Biodiversity Of Fauna Research Articles

An Integration of Community Empowerment and Biodiversity Conservation Program through Social-Ecology Approach in Indonesia (Study Case: Kokolomboi Hamlet)

The endangered Peleng Tarsier primate species and the critically endangered Banggai Crow species live and breed in Kokolomboi Hamlet. However, for such a long time, natives hunt wild animals for food and for commercial interest. Land conversion and forest fires that become normal method for beekeeping and farming have resulted in a progressive loss of wooded area and degraded land. To address this, a community empowerment program with the integration of socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-ecological approach has been designed as a method to achieve sustainable exploitation and management of the forest area through honeybee production with apiculture as backbone. The objective of this community empowerment program is to make people of Kokolomboi Hamlet voluntarily conserve nature by developing conservation village while assuring their primary needs are met by the economic empowerment using environmentally friendly beekeeping method and eco-tourism activities. From year 2020 to 2023, this socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-ecological integration approach has empowered 30 members of Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis), 11 beekeeping groups with 245 members, 30 households participated in environmental preservation, 60 foreign tourists have visited Kokolomboi Biodiversity Park, and flora biodiversity index monitored is 4.51 while fauna biodiversity index monitored is 3.75. The method of integrating social, economy, and ecological aspect as an approach along with engaging relevant stakeholders show significant impacts on transforming community’s behavior in livelihood and biodiversity conservation.

Emergent trees in Colophospermum mopane woodland: influence of elephant density on persistence versus attrition.

Colophospermum mopane (mopane) forms mono-dominant woodlands covering extensive areas of southern Africa. Mopane provides a staple foodstuff for elephants, who hedge woodland by reducing trees to small trees or shrubs, leaving emergent trees which are too large to be pollarded. Emergent trees are important for supporting faunal biodiversity, but they can be killed by ringbarking. This study first examined the influence of elephant density on woodland transformation and the height distribution of canopy volume, and, second, whether canopy volume is maintained, and tall emergent trees too large to be broken can persist, under chronic elephant utilisation. Three regimes of 0.23, 0.59 and 2.75 elephants km-2 differed in vegetation structure and the height structure of trees. Areas under the highest elephant density supported the lowest total canopy volume owing to less canopy for plants >3 m in height, shorter trees, loss of most trees 6-10 m in height, but trees >10 m in height (>45 cm stem diameter) persisted. Under eight years of chronic utilisation by elephants, transformed mopane woodland maintained its plant density and canopy volume. Plant density was greatest for the 0-1 m height class, whereas the 3.1-6 m height class provided the bulk of canopy volume, and the 1.1-3 m height layer contained the most canopy volume. Emergent trees (>10 m in height) suffered a loss of 1.4% per annum as a result of debarking. Canopy dieback of emergent trees increased conspicuously when more than 50% of a stem was debarked, and such trees could be toppled by windthrow before being ringbarked. Thus relict emergent trees will slowly be eliminated but will not be replaced whilst smaller trees are being maintained in a pollarded state. Woodland transformation has not markedly reduced canopy volume available to elephants, but the slow attrition of emergent trees may affect supported biota, especially cavity-dependent vertebrate species, making use of these trees.

The record of Vannella species (Vannellidae, Discosea, Amoebozoa) from freshwater sources in Dakahlyia Governorate, Egypt

The River Nile is the main source of fresh water in Egypt, where its water is used for irrigation, drinking, fisheries, industrial uses, and recreation. For sustainable utilization of the River Nile and its branches in the Nile Delta region, it is necessary to monitor regular investigation for the biodiversity of protozoan fauna in the Damietta branch and other freshwater canals in Dakahlyia Governorate. Water samples were collected monthly from different water sources, for 1 year, and examined for protozoans, using phase-contrast microscopy and recorded video films, The genus Vannella Bovee 1965 is recorded for the first time in four freshwater localities: Demietta branch of the River Nile, Mansouria Canal, Bouhia Canal, and Bahr El-Saghir Canal. A detailed morphological description with a brief report of their locomotion has been given for four morphologically different Vannella species. The locomotive form of Vannella sp.1 has a long pointed posterior tail and 2 lateral posterior processes. Such a tail was absent in other Vannella species. Vannella sp.2 is unique among other recorded species, where its locomotive form possesses a long posterior rounded tail region and a frontal hyaloplasm provided with a wavy surface that forms several lobes and finger-like processes during locomotion. In addition, the hyaloplasm produces several transverse waves that vary in thickness and density. The floating form of Vannella sp.2 is of a radial type and has comparatively long hyaline pointed and spiral pseudopodia. The process of transformation of locomotive form to floating form in Vannella sp.2 has been followed up using several recorded video films. The locomotive form of Vannella sp.3 is bear-shaped, while that of Vannella sp.4 has variable shapes from semicircular to rectangular and sometimes fan-shaped. During movement in vivo, locomotive cells of all Vannella species, except Vannella sp.1, move in nearly a straight line, but there were variations in their rate of locomotion. Vannella sp.4 recorded the highest rate (6.8 µm/s), followed by Vannella sp.2 (4.5 µm/s), Vannella sp.3 (2.4 µm/s), and finally Vannella sp.1 (1.0 µm/s). Molecular studies and transmission electron microscope examinations are still needed to confirm the precise identity of each Vannella species.

