Showing 93 results for Type of Study: Original Research Article
Adarsha Mukherjee, Arjun Kumar, Supriya Mahato, Supriya Samanta,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
To understand and update the account of the butterfly diversity in Ajodhya Hills, Purulia, West Bengal, India a study was carried out in two consecutive years from January 2020 to December 2021 with photographic documentation. A total of 143 butterflies from 6 families, 19 subfamilies and 95 genera were recorded. The highest richness was found in the families Nymphalidae with 45 species and Lycaenidae with 44 species, whereas Riodinidae had the lowest richness with only 1 species recorded. This study also reports the addition of one species, Black Angle Tapena thwaitesi (Moore), to the state butterfly fauna of West Bengal, as well as the addition of one species, Common Orange Awlet Burara jaina (Moore), to the butterfly fauna of southern West Bengal. In addition, three species, Plain Banded Awl Hasora vitta (Butler), Malabar Spotted Flat Celaenorrhinus ambareesa (Moore) and Common Acacia Blue Surendra quercetorum (Moore), were recorded with the first photographic documentation from southern West Bengal representing the rediscovery of Malabar Spotted Flat after 124 years from the Chotanagpur Plateau of West Bengal. The present study updates knowledge of the butterfly diversity of Ajodhya Hills and discusses the threats and conservation of the area, which may help in threat prevention, developing effective conservation strategies and to build awareness among the local people and government authorities to save the wildlife of Ajodhya Hills and its habitats.
Dhanapal Sangavi, Padur Sankaranarayanan Anisha, Govindharaj Vinothini, Parthasarathy Thiruchenthil Nathan,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
A detailed investigation of the spider diversity in Salem district, Tamil Nadu was carried out across different habitats for a period of five years. A total of 184 spider species belonging to 97 genera in 29 families were recorded, which represented nearly 10% of Indian and 65% of Tamil Nadu spider diversity. Among them 25 spider species are endemic to India. From the 29 families, the 3 most abundant families based on number of specimens sampled were Lycosidae (21%), Araneidae (18%), and Eresidae (17%), constituting 56% of the spider species. Simpson diversity indices ranged between 0.88 to 0.30 for all the studied habitats. The species richness was highest in bamboo fields (2.78), and the lowest was observed in grasslands (0.76). The highest abundance of spider species was observed in the sugarcane fields (0.83), followed by the grasslands (0.57) and paddy fields (0.53). Further, these spiders were categorized into nine types based on their foraging guilds. Among them, the highest species richness was observed in foliage runners. A maximum of nine spider guilds were observed in the shrub ecosystem. Natural ecosystems such as shrublands, treescapes, and grasslands had higher spider diversity than altered agricultural and domestic ecosystems. This is the first report on spider diversity in Salem District, Tamil Nadu revealing the varying spider diversity along with their guild types across different habitats.
Bhaskar Saikia, Bikramjit Sinha, A. Shabnam, K. P. Dinesh,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Seventeen nominal species of the ranid frog genus Amolops, some of which are based on unverified historical records, are reported from India. Herein, we describe a new species of Amolops of the marmoratus group from a cave ecosystem. This is an uncommon habitat for this group offrogs, which is commonly found around cascades. The Siju Cave, from which four specimens of the new species were collected is a natural limestone cave located in the South Garo Hills District of Meghalaya, Northeast India. The new species is separated from other congeners based on morphological and genetic differences and is also geographically isolated from it ssister species.
Raju Vyas, Vishal Mistry, Pranav Vaghasiya, Devendra Chauhan,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Railway lines, roadways, canals, and electricity cable networks, pose serious problems to wildlife, fragmenting habitats worldwide. These infrastructures are well-recognized as linear intrusions. Today it is a threat to wildlife, including the Mugger or Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). The current study documents 15 crocodile-vehicle collisions (CVC) recorded in two years (2021 and 2022); 11 were on roads, and four were on railway tracks. Sex was determined for 11 individuals (five males, six females), and four unknown due to crushing). A total of 13 individuals were found dead at the various sites of collision, and two juvenile individuals were found injured, and one of them was treated successfully and returned to the wild. The high numbers (9) of CVCs occur in the Central Gujarat and follow 3 CVCs in Saurashtra, 2 CVC in the Kutch region, and one in north Gujarat. Mitigation measures would be required for the collision situationsin Gujarat are discussed. The literature survey shows totals of 75 CVCs were recorded within the last 18 years due to the state's road (n= 51, 68%) and railway (n= 24, 32%) networks, with the highest numbers of 56 CVCs observed in the Central Gujarat and lowest 2 CVC noted in north Gujarat, and no CVC was noted in south Gujarat. The high number of subadults and juvenile muggers victimized due to the CVC. The CVC site location in different regions of Gujarat state positively corresponds to crocodile populations. However, the Mugger crocodile (C. palustris) has been nationally protected under Indian Wildlife Act as Schedule I species, the IUCN criteria as ‘Vulnerable’, and the Appendix I of CITES, therefore conservation acts are essential. The CVC incidences were recorded widely in the entire species distribution range, from Iran, India, and Sri Lanka and can be classified as an emerging threat for mugger crocodiles.
