PG Thesis

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Wildlife Science

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    Modelling habitat suitability and climate change impacts on Malabar Pied- Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) of WG, India
    (Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2024-03-07) Gowri, C B; Nameer, P O
    Climate change has become a pressing issue in the WG region, which is renowned as one of the most prominent biodiversity hotspots in the world. Due to significant changes in climatic conditions, there is a growing consensus that species are undergoing more rapid shifts and declines in their habitats than they did in the past (Dobrowski et al., 2013). The Malabar Pied-Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) is a notable bird species found in the Western Ghats region of India. The present study aims to determine the patterns of species distributions shown by this particular species in the changing climate scenarios. Monthly Climate model data downscaled from CMIP6 for the future and present were downloaded from WorldClim (Hijmans et al., 2005). The projections were developed under different Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs) like SSP 1-2.6, SSP 3-7.0 and SSP 5-8.5 (IPCC AR6, 2022) for the period of 2021-2040, 2041-2060, 2061-2080 and 2081-2100 at a resolution of 30 arc seconds. The Habitat Suitability Modelling (HSM) for this species was done using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm. The MaxEnt model settings were obtained with the help of ENM evaluate tool in R and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to find the best performing model. Multicollinearity test was done to eliminate highly correlated variables and the model was built based on those variables. BIO 14 (Precipitation of the driest month) and BIO 9 (Mean temperature of highest quarter) was found out to be the most important variable for the model building of MPH. An area of 71,816.09 Km2 was predicted as suitable area for the species which is 8.78% of the background area. Only 8.34% of the suitable area fall under the protected area network. Under the future climate change scenarios, the species is predicted to have a net loss of the suitable habitat. Under SSP 1-2.6 climate change scenario, there is an expected loss of 45.88% of the total suitable habitat for the species. But under SSP 3-7.0 climate change scenario, the expected loss is 61.35% of the total suitable habitat. Meanwhile there is expected to be a net loss of 63.99% of the total suitable habitat for the species under the climate change scenario of SSP 5-8.5. To ensure the long term conservation strategy in favor of the selected species, realignment of the protected area network in the WG is recommended. Reduction of greenhouse gas emission and restoration of the degraded habitats are recommended as solutions for the adverse impact of climate change.
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    Systematics, biogeography and echolocation of selected Vespertilionids (Chiroptera: vespertilionidae) in Western Ghats, India
    (Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2024-12-19) Mahalakshmi, C.; Sreehari, R
    Resolving bat taxonomy is crucial to understand their remarkable diversity, evolutionary relationships, ecosystem services, managing zoonotic diseases and develop effective conservation strategies. The Western Ghats (WG) biodiversity hotspot, home to nearly 60 bat species, is considered as one of the India’s significant bat hotspots. However, this region harbors considerable cryptic species, particularly within the family Vespertilionidae (vesper bats or evening bats or vespertilionids). The present study was undertaken with the objective of elucidating the taxonomic ambiguity of selected vespertilionids in the WG by using an integrative taxonomic approach, ie, a combination of morphometric, genetic and acoustic data. For the proposed study, bats were sampled from three distinct forested landscapes of southern WG including the Idukki, Thrissur, and Wayanad districts of Kerala. Two individuals belong to the genus Tylonycteris (Bamboo bats) and one individual of Murina (Tube-nosed bat) were collected either using harp traps or mist nets. Eighteen morphological measurements, 16 cranio-dental measurements and nine acoustic parameters were measured and examined for the present study. Statistical analysis identified key distinguishing characters among the sister species of Tylonycteris and Murina. Additionally, DNA was extracted from the voucher specimens using QIAGEN DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit. The PCR amplification was performed for the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1). Phylogenetic reconstruction of the DNA sequences and calculation of the genetic divergence were conducted using the IQTREE ver. 7.490 and MEGA 7, respectively. The findings of the morphological and cranio- dental analysis revealed that the Tylonycteris genus is primarily distinguished based on prominent skull characteristics including greatest length of skull (GTL), condylo-canine length (CCL), length of upper canine to third upper molar (C-M3), and upper canine width (C1-C1). While the genus Murina have subtle morphological differences among species with forearm length (FA) as a key differentiating character. However, a detailed knowledge on the acoustic variations were lacking in order to understand the 88 overall acoustic diversity of both the genera. Phylogenetic analysis corroborated these findings, identifying significant genetic divergences between the species. The phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed that the Tylonycteris sp and Murina sp. from the WG has an affinity with the Southeast Asian (SEA) counterparts, suggesting a shared biogeographical origin. The observed genetic divergences for Tylonycteris sp. ranged from 6.6 % to 7.6% with T. fulvida and T. pachypus from SEA, while the Murina sp. exhibited a genetic distance of 3.7%, 5.5%, and 5.6% with M. walstoni sequences from South Asia (Nepal), and SEA (Vietnam and Laos), suggesting two potential new species. The present study highlights the importance of using an integrative taxonomic approach in successful species delimitation of bats. Further, this integrative approach represents a crucial step towards resolving the taxonomy of bats.
