Western Ghats Of South India Research Articles

A critical analysis of soil fertility parameters of rubber plantations with long-term fertilizer use in the western ghats of south India from a global sustainability perspective

A critical analysis of soil fertility parameters of rubber plantations with long-term fertilizer use in the western ghats of south India from a global sustainability perspective

Assessing changes in soil organic carbon stocks and vulnerability to land degradation in Western Ghats, South India: Is it restorative enough?

AbstractSoil organic carbon stock is an important universal land degradation indicator. Owing to the depletion in soil nutrients, the pace of land degradation has increased in the Western Ghats of South India. To understand the changes in surface and subsurface soil organic carbon stocks and vulnerability to land degradation upon land use change, a study was carried out along the natural forest and coffee plantation ecosystems of Western Ghats in South India. The study sites were located in Chikmagaluru of Karnataka and Wayanad and Idukki districts of Kerala. Soil organic carbon stocks (SOC) at the surface (0–30 cm) were higher, 9.10 t C ha−1 and 7.49 k t C ha−1 in forest soils of Chikmagaluru and Idukki, respectively, and the subsurface (30–100 cm) SOC stocks were higher in the coffee plantation ecosystems, 9.11, 9.87, and 8.41 t C ha−1, respectively, in Chikmagaluru, Wayanad, and Idukki. Vulnerability analysis revealed that Chikmagaluru forest (0.57) and coffee (0.51), Wayanad forest (0.58) and coffee (0.55) land uses were low, and both the land uses in Idukki were medium in the status of land degradation with scores of 0.65 and 0.60, respectively, in forest and coffee ecosystems. The difference in the status of land degradation was mainly because of changes in soil reaction, surface, and subsurface SOC stock. An increase in soil pH, CEC, and available nutrients upon conversion to coffee plantation along with increased subsurface carbon storage have confirmed the restorative properties of coffee land use even after conversion from natural forests.

A comparative study of essential oil components of selected promising small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) landraces in Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) of South India

Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton originated in the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of South India. In order to compare the percentage of essential oil and its components of selected small cardamom landraces, the study was conducted at the Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Idukki Dt. of Kerala. Essential oil components of nine farmer's varieties such as Njallani Green Gold, Thiruthali, Panikulangara Green Bold No.1, Wonder Cardamom, Elarajan, Arjun, Pappalu, PNS Vaigai, Pachaikkai; and ICRI-5 as control were compared to evaluate the quality of genotypes. Essential oil content was significantly higher in Najllani Green Gold (9.18%), followed by Wonder Cardamom (8.36%). GC-MS profiling identified twenty-five compounds contributing to 90-93% of essential oil. The higher percentage of 1,8-cineole was observed in PNS Vaigai (38.04%) and the control ICRI-5 (38.99%), while Panikulangara Green Bold No.1 had the lowest percentage (24.30%). α- terpinyl acetate was higher (43.39%) in Panikulangara Green Bold No.1 followed by Thiruthali (39.21%), and was lowest in ICRI-5 (35.97%). Panikulangara Green Bold 1 had a higher percentage of α-terpineol, Geranyl acetate, Geraniol and Linalyl acetate than other genotypes. The percentage of sabinene was higher in Njallani Green Gold (7.56%), and in the genotype, Elarajan (5.46%) was lowest. Due to the medicinal and flavour-contributing properties, the essential oil components can be used in medicinal and food industries.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Ticks, Tick-Borne Diseases, and Ethnomedicine Among an at-Risk Population in Kerala.

Tick and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasing annually, and the study of ticks has gained importance after the outbreak of Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) in the South Western Ghats of India. Wayanad district of Kerala, with the highest tribal population in South India, is a KFD endemic state, owing to the lack of knowledge, attitude, and practice studies on TBDs and ethnomedicines against ticks. This study was carried out to assess their baseline knowledge, attitude, and ethnomedicinal practice against ticks. A structured questionnaire was used to conduct a survey of 499 tribal members living in forest fringe areas. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors that influence the knowledge, attitude, and practice of tribes on TBDs. More than 70% of the population visit the forests on a regular basis, with 65.7% of the population regularly exposed to tick bites; however, only 47.7% were aware of TBDs. About 47.4% of the respondents took precautions like therapeutics and natural remedies to avoid tick bites. Ten species of medicinal plant belonging to eight different families have been identified from the survey. The tribal population use these plants to repel ticks as well as treat tick bites. From the study, we concluded that the limited in-depth knowledge displayed by the tribes can be strengthened by conducting community programs such as awareness classes on TBD and its control measures. The ethnobotanicals identified can be used to formulate novel tick repellents in the future.

