National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) HIMALAYAN RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (PRO FORMA FOR THE ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT) [Reporting Period: from 1st April, 2017 to 31st March, 2018]
Kindly fill the NMHS Fellowship Annual Progress Report segregated into the following 7 segments, as applicable to the NMHS Fellowship nature and outcomes.
1. Fellowship Grant Information and Other Details
2. Fellowship Description at Himalayan Research Associates (H-RAs) Level
3. Fellowship Description at Himalayan Junior Research Associates (H-JRFs) Level
4. Fellowship Description at Institutional/ University Level
5. Fellowship Concluding Remarks/ Annual Summary
6. Specific Research Question(s) Addressed with Succinct Answer(s)
7. Any other information
Please let us know in case of any query at: [email protected]
PRO FORMA NMHS-Fellowship Annual Progress Report (APR)
1. Fellowship Grant Information and Other Details
NMHS Fellowship Grant ID: HSF2015-16_I003
Name of the Institution/ University: Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata
No. of Himalayan Research/Project Associates: 03
No. of Himalayan Junior Research/Project Fellows: 10
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2. Fellowship Description at H-RA Level
Himalayan Research Associates (H-RAs)
H-RAs Profile Description:
Name of the PI and S. No. Name of RA Date of Joining Research Title Qualification Designation
1. Dr. Abesh Kumar 03.06.2016 Lepidoptera Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director Ph.D. Sanyal (Insecta) as Potential Indicator-Taxa for Tracking Climate Change in the Indian Himalayan Landscape
2. Dr. Arockia Lenin* 13.10.2016 Lepidoptera Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director Ph.D. (Insecta) as Potential Indicator-Taxa for Tracking Climate Change in the Indian Himalayan Landscape
3. Dr. John Caleb T. D. 01.03.2017 Lepidoptera Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director Ph.D. (Insecta) as Potential Indicator-Taxa for Tracking Climate Change in the Indian Himalayan Landscape
* Resigned in September, 2017
Research/ Research Addressed RA No. Achievements Experimen Objective(s) Deliverables tal Work*
1. • Number of Long- • Identification of • One systematic survey has been carried out in Details Term Ecological/ sites for LTEM. Askot WLS in September-October, 2017. provided Environmental • Habitat-suitability • Altogether, 114 LTEM sites have been in Monitoring mapping of established in 5 study areas (except Sikkim) separate (LTEM) sites threatened across Himalayan Landscape (details provided descriptive establishment. Himalayan in descriptive file). • Status & butterflies. • Identification of collected moths (766 Species file distribution of • Conservation of moths were identified under 400 genera of threatened frameworks 24 families) Apollo and other development for • Compilation of secondary literature revealed Parnassini Himalayan around 4107 validated moth species butterflies. Lepidoptera. distributed over 1726 genera across 53 families, which includes around 356 species recorded from Trans-Himalayan Biogeographic Zone.
2 • Monitoring • Predictive species • Species validation from secondary literature. Details
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surveys in distribution • Sample preparation for DNA barcoding. provided historical modeling for • Identification of collected Lepidoptera. in collection future climatic separate localities. scenario. descriptive • Climate- • Landscape level file Envelope conservation modeling & approach of Distribution Himalayan mapping for Lepidoptera responses to through Indicator changing taxa and climate. awareness generation. 3. • Molecular • DNA barcode • Curation and alignment of generated Details Phylogenetic database sequences obtained from morphologically provided Work through generation for identified specimens in future molecular DNA Barcoding separate to resolve and phylogenetic • Similarity search of the representative descriptive species research on barcode sequences with data available from complexes Himalayan global database. file Lepidoptera • DNA isolation and PCR reactions were carried out for 720 specimens. 400 full length and good quality sequences were obtained.
• The developed sequences were submitted to BOLD database under the project ‘Lepidoptera of Indian Himalayas’ for acquiring unique BOLD-IDs.
• Preliminary analyses of the obtained sequences were performed on the BOLD database clustering analysis.
Progress Brief (to be filled for each H-RA in separate row):
*Experimental work giving full details (in separate sheet, within 300 words) of experimental set up, methods adopted, data collected supported by necessary table, charts, diagrams & photographs. Note: Data, table and figures may be attached as separate source file (.docx, .xls, jpg, .jpeg, .png, .shp, etc. ).
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3. Fellowship Description at H-JRF Level Himalayan Junior Research Project Fellows (H-JRFs)
H-JRFs Profile Description: Date of S. No. Name of JRF Name of the PI Qualification Joining
1. Mohd. Ali 29.09.2016 Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc.
2. Kaushik Mallick 06.06.2016 Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc.
3. Uttaran Bandyopadhyay 14.06.2016 Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc.
4. Moumita Das 08.12.2017 Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc.
5. Kamalika Bhattacharyya 14.06.2016 Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc.
6. Subrata Gayen 14.06.2016 Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc.
7. Gaurab Nandi Das 14.06.2016 Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc.
8. Sumantika Chatterjee**/Rushati Dey 03.06.2016** Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc. /08.12.2017
9. Rahul Ranjan 24.02.2017 Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc.
10. Rohit Kumar Jaiswal^/Angshuman Raha 15.06.2016^/ Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director M.Sc. 03.06.2016
** Resigned in October, 2017. ^ Resigned in November, 2017. Progress Brief (to be filled for each JRF in separate row): Research/ Research Deliverable Achievements Experimen Objectives tal Work*
1. • To investigate • Generation of •One systematic field survey (June-September, Details the differential scientific evidences 2017) has completed. provided processes in the form of •Completed 67 transects for butterflies and 72 in separate reports on light-Trap for moth at selected sampling zones influencing the descriptive Lepidopteran with elevation range from 2900-5284m of file distribution diversity of HNP. Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh. pattern of • Robust data sets. •During the survey, 3344 individuals of moth Lepidoptera • Thesis on the subject and 3361 individuals of butterflies with 54 assemblages area. species has been recorded. (moths and •Habitat-abundance pattern of butterflies of butterflies) of Trans-Himalaya was analyzed. •Restricted-range species groups and HNP. conservation-important species were identified. • Generation of •Data for habitat suitability modelling for 2 robust data sets species of Apollos recorded till now. generated •A probable new species of Moth (Family: through Notodontidae) of Genus Phalera (Hubner, ecological 1819) was recorded from Thovina, 75°58’ E 34°21’ N, of Suru valley and the taxonomic monitoring at confirmation to species level are in progress habitat level • Historical data for Apollos (Papilionidae: Parnassini) has been extracted from old literature and entered in MS Excel
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2. • To investigate • Generation of • One systematic field survey (May-June, Details the differential scientific evidences 2017) has completed. provided processes in the form of • Processing of collected Lepidoptera samples in separate influencing the reports on of 589 specimens from GHNP. descriptive Lepidoptera Lepidopteran • Morpho-taxonomy including genitalia file diversity of diversity of GHNP. dissection of collected Geometrid moths GHNP • Robust data sets. (172 specimens) • Generation of • Thesis on the subject • Altogether 103 species of moths were robust datasets area. identified belonging to 70 genera generated including 37 Geometrid moths through • Altitudinal-abundance pattern and ecological preliminary identification of restricted- monitoring at
habitat level range species Generation of • Taxonomic revision of highly cryptic and scientific climatically vulnerable Geometridae evidences genus Psyra with reporting of 4 new species and 2 new records 3. •To investigate • Generation of • Field survey at AWLS (Uttarakhand) in May- Details how diverse are scientific evidences June & September-October, 2017 provided the Lepidopteran in the form of • Processing and curation of total 1148 in separate assemblages in reports on Lepidoptera specimens descriptive AWLS Lepidopteran • Morpho-taxonomy including genitalia file •Generation of diversity of AWLS. dissection and photography of collected robust datasets • Robust data sets. moths (106 specimens) generated through • Thesis on the subject • The collected specimens represented ecological area. 368 morpho-species of which about 53% monitoring at specimens were identified up to species habitat level level (217 species). • High-altitude restricted species assemblage was identified for this landscape • Taxonomic revision of high-altitude specialist Noctuidae genus Phlogophora Treitschke, 1825 was undertaken which revealed 13 species from Indian Himalaya including two new species records from India 4. • To investigate the • Generation of No sampling/collection permission has been Details differential scientific evidences received from Sikkim Forest Department, so provided processes in the form of field sampling couldn’t be initiated in KBR. in separate influencing the reports on Fellow was engaged in morpho and descriptive Lepidoptera Lepidopteran molecular work file diversity of KBR diversity of KBR. • Generation of • Robust data sets. • DNA isolation using organic phase extraction robust data sets • Thesis on the subject method/silica column kit method protocol. generated through area • Amplification of isolated DNA samples. ecological • Photography of identified species monitoring at • Genitalia dissection of collected specimens habitat level from different PA.
5. • To investigate • Generation of No field-work was undertaken during the Details the differential scientific evidences in reporting-period due to political unrest in provided processes the form of reports concerned district in separate on Lepidopteran • influencing the Processed and identification of collected descriptive Lepidoptera diversity of SNP samples of lepidoptera from SNP and NVNP file diversity of • Robust data sets in earlier fieldworks SNP/NVNP • Thesis on the subject • Identified 195 species of moths from NVNP • Generation of area and 23 species of moths from SNP. robust datasets • Analysis of altitudinal abundance pattern of generated different families of moth from these two through landscapes.
