JoTT 4(1): 2277-2332 26 January 2012 by ZOO-WILD

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Huperzia phlegmaria

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JoTT Communication

4(1): 2277–2294

Contribution to the pteridophytic flora of India: Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Meghalaya Bikarma Singh 1, V.N. Singh 2, S.J. Phukan 3, B.K. Sinha 4 & S.K. Borthakur 5 Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Circle, Shillong, Meghalaya 793002, India Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Gawhati, Assam 781014, India Email: 1 bikarmasinghtaxonomy@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 always_vivek@rediffmail.com, 3 drsphukan@gmail.com, 4 drbks2004@yahoo.co.in, 5 skbgu1@gmail.com 1,2,3,4 5

Date of publication (online): 26 January 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 January 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) Editor: M.K. Vasudeva Rao Manuscript details: Ms # o2751 Received 05 April 2011 Final received 05 August 2011 Finally accepted 23 December 2011 Citation: Singh, B., V.N. Singh, S.J. Phukan, B.K. Sinha & S.K. Borthakur (2012). Contribution to the pteridophytic flora of India: Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Meghalaya. Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(12): 2277–2294. Copyright: © Bikarma Singh, V.N. Singh, S.J. Phukan, B.K. Sinha & S.K. Borthakur 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. For Author Details and Author Contribution: see end of this article. Acknowledgements: The first author is thankful to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, New Delhi for financial assistance in the form of Senior Research Fellowship. The authors are thankful to Dr. M. Sanjapp, Director of Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, India for providing necessary facilities, and also kindly acknowledged to Dr. C.R. Fraser-Jenkins, Research Associate, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland for his help in identification of some rare pteridophytes during his visit to Shillong Assam herbarium. Authors are also thankful to the staff members of the Meghalaya Forest Department of the Nokrek region for extending support during our field study.

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Abstract: Nokrek National Park, located approximately 40km from Tura town in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, India, was added to the list of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in May 2009. Since there is no previous report from this area, the pteridophytes of the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve are catalogued in the present study. The checklist consists of 113 taxa (98 ferns, 15 fern allies), of which 25 species are newly reported for the Meghalaya State (Selaginella involvens, Selaginella semicordata, Selaginella subdiaphana, Selaginella tenuifolia, Asplenium gueinzianum, Asplenium perakanse, Microlepia hancei, Microlepia rhomboidea, Dicranopteris linearis, Coniogramme procera, Bolbitis sinensis, Loxogramme chinensis, Lygodium microphyllum, Lemmaphyllum microphyllum, Lemmaphyllum rostratum, Pleopeltis macrosphaera, Pyrrosia lanceolata, Pyrrosia longifolia, Pteris biaurita ssp. walkeriana, Pteris grevilleana, Tectaria fuscipes, Cyclosorus crinipes, Pseudocyclosorus falcilobus, Diplazium apicisorum and Diplazium pseudosetigerum) and 43 species are new for all the three Garo Hill districts of the Garo Hills in the Meghalaya State. Keywords: Eastern Himalayas, India, Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, pteridophyte flora.

INTRODUCTION Nokrek National Park or Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is a national park located approximately 40km from Tura Peak in West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya, India. UNESCO added this national park to its list of biosphere reserves in May 2009. The Nokrek range of hills situated at the eastern-most tip of the eastern Himalaya is notable for its very rich and diverse luxuriant vegetation, dotted with a high concentration of endemics as well as rare, endangered and threatened plants. It is considered to be a gene pool of Citrus species in the northeastern states of India, and the cultural meeting point of three Garo districts of Meghalaya State; rich in myths, folk traditional knowledge, biodiversity and associated cultural tribal practices. These Garo Hills form the major peaks (Nokrek Peak and Tura Peak), towards the tail end of Assam, before they abruptly fall into the low hills of Bangladesh. This is a compact range of hills with the main range descending equally steeply to all the three Garo districts of Meghalaya. The dense forests of these hills provide a home for many narrow endemics of phytogeographical significance, such as Vanda coerulea Griff. ex Lindl., Nepenthes khasiana Hook.f. and Citrus indica Tanaka species. Considering the immense need for conservation, the area is protected as a biosphere reserve since 1988. The angiosperm flora of the area has largely been explored by the Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Circle, Shillong which recorded more than 1000 species, the herbarium specimens are housed in Assam. Of these more than 51 are endemics

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and 57 species belong to various threat categories as revealed in the literature, viz., IUCN (1966), Baishya & Rao (1982), Kataki (1982), Chauhan (1983), Datta (1983), Das & Deori (1983), Haridasan & Rao (1984, 1985–87), Nayar (1980, 1996), Jagtap & Singh (1999), Chowdhery & Murti (2000), Olson (2001) and Singh & Panigrahi (2005). However, no effort was done earlier to study the pteridophyte diversity in this rich biosphere reserve.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area The Nokrek proper, with its northern and western slopes, forms a compact block of hilly ranges towards the northern and western end of the Garo Hills and belongs to the three Garo districts of Meghalaya State; the southern slope falls into the plains of Bangladesh. The area is believed to be the abode of the Garo tribal community, belonging to the Tibeto-Chinese family of the Tibeto-Burman subfamily of the Bodo group, who live in about 132 villages situated in and around Nokrek (Tripathi et al. 2008). The people have conserved some forest patches as ‘sacred groves’ and thus this hilly area is considered sacred, and a symbol of conservation with deep cultural imprints of traditional beliefs. Topographically, the area steeply descends from all sides of the highest peak the Nokrek Peak, with an altitude of 1412m. A major portion of the area belongs to the Nokrek National Park and Citrus Wildlife Sanctuary, and the rest is in the reserved forests of the Garo wildlife forest division. The IUCN has identified Nokrek and its environs to be one of the three centers of plant diversity within India, and focused on the need for immediate conservation (IUCN 1987). The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve was also internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme in 2009. The temperature varies from 9.5–37.3 0C, typical of Assam, March–May being the hottest and December–February being the coolest months. Both south-west and northeastern monsoons bring rain to the area ranging from 3900 to 6800 mm/year. The soil is mainly red loamy and the area is drained by several perennial streams, which collect to form one major river system viz., Brahmaputra. The great 2278

diversity in ecological features and the high range of altitudinal variation are responsible for the very rich and diverse vegetation of the area. It belongs to the Indo-Malayan eco-region (Olson et al. 2001) with the major vegetation type: tropical forests (200–900 m) and subtropical forests (900–1412 m). The soil is very shallow and vegetation becomes active mainly after the monsoons and may dry up in the southern slopes during the dry season. There is a clear demarcation of vegetation types based on the altitudinal range. The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, between 25015’–25029’N and 90013’–90030’E, was established on 13 September 1988 (vide Govt. of India, MoEF Order No. 27/59/81C5 dt. 13 September 1988) with an area of about 8,20km², of which 47.48km² (vide Govt. of Meghalaya Notification No. FOR.23/86/316 dated 23.10.1997) is the core area (Fig. 1). The NBR straddles the border of Assam State and Bangladesh. It is composed of Citrus Gene Pool Sanctuary and Mahseer Hatchery Centre and their adjoining areas of Hallaidang, Daihadubi, Darugiri and Rongrengiri ranges of Garo Hills Forest Divisions. It is the habitat of many varieties of medicinal plants, wild edible plants and plants of other economic importance (Images 1 & 2). The area is equally rich in faunal elements also with a large number of birds, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles. The rare mammals of the area include the Hoolock Gibbon, Asian Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Sambar, Barking Deer, Malayan Bear, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Giant Squirrel, Slow Loris, Himalayan Palm Squirrel, Hare, etc. The Nokrek is also notable for being the home of the Garos, one of the hilly tribes, who have a thorough knowledge of the local biodiversity, its utilization potentials and with many cultural practices unique to them. According to the Garos of Nokrek, there is also a mammal locally called Badamanu-big feet man, in the core area, but not evidenced. The pteridophyte specimens were collected from 2006 to 2010 and deposited in Assam Herbarium at the Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Circle, Shillong. The families are arranged alphabetically. Each species is listed with author citation (Brummitt & Powell 1992) followed by the field observations on the habitat on which it was found growing in the study area, the locality, altitude, the collector’s name (acronyms: BS - Bikarma Singh; VNS - V.N. Singh; BKS - B.K. Sinha; DBD - D.B. Deb; RS = R. Shanpru; GP - G. Panigrahi; MKVR - M.K.V. Rao), collection number,

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Figure 1. Location map of Nokrek Bioshere Reserve in India

Image 1. Core area of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve

Image 2. View of Luxurient growth of pteridophyte in Nokrek

and comments on the distribution of the species.

distributed in India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Andaman Islands, Meghalaya, Kerala, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu), Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. subsp. debile (Roxb. ex DC.) Hauke: Terrestrial near the river in sandy loamy soil. Rongsingiri (350m), VNS & BS 115886 (Assam). It is rare in Nokrek, and recorded only from Rongsingiri Village in this biosphere reserve. It is distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya), Bangladesh, China and Nepal.

Results Fern-allies Equisetaceae Equisetum diffusum D. Don. (Image 3): Terrestrial near the river in sandy loamy soil. Near river Didari from Daribogre (963m), VNS & BS 114552 (Assam). Although this species is very common in Nokrek, it is a new record for the Garo District. It is widely

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Huperziaceae Huperzia hamiltonii (Spreng) Trev.: Epiphyte on rotten tree trunks in shady and wet places. Nokrek Peak (1150m), VNS & BS 114711 (Assam). Rare in high altitude areas of Nokrek. Widely distributed in India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Andaman Islands, Meghalaya, Kerala, Tamil Nadu), Australia, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Huperzia phlegmaria (L.) Rothm. (Image 4): On moss deposits on tree trunks in wet places. Nokrek Peak (1312m), VNS & BS 118573 (Assam). This species is rare in Nokrek, and is also very rare in Meghalaya State (Baishya & Rao 1982). Chandra et al. (2008) considered this species under the rare category. This species is distributed in India (Andaman Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Meghalaya, Sikkim, West Bengal), Australia, Bhutan, Myanmar and New Zealand.

Image 3. Equisetum diffusum

Lycopodiaceae Palhinhaea cernua (L.) A. Franco. & Vasc.: Epiphytic on decaying tree trunks in moist places. Way to Khalakgre (1062m) VNS & BS 114765 (Assam). It is very common in Nokrek, and distributed widely in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim), southern India (Kerala, Karnataka), Australia, China, Nepal, Myanmar, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Selaginellaceae Selaginella decipiens Warb. (Image 5): Terrestrial in wet places. Way to Nokrek Peak (1200m), VNS & BS 114762 (Assam). Occasionally found growing in the dense forests of Nokrek, and recorded for the first time in Garo Hill District. It is distributed in northeastern India (Sikkim, Darjeeling, Meghalaya, Manipur), southern India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala), Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Selaginella delicatula Alston.: Terrestrial in wet places. Way to Daribokgre (782m) BS & VNS 115837 (Assam). Very common in Nokrek. It is widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), China, Nepal and Myanmar. Selaginella helferi Warb.: Terrestrial in wet places in dense forests. Way to Chandigre (512m) VNS & BS s.n. (Assam 74674). Very common in Nokrek. This species is distributed in India (Assam, Kerala, 2280

Image 4. Huperzia phlegmaria

Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu), Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Selaginella hookeri Baker: Terrestrial in moist places. Daribokgre (809m) VNS & BS 114759A (Assam). The species is recorded only from Daribokgre and is a new record for the Garo District. It is widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland), Bangladesh, China and Nepal. Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring. Terrestrial as

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Image 6. Selaginella monospora

Image 5. Selaginella decipiens

well as lithophytic in wet places. Niengalmandalgre to Simsanggre (300–950 m) VNS & BS 116894 (Assam), Tura Peak (850m) DBD 28914 (Assam). It is recorded to be rare in Nokrek, and is a new record for Meghalaya, although it was collected by Deb as cited above and deposited in Assam herbarium, but remained unidentified. This species is distributed in India (Assam, Meghalaya), China, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Selaginella monospora Spring. (Image 6): Terrestrial in moist places. Nokrek Peak (500–1412 m) VNS & BS 114695 (Assam). Although this species is very common in all parts of Nokrek, no publications from the study site state so, hence it is a new record. It is widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram), southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka), Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Myanmar. Selaginella semicordata (Wall. ex Hook. & Grev.) Spring.: Terrestrial as well as lithophytic on moss laden rocks in moist places. Along Simsang River (652m) VNS & BS 114659 (Assam). It is rare in Nokrek and reported for the first time from Meghalaya. The species is distributed in northeastern India, China and

Nepal. Selaginella subdiaphana Spring.: Terrestrial as well as epiphytic in dense forests. Tura Peak (750m) DBD 28965 (Assam). Although this species was collected by Deb and housed in Assam herbarium, no publication from Meghalaya includes it; hence a new record for the state. It is widely distributed in northeastern India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Selaginella tenuifolia Spring.: Epiphytic in dense forests. Nokrek Peak (1378m) VNS & BS 118482B (Assam). It is rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. Chandra et al. (2008) considered this species rare and a threatened group pteridophyte. The species is distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), eastern India (West Bengal, Darjeeling). Selaginella wallichii (Hook. & Grev.) Spring.: Terrestrial in dense forests along the sides of streams and rivers. Niengmandalgre to Simsangre (400–850 m) VNS & BS 116894 (Assam). It is rare in Nokrek, but widely distributed in other parts of Meghalaya. It is distributed in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Ferns Adiantaceae Adiantum philippense L. (Image 7): On walls and on tree trunks in shady places. Tura forests (650m) VNS & BS 118314 (Assam). Common in Nokrek, and widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Bangladesh, Nepal and Taiwan. Aspleniaceae Asplenium cheilosorum Kunze ex Mett.: Terrestrial

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as well as epiphytic in moist and shady damp places. Nokrek Peak (1214m) VNS & BS 114709 (Assam). The species is rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from the Garo Hill District. It is widely distributed in south India (Kerala), northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Bhutan, China, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam. Asplenium ensiforme Wall. ex Hook. & Grev.: Epiphytic on moss covered tree trunks in dense forest. Dribokgre toward east (800m) VNS & BS 114598 (Assam). It is rare in Nokrek and recorded only from the eastern part of NBR. A new record for the Garo Hill District, but widely distributed throughout hilly areas of India (Himalaya, Nilgiri Hills), Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Asplenium finlaysonianum Wall. ex Hook.: Epiphytic on decaying tree trunks. Ringrey (500m) VNS & BS 118391 (Assam). Occasionally in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from the Garo District. Widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland), Bangladesh and Myanmar. Asplenium gueinzianum Mett. ex Kuhn.: Epiphytic on moss covered tree trunks. Way to Tura Peak (900m) MKV Rao 64379 (Assam). This species is rare in Nokrek, and recorded only from Tura Peak during the field tours. It is a new record for Meghalaya, and distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland), Bhutan, Japan and Taiwan. Asplenium nidus L. (Image 8): Epiphytic as well as

lithophytic on moss covered tree trunks and on rocks. Near Khalakgre Nillage (990m) VNS & BS 114546 (Assam). Although this species is very common in Nokrek and a new record for the Garo District. Widely distributed throughout hilly regions of northern India (Punjab, Kashmir, Delhi), and throughout all the districts of northeastern India, Africa, Bhutan, Madagascar, Malaya, Nepal, Polynesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Asplenium normale D. Don.: Terrestrial as well as epiphytic in damp and moist places inside dense forest. Nokrek Peak (1306m) VNS & BS 114672 (Assam). Very common in Nokrek and a new record for the Garo District. It is widely distributed in the hilly regions of southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu), northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur), Africa, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Malaya, Nepal, Philippines, Polynesia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Asplenium perakense Mattew & C. Chr.: Epiphytic on moss covered tree trunks in dense forests. Way to Tura Peak (850m) MKVR 59418 (Assam). Very rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. It is distributed in India (Nagaland, Meghalaya, Myanmar, China, Japan and Vietnam. Asplenium phyllitidis D. Don. (Image 9): Epiphytic as well as lithophytic on moss covered tree trunks and on rocks. Way to Rongsingiri (400â&#x20AC;&#x201C;500 m) BS & VNS 118294 (Assam). Common in the southern areas of Nokrek Reserve, but very rare in the eastern and western sides. Although this species is common in dense forests, it is a new record for the district. Widely distributed in India (Andaman Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur), Myanmar,

Image 7. Adiantum philippense

Image 8. Asplenium nidus

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Thailand, Malesia and Vietnam. Asplenium unilaterale Lam.: Epiphytic on moss covered tree trunks near the sides of streams and river. Tura Peak (670m) GP 22463 (Assam). Very common in Nokrek, and widely distributed throughout Himalayan regions of India; Africa, China, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Polynesia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Blechnaceae Blechnum orientale L.: Terrestrial in open places. Bandari Falls (300m) VNS & BS 114980 (Assam). The species is common in Nokrek and a new record for the Garo District. It is widely distributed in temperate Asia (China, Japan, Taiwan), tropical Asia in the Indian subcontinent (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines), Australia and Pacific Islands. Cryptogrammaceae Onychium siliculosum (Desv.) C.Chr. (Image 10): Terrestrial in open places. Niengmandalgre (350–700 m) VNS & BS 116840 (Assam). Very common in Nokrek, abundantly growing in lower elevation areas of Meghalaya. It is distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), China, Japan and southern Malaya. Cyatheaceae Alsophila gigantea Wall. ex Hook. (Image 11): Terrestrial along river sides as well as in open places. Kalupara (500m) BS & VNS 118460 (Assam). It is common in the southern side of Nokrek, but extremely rare in the eastern and western regions. It is a new

Image 9. Asplenium phyllitidis

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record for the Garo Hill districts. This species is widely distributed in the Himalayan regions of India, Bangladesh, China, Loas, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Alsophila khasyana T. Moore ex Kuhn. (Image 12): Terrestrial in moist and shady forests. Kalupara 6th Mile area (800m) VNS & BS 118460 (Assam). This species is extremely rare in Nokrek, and is a new record for the Garo Hill District.. It is distributed in India (Western Ghats, eastern States of the Himalayas including Khasi Hills and Garo Hills of Meghalaya), Myanmar. Alsophila spinulosa (Wall. ex Hook.) Tryon.: Terrestrial in moist and shady places along rivers and streams. Rongrengiri (350–600 m) VNS & BS 114924 (Assam). This is rare in Nokrek, but widely distributed throughout the hilly areas of east Khasi Hills and west Garo Hills and a new record for the entire three Garo Hill districts. It is distributed in northeastern India, Bhutan, China, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Taiwan. Davalliaceae Davallia griffithiana Hook. (Image 13): Epiphytic on moss laden tree trunks in dense forests. Way to Rongsengiri (500m) BS & VNS 118293 (Assam). This is very rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo Hill District. This species is distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland), Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Taiwan. Davallia trichomanoides Blume.: Epiphytic in dense forests. Rongsingiri (370m) VNS & BS 115892b (Assam). This species is common in Nokrek, (eastern

Image 10. Onychium siliculosum

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Image 11. Alsophila gigantea

Image 12. Alsophila khasiana

Khasi and southern Garo Hills) but a new record for the Garo District. It is widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal.

in moist as well as in open places on wet ground, commonly along streams and rivers in semi-shady places. Tura ridge (720m) VNS & BS 114903 (Assam). Although this species is common in Nokrek, it is a new record for the Garo District. This species is widely distributed in Bangladesh, northeastern India, China, Thailand, Indo-china, Taiwan, and Philippines. Microlepia rhomboidea (Wall. ex Kunze) Prantl.: Terrestrial in moist places. Nokrek Peak (1150m) VNS & BS 116756 (Assam), Niengsanggre-Adugre (500m)

Dennstaedtiaceae Dennstaedtia scabra (Wall. ex Hook.) T. Moore.: Terrestrial in moist places in slopes in semi-shaded places. Rongsingiri (600m) VNS & BS 115892 (Assam). This species grows occasionally in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo Hill District. It is widely distributed in northern India (Kashmir, Punjab), northeastern India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan, Thailand, Indo-china, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaya and Borneo. Microlepia hancei Prantl.: Terrestrial in moist places in dense forests. Near Bandari falls (310 m) VNS & BS 114977 (Assam). This species is rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. It is widely recorded from Taiwan, China (Guangdong, Guangxi) and Vietnam. Microlepia platyphylla (D. Don) J. Sm.: Terrestrial 2284

