Abstract
Perennial Balapur Pond was surveyed and studied to assess the conservation status of reptiles, birds and mammals naturally occurring in and around it. The survey was conducted from January 2018 to June 2019. During entire survey, a total of 7 species of reptiles, 11 species of birds and 8 species of mammals were identified. Among reptilian species reported, 1 species comes under NT (near threatened), 1 species LC (least concern) while 5 species have no special status (NSS). One avian species was CR (critically endangered), one NT (near threatened) and 9 bird species were LC (least concern). Out of 8 mammalian species recorded, one was EN (endangered), one VU (vulnerable) and remaining 6 LC (least concern).Most of the avian and mammalian species are lacking conducive ambience and hunted for food.  Â
Highlights
Chordata is the highly evolved phylum among all animal phyla
Higher chordates belong to a subphylum Vertebrata that includes seven classes of living animals viz. Cyclostomata, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia
Birds (Aves) referred to as masters of air, are homoiothermic or warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings for flight
Summary
Chordata is the highly evolved phylum among all animal phyla These are characterized by the presence of dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and pharyngeal gill slits. The higher chordata is represented by a single subphylum Vertebrata in which notochord is replaced by vertebral column. Higher chordates belong to a subphylum Vertebrata that includes seven classes of living animals viz. Cyclostomata, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia. Reptiles are poikilothermic animals with monocondylic skull These were the first exclusively terrestrial vertebrates with crawling or creeping mode of locomotion. In general the class Reptilia comprises four orders viz. Chelonia (turtle and tortoise), Rhynchocephalia (tuatara), Squamata (lizarda and snakes) and Crocodilia (crocodiles). They are the first amniotes of the earth. Due to urbanization and anthropogenic pressure most of the wetlands are succumbed to greater degree of biologically active nutrient accumulation (Verma and Prakash, 2018a)
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