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ecological • Identified 32 species of Saturniidae from monitoring at HNP, GHNP, AWLS, SNP, NVNP & DDBR which habitat level included two new records to India • Two new species of micromoth of families Yponomeutidae and Attevidae and one new species of Thysanoptyx (Arctiinae) was described. 6. • To investigate • Generation of • Field survey at DDBR (Arunachal Pradesh) Details the differential scientific evidences resulting in 37 trap events representing 148 provided processes in the form of hours of light trapping. 1701 individual moths in separate influencing the taxonomic were sampled from which 398 morpho- descriptive distribution inventories on species were sorted file pattern of Lepidopteran • Processing of collected Lepidoptera from Lepidoptera diversity of DDBR. Eastern Himalaya. assemblages. • Spatio-temporal • 151 species of moths have been identified (moths and relationships and from the landscape. butterflies) biogeographic • Analysis of altitude-abundance pattern of • Generation of affinity of moths in moths from DDBR robust datasets relation to DDBR. • Analysis of wing morphometric data of generated • Thesis on the collected Abraxas samples from all the through long- subject area. provinces of IH. term ecological • 220 specimens belonging to highly monitoring at cryptic Ennominae genus Abraxas, habitat level. representing 32, 141, 47 specimens from Western, Central and Eastern Himalaya respectively were investigated. 7. • To investigate • Specimens sorted, • Butterfly sampling at Dihang Dibang Details the differential stretched and tagged Biosphere Reserve (March to May, 2017); provided processes for further Askot Wildlife Sanctuary (September to in separate influencing the taxonomic study October, 2017). descriptive distribution • Literature Review for • Processing of collected Lepidoptera from file pattern of Himalayan Butterfly Western and Eastern Himalaya. Lepidoptera • Generation of • Identification of collected butterfly samples. assemblages scientific evidences • Total of 311 species of butterflies (moths and in the form of belonging to 166 genera under 6 butterflies) in reports on families have been identified DDBR Lepidopteran • Analysis of butterfly abundance data from • Generation of diversity of DDBR, AWLS, DDBR robust datasets AWLS • Comparison of historical and current generated • Robust data sets altitudinal envelop of Himalayan butterflies through revealed significant range extension for ecological several species monitoring at • One species were recorded new to India habitat level with 6 species reported after gap of a century 8. • Study of • Report on status of • DNA isolation using organic phase extraction Details Molecular molecular taxonomy method/silica-based column kit method. provided Taxonomy • DNA Quantification in separate • Amplification of isolated DNA samples. descriptive • Purification of amplified products file • Sequencing of PCR purified products • Analysis of generated forward and reverse chromatograms to obtain the consensus sequences. • DNA isolation has been carried out for 235 samples out of which 180 samples were amplified successfully for targeted COI barcode region. • 105 Abraxas samples were processed, out of which full length sequences were obtained for 39 samples and short NMHS Fellowship Grant Progress Page 6 of 13
sequences were generated for 57 samples. To resolve this species complex, a Neighbour Joining tree was prepared with 39 selected full-length sequences. 9. •Morphology •Report on status of • Identified 85 species of Pyraloidea, Details Based Taxonomy morpho- taxonomy. Geometridae, Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) from provided the Indian Himalaya. in separate • Genitalia dissection performed for all the descriptive identified species of the superfamily Pyraloidea. file • Resolving the species complexes of the genus Abraxas (Geometridae: Lepidoptera) from Indian Himalaya. • Genitalia dissection of all the 105 Abraxas examples have been done. • Photography of genitalia and adult Abraxas specimens done • DNA sequences have been generated to resolve the Abraxas species complex. 10. • Modelling on • Robust database on • Georeferencing of locations of Apollo species Details GIS-framework species/ habitats collected from secondary literature. provided and Data • Strategy for • Validation and locality update of Himalayan in separate Compilation conservation Moth species from secondary literature. descriptive • Comparison of • Validation and locality update of Himalayan robust datasets Butterfly species from secondary literature. file generated • Moth species richness grid maps preparation through from secondary sources as well as Primary ecological Sampling monitoring • New records and probable new species of family Notodontidae from Indian Himalayan Region. • Habitat suitability modelling of Common Red Apollo through MAXENT: The analysis was initially run with 204 occurrence records from five countries *Experimental work giving full details (in separate sheet, within 300 words) of experimental set up, methods adopted, data collected supported by necessary table, charts, diagrams & photographs. Note: Data, table and figures may be attached as separate source file (.docx, .xls, jpg, .jpeg, .png, .shp, etc. ).
4. Fellowship Description at Institutional/ University Level
Annual Deliverables/ Outputs (during the reporting year)
S. No. Deliverables/ Parameters No. Description No. of Research Publications (monograph/ articles/ Details provided in separate 1. 04 peer-reviewed articles): descriptive file Details provided in separate 2. No. of Data Sets generated: 05 descriptive file
Details provided in separate 3. No. of Conferences/ Workshops attended: 04 descriptive file
Details provided in separate 4. No. of Sites/ Study Area Covered: 04 descriptive file
Details provided in separate 5. No. of Best Practices suitable for IHR: NA descriptive file
6. New Observations/ Innovations Details provided in separate
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descriptive file
5. Fellowship Concluding Remarks/ Annual Summary
Conclusions summarizing the achievements and indication of remaining work (within 300 words):
Achievement Summary: The project aims to look into climate-warming driven ecological changes in Himalayan Lepidoptera assemblage, both at species as well as community level. Hence, to compare species’ altitudinal limits between historical and recent time, synthesis of huge secondary literature comprising 1249 subspecies/1013 species of butterflies and 4107 species of moths were primarily worked out. Primary field sampling resulted in identification and establishment of 114 Long Term Ecological Monitoring (LTEM) plots through which 311 species belonging to 166 genera under 6 families of butterflies and 766 species belonging to 400 genera under 24 families of moths were recorded in 5 Protected Areas in Indian Himalaya. Among these recorded Lepidopteran assemblages, 17 species of butterflies and 49 species of moths were found to be with considerable upward altitudinal range extension. 8 species of moths were identified from primary sampling which are altitudinally restricted having distribution range above 3000m, thus can be potential Indicator species for monitoring Climate change. Moreover, 26 species of moths and 1 species of butterfly were recorded for the first time from India, and 6 probable new species of moths were recorded which are currently under the process of description. Habitat suitability modelling of Scheduled species Parnassius epaphus (Common Red Apollo) revealed high altitude areas in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh as the most suitable sites for its projected future distribution. The molecular study revealed a total of 14 species complexes within the highly cryptic genus Abraxas (Geometridae). Study on genetic distances of Lepidopteran species within three Biogeographic Provinces of IHR revealed 40, 6 and 29 Haplotypes as unique species composition recorded in Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and West Bengal respectively. Remaining works: 1. Repeat sampling in the identified Historically prominent collection localities, viz. Dharamshala, Darjeeling and Sikkim 2. Altitudinal transects in Sikkim 3. Replicate sampling in established LTEMs and collection of biotic-abiotic variables including vegetation data 4. Identification of more potential Climate-Change Indicator species and their Habitat-Suitability modelling. 5. DNA barcoding of further cryptic species complexes and phylogenetic analysis.
6. Specific Research Question(s) Addressed with Succinct Answer(s)
Research S. Questions Succinct Answers (within 150-200 words) No. Addressed 1. How diverse are Synthesis of updated knowledge about Lepidoptera diversity of Indian the Lepidopteran Himalaya from secondary literature revealed around 4,107 species of moths assemblages in under 1726 genera belonging to 153 subfamilies of 53 families (Sanyal et al. different 2018) and 1,249 subspecies/1,013 species of butterflies belonging to 6 Himalayan families of which 273 species/subspecies are protected under Indian Wildlife Biogeographic (Protection) Act, 1972 (Das et al. 2018). Among six Himalayan states, Sikkim is Provinces? the epitome of moth diversity with 2168 species under 699 genera. Uttarakhand, representing Western Himalaya has second highest species record and high generic diversity, with 1089 species under 706 genera. So far, 404 species under 184 genera are known to be recorded from Darjeeling and Kalimpong District of West Bengal representing Central Himalaya. Himachal Pradesh has 370 species record so far under 134 genera and 235 species are recorded so far from Arunachal Pradesh under 109 genera. From primary sampling a total of 766 species of moths were identified under
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400 genera of 24 families. Among which Erebidae had the highest richness (S=248) with two major subfamilies Arctiinae (S=76) and Erebinae (S=76), followed by Geometridae with 162 identified species under 75 genera having major subfamily Ennominae (S=108). Other major families with maximum identified species were: Noctuidae (S=70), Crambidae (S=71), Sphingidae (S=49), Notodontidae (S=49) and Saturniidae (S=21). 2. What are the major Mean Annual precipitation co varies with altitudinal gradient in IHR and biotic-abiotic influences limit and extent of major vegetation zones. Hence, we got factors including interesting revelation about richness pattern along vegetation gradient. The anthropogenic richness trend along altitude is surprisingly similar between western and disturbances eastern extreme ends of Himalaya. While in North-western end 3000-3500m shaping the altitudinal band is the richness hub, in Arunachal Pradesh highest richness is distribution pattern documented in altitudes above 3500m. In Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, of Lepidopteran middle elevation zone between 1000m to 1500m encompasses high species assemblages in richness. Different families show different altitudinal preference in species extreme Himalayan richness pattern. Geometridae is dominant between 1000-2500m in western Biogeographic end while in eastern end it is between 1500-2500m. Subfamilies of Provinces? Geometridae have interesting individual pattern of species distribution. While Ennominae is dominant all through the gradient, Larentiinae has major distribution trend above 2500m. Arctiidae, the tiger moths has major richness in low altitude areas, up to 1500m in western states and below 1000m in eastern Himalaya. Sphingidae prefers habitats around middle altitude, 1000- 3000m being the richest sites all over the Himalaya. The Noctuids show major richness from 2000m to 3000m having maximum number of species recorded from above 3000m. In the north-western end in the Trans Himalayan sector of Jammu & Kashmir, areas receiving less than 500mm annual rainfall representing Alpine Slope vegetation has major species distribution record. In Himachal Pradesh, and almost through the entire stretch of Himalaya, Temperate Conifer Forest vegetation associated with 1500-2000mm rainfall zone is dominant habitat harboring maximum species richness. In Uttarakhand, the same rainfall zone representing Tropical Moist Deciduous forest being the hotspot of species richness. In central Himalaya, this forest type associated with 2500 3000mm rainfall is diversity hotspot. Family Geometridae and Arctiidae are mostly associated with Conifer forests, both temperate and tropical in western and eastern Himalaya, respectively. Whereas Tropical Moist deciduous forest associated with 2500-3000mm annual rainfall, is preferred habitat for Sphingid and Noctuid. The effects of other variables on the moth assemblage pattern will be analyzed in the coming session. 3. Which are the Primary species record revealed 8 species restricted to specialized habitats of altitudinally alpine meadows over 3000m altitude. Among which 2 species of genus Neoris restricted, thus (Saturniidae) and 2 species of genus Hermonassa (Noctuidae) and one species climatically each of genera Phlogophora, Trachea and Paraxestia (Noctuidae) and vulnerable species Preparctia (Erebidae) were notable. Because of their strict association with assemblages and alpine meadow habitat, these 8 species should be potential target species for what are the non- future climate monitoring. Observation from further field samplings will climatic threats to identify more such altitudinally restricted species whose predictive their long term distribution modelling will provide new insight on the effect of ongoing survival? climate change scenario. 4. Are there any Altogether, 3 high diversity sites were identified from secondary information significant changes regarded here as historically prominent collection localities whose species in species richness were >300: Darjeeling hills (West Bengal), Dharamsala (Himachal composition and Pradesh) and Sikkim. Out of these, Darjeeling hills and Dharamsala being the species altitudinal most surveyed localities will be resampled in the coming field sessions to
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ranges in the detect changes, if any, in species composition. historically prominent collection localities in Himalaya?