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    Status, distribution and habitat preferences of small carnivores in silent valley national park, Kerala
    (Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2016) Devika Sanghamithra; Nameer, P O
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    Status, distribution and habitat preferences of small carnivores in Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Kerala
    (Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2017) Sreekumar, E R; Nameer, P O
    Status, distribution and habitat preference of small carnivores in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Wayanad WLS) was studied using camera traps during November 2016 to February 2017. The present work recorded 25 species of mammals during the study period that included 1932 camera trap days using 111camera trap stations. Out of that nine species were small carnivores belonging to four families (Mustelidae, Viverridae, Herpestidae and Felidae). This included Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus, Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni, Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica, Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardisii, Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii, Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis, Jungle Cat Felis chaus and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis. The most common and abundant small carnivore in Wayanad WLS was Viverricula indica, followed by Herpestes vitticollis and Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. Among these Aonyx cinereus and Prionailurus bengalensis are rare species. The time activity pattern of small carnivores revealed that, all the viverrids were having exclusively nocturnal activity pattern while the Herpestes smithii and Herpestes vitticollis were showing diurnal activity pattern. An attempt was also made during the study to predict the occurrence of the small carnivores using 20 selected microhabitat variables by binary logistic regression analysis. The goodness of fit of the model well explained that the binary logistic regression is not suitable for predicting the occurrence of small carnivores using microhabitat variables studied. The present study also observed that selected microhabitat variables like canopy closure and tree density were negatively influencing the occurrence of Viverricula indica. However, the tree density was the only significant variable influencing the occurrence of Herpestes vitticollis. An attempt was also made to compare the small carnivore diversity in the natural habitat and the Senna spectabilis dominated landscape in Wayanad WLS. However, no significant difference in the small carnivore diversity was observed between these two habitats. Wayanad WLS supports one endemic species of small carnivore, the Paradoxurus jerdoni and one threatened species, the Aonyx cinereus. Therefore, the present study highlights the significance of the Wayanad WLS as a prime habitat for the conservation of the small carnivores.
