018227   Sangha H S;Kulshreshtha M (NO, , B-27, Gautam Marg, Hanuman Nagar, Jaipur-302 021, Email: wildbrook@gmail.com) : Locations of Sind sparrow sightings along the Rajasthan canal and the River Sutej. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 91-2.

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018226   Ritschard M;Taschler A (NO, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany, Email: mritschard@orn.mpg.de) : Recent observation of white-headed duck Oxypura leucocephala at Gajaldoba barrage, West Bengal, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 95.

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018225   Ritschard M;Logtmeijer P;Taschler A (NO, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany, Email: mritschard@orn.mpg.de) : Two observations of Malayan night-heron Gorsachius melanolophus from West Bengal, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 97-8.

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018224   Oommen M A;Shanker K (NO, , Dakshin Foundation, 88/3, Samvriddhi Gardenia Bytarayanpura, Bengaluru-560 092, Email: kshanker@ces.iisc.ernet.in) : Ecology and behaviour of an endemic treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica Zelebor 1869 of great Nicobar Island, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 55-63.

The Nicobar treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica is an endemic mammal restricted in its distribution to Great and Little Nicobar islands in the Andaman Sea. This article aims to report basic information on the ecology and behaviour as well as a preliminary population assessment of this species on Great Nicobar Island. Nicobar treeshrews spend more than 60% of the day foraging, followed by resting or sleeping (12%). The proportion of time spent on major activities was significantly different across different time periods, with much of the feeding activity in the mornings and evenings. Nicobar treeshrews were observed largely solitarily or as breeding pairs. Observations on mating, aggression and vocalisation are also reported. Most of the ecological and behavioural traits are shared with one or more species of Tupaia in the region. Observations on this species point to its extreme arboreality in comparison to other Tupaia. The species also exhibited a high degree of insectivory during the study period. A combination of these two traits makes this species one among a handful of nonvolant foliage gleaning insectivorous small mammals that exist in the world today. The species was observed in moderate numbers both in the littoral forests as well as in the rainforests in the interior of the island. Although formally classified as endangered (on account of its restricted range), the species is common locally. The current status of the species seems to be stable in the Great Nicobar Island which has some of the best preserved forests in India.

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018223   Naniwadekar R;Deepak V (NO, , Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, IV Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore-570 002, Email: rohit.nani@gmail.com) : New distribution record for Calotes nemoricola Jerdon, 1853 from the Kudremukh hills, Karnataka, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 99.

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018222   Kuramoto M;Hareesh Joshy S (NO, , 3-6-15 Hikarigaoka, Munakata, Fukuoka 811-3403, Japan, Email: kuramoto@hyu.bbiq.jp) : Advertisement calls of Indian and Sri Lankan frogs. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 14-18.

Acoustic characteristics of the advertisement calls of five Indian and one Sri Lankan frog are described, of which three (Euphlyctis hexadactylus, Sylvirana aurantiacatand and Ramanella obscura) are reported for the first time. Temporal and spectral parameters of the calls are given for each species, together with field observations of the environment where the males were located during calling. The results are compared with available acoustic data on the same or related species.

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018221   Kunte K (Section of Integrative Biology, Texas Univ at Austin, 1 Univ Station, C0930, Austin, TX 78712, USA, Email: krushnamegh@gmail.com) : Range extension of the wavy maplet Chersonesia intermedia (Nymphalidae, Lepidoptera), from Pakke tiger reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 108-9.

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018220   Kunte K (NO, University of Texas at Austin, Section of Integrative Biology, 1 University Station C 0930, Austin, Texas 78712-0253, USA, Email: krushnamegh@mail.utexas.edu) : 12 natural history and early stages of the western ghats endemic golden flitter Quedara basiflava (Hesperiidae, Lepidoptera) from south-western India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 104-8.

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018219   Khudsar F A;Sharma K;Rao R J;Chundawat R S (School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji Univ, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh) : Estimation of prey base and its implications in Kuno wildlife sanctuary. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 42-8.

The Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica is restricted to the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in India, which is the only site holding the last surviving wild population of Asiatic Lion in the world. Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in northwest Madhya Pradesh was selected as the site to establish a second home for the Asiatic Lion. Twenty-four villages were rehabilitated outside the Sanctuary to create a large forest habitat free from human disturbance for the Lions. To assess wild prey availability for the Lions in the Sanctuary, distance sampling method was used to collect and analyse data from roads traversed as transects. Cattle population was estimated using direct head counts at yarding sites. The study was carried out in 2004. The estimated combined density of all the major prey excluding Common Langur and cattle in the Sanctuary was 12.11 animals/sq. km. It was found that the total available prey base including feral cattle and wild ungulates was 1993 kg/sq. km, which is still less than the wild prey biomass of 2784.9 kg/sq. km reported from Gir. While this prey base can support a small reintroduced population of 6-10 Lions, it is recommended that efforts to develop a sufficient wild prey base be given the highest management priority.