Image 13. Davallia griffithiana

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VNS & BS 118203 (Assam). This species is rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. It is recorded from the Himalayan regions. Microlepia speluncae (L.) T. Moore.: Terrestrial in moist places on slope sides in open or semi-shaded places or on edges of forests at lower elevations. Tura ridge (800m) VNS & BS 114893 (Assam). It is common in Nokrek, and is a new record for the Garo Hill districts. This species is widely distributed in pantropical regions. Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn.: Terrestrial in open places. Daribokgre (500–900 m), VNS & BS 114573A (Assam). The species is very common in Nokrek and widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland), Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Drynariaceae Drynaria propinqua (Wall. ex Mett.) J. Sm. Epiphytic on moss covered tree trunks, rarely lithophytic on rock surfaces. Williamnagar to 5 km way to Peak (425m) VNS & BS 115933 (Assam). This species is common in the southern slopes of Nokrek, but rare in other parts in the reserve area. It is a new record for the Garo Hill districts. It is widely distributed in northern India (Kashmir, Uttaranchal), northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya (Assam), Bhutan, China, Malaya, Malesia, Myanmar and Nepal. Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm.: Epiphytic on tree trunks in shady places. Foot hills of Nokrek Peak (300m) VNS & BS 114944 (Assam). This species is very common in Nokrek, and widely distributed throughout the Himalayan regions as well as northeastern India, Australia, China, Fiji, Malaya and Sri Lanka. Dryopteridaceae Arachniodes aristata (G. Forst.) Tindale. Terrestrial in shady places. Nokrek Peak (1230m) VNS & BS 114706 (Assam). This species is rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo Hill districts. It is distributed in New Zealand (Raoul Island), Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Dryopteris cochleata (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) C.Chr.: Terrestrial in moist places. Tura Peak (950 m) VNS & BS 114904 (Assam). This is extremely rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from

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Garo Hill districts. It is distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), northern India (Dehradun), North America. Gleicheniaceae Dicranopteris lanigera (D. Don) Fraser.-Jenk.: Terrestrial in open places. Dopggre (200–600 m) VNS & BS 114987A (Assam). This species is common in Nokrek, and distributed throughout the Himalayan region. Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.f.) Underw.: Terrestrial in open places. Khalakgre (750m) VNS & BS s.n. (Assam). Although this species is common in Nokrek, it is recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. It is also widely distributed in Southeast Asia. Dicranopteris splendida (Hand.-Mazz.) Tagawa.: Terrestrial in moist places. Nabokgre (850m) VNS & BS 116818 (Assam). It is common in Nokrek and is widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Myanmar and Vietnam. Hemionitidaceae Coniogramme procera Wall. ex Fée. Terrestrial in moist places near rivers. Nokrek Peak (1350m) VNS & BS 114691 (Assam). This is common in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya, hence is a new record for the state. It is distributed in the Himalayan region of India. Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link. Terrestrial in open places. Khalakgre (800m) VNS & BS 116718 (Assam). It is very common in Nokrek, widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland), Taiwan, Hainan and Yunnan. Hymenophyllaceae Mecodium tenellum (D. Don) Sarn. Singh & Panigrahi: On moss covered tree trunks in moist areas. Nokrek Peak (11200m) DBD 28917 (Assam). It is extremely rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo Hill districts of Meghalaya; although the cited specimens are housed in Assam herbarium, no publication appeared so far from the Garo Hills. This species is widely distributed in southern India, eastern Himalayan regions of India, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Malaya, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Mecodium javanicum (Spreng.) Cop: On tree trunks in moist and shady places. Nokrek Peak (1200m)

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GP 22562 (Assam). It occurs rarely in Nokrek, but is widely reported from northeastern India (Assam, Meghalaya), Australia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines and Sri Lanka. Lindsaeaceae Lindsaea odorata Roxb. ex Griff. (Image 14): Epiphytic as well as terrestrial. Tura ridge (750m) VNS & BS 118318A. It is very common in Nokrek, and is a new record for Garo District. It is widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), tropical Asia from Ceylon to New Guinea. Sphenomeris chinensis (L.) Maxon.: Terrestrial along river sides. Tura Peak (1100m) VNS & BS 118318 (Assam). This species is rare in Nokrek, and is a new record for the Garo Hill districts. According to Baishya & Rao (1982), this species is common in Khasi and Jaintia districts of Meghalaya. It is mostly indigenous to Hawaii Islands, parts of Polynesia, and east Asia. It is commonly found in forest openings and other disturbed areas such as along trails or roads, or on landslides when there is adequate moisture. Lomariopsidaceae Bolbitis sinensis (Baker) K. Iwats.: Terrestrial in deep gullies in shady places. Along Simsang River from Daribokgre (755m) VNS & BS 114662 (Assam). This species is rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya and is a new record for the state. It is distributed in the eastern Himalaya. Loxogrammaceae Loxogramme chinensis Ching.: Epiphytic as well as lithophytic in dense forests. Nokrek Peak (902m) BS 118578A (Assam). This species is occasionally found in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. It is widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Bhutan, China, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand and Taiwan. Loxogramme involuta (D. Don) C. Presl.: Epiphytic as well as lithophytic in dense forests in shady areas. Near Daribokgre along Simsang River (850m) VNS & BS 116733 (Assam), on the way to Nokrek Peak from Tura Peak (1210m) MKV Rao 64378 (Assam). This species is occasionally recorded from Nokrek. It is distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Bhutan, China, Malesia, Nepal, Polynesia 2286

Image 14. Lindsaea odorata

and Sri Lanka. Lygodiaceae Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. (Image 15): Climber along forest margins. Daribokgre along Simsang River (820m) VNS & BS 114658 (Assam). On way to Durabandagre (600 m) VNS & BS 115804 (Assam). This species is common in Nokrek and is a new record for the Garo District. It is widely distributed throughout India especially in the hilly areas of the eastern Humalayas, Africa, Australia, China, Malayasia and Sri Lanka. Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw.: Climber in moist places. Khalakgre (800m) VNS & BS 118287 (Assam). This species is extremely rare in Nokrek, and is a new record for the Garo Hill districts. Distributed in the western Himalaya, southern India, northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya), Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka. Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R.Br.: Climber in dense forests as well as in open areas. Very rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. It is distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. Meghalaya), southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu), Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Malayasia and Sri Lanka. Marattiaceae Angiopteris helferiana C. Presl. (Image 16): Arborescent ferns along forest margins and river sides. Along Simsang river from Daribokgre (780m) VNS & BS 114657 (Assam), Tura Peak (880m) VNS

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Image 16. Angiopteris helferiana Image 15. Lygodium flexuosum

& BS 114894 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and widely reported from northeastern India, Australia, China, Japan, Madagascar, Malaysia, New Caledonia and Polynesia. It is known by the name of Angiopteris evecta, but according to Fraser-Jenkins (2008), there is no such species in India and neighbouring countries. The species which is found in the Indian subcontinent is Angiopteris helferiana. Nephrolepidaceae Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl.: Terrestrial in dense forests as well as in damp places on rocks. Common in Nokrek, and widely distributed throughout hilly areas of India. Polypodiaceae Aglaomorpha coronans (Wall. ex Mett.) Cop.: On huge tree trunks in dense forests. Sisubibra (450m) BS & VNS 116711 (Assam). Very common in Nokrek, and widely distributed in northeastern India, Bangaldesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Malaya, Nepal and Taiwan. Arthromeris lehmanni (Meth.) Ching.: On big tree trunks in dense forests. Nokrek Peak (1270m) BS 118577A (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and is a rew record for the Garo District. According to Baishya & Rao (1982), this species is very rare in Meghalaya. Distributed in northeastern India, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam. Arthromeris wallichiana (Spreng) Ching.: Epiphyte on tree trunks of Quercus (Tourn.) L. and Castanopsis Spach in dense forests. Nokrek Hills (700m) GP 3973 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and is a new record for the

Garo districts, although the cited specimens are housed in Assam herbarium. This species is distributed in India (Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland), Burma and China. Belvisia callifolia (D.N. Christ) Cop.: Epiphyte on moss covered tree trunks in dense forests. Nokrek Peak (1300m), BS 118477A (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, also very rare in Meghalaya (Baishya & Rao 1982). It is widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Nepal. Belvisia henryi (Hieron. ex C.Chr.) Raymond.: Epiphytic as well as lithophytic in forest understory. On way to Adugre (870m) BS & Party 114763A (Assam). It is rare in Nokrek, and a new record for the Garo District. It is distributed in northeastern India, but rare in Meghalaya (Baishya & Rao 1982). Widely occurs in China, Thailand and Vietnam. Belvisia mucronata (FĂŠe) Cop.: Epiphytic on tree trunks of Citrus indica Tanaka and Artocarpus heterophylla Lam. in moist and shady places. Way to Nokrek Peak (972m) BS 118562 (Assam). This species is rare in Nokrek, also reported very rare in Meghalaya (Baishya & Rao 1982). Widely distributed in India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Western Ghats), Bhutan, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Polynesia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Colysis decurrens (Blume) Panigrahi.: Epiphytic as well as lithophytic along rivers and stream sides in dense forests. Nokrek Peak (850m) BS & Party 118502 (Assam). Occasional in Nokrek, but widely distributed in northeastern India, China, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan and Vietnam. Colysis hemionitidea (Wall. ex Mett.) C. Presl.: Epiphytic as well as lithophytic along rivers and stream

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sides in dense forests. Tura top Hills (860m) GP 22481 (Assam). It is rare in Nokrek. This species was also reported from Tura Peak at an elevation of 700m by Baishya & Rao (1982); widely distributed in southern India, northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Malaya Islands, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan and Vietnam. Colysis pedunculata (Hook. & Grev.) Ching.: Epiphytic on moss covered tree trunks, sometimes found at the base of tree trunks. Tura Peak (1190m) GP 22384 (Assam). Rarely occurs in Nokrek, and also reported by Baishya & Rao (1982) to be very rare in Meghalaya. Widely distributed in northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Malaya, Myanmar and Nepal. Drymoglossum heterophyllum (L.) Trimen.: Epiphytic on exposed tree trunks. Patalgiri (570m) VNS & BS 116880A (Assam). Very common in Nokrek, but widely distributed in southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu), northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), central India, China, Japan, Java, New Guinea, Myanmar, Philippines and Sumatra. Lemmaphyllum carnosum (Wall.) C. Presl.: Creeping on tree trunks laden with moss in moist places. Nabokgre to Patalgiri (500–1200 m) VNS & BS 116869 (Assam), Tura top (900m) GP 22482 (Assam). Occasional in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo Hill districts. Widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), northern India, China, Nepal and Thailand. Lemmaphyllum microphyllum C. Presl.: Epiphytic on moss ladden tree trunks. Patalgiri to Simsangiri (700–1000 m) VNS & BS 116880B (Assam). Recorded for the first time from Meghalaya (east Garo Hills), hence is a new record for Meghalaya. Occasional in Nokrek, and widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam), China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. Lemmaphyllum rostratum (Bedd.) Tagawa.: Epiphytic on tree trunks in dense forests. Tura Peak (1320m) VNS & BS 114901 (Assam). Recorded for the first time from the state. Very rare in Nokrek, distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya (east Garo Hills), Nagaland), China, Myanmar, Taiwan and Vietnam. Leptochilus axillaris (Cav.) Kaulf.: Epiphytic, creeping on tree trunks. Near Didari River (850m) BS 2288

& VNS 114563 (Assam). Very rare in Nokrek, and is a new record for the Garo Hill districts of Meghalaya. According to Baishya & Rao (1982), this species is very rare in Meghalaya. It is recorded from southern India (Kerala), northeastern India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), Bangladesh, China, Malaya, Myanmar, Philippines, Polynesia and Thailand. Microsorium insigne (Blume) Cop.: Epiphytic on tree trunks along river/stream sides. Nokrek core area (1150m) BS & Party s.n. (Assam). It was treated in India for a long time under the name Microsorum dilatatum (Bedd.) Sledge. The species is rare in Nokrek, and widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), China, Malacca, Malaya, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Microsorum membranaceum (Don) Ching.: Epiphytic on tree trunks along rivers and stream sides. On way to Tura Peak (750m) MKVR 63957 (Assam), Tura Peak (900m) DBD 28961 (Assam), Tura top hill (1100m) GP 22483 (Assam). Common in Nokrek, widely recorded from northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), China, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Microsorum pteropus (Blume) Cop.: Epiphytic as well as lithophytic in moist places along river and stream sides. Rare in Nokrek (Garo Hills), reported by Baishya & Rao (1982) from the study site. Widely distributed in southern India, northeastern India (Nagaland, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Bangladesh, Bhutan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Microsorum punctatum (L.) Cop. (Image 17): Epiphytic on decaying tree trunks in shady places. Tura hills (850m) GP 22508 (Assam). Found occasionally in Nokrek, and widely distributed in India, Africa, Polynesia, China and Taiwan. Microsorum zippelii (Blume) Ching.: Epiphytic on decaying tree trunks in shady places and cliffs along stream sides. Nokrek Peak (1350m) BS & Party 118502 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, widely distributed in northeastern India, China, Malaya, Malesia, Philippines and Vietnam. Phymatosorus cuspidatus (D. Don) Pic.-Serm. (Image 18): Epiphytic on humic tree trunks in shady places along river sides. On way to Patalgre (460m) BS & VNS 116836 (Assam). Recorded by Baishya & Rao (1982) from Rongrengiri area at an elevation of about 150m. Rare in Nokrek, also reported rare in Meghalaya by (Baishya & Rao (1982). Widely

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Image 17. Microsorum punctatum

Image 18. Phymatosorus cuspidatus

distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland), southern India (Western Ghats), China, Laos, Nepal and Vietnam. Pleopeltis contorta (Christ) Alston & Bonner.: Epiphytic on tree trunks in damp places. Patalgiri to Simsanggiri (350–900 m) VNS & BS 116878 (Assam), Simsanggiri to 15km inside buffer zone (700m) VNS & BS 116792. Occasionally in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo District. It is reported from northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), China and Tibet. Pleopeltis macrosphaera (Baker) Panigrahi & Patnaik.: Epiphytic on tree trunks in dense forests. Nokrek Peak (850–1200 m) VNS & BS 114726 (Assam), Tura Peak (720m), MKVR 64381 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. It is distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), China. Pleopeltis nuda Hook.: Epiphytic on moss tree trunks in damp places. Daribokgre to East Down Hills (862m) VNS & BS 114598 (Assam), Tura Peak (960m) DBD 28956 (Assam). Common in Nokrek, and recollected after 50 years from Garo districts. Distributed in northeastern India, Africa, China, Japan, Malaya and Sri Lanka. Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching. (Image 19): Epiphytic on tree trunks in open as well as dense forests. Daribokgre along Didari Chibima River (960m) VNS & BS 114562 (Assam), Tura Peak (750m) DBDeb 28843 (Assam). Common in Nokrek, widely distributed throughout northeastern India, China, Fiji, Malaya, Philippines, Polynesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam. Pyrrosia costata (Presl) Tagawa & K. Iwats.:

Epiphytic on tree trunks along river sides. Tura Peak (950m) GP 224741 (Assam), on way to Tura Peak (600m) MKVR 64339 (Assam). Recorded from northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), China, Myanmar and Thailand. Pyrrosia flocculosa (D. Don) Ching. (Image 20): Epiphytic as well as lithophytic in moist places. Nokrek Peak (1120m) VNS & BS 115997 (Assam), Tura Peak (800m) MKVR 59094 (Assam), Tura Peak (900m) DBD 28959 (Assam). Common in Nokrek (Garo Hills), and widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland), Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam. Pyrrosia heteractis (Mett. ex Kuhn) Ching.: Epiphytic in moist places. Rongrengiri (295m) VNS & BS 114562A (Assam), MKVR 64339 (Assam), Tura Peak (670m) MKVR 59094 (Assam). Occasionally in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo Hill districts of Meghalaya. This species is distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim), Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Pyrrosia lanceolata (L.) Farw.: Epiphytic in dense forests. Rongrengiri (295m) VNS & BS 116762b (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and is a new record for Meghalaya. This species is very similar to Pyrrosia adnascens, but differs in certain characters. Widely distributed in southern India, northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim), Bhutan, China, Japan, Polynesia, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Pyrrosia longifolia (N.Burm.) F. Morton.: Epiphytic on tree trunks along roadsides. Daribokgre along Didari Chibima River (960m) VNS & BS 114559 (ASSAM), Nokrek Peak (1200m) BS & VNS

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Image 19. Pyrrosia adnascens

Image 20. Pyrrosia flocculosa

s.n. (ASSAM 74702). Rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time in Meghalaya. Widely distributed in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Australia, Malaya, Malaysia and Polynesia. Pyrrosia nuda (Gies.) Ching.: Epiphytic on barky tree trunks. Rongrengiri (295m) VNS & BS 116762A (ASSAM). Rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo District. Widely reported from Himalayan regions of India, Nepal and China. Pyrrosia nummularifolia (Sw.) Ching.: Epiphytic as well as lithophytic along river sides. Ningsangiri (650m) VNS & BS 118209 (Assam), along Simsang river from Daribokgre, VNS & BS 114660 (Assam). Common in Nokrek, but a new record for the Garo District. Widely distributed throughout northeastern India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Malaya, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam.

Although it is recorded from the Khasi and Jaintia Hill districts, it has not been identified up to subspecies level. Pteris biaurita L. subsp. walkeriana Fraser.-Jenk. & Dominic Rajkumar: Terrestrial along river sides. Nabokgre to Patalgre (600â&#x20AC;&#x201C;820 m) VNS & BS 116867 (Assam), Simsanggiri to 15km inside core zone (900m) VNS & BS 116800 (Assam). Very rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time in Meghalaya. Pteris ensiformis Burm. f.: Terrestrial in open as well as in moist places. Rongrenggiri (350m) VNS & BS 116774 (Assam). Although very common in Nokrek, and is a new record for the Garo District. Distributed in northeastern India, Nepal. Pteris grevilleana Wall. ex T.Agardh.: Terrestrial as well as lithophytic in wet places. Rongrenggiri (350m) VNS & BS 116867 (Assam). Very rare in Nokrek, and recorded from east Garo Hills and is a new record for the state. Pteris longipes D. Don.: Terrestrial in moist places. Nokrek Peak (1230m) VNS & BS 114690 (Assam). Growing occasionally in Nokrek, and according to Baishya & Rao (1982) is widely distributed in Garo

Pteridaceae Pteris biaurita L. subsp. fornicata Fraser.-Jenk.: Terrestrial in moist places. Tura Peak (680m) VNS & BS 114896 (Assam). Occasionally in Nokrek, and is a new record for the Garo Hill districts of Meghalaya. 2290

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districts. Distributed in southern India, northeastern India, China and Sri Lanka. Pteris longipinnula Wall.ex J.Agardh.: Terrestrial in wet places. Rongsingre (500m) VNS & BS 115891 (Assam). Extremely rare in Nokrek, and a new record for the Garo District. Pteris vittata L.: Terrestrial along river sides. Niengmandalgre (600m) VNS & BS 116843 (Assam). Very common in Nokrek, and widely distributed throughout Himalaya including northeastern India, southern India, central India, China and Sri Lanka. Tectariaceae Tectaria fuscipes (Wall. ex Bedd.) C. Chr.: Terrestrial in moist places. Foot hills of Nokrek range (300â&#x20AC;&#x201C;700 m) VNS & BS 116843 (Assam), Rongrengre (150m) VNS & BS 118238 (Assam). Although very common in Nokrek, is a new record for the state. Widely distributed in eastern Himalaya, northeastern India (Nagaland, Meghalaya), Myanmar. Tectaria polymorpha (Wall. ex Hook.) Cop.: Terrestrial along road sides. On way to Khalakgre (750m) VNS & BS 115989 (Assam). Common in Nokrek, but is a new record for the Garo District. Distributed in southern India, northeastern India, eastern Himalaya, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Sri Lanka. Thelypteridaceae Cyclosorus crinipes (Hook.) Ching.: Terrestrial in moist places. Tura ridge (980m) VNS & BS 118312 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and widely distributed in the eastern Himalayan region. This is a new record for Meghalaya. Cyclosorus dentatus (Forsk.) Ching.: Terrestrial in wet places near the river. Nokrek Peak (1230m) VNS & BS 116721A (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo Hill districts. Widely distributed in northeastern India, Taiwan, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou. Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Tropical America. Pseudocyclosorus falcilobus (Hook.) Ching.: Terrestrial in wet places. Bansamgre (308m) VNS & BS 118255 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time and in Meghalaya. Widely distributed in northeastern India, eastern and southern China, Japan, Indochina.

