Theses and Dissertations
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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 Food habits of sympatric large herbivores in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Devi, Anita; Hussain, S.A.; Badola, RuchiThis study aims to a. address the welfare state of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) based on environmental factors and individual-level differences, and b. propose a methodological framework for evaluation and improvement welfare in captive environments. In this chapter, I will set up the context for this study with a brief chronology of our understanding of the origin of animal welfare and the science of zoo biology and their relevance to the Asiatic lion conservation breeding programme (CBP)Item Habitat use and interactions of mammalian carnivores in the tropical forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Bhatt, Urjit; Adhikari, B.S.; Lyngdoh, SalvadorThe study was conducted at the Manas National Park (MNP), East Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, in Assam. Previous research on MNP revealed their significance in supporting diverse wildlife, including mammalian carnivores, focusing on their distribution patterns, relative abundance indices, and population estimates. However, interactions, co-existence, and habitat use among carnivores in the park remain understudied, creating concerns for conservation efforts given the threats to biodiversity in Southeast Asia. Examining these aspects of MNP, with their varied ecological niches and body mass variations, can shed light on species interactions and habitat preferences. understanding these complex relationships and habitat use is essential for effective conservation and management strategies to ensure the long-term survival and ecological balance of carnivore communities. The thesis used camera traps to assess the richness, species composition, encounter rates, trap efforts, and threat status of mammalian carnivores in the MNP. The objectives of the study were to (a) assess diversity and species composition of mammalian carnivores, (b) determine temporal interactions among carnivores and their potential prey species, and (c) evaluate space and habitat use of mammalian carnivores in tropical forest of MNP.Item Feeding Ecology and Social Structure of Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) in Secondary Forests of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India(SACON, 2021) Shil, Joydeep; Kumara, H NI studied Golden langurs in altered habitats to understand the consequences of habitat conditions on social organization, ecology and ranging pattern. I selected 12 groups inhabiting forest edge and forest core of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjoining rubber plantation. Three groups from the different habitats were also selected for activity budgeting and ranging data collection. Instantaneous scan sampling method was used and groups were followed from dawn to dusk. Geocoordinates of the group movements were recorded at every 30 minutes interval. The overall group size of golden langur was 11.3±3.5SD, and ranged between 5 and 18. The mean group size in forest core, forest edge and rubber plantation differed significantly. Births occurred in all the months but peaked between May and September (82.6%). The mean number of births positively correlated with mean monthly rainfall. Diurnal activities varied significantly with highest time spent on resting followed by feeding, locomotion, monitoring and social for all the three groups. The core group, edge group and rubber group spent 27.33%, 26.83% and 25.27% time in feeding respectively. Food items consumed varied significantly across the seasons and across the groups with highest leaf consumption of leaf annually by core group (65.67%), edge group (59.39%) and rubber group (34.60%). Number of plant species consumed by core group, edge group and rubber group are 39, 41 and 40 respectively. Mean annual day path length among the three groups have significant difference (F2,182=11.08, p<0.001). Home range area used by core group, edge group and rubber group are respectively 29 ha, 42.25 ha and 49.5 ha, however, the spatial use of the habitats by each group varied seasonally. It therefore, appears that social organisation, activity budget, diet and ranging pattern are related to disturbance and environmental factors. The behavioural parameters may influence life-history traits if continuous habitat alteration persists.Item Assessing the Efficacy of Select Physical Barriers in Mitigating Human-Elephant Conflict in the Human-Elephant Shared Landscape of Golaghat District, Assam(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Das, Gitima; Gopi, G.V.Human-Elephant Conflict (hereafter “HEC”) is one of the most challenging issues both for elephant conservation and people’s wellbeing in the elephant landscapes. Management of which becomes extremely difficult without the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures. Physical barriers, like solar fences, elephant-proof trenches, stone, or rubble walls are installed as mitigation measures in all elephant-occupied habitats at the edge of the forest and human-use areas, globally. However, installations of the same without a proper scientific rationale and assessing and analysing their site-specific efficacy in reducing elephant incursion in the human settlement areas often fail in doing its intended objectives. It is important to note that humans are also a crucial component of conflict, hence research focusing on social aspects are essential for finding solutions. Keeping such concepts in mind, an assessment to determine the efficiency of two types of physical barriers, viz., solar fence and elephant-proof trench (EPT) was carried out in one of the prime elephant habitats of north-eastern India, in Golaghat district of Assam. Located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra and home to Kaziranga National Park (KNP) on the west and Nambor-Doigurung Wildlife Sanctuary (NDWLS) in the south, Golaghat offers an ideal site for such study. It is realized that even after the presence of barriers in various areas of the district, conflict cases in the form of crop-raiding, human mortalities and human deaths continue to be reported. Handful studies on barriers and their effectiveness were done recently on the northern bank of Brahmaputra. However, no such appraisal on efficiency of barriers has been done in this landscape, where conflict levels are high. Hence, this study attempted to fill these existing research gaps.Item A Forked Relationship : Understanding the Acoustic Communication Strategies in Sympatric Drongos(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Lahiri, Sutirtha; Qureshi, Qamar; Kolipakam, VishnupriyaThe competitive exclusion principle states that ecologically similar species cannot co-exist and will either