Feeding habits and habitat use of barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis) in Himalayan foothills, Pakistan

Northern red muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis; “barking deer”) is a shy and small-sized cervid mammal, limited to the outer Himalayan foothill forests in Pakistan. Habitat characteristics were measured by locating direct and indirect signs. To quantify habitat utilization of barking deer, 80 field surveys were conducted in the study area along transects. 1200 Quadrats at 50 m intervals were deployed along these transect lines to determine microhabitat factors associated with seasonal distribution. The food composition of the barking deer was determined through fecal droppings analysis by micro-histological technique. Forty-five fecal samples of barking deer were collected from the study area (Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Pak); summer (28) and winter (17). The micro-histological analysis revealed that more plant species are available in its habitat during the summer season (27) as compared to winter (19). Due to browsing nature barking deer mostly feed on trees in both seasons. While shrubs are slightly higher in winters. In summer barking deer consumed 10 Trees, 6 Shrubs, 5 Herbs, and 6 kinds of grass species. Dominant tree species were Phyllanthus emblica and Acacia modesta. Dominant shrub species were Ziziphus nummularia and Justicia adhatoda. In winter barking deer consumed 8 Trees, 7 Shrubs, 3 Herbs, and 1 Grass. Dominant tree species were Bauhinia variegata and Acacia modesta while shrubs included Ziziphus nummularia and Carissa opaca.

In Vitro Regeneration of Medicinally Important Shrub Carissa Opaca from Shoot Apices and Nodal Segments

The study was aimed to develop efficient shoot regeneration fromex vitroexplants ofCarissa opaca, an imperative medicinal reservoir. Shoot apices and nodal segments were inoculated on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium containing BAP (6-bezyl amino purine) and Kin (Kinetin) alone and in combination with NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) and GA3(Gibberellic acid). Higher concentrations of both cytokinins were found effective for regeneration from both explants. However, gibberellic acid and NAA addition with cytokinin, no persuading results were achieved. The shoot apices were found more effective inin vitroregeneration than nodal segments.The protocol can be effectively used for in vitro multiplication ofC. opaca, genetic transformation, and secondary metabolite production.