Research Notes

Indian Forester, 144 (10) : 1010-1012, 2018 ISSN No. 0019-4816 (Print) http://www.indianforester.co.in ISSN No. 2321-094X (Online) 2018] Research Notes

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Range Extension of Matapa sasivarna [Moore (1866)] Black-veined Branded Redeye to Western Himalaya

Recent studies in butterflies showed that there is a lot to Moore, 1866 (ii) Purple Redeye, Matapa purpurascens learn about the status of butterflies in India, especially in Elwes and Edwards, 1897 (iii) Dark-brand Redeye, western Himalaya, which has many butterflies, waiting to Matapa druna Moore, 1866 (iv) Black-veined Branded be rediscovered or discovered. There have been many Redeye, Matapa sasivarna Moore, 1866 (v) Fringed reports of range extensions and rediscoveries for several Redeye, Matapa cresta Evans, 1949. species of butterflies to the western Himalaya during past Among these only Matapa aria is found abundant two decades. Almost all of these reports have been everywhere in Uttarakhand. In India Matapa sasivarna documented from the hilly state Uttarakhand of India, that occurs Sikkim to NE india, elsewhere Central Nepal, NE lie to the west of Nepal and shares its boundary with and SE Bangladesh and Burma. Singh (2012) also China occupied Tibet. These include Talicada nyseus reported this species from subtropical lowland forests of GuérinMenéville (Singh, 2005a), Poritia hewitsoni Moore Bhutan along the Sankosh River (118–220 m). There is (Singh, 2003a), Ampittia dioscorides Fabricius (Singh, no subspecies listed under this species in India. It was 2003b), Delias acalis Godart (Smetacek, 2001), Pontia identified using the identification of Matapa was based on daplidice and Pontia glauconome (Smetacek, 2002) the keys of Jong (1983) based on the morphological Zesius chrysomallus Hübner (Singh, 2005b), Meandrusa characters. Identification keys of Watson (1897): Evans lachinus Fruhstorfer (Singh, 2006), Talicada nyseus (1932); Talbot (1947) and photographic guide of Kehimkar Guérin Menéville, Nacaduba kurava Moore, Flos asoka (2016) were also considered. de Nicéville and Arhopala abseus Riley (Smetacek, 2011). Due to its variable geographical structure and lack Study area of proper research, status of most of the butterflies is The location is in Nainital district of Uttarakhand at a unclear. The current research was carried out from March distance of 20km. apart from district headquarter. The 2016 to October 2016 with an aim to document rare Nainital district occupies the southern portion of the species to contribute more in butterfly diversity of Kumaun division (28°44'N-30°49'N, 78°45'E-81°01'E). Uttarakhand. During the survey carried out in various Geographically Nainital district is heterogeneous; its parts of Nainital a new distribution and range extension to northern portion consists of hills and the southern portion western Himalaya was recorded for- Black-veined of the alluvial plain called Bhabar. The study site is branded Redeye. dominated by two species of oak: Quercus Matapa sasivarna was documented first time from leucotrichophora and Quercus floribunda, Himalayan Uttarakhand. The skipper genus Matapa (Lepidoptera: cypress Cupressus torulosa and deodar Cedrus deodara. Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae), described by Moore in 1881 Among oaks, banj (Quercus leucotrichophora) is most with Ismene aria Moore, 1866 as the type specimen, is a common. The belt contains deciduous forest. Lantana is small group of the family Hesperiidae. In India there are also widely spread here. This site is ideal habitat for most five species of genus Matapa have been recorded till of the butterflies species found in Uttarakhand. The Fig. 3: Study area shown by white circle with particular site marked as star, where Matapa date. These are: (i) Common Redeye, Matapa aria butterfly was photographed at the elevation of 1200m. sasivarna was photographed. (Courtesy- Google earth ver. 7.1.7.2606).