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018218   Khandal D;Bastawade D B (NO, , Kalyan Market, Ramgarh-Swhekhawati, Sikar-331 024, Email: khandel_d@yahoo.com) : Intraspecific colour variation in spider Parawixia dehaanii (Doleschall) (Araneidae; Araneae), a case study in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 109-11.

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018217   Kandel R C;Jhala Y V (National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Dep, , P.O. Box 860, Kathmandu, Nepal, Email: rckandel01@yahoo.com) : Demographic structure, activity patterns, habitat use and food habits of Rhinoceros unicornis in Chitwan national park, Nepal. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 5-13.

Studied the time activity budgets, habitat preference, food habits and population structure of the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis in Chitwan National Park, Nepal by monitoring eight different free ranging rhinos from elephant back for 94.5 hrs (7-24 hours per rhino) and by an intensive survey of rhino habitats from elephant back and a four-wheel drive vehicle in early 2003. Classified 92 rhino sightings into seven age and gender groups. There was a calf for every 2.54 adult female rhino. It was found that the adult sex ratio was equal, the proportion of adult rhinos had increased and the calf:cow ratio had decreased compared with earlier studies. It was found that rhinos spent most of their time resting (42.9% ±7 SE) and foraging (32.7% ±6.1 SE). There was a foraging peak in the morning and afternoon, and rhinos rested or wallowed during the noon hours. Rhinos were observed to use grasslands, riverine mixed forests and ecotones (grasslands interspersed with mixed forests) and were not observed to use Sal forests and agricultural fields. They preferred to forage in grasslands (50.7% ± 9.9 SE) and ecotones (18.5% ±7.7 SE), preferring riverine mixed forests for resting (73.2% ±16 SE). Food habits of rhinos were estimated from 11,101 bite counts from seven rhinos (155 to 2,785 bites from each rhino) from different habitats. Bite counts were corrected for proportional use of a habitat for foraging and for dry weight per bite, to compute the dry biomass contribution of a food plant to the rhino's diet. Rhinos were observed to feed on 42 different plant species. However, only seven species contributed 85% of the dry biomass consumed by rhinos: these were Saccharum spontaneum (33%), Phragmites karka (16.7%), Imperata cylindrica (16.2%), Saccharum bengalense (6%), Callicarpa macrophylla (5.1%), Neranga porphyrocoma (5%) and Hemarthrea compressa (4.8%).

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018216   Jeganathan P;Rahmani A R;Green R E;Norris K; Vogiatzakis I N;Bowden C;Pain D (NO, , Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbil House, S.B. Singh Road, Mumbai-400 001, Email: pnagej@gmail.com) : Quantification of threats and suggested ameliorative measures for the conservation of the critically endangered Jerdon's courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus and its habitat. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 73-83.

Jerdon's Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus is a nocturnally active cursorial bird that is only known to occur in a small area of scrub jungle in and around Sri Lankamaleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh, India, and is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Jerdon's Courser prefers a specific type of scrub jungle with open areas, and there is considerable pressure from human use of apparently suitable habitats. Although major threats to the survival of the Jerdon's Courser have been indentified, there is no quantitative information available. During our study, nine specific threats were identified to the survival of the Jerdon's Courser and its habitat. Habitat destruction and alteration is the major threat among them. However, the immediate threat for the only known population of the Jerdon's Courser in the world and its habitat is the construction of the Telugu-Ganga Canal near Sri Lankamaleswara Wildlife Sanctuary and Sri Penusula Narasimha Wildlife Sanctuary. The presence of the Jerdon's Courser was detected in three new locations in and around the Sri Lankamaleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, and one of these sites was destroyed due to the canal construction. There is an urgent need to save the scrub jungle habitat in and around the sanctuaries. We suggest several ameliorative measures for the conservation of the Jerdon's Courser and its habitat.

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018215   Chundawat R S;Sharma K (NO, , Snow Leopard Trust, 4649 Synnyside Avenue North, Suite No.325, Seattle, WA 98103, USA, Email: raghu.baavan@gmail.com) : Tiger prey in a tropical dry forest: an assessment of abundance and of biomass estimation derived from distance sampling. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 64-72.