5. What are the major Altogether 49 species, majorly Noctuidae were identified with considerable directions towards new upward altitude records having >1000 m differences from their past which species altitudinal means. Out of which, new altitude records of 7 species showed distribution range >2000m differences from their past altitudinal means with Trachea auriplena is shifting due to (Noctuidae), Actias windbrechlini (Saturniidae) and Diphtherocome fasciata climatic (Noctuidae) having maximum differences of 2800m, 2684m and 2280m, modifications over respectively. These findings may be merely new altitudinal records and more last one century? extensive as well as intensive samplings throughout the gradients are required for making any remarks on climate change driven distribution or range shifts of species. Overall comparison involving 766 species revealed that on average there is 388m altitudinal decrease for entire assemblage. The pattern may be due to the fact that many of the species were first time recorded from lower Himalayan evergreen forests. Further surveys are required in the identified historical prominent localities. 6. Which Himalayan Altitude records from primary sampling indicated 8 species restricted to the species/species alpine meadows over 3000 m. Among which, Paraxestia flavicaudata complexes will be (Noctuinae) and Preparctia hannyngtoni (Arctiinae) were only found over facing extinction 3500 m altitude. These species are extremely vulnerable to extinction due to risks and where will any subtle change in habitat driven by anthropogenic or climatic factors. be the suitable Besides, prevalence of Noctuids among high-altitude restricted-range species habitats for their as well as species showing upward range extensions suggests their suitability survival in future as potential indicator group for habitat changes in the alpine ecosystems climatic scenario? which may be a consequence of climatic stochasticity. Detailed information on these species’ biology and ecology are indispensable to link these changes with the ongoing climatic perturbations. 7. What is the Secondary records of 18 Apollos found in IHR have been geo-referenced and population status entered in specific excel format. Since, Common Red Apollo (Parnassius of threatened epaphus) is the most common and shows widest distribution pattern along species of Apollos the Himalayan belt among all the Apollo butterflies, the initial habitat and other butterfly suitability modelling was done for P. epaphus which can be applied for other species of Apollos and threatened butterflies in future endeavor. subfamily Parnassinae, Family Papilionidae? 8. Which ecological Maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modelling algorithm has been used to construct factors define their an ecological niche model or probability distribution model for Common Red optimum habitat Apollo (Parnassius epaphus) where monthly total precipitation and monthly conditioning? mean, minimum and maximum temperature and 19 derived climatic variables (Bioclims) have been used. Among these climatic variables, Bio-10 [Mean temperature of warmest quarter (°C)], Bio-5 [Max temperature of warmest week (°C)], Bio-21 [Highest weekly radiation (W m-2)] and Bio-19 [Precipitation of coldest quarter (mm)] contributed most to the P. epaphus distribution along IHR. Further field samplings are required for generating robust modelling. 9. Under projected The Habitat suitability map, thus generated from modelling, showed few grids future climatic in Sikkim, Bhutan and higher altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh indicating scenario, how and most suitable environmental factors for P. epaphus distribution. The Trans where these and North-western Himalayas also host suitable climatic conditions for the threatened predictive distribution of the species. The modelling will be applied for other
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butterflies will be threatened Apollos by combining both secondary and primary data. To surviving? What suggest management steps other than habitat conservation for long-term will be the key survival of these threatened Lepidoptera, further field samplings are required. management steps towards their long term conservation? 10. How successful is In the present dataset, 499 specimens were used for preliminary analysis, of molecular data in which, 88 species were morphologically identified and the remaining 121 taxa estimating species up to genus level, 9 up to tribe, 42 up to subfamily and 18 up to family level. richness, to The generated sequences revealed a total of 264 BINs in the BOLD data indicate systems with significant intraspecific and interspecific genetic divergence and intraspecific suggested possible numbers of existing species. It reveals that the variation, and to morphological characters are limited and also time consuming to establish the delimit entities as exact identity. Thus, it is evident that DNA data is more efficient and can biologically and support morpho-taxonomy to delimit the species boundaries and estimate taxonomically species richness. distinct? 11. How gene Gene sequencing on its own does not explain the distribution patterns of any sequencing species directly. Before validation of range expansion of any species the explains the morphological characters are essential. However, to support the distribution pattern morphological data and examine sympatric or allopatric speciation events and distinctness gene sequences often resolved many taxonomic questions. Further, the among detection of cryptic diversity and recently diverge species is challenging morphologically through taxonomic characters. In this study, we targeted to resolve the cryptic similar/cryptic species complexes in three highly morphologically ambiguous genera viz., species found Abraxas, Cyana, and Actias. The analysis of DNA barcode data reveals a total along Himalayan of 14 species complex has occurred within the genus Abraxas. landscape? 12. What is the A preliminary phylogeny and haplotype networking was generated using the phylogenetic DNA barcode region of mitochondrial DNA though several statistical and relatedness among bioinformatics software like MEGA, PAUP, RaxML, iTOL, Mr. Bayes, BEAST etc. distinct The phylogenetic relationships are very illusive at this point due to the lack of assemblages in morphological identification of many taxa. However the unique haplotypes different revealed distinctive species assemblages in different Himalayan biogeographic Himalayan provinces. The genetic distance of Lepidopteran species were measured Biogeographic within three different zones in Indian Himalaya considering Jammu and provinces? Kashmir (JK) in western, West Bengal (WB) in central, and Arunachal Pradesh (AP) in eastern region. Among 53 haplotypes observations, 40 haplotypes are unique species composition, observed in AP, six unique species within 11 total observations were recorded in JK. Total 29 unique species composition within 31 total observations were recorded from WB.
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Lepidoptera specimens collected from the following other Himalayan Landscapes are also being maintained and identified: . Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh: 247 species identified, 550 specimens, Tawang District, Arunachal Pradesh: 10 species identified, 200 specimens. . Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand: 30 species identified, 1500 specimens.
Dr. Kailash Chandra, PI Director, Zoological Survey of India
S. *ar':e Er' Kailash Chsndra PJt{lT'{ / Director cTr*E n8a q&lsr Zoological SurveY of lndia ti.q. qq q.c. :iqmq, qra qllnr MoEF & CC, Govt. of lndia elmq,ml Koikata
Report (hard copy) should be submitted to:
The Nodal Officer, NMHS-PMU National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) rilftE Wf,u qd qlF ftqrd wfil{q t'q qdq frfirq €BIH G.B. Pant National Institute of Ilimalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD) Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263643, Uttarakhand
Report (soft copy) should be submitted to:
E-mail : ulohspmu20-16@gneikarn
Nlt4l-1S Feli*,.ryship Grant Prcgrrss Page t? of 1 3
Descriptive files for
Table No. 2 (Fellowship Description at H-RA Level) Table No. 3 (Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level) and Table No. 4 (Fellowship Description at Institution Level)
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Fellowship Description at H-RA Level: Descriptive File for Dr. Abesh Kumar Sanyal
Goal & Objectives: (I) Identification of sites for LTEM, (II) Habitat-suitability mapping of threatened Himalayan Lepidoptera, (III) Conservation frameworks development for Himalayan Lepidoptera.
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: I. Identification of sites & Establishment of LTEM: After reconnaissance survey in 5 Protected Areas (PA) of Indian Himalaya, 2 Gradsects in each (altitudinal transects covering a complete altitudinal gradient) were chosen covering maximum possible habitat-heterogeneity. In each gradient, sampling stations for long-term ecological monitoring (LTEM) were marked at every 200m vertical distance. A single LTEM was designed as a cluster of three Nested Quadrats of 20m2, 50m apart from each other, the centre of the central one being the light-trap station (Fig. 2). Altogether, 114 LTEM sites have been established in 5 study areas: Hemis NP (24 LTEMs), Great Himalayan NP (14), Askot WLS (19), Singalila NP (21), Dihang-Dibang BR (36) (Fig. 1).
Figure 1: Sites selected for establishment of LTEM plots
Figure 2: Design and placement of LTEM plots consisting of 3 NQs II. Primary Data Collection for Assessing Lepidoptera Diversity & their Habitat Suitability: Field sampling via Modified Pollard Walk Transect for diurnal butterflies and Solar 48W LED-80W Pressurized Paraffin Lamp powered Light Trap for nocturnal moths were undertaken in all the PAs. Besides Lepidoptera richness, data on biotic-abiotic factors including anthropogenic disturbances were collected in NQs around light trap stations.
