Floral traits predict pollination syndrome in Syzygium species: a study on four endemic species of the Western Ghats, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giby Kuriakose ◽  
Palatty Allesh Sinu ◽  
K. R. Shivanna
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Pollination Syndrome ◽  
Physical Disturbance ◽  
The Western Ghats

Pollination ecology and the breeding system of four endemic species of Syzygium (S. heyneanum, S. travancoricum, S. laetum and S. mundagam) of the Western Ghats, India are investigated. The floral traits are used for ordination analysis to understand if the species form any cryptic groups and whether this grouping predicts the pollination syndrome and the breeding system. Pollinators were distinguished from frequent visitors by studying their efficiency to transfer pollen to the stigma or induce fruit set following their exclusive visit to virgin flowers. The species formed two groups in the ordination map: the S. heyneanum and S. travancoricum group and the S. laetum and S. mundagam group. The flowers of studied species attracted 3–23 species of animals during the day, but none were encountered during the night. Flowers of S. heyneanum and S. travancoricum were visited by a large number of insect species of which only a limited number turned out to be the pollinators. S. laetum and S. mundagam attracted two bird species apart from a few insect species. In S. laetum, although birds did not bring about pollination directly, their visits facilitated anemophily by releasing pollen to the air by causing physical disturbance to the flowers. In S. mundagam, both birds and wind were involved in pollination. S. heyeanum and S. travancoricum were fully self-compatible, whereas S. laetum and S. mundagam were partially self-compatible.

scholarly journals Notes on the extended distribution of Humboldtia bourdillonii (Fabales: Fabaceae), an Endangered tree legume in the Western Ghats, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 14886-14890
Author(s):  
Anoop P. Balan ◽  
A. J. Robi ◽  
S. V. Predeep
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Tree Legume ◽  
Endangered Tree ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
Tiger Reserve ◽  
Kerala State ◽  
Periyar Tiger Reserve ◽  
The Western Ghats

Humboldtia bourdillonii is an Endangered tree legume; considered endemic to its type locality in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Idukki District of Kerala State.  A new population of this highly threatened endemic species is located in the Vagamon Hills of Kottayam District which is about 70km away from its original locality.  The newly located population is drastically affected by the severe floods and landslides that occurred in Kerala state during August 2018.  Urgent conservation measures are needed to protect the population from further loss.  

A new species of rock-dwelling Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Tamil Nadu, southern India

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4571 (3) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
AKSHAY KHANDEKAR
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Peninsular India ◽  
Tamil Nadu State ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
A New Species

A new species of the gekkonid genus Cnemaspis is described based on a series of nine specimens from near Sankari in Salem district, Tamil Nadu state, southern India. The new species is diagnosable by the following suite of characters: a small-sized Cnemaspis (adult snout to vent length less than 33 mm); heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis consisting of weakly keeled granular scales intermixed with large strongly keeled, conical tubercles, 9–11 rows of dorsal tubercles, 12–17 tubercles in paravertebral rows; spine-like scales absent on flank, 17–20 lamellae under digit IV of pes. Males with 4–6 femoral pores on each thigh, separated on either side by eight poreless scales from four precloacal pores; precloacal pores separated medially by a single poreless scale; two single dorsal ocelli on occiput and between forelimb insertions, two pairs of ocelli on either side just anterior and posterior to forelimb insertions. Cnemaspis agarwali sp. nov. is the fifth endemic species of Cnemaspis from peninsular India outside the Western Ghats and highlights the rich and unique diversity of this understudied region. 

Vertebrate pollination of the endemic Trochetia granulata (Malvaceae) on Réunion

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothée Le Péchon ◽  
Mickaël Sanchez ◽  
Laurence Humeau ◽  
Luc D.B. Gigord ◽  
Li-Bing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Breeding System ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollination Ecology ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Compatibility Studies ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Hand Pollination ◽  
Pollen Vector

Abstract:The pollination ecology and breeding system of Trochetia granulata (Malvaceae), an endemic tree species from Réunion were studied. In 2010–2011, compatibility studies were conducted on a total of 154 flowers from 35 different individuals using three different hand pollination treatments: (a) autofertility, (b) self-pollination and (c) cross-pollination. During the period, we also studied the pollination ecology of T. granulata. During 48 h of video recordings, we tracked flower visits to T. granulata in six different sites and studied the behaviour of the visitors. The results from the hand-cross experiments show that T. granulata is self-compatible (60.8% fruit set) but cannot produce fruit (5.4% fruit set) without the visit of a pollen vector. During surveys, four different visitors were reported: the introduced honey bee (Apis mellifera), two endemic species of white-eye (Zosterops borbonicus borbonicus and Z. olivaceus) and the endemic Réunion day gecko (Phelsuma borbonica). This study documented a new case of vertebrate-pollination by lizard and birds in an insular context. These interactions might be linked to several uncommon floral traits of Trochetia species.