Kalyan Mukherjee, Ayan Mondal,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
In this paper, we present a preliminary checklist of butterfly larval host plants from the Bankura and Purulia districts, which are a part of the Chotanagpur Plateau of West Bengal, India. The authors found 223 plant species from 52 plant families, which were used as larval hosts by 124 butterfly species. In terms of the use of plant families and species, we discovered a strong positive association between Nymphalidae and Hesperiidae and between Lycaenidae and Pieridae. According to our two-way ANOVA findings, there are notable variations in plant usage among butterfly families, which were elaborately discussed using hierarchical classical clustering. Most of the plant species utilized were from the Fabaceae and Poaceae families.
Sherab Jamtsho, Sonam Phuntsho, Tshering Dorji, Lhendup Tharchen,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
Pallas’s fish eagle, Haliaeetus leucoryphus (Pallas), is listed as endangered (En) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with a global population of 2,500 to 9,999 individuals. It is one of the least known species in Bhutan and assessing its foraging and nesting behavior will be one of the best conservation measures to monitor its status, ecology and conservation threats. Therefore, the nesting behavior of the eagle was observed for two months and chick feeding activities for sixteen weeks at 21 vantage points along a 75 km highway in the Punatshangchu River Valley, Bhutan. Fifty households residing 500 m from the river were interviewed using structured questionnaires to examine their perception towards the eagle. A total of 92% (n= 46) of respondents were aware of the presence of H. leucoryphus in their locality and 78% felt that it is a rare and endangered fishing eagle. However, 84% (n= 42) of respondents were not aware of nesting within their vicinity. The sexes of H. leucoryphus can be differentiated by their plumage and the fledgling was observed approximately one week after the end of the incubation period. It took 112 days for the fledging to leave the nest. The study revealed that the eagle preferred foraging between 7 and 9 AM in the morning and in the afternoon from 1 to 3 PM. The maximum foraging attempts occurred in a pool habitat 54% (n= 37) with a success rate of 78% (n= 54). The hunting and feeding of the fledgling was done by the male and prey delivery in the first two months consisted of 78.5% fish and 19.5% rodents. However, the feeding of fish declined by 35% in the next two months and its diet mainly consisted of small birds. Attacks on the fledgling were done by the crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela Latham) (48%), followed by the black eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis (Temminck) (33%).
Maryam Rezaie, Fariba Ardeshir,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch is one of the most important pests of agricultural crops worldwide, infesting a wide range of plants including some economically important crops. An investigation was carried out to study the life table parameters of five Iranian populations of T. urticae from Urima, Dashtnase, Faryman, Razkan and Tehran under laboratory conditions of 27 °C, 60% RH and 16 L: 8 D hours on Malus domestica Borkh leaves. There was a significant difference in the developmental time of T. urticae among tested populations. The total survival rate of T. urticae ranged from 76% to 81%. The adult longevities were significantly different. The adult longevities of the Faryman and Dashtnase populations were different from the Razkan population. Total fecundity of the Urima, Razkan and Tehran populations were higher than that observed for the other tested populations. The highest value of R0 was for the Urima and Dashtnase populations and the lowest was for the Faryman population. The r values of the Dashtnase (0.248 day-1) and Urima populations (0.200 day-1) were significantly higher in comparison to the Faryman population (0.124 day-1). The observed variation of the two-spotted spider mite collected from different localities showed that ecological factors such as geographical separation can influence the life table parameters of a phytophagous organism.
