Theses and Dissertations

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Author: search.filters.author.Qureshi, QamarSubject: search.filters.subject.Prey species

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Evaluating methods to monitor tiger abundance and its prey in Indian Sunderbans
    (wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Roy, Manjari; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar
    This study conducted to test and evaluate different methods for estimating tiger and its prey population in Sundarban that can be adopted as part of a monitoring programme. For this study techniques were applied for the standard spatially explicit capture-recapture, tailored according to the local conditions to estimate tiger density in Sundarban for three years. Tiger densities were estimated at 4.08 (SE 1.51) in 2010, 5.81 (SE 1.24) in 2012 and 3.15 (SE 0.88) tigers/100 km2 in 2014. The tiger abundance for my camera trapped study area generated through conventional mark-recapture was 11 (SE 2), 24 (SE 3) and 16 (SE 3) tigers for 2010, 2012, 2014 respectively. Ungulates occupy a primary position in the diet of tigers and a monitoring protocol for tiger should inherently include a component of prey base estimation. Boat transect based distance sampling to generate density estimates for four years.
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    Ecology of leopard (Panthera pardus) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Mondal, Krishnendu; Shankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar
    The present study estimated the prey availability and prey consumption, population and survival rate and the home ranges and resource selection of leopard in Sariska Tiger Reserve. The Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) (N27o05’ to N27o45’ and E76o15’ to E76o35’) is situated in the Aravalli Hill Range and lies in the semi-arid part of Rajasthan for four consecutive years from 2007 to with these objectives: 1. To estimate the prey availability of leopard 2. To study the food habits and prey selection of leopard 3. To estimate the population of leopard and 4. To study the home range and habitat use of leopard. In the present study, food habits and prey selection of leopard were examined during the study period following scat analysis method and kill records. Radio-telemetry technique was followed to estimate the home range and habitat use of leopard as this technique is found to be the most updated and useful practice to gather information on home range, daily and seasonal movement pattern of big cats. The result of this study presented the abundance of prey species of leopard and their consumption by leopard in Sariska TR. The study also estimated the population and survival rate of leopard in Sariska TR. Home range and habitat use of leopard was estimated in the present study and a habitat suitability model for leopard was generated in and around Sariska TR.
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    Factors affecting habitat occupancy of tiger in the Terai Arc landscape, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2009) Rajapandian, K.; Goyal, S.P.; Qureshi, Qamar
    The goal of this study, therefore, was to identify the factors affecting the distribution of tiger and assess the distribution of suitable habitat patches and the connectivity between these patches for successful dispersal in the Indian part of TAL. In the present study developed GIS probability models for tiger and its prey species and a spatially explicit individual-based dispersal model (SEIBM) for tiger in order to identify and assess the factors which are affecting the occupancy of tiger and subsequently predict potential suitable habitats and estimate the connectivity between the fragmented subpopulations in the Indian as well as between Indian and Nepal part of TAL. Data were collected on presence/absence of four wild ungulates (sambar Cervus unicolor, chital Axis axis, nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, and wild pig Sus scrofa), which are important prey species of tiger in two phases during the period between 2002 and 2006. The results of this study, in addition to contributing to the knowledge on factors affecting suitable habitat distribution and dispersal of tiger, have many implications for conservation of tiger in the Indian part of TAL. This study has also identified critical areas needed for management initiatives for functional unit of tiger conservation in the TAL.
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    Assessment of landscape patterns for modeling habitat suitability for lions and prey species in Gir Protected Area, Gujarat.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Basu, Parabita; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.
    Conservation of ‘source’ alone may not be a sufficient strategy to ensure long term persistence of lions; rather it is enhanced by maintaining connectivity among different populations so as to permit lion movement across human-dominated areas. However, the traditional land-use patterns within Gir landscape is changing at an alarming rate mainly as a result of agricultural expansion, urbanization and industrialization. In this scenario, I attempt to (1) Examine the distribution of suitable lion habitat in Saurashtra, especially in areas outside of protected area to assess the potential of the landscape for supporting an increasing lion population, (2) Identify functional corridors joining Gir and Girnar protected area with suggested management interventions, necessary for safeguarding the corridor, (3) Evaluate the current landscape architecture of Gir PA and its surroundings (4) Assess the rate of change in land use and vegetation patterns within Gir PA, (5) Develop habitat suitability models at different spatial scales for lions and its principal prey species.
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    Computing Biomass Consumption from Prey Occurrences in Scats of Tropical Felids
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Chakrabarti, Stotra; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar
    A 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.
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    Food habits of tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in Sariska tiger reserve, Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2003) Avinandan, D.; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar
    The present study aims at understanding relationship between tiger and its prey in a semi arid tract. The study was conducted in Sariska tiger reserve, Rajasthan over a period of six months from November 2002 to April 2003. Density estimation of major wild and domestic prey species was done to assess availability to tigers in terms of density and biomass. The line transect method was used to estimation prey density
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    Habitat Occupancy by tiger Prey Species Across Anthropogenic Disturbance Regimes in Panna National Park, M.P.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1999) Mathai, Manu Verghese; Chundawat, R.S; Qureshi, Qamar
    Effect of anthropogenic disturbance on habitat occupancy by tiger prey species was studied in Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh. The study was conducted between November 1998 and April 1999. Line transect method and Pellet count technique were used to estimate abundance for all ungulates. Abundance estimates were used as a measure for intensity of habitat use by all species. The density estimates from line transects are associated with high coefficient of variation, which is largely a function of the small sample size resulting form extremely low densities. Ordination of habitat parameters grouped the transects based on habitat quality and structure, disturbance and topography. Anthropogenic disturbance was found to be an important factor, influencing habitat quality and differential use of habitats by animals. Sambar associated strongly with low disturbance hill habitats and poorly with relocated village sites and disturbed plateau transects. Indications from line transects and pellet count method concur in the case of sambar. Chital were very localised in their distribution being strongly restricted to secondary successional stages and ecotones between relocated village sites and woodland. Nilgai was a generalist in terms of habitat occupancy. In case of nilgai the two methods complement each other with the information they provide. The information from pellet-group counts was found to reflecting patterns that are not detected by direct sampling methods like line transects. Chinkara was strongly associated with the disturbed areas, largely because of its openness, but also found in the undisturbed areas. Wild pig, like nilgai, was a generalist, but showed preference for fringe areas of forest adjoining agricultural fields. Langur showed a marked preference for hill habitats and did not differentiate between disturbed and undisturbed hill habitats. Langur also showed the strongest association with water. The distribution of preferred prey, sambar and chital is localized. Nilgai, which is distributed throughout the study area, is found in habitats not favorable for tigers. Such a distribution would probably only support dispersing and transient animals. Therefore habitat management should be aimed at maintaining and expanding habitats suitable for cervids. Disturbance in the form of livestock grazing and woodcutting are largely responsible for maintaining poor habitat quality. The cause for these disturbances cannot be disconnected from the socio-economic and cultural reality of the people, both near and far, and therefore the conservation of the tiger has to address these aspects rather than restricting only to the biology of the animal.