Data on animal and biomass densities of Tiger prey were collected using Distance Sampling in Parma Tiger Reserve, India. Line transect surveys for Distance Sampling were conducted in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005 using different approaches. Animal and biomass densities from 2003 are compared with estimates available from other reserves of the Indian subcontinent. In Panna Tiger Reserve density of Tiger prey is estimated to be 46.32 animals /sq. km. Chital, Nilgai and Sambar dominate the Tiger prey population of the Reserve. In terms of number of animals, Chital is the most abundant followed by Nilgai and Sambar; however, Nilgai groups are the most frequently encountered prey. The prey biomass density estimated for the Panna Tiger Reserve is 4,057 kg/sq. km. Most of the biomass is contributed by two prey species, Nilgai and Sambar. The biomass density contribution of Chital and smaller prey is small compared to other protected areas of the Subcontinent. In terms of the number of animals, contribution by large prey, medium prey and smaller prey is almost equal in Panna. But in comparison to other Tiger habitats the contribution by Chital and other medium prey in Panna Tiger Reserve is small, both in terms of the number of animals (39.24%) and of biomass density (21.26%). However density estimates from Panna Tiger Reserve and other protected areas indicate that Tropical Dry Forests, which are the largest Tiger habitat in the Subcontinent, can support fairly high prey populations and sustain a viable Tiger population. In tropical forests, where ecological conditions vary drastically, February and March appear to be the most suitable time for Distance Sampling. To minimise the errors encountered during the surveys, a short sampling period with more lines, which are walked only once a day and repeated after a few days, is suggested.

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018214   Behera S K;Nawab A;Rajkumar B (NO, , Freshwater & Wetlands Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature-India (Secretariat), 172-B Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110 003, Email: sbehera@wwfindia.net) : Preliminary investigations confirming the occurrence of Indus river dolphin Platanista gangetica minor in river Beas, Punjab, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 90-1.

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018213   Asghar Nawab;Srivastava A K (NO, , Freshwater & Wetlands Programme, WWF-India (Secretariat), 172-B Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110 003, Email: amitcorbett@gmail.com) : Record of Burmese python Python molurus Bivittatus and its conservation status in Corbett tiger reserve, Uttarakhand, India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 100-1.

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018212   Anwarul Islam M;Feeroz M M;Muzaffar S B; Kabir M;Begum S;Hasan K;Mahmud S;Chakma S (Zoology Dep, Dhaka Univ, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh) : Population status and conservation of hoolock gibbons Hylobates hoolok Harlan 1834 in Bangladesh. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2008, 105(1), 19-23.

Hoolock Gibbon (Hylobates hoolock Harlan 1834) is the only ape that occurs in the Indian subconlinent. The species is classified as endangered and their numbers have declined throughout their geographic range primarily due to habitat destruction. Determined the current status of the Hoolock Gibbons in Bangladesh. A total of 35 sites (10 in the north-eastern region and 25 in the south-eastern region) were surveyed for Hoolock Gibbons from 2002 to 2005. A total of 282 Hoolock Gibbons in 96 groups was estimated to live in 24 of the 35 sites visited. Several sites have lost all their Hoolock Gibbons within the last 15 years. Karnafuli (part of Kaptai National Park) in the south-east and Lawachara National Park in the north-east were recognised as two major strongholds of Hoolock Gibbons. Conservation of the remaining Hoolock Gibbons of Bangladesh rests on the future management of their patchy forest habitats. We recommend the cessation of illegal deforestation, habitat restoration and translocation of individuals to maintain these last Hoolock Gibbon populations in Bangladesh.

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016079   Zarri A A;Rahmani A R;Singh A;Kushwaha S P S (NO, , Bombay Natural History, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai-400 023, Email: ashfaq_az@rediffmail.com) : Habitat suitability assessment for the endangered Nilgiri laughingthrush: a multiple logistic regression approach. Curr Sci 2008, 94(11), 1487-94.

