Lorestan University Press Journal of Animal Diversity 2676-685X 6 4 2024 12 01 Ecology and behavior of Pteropus medius Temminck, 1825 in the Indian Subcontinent: a review with insights for future directions 1 13 726780 10.22034/JAD.2024.6.4.1 EN Shraddha Kumari Krishnanagara JAIN (Deemed-to-be UNIVERSITY), #319, 17th Cross, 25th Main, J P Nagar 6th Phase, Bengaluru Karnataka, India- 560078 0000-0001-9979-5007 Varalakshmi Kilingar Nadumane JAIN (Deemed-to-be UNIVERSITY), #319, 17th Cross, 25th Main, J P Nagar 6th Phase, Bengaluru Karnataka, India- 560078 0000-0001-8021-4575 Journal Article 2024 10 16 <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 105%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Temminck, found across the Indian Subcontinent encompassing India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, and Bangladesh, is a frugivorous bat species classified as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While research on <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 105%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">P. medius<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 105%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> has spanned centuries, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of its ecology and behavior. A thorough examination of literature from 1997 to 2023 was conducted, utilizing various online scientific platforms such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Semantic Scholar, and PubMed. The findings reveal that <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 105%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">P. medius<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 105%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> predominantly roosts in trees of Fabaceae and Moraceae families. Due to their significant involvement in pollination and seed dispersal through their frugivorous activity, P. medius play a major role in the ecosystem and in conserving plant biodiversity. Their diet includes fruits mainly from family Moraceae, leaves from Fabaceae, flowers from Myrtaceae and nectar from Moraceae. The species exhibits both inter and intra-specific interactions with bats, bees, birds, and monkeys. Unfortunately, their population faces a decline attributed to various anthropogenic threats. To mitigate this decline, a deeper understanding of their fundamental ecology is imperative, and future studies should incorporate updated methodologies and tools.

https://jad.lu.ac.ir/article_726780_2aaa8c71e9e1fb7837e1ea0f3f38a077.pdf

Lorestan University Press Journal of Animal Diversity 2676-685X 6 4 2024 12 01 A natural disaster in Sikkim caused a significant decline in avifaunal abundance in two important wetlands of North Bengal, India 14 24 726421 10.22034/JAD.2024.6.4.2 EN Priyanka Saha Department of Zoology, Darjeeling Government College, Darjeeling- 734101, West Bengal, India 0009-0000-4599-959X Prantik Hazra Department of Zoology, Darjeeling Government College, Darjeeling- 734101, West Bengal, India 0000-0002-3125-2695 Journal Article 2024 03 18 A study on water bird assemblage was conducted between 2021 and 2024, in the month of January, in two important artificial wetlands, Gajoldoba and Fulbari reservoirs, situated in the Eastern Himalayan foothills of West Bengal, India. Following the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood of South Lhonak Lake on October 3, 2023, in North Sikkim (caused by a cloud burst above the lake), a sharp fall in waterbird population in those wetlands has been noticed. Both the reservoirs, which are connected to the Teesta Mahananda Link Canal, suffered almost the same devastating consequences from the flood that resulted in a massive buildup of silt and sand on the river banks, lowering the water depth and damaging the ecosystem. Photosynthetic organisms were greatly reduced as a result of the flood and siltation; aquatic plants and algae were either carried away or buried under silt and sand. The catastrophic effect led to a significant decrease in fish and numerous aquatic invertebrates and subsequently affected the food chain; as a result, the majority of waterbird species showed a dramatic decrease in abundance. The principal objective of this study is to quantify the magnitude of decline in abundance of waterbird species and the potential causes behind this.

