M Sc Dissertation(WII)

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Spatial and Temporal Patterns in Debarking by Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica kerr) in Sariska National Park
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1989) Sharma, Diwakar; Prasad, S.N.
A study on debarking by porcupine was conducted in Sariska National Park form 6th May to 1Oth october 1989. The climate is semi-arid with mean annual rainfall 650 mm but most of it during monsoon (June-September). Rainfall is variable seasonally and spatially. 4021 trees of nineteen species were examined for debarking in six Intensive study Sites (ISS). Of these Anogeissus pendula (1932), Balanites aegyptica (174) and Capparis decidua (101) were not found debarked. Twelve species were rare «20). Remaining four species Acacia catechu, A. leucophloea , 'Butea monosperma and Zizyphus mauritiana provided the data to study spatial and temporal variations 1n debarking. Both old and new debarking evidences were recorded. In Zizyphus and mixed woodlands the intensity of debarking high. Anogeissus woodland (ISS-5) did not have any tree debarked.Debarking evidences were lower in Zizyphus scrubland, Butea woodland and degraded Zizyphus woodland. The overall difference in debarking in different sites was significant (p ( .0001). Percentage of different species debarked in each ISS varied greatly. This intensity of debarking was positively related to the overall density of trees that could be debarked in a site . A. catechu and Z. uauritiana were significantly more debarked (p ( .05) than other species in respective ISS. iii - The Less debarking was observed in lower and higher girth classes within 41-100 cm. were debarked girth classes. more than any other class. Of the 59 trees recorded debarked 58 were debarked in summer and only 1 was consumed in monsoon. Thus debarking of trees occurs mostly in Bummer when no other food is available for the porcupine. Microscopic analysis of porcupine faeces shows that 75-95% of the food in summer was bark and stem. In monsoon/post-monsoon season grass seeds and monocot formed 33% and 41% of food respectively. Average density of porcupine in Sariska valley based on direct counting was calculated to be 8+2 animals per km2. Debarking does not have 'severe effects on the life and phenology of the tree. From the total density of debarked trees (77 I ha) only 0.79% of the debarked trees were dead. Hence no special measure is required to control debarking but any occurrence of fire should be prevented. If there is fire , these trees will be most severely affected because of their exposed hardwood.
Food Resource Partitioning Among Sympatric Bovids Chinkara, Blackbuck and Nilgai in Rajasthan Desert
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1989) Kunhunu, N.V.Ashraf; Goyal, S.P.
Patterns of dietary selection, overlap and spatial distribution were investigated for three species of sympatric wild ungulates and four species of domestic ungulates (goat, sheep, camel and cattle> during four seasons (summer, pre monsoon, monsoon & post monsoon) in Rajasthan desert. The objective was to determine the mechanisms of food resource partitioning among these seven species of ungulates and the factors allowing their coexistence. Two study areas, Dhawa-Doli and Janwar-Doli were selected for the study, based on the density and distribution of the three wild ungulates. More emphasis was given to Dhawa-Doli where two of the three species (chinkara & blackbuck> were common. Food habits were studied by direct observations. Feeding activity was recorded for feeding height, plant species and part eaten. Availability was determined by percentage cover classes. Three major vegetation zones were identified at Dhawa-Doli. Six study sites were selected across the three vegetation zones. Blackbuck were primarily grazers in monsoon when crops were beginning to grow and annual plants were abundant. Chinkara and nilgai browsed throughout the study and did not show any preference for monocots in periods of resource abundance (monsoon and post monsoon). Food habits of wild ungulates differed more between zones in summer and pre monsoon, when resources were limiting and the effect of vegetation zonation on food habits was evident. In monsoon and post monsoon when resources were abundant, the effect of vegetation zonation was negligible as opportunity for selection increased. Though dietary similarity was more in terms of plant species eaten between chinkara and goats and between sheep and blackbuck, they differed greatly in proportion of utilization. Greater overlap between chinkara and blackbuck during premonsoon suggest a possible temporary interspeciflc competition. In scrublands, dietary overlap was more between species with similar feeding strateg1es (goat & chinkara - sheep & blackbuck) and was less between species with dissimilar feeding strategies. Nilgai was spatially separated in summer and pre monsoon and showed a seasonal spatial overlap w1th chinkara and blackbuck at Dhawa-Doli during crop season. While blackbuck and nilgai exhibited a spatial divergence in response to temporal and spatial availab1lity of food resources, chinkara was largely sedentary. Though utilization of different habitat subun1ts (crop fields, cultivated fields and scrublands) were largely determined by the amount of disturbance, ch1nkara showed a random utilization of these subunits. Blackbuck showed a slight avoidance for crop fields, at least at day time, even though they consumed more crops than chinkara. Mean feeding height for domestic ungulates decreased towards post monsoon as they spent more time feeding on annuals. However, the mean feeding height for wild ungulates increased in response to the growth form of plants. The difference in utilization of different foraging strata was more evident between browsers and more similar between grazers. Broadly, this study suggests that dietary differences among all species were more important than spatial differences, in food resource partitioning.
Ecological separation of four sympatric carnivores in Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1989) Mukherjee, Shomita; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The study conducted from 5th May 1989 to 9th October 1989 covering summer and monsoon looked at the ecological separation of four sympatric carnivores in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The four carnivores were - Jungle cat (Felis chaus), Fishing cat (Felis viverrina), Jackal (Canis aureus) and otter (Dutra perspicillata). Objectives of the study were to determine differences in dietary composition, habitat occupancy and time of activity as well as to tryout methods for studying sympatric lesser carnivores. Five methods were tried out to obtain these Objectives. Line transects and searches during mornings and nights were used to collect data on prey abundance, location of carnivores and their tine of activity. Scats were collected and analyzed to determine dietary composition and see how they differed among jackal, fishing cat and Jungle cat. Otter spraints were not found. The following conclusions are although some amount of overlap is evident an overall difference in habitat use, time of activity and dietary composition is seen. Jackals and Jungle cats are habitat generalists but dietary specialists. "The fishing cat and otter are habitat as well as dietary specialists . Jungle cat and fishhing cat are largely nocturnal Out the Jackal and otter are active throughout the day. Behavioural observations added to the results obtained from the other methods . 100 methods however were found unsuitable for studying lesser carnivores.

M Sc Dissertation(WII)

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