go extinct or develop diverging traits, the concept of environment filtering regards the environment. Patterns of trait divergence vary depending on whether the species occur in sympatry or in allopatry. Sympatry is defined as the co-occurrence of more than one species in the same geographical area with overlapping ranges. If closely related species occur in sympatry, competition is likely to shape divergence in their ecological as well as in the sensory domain, example acoustic signals. Diverse animal taxa employ acoustic signals for a variety of functions including mate choice, species identification, resource defence and other ecological and social functions. The primary aim of an acoustic signal is to efficiently communicate information over relatively long distances. This information, however, is subjected to changes and distortions imposed by the physical structure of the habitat, as well as masking interference from co-occurring signals of other acoustically communicating species. Masking interference by background noise or the simultaneously vocalization of other species- especially ones closely related- incur several disadvantages to the vocalizing individual. Signals with similar features have a high potential of interference for the species vocalizing, as well as for the receiver interpreting it. These disadvantages- or costs- could be the failure to respond to appropriate signals and the unnecessary response to territorial or mating signals not meant for them. However, a number of animals communicate successfully even in noisy and crowded environments, and can locate mates with relatively high success rates. This suggests the presence of powerful strategies to deal with the transmission, detection and recognition of relevant signals. To avoid acoustic competition due to the effect of masking interference, animals partition the acoustic resource in the temporal, spatial and spectral domains. Closely related species tend to be physically and behaviourally more similar than distantly related species, and are likely to possess similar songs and singing behaviour. The relationship between phylogenetic relatedness and trait similarity is investigated by quantifying what is called the ‘phylogenetic signal’- the tendency of related species to resemble each other more than is expected by chance. As a result, acoustic interference is likely to occur more often among closely related species, and they may evolve divergent signals to compensate. Drongos (Dicruridae) are a group of highly vocal passerines known for their vocal plasticity. There is a great extent to which their vocal repertoire can range in terms of diversity and function. Apart from having a wide range of species-specific repertoire, drongos are also mimetic species known to mimic the calls of conspecifics as well as other animals present in their environment. This study, conducted in Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, focused on the four species of sympatric drongos- the Hair-crested Drongo, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and Bronzed Drongo- and how they partition their acoustic niche. The study also looks into the ecological adaptations to counteract the impact of masking interference by habitat and closely related congeners. Active acoustic recording was done to record the four species of drongos in the study area. Line transects were walked along trails to calculate the density of each drongo species. Passive acoustic recorders were used to study the vocal activity patterns in the drongos. The study found evidence of overlapping acoustic niche between the drongos. However, they were significantly different from each other in the individual acoustic parameters. The drongos also occupied separate height classes, barring the lesser racket-tailed and the greater racket-tailed drongo. However, the drongos did not separate in their vocal activity pattern, suggesting overlap in the diel pattern. The study thus gives insight into the acoustic space of a group of highly versatile bird as well as the strategies they adapt to avoid interfering each other and thus co-existItem See Through Sound : Understanding the Pattern of Habitat use by Ganetic River Dolphin in the Kaziranga Part of Brahmaputra River(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Abhishek, B.; Qureshi, Qamar; Johnson, J.A.Studying the habitat and its associated features is important because of its driving factors that limits the abundance and distribution of a species. This study mainly focuses upon the abundance, distribution, activity and habitat use pattern of Gangetic river dolphins in part of the Brahmaputra River that flows through Kaziranga National Park. The abundance of Gangetic river dolphin and its relatedness to the different habitat features of the river and fish species were studied. The 92 km length of river in the study area was divided in to 43 segments, which were further broadly classified in to different river morphology.Item Assessment of Livestock Diseases as an Indicator of Risk to Greater One Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Manas National Park Assam(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Phukon, Debabrata; Nigam, Parag; Ramesh, K.Disease ecology is a fast emerging discipline in wildlife conservation. There is particular interest for mega herbivore-livestock interface issues. Diseases also play a role in structuring the demography and viability of the wild population, and this could be addressed by quantitative knowledge on the emergence, spread, persistence and evolution of infectious diseases. Re-introduced wild populations mimic the small population which are vulnerable to stochastic events and disease impacts. The present study focuses on reintroduced population of Greater One-homed Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and their sharing of habitat with livestock in Bansbari Range of Manas National Park (MNP), Assam. It was hypothesised that the interaction of rhinos with livestock has potential to contract diseases from the livestock population, and therefore the diversity and magnitude of disease prevalence in livestock is likely to pose serious threat to the rhinos. The study quantified disease distribution pattern and commonality between livestock and rhino population and map disease gradient in MNP during the period (Jan-April, 2013). The study design involved, (a) sampling of livestock for disease prevalence in the fringe villages, (b) mapping of zone of influence (ZO I) of livestock in the park by tracking livestock movement and sampling on systematic plots, and (c) analysis of livestock husbandry practices in the context of disease prevalence. A total of 110 dung and serum samples collected from 11 villages were Subjected to parasitological examination, disease diagnosis and screening for blood parasites. 