Habitat suitability, threats and conservation strategies of Hump-nosed Pit Viper Hypnale hypnale Merrem (Reptilia: Viperidae) found in Western Ghats, Goa, India

S.K. Shyama,Nitin S. Sawant,Trupti D. Jadhav

doi:10.11609/jott.o2490.1261-7

Abstract

Recent studies indicate that most species are best conserved in their natural community, which results in niche conservation. Depletion of any species is an irreversible change. In the present study the habitat ecology, threats and conservation strategies for the Hump-nosed Pit Viper Hypnale hypnale are suggested. The present study was undertaken in some protected areas (PAs) of Goa and the cashew plantations adjoining these PAs. H. hypnale prefers cool and moist places; most of the females of this species are found to spend the period from post monsoon to late summer in the cashew plantations adjoining and within the PAs, making them more susceptible to anthropogenic threats. We conclude that this pattern of seasonal changes in habitat use is mostly a consequence of niche conservation. However, this preference for a particular micro-habitat emphasizes the importance for the conservation of this snake population and although the most suitable habitat in the Western Ghats, for this species is included in the protected areas, specific guidelines are needed to assess conservation needs.

Highlights

The habitat of a species can be defined as that portion of a multidimensional hyperspace that is occupied by a given species (Whitaker et al 1973)
Habitat destruction is the major cause of endangerment for many of the world’s threatened species (Losos et al 1995; Fahrig 1997)
It is important to identify the habitats utilized by this species of pit viper and to protect the habitat relevant for their conservation

Summary

Introduction

The habitat of a species can be defined as that portion of a multidimensional hyperspace (defined by any number of habitat factors) that is occupied by a given species (Whitaker et al 1973). Descriptions of the preferred habitat is currently available for very few snake species (Reinert 1993) snakes are not well represented in studies of habitat selection. This is partly due to their secretive nature. Studies on some snake species suggest that individual snakes do actively select a preferred portion of their environment (Reinert 1984; Weatherhead & Charland 1985; Burger & Zappalorti 1988; Weatherhead & Prior 1992) and the habitat selection is influenced by complex biotic and abiotic factors (Reinert 1993). It is important to understand why species shift among habitat type

Methods

Results

Conclusion