Fred Kraus,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
I describe a new species of blindsnake of the genus Ramphotyphlops Fitzinger, 1843, from Woodlark Island, off the southeastern tip of New Guinea. The new species is a member of the R. flaviventer (Peters, 1864) group and is characterized by a unique combination of number of longitudinal scale rows, details of the shape of the rostral scale, color pattern, and shape of the tail spine. The nearest related species (R. depressus Peters, 1880) in this group occurs 380 km to the northeast from the new species, and the remaining species of the group lie no closer than 2570 km distant. The new species seems most similar morphologically to relatives from far western New Guinea, but this could be due to homoplasy or plesiomorphy. The species seems common in the widespread mature secondary forest that occurs across the island, but non-traditional land tenure and repeated outside proposals to deforest much of the island pose a continuing series of threats to this and other endemic species on Woodlark.
Pritom Roy, Antara Das, Md. Asir Uddin, Dr. Jadab Kumar Biswas,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
We used linear morphometric measurements to assess secondary sexual dimorphism in the external traits and pelvis of the lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis (Gray). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant difference between the sexes in both external (Wilks' lambda = 0.542, F = 3.378, P < 0.05) and pelvis measurements (Wilks' lambda = 0.238, F = 10.05, P < 0.05). Males were larger than females in most of the external traits. In contrast, females were larger in most variables of the pelvis. Separation between the sexes was also demonstrated in the discriminant analysis. Although allometric slopes did not differ between the sexes, means adjusted for allometry were sexually dimorphic in five out of seven variables of the pelvis. In conclusion, our results revealed differential patterns of secondary sexual dimorphism for the external morphology and pelvis in B. bengalensis. These patterns are explained with respect to the accessible evolutionary theories on mammalian sexual dimorphism.
Talakadu Siddaraju Jayarajashekara, Pannaga Prasad Ganapathi, Honnagondanahalli Channaveerappa,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
In this paper, a structural analysis of the rarely encountered hydrozoan medusa Limnocnida indica Annandale is discussed. This diploblastic, radially symmetrical organism has a body plan typical of hydrozoan medusae. In this study more emphasis was given to observation of the supporting components of its anatomical structures. Detailed observation on the distribution of supportive components including chitin, collagen, and noncellular fibers within the tissue organization has been carried out with the application of different types of staining methods. The neuromuscular arrangement at the rim of the umbrella and basal part of the gastrovascular cavity and the distribution of the neurons in the sub epithelial region of ectoderm have been analyzed both by staining and by scanning electron microscopy studies. Supporting blocks of chitin at the base of tentacles, along with statocysts, and ring-like deposition of chitin and collagen on the tentacles are documented. Distribution of collagen around radial canals in the mesoglea was found to be unique to this species. The mesoglea seems to be a storehouse for the macromolecules chitin and collagen.
Manchiryala Ravikanth, Nagarajan Baskaran,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
Gyps species declined rapidly between the late 1990s and early 2000s in southern Asia due to the use of diclofenac and are listed as Critically Endangered species. Long-term data on breeding ecology is essential to understand the population trends of these threatened species. This study assessed the breeding phenology and reproductive performance of two critically endangered Gyps species—Long-billed Gyps indicus (Scopoli) (LBV) and White-rumped Gyps bengalensis (Gmelin) (WRV) vultures—through long-term monitoring at breeding colonies in Kaghaznagar and Sironcha Forest Divisions in the Deccan Plateau of India between 2010 and 2021. LBV began their nest construction and copulation in the second week of October, and ended in the fourth week of November, while the WRV completed the same between the first and second weeks of October. LBV started egg-laying during the first week of December and ended in the first week of January, with a peak during the third week on 14 December, and the mean incubation period was 54±1 days. The WRV completed their egg-laying early, during the second and third weeks of October, and peaked during the second week on 14 October and had a relatively longer incubation of 61±1 days. For LBV, hatching peaked during the first week of February, and the mean nestling period was 103±2 days, while for WRV hatching peaked much earlier, during the third week of December and the mean nestling period was 105±1 days. Overall nest success, breeding success, and productivity estimated based on 159 breeding pairs of LBV observed over 12 years were lower compared to that of 124 breeding pairs of WRV observed over 6-year period. The decline in breeding success of LBV since 2019 is discussed in light of cattle poisoning reported in 2018, and the reopening of the Sirpur paper industry (Kaghaznagar) in 2017 that discharges its hazardous effluent into the Peddavagu stream. Therefore, the present study suggests long-term monitoring of breeding colonies including evaluation of the drivers of population and breeding, molecular and toxicological studies, and implementation of Vulture Safe Zones to save these critically endangered Gyps vultures from local extinction.