Significant Findings: • Altogether 1917 in Hemis NP, 3700 in Great Himalayan NP, 1362 in Askot WLS, 3852 in Central Himalaya and 3173 individual moths in Dihang-Dibang BR have been sampled. Total 766 species of moths were identified under 400 genera of 24 families. Among identified species, Erebidae had highest richness (S=248) with two major subfamilies Arctiinae (S=76) and Erebinae (S=76). Followed by Geometridae with 162 identified species under 75 genera having major subfamily Ennominae (S=108). • Primary species record revealed 8 species restricted to specialized habitats of alpine meadows over 3000m altitude. High altitude areas of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand harbors most diverse assemblage of high-altitudinally restricted species and should be a priority site for habitat conservation (Fig. 3).
Figure 3: High altitude-restricted genera: i. Diphtherocome; ii. Trachea; iii. Phlogophora; iv. Actias
• Overall comparison involving 766 species revealed that on average there is 388m altitudinal decrease for entire assemblage. The pattern may be due to the fact that many of the species were first time recorded from lower Himalayan evergreen forests like Namdapha NP and Askot WLS. Altogether 49 species, majorly Noctuidae were identified with considerable new upward altitude records having >1000 m differences from their past altitudinal means. Out of which, new altitude records of 7 species showed >2000m differences from their past altitudinal means (Fig. 4)
4000 3000
2000
1000 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 -1000 -2000 Altitude(m) -3000 -4000 -5000 -6000
Figure 4: comparison of past & present altitudinal envelop of sampled moth assemblage Fellowship Description at H-RA Level: Descriptive File for Dr. John Caleb
Goal & Objectives: DNA barcode database generation for future molecular and phylogenetic research on Himalayan Lepidoptera
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: The details of the generated DNA barcode sequences submission in BOLD database are provided in Fig. 1 under the project named ‘Lepidoptera of India’.
Figure 1: The details of generated mtCOI barcode of Lepidoptera from Indian Himalaya
Out of 500 initial Lepidoptera samples, the barcode region (i.e., 648 base pairs) from the 5' end of the mtCOI gene using primer pair LCO-HCO of 456 samples were amplified. Specimens belonging to 21 families of Lepidoptera (18 families of Rhopalocera and 3 families of Heterocera), of which 81 specimens were identified up to species level and the rest are being verified morphologically. The evolutionary relationships of the species have been inferred through the Neighbor-Joining tree building method (Fig. 1), the overall mean genetic distances were 0.158.
Figure 2: The evolutionary history was inferred using the Neighbour-Joining method Significant Findings: The generated sequences showed a total of 264 BINs in the BOLD data systems. The genetic distances were estimated for all the generated sequences and depicted a maximum of 22.99% within morphologically identified species with their mean genetic distance at 1.62%. Further, the maximum genetic divergence of 15.82% and 24.97% with mean genetic distance of 4.12% and 13.21% was observed within genus and family levels respectively (Table 1). The genetic distance of Lepidopteran species were measured within three different zones in Indian Himalaya considering Jammu and Kashmir (JK) in western, West Bengal (WB) in central, and Arunachal Pradesh (AP) in eastern region. Among 53 total observations, 40 unique species composition was observed in AP, six unique species within 11 total observations were recorded in JK. Total 29 unique species composition within 31 total observations were recorded from WB (Table 2). The GC content is higher in third codon position as compare with one and two codon position (Fig. 3). The unique nucleotide variations were observed in 93 positions in the identified Lepidopteran families. However, the nucleotide variations were 87 while compared at the subfamily level and 81 while compared at the genus level.
Label Min Dist(%) Mean Dist(%) Max Dist(%) SE Dist(%)
Within Species 0 1.62 22.99 0.06 Within Genus 0 4.12 15.82 0.15 Within Family 6.69 13.21 24.97 0 Table 1: Estimation of genetic distance of the generated mtCOI of Lepidoptera species
Site Name Sequence Unique Lat. Lon. Spre Nearest NN NN Observations ad Site Lat. Lon. AP (EH) 53 40 27.63 96.34 0.31 WB (CH) 27.11 88.65
J&K (NWH) 11 6 33.87 77.66 0.02 WB (CH) 27.11 88.65
WB (CH) 31 29 27.11 88.65 0 AP (EH) 27.63 96.34
Table 1: Genetic diversity measure result of Lepidoptera species richness in 3 different zones of IH
Figure 3: The GC content in different codon positions of the generated mtCOI gene sequences of Lepidoptera from Indian Himalaya Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Mohd. Ali
Goal & Objectives: (I) To investigate the differential processes influencing the distribution pattern of Lepidoptera assemblages (moths and butterflies) of Hemis National Park, J&K; (II) Generation of robust datasets generated through ecological monitoring at habitat level.
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: The entire area of Ladakh was initially divided into six major sampling zones. These sampling zones was further divided into sampling grids according to major environmental gradients and based on accessibility and data points extracted from the secondary literature. Based on the presence-absence survey, large-sized grids were laid over the study sites and the centre of the grid cell, grid-line intersection points, or a randomly selected site inside the grid was used to survey the cell. Likewise, after sampling large-sized grids, increasingly finer grid cell sizes were used to map finer scale distribution of the species across the range. Distribution was measured as binary variable, presence or absence of butterflies in each grid square. Abundance was measured by the point-count method designed for open habitats like grasslands. Field sampling for nocturnal Lepidoptera was done by light trapping following same sampling strategy.
Significant Findings: • One reconnaissance survey (August-September, 2016) and one systematic field survey (June- August, 2017) has completed within the reported period, undertaking 44 transacts for butterflies and 45 light-Traps for moth at selected sampling zones with elevation range from 2900-5284m. During the survey, 2200 individuals of moth and 2697 individuals of butterflies with 41 species has been recorded. • Species abundance of Butterflies was high at elevation range between 3000-3500m and 3500- 4000m (Fig. 1). Most of the species of butterflies are Mountain and high-altitude restricted species.
Figure 1: Butterfly abundances in different altitude zones in Indian Trans-Himalaya • Historical data for Apollos (Papilionidae: Parnassini) has been prepared and extracted from old literature and entered in MS Excel to prepare primary data through Box plot. The historical data shows that the mean abundance of most species of Parnassius was between 3500m to 5000m. P. charltonius and P. epaphus used highest elevation range recorded from 3000m to 6500m. The mean abundance of P. simo is 5000m which is more than any other species. The current study shows that the mean abundance of P. epaphus is 4500m which is quite higher than its historical record (Fig. 2). P. charltonius and P. epaphus are the two species which can be use as indicator species for future habitat monitoring and modelling. Further population level study of these two species is quite important.
Figure 2: Comparison of past and present altitudinal distribution of P. charltonius and P. epaphus • Species richness of butterflies are quite variable among six selected sampling zones, the Indus valley area having high richness as compared to other sites followed by Suru valley, Drass, Nubra valley and Changthang Plateau. Zanskar region which is the important part of study area had the lowest richness recorded so far. Butterfly species diversity varied in different habitat. Transition zone to agriculture and natural vegetation having more diversity as compared to other habitats. Alpha diversity was highest in Dry Rocky Desert habitat (5.906) and lowest in Alpine meadow (4.295). • The butterflies which are found at restricted range of higher elevation was Aglais ladakensis (5000-5000m), Gonepteryx nepalensis (3500-4000m), Karanasa astorica (3500-4000m), Pamiria metallica (3500-4000m), Paralasa mani (3500-5000m), Pontia callidice (3500-5500m). These species can be selected as potential indicator species for future habitat monitoring and environmental changes in the highly fragile ecosystem of Indian Trans-Himalayan region (Fig.3).
Figure 3: High altitude specialist butterflies of Ladakh: (i)Pontia callidice, (ii) Karanasa astorica, (iii) Pamiria metallica, (iv) Paralasa mani
• A probable new species of Moth (Family: Notodontidae) of Genus Phalera (Hubner, 1819) was recorded from Thovina (2909m), Suru valley and describing the species is in progress. The species was recorded from agricultural area with Salix (willow) plantation, which is common food plant of Phalera. We recorded 1478 individuals of this species and 979 individuals of Callindra principalis (Family: Arctiinae) from 4-day light trap (Fig. 4).
Figure 4: The probable new species of Phalera (Notodontidae) recorded from Suru Valley and Callindra principalis Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Mr. Kaushik Mallick
Goal & Objectives: (I) Generation of scientific evidences on Lepidopteran diversity of Great Himalayan NP (GHNP), Himachal Pradesh. (II) Generation of robust datasets generated through ecological monitoring at habitat level. (III)Thesis on the subject area.
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: Initially four major gradients were selected ranging 1500m-4000m for the generation of the scientific evidences on Lepidopteran diversity of GHNP through random stratified sampling. Along the altitude gradient, random sites were selected at every 300m vertical distance according to vegetation type. 2- 3 sampling plots were established for Light trapping until at least 90% of all species had been assembled at every altitude and the data was pooled for analysis.
Significant Findings: Altogether 103 species of moths were identified belonging to 70 genera. Total 37 Geometrid moths were identified from the area including 34 species of subfamily Ennominae, followed by 17 species of Erebidae and 17 species of Noctuidae till now. Among Geometridae, 3 species of Ennominae, viz. Ourapteryx purissima (Thierry-Mieg, 1905); Ourapteryx pseudebuleata (Inoue, 1995), Psyra szetschwana Wehrli, 1953 and 1 species of Noctuidae Phlogophora subpurpurea Leech, 1900 were recorded for the first time from India. The entire altitudinal gradient was grouped into 300m altitudinal bands, thus forming seven altitudinal zones. The lowest altitudinal band, i.e., 1500-1800m, showed highest species richness and abundance. Species richness decreased up to 3000m, but then sharply increased at highest altitudinal zone, i.e., 3300-3600m (Fig.1). Abundance sharply increased and reached highest at highest altitudinal zone, i.e., 3300-3600m (Fig. 1). Our data clearly indicated that though diversity of Geometrid moths was highest in lower altitude area, abundance was highest in highest altitudinal zone representing alpine meadow habitat.
