Western Ghats Research Articles

Physiological and molecular characterization of novel gut strains isolated from the fecal pellets of Nilgiritragus hylocrius

The Nilgiri Tahr are the high-altitude dwelling mountain ungulates, endemic to the Southern Western Ghats of India. These endangered, hoofed mammals inhabit the unique shola grassland biome. These herbivores feed on a diversity of plants including grasses, herbs, shrubs etc. They play an important ecological role in the maintenance of montane grassland ecosystems. Grazing by Nilgiri Tahrs in the montane grasslands supports the hydrology of these areas. In the present study, four novel gut bacterial species were isolated from the fecal pellets of Nilgiri Tahr. The four isolated strains from the gut of Nilgiri Tahr were characterized through an integrated approach involving morphology, physiology, and phylogeny. Molecular characterization was conducted using universal bacterial primers, followed by sequencing. Homology analysis of the sequences confirmed that the isolates were Bacillus safensis, B. aerius, B. subtilis and B. australimaris. These four Bacillus isolates are of viable importance in maintaining the gut health of Nilgiri Tahr and improves digestion in ruminants. The present study prompts that more intense research could be done on B. safensis to augment its use as biofertilizer , whereas B. aerius, B. subtilis and B. australimaris could have a great potential for enzyme production and bioprospecting studies. However, in depth research is needed and this current research is only a basic study for characterization of gut microbial isolates of Nilgiri Tahr.

Hydrological dichotomy: Streamflow drought in dammed vs. undammed regions of the largest Indian Peninsular basin

Recurring streamflow drought is a significant problem, and it is necessary to comprehend the spatiotemporal patterns and driving factors of historical droughts in order to manage future water supplies effectively. Drought has significant and often severe effects on semi-arid and arid zones due to the already limited availability of water in these regions. Therefore, this research examines streamflow drought fluctuations in India's second-largest basin, the Godavari. The Godavari Basin experiences diverse climatic conditions ranging from humid in the Western Ghats to semi-arid in central and western regions. Frequent hydrological droughts have plagued the Godavari basin. Still, the impact of human activities and climate change on the streamflow drought characteristics in the Godavari basin has not been thoroughly investigated. Further, assessing the regional control of streamflow drought deficit and intensity in a large river basin like Godavari is crucial. The findings show that streamflow drought is worst in central and eastern Godavari. Additionally, dammed and undammed locations have different streamflow drought characteristics. Droughts have lengthened in dam-affected areas. However, regions without dams have seen more deficit and intensity. Thus, different sustainable water management techniques are needed for the dammed and undammed regions of the Godavari basin.

Notes on the extended distribution of Ceropegia gardneri Thwaites and other rare species of Ceropegia from southern Western Ghats, India

The extended distributional record of a threatened species of Ceropegia namely Ceropegia gardneri from Kerala is provided. This species exhibits a narrow range of distribution along the Western Ghats and in Sri Lanka. Details of four other rare species of Ceropegia are also given. Notes on taxonomy, phenology, distribution and conservation status are also provided for the better understanding of the species.

Promising Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ursolic Acid Isolated from Atylosia goensis.