Khean Harvey S. Acuevas, Dave P. Buenavista,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
The Center for Ecological Development and Recreation (CEDAR) is an ecotourism site comprised of natural and human-modified ecosystems in Bukidnon, Philippines. With very little existing research on the influence of human-modified ecosystems on amphibian assemblages in the Philippines, we designed this study to evaluate amphibian assemblages in CEDAR. Using a combination of transects sampling, active searching, and auditory samplings, amphibian samplings were conducted at three sites: a human-modified area, a dipterocarp forest, and the Dila River System. A total of 425 individuals of 18 species from 13 genera and 7 families were documented. The family Ceratobatrachidae was the most represented group, with four species. Out of 18 species, 14 (78%) were Philippine endemics, indicating a high rate of amphibian endemism at CEDAR. In terms of IUCN conservation status, 14 out of 18 species were classified as Least Concern and two as Near Threatened, while two have undetermined conservation status. The Shannon-Weiner and Gini-Simpsons Diversity values revealed that the Human-modified area had the highest diversity compared to the Dila River System and dipterocarp forest. Surprisingly, the human-modified area in CEDAR was found to be the habitat of many anuran species, in particular, a number of generalist species, whilst some specialist species were restricted to natural habitats like the dipterocarp forest and Dila River System. The high amphibian diversity in the human-modified area requires further field studies; hence, additional amphibian samplings are recommended. Long-term wildlife evaluation and monitoring should be carried-out in CEDAR to facilitate the conservation of amphibian populations and their natural habitats in this area.
Rajesh Lenka,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
The present study was undertaken from November 2020 to October 2021 to understand the bird species diversity, and variation in their seasonality, near the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) area of Talcher located in Angul district of Odisha state in India. The identified birds included 668 individuals of 90 species (including three near-threatened species) belonging to 18 orders, 41 families and 75 genera. As per the study, Passeriformes is found to be most dominant with 34 species (38% of total bird species). Considering the feeding guilds of birds, insectivore bird species were found in higher number (32 species) followed by carnivores (16 species), and then omnivores and frugivores (10 species each). It was found that the winter season was the most species rich (70 species, 328 individuals), and the monsoon season the least (43 species, 127 individuals). The Shannon-Wiener index (H'= 3.48) was also found to be high in winter season but the evenness index (E= 0.65) was found to be higher in monsoon season. The cluster analysis showed that the bird composition of the summer season strongly correlates with bird composition of the winter and monsoon seasons, but the bird composition of the monsoon season is not significantly correlated with bird composition of the winter season. The results from the study can act as the baseline for further research on birds in the Angul district of Odisha.
Ashish Subedi, Rajeev Joshi, Santosh Ghimire, Sewak Bhatta, Kripa Pokhrel,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
The wild water buffalo-WWB (Bubalus arnee) holds a significant ecological role within Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. Despite its importance, there has been a lack of comprehensive research addressing its distribution, habitat suitability, and interaction with domestic cattle. To address these gaps, this study was undertaken with the primary objectives of elucidating the population distribution of B. arnee within the reserve, mapping its habitat suitability, and evaluating the interplay between B. arnee and domestic cattle in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. The study area was subdivided into cells to gather data on B. arnee presence using various indicators such as sightings, dung, and footprints. Interaction between B. arnee and domestic cattle was assessed based on their spatial overlap within and outside a 500-meter radius from observation points. Employing the MaxEnt algorithm, distribution data of B. arnee and climatic variables including maximum and minimum temperatures, mean temperature, and rainfall were analyzed, while land use and cover maps were acquired from the Department of Survey for further analysis. Results revealed a concentration of B. arnee in the southwest region of the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, with a total of 405 individuals recorded, comprising 26 calves, 6 sub-adults, and 373 adults. The distribution pattern displayed a prevalence of small-sized herds (1–15 individuals) followed by medium-sized (15–29 individuals) and large-sized (29+ individuals) herds. Notably, B. arnee presence was most prominent in grassland areas (approximately 49% of observations), while forested regions accounted for the lowest presence (approximately 10% of observations). Interestingly, domestic buffalo were observed near B. arnee only in a single cell in the southwest section of the study area, while in the eastern cells of the reserve, overlaps between domestic cows and B. arnee occurred within a 500-meter radius. Our study indicated a suitability index greater than or equal to 0.5876, encompassing only about 14% of the reserve's total area. The jackknife test highlighted the influential environmental variables in the model, with annual precipitation contributing around 60.8% and the maximum temperature of the warmest month contributing about 39.20% in determining the distribution of B. arnee. The results underscored the significance of annual precipitation, with a regularized training gain of 0.50, compared to 0.32 for the maximum temperature of the warmest month. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the distribution, habitat suitability, and interaction dynamics of B. arnee within the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, offering valuable insights for informed wildlife management and conservation strategies.