Clinico-Epidemiological Study Done at a Tertiary Care Centre in Western Ghats of South India and Outcome of Snakebite Cases

Background & Objectives: Snakebite is a neglected public health problem in tropical and sub-tropical geographical zones. Management of snakebites require through examination, careful monitoring of vitals and assessment of envenomation. The epidemiological and clinical management data will provide an insight on the critical management issues and varied presentation.
 Methods: A retrospective observation study was conducted at Shripad Hegde Kadave Institute of Medical Sciences, Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. Patients admitted to the hospital during the period from January 2019 to August 2022 were included for the study.
 Results: The data from a total of 78 participants was included for the analysis. The mean age was 38.56±17.28 years. Of the participants, 50 (64.10%) were male and 43 (52.12%) farmers by occupation. Majority of cases had haematotoxic symptoms (42.2%) followed by myotoxicity (33.3%). Predominant neurotoxicity was seen in only 2 (2.56%) of patients. 57 (73%) of participants had elevated INR ratio. Sixty-seven (85.9%) participants were medically managed and 10 (12.82%) required surgical intervention. Three (18.75%) participants had acute kidney injury. With respect to the final outcome, 71(91%) of participants were discharged after recovery.
 Interpretation and Conclusion: This study provided the vital insight on clinical presentation and management of snakebite in Western Ghats of South India. Snakebite majorly affected male and middle-aged people. Farmers were most affected and bites occurred more during monsoon season. Due to variation in local distribution of species of snakes’ predominantly higher variants of vipers (lower number of krait and cobra) haematotoxic symptoms and signs were the major clinical presentation.

Duabanga (Lythraceae) from the Oligocene of India and its climatic and phytogeographic significance

Understanding the evolutionary history of biodiversity hotspots has important implications for their future survival. India hosts four biodiversity hotspots: the Western Ghats of South India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Eastern Himalaya, and the Indo-Myanmar region. Northeast India (NEI) is an important region that hosts 43% of the total plant species occurring in India, of which ∼39% are endemic. This region also acts as a gateway for biotic exchange between India and southeast Asia. The area also receives exceptional rainfall during the pre-monsoon (March to May), in addition to the summer monsoon (June to September) season. In rainforests of NEI, forest-forming plant species make up a large proportion of the biodiversity. Understanding the evolutionary history of rainforests of NEI has implications for the conservation of biodiversity hotspots. Here we report the evergreen rainforest genus Duabanga Buch.-Ham. of the family Lythraceae from the late Oligocene sediments of Assam, NEI. Fossil records of this genus (from south and southeast Asia) suggest its Gondwanan origin, while its modern distribution is dominantly controlled by moisture availability.

Morphology, comprehensive physico-chemical and cooking characteristics of Bamboo rice (Bambusa arundinacea Wild.)

The seeds of Bambusa arundinacea Wild., commonly known as bamboo rice, belongs to Gramineae family. Bamboo rice is considered one of the major income sources of indigenous population residing in the south western ghats of India. This less familiar cereal has been less explored for its nutritional and physicochemical properties. Therefore, we have carried out the comprehensive profiling of nutrients in bamboo rice collected from different locations of the south western ghats, and also investigated its morphology, physical and cooking properties. Bamboo rice had an appearance similar to brown rice along with a crease on the ventral side. Ultrastructural observations of bamboo rice grain revealed the presence of a distinct aleurone layer, prominent protein molecules and well-defined polygonal shaped starch molecules. The raw, dehusked samples of bamboo rice landraces had a higher content of proximate components including protein and total dietary fiber (with a mean value of 14.66 ± 0.58 and 6.98 ± 0.19 g/100 g dwb) when compared to the brown and polished rice samples analysed. The concentration of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium, vitamin B2, B5 was found to be higher (with a mean value of 3.38 ± 0.13, 4.47 ± 2.31, 1.16 ± 0.15, 21.38±2.60 mg/100 g dwb, 0.18 ± 0.01, 0.92 ± 0.01 mg/100 g wwb respectively) with a decreased phytic acid (IP6) content. Bamboo rice took longer time to cook (54.6 ± 0.89 min) and was observed to have higher gruel solid loss (3.45 ± 0.28%). The information on nutritional and physicochemical properties of bamboo rice can be exploited by nutritionists and utilised for practical applications in food technology.

