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Papers by Dr. K. SIVA SANKARAN

European Journal of Entomology, 2023

To analyse the phylogenetic relationships of members of the family Erebidae, the mitogenomes of t... more To analyse the phylogenetic relationships of members of the family Erebidae, the mitogenomes of two species namely, Hypospila bolinoides Guenée, 1852 and Lygephila dorsigera (Walker, 1865) were sequenced. H. bolinoides and L. dorsigera have circular genomes that are 15,640 bp and 15,567 bp long, respectively. Despite their different lengths, both genomes contain an identical gene order, which includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and an A+T-rich region. The nucleotide composition of the H. bolinoides mitogenome vis-à-vis the A+T rich region was 80.08%, which is higher than that of L. dorsigera (78.03%). The AT skew and GC skew were mostly negative for both species. The A+T-rich regions of H. bolinoides and L. dorsigera were 287 bp and 383 bp long, respectively, and confined to common characteristics of Noctuoidea. Concatenated sequences of 13 PCGs from 170 taxa belonging to the five families of the superfamily Noctuoidea and two butterfly mitogenomes used as outgroups were utilized for Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses. The first-ever comprehensive analysis of the mitogenomes of the genera Lygephila (Billberg, 1820) and Hypospila (Guenée, 1852) revealed that the superfamily Noctuoidea has a well supported monophyletic relationship with (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae))). In support of previous partial genome analyses, the present study provides phylogenomic evidence that L. dorsigera, hitherto classified as a member of the subfamily Erebinae, can be placed within the subfamily Toxocampinae.

Insect Environment, 2021

The present study is the review of National Moth Week (http://nationalmothweek.org/) which is a c... more The present study is the review of National Moth Week (http://nationalmothweek.org/) which is a citizen science project established in 2012 by East Brunswick Environmental Commission in New Jersey. From the time of its establishment, almost 50 USA states and 80 countries are participating in this event. Here we present some insights of National Moth Week 2021 celebrated in India.

Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2021

Laothoe witti Eitschberger, Danner & Surholt, 1998, the Afghan Poplar Hawkmoth, was first describ... more Laothoe witti Eitschberger, Danner & Surholt, 1998, the Afghan Poplar Hawkmoth, was first described from Afghanistan, after which there have only been isolated reports of the species within the Palaearctic region. Only five species have so far been reported under the genus Laothoe with no evidence of the occurrence of the genus Laothoe in India till date. Here we provide information about the record of L. witti from Kashmir that establish first evidence of the occurrence of this species in India, extending the range of the genus Laothoe into the Indian sub-continent.

EAJBSA Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 133 139, 2021

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary are presented. The S... more Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary are presented. The Sanctuary is located in the District Shopian of Kashmir Valley (33°39'28.6"N 74°41'15.2"E). The area is rich in both floral and faunal diversity with most of the area covered with lush green forests. Around the sanctuary, Agro and Horticultural plantations such as Apple, Pear, Peach and vegetable crops abides most of the land cover in the area. The present study was carried out from June to October 2020. A total number of 10 species from six families were recorded in and around the area. The most abundant species recorded are from the family Libellulidae which are active mostly in the months from June to October. A number of freshwater bodies flow through the district and receives annual precipitation of around 1800mm, which makes the area more suitable for the Odonates diversity. Here we present the first preliminary report of order Odonata collected from the sanctuary and adjoining areas of Kashmir Valley.

Books by Dr. K. SIVA SANKARAN

Ethnobiology of Mountain Communities in Asia, 2021

Ethnomedicinal knowledge is a valuable form of indigenous knowledge advantageous for the identifi... more Ethnomedicinal knowledge is a valuable form of indigenous knowledge advantageous for the identification and conservation of valuable species as well as the habitats in which they occur. These ethnobotanical studies explore the structural relationships between human society and the environment using socio-anthropological methods; these relationships can be social, economic, cultural, religious, commercial, etc. The utilization of medicinal plants for curing health ailments have been practiced mostly by the people dwelling in the mountain regions and countrysides across the globe. This practice is very old ever since ancient times, when people glanced into nature for the medications. The Kashmir Himalayas harbours an immense diversity of medicinal herbs. Most of the land cover in Kashmir Valley is under the forest and rural areas and the practices of medicinal plant utilization are common among the rural and tribal communities. The floristic diversity of Kashmir Himalayas has been diminished to a more prominent degree because of ecological depravity and human exploitation. The aggravation by the human ill-treatment is the central point liable for the vegetation to be fragmented into little spots. This chapter aims to furnish the traditional use of medicinal and edible plants and healthcare practices in Kashmir that has not been much discussed in the recent past and to initiate measures for the conservation of medicinal and edible plant diversity as well as the traditional knowledge.