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Pronephrium lakhimpurense (Ros.) Holtt.: Terrestrial along forest margins. Tura ridge (970m) VNS & BS 114895 (Assam). Very rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo District. Widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Sichuan, Yunnan and Thailand. Pronephrium nudatum (Roxb. ex Griff.) Holtt.: Terrestrial along river sides. Ronsingiri (450m) VNS & BS 115861 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and is widely distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), northern India (Uttranchal), Bangladesh. Thelypteris clarkei (Bedd.) C.F. Reed.: Terrestrial in moist places. Chokpot (312m) VNS & BS 115712 (Assam). Extremely rare in Nokrek, but widely distributed throughout the Himalayan regions including northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Nepal and China. Thelypteris procera (D.Don) Fras.-Jenk.: Terrestrial along river sides. Beyond Susibibra (602m) VNS & BS 116715 (Assam). Occasionally found growing in Nokrek, and recollected after more than 50 years from the Garo Hill districts. It is distributed in the Indian subcontinent and other parts of tropical Asia. Trigonospora ciliata (Wall. ex Benth.) Holtt.: Terrestrial in dense forests. Ningsangre (720m) VNS & BS 118202 (Assam). Extremely rare in Nokrek, and reported for the first time. Distributed in Sri Lanka, Nepal and northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya). Vittariaceae Antrophyum obovatum Baker.: Epiphytic in dense forests. Nokrek Peak (1300m) BS 114700A (Assam). Extremely rare in Nokrek, and recorded only from the above locality. According to Baishya & Rao (1982), the species is recorded only from Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Widely distributed in India (Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Meghalaya, Sikkim), China and Nepal. Antrophyum plantagineum (Cav.) Kaulf.: Epiphytic in dense forests. On way to Nokrek Peak (1000m) BS 118600 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek. Baishya & Rao (1982) reported from southern Garo Hill (Baghmara). It is distributed in northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), southern India (Tamil Nadu), Sri Lanka, Nepal, Polynesia and Australia. Antrophyum reticulatum (G. Forst.) Kaulf.:

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Epiphytic in dense forests along river sides. On way to Jetagiri (470m) BS 118594 (Assam), Tura Peak (960m) DBD 28957 (Assam), Way to Baghmara (350m) GP 22531 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, but fairly common in Meghalaya. Distributed in India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu), Nepal. Vittaria elongata Sw.: Epiphytic on moss covered tree trunks in shady places. Darugiri RF (350m) MKVR 64154 (Assam), on way to Baghmara (400– 500 m) MKVR 64471 (Assam). Occasional in Nokrek, reported from northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Sikkim), Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Loas, Malayesia, Philippines, Polynesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Woodsiaceae (Athyriaceae) Athyrium drepanopterum (Kunze) A.Br. ex Milde.: Terrestrial along riverine areas. Chandigre (300–500 m) VNS & BS 114743 (Assam). Rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Garo district. Distributed in China, northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya), Nepal. Diplazium apicisorum Panigrahi & S. Singh.: Terrestrial in moist places. Nokrek Peak (452m) VNS & BS 114681 (ASSAM). It is very rare in Nokrek, and recorded for the first time from Meghalaya. Widely recorded in the eastern Himalaya regions. Diplazium pseudosetigerum (H. Christ) FraserJenk.: Terrestrial along forest margins. Nokrek Peak (1100–1300 m) VNS & BS 114681 (Assam). It is a new record for Meghalaya. Widely recorded from only northeastern India especially in the Himalayan region.

CONCLUSION

References

A total of 113 taxa were found in the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve of Meghalaya, evidencing the pteridophyte richness of the area. They include 25 new distribution records for Meghalaya (Selaginella involvens, Selaginella semicordata, Selaginella subdiaphana, Selaginella tenuifolia, Asplenium gueinzianum, Asplenium perakanse, Microlepia hancei, Microlepia rhomboidea, Dicranopteris linearis, Coniogramme procera, Bolbitis sinensis, Loxogramme chinensis, Lygodium microphyllum, Lemmaphyllum microphyllum, Lemmaphyllum 2292

rostratum, Pleopeltis macrosphaera, Pyrrosia lanceolata, Pyrrosia longifolia, Pteris biaurita ssp. walkeriana, Pteris grevilleana, Tectaria fuscipes, Cyclosorus crinipes, Pseudocyclosorus falcilobus, Diplazium apicisorum and Diplazium pseudosetigerum) and another 43 species (Equisetum diffusum, Selaginella decipiens, Selaginella hookeri, Selaginella monospora, Asplenium cheilosorum, Asplenium ensiforme, Asplenium finlaysonianum, Asplenium nidus, Asplenium normale, Asplenium phyllitidis, Blechnum orientale, Alsophila gigantean, Alsophila khasyana, Alsophila spinulosa, Davallia griffithiana, Davallia trichomanoides, Dennstaedtia scabra, Microlepia platyphylla, Microlepia speluncae, Drynaria propinqua, Arachniodes aristata, Dryopteris cochleata, Mecodium tenellum, Lindsaea odorata, Sphenomeris chinensis, Lygodium flexuosum, Lygodium japonicum, Arthromeris lehmanni, Arthromeris wallichiana, Belvisia henryi, Lemmaphyllum carnosum, Leptochilus axillaris, Pleopeltis contorta, Pyrrosia heteractis, Pyrrosia nummularifolia, Pteris biaurita ssp. fornicata, Pteris ensiformis, Pteris longipinnula, Tectaria polymorpha, Cyclosorus dentatus, Pronephrium lakhimpurense, Trigonospora ciliata and Athyrium drepanopterum) are new records for all the three Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya. Polypodiaceae stands the dominant family of the area with 31 species followed by Aspleniaceae and Selaginellaceae with 10 species each. Asplenium is the largest genus with a maximum number of nine species, which is followed by Pyrrosia with eight species and Pteris with seven species including two subspecies. The identity of some collection requires further studies.

Alston, A.H.G. (1945). An enumeration of the Indian species of Selaginella. Proceedings of the National Institute of Science of India 11(3): 211–235. Baishya, A.K. & R.R. Rao (1982). Ferns and Fern-allies of Meghalaya State, India. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India, 162pp. Beddome, R.H. (1883). Handbook to the Ferns of the British India, Ceylone and the Malaya Peninsula. Thacker Spink & Co., Calcutta, India, 552pp. Bir, S.S. (1987). Pteridophytic Flora of India: rare and endangered elements and their conservation. Indian Fern Journal 4: 95–101.

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Brummitt, R.K. & C.E. Powell (1992). Authors of Plant Names. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 736pp. Chauhan, A.S. (1983). Dwindling taxa of Meghalaya in an assessment of threatened plants of India, pp. 142–145. In: Jain, S.K. & R.R. Rao (eds.). An Assessment of Threatened Plants of India. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah. Chandra, S. (2000). The Ferns of India (Enumeration, Synonyms & Distribution). International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun, India, 459pp. Chandra, S., C.R. Fraser-Jenkins, A. Kumari & A. Srivastava (2008). A summary of the status of threatened pteridophytes of India. Taiwania 53(2): 170–209. Chowdhury, H.J. & S.K. Murti (2000). Plant Diversity and Conservation in India - An Overview. Bishen Singh and Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, India, 303pp. Clarke, C.B. & J.G. Baker (1888). Supplementary Note on the Ferns of Northern India. Journal of the Linnean Society of London 24: 408–418. Das, S. & N.C. Deori (1983). A census of endemic orchids of North-East India, pp. 104–109. In: Jain, S. & R.R. Rao (eds.). An Assessment of Threatened Plants of India. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, India. Datta, A. (1983). Occurrence and distribution of some rare ferns, pp. 323–327. In: Jain, S.K. (ed.). An Assessment of Threatened Plants of India. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, India. Dixit, R.D. (1983). Rare and interesting Pteridophytes of India, pp. 328–334. In: Jain, S.K. (ed.). An Assessment of Threatened Plants of India. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, India. Dixit, R.D. (1984). A Census of the Indian Pteridophytes. Flora of India—Series 4. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, India, 177pp. Dixit, R.D. (1987). Lycopodiaceae of India. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India, 124pp. Dixit, R.D. (1992). Selaginellaceae of India. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India, 196pp. Dixit, R.D. & N.P. Balakrishnan (1989). Additions to the endemic Pteridophytes of India and their survey-cumconservation strategies, pp. 7–13. In: Trivedi, M.L., S.S. Saini & B.S. Gill (eds.). Plant Science Research in India. Today and Tomorrow Printers and Publishers, New Delhi, India. Dixit, R.D. & B.K. Sinha (2001). Pteridophytes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India, 155pp. Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (1980). Nomenclatural notes on Dryopteris—4. Taxon 29(5&6): 607–612. Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (1984). An introduction to fern genera of the Indian subcontinent. Bulletin of British Museum (Natarural History) Botany Series 12(2): 37–76. Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (1989). A monograph of the genus Dryopteris (Pteridophyta: Dryopteridaceae) in the Indian subcontinent. Bulletin of British Museum (Natarural History) Botany Series 18(5): 323–477. Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (1997). Himalayan Ferns (A Guide to

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Polystichum): 1-54, with errata 10.1.1998. International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun, India, 73pp. Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (1997). New Species Syndrome in Indian Pteridology and the Ferns of Nepal. International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun, India, 404pp. Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (2008). Taxonomic Revision of three hundred Indian subcontinental Pteridophytes with a Revised Census-List-a new picture of fern-taxonomy and nomenclature in the Indian subcontinent: 1-c.595. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India. Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. (2008). Endemics and Pseudoendemics in Relation to the Distribution Patterns of Indian Pteridophytes. Taiwania 53(3): 264–292. Ghosh, S.R., B. Ghosh, A. Biswas & R.K. Ghosh (2004). The Pteridophytic Flora of Eastern India 1. Flora of India series 4. Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, India, 591pp. Haridasan, K. & R.R. Rao (1984). Flora, Vegetation and plant resources of Garo Hills, pp. 97–105. In: Gassah, L.S. (ed.). Garo Hills and People. Omsons publications, Gauhati, New Delhi, India. Haridasan, K. & R.R. Rao (1985–1987). Forest Flora of Meghalaya—2 Volumes. Bishen Singh Mahendrapal Singh. Dehradun, India, 937pp. IUCN (1987). Centre of Plant diversity: A Guide and Strategy for Their Conservation. IUCN Publication, UK, 167pp. IUCN (1966). International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red Data Book. Morges, Switzerland, 213pp. Holttum, R.E. (1971). Studies in the family Thelypteridaceae 3. A new system of genera in the Old World. Blumea 19: 17–52. Jagtap, A.P. & N.P. Singh (1999). Fascicles of Flora India, pp. 1–284. In: Fascicle 24 - Asclepidiaceae. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, India. Kataki, S.K. (1986). Orchids of Meghalaya. Government of Meghalaya, Shillong, India, 258pp. Kachroo, P. (1953). Ferns of Assam. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 19: 161–174. Kachroo, P. (1976). Fern Flora of Assam with some Phytogeographical notes. Journal of the Indian Botanical Society 54: 13–26. Manickam, V.S. (1995). Rare and endangered ferns of the Western Ghats of South India. Fern Gazette 15: 1–10. Nayar, M.P. (1980). Endemism and patterns of distribution of endemic genera (angiosperms). Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 1: 99–110. Nayar, M.P. (1996). Hotspots of Endemic Plants of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, 320pp. Olson, D.M., E. Dinerstein, E.D. Wikramanayake, N.D. Burgess, G.V.N. Powell, E.C. Underwood, J.A. D’amico, I. Itoua, H.E. Strand, J.C. Morrison, C.J. Loucks, T. F. llnutt, T.H. Ricketts, Y. Kura, J.F. Lamoreux, W.W. Wettengel, P. Hedao & K.R. Kassem (2001). Terrestrial ecoregions of the world: a new map of life on earth. BioScience 51: 933–938. Panigrahi, G. (1960). Pteridophytes of eastern India—I. Enumeration of the species collected and their nomenclature.

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Bulletin of Botanial Survey of India 2: 309–314. Panigrahi, G. & R.D. Dixit (1969). Studies in Indian Pteridophytes—2. The family Osmundaceae in India. Journal of the Indian Botanical Society 48: 90–101. Singh, S. & G. Panigrahi (2005). Fern & Fern-allies Arunachal Pradesh—Vol. 2. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, India. Tripathi, O.P., H.N. Pandey & R.S. Tripathi (2008). Effects of human activities on structure and composition of woody species of the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve of Meghalaya, North-east India. Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version). 73–79pp. Vasudeva, S.M., S.S. Bir & P. Kachroo (1990). Pteridophytic flora of north-eastern India—3 (Families: Aspleniaceae-Oleandraceae). Indian Fern Journal 7: 66–85.

Author Details: Bikarma Singh worked as JRF & SRF in Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Regional Circle, Shillong under MoEF funded Nokrek project; currently engaged as a plant taxonomist in North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong in projects related to survey of unexplored areas of northeastern India. V.N. Singh worked as research associate under MoEF funded Nokrek project in Botanical Survey of India, Shillong. S.J. Phukan Ex-Joint Director & Principal Investigator of the MoEF funded Nokrek Project, Botanical Survey of India, Shillong. B.K. Sinha currently Joint-Director & Co-PI of the MoEF funded Nokrek Project, Botanical Survey of India, Shillong. S.K. Borthakur currently Professor in Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Assam. Author Contribution: BS prepared this article under the supervision of the seniors and guides. VNS, SJP, BKS and SKB helped in making this article.

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JoTT Communication

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Food and foraging preferences of three pteropodid bats in southern India M.R. Sudhakaran 1 & Paramanantha Swami Doss 2 Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Sri Paramakalyani College, Alwarkurichi, Tamil Nadu 627412, India Department of Animal Behaviour and Physiology, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625021, India Email: 1 sudhakaranmr@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 dossanand@gmail.com 1 2

Date of publication (online): 26 January 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 January 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) Editor: C. Srinivasulu Manuscript details: Ms # o2227 Received 02 June 2009 Final received 19 July 2011 Finally accepted 20 December 2011 Citation: Sudhakaran, M.R. & P.S. Doss (2012). Food and foraging preferences of three pteropodid bats in southern India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(1): 2295-2303. Copyright: © M.R. Sudhakaran & Paramanantha Swami Doss 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Author Details: Dr. M.R. Sudhakaran is an Assistant Professor in Zoology at Sri Paramakalyani College, doing research work on bats for the past ten years. He completed his doctoral research in the year 2007 on the behaviour and distribution of Pteropus giganteus in Thamiraparani region. Dr. Paramanantha Swamidoss is a young scientist at Madurai Kamaraj University, doing research on ethology of bats for the past 13 years. He is presently engaged in doing research on the genetical aspect of C. sphinx. Author Contribution: Both authors contributed equally to the study. Acknowledgements: Financial support given by UGC to Dr. M.R. Sudhakaran is greatly acknowledged.

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Abstract: A study on the food, foraging and flight height in three species of pteropodid bats, namely Cynopterus sphinx, Rousettus leschenaultii and Pteropus giganteus was conducted in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts of southern Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 37 species of plants were identified as potential food plants of the pteropodid bats. The preference for fruits by pteropodids varied according to the developmental stages of fruits namely, immature, unripe and ripe. There is a relationship between the foraging activities of bats and the moon phase. Bats exhibit a varied foraging pattern and flight height. A variation in the foraging flight height was observed in C. sphinx and R. leschenaultii. R. leschenaultii was observed to have a higher foraging echelon than that of the C. sphinx. In our study we found that the C. sphinx forages normally at canopy level (up to 3.5m), R. leschenaultii forages at upper canopy levels (up to 9m) and P. giganteus at a height above the canopy area (>9m). Keywords: Flight height, food preference, foraging, phenology.

INTRODUCTION The feeding habits of bats as a whole are as varied as that of other mammals, and this dietary variation is proportional to much of the morphological, physiological and ecological diversity seen in bats (Altringham 1996). Most of the bats are relatively stereotyped in their foraging preferences. Pteropodid bats are usually frugivorous but very rarely insectivorous where as all other bats are exclusively insectivorous (Hill & Smith 1986). It has been estimated that approximately 29% of the bats, partially or wholly, are dependent on plants as a source of food (Fleming 1982). Pteropodids are known to be virtually phytophagous; studies also reveal that the diet of fruit bats includes several other floral resources (largely nectar and pollen but also petals and bracts), fruits (i.e. any plant material surrounding seeds), often the seeds themselves and leaves (Marshall 1985). In addition to seasonal patterns of fruit availability, frugivorous bats face highly inter-specific variations in the timing and amount of food production (McKenzie et al. 1995). Although individual species have restricted fruiting seasons, several species of bat eat fruits that are generally available at all times of the year in tropical habitats. Food resources exploited by bats vary widely in their spatio-temporal distributions (Fleming 1982; McKenzie et al. 1995; Hodgkinson 2001). In addition to playing an important role in determining the structure of tropical bat communities, frugivory and nectarivory reflect plant adaptations, which facilitate seed dispersal and pollination. Bats have been found to have various foraging strategies from the gleaning level to the aerial hawking level of flight. The factors for the flight of bats were well discussed by Fenton et

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al. (1987) and Norberg & Rayner (1987). This paper deals with the phenology of bat depending plants and the foraging patterns of the pteropodid bats including, C. sphinx, R. leschenaultii and P. giganteus. Plant parts preference and seasonal availability of the food has also been discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS The study on the food, foraging and flight height of three species of pteropodid bats was conducted from May 2008 to April 2009 in Tirunelveli (0808’N & 77054’E) and Tuticorin (08045’N & 78013’E) districts of southern Tamil Nadu. In this study, plants that provide food to frugivorous bats, foraging pattern and flight height in pteropodid bats were assessed. Weekly field trips were made to observe the wide range of foraging habitats of bats. Observations were made to find the food items preferred by bats. Food remnants viz., chewed fruits, bolus and floral remnants were collected from the bat flyways and below the day and night roosts. The collected remnants were analyzed to identify the plant species. The Phenology of the fruits and flowers preferred by bats in the study area were observed and their seasonal availability was assessed. Preference of fruits in various stages of development (immature, unripe and ripe) by bats was observed for a few species of plants throughout their fruiting seasons. Variations in the foraging strategies and foraging bouts among the frugivorous bats were also studied. The influence of moonlight on the foraging pattern of the frugivorous bats was estimated. The flight height of pteropodid bats in the foraging area (orchards and wild trees) was studied by using the mist netting sampling method. The foraging areas of fruit bats were classified into two types. One is below the canopy level (below 3.5m height) and the other is above the canopy level (which is above 3.5m height). For capturing C. sphinx and R. leschenaultii, mist nets (Avinet Dryden Inc. USA) with a mesh size of 3.5 x 3.5 cm were used and for capturing P.giganteus, nets with a mesh size of 16 x 16 cm were used (custom made mist nets). Apart from the bats captured through the mist nets, bats that came to the foraging trees were also monitored and noted. The fruiting trees for netting were selected in a manner that would be preferred by the three species of frugivorous bats and also where 2296

their diurnal roosting site was nearer to the foraging area. The mist netting exercise commenced about half an hour before dusk and was completed at 0600hr in the morning. Mist nets were erected from a height of 1.5–30 m and the bats captured at various netting heights were recorded. The captured bats were classified according to their age, sex and reproductive status. Captured bats were marked with a special kind of necklace (Issac et al. 2003), kept in a cage and released before dawn.

RESULTS A total of 37 species of food plants were identified. These plants provide fruits or their parts, leaves, flowers, nectar and pollen for pteropodid bats including Cynopterus sphinx, Rousettus leschenaultiii and Pteropus giganteus in the study area (Table 1). Food of pteropodid bats The bats fed on fruits, leaves, nectar and pollen. A variation of food selection was observed within the pteropodid bats. Out of the 37 species of plants in the study area, C. sphinx was found to depend on 35 species of plants, R. leschenaultii was found to depend on 27 species of plants and P. giganteus depended on 23 species of plants for their diet during different seasons of the year. Out of the 35 species of plants preferred by C. sphinx, 27 provide fruits, four provide leaves, one provides flowers, one provides leaves and flowers, one provides nectar and fruit and one provides flowers and fruit. Out of the 27 species of plants preferred by R. leschenaultii, 24 provide fruit, one provides flowers, one provides fruit and nectar, and one provides fruit and flowers. Of the 23 species of plants preferred by P. giganteus, 20 provide fruit, one provides leaves and fruit and two provide both flowers and fruit. In addition, R. leschenaultii and P. giganteus were observed feeding on toddy, a plant sap extract tapped from Borassus flabellifer by the local farmers. Fruits preferred by bats at various stages of fruit development A study was made on the fruits preferred by bats at various stages of fruit development in 11 species of plants (Table 2). Observations were conducted on the fruiting conditions of 11 species of plants preferred by

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Table 1. Food providing plants for pteropodid bats and parts eaten by them Family

Anacardiaceae

Annonaceae

Bombacaceae

Species

Bat species C. sphinx

R. leschenaultii

P. giganteus

Mangifera indica

Anacardium occidentale

Lannea coromondelica

Annona squamosa

Polyalthia longifolia

Polyalthia latifolia

Annona reticulata

Ceiba pentandra

Fl/Fr

Tamarindus indica

Caesalpiniaceae

Cassia fistula

Caricaceae

Carica papaya

Combretaceae

Terminalia catappa

Cucurbitaceae

Coccinia grandis

L/Fr

Elaeocarpaceae

Muntingia calabura

Guttiferae

Calophyllum inophyllum

Meliaceae

Azadirachta indica

Pithecellobium dulce

Mimosaceae

Albizia lebbeck

Prosopis juliflora

Ficus reticulata

Ficus benghalensis

Ficus religiosa

Fr/L

Morus alba

Artocarpus integrifolia

Moraceae

Moringaceae

Moringa oleifera

Musaceae

Musa paradisiaca

N/Fr

Myrtaceae

Psidium guajava

Syzygium cumini

Palmae

Borassus flabellifer

Punicaceae

Punica granatum

Rutaceae

Murraya koenigii

Rhamnaceae

Sapotaceae

21 22 23

Fr+

Zizyphus jujuba

Bassia latifolia

Fl/Fr

Achras sapota

Solanaceae

Solanum torvum

Sterculiaceae

Guazuma tomentosa

Vitaceae

Vitis vinifera

the fruit eating bats in the study area. We observed that all the three pteropodid species, C. sphinx, R. leschenaultii and P. giganteus feeding on the ripe fruits of all the plant species (Table 2). R. leschenaultii and

C. sphinx feed only on the unripe and ripe fruits and not on immature fruits. But in contrast, P. giganteus were found to feed on the immature fruits of Mangifera indica and they also prefer to feed on the unripe fruits of

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Table 2. Preference of fruits by pteropodid bats on various developmental stages of fruits of various plant species Bat species Fruiting tree

Psidium guajava

Bassia latifolia

Ficus religiosa

Ficus benghalensis

Mangifera indica

Muntingia calabura

Syzygium cumini

Terminalia catappa

Polyalthia longifolia

Lannea coromondelica

Ceiba pentandra

Fruit conditioning stage

C. sphinx

R. leschenaultii

P. giganteus

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

Immature

Unripe

Ripe

+ -

+ +

Immature UnRipe Ripe

Fr - fruit; Fl - flower; N - nectar; L - leaves; + - toddy; - not consumed/eaten

Psidium guajava, Bassia latifolia, Ficus religiosa, F. benghalensis, M. indica, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia catappa and Polyalthia longifolia. C. sphinx feed on the unripe fruits of Muntingia calabura, S. cumini, and T. catappa. Whereas, R. leschenaultiii feed on unripe fruits of F. religiosa, S. cumini, T. catappa and P. longifolia. 2298

Seasonal availability of food of pteropodid bats While studying the seasonal availability of food for pteropodid bats in the study area (Table 3), C. sphinx were found to enjoy the maximum food availability in all the months. C. sphinx had a higher frequency of food availability, between the months of March and September. R.

