Great Nicobar Research Articles

From Food Gathering to Horticulture: The Food Getting Techniques of Shompen of Great Nicobar Island

Classical social evolutionists generally assumed that the transformation of human societies from one particular mode of production to another is an evolutionary progression. It is a passage from hunting–gathering to herding and cultivation as alternative strategies to exploit a ‘given’ environment. This article portrays the strategies adopted by the Shompen to expand and ensure optimal diet throughout the year. The local environmental conditions and the state of technology the community has achieved had its bearing upon determining the nature of adaptive strategy evolved. The Shompen unlike their counterparts in the Andaman Islands have developed a multipronged strategy to survive at a distant, remote and inaccessible habitat in a largely isolated island that too through independent innovation of certain technologies. In this article, an attempt has been made to establish that the progression of societies was not always linear as assumed by the classical social evolutionists.

Thirty-nine newly documented plant species of Great Nicobar, India

A constituent of the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot, Great Nicobar in the Nicobar group of islands, India, is known for rich floristic diversity. As this geographically distinct and southernmost island of India has not been surveyed for plant genetic resources, three survey-cum-exploration trips were undertaken during 2017–2019 to make an inventory of the taxa of importance for food and agriculture, besides their collection for ex situ conservation. These surveys revealed the new distribution of 39 taxa (belonging to 37 genera, 24 families) in this island, including 14 new to the Nicobar group of islands and one to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Among the 39 taxa, 16 have the importance of being wild relatives of 15 crop species. Fourteen species are classified as naturalized ones (including four globally recognized invasive species); some of them pose potential threat to the ecosystem of this fragile island. Detailed field studies in this remote island will help in better understanding of phytogeography in general and impact of alien species on native plant diversity in particular.

A REVISION OF Eutropis rudis (BOULENGER, 1887), RESURRECTION OF E. lewisi (BARTLETT, 1895) AND DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES (REPTILIA : SCINCIDAE) FROM GREAT NICOBAR

We examined the syntype series of Eutropis rudis (6 specimens) collected from Sumatra and Borneo, currently deposited at the Natural History Museum, London. We observed that the type series is composed of two species. In order to stabilize application of the name, we designate a lectotype for E. rudis from Sumatra. Mabuya lewisi, described based on a specimen from Borneo, is resurrected as a valid species of Eutropis and redescribed. Based on morphology and geographic distribution, we describe a new species of this complex from Great Nicobar Island with two specimens deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata.

Does rank rule? Rank-related grooming patterns in Nicobar long-tailed macaques Macaca fascicularis umbrosus.

Primates maintain social bonds with specific individuals in the group by directing grooming toward them. Social grooming is often targeted toward individuals with whom the most benefits can be exchanged, which are usually the high-ranking individuals. We used the Seyfarth model to investigate whether dominance rank alters the distribution of grooming in a group of Macaca fascicularis umbrosus at Great Nicobar Island. We investigated whether dominance rank predicted grooming rate in both males and females. We used social network analysis to examine whether high-ranking animals maintain a central position in the grooming network. We also investigated whether adult individuals exchange grooming for social tolerance, as indicated by physical proximity. We found that more social grooming was directed toward high-ranking females, but not high-ranking males. Social network analysis suggested that high-ranking animals are not central individuals in the distribution of grooming; rather, middle-ranking animals were major contributors to the distribution of grooming. There was no relation between the grooming rate and proximity in both males and females. Overall, our findings suggest that females prefer to direct grooming toward high-ranking partners, although the dominance hierarchy is less steep than expected for Macaca fascicularis. Thus rank-related grooming patterns may be a relatively conserved trait in this isolated island population.

Object Manipulation and Tool Use in Nicobar Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus)

Object manipulation and tool use by nonhuman primates have received considerable attention from primatologists and anthropologists, because of their broad implications for understanding the evolution of tool use in humans. To date, however, most of the studies on this topic have focused on apes, given their close evolutionary relationship with humans. In contrast, fewer studies on tool use and object manipulation have been conducted on monkeys. Documenting and studying object manipulation and tool use in species that are more distantly related to humans can provide a broader perspective on the evolutionary origins of this behavior. We present a detailed description of tool-aided behaviors and object manipulation by Nicobar long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus) living along the coastlines of Great Nicobar Island. We made observations from December 2018 to March 2019, using ad libitum and focal sampling methods. We observed behaviors related to object manipulation and tool use in six different behavioral contexts (foraging, hygiene, communication, play, self-directed and self-hygiene behavior) involving eight different types of objects: resonance rod, play object, rolling platform, scraping tool, dental groom, pounding substrate, leaves as grip pads and wipers, and stimulation tool. We observed that males were involved in tool use and object manipulation more frequently than females. Our results add to existing records of object manipulation, tool-use behavior, and tool variants displayed by nonhuman primates, showing that Nicobar macaques perform multiple and diverse tool-aided behaviors.