Elementary students’ worksheet based on discovery learning for environmental education and biodiversity learning

The discussion of environmental issues and the biodiversity of flora and fauna are interesting topics to remarkable. This topic includes the learning process at the elementary school level. The learning tool that can be developed is student worksheets for elementary schools. The objective of this research is to develop discovery learning-based student worksheets for elementary school students on environmental and biodiversity topics. The ADDIE model was employed as the research methodology in this study. The development stages carried out are starting from analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The data analysis used was descriptive. The results of the research show that the student worksheet developed has a very valid category and is appropriate for use in learning with detail scores from Learning Expert I (3.90), Learning Expert II (3.70), and Learning Expert III (3.90). Students' worksheets were very valid and appropriate for learning. Student worksheets are one of the innovations that can be developed in school. The results of this research further validate that the student worksheets employed in fostering the development of student's critical thinking and creative thinking abilities. This research concludes that student worksheets based on discovery learning in environmental and biodiversity topics are appropriate for educational purposes.

A Study on the Biodiversity of Aquatic Invertebrate Fauna of Nizamsagr Irrigation Reservoir, Kamareddy District, Telangana, India

Nizamsagar reservoir constructed across the river Manjeera between Achampeta and Banjapalli villages of newly formed Kamareddy district of Telangana State. The River Manjeera is a tributary river of the Godavari. The height of the dam is 96 meters and length is 3 km having water capacity 30 TMC. The study revealed that a total of 27 invertebrate species belonging to three phyla: Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Annelida. Among these, the Arthropoda phylum species dominated, followed by Mollusca and Annelida. In the Mollusca phylum, the Gastropoda class exhibited rich abundance, with species like Bithynia transsilvanica, Bellamya bengalensis, Perrysisfavidens, and Pila globose being prominent. Within the Annelida phylum, Tubifex tubifex in the Clitellata class showed the highest abundance compared to Limnodrillus hoffmeisteri. In the Arthropoda phylum, specifically in the Insecta class, there were a diverse range of species, including Chironomus Sps., Anophelus mosquito larvae, Culex mosquito larvae, Sympetrum vulgatum, and Orthetrum cancellatum, with the highest diversity observed.

Since 2015, the first solitary bee hotels in Sicily located in the small island of Isola delle Femmine Nature Reserve, Sicily (Italy)

Natural pollinators, mainly represented by solitary apoidea, play an essential role in ecosystems and biodiversity. Their population has sharply declined recently, putting both flora and fauna biodiversity at risk. Many studies report that artificial nesting for reproducing solitary bees, also known as bee hotels, can support conservation and increase the number of pollinators. Unipa and LIPU Isola delle Femmine Nature Reserve wanted to create the first bee hotels in 2015 near the coast. In particular, the goal of this project was to protect and increase biodiversity on the islet of Isola delle Femmine, a peculiar and challenging to-balance environment where there are more than 200 botanical taxa present on the island, some of which are endemic to Sicilian north-western coast, including pollination by insects. In the current state of knowledge, it is the first case of installing bee hotels in a coastal area so close to the sea, which entailed a significant technical challenge in the construction using recycled material. The hotels built were wholly colonized in a very short period, and even when maintenance and replacement of materials were carried out in less than a week, the recolonization was rapid. Most individuals belonged to the Megachilidae family, which is characteristic of the Mediterranean. The bee hotels have also been a source of curiosity and insight for the reserve visitors. In conclusion, the bee hotel proved useful for colonizing pollinators and increasing reserve use.