Revisiting the taxonomy of Ophiorrhiza codyensis and lectotypification of O. pykarensis (Rubiaceae), two endemic taxa of the Western Ghats

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 452 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-179
Author(s):  
VADAKKOOT SANKARAN HAREESH ◽  
SIDHABHAVAN NANJAN PREETHAMOL ◽  
MAMIYIL SABU ◽  
JOHN ERNEST THOPPIL
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
The Western Ghats

Taxonomic identity and occurrence of Ophiorrhiza codyensis (Rubiaceae), a little known endemic species from the Western Ghats is discussed along with its rediscovery after a gap of 106 years outside from its type locality. Detailed description of the species is provided with colour photographs, ecology and conservation status. In addition, a lectotype is designated for O. pykarensis, another endemic species of the Western Ghats. A new occurrence of O. trichocarpon in the Western Ghats is also discussed.

scholarly journals Molecular Identification and Ecology of a Newly Discovered Population of Sun Catfish Horabagrus brachysoma from Northern Western Ghats of India

ISRN Zoology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Unmesh Katwate ◽  
Rupesh Raut ◽  
Mayura Khot ◽  
Mandar Paingankar ◽  
Neelesh Dahanukar
Keyword(s):  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Molecular Identification ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Western Ghats Of India ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Western Ghats

Horabagrus brachysoma, thought to be endemic to the southern parts of the Western Ghats of India, is recorded for the northern parts of the Western Ghats, extending the species distribution range by 180 km. We have confirmed the identity of the species and the fact that the species is indigenous to this area and not an artifact of recent introductions using molecular methods. Apart from the range extension we have also provided detailed analysis regarding the nature of morphometric variations between the sexes, length-weight relationship, and a brief discussion about the potential habitat requirements and threats to this species. By documenting the possible threats to this threatened and endemic species, we have commented on the possible measures to conserve the species in the wild.

Pollination and breeding system of a neotropical palm Astrocaryum vulgare in Guyana: a test of the predictability of syndromes

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
TRISHA K. CONSIGLIO ◽  
GODFREY R. BOURNE
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Pollination Syndrome ◽  
Wind Pollination ◽  
System Study ◽  
Pollination Syndromes ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Insect Visitors ◽  
Oviposition Sites

A pollination and breeding system study was conducted on a neotropical palm, Astrocaryum vulgare, in Guyana, South America, to better understand its reproductive character evolution, and test the predictability of pollination syndromes. The pollination syndrome approach was used because it integrates characteristics of flowers and their pollinators into an evolutionary framework that allowed experimental testing of predictions. The flowers of A. vulgare displayed traits that were typical of both beetle and wind pollination syndromes. The protogynous inflorescences produced heat and odour during nocturnal anthesis, had numerous stamens with copious, light pollen, and were visited by hordes of beetles that used the inflorescences as feeding, mating and oviposition sites. In contrast, some of these features, such as numerous stamens with copious, light pollen, a high pollen to ovule ratio, and no obvious production of visitor rewards, were also typical of the wind pollination syndrome. However, floral rewards appeared to be tissues of the fleshy staminate petals and pollen that were readily devoured by the beetles. In addition to the Coleoptera, insect visitors to A. vulgare inflorescences included several species of Hymenoptera, Diptera and Orthoptera. However, only Nitidulidae and Curculionidae beetles were effective insect pollinators. Pollination treatments showed that wind pollination was possible, but fruit set was significantly higher for female flowers visited by beetles. Although a pollen/ovule ratio of 50 000:1 and outcrossing index confirmed an outcrossing breeding system, pollination experiments suggested that A. vulgare had the potential for self pollination. Therefore, the breeding system might be best classified as facultatively xenogamous (cross fertilizing). The predictive value of potential pollinator agents for A. vulgare was inadequate because its floral traits were indicative of both cantharophilous and anemophilous pollination syndromes.

scholarly journals Revisiting the taxonomy of Strobilanthes lawsonii and S. pushpangadanii (Acanthaceae), two endemic taxa of Western Ghats, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 18054-18058
Author(s):  
Blessy Cherian ◽  
K.M. Prabhukumar ◽  
R. Jagadeesan ◽  
V.V. Naveen Kumar ◽  
Indira Balachandran
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Taxonomic Key ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
The Western Ghats

