FAUNAL DIVERSITY OF EASTERN GHATS
(Source: Proceedings of the National Seminar on the Faunal Diversity of Eastern Ghats
Organized by the Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Chennai-600 028.
Dated. 3rd and 4th March, 2016)
S.No. Authors & Topic Abstract
1. A K Ghosh
Biodiversity of Eastern Ghats and
Western Ghats
Centre for Environment and Development
Indian subcontinent represents major ecosystems in an
amazing way. While, mountain ecosystem of Himalayas
remain distinctive across the northern landscape, the hills
of India, known of Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats have
attracted attention of scientists specially on their origin,
evolution and diversity of life.
The Eastern Ghats region covers 75,000 sq.km located
between 770 22” – 220 81” East Longitude and 110 31” –
210 0” North latitude. The region extends over a linear
distance of 1750 km. The northern border can be marked
with the Mahanadi River and the southern border with
Nilgiri Hills (Pulliah, 2002).
Landscape and Biodiversity
Eastern Ghats region is spread across three coastal states
of India viz., Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The
region cuts across a wide array of ecosystems from the
semi-arid Kalahandi to coastal Vishakhapatnam. Three
major Indian rivers viz., Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna
act as a main surface water resource; predominantly
tropical monsoon climate is prevalent in the region.
Biodiversity in Eastern Ghats flourished under an array of
forests types ranging from evergreen to tropical semi-
evergreen to moist deciduous forest extending into
savannah and scrub jungle. Such diversity provide habitat
for 2,500 species of flowering plants (recorded till 2001)
dominated by family Fabaceae, Leguminoceae and
Convolvulaceae. Sadly, Eastern Ghats fauna still remains
ill explode or unexploded especially with reference to
largest animal group of invertebrates, insects. In case, of
vertebrates, insects. In case, of one can record 115 species
of Herpetofauna and 297 species of birds, besides, a
diverse spectrum of mammalian species starting from tree
shrew to lesser cats to large Carnivores like jackals, wolf,
hyena and Indian wild dogs etc. There is no consolidated
account of fishes of Eastern Ghats. The endemicity of flora
and fauna of Eastern Ghats will appear poor if compared
with the Western Ghats; in case of plants about 4% of the
flora is considered endemic to the region. Sadly, data on
endemic fauna of Eastern Ghats seems to be lacking.
Threats
Major threats to the unique landscape includes high rate
of deforestation largely due to development projects
including mining, extending railway lines into eco sensitive
zones, construction of multipurpose river valley projects,
forest fires and shorter cycle of shifting cultivation in the
tribal belt etc. In spite of the fact, that 12 protected areas
have been declared in the Eastern Ghats, a number of
plant species have been introduced to this region which
may turn invasive and cause serious impact on native
biodiversity.
Discussion
It seems imperative that, a well planned multi institutional
biodiversity survey, covering all the ecological niches
should be undertaken in this unique landscape on a time
bound project mode. Hardly any data is available on the
agro biodiversity of the region which one can expect to be
very rich in the tribal belts. Documentation of the
traditional knowledge on the uses of biodiversity will be of
immense importance; with leading national institutions
like Botanical Survey of India and Zoological Survey of
India, and all five bureaus dealing with genetic resources
under ICAR along with the renowned universities from
three states which could provide a unique opportunity to
document and widen our knowledge on Eastern Ghats, as
has already been established for Western Ghats.
Needless to say that, while, targeting a higher GDP may be
a national goal so is the goals for sustainable development
which have been prescribed by the United Nations in
2015, with target date of 2030. India being as a signatory
to the Convention on Biological Diversity, 2002, and also a
follower to the Sustainable Development Pathway could
play a significant role in drawing a master plan for both
Eastern and Western Ghats, which in violet in nature.
2. Chandra.K and Venkitesan. R
Faunal Diversity of Eastern Ghats and
Western Ghats - An Overview
Zoological Survey of India
535, M Block New Alipore – Kolkata - 53
FAUNAL DIVERSITY OF EASTERN GHATS: There is no
consolidating information on the total faunal wealth of
Eastern Ghats. Comparatively lesser information is
available on the faunal resource of the Eastern Ghats; the
dry forests of Eastern Ghats could not attract the
researchers as comparable with lush green forests of
Western Ghats. Information on the fauna of the Eastern
Ghats is poor and scanty. Eastern Ghats are unique in its
biotic attributes, is home to some of the charismatic and
endangered animals such as tigers, elephants, leopards,
etc. It is where the aesthetic beauty of pristine forest
dwells and also a treasure house for lavish population of
wild flora and fauna.
A total of 311 species of insects from different orders and
families were recorded form the Eastern Ghats constitutes
about 0.56 percentage (Table – 2) ZSI recorded 400 species
of vertebrate fauna and 217 species of invertebrate fauna
from the Similipal Biosphere Reserve, 55 Species from 10
orders and 19 families of mammals have been reported
from the reserve. Avifaunal diversity and abundance is
around 258 species (Alfred et al. 2001, Ramakrishna et al.,
2006; ZSI, 1995), and forming a major portion of the
vertebrate fauna, out of 110 reptiles found in Orissa
(including sea turtles), 37 species are known to occur in
Similipal. The invertebrate groups constitutes a total of
217 species comprises of Protozoa, Rotifera, Ostracoda,
Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Scorpionida, Orthoptera, Odonata
and some families of Hemiptera, Lepidoptera Diptera and
Humenoptera. The fauna of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife
sanctuary included 37 species belonging to 33 genera
under 21 families and 10 orders Mammals (Tiwari et al.,
2002). The avian fauna is represented by 167 species
belonging to 116 Genera under 45 families and 17 orders,
About 115 species of amphibians and reptiles have been
reported form the Eastern Ghats (Daniel, 2000). The
reptile fauna is represented by 33 species belonging to 27
genera under 12 families and 4 order, and amphibian
fauna is represented by 13 species belonging to 9 genera
under 17 families and 8 orders. Comparatively faunal
diversity is abundant in Nallamalai Hills, Thulsi Rao
(2007) recorded over 70 species of mammals, 302 species
of birds, 64 species of reptiles, 20 amphibians, 55 fishes,
89 species of butter flies, 57 species of moths, 45 species
of coleopteran, 30 species of Odonata and numerous other
forms of insects have been inventorised in Nallamalai hills.
Conclusion: The faunal resource of Western Ghats is fairly
documented than the poorly concentrated Eastern Ghats.
Western Ghats with a maximum number of 6340 species
constitutes about 3.98 percentages and in Eastern Ghats
with 884 species constitutes 0.55 percentages of the total
Indian fauna. Inventories give a snapshot of the state of
biodiversity and identify key variables, bio indicators and
eco services renderers. They also provide baseline
information for the assessment of change and they apply
to all ecosystems from fully natural to intensively
managed. Conservation measure like habitat restoration,
Pollution control, Invasive alien species management,
Environmental impact assessment of development
activities, Awareness and education outreach, Legislation
and enforcement and identification Key Biodiversity Areas
are to be initiated to protect the natural resource of the
country.