Characterization and in-vitro plant-based control of hindgut bacteria isolated from Odontotermes obesus Rambur (Termitidae) and Heterotermes indicola Wasmann (Rhinotermitidae).

Termites cause a serious menace to wooden structures all over the world. They rely mostly on entozoic fauna residing in their hindgut for the digestion of cellulosic and hemicellulosic materials. One of the ways to control termites is through their gut symbionts. The present study was designed to characterize the hindgut bacteria isolated from Odontotermes obesus and Heterotermes indicola. Furthermore, the growth inhibitory effect of eight tropical plant extracts was investigated to find out potential control agents for these bacterial isolates. The characterization of bacteria was carried out based on their morphology, Gram staining, biochemical and amplification of 16SrRNA gene. Amplified products were sequenced to confirm their relationship with bacterial isolates from termites of other regions. The growth inhibitory effect of ethanolic leaf extracts of eight plants was evaluated in an invitro agar well diffusion method. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the most effective plant was carried out to learn about bioactive agents. The results confirmed the presence of five bacteria from each termite species. The Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Lysinibacillus fusiformis were common to both termites whereas Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus and Lysinibacillus macrolides were found in O. obesus only and H. indicola harbor Bacillus subtilis and Shigella sonnei in addition to common three ones. Among the plant extracts of Carica papaya, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Osmium basilicum, Grevillea robusta, Eucalyptus globulus, Pongamia pinnata, Mentha longifolia, and Melia azedarach, the G. robusta > E. camaldulensis > O. basilicum were found to have growth inhibitory effects with increasing concentrations from 100 to 2000 µg/mL. The biodiversity of the bacterial fauna is important for the biological control of termites. Leaf extracts of these medicinal plants can be used to control termite infestation in an environment-friendly manner to save huge economic loss.

Physiological processes through which heatwaves threaten fauna biodiversity

Physiological processes through which heatwaves threaten fauna biodiversity

Impact of climate change on ecology and biodiversity of Africa- a review

The most diverse among all the eco-biosphere entities is the aquatic ecosystem. With their dynamic biodiversity, energy cycles, prey-predator interactions and seasonal patterns aquatic ecosystems are unique in the nature. They are the most influenced of all the others due to their gradual sensitivity by a small change in the climatic condition. The sensitivity can be linked with their response towards temperature and light influencing several abiotic parameters including water, rainfall, pH, dissolved oxygen. The behavior and ecology of biotic components largely depend upon these abiotic parameters; a slight change in which can alter the community dynamics, species composition and diversity of the entire system. Compared to natural causes of climate change, anthropogenic activities are more influential and long standing. Excess use of fossil fuels, use of plastic, confluence of industrial gases and effluents, deforestation are few such examples for the detioriating situation. Both lentic, and lotic among fresh water, the marine with all its components, the estuarine diversity and distribution of species are facing challenges to cope up large-scale stress due to convergence of landmass, destruction of forests including mangroves, over usage of pesticides and fertilizers, exploitation of aquatic products including fish and corals. Not only the aquatic ecology and species in but also the human population and the community which largely depends upon them, disturbed leading to poverty, unemployment, population displacement and conflicts for water and cultivation land. Africa with all its floral and faunal biodiversity, extended lakes with vivid climatic zones is not away from the impacts of climate change. Africa is facing many challenges despite all efforts although a less-contributor of greenhouse gases. To understand all these aspects at the global level especially in Africa, this review paper is prepared accumulating from various sources to apprehend the causes, dimensions and challenges faced by various aquatic ecosystems because of climate change.

Nuanced impacts of the invasive aquatic plant Crassula helmsii on Northwest European freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages

Invasive alien species are considered one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity, and are particularly problematic in aquatic systems. Given the foundational role of macrophytes in most freshwaters, alien aquatic plant invasions may drive strong bottom-up impacts on recipient biota. Crassula helmsii (New Zealand pygmyweed) is an Australasian macrophyte, now widespread in northwest Europe. Crassula helmsii rapidly invades small lentic waterbodies, where it is generally considered a serious threat to native biodiversity. The precise ecological impacts of this invasion remain poorly understood, however, particularly with respect to macroinvertebrates, which comprise the bulk of freshwater faunal biodiversity. We conducted a field study of ponds, ditches and small lakes across the core of C. helmsii's invasive range (United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands), finding that invaded sites had higher macroinvertebrate taxon richness than uninvaded sites, and that many infrequent and rare macroinvertebrates co-occurred with C. helmsii. Alien macroinvertebrates were more abundant in C. helmsii sites, however, particularly the North American amphipod Crangonyx pseudogracilis. At the order level, water beetle (Coleoptera) richness and abundance were higher in C. helmsii sites, whereas true fly (Diptera) abundance was higher in uninvaded sites. Taxonomic and functional assemblage composition were both impacted by invasion, largely in relation to taxa and traits associated with detritivory, suggesting that the impacts of C. helmsii on macroinvertebrates are partly mediated by the availability and palatability of its detritus. The nuanced effects of C. helmsii on macroinvertebrates found here should encourage further quantitative research on the impacts of this invasive plant, and perhaps prompt a more balanced re-evaluation of its effects on native aquatic macrofauna.

Taxonomic List of Macro Benthic Polychaetes of Kanyakumari Coast

Polychaetes are one of the most important macro-invertebrate species found in marine benthic habitats. India is foremost in terms of polychaete fauna biodiversity, followed by the Kanyakumari coast. According to the whole study's findings, the sandy, rocky and muddy substratum the establishment of benthic polychaete species appears to be most favorable in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea area. The distribution of polychaetes along the Kanyakumari coast reveals the diversity of large species identified 27 species in east coast and 31 species in estuaries on the southwest coast. About 58 species of polychaetes belonging to 22 families and 46 genera are known to transpire. An attempt was made to identify the polychaete species found in the study area between 2021 and 2023. The families Eunicidae and Nereidae were found to have higher diversity than Nephtyidae, Spionidae, and Capitellidae. Around 58 distinct polychaete species such as Nereis indica, Capitella capitata, Heteromastus similis, Paraprionospio pinnata, and Malacocerous indica were seemed as prevalent species and plays as pollution indicator as well. These diverse marine invertebrates’ habitats widely in sediments (Capitella capitata, Heteromastus similis, Paraprionospio pinnata) and Malacocerous indica certain were found in both muddy and rocky environments (Nereis indica). It consumes dead matters of marine creatures as primary feed and this distinct five species can be used as indirect pollution monitors of hydrocarbon and heavy metal pollution of harbor sites as well estuaries near by the coconut coir retting area hence found dominantly found in pollution sites further helps to surveying the coastal health moreover can also be used for bio-remediation of organic and inorganic pollutants.

Spatial Distribution of the Anecic Species of Earthworms Dendrobaena nassonovi nassonovi (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) in the Forest Belt of the Northwestern Caucasus

The mountain forests of the Northwestern Caucasus represent unique refugia for the native biodiversity of flora and fauna. Endemic species are also preserved among soil invertebrates, including the group of earthworms, which are important ecosystem engineers. This study assesses the spatial distribution of the endemic anecic species of earthworms Dendrobaena nassonovi nassonovi Kulagin, 1889 in deciduous, coniferous–deciduous, small-leaved, and conifer forests of the Northwestern Caucasus (a total of 1028 geographical points were surveyed, of which the species was found in 185 points) based on our own field data by modeling the current potential areas using the Maxent software. The D. n. nassonovi potential area maps show a high probability of the species inhabiting mid- and high-mountain forests of the Northwestern Caucasus and being confined to mixed coniferous–deciduous and beech forests. The optimum soil and climatic parameters, as well as a lack of large-scale business operations in the mid- and high-mountain forests, make it possible for these ecosystems to remain suitable refugia, in particular for the endemic anecic species of Caucasus earthworms D. n. nassonovi.

Improving Soil Health of Commercial Vegetable Home Gardens through Conservation Agriculture in Cambodia

Tillage systems are components of broad agricultural practices that affect soil properties and soil health. These changes include soil respiration, density, moisture, and pH. Conservation agriculture practices have the potential to improve soil health by reducing tillage. In agricultural production, there can be numerous approaches to achieving consistently high yields annually; however, this study specifically looked at conventional tillage and conservation agriculture systems. This study aimed to determine soil fauna biodiversity and soil health under conservation agriculture (CA) and conventional tillage (CT) management practices of vegetable production in Cambodia. Five CA and five CT plots were selected and included in this study. Fifty soil samples were collected from CA and CT plots for soil fauna measurement, and in-situ tests were made using Biofunctool© for soil health assessment. The results showed that the abundance of soil fauna and aggregation stability were greater in CA than in CT. Soil fauna biodiversity enhancement may provide better soil health for soil improvement by adapting farming management practices.