10 transects were walked from the periphery to interior of the park and 46 plots were laid to quantify dung density distribution as a surrogate for disease risk. Rhino dung sample was collected from 9 fresh dung sites inside the park for screening of parasitic load and to understand the commonality between livestock and rhinos. The threat to rhino population was measured as an index, given by disease prevalence x livestock use intensity. Of the 110 biological samples collected from 110 livestock in 11 villages, 91 % of animals showed antibodies against one or other infectious agents. Serodiagnosis report confirmed the presence of antibodies against infectious diseases viz. Blue tongue, Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Chlamydiosis, however were negative for Leptospirosis in livestock sampled. ZOI as measured from the fringe villages to forest interior ranged from 500m to 3.5kms (avg. dist. 2kms), and accounted for I9sq.kms. area. Interpolation results of dung density indicated significant variation of livestock use within ZOI, with high usage contributed by Gyatigaon followed by Katajhar and Rajabeel. Based on the dung analysis of rhinos, parasitic ova of Paramphistomum sp. and significant load of protozoan Balantidium coli was observed. The study established wide prevalence of disease in the livestock. Given that the ZOI of livestock in MNP includes home range of rhinos, the rhino population is likely to be under disease risk and conservation efforts needs to incorporate disease perspective for recovery efforts and long-term viability of rhinos in MNP.Item Social Behaviour and Duetting in Hoolock Gibbons in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2009) Sankaran, Sumithra; Rawat, G.S.; Kumar, R.S.The hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), only anthropoid primate found in India, is a pair-living, territorial species, which duets extensively. Various hypotheses regarding the function of this behaviour in monogamous primates include territory advertisement, pair-bonding, mate defense, resource defence and group cohesion. This study aimed to understand the nature of social behaviour of this species, and how duetting fits into the repertoire of social behaviour seen in this animal. Three groups of Hoolock gibbons were habituated and studied intensively over a three month period. Relationships between the different group members were explored, alongside time budgets of various activities of the adult pair, the synchrony in their behaviour and frequency and nature of all affiliative and agonistic behaviours. Relationships between territory sizes, group sizes, frequency of duetting and nature of other social interactions have been examined in detail. A considerable amount of individual difference were found between the different study animals in their interactions with other group members. These animals display complex affiliative interactions with rare displays of aggression. It was found that although the proportion of time spent in social interactions was comparable between the three groups, the proportioning of this total time among different social interactions may vary considerably. The primary difference was found to be in allogrooming interactions with the proportion of time time spent increasing with increase in group size. The study also found considerable evidence for the possible existance of male-care in this species.Item Habitat use by the Great Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the other sympatric large herbivores in Kaziranga National Park(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Banerjee, Gitanjali; Rawat, G.S.; Choudhury, B.C.A study on the habitat use by the Great One horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and three other sympatric ungulates was carried out in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Assam during December 2000 to April 2001. KNP supports more than half the world's population of the Indian Rhinoceros, a highly endangered species. Since this park also supports a high diversity and density of herbivores coexisting in a typical floodplain habitat, it was an ideal place to conduct the following study. The study aimed to determine how 4 large herbivore species rhino, wild buffalo, swamp deer and hog deer achieve spatial and temporal separation across two seasons. The study also investigated how nutritive content of the forage determines habitat selection by these species. KNP was an ideal place to study habitat use patterns by these four sympatric species due to the seasonal variation of forage quality caused by the practice of annual burning. Sampling for animal abundance within each habitat type over two seasons was done by monitoring transects. Feeding observations were obtained by scan sampling. Laboratory analysis was done to determine the nutritive content of the available forage during winter and summer. Seasonal and spatial differences observed in habitat occupancy patterns by the ungulate species within KNP seem to be a way of partitioning resources in order to minimize competition. During the winter season all ungulates selected the short grasslands for feeding. The wild buffalo and the swamp deer showed no variation in the habitat occupancy patterns showing a positive selection for the short grasslands. However, rhinos and hog deer were observed to prefer the tall, burnt and sprouting grasslands in summer for feeding during summer. When habitat occupancy patterns were correlated with the nutritive value of the forage it was found that all ungulates tracked high crude protein levels in available forage. Rhinos and hog deer formed an association that exploited areas that have high crude protein and low silica content. Wild buffaloes and swamp deer show less flexibility in habitat occupancy patterns and were observed to feed in short grasslands where there was a relatively high amount of crude protein available during both the seasons. The study revealed that crude protein played an important role in determining habitat use by hog deer, which shows a linear relationship with crude protein. Forage volume, an indicator of available food played a significant role in determining habitat use patterns for the large bodied ungulates, namely the rhino and the wild buffalo which is in keeping with their physiology and body requirements. There seems to be partitioning of space by the ungulates on the basis of body size and dietary separation. Rhino and hog deer were observed to formed one guild whereas wild buffalo and swamp deer formed another one. These two groups differed in the pattern of habitat occupancy suggesting that ecological separation in Kaziranga National Park, perhaps occurs on the basis of differential use of the habitat by ungulates that have a similar body size. There was an observed complementation of body sizes within each association. A large bodied ungulate associated with another ungulate that was much smaller in size. and therefore, had different ecological needs.