3. Dr. A.J.T. Johnsingh
Conservation of Mammals in Western
Ghats and Eastern Ghats
Nature Conservation Foundation
Mysore and WWF – India
Conservation anywhere in the world is closely tied to
peace, the economic status of the local people and the
prevailing political situation. Mammal research and
conservation in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha and Andhra
Pradesh have suffered as a result of political restlessness
that in the past has resulted in insurgency, The
conservation status of large mammals including the
elephant and tiger, even in Tiger Reserves like Simlipal,
Satkosiaand Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam (no elephant),
which I have visited, is poor. These forests also suffer from
aridity and the presence of a large number of tribals who,
out of poverty, do not hesitate to indulge in the presence of
a large number of tribals who, out of poverty, do not
hesitate to indulge in poaching. Perhaps the best part of
the Eastern Ghats contains large mammals is seen in the
landscape around the river Cauvery, where we have
protected areas such as Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve,
Biligirirangan Temple Tiger Reserve, Male Mahadeshwara
wildlife sanctuary and Cauvery wildlife sanctuary in
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. If large mammal species such
as gaur, elephant and tiger are secure here, it may be
because of the nearness of this landscape to the wildlife
rich lower Nilgiris and the lack of insurgency which has
resulted in better governance, enabling wildlife to thrive.
Biligirirangan Temple Tiger Reserve, with its high
mountains and shoal grasslands, looks like an extension
of the Nilgiris. Murderer, poacher and smuggler
Veerappan, who inhabited this landscape for several years,
was considered a threat and was finally hunted down on
18th October, 2004. However years after his death, there is
a feeling that his presence possibly gave some protection to
the forests which have become increasingly vulnerable to
illegal activities.
Overall, mammal conservation in the Western and Eastern
Ghats can be improved further if protected areas are kept
inviolate, corridors are established and maintained and the
biomass needs of the people are met in the periphery and
outside the forest areas rather than from within the forest.
This is a challenging task for the forest department, which
represents the Government, and for the conservation
community of peninsular India.
4. S. Balachandran,
The Bird Diversity of the Eastern Ghats
Deputy Director, Bombay Natural History
Society.
The Eastern Ghats are an ancient chain of low lying hill
running from Orissa in the north to Tamil Nadu in the
south through Andhra Pradesh, covering an area of
75000sq.km. The avifaunal wealth of this region has been
partially studied over the last 100 years by various
ornithologists including Salim Ali. The Vernay scientific
survey of Eastern Ghats (whistler and Kinnear 1930 – 37)
and Hyderabad state Ornithological surveys carried out in
the 1930s. Other significant studies on the birds of the
Eastern Ghats were done by Abdulali (1945), Krishna Raju
(1985), Trevor price (1978, 79), Ripley el al (1987-88). The
variety of habitat types from moist evergreen forest to dry
scrub jungles supports a myriad of bird species. More than
400 species of birds have been reported for the entire
Eastern Ghats. However due to the absence of high
mountains like in the Western Ghats, and the less type of
forests, the diversity of bird species are relatively lesser
than the Western Ghats including in the endemic species.
Out of the eight important areas recognized form the
Eastern Ghats five (Horsley hill, Sri Lanakamalleswara
wildlife sanctuary, Sri Venkateswara wildlife sanctuary, Sri
Penusula Narasimha, Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger
reserve, Kaundinya) are from Andhra Pradesh and two
from Orissa (Sunabeda and Simlipal) and one (Melagiri)
from Tamilnadu. The Eastern Ghats support nearly 400
species and subspecies of birds. The Critically endangered
Jerdons courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus is found in the
Eastern Ghats. Apart from this, the yellow throated Bulbul
Pycnonotus xantholaemus, which is endemic to Southern
Peninsular India, is also found in the southern part of the
Eastern Ghats. The bird ringing studies carried out at the
Sri Venkateswara wildlife sanctuary during 1989 has
revealed the importance of Eastern Ghats for the migrant
passaerines as wintering and stopover sites.
The occurrence of Tree sparrow Passer montanus, Abbot‟s
Babbler Malacocincla abbotti and Little Spider hunter
Arachnothera longirostra in the northern parts of the
Eastern Ghats is of Zoogeographical interest since these
species are considered as Himalayan/Southeast Asian
relicts. The Eastern Ghats in their southernmost part run
in a south west direction to meet the Western Ghats.
Species such as the Yellow browed bulbul Iole indica and
the White bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra, which
are mainly confined to Western Ghats, are found in the
region as well. Apart from these resident species, the
Eastern Ghats are important migratory route for the winter
visitors arriving from Himalayas, southern Russia and
Europe. Coastal wetland and forested watershed in the
Eastern Ghats hill ranges act as important wintering and
stopover sites for hundred thousands of migrant water
birds migrating from Arctic Russia China and Mongolia.
There are several studies that have documented the bird
diversity and their ecology in the Eastern Ghats.
Documentation of bird species in various habitat types by
Beehler and others in Northern Andhra Pradesh in 1986,
the Vernay Ornithological exploration of the Eastern Ghats
in the late 1920,s which was published in 16 volumes by
Whistler and Kinnear, Salim Ali‟s „Hyderabad State
Ornithological Survey‟ (published in the JBNHS in five
parts during 1933-34); Humayun Abdulali‟s „Birds of the
Vizagapatam District; studies by Trevor price, K.S.R
Krishna Raju and those by S. Dillon, Ripley, Bruce Beehler
and Krishna Raju in the 1970s and 1980s, and recently a
comprehensive survey of birds in the Eastern Ghats of
Tamil Nadu carried out by Care Earth Trust, Chennai that
recorded 262 species of birds have all contributed to our
knowledge of birds of the different areas of the Eastern
Ghats.
Some of the Western Ghats endemic birds reported in the
Eastern Ghats included the White cheeked Megalaima
viridis, Nilgiri Wood pigeon Columba eliphinstonii, Malabar
Parakeet Psittacula columboides, Malabar Trogon
Harpactes fasciatus, Yellow crowed bulbul Iole indica, Grey
headed Bulbul Phycnonotus priocephalus and Black
throated Munia Lonchura keelarti. There are also
unconfirmed reports of the rare forest owlet Heteroglaux
blewitii from the north of Eastern Ghats in Orissa. The
Thick billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra, a species till
now though to inhabit the forest of north east India has
now been reported from Orissa. The rare and endemic
Jerdon‟s courser Rhinoptilus botorquatus, till recently
believed to be extinct, occurs in extremely small numbers
on the foothill of the middle portion of Eastern Ghats in
Andhra Pradesh near Kadapa.
Though there are some protected areas in the Eastern
Ghats, more need to be done to conserve the birdlife of the
region, especially endemic birds like the Jerdon‟s Courser.
In the state of Tamil Nadu there are no protected area for
birds on the Eastern hills like Shevroys and Kolli. This
need to be noted down and a protected area should be
declared in any one of the hills. This will go a long way in
conserving the bird diversity in the Eastern Ghats.
