Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Research Articles

Diet Composition and Prey Preference of Tiger, Leopard, and Dhole in Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Southern Western Ghats, India

Comprehensive information on prey availability and diet composition is important to formulate effective conservation strategies. Data on these of large apex predators, the tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus, and dhole Cuon alpinus, are deficient in Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, India, which harbors low prey density. Therefore, we investigated how these predators coexisted by partitioning limited food resources. We found that prey selection and activity patterns differed among predators. The leopard (D [Jacobs' preference index] = +0.916) and dhole (D = +0.937) preferred the Indian chevrotain Moschiola indica, whereas the tiger preferred the gaur Bos gaurus (D = +0.937). Biomass of tiger's diet mainly consisted of the gaur (75%). In the dhole, the Indian chevrotain and sambar Rusa unicolor together contributed 91% of biomass, whereas 79% of leopard's biomass was contributed by the Nilgiri langur Semnopithecus johnii and the Indian chevrotain. The leopard and dhole had the highest dietary overlap (Ojk [Pianka Index] = 0.46). The highest activity overlap was found among the leopard, Indian chevrotain, and sambar. The leopard and dhole would compete for the Indian chevrotain, although the competition may be avoided by different activity patterns. Managements of the Indian chevrotain and gaur are critical for conserving large predators in the region.

Memecylon viswanathanii, a new species of Melastomataceae from Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), India

Memecylon viswanathanii R.Rajesh, P.Sakthidhasan & C.Rajasekar, a new species of Melastomataceae, is described and illustrated from the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in the southern Western Ghats of India. M. viswanathanii is close to M. parvifolium Thwaites and M. varians Thwaites but differs by several vegetative and floral characters. The species is assessed here as Critically endangered as per IUCN Red List.

New species of Soa Enderlein, 1904 (Psocodea: 'Psocoptera': Lepidopsocidae) from the Western Ghats of India.

Soa papanasam sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on both sexes from Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, India. It differs from all other known species of Soa, by hindwing vein R1 originating proximal to vein M1 and distal to M2. This is the first species of the genus Soa described from India.

Three new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats, India, with taxonomic notes on P. mortoni Fraser, 1922 and rediscovery of P. rufostigma Kimmins, 1958.

Three new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in India: P. cyanofemora sp. nov. (wet evergreen forests in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kollam, Kerala and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu), P. myristicaensis sp. nov. (Myristica swamp at Kathalekan, Shivamogga, Karnataka) and P. sholai sp. nov. (montane sholas of Upper Manalar, Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Theni, Tamil Nadu) are described and illustrated. We compare these three new species with other Protosticta spp. from the Western Ghats based on new material and provide comprehensive differential diagnoses with determination key for males of all species occurring in the Western Ghats. The taxonomic validity of P. mortoni Fraser, 1922 is established with fresh specimens from Hassan, Karnataka, and rediscovery of P. rufostigma Kimmins, 1958 is reported from Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu.

Population Status and Distribution of Tufted Grey Langur at the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Southern Western Ghats

Population Status and Distribution of Tufted Grey Langur at the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Southern Western Ghats

Prey selection and food habits of the Tiger Panthera tigris (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, southern Western Ghats, India

The Endangered Tiger Panthera tigris is the largest felid, distributed over 1.1 million km2 globally. Conservation of Tigers largely depends on the preservation of its natural prey base and habitats. Therefore, the availability of prey and its selection play a major role in the sustainable future of Tigers in the given landscape. The current study assesses the prey selection patterns by Tigers in tropical evergreen forest of the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), southern Western Ghats, India. Density of ungulates was assessed by distance sampling (line transect, N = 21) and diet composition of Tigers was evaluated by analysing their faecal samples (N = 66). The study estimated very low ungulate density (26.87 ± 7.41 individuals km-2) with highest density of Gaur Bos gaurus (9.04 individuals km-2) followed by Wild Boar Sus scrofa (8.79 ± 2.73 individuals km-2), whereas, primate density was quite high (45.89 ± 12.48 individuals km-2), with Nilgiri Langur Semnopithecus johnii having the highest density (38.05 ± 10.22 individuals km-2). About 74.62% of the biomass of Gaur constituted in the Tiger’s diet, consumed lesser than its availability, whereas Sambar constituted 16.73% of the Tiger diet consumed proportionally to its availability. Chital Axis axis, Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak, and Indian Chevrotain Moschiola indica were not represented in the Tiger’s diet. The current study is the first scientific information on prey selection of the Tiger in KMTR landscape, which will serve as a baseline for its conservation planning and management.