Samuel Mbungu Ndamba, Albert Maba Ngaka, Serge Nzinga, Jérémie Sambu Banganga, Hong-Yu Lai, Koen van Waerebeek,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
The first inventory of cetacean diversity in coastal waters of the Congo River Estuary, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was obtained between May 2021 and April 2022, through incidental sightings (n=17) reported mainly by artisanal fishers and direct observations of bycatches at fish landing sites. Confirmed records include five odontocete species: four Delphinidae: Delphinus capensis Gray, Pseudorca crassidens (Owen), Stenella frontalis (G. Cuvier), Tursiops truncatus (Montagu); one Kogiidae: Kogia sima (Owen). There was one mysticete, Balaenopteridae: Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski). Of six small cetaceans documented landed for use as aquatic bushmeat, four (66.7%) were T. truncatus. Megaptera novaeangliae was the most frequently sighted cetacean (47.1% of reported sightings), registered between 17 May–3 September 2021, with a seasonality (austral winter) consistent with the SE Atlantic breeding stock (‘B-Stock’). All information was collected by locals, the at-sea sightings by trained fishermen in a citizen science framework. The main benefits included a welcome marine conservation educational component, and low-cost, opportunistic fishing boat use. Shortfalls comprised a deficiency in scientific detail and effort quantification, occasional data loss and lack of biological sampling. However, in a remote coastal region like the DRC’s Congo River estuary, where marine mammals have never before been studied, local citizen science methodology proved effective and, after adjustments, should be scaled-up.
Farangis Ghasemi, Mohammad Miri,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
This study aimed to document the significance of parasites in transmitting zoonotic pathogens from bats to domestic animals and humans. To achieve this, we performed an examination of ten large caves in Fars Province (Iran), which served as bat roosts. Bats were captured using a mist net, and identified based on morphological characteristics. The ectoparasites were collected using brushes, and preserved in separate vials containing 70% ethyl alcohol. Bats were released after collecting all ectoparasites from their bodies, except 3 bats. The collected ectoparasites were then prepared as slides and identified using a taxonomic key. The results revealed that out of 66 bats examined, 56 individuals were infested by a total of 113 ectoparasites. These included bat flies [Nycteribia kolenatii (22.1%), Paratrichobius sp. (10.6%) and Penicillidia sp. (11.5%)], mite [Macronyssus flavus (55.0%)], and Acari [Ixodes sp. (0.8%)]. Among the bat species, Myotis blythii and Rousettus aegyptiacus exhibited the highest levels of ectoparasite contamination. Three bats from different species were transferred to the lab, dissected, and their feces were centrifuged using the Formalin Detergent method. Several worms, including, nematodes [Seuratum sp], and Cestoda [Hymenolepis rhinopomae] were isolated from their intestines and feces. The identified specimens were properly deposited in the Iranian National Parasitology Museum (University of Tehran). Some of these findings represent new records in Iran. The results indicate a high contamination rate with bat flies showing a wide distribution and high density in the research region. Therefore, further research is recommended to expand our knowledge of bat parasites.
Naeim Moradi, Soheila Shafiei Bafti, Mohammad Ebrahim Sehhatisabet, Behzad Zadhoush, Eskandar Rastegar-Pouyani,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
The genus Lytorhynchus, spanning from the Sahara’s western fringes to the Middle East, eastern Pakistan, and northwestern India, has seen numerous species and subspecies classifications over the years. Many of these have been deemed synonymous due to overlapping morphological traits, a problem compounded by the absence of a comprehensive phylogenetic study. The taxa residing in Iran exhibit morphological variations attributable to their broad distribution and disjunct populations. Of the seven recognized species, three have been confirmed in Iran, although some populations display pholidosis distinct from initial descriptions. Species identification has also been fraught with ambiguities. This study aims to elucidate the diagnostic characteristics of taxa and furnish an updated identification key by revisiting past studies and examining new voucher specimens. The biogeography of Iranian taxa is also explored.