Evaluation of selected promising land races of small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) in South India

Small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton.), often referred to as the 'queen of spices' is believed to have originated in the moist evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of South India. The present study was conducted at the Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Idukki Dt. of Kerala. Different farmer's varieties, nine landraces viz., Njallani Green Gold, Thiruthali, Panikulangara Green Bold No.1, Wonder Cardamom, Elarajan, Arjun, Pappalu, PNS Vaigai, Pachaikkai and ICRI-5 as control were evaluated in the cardamom tract of Idukki District. The selected genotypes were evaluated in the field for three consecutive years. The data on growth and yield were recorded, pooled and analyzed. From the analysis, it was found that the genotype Njallani Green Gold performed well compared to other varieties with respect to the yield (1271.80 kg/ha) followed by Panikulangara Green Bold No.1 (1134.67 kg/ha) and more tillers (74.46) were found in the same clone also. The plant height was significantly higher in Elarajan (316.24 cm), followed by Panikulangara Green Bold No.1 (312.45 cm). The number of leaves was greater in Elarajan (16.72), followed by Panikulangara Green Bold No.1 (16.43). More vegetative buds were observed in Pappalu followed by Wonder Cardamom. Panicles per clump were more in Thiruthali (47.98), followed by Njallani Green Gold (46.59). Racemes per panicle were greater in Pachaikkai (26.57), followed by Njallani Green Gold (26.19). The number of capsules per racemes was more in Njallani Green Gold (9.59) followed by Panikulangara Green Bold No.1 (8.59). The results pointed out that each clone in the trial differs from another with respect to the characters studied. The findings could be used for further breeding studies in small cardamom.

MIMOSA DIPLOTRICHA: THE DOMINANT INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN THE PALAKKAD GAP OF THE WESTERN GHATS IN SOUTH INDIA

The ecological phenomenon of bio invasion captures attention in the introduction and establishment of a species beyond its natural range, where it shows massive spread. Ecological and socioeconomic impacts of some invasions are enormous, which have provided much impetus for the study into this area. When all species compete to survive, invasive alien plant species (IAPS) tend to have specific traits or their combinations which allow them to outcompete the native species. In certain cases, the competition is about rates of growth and reproduction. In other cases, they may interact with each other more directly. This study on Mimosa diplotricha, IAPS in the Palakkad Gap of the Western Ghats in South India is intended to trace its dominance and invasion in the region and also to conserve the Palakkad Gap, which is a biodiversity hotspot.

Review on agronomic investigations on cardamom and cardamom-based cropping systems in Karnataka

Small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton), an eco-friendly high value spice and foreign exchange earner, is a native of Western Ghats of South India. India enjoyed near monopoly in its production till the seventies, but with the emergence of Guatemala as the main competitor, it has been relegated to second position both in production and export. The low production of cardamom up to eighties was due to lack of sound location specific agronomic package of recommendations. Hence, after a detailed survey of entire small cardamom growing areas in India and interaction with cardamom growers and other stake holders, a comprehensive location specific research programme was finalised and carried out for over 25 years. As a consequence of detailed agronomic investigations on cardamom and cardamom-based cropping systems, various agro techniques such as selection of elite lines of cardamom, rapid clonal multiplication technique, nursery techniques, systems and season of planting, irrigation, shade and weed management, apiculture, harvest and post harvest techniques, multistoried cropping system involving cardamom, coffee, arecanut, coconut etc. evolved. These high production technologies were effectively transferred to the cardamom growers based on local specificity which resulted in higher yields (average of 750 kg dry capsules ha-1 and a potential yield of 1945 kg dry capsules in demonstrations in farmers fields in Kodagu, Karnataka) from an initial benchmark average yield of 120-140 kg dry capsules ha-1.