5. J.Poorani
Insect Diversity of Eastern Ghats and
Western Ghats: Present Scenario and A
Future Road Map
India, with 2% of global space, is one of the 17 mega
diversity nations in the world, About 60000-70000 species
of insects are known from India at present, representing
about 7.10 – 10% of the world fauna. The Western Ghats,
one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world and the
Eastern Ghats are home to amazing variety insects with a
high degree of endemism. In spite of their rich insect
diversity, Western and Eastern Ghats have not been
surveyed in depth for entomological collections and
thousands of species remain to be discovered and
ICAR National Reasarch Centre for Banana
Thogamalai Raod, Thayanur Post
Tiruchirappalli; 620 102
described from these regions. Habitat destruction due to
various anthropological interventions has rendered the
ecosystems of the Western and Eastern Ghats highly
fragile and vulnerable to species extinctions. Entomological
collections are considered as a record of genetic and
morphological variation, past and recent geographical
distribution and other biological information on insects.
Often museum specimens are the only collections in India
have gone on for over 125 years; specimens from these
hotspots are poorly represented in our institutional
reference collections compared to foreign museums.
The entomofauna of the Western Ghats has received
comparatively greater attention from researchers than that
of Eastern Ghats, but only a few groups like Lepidoptera
(mainly butterflies), Odonata, parasitic Hymenoptera,
Coleoptera (Scarabaeidae) and some aquatic insects
(Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera) have been well studied in
both. An analysis of papers published on the insects of
Eastern and Western Ghats in the last ten years (2005-15)
indicates that most of them are devoted to
ecological/conservation aspects on a few selected groups of
insects like butterflies and Odonata, with fewer papers on
descriptive taxonomy of other insect groups. This could be
partly attributed to the role played by these groups of
insects as biological ecological indicators and better
prospects of getting publications in high impact factor
journals.
It is hence, imperative to strengthen taxonomic research
on the insects of Western and Eastern Ghats to provide a
strong supporting framework for future management and
conservation. This is an onerous task compounded by the
alarming decline in the number of insect taxonomists in
India and the fact that few Indian insect taxonomists
measure up to international standards and have the
capability and competence to take up monographic
research the future road map towards complete
documentation of the insect diversity of Eastern and
Western Ghats should include the following steps.
1. Organized collection expeditions in poorly surveyed
areas of Eastern and Western Ghats and networking of
institutions, collections and researches to facilitate their
characterization and documentation. For this, well trained
technical staff to build develops and /or take care of
existing entomological collections is a fundamental
requirement. It is also needed to train these technicians in
computerization of collection data and information
retrieval so that other national programmers‟ on
biodiversity documentation, management and quarantine
can be supported at the ground level.
2. Capacity building programmes in survey and collection
of insect fauna, collection management, and specific,
group-oriented trainings on morphological and molecular
characterization of insects/DNA barcoding.
3. Rules framed under the Biodiversity Act, 2002, to
regulate commercial exploitation of biological resources,
are being irrationally imposed of fundamental research,
particularly taxonomic research, which generates only
knowledge and has no commercial value. To facilitate the
documentation and subsequent conservation and
management of the insect diversity of Eastern and Western
Ghats, collections of biological specimens without
legislative hurdles should be made possible for bona fide
taxonomists to facilitate basic studies and other initiatives
like DNA barcoding.
4. In order to speed up the pace of documentation of insect
diversity in these regions, we need to enable free access for
researchers both from India and abroad to our
entomological collections for comprehensive taxonomic
revisions of our flora and fauna following modern systems
of classification.
5. On the lines of PEET (Partnerships for Enhancing
Expertise in Taxonomy) programme, under which the US
national science foundation offers fellowships to encourage
future generations of experts, meritorious PG candidates
can be financially supported to take up poorly known
groups of insects from the Western And Eastern Ghats for
monographic research. It can also be mandated that
expertise thus generated on various groups of insects
translates into electronic databases, online diagnostic keys
and content with broad accessibility to the scientific
community as being done in PEET and programmers
supported by the Australian Biologically Resources Study
(ABRS).
6. The National Biodiversity Authority, MoEF, DST and
other agencies should extend fellowship/competitive
grants to meritorious students and young researchers to
take up taxonomic research on insects of Western and
Eastern Ghats.
6. S R V Murthy, IFS
Wildlife crime and its illegal trade in
Western
and Eastern Ghats
Regional Deputy Director
WCCB, Chennai
Wildlife, both flora and fauna across the world face several
threats and continue to decline in numbers.
Understanding where these species occur, how they use
their habitats and what factors influence these patterns
are important for their conservation. Western Ghats and
Eastern Ghats support a healthy population of various
animals and plants and home to some of the most
charismatic animals on the planet. Most of the demand for
wildlife products comes from outside the country. India
has nearly 6.5% of the world‟s known wildlife and its
products puts at risk the mega diversity of the country.
The changing market dynamics and the lifestyles make the
existing regulatory regimes inadequate in dealing with the
wildlife crimes assuming organized status. Illegal wildlife
trade has exploded to meet increasing demand for
elephant ivory, tiger products and other important but
lesser known species particularly in southern states.
Controlled by dangerous crime syndicates, wildlife is
trafficked much like drugs or weapons. Wildlife criminals
often operate with impunity, making the trade a low-
risk/high profit-business.
7. John T.D. Caleb and R. Karthikeyani
Current knowledge on the Salticid Fauna,
with reference to the Eastern Ghats of
Tamil Nadu
Department of Zoology, Madras Christian
College, Tambaram, Chennai-59.
School of Energy, Environment and Natural
Resources, Madurai Kamaraj University,
Madurai-21, Tamil Nadu
Salticidae (jumping spiders) is the most diverse family of
spiders. In the present study the current knowledge on the
diversity of Salticidae in Tamil Nadu has been reviewed.
Presently 40 species classified under 27 genera are known
from Tamil Nadu. Seven species are known exclusively
from the Nilgiri hill ranges. These families of spiders in this
region are from collections dating back at least about 4
decades or more. Consequently less than 1% of the
Eastern Ghats have been appropriately surveyed for
taxonomic study of spiders. Considering the rich biomes
and habits, many genera and species await imminent
discovery. Recent studies form Chennai city and its
suburbs yielded descriptions of 8 new species and 3
species (Aelurillus Kronestedti Azarkina, 2004, Phintella
volupe kirsch, 1879 & Thyene bivittata Xie & Peng, 1995)
recorded for the first time in India. Viciria diatreta simon,
1902 was rediscovered 112 years after its first description.
These results necessitate the compelling need for intensive
expeditions and continual dedicated taxonomic studies.
8. Babu R.
Odonata are an order of aquatic palaeopterous insects.