ISSR and ITS analyses to assess genetic diversity and phylogeny to conserve an endemic and critically endangered tree, Memecylon subcordatum, in India

Abstract Memecylon subcordatum (Melastomataceae) is an endemic and critically endangered species of the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in India. Twenty five inter-simple sequence repeat primers were used to screen 86 individuals. Nine primers produced a total of 61 bands (6.77 bands primer−1) ranging from 200 to 1900 bp wherein 48 bands were of polymorphic. Polymorphism was 78.69% within the species, 26.60% within the populations and 7.41%–48.15% among the populations. Genetic variation varied from 0.3069 (within species) to 0.1182 (within populations). The poor gene flow among the populations (Nm: 0.3133) could be due to the genetic barriers caused by the tributaries of Tambraparani river. The coefficient of genetic differentiation between the populations (GST) was 0.6148. The Bayesian analysis, multidimensional scaling analysis and principal coordinates analysis grouped all the 11 populations under 4 clades. The Mantel test showed significant correlation between the matrices of genetic and geographic distances (r = 0.652, P

Change Detection of Forest Vegetation using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve - (A Case Study)

Background/Objectives: Advancements in the field of remote sensing techniques and sensors used have made monitoring of forest resources an easier task. Forests are ecosystems that provide habitat and fodder for wild animals, timber and help maintain the global temperature balance. They face threats both by nature and mankind. So therein comes the need to monitor vegetation from time to time, for preserving the ecosystem. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) area is posed to such threats leading to change in forest cover and type. Multi-temporal Landsat imageries were used to study the area. A change detection analysis was carried out to determine the disruptions in forest cover from 2005 to 2015. Findings: Overlaying the classified multi-temporal images indicated significant changes in forest cover. Statistical analysis shows the approximate amount of vegetation affected and afforested over the time period. Applications/Improvements: The findings can be included for the vegetation monitoring and conservation activities carried out by NGOs and governmental organizations.

Validation of the name Osbeckia tirunelvelica (Melastomataceae)

During the taxonomic revision of the genus Osbeckia Linnaeus (1753: 345) from the Western Ghats, India, we came across few interesting specimens from the Manjolai hills in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. Critical studies with relevant literature revealed the identity of the collected specimens as Osbeckia tirunelvelica Manickam & Murugan (2001: 626). Unfortunately the name Osbeckia tirunelvelica was not validly published by Manickam & Murugan (2001), because, contrary to Art. 40 of ICN (McNeill et al. 2012), two collections were indicated as “type”. Therefore, the name Osbeckia tirunelvelica is validated here by indicating a single collection as the holotype.

Mosquito diversity in Keeriparai and Mundanthurai hill ranges of the Western Ghats, southern India

After a gap of 25 years the Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME) surveyed the mosquito biodiversity in the tail-end hill ranges of the Western Ghats, viz., Kanyakumari (Keeriparai) and Tirunelveli districts (Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) and Courtallam) of Tamil Nadu between July 2010 and June 2013. The altitude of the hills ranged from 100–950 m covered by evergreen forests. A major emphasis was given to collect the immature stages of mosquitoes, from various breeding habitats, viz., slow flowing streams, spring pool, rocky pool, leaf axils, latex cup, tree hole, bamboo stumps, etc. Altogether 4602 immature individuals were collected, reared individually to be identified at the adult stage. A total of 3583 specimens belonging to 50 species classified under 21 genera and 18 subgenera were recorded. The major vector species found in these hill ranges were Stegomyia aegypti, S. albopicta (Dengue and Chikungunya), Culex bitaeniorhynchus, C. tritaeniorhynchus (Japanese encephalitis), Downsiomyia nivea (diurnally subperiodic filariasis) and Anopheles mirans (Simian malaria) vectors were recorded.

Housing and Social Habitation of the Elderly among the Kanis, a Tribal Community in Tamil Nadu, India

The paper describes the meaning of home for older people among the Kanis, a tribal community in southern Tamil Nadu, India. It uses the data from an ethnographic study of Kanis in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Participant observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used. House for the elderly in this community is not merely a shelter, but a place for intensive family interaction and extending hospitality , thus sustaining family and community ties. Tribal as they are, the home gets its meaning only in its symbiotic relationship with the environment, especially with certain species of trees. The striking finding is that the older people are central in the house both structurally and socially; they view sociability, and not privacy, as an important aspect of living arrangement. Privacy is not regarded as a privilege, but as isolation.