Presents here a predictive model of habitat suitability for the Nilgiri Laugh-ingthrush, Garrulax cachinnans based on a synergistic use of field surveys and digitally processed satellite imagery combined with features mapped using GIS data layers. Collateral data were created in a GIS framework based on ground surveys comprising layers such as land-use, measures of proximity to likely features of disturbance and a digital terrain model. Multiple binomial logistic regression approach was used for modelling, and the model performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. About 320 km², 25.12% of the area of the Nilgiris considered for modelling was predicted to be suitable for the Nilgiri Laughingthrush. The area under the ROC curve was found to be 0.984 ± 0.003 (R²: 0.93 at P < 0.0001), implying a highly effective model. The assessed suitable habitat was highly fragmented and comprised of 1352 patches (natural as well as man-made) distributed all over the study area. The smallest suitable patch identified by the model was 400 m² and the largest patch 17.65 km². Also, ca. 92% of all patches were smaller than 0.5 km². Presumes that some suitable habitat patches may be unoccupied due to strong fidelity of the species to shola (montane wet temperate forest) patches, low colonization rates, or large inter-fragment distances. Also, larger fragments might serve as source or 'exporters' of surplus individuals to maintain sink populations throughout the rest of the range. Discusses the implication of habitat fragmentation and narrow geographical range and anthropogenic pressure for the conservation of the Nilgiri Laughing-thrush.

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015032   Yihune M;Bekele A;Tefera Z (Biology Dep, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) : Human-Ethiopian wolf conflict in and around the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2008, 34(2), 149-55.

Information on the attitude of local people on the Ethiopian wolf in and around the Simien Mountains National Park was collected between September, 2005 and March, 2006 by means of face-to-face questionnaire survey and faecal dropping analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and responses compared using Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the attitude of respondents towards the Ethiopian wolf. The analysis indicated that 73.1% of the respondents had positive attitude towards the Ethiopian wolf. On the other hand, 18.3% of the respondents reported the loss of sheep to the Ethiopian wolf. Distance from the Park and sheep predation were not related (r = 0.06, P>O.05). However, when considering the distance from the Ethiopian wolf habitat, there was a negative correlation (r = -0.44, P<0.05) between sheep loss to the Ethiopian wolf and distance from the habitat of the Ethiopian wolf. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.17, P<O.05) between predation by the Ethiopian wolf and the number of sheep in the area. The faecal droppings of the Ethiopian wolf revealed that 97.8% constituted rodent species. The average sheep loss by the Ethiopian wolf per year per household was 0.62 ± 0.09. Based on this proportion, there is minimal conflict between the local people and the Ethiopian wolf in the study area. However, concerned organizations should take coordinated measure to conserve the population of Ethiopian wolf and reduce such conflict even if it occurs at a minimal level.

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015031   Satish Kumar;Rahmani A R (Wildlie Sciences Dep, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002, Email: satish_amu@yahoo.com) : Predation by wolves (Canis lupus pallipes) on blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) in the great Indian Bustard sanctuary, Nannaj, Maharashtra, India. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2008, 34(2), 99-112.

Some aspects of predation on blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) by wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) were studied in the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary from 1991 to 1994. For each kill, data were collected on (a) sex and age, (b) habitat around kill sites, (c) biomass left unconsumed by wolves, (d) distance of kills from the den(s), Sanctuary boundary and the nearest thick vegetation cover. The wolves largely preyed on old and injured blackbuck and had a strong selection for males (U=42, P=0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). On an average, wolves made a kill every 3.65 days during winter (S.E.=0.58, n= 19) and 2.1 days (S.E.=0.7, n=l0) during summer. The consumption rate was found to be 1 kg/wolf/day and it was not correlated with the pack size (r,=0. 16, P=0.07). The wolves depended largely on blackbuck for food requirement during their non-breeding period and on livestock during denning or breeding period. The maximum number of kills were located within 4 m of distance from vegetative cover (34%, n=26). The distribution of kills differed significantly between habitats and the maximum number of kills were found in grasslands (37%), followed by scrubland (23%), plantations (21 %) and grazing land (19%). The wolves killed blackbuck irrespective of the location of dens (D=0.246, P=0.462, Two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test). Only two instances of food caching by wolves were recorded during the study period. Blackbuck used predator avoidance strategies such as encirclement of herds by large males with longest horns to threaten wolves, ground stumping, flashing tail while running, galloping as high as possible, blowing out air from the nostrils briskly and producing a grunting sound to alarm the remaining individuals of the group. On an average, predation by wolves removed 4% of the total biomass of blackbuck available to them in the Sanctuary and 3.5% when 10% of the biomass of kills was assumed to remain unutilised by them. They consumed 25 to 30 individuals of blackbuck annually in the Sanctuary.

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015030   Ahmed K;Khan J A (Conservation Ecology Research Group, Conservation Monitoring Centre, W, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002, Email: wsi@sancharnet.in) : Food habits of leopard in tropical moist deciduous forest of Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh, India. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2008, 34(2), 141-7.