Dragonflies and damselflies are regarded as beneficial
Diversity of Odonata Fauna of Eastern
Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
Southern Regional Centre,
Zoological Survey of India,
Chennai – 600 028
insects because they are carnivorous throughout their life,
mostly feeding on smaller insects such as mosquitoes,
termites, ants, mayflies etc. They are generally found at or
near fresh water although some species roam widely and
may be found far from their breeding sites. The
distribution of various groups and species of Odonata is
highly variable. Some genera and species are widespread
while others are highly local in their distribution. Some
families are restricted to cool streams or rivers, others to
ponds or still clear waters, and some to marshy places.
The Eastern Ghats constitute an important biogeography
region, as one of the biologically richest zones of India and
form a broken chain of mountains spreading along the
states of Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu and lie between Mahanadi and Vaigai rivers. The
Eastern Ghats of India is runs almost parallel to east coast
of India and the region falls under tropical monsoon
climate receiving rainfall from both South-west monsoon
and North-East retreating monsoon. Unlike the Western
Ghats, studies on the distribution of Odonata in the
Eastern Ghats are scanty (Fraser, 1933, 1935, 1936).
Hence the present study is an attempt to provide a
comprehensive account of Odonata fauna of the Eastern
Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is currently
studied through literature, field surveys and National
collections present in the Zoological Survey of India,
Southern Regional Centre and a summary of the results
obtained so far is presented. A total of 53 species under 35
genera of seven families of two suborders were recorded.
Anisopterans were found to be more abundant than
Zygopterans. Among the families recorded, the family
Libellulidae (suborder Anisoptera) is found to be most
dominant family comprised with 30 species of 20 genera;
followed by the family Coenagrionidae (suborder Zygoptera)
comprised with 13 species of six genera. Among 53 species
recorded, only five endemic species viz., Caconeura
ramburi (Fraser, 1922), Disparoneura qudrimaculata
(Rambur, 1842), Prodasineura verticalis annandalei
(Fraser,1921), Heliocypha bisignata Hagen in Selys, 1853
and Zygonyx iris malabarica Fraser, 1926, are reported
from the study area. Updated distributional range within
Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, rest of
India and elsewhere is also provided. More efforts need to
be made to seasonal sampling of adult odonates from all
the types of freshwater habitats in the Eastern Ghats; it
may reveal the complete diversity of dragonflies in the
Eastern Ghats.
9. S.R. Ganesh and M. Arumugam
Amphibians and Reptiles of Sirumalai
Hills,
Herpetofauna of the Sirumalai hills (10.12-10.28oN 77.92-
78.11oE; 1400 m asl) situated at the southernmost end of
the Eastern Ghats still remains largely unknown. We
conducted a long-term (500 hrs) herpetological survey in
Sirumalai hills using diurnal time-constrained search and
Southern Eastern Ghats, Peninsular India
Department of Zoology, University of Madras,
Guindy campus, Chennai 600 025.
Tamil Nadu, India
nocturnal visual encounter methods targeting the montane
zones (>900 m asl). We aimed to gather data on the
diversity, distribution habitat use and status of
herpetofauna. A total of 39 species, including seven
species of amphibians, 15 species of lizards and 17 species
of snake were documented. Of these 10 species (26%)
comprising five species of amphibians, three species of
lizards and two species of snakes require finer taxonomic
resolution. Some of the noteworthy findings include the
litter frog Indirana sp., Sreeni‟s stream frog Indosylvirana
sreeni, the bush frog Pseudophilautus cf. wynaadenis, the
rock gecko Hemidactylus cf. acanthopholis, the blinking
lacertid Ophisops minor nictans, the flying lizard Draco
dussumierii, the Dindigal sheildtail Uripeltis dindigalensis,
the bamboo pitviper Trimeresurus gramineus, the five-
striped coral snake Calliophis nigrescens pentalineatus and
the Giri‟s bronzeback tree snake Dendrelaphis girii to name
a few. As for the habitat use, 696 sightings were in aquatic
habitats, 380 sightings were in subterranean conditions,
608 sightings were on ground, 580 sightings were in rocky
habitats, 530 sightings were in arboreal situation and 208
sightings were on road. Including both live and dead. A
total of 1501 observations comprising 621 amphibian
sightings, 817 lizard sightings and 64 snake sightings were
obtained. Anthropogenic threats in the form of vehicle-
mediated road kill mortalities were recorded. A total of 58
road kills, comprising of 28 amphibians represented by
three species, 16 lizards represented by seven species and
14 snakes represented by six species were recorded. As
much as the studies reveal, two endemic reptiles reported
to be described from sirumalai, the Gunther‟s cat skink
Ristella guentehri and the Brougham‟s shieldtail
U.broughami were not recorded during our or earlier
studies in Sirumalai, although reported from the Western
Ghats. Speared by just over 30 kms from the eastern spur
of the Palnis in the Western Ghats, Sirumalai is
characterized by mixed biotic elements, due to its peculiar
geography. The Dindigal shieldtail Uropeltis dindigalensis
Is a vertebrate endemic only to the moist montance forests
of Sirumalai hills. As per our current knowledge, very few
such hills having confirmed endemic vertebrates are
present in the Eastern Ghats. Our work on the
herpetofauna further highlights the conservation
importance of the currently unprotected Sirumalai hills.
10. J. Patrick David and B. Vinoth
Avian Diversity in the Eastern Ghats of
Tamil Nadu
In total, 262 species of birds were recorded during the
survey. This included seven RET species. The RET species
were the Grey-headed fishing eagle Icthyophaga
ichthyaetus, Lesser Fish eagle Icthyophago humilis,
Egyptian culture Neophron percnopterus, Nilgiri wood
pigeon Columa elphinstonii, Yellow throated bulbuk
Pycnonotus priocephalus, savanna Nightjar Caprimukgus
affinis and Brown Hawk Owl ninox scuytulata were
Founder trustee, Thillaiganaga Nagar,
Chennai – 61
recorded for the first time from the first time region.
Species such as the black bulbul Hypsipetes
leucocephalus, Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella (in
shevroys) , Blue beared BEE-eater Byctiornis athertone (in
Shevroys) Blue beared Bee eater Nyctironis athertoni in
Chitheri, Malabar whistling thrush Myophonus horsfieldi
are peristing in the same old sites reported by the vernay
survey (80 years back). The top five abundant species
were the red vented Bulbul pycnonotus cafer, White
browed bulbul pycnonotus luteolus red whiskered bulbul
pycnonotus luteolus, Red whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus
jocosus, Common lora Aegithina tiphia and Purple rumped
sunbird leptocoma zeylonia. The Vaniyar tract an adjacent
forest in the shevroys has been identified as a potential
site for bird conservation in the EGTN. Strict protection of
existing forested areas, wetlands and awareness creation
among the general public is essential for ensuring the long
term survival of the bird species in EGTN.
11. V. Vasuki and R. Balasubramaniyan
Diversity of Mosquitoes in the selected
areas of Eastern Ghats; A Review
Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth,
particularly variability within species, between species and
between ecosystems. It also refers to the ecological
richness of the community which is richest in tropics.