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Table 3. Seasonal variation in the availablity of food for pteropodid bats Species name

Parts eaten by bats

Mangifera indica

Anacardium occidentale

Lannea coromondelica

Annona squamosa

Polyalthia lattifolia

Polyalthia longifolia

Annona reticulata

Ceiba pentandra

N/Fr

Tamarindus indica

10 11

Seasonal availability of food for bats J

+ +

+/+

Cassia fistula

Carica papaya

Terminalia catappa

Coccinia grandis

Fr/L

+/+

Muntingia calabura

Calophyllum inophyllum

Azadirachta indica

Pithecellobium dulce

Albizia labbeck

Prosobis juliflora

Atrocarpus integrifolia

Ficus reticulata

Ficus benghalensis

Ficus religiosa

Fr/L

+/+

Morus alba

Moringa oleifera

Fl/L

+/+

Musa paradisiaca

Fr/N

+/+

Psidium guajava

Fr/L

+/+

Syzygium cumini

Borassus flabellifer

Fr/T

Punica granatum

Fr/N

Murraya koenigii

Zizyphus jujula

Bassia latifolia

Fl/Fr

Achras sapota

Solanum torvum

Guazuma tomentosa

Vitis vinifera

C. sphinx Frequency

+ +

+ + /+

+/+

R. leschenaultii

P. giganteus

+/+

+ +

Fr - fruit; Fl - flower; N - nectar; L - leaves; T - toddy; + - indicates availability

leschenaultii were found to have a higher frequency of food availability between the months of March and August. P. giganteus were found to have a moderate availability of food throughout the year and got maximum food availability between the months of March

and August (Table 3). Foraging patterns of pteropodid bats A total of 16 observations (four observations each in different moon phases namely full moon, last quar-

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ter, first quarter and new moon) were made to study the foraging patterns of pteropodid bats (Table 4). A bimodal foraging pattern was observed for C. sphinx and trimodal foraging pattern for R. leschenaultii. Foraging frequency of C. sphinx was found to be maximum (77.3%) between 2100hr and 2200hr and between 0200hr and 0300hr. A variation in the foraging pattern was observed in C. sphinx with reference to the different moon phases. During the full moon phase and the first quarter phase the activity was found to be minimal compared to the other two moon phases. R. leschenaultii was found to forage most (76.8%) with foraging bouts between 2100hr and 2200hr, and between 2300hr and 0000hr and later between 0300hr and 0400hr, and also show a variation in the foraging pattern similar to C. sphinx with regard to the moon phase. P. giganteus were found to have a variation in the foraging pattern and fed throughout the night; generally the foraging activity was not affected by the moon phase. Even though P. giganteus fed throughout the night, the maximum activity was observed between 1930hr and 2100hr, later between 0000hr and 0100hr and then between 0300hr and 0400hr. Foraging flight heights of pteropodid bats A total of 37 mist netting sampling nights were spent to observe the foraging and flight height of the pteropodid bats in the study area. Ten mist nets of large mesh size were used to capture P. giganteus and

15 and 12 mist netting sampling nights to capture C. sphinx and R. leschenaultii above and below the canopy level respectively. C. sphinx, R. leschenaultii and P. giganteus were found to have a profound difference in their foraging ability and foraging heights. C. sphinx were captured from a height of 1.5–21 m and capture was maximum only below the canopy level (> 3.5m). R. leschenaultii were captured from a height of 2–23.5 m and they were captured more at a height of 3.25–4.25 m. P. giganteus were observed foraging at a height of 8 ft above the ground level to the height of the foraging tree. Even though C. sphinx was captured at a height of 1.5–21 m, a variation in capture heights with regard to the age and sex was observed. Of the 499 individuals of C. sphinx captured, 318 individuals were captured below the canopy level and 181 individuals above the canopy level. The capture rate of juvenile male (n = 46), male and female subadults of C. sphinx were found to be maximum above the canopy level than the adults (Table 5). Capture height between the juveniles, subadults and adults among the male and female bats of C. sphinx were not significantly different (Kruskal-Wallis Test, p > 0.05). Capture heights between the subadults of male and female bats of C. sphinx were significantly different (Mann-Whitney Test; p < 0.05). In the case of R. leschenaultii, a total of 132 bats were captured. Out of this, 54 individuals were cap-

Table 4. Foraging patterns of pteropodid bats with reference to moon phase

New moon

Last Quarter

Full moon

First quarter

Moon phase

Bat species

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Time interval in hours and number of bats observed 1900 – 2000

2000 – 2100

2100 – 2200

2200 – 2300

2300 – 0000

0000 – 0100

0100 – 0200

0200 – 0300

0300 – 0400

0400 – 0500

C. sphinx

110

100

R. leschenaultii

P. giganteus

C. sphinx

R. leschenaultii

P. giganteus

C. sphinx

123

R. leschenaultii

P. giganteus

C. sphinx

118

112

R. leschenaultii

P. giganteus

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Table 5. Number of bats captured at above and below the canopy level Sex and age of C. sphinx Character

Male

Sex and age of R. leschenaultii

Female

Male

Female

Below the canopy level

114

318

Above the canopy level

181

J - Juvenile; SA - Sub Adult; A - Adult

tured below the canopy level and 78 individuals were captured above the canopy level (> 3.5m). Of the 78 bats that were captured above the canopy level, 34 individuals belonged to the juvenile and subadult age groups and were observed to fly over a height of 10m, Whereas the capture of adults bats of R. leschenaultii was minimum above a height of 10m ( Table 5) / strike the line. P. giganteus were observed not to have any alteration in the foraging pattern and flight heights with regards to age and sex. P. giganteus were mainly found to be voracious feeders and fed throughout the night, foraging mostly at the height of the mid crown regions to the top regions of the fruiting tree. Usually P. giganteus were not observed to forage below 2.5m.

DISCUSSION Frugivorous bats exhibit two patterns of foraging behaviour with reference to plants. They are ‘sequential specialization’ and ‘individual generalization’. Sequential specialists use only one plant at a time but change food sources after several days or weeks (Colwell 1974). Individual generalists will visit several species of plants for nectar, pollen or fruit in one night. Observations made in our study corroborates with similar observations of Gardner (1977) that the individual-general pattern appears to be common among bats for whom fruits and flowers are major parts of the diet. Foraging studies of pteropodids in Tirunelveli District revealed that 37 species of plants were observed to provide food for pteropodid bats. Bats in our study exhibited variations in their diet selection and preference. The diet preference in bats was mainly based on the morphological and palatable characters of the fruit (Corrlet 1996). Certain fruits may have a hard

outer coat, which may be difficult to eat for certain small frugivores, certain fruiting trees may not facilitate the flying movements of some bats, but it may be preferred by others. Such a variation in the diet strategy may help the bats to avoid competition amongst themselves. Dietary selection in frugivores was documented by several authors (Fleming & Heithaus 1981; Tidemann & Nelson 1987). Fruits that are hard to carry to the night roost and some other fruits that are available above the foraging heights were normally less preferred by some bats, but bats that could overcome such obstacles preferred those fruits. Flying foxes are postulated to have a taste preference with reference to the selection of their food (Marshall 1983; Tidemann & Nelson 1987) which may be a reason for seasonal preference of fruits by these pteropodid bats. P. giganteus and C. sphinx prefer to feed on the leaves. Folivory in C. sphinx (Bhat 1994) and the nutrient analysis in leaves fed by C. sphinx were well expressed (Ruby et al. 2000). P. giganteus were observed to feed only on the leaves of Ficus religiosa. Lowry (1989) refers to the phenomenon ‘green leaf fractionation’ whereby whole leaves are seldom consumed, but chewed and the whole liquid extract is consumed. A large amount of bolus of F. religiosa was collected and was observed to be a regular in the diet of P. giganteus. P. giganteus and R. leschenaultii were observed to drink ‘toddy’, which may be similar to that of the P. mariannus licking water from the surfaces of leaves as a supplement for moisture and nutrient requirements as observed by Wiles et al. (1991). Observations on the diet selection in pteropodid bats revealed that they fed on unripe fruits, mature fruits and immature fruits. The main cause for this may be the low availability of resources and competition for other fruits. Certain orchard fruits were observed to be fed on in immature and unripe stages, this may be due to the nature of palatablity. Wiles & Fu-

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jita (1992) reported that the flying foxes in the Pacific Islands fed on the cultivated plants at stages of fruit maturity. Jacobsen & DuPlessis (1976) reported that Rousettus aegyptiacus fed on green figs that were hard to crush at times, when there was a scarcity of availability of food. On studying the seasonal availability of food for the pteropodid bats, C. sphinx were observed enjoying a wide variety of food availability. It may have been because of their flexibility in food selection or also of opportunistic food choice. P. giganteus were observed to have lesser fruit choice and availability throughout the year. Most of the Pteropus species were observed to commute longer distances for their foraging activity (Nelson 1965). Similarly P. giganteus were also observed to be long distance foragers (Goyal et al. 1993) to fulfill their dietary requirements and also makes it an opportunistic feeder. On studying the diet availability for bats in various months of the year, the maximum availability of food was during their breeding periods and bats switched over to different food items according to their availability. The reproductive periods of bats are ultimately determined by food availability (Marshall 1985). The timing of reproductive events among plants (flowering and fruiting) may influence the bat’s reproductive cycles, foraging patterns and the intensity of competition for food resources among bat species (Heithaus et al. 1975). In case of plant-visiting bats, resource abundance and distribution pattern appear to significantly influence foraging group size. This point was well illustrated by the behaviour of Phyllostomus discolor (Heithaus et al. 1974; Sazima & Sazima 1978). The feeding group size of P. discolor declines as the number of flowers per plant declines (Fleming 1982). A similar pattern of foraging activity was also observed in R. leschenaultii and P. giganteus. Howell (1979) argues that the main advantage of flock foraging was that it increases individual foraging efficiency on patchily distributed flowers. Species like Artibeus jamaicensis and Phyllostomus hastatus fly in groups, but both are also solitary foragers (Goodwin & Greenhall 1961). C. sphinx was observed to show a bimodal foraging pattern, while R. leschenaultiii showed a trimodal foraging pattern. Bats probably exemplify various modes of foraging patterns, the first peak is at the beginning of the foraging activity and the second peak towards the end (Erkert 1982). Unlike C. sphinx and 2302

R. leschenaultiii, P. giganteus were observed to be voracious feeders, feeding throughout its foraging activity. The foraging patterns in bats were observed to be affected by the moonlight and environmental factors (Kunz 1982). The pattern of foraging in C. sphinx and R. leschenaultii altered at a greater rate depending on the moon phase. C. sphinx showed a decreased pattern in its foraging activity during full moon (Elangovan & Marimuthu 2001; Singaravelan & Marimuthu 2001). The reason for this may be the that the bats protect themselves from other predators (Nair et al. 1998). A variation in the flight height was observed in C. sphinx and R. leschenaultii. R. leschenaultii was observed to have a higher foraging echelon than that of the C. sphinx. In our study C. sphinx foraged normally at the canopy level, R. leschenaultii foraged at upper canopy levels and P. giganteus above the crown area at a greater rate. The variation in foraging height of R. leschenaultiii may be mainly determined by the wing loading and the aspect ratio (Fenton et al. 1987; Elangovan et al. 2004). The variation in the foraging height also helps the bats to have different foraging strategies, flight mode and food preferences. This strategy helps the bats to utilize the resources to a greater extent. In our study, apart from the regular foraging heights, bats were also observed to engage in foraging guilds at various heights; such conditions were observed to exist only when the fruit availability was low. The observation made by us is similar to that by Cosson (1995), who studied the pteropodid bat flight activity level under forest canopy in southern Cameroon and reported that small frugivores feed on the understorey low lying fruits whereas large frugivores feed on the fruits in the upper canopy level.

REFERENCES Altringham, J.D. (1996). Bats, Biology, and Behaviour. Oxford University Press, New York, 262pp. Bhat, H.R. (1994). Observation on the food and feeding behaviour of Cynopterus sphinx (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae). Mammalia 58: 363–370. Colwell, R.K. (1974). Competition and coexistence in a simple tropical community. American Naturalist 107: 737–760. Corlett, R.T. (1996). Charecteristics of vertebrate dispersal fruits in Hong Kong. Journal of Tropical Ecology 12: 819–

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823 Cosson, J.F. (1995). Captures of Myonycteris torquata (Chiroptera: Pterapodidae) in forest canopy in South Cameroon. Biotropica 27: 395–396. Elangovan, V. & G. Marimuthu (2001). Effect of moonlight on the foraging behaviour of a megachiropteran bat Cynopterus sphinx. Journal of Zoology 253: 347–350. Elangovan, V., H. Raguram, E.Y.S. Priya & G. Marimuthu (2004). Wing morphology and flight performance in Rousettus leschenaultii. Journal of Mammalogy 85(4): 806–812. Erkert, H.G. (1982). Ecological aspects of bat activity rhythms, pp. 201–242. In: Kunz, T.H. (eds.). Ecology of Bats. Plenum Press, New York, London. Fenton, M.B., P. Racey & J.M.V. Rayner (1987). Recent Advances in Study of Bats. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 470pp. Fleming, T.H. (1982). Foraging strategies of plant-visiting bats, pp. 287–325. In: Kunz, T.H. (eds.). Ecology of Bats. Plenum Press, New York, London. Fleming, T.H. & E.R. Heithaus (1981). Frugivorous bat, seed shadows, and the structure of tropical forests. Biotropica 13: 45–53. Gardner, A.L. (1977). Feeding habits, pp. 293–350. In: Baker, R.J., J.K. Jr. Jones & D.C. Carter (eds.). Biology of Bats of the New World Family Phyllostomatidae—Pat II. Special Publication. Museum of Texas Technical University, 364pp. Goodwin, G.G., & A.M. Greenhall (1961). Review of the bats of Trinidad and Tobago. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 122: 187–301. Goyal, S.P., J.B. Sale & A. Gupta (1993). Roost preference, population and food habits of the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus at Dehradun. Bat Research News (1): 19–20. Heithaus, E.R., T.H. Fleming & P.A. Opler (1975). Foraging patterns and resource utilization in seven species of bats in a seasonal tropical forest. Ecology 56: 716–723 Heithaus, E.R., P.A. Opler & H.G. Baker (1974). Bat activity and pollination of Bauhinia pauletia: Plant–pollination Coevolution. Ecology 55 : 412–419. Hill, J.E. & J.D. Smith (1986). Bats: A Natural History. British Museum (Natural History) London, 243pp. Hodgkison, R. (2001). The ecology of fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in a Malaysian lowland dipterocarp forest, with particular reference to the Spotted-winged Fruit Bat (Balionycteris maculata, Thomas). PhD Thesis, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Howell, D.J. (1979). Flock foraging in nectar-feeding bats: advantages to the bats and the host plants. American Museum of Natural History 114: 23–49. Isaac, S., J. Balasingh, P.T. Nathan, D.P. Doss, M.R. Sudhakaran & T.H. Kunz (2003). An improved beaded, polymer necklace for marking bats. Bat Research News

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44(3): 87–89. Jacobsen, N.H.G. & E. DuPlessis (1976). Observations on the ecology and biology of the Cape Fruit Bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus leachi in the Eastern Transvaal. South African Journal of Science 70: 270–273. Kunz, T.H. (1982). Roosting ecology, pp. 1–56. In: Kunz, T.H. (eds.). Ecology of Bats. Plennum press, New York. Lowry, J.B. (1989). Green-leaf fractination by fruit bats: is this feeding behaviour a unique nutritional strategy for herbivores? Australian Wildlife Research 16: 203–206. Marshall, A.G. (1983). Bats, flowers and fruit evolutionary relationships in the old world. Biological Journal of Linnean Society 20: 115–135. Marshall, A.G. (1985). Old world phytophagous bats (Megachiroptera) and their food plants: A survey. Zoological Journal of Linnean Society 83: 351–369. McKenzie, N.L., A.C. Gunnell, M. Yani & M.R. Williams (1995). Correspondence between flight morphology and foraging ecology in some paleotropical bats. Australian Journal of Zoology 43: 241–157 Nair, N.G., V. Elangovan & R. Subbaraj (1998). Influence of moonlight on the foraging behaviour of the Indian short– nosed fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx: Radio-telemetry studies. Current Science 74(8): 688–689. Nelson, J.E. (1965). Behavior of Australian Pteropodidae (Megachiroptera). Animal Behaviour 13(4): 544–560. Norberg, U.M., & J.M.V. Rayner (1987). Ecological morphology and flight in bats: wing adaptations, flight performance, foraging strategy and echolocation. Philosophical transactions of the royal society of London, Series B. Biologial Sciences 316: 335–427. Ruby, J., Nathan, P. T., Balasingh, J., & Kunz, T. H. (2000). Chemical composition of fruits and leaves eaten by short– nosed fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx. Journal of Chemical Ecology 26(12): 2825–2841. Sazima, M., & Sazima, I. (1978). Bat pollination of passion flower, Passiflora mucronata, in Southeastern Brazil. Biotropica 10: 100–109. Singaravelan, N., & G. Marimuthu (2002). Moonlight inhibits and lunar eclipse enhances the foraging activity of fruit bats in an orchard. Current Science 82: 1020–1022. Tidemann, C.R. & J.E. Nelson (1987). Flying foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) and bananas: some interactions. Australian Mammalogy 10: 133–135. Wiles, G.J. & M. Fujita (1992). The food and economic importance of flying foxes on Pacific islands. In: Wilson, D.E., & G.L. Graham (eds.). Pacific Island Flying Foxes. Proceedings of an international conference. US Fish and Wildlife Service. Biological Report 90(23): 24–35. Wiles, G.J., J. Engbring & M.C.V. Falanruw (1991). Population status and natural history of Pteropus mariannus on Ulithi Atoll, Carolina Islands. Pacific Science 45: 76– 84.

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JoTT Short Communication

4(1): 2304–2309

Notes on some rare and interesting Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from Deepor Beel, Assam, India B.K. Sharma 1 & Sumita Sharma 2 Freshwater Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Permanent Campus, Shillong, Meghalaya 793022, India Email: 1 profbksharma@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 sumitasharma.nehu@gmail.com

1,2

Abstract: Plankton samples collected from Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site of India, during August 2008–July 2010, revealed six rare and interesting Cladocera belonging to four genera of the family Chydoridae. The globally important elements include the Australasian Disperalona caudata; the Asian Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris; the Indo-Malayan Alona macronyx; and Leydigiopsis curvirostris which is known to occur elsewhere in North and South America. Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris is a new record from India while Alona guttata tuberculata, A. macronyx and Coronatella anodonta are new records from Assam. The documented species are briefly diagnosed and comments are made on their distribution. Keywords: Cladocera, India, Interesting species, Ramsar site.

