Lorestan University PressJournal of Animal Diversity2676-685X7420251201A new record of complete albinism in the Five-striped palm squirrel (Funambulus pennantii Wroughton, 1905) from Madhya Pradesh, India736770ENArockianathanSamsonBombay Natural History Society, Vulture Programme, Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, Bhopal-462 044, Madhya Pradesh, India0000-0002-0804-7941HemantBajpaiBombay Natural History Society, Vulture Programme, Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore, Haryana, India0009-0000-2178-6354Journal Article20251025<span lang="EN-IN">Albinism is a hereditary hypopigmentation disorder caused by recessive alleles that inhibit melanin production in the skin, fur, and eyes, resulting in either complete or partial loss of pigmentation. True albinism, typically characterized by white fur, pale skin, and pink eyes, is rare in wild mammals, with an estimated occurrence of about one in 10,000 births. On 12 October 2025, a completely white Five-striped palm squirrel (<em>Funambulus pennantii</em>) showing pink eyes, ears, and nose, confirming the diagnosis of true albinism, was recorded in Kurawar, Rajgarh District, Madhya Pradesh, India. This constitutes the first confirmed record of albinism in <em>F. pennantii</em> from Madhya Pradesh. The species is widely distributed across northern and central India and typically inhabits semi-urban areas, agricultural landscapes, and forest edges. Previous reports of color aberrations in <em>Funambulus</em> spp. from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana primarily describe leucism rather than true albinism, making the present observation a significant addition to the limited documentation of pigment anomalies in Indian mammals. Records of albinism and related pigment disorders offer valuable insights into genetic variation, adaptive significance, and evolutionary processes—such as frequency-dependent selection that influence the persistence and ecological relevance of rare color morphs in natural populations. </span>Lorestan University PressJournal of Animal Diversity2676-685X7420251201Species–area relationships in anthropogenically modified green spaces: Species–area dynamics in anthropogenic landscapes737386ENChetanNagCentre for Urban Ecology, Bio-Diversity, Evolution and Climate Change (CUBEC)
JAIN(Deemed-to-be UNIVERSITY)
#319, 17th Cross, 25th Main, J P Nagar 6th Phase,
Bengaluru Karnataka, India- 5600780000-0002-7545-8556PrathushaTCentre for Urban Ecology, Bio-Diversity, Evolution and Climate Change (CUBEC)
JAIN(Deemed-to-be UNIVERSITY)
#319, 17th Cross, 25th Main, J P Nagar 6th Phase,
Bengaluru Karnataka, India- 560078AmithS JCentre for Urban Ecology, Bio-Diversity, Evolution and Climate Change (CUBEC)
JAIN(Deemed-to-be UNIVERSITY)
#319, 17th Cross, 25th Main, J P Nagar 6th Phase,
Bengaluru Karnataka, India- 5600780000-0002-8485-5780Journal Article20250828Urban environments are increasingly recognized for their potential to support biodiversity conservation at both local and landscape scales. However, the ecological functioning of managed urban green spaces remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated whether the classical Species–Area Relationship (SAR) is maintained within anthropogenically modified urban landscapes by examining two golf course ecosystems in Karnataka, India, as model systems. Zion Hills Golf County (ZHGC) represented a larger, less urbanized, and structurally heterogeneous landscape, whereas Bangalore Golf Club (BGC) represented a smaller, spatially constrained site embedded within a densely urbanized matrix. Faunal diversity was evaluated using species richness, abundance, evenness, and the Shannon–Wiener and Simpson diversity indices. Statistical analyses included one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation, and linear regression. ZHGC supported substantially greater species richness (104 species) than BGC (59 species), reflecting its larger habitat area and greater ecological heterogeneity. Although differences in alpha diversity were not statistically significant (one-way ANOVA: F = 0.235, P > 0.05), linear regression revealed strong and highly significant positive relationships between habitat area and species richness (ZHGC: R² = 0.9581, P < 0.0001; BGC: R² = 0.9665, P < 0.0001). Species richness increased with habitat area and decreased with spatial isolation, indicating that SAR patterns remain robust even within engineered urban landscapes. Although these managed ecosystems cannot replace natural forests, our findings demonstrate that large, structurally complex urban green spaces can make meaningful contributions to biodiversity conservation in metropolitan regions. The persistence of SAR patterns in these modified ecosystems underscores the ecological value of well-designed and sustainably managed urban green spaces as complementary habitats that enhance biodiversity retention in rapidly expanding cities.