Plastid phylogenomics shed light on intergeneric relationships and spatiotemporal evolutionary history of Melocanninae (Poaceae: Bambusoideae)

AbstractMelocanninae is sister to other subtribes of Paleotropical woody bamboos with some 90 species mainly concentrated in Asia. However, phylogenetic relationships within the subtribe are poorly known. Here, we filled the gaps in complete plastome data of Melocanninae, reconstructed the phylogeny of Melocanninae, and further estimated divergence time and ancestral distribution range. Our results showed that the two major genera, Cephalostachyum Munro and Schizostachyum Nees, were paraphyletic. Species of Cephalostachyum were resolved in two successive basal clades, whereas Annamocalamus H. N. Nguyen, N. H. Xia, & V. T. Tran was embedded in the Schizostachyum clade. Different plastid regions provided inconsistent signals for the relationship of Melocanna and Pseudostachyum. Conservative loci supported a successive divergence rather than sister relationship between them and the difference may be caused by long‐branch attraction. We infer that Melocanninae originated in the East Himalaya to northern Myanmar in the early Miocene. Three routes were revealed in forming its present biogeographic pattern: in situ diversification on the Asian mainland, dispersing southwest to Sri Lanka and to the Western Ghats in South India, and spreading southeast to Malesia and Oceania by way of the Indo‐China Peninsula. The rapid uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and the intensification of Asian monsoons since the Miocene and the sea level fall events since the Late Miocene might be potential driving forces for diversification of Melocanninae and, particularly the latter event, for the species radiation of Schizostachyum.

Current Status of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), Fisheries in Munnar Hills of South India

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), is a popular cold-water fish species widely distributed and farmed across the globe. In India, rainbow trout fisheries are common in the Himalayan states and the Western Ghats of South India. The introduction of brown trout, Salmo trutta fario (Linnaeus, 1758), in Munnar, Kerala, India, dates back to 1909. As the farming of brown trout was not successful, rainbow trout were introduced in 1932. However, no data regarding trout fisheries post-1970 are available. Hence, this study aimed to assess the current scenario of O. mykiss fisheries by analysing the existing angling and production records and interviewing the officials in charge. The results showed that O. mykiss fisheries in Munnar are currently endangered, and only a few numbers of O. mykiss stock are found in Rajamallay Stream, which is the present stocking site. Studies have shown that destructive fishing, pollution, siltation, and animal intrusion contributed to the decline of trout stocks in this region. Proper conservative measures, good hatchery conditions, adequate broodstock management, feed improvement, and regular seed stocking can improve the production of O. mykiss in Munnar.

A world catalogue of Xyleutes Hbner, 1820 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae: Zeuzerinae) with description of a new species from the Western Ghats of India.

A new species of carpenter moth Xyleutes ramamurthyi Yakovlev Sankararaman, sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Zeuzerinae) is described as new to science from the Western Ghats of south India. The identification key and species catalog of the genus is provided. In this study, we illustrated with images of all the species of the genus and morphological structures of the new species. The photos of biotopes and the map of new species distribution are provided.

Low mammalian species richness is associated with Kyasanur Forest disease outbreak risk in deforested landscapes in the Western Ghats, India

Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV) is a rapidly expanding tick-borne zoonotic virus with natural foci in the forested region of the Western Ghats of South India. The Western Ghats is one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots and, like many such areas of high biodiversity, is under significant pressure from anthropogenic landscape change. The current study sought to quantify mammalian species richness using ensemble models of the distributions of a sample of species extant in the Western Ghats and to explore its association with KFDV outbreaks, as well as the modifying effects of deforestation on this association. Species richness was quantified as a composite of individual species' distributions, as derived from ensembles of boosted regression tree, random forest, and generalised additive models. Species richness was further adjusted for the potential biotic constraints of sympatric species. Both species richness and forest loss demonstrated strong positive associations with KFDV outbreaks, however forest loss substantially modified the association between species richness and outbreaks. High species richness was associated with increased KFDV risk but only in areas of low forest loss. In contrast, lower species richness was associated with increased KFDV risk in areas of greater forest loss. This relationship persisted when species richness was adjusted for biotic constraints at the taluk-level. In addition, the taluk-level species abundances of three monkey species (Macaca radiata, Semnopithecus hypoleucus, and Semnopithecus priam) were also associated with outbreaks. These results suggest that increased monitoring of wildlife in areas of significant habitat fragmentation may add considerably to critical knowledge gaps in KFDV epidemiology and infection ecology and should be incorporated into novel One Health surveillance development for the region. In addition, the inclusion of some primate species as sentinels of KFDV circulation into general wildlife surveillance architecture may add further value.