Strobilanthes lawsonii was described by Gamble based on a collection made from Sispara Ghat of Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu.  Later researchers reported its distribution in Kerala, and S. gamblei and S. pushpangadanii, two endemic species of the Western Ghats, were synonymised with S. lawsonii during the genus revision in southern India in 2006.  During a recent expedition to Muthikulam forest of Palakkad, Kerala the authors collected typical S. lawsonii.  After comparing the new collections with S. gamblei and S. pushpangadanii, it was found that both taxa are distinct from S. lawsonii, with the most notable morphological differences being partially fused corolla lobes and exserted stamens.  A detailed comparison of the three taxa is provided here, along with color photographs and a taxonomic key for easy species identification.

scholarly journals Rediscovery, systematics and proposed Red List status of Ledebouria junnarensis S.S. Rahangdale and S.R. Rahangdale nom. nov. (Asparagaceae) - an endemic species from the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 8421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Savita Sanjaykumar Rahangdale ◽  
Sanjaykumar Ramlal Rahangdale
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Red List ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
New Name ◽  
Threat Status ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
Iucn Criteria

<p>A new name in the genus <em>Ledebouria</em> Roth is validated for <em>Scilla viridis</em> Blatter &amp; Hallberg [non <em>Scilla viridis </em>(L.) Salisbury].  It is rediscovered after about 85 years of its first and only report.  It is also redescribed on the basis of morphology, anatomy, cytology and assigned the name <em>Ledebouria junnarensis </em>S.S. Rahangdale &amp; S.R. Rahangdale belonging to the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Hyacinthoideae.  As this is a species endemic to the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India, it is studied for threat status as per IUCN criteria &amp; guidelines and assigned the status Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).  Identification keys for the genera and species of subfamily Hyacinthoideae reported from India are prepared on the basis of reported and observed characters.</p><div> </div>

scholarly journals Opportunities and challenges in using remote sensing for identifying grassland restoration sites and invasive tree species management in a global biodiversity hotspot

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Arasumani ◽  
Milind Bunyan ◽  
V. V. Robin
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Fire Frequency ◽  
Annual Runoff ◽  
Grassland Restoration ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Exotic Trees ◽  
Exotic Tree ◽  
The Western Ghats

ABSTRACTTropical montane grasslands (TMG) support biodiverse and endemic taxa and provide vital ecosystems services to downstream communities. Yet invasive alien tree species across the world have threatened tropical grasslands and grassland endemic species. In India, TMG in the Shola Sky Islands of the Western Ghats have been reduced due to exotic tree invasions (acacias, pines, and eucalyptus species). The loss of grassland habitat has, in turn, reduced the range sizes of species endemic to grasslands (plants, birds, amphibians, and mammals), driving some populations to local extinction. Grassland conversion to exotic trees has also reduced the annual runoff in the Western Ghats. Conserving existing grassland and restoring invaded habitat is critical to reverse these losses. This research focused on identifying grassland restoration sites using satellite images with a high spatial resolution (RapidEye). We used an object-oriented Random Forest classification to map the area for grassland restoration. We have identified an area of 254 sq. km. as suitable for grassland restoration and an area of 362 sq. km. for grassland conservation and prevention from invasion by exotic tree species. For restoration, we recommend a cautious removal of young and isolated exotic trees at the invasion front and restoring grasslands, instead of removing dense stands of mature exotic trees. We find that areas with low fire frequency areas tend to be invaded, but areas invaded by exotic trees tend to burn hotter which may be harmful to grassland species and ecosystems. We assume that removing exotic tree species in the identified restoration sites and restoring the grassland will be helpful in recovering lost habitat and ensuring the viability of populations of indigenous and endemic species and increasing streamflow.

scholarly journals On the diversity and abundance of riparian odonate fauna (Insecta) of the midstream Chalakkudy River, Kerala, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 19053-19059
Author(s):  
C. Nitha Bose ◽  
C.F. Binoy ◽  
Francy K. Kakkassery
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Habitat Alteration ◽  
Insect Diversity ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Western Ghats

The riparian Odonate insect diversity of the midstream Chalakudy River at six locations assessed from February 2018 to January 2019 has revealed the occurrence of 25 species of odonates. Among them,10 species are dragonflies belonging to seven genera of the family Libellulidae and the remaining 15 species are damselflies belonging to six families and 11 genera. Five endemic damselfly species have been recorded. Pseudagrion indicum is endemic to the Western Ghats, while the remaining four species, Vestalis apicalis, Libellago indica, Dysphaea ethela, and Heliocypha bisignata, are endemic to India. Diversity indices of the odonates in all the six locations were analyzed and it showed less abundance at sites where tourist activities are more and with thin native riparian vegetation. Further, the study has unequivocally revealed that thick native riparian vegetation is essential for their perching and existence. By and large, the uncontrolled tourism activities and habitat alteration interfere with the density and diversity of these endemic species.

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