Biodiversity generally tends to cluster in hotspots and has
been increasing through the time but will be likely to slow
in the future. India is one of the world‟s top 12 mega
diversity nations and ranks about 10th amongst the
nations in terms of diversity of species. Among all insects
diversity of mosquitoes is of greater economic importance
because they are vector for number of diseases such as
malaria, dengue chikungunya, filariasis etc. Mosquitoes
continue to coexist with man and transmit many mosquito
borne disease to more than 700 million people annually in
the tropical and subtropical countries. They are found to
be present and breed in a variety of habitats in almost all
parts of India except in some high altitude regions. The
Eastern Ghats is one of the important biodiversity areas of
India and the diversity of mosquitoes in some selected
areas of Eastern Ghats is discussed in this review. From
sirumalia hills, a part of Eastern Ghats situated at the
south of Dindugul district, Tamil Nadu, mosquitoes
belonging to 3 genera and 13 species accounting to a total
of 481 mosquitoes have been collected and reported
during the period Oct - 2010 Mar 2011. The genus
Anopheles was more diverse with 6 species, Aedes with 4
species and Culex with 3 species. Tree hole breeding
mosquito survey conducted from Jan 2013 – Dec 2013 in
three different places of forests in kolli hills of Eastern
Ghats recorded 11 species representing 5 genera of
mosquitoes, In a survey carried out subsequently in three
other localities of kolli hills during pre May – June 2013
and post monsoon Nov – Dec 2013 hills recorded 6 species
of mosquitoes belonging to 4 genera. The species
composition of mosquitoes reported in different localities of
Eastern Ghats provides base lie date for the control of
mosquitoes and mosquito borne diseases.
12. M. Bubesh Guptha
Inventory and documentation studies on
major Fauna from Seshachalam Hills,
Southern Eastern Ghats of Andhra
Pradesh
The Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve (SBR) designated
recently in 2011, these hill ranges are part of the Eastern
Ghats lie between 130 38‟ E and 130 55‟ N latitudes and
790 07‟ and 790 24‟ E longitudes spread over Chittoor and
Kadaph districts of Andhra Pradesh. The predominant
vegetation type is tropical southern dry mixed deciduous
forest. The vegetation is a unique mix of the tropical
southern dry mixed deciduous types. The area is having as
many as 1750 species belonging to 178 families of
vascular plants. The elevation ranges from 150 to 1,130 m,
the terrain is undulating, with deep forest covered valleys.
The mean maximum temperature ranges form 160 C to
460C and minimum from 9.70C to 250C depending upon
the season. Average rainfall in this region is between 800
to 900 mm. It includes two protected areas namely Sri
Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary and Sri Venkateswara
National. It is the richest floristic hotspot harboring many
endemic and rare plants. The entire sanctuary is an
uninhabited large chunk of dry deciduous Red Sanders
bearing forest.
Various groups of faunal survey were documented in the
study areas recorded by both direct and indirect methods.
This study was conducted during between June 2011 to
July 2014. Different sampling techniques and systematic
methods were followed. Animals recorded in the present
study include mammals, herpetofauna, birds and
butterfly.
Mammals: a total of 25 species of mammals belonging to
17 families were recorded IUCN status and schedule
species were analyzed. During camera traps as well as
direct sighting (28 individuals) of Elephant were recorded.
The Leopard Panthera pardus and wild dog cuon alpines is
quite common in our study. Other predators and
ungulates were captured. The nocturnal Slender Loris
Loris tardigradus could be common but is seldom seen.
Indian Giant squirrel Ratufa inida and Ruddy mangoose
Herpestes smithii are other interesting species.
Hepetofauna: Data collection was carried out by using
Visual Encounter survey Method. A total of 12 species of
Amphibians belonging to four families and seven genera
were recorded. So far 46 speices of reptiles belonging to
36 genera, distributed in 12 families were recorded (33
species of snakes (72%) and 13 species of lizards 28% the
snakes belongs to six families more number of snakes
were record3d from the family coloubridae (21 species)
followed by Uroperltidae 1 species. The lizards belongs to
six families have been recorded in the study area, more
number of lizards were recorded from the family
Gekkonidae 5 species followed by Agamidae (3 species)
Sciencidae (2 Species) Varanidae 1 species,
chamaeleonidae 1 species and Testudinidae 1 Species, also
stared tortoise and turtle are interesting . Snake IUCN
status were gathered i.e 68% followed by 20% (LR-nt), 23%
(VU) and 8% (EN) were recorded. So far 33 snakes species
were recorded among which six species are venomous
snakes and new records (Calliphis melanurus and Uropeltis
ellioti), new locality records (Ahaetulla pulverulenta and
Lycodon flavicollies), rediscovery (Coluber bholanathi ) and
one first record in Indian (Chrysipelea taprobanica ) were
recorded.
Birds: The study recorded 215 species of birds, which
belong 45 families, Among which 172 species 80% were
resident, 30 (14%) were winter migrant, 8 (4%) were
seasonal local migrant and 5 (2%) were local migrant. 88
species were found common ( C ) followed by 91 species
uncommon (UC); 15 species rare ( R ) 14 species
occasional (O) and 7 species were found very rare (VR)
Passeriform birds are the domination order of birds, more
than 14 families and 79 species of birds were recorded.
During the bird survey IUCN status was also gathered, out
of 215 species (n=208), 97% species were least concern
(LR-IC), (n=4), 2% species were near threatened (LR-nt)
and (n=#), 1% species were Vulnerable (VU) status.
Butterfly: The objective of the survey is to determine the
presence and status of butterflies. The reserve area has
different habitats like scrub jungle, open forest, grass
land, dense forests and mud puddle. Each zone was
explored on the basis of possibility and availability of
butterflies. A Total of 96 species of butterflies were
recorded under five families. The family Bymphalidae and
Lycaenidae were found dominant with 32 species and 22
species, respectively followed by pieridae ( 19 Species),
Hesperiidae (14 species and Papilionidae (9species) were
recorded. More number of species was conserved in
Talakona followed by Tirumala, SS Kona, Balapalli
Mamandu, Jungle book and Divyaram. Observed species
were grouped in five categories on basis of number of
sighting in the field. The butterflies were categorized as
very common (vc) 20 % (19 species) common ( c) 37% (36
species), Uncommon (UC) 16% (15 speices, Occasional (O)
18% (17 Species) and Rare (R) 9% ( 9 species) . In our
observation more number of butterflies preferred open
forest (36%). Followed by scrub jungle 36% dense forest
21% grass land 5% and mud puddle 1% . Out of 96
species, seven species namely Pachliopta hector,
Hypolimnas bolina, Castaliyus rosimon, Euchrysops cnefus
lampides boeticus, Cepora nerissa and Euploea core are
scheduled species.
Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve shows present in rich
biodiversity and we recommended further studies in the
Eastern Ghats at the earliest opportunity. Also everyone
should realize that Wildlife is an important part of
ecological community as a wildlife play an important role
in the environment. There is several importance of wildlife
as wildlife itself is an important character of nature so its
conservation is an important obligation for human beings
for the sustainability of life. The protection of habitat is an
important aspect in the conservation of such species.
