Distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in Karnataka, India / Distribution et abondance relative des espèces d'écureuils géants et volants à Karnataka, Inde

Mammalia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 70 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Honnavalli N. Kumara ◽  
Mewa Singh
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Northern Population ◽  
Flying Squirrel ◽  
Evergreen Forests ◽  
Flying Squirrels ◽  
Major Threat ◽  
Distributional Range ◽  
Abondance Relative ◽  
The Western Ghats

AbstractWe assessed the distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in the state of Karnataka, India. Two species of giant squirrels, the Indian giant squirrel and the grizzled giant squirrel, and two species of flying squirrel, the large brown flying squirrel and the small Travancore flying squirrel, were found to occur in Karnataka. Indian giant squirrels and large brown flying squirrels were more widely distributed than the other two species. The distributional range included the forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats. However, their distribution was confined only to forests with tall trees. Indian giant squirrels and large brown flying squirrels occur in both deciduous and evergreen forests. Small Travancore flying squirrels occupied high-rainfall evergreen forests on western slopes in the Western Ghats, and the grizzled giant squirrels occupy riverine forests. This report of the small Travancore flying squirrel is the first of this species from Karnataka, and this population is the most northern population of its distributional range. Hunting was found to be a major threat, and influenced the abundance of all species except the grizzled giant squirrel. Hunting was primarily for domestic consumption.

Distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in Karnataka, India / Distribution et abondance relative des espèces d'écureuils géants et volants à Karnataka, Inde

Mammalia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 70 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Honnavalli N. Kumara ◽  
Mewa Singh
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Northern Population ◽  
Flying Squirrel ◽  
Evergreen Forests ◽  
Flying Squirrels ◽  
Major Threat ◽  
Distributional Range ◽  
Abondance Relative ◽  
The Western Ghats

AbstractWe assessed the distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in the state of Karnataka, India. Two species of giant squirrels, the Indian giant squirrel and the grizzled giant squirrel, and two species of flying squirrel, the large brown flying squirrel and the small Travancore flying squirrel, were found to occur in Karnataka. Indian giant squirrels and large brown flying squirrels were more widely distributed than the other two species. The distributional range included the forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats. However, their distribution was confined only to forests with tall trees. Indian giant squirrels and large brown flying squirrels occur in both deciduous and evergreen forests. Small Travancore flying squirrels occupied high-rainfall evergreen forests on western slopes in the Western Ghats, and the grizzled giant squirrels occupy riverine forests. This report of the small Travancore flying squirrel is the first of this species from Karnataka, and this population is the most northern population of its distributional range. Hunting was found to be a major threat, and influenced the abundance of all species except the grizzled giant squirrel. Hunting was primarily for domestic consumption.

scholarly journals A NEW CRYPTIC SPECIES OF BUSH FROG (AMPHIBIA: ANURA: Raorchestes) FROM THE SOUTHERN EASTERN GHATS, INDIA

2020 ◽  
pp. 164-173
Author(s):  
Gaurang G. Gowande ◽  
S.R. Ganesh ◽  
Zeeshan A. Mirza
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequences ◽  
Upper Eyelid ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstructions ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Mitochondrial 16S Rrna Gene ◽  
The Western Ghats

A new cryptic lineage of bush frogs of the genus Raorchestes from the understudied Eastern Ghats of India is described. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions using mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences suggest that the new species belongs to the Raorchestes charius clade, is sister to the allopatric R. charius of the Western Ghats and support the species-level distinctiveness of the lineage. The new species morphologically resembles R. charius from which it can be distinguished using the following characters: narrower head (HW/SVL 0.31 vs 0.34–0.36), wider inter upper eyelid (IUE/SVL 0.14–0.16 vs 0.11–0.13), greater maximum upper eyelid width (UEW/SVL 0.10–0.12 vs 0.06–0.09) and shorter thigh (TL/SVL 0.32–0.43 vs 0.44–0.51). Acoustic observations from the breeding males further corroborate the distinct specific status of the new species. The discovery of this new species of bush frog from an understudied landscape suggests that additional extensive surveys in the Eastern Ghats would yield several more amphibian lineages yet unknown to science.