Indigenous plants are plant species that are native to a specific region and have evolved naturally and adapted to local environmental conditions over a long period. This study aimed to explore the anti-arthritic effects of Atylosia goensis, an indigenous plant species in the Western Ghats of India. An ethanolic extract of Atylosia goensis was obtained using the Soxhlet extraction method, which revealed a diverse array of phytochemicals through liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). Key compounds, including fatty acids, sterols, and potential health-beneficial compounds, were identified, and one prominent phytoconstituent, ursolic acid, was spectroscopically characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry. The research also examined the anti-inflammatory activity and in-vitro and in-vivo anti-arthritic activity of ethanolic extract. The ethanol extract exhibited notable inhibition of Cox-2, indicating potential anti-inflammatory effects. The in vivo anti-arthritic activity of ursolic acid was evaluated at different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) over a 24-day period. Ursolic acid significantly reduced joint edema, particularly at higher doses, thereby emphasizing its anti-inflammatory properties. Biomarker analysis revealed dose-dependent attenuation of disease-associated biomarker levels, supporting the potential therapeutic efficacy of ursolic acid in arthritis management. Moreover, the hepatoprotective potential of ursolic acid was evident in biochemical parameters, including SGPT, SGOT, and ALP levels. Both doses of ursolic acid effectively mitigated liver dysfunction induced in the disease control group, demonstrating its protective role in liver health. Histopathological assessments corroborated these findings, indicating a reduction in inflammatory areas following ursolic acid treatment, especially at higher doses. This experimental work provides valuable information on the therapeutic potential of Atylosia goensis and ursolic acid, emphasizing their roles in anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective applications. This study contributes to the understanding of plant-derived compounds for potential pharmaceutical use in the management of inflammatory and arthritic conditions.

Monitoring Tree Cover Change Using the CuSum Algorithm: A Case Study in the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala

Monitoring Tree Cover Change Using the CuSum Algorithm: A Case Study in the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala

Decoding Variation among the Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Some Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] Landraces Grown in Maharashtra, India

Background: The profiles of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of ten finger millet landraces harvested from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra were investigated. Methods: The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of ten landraces were assessed using H2O2, FRAP and Phosphomolybdenum assays. Result: Results of the H2O2 scavenging assay exhibit variation in their inhibition activity (59 -90.12 %). The highest H2O2 scavenging activity was shown by T1, followed by T2, T3, T5, T8, T10 and T29 (90.12, 82, 79.8, 82.9, 79 and 85.78 respectively) when compared the control sample T had significantly lower activity (55.87%). While the reducing power was in the range of 1.02-1.76 mM of Fe (II)/gm and the reducing capacity was in the range of 73.86-158.71 equivalents of ascorbic acid in µg/gm of extract. The highest reducing power was shown by T2, T15 and T8 as 1.98, 1.94 and 1.89 mM of Fe (II)/gm respectively; while lower values were recorded in T19 (0.89 mM of Fe (II)/gm) and T1 (1.02 mM of Fe (II)/gm). The total antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was calculated as ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE) per gram. Based on the results, T2, T5, T8 and T10 had a high reducing potential (158.71, 143.2, 149.5 and 152.65 AAE of a sample, respectively) with reducing capacities ranging from 73.86 to 158.71 AAE. A total of seventeen phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts including seven ûavonoids, with catechin, Iso –orientin and Iso-vitexin being the predominant flavonoids. Ten phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts, with p-hydroxybenzoic acid, genistic acid and gaillic acid being the predominant ones. In conclusion, based on the antiradical activities, the landraces T2, T5, T8, T10 and T29 could be potential cultivars and certainly effective sources of natural antioxidants for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Characterization of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Neopestalotiopsis ellipsospora causing leaf spot and blight diseases of cinnamon in high humid tropic region of western Ghats

Characterization of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Neopestalotiopsis ellipsospora causing leaf spot and blight diseases of cinnamon in high humid tropic region of western Ghats

Phenological trends and associated climate drivers of a tree community in lowland dipterocarp forest, Western Ghats, India.

Understanding phenological responses of tropical forest plant communities is crucial for identifying climate-induced changes in ecosystem dynamics. Monitoring phenology across diverse species in natural habitats provides cost-effective insights for conserving both species and forests. We studied tree phenology in a lowland evergreen dipterocarp forest in the Western Ghats, India. About 719 tree individuals representing 95 species were monitored for their vegetative and reproductive phenology from April 2021 to September 2023. Circular statistics detected seasonality in phenological events and Generalized Linear Mixed Modelling (GLMM) identified influence of climate variables on the phenological responses of the tree community. We also assessed how the activity and intensity of phenophases vary over the study period. Our results showed that leaf flushing and flowering peaked during the dry season, with mass flowering observed in two dominant dipterocarps. Fruit production peaked before the monsoon. We also observed diversity in vegetative and reproductive phenodynamics across species groups (forest strata, sexual system, and seed size). Leaf flushing was positively correlated with maximum relative humidity and negatively correlated with maximum temperature and the number of rainy days. Flowering had negative correlations with maximum relative humidity, rainfall days, and maximum temperature but showed a positive correlation with minimum temperature. Fruiting was positively correlated with maximum temperature and negatively correlated with rainy days. This detailed phenological information provides critical knowledge on resource availability and insights into how climate and seasonal changes affect plant growth cycles thereby aiding reforestation and biodiversity conservation strategies in vulnerable forest areas.