Teucrium ramaswamii sp. nov. (Lamiaceae) from India

A new species of Lamiaceae, Teucrium ramaswamii M. B. Viswan. & U. Manik. is described from the Kalakkad‐Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in the Agastyamalai hills of the southwestern Ghats in peninsular India. It is allied to T. tomentosum Heyne ex Benth. but differs by stem, leaves and inflorescence being glandular strigose; leaves being deltoid–ovate, crenate–dentate or doubly crenate–dentate at margin, subcoriaceous, sparsely strigose above, densely strigose beneath; bracts being oblong–deltoid, ca 9.4×2.6 mm; calyx with uppermost teeth being lanceolate, ca 2.8×1.9 mm, lateral teeth being broadly triangular, lower teeth being oblong–lanceolate; corolla being glandular strigose outside below lateral lobes and ovary being glandular strigose. Using the IUCN criteria, conservation status of the species is assigned as Critically Endangered based on the field data (2000–2002). Life history studies, population ecology, genome resource banking and wild population management are recommended for conserving this species.

A NEW SPECIES OF HEDYOTIS (RUBIACEAE) FROM INDIA

A new species of Rubiaceae, Hedyotis kottangathattiensis M.B.Viswan. & U.Manik., is described from the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Agastyamalai hills of the southwestern Ghats in South India. Hedyotis kottangathattiensis is allied to Hedyotis barberi (Gamble) Henry & Subram. but differs in its branching, leaf shape and colour, the presence of raphides, the colour and shape of the stipules, the inflorescence structure, calyx lobe shape, corolla lobe shape and colour, and capsule shape. A conservation status is proposed.

A new species of Neurocalyx (Rubiaceae) from Peninsular India

A new species of Rubiaceae from the Kalakkad‐Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, India, Neumcalyx bremeri, is described and illustrated. Conservation status assigned as Critically Endangered by applying IUCN Red List Category criteria is provided.

A new species, Memecylon mundanthuraianum, of Melastomataceae from India

A new species of Melastomataceae, Memecylon mundanthuraianum, is described here with illustrations from the Kalakkad‐Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, India.

Checklist of orchids from a mid elevation evergreen forest at Kakachi-Kodayar, Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Agasthyamalai, southern Western Ghats

The forests at Kakachi-Kodayar (77o 24’N & 8o 32’E, 1200-1550m), in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, part of Agasthyamalai range in the southern part of the Western Ghats (see map) support one of the species-rich forest site (Ganesh et al., 1996).Though some part of the forest is lost to the dam, plantations, logging and Ochlandra spp. (reed bamboo) extraction, it still supports dense contiguous forest of subtropical wet evergreen, subtropical montane and shola forest types surrounded by grasslands.

Polyalthia tirunelveliensis (Annonaceae), a New Species from Peninsular India

Summary. A new species, Polyalthia tirunelveliensis, from the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, India, is described here. The genus Polyalthia includes about 120 species occurring mainly in Africa, south and southeastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Hooker & Thomson (1872) divided the genus into two sections on the basis of the number of ovules: Polyalthia with 2 ovules, rarely more, and Monoon with a single ovule. Huber (1985) rejected this classification and recognized three informal groups: Longifolia, Korinti and Suberosa. According to Mitra (1993), India has 14 species of which seven occur in Tamil Nadu. Basha & Sasidharan (1994) described P. shendurunii in the group Longifolia from the adjacent state of Kerala. Specimens collected recently from the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu turned out to be an undescribed species belonging to Longifolia. This new species is described here. Polyalthia tirunelveliensis M. B. Viswan. & Manikandan sp. nov. P coffeoides (Hook. f. & Thoms.) Thwaites affinis, sed foliis apice longe acuminatis non subacutis vel subacuminatis, petiolis ad 1.7 (nec 1.0) cm longis, pedicellis 5.5 - 8.5 (nec 1 - 4) cm longis, sepalis 12 - 15 (nec 2 - 3) mm latis, petalis majoribus 1.2 - 2.9 (nec 0.4 0.6) cm latis differt. Typus: India, Tamil Nadu, Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Viswanathan & Manikandan 4542 (holotypus K; isotypi MH, Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Sciences). Tree to 25 m tall; trunk straight; crown conical; bark blackish grey, lenticellate; lenticels brown, numerous; young branches rusty-pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves 8 - 38.5 x 4 - 14.4 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, oblong-elliptic or oblong-oblanceolate, dark greenish brown above, paler beneath, mostly truncate, rarely acute at base, subacute or subacuminate at apex, margin undulate; midrib grooved above, raised beneath, rusty-pubescent when young, rusty-puberulous later; lateral nerves 1019 pairs, slightly impressed above, prominent beneath, rusty-pubescent when young, puberulous later; petioles canaliculate, rusty-pubescent, to 1.7 cm long. Flowers 6.4 - 9.1 cm across, together, solitary or in fascicles of 1 - 3 in axils of fallen leaves of older branches; pedicels slender, broadened upwards, flattened