Deepor Beel (91035’–91043’E & 26005’–26011’N; 40km2; altitude 42m), an important floodplain lake of the Brahmaputra River basin of northeastern India as well as a Ramsar site, merits considerable significance for its biodiversity value (Sharma & Sharma 2008). Realizing this importance, the authors undertook

Date of publication (online): 26 January 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 January 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) Editor: Humphrey Smith Manuscript details: Ms # o2861 Received 05 July 2011 Final received 03 October 2011 Finally accepted 04 January 2012 Citation: B.K. Sharma & Sumita Sharma (2012). Notes on some rare and interesting Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from Deepor Beel, Assam, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(1): 2304–2309. Copyright: © B.K. Sharma & Sumita Sharma 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Acknowledgements: This study is a part of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (Govt. of India) sponsored project No. 22018-09/2010-CS (Tax) sanctioned to the senior author. The senior author is also thankful to Head, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong for necessary facilities. We wish to thank our reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions.

detailed limnological reconnaissance (August 2008–July 2010) with special reference to faunal diversity and ecology of invertebrates in general and zooplankton diversity in particular. As a part of our study on Cladocera fauna of this interesting wetland, we came across six rare and interesting Cladocera of the family Chydoridae, including four globally important elements namely Disperalona caudata, Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris, Alona macronyx and Leydigiopsis curvirostris. In addition, one species is a new record from India and two species are new records from Assam state. All the recorded species are identified with comments on their distribution. Materials and Methods Qualitative plankton samples were collected monthly by towing nylobolt plankton net (No. 25) and were preserved in 5% formalin. The plankton samples were screened for sorting out different species which were mounted individually in a polyvinyl alcohollactophenol mixture. Different species were identified following Smirnov (1971, 1996) and Sharma & Sharma (2007, 2008). Photographs were taken with a Leica DM 1000 image analyzer. The voucher specimens are deposited in the holdings of the Freshwater Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. Systematic list of the recorded species Superclass: Crustacea Class: Branchiopoda Superorder: Cladocera (sensu strictu) Order: Anomopoda Family: Chydoridae Subfamily: Chydorinae 1. Disperalona caudata Smirnov, 1996

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projecting; distal dorsal end projecting beyond base of claws. Claw with a basal spine and with setae on its concave margin. Distribution: Meghalaya.

Subfamily: Aloninae 1. Alona guttata tuberculata (Kurz, 1875) 2. A. macronyx (Daday, 1898)** 3. Coronatella anodonta (Daday, 1905)** 4. Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris Rajapaksa & Fernando, 1986* 5. Leydigiopsis curvirostris Sars, 1901

Coronatella anodonta (Daday, 1905) (Images 3-4) Characters: Body oval, with maximum height in middle. Head shield and valves with distinct tubercles; postero-dorsal and postero-ventral corners of valves rounded. Antennules almost reaching apex of rostrum. Ocellus situated halfway between eye and apex of rostrum. Labral plate rounded, without any denticle on its anterior margin. Postabdomen with anal denticles and lateral setae. Claw with a basal spine. Distribution: Meghalaya and Rajasthan (?).

* New record from India; ** New record from Assam Taxonomic notes Disperalona caudata Smirnov, 1996 (Images 1–2) Characters: Valves longitudinally striated; posterior dorsal angle expressed and posterior ventral angle rounded. Rostrum long, pointed and ventrally directed. Head shield with two main head pores and two small pores between them. Antennule reaching half-way to the tip of rostrum. Postabdomen relatively elongated, with a distinct dorso-distal corner and preanal angle not distinct. Postabdomen with 14 anal teeth, proximal teeth small. Claw with two basal spines; second basal spine smaller than the diameter of the base of claw.

Alona macronyx (Daday, 1898) (Images 5-6) Characters: Body oval, with maximum height before its middle. Valves with lines and dots; posterodorsal and postero-ventral corners rounded; ventral margin slightly concave. Antennules not reaching apex of rostrum. Ocellus smaller than eye and situated near to it. Labral plate with convex anterior margin and truncate apex. Postabdomen narrowing distally and with an incision at the base of the claws; with 12-14 large marginal anal denticles, distal margin of post-abdomen with a small denticle. Claw with a basal spine nearly half as long as claw. Distribution: Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh.

Alona guttata tuberculata (Kurz, 1875) Characters: Head shield and valves with characteristic rounded pits. Labral plate rounded. Postabdomen with 8–10 anal spines; pre-anal corner

Image 1. Disperalona caudata Smirnov, anterior part of parthenogenetic female

Image 2. D. caudata Smirnov, postabdomen of parthenogenetic female

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Image 3. Coronatella anodonta (Daday), anterior part of parthenogenetic female

Image 5. Alona macronyx (Daday), anterior part of parthenogenetic female

Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris Rajapaksa & Fernando, 1986 (Images 7–8) Characters: Body oval and compressed; posteroventral corner of valves rounded. Valves marked with longitudinal lines; marginal setules along posterolateral corner and sub-marginal setules on posterior margin subequal. Rostrum elongated. Ocellus about half the size of eye and situated close to it. Three connected head pores; medial pore relatively smaller; lateral pores minute. Antennules elongated; only three longest aesthetasces reaching tip of rostrum. Labrum 2306

Image 4. Coronatella anodonta (Daday), postabdomen of parthenogenetic female

Image 6. A. macronyx (Daday), postabdomen of parthenogenetic female

strongly reduced; labral plate with rounded anterior margin. Post-abdomen elongate; distal corner with a narrow lobe projecting beyond claw; dorsal margin slightly recurved with 10-14 short denticles followed by 3–5 groups of minute spines. Claw elongated, with setules; basal spine short and with setules at its base.

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Rare Cladocera from Deepor Beel

Image 7. Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris Rajapaksa & Fernando, anterior part of parthenogenetic female

Image 9. Leydigiopsis curvirostris Sars, parthenogenetic female

Leydigiopsis curvirostris Sars, 1901 (Images 9-10) Characters: Body with maximum height in the middle. Postero-dorsal and postero-ventral corner of valves rounded. Ventral margin of valves protruded before the middle; entire ventral margin with concentric rows of dots and with setae which continue along posterior margin in a row of fine hairs. Rostrum very long and curved posteriorly. Distance from apex of rostrum to apex of antennule nearly twice the length of antennule. Head-shield with two broadly connected main head pores and two small pores close to them. Plate of labrum triangular and with slightly pointed apex. Ocellus about as large as the eye. Postabdomen large; its dorsal margin distinctly convex and distal

B.K. Sharma & S. Sharma

Image 8. K. (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris Rajapaksa & Fernando, postabdomen of parthenogenetic female

Image 10. L. curvirostris Sars, anterior part of parthenogenetic female

to the anus; distal end of postabdomen rounded. Preanal corner distinct with double row of 16–20 anal denticles, decreasing in size proximally and a row of lateral spinules on each side . Claw large, with setae on the concave margin and with a small basal denticle. Remarks Six species of rare and interesting chydorid Cladocera are reported from Deepor Beel. These include four globally interesting elements viz., the Australasian Disperalona caudata, the Asian Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris and the Indo-Malayan

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Alona macronyx, while Leydigiopsis curvirostris is known elsewhere only from Brazil and Nicaragua. Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris is an interesting addition to the Indian Cladocera. Originally described from Thailand (Rajapaksa & Fernando 1986), this species is also known from Sri Lanka and Philippines. Our present report from northeastern India, therefore, merits biogeographic importance for extension of its range within the South Asian region. Hudec (2000) dealt with five known Kurzia spp. and proposed their subgeneric differentiation into Kurzia sensu strictu and Rostrokurzia. K. (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris is a member of the latter. This sub (tropical) Asian species can be distinctly differentiated from other members of this genus by its diagnostic reduced labrum. Disperalona caudata, another globally important species, was described from Mudginberri Lagoon, Kakadu National Park, Australia (Smirnov 1996). Sanoamuang (1998) reported it from northeastern Thailand as its first record from Asia. Sharma & Sharma (2007) reported D. caudata from two floodplain lakes (Deepor and Raidong beels) of the Brahmaputra River basin, Assam extending its distributional range to the Indian subcontinent. This Australasian species depicts an interesting link between the cladoceran fauna of northeastern India, Southeast Asia and Australia. Further, it is known from India, to date, from the state of Assam only. Leydigiopsis, a very rare genus, was described from Brazil by Sars (1901) and until the end of 20th century, it was presumed to be distributed in South and Central America only (Sinev 2004). In addition, Sanoamuang (1998) examined its single specimen from Kalasin province of northeastern Thailand but could not ascertain species status. Sinev (2004) categorized this genus to be insufficiently studied and remarked on the unclear status of Asian Leydigiopsis. Sharma & Sharma (2007) extended its distributional range to the Indian subcontinent based on an earlier report of L. curvirostris in Deepor Beel. The present study re-affirms its occurrence, restricted to the Assam State only. We believe that disjunct occurrence of this chydorid of North American origin in India may represent an example of its introduction by man and thus deserves further analysis. The Indo-Malayan Alona macronyx is a new record from Assam. The first Indian report of this species referred to Indialona jabalpurensis, a new species 2308

described from Madhya Pradesh by Rane (1983), which was considered as a synonym of A. macronyx (refer Rajapaksa & Fernando 1987; Sharma & Sharma 1990). This species was recorded for the first time from northeastern India from Meghalaya (Sharma 2008), and our report further extends its distribution to the adjoining state of Assam. Alona guttata tuberculata and Coronatella anodonta are new records from Assam; the latter is recently observed from the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve of Meghalaya (Sharma & Sharma 2011) while Sharma (2008) reported the former again from Meghalaya. These two taxa are, hence, known to date only from the northeastern region of India

REFERENCES Hudec, I. (2000). Subgeneric differentiation within Kurzia (Crustacea: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) and a new species from Central America. Hydrobiologia 421: 165–178. Rajapaksa, R. & C.H. Fernando (1986). Tropical species of Kurzia (Crustacea, Cladocera) with a description of Kurzia brevilabris sp. nov. Canadian Journal of Zoology 64: 250–260. Rajapaksa, R. & C.H. Fernando (1987). A note on Alona macronyx Daday, 1898 (Crustacea, Cladocera). Canadian Journal of Zoology 65: 216–218. Rane, P. (1983). A new species of Cladocera of genus Indialona Petkovski, 1966 (Family Chydoridae) from India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 80: 194–195. Sanoamuang, L. (1998). Contributions to the knowledge of the Cladocera of north-east Thailand. Hydrobiologia 362: 45–53. Sars, G.O. (1901). Contributions to the knowledge of the freshwater Entomostraca of South America, as shown by artificial hatching from dried material. 1. Cladocera. Archiv fur Mathematik og Naturvidenskab Christiana 23(3): 1–102. Sharma, B.K. & S. Sharma (1990). On the taxonomic status of some cladoceran taxa (Crustacea: Cladocera) from Central India. Revue Hydrobiologie Tropicale 23: 105–133. Sharma, B.K. & S. Sharma (2007). New records of two interesting chydorid cladocerans (Branchiopoda: Cladocera: Chydoridae) from the floodplain lakes of Assam, India. Zoo’s Print Journal 22(8): 2799–2801. Sharma, B. K. & S. Sharma (2008). Faunal diversity of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) of Deepor beel, Assam (Northeast India) - A Ramsar site. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 105(2): 196–201. Sharma, B. K. & S. Sharma (2011). Faunal diversity of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Meghalaya, Northeast India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(10): 2120–2127. Sharma, S. (2008). Notes on some rare and interesting

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Rare Cladocera from Deepor Beel

Cladocerans (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) from Meghalaya. Records of the Zoological Survey of India 108(2): 111– 122. Sharma, S. & B.K. Sharma (2008). Zooplankton diversity in floodplain lakes of Assam. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, Occasional Paper No. 290: 1–307. Sinev, A.Y. (2004). Redescription of two species of the genus Leydigiopsis Sars, 1901 (Branchiopoda, Anomopoda, Chydoridae). Invertebrate Zoology 1(1): 75–92.

B.K. Sharma & S. Sharma

Smirnov, N.N. (1971). The World Chydorid Fauna (in Russian). USSR Academy of Sciences, Zoological Institute Nova series 101, 539pp. (Leningrad) Smirnov, N.N. (1996). Cladocera: The Chydorinae and Sayciinae (Chydoridae) of the World, pp. 1–197. In: Dumont, H.J. & T. Nogrady (eds.). Guides to Identification of the Microinvertebrates of the Continental Waters of the World: 11. SPB Academic Publishing bv. Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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JoTT Short Communication

4(1): 2310–2317

Western Ghats Special Series

Fish fauna of Indrayani River, northern Western Ghats, India Neelesh Dahanukar 1, Mandar Paingankar 2, Rupesh N. Raut 3 & Sanjay S. Kharat 4 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Sai Trinity, Garware Circle, Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India Department of Zoology, University of Pune, Ganeshkhind, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India 3 Department of Zoology, Elphinstone College, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032, India 4 Department of Zoology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Ganeshkindh, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India. Email: 1 n.dahanukar@iiserpune.ac.in (corresponding author), 2 mandarpaingankar@gmail.com, 3 rupesh.raut@gmail.com, 4 kharat.sanjay@gmail.com 1 2

Abstract: The freshwater fish fauna of the Indrayani River, a northern tributary of the Krishna River system in the Western Ghats of India was studied. A total of 57 species of freshwater fish belonging to 18 families and 39 genera were recorded. However, based on the previous literature it is possible that the Indrayani River harbours around 67 species. Out of the 57 species in the present collection, 12 are endemic to the Western Ghats while six are endemic to the Krishna River system. Neotropius khavalchor, an endemic fish of the Krishna River system, was recorded for the first time from the northern tributaries. The fish fauna of the Indrayani River is threatened due to seven introduced species and anthropogenic activities such as deforestation leading to siltation, tourism, sand mining, over fishing and organic and inorganic pollution. Since the Indrayani River hosts endemic and threatened species, including Glyptothorax poonaensis, conservation measures to ensure habitat protection in the river are essential. Keywords: Freshwater fish fauna, Indrayani River, Krishna River system, Threats.

Date of publication (online): 26 January 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 January 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) Editor: K. Rema Devi Manuscript details: Ms # o2771 Received 25 April 2011 Final received 24 September 2011 Finally accepted 10 January 2012 Citation: Dahanukar, N., M. Paingankar, R.N. Raut & S.S. Kharat (2012). Fish fauna of Indrayani River, northern Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(1): 2310–2317. Copyright: © Neelesh Dahanukar, Mandar Paingankar, Rupesh N. Raut & Sanjay S. Kharat 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Acknowledgements: We are thankful to Dr. R.M. Sharma, Officer-incharge, and Shrikant Jadhav, Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Center, Akurdi, Pune, for encouragement and helpful discussion. The study was self funded. The CEPF-funded freshwater assessment of the Western Ghats encouraged us to publish this work. We duly acknowledge the help from CEPF for publication of this article. OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD

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The Indrayani River originates in the northern Western Ghats of India at Kurwande Village (18.7310N & 73.3820E) near Lonawala, Pune District, Maharashtra. It is one of the tributaries of Bhima River, which in turn is a major tributary of the Krishna River system. In his seminal work on the fishes of the Deccan, Sykes (1839) described two species of freshwater fish from the Indrayani River. After more than 100 years, Suter (1944) recorded one more species from the Indrayani River at Kalumbre Village. A major study on the fish fauna of Indrayani River was carried out by Yazdani & Mahabal (1976), which resulted in the collection of 34 species belonging to 10 families and 19 genera. These three studies account for hardly 37 species of freshwater fish, which seems an under representation when compared with fish fauna of other rivers such as Mula-Mutha with a record of 102 fish species (Kharat et al. 2003) and Pavna with a record of 59 fish species (Chandanshive et al. 2007), which are also tributaries of the Bhima River. Furthermore, the habitats along the Indrayani River have faced major alterations in the recent years due to increasing urbanization, industrialization and various recreational activities. Reassessment of the fish fauna and identifying the threats, so as to build baseline information for possible conservation action

This article forms part of a special series on the Western Ghats of India, disseminating the results of work supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal of CEPF is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. Implementation of the CEPF investment program in the Western Ghats is led and coordinated by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).

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Collections sites: 1. Markal 2. Charholi Khurd 3. Alandi 4. Dehu Road 5. Wadgaon 6. Kamshet 7. Lonawala

0 Pune District 40 km

Figure 1. Indrayani River and the sampling locations.

plans are thus a priority. For the current study, we sampled the entire stretch of the Indrayani River to identify the current status and threats to the freshwater fish fauna of this region. Fish were collected from local fisherman and local markets at Markal (18.6740N & 73.9830E), Charholi Khurd (18.6600N & 73.9060E), Alandi (18.6770N & 73.8950E), Dehu road (18.7190N & 73.7640E), Wadgaon (18.7540N & 73.6530E), Kamshet (18.7670N & 73.5510E) and Lonawala (18.7530N & 73.4320E) located on the Indrayani River (Fig. 1) from May 2009 to April 2011. Fish were preserved in 4% formaldehyde and identified using available literature (Jayaram 1991, 2010; Menon 1964, 1987, 1992; Talwar & Jhingran 1991; Jayaram & Dhas 2000; Jayaram & Sanyal 2003). Collected fish specimens are deposited at the Museum of the Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Center, Akurdi, Pune (accession numbers P/2588 to P/2627). Assuming that the fishing effort for a given type of net (gill net or drag net) was constant, the relative abundance of the fish was grossly categorized (for each type of net separately) into four categories, namely: abundant (76–100 % of the total catch), common (51–75 % of the total catch), moderate (26–50 % of the total catch) and rare (1–25 % of the total catch). We recorded a total of 57 species belonging to 18 families and 39 genera (Table 1). Of these, 12 species

are endemic to the Western Ghats while five are endemic to the Krishna River system. Seven species that we collected were observed to be introduced into the Indrayani River. According to the abundance categories defined earlier there are 11 abundant, 14 common, 23 moderate and nine rare species. The list of species recorded by earlier studies on the Indrayani River is given in Table 2. Based on the previous literature and not considering two species, namely Schistura dayi and S. savona, which need taxonomic validation as they are restricted to central and northeastern India respectively, the total number of species in the Indrayani River can be summed up to 67. However, out of these 67 species, Schismatorhynchos nukta is locally extirpated while Aplocheilus lineatus is probably locally extirpated from Indrayani River. Sykes (1839) described two species, namely Schismatorhynchos nukta and Leuciscus chitul, from Indrayani River. We could not record S. nukta in our study and the species was also not recorded in an earlier study by Yazdani & Mahabal (1976). Based on our discussions with the local fishermen, the species is locally extirpated from its type locality in Indrayani River. Ghate et al. (2002) suggested that the population of S. nukta is rapidly declining in the Krishna River system and suspected that pollution could be a major threat. Kharat et al. (2003) suggested that over fishing could be a driving force for local extinction of this

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Table 1. List of freshwater fish species recorded from Indrayani River in the present study. Family/Species a

Abundance b Remarksc

Cobitidae

Bagridae

Notopteridae Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769)

Schistura denisoni Day, 1867

IUCN redlist statusd

Cyprinidae T

Lepidocephalichthys thermalis (Valenciennes, 1846)

C A

LC D

Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877)

Mystus seengtee (Sykes, 1839)

Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822)

Cirrhinus fulungee (Sykes, 1839)

Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)

Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton, 1822)

Rita gogra (Sykes, 1839)

Sperata seenghala (Sykes, 1839)

Siluridae

Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822)

Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758

Gonoproktopterus curmuca (Hamilton, 1807)e

WGE

Labeo ariza (Hamilton, 1807)

WGE

Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794)

Labeo boggut (Sykes, 1839)

Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

Labeo porcellus (Heckel, 1844)

WGE

Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Osteobrama cotio peninsularis Silas, 1952

Osteobrama neilli (Day, 1873)

Osteobrama vigorsii (Sykes, 1839)

Schilbeidae Neotropius khavalchor Kulkarni, 1952 Glyptothorax poonaensis Hora, 1938

Claridae

Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Puntius amphibius (Valenciennes, 1842)

Puntius conchonius (Hamilton, 1822)

Puntius jerdoni (Day, 1870)

WGE

Puntius sarana subnasutus (Valenciennes, 1842)

WGE

Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822)

Puntius ticto (Hamilton, 1822)

A WGE, KRE

Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794)

WGE, KRE

Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton, 1822) Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859

Ambassidae

Parambassis ranga (Hamilton, 1822)

Salmophasia balookee (Sykes, 1839) f

Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852)

Cichlidae

Salmophasia boopis (Day, 1874)

WGE

Salmophasia novacula (Valenciennes, 1840)

Gobiidae

WGE

Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822)

Devario aequipinnatus (McClelland, 1839)

Channidae

Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton, 1822)

Crossocheilus cf. latius (Hamilton, 1822)

Mastecembalidae

Garra mullya (Sykes, 1839)

Mastacembelus armatus (LacepĂ¨de, 1800)

Acanthocobitis mooreh (Sykes, 1839) g

Oreonectes evezardi (Day, 1872)

Nemachilichthys rueppelli (Sykes, 1839) g

WGE, KRE

Noemacheilus anguilla Annandale, 1919

WGE, KRE

Balitoridae

Chanda nama Hamilton, 1822

Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822)

Parapsilorhynchidae

Poeciliidae

Belonidae

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Heteropneustidae

Rohtee ogilbii (Sykes, 1839)

Parapsilorhynchus tentaculatus (Annandale, 1919)

KRE

Sisoridae NE

WGE

Channa marulius (Hamilton, 1822)

Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793)

a - Taxonomic status as per Jayaram (2010); b - Abundance categories: A = abundant, C = common, M = moderate, R = rare; c - WGE = Western Ghats endemic; KRE = Krishna river system endemic; T = transplanted; I = invasive; D = unknown disease. d - IUCN (2011). EN = Endangered, NT = Near Threatened, LC = Least Concern, NE = Not Evaluated, DD = Data Deficient. Statuses for introduced/transplanted species are not provided. e - Gonoproktopterus kolus is considered as synonym of G. curmuca (Jayaram 2010). However, if they are proved to be different, then our species should be considered as G. kolus as per Jayaram (1991). f - Replacement name for Salmophasia clupoides (Kottelat 1996). g - Species spellings as per Eschmeyer & Fricke (2011).