Shraddha Kumari Krishnanagara, Rajesh Puttaswamaiah, Chetan Nag Krishnaswamy Sudarshan,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
Much is known about bats from other parts of the globe regarding factors such as homogeneity and heterogeneity of habitats, prey abundance influencing the predator-prey relationship, etc. Sadly, minuscule literature on bat ecology is available for India. The current study investigated diet of the Kolar leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros hypophyllus, a Critically Endangered (CR) insectivorous bat in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, known only from a single cave where it shares its roosting site with congeneric species, namely Durgadas’s leaf-nosed bat H. durgadasi Khajuria and Schneider’s leaf-nosed bat H. speoris (Schneider), which are Vulnerable (VU) and Least Concerned (LC), respectively. Because Hipposideros hypophyllus is on the brink of extinction with no baseline ecological data available, the study analyzed the dietary compositions of the species. It relied on the morphological cataloguing of post-digested prey fragments in fecal pellets of the species and its congeners. Fresh fecal pellets of all three species of Hipposideros were analysed to understand morphological differences and prey composition at the only known site for H. hypophyllus, Hanumanahalli village, Kolar district, India, between November 2022 to February 2023. A total of 29,793 prey remnants were examined from all three species belonging to 11 insect orders (Blattidae, Coleoptera, Dictyoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Odonata, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera). All three species of Hipposideros fed mainly on Coleoptera, followed by Diptera and Lepidoptera, showing a strong overlap in their prey composition. Our results suggest a long-term study across seasons and prey identification to species level which can provide a more detailed picture of the prey compositions leading to the conservation of Hipposideros hypophyllus, H. durgadasi, and H. speoris.
Anisha Parajuli, Chitra Rekha Basyal, Manoj Baral, Hari Adhikari, Shailendra Kumar Yadav, Janga Bdr. Basnet, Sachin Timilsina,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) are common in locations where human settlements and wildlife ecosystems intersect. Conflict between people and wildlife is a significant conservation issue that is challenging to resolve. Therefore, this research aims to reveal the trends, status, and patterns of HWC in the Buffer Zone (BZ) of Chitwan National Park (CNP) from July 2012 to July 2021. Primary data were collected through household surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), direct observation, and secondary data from park offices, the Buffer Zone User Committee (BZUC), and institutions through reports, documents, and booklets. Our study shows crop raiding was the most common and notable problem, followed by livestock depredation, with 4416 documented cases. According to the report, elephants are the biggest conflict-causing species, accounting for 37.86% of overall losses. HWC occurrences peaked in 2018, accounting for 23.41% of total incidents from July 2012 to July 2021. During the research period, victims of HWC received compensation totaling ~0.805 million US dollars (106641196.00 Nepalese rupees). Autumn is identified as the greatest season for HWC, owing to paddy harvesting, which draws animals. Most people believe that the population density of wildlife increases in the park due to positive human participation. By adopting a participatory management approach to conservation, the park has the potential to increase the number of locals who benefit from it significantly.
Laxmi Sagar, Dhan Bdr Gurung, Karma Wangchuk, Karma L. Wangmo, Rinchen Dorji, Tshering Zangmo, Rupesh Subedi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
Bhutan's freshwater fishes is dominated by the family Cyprinidae, yet significant gaps exist in understanding their diversity and assemblage. Cyprinids were sampled from 54 plots across four river basins (Aiechhu, Jaldakachhu, Mangdechhu, and Punatsangchhu) using systematic sampling at an interval of 5 km. A total of 850 individuals belonging to 22 species and 13 genera were recorded. Aiechhu had the highest diversity and evenness (H’= 1.66±0.28, J’= 0.95±0.03) followed by Punatsangchhu (H’= 1.58±0.34, J’= 0.94±0.04). However, Jaldakachhu and Mangdechhu exhibited the lowest diversity and evenness (H’= 0.90±0.66, J’= 0.84±0.54 and H’= 0.54±0.70, J’= 0.38±0.49). There was a significant difference in diversity among river basins (χ2 (3)= 20.98, p <.001) with specific variation between Mangdechhu and Punatsangchhu (Z= 3.80, p= .00), Mangdechhu and Aiechhu (Z= 3.35, p= .01), and Jaldakachhu and Punatsangchhu (Z= 2.83, p= .03). Canonical Correspondence Analysis indicated that Cyprinid assemblage was significntly correlated with environmental variables (r= 0.94, p= .001 in axis 1 and r= 0.82, p= .001 in axis 2) explaining77% of variance. Axis 1 was positively correlated with temperature (r= 0.92), total dissolved solids (r= 0.53), conductivity (r= 0.51), and salinity (r= 0.39) and negatively correlated with elevation (r= -0.69). Axis 2 was negatively correlated with total hardness (r= -0.82) and dissolved oxygen (r= -0.65). Cluster analysis identified three clusters based on dominant species. Further studies exploring other river basins of Bhutan are needed to better understand the ecological dynamics of Cyprinids in Bhutan.
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