Significance of this record research on this faunal group. The record of such species from the area shows the importance of conserving the low Recent sighting shows that possibility of presence of this altitude forest of Uttarakhand. These forests are facing butterfly between Central Nepal and Uttarakhand cannot problems of logging and deforestation. Fuel wood be ruled out. It also offers support to putative role as link extraction is going on regularly and should be stopped. habitat between central Himalaya and western Himalaya. An effort should be made to save the forests in this area. The record of such rare species shows the potential In short this record is helpful for updating the status and biodiversity of the area and reflects the need for more distribution of butterfly fauna in the state. survey works. Singh and Sondhi (2016) reported that there are at least 51 species of butterflies which have no Significance of this record recent records from Uttarakhand. In addition, there are 10 species for which records need further verification. Recent sighting shows that possibility of presence of this Due to the lack of proper scientific data related to habitat, butterfly between Central Nepal and Uttarakhand cannot seasonal form, brood and distribution of these 50+ be ruled out. It also offers support to putative role as link species is under negligence. Lack of proper attention, habitat between central Himalaya and western Himalaya. limited number of butterfly researchers and lack of The record of such rare species shows the potential awareness are the main reasons behind the uncertainty biodiversity of the area and reflects the need for more relating to the status of butterflies in this state. This survey works. Singh and Sondhi (2016) reported that Fig 1 and 2: Black-veined branded redeye Matapa sasivarna, with using flash (Left) and without using flash (Right). indicates that Uttarakhand needs significantly more there are at least 51 species of butterflies which have no

1011 Indian Forester, 144 (10) : 1010-1012, 2018 ISSN No. 0019-4816 (Print) http://www.indianforester.co.in ISSN No. 2321-094X (Online) 2018] Research Notes

(I)

Range Extension of Matapa sasivarna [Moore (1866)] Black-veined Branded Redeye to Western Himalaya

1011 Indian Forester, 144 (10) : 1013-1015, 2018 ISSN No. 0019-4816 (Print) [October http://www.indianforester.co.in ISSN No. 2321-094X (Online)