On the Occurrence of Plagiostachys nicobarica (Zingiberaceae) from Great Nicobar Islands, India

Plagiostachys nicobarica M. Sabu, E. Sanoj and M. G. Prasanth is a narrow endemic species and known only from its type locality, near Indira Point at almost sea-level altitude in Great Nicobar Islands. Several population of the species were washed out by tsunami flood, and other individuals are in critical condition because of the waterlogged condition. During Grass exploration of Great Nicobar Islands in 2016, authors collected P. nicobarica from other than the type locality with several species in the population. Thus, a note on the occurrence of P. nicobarica with its present IUCN status is provided.

Foreign Origin Plastic Litter Predominate in Great Nicobar Island, a Biosphere Reserve

Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost island of Andaman & Nicobar Islands with an area of about 1044 sq. km (Figure 1). The population of the island is 8069 (2011 census), largely inhabited in the south-eastern part. This island is home to one of the most primitive tribes of India – Shompens . The island encompasses the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (GNBR) that includes the Galathea National Park and the Campbell Bay National Park. The Biosphere Reserve was included in UNESCO-MAB (Man and the Biosphere Programme) Network in May 2013.

Aholcocerus arorai Yakovlev & Singh, sp. n. - new species of Cossidae from Nicobar Islands (India) with world catalogue of the genus (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

Aholcocerus arorai Yakovlev & Singh, sp. n., is described from India (Great Nicobar Island). A catalogue of the genus Aholcocerus Yakovlev, 2006 is provided. External appearance and distributional map of all the species of genus is illustrated.

A new species of Sarmydus Pascoe, 1867 (Cerambycidae: Prioninae: Anacolini) from Nicobar Island, India.

The adult male and female of a new species of longhorn beetle, Sarmydus nicobarensis sp. nov. are described from the Great Nicobar and Camorta Islands, India. Illustrations of habitus and male genitalia of the new species, as well as photographs of the holotype of S. paukstadtorum Drumont, 2011 are provided.

Population Status and Distribution Assessment of Nicobar Long-Tailed Macaque <i>Macaca fascicularis umbrosus</i> (Miller, 1902) in Nicobar Group of Islands

Macaca fascicularis umbrosus also known as Nicobar long tailed macaque is a subspecies of long-tailed macaque. It has a restricted distribution in the three islands namely Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar and Katchal of Nicobar Island groups. This species is the only non-human primates found in Nicobar group of islands. The species has been classified as Vulnerable' in IUCN Red list due to its restricted distribution, and susceptibility of its habitat to natural calamities. The study has been carried out during December 2015 and April 2016 in two islands viz., Katchal and Great Nicobar out of the three islands where the species is distributed to estimate the present status of Macaca fascicularis umbrosus. Based on the two systematic surveys conducted in the known habitats of the species, a total of n = 28 groups comprises of n = 958 individuals were observed and out of which n = 193 individuals were observed in Katchal island and n = 765 individuals were observed in Great Nicobar Island. The group encounter rate was higher in Great Nicobar i.e. 0.59 ± 0.1 groups/km (ER ± SE) where the group encounter rate in Katchal island was 0.36 ± 0.2 (ER ± SE).

Spatial distribution pattern of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of woody flora in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

BackgroundThe insular nature and unique geographical set up of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has led to the evolution of variety of rare and distinct flora with high endemism. Despite several efforts to document the floristic richness of the islands, there are no efforts to understand the spatial patterns in the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, and thence to arrive at the biogeographic origin and evolutionary history of the vegetation of this Island archipelago.MethodsWe used a fine scale spatial distribution and abundance data of woody plants documented from 841 grids along with their phylogenetic data and estimated metrics of taxonomic and phylogenetic similarity to identify taxonomically and phylogenetically distinct woody plant ‘phytoregions’ within Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We then arrived at the spatial patterns of the taxonomic richness and diversity and, of phylogenetic diversity across the entire Archipelago.ResultsWe found that taxonomic richness and diversity of woody flora is high in Andaman and low in Nicobar Islands, whereas Nicobar Islands have a more phylogenetically diverse woody flora compared to Andaman. We identified three distinct woody plant ‘phytoregions’ within Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The three identified ‘phytoregions’ broadly match with the geographically isolated Island groups such as Andaman, Car Nicobar and Great Nicobar Islands; these ‘phytoregions’ also highlight the existence of two broadly distinct biogeographic zones of woody plants within the Islands.ConclusionOur analysis provides new insights into the spatial patterns of diversity of woody flora in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We show that (i) both taxonomic and evolutionary affinities identify distinct ‘phytoregions’ closely segregated across the geographic distribution of the major islands of the archipelago, and (ii) there are two distinct biogeographic zones, i.e. Andaman flora most closely allied with flora of South western Burma and Nicobar more related with the flora of Malayan peninsula and Sumatra.

Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) of the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelagoes, India, with the Description of Cylindera ( Ifasina) Dartista, New Species, from Great Nicobar Island

Twelve tiger beetle taxa are reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelagoes, Union Territories, India. These are listed according to their current classification within the Carabidae: Cicindelinae under tribes Collyrini or Cicindelini, along with comments about their taxonomy, recognition, habitats, and distribution. Cylindera (Ifasina) dartista, new species, known only from Great Nicobar Island, India, is described and compared to related taxa. Cylindera (Ifasina) discreta nicobarica (Mandl, 1970), also endemic to Great Nicobar Island, India, is distinguished from related species found elsewhere in Southeast Asia. In addition to these two endemic Cylindera (Ifasina) taxa, Neocollyris (Orthocollyris) crassicornis andamana (Bates, 1878) and Neocollyris (Neocollyris) schaumi (W. Horn, 1892) are considered endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelagoes. Except for these four endemic taxa, all but two of the remaining eight taxa comprising the tiger beetle fauna of these archipelagoes have a wider distribution in South Asia and Southeast Asia. These include six species: Neocollyris (Orthocollyris) subclavata (Chaudoir, 1860); Neocollyris (Leptocollyris) variicornis (Chaudoir, 1864); Calochroa flavomaculata (Hope, 1831); Calochroa sexpunctata (Fabricius, 1775); Callytron limosum (Saunders, 1836); Hypaetha biramosa (Fabricius, 1781). Two taxa have more limited ranges. Cosmodela diehli Wiesner, 1997, previously known only from Simular Island off the southwestern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, is now documented from Great Nicobar Island, India. This species is very similar to Cosmodela didyma (Dejean, 1825) from Sumatra and Java, also reported from Little and Great Nicobar Islands. It is possible C. didyma records from the Nicobars are based on misidentified C. diehli. Examination of the Nicobar Archipelago specimens identified as C. didyma will be necessary to determine whether both species co-occur on the islands, or whether all the specimens are, in fact, C. diehli.

Observation on the re-occurrence of Nicobar spiny shrew (<i>Crocidura nicobarica</i> Miller, 1902): A critically endangered mammal of Great Nicobar Island, India

The re-occurrence of Nicobar spiny shrew Crocidura nicobarica a critically endangered and endemic species was found at Great Nicobar Island during the survey. The morphological and osteological and its behavioral observations have been analyzed in this paper after its original description by Miller (1902).

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Protected areas and benthic characteristics influence the distribution of the Vulnerable bumphead parrotfish Bolbometopon muricatum in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

AbstractThe Vulnerable bumphead parrotfish Bolbometopon muricatum, a highly prized fishery resource worldwide, has experienced population declines throughout its geographical range. There is limited knowledge of the distribution and abundance of, and threats to, this fish in Indian waters, particularly for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. To assess the species’ distribution and conservation status we conducted underwater surveys across 75 sites around 51 islands and interviewed 99 fishers across the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. We recorded a total of 59 individual B. muricatum across nine sites from the northernmost island in the Andamans (Landfall Island) to the southernmost island in the Nicobars (Great Nicobar Island). Interviews revealed that most fishers (100% in Nicobar, 94% in Middle Andaman, 62% in South Andaman) had seen B. muricatum, and knowledge of the species is highest amongst spearfishers. Generalized linear models indicated that presence of marine protected areas and high live coral cover influenced the abundance and distribution of B. muricatum. The species' density seems to be naturally low in the archipelago. We discuss our findings in the light of protecting rare and threatened species, and recommend strengthening the existing marine protected areas in these islands.

New distribution records of four species of crop wild relatives to India

A field survey across various parts of India coupled with an analysis of the literature and an examination of herbarium specimens revealed the presence of four species of crop wild relatives that have not been reported from India, viz., Dioscorea piscatorum Prain & Burkill (from Little & Great Nicobar), Fagopyrum gracilipes (Hemsl.) Dammer ex Diels (from Arunachal Pradesh), Rubus praecox Bertol. (from Jammu & Kashmir), and Ziziphus subquinquenervia Miq. (from Great Nicobar). While Rubus praecox is naturalised in the Kashmir Valley, Dioscorea piscatorum and Ziziphus subquinquenervia were found truly wild, and Fagopyrum gracilipes occurs as a weed in buckwheat fields and orchards. Ziziphus subquinquenervia has been resurrected from the allied Z. elegans Wall. of peninsular Malaysia and Singapore owing to the distinct diagnostic characters. Their description, phenology, habitat, and other field observations have been highlighted here.