https://jad.lu.ac.ir/article_726421_24d22fc1a4fcf58f1cf931d71d753ea1.pdf

Lorestan University Press Journal of Animal Diversity 2676-685X 6 4 2024 12 01 Distribution and ecology of the Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica Erxleben) in the Valparai Plateau, Southern India 25 37 725915 10.22034/JAD.2024.6.4.3 EN Aneena Lakshmanan PG and Research Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, A.V.C. College (Autonomous), Mayiladuthurai –609305, Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India 0000-0002-1582-9095 Mahaly Moorthi PG and Research Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, A.V.C. College (Autonomous), Mayiladuthurai –609305, Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India 0000-0001-5060-8151 Selvarasu Sathishkumar PG and Research Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, A.V.C. College (Autonomous), Mayiladuthurai –609305, Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India 0000-0002-6589-0310 Journal Article 2024 10 20 <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: FA;">The Indian giant squirrel Ratufa indica (Erxleben) is considered Least Concern (LC) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Populations of Indian Giant Squirrel are distributed across the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), Tamil Nadu, India, situated within the Western Ghats, which is recognized as one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots due to its unique flora and fauna. The species is crucial to seed dispersal in this ecosystem. We studied R. indica in the ATR, using line transects to estimate numbers of R. indica and point quadrats to analyze vegetation. We describe the population density, habitat preferences, and tree species use of R. indica on the Valparai Plateau within the Anamalai Tiger Reserve between January 2021 and March 2021. A survey of 14 transects covering 220 km2 revealed a group density of 10.7 groups/km² and an individual density of 17.9 individuals/km², with a detection probability of 0.32. Habitat analysis showed significant differences in tree characteristics between areas with and without squirrels, with inhabited areas featuring larger trees, denser canopy, and greater species richness. Regression analysis identified positive correlations between R. indica abundance and canopy cover and tree height, whereas crown width and tree species diversity negatively impacted R. indica presence. Additionally, R. indica showed a preference for the lower and upper canopy levels of trees, with minimal sightings at lower elevations. Tree species analysis indicated that Spathodea campanulata and Mesua ferrea trees were most commonly used by R. indica, contributing significantly to the species composition. These findings provide insights into the factors influencing this species’ distribution and habitat selection, which are essential for developing conservation strategies in the region.

https://jad.lu.ac.ir/article_725915_2ec6b08af05c97a648b7ec85bd20b485.pdf

Lorestan University Press Journal of Animal Diversity 2676-685X 6 4 2024 12 31 Lepidopteran diversity and seasonal variations in a mountainous scrubland ecosystem of Kumaun Himalaya, India 38 50 732509 10.22034/JAD.2024.6.4.4 EN Surabhi Bisht Insect Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, India 0000-0001-7011-5821 Manoj Kumar Arya Insect Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, India 0000-0001-6677-5763 Journal Article 2024 09 12 <span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Research on insect fauna is crucial for assessing ecosystem health and understanding the impacts of human activities on natural resources. A comprehensive inventory of species diversity, particularly within the order Lepidoptera, is therefore essential. The understudied scrub region of Nainital District in the Kumaun division of Uttarakhand, in the Western Himalaya, represents a significant gap in our knowledge, particularly regarding the state’s Lepidopteran diversity. We quantitatively analysed the diversity and seasonal dynamics of Lepidopteran species in this scrubland habitat. The study documented 65 species belonging to 55 genera and 11 families, recorded during the survey period from March 2022 to February 2023. Although no new species records were found, the study provides important baseline data for this biotope, which contributes to understanding the Lepidopteran diversity. <span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Family Nymphalidae exhibited the highest richness, with 21 species, whereas Riodinidae and Nolidae each had a single species. <span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Despite threats from habitat degradation, fragmentation, and fire suppression, the estimated Shannon diversity index (H' = 4.03) indicates high species richness and evenness, suggesting a well-balanced ecosystem in terms of observed diversity. Further taxonomic documentation of the Lepidopteran fauna from the region is vital for assessing ecological status and pressures such as habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbances.

https://jad.lu.ac.ir/article_732509_62a1708ddf3682dc19fb2906d2314639.pdf