Multiproxy studies on dung of endangered Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii) and Hog deer (Axis porcinus) from Manipur, India: Implications for paleoherbivory and paleoecology

Elemental characterization of antlers of various deer species using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF): A tool for forensic examination

Modern pollen rain and fungal spore assemblages from pasture woodlands around Lake Saint-Point (France)

Establishing modern pollen analogues under various vegetation types in a location is necessary without which it is difficult to accurately interpret fossil pollen assemblages in any region in terms of the past environment and palaeoclimate. We have analysed the modern pollen dataset of 30 surface soil and sediment samples from the forested, cropland, wetland and river sites of the Karimganj District in south Assam, to comprehend the connection between the recent pollen assemblage and the vegetation patterns in the Barak Valley. The overall pollen data reflect the tropical moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forest comprising Syzygium, Schleichera, Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, Duabanga, Sapotaceae, Ilex, Mesua and Schima under a warm and humid climate in response to rainfall variations in the region. The presence of Euphorbiaceae and Convolvulaceae inferred high monsoonal activity in and around the region. A robust relationship between local herbaceous vegetation and pollen was observed. The steady occurrence of cereal pollen (average 18.67%) along with other cultural pollen taxa like Brassicaceae, Coriandrum and Solanaceae illustrate intense agricultural activity around the valley areas. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and box plot were applied to the quantified data obtained from pollen frequency analyses of the surface samples which clearly revealed a significant variation and similarity in vegetation types. Thus, an attempt has been commenced to precisely observe the behavioural pattern of modern pollen deposition in a varied depositional setting, which could, in turn, help in assessing the expanse of agricultural practices and the depth of deterioration of pristine forests and surrounding areas. This modern training dataset could also help in the precise reconstruction of past climate and vegetation shifts in the Barak Valley region. A correlation of regional palynodata with other regions of the Indian subcontinent and Indo-Burma will also be assessed for better interpretation.

Coprophilous and non-coprophilous fungal spores of Bos mutus modern dung from the Indian Himalaya: Implications to temperate paleoherbivory and paleoecological analysis

Hog deer (Axis porcinus) are among the rarest animals in the world and are listed as "Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Protected areas in Nepal are home to large and stable populations of hog deer relative to other parts of hog deer range, but changes in predator abundance, human activities, and climate change could alter hog deer abundance. Reliable and efficient methods to assess hog deer population trends are therefore essential to monitor changes over time. Combined with data on population numbers, support from local communities towards hog deer conservation is important in identifying key threats and developing appropriate conservation strategies. Accordingly, this research integrated natural and social sciences to evaluate density estimation methods and community support for hog deer conservation within Shuklaphanta National Park (SNP), Nepal. Distance sampling along line transects is a common and relatively simple approach used to monitor hog deer populations in Nepal. Recent advances in technology, however, have enabled alternative approaches using data from remote-sensing cameras. Knowledge of the effectiveness of these two approaches could inform future monitoring efforts. Accordingly, I compared two methods for estimating the density of hog deer: distance sampling along line transects (n=17) and a random encounter model (REM) applied to data from remote-sensing cameras (n = 30). The density estimate produced by distance sampling (33.58 ± 8.48 individuals per km²) was more than double the estimate produced using the REM (12.95 ± 0.04 individuals per km²). Of the two methods, the estimate from the REM was more aligned with previous estimates of hog deer density. In addition, camera surveys facilitated the collection of data on multiple species, behaviour, and habitat use compared with line transects. However, despite requiring almost same amount of time for data collection, camera surveys proved to be more costly. These findings highlight the need for a comparison of these density estimation methods with established techniques such as mark-recapture or block counts, coupled with expanded survey efforts to assess the accuracy of estimates. To assess community support for hog deer conservation, I worked with research assistants to interview residents (n=30) from municipalities in the buffer zone surrounding SNP. Interview participants were knowledgeable about deer as a species group, but half of participants did not distinguish hog deer from other deer species. Most participants expressed positive attitudes towards hog deer conservation, especially in the context of promoting the local tourism economy around wildlife viewing. Participants explained that crop damage from deer has been largely mitigated by current management practices, such as fencing, but that additional fencing would further reduce conflicts. My findings revealed opportunities for collaboration between park managers and communities within the buffer zone, particularly around the development of the wildlife tourism industry and the design of management approaches such as fencing. Combined, my research provides guidance for future research and education efforts targeted at hog deer conservation.