Evaluating soil quality and carbon storage in Western Ghats Forests, Karnataka, India, for sustainable forest management.

Monitoring soil quality index (SQI) and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock status of the Western Ghats (WG) forests in India is crucial for providing vital ecosystem services alongside sustainable forest management practices. However, comprehensive profile data on SQI and SOC stock across different forest types under WG forests are limited. The study evaluated SQI and SOC stock under three forest types, i.e. tropical wet evergreen (TWE), tropical semi-evergreen (TSE), and tropical moist deciduous (TMD) across WG in Karnataka. SQI was assessed using principal component analysis with two indexing approaches and scoring methodologies, with weightage indexing through nonlinear scoring functions (NLSF) showing superiority over other methodologies. TMD forests exhibited the highest SQI, followed by TWE and TSE, while the lowest was observed in Rippon Pet RF (0.36 surface, 0.28 control section), primarily due to limitations in organic carbon and clay content. SOC stock mirrored SQI trends (TMD > TWE > TSE), with the highest values in Kollegal RF (339.3 MG ha-1) and lowest in Rippon Pet RF (102.5 MG ha-1). Although SOC and SQI were established to be ideal indicators for dynamic ecosystem services (ESs), high OC content in surface soils of Poomale NF induces pedogenic acidification and Al toxicities, indicating potential forest soil degradation. Significant correlation with control section SQI and SOC (p < 0.05) emphasises monitoring subsurface soil status to identify soil degradation, sustainable forestry practices, and complex ESs in forest systems.

A Review on Endangered Medicinal Plants of Melghat Forest in Amravati District

The Melghat Forest, located in the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, is known for its rich biodiversity including a variety of plant and animal species. However, like many other forested area, the Melghat Forest is facing threats from various anthropogenic activities, such as deforestation, habitat destruction, and the introduction of exotic species. (Sharma, 2015) To address these challenges, the state government has implemented various conservation measures, including the establishment of a threatened fauna management framework. Some of these endangered medicinal plants are Saussaureea lappa, Picorrhiza kurroa, Ginkgo Biloba, Swertia chirata,Gymnema sylvestre,Tinospora cordifolia,Salaca oblonga,Holostemma,Celastrus paniculata,Oroxylum indicum, Glycyrrhiza glabra,Typophora indica,Bacopa monnieri,Rauwolfia serpentine. The most important species in these forests is Teak(Tectona Grandis).Teak forests occupy over 11500 sq.km.area which is about 1/5 of the area under forest department.The present investigation of some of the plants which are more important to human healthcare and may be extinct in future.

GC-MS/HPLC Profiling and Sono-maceration Mediated Extraction of Osbeckia parvifolia Polyphenols: In Silico and In Vitro Analysis on Anti-Proliferative activity in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines.