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Table 2. List of fishes recorded by earlier workers. Study Sykes (1839) Suter (1944)

Yazdani & Mahabal (1976)

Species

Current taxonomic status

Remarks

Cyprinus nukta

Schismatorhynchos nukta

Species is locally extirpated

Leuciscus chitul

Current status unknown. Doubtful synonym of Amblypharyngodon mola in Day (1878)

Species needs further taxonomic studies

Barbus (Tor) mussullah

Tor mussullah

Chela cachius

Danio aequipinnatus

Devario aequipinnatus

Danio malabaricus

Devario malabaricus

Rasbora daniconius

Cirrihina fulungee

Cirrhinus fulungee

Garra gotyla

Garra gotyla stenorhynchus

Garra mullya

Puntius amphibius

Puntius dorsalis

Puntius kolus

Gonoproktopterus curmuca

Puntius sarana

Puntius sarana subnasutus

Puntius ticto

Osteobrama vigorsii

Parapsilorhynchus tentaculatus

Lepidocephalus guntea

Lepidocephalus thermalis

Noemacheilus anguilla

Noemacheilus botia aurius

Acanthocobitis mooreh

Noemacheilus dayi

Schistura dayi

Noemacheilus denisoni

Schistura denisoni

Noemacheilus evezardi

Oreonectes evezardi

Noemacheilus savona

Schistura savona

Noemacheilichthys rueppelli

Nemachilichthys rueppelli

Mystus bleekeri

Mystus cavasius

Mystus seengtee

Mystus malabaricus

Ompok bimaculatus

Glyptothorax lonah

Xenentodon cancila

Aplocheilus lineatus

Channa orientalis

Channa gachua

Channa punctatus

Glossogobius giuris

Mastacembelus armatus

species from Mula-Mutha Rivers of Pune. Both, over fishing and inorganic and organic pollution are common in Indrayani River and may have been the driving force for the local extirpation of S. nukta.

Taxonomic status based on distribution of the subspecies given in Jayaram (2010)

Needs taxonomic validation

Species is probably locally extirpated

Nevertheless, we also suspect that competition created by introduced carps, such as Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo rohita, may also have contributed to the loss of S. nukta. Currently, S. nukta is assessed as Endangered

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in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Taxa (Dahanukar 2010a). Another species, Leuciscus chitul, described by Sykes (1839) from Indrayani River has problematic taxonomic status. Eschmeyer & Fricke (2011) have included the species in their online Catalogue of Fishes but the current status of the fish is not mentioned. Day (1878) has considered L. chitul as a doubtful synonym of Amblypharyngodon mola. However, we think that the doubtful synonymy is invalid as the description of L. chitul does not apply to A. mola. We could not record any species from Indrayani River which could fit into the description of L. chitul given by Sykes (1839). Suter (1944) recorded Tor mussullah from the Indrayani River. Even though we could not record this species and its allied species Tor khudree from the Indrayani River, both species are present in the Valvan reservoir on the Indrayani River at Lonawala where they are subjected to aquaculture. Yazdani & Mahabal (1976) recorded 34 species from Indrayani River out of which 10 species were not

recorded in our current study. Of these 10 species, we are doubtful about the taxonomic identification of two species, namely Schistura dayi and S. savona. S. dayi is restricted to the Chota Nagpur plateau in central India (Jayaram 2010) and its occurrence in the Krishna River system is unlikely (Raghavan et al. 2010). Similarly, S. savona is restricted to northeastern India (Jayaram 2010). We think that Aplocheilus lineatus recorded by Yazdani & Mahabal (1976) is probably locally extirpated from the Indrayani River, as we could not record a single specimen of this species during our investigation. Nevertheless, we could record abundant populations of Poecilia reticulata or Guppy fish introduced to the Indrayani River for the purpose of mosquito control. It has been suggested that P. reticulata is a strong competitor to A. lineatus, as both have the same larvivorous feeding habits, and has the capacity to affect the A. lineatus population negatively (Kharat et al. 2003; Wagh & Ghate 2003). Therefore, we think that the introduction of P. reticulata could have been a major driving force for the decline in the population and possible local extirpation of

Image 1. Neotropius khavalchor collected from Kamshet with (a) details of its body, (b) head and (c) ventral side of the upper lip showing external teeth. 2314

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Aplocheilus lineatus from Indrayani River. We have recorded Neotropius khavalchor (Image 1) for the first time from the northern tributaries of the Krishna River system. N. khavalchor is a unique lepidophagous species (feeds on scales of other fishes and hence the local Marathi name Khavalchor [Khaval = scales, Chor = thief]) and is endemic to the Krishna River system (Menon 1999; Jayaram 2010). It is a very rare species and has been considered as threatened by Menon (2004) by suggesting that small changes in water quality is likely to have adverse effects and may result in the loss of this species. We recorded this species from Kamshet (Fig. 1 & Image 2). The species is also known from Panchaganga River near Kolhapur (Kulkarni 1952; Kalawar & Kelkar 1956), Krishna River near Islampur (Kulkarni 1952), Koyna River near Patan (Jadhav et al. 2011), Krishna River near Sangli (Jayaram 1995), Krishna River at Jamkhandi (Jayaram 1995), Tunga-Bhadra River (Shahnawaz & Venkateshwarlu 2009) and in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh (Devi & Indra 2003). However, since there is little information about the population status, life history and ecology of this species, N. khavalchor is assessed as Data Deficient in the current IUCN Red List (Dahanukar 2010c). Despite the fact that the Indrayani River hosts a number of endemic species and Endengered endemic species, such as Glyptothorax poonaensis

N. Dahanukar et al.

Image 2. Distribution of Neotropius khavalchor. Star indicates present record from Kamshet on Indrayani River.

(Dahanukar 2010b; Dahanukar et al. 2011) the fish fauna of Indrayani River is under threat as a result of several anthropogenic interferences. We recorded seven introduced species (four transplanted and three invasive) from the Indrayani River (Table 1), which have been suggested as possible threats to the indigenous fish fauna (Kharat et al. 2003; Raghavan et al. 2008; Knight 2010). Other anthropogenic activities such as deforestation leading to siltation, recreational activities and sand mining are common in most of the stretches of the river. Such activities modify the specific habitat required by loaches belonging to family Balitoridae and Cobitidae and other hill stream fishes like Glyptothorax poonaensis (Dahanukar et al. 2011). Tourism in the upper stretches of the river leading to organic and inorganic pollution of smaller streams is another threat to the fishes of this region. The fish fauna of Indrayani River is also subjected to over fishing for consumption. Inorganic pollution of the river between Dehu Road to Markal due to industrial activities is another important threat to the fish fauna. Further, we observed an unidentified disease in Lepidocephalichthys thermalis in the upper stretches of the river near Lonawala where almost 70% of exploited individuals were affected. The nature of this disease, however, is still under study. In conclusion, the Indrayani River hosts a number of freshwater fish species including globally threatened

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and endemic species of the Western Ghats. However, the fish fauna in this region is threatened due to several anthropogenic activities including introduced fish species, deforestation, over fishing, sand mining, recreational activities and organic and inorganic pollution. Since the fish fauna in this region also supports the livelihood of several economic classes there is an urgent need to understand the conservation priorities and to design and implement conservation action plans. REFERENCES Chandanshive, E.N., S.M. Kamble & B.E. Yadav (2007). Fish fauna of Pavana river of Pune, Maharashtra. Zoos’ Print Journal 22(5): 2693–2694. Dahanukar, N. (2010a). Schismatorhynchos nukta. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 27 August 2011. Dahanukar, N. (2010b). Glyptothorax poonaensis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 27 August 2011. Dahanukar, N. (2010c). Neotropius khavalchor. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 27 August 2011. Dahanukar, N., M. Diwekar & M. Paingankar (2011). Rediscovery of threatened and Western Ghats endemic Sisorid Catfish Glyptothorax poonaensis (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(7): 1885–1898. Day, F. (1878). The Fishes of India; Being A Natural History of the Fishes Known to Inhabit the Seas and Fresh Waters of India, Burma, and Ceylon. Volume 1. Bernard Quaritch, London, 778pp. Devi, K.R. & T.J. Indra (2003). An updated checklist of the fishes of the ichthyofauna of Eastern Ghats. Zoos’ Print Journal 18(4): 1067–1070. Eschmeyer, W.N. & R. Fricke (eds.) (2011). Catalog of Fishes electronic version. http://research.calacademy.org/ ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp. Online version dated 29 March 2011. Downloaded on 22 April 2011. Ghate, H.V., V.M. Pawar & B.E. Yadav (2002). Note on cyprinoid fish Schismatorhynchos (Nukta) nukta (Sykes) from the Krishna drainage, Western Ghats. Zoos’ Print Journal 17(7): 830–831. IUCN (2011). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 18 January 2012. Jadhav, B.V., S.S. Kharat, R.N. Raut, M. Paingankar & N. Dahanukar (2011). Freshwater fish fauna of Koyna River, northern Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(1): 1449–1455. Jayaram, K.C. & A. Sanyal (2003). A Taxonomic Revision of 2316

the Fishes of the Genus Mystus Scopoli (Family: Bagridae). Occasional Paper No. 207. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 136pp. Jayaram, K.C. & J.J. Dhas (2000). Revision of the Genus Labeo from Indian Region with A Discussion on its Phylogeny and Zoogeography. Occasional Paper No. 183. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 143pp. Jayaram, K.C. (1991). Revision of the Genus Puntius Hamilton from the Indian Region (Pisces: Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae, Cyprininae). Occasional Paper No. 135. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 178pp. Jayaram, K.C. (1995). The Krishna River System: A Bioresources Study. Occasional Paper No. 160. Records of Zoological Society of India, 167pp. Jayaram, K.C. (2010). The Freshwater Fishes of the Indian Region. Second Edition. Narendra Publishing House, Delhi, 616pp. Kalawar, A.G. & C.N. Kelkar (1956). Fishes of Kolhapur. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 53(4): 669–679. Kharat, S.S., N. Dahanukar, R. Raut & M. Mahabaleshwarkar (2003). Long term changes in freshwater fish species composition in north Western Ghats, Pune District. Current Science 84(6): 816–820. Knight, J.D.M. (2010). Invasive ornamental fish: a potential threat to aquatic biodiversity in peninsular India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 2(2): 700–704. Kottelat, M. (1996). Nomenclatural status of Cyprinus clupeoides Bloch, 1795 (Osteichthyes: Cyprinidae). Journal of South Asian Natural History 2(1): 61–62. Kulkarni, C. (1952). A new genus of schilbeid catfishes from the Deccan. Records of the Indian Museum 49: 231–238. Menon, A.G.K. (1964). Monograph of the cyprinid fishes of the genus Garra Hamilton. Memoirs of the Indian Museum 14(4): 173–260. Menon, A.G.K. (1987). The Fauna of India and Adjacent Countries, Pisces, Vol–4, Teleostei-Cobitoidea, Part–1, Homalopteridae. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 259pp. Menon, A.G.K. (1992). The Fauna of India and Adjacent Countries, Pisces, Vol–4, Teleostei-Cobitoidea, Part–2 Cobitidae. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 113pp. Menon, A.G.K. (1999). Check List - Fresh Water Fishes of India. Occasional Paper No. 175. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 366pp. Menon, A.G.K. (2004). Threatened Fishes of India and Their Conservation. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 170pp. Raghavan, R., A. Ali & N. Dahanukar (2010). Schistura dayi. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 27 August 2011. Raghavan, R., G. Prasad, P.H. Anvar-Ali & B. Pereira (2008). Exotic fish species in a global biodiversity hotspot: observations from river Chalakudy, part of Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Biological Invasions 10(1): 37–40. Shahnawaz, A. & M. Venkateshwarlu (2009). A checklist of

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Fish fauna of Indrayani River

fishes from the Tunga and Bhadra rivers, Karnataka, India with a special note on their biodiversity status. Current Biotica 3(2): 232–243. Suter, M.J. (1944). New records of ﬁsh from Poona. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 44: 408–414. Sykes, W.H. (1839). On the fishes of the Deccan. Proceedings of the General Meetings for Scientific Business of the Zoological Society of London 6: 157–165.

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Talwar, P.K. & A.G. Jhingran (1991). Inland Fishes of India and Adjacent Countries. Oxford-IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 1158pp. Wagh, G.K. & H.V. Ghate (2003). Freshwater fish fauna of the rivers Mula and Mutha, Pune, Maharashtra. Zoos’ Print Journal 18(1): 977–981. Yazdani, G.M. & A. Mahabal (1976). Fishes of Indrayani River. Biovigyanam 2: 119–121.

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A report on some macrolichens new to Karnataka, India K.S. Vinayaka 1, S. Nayaka 2, Y.L. Krishnamurthy 3 & D.K. Upteri 4 Department of P.G. Studies and Research in Applied Botany, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Shimoga, Karnataka 577451, India 2,4 Lichenology Laboratory, National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001 Email: 1 ks.vinayaka@gmail.com, 2 nayaka.sanjeeva@gmail.com; 3 murthy_ylk@yahoo.co.in (corresponding author), 4 upretidk@ rediffmail.com 1,3

A large number of taxa collected from the Western Ghats are mentioned in the keys, floristic, monographic and revisionary studies of Indian lichens (Montagne 1842; Awasthi 1988, 1957; Kumar & Stephen 1997, 1999; Patwardhan 1983; Singh 1984; Singh & Sinha 1997). Recently, Nayaka & Upreti (2005) analyzed the status of lichen diversity in the Western Ghats based on published literature which revealed the presence of 949 species with 26.7% endemism. The work on lichens from the Karnataka part of the Western Ghats has been attempted by very few researchers. Nayaka & Upreti (2002) collected 143 species of lichens from Sharavathi Valley along the central Western Ghats. So far, from the available literature only 336 species of

Date of publication (online): 26 January 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 January 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) Editor: R. Siddappa Setty Manuscript details: Ms # o2712 Received 20 February 2011 Final received 22 November 2011 Finally accepted 10 January 2012 Citation: K.S. Vinayaka, S. Nayaka, Y.L. Krishnamurthy & D.K. Upteri (2012). A report on some macrolichens new to Karnataka, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(1): 2318–2321. Copyright: © K.S. Vinayaka, S. Nayaka, Y.L. Krishnamurthy & D.K. Upteri 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Acknowledgements: We are thankful to University Grants Commission, New Delhi for financial support and Chairman, Department of Applied Botany, Kuvempu University for providing laboratory facilities. We also thank the Karnataka Forest Department, Bengaluru for their kind permission to access the forests. OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD

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lichens have been reported from Karnataka (Vinayaka et al. 2010). In the present study we found six species of macrolichens from the central Western Ghats region of Karnataka (Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Hassan and Coorg districts). There is no mention of these six macrolichen species in previously published literature (Awasthi & Upreti 1980; Singh 1980; Kumar & Stephen 1997; Nayaka & Upreti 2005; Awasthi 2007; Upreti et al. 2008). Materials and Methods The lichen samples were collected from Malnad region comprising Shimoga, Chikmagalur, parts of Hassan and Coorg districts of Karnataka, Western Ghats, from August 2007 to April 2010. They were identified by studying their external and internal morphology following the keys of Awasthi (2007). Colour reaction on the thallus and apothecia were tested by 10% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) (K), Steiner’s stable para-phenylenediamine solution - C6H8N2 (PD), and Calcium hypochlorite solution - Ca(ClO)2) (C). The colour tests were carried out on cortex and medulla of the thallus. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was done by the concentrated acetone extracts of lichen fragments, separated in solvent system A (Benzene/1-4 dioxane: acetic acid 90:25:4). The colours were noted and spots were marked out, Rf values were noted and calculated. Finally, the lichen substances were identified following the procedures of Orange et al. (2001). Identified lichen specimens are housed at the Herbarium, Department of Botany, Kuvempu University (KU), Shimoga, Karnataka and a set of voucher specimens are deposited at the Herbarium of the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. Results Heterodermia albidiflava (Kurok.) D.D. Awasthi (Physciaceae) Geophytology 3: 113, 1973. = Anaptychia albidiflava Kurok., Beih. Nova Hedwigia 6: 42, 1962. Specimen examined: July 2007, 700m, on bark of tree, Kagemane Giri, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka (13028’00”N & 75037’30”E), No. KU00054 (Image 1). H. albidiflava is characterized by foliose thallus, corticated on both sides, upper side grey in colour. It

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is close to H. firmula but distinguished by saxicolous, lacking isidia and soredia, yellow medulla which turns red with potassium and deep yellow with paraphenyldiamine. It is endemic to India (Awasthi 2007), distributed in tropical to sub-temperate regions in Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal hills. Its first occurrence in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, was found on the bark of trees in the moist deciduous forests. Spot tests: Medulla K+ red (when potassium hydroxide applied to medulla it gives positive test as red colour), C-, P+ yellow (When para-phenylenediamine applied to medulla it gives yellow colour as positive test and Calcium hypochlorite as negative test). Zeorin present in TLC. Heterodermia microphylla (Kurok.) Skorepa (Physciaceae) Bryologist 75: 490, 1972. = Anaptychia hypoleuca var. microphylla Kurok., J. Jap. Bot. 34: 123, 1959. Specimen examined: June 2007, on rocks, Sringeri Taluk, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka (13024’95”N & 75015’30”E), No. KU00436 (Image 2). H. microphylla is characterized by foliose thallus, corticated only on the upper surface, densely lobulate along the margin and containing Salazinic acid in medulla. In India it is earlier reported from temperate regions of Sikkim and Uttarakhand (Singh & Sinha 2010). It is new to the Western Ghats of Karnataka, found growing on rocks. Spot tests: Medulla K+ yellow, C-, P-. Zeorin present in TLC. Ramalina cfr. taitensis Nyl. (Ramalinaceae) Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand., ser 2, 4: 119, 1870. Specimen examined: August 2007, 725m, on bark of Ziziphus xylopyrus, Sagar, Sagar Taluk, Shimoga District, Karnataka (13008’03’’N & 75006’36’’E), No. KU00457 (Image 3). R. taitensis is characterized by fruticose thallus, flattened, greenish-yellow to yellowish-brown in colour, maringal to laminal dense soredia, cracked chondroid tissue, solid medulla with Sekikaic acid aggregate. It is a tropical to lower temperate species, rare in occurrence, reported from Insula Tahiti (French Polynesia) and in India it is known from Sikkim and West Bengal hills (Singh & Sinha 2010). It is new to Karnataka, found growing on the bark of trees in deciduous forests. Spot tests: Medulla K-, C-, P-. Sekikaic acid

K.S. Vinayaka et al.

Image 1. Heterodermia albidiflava (Kurok.) D.D. Awasthi (Physciaceae). Scale - 0.5cm

Image 2. Heterodermia microphylla (Kurok.) Skorepa (Physciaceae). Scale - 1cm

Image 3. Ramalina cfr. taitensis Nyl. (Ramalinaceae). Scale - 1cm

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present in TLC. Usnea aciculifera Vain. (Parmeliaceae) Bot. Mag. Tokyo. 35: 45, 1921. Specimen examined: November 2008, 698m, deciduous forest, on tree bark, Anadapura, Shimoga Taluk, Shimoga District, Karnataka, (14005’78’’N & 75017’62’’E), No. KU00341 (Image 4). U. aciculifera is characterized by fruticose thallus, pendulous, yellowish-brown in colour, dichotomous to subsympodial convergent branches, smooth to verrucose-isidiate, annularly cracked, solid central axis, palisade like cortex. It is subtropical to lower temperate in distribution, known from Nepal, China and Japan. In India it is reported from Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, Uttaranchal and West Bengal hills (Singh & Sinha 2010). It is new to Western Ghats of Karnataka, rare in occurrence and found growing on tree bark. Spot tests: Medulla K+ yellow, C-, P+ yellow. Stictic acid and Constictic acids present in TLC. Usnea eumitrioides Mot. (Parmeliaceae) Pars. Syst.:322.936-38, 1986. Specimen examined: October 2007, 720m, on tree bark, deciduous forest, near Tupur, Anadapura, Shimoga Taluk, Shimoga District, Karnataka (14004’52’’N & 75019’91’’E), No. KU00322 (Image 5). U. eumitrioides is characterized by fruticose thallus, erect, yellowish-brown to olivaceous brown in colour, dichotomous to subsympodial branching, branches divergent, curved, non articulate and non inflated, isidiate, isidia whitish in colour, solid central axis with stictic acid complex as secondary metabolite. It is temperate in distribution, known from China and Indonesia. In India it is reported from Indian Himalayas, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and West Bengal hills (Awasthi 1988). It is new to Western Ghats of Karnataka found growing on tree trunks. Spot tests: Medulla K+ red, C-, P+ yellow. Stictic acid complex present in TLC. Usnea sinensis Mot. (Parmeliaceae) Pars. Syst.:248, 1936-38 Specimen examined: June 2007, 785m, on toddy palm tree, Muthodi, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka (13026’54’’N & 75038’68’’E), No. KU00337 (Image 6). U. sinensis is characterized by fruticose, erect thallus, greenish-yellow to yellowish-brown in 2320

Image 4. Usnea aciculifera Vain. (Parmeliaceae). Scale - 0.5cm

Image 5. Usnea eumitrioides Mot. (Parmeliaceae). Scale - 1cm

Image 6. Usnea sinensis Mot. (Parmeliaceae). Scale - 0.5cm

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colour, subdichotomous to sympodial branching with papillate, verrucose-pseudocyphellate surface, double layered cortex, solid, colourless central axis, apical apothecia with ciliate margin. It is a new record for Western Ghats and Karnataka, found growing on toddy palm bark. Spot tests: Medulla K-, C-, P-. No lichen substance present in TLC.