Predation on a Nicobar Frog, Amnirana nicobariensis (Stoliczka 1879), by a Nicobar Bronzeback, Dendrelaphis humayuni (Tiwari and Biswas 1973), from Great Nicobar Island, Republic of India

Predation on a Nicobar Frog, Amnirana nicobariensis (Stoliczka 1879), by a Nicobar Bronzeback, Dendrelaphis humayuni (Tiwari and Biswas 1973), from Great Nicobar Island, Republic of India

Between-group encounters in Nicobar long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus)

Group living primates often participate in between-group encounters to defend monopolizable resources. Participation in an encounter is influenced by the density and abundance of resources and the relative fighting ability of groups. We studied between-group encounters in three groups of Nicobar long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus) in the Great Nicobar Island, with one group, TR, being the focal study group to measure the influence of these factors on between-group encounters. Encounters varied from mutual tolerance to aggressive fights, with females participating less aggressively than males. Sleeping site and vegetation cover were the primary influences on the nature of interaction in the areas where home range overlapped. The initiation and intensity of an encounter were influenced by relative group size. The focal group (TR) was the smallest of the three groups in the area and it actively avoided confrontation with the other two groups (MG and PI), resulting in a lower observed encounter rate than expected. Both the frequency and aggressiveness of encounters was influenced by the number of females cycling and the number of males present in the study group. Inasmuch as encounters were influenced by the number of females and the distribution of food, rather than geography, we conclude that encounters serve to defend food resources and mates rather than that they are examples of territoriality.

<b>Two new reports of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from India</b>

Caliothrips punctipennis (Hood) and the male of Western Flower Thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) have been recorded for the first time from India. F. occidentalis was collected on the leaves of Erythrina indica from Ooty in the Nilgiris, the Western Ghats, southern India, whereas C. punctipennis was collected from yellow pan traps laid at Great Nicobar, India. Considering the quarantine importance of the pest F. occidentalis, the report of the male for the first time in India needs attention and concern. Males are also known to be more effective vectors of tospoviruses than females. Xerochrysum bracteatum, the Common Golden Everlasting Daisy, is often taken out of Ooty by tourists to other parts of the country. This along with other planting materials carried by tourists and farmers could aid in the dispersal of F. occidentalis to the temperate regions of northern and southern India, where it is likely to thrive in the congenial climatic conditions prevalent there. Under these circumstances, it is imperative that quarantine mechanisms within the country are activated and strengthened, to prevent the spread of this notorious pest to the rest of India from the pockets of its occurrence in southern India - particularly the Nilgiris. The diagnostic characters of both species are discussed.

Prediction of vegetation dynamics using NDVI time series data and LSTM

Understanding and analyzing the changes in vegetation cover is very important in several aspects including climatic changes, water budget, ecological balance and specially to undertake necessary conservation measures. The concept of neural network has gained much significance in the analysis of vegetation dynamics using remote sensing satellite data. In the current study an attempt has been made to predict the vegetation dynamics using MODIS NDVI time series data sets and long short term memory network, an advanced technique adapted from the artificial neural network. The dataset of 861 NDVI images from January 2000 to June 2016 is used for making the time series. The data is segregated into three sets which comprises of training set (70%), validation set (20%), and testing set (10%). To check the reliability of the experiment we have finalised two different regions after extensive research for investigation. These include different terrains in the Great Nicobar Islands, one region along the coast where vegetation has severe ecological damage due to 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the other, an interior region which remained imperturbable during the tsunami. Long short term memory network, an advanced neural network is trained with these NDVI values for both the regions separately to predict the future vegetation dynamics. To measure the accuracy of the LSTM network, root mean square error is calculated. The resulting plots from both the experiments indicate that the long short-term memory neural network follows the series in addition to coinciding with the required time series. Also, an unanticipated change in the trend of the NDVI series were well adapted by the network and was able to predict the future NDVI values with good accuracy maintaining RMSE less than 0.03 without providing any supplementary data. By adopting the prescribed method in the paper, anticipation of vegetation changes can be done accurately much ahead of time and take proactive measures accordingly to safeguard and improve the vegetation in any area.