Evaluation of soil fauna biodiversity in restored farmland for protection of wetland ecology by planting different crops

Wetlands play a crucial role in oxygen production, air purification, and quality maintenance. Thus, conservation of wetland is essential in response to natural and anthropogenic damaging activities. Restored farmland, utilized to repair the southern buffer zone of Jiangsu Yancheng Wetland National Nature Reserve for Rare Birds, was used to investigate and analyze the diversity of migratory birds and soil fauna. In this study, five different crops, colza oil, mustard, Chinese cabbage, wheat, and barley, were planted in the restored plots, which were foraged by overwintering migratory birds, resulting in low crop yield. The soil fauna biodiversity and biomass in the wheat, Chinese cabbage, and colza oil plots during winter were relatively rich, which attracted many migratory birds to roost and feed. The variability and population of migratory birds significantly improved (18 species and 164231 migratory birds), which was owed to soil fauna and planted crops. Therefore, based on the results of our study, farmland restoration could significantly enrich the biodiversity of soil fauna and migratory birds, improve the ecological environment of wetlands, and attract more migratory birds as inhabitants.

Physiological effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in fish organism

The pollution of world ocean is a serious threat to the biodiversity of flora and fauna. One of the most important sources of pollution are oil and oil products – every year more than 1 million tons of oil is spilled into the sea as a result of accidents during oil production or transportation. The teratogenic and carcinogenic effects of such oil components as benzopyrene is well known since the middle of the last century. However, after a large oil spill from “Exxon Valdez” tanker in 1989 it became clear that oil and its components have strong toxic effects in fish organism – and to a large extent these effects are caused by di- and tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in particular phenanthrene. Field research have demonstrated that fish embryo and larvae are the most prone to the effects of oil – and the largest oil spills endanger the populations of important commercial fish species that spawn in this area. This review considers the influence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on the physiology of various organ systems in fish. Particular attention is paid to the cardiotoxic effects of PAH which were recently discovered and which are potentially not only the main cause of animals’ death upon the spill of PAH into water, but also underlie the malformation of other organs.

Pollution Induced-stress on Biodiversity and Restoration Strategy for India’s Heavily Contaminated Bharalu River

The Bharalu River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra originating in the Khasi Hills, has transformed into one of India's most polluted rivers due to indiscriminate waste disposal. Serving as the natural drainage for Guwahati city, it carries sewage and waste from various sources, including markets, hotels, restaurants, and households. The river's biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) far exceeds permissible limits, resulting in an obnoxious stench and posing a health hazard. Once a source of potable water and abundant aquatic life, Bharalu's severe pollution now threatens a catastrophic disaster. This paper investigates the river's floral and faunal biodiversity and its pollution status, aiming to outline a framework for its restoration. The study highlights the urgent need for rehabilitation measures to save this urban river from environmental degradation and public health risks.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the abyssal coral Abyssoprimnoa gemina Cairns, 2015 (Octocorallia, Primnoidae) from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the tropical East Pacific is a region of interest for deep-sea mining due to its underwater deposits of polymetallic nodules containing economically important metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt. It is also a region of extensive baseline studies aiming to describe the state of the environment, including the biodiversity of the benthic fauna. An abundant component of the abyssal plain ecosystem consists of sessile fauna which encrusts polymetallic nodules and are vulnerable to potential impacts arising from exploitation activities, particularly removal of substrate. Therefore, this fauna is often considered to have key species whose genetic connectivity should be studied to assess their ecological resilience. One such species is Abyssoprimnoa gemina Cairns, 2015, a deep-sea coral from the CCZ whose presence in the Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) claim area has been confirmed during samplings. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to obtain the 18S nuclear rRNA gene and the complete mitochondrial genome of A. gemina from IOM exploration area. The mitogenome is 18,825 bp long and encodes for 14 protein coding genes, 2 rRNAs, and a single tRNA. The two phylogeny reconstructions derived from these data confirm previous studies and display A. gemina within a highly supported cluster of seven species whose mitogenomes are all colinear and of comparable size. This study also demonstrates the suitability of NGS for DNA barcoding of the benthic megafauna of the CCZ, which could become part of the IOM protocol for the assessment of population diversity and genetic connectivity in its claim area.