REFERENCES Awasthi, D.D. (1957). A new species of Parmelia from Kodaikanal, S. India. Current Science 26: 123–124. Awasthi, D.D. (1988). A key to the macro lichens of India and Nepal. Journal of Hattori Botany Laboratory 65: 207–302. Awasthi, D.D. (2007). A Compendium of the Macrolichens from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India, 580pp. Awasthi, D.D. & D.K. Upreti (1980). A note on lichens from Botanical Garden, Bangalore, India. Indian Journal of Botany 3: 181–184. Kumar, M. & S. Stephen (1997). Lichen flora of Western Ghats: An appraisal. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 21: 27–39. Kumar, M. & S. Stephen (1999). Lichen of Western Ghats - an overview, pp. 297–331. In: Mukerji, K.G., B.P. Chamola, D.K. Upreti & R.K. Upadhyay (eds.). Biology of Lichens. Aravali Books International, New Delhi. Montagne, C. (1842). Cryptogamae Nilgherienses seu plantarum cellularium in montibus peninsulae indicae Neelgherries dictis, a cl. Perottet collectarum enumeratio.

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Annales Des Sciences Naturelles-II, Lichens 17: 17–21. Nayaka, S. & D.K. Upreti (2002). Lichen flora of Sharavathi river basin. Shimoga district, Karnataka, India with six new records. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 26(3): 627–648. Nayaka, S. & D.K. Upreti (2005). Status of Lichen Diversity in Western Ghats, India. Sahyadri E-News, Western Ghats Biodiverstity Information System - Issue XVI: http://wgbis. ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/newsletter/issue16/main_ index.htm Orange, A., P.W. James & F.J. White (2001). Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens. British Lichen Society, UK, 101pp. Patwardhan, P.G. (1983). Rare and endemic lichens in the Western Ghats, south western India, pp. 318–322. In: Jain, S.K. & R.R. Rao (eds.). An Assessment of Threatened Plants of India. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah. Singh, A. (1980). Lichenology in Indian subcontinent 19661977. EBIS, NBRI, Lucknow, 55pp. Singh, K.P. & Sinha, G.P. (1997). Lichens, pp. 195–234. In: Mudugal, V. & P.K. Hajra (eds.). Floristic Diversity and Conservation Strategies in India—Volume I (Cryptogams and Gymnosperms). Botanical Survey of India, Howrah. Singh, K.P. & G.P. Sinha (2010). Indian Lichens: An Annotated Checklist. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, 572pp. Singh, K.P. (1984). Synopsis of lichens from Palni Hills, India. Biol. Memoirs 9(2): 105–150. Upreti, D.K., Y. Joshi, P.K. Divakar, H.T. Lumbsch & S. Nayaka (2008). Note on some interesting lichens from Western Ghats in India. Phytotaxonomy 8: 113–116. Vinayaka K.S., Y.L. Krishnamurthy & S. Nayaka (2010). Macrolichen flora of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, India. Annals of Forestry 11: 26–32.

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JoTT Note

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Checklist of Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, India Subhasis Panda 1 & M. Sanjappa 2 Taxonomy & Biosystematics Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Darjeeling Government College, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101, India 2 Botanical Survey of India (Ex-Director), CGO Complex, 3rd MSO Building, Block-F, 5th Floor, Sector I, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, West Bengal 700064, India Email: 1 subhaeri@yahoo.com (corresponding author), 2 m.sanjappa@nic.in 1

Talle Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS) lies approximately between 27030’–27039’N and 93015’–9402’E with an area of about 55 km2 and altitudes ranging from 1600– 2732 m in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh. According to the Apatanese, ‘Talle’ means an endemic onion not found beyond this valley. Therefore, the name ‘Talle’ was proposed for this valley by the Apatanese from time immemorial. There are collections of Cox & Hutchinson, Kingdon-Ward at CAL & K and Rankin & Pretzlik at BM from Lower Subansiri District (“Subansiri Frontier Division” which presently includes three districts viz., Upper and Lower Subansiri and Papumpare). Subsequently, Lower Subansiri District was explored Date of publication (online): 26 January 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 January 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) Editor: P. Lakshminarasimhan Manuscript details: Ms # o2795 Received 05 May 2011 Final received 06 September 2011 Finally accepted 09 December 2011 Citation: Panda, S. & M. Sanjappa (2012). Checklist of Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(1): 2322–2327. Copyright: © Subhasis Panda & M. Sanjappa 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Acknowledgements: One of us (SP) is thankful to University Grants Commission, New Delhi for financial support, to Dr. P.K. Das, Principal of this college for his permission for herbarium consultations and to Dr. M. Sanjappa, Director, Botanical Survey of India for guidance and providing all facilities during herbarium visit to ASSAM Herbarium. Thanks are also due to Dr. S.K. Singh and Dr. B.K. Sinha for their permission to consult herbarium specimens in ASSAM. OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD

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by Panigrahi & Naik (1961), Panigrahi & Joseph (1966), Sastry & Kataki (1967) and Sahni (1969). The flora of TWS was partly explored after 1009s to 2002 by K. Haridasan, B.M. Loder, M. Lohlen and D. Banik. While revising the Indian Ericaceae Juss. under “Flora of India Project” during 1999–2004, an attempt was made to survey the Ericaceae of Talle WS, particularly the inaccessible trek route through dense forest by a very narrow path from Lebbya-Penggo Pass to Talle valley proper. A team comprising five members including the author under Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Field Station, Itanagar explored the sanctuary in December 2002. It took two days trekking to reach Talle Valley proper from Ziro (district head quarter) and another two days to come back to Ziro. Most of the taxa of Ericaceae were found to occur between Pange (1800m) and Lebbya-Penggo Pass (2732m) (Fig. 1) under this wildlife sanctuary. The family Ericaceae Juss. comprises c. 117 genera and 3850 species, cosmopolitan except deserts, usually montane in tropics (Mabberley 2008); 13 genera and c. 200 species in India (Panda 2008), and nine genera and 130 species in Arunachal Pradesh (Chowdhery et al. 2008). In this paper, the currently accepted names, habit, available field data, distribution, relative abundance and specimens examined of 25 taxa belonging to Ericaceae recorded from Talle Wildlife Sanctuary are given. Enumeration 1. Agapetes atrosanguinea Airy Shaw: Epiphytic. Corolla dark bright red, c. 20mm long. Specimens examined: 01.i.2003, near Pange, 1800m, S. Panda 30876 (CAL); 02.v.2002, Manipolyang to Pange, 1800m, D. Banik 27973 (CAL). Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Endemic to Arunachal Pradesh. 2. A. buxifolia Nutt. ex Hook. f.: Epiphytic. Corolla bright red, c. 30mm long. Specimens examined: 02.v.2002, Manipolyang to Pange, 1700–1800 m, D. Banik 27970 (CAL). (Image 1d). Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List

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Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary

S. Panda & M. Sanjappa 940

93045’

China

Kamla R.

940

Manipolyang 1600m

8km

Talle WLS

920

Pange 1800m

Bhutan

As sa m

Sero 1600m

27037’

9km

Myanmar

Lebya Penggo-Pass 2725m

Ziro 1600m

6km

Area of Talle WLS Trekking route

Figure 1. Field study areas and collection sites in Lower Subansiri District (Ziro to Talle valley) showing detailed distribution of taxa (December, 2002)

Talle R.

Agapetes atrosanguinea A. buxifolia A. incurvata A. miranda A. praestigiosa A. refracta A. smithiana var. major Gaultheria brevistipes

categories, Vie et al. 2009) in its natural habitat. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh) and China (Xizang). 3. A. incurvata (Griff.) Sleumer: Epiphytic. Corolla c. 20mm long. Specimens examined: 03.v.2002, Pange to LebbyaPenggo Pass, c. 1900m, S. Panda 30852 (CAL). Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009) Distribution: India (eastern Himalayas: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh; northeastern India: Meghalaya), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and China (SE Xizang). 4. A. miranda Airy Shaw: Epiphytic. Corolla greenish-white. Field status: Endangered (EN: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009) in its natural habitat, only one population survived by four individuals. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh) and China (Xizang). The species was recollected from India after collections of Kingdon-Ward made in 1938 (Panda 2007). Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, Lebbya-Penggo

G. fragrantissima G. seshagiriana G. nummularioides Leucothoe griffithiana Lyonia ovalifolia Rhododendron arboreum ssp. delavayi R. boothii R. dalhousiae R. subansiriense

Talle Valley 2432m

R. vaccinioides Vaccinium dendrocharis ssp. talle V. dunalianum var. dunalianum V. dunalianum var. brevifolium V. dunalianum var. megaphyllum V. nummularia V. nuttallii V. retusum V. subdissitifolium

Pass, 2725m, S. Panda 30843 (CAL) (Image 1a). 5. A. praestigiosa Airy Shaw: Epiphytic. Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009) in its natural habitat. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh) and China (Xizang). Specimens examined: 03.v.2002, Pange to Talle Valley (actually Pange to Lebbya-Penggo Pass), 1900– 2000 m, D. Banik 27987 (CAL) (Image 1c). 6. A. refracta Airy Shaw: Epiphytic. Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009) in its natural habitat. Endemic to Arunachal Pradesh. Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, near LebbyaPenggo Pass, 2732m, S. Panda 30854 (CAL) (Image 1b). 7. A. smithiana Sleumer var. major Airy Shaw: Epiphytic. Corolla yellow. Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009) in its natural habitat. Distribution: India (Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh) and Bhutan.

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Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary

S. Panda & M. Sanjappa

Image 1. a - Agapetes miranda; b - A. refracta; c - A. praestigiosa; d - A. buxifolia; e - Rhododendron arboreum subsp. delavayi; f - R. dalhousiae

Specimens examined: 03.v.2002, 2725m, Pange to Talle Valley (actually at Lebbya-Penggo Pass), D. Banik 27992 (CAL). 8. Gaultheria brevistipes (C.Y. Wu & T.Z. Hsu) R.C. Fang: Pendent dwarf shrub, often hanging down from rock crevices. Corolla campanulate, light green with pinkish spots. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (eastern Himalaya: Arunachal Pradesh) and southwestern China (Xizang). This species was a new record to India from Talle Valley (Panda 2006). Specimens examined: 30.xii.2002, Pange to Talle Valley, 2200–2800 m, S. Panda 30841 (CAL) (Image 2a). 9. G. fragrantissima Wall.: Erect shrub to treelet. Corolla urceolate, white. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland Manipur and Hill-tops of southwestern Ghats: Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka), Nepal, Bhutan, western China, 2324

northern Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, Pange to Talle Valley, 2500–2800 m, S. Panda 30847 (CAL) (Image 2b). 10. G. seshagiriana Subba Rao & Kumari: Pendent dwarf shrub, often hanging down from rock crevices. Corolla campanulate, greenish-white. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: Endemic to Arunachal Pradesh (west Kameng, Lower Subansiri and Siang districts). Specimens examined: 30.xii.2002, Pange to Talle Valley, 2000 – 2100 m, S. Panda 30846 (CAL) (Image 2c). 11. G. nummularioides D. Don: Procumbent dwarf shrub, often forming mat on hilly slope. Corolla campanulate, pinkish. Forming a mat on rocky slope. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India: Himalayas and northeastern India (Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur), Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, western China, northern Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Malesia. Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, Pange to Talle Valley, 2100m, S. Panda 30877 (CAL) (Image 2d). 12. Leucothoe griffithiana C.B. Clarke: Stout, erect and pendent shrub. Corolla not seen. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan, western China and northern Myanmar. Specimens examined: 30.xii.2002, Pange to Talle Valley, 2400–2800 m, S. Panda 30844 (CAL) (Image 2e). 13. Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude: Stout, erect shrub, treelet to median-sized tree up to 10m high. Corolla tubular. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Himalayas and northeastern India excl. Tripura, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, western China, Taiwan, northern Myanmar, Thailand, Malesia and Japan. Specimens examined: 29.xii.2002, manypoliang to Pange, 1500m, S. Panda 30819 (CAL). (Image 2f). 14. Rhododendron arboreum Sm. subsp. delavayi

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | January 2012 | 4(1): 2322–2327

Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary

S. Panda & M. Sanjappa

Image 2. a - Gaultheria brevistipes; b - G. fragrantissima; c - G. seshagiriana; d - G. nummularioides; e - Leucothoe griffithiana; f - Lyonia ovalifolia

(Franchet) D.F. Chamb.: Treelet to median-sized tree up to 5m high. Corolla carmine. Growing on rocky slope. Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram), China (Yunnan, Guizhou), northern Myanmar and northern Thailand. Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, Pange to Lebbya-Penggo Pass, c. 2000m, S. Panda 30841 (CAL: as associated plant of G. brevistipes) (Image 1e). 15. R. boothii Nutt.: Treelet up to 3m high. Corolla campanulate, bright yellow. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh) and China (SE Xizang). Specimens examined: May 2002, Tale Valley, D. Banik s.n. (CAL). 16. R. dalhousiae Hook. f.: Dwarf shrub on rocky slope. Corolla funnel-campanulate, white with pinkish

tinge. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009) Distribution: India (Darjeeling in West Bengal, Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal; Bhutan and China (SE Xizang). Specimens examined: 18.iv.1980, Tale Valley, G.D. Pal 77714 (ARUN) (Plate 1F). 17. R. vaccinioides Hook. f.: Epiphytic. Corolla rotate-campanulate, pinkish-white. Field Status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (eastern Himalaya: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling of West Bengal and northeastern India: Nagaland), Nepal, Bhutan, China and northern Myanmar. Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, Talle Valley, 2432m, S. Panda 30853 (CAL). 18. Vaccinium dendrocharis Hand.-Mazz. subsp. talle Panda & Sanjappa: Stout, erect epiphytic shrub, rarely on rocky slopes, 1–1.5 m high. Corolla urceolate, pinkish. Growing on rocky slope. Field status: Endangered (EN IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Endemic to Arunachal Pradesh (Lower Subansiri and West Kameng districts). This subspecies was recently described from Talle Valley (Panda & Sanjappa 2006). Specimens examined: May 2002, Talle Valley, near Lebya-Penggo Pass, 2725m, D. Banik & M. Lohlen 27995 (holotype: CAL!) & 31.xii.2002, 2725m, S. Panda 30849 (paratype: CAL!) (Image 3f). 19. V. dunalianum Wight var. dunalianum: Stout, erect shrub to treelet up to 1m high, often on rocky slope. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (eastern Himalaya and northeastern India excl. Tripura and Mizoram), Nepal, Bhutan, western China, Taiwan, northern Myanmar and Vietnam. Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, Pange to Talle Valley, 1700–2200 m, S. Panda 30850 (CAL) (Image 3e). 20. V. dunalianum Wight var. brevifolium Sleumer: Epiphytic. Field Status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh) and

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Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary

S. Panda & M. Sanjappa

Image 3. a - A. Vaccinium nummularia; b - V. retusum; c V. subdissitifolium; d - V. nuttallii; e - V. dunalianum var. dunalianum; f - V. dendrocharis subsp. talle

northern Myanmar. This variety was recorded for the first time from Arunachal Pradesh (Panda 2006). Specimens examined: 30.xii.2002, Talle Valley, Lower Subansiri District, 2000m, S. Panda s.n. (CAL). 21. V. dunalianum Wight var. megaphyllum Sleumer: Epiphytic. Corolla campanulate, light pink. Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh), southwestern China and northern Myanmar. This variety was recorded for the first time from Arunachal Pradesh (Panda 2006). Specimens examined: May 2002, Talle Valley, Lower Subansiri District, M. Lohlen 28000 (ARUN: Arunachal Field Station, Botanical Survey of India, Itanagar). 22. V. nummularia Hook. f. & Thomson: Stout, erect, pendent, dwarf epiphytic shrub as well as growing in rock crevices. Corolla urceolate, pinkish. Growing in rock crevices. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red 2326

List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Sikkim, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland), Nepal, Bhutan, southwestern China, and northern Myanmar. Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, Talle Valley proper, 2400m, S. Panda s.n. (CAL) (Image 3a). 23. V. nuttallii (C.B. Clarke) Sleumer: Stout, erect shrub, sometimes epiphytic. Corolla urceolate, light green. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan and northern Myanmar. Specimens examined: 30.xii.2002, Pange to Tale Valley, 2200–2500 m, S. Panda 30845A & B (CAL) (Image 3d). 24. V. retusum (Griff.) Hook. f. ex C.B. Clarke: Stout, erect, epiphytic shrub, 0.5–4 m high, often grown in moist rock crevices, rarely on rocky slopes. Corolla urceolate, pink. Growing in rocky slope. Field status: Common (not assessed IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (eastern Himalaya and northeastern India: Nagaland and Manipur), Nepal, Bhutan, southwestern China and northern Myanmar. Specimens examined: 31.xii.2002, near LebyaPenggo Pass, Tale Valley, 2700 m, S. Panda 30851 (CAL) (Image 3b). 25. V. subdissitifolium P. F. Stevens: Stout, erect shrub, often epiphytic on old tree trunks to rarely on rock crevices. Corolla urceolate, light green. Growing in rocky slope. Field Status: Vulnerable (VU: IUCN Red List categories, Vie et al. 2009). Distribution: India (eastern Himalaya), Bhutan and southwestern China. Specimens examined: 30.xii.2002, Pange to Talle Valley, 1600–2800 m, S. Panda 30842 (CAL) (Image 3c). References Chowdhery, H.J., G.S. Giri, G.D. Pal, A. Pramanik & S.K. Das (2008). Ericaceae, pp. 57–99. In: Giri, G.S., A. Pramanik & H.J. Chowdhery (eds.). Materials for the Flora of Arunachal Pradesh 2 (Asteraceae: Ceratophyllaceae). Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. Mabberley, D.J. (2008). Mabberley’s plant-book: a portable

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Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary

dictionary of plants: utilizing Kubitzki’s The families and genera of vascular plants (1990) and current botanical literature, arranged according to the principles of molecular systematic. 3rd Revised Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Panda, S. (2005). Gaultheria brevistipes (C.Y. Wu & T.Z. Hsu) R.C. Fang (Ericaceae) - A new record for India from Talle Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India 47: 177–182. Panda, S. (2006). New record of two varieties of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight (Ericaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Annals of Forestry 14: 278–282. Panda, S. (2007). Recollection of Agapates miranda Airy Shaw (Ericaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Rheedea 17: 29-31. Panda, S. (2008). Taxonomic Revision of Some Selected Genera of Ericaceae in India. PhD Thesis. Submitted to Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, 294pp.

S. Panda & M. Sanjappa

Panda, S. & M. Sanjappa (2006). Three new taxa of Ericaceae from India. Bulletin of the Botanical Survery of India 48: 157–164. Panigrahi, G. & V.N. Naik (1961). A botanical tour to Subansiri Frontier Division, (NEFA). Bulletin of the Botanical Survery of India 3: 361–388. Panigrahi, G. & J. Joseph (1966). A botanical tour to tirap Frontier Division (NEFA). Bulletin of the Botanical Survery of India 8: 142–157. Sahni, K.C. (1969). A contribution to the flora of Kameng and Subansiri District, NEFA. Indian Forester 95: 352. Sastry, A.R.K. & S.K. Kataki (1967). On some species of Rhododendron from Subansiri District, NEFA. Indian Forester 93: 64–265. Vie, J.-C., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Stuart, S.N. (eds.) (2009). Wildlife in a Changing World - An Analysis of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Gland, Switzerland, 180pp.