13. R. Aengals
Recently Described New Taxa of Reptiles
from the Eastern Ghats and Western
Ghats of India
Reptiles constitute an important component in Indian
wildlife. Often loathed by people, many are threatened and
endangered. More than 300 species are found in the
Indian peninsula and many more are being described.
After our latest update on Indian reptiles in 2011, a fresh
update on new peninsular Indian reptiles is here
presented, from 2012 to till date. Their common and
scientific names, taxon authors and type locality
information are summarized.
2012
Johnsingh‟s skink Dasia johnsinghi Harikrishnan,
Vasudevan, De silva, Deepak, karnaniwadekar,
Lalremruata, Prasoona & Aggarwal from kalakkad –
Mundaturai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu.
Castoe‟s coral snake Calliphis castoe smith, ogale,
Deepak & Giri from Amboli, Sindhudrug, Maharashtra.
2013
Gowers‟s shield tail snake Rhinophis goweri Aengals
& Ganesh from Bodamalai, Namakkal , Tamil Nadu.
Yellow green cat snake Boiga flaviviridis vogel &
ganesh from Berhampur, Odisha.
2014
Giris‟day geck Cnemaspis girii Mirza, pal, Bhosale &
Sanap frm kaas, Satara, Maharashtra.
Kottiyoor day gecko Cnemaspis kottiyoorensis Cyriac
& Umesh from Kottiyoor wayanad, Kerala.
Scaly rock gecko Hemidactylus acanthopholis Mirza
& sanap from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
Satpura leopard gecko Eublepharis satpuraenisis
Mirza, Sanap, Raju, Gawai & Ghadekar from
Pachmahri, Madhya Pradesh.
2015
Adi‟s day gecko Cnemaspis adii Srinivasulu, Kumar
& srinivasulu from Bellary, Karnataka.
Yajurved‟s rock gecko Hemidactylua yajurvedi
Murthy, Bauer, Lajmi, Agarwal and Giri from
Kanker, Chattisgarh.
Hemchandra‟s rpck geckop Hemidactylus
hemchandrai
Dandge and tiple from Bhandara, Maharashtra.
Of these new descriptions, five species were described from
the Western Ghats regions of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
Maharashtra. Six species were described form the Eastern
Ghats and associated regions to the West (Deccan Plateau)
and the east (Circar coastal plains). However the
possibilities of such species occurring within the poorly
explored Eastern Ghats is largely high. The compilation
point out that new reptile, consisting of many taxa such as
skink, gecko, uropeltid, colubrid and elapid snakes still
continue to enrich the faunal resources of the country.
14. Kumaresan, N1 Hangao, K2 and
Bhuvaneswar, R3
Role of Agrobiodiversity on Plant Hopper
Diversiyt in Kolli Hills
Tribal community live in harmony with the local ecological
conditions and have strong link between ,man and his
environment. Kolli Hills is also one such region inhabiting
tribal settlements surrounding the forest, where 14
panchayats or nadus completely surrounded by forest.
Agricultural forms the basic livelihood option for these
communities from where they draw almost 99% of their
energy needs. Immediately after the evolution of
agricultural crops their practices developed for agriculture
(Rogan, 1999), mixed farming is the first ever agriculture
practice which supported even the Indus Valley Civilization
(Dev, 2006; Thulasamma, 2006), in which resources from
agricultural systems like home gardens, shifting
cultivation, valley land cultivation mixed with livestock for
dung manure fertilization, ploughing, crop processing,
transport etc. Myrdal and morel, 2011, Grigg, 1974) such
mixed farming systems are existing still in Kolli Hills
traditional farming communities.
Development of science and technology during 18th
century changed the above traditional agriculture
practices as a result of increased transport facility,
electrification, mechanization, commercialization, crop
improvement, global climate change and change in living
standards. Hilly track such as Kolli Hills access to above
changes are delayed due to their difficult terrain, hence
agricultural practices at different stages are available even
now in thise regions. Present investigation classified these
agricultural practices and transformed, under
transformation and tradional and clearly shown that
reducing agro biodiversity with indigenous from
traditional. However regions like Kolli hills still retain
many of indigenous traditional agriculture practices and
facing increasing demand for fertilize and pest
management techniques. Plant hoppers are one of the
important pest that not only effect the crop by feeding on
them but also transmitting viral and bacterial disease.
Therefore present investigation estimated plant hoppers in
different agricultural systems in the classified regions
transformed under transformation and traditional.
Estimation of plant hoppers population in the transformed
region followed by under transition and less population in
regions with traditional agricultural. Among the different
agricultural systems plant hopper decreased with decrease
in agro biodiversity in agricultural systems. However, plant
hopper population was highly pronounced landraces they
are short duration, dwarf variety improved varieties.
However, the investigation showed that number of natural
pesticides traditionally evolved still exists and use mostly
the local biodiversity and natural material and preference
is given for pesticides prepared from local biodiversity.
Number of insects attack paddy in which insect pests
plant hoppers gall midges and stem borers are
economically important pests. It has been reported that six
different plant hoppers create divesting loss in paddy fields
through hopper burn, transmitting viral disease, stunt
growth, etc. The six plant hoppers are (BPH) browth plant
hopper (Nilaparvatha lugens stal) SBPH- small brown plant
hoppers (Laodelphax striatellus fallen), GLH – green
leafhopper (Nephotettix virescens Distant), GRH green rice
leafhopper (Nephotettix cincticeps uhler), WBPH – white
backed planthopper (Sogaella furicifera Horvath) and ZLH
zigzag leafhopper (Recilia dorsalis Motschusky) (Brar et al.,
2009) Nilaparvata lugens was found to be dominant in all
altitudes of Kolli Hills highest number was seen in 250
amsl followed by sogatella furcifera highest number was
seen in 500 amsl. As the height of the paddy fields
increases number of plant hoppers decreases in general it
may be due to increase in biodiversity of natural forest.
15. K.IIango, D. Prabakar, R.Sakthivel, V.M. The southern Regional Centre (SRC) of Zoological survey of
Sthis Kumar, R. aengals, s.Prabaran,
R.Venkitesan, R. Babu, J. Thilak, A. Gokul,
G. Ramesh and M. Senraj
Faunal study of Eastern Ghats and
Western Ghats contributed Southern
Regional Centre of Zoological Survey of
India, Chennai
India (ZSI), Chennai has been involved since 1961 on the
faunal study of southern states including Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Union Territory of Pondicherry and Parts of Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka. Tamil Nadu state is unique in its
geographical location where the southern parts of Eastern
Ghats and Western Ghats merge. A series of faunal studies
carried out by the scientists of this centre for more than
five decades from 222 field surveys resulted in discovery of
82 new taxa, 26 new records, 640 research publications
including research papers fauna volumes, sate fauna
series, technical monograph, occasional publication, Some
of the prominent contributions made by the SRC are the
multidisciplinary scientific study of Silent Valley,
taxonomic review of Gymnophiona of Western Ghats,
fishers of Cauvery Rivers and Insects of Eastern Ghats.
