A survey on the mammal species from a peri-urban coal mining plateau of Eastern India (original) (raw)
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Status, Occurrence, Distribution of Some Mammals of North Gujarat, India
North Gujarat region of western India is least explored for its mammalian diversity especially small to medium sized mammals which are usually solitary and largely nocturnal. Present study has been carried out to know the occurrence, status and distribution of such mammalian fauna residing in the region, to assess threat to their habitat and preparing a strategy for their conservation. Surveys were intensively carried through various method-ologies such as direct encounter, sign surveys and secondary information. The study resulted by noting 28 species of mammals (excluding Chiroptera and Rodentia) in the region; out of which 14 species were studied extensively for their distribution and occurrence in the region. The study shows that 25% of the species are common in the region by their occurrence where as 48% species are uncommon to rare. Sign index of each species reflects their fair distribution in various habitats. Human activities mainly transport, mining, grazing, tree cutting and lopping are to be discouraged in the area to protect these mammals. The forest patches can be protected through making conservation corridors and expanding the boundaries of the protected areas. Moreover, large scale awareness campaigns, research and monitoring may prove very effective to conserve these rare species of mammals in the unique ecosystem of north Gujarat.
The study was conducted in Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary during 2012, a year before the major natural disaster took place in Himalays. Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary is situated in Chamoli district of Uttrakhand Himalayas covering an area of 975 sq km. A total of 28 mammalian species were reported from this sanctuary. However, scientific information on many of these mammals are scanty and there is a gap of knowledge regarding their status, distribution and ecology . Considering this, an attempt was made to study sambar, alpine musk deer, himalayan tahr, asiatic black beer and red fox found in Shokharak area of Kedarnath WLS. Direct as well indirect methods were used to assess the population and habitat use. Twenty four trailtransect of different length were laid throughout the study area and monitored three times, covering 43 km in 124.50 hours . The overall encounter rate (group/km) among different species was recorded maximum for Himalayan Tahr (0.208 group/k.m) and Tugnath was the place where its density was maximum (31.83 ± 13.59).The pattern of habitat use by different species revealed that Himalayan Tahr, alpine musk deer and Asiatic black bear prefer high altitude areas therefore they are found in Shokhark, Tungnath and Chandrasila, whereas, sambar and red fox prefer middle altitude and because of this their presence was not recorded from above mentioned areas. A further investigation is needed to understand the post disaster impact on the abundance and habitat use of mammals in Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary. Findings of present study could be a best baseline data to make future strategy for the better management, conservation and habitat improvement of the species.
Small mammals in the human-dominated landscape in the northern Western Ghats of India
2021
The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is under huge anthropogenic pressure, with unique flora and fauna facing severe threats from habitat fragmentation, loss, and degradation. The northern Western Ghats has been poorly studied for its small mammal fauna, hence we examined small mammals near Pune from 2014 to 2017. Live trapping was carried out in irrigated and rainfed agriculture fields, forests, and grasslands at low, mid, and high elevations. A total of 538 individuals were trapped, representing 17 species of rodents and one shrew. Most abundantly captured species were Millardia kondana (23%), Mus saxicola (19%), Suncus murinus (17%), and Mus booduga (13%). Species richness and abundance of small mammals varied across the habitats. High elevation grasslands were species-rich relative to low elevation grasslands and forests. Our observations indicate that human disturbances play a role in determining the richness and abundance of small mammals in the area, where population...
Proceedings of 1st International Electronic Conference on Biological Diversity, Ecology and Evolution, 2021
The abundance and community composition of small mammals play a key role as biological indicator for environment health in functioning of any ecosystem. The small mammals serve on second trophic level in food chain and have versatile nature to adopt any habitat (wild to commensal habitat). The present study is conducted in district Gilgit rural areas (Shigar, Khaplu, Kharmang). The study started was conducted from 1 February 2019 to 1july 2019. In experimental design of (6 houses, 3 shops and one farm house), 300 small mammals were trapped during 600 trap nights and 600 traps. Among the captured small mammals were, the house rat (Rattus rattus), house mouse (Mus musculus), Kashmir Field Mouse (Apodemus rusiges), one species of the Kashmir pigmy shrew, (Sorex planiceps) and one species of (Rattus turkistanica).The order of dominance was (Rattus rattus) 30%, followed by mus musculus 23%, followed by apodemus rusigus 20% Sorex planiceps 17% and least occurred species was Rattus turkistanica 10%.