European Journal of Entomology, 2023

To analyse the phylogenetic relationships of members of the family Erebidae, the mitogenomes of t... more To analyse the phylogenetic relationships of members of the family Erebidae, the mitogenomes of two species namely, Hypospila bolinoides Guenée, 1852 and Lygephila dorsigera (Walker, 1865) were sequenced. H. bolinoides and L. dorsigera have circular genomes that are 15,640 bp and 15,567 bp long, respectively. Despite their different lengths, both genomes contain an identical gene order, which includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and an A+T-rich region. The nucleotide composition of the H. bolinoides mitogenome vis-à-vis the A+T rich region was 80.08%, which is higher than that of L. dorsigera (78.03%). The AT skew and GC skew were mostly negative for both species. The A+T-rich regions of H. bolinoides and L. dorsigera were 287 bp and 383 bp long, respectively, and confined to common characteristics of Noctuoidea. Concatenated sequences of 13 PCGs from 170 taxa belonging to the five families of the superfamily Noctuoidea and two butterfly mitogenomes used as outgroups were utilized for Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses. The first-ever comprehensive analysis of the mitogenomes of the genera Lygephila (Billberg, 1820) and Hypospila (Guenée, 1852) revealed that the superfamily Noctuoidea has a well supported monophyletic relationship with (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae))). In support of previous partial genome analyses, the present study provides phylogenomic evidence that L. dorsigera, hitherto classified as a member of the subfamily Erebinae, can be placed within the subfamily Toxocampinae.

Insect Environment, 2021

The present study is the review of National Moth Week (http://nationalmothweek.org/) which is a c... more The present study is the review of National Moth Week (http://nationalmothweek.org/) which is a citizen science project established in 2012 by East Brunswick Environmental Commission in New Jersey. From the time of its establishment, almost 50 USA states and 80 countries are participating in this event. Here we present some insights of National Moth Week 2021 celebrated in India.

Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2021

Laothoe witti Eitschberger, Danner & Surholt, 1998, the Afghan Poplar Hawkmoth, was first describ... more Laothoe witti Eitschberger, Danner & Surholt, 1998, the Afghan Poplar Hawkmoth, was first described from Afghanistan, after which there have only been isolated reports of the species within the Palaearctic region. Only five species have so far been reported under the genus Laothoe with no evidence of the occurrence of the genus Laothoe in India till date. Here we provide information about the record of L. witti from Kashmir that establish first evidence of the occurrence of this species in India, extending the range of the genus Laothoe into the Indian sub-continent.

EAJBSA Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 133 139, 2021

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary are presented. The S... more Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary are presented. The Sanctuary is located in the District Shopian of Kashmir Valley (33°39'28.6"N 74°41'15.2"E). The area is rich in both floral and faunal diversity with most of the area covered with lush green forests. Around the sanctuary, Agro and Horticultural plantations such as Apple, Pear, Peach and vegetable crops abides most of the land cover in the area. The present study was carried out from June to October 2020. A total number of 10 species from six families were recorded in and around the area. The most abundant species recorded are from the family Libellulidae which are active mostly in the months from June to October. A number of freshwater bodies flow through the district and receives annual precipitation of around 1800mm, which makes the area more suitable for the Odonates diversity. Here we present the first preliminary report of order Odonata collected from the sanctuary and adjoining areas of Kashmir Valley.

Ethnobiology of Mountain Communities in Asia, 2021

Ethnomedicinal knowledge is a valuable form of indigenous knowledge advantageous for the identifi... more Ethnomedicinal knowledge is a valuable form of indigenous knowledge advantageous for the identification and conservation of valuable species as well as the habitats in which they occur. These ethnobotanical studies explore the structural relationships between human society and the environment using socio-anthropological methods; these relationships can be social, economic, cultural, religious, commercial, etc. The utilization of medicinal plants for curing health ailments have been practiced mostly by the people dwelling in the mountain regions and countrysides across the globe. This practice is very old ever since ancient times, when people glanced into nature for the medications. The Kashmir Himalayas harbours an immense diversity of medicinal herbs. Most of the land cover in Kashmir Valley is under the forest and rural areas and the practices of medicinal plant utilization are common among the rural and tribal communities. The floristic diversity of Kashmir Himalayas has been diminished to a more prominent degree because of ecological depravity and human exploitation. The aggravation by the human ill-treatment is the central point liable for the vegetation to be fragmented into little spots. This chapter aims to furnish the traditional use of medicinal and edible plants and healthcare practices in Kashmir that has not been much discussed in the recent past and to initiate measures for the conservation of medicinal and edible plant diversity as well as the traditional knowledge.