Scats analysis was used to determine the food habit of leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in the tropical moist-evergreen forest of Dudhwa National Park (DNP) Northern India. A total of 74 scats were collected and analyzed. Scat contents were analyzed in terms of relative frequency of occurrence and the relative prey biomass consumed. A minimum of 20 different prey species were identified. Diet diversity in leopard scats was found to be 1.045. The average weight of the animal consumed by leopard in the intensive study area was 45 kg. In terms of biomass, the most important single prey species was chital (Axis axis) making up to 19.75% of biomass consumed followed by rodents (17.35%) and Nilgai (11.44%). Wild ungulates together accounted for 28.44% of all prey species consumed. Domestic livestock contributed only 5.08%. Study showed that leopard avoid direct competition from tiger by using peripheral forest in terms of space and by segregating prey species in terms of size. The ability of leopard to exploit smaller prey species gives them advantage over tiger when faced with human induced habitat changes.

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012910   Gupta U (NO, , B-14, Aakriti Garden, PO Nehru Nagar, Bhopal-462 003) : Dalma- the threatened paradise of elephants. Cheetal 2008, 46(3-4), 7-12.

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010831   Singh J N (NO, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah-711 103) : Chemical characteristics of natural waters of nilgiri biosphere reserve, Kerala and Karnataka - their possible utility in wildlife management. Indian J For 2008, 31(2), 159-66.

Investigation deals with the chemical characteristics/composition of the natural waters of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), located within Kerala and Karnataka States respectively. Waters of both localities differ significantly in their chemical characteristics and composition. The waters of NBR - Kerala are bereft of dissolved minerals in their per unit volume, irrespective of their sources and location. Calcium ions dominate within cations and bicarbonate within anions. Carbonate ions are conspicuously absent in all waters. In contrast to above, the waters of Karnataka have sufficient dissolved minerals in their per unit volume and magnesium ions are prominent within cations and chloride within anions in large number of water bodies. Carbonate ions are sufficiently present in majority of the waters. In both localities, the calcium and magnesium ions show a close resemblance in their concentration but sodium ions exhibit an erratic variation. The waters of NBR - Kerala are neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction (pH 7.0-8.4) but the Karnataka waters show comparatively high alkalinity (pH 7.0-9.0). The waters of NBR- Kerala have been categorized as C₁S₁ class and thus, found to be highly suitable for safe use either by the flora, fauna or even by the soils of the area but the waters of NBR - Karnataka, barring a few, have been categorized as C₂S₁ class and thus, suitable for fauna but may create problem of alkali hazards within soils and for plant species which are susceptible to sodium ions concentration. The study pertinently suggests that to compensate the mineral deficiency especially in carnivores, the salt-licks having sufficient minerals may be placed in the entire biosphere reserve under Kerala and within Karnataka, it may be placed within those area which are not covered by artificial tanks.

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009825   Sinha B C;Sinha S P (NO, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun) : Impact of religious tourism on Gir National Park, Gujarat, India. Indian For 2008, 134(5), 667-73.

Many protected area managers are encountering difficulties balancing the demands of conservation and visitors. An essential component of sound management planning for these areas is objective data on visitor use impacts and needs. Gir National Park attracts a large number of visitors, both pilgrims and tourists. What matters is not the large number of visitors but the type of visitors, the pattern of resource use and the quality of management to achieve compatibility between activities undertaken by the visitors and the protected area objectives. Most research in the protected areas in the country has dealt with biological issues and little attention has been given to researching visitor management issues.The preliminary study aimed to collect information on the present status of pilgrimage and its management in Gir National Park and also to identify and quantify the impacts on the habitat, flora and fauna.

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009824   Shivesh Pratap Singh;Rashmi Singh (Zoology Dep, Govt. P. G. Autonomous College, Satna, Madhya Pradesh) : Phenological changes in flora of Chitrakoot area in respect to monkeys food requirements. Flora Fauna 2008, 14(2), 303-8.

Monkey groups of different sites live in variety of habitats. They choose different roosting sites in different seasons. All plants have definite flowering and fruiting pattern and these are the plant material for monkeys food. It becomes essential in a wild life habitat of Chitrakoot area to have continuous occurrence of such plant species, which are having specialized phenological pattern.