Figure 1: Species Richness & abundance of Geometridae moths along altitudinal gradient in GHNP
Among three major families recorded from altitudinal gradient sampled in GHNPCA, Geometridae was unanimously present all through the gradient (1500-3600m), whereas most of the species and individuals of family Erebidae and Noctuidae were abundant between 1500-2000m and 1500- 2200m respectively. However, species range of Erebidae and Noctuidae extended up to 2700m and 3000m respectively. Mean species distribution of family Geometridae was quiet high at 2200m compared to Erebidae and Noctuidae (both at about 1800m) (Fig: 2). Among Ennominae, three species, viz. Arichanna flavinigra Hampson, 1907; Arichanna tenebraria Moore, 1867; Opisthograptis tridentifera (Moore, 1888), were recorded only from altitude above 3500m, suggesting that those species are highly specific to alpine meadow habitats. Ourapteryx ebuleata Guenée, 1859, recorded all through the gradient sampled, had highest abundance in lowest altitudinal site, suggesting that this species may be a generalist in its food choice.
Figure 2: Altitudinal distribution pattern of 3 major families, viz. Geometridae, Erebidae and Noctuidae in GHNP Among subfamily Larentiinae, Photoscotosia amplicata Walker, 1862, although present all through the gradient sampled, was highly abundant at highest altitudinal point, whereas, Photoscotosia miniosata Walker, 1862, recorded from two altitudinal sites (2200m & 3567m), had highest abundance in 3567m. The pattern of Larentiinae moth clearly indicated that they are highly adaptable to the conditions prevalent among alpine habitats. Moreover, taxonomic revision of highly cryptic and climatically vulnerable Ennominae genus Psyra from Indian Himalaya was undertaken, which revealed total 14 species including 1 from Hemis NP, J&K, 4 from GHNP, and 5 each from Askot and Govind WLS (Uttarakhand), Neora Valley NP (West Bengal) and Dihang-Dibang BR (Arunachal Pradesh). 2 species were recorded for the first time from India whereas description of 4 new species to science is under process (Fig. 3)
Figure 3: Species of Genus Psyra: P. falcipennis; P. crypta; P. szetchwana; P. angulifera
Figure 4: High-altitude specialist species of Noctuoidea: Polia culta, Phlogophora pectinata, Catocala patala & Anaplectoides perviridis Among identified Erebidae, Catocala patala Felder, 1874 was found only in highest elevation zone (3567m). Its historical record also showed that it is only found in the higher elevation (Chandra & Sambath, 2013 & Dar, 2014). It might also be a high-altitude specific species. In case of Noctuidae, 17 species have been identified till now. Dichagyris triangularis (Moore, 1867), Phlogophora pectinata (Warren, 1888), Anaplectoides perviridis (Warren, 1912), Diphtherocome pallida (Moore, 1867), Paraxestia flavicaudata (Warren, 1888) & Polia culta (Moore, 1881) were found only in the higher elevation (3567m) (Fig. 4). Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Mr. Uttaran Bandyopadhyay
Goal & Objectives: (I) Generation of scientific evidences in the form of reports on Lepidopteran diversity of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary (AWLS), (II) Generation of robust data sets generated through ecological monitoring at habitat level, (III) Thesis on the subject area.
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: To generate the scientific database of the Lepidopteran diversity in the study area, LTEM (Long Term Ecological Monitoring) sites has been established. To do so, several reconnaissance surveys has been carried out in different region of the PA and a total of 22 sites has been identified. The sites were chosen carefully in different habitat type and altitude level. Widely used Light Trapping method has been followed throughout to sample Lepidopteran specimens and to assess the diversity and primary distribution of Lepidopteran assemblage in the area. A database having valid species and their detailed locality record (with habitat type and altitude) has been prepared.
Significant Findings: The collected specimens represented 368 morpho-species of which about 53% specimens were identified up to species level (217 species). The Erebidae moths showed the maximum abundance (199 individuals of 77 species) followed by family Geometridae (198 individuals of 37 species) and family Noctuidae (106 individuals of 24 species). The general trend of abundance with altitude showed a clear negative relationship (Fig. 1), i.e. increase in altitude significantly resulted in a decrease in abundance.
Figure 1: Altitudinal abundance pattern of moths of AWLS; Figure 2: Number of individuals of different families captured in different altitudinal zones Geometridae showed a consistent pattern along all the altitudinal classes. Noctuid moths showed an interesting pattern of abundance with increasing altitude, i.e. abundance is much greater at lower and higher elevations. Whereas at middle altitude (1100-2600 m) the poor abundance of insects was recorded. Family Notodontidae significantly prevailed only at two altitudinal zones i.e. 632 m and 2655 m. Families like Pyralidae and Crambidae are mainly recorded from lower elevations. Pyralidae showed maximum abundance at only one site, i.e. Baram Pool (1172m) (Fig.2). Most of the individuals of superfamily Pyraloidea, consisting of family Pyralidae and Crambidae, are distributed between 600m to 1200m with an upper range of 1300m (Fig. 3). The most abundant species of this group is Botyodes flavibasalis (Moore, 1867), belonging to family Crambidae. Sacada discinota (Moore, 1866) of family Pyralidae is recorded having the highest altitude for this group. Family Erebidae showed some similar pattern like Pyraloidea with the most abundant species being Creatonotos transiens (Walker, 1855) followed by Calyptra ophideroides (Guenée, 1852) and Asota caricae Fabricius, 1775. Also, for Erebidae, species with highest altitude records are Vamuna remelana (Moore, 1865) and Fodina pallula Guenée, 1852. The Geometrids showed an interesting pattern of range distribution. The specimens are mostly distributed between 1200m to 3000m with a maximum and minimum range of 3600m and 600m. The mean abundance is recorded near 2400m altitude. Noctuid moths are mostly distributed throughout the sampling sites with a lower range of 600m to mostly 3300m with a maximum range of up to 3600m. Strikingly the mean abundance is observed at an elevation of 3200m. The most abundant species of this family found to be Hermonassa phenax Boursin, 1968 which is also recorded from highest altitudinal site along with Hermonassa chersotidia Boursin, 1968.
Figure 3: Altitudinal distribution pattern of major families in AWLS
Figure 4: High-altitudinally restricted species assemblage in AWLS: Preparctia hannyngtonii, Cucullia pullata, Rachia plumosa, Perissandria sikkima
Among high-altitudinally restricted species assemblage in AWLS, Preparctia hannyngtoni (Arctiinae) was recorded in 4200m after a gap of almost 100 years. Cucullia pullata, Amphipyra cupreipennis, Perissandria sikkima (Noctuidae), Rachia plumosa (Notodontidae) were among other major restricted-range species for climate-change monitoring in this landscape (Fig. 4).
Figure 5: Phlogophora species from IH: P. subpurpurea, P. meticulodina, P. distorta, P. striatovirens
Taxonomic revision of high-altitude specialist Noctuidae genus Phlogophora Treitschke, 1825 was undertaken which revealed 13 species from Indian Himalaya including two new species records from India, viz. P. subpurpurea Leech 1900 recorded from AWLS and Govind WLS (Uttarakhand) and P. meticulodina (Draudt, 1950) recorded from Great Himalayan NP (Himachal Pradesh) and Govind WLS (Fig. 5). Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Ms. Moumita Das
Goal & Objectives: (I) Generation of scientific evidences in the form of reports on Lepidopteran diversity of Kangchendzongha Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim (KBR); (ii) Generation of robust data sets generated through ecological monitoring at habitat level (iii) Thesis on the subject area
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: As no research permission in Kangchendzongha Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim was obtained from the concerned Forest Department, field sampling couldn't be initiated here. The fellow was engaged in processing, identification and molecular study of Lepidopteran samples collected from different study sites.
For DNA based molecular taxonomic studies, leg samples of collected Lepidopteran specimens were coded and isolated with unique NMH ID. DNA Isolation was carried out using organic phase extraction method/ silica column kit method. The isolated samples were amplified for nearly 648 base pairs (bp) from the 5' end of the mtCO1 gene using primer pair LCO-HCO and LepF1-LepR1. The amplified PCR products were purified and used for sequencing. The cycle sequencing was performed with BigDye®Terminator ver. 3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Biosystems, Inc.) with following parameters: 96 °C for 1 min, then followed by 25 cycles of 96 °C for 10 s, 50 °C for 5 s and a final extension at 60 °C for 1 min15 s. The cycle sequencing products were cleaned by using BigDye X- terminator kit (Applied Biosystems Inc.). The SeqScape software version 2.7 (Applied Biosystems Inc.) was used to analyze the forward and reverse chromatograms to obtain the consensus sequences. For genitalia study, abdominal segments from segment-V of both male and female specimens were removed and kept overnight in 10% NaOH for digestion of hard muscles and excess fat materials. Soaked abdominal segments were dissected in 20% Ethyl Alcohol and studied under Leica S8AP0 HD binocular microscope and later stored in 70% Ethyl Alcohol.
Significant Findings: DNA Isolation was carried out for 400 samples using organic phase extraction method/ silica column kit method. Out of 400 samples 290 samples were amplified. Genitalia dissection of moths of different family collected from different Himalayan Landscapes: Geometridae: 5 specimens, Notodontidae: 9 specimens, Noctuidae: 6 specimens. Photography, image editing and making Photo-Plates for identified species collected from different Himalayan Protected Areas (400 species till now). Data entry and validation for preparing Secondary Database of Himalayan Lepidoptera.
Figure 1: Dissected male genitalia of Notodontidae specimen: Ventral view, Aedeagus & Tergite-Sternite of last abdominal segment Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Ms. Kamalika Bhattacharyya
Goal & Objectives: (I) Generation of scientific evidences in the form of reports on Lepidopteran diversity of Neora Valley National Park (NVNP), (II) Generation of robust datasets generated through ecological monitoring at habitat level, (III) Thesis on the subject area.
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: Stratified random sampling was conducted at altitudinal range 750m-2600m for collecting nocturnal Lepidoptera using mercury vapour lamp (160 W) and gas-petromax light traps from 8 pm – 2 am. Samples were collected using benzene vapour killing bottle and curated following standard practices. Identification of specimens were conducted through wing venation and male genital studies. Comstock–Needham system were followed for wing venation and external genitalia were studied following Robinson, 1976. Genitalia were photographed using Leica S8AP0 HD stereo zoom microscope. The voucher specimens were submitted to the National Zoological Collection of Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.
Significant Findings: Specimens from NVNP were identified to 279 species under 192 genera representing 21 families through morpho-taxonomic study. Majority of the species of NVNP were found to be distributed in mid-altitudinal range of 1250–2350m. Most abundant family was Erebidae (120 species of 73 genera) followed by Geometridae (41 species of 30 genera), Crambidae (17 species of 14 genera) and Noctuidae (15 species of 14 genera) (Fig. 1a). Tropical Semi-Evergreen forest was most species rich representing 72% of the total identified species followed by Wet Temperate Forest representing 48% and Subtropical Wet Hill forest representing 7% of identified species (Fig. 1b).
Figure 1: (a) Number of identified species under different families, & (b) Number of genus and species recorded from different vegetation zones in NVNP
Erebidae was most diverse in lower range of NVNP (Shanon index: 4.80) as compared to upper range of NVNP (Shanon index: 2.06) with only 17% common species (Sorrenson’s co-efficient: 0.17) in both the communities. 66% species of the family Erebidae reported from an altitudinal range of 600-1000 m (Fig. 2). Species of the family Erebidae were mostly recorded from areas affected by anthropogenic pressure and have altered habitat with plantations and agricultural encroachment in NVNP. The vegetation of these area had dense forest undergrowth dominated by ferns and multiple invasive species of plant as Cannabis, Eupatorium, Lantana etc. Geometridae was recorded mostly from 750m, Crambidae and Noctuidae from 2050m. Lasiocampidae and Saturniidae were found to be almost evenly distributed from 750-2050m in broadleaf forests associated with bamboo undergrowth.
90 80 SPECIES NO. GENUS NO. 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 600-1000 1000 - 1500 1500 - 2000 2000- 2500 SPECIES NO. 84 4 7 34 GENUS NO. 56 4 7 22
Figure 2: Altitudinal richness pattern of family Erebidae in NVNP
Figure 3: Interesting records of Saturniidae from IH: Neoris huttoni, Caligula lindia & Cricula elaezia 32 species of Saturniidae were identified from entire landscape including 3 species from Trans- Himalaya, J&K, 1 from Great Himalayan National Park, HP, 8 species from Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, 9 species from NVNP, WB & 9 species from Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve. 2 species were recorded first time from India: Actias winbrechlini Brechlin 2007 from DDBR and Cricula elaezia Jorden, 1909 from NVNP. Neoris huttoni Moore, 1872 and N. codyi (Piegler, 1926) were first time recorded from Jammu & Kashmir. Caligula lindia Moore, 1865 was first time record from Uttarakhand. C. anna (Moore, 1865) and Salassa lola (Westwood, 1847) were first time record from Arunachal Pradesh (Fig. 3).
Figure 4: New records to India: Thysanoptyx, Yponomeuta & Atteva
Two species of micromoths, viz. 1 species of Yponomeuta Latreille, [1796] (Family Yponomeutidae) and Atteva Walker, 1854 (Family Attevidae) were recorded for the first time from India from NVNP. One new species of Thysanoptyx Hampson, 1894 (Family Erebidae) from Dihang- Dibang Biosphere Reserve was described. Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Mr. Subrata Gayen
Goals & Objectives: (I)Generation of scientific evidences in the form of reports on Lepidopteran diversity of Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve (DDBR), (II) Generation of robust datasets through ecological monitoring at habitat level, (III) Thesis on the subject area.
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: To consolidate our experimental study, we opted random stratified sampling along the attitudinal ecoregions based on different parameters i.e. gradient, vegetation type, canopy cover and distance to water. Three different sampling period, viz. Pre-Monsoon, Monsoon and Post-Monsoon was identified to monitoring the species richness and its distributions. Till now, we have conducted light trapping in 37 major sampling sites which were categorized based on altitude and major vegetation type: Tropical Evergreen (500m-1000m), Tropical semi-evergreen (1001m-1500m), Subtropical Broadleaved forest (1501m- 2000m), Temperate Broadleaved forest (2001m-2500m) and Temperate Conifer forest (2501m-3000m). In our sampling strategy, we have tried to execute three light trap stations into a single attitudinal band to intensify the spatial replicates (Fig: 1). So far, across DDBR, 3 different attitudinal gradients were identified viz. South-western having one gradient and North eastern having one gradient, and north western having one gradient, altogether 82 different trap location were established across DDBR.
Significant Findings: Preliminary survey in DDBR representing 148 hours of light trapping efforts resulted 151 species of identified moths. Family Erebidae (35 species) was the most dominant among the identified moths followed by family Geometridae (45 species) and Noctuidae (13). Family Limacodidae was highly abundant although representing only 4 species (Fig. 1).
Figure 1: Number of species and specimens recorded under different families of moth in DDBR Maximum species capture was from 1500-2000m and 2000-2500m altitudinal band. Family Crambidae was most dominant in lowest band of 500-1000m. Geometridae and Erebidae dominated the 1500-2000m band, while besides these two families, Limacodidae dominated the 2000-2500m band. The highest altitudinal band of 2500-3000m was dominated by Erebidae and Saturniidae species. The error-bar plot representing altitude-wise family distribution (Fig. 2) revealed two interesting patterns: family Crambidae was abundant in lower altitudes with mean species abundance at around 1400m, while Saturniids were recorded from sites above 2000m with mean species abundance at around 2100m. Whereas mean abundance of Sphingidae, Geometridae, Notodontidae and Noctuidae were overlapping at around 1750m, mean abundance of family Erebidae was little higher around 1850m.
Figure 2: Altitudinal abundance-distribution of different families of moth from DDBR
Neadeloides glaucoptera (Hampson, 1896) (Family Crambidae), Eudocima okurai (Okano, 1964) (Family Erebidae), Supersypnoides malaisei (Berio, 1973) (Family Erebidae) and Eurogramma obliquilineata (Leech, 1900) (Erebidae) were reported for the first time from India (Fig. 3).
Figure 3: New records from DDBR: Neadeloides glaucoptera, Eudocima okurai, Supersypnoides malaisei & Eurogramma obliquilineata
Figure 4: (a) Altitudinal abundance-distribution of genus Abraxas in Western, Central & Eastern Himalaya; (b) Frequency distribution of Forewing length (mm) of Abraxas in the three Himalayan Biogeographic Provinces
220 specimens belonging to highly cryptic Ennominae genus Abraxas, representing 32, 141, 47 specimens from Western, Central and Eastern Himalaya respectively were investigated. The genus had different mean altitudinal abundance in three biogeographic provinces. While the genus had major distribution around 3050m in Western Himalaya, abundance was at much lower altitude in Central (2011m) and Eastern (1656m) Himalaya (Fig. 4a). Forewing length variation in Abraxas across the Himalaya revealed normal distribution in all the provinces, with specimens of 18mm-20mm of wingspan dominating in Western Himalaya (mean: 20.85 ± 3.71), while in Central (mean: 23.81 ± 3.77) and Eastern Himalaya (mean: 23.32 ± 3.66) specimens of category 22mm-24mm of wingspan monopolized (Fig. 4b). Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Mr. Gaurab Nandi Das
Goal & Objectives: (I) To investigate the differential processes influencing the distribution pattern of butterfly assemblages in Indian Himalaya; (II) Generation of robust datasets generated through ecological monitoring at habitat level.
Experimental Design & Methodology Adapted After an initial reconnaissance survey in every landscape, one GRADSECT was selected ranging from lowest altitudinal site to highest site. This GRADSECT was divided into 200m Altitude-Bins and transects were laid in each representative bin. For the purpose of sampling butterflies, we followed different trails through different habitats following modified Pollard Walk on appropriate weather condition (sunny day with no strong wind). Each transect was 500m long and sampled for 30 minutes between 0900-1300 hrs, walking through in an imaginary 5 × 5 × 5 (m) box. The presence and number of butterflies in each transect were directly recorded. Butterflies that could not be readily identified visually were either photographed or captured. The different variables like temperature, humidity, slope etc. were also noted at the start, mid and end points of transects.
Significant Findings In this present study period, a total of 311 species of butterflies belonging to 166 genera under 6 families have been recorded from entire Himalayan stretch. Generic and species diversity were higher in Eastern Himalaya compared to Central and Western-North Western Himalaya (Fig. 1a). Among 6 families, Nymphalidae is the most diverse family comprising highest number of species (139 species), followed by Lycaenidae (63 species), Pieridae (41 species), Papilionidae (30 species), Hesperiidae (26 species) and Riodinidae (12 species) (Fig. 1b).
