to understand the effect of anthropogenic subsidies on the population, ranging, and subsidy resource usage patterns of free-ranging dogs. Placing subsidies in the centre of the ecology of these dogs, the study also attempts to understand inter-species interactions and potential for dogs to act as disease reservoirs in the unique trans-Himalayan landscape.Item Has conservation gone to the dogs? : ecological aspects of free ranging dogs of the Thar(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Mohandas, Monisha S.; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar; Dutta, SutirthaOne of the few mammals to have a near-global distribution, dogs (Canis familiaris) are an introduced mammalian predator. Dogs have contributed to 11 vertebrate extinctions and are a potential threat to 188 threatened species globally. This study investigates population sizes, ranging patterns, behavioural activity, and resource utilisation of free-ranging dogs in Thar landscape, Rajasthan. 2. Using double sampling framework, I calibrated effort-standardized counts (C) with mark-recapture based abundances (𝑁̂) that was used to estimate dog abundances within human habitation. Landscape-scale dog abundance was estimated using vehicle transect based distance sampling. Home ranges of nine free-ranging dogs was determined using locations from radio-telemetry. Resource use was quantified as feeding durations on various food items based on continuous monitoring. Resource availability was quantified as wild prey and livestock carcass density using line transect based distance sampling. This study provides information on important aspects of free-ranging dog ecology and their impacts in Thar landscape. It provides the basis required for implementing dog control programs in the landscape focusing on the flagship and critically endangered great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps.Item Assessment of grassland communities its use by mammals and mapping the potential habitat of Rhinoceros unicornis in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Murari, Krishna; Talukdar, Gautam; Pandav, Bivash; Jhala, Y.V.This study was conducted to identify grassland vegetation communities associated mammals and to find out the potential habitat of Rhinoceros unicornis in VTR.Item Factors Governing the Spatial Distribution and Density of Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) in Gir Protected Area(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Gogoi, Keshab; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, QamarThis study is based on population estimation and spatial distribution of Asiatic lion.Item Study on the Trends of Bushmeat Consumption and Traditional Hunting on Wild Fauna by Indigenous Community Living Near Protected Area in Nagaland.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Longchar, Satemmenla; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.Bush- meat Hunting is an integral part of a man's life specially people living in an indigenous community. This practice has evolved since primeval time. This has been rooted in the culture and traditions which plays an influential role in keeping those practices alive. Hunting is an art. And these arts are an integral part of shaping a man's role in the society. This is however becoming a calamitous action in destroying wildlife, often driving them into extinction-at global and local scale. With the over growing populations in the world and a huge demands for wildlife globally, for consumption, medicinal values, for clothing, and traditional adornments, these factors eventually lead to extermination of species at a rapid speed. Nagaland is in a region recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, in spite of the rampant hunting activities across the state. My study site Intanki National Park is located in Peren District of Nagaland. This park is categorized as Northern subtropical broad leave forest type. This park adjoins neighboring state of Assam's Dhansari reserve forest and hence an important area for connectivity for species. I conducted my field study from December 2012 to April 2013 in Intanki National park, Nagaland. I choose 6 sites for my study based on hunting intensity. A total of 60 transects of 1 km each was walked on the human and animal trails for estimating abundance of both mammal and birds separately. Along with that 240 plots for tracks and pellet count were sampled to estimate relative mammal abundance index. Camera traps sampling at each of the 6 sites vary from 50-99 trap nights. Relative density estimation of mammals from pellet results highest in site Camp2 with1.75 (0.34) and least in the community reserve with 0.22 (0.09), whereas relative density estimation for track plot was highest in site Longkhor Disa (1.4 (0.22) and least in community reserve (0.37 (0.02). For mammals the density estimation was 25.02 (3.64),for the bird's density, the highest was found in small sized birds with cluster size of 114.38 per sq.km, lowest density was for ground dwelling birds at 13.68 birds per sq.km. Site Occupancy (\f') and species richness for birds and mammals from camera traps and transect (n=60) was estimated at six sites. Data indicates that species richness of birds is highest in camp 2 (38) and least in Hatibu Disa (25). Richness of mammals was higher in the community reserve (20) and least in Hazab Disa area (5). The capture rate of all the species was higher in junction camp where as the lowest photographic capture rate was obtained from Hazab Disa. I surveyed a total number of 94 households and 16 hunters across 6 villages. From the questionnaires it was found that the Indian muntjac, common palm civet, jungle fowl and wild , pig are the most preferred species with 100% positive response from 94 households surveyed, for consumption. Traditional hunting techniques are being replaced by the modem Guns for killing animals. Besides, demand of wild animal for traditional medicinal usage also contributes to the hunting of animals. It was observed that hunting does not impact species richness. However, in mammals, there is negatively impact on ungulates (pellet density and encounter rate). For birds, the significant negative effect is found only on the medium sized birds. Equilibrium density (density to support hunting) was calculated by Individual hunted per year per 100 sq.km / growth rate. In my study, the deficit