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009823   Jayathangaraj M G;Gomathinayagam S; Senthikumar K;Vijayakumar R (Wildlife Science Dep, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-600 007) : Incidence of ophidascariosis in a reticulated python. Indian J Anim Res 2008, 42(3), 234.

Incidence of ophidascariosis was reported in a reticulated python reared in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur. The sub-globular and thick shelled egg with compact yolk confirmed the presence of ophidascarid egg in python and the signs and therapy have been discussed.

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007978   Upreti D K;Nayaka S (Lichenology Lab, National are Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226 001, Email: upretidk@rediffmail.com) : Need for creation of lichen gardens and sanctuaries in India. Curr Sci 2008, 94(8), 976-8.

The habitat loss, increasing air pollution, changes in the microclimatic conditions and uncontrolled harvest have become the major detrimental factors for lichen diversity in India. Propagation of lichens by means of tissue culture method proved to be uneconomical and their re-introduction into the field has been unsuccessful. Hence declaring lichen-rich areas as 'lichen sanctuaries', enriching the existing botanical gardens with lichens and creating lichen gardens would be effective methods to conserve them in their natural habitats. Such sanctuaries and gardens would be unique in the world; apart from conservation, they also serve as educational and recreational sites.

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007977   Sharma V;Jani K;Bhatnagar C;Sharma S K (Aquatic Toxicology and Wildlife Research Lab, Zoology Dep, College of Science Univ, Mohanlal Sukhadia Univ, Udaipur) : Biodiversity of mammals in Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary, Udaipur wildlife division, Udaipur: an attempt to study the habitat preference of some. Bull Bio Sci 2006, 4(1), 39-44.

Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary is the smallest wildlife sanctuary of Udaipur Wildlife Division. This sanctuary is located atop the Bansdara Hill in the Aravalli Ranges, 5 km from Udaipur city. It was once a home to varied fauna including the tiger (Panthera tigris), the top carnivore. Due to injudicious exploitation of resources in due course of time it became deprived-off of its entire fauna. Steps are now being undertaken to regain its lost glory and therefore, looking into its strategic location and importance from the ecological and environmental point of view, this area was declared as Wildlife Sanctuary on 17-02-1987.Some herbivores were initially introduced here which were followed by suo moto appearance of carnivores. Any kind of scientific study was lacking on this recent although small Sanctuary and so this study was taken upon with an aim to study the biodiversity of the mammalian fauna present here and also to analyze the habitat preference, if any, shown by them. An attempt has been made to analyze the observations in the light of the habitat preference of these species and inter-relationship observed.

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007976   Sarkar S (NO, Texas Univ, Austin, TX 78712, USA, Email: sarkar@mail.utexas.edu) : Norms and the conservation of biodiversity. Resonance 2008, 13(7), 627-37.

Aim of the article is to discuss the various ways in which norms enter into discussions of biodiversity and its conservation. It will treat both conservation policy and the science behind biodiversity.

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006062   Rizvi A N (Zoological Survey of India, Northern Regional Station, Dehra Dun-248 195) : Sighting of the Indian softshell turtle, Aspideretes gangeticus (Cuvier), in Kalesar wildlife sanctuary, Haryana. Ann For 2008, 16(2), 358-60.

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006061   Pattanaik C;Sudhakar Reddy C (Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History, Deccan Regional Station, Hyderabad-500 017, Email: jilu2000@rediffmail.com) : Need for the conservation of wetland ecosystems : a case study of Ansupa lake (Orissa, India) using remote sensing based data. Natn Acad Sci Lett 2007, 30(5-6), 161-4.

Freshwater basins are vulnerable to human-induced change for a number of reasons. The change detection study of Ansupa lake, Orissa was carried out by using multi-temporal satellite data clearly indicates the decrease in wetland area. Due to high anthropogenic pressure, the wetland is shrinking day-by-day. Finally, for restoration efforts to be successful, local communities must participate actively in cooperation with local governments in accordance with the principle of co-management.

4 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

006060   Bahuguna A;Goyal S P;Mukherjee S K (NO, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun-248 001, Email: bahugunaarch_nandini@yahoo.co.in) : Identification of Axis axis (erxleben), chital; Cervus unicolor kerr, sambar and Moschus chrysogaster hodgson, musk deer through hair (I.E. trichotaxonomy) : a forensic study. Ann For 2008, 16(2), 311-20.