16. C.A. Viraktamath
Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Diversity in South India with special
reference to Western and Eastern Ghats
Department of Entomology
University of Agricultural Sciences
Leafhoppers form the largest family Cicadellidae in
Exopterygota with more than 22000 species known from
the world. There are more than 1350 species known from
the world. There are more than 1350 species known from
the Indian subcontinent constituting about 6 percent of
the world species. As one of the important components of
exclusively phytophagous sap sucking insects, they play a
significant role in the natural ecosystems. A few species
develop large populations affecting growth of plants by
their sap sucking activity and also by their oviposition
injuries in the shoots and leaves. A few species also act as
GKVK, Bengaluru 560065, India.
vectors of plant pathogens thus attaining serious pest
status in agro-ecosystem.
The diversity of some groups of leafhoppers revised
recently on all India-basis will be dealt with in this
presentation. These include species of the subfamilies
Cicadellinae, Coelidiinae, Idiocerinae, Macrospsinae,
Megophthalminae and Typhlocybinae. The trend indicates
that these leafhoppers are more diverse (in terms of
species and genera) in North Indian mountains region
followed by Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. In certain
groups like Idiocerinae only pestiferous species are
represented in Eastern Ghats and Deccan plateau. Present
indications are that the diversity shown is not a true
indication of natural diversity but a reflection of collection
efforts made in these areas. More systematic efforts need
to be made to collect leafhoppers from all the habitats in
India.
17. K.G. Sivaramakrishnan
Hill stream Insect Diversity of the
Western and the Eastern Ghats – An
Overview
In the context of the current awareness of ongoing global
“biodiversity crisis” and “anthropogenic sixth mega
extinction”, rapid depletion of the insect species richness
in montane lotic habitats of the Western and Eastern
Ghats of peninsular India is highlighted. Hill stream
insects comprise some well known groups like mayflies,
stoneflies, dragonflies and damselflies, aquatic bugs,
beetles and dipteran flies besides dobsonflies and semi
aquatic bugs, beetles and dipteral flies besides dobsonflies
West Mambalam Chennai – 600 033
and semi aquatic grasshoppers. They silently discharge
vital ecosystem services in streams, primarily processing
decaying wood and leaf litter from adjoining vegetation in
riparian zone as well as cycling and downstream transport
of the nutrients. They are vital links in food chain of fishes
and other aquatic vertebrates, ideal bioindicators of stream
health and are fit objects for phylogenetic, biogeographic
and phylogeographic investigations besides some of them
being charismatic or vector or keystone taxa. Diversity
profiles and species constellations of some reasonably
explored groups of hill stream insects of the Western and
the Eastern Ghats are briefly presented against the
background of past geological history, climate change
impacts, habitat fragmentation and other anthropogenic
havocs. Causes of imperilment, discontinuity, localization
and rapid local extinction of cryptic species complexes,
endemics and phylogenetic relicts are analyzed. Holistic,
integrated conservation strategies of hill stream biota are
broadly outlined.
18. M.Suneela and K. Jyothi
Issues and Challenges of Faunal studies
Eastern Ghats are the discontinuous range of hill
mountains of south East Asia, India. They are called as
Purva Ghat or Mahendra parvatam, also known as
Malyadri. Eastern Ghats passes through Orissa, Andhra
Pradesh, touches Karnataka and ends in Tamil Nadu.
There are broadly classified as (1) Northern – Eastern
Ghats and (2) River Mahanadi to River Godavari (3) River
in
Eastern Ghats
ENVIS Centre
Environment Protection Training and
Research Institute
Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
Krishna to Chennai city and 4. Southern Eastern Ghats.
There are 20 Wild life sanctuaries, 1 National Park and 2
Biosphere reserves are located in the Eastern Ghats
region. Among them 9 Wildlife sanctuaries and 1
Biosphere reserves are from Odisha; 10 wildlife
sanctuaries, 1 National park and 1 Biosphere reserves
from Andhra Pradesh; 1 Wildlife sanctuary from Tamil
Nadu.
Eastern Ghats has a rich biodiversity. Biodiversity harbors
a variety of animal and plant species of economic,
ecological and socio-cultural importance. The loss of
biodiversity and the related changes in the environment
have been more rapid in the few decades. Many animal
and plant populations have been declined in numbers as
well as in geographical distribution sometimes both. These
current loses are the outcomes of human actions such as
habitat destruction, overexploitation of species,
introduction of exotic species, pollution and global
warming. However, these areas and adjacent lands have
long been subjected to a number of emerging issues and
challenges, which include government policies, failure of
conservation to compete effectively with alternative land
uses, habitat degradation and blockage of wildlife corridos,
overexploitation and illegal resource extraction, wildfires,
human population growth poverty and human-wildlife
conflicts.
There are numerous challenges and issues constraining
the conservations work at Eastern Ghats. Faunal species
in Eastern Ghats are facing severe threat due to habitat
loss, loss of fruiting trees, hunting for medicinal purposes
etc. Increase in global temperatures is also killing species.
Global temperature is affecting species in terms of animal
migration, hatching of eggs at irregular seasons and
intervals, amphibians spawning earlier, plants flowering
earlier etc. Apart from global warming, the greatest threat
to biodiversity is habitat loss and fragmentations by
deforestation and urbanization destroying wildlife habitat
and degrading water quality. Habitat loss is due to
different human activitities involving construction works
like housing developments, malls, commercial complex,
business parks laying of new roads involving use of heavy
machines, draining, bulldozing, large-scale clearing and
burning of forests, overharvesting of plants and animals,
use of pesticides, draining and filling of wetlands,
destructive fishing practices, air pollution, and the
conversion of agricultural land to development lands for
urban use, etc. Invasive Alien species cause the loss of
species. Pollution affects aquatic organisms and leads to a
loss of species as chemicals and agricultural chemicals
play a vital role in terms of toxicity, cause fertility
problems, etc. Industry sewage treatment plant affects
water bodies from pollution by pesticides, fertilizers and
other chemicals. Everything that happens on land affects
the waterways; the contaminants through roads, Vehicles
and due to other works, etc gets flooded to the nearest
stream and affects the livelihood of biological organisms.
Tortoise is at major threat due to over-exploitation for
trade. Some of the species are under threat due to eco-
tourism and some species due to destruction of roosting
sites resulting from developmental activities and hunting
for food by local people and tribal‟s, etc in the Eastern
Ghats.
Conservation Management
To minimize man-animal conflict
Natural growth of local trees of value are to be
maintained
To protect against poaching and grazing
To protect against fire
To protect against indiscriminate use of pesticides,
chemicals/agricultural chemicals, fertilizers etc.
To manage and protect the habitat.
To monitor the populations outside the sanctuary limits
also
Ex situ conservation is a must.
To study migration movement through satellite
tracking;
To improve the socio-economic status of neighboring
villages.
Should create awareness to protect habitat and foraging
grounds
Need people participation in Protected Area
management activities.
To promote community based ecotourism as an
alternative means of livelihood to the locals.