Composition and species diversity of small mammals in the hilly tracts of southeastern Rajasthan
The Aravalli range diagonally bisects the state of Rajasthan and this oldest Archaean rock formation is also spread in southern and southeastern Rajasthan. The latter zone is an conglomeration of Aravallis, Vindhyans and Deccan trap and it has undergone a change in landuse pattern, from forest to irrigated crop land, during recent years. Studies were taken up in this biologically interesting hilly tract to investigate the spatial diversity of small mammals as practically no information exists on this aspect. Small mammals were trapped in 35 habitats at 11 locations during 1997-99 and 386 individuals belonging to 15 species were collected in 5210 trap days. On an overall basis, the house shrew, Suncus murinus was found to be the most abundant small mammal in all habitats at all localities. Another commensal mammal, the house rat, Rattus rattus predominated in crop fields along with the mesic species like Millardia meltada, Golunda ellioti and Bandicota bengalensis. However, the typical faunistic element of hills, the rock rat, Cremnomys cutchicus occurred in low numbers in the Vindhyan scrap and Deccan trap due to presence of cracks and crevices which are its preferred ecological niche. Six mice species preferred the Vindhyan scrap as 62 per cent of them occurred in this rock formation. Among the four rock types, Aravallis, Vindhyan scrap, Vindhyan plains and Deccan trap; the Vindhyans were the most occupied as well as species rich rock type. Among the habitats, cropfields and scrubland were most diversified (α diversity 3.17 and 2.66 respectively) and species rich habitats. The impact of transformation of forests into irrigated crop field is evident due to a significantly higher frequency of occurrence of commensal small mammals in croplands apparently due to relatively superior soil moisture regime, food resource and shelter.
Mammals of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India
sikenvis.nic.in
e assessed distribution and abundance of mammals in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (BR), Sikkim, India, from April 2008 to May 2010, using field methods and remote cameras under varying rain and snow Wc onditions, and interviews with local people. We report the occurrence of 42 mammals including 18 that have global conservation significance. Three leopards (Panthera uncia, P. pardus, Neofelis nebulosa), Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanko), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), red panda (Ailurus fulgens), Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), and two species of musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster, M. fuscus) were recorded. Species number decreased with increasing elevation, 22 were recorded in temperate habitats, 18 in subalpine, and 11 in alpine habitats of Khangchendzonga BR. The yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) and black bear were found to have the most diverse distribution extending from temperate to alpine. Red fox (Vulpus vulpus) was the most abundant carnivore (8.98 ± 2.31 photo capture/100 days) while goral (Naemorhedus goral) was the most abundant prey (9.14 ± 5.27). Camera trap detected most of the mammals in the area (35/39). Considering the benefits of camera traps and limitations of the study area, we recommend use of camera traps involving wildlife staff, along with sign surveys and interviews with local villagers for monitoring mammals in Khangchendzonga BR for effective management and conservation.
Diversity of Urban Mammals in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal
BMC Journal of Scientific Research
The study of diversity of mammals was accomplished in the urban areas of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, a prime location of Nepal and confined in 433 km2; consists tropical climate and harbor variety of wildlife since the location is connected with Narayani River, community forests and Chitwan National Park. During data collection by direct observation, hearing sound calls and land marks left, the study was conducted from January to July 2016 for six months. Altogether, 12 families with 28 species of mammals were recorded in which 53.75% (15/28) were Temporary Living (TL) and 46.42% (13/28) were Permanent Living (PL). Out of 12 families; Soricidae had the highest, 21.43% (6/28) of species; followed by Cercopithecidae, Cervidae and Vespertilionidae, 10.71% (3/28); Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Muridae, and Viverridae, 7.14% (2/28); and Mustelidae, Rhinocerotidae, and Suidae with 3.57% (1/28) each. Total Five different IUCN categories; Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened ...
Mammalian fauna in an urban influenced zone of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, India
Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2020
A camera trapping survey to estimate the species richness and relative abundance of different mammalian fauna and various anthropogenic activities was carried out for four months within an urban influenced zone of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha. The survey extended over 120 days in January–April 2019 over 10% of the total sanctuary area. With nine cameras and a total effort of 771 trap days, 2,855 independent photographs including 14 species of wild mammals and birds, human traffic, and movement of stray animals were captured. Among the mammalian fauna, Golden Jackal was the most photographed species whereas the Asian Elephant, Striped Hyaena, and Common Palm Civet were the least photographed species. Various anthropogenic activities like intensive movement of departmental vehicles, staff, feral livestock, and stray dogs and cats were also recorded and these activities need to be addressed in management activities for long term conservation of the area and its mamma...
Patterns and determinants of mammal species occurrence in India
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2009
Summary 1. Many Indian mammals face range contraction and extinction, but assessments of their population status are hindered by the lack of reliable distribution data and range maps. 2. We estimated the current geographical ranges of 20 species of large mammals by applying occupancy models to data from country‐wide expert. We modelled species in relation to ecological and social covariates (protected areas, landscape characteristics and human influences) based on a priori hypotheses about plausible determinants of mammalian distribution patterns. 3. We demonstrated that failure to incorporate detection probability in distribution survey methods underestimated habitat occupancy for all species. 4. Protected areas were important for the distribution of 16 species. However, for many species much of their current range remains unprotected. The availability of evergreen forests was important for the occurrence of 14 species, temperate forests for six species, deciduous forests for 15 sp...