Hog deer (Axis porcinus) is one of the least studied animal species in Pakistan. It belongs to Order Artiodactyla and the family Cervidae. IUCN classified Axis porcinus as an endangered species in 2008. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of varying environmental exposure, genders, and seasonal changes on captive hog deer (A. porcinus) at Lahore Zoo, Safari Zoo, and Jallo Park in Lahore, Pakistan. Non-invasive techniques were used to monitor stress levels in hog deer. For sample collection, four definite months belonging to two seasons’ winter and summer were considered. A total of 48 urine and faecal samples were collected from both male and female hog deer. Seasonal fluctuations have been found to have a significant impact on faecal and urinary cortisol levels. Higher cortisol levels were found in both male and female hog deer in the summer season at all three visited sites. Fluctuations in environmental exposure at three research sites had a significant impact on faecal and urinary cortisol levels. Higher levels of cortisol were found in both male and female hog deer at Jallo park and Lahore Zoo, as compared to Safari Zoo. It was concluded that lower cortisol levels at Safari Zoo might be due to better environmental conditions and more flexible enclosure size and interaction of various species of deer. Temperature affected hog deer cortisol levels in summer, as higher levels were measured in summer compared to winter. In addition, sex did not predict any stress levels in hog deer. It has been suggested that a large enclosure size can control levels of cortisol in hog deer.

Hog Deer (Axis porcinus), the rarest of Sri Lanka’s four deer species, is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in the 2012 National Red List of Sri Lanka. Despite its status, the species has been studied very little within the country. This study, therefore, seeks to evaluate the current conservation status of the Hog Deer in the Galle District. The research was conducted over the course of one year, from December 1st, 2021 to December 1st, 2022. A total of 246 randomly selected participants from seven divisional secretariats in the Galle District were surveyed using a questionnaire. Recent observations recorded 306 adult Hog Deer and 22 fawns. Over a span of one and a half years, 27 injured and disabled Hog Deer were brought to the Hiyare Biodiversity Education and Research Center. They are restricted to human-modified landscapes, which they utilize on a seasonal basis. The survey documented 175 confirmed Hog Deer locations. Their habitat is limited to a small region in the Galle District, between the Bentota and Gin rivers. Hog Deer is known to cause damage to three crop types: Cinnamomum verum, Oryza sativa, and various vegetables, with Cinnamomum verum being the most frequently damaged plant. However, both the questionnaire survey and crop damage assessments indicated that the damage to cinnamon was minimal. The Hog Deer face significant threats within their range in the Galle District. Therefore, community-based conservation programs, along with institutional involvement, are essential for ensuring the survival of this charismatic species in its last remaining stronghold.

Secretory ribonuclease genes and pseudogenes in true ruminants.

Characterization of species-specific molecular markers and development of a method for identification of Indian deer species is necessary to monitor illegal trade of parts and products for better conservation and management of the endangered species. In this investigation, we characterized the 12S rRNA gene sequence for differentiation of Indian deer species and developed a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)-based method for their identification. Universal primers were used for the amplification of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene from genomic DNA of chital or spotted deer, hog deer, barking deer, sika deer, musk deer and sambar. PCR products of chital, hog deer and Himalayan musk deer were cloned and sequenced for the first time. Among the Indian deer species, more than 90% similarity was observed in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. The sequences of the above deer species were restriction mapped with the help of Lasergene (DNAstar Inc., Madison, WI, USA). PCR amplicon of these deer species were subjected to restriction digestion with Rsa1, Dde1, Bsr1 and BstSF1 endonucleases that showed a species-specific RFLP pattern. This technique provides a reliable and efficient tool for identification of deer species using a variety of biomaterials.

There are five species of deer (family Cervidae) living in Indonesia today. Male deer possesses antlers, a unique character of male deer. Antlers have economic values for quite a long time. Antler’s growth is influenced by several factors, therefore each species of deer have its own unique antlers’ shape and size. Antler’s identification usually relies on size measurement and overall shape of complete antlers which still attach to the skull. It is difficult to identify shed, broken or individual antler. The purpose of the research is to understand antlers’ morphological characters on each species to become diagnostic characters. Specimens analysed were collections of LIPI and were analysed with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using PAST3 software. The results showed each species of deer having their own unique antlers’ character, and so it can be used to determine the species of Indonesian deer. The important structures for identification are relief, pedicle, brow, bez, and main beam.