To promote bio-pesticides
Newly laid nests of tortoise and turtles are to be covered
by wire meshes to prevent predation and poaching form
predators and humans.
Institutionalize the process of building, awareness and
education for conservation of biodiversity.
19. Mathew M. Joseph and Sebastian P.A.
Diversity of Spiders in Western Ghats
with a note on their conservation status
in the Eastern and Western Ghats
Division of Arachnology, PG & Research Dept.
of Zoology
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous) Thevara,
Kochi – 682 013, Kerala
With over 45000 valid described species, spiders (Order
Araneae) from one of the most ubiquitous groups of
predaceous organism in the animal kingdom. This is the
most diverse, female dominated and entirely predatory
order in the arthropod world. Spiders are clearly an
integral part of global biodiversity since they play many
important roles in ecosystem as predators and sources of
food for other creatures. They are used as excellent model
organisms in biochemical (Venom and silk proteins),
behavioral (sexual and web-building) and ecological
(foraging, predator-prey interaction, integrated pest
management) research. Spider silk is used for producing
bullet proof clothing, wear resistant light weight clothing,
biodegradable bottles, bandages, surgical threads, ropes,
nets, artificial tendons/ligaments etc. Spider venom can be
used to develop biopesticides, painkillers and various
drugs against diseases such as muscular dystrophy, atrial
fibrillation, brain diseases etc. They are also used in the
form of effective conservation tools as ecological indicators
of overall biodiversity in many terrestrial communities.
Currently 45,829 valid species of spiders in 3977 genera
and 114 families have been described from around the
world (world spider catalog, 2015) and so far 1686 species
belonging to 438 genera and 60 families have been
recorded from India, which represents about 3.67% of
global Araneae diversity. Among these, more than 500 spp.
Are represented in Western Ghats. The araneofauna of
Western Ghats is dominated by the jumping spiders
(Family Salticidae), followed by the crab spiders (family
Thomisidae), the orb web spiders (family Araneidar) the flat
bellied ground spiders (family Gnaphosidae) and the wolf
spiders (family Lycosidae). The 2015 IUCN Red Data Book
(IUCN, 2015) list 15 spp. Of Indian spiders as threatened
and it is interesting to note that all of them are distributed
either in Eastern of Western ghats or both with 6 spp.
endemic to Western Ghats and 3 spp. to Eastern Ghats.
This data amply illustrates the biological wealth of these
regions, as well as indicates the need to conserve this
animal group. The major obstacle for spider conservation
is an absence of public support, arguably due to fear and
ignorance. Many species any be threatened, endangered or
extinct, but research on them is lacking. Unfortunately,
due to this limited information on distribution, population
and conservation status of spiders, it is difficult to get
them listed under national or international legislation.
Conservation of spiders will this necessitate a greater
understanding by the students, general public, scientists,
land use managers and conservationists about the
importance of conserving these fascinating creatures.
20. K.R. Saisdharan and C. Kunhikannan
Diversity of Bee Fauna of the Nilgiris and
strategies for its conservation
Biodiversity Division
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding
Coimbatore – 641 002
Bees are integral part of many natural and farmed
landscapes all over the world and they are considered to be
responsible for 80 per cent of pollination taking place in
nature. Pollination is recognized as an important
ecosystem function that is directly linked to biodiversity
and global food security. But bees are under pressure
everywhere, both from the direct impact of pesticides in
the environment as well as habitat alteration and
destruction. There is recognition of a looming pollination
crisis and efforts have been mobilized at global level to
address pollinator management and conservation. The
Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu form a major chunk of area,
under the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and information on
the bee fauna of this ecologically important part is scanty
and the present study was undertaken to generate
information on the diversity of bees, so as to development
strategies for their conservation.
The studies have revealed the occurrence of about 92
species of bees in the Nilgiris district. These species fall
under 14 genera viz. Apis, Amegilla, Braunsapis, Ceratina,
Chelostoma, Halictus, Lasioglossum, Megachile, Nomada,
Nomia, Sphecodes, Thyreus, Trigona and Xylocopa. The
highest diversity of bees was noticed in the Dry Deciduous
forests, followed by the semi evergreen forest. The sub-
tropical Broad Leaved Hill forests, the Moist Deciduous
forests and the swamp forests showed intermediate
diversity, while the Montane Wet Temperate forests (Shola
forest) and the Thorn forests exhibited lower diversity. The
diversity of bee species in monoculture plantations was
found to be low, compared to the natural forests. Among
the eight forest types, the semi evergreen forests were
found to have the maximum diversity of the trees/woody
climbers, followed by the Montane Wet Temperate forests
(Shola forests) and the Wet Ever Green forests. The
subtropical Broad Leaved Hill forests, the swamp forests
and the Moist Deciduous forests showed intermediate
diversity of trees/woody climbers and the Dry Deciduous
forests and the Thorn forests, exhibited lower diversity.
The Dry Deciduous forests had the maximum diversity of
shrubs and herbs, followed by Montane Wet Temperate
forests (Shola forests) and Moist Deciduous forest. The
Thorn forests and the sub tropical broad leaved hill forests
showed intermediate diversity and the Wet Evergreen
forest had the lowest diversity of shrubby and herbaceous
species. Association of about 113 species of plants with
different bee species was recorded in the study area. No
significant correlation was observed between the bee
faunal diversity and the plant diversity, in the different
forest types. The number of bee species and their
population showed positive correlation with minimum
temperature and rainfall, while these parameters exhibited
negative correlation with the maximum temperature.
Hence, the rise in temperature caused by the climate
change is likely to have high negative impact on the bee
fauna.
As some of the natural forest areas in the Nilgiris are in
different stages of degradation, eco-restoration of these
areas, by promoting natural regeneration or through
assisted natural regeneration of local indigenous species
are to be taken up with priority. Since the forest fire is one
of the important destructive factors affecting both the
floristic diversity and the bee faunal diversity, its
occurrence has to be prevented. The cattle graze/browse
many of the herbaceous and shrubby plants, which serve
as nectar and pollen sources of bees and hence the forests
may be protected from cattle grazing, so as to ensure
enough food materials to the bees. Though many of the
invasive exotic plant species available in the district are
the source of nectar/pollen for the bees, considering the
have caused by them to the natural forests, in terms of
competition with native forest species, the spread of such
plant species in the forest areas need to be monitored and
controlled. The existing monocultures plantations,
particularly of exotic species are to be slowly replaced with
local indigenous species, so as to create ideal habitats for
bees to sustain. Large amount of chemical pesticides is
used in the Nilgiris against various target pests of different
crops and it will have impact on non target organisms like
bees, The usage of such pesticides is to be minimized by
adopting Integrated Pest Management Strategies, so as to
protect the bee population. The European honey bee (Apis
mellifera) was not recorded from the Nilgiris, during the
present study, but if introduced, it can pose a severe
threat to native bees, mainly due to competition for the
floral resources. Hence, introduction of such exotic species
should be prevented to conserve and protect the native bee
fauna of the hilly region.