Abstract
BackgroundThe Indian pangolin is a globally endangered species and is accorded the highest level of protection under Indian legislation. The species has a wide distribution in the country. However, information on its ecology is scanty with limited accounts on the diet of the free-ranging population.ResultsWe studied the diet of the Indian pangolin in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Gir National Park, India. A total of 12 faecal samples in the form of 22 pellets were collected between November 2019 and March 2020. The faecal matter’s length, diameter and girth were 4.80 cm ± 0.40 SE, 2.72 cm ± 0.12 SE and 8.49 cm ± 0.41 SE, respectively. The dry weight of the faecal matter was 22.31 g ± 3.24 SE. The composition of the faecal content by weight was majorly contributed by insect matter (56.53%), followed by grit (42.35%) and plant matter (1.12%). Faecal content’s analysis through microscopy revealed that insect matter was the most frequent constituent (53.59%), followed by grit (46.26%) and plant matter (0.05%); 0.1% of the constituents could not be identified. The ant genera contributing to the diet of the Indian pangolin include Camponotus, Crematogaster, Dorylus, Lophomyrmex, Monomorium, Myrmicaria, Pheidole and Tetraponera. The termite genera consumed by the Indian pangolin were Odontotermes and Cryptotermes.ConclusionsThe study’s findings contribute to enhance the ecological knowledge in a hitherto unexplored habitat and hold implications in the ex situ conservation efforts and rescue and rehabilitation of Indian pangolins in similar landscapes.
Highlights
The Indian pangolin is a globally endangered species and is accorded the highest level of protection under Indian legislation
We studied the Indian pangolin’s diet in the tropical dry deciduous forest of Gir National Park in Western India to develop an understanding and contribute to the ecological knowledge of the species
A total of 12 faecal samples of Indian pangolin were collected in the form of 22 pellets
Summary
The Indian pangolin is a globally endangered species and is accorded the highest level of protection under Indian legislation. The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is a globally endangered mammal species native to the Indian subcontinent It ranges from northern and south-eastern Pakistan through much of India, parts of Nepal and Sri Lanka (Mahmood et al, 2019). We studied the Indian pangolin’s diet in the tropical dry deciduous forest of Gir National Park in Western India to develop an understanding and contribute to the ecological knowledge of the species. This would further aid in devising conservation strategies. The study’s findings hold the potential to assist in the ex situ conservation efforts and in rescue and rehabilitation operations of Indian pangolins in the study area and similar habitats
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