Mineral composition of antlers of three deer species reared in captivity

Modern pollen deposition in relation to vegetation and climate of Balpakram valley, Meghalaya, northeast India: Implications for Indo-Burma palaeoecological contexts

This study documents the relationship between modern pollen deposition and vegetation types in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India. Five characteristic modern pollen assemblages are recognised based on the representation of marker pollen taxa observed in the surface soil samples obtained from different areas based on vegetation types and land use. The Pinus–Alnus–Betula–Quercus–Schima–Impatiens assemblage is associated with subtropical pine forest with a relatively cold and wet climate. The Schima forest is characterised by the Schima–Cinnamomum–Alnus–Quercus–Pandanus–Impatiens pollen assemblage. The evergreen forest is characterised by the Mesua–Syzygium–Duabanga–Ilex–Nepenthes–Dendrophthoe assemblage, indicative of the warm and wet climate in response to the high rainfall activity in this region. The grassland was characterised by the presence of the non-cereal–Cyperaceae–Pandanus–Schima–Asteroideae–Cichorioideae–Impatiens assemblage in the Jaintia Hills. The cropland was represented by cereal–Polygonum–Pinus–Schima–Nepenthes–Impatiens palyno-assemblages. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) was applied and showed a close correlation between the recorded pollen assemblage in relation to the different vegetation types in Jaintia Hills. The different forest types, especially evergreen and Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth., forests, along with the consistent recovery of Nepenthes and Pandanus pollen reflect the vicinity of coastal habitats in this part of the Indo-Burma region. This investigation demonstrates that this newly developed modern pollen analogue could be a potential proxy for the interpretation of palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate in the Jaintia Hills and other adjacent regions of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

The paucity of modern pollen-rain data from the central part of Uttar Pradesh is a significant barrier to understanding the Late Quaternary vegetation history from the northern region of India. The interplay between extant vegetation and the modern pollen assemblage from both natural and human-induced vegetation types is examined from Lucknow, as an aid for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. A dataset of 25 surface pollen samples has been documented from the conservation forests of Kukrail, Lucknow (part of Central Ganga Plain). The palynodata reflect the mixed deciduous forest comprising Acacia, Butea, Salmalia, and Syzygium under a warm and humid climate in response to rainfall variations in the region. High monsoonal activity in and around the region is inferred from the presence of the Euphorbiaceae–Moraceae–Syzygium assemblage in the sediments. The marshy and aquatic taxa such as Cyperaceae, Nymphoides and Polygonaceae are strongly suggestive of the perennial waterlogged condition in the area. A striking signal of winter dryness is easily visible in the palynoassemblage, especially observed through Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae. The regular presence of pollen grains of conifers and other broad-leafed taxa including Alnus, Betula, Pinus and Quercus are suggestive of high wind activity from the higher altitudes. Anthropogenic activity is in continuous pace as reflected by the higher frequencies of cereal pollen (14–29%) and Brassicaceae (2–5%). The contrasting frequencies of extant floral taxa recovered in the form of pollen in varied surface samples are indicative of differential pollen production, dispersal and deposition patterns. Therefore, an attempt has been made to precisely observe the behavioural pattern of modern pollen deposition which could in turn help in assessing the expanse of pastoral practices and the depth of deterioration of pristine forests as well as in the reconstruction of past climate and vegetation shifts in Central Ganga Plain, India. A correlation of regional palynodata with other tropical regions of the Indian subcontinent as well as in a global context is required for better interpretation.

Summary. Coprophilous discomycetes from the Azores obtained in the field or from dung samples later incubated in the laboratory are reported based on two visits to the Islands in 1995 and 1996. Other species previously known from the Islands are also noted, making a total of 31 species, of which all except Coprotus, Lasiobolus and Thelebolus belong in the order Pezizales. and later incubated in damp chambers to study the succession of fungi present. In addition, coprophilous fungi were collected directly in the field when encountered on older dung samples, particularly those of cow. The present paper discusses the discomycetes obtained, all of which except Coprotus, Lasiobolus and Thelebolus belong to the order Pezizales. Other coprophilous species previously known from the Islands are also noted, making a total of 31 species. The Azores archipelago, located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge some 1250 km west of the nearest part of Europe, is of tertiary age and comprises nine main islands. These are volcanic in origin and have never been connected to any land mass. Colonisation by European settlers took place during the 15th century, since when the inevitable influence of human activity has had a significant and often severe influence on the native flora and fauna, including the mycological composition of the Islands (Dennis et al. 1977). The Islands have no native herbivorous mammals, although the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has long been established (see Godman 1870) and is evidently now widely naturalised and fairly common. Dung samples obtained during these visits were, therefore, mainly from domesticated species, viz. donkey, horse, cow, goat and sheep, with several samples of rabbit dung and two of uncertain identification, perhaps either goat or sheep (samples no. 4 & 14 below).