Efficient in vitro plant regeneration from leaf-derived callus and genetic fidelity assessment of an endemic medicinal plant Ranunculus wallichianus Wight & Arnn by using RAPD and ISSR markers

Ranunculus wallichianus is a medicinally important plant and an endemic species to the Western Ghats of South India. An efficient and reliable indirect regeneration protocol system for R. wallichianus was developed from leaf explants in the present investigation. Leaf explants were cultured on both full-strength and half-strength MS (Murashige & Skoog) medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.5 mg L− 1 to 3.0 mg L− 1) of 2,4-D and NAA. Among the different concentrations tested, the highest percentage of yellowish-green compact nodular callus formation was observed on a half-strength MS medium with 2.0 mg L− 1 of 2, 4-D. Then, the in vitro raised organogenic callus was cultured on a half-strength MS medium containing various concentrations (0.5 mg L− 1 to 3.0 mg L− 1) of BA, KIN, and TDZ with 0.5 mg L− 1 NAA and 10 % CW for in vitro shoot regeneration. The highest percentage of regeneration response (97 %) and a maximum number of shoots formation (11.1 ± 0.13 shoots/culture with 9.2 ± 0.21 cm mean shoot length) were obtained from MS medium containing 2.5 mg L− 1 BA with 0.5 mg L− 1 NAA and 10 % CW. The well elongated in vitro raised shoots were effectively rooted in a half-strength MS medium with 2.5 mg L− 1 IBA + 250 mg L− 1 activated charcoal. The well-rooted plantlets were successfully hardened and acclimatized with a survival rate of 94 %. Clonal fidelity of in vitro raised plantlets was assessed by using DNA-based RAPD and ISSR molecular markers. A total of 56 and 47 monomorphic bands were obtained from RAPD and ISSR markers respectively. This present in vitro propagation protocol system could be effective for the conservation of R. wallichianus with their genetic purity and its further investigations.

GA/ABA Antagonism in the Physiology of Seed Germination in the Recalcitrant and Vulnerable Tree- Vateria indica L.

Background: Seed recalcitrance is a major problem associated with many tropical plants, limiting their natural regeneration. Vateria indica L. is a vulnerable and endemic tree species in South-Western Ghats of India, which is also recalcitrant. ABA and gibberellins are the most important plant hormones required for seed germination. It is the balance between ABA and GA which is responsible for desiccation tolerance in orthodox seeds. Exogenous hormones pretreatment has been also reported to influence seed germination. But such studies had been sparsely done in the case of recalcitrant seeds. This study aims to find out whether GA/ABA antagonism in recalcitrant plants is operating in the same way, like that in the orthodox seeds.Methods: The effect of the exogenous pre-soaking application of phytohormones viz. GA3 and ABA individually as well as their combinations on seed germination and growth of Vateria indica L. were carried out in the present work. The seeds were collected from April to July 2018 and the experiment was designed at Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram. When different concentrations of each phytohormone were externally given to the seeds, ABA reduced the germination and growth in almost all the concentrations. But GA3 gave better results. When combinations of GA3 and ABA were used, germination was poor in the sample where ABA was more than GA3, But in samples with same concentrations of both the hormones and with more GA3 gave better results. Result: This study clearly showed that GA3 when given externally along with ABA, might have affected the endogenous ABA in this recalcitrant seed and suppressed its retarding effect. Thus ABA/GA antagonism is working out, here, in the same way as in orthodox seeds. Since the germination of recalcitrant seeds is a less investigated area, the present study will form a basis and a lot more for further such studies.

Digital soil mapping of soil organic carbon stocks in Western Ghats, South India

Spatial information of soil carbon storage at national and global level is essential for soil quality and environmental management. Improved knowledge on the amount and spatial distribution of the carbon stock in soils is crucial in estimating changes in the terrestrial carbon dynamics and management options for carbon-storing. A study was conducted to map the soil organic carbon stock (SOC) over 56,763 km2 area of Western Ghats of south India using a digital soil mapping approach. Landsat data, terrain attributes, and bioclimatic variables were used as covariates. Equal-area quadratic splines were fitted to soil profile datasets to estimate soil organic carbon stock at six standard soil depths (0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–60, 60–100 and 100–200 cm) and Quantile Regression Forest (QRF) algorithm was used to predict the SOC stocks. Prediction of SOC stock was better for surface layer (R2 = 31–43%) and the performance was decreasing with depth (R2 = 7–21%). The modal performance was also compared with SoilGrids products. Although the spatial patterns were similar, the present predicted SOC maps outperformed SoilGrids products in terms of both R2 and RMSE. The predicted total soil organic stock in the Western Ghats ranged from 7.1 kg m−2 to 30.9 kg m−2 and the total estimated SOC was 917 Tg. The present high resolution SOC maps help to assess and monitor the soil health and preparation of proper land use planning.