Osbeckia parvifolia, an endemic edible plant of Western Ghats, was investigated in the present study for its polyphenolic compounds, including content, constituents, extraction through an ultrasonic-assisted maceration technique and therapeutic potential in biomedical applications. The methanolic extract (OPM) exhibited an IC50 value of 1.25 µg/mL against 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts also strongly inhibited 5-lipoxygenase, especially OPM (84.93%), which was comparable to standard curcumin. OPM also elicited cytotoxicity in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells (93.80%), surpassing paclitaxel. Bio-accessibility analysis demonstrated that the release of phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential were very high (above 100%), revealing the possibility of synergistic efficacy of polyphenolic complexes in drug development. Gas Chromatography -Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed 22 bioactive polyphenolic compounds in OPM, such as epicatechin, quercetin, and psoralidin. This was confirmed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and High-Pressure Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) analyses, which revealed a high quantity of catechin (37.45 mg/g). Molecular docking revealed the significant binding affinity of these proteins for the ovarian oncoproteins PI3K (-8.52 kcal/mol) and Casp-8 (-8.41 kcal/mol). Adsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) profiling indicated the favorable pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds, supporting their candidacy in drug formulations against ovarian cancer.

Eugenia elapparensis (myrtaceae), a new species from southern western ghats, india and a correction on the lectotypification of eugenia calcadensis

A new species, Eugenia elapparensis, from southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India is described and illustrated. It is very similar to Eugenia calcadensis, but differs in habit, leaf, floral and fruit characters. Additionally, lectotypification of E. calacadensis is also provided.

Study on performance of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L.) under different production systems

Coimbatore is located in the western part of Tamil Nadu and nestled against the foothills of the Western Ghats. This region's cool climate and favourable terrain make it ideal for cultivating hill vegetables. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) is a significant cole crop known for its high nutritional value. Excessive chemical usage in cabbage cultivation leads to residual effects on soil and produce. This study aimed to identify the best production system for cabbage cultivation in the northwestern parts of Tamil Nadu. An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2023-2024 at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with four treatments and five replications. The organic farming system exhibited the highest values for plant height (21.47 cm), stalk length (8.49 cm), dry matter accumulation (71.34 g per plant), days to head formation (18.75 days), days to harvest (56.25 days), head diameter (17.70 cm), head compactness (33.91), head weight (945.35 g per plant) and cabbage yield (24.92 t ha-1), surpassing both conventional and natural farming systems. A similar pattern was observed in quality parameters, including TSS (6.54 °Brix), shelf life (12.21 days) and ascorbic acid content (44.26 mg per 100 g). This study highlights an efficient cabbage cultivation system in the Coimbatore region, leading to improved yield, soil health and quality.

Taxonomic revision of the king cobra Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor, 1836) species complex (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae), with the description of two new species

The taxonomy of king cobras (Ophiophagus) was reevaluated using qualitative, mensural and meristic characters, based on 148 entire and five skeletal specimens, and supported by a recent molecular phylogenetic analysis. We provide nomenclatural synopses of both the genus and species-series nomina. We restrict the concept of Ophiophagus hannah s. str. to populations from eastern Pakistan, northern and eastern India, the Andaman Islands, Indo-Burma and Indo-China, south to central Thailand. The nomen Ophiophagus bungarus (Schlegel, 1837) comb. nov. is revived for the populations inhabiting the Sunda Shelf area, including the Malay Peninsula, the Greater Sunda Islands and parts of the southern Philippines. We describe two new species, Ophiophagus kaalinga Gowri Shankar, Das &amp;#38; Ganesh sp. nov. endemic to the Western Ghats of south-western India and Ophiophagus salvatana Gowri Shankar, Das &amp;#38; Wüster sp. nov., inhabiting the island of Luzon in northern Philippines. For the purpose of nomenclatural stability, we designate a neotype for Hamadryas hannah Cantor, 1836. A dichotomous identification key to the four species recognized here is provided.

Determinants of human-elephant conflict in tropical forest of South India

Abstract Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is a global conservation issue that undermines the conservation of an endangered species. HEC and the factors influencing crop-raiding behaviour were studied in the tropical forests of south India from Nov 2006 to Mar 2008. Crop depredation, protection methods, and land use changes were studied at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (TR). A total of 297 incidents of crop damage were recorded, with peaks in the raiding during the monsoon season. Spatial analysis of HEC showed peripheral farms are more vulnerable (1.51%) than village centers (0.18%). Temporally, cropping patterns have changed from food crops to commercial crops. The elephant-damaged area was positively correlated with the effective perimeter (pe-rimeter with crops), total cultivated area, and area of degradation around the village. Logistic regression of crop raiding incidence with independent predictors showed that the incidence of raiding was 95% greater in moist deciduous forests than in thorny forests. Palatable crops were likely to be raided more frequently (391 times). Crops with protection methods were 22 times less likely to be targets of raids. In the areas adjacent to the Mudumalai TR, crop species, improvements in protection, and land use change reduced the HEC. Relocating villages from the core reserve and existing corridors in the eastern region is essential for conserving elephants in the Nilgiris, Western Ghats landscape.

Ranunculus nilgiricus, a Replacement Name for the Illegitimate R. reniformis (Ranunculaceae)

Ranunculus reniformis Wall. ex Wight &amp; Arn. is a rare species endemic to southern India (Western and Eastern Ghats), which is characterized by long-petiolate basal leaves with crenately dentate lamina. This species name is an illegitimate later homonym of R. reniformis Gilib. A new name, R. nilgiricus Sennikov &amp; Val. N. Tikhom., is proposed to replace the later homonym.

Dynamic analysis of soil erosion and sediment yield engrossment involving rainfall, land use and land cover impacts using GIS-based RUSLE &amp; SDR modeling: southern western Ghats River Basin of Kerala, India

Dynamic analysis of soil erosion and sediment yield engrossment involving rainfall, land use and land cover impacts using GIS-based RUSLE &amp; SDR modeling: southern western Ghats River Basin of Kerala, India

Melanoneura agasthyamalaica sp. n. (Odonata, Platycnemididae) from the Western Ghats, India

Melanoneura Fraser, 1922 is a genus of damselflies which was, to date, regarded as monotypic. It is represented by the nominate species, Melanoneura bilineata Fraser, 1922 which is endemic to the Western Ghats in India. We describe the population of Melanoneura in the Agasthyamalai landscape of the Western Ghats as a species new to science based on differences in the structure of male cerci, mesostigmal plates, genital ligulae, and the structure and marking of the prothorax. Subtle differences in body markings are also documented. Further, we demonstrate a significant genetic distance (7.2–7.4%) between the new species and M. bilineata, based on mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I analysis. Our study combines morphological and genetic evidence to describe a new species belonging to the genus Melanoneura, cancelling its monotypic nature.

Therapeutic Importance of Extracts from Leaf and Bark of &lt;i&gt;Gymnacranthera farquhariana&lt;/i&gt;

Background: Gymnacranthera farquhariana (Hook. f. and Thomson) Warb. is one of the endangered tree taxon of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hot-spot in peninsular India. Very few reports are available on biological applications of the bark, leaf and seed of this plant. Aim: The present work deals with the screening of methanol and aqueous extracts of G. farquhariana from leaf and bark for therapeutic importance. Methods: Anti-bacterial activities of extracts were carried out using two bacterial strains viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus through the agar well diffusion method. The antifungal activities by poison bait method using Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Fusarium solani. Each experimental parameter was conducted in triplicate. Results: The results showed that G. farquhariana bark and leaf extracts exhibited promising activities against bacteria. Antifungal activity also showed good inhibition activity. The extracts showed a good anti-diabetic potential in α-amylase inhibitory assay. Bark aqueous extract showed 54.79% inhibition for α- amylase inhibition assay at 250μL. The extract also showed good anti-inflammatory potential in the Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) denaturation assay. Bark aqueous extract showed 83.9% inhibition for BSA denaturation assay at 100 μL. Conclusion: Both leaf and bark extracts of the plant showed good antioxidant, anti-diabetic and antimicrobial activity. This is the first such in vitro report concerning G. farquhariana plant parts.

Character-based Identification System (CBIS) for Authentication and Conservation of Fishes from the Thamirabarani River, Western Ghats of India

Character-based Identification System (CBIS) for Authentication and Conservation of Fishes from the Thamirabarani River, Western Ghats of India