250 160
140 sp gen 200 gen sp 120 100
150 80 60 40 100 20 0 50 Hesperiidae Papilionidae Pieridae Riodinidae Lycaenidae Nymphalidae
0
W & NW Himalaya Central Himalaya Eastern Himalaya Family
Figure 1: (a) Comparison of butterfly diversity among different provinces of IH; (b) Family composition of sampled butterflies from IH
From Hemis National Park, J&K, 41 species of butterflies were identified under 27 genera belonging to 5 families. Systematic sampling is yet to be undertaken in GHNP, Himachal Pradesh where from till now 19 species were recorded. From AWLS, Uttarakhand, a total of 107 species of butterflies were recorded, under 69 genera belonging to 6 families. From Singalila NP, West Bengal, 79 species under 48 genera of butterflies were recorded with domination of genera like Lethe Huebner [1819] with 6 species. From DDBR, Arunachal Pradesh, 227 species of butterflies were recorded, under 118 genera belonging to 6 families. Systematic butterfly abundance sampling has been undertaken in Askot WLS in September- October, 2017 through 29 transects along the Milam and Khaliya gradient (1600-4000m). A total of 2114 individuals of butterflies were recorded representing 107 species. The diversity was maximum in lower altitude zone (1600m-2400m) (Fig. 2a). Family-wise composition showed Nymphalidae was the most dominant family having 49 species, followed by 19 species of Lycaenidae, 9 species of Pieridae, 7 species of Hesperiidae and 2 species of Riodinidae. Abundance was highest in highest altitudinal zone signifying presence of specialized species assemblage in high individual abundance. Systematic sampling in Dihang-Dibang BR during March-May, 2017 through 22 transects along altitudinal gradient 600-2400m resulted in 1118 individuals representing 227 species. The diversity was maximum in 600m-1200m altitude zone (Fig. 2b). Family-wise composition revealed Nymphalidae was the most dominant family having 44 species, followed by 20 species of Papilionidae, 16 species of Lycaenidae, 9 species of Pieridae, 8 species of Riodinidae and 7 species of Hesperiidae.
Observed Species Richness Alpha Diversity Observed Species Richness Alpha Diversity 80 100 66 89 60 80 37 60 50 40 32 40 34.35 14.54 20 10.78 15.24 18 7.91 20 4.187 0 0 1600-2400 2400-3200 3200-4000 600-1200 1200-1800 1800-2400
Figure 2: Diversity & Species Richness of butterflies in different altitudinal zones in (a) Askot WLS, & (b) Dihang Dibang BR
Significant altitudinal range extension was recorded for following species: Cyrestis thyodamas (Common Map) and Arhopala ganesa (Tailless Bushblue) which were previously distributed up to 2500m, were recorded from 3577m in AWLS, Uttarakhand. Vanessa indica (Indian Red Admiral) was recorded from Ladakh at 4853m elevation, which was previously known up to 3900m. Euthalia telchinia (Blue Baron) was also recorded at 2100m at Neora Valley NP, West Bengal, where its known range was up to 1500m.
Figure 3: Interesting butterfly records: Cyrestis thyodamas, Arhopala ganesa, Vanessa indica, Euaspa motokii, Polyommatus dux, Ahlbergia pluto, Drupadia scaeva cyara & Euaspa mikamii
We also recorded Euaspa motokii Koiwaya, 2002 from DDBR which is the first report of this species from India, previously described from Myanmar. Other interesting and significant findings include: Polyommatus dux Riley, 1926 was recorded from AWLS, which is only the second record since 1924 of this species after original description from the same locality, Burfu (3277m). Drupadia scaeva cyara (Hewitson, 1878) from DDBR is the first record from India after 83 years. Ahlbergia pluto (Leech, [1853]) recorded from DDBR also is the first record of the genus after 105 years from India. Euaspa mikamii Koiwaya, 2002, recorded from DDBR is only the second record of the species. Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Ms. Rushati Dey
Goal & Objectives: Report on status of Molecular Taxonomy of Himalayan Lepidoptera
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: DNA isolation has been carried out using organic phase extraction method and silica based column kit method. Qubit Fluorometric Assay was done for quantification of the isolated DNA. Isolated samples were successfully amplified for about 648 base pairs (bp) from the 5' end of the mtCOI gene using 10 Picomoles of primer pair LEPF1-LEPR1 and LCO-HCO. Amplification for about 180 base pairs (bp) from the 5' end of the mtCOI gene was done using 10 Picomoles of primer pair MINIF-MINIR generating mini barcodes. The amplified PCR products were checked in 1% agarose gel. The PCR amplified products were purified using QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) and Nucleospin Gel and PCR Cleanup Kit following the manufacturer’s protocols. Approximately, 15 ng of the purified PCR product for each of the sample was used for sequencing. The cycle sequencing was performed with BigDye®Terminator ver. 3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Biosystems, Inc.) using 3.2 Picomoles of both forward and reverse PCR primers on a ABI thermal cycler. The cycle sequencing products were cleaned by using BigDye X-terminator kit (Applied Biosystems Inc.) and loaded on 48 capillary ABI 3730 Genetic analyser. The SeqScape software version 2.7 (Applied Biosystems Inc.) and MEGA 6.0 was used to analyze the forward and reverse chromatograms to obtain the consensus sequences. The generated forward and reverse sequences were aligned with the representative barcode sequences from global database for similarity search. The developed sequences were submitted to BOLD database under the project ‘Lepidoptera of Indian Himalayas’ for acquiring the BOLD-IDs.
Significant Findings: DNA isolation has been carried out for 235 samples out of which 180 samples were amplified successfully for targeted COI barcode region. Molecular based study was also done for Genus Abraxas (Geometridae: Ennominae) which is a species complex comprising high level of crypticism. DNA was isolated from 105 samples, out of which full length sequences were obtained for 39 samples and short sequences were generated for 57 samples. To resolve this species complex, a Neighbour Joining tree (Fig. 1) was prepared with 39 selected full-length sequences.
Figure 1: Neighbour Joining Tree of Genus Abraxas
Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Mr. Rahul Ranjan Goal & Objectives: (I) Report on status of Morphology based Taxonomy of Himalayan Lepidoptera, (II) Generation of identification keys for Himalayan Lepidoptera. Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: The adult moths were collected with the help of light traps fitted with solar lamp and petromax lamp. Collected moths were killed with the help of ethyl acetate vapours and specimens pinned and stretched on stretching boards. Before identification, tentative sorting of the collections has been completed. External male and female genitalia were studied by dissecting them out from the adult moths. The procedure includes detachment of abdomen and dipping in 10% KOH overnight to soften the chitin and for dissolving away the muscles and other unwanted parts.
Identification was done on the basis of different taxonomic characters like general colouration, labial palpi, type of antennae, wing venation and maculation, different characters of legs and external male and female genitalia. Relevant literature has been followed for the same. The photography of adult moths had been done with the help of digital camera and the external male and female genitalia has been photographed with the help of Leica image processing unit.
Significant Findings: Specimens of Superfamily Pyraloidea were investigated through morphology-based taxonomy. Till now 56 species have been identified all over the landscape. In North-Western Himalaya, from Himachal Pradesh, 44 specimens were examined representing 10 species, among which most abundant were Nomophila noctuella (Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775), Patania ruralis (Scopoli, 1763) and Syngamia falsidicalis Walker, 1859. From Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, 17 specimens were examined representing 10 species, among which Herpetogramma luctuosalis (Guenee, 1854) and Endocrossis flavibasalis (Moore, 1867) were most abundant. From Central Himalaya, West Bengal, 159 specimens were investigated resulting in 37 species. Spoladea recurvalis (Fabricius, 1775), Pygospyla tyres (Cramer, 1780), Botyodes asialis Guenee, 1854 were the most prominent species (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. Few Identified species of Crambidae from Indian Himalaya: Syngamia falsidicalis Walker, 1859; Endocrossis flavibasalis (Moore, 1867); Herpetogramma luctuosalis (Guenee,
1854), Spoladea recurvalis (Fabricius, 1775), Sylllepte tibialis Moore, 1888; Nomophila
noctuella (Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775)
Further, Diphtherocome bryochlora Hreblay, Peregovits & Ronkay 1999 was reported for the first time from the India. This species was collected from the Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve (DDBR), Arunachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 925m. Earlier this species was reported from Vietnam and Thailand (Fig. 2).
The genus Abraxas (Geometridae: Ennominae) is a highly cryptic group consisting of several similar looking species. Moreover, they are habitat-specific and present all through the Himalayan altitudinal gradient. During current course of study 345 specimens of Abraxas comprising different species were collected, among which 105 specimens have been investigated till now through Genitalia studies. Few specimens and their respective male and female genitalia are provided below.
Morpho-taxonomic investigation of genus Abraxas consisting of imagos and male & female genitalias Fellowship Description at H-JPF Level: Descriptive File for Mr. Angshuman Raha
Goal & Objectives: (I) Predictive species distribution modelling for future climatic scenario, (II) Landscape level conservation approach of Himalayan Lepidoptera through Indicator taxa.
Experimental Set-up & Methodology Adapted: I. Dataset Generation & Analysis for Distribution Modelling Initially Toposheets for all the study sites were acquired from Survey of India. Initial boundary was demarcated for all the PAs along with sampling routes and points marked at every 200m according to vegetation type. Satellite data for Digital Elevation Model (SRTM 1 Arc-Second Global) have been downloaded in Georeferenced Tagged Image File Format (GeoTIFF). An attempt was made to spatially represent the compiled dataset in GIS domain. For spatial representation in GIS platform, only past species records with GPS coordinates were extracted from the main state-wise species-database. Species richness maps were prepared in the Program DIVA-GIS (version 7.5). Spatial species richness grids prepared from historical records were categorized into four groups: <150 species, 151-300, 301- 450, 451-600 and >600 species. Georeferencing of locations of Apollo species collected from secondary literature was done. Validation and locality update of Himalayan Moth and Butterfly species from secondary literature was also done in prescribed format.
Significant Findings: • Spatial pattern of Historical Species Richness: Spatial species richness grids prepared from historical records were categorized into four groups: <150 species, 151-300, 301-450, 451-600 and >600 species. Two species richness hotspots were identified: one in Darjeeling hills, where more than 400 species records were documented and another in Kumaon Himalaya, Uttarakhand, where more than 600 species records were found. In Himachal Pradesh, two high diversity areas were identified: Dharamshala, with 301-450 species records and Shimla showing species richness of 151-300 class. These five localities should be resampled on continuous basis to indirectly assess climate change influence on moth assemblage of IHR (Fig. 1).