Three animal species viz., Chital Axis axis (Erxleben); Sambar, Cervus unicolor Kerr and Musk deer, Moschus chrysogaster Hodgson have been listed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and also under CITES and IUCN categories. Among Asian deer species, Chital and Sambar make the major prey base of endangered species like Tiger and Leopard. These have been largely being poached for high price in the market for skin and antlers. Musk deer on the other hand is being killed for musk pod. In order to curb offences against these species, proper enactment of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is required. The study reveals that characteristics of primary guard hair can be used as a scientific tool for providing proof in court about identification of these species. Different characteristics of hair viz., medulla type, euticular pattern, cross section, M/T ratios, scale index, even the hair profile provide the key for identification of these species.

17 illus, 23 ref

006059   Anil Kumar (Arunachal Pradesh Field Station, Zoological Survey of India, Itanagar-791 113, Email: anil_rathi@yahoo.com) : Some observations on the aquatic avifauna of Hastinapur wetland, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Ann For 2008, 16(2), 331-9.

Hastinapur wetland, located in Western Uttar Pradesh, has a diverse habitat comprising of a number of water bodies varying, forest patches, agricultural fields and course of river Ganga. Observations were made during winter 2001-2002 on the aquatic birds keeping their conservation and management issues in view. The wetland supports a sizable number of water birds including some uncommon species such as Sarus Crane Grus antigone, Goliath Heron Ardea goliath, Darter Anhinga rufa, White Stork Ciconia ciconia, Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, and Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus. Observations reveals that illegal harvesting of forest wood, aquatic reeds, fishes, and water fowls is a major threat for biodiversity loss and degradation/fragmentation of habitats.

2 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

005039   Jha A;Jha V (NO, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majithar, Rangpo, Sikkim-737 132) : Sikkim serow : threats and conservation. Mendel int J 2007, 24(3-4), 125.

Sikkim is home for the serow and conservation measure need to be adapted for this.

2 ref

004054   Sridhar H;Shankar Raman T R;Mudappa D (Centre for Ecological Science, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: hari@ces.iisc,enet.in) : Mammal persistence and abundance in tropical rainforest remnants in the southern western ghats, India. Curr Sci 2008, 94(6), 748-57.

Occurrence and abundance of mammals were compared in five large protected rainforest patches inside the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and in four smaller, unprotected rainforest fragments in a plantation matrix in the Anamalai hills, southern Western Ghats using line transect distance sampling. Among the 28 mammal species found in contiguous protected rainforests, 24 persisted in unprotected fragments. For most species, population densities were similar between the two strata. Density of arboreal mammal speªcies showed varying habitat correlates across the sites sampled; Indian giant squirrel density was negatively correlated to canopy overlap, lion-tailed macaque density negatively and Nilgiri langur positively to rainforest tree density respectively. Persistence of most mammals on private lands in a fragmented landscape may be attributed to proximity to the surrounding large tract of reserved forest areas as well as recent conservation efforts, including reduction of hunting and protection of fragments. Comparison with past estiestimates suggests that arboreal mammals have persisted and increased in abundance over the last decade, particularly in private fragments, possibly due to multiple factors, including the ability of the species to use matrix habitats, low hunting pressure, lack of predators and higher food availability.

4 illus, 2 tables, 36 ref

004053   Raman R;Kandula S (Animal Behaviour and Physiology Dep, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj Univ, Madurai-625 021, Email: sribat@rediffmail.com) : Zoopharmacognosy, self-medication in wild animals. Resonance 2008, 13(3), 245-53.

The study of parasites and their likely influence on optimal foraging and mate-selection in animals has attracted much attention in recent times. The possible effects of parasites on the host include the manipulation of host behaviour by parasites and the emergence of host behavioural adaptations for protecting against parasitism. Self-medication in wild animals is believed to be the behavioural adaptation evolved primarily against parasites and associated diseases. In this article, Briefly review some types of unusual behaviour observed in mammals, birds and insects which can be considered as self-medication.

1 illus, 15 ref

004052   Kunte K (Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 1, University Station, C 0930, Austin, TX 78712, USA, Email: krushnamegh@mail.utexas.edu) : Wildlife (Protection) act and conservation prioritization of butterflies of the western ghats, southwestern India. Curr Sci 2008, 94(6), 729-35.

Various schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (henceforth WPA), dictate the level of legal protection given to species of Indian animals. Shortcomings of the schedules of the WPA with respect to insects have been pointed out, but no solutions have been suggested. Used butterflies of the Western Ghats as a case study, analysed their conservation values with multiple species attributes and then compared my findings with the species listed under the WPA. Analysis shows that a large proportion of species with high conservation values, many of them narrowly endemic and endangered, are not listed under the WPA, indicating the need to expand the listings. This methodology can be used to objectively assess conservation values of other animals and their inclusion in the WPA

2 illus, 4 tables, 32 ref

004051   Jha V;Jha A (NO, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majhitar, Rangpo-737 132) : Extinct and near extinct mammals of Sikkim. Mendel int J 2007, 24(1-2), 13.

