Search published articles


Showing 7 results for Vyas
Preliminary report on Herpetofauna of Mount Girnar, Gujarat, India
Harshil Patel, Raju Vyas, Bhautik Dudhatra, Vaibhav Naik, Ashish Chavda, Devendra Chauhan, Amit Vaghashiya, Ramesh Vagadiya, Pranav Vaghashiya,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (12-2019)
Abstract
The Saurashtra Peninsula, the largest geographical region of Gujarat state, is a prominent place for herpetofauna in the state and recent herpetological explorations have uncovered three new reptilian species from this region. However, fine scale information on the distribution status of amphibians and reptiles, and baseline information about the regional herpetological diversity of many areas of Saurashtra is still lacking. In an attempt to fill the gaps in information, we surveyed the Girnar hill complex of Gujarat state for its herpetofaunal diversity from September, 2016 to August, 2018. In all, 56 species, comprising 10 species of amphibians belonging to 7 genera and 3 families and 46 species of reptiles, belonging to 31 genera and 15 families were recorded; of which, 2 unidentified frog and 2 unidentified lizard species need further taxonomic attention.

Corrections on recent herpetofaunal species records from Gujarat State, western India
Harshil Patel, Raju Vyas,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (9-2020)
Abstract
We re-address the findings of recent publications on herpetofaunal diversity of certain urban areas of Gujarat, India, in which, authors have claimed to report nine frogs and two lizard species for the first time from the State, without any morphological data and/or voucher specimens. We present our critique and comments, with the known distributional ranges of these species and on these erroneous records. We also advocate removal of such species from the faunal list of Gujarat until confirmed reports, based on correctly identified vouchers, are presented. We recommend here that identification of a species should be done following standard protocols and by facilitating the deposition of voucher specimen/s in responsible public repositories for studies involving taxonomy, morphology and range extension.

Breeding data on Blanford’s Rock Agama Psammophilus blanfordanus (Stoliczka, 1871) from Gujarat State, India
Raju Vyas,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract
Blanford’s Rock Agama, Psammophilus blanfordanus is an Indian endemic species of lizard in family Agamidae. A pair of the species was kept in captivity for six months for a breeding biology study. The female laid six eggs (average size 12.61 x 8.13 mm) in the month of August and hatchlings emerged after 34 days of incubation. Ambient temperature ranged between 27.5 to 31.5 °C. Average hatchling size was 24.15 mm snout to vent length and 33.63 mm tail length. All of the six eggs hatched.

Notes on the distribution and morphology of Coelognathus helena (Daudin, 1803) (Squamata: Colubridae) from Gujarat State, India
Harshil Patel, Rajdeep Jhala, Raju Vyas,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (9-2021)
Abstract
We provide an account on the distribution, morphology and biology of the Indian trinket snake, Coelognathus helena (Daudin, 1803) from Gujarat, India, and report the first record of the subspecies, Coelognathus helena nigriangularis Mohapatra, Schulz, Helfenberger, Hofmann, Dutta from the Gujarat state based on reptile surveys throughout the state. We show that our understanding regarding the morphology of this species is not fully known as our series of specimens shows a high range of 204–245 ventral scales in C. h. helena and 219–279 ventral scales, 78–98 subcaudal scales in C. h. monticollaris.

Mysterious deaths of aquatic reptiles, with special emphasis on the Indian Flap-shelled turtle Lissemys punctata (Bonnaterre, 1789) from Gujarat State, India
Anirudh Vasava, Raju Vyas, Vishal Mistry, Pradhyuman Sindha,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (12-2021)
Abstract
The freshwater ecosystems in Gujarat State, in the western part of India, are important habitats for various freshwater turtles. Due to the lack of information on survival and the morality of the freshwater turtles, we present new information on threats to the the Indian Flap-shelled turtle Lissemys punctata (Bonnaterre) and species mass mortalities observed in some water bodies of the Gujarat State. Approximately 1071 specimens of L. punctata and three specimens of the Ganges Soft-shelled turtle Nilssonia gangetica (Cuvier), along with large numbers of many other species of reptiles and fishes were recorded dead within a span of five years from January 2016 to December 2020. In some of the cases, the circumstantial evidence suggests that entanglement and trapping in fish nets could have been the reason, but large number of the deaths remained mysterious. This mysterious sudden death of aquatic reptiles in various water bodies of the state is of serious concern. We also discuss the possible explanation for these mysterious deaths.

Review on Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) mortality by vehicle collisions in Gujarat State, India
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.

Horn anomalies in the blackbuck antelope Antilope cervicapra (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Bovidae)
Raju Vyas, Kartik Upadhyay,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
The blackbuck Antilope cervicapra (Linnaeus) is a grassland antelope widely distributed in Pakistan, Nepal, and India. Here we present a review of the known horn anomaly in the species followed by two new examples: a male with an abnormal right 'curled' horn and a female with a horn at the Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar, Bhavnagar District, Gujarat State, India. We also provide a photographic record of a female with horns in captivity.
 

Page 1 from 1     

  | Journal of Animal Diversity

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb