Aquatic Avifaunal Diversity and Species Composition in Dry Agro-Climatic Region of Southern Karnataka, India

V.S. SATHISH1, B., ANILKUMAR1, S.D., LAKSHMI2, B.S. POORNIMA3 AND S. BASAVARAJAPPA4#

1. Department of Zoology, Sri Mahadeshwara Government First Grade College, Kollegala-571440, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka. 2. Nikhil Consultancy, 9th Main, Telecom Layout, Aswath Nagar, Bengaluru-560077. 3. Department of Zoology, Hoysaleshwara Degree College, Arsikere, Hassan District, Karnataka. 4. DOS in Zoology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT - Systematic field investigations were conducted to record the diversity of aquatic birds at five lakes namely: Chikkaranganatha, Doddaranganatha, Kongala, Papanakere and Dhanagere amidst dry agro- climatic region in southern Karnataka during 2016 to 2018. Total 43 aquatic birds’ species were recorded from 15 families which belong to eight orders. Pelecaniformes were more predominant (12 species) followed by Charadriiformes, Anseriiformes and Ciconiiformes respectively with 10, 8 and 4 species. The Shannon diversity index ranged between 2.031 and 2.867 and the Fisher alpha value ranged between 5.002 and 6.053. Moreover, Simpson and Shannon ‘J’ (Equitability) indices were 0.8 to 0.9, suggesting unevenness between these five lakes. Further, the Sorenson’s (ß diversity) index value didn’t indicate much variation between the five lakes. Obviously, 16 aquatic birds species population density was >100 but <500, and remaining 21 aquatic bird’s species population density was <100. Thus, lakes at dry agro-climatic region have hosted good number of bird species, despite their water constraint; these lakes should be preserved by enriching water sources to attract birds to enhance the local biodiversity.

KEYWORDS – Aquatic birds, diversity, lakes, dry agro-climatic region, southern Karnataka.

Introduction Mark et al. (1994) have recorded the abundance and species richness of aquatic birds in Aquatic birds are beautifully coloured attractive Florida Lakes. Musil and Fuchs (1994) have reported creatures, living in diversified wetland ecosystems in the changes in abundance of water birds species in nature. They are unique with well established power of southern Bohemia of Czechoslovakia. Maloney et al. flight to access both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. (1997) have recorded 26 bird species in 11 rivers of the Moreover, they are ubiquitous in their existence and upper Waitaki Basin, South island, New Zealand. Yang indicate the impacts of pollution in both terrestrial and et al. (2005) have reported 54 species of water birds aquatic ecosystems (Gaston, 1975; Hardy et al., 1987). which belong to seven families at Yueqing Bay, Zhejiang Hence, they become inseparable elements of different Province, China. Rajpar and Zakaria (2010) have ecosystems by supporting various food chains and food recorded 13,872 birds which belong to 100 species from web at different tropic levels (Custer and Osborne, 1977; that analyzed the density and diversity at Paya Indah Grimmett and Inskipp, 2007). Further, the role of aquatic wetland reserve, Selangor Peninsular region, Malaysia. birds role as a bioindicator of the health of wetland Geofrey et al. (2013) have assessed the species diversity ecosystems could help balance the sustenance of native and abundance of 67 bird species which belong to 28 flora and fauna (Grimmet and Inskipp, 2007). Thus, families and 12 orders in and around Hombolo Wetland presence of aquatic birds is very essential to maintain in Central Tanzania. Shao et al. (2014) have studied and restore local biodiversity. the water birds abundance, distribution and diversity

*Corresponding author: [email protected] Biosystematica, 2020, 11(1&2): 35-47 36 V.S. SATHISH, ET AL. variations during winter in Poyang lake, Jiangxi Province, in Malaprabha River at Hebballi, Badami Taluk, Gadag China. Henkanththgedara and Amarasinghe (2015) have District. This study was necessitated as no detailed study studied the species diversity of wetland birds at Sri on the population density and diversity of birds in dry Lanka. Dauda et al. (2017) have measured the birds agro-climatic region of southern Karnataka have been diversity using 25,361 birds which belong to 47 species carried out. at Uchali wetland (Ramsar site), Pakistan. Wijesundara et al. (2017) have recorded the diversity of aquatic birds and suggested their conservation at northern region of Materials and Methods Sri Lanka. These investigations reveal the importance Study area: Kollegal is the largest Taluk in of aquatic birds and their role in different ecosystems, Chamarajanagar District with an area of 2,785.82 sq. outside India. km and located in southern dry agro-climatic zone. It is one of the major Taluks in Karnataka State, lies at 12 5' Similarly, many investigations were made to 9'’ to 77 21' 20.1'’N latitude and 12 4' 14.9'’ to 75 28' record the diversity, abundance of aquatic birds at 16.1'’E longitude and covered by hills with a forest cover different lakes/ponds in India. Kumar and Gupta (2009) spread over 69% of the geographical area. Kollegala have reported 54 bird species which belong to 15 families experience 33.30C maximum temperature and 16.10C in five orders and analyzed the diversity and abundance minimum temperature with highest relative humidity in wetland ecosystem of Kurukshtra. Hussain et al. 90.4% and 26.2% lowest relative humidity. It receives (2012) have recorded 24 bird species which belong to around 600 mm annual rainfall. The River Cauvery flows 10 families in 8 orders and assessed the diversity of amidst part of Kollegal Taluk, feed water to many lakes, winter migrants in Wular lake of Jammu and Kashmir. ponds, pools and created shrubby vegetation at its basin. Teneson and Ravichandran (2015) have recorded 43 bird Moreover, agricultural and horticultural croplands are species in the wetland of Koothapar Periyakulam at located at the vicinity of Cauvery basin which is attracting Tiruchanapalli District, Tamil Nadu. Cross et al. (2015) innumerable local and migratory birds during different have studied on diversity and distribution of shore birds seasons (Kamath, 2001 and Anonymous, 2015). in Tuticoran coastal area of Gulf of Mannar. Wanjari and Washim (2016) has recorded the diversity of aquatic Methodology: Systematic field investigations were birds at Ekburji reservoir, Washim, Maharastra, India. conducted in five lakes namely: Chikkaranganatha, Puri and Virani (2016) have studied the diversity of birds Doddaranganatha, Kongala, Papanakere and Dhanagere at Khairbandha lake in Gondia District of Maharastra amidst dry agro-climatic region at the vicinity of State. Bora et al. (2017) have recorded 30 bird species Kollegala, southern Karnataka. Aquatic birds were which belong to 13 families and measured their diversity observed by earmarking line transect (LT) and point at Samaguri Beel nearby Nagaon town in Nagaon District transects (PTs) and variable width line transacts (VWLT) of Assam. as described by Burnham et al. (1980), Jayson and Mathew (2002) and Basavarajappa (2006). Altogether, Further, many researchers have recorded the 36 line transects with a length 250 to 300 meters were aquatic bird’s diversity in different lakes/ponds of laid and birds were observed using a Nikon action Karnataka. Bhat et al. (2009) have presented the 16x50CF binocular. However, during point transect diversity of birds in Anekere wetland of Karkala, Udupi method, observation sites were earmarked well in District. Birasal (2010) has studied the water birds advance at randomly selected places in all these lakes. diversity at Heggeri lake, Haveri District. Ravikumar When birds start to alight on the water surface or on the (2011) has studied the density and diversity of aquatic bank of lakes, they were counted and photographed with bird’s and recorded the impact of climate change in the the help of Canon EOS 70D (W/Ef-S18-135mm) wetland of Hassan District. Rubina et al. (2016) have camera. Observed birds were recorded using pre-tested studied the diversity and status of birds in three lakes of questionnaire and few birds were photographed and Dharwad and recorded 53 bird species, which belong to identified with the help of field guides published by Ali 31 families and 15 orders. Harisha (2016) has evaluated (1996), Ali and Ripley (1983 & 1987), Sonobe and Usui the status, diversity and conservation threats of wetland (1993) and Woodcock (1980). birds of Kondajji lake in Davanagere District. Shruthi and Basavarajappa (2016) have studied the diversity of Statistical analysis: The relative abundance, percent birds at aquatic ecosystems of Mysore District. Baraker occurrence of aquatic bird species were calculated as and Kadadevaru (2017) has studied the diversity of birds per Basavarajappa (2006). Relative Dominance = ni X

Biosystematica, 2020, 11(1&2) Aquatic Avifaunal Diversity 37

100/N, where ni = number of individuals of the species; atra), painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) and spot N= the total number of individuals of all the species seen billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha), and their population during the study period. Moreover, percent occurrence density was respectively 620 (6.6%), 612 (6.5%), 526 = number of individuals of the species /number of (5.6%) and 110 (1.2%) (Table 1). Further, around 16 individuals of all species x 100. Further, analysis of aquatic birds species population density was >100 but, < variance (ANOVA) was used as per Saha (2009). The 500. Furthermore, remaining 21 aquatic bird’s species aquatic avifaunal diversity was calculated by using population density was less than 100 and accordingly PAST version 2.10. The £ diversity of aquatic birds was their percent occurrence was < 1 in different lakes (Table calculated by using Shannon Diversity Index (H1) that 1). However, common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) combines the number of species within different lakes (0.03%) and western reef heron (Egretta gularis) with the relative abundance of each species as per (0.05%) were rare (Table 1). Pelecaniformes were Maguran (2004). Shannon Diversity Index (H1): H1= - more predominant (27.9%) followed by Charadriiformes (pi In pi), where, pi is the proportion of the ith species in (23.2%) and Anseriformes (18.6%). However, the the total sample and in pi is the natural log of pi. The species composition in remaining orders was >10% evenness of species within a lake was calculated by (Table 2). The number of species of aquatic birds found suing Pielovu’s Evenness Index (J1) to identify the in various families and their percent representation in variation within the community among the species. the lakes of dry agro-climatic region is shown in Table Pielovu’s Evenness Index: J1= H1/In S, where, S is the 3. Anatidae and Ardeidae family members were highest number of species present in the site and H1 is the (18.6% each), followed by Scolopacidae (11.6%), diversity index. Further, Sorenson’s similarity index ß = Ciconiidae (9.3%), Rallidae and Threskiornithidae (7% 2c/(S1 + S2), where, S1 – total number of species each), Phalacrocoracidae, Alcedinidae and Charadriidae recorded in the first community, S2= total number of (4.7% each) families (Table 3). Further, Anhingidae, species recorded in the second community and c- the Jacanidae, Larridae, Motacillidae, Recurividae and number of species common to both communities as per Pelecanidae families were represented by two species Maguran (2004). each. Table 4 shows the aquatic birds population density in different lakes in dry agro-climatic region of southern Results Karnataka. A total of 900 birds were recorded in Chikkaranganatha Lake, 1659 birds were recorded in Total 43 aquatic bird species were recorded in Doddaranganatha Lake, 3229 birds were found in different lakes of dry agro-climatic region (Table 1). Kongala Lake. The Papana Lake and Dhanagere Lake Recorded bird species belong to eight orders and 15 hosted 1788 and 1867 birds respectively. However, the families of the class Aves. Among them, Pelecaniformes analysis of variance (ANOVA) of aquatic birds species predominated (27.9%) and was represented by 12 composition between different lakes did not indicate species found in three families (Table 2). It was followed significant variation (F=0.8945; P>0.05) in dry agro- by Charadriiformes, Anseriiformes and Ciconiiformes climatic region (Table 4). respectively with 10, 8 and 4 species (Table 2). Moreover, Gruiformes and Suliformes comprised three Diversity index of aquatic birds: Table 5 shows the species each and Coraciformes with two species only. species diversity index of aquatic birds in southern dry However, Passeriformes were represented by only one agro-climatic region of Karnataka. The Shannon index species and constituted 6.6% of the population in different ‘H’ values ranged between 2.031 and 2.867 and Fisher lakes of dry agro-climatic region (Table 2). Further, details alpha value ranged between 5.002 and 6.053 suggesting of different orders, families and their percent occurrence slight variation between the indices. Moreover, Simpson are given in Table 2. and Shannon ‘J’ (Equitability) indices revealed that the distribution of majority of aquatic bird’s species within Further, details of population density and percent the five lakes was 0.8 to 0.9 and 0.6 to 0.8, suggesting occurrence of different aquatic bird species is given in unevenness between these five lakes (Table 5). Further, Table 1. Altogether 9,443 aquatic birds were recorded. the Sorenson’s (Beta diversity) index values did not Among them, black tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) indicate much variation between five lakes with the population was highest (2,533) compared to others. L. values ranging between 0.7457 and 0.8461, however, limosa was more predominant (26.8%) in different lakes few aquatic bird species overlapped between the lakes of this region. It was followed by black winged stilt considerably (Table 6). (Himantopus himantopus), common coot (Fulica

Biosystematica, 2020, 11(1&2) 38 V.S. SATHISH, ET AL.

Table 1. Aquatic birds found at dry agro-climatic region of southern Karnataka

Sl. Order Family Sl. Name of Bird Scientific Name Population % No. No. Density Occurrence

1. Anseriformes 1. Anatidae 1. Common shelduck Tadoma tadoma 3 0.03 2. Cotton pygmy goose Nettapus coromandelianus 32 0.3 3. Ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca 24 0.3 4. Garganey Spatula querquedula 45 0.5 5. Greylag goose Anser anser 23 0.2 6. Lesser whistling duck Dendrocygna javanica 389 4.1 7. Spot billed duck Anas poecilorhyncha 110 1.2 8. White winged duck Asarcornis scutulata 15 0.2 2. Charadriiformes 2. Charadriidae 9. Golden plover Pluvialis fulva 25 0.3 10. Red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus 213 2.3 3. Jacanidae 11. Bronze-winged jacana Metopidius indicus 102 1.1 4. Laridae 12. River tern Sterna aurantia 42 0.4 5. Recurvirostridae 13. Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus 620 6.6 6. Scolopacidae 14. Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa 2533 26.8 15. Common redshank Tringa totanus 56 0.6 16. Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus 165 1.7 17. Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 283 3.0 18. Spotted redshank Tringa erythropus 161 1.7 3. Ciconiiformes 7. Ciconidae 19. Asian openbill Anastomus oscitans 26 0.3 20. European white stork Ciconia ciconia 14 0.1 21. Painted stork Mycteria leucocephala 526 5.6 22. Wooly-necked stork Ciconia episcopus 41 0.4 4. Coraciiformes 8. Alcedinidae 23. Small blue kingfisher Alcedo atthis 37 0.4 24. White-throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 32 0.3 5. Gruiformes 9. Rallidae 25. Eurasian coot Fulica atra 612 6.5 26. Purple moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio 346 3.7 27. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea 83 0.9 6. Passeriformes 10. Motacillidae 28. White-browed wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis 209 2.2 7. Pelecaniformes 11. Ardeidae 29. Grey heron Ardea cinerea 64 0.7 30. Indian pond heron Ardeola grayii 361 3.8 31. Intermediate egret Ardea intermedia 314 3.3 32. Large egret Ardea alba 36 0.4 33. Little egret Egretta garzetta 255 2.7 34. Night heron Nycticorax nycticorax 45 0.5 35. Purple heron Ardea purpurea 86 0.9 36. Western reef heron Egretta gularis 5 0.05 12. Pelecanidae 37. Spot-billed pelican Pelecanus philippensis 344 3.6 13. Threskiornithidae 38. Black-headed ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus 391 4.1 39. Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus 208 2.2 40. Red napped ibis Pseudibis papillosa 37 0.4 8. Suliformes 14. Anhingidae 41. Oriental darter Anhinga melanogaster 43 0.5 15. Phalacrocoracidae 42 Great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 192 2.0 43. Little cormorant Microcarbo niger 295 3.12 Total 9443 100.0

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Table 2. Orders and families of aquatic birds found in dry agro-climatic region of southern Karnataka

Sl.No. Order No. of species % Occurrence No. of families % Occurrence 1. Anseriformes 08 18.6 01 6.7 2. Charadriiformes 10 23.2 05 33.3 3. Ciconiiformes 04 9.3 01 6.7 4. Coraciiformes 02 4.7 01 6.7 5. Gruiformes 03 7.0 01 6.7 6. Passeriformes 01 2.3 01 6.6 7. Pelecaniformes 12 27.9 03 20.0 8. Suliformes 03 7.0 02 13.3 Total 43 100.0 15 100.0 Note: Data is based on Table 1.

Table 3. Families of aquatic birds representation at dry The type, abundance, feeding habit and IUCN agro-climatic region of southern Karnataka status of 43 aquatic birds in different lakes at dry agro- Sl.No. Family No. of species % Representation climatic region is given Table 7. The aquatic birds 1. Alcedinidae 2 4.7 recorded during the present study belong to four IUCN 2. Anhingidae 1 2.3 categories namely: endangered (one species), least 3. Anatidae 8 18.6 concerned (34 species), threatened (7 species) and 4. Ardeidae 8 18.6 vulnerable (one species) and their percent occurrence 5. Charadriidae 2 4.7 were respectively 2.3, 79.1, 16.3 and 2.3% (Table 8). 6. Ciconiidae 4 9.3 Thus, endangered and vulnerable (2.3% each), and 7. Jacanidae 1 2.3 8. Lariidae 1 2.3 threatened bird species (16.3%) have their habitat amidst 9. Motacillidae 1 2.3 different lakes of dry agro-climatic region. Further, the 10. Recurividae 1 2.3 species of birds were grouped into commonly and 11. Phalacrocoracidae 2 4.7 uncommonly occurring species based on their abundance. 12. Pelecanidae 1 2.3 A total of 29 species were common and 14 species were 13. Rallidae 3 7.0 not common in these lakes and represented 67.4 and 14. Scolopacidae 5 11.6 32.6% respectively in different lakes amidst dry agro- 15. Threskiornithidae 3 7.0 climatic region. Majority of aquatic birds (30.2%) were Total 43 100.0 insectivorous, 23.3% were carnivorous, 20.9% Note: Data is based on Table 1 and 2. piscivorous, 16.3% omnivorous and 9.3% were of Cauvery River basin amidst dry agro-climatic region herbivorous (Table 9). Further, majority (60.4%) of of southern Karnataka. Living bird species in different aquatic birds (26 species) were local residents and occur lakes were represented by eight orders, 15 families and throughout the year in different lakes of this region. 10 the ‘H’ indexes (2.031 and 2.867) and Fisher alpha species were migratory birds visited these lakes for values (5.002 and 6.053) indicated the presence of foraging, breeding-cum-nesting purpose during different normal aquatic bird’s diversity with little evenness seasons. However, seven species were winter migrants between the five lakes in this part of the State. Moreover, and visited these lakes during winter season only (Table Sorenson’s index (ß diversity) suggested a little variation 10). between the lakes. Since, the Sorenson’s (Beta diversity) Discussion index is a useful index to measure the difference or similarities of variety and abundance of species between The habit and habitats of aquatic birds are more the habitats (Basavarajappa et al., 2018) and during the diversified and requires varied suitable forage, roosting, present investigation, the Sorenson’s index was not zero. resting, nesting and breeding sites for survival. During It displayed the lakes specific diversity profile with few the present investigation, altogether 43 bird species were aquatic birds’ species common to different lakes. Thus, recorded at five lakes, which were located at the vicinity our observations corroborate the description of Maguran

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Table 4. ANOVA of aquatic birds at lakes of dry agro-climatic region of southern Karnataka

