Journal of Animal Diversity
Volume:3 Issue: 2, Jun 2021

A brief review of the phylogeny and nomenclature of the weasels, genus Mustela Linnaeus, 1758 in the broad sense, indicates continuing confusion over the appropriate name for the well-supported American clade included within it. A case is made that the American mink (Neovison vison) and three allied species (Mustela frenata, M. felipei, and M. africana) should now be recognized in the genus Neogale Gray, 1865. The ages and morphological disparities of both Neogale and Mustela sensu stricto indicate that both are in need of comprehensive revisions.

Based on a collection of Kurixalus specimens collected from different localities in Mizoram State, we report the occurrence of Kurixalus yangi from the State. Species identification was confirmed based on morphology and molecular data (mitochondrial 16S rRNA marker gene sequence). In addition, we confirm the previous record of Kurixalus naso from the same region to be erroneous as it is in fact K. yangi. Herein, we reassess the systematic status of this montane population of Kurixalus from Northeast India and provide evidence for its distinction from Kurixalus naso sensu stricto, thereby reporting K. yangi as an addition to the amphibian fauna of Mizoram. This record represents the southernmost distribution of the species.

The Fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrinus is a medium-sized, wild felid, native to south and Southeast Asia. The global status of the species has been assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and it is further listed as ‘Endangered’ in Nepal. Knowledge on the species is limited due to scarce research studies, resulting in a lack of ecological information. A few conservation programs for the species have been initiated in the past but current concern is that conservation programs may not be sufficient for the long-term survival of the species in Nepal. Therefore, we reviewed the available published scientific literature and anecdotal reports relating to the Fishing cats in Nepal, and used this data to assess current population status, distribution, threats and conservation efforts for the species. We screened and selected 49 scientific papers and reports related to Fishing cats for the current study and analyzed them to produce our findings. Our results found that fishing cats are recorded from five protected areas, and three non-protected wetland areas, within the Terai region of Southern Nepal. Two publications are found that substantiate the population status of the species in the country. In Protected Areas of Nepal, most of the Fishing cat records were accessed through camera trap surveys targeting large cat species. Fishing cats have been facing extinction threats mainly due to poaching, human over-exploitation of local fish stocks, retaliatory killing, wetland shrinkage and conversion, pollution and other conflicts with humans. We believe our review will be a useful guide for conservationists, managers and wildlife researchers to promote the conservation of this charismatic and threatened species in Nepal.

Systematic and thorough studies of snake populations across large areas are rare in the tropics. Bengaluru city in southern India has not had a thorough checklist of snakes in over a century, during which time land-use changes, taxonomic revisions, and fluctuating reptile populations have left the current status of snakes of this region unclear. We combine data from snake rescues, visual encounter surveys, and other reliable records to generate a contemporary checklist of 33 snake species (15 of which are novel) present within the Bengaluru Urban District with comments on their apparent habitat preferences. We also provide evidence and insight on six additional species that have not been recorded but potentially occur within the limits of the district. Compared with the earlier checklist, all but 4 species (Naja naja, Ptyas mucosa, Daboia russelii, and Fowlea piscator) have shown considerable decline within city limits. Additionally, all of India’s “Big Four” medically significant venomous snake species (Naja naja, Bungarus caeruleus, Daboia russelii, and Echis carinatus) are found within the district. Naja naja and Daboia russelii appear to be well-adjusted to urbanization with serious ramifications for human-wildlife conflict and healthcare in the future as the majority of Indian snakebite deaths can be attributed to these two species. The population trajectory of Daboia russelii is of particular interest as it was classified as “not common” in the previous checklist, but it is presently one of the most abundant snake species in the area. Our study provides a new baseline that can be used to monitor ophidian population trends going forward.

Natural and human disturbances can affect population and community assemblages in complex ways. In the present study, we tried to investigate the intertidal assemblage at three distinct but spatially close located sites (Kathda, Mandvi, and Modhva) along the Kachchh coast (Northern Gulf of Kachchh). The efforts were also made to corelate anthropogenic effects with intertidal assemblage. Mandvi served as an anthropogenically active site whereas rest two remained as a control sites with minimal disturbance. Replicate quadrate samples on the fixed transect lines and wet biomass analyses were carried for three seasons. Total  43 species, viz. mollusc (21), crustaceans (12), Polychetes (7), Nemertea (01), fishes (02) were recorded. Overall population densities ranged from 0 to 999 ind./m2 ; biomass  0 to 899 gm/m2, and the Simpson evenness index  0.15 to 0.89. Season wise, high abundance, and diversity were observed during winter with the highest densities of Umbonium vestiarium and Cerethidia cingulata. High densities were observed at Modhva followed by Kathda and Mandvi. Relatively lower intertidal macrofaunal diversity and density were clearly observed at Mandvi which had high tourism pressure. Such comparative data can serve as vital baseline and can be a part of future monitoring process especially at anthropogenic influenced sites.   Natural and human disturbances can affect population and community assemblages in complex ways. In the present study, we tried to investigate the intertidal assemblage at three distinct but spatially close located sites (Kathda, Mandvi, and Modhva) along the Kachchh coast (Northern Gulf of Kachchh). The efforts were also made to corelate anthropogenic effects with intertidal assemblage. Mandvi served as an anthropogenically active site whereas rest two remained as a control sites with minimal disturbance. Replicate quadrate samples on the fixed transect lines and wet biomass analyses were carried for three seasons. Total  43 species, viz. mollusc (21), crustaceans (12), Polychetes (7), Nemertea (01), fishes (02) were recorded. Overall population densities ranged from 0 to 999 ind./m2 ; biomass  0 to 899 gm/m2, and the Simpson evenness index  0.15 to 0.89. Season wise, high abundance, and diversity were observed during winter with the highest densities of Umbonium vestiarium and Cerethidia cingulata. High densities were observed at Modhva followed by Kathda and Mandvi. Relatively lower intertidal macrofaunal diversity and density were clearly observed at Mandvi which had high tourism pressure. Such comparative data can serve as vital baseline and can be a part of future monitoring process especially at anthropogenic influenced sites.

Red panda (Ailurus fulgens), an arboreal mammal belonging to the family Ailuridae and order Carnivora with herbivorous tendencies is distributed across the mountains of Nepal, Bhutan, China, India and Myanmar. Due to different anthropogenic activities, the wild populations of Ailurus fulgens have declined by 50% across its range countries. There are yet numerous voids in the current knowledge concerning this endangered, elusive and charismatic animal. We applied a systematic review process to better understand the research trend, population and distribution status, conservation threats and approach and identify major research gaps impending long-term conservation of Ailurus fulgens. Altogether we analyzed 168 published papers over 33 years on the different thematic areas. Our study revealed that studies on Ailurus fulgens are not even across the distribution range, majority of them are from China followed by Nepal and very few from Bhutan, India and Myanmar. The majority of literatures concerning the captive and free-ranging population of Ailurus fulgens are skewed toward different aspects of biology including anatomy, general behavior, reproduction, nutrition and different aspect of habitat including distribution pattern, habitat use and selection. There is limited information on Ailurus fulgens genetics and is more confined within China. Studies on diseases, the impact of anthropogenic activities like tourism, infrastructure development, movement ecology, interaction with the associated species, studies addressing the impact of climate change on species are very sparse. Hence, for the conservation success of Ailurus fulgens understanding these issues are inevitable.

Conserving Tiger (Panthera tigris) in highly fragmented landscapes is a daunting task. Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) at the base of the Himalayas aims to connect the remaining Tiger habitats in southern Nepal and North-western India. Tiger population clusters in central (Chitwan-Parsa) and western (Bardia-Banke) Nepal are distinct with limited connectivity in recent past. We present the photographic evidence of the Bengal Tiger (P. tigris tigris) from forest patch between these population clusters for the first time. The photographs were obtained during camera trap survey across Chure region of Nepal in 2018. Two adult Tiger individuals–a female and a male, were photographed ~40 km apart. This record indicates the possibility of Tiger habitat extension outside the protected areas in Nepal and natural linkages between Chitwan-Parsa and Bardia-Banke Tiger population clusters through forest corridors along the Chure region. Conservation efforts should focus equally on the forests outside protected areas including the critical biological corridors to conserve Tiger in TAL in meta-population approach.

The present study is a part of ongoing project on the molluscs diversity of Iraq. Specimens of the gastropod Pupa affinis (A. Adams) are collected alive from the intertidal zone of the northwest of the Persian Gulf, Iraq, at the Fao region on 12 July 2012 at 29°56'57.47"N, 48°34'7.38"E. The species was identified up to species level using standard literature. It is widely distributed in the Persian Gulf; however, this study provides the first record from the Iraqi coast. Also, the checklist of the marine gastropods from the Iraqi coast has been updated and comprises now 32 species belonging to 30 genera within 24 families.