Current state of trees and shrubs vegetation conditional references linden-ash oakwoods flood places of Dniprovsk Prisamarya

Natural oakwoods are considered one of the main centers of biodiversity of flora and fauna in Europe and an important agent of providing a wide range of ecosystem, sociocultural and economic services. But in the modern period, there is a decrease in the share of common oak natural forests in the forest reserves of European countries and various manifestations of their degradation. Floodplain forests form a particular value among natural oakwoods. They’re not only play an important role in the formation of vegetation and biogeocenotic cover, but also have a significant positive environment-transforming effect on soil-hydrological and mesoclimatic conditions. That helps to regulate the hydrological regime of river floods. An analysis of the current state of the tree-shrub vegetation of conditional reference linden-ash oakwoods of the central floodplain of the Samara River was conducted. They are a complex of forest vegetation component of Prysamary Dniprovskyi, the territory of which is reserved for the creation of a national nature park. The forest valuation indicators of stands of the main forest-forming tree species have been determined. According to the obtained data, the species composition of tree-shrub vegetation and the type of stand correspond to typical fresh central floodplain linden-ash forests. An increase in the share of participation in the tree stand of Acer campestre and a decrease of Tilia cordata are characteristic. Quercus robur and Fraxinus excelsior take a leading part in the formation of stocks of stem wood. It is determined that in the natural linden-ash oak centropopulation Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, Acer campestre, Ulmus laevis, Tilia cordata, Ulmus glabra, Pyrus communis, Ulmus minor belong to the normal type and are stable and capable of self-maintenance. The most active self-regeneration is recorded in Acer campestre. The population of Quercus robur is characterized as regressive with signs of disruption of natural regeneration processes and the absence of healthy undergrowth. Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, Ulmus laevis, Pyrus communis are distinguished by the highest indicators of vitality ((Ln) and according to the index of relative vitality their tree stands belong to the “healthy” categoty. The tree stand of Quercus robur belongs to the “weakend” category. Deterioration of the vitality of Quercus robur tree stands and disruption of its self-regeneration processes can potentially lead to a decrease in the edifying role of oak in fresh linden-ash forets of the valley complex of the Samara River. Also, it can lead to a transformation of their type of wood composition and a decrease in productivity. Major of environmental significance of the forest vegetation of this area requires systematic comprehensive monitoring studies to update current data on the state of unique natural oakwoods. The presented results are a continuation of the monitoring studies of natural reference central floodplain linden-ash forests and can become the basis for the development of differentiated methods of their preservation and restoration.

First results of the biostratigraphy and geochronology of the classic Nihewan Fauna, China

The Nihewan Basin is infilled by a relatively complete Pliocene to Pleistocene sequence, rich mammalian fossils and containing many Palaeolithic artefacts, implying that it is a unique location for Quaternary multidisciplinary study. Fossil excavations in these deposits have been carried out for nearly a century. The systematic study of the fossils by Teilhard de Chardin and Piveteau in 1930 laid the foundations for the classic Nihewan Faunal assemblage, which has been widely followed as a standard for the Early Pleistocene biochronology in eastern Asia. With the availability of magnetostratigraphic analyses on several sections in the Nihewan basin, a comprehensive geochronological study is timely pending. Here we report the results of a comprehensive survey of the Xiashagou section, where the classic Nihewan Fauna was discovered. By synthesising the lithostratigraphical, biostratigraphical, and magnetostratigraphical information, together with measurements taken by the authors, the total thickness of the Nihewan Formation in the Xiashagou section being 116 m. Furthermore, the geochronological study demonstrates that the classic Nihewan Fauna was originally recovered from at least 6 fossil horizons, spanning from ∼2.4 Ma to ∼1.8 Ma, i.e., the early Early Pleistocene. The new evidence from the Xiashagou section also suggests several cycles of fluctuations in the biodiversity and population of the classic Nihewan Fauna during the early Pleistocene. The preliminary correlation of these cycles matches the short periods of glaciation in the early Pleistocene.

Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Fish Fauna in Lake Fateh Sagar Udaipur, Rajasthan (India)

Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Fish Fauna in Lake Fateh Sagar Udaipur, Rajasthan (India)