Figure 1: Species richness of moths of Indian Himalayas recorded from secondary literature
• Altitude and precipitation wise richness pattern: Richness cells were plotted against altitude classes to see any pattern of species distribution along altitudinal gradient. In Eastern Himalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, one cell containing 101-250 species was fallen in multiple altitude bands with highest altitude reaching over 3500m. In Central sector, in Sikkim and West Bengal, majority of the cells containing less than 100 species were recorded in the altitude band 501 to 2000m. In West Bengal, one cell containing 251-500 species was recorded in 501 to 1500m altitude band. In west and north-western Himalaya, one highest species richness cell containing >500 species was recorded in 1001-1500m band. 3 cells containing 251-500 species were recorded in 1001-1500m band, 1 in Himachal Pradesh and 2 in Uttarakhand. Mean Annual had marked differences along east-west gradient. Almost through the entire stretch of Himalaya, forest areas associated with 1500-2000mm rainfall zone was dominant habitat harbouring maximum species richness.
Figure 2: Altitude-wise (a. Western-North Western-Trans Himalaya, b. Central and Eastern Himalaya) and precipitation-wise (c. Western-North Western-Trans Himalaya, d. Central and Eastern Himalaya) moth richness pattern recorded from secondary literature sources on IHR • Habitat suitability modelling of Common Red Apollo: The analysis was initially run with 204 occurrence records from five countries (India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan). Spatial rarefaction was done. The average AUC (Area under the curve of ROC) for replicated maxent model for P. epaphus was 0.961 indicating high model performance. Among the climatic variables used for modelling, Mean temperature of warmest quarter contributed most with 29.2%, followed by Max temperature of warmest week (°C), Highest weekly radiation (W m-2) and Precipitation of coldest quarter (mm). The suitability map generated from the modelling showed few grids in Sikkim, Bhutan and higher altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh having most suitable environmental factors for P. epaphus distribution. The Trans and North-western Himalayas also hosts suitable climatic conditions for the predictive distribution of the species.
Figure 3: Habitat suitability map of P. epaphus using Maximum Entropy (MAXENT) modelling Table 4. Fellowship Description at Institutional/ University Level 1. No. of Research Publications: Published: 04 a) Das, G.N., Gayen, S. & Jaiswal, R.K. 2018. A record of Blue Posy Drupadia scaeva cyara (Hewitson, 1878) (Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Theclini) from Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 10(2): 11348–11350. b) Sanyal, A.K., Mallick, K., Khan, S., Bandyopadhyay, U., Mazumdar, A., Bhattacharyya, K., Pathania, P.C., Raha, A., Chandra, K. 2018. Insecta: Lepidoptera (Moth) in “Faunal Diversity of Indian Himalaya”, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. c) Das, G.N., Gayen, S., Ali, M., Jaiswal, R.K., Lenin, E.A. and Chandra, K. 2018. Insecta: Lepidoptera (Butterflies). In, Faunal Diversity of Indian Himalaya: 611-650. d) Sanyal, A.K., Dey, P., Uniyal, V.P., Chandra, K., Raha, A. 2017. Geometridae Stephens, 1829 from different altitudes in Western Himalayan Protected Areas of Uttarakhand, India. SHILAP Revta. lepid., 44 (177) 2017: 143-163.ISSN: 2340-4078, ISSN: 0300-5267.
Accepted: 01 a) Chandra, K., Sanyal, A. K., Mazumder, A., Ash, A., Bandyopadhyay, U., Mallick, K., Raha, A. 2018. Catalogue of Indian Notodontidae Stephens, 1829 (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea). Zootaxa.
Under Review: 14 a) Kumar, V., Kundu, S., Chakraborty, R., Sanyal, A. K.,Raha, A., Sanyal, O., Pakrashi, A., Tyagi, K., Chandra, K. 2018. Efficacy of DNA barcoding in identification of Geometrid moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) from Namdapha National Park in Eastern Himalaya. Mitochondrial DNA Part A. b) Bandyopadhyay, U., Raha, A., Sanyal, A. K., Gayen, S., Chandra, K. Description of a New Species of Genus Donda Moore, 1882 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Pantheinae) From Western Himalaya, India. Entomological News. c) Bandyopadhyay, U., Mallick, K., Majumder, A., Raha, A., Sanyal, A. K., Gayen, S., Bhattacharyya, K., Chandra, K. On the Genus Phlogophora Treitschke, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Indian Himalaya with Two New Records From India. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. d) Bhattacharyya, K., Chandra, K. First record of Yponomeuta antistatica (Meyrik, 1931) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) from India. Submitted to Entomological News. e) Bhattacharyya, K., Singh, N., Chandra, K. Thysanoptyx dibangi (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) a new species from Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Zootaxa. f) Singh, N., Bhattacharyya, K., Volynkin, A. A new species of Cyana (Elwes 1890) from India. Zootaxa. g) Sanyal, A. K., Kumar, V., Chandra, K. Range-extension and Altitudinally-restricted species among Moths (Lepidoptera) of Indian Himalaya: Comparing Historical & Primary Database. Proceedings for Himalayan Researchers Consortium-2018. h) Raha, A., Kumar, V., Chandra, K. Using Historical data for Spatial Analysis of Diversity and Distribution of Himalayan Moth. Proceedings for Himalayan Researchers Consortium-2018. i) Gayen, S., Kumar, V., Chandra, K. Faunistic inventory and assemblage structure of Moth (Lepidoptera) from Mishmi Hills, Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve, Eastern Himalaya, India Proceedings for Himalayan Researchers Consortium-2018. j) Bhattacharyya, K., Kumar, V., Chandra, K. Preliminary account of moths (Lepidoptera) of Neora Valley National Park, Central Himalaya, India. Proceedings for Himalayan Researchers Consortium-2018. k) Mallick, K., Kumar, V., Chandra, K. A Preliminary study of the diversity and distribution pattern of Geometridae moths in Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh. Proceedings for Himalayan Researchers Consortium-2018. l) Bandyopadhyay, U., Kumar, V., Chandra, K. Altitudinal Distribution Pattern of Moth fauna of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya: A General Study. Proceedings for Himalayan Researchers Consortium-2018. m) Ali, M., Kumar, V., Chandra, K. Butterfly Diversity in different Trans-Himalayan Habitats of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India. Proceedings for Himalayan Researchers Consortium-2018. n) Das, G. N., Kumar, V., Chandra, K. Butterfly (Lepidoptera) diversity in different Biogeographic Provinces of Indian Himalaya: Building up a Secondary & Primary Database. Proceedings for Himalayan Researchers Consortium-2018.
Under Preparation: 05 a) Taxonomic and ecological accounting of Himalayan non-mulberry wild silk moths (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea: Saturniidae) of India. b) Review of Genus Psyra from Indian Himalayan Region. c) A new record of Euspa (Moore, 1884) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) to India from Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh. d) Taxonomic account of Butterflies of Ladakh. e) Distribution modelling of Common Red Apollo Parnassius epaphus epaphus Oberthur, 1879.
2. No. of Data Sets generated: 05
Himalayan total moth list (4107 species) from Secondary Literature: Published as “Sanyal et al. (2018) in “Faunal Diversity of Indian Himalaya” Himalayan total butterfly list (1013 species) from Secondary Literature: Published as “Das et al. (2018) in “Faunal Diversity of Indian Himalaya” Identified Himalayan species list (Moth & Butterflies) comprising of 766 moths and 311 butterflies Abraxas morphological/DNA sequences DNA data sets Project Console-Lepidoptera of Indian Himalayas [ZSILH]: Sequence data of belonging to 21 families of Lepidoptera (18 families of Rhopalocera and 3 families of Heterocera).
3. No. of Conferences/ Workshops attended: 04 a) “National workshop on Lepidoptera (2017)” organized by Punjabi University, Patiala at Patiala from 20th- 22nd September, 2017 attended by Mr. Kaushik Mallick and Ms. Kamalika Bhattacharyya. Light trapping technique, Specimen handling and identification of Lepidoptera specimens was demonstrated and taught practically. b) Training Workshop on “Modern Approaches in Biodiversity Studies” in 2017 organized by Zoological Survey of India (Training and Extension Division) at Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata was attended by Mr. Kaushik Mallick and Mr. Uttaran Bandyopadhyay. Several techniques of handling ecological data and recent approaches in biodiversity study was discussed. c) A poster titled “Moths of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya: How High Do They Fly?” was presented at the “Biological Sciences Graduate Congress, 2017” organized by National University of Singapore, Singapore from 19th - 21st December, 2017 by Mr. Uttaran Bandyopadhyay. d) “Workshop on Economic and Ecological Impacts of Invasive Alien Species” organized by Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata from 21st - 23rd February, 2018 was attended by Mr. Uttaran Bandyopadhyay. Species niche modelling using R platform was taught using hands on training.
4. No. of Sites/ Study Area Covered: 04 i. Hemis National Park, Jammu & Kashmir (1 gradient explored) ii. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh (2 gradients explored) iii. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand (1 gradient explored) iv. Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh (2 gradients explored)
5. No. of Best Practices suitable for IHR: NA
6. New Observations/ Innovations: Family Notodontidae: One species from genera Phalera Hübner, 1819 (Phalerinae) has been identified as new to science/Paper Communicated in Zootaxa Family Noctuidae: One species of genera Donda Moore, 1882 (Pantheinae) has been identified as new to science/Paper under review “Entomological News” Family Geometridae: Four species of genera Psyra Walker, 1860 (Ennominae) has been identified as probable new to science/Paper under preparation for Zootaxa Family Erebidae: One species of genus Cyana (Elwes 1890) (Arctiinae) has been identified as new to science/Paper under review in Zootaxa