Methodology both primary as well as secondary sources of data were collated for the present study. For secondary data the published and unpublished works (books, papers, articles, reports etc. have been referred. Primary information has been collected using survey method. Details have been collected from local people also. The emphasis of study because of practical difficulties was only on larger mammals. Thus, correct and relevant informqtion on smaller animals such as rats, mice, squirrels, shrews and bats could not be collected.

5 ref

004050   Jha A (NO, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majhitar, Rangpo-737 132) : Preliminary study of the bats of Sikkim. Mendel int J 2007, 24(1-2), 14.

3 ref

002010   Joshi R;Rambir Singh (NO, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Garhwal Unit, Srinagar, Garhwal-246 174, Email: ritesh_joshi2325@yahoo.com) : Co-existence of asian elephants (Elehas maximus) with human beings - a difficult dream to be realised: a case study from Rajaji National Park in northern India. Ann For 2007, 15(2), 369-84.

Elephants and human beings in Rajaji National Park in northern India are increasingly arriving into conflict because of the conversion of elephant's natural habitat into agricultural areas. Besides, railway track which passes through the park area, national highways, anthropogenic activites etc. are restricting frequent movement of elephants within their home range. In a few of the villages, farmers are not cultivating sugarcane mainly due to fear of damage by elephants. In order to identify the number of villages affected, crop raiding behaviour of elephants during period of seven years was assessed and the main reasons for crop raiding were identified. Data was collected using direct and indirect observation methods and through questionnaires and informal interviews of various farming communities and concerned local people. Trend of crop raiding by elephants was mainly undertaken by solo adult and sub-adult bulls (45%), bul groups (14%) and groups including males, females and juveniles (37%) whereas group sizes ranged from 1 - 14 individuals. Only recgnized bull elephants and groups frequently strayed outside the park area. Elephants came out of the forest after sunset and return before dawn but had gradually begun moving towards outside areas after mid-day. These findings may have wider implications for developing predictive models of human-elephant interactions.

5 illus, 12 ref

002009   Denslow J S (Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, USDA Forest Service, 60 Nowelo St. Hilo, HI 96720, USA, Email: jdenslow@fs.fed.us) : Managing dominance of invasive plants in wildlands. Curr Sci 2007, 93(11), 1579-86.

Invasive exotic plants threaten nature reserves and wild-lands, where eradication may be neither a cost-effective nor an obtainable objective for controlling widespread weeds. In such cases, long-term management objectives should address the maintenance of desirable community and ecosystem processes through reduction in invasive plant abundance and distribution to acceptable levels. Strategic approaches to invasive plant control should include restoration of critical functional groups, mitigation of environmental stressors and reduction in exotic sources of disturbance to improve biotic resistance of the native community and reduction in invasive plant dominance. Monitoring to assess progress toward management goals is essential to identify needed changes in protocol as more is learned about drivers of community processes.

1 illus, 81 ref

001010   Srivastava P (Botany Dep, D S College, Aligarh-202 001) : Surface run-off experiment with Riparian weeds for their conservation efficiencies for water, soil and phosphorus. Indian J appl pure Biol 2007, 22(2), 393-8.

Three common riparian weeds [two monocots and a dicot] viz. Saccharum spontaneum L., Cynodon dactylon, L. [Pers.] and Cassia occidentalis L. were studied in surface run-off experiments to find out their conservation efficiencies for water, soil and Phosphorus run-off. The plant species were collected from the right bank of river Ganga, which is the study site, at Bharwari, Kaushambi, [U.P.] and were planted on the artificial slopes made in Botanical garden of Bhavan's Mehta Mahavidyalaya, Bharwari Kaushambi [U.P.]. Same species were also transplanted on the slopes made at the study site. Simulated rainfalls [15 cmhr]were applied on artificial slopes to collect the data. Single natural rainfall [10mm.] was used at study site to collect the data. Run-off soil and water were collected from each experimental slope at both the sites and their quantities were measured. After calculating the conservation values by formula given by Ambasht2 it was found that Saccharum spontaneum L. L. was the most efficient species in conservation and that vegetal cover influences soil, water and nutrient run-off.

5 tables, 14 ref