Photoperiod synchronizes reproduction and growth in the southern flying squirrel,Glaucomys volans

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa M. Lee ◽  
Irving Zucker
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Glaucomys Volans ◽  
Flying Squirrel ◽  
Seasonal Rhythms ◽  
Flying Squirrels ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Natural Photoperiod ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Southern Flying Squirrel

Southern flying squirrels were housed in a simulated natural photoperiod for 40°N latitude and held at a constant temperature of 23 °C with food and water provided ad libitum. Body weight and reproductive condition were monitored weekly for 2 years. Males were in reproductive condition between January and mid-August and females were in estrus from late February to mid-April and again from mid-June until early August. Young were conceived during both estrous periods and several squirrels produced two litters in the same year. Minimum body weights were recorded in adults in mid-October each year. Pups born in the spring grew more rapidly than those from summer litters, and reached puberty at 2.5 months as compared with 6–8 months of age for the summer litters. Several seasonal rhythms appear to be controlled by photoperiod in this species.

Den trees used by northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in southeastern Alaska

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 1623-1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
V J Bakker ◽  
K Hastings
Keyword(s):  
Small Groups ◽  
Random Trees ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Glaucomys Sabrinus ◽  
Flying Squirrel ◽  
Flying Squirrels ◽  
Northern Flying Squirrel ◽  
Den Site Selection ◽  
Northern Flying Squirrels

Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) dens are reportedly associated with features characteristic of older forests, and den availability is a potential limiting factor in younger forests. We assessed den sites used by northern flying squirrels in southeastern Alaska, where we expected den-site selection to differ from more southerly forests, owing to increased thermal stress but reduced predation and competition. We located 27 squirrels in 76 dens and compared den trees with 1875 matched random trees. Most dens ([Formula: see text]73%) were in cavities and 21% were at heights of [Formula: see text]3 m. This high rate of cavity use, including cavities low in the bole, likely reflects the importance of weatherproof dens in this cool wet region. Northern flying squirrels preferentially used trees with indicators of cavity presence, selecting for snags and for larger diameter trees with bole entries, conks, abundant mistletoe, and dead tops. Although cavity availability is probably not limiting populations in this region currently, cavity-supporting trees would be one of the last elements of old-growth forests to develop in intensively logged stands. Retention of small groups of large snags and live trees exhibiting evidence of disease or physical defects would ensure availability of denning structures after logging.

scholarly journals VEGETATION COMPOSITION, STRUCTURE AND PATTERNS OF DIVERSITY: A CASE STUDY FROM THE TROPICAL WET EVERGREEN FORESTS OF THE WESTERN GHATS, INDIA

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Giriraj ◽  
M. S. R. Murthy ◽  
B. R. Ramesh
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Evergreen Forests ◽  
Composition Structure ◽  
The Western Ghats

The composition, abundance, population structure and distribution patterns of the woody species having a girth at breast height of ≥ 10 cm were investigated in the tropical wet evergreen forests of the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the southern Western Ghats, India. A 3 ha plot was established with an altitudinal range of 1170 to 1306 m. In the study plot 5624 individuals (mean density 1875 ha−1) covering 68 woody species belonging to 52 genera and 27 families were enumerated. The mean basal area was 47.01 m2 ha–1 and the Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were 4.89 and 0.95, respectively. Of these woody species nearly 51% are endemic to the Western Ghats. The four dominant species, Cullenia exarillata, Palaquium ellipticum, Aglaia bourdillonii and Myristica dactyloides, account for 34% of the trees and 67% of the basal area, and therefore constitute the main structure of the forest. Within this forest type, five species assemblages corresponding to altitudinal gradient were identified using correspondence analysis. Management of such mid elevation evergreen forests necessarily depends on knowledge of recognisable community types and their environmental variables. The present study provides essential background for formulating strategies for sustainable conservation of forest communities at the local level.

scholarly journals Design and Demonstration of a Flying-Squirrel-Inspired Jumping Robot with Two Modes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3362
Author(s):  
Fei Zhao ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Justyna Wyrwa ◽  
Jingtao Zhang ◽  
Wenxin Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pitch Angle ◽  
Initial Velocity ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Flying Squirrel ◽  
Flexible Wing ◽  
Flying Squirrels ◽  
Jumping Robot