recent records from Uttarakhand. In addition, there are Singh A.P. (2005a). Initial colonization of Red Pierrot butterfly, 10 species for which records need further verification. Talicada nyseus nyseus Guerin (Lycaenidae) in the lower western (II) Due to the lack of proper scientific data related to habitat, Himalayas: an indicator of the changing environment. Current Science, 89: 41-42. seasonal form, brood and distribution of these 50+ Population survey of Hoolock leuconedys species is under negligence. Lack of proper attention, Singh A.P. (2005b). Recent records on the distribution, limited number of butterfly researchers and lack of seasonality and occurrence of Redspot butterfly, Zesius chrysomallus Hübner from the lower western Himalayas. J. (Eastern Hoolock Gibbon) in Dello village awareness are the main reasons behind the uncertainty Bombay Natural History Society, 102(2): 238-239. relating to the status of butterflies in this state. This indicates that Uttarakhand needs significantly more Singh A.P. (2006). Range extension of Brown Gorgon butterfly, Meandrusa gyas gyas into Kedarnath Musk Deer Reserve, of Arunachal Pradesh research on this faunal group. The record of such species Western Himalayas: A lesser known species from north-east from the area shows the importance of conserving the low India. Indian Forester, 132(12a): 187-189. Hoolock leuconedys is a Schedule 1 species of the Indian case of wildlife in crisis and distress. The gibbons living in altitude forest of Uttarakhand. These forests are facing Singh A.P. (2012). Lowland forest butterflies of the Sankosh River problems of logging and deforestation. Fuel wood catchment, Bhutan. J. Threatened Taxa, 4(12): 3085–3102; Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. It is listed as vulnerable isolated clumps of trees may not be able to survive as a extraction is going on regularly and should be stopped. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o2625.3085-102. in the Red List of Threatened Species of IUCN and self-sustainable population for long. The only way to An effort should be made to save the forests in this area. Singh A.P. and S. Sondhi (2016). Butterflies of Garhwal, included in Appendix 1 of CITES. The primate is well address the situation is to rescue and translocate the In short this record is helpful for updating the status and Uttarakhand, western Himalaya, India. J. Threatened Taxa, 8(4): known distributed in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh of stranded individuals to suitable habitats nearby. A distribution of butterfly fauna in the state. 8666–8697 North Eastern part of India. Earlier, it was believed to be collaborative attempt has been undertaken to translocate http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.2254.8.4.8666-8697. found only in the eastern region of Chindwin River to the the only apes to different areas in Mehao Wildlife References Smetacek P. (2001). Resolution of the controversial western limit Salween River in Myanmar and South-Western Yunnan Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh. Evans W.H. (1932). The Identification of Indian Butterflies—2nd Province in China (Groves, 1971). The status of Eastern of the range of Delias acalis Godart (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). J. A field survey in Dello village was done from the early Edition. Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India, Bombay Natural History Society, 98: 298-300. hoolock gibbon in Arunachal Pradesh was reported by 464pp+32pl. month of July, 2009 till the end of November, 2009. Using Das et al. in 2006, between the Lohit River in the north Smetacek P. (2002). The genus Pontia Fabricius (Lepidoptera: a questionnaire, the author interviewed the village head Jong R.De. (1983). Revision of the oriental genus Matapa Moore Pieridae) in the Kumaon Himalaya. J. Bombay Natural History and the high mountains of Dafa bum in the south. The and other local people to assess the present population of (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae) with discussion of its phylogeny and Society, 99: 224-231. species is also found in Sadiya Division, the easternmost geographic history. Zoologische Mededelingen, 57: 243–270. Eastern hoolock gibbon inside Dello village. Preferably Smetacek P. (2011). Four new lycaenid butterfly records from the part of the state of Assam, on the south bank of the overcome the mortality and fatality rate of primates in the Kehimkar I. (2016). Butterflies of India. Bombay Natural History Kumaon Himalaya, India. J. Threatened Taxa, 3(2): 1555-1558. Dibang-Brahmaputra River system (Chetry et al., 2010). Society, Mumbai. xii+528 pp. surrounding environment. Such personal interviews Talbot G. (1947). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Singh A.P. (2003a). New records on the distribution and ecology Burma: Butterflies, Vol. II. Taylor and Francis, London. 506pp. Located on the south of Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, the provide opportunity to evaluate the validity of the village, Dello is covered with semi evergreen and mixed respondent's answers by observing nonverbal indicators. of Common Gem Butterfly Poritia hewitsoni hewitsoni Moore from Watson E.Y. (1897). Hesperiidae Indicae : being a reprint of the lower western Himalayas: a lesser known taxa. J. descriptions of the Hesperiidae of India, Burma, and Ceylon. deciduous forests. The main habitant of Dello village is The primary data were collected through structured and Lepidopterists' Society, 37(4): 295-298. Madras Staff Corps, Vest and Company Mount Road, Madras, Idu Mishimis community. The villagers depend on open-ended questionnaires; secondary data were Singh A.P. (2003b). Distribution range extension of bush hopper 161pp. agriculture for their livelihoods. They cultivate staple foods collected from published and unpublished reports, butterfly, Ampittia dioscorides Fabricius (Lepidoptera: (Note:- Meandrusa lachinus Fruhstorfer is the correct scientific like rice, maize, and millet, apart from bush meat. They research papers and articles, as well as through Hesperidae) into the lower western Himalayas. Indian Forester, name of Brown Gorgon butterfly instead of Meandrusa gyas gyas also eat wild vegetables, roots, tubers, and fruit. The interviews of forest department officials. Transect walk 129(8): 1046-1048. (Singh 2006).) village is considered as an important place for the survival was done on the basis of secondary information gathered of Eastern hoolock gibbon. The existence of gibbon in from forest staff on presence of Eastern hoolock gibbon in Dello village is mostly due to the Idu mishmis community the study area. With the help of Global Positioning 1 2 SHANKAR KUMAR, PARAMJIT SINGH AND KAPIL JOSHI who is a strict taboo on gibbon populations. Even the System (GPS) to record signs such as song bouts, O/o C.C.F., Kumaon, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. animal die, they do not go to that particular place for 5 presence of male and female, infants and their roosting E-mail: [email protected] days and do some religious/cultural ceremony. The and fruiting tree species, etc. that indicate use of sites by community still believes the animal as their forefathers Eastern hoolock gibbon. Temperature and weather also

Received February, 2017 and come to serve them for their good living, not to harm affect the frequency and occurrence of Hoolock gibbon Accepted February, 2018 others. Therefore, they do not hunt nor poach. Further, call bouts (Ahsan, 2001). the primates do not harm the village agricultural crops and fruit trees, they rarely come down to land when the Activity format for data collection 1Forest research and Training Management, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India. fruit is over or been disturbed by stray or domestic dogs. The author identified 39 individuals from 14 families of 2Kumaon Forest Circle, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. At present, the sign of extensive felling and clearing of Eastern hoolock gibbon in Dello village. Out of this, 4 large trees from the village led to the degradation and families had no baby, only a single male and female were extensive fragmentation of the habitat, affecting the living together while one family had only male member, population status of Eastern hoolock gibbon inhabiting the observed in the survey grid. The remaining 9 families had area. The habitat offers practically no opportunity for the one or more babies approximately age range from 5/6 gibbons to forage optimally. The situation is typically a months, 1 years or less than 2 years as identified.

Time Species Activities/Behavior Distance Gps Remarks Ac t Cat Type Mate Cage Ground Male Female Sub Adult Young Baby Vocal

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