of species due to hunting was found most effective on Indian muntjac and Common palm civet. Over harvesting of this species through hunting will result in decline of the species population. I estimated sustainability of hunting and found out that most of the species are hunted beyond sustenance level; hence, if this is continuous, it might result · in the population and local extinction. In conclusion, in a society where bushmeat is an essential source of proteins, it is important to realize the current status of wild fauna and hence emphasis should be given to control and promote alternative.Item Computing Biomass Consumption from Prey Occurrences in Scats of Tropical Felids(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Chakrabarti, Stotra; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, QamarA robust understanding of prey use and selection by carnivores provides crucial insights into their ecology, conservation and management. In majority of the cases, scat analysis is most effective to assess diet spectrum of carnivores, but require correction for potential biases for estimating biomass contribution of different prey items. Since small prey have higher indigestible matter per unit body mas~ due to higher surface area-to-volume ratio, relative frequencies of prey remains in scats do not represent their consumed biomasses. Thus ~ to accurately estimate the proportions of different prey consumed, it is necessary to develop relationships between biomass consumed per field collectable scat and prey weight through feeding experiments. However, no such relationship exists for felids of the Indian sub-continent. The studies on diet of big cats like lion (Panthera leo), tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus) have used a similar relationship based on cougars (Puma concolor) by Ackerman et al. 1984 owing to the unavailability of any species specific relations. Methods: A series of feeding trials were used on Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), leopard and jungle cat (Felis chaus) to develop prey incidence to biomass conversion equations (hereafter mentioned as biomass models or biomass equations). Principal findings: All the models showed satiating relationships between biomass consumed per collectable scat and prey weight given by asymptotic exponential functions. However, carnivore specific models when scaled to their respective body weights did not differ significantly between each other, allowing derivation of a generalized biomass model for tropical felids. Inferences using present study models refined existing representation of diet of tropical carnivores. Significance: Results from the present study have strong implications on feeding ecology of tropical felids. Present study refined previous understanding of biomass contribution of different prey species in large felid diet by substantially increasing roportion of medium prey consumption. Such inferences question niche separation of sympatric large felids on the basis of prey species of different sizes, where large carnivores like tiger optimizing on large prey like gaur (Bos gaurus) and sambar (Rusa unicolor). while medium felids like leopard maximizing on chital (Axis axis). Domestic livestock significantly reduced in carnivore diet, reducing livestock depredation rates. indicating lower human-carnivore conflict levels.Item A Study of Resource Seletion by Black Kites (Milvus migrans) in the Urban Landscape of National Capital Region India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Kumar, Nishant; Mohan, D.; Jhala, Y.V.Black Kites are the scavenger and predator raptors of the old world. In India they are synanthropic and perform the ecological role of city scavengers. Abundance and distribution of these birds suffers change due to rapid infrastructural changes in the developing cities which likely limit or change spatial layout of the available habitat and food. Many cities in the old world (London, Cape Verde, Istanbul) have experienced decline in the population of Milvus kites owing to rapid urbanization. Indian sub-continent almost lost its main scavenger, white backed vultures, in the last century. After this loss; existence of black kites, the most abundant raptor of the old world proves very vital. On these lines I carried carry out this dissertation from December 2012 to April 2013. This study focused on a) estimating the abundance of Black Kites on the Ghazipur dump site and the abundance of nesting pairs in National Capital Region (NCR), b) evaluating factors influencing nesting habitat selection combined with a broad understanding of its foraging habits and c) estimating nest survivorship in the urban landscape. I studied these parameters at selective study sites in NCR by intensive counts of birds at Ghazipur and breeding pairs at nest sites across eight study sites. Nests were searched intensively at each site while I tried to develop and test a new method to count the kites on the Ghazipur dump. Data from 116 nests and nest sites covariates were used to model nest survivorship under Known Fate scheme in Programme MARK. For my first objective, I estimated the current abundance of nesting pairs of Black Kites at 7 study sites. It ranged from 4 pairs / km2 in Sagarpur to 67 pairs / km2 in North Campus area. Nesting kites were selective while choosing a nest site, as evident by significant partial correlation between nest density, food index and green cover. The sites at the best trade-off between green cover and food availability had the highest nest densities. While developing a new methodology, I estimated around 2400 kites on the Ghazipur dump. Through behavioural observations and broad examination of regurgitated pellets, I could confirm scavenging as well as predacious nature of Black Kites. The overall probability of a nest to produce a viable fledgling was 0.45. The nest survivorship was stage specific and varied with pre-laying, incubation or nestling stage. The lower survival probability (0.60) at pre-laying stage is likely because of surplus nest formation at sites with good foraging opportunities. Understanding the importance of kites in urban ecology, studies using individually marked birds will reveal vital details of their behavioural and physiological adaptations. If future long term studies are conclusive enough, may establish Black Kites as an umbrella species of urban ecology.