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    Species diversity and community structure of reptiles of selected agroecosystems in Thrissur, Kerala
    (Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2017) Abhirami Jayakumar, M; Nameer, P O
    Species diversity and community structure of reptiles of selected agroecosystems in Thrissur, Kerala was studied during January 2017 to May 2017. The agroecosystems chosen for the study were Coconut Plantation, Cashew Plantation, Rubber Plantation, Botanical Garden, Home garden and Wetland. Time-constrained visual encounter survey was the method used for the study, and a total effort of 360 man hours were spent in the field. The highest number of individuals were recorded from the Botanical Garden with 159 individuals of reptiles. While, the species richness was highest in the Coconut Plantation and Cashew Plantation with 11 species each. 18 species of reptiles belonging to six families were observed during the study. This include six species of geckos, four species of skinks, one agamid species and seven species of snakes. Bronze Grass Skink Eutropis macularia, was the most abundant species. More reptiles were recorded during night hours than morning hours. Correspondence analysis was deployed to compare the reptilian diversity between the habitats. Home garden and Wetland were found distinct in reptilian species composition from the rest of the agroecosystems. The effect of habitat variables on the presence of reptile species was analysed using canonical correspondence analysis. Litter cover, litter depth, canopy height, canopy cover, shrub cover and herb cover were found to influence the presence of the species Russell’s Kukri Snake Oligodon taeniolatus. Relative humidity was found to influence the presence of the reptiles such as Oriental Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor, Beddome’s Cat Snake Boiga beddomei, Termite Hill Gecko Hemidactylus triedrus, Spotted House Gecko Hemidactylus brookii, Common Wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus, Trinket Snake Coelognathus helena and Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator. Maximum temperature was found to influence the presence of reptiles such as Common Krait Bungarus caeruleus, Dussumier’s Litter Skink Sphenomorphus dussumieri and Bark Gecko Hemidactylus leschenaultii. Two species of reptiles that are endemic to Western Ghats such as Beddome’s Cat Skink Ristella beddomii and Dussumier’s Litter Skink Sphenomorphus dussumieri were recorded. Of these, the report of the Ristella beddomii from the KAU campus is of interest, as it has been reported from a lower altitude (50m) than the already known lowest altitude range (400m) for this species. This documentation is important as it highlights the significance of agroecosytems in conserving the reptilian fauna of the region, including some of the Western Ghats endemic species.
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    Phylogeny and systematics of the genus Cynopterus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Kerala
    (Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2015) Devika, V S; Nameer, P O
    The taxonomic status of the genus Cynopterus is subject of debate in the scientific world due to the cryptic nature, overlapping morphological characters and addition of six new genetically distinct lineages in the Cynopterus in the last decade. The present study was carried out with the objective of resolving the taxonomic ambiguity of the genus Cynopterus in Kerala and to infer the phylogenetic affinity of the genus Cynopterus within order Chiroptera. This is the first study which address the taxonomic status of the genus Cynopterus in Kerala and second one in India. The bats were studied from eight different locations in three biogeographical regions of Kerala during April 2014 to December 2014. A total of 67 bats were captured from these locations. On each of these bats the 24 morphometric, dental and cranial variables were measured. Apart from that a molecular analysis was also carried out on 31 samples. Phenol-chloroform extraction or the GeniPureTM Mammalian Genomic DNA Purification Kit (GeNeiTM) was employed for DNA extraction and PCR amplification was done for complete cytochrome b gene. The sequences were compared with those registered in NCBI databank. The phylogeny reconstruction and the calculation of genetic distances were done using the IQ-TREE and MEGA 5.2. The study reiterates the importance of integrative taxonomy using morphological and molecular techniques. Fifty one samples of C. sphinx and 13 samples of C. brachyotis were used for the multivariate morphometric analysis. This proved that the forearm length has been the only distinctive morphological character to distinguish between the C. sphinx and C. brachyotis. However, the other morphometric parameters were found to be overlapping. Twenty four sequences of C. sphinx and 7 sequences of C. brachyotis were used for molecular analysis. The phylogenetic tree constructed and the pairwise genetic distance has proved that the C. sphinx from Kerala constitutes the ‘true’ C. sphinx, since they are genetically more identical to C. sphinx from its type locality and all C. sphinx studied forms a single species The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the C. brachyotis from Kerala may be a different species, since it differ genetically from those species from Borneo, the type locality of C. brachyotis. The presence of genetically distinct lineages within C. brachyotis indicates that the species C. brachyotis has diversified independently at multiple instances in different locations during the past. The clustering of C. brachyotis from Kerala with C. sphinx confirms that they are sister taxa. Extensive sampling from throughout the geographical range of the genus Cynopterus should be done to confirm their systematic position and revise their taxonomic status.
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    DNA barcoding of the insectivorous bats of Parambikulam tiger reserve western ghats, Kerala
    (Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2013) Parvathy Venugopal; Nameer, P O
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    Ecology and feeding behaviour of sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) in Parambikulam tiger reserve Kerala
    (Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2013) Sajeer, K V; Nameer, P O