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JoTT Note

4(1): 2328–2329

Grey Junglefowl Gallus Sonneratii (Galliformes: Phasianidae) in KalakadMundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India K. Muthamizh Selvan 1 & N. Sridharan 2 Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Post box No 18, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India Email: 1 km.selvan6@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 sridharanavc@gmail.com

Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii is endemic to southern peninsular India and is listed as Least Concern (Birdlife International 2009) and under Schedule II by CITES. Grey or Sonnerat’s Junglefowl (GJ) is distributed throughout southern peninsular India (Grimmett et al. 1998). Very few studies have been conducted on the Grey Junglefowl and these mainly pertain to abundance (Ramesh 1994; Sathyakumar 2006; Sathyanarayana 2007) and habitat use (Tata & Gautam 1993; Zacharias 1997; Subramanian et al. 2002; Sathyanarayana 2002; Satyakumar 2006). Most of the populations of GJ within protected areas in India are not monitored. Sathyanarayana (2007) has reported the need for research on the current status and distribution and habitat requirements of this species. GJ has a declining trend in population due to hunt-

Date of publication (online): 26 January 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 January 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) Editor: Rahul Kaul Manuscript details: Ms # o2538 Received 05 August 2010 Final received 29 June 2011 Finally accepted 18 November 2011 Citation: Selvan, K.M. & N. Sridharan (2012). Grey Junglefowl Gallus Sonneratii (Galliformes: Phasianidae) in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(1): 2328–2329. Copyright: © K. Muthamizh Selvan & N. Sridharan 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Acknowledgements: We would like to thank The Director, Dean and Research co-ordinator of Wildlife Institute of India, Directorate of Project tiger, Team of all India tiger monitoring programme, Tamilnadu forest department for logical support and permission and also like to thank Dr. Saravanan, Mr. Sajan John for their helps during manuscript preparations. Special thanks to anonymous reviewers. OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD

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ing for meat, egg depredation by local communities (Gubbi 2006), poaching and habitat degradation (Sathyanarayana 2007). This study was undertaken to estimate the abundance of GJ in the Kalakad-Mundandurai Tiger Reserve (K-MTR) in the southern Western Ghats. Study Area: Kalakad-Mundandurai Tiger Reserve (K-MTR, 895km2, 8025’–8053’N & 77010’–77035’E), forms the catchment area for 14 rivers and streams. The vegetation types range from scrub montane to wet evergreen, all within an elevational range of 40 to 1866 m with an annual rainfall of 2000mm (Vasudevan et al. 2001). The maximum temperatures at the site range from 17 to 28 0C and the minimum temperature from 14 to 19 0C. The period from October to January is usually cold and misty (Ganesh & Davidar 1999). This reserve has many endemic, threatened fauna and flora (Johnsingh 2001). Methods: Field sampling was carried out in the months of September 2007 to November 2007. During this period permanent transects were established across different vegetation types. Transects were established in Kannikatti (3), Sengaltheri (2), Mundanthurai (2), Kakachi (1), Kodamadi (2) and Oothu (1). Each transect was surveyed thrice by two observers between 0600–0900 hr. Each transect differed in length, the average transect length being 1.8km. Group size, sex, sighting distance and angle every time the species was detected were recorded. Opportunistic encounters during the study were only used to calculate the sex ratio of the GJ. To estimate the density of the species we used Distance 5.0. Release 2 (Thomas et al. 2006). Results and Discussion: A total of 59.7km transect was surveyed during our fieldwork in K-MTR and 97 individuals were recorded on all the transects. The calculated density of the GJ was 25.45±3.4 km-2. The average group size was 1.5±0.09, the encounter rate of GJ was 1.07km-1 and the sex ratio of GJ in K-MTR was 1:1.4. Probability of sighting varied according to the habitats. Sathyakumar (2006) found the GJ at 34.42km-2 only in Mundanthurai plateau and an overall mean density 19.78 individual km-2. In Theni Forest Division the density reported was 37.03km-2 (Sathyanarayana 2007). GJ prefer moderate canopy cover, high scrub cover

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Grey Junglefowl in K-MTR

K.M.Selvan & N. Sridharan

Table 1. Density and Group Size of Grey Junglefowl in K-MTR. N

n/L

CV%

ESW

95%

Grsz

0.84

25.5

13.5

30.29±3.05

19.49–33.23

9.365739

1.5±0.09

0.7

Detection probability

n - Number of individuals; n/L - encounter rate; D - density; CV - percentage of covariance; df - degrees of freedom; 95% confidence intervals on; SE standard error; Grsz - Group size; p - probability value

1.0

0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0

20 30 40 50 60 Perpendicular distance in meters

Figure 1. Detection probability for Grey Junglefowl

and mixed deciduous forest to scrub forest (Nirmala & Vijayan 2002). According to the present study the group size of GJ was 1.5 to 1.9 which is comparable with earlier observations in K-MTR (1.0–1.6 km-2; Sathyakumar 2006). GJ is not gregarious like the Red Junglefowl and the maximum group size sighted was three individuals during our field work. Encounter rate was 1.07km-2 which was slightly higher than (0.8km-2) Sathyakumar (2006) study.

REFERENCES Ganesh, T. & P. Davidar (1999). Fruit biomass and relative abundance of frugivores in a rain forest of southern Western Ghats, India. Journal of Tropical Ecology 15(4): 399–413. Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (1998). Birds of Indian Subcontinent. Oxford University Press, 888pp Birdlife International (2009). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. <http://www.iucnredlist.org/> Accessed on 5 September 2009. Johnsingh. A.J.T. (2001). The Kalakad-Mundandurai Tiger Reserve: a global heritage of biological diversity. Current Science 80: 378–388. Vasudevan, K., A. Kumar & R. Chellam (2001). Structure

and composition of rainforest floor amphibian communities in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Current Science 80(3): 406–412. Nirmala, S.T. & L. Vijayan (2002). Resource utilization by the Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii in Anaikatty hills, Coimbatore. Proceedings of the National Symposium on Galliformes, A.V.C. College, 40–50pp. Gubbi, S. (2006). “Tiger habitats and integrated conservation and development projects: a case study from Periyar Tiger Reserve, India” submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology University of Kent, 97pp. Sathyakumar, S. (2006). Habitat use by Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii Temminck at Mundanthurai Plateau, Tamil nadu. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Soceity 103 (1): 57–61. Sathyanarayana, M.C. (2002). Density of Grey Junglefowl, Gallus sonneratii at Gudalur range in Theni forest division, Western Ghats, India. 4th International Galliformes Symposium Chengdu, Sichuan China,14–21. Sathyanarayana, M.C. (2007). Review of research on Pheasants in southern India. Galliformes of India. Envis 10(1): 105–108. Subramanian, C., M.C. Sathyanarayana & K. Kambarajan (2002). Habitat utilization by Grey Junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii) in Theni Forest Division, Megamalai. Tamilnadu. Proceedings of the National Symposium on Galliformes, A.V.C college, 28–36. Tata, L.R.R. & P. Gautam (1993). Habitat utilization by Grey Junglefowl in Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Abstract. World Pheasant Association Journal 17 and 18: 91. Temminck (1813) Pig. et Gall. 2: 246 Thomas, L., J.L. Laake, S. Strindberg, F.F.C. Marques, S.T. Buckland & D.L. Borchers (2006). Distance 5. Release 2. Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment, University of St. Andrews. Zacharias, V.J. (1997). Status of Grey Jungle fowl in Periyar Tiger Reserve. Kerala. Tragopan 7: 13–14.

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JoTT Note

4(1): 2330–2332

The present status and distribution of Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis aurea (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Bangladesh M. Tarik Kabir 1 & M. Farid Ahsan 2 MPhil. Fellow, 2 Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangaldesh Email: 1 bankmyna_chapai@yahoo.com, 2 faridahsan55@ yahoo.com (corresponding author) 1

The Long-tailed or Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis aurea I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1830), locally called Parailla Banor is one of the 10 species of primates known to occur in Bangladesh (Ahsan 1984). The zoologists of Bangladesh first came to know about it in 1981 from the coastal mangrove forests of Whykheong area along the Naf River belt of Teknaf under Cox’s Bazar Forest Division (Ahsan 1984). At that time the total population of the species in the areas was estimated to be 253 (Ahsan 1984; Khan et al. 1984). During the late 1980s the coastal-forested Date of publication (online): 26 January 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 January 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) Editor: Mewa Singh Manuscript details: Ms # o2808 Received 16 May 2011 Final received 04 December 2011 Finally accepted 29 December 2011 Citation: Kabir, M.T. & M.F. Ahsan (2012). The present status and distribution of Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis aurea (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Bangladesh. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(1): 2330–2332. Copyright: © M. Tarik Kabir & M. Farid Ahsan 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Acknowledgements: Bangladesh Rifle (BDR) authority kindly extended their security and other helpful supports during our visits to the coastal belts. Both coastal and normal forest officials especially Mr. Abdur Raman, Assistant Conservator of Forests and Mr. Gazi Matiar Rahman, Forest Ranger of Teknaf Forest Range Office helped us by giving some information. Many local people, fishermen and BDR also provided us with information. Mr. S.H. Hassan also accompanied us twice in the field. The study was carried out with financial support of the personal research grants of Professor Farid Ahsan and later as MPhil Fellowship grants of Mr. Tarik Kabir from the NUFU Project associated with the Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong. Professor Eivin Roskaft, Dr. E. Gereta, Dr. B.G. Stokke and Mr. I.M. Mfunda of NTNU (The Norwegian University of Science and Technology) Trondheim, Norway, and Dr. David J. Chivers of Cambridge University, UK made some comments on the first draft of the manuscript. We thank them all. OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD

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areas of the habitat of Long-tailed Macaque were leased for culturing shrimps. Then, the fate of the macaques became vulnerable and they probably left the area due to clearing of the forests for shrimp culture. After that few people have seen the macaques. Recently we located one group along the Naf River belt. An attempt was made to: (i) assess the present status and distribution of the Long-tailed Macaque in Bangladesh; (ii) point out causes of habitat and species loss; and (iii) recommend conservation measures. Methods: We made 18 field trips to the sites where Long-tailed Macaques were previously recorded along the Naf River belt at Teknaf, Jimonkhali, Whykheong, Keruntoli, Chakaria Sundarbans, Maheshkhali Island and the hilly region of Teknaf (Fashiakhali, Khutakhali, Ukhia, Whykheong, Hnila, Teknaf and Baharchara (Image 1). We interviewed local people, forest officials, coastal forest officials and Bangladesh Rifles personnel (now called Border Guard Bangladesh) of Teknaf about the occurrence of the species in the area. We made boat trips from Teknaf to Whykheong and back along the coastal belt of the Naf River in search of the species. Results: One group of Long-tailed Macaque (two adult males and one adult female (Image 2)) was

Chakaria Sundarbans

Whykheong Keruntoli

Image 1. Showing the past (red circle) and present (white circle) distribution of Long-tailed Macaque in Bangladesh (source: Google Earth)

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Long-tailed Macaque in Bangladesh

Image 2. Existing group of the Long-tailed Macaque in Bangladesh

found in the coastal forest belt along the Naf River at Keruntoli (20054.073N & 92016.902E) near Teknaf Port (Image 1). Local people informed us that two Long-tailed Macaques had died, one due to a pariah dog bite and another due to unknown reasons. The approximate home range of the group was 7.91ha during July 2010 to February 2011. Eight species of plants (Baen Avicennia officinalis, Baro Baen Avicennia alba, Keora Sonneratia apetala, Tora Aegialitis rotundifolia, Hargoza Acanthus ilicifolius, Clerodendron sp., Chuilla Gola Dalbergia spinosa and Urighas Oryza coarctata) were found in the area occupied by macaques. Causes of habitat destruction of the Long-tailed Macaque: The main causes of habitat destruction of the Long-tailed Macaque were found to be: (i) clearing mangrove vegetation for shrimp culture; (ii) cutting comparatively old trees for the extension of agricultural land for irrigation and for use as fuel; (iii) fishermen and fish buyers coming to the mud belt during low tide, hampering feeding of macaques; (iv) local people grazing cattle in the habitat of macaques; (v) presence of Rohinga refugees from Myanmar temporarily settled (in 1993 and still there in 2011, in two camps), destroying some habitat of macaques; (vi) establishment of new settlements along the Naf River coastal belt; and (vii) the construction of two jetties from the port to the Ansar Camp. Discussion: Ahsan (1984) recorded a mean group size of 12 (n=4) individuals in the Whykheong area, where macaques are now absent due to the clearing of the coastal vegetation for shrimp culture and agriculture. Ahsan (1984) also estimated the total

M.T. Kabir & M.F. Ahsan

population of this macaque to be about 253 in 1981 along the Naf River belt within approximately 10km2. In a conservation assessment workshop, the species was assessed as Critically Endangered in South Asia and Near Threatened globally (Molur et al. 2003). Hasan & Feeroz (2010) mentioned that this species was considered locally extinct from Bangladesh in the mid 1980s without any reference and they further pointed out that it had been found in Fashiakhali in 1989. The two groups reported by Hasan & Feeroz (2010) in different years (five individuals in 2005 and three individuals in 2008) from Teknaf coastal vegetation, were not far from each other and it is possible that it was one group only. This is because we found one group with five individuals in 2007 and only three individuals since late 2008 in the same area. Hasan & Feeroz (2010) also reported the presence of the Longtailed Macaque at Lal Dwip (an island of Mynmar close to Bangladesh), where now they are absent. Feeroz (2001) accounted for two groups (13 and 17 individuals) from the Chakaria Sundarbans. The Longtailed Macaque is no more present in the Chakaria Sundarbans area, and Hasan & Feeroz (2010) assumed that possibly that population has been depleted. Hasan & Feeroz (2010) reported that two groups (although we predict one group only) of Long-tailed Macaque occupied an area of 16.7ha, which is too large compared to the present home range of the recovered group of Long-tailed Macaque (7.91ha). Ahsan (1994) compiled the home range of this species as 0.12km2, which is much smaller than the present one. The extermination of the Long-tailed Macaque from Bangladesh in Whykheong area (where it was first sited in 1981, M.F. Ahsan, pers. obs.) was due to the clearing of coastal vegetation of that area. Consequently, most of the monkeys might have migrated to nearby Myanmar (by swimming across a small constriction of the Naf River, as this macaque is a good swimmer), which is about 200m away from Bangladesh. Twenty-two plant species were reported from Whykheong area (Khan & Wahab 1983; Khan et al. 1984), but the present cited area supports less plant diversity (only eight species) than the previous one. This is due to the clearing of mangrove forests for shrimp culture and agriculture practices and the regenerating forests of that area have become less

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Long-tailed Macaque in Bangladesh

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diversified. The Long-tailed Macaque consumed foods from 21 species from the Naf River coastal belt (Khan et al. 1984; Ahsan 1994). Conclusion and Recommendations: The Long-tailed Macaque is possibly on the verge of extinction from Bangladesh, so we recommend urgent conservation measures. In this regard, the Forest Department of Bangladesh should come forward and take necessary steps along with the scientific community and local people. The present habitat at Keruntoli should be properly protected so that nobody can: (i) graze cattle, (ii) collect firewood, (iii) collect fruits of keora and chuila gola, and (iv) fish. The distance between Myanmar and Bangladesh along the Naf River coastal belt is little at Whykheong and Jimonkhali. Improving the habitats of these two areas might attract migrated Long-tailed Macaque from Myanmar. At the same time, the Government of Bangladesh should cancel leases of coastal areas of this zone for any purpose. Furthermore, attempts may be made to reintroduce some individuals of Longtailed Macaque from Myanmar as the same subspecies occurs there.

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References Ahsan, M.F. (1984). Study of primates in Bangladesh: determination of population status and distribution of nonhuman primates in Bangladesh with emphasis on rhesus monkey. MPhil Thesis. Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, 162pp. Ahsan, M.F. (1994). Feeding ecology of the primates of Bangladesh, pp.79–86. In: Thierry, B., J.R. Anderson, J.J. Roeder & N. Herrenschmidt (eds.). Current Primatology, Vol. I: Ecology and Evolution. University of Louis, Strasburgh, 398pp. Feeroz, M.M. (2001). Species diversity and population density of non-human primates in the north-east and south-east of Bangladesh. Ecoprint 8(1): 53–57. Hasan, M.K. & M.M. Feeroz (2010). Distribution and status of Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis aurea I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1830) in Bangladesh. Journal of Threatened Taxa 2(12): 1342–1344. Khan, M.A.R. & M.A. Wahab (1983). Study of eco-ethology of the Crabeating Macaque, Macaca fascicularis in Bangladesh. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Science 9(2): 101–109. Khan, M.A.R., M.A. Wahab & M.F. Ahsan (1984). Ecoethology of the Crab-eating Macaque. Unpublished Report. WWF, USA. Molur, S., D. Brandon-Jones, W. Dittus, A. Eudey, A. Kumar, M. Singh, M.M. Feeroz, M. Chalise, P. Priya & S. Walker (eds.) (2003). Status of South Asian Primates: Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (C.A.M.P.) Workshop Report, 2003. Zoo Outreach Organisation, CBSG-South Asia, Comibatore, India, 432pp.

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Prof. Richard Kiprono Mibey, Eldoret, Kenya Dr. Shomen Mukherjee, Jamshedpur, India Dr. P.O. Nameer, Thrissur, India Dr. D. Narasimhan, Chennai, India Dr. T.C. Narendran, Kozhikode, India Stephen D. Nash, Stony Brook, USA Dr. K.S. Negi, Nainital, India Dr. K.A.I. Nekaris, Oxford, UK Dr. Heok Hee Ng, Singapore Dr. Boris P. Nikolov, Sofia, Bulgaria Dr. Shinsuki Okawara, Kanazawa, Japan Dr. Albert Orr, Nathan, Australia Dr. Geeta S. Padate, Vadodara, India Dr. Larry M. Page, Gainesville, USA Dr. Malcolm Pearch, Kent, UK Dr. Richard S. Peigler, San Antonio, USA Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, Sydney, Australia Mr. J. Praveen, Bengaluru, India Dr. Robert Michael Pyle, Washington, USA Dr. Muhammad Ather Rafi, Islamabad, Pakistan Dr. H. Raghuram, Bengaluru, India Dr. Dwi Listyo Rahayu, Pemenang, Indonesia Dr. Sekar Raju, Suzhou, China Dr. Vatsavaya S. Raju, Warangal, India Dr. V.V. Ramamurthy, New Delhi, India Dr (Mrs). R. Ramanibai, Chennai, India Dr. M.K. Vasudeva Rao, Pune, India Dr. Robert Raven, Queensland, Australia Dr. K. Ravikumar, Bengaluru, India Dr. Luke Rendell, St. Andrews, UK Dr. Anjum N. Rizvi, Dehra Dun, India Dr. Leif Ryvarden, Oslo, Norway Prof. Michael Samways, Matieland, South Africa Dr. Yves Samyn, Brussels, Belgium Dr. K.R. Sasidharan, Coimbatore, India

Dr. Kumaran Sathasivam, India Dr. S. Sathyakumar, Dehradun, India Dr. M.M. Saxena, Bikaner, India Dr. Hendrik Segers, Vautierstraat, Belgium Dr. Subodh Sharma, Towson, USA Prof. B.K. Sharma, Shillong, India Prof. K.K. Sharma, Jammu, India Dr. R.M. Sharma, Jabalpur, India Dr. Tan Koh Siang, Kent Ridge Road, Singapore Dr. Arun P. Singh, Jorhat, India Dr. Lala A.K. Singh, Bhubaneswar, India Prof. Willem H. De Smet, Wilrijk, Belgium Mr. Peter Smetacek, Nainital, India Dr. Humphrey Smith, Coventry, UK Dr. Hema Somanathan, Trivandrum, India Dr. C. Srinivasulu, Hyderabad, India Dr. Ulrike Streicher, Danang, Vietnam Dr. K.A. Subramanian, Pune, India Mr. K.S. Gopi Sundar, New Delhi, India Dr. P.M. Sureshan, Patna, India Dr. Karthikeyan Vasudevan, Dehradun, India Dr. R.K. Verma, Jabalpur, India Dr. W. Vishwanath, Manipur, India Dr. Gernot Vogel, Heidelberg, Germany Dr. Ted J. Wassenberg, Cleveland, Australia Dr. Stephen C. Weeks, Akron, USA Prof. Yehudah L. Werner, Jerusalem, Israel Mr. Nikhil Whitaker, Mamallapuram, India Dr. Hui Xiao, Chaoyang, China Dr. April Yoder, Little Rock, USA English Editors Mrs. Mira Bhojwani, Pune, India Dr. Fred Pluthero, Toronto, Canada

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Journal of Threatened Taxa ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)

January 2012 | Vol. 4 | No. 1 | Pages 2277–2332 Date of Publication 26 January 2012 (online & print) Communications Contribution to the pteridophytic flora of India: Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Meghalaya -- Bikarma Singh, V.N. Singh, S.J. Phukan, B.K. Sinha & S.K. Borthakur, Pp. 2277–2294 Food and foraging preferences of three pteropodid bats in southern India -- M.R. Sudhakaran & Paramanantha Swami Doss, Pp. 2295–2303 Short Communications Notes on some rare and interesting Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from Deepor Beel, Assam, India -- B.K. Sharma & Sumita Sharma, Pp. 2304–2309 CEPF Western Ghats Special Series Fish fauna of Indrayani River, northern Western Ghats, India -- Neelesh Dahanukar, Mandar Paingankar, Rupesh N. Raut & Sanjay S. Kharat, Pp. 2310–2317 Notes A report on some macrolichens new to Karnataka, India -- K.S. Vinayaka, S. Nayaka, Y.L. Krishnamurthy & D.K. Upteri, Pp. 2318–2321 Checklist of Ericaceae of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, India -- Subhasis Panda & M. Sanjappa, Pp. 2322–2327 Grey Junglefowl Gallus Sonneratii (Galliformes: Phasianidae) in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India -- K. Muthamizh Selvan & N. Sridharan, Pp. 2328–2329 The present status and distribution of Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis aurea (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Bangladesh -- M. Tarik Kabir & M. Farid Ahsan, Pp. 2330–2332