Hypnale coagulopathy: snake envenomation of a different kind.

Hypnale hypnale is a small pit viper that is known as the hump-nosed pit viper (HNV) or 'Merrem's hump-nosed pit viper' and is endemic to Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of South India. Previously, it was thought that this viper bite would result in mild systemic or local envenomation, however, we now know that HNV bites could cause severe systemic toxicity and mortality. The most common systemic toxicity of this viper envenomation is coagulopathy, which is known as 'Hypnale coagulopathy'. Hypnale coagulopathy is quite different from the haemotoxicity caused by other vipers. In this paper, an effort has been made to discuss the unique and unpredictable nature of this coagulopathy due to Hypnale envenomation.

Sustainability of coffee land use upon conversion from natural forest in Western Ghats of South India: An evaluation

AbstractThe variability of soil qualities across the coffee‐growing areas and consequences of conversion of forest to coffee plantations on soil qualities and sustainability in the Western Ghats of South India are evaluated in this study by assessing and studying the six representative pedons selected from Chikmagalur district in Karnataka and Wayanad and Idukki districts of Kerala taking into consideration of the agro‐ecological zones, they belong. Sixty sites were located for monitoring soil quality, of which 46 sites were located in coffee plantations of all agro‐climates and 14 in forests adjacent to coffee plantations in similar setting. Soil quality indicators were selected by carrying out principal component analysis (PCA) on measured soil attributes, which provided 4 PCs in both land uses with eigen values > 1 and explaining at least 5 per cent variance in data set. The indicators for coffee land use were pH, exch. Al and CEC and for forest land use, organic carbon, pH and exch. Al. These indicators were transformed into scores following linear scoring method and soil quality index was determined, on a scale of 0–1, using the weighting factors obtained from PCA. Soil quality index was high (0.836) for natural forest land use, while it was medium (0.634) for coffee land use. Results indicated that organic carbon, pH and exch. Al are the most powerful indicators of soil quality. Proper management of soil acidity in coffee plantations due to liming, pooling back of nutrients, fertilization effect and other anthropogenic interventions in them have helped in maintaining a near equal soil quality to that of natural forest, which can be made sustainable by adopting effective plantation management practices.

Morphological and Genetic variations in the natural populations of Carinotetraodon travancoricus

Carinotetraodon travancoricus or Malabar puffer fish is an endemic species described from rivers originating from the Western Ghats in South India. This species is captured extensively as an aquarium fish and is having substantial demand in global markets. However, being prone to overfishing and impacts of anthropogenic alterations in its habitats, IUCN has categorized it as a threatened/vulnerable species. Since, knowledge on variability of wild populations could help in their conservation and management, morphometric and genotypic analyses were carried out in natural populations of C. travancoricus inhabiting two geographically separated rivers Pamba and Chalakkudy. Mean values of eleven length parameters measured in 456 males and 439 females inhabiting these rivers revealed significant difference (ANOVA, F = 10.2 p < .001) between sexes and between females inhabiting two rivers. Principal component analysis revealed two factors in males and three factors in females, explained variance of 83.62% and 89.94% in respective sexes. Results of both PCA and discriminant function analysis indicated perceptibly high degree of separation between individuals inhabiting the two rivers. A total of 25 COI sequences were generated from C. travancoricus collected from rivers Pamba (n = 14) and Chalakkudy (n = 11). Sequence alignment revealed considerable base substitutions between samples from both rivers, indicating possibility of population differences. AMOVA analysis also provided significant Fst value (0.622; p-value .00) in support of population difference between individuals of both rivers. Interpopulation genetic distance reached upto 2.50%, high enough to confirm genetic diversity among individuals, revealing perceptible population events within this species. The present results indicated high degree of population difference between C. travancoricus inhabiting geographically separated rivers Pamba and Chalakkudy as evidenced from both morphometric and genotypic analyses.