The jumping–gliding robot is a kind of locomotion platform with the capabilities to jump on the ground and glide through the air. The jumping of this robot has to juggle the requirements of initial velocity and posture for entry to gliding and progressing on the ground. Inspired by flying squirrels, we proposed the concept of flexible wing-limb blending platform and designed a robot with two jumping modes. The robot can takeoff with different speeds and stances, and adjust aerial posture using the swing of forelimbs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first miniature and bio-inspired jumping robot that can autonomically change the speeds and stances when takeoff. Experimental results show that the robot can takeoff at about 3 m/s and pitch angle of 0° in the mode of jumping for gliding and adjust the pitch angle at the top to 0°~10° by actuating the forelimbs swing according to the requirement of gliding. In the mode of jumping for progress, the robot can takeoff at about 2 m/s with a pitch angle of 20° and then intermittently jump with a distance of 0.37 m of once jump and an average progress speed of 0.2 m/s. The robot presented in this paper lays the foundation for the development of flexible wing-limb blending platform, which is capable of jumping and gliding.

scholarly journals A new species of shieldtail snake (Reptilia: Squamata: Uropeltidae) from Kolli Hill complex, southern Eastern Ghats, peninsular India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 15436-15442
Author(s):  
S.R. Ganesh ◽  
N.S. Achyuthan
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Peninsular India ◽  
Evergreen Forests ◽  
Allopatric Species ◽  
Yellow Mottling ◽  
A New Species

We describe a new species of shieldtail (uropeltid) snake, Uropeltis rajendrani sp. nov., from the Kolli Hill complex of the southern Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India.  The new species belongs to the U. ceylanica group and is differentiated from related species in having 16–17:16–17:15–16 dorsal scale rows; 145–158 ventral scales; 8–11 pairs of subcaudals; dorsum uniform brown, anteriorly powdered with yellow mottling; venter brown, scales outlined with yellow.  This endemic species with a restricted range is known only from atop Kolli Hill complex, inhabiting higher elevation (> 900m) evergreen forests, where it is the only known member of this genus. Allopatric species, endemism, isolated massif, Uropeltis rajendrani sp. nov., Western Ghats. 

scholarly journals Inventory of teloganodid mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Teloganodidae) from southern India with records of endemic taxa

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 11800
Author(s):  
C. Selvakumar ◽  
K. G. Sivaramakrishnan ◽  
T. Kubendran ◽  
Kailash Chandra
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Diagnostic Characters ◽  
The Family ◽  
Present Pattern ◽  
The Western Ghats

The present study deals with diagnostic characters, diversity, distribution and status of seven species belonging to four genera of Teloganodidae from southern India.  Six of them are endemic to the Western Ghats as is the genus Indoganodes Selvakumar, Sivaramakrishnan & Jacobus, 2014 and one is endemic to the Eastern Ghats.  Due to this high percentage of endemism, conservation of habitats and microhabitats harbouring this ancient gondwanan lineage gains priority.  A larval key to the known genera and species of Teloganodidae of southern India is also provided.  The present pattern of distribution of the family Teloganodidae is confined to southern Africa, Madagascar, southern India and Southeast Asia. 

scholarly journals Factors influencing the occurrence and vulnerability of the Travancore tortoise Indotestudo travancorica in protected areas in south India

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Deepak ◽  
Karthikeyan Vasudevan
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Site Occupancy ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Evergreen Forests ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Western Ghats

AbstractProtected areas in developing tropical countries are under pressure from local demand for resources, and therefore it is essential to monitor rare species and prevent overexploitation of resources. The Travancore tortoise Indotestudo travancorica is endemic to the Western Ghats in southern India, where it inhabits deciduous and evergreen forests. We used multiple-season models to estimate site occupancy and detection probability for the tortoise in two protected areas, and investigated factors influencing this. During 2006–2009 we surveyed 25 trails in four forest types and estimated that the tortoise occupied 41–97% of the habitat. Tortoise presence on the trails was confirmed by sightings of 39 tortoises and 61 instances of indirect evidence of tortoises. There was considerable interannual variation in both direct and indirect evidence of tortoise presence. Although grass marshes represented only a small fraction of the protected areas, they constituted an important foraging ground for the tortoise and should be a focal point for monitoring and protection measures. Human-inhabited enclaves within the protected areas, and consequent furtive hunting, had a negative effect on occupancy by the tortoise, and therefore protected area management should include educating local communities and involving them in monitoring and protecting the species.

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