Sl.No. Name of Bird CL D1LKLPLD2L 1. Tadorna tadorna - 3- - - 2. Nettapus coromandelianus - 15 - - 17 3. Aythya nyroca - -- -24 4. Spatula querquedula - 45 - - - 5. Anser anser - 14 - 9 - 6. Dendrocygna javanica - - 389 - - 7. Anas poecilorhyncha - 65 11 - 34 8. Asarcornis scutulata - 12 - - 3 9. Pluvialis fulva - -25- - 10. Vanellus indicus 35 42 53 30 53 11. Metopidius indicus 20 30 52 - - 12. Sterna aurantia 3 29 -28 13. Himantopus himantopus - 224 187 85 124 14. Limosa limosa 50 271 1105 918 189 15. Tringa tetanus - -41-15 16. Tringa ochropus - - - - 165 17. Tringa stagnatilis - - 102 - 181 18. Tringa erythropus - - 161 - - 19. Anastomus oscitans - 47 114 20. Ciconia episcopus - 33 - 8 21. Mycteria leucocephala 59 71 8 75 313 22. Ciconia episcopus 3 11 13 5 9 23. Alcedo atthis 16 3113 4 24. Halcyon smyrnensis 6 78 11- 25. Fulica atra 75 231 140 140 26 26. Porphyrio porphyrio 132 32 77 43 62 27. Gallicrex cinerea 18 13 34 7 11 28. Motacilla maderaspatensis - -873983 29. Ardea cinerea 14 13 9 12 16 30. Ardeola grayii 85 103 71 26 76 31. Ardea intermedia 78 78 68 66 24 32. Ardea alba 3 48 813 33. Egretta garzetta 33 61 43 94 24 34. Nycticorax nycticorax 24 16 5 - - 35. Ardea purpurea 17 19 19 18 13 36. Egretta gularis 1 4- - - 37. Pelecanus philippensis 33 - 19 1 291 38. Threskiornis melanocephalus 14 18 314 37 8 39. Pseudibis falcinellus 34 51 53 53 17 40. Pseudibis papillosa 16 57 81 41. Anhinga melanogaster 14 19 4 2 4 42. Phalacrocorax carbo 32 52 49 51 8 43. Microcarbo niger 85 118 37 46 9 Total 900 1659 3229 1788 1867 ‘F’ value 0.8945*

Note: CL: Chikkaranganatha Lake; D1L: Doddaranganatha Lake; KL: Kongala Lake; PL: Papana Lake; D2L: Dhanagere Lake. Each value is a total of 36 observations. *Value is not significant.

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Table 5. Aquatic bird’s species diversity index in the lakes at dry agro-climatic region of southern Karnataka Sl.No. DiversityIndex Chikkaranganatha Doddaranganatha Kongala Papana Dhanagere 1. Shannon ‘H’ 2.867 2.834 2.525 2.031 2.751 2. Simpson 1-D 0.928 0.915 0.846 0.717 0.908 3. Equitability-J 0.879 0.803 0.710 0.623 0.786 4. Fisher alpha 5.00 6.05 5.48 4.31 5.69 Note: Data is based on Tables 1 and 4.

Table 6. Beta diversity (Sorenson’s Index) of aquatic bird’s species at dry agro-climatic region of southern Karnataka Sl.No. Aquatic Habitat Chikkaranganatha Doddaranganatha Kongala Papana Dhanagere 1. Chikkaranganatha Lake - 2. Doddaranganatha Lake 0.8333 - 3. Kongala Lake 0.8196 0.8115 - 4. Papana Lake 0.8461 0.8000 0.8196 - 5. Dhanagere Lake 0.7457 0.8059 0.8529 0.8135 - Note: Data is based on Tables 1 and 4.

(2004) in ß diversity. Therefore, every water habitat of Inac et al. (2008), Mohan and Gaur (2008), Hussain would host quite a good number of bird species with et al. (2012), Birasal (2010), Rajashekara and specific population density and species richness that could Venkatesha (2011), Rubina et al. (2016). Moreover, help maintain the healthy status of many lakes in various species belonging to Gruiformes, Suliformes, agro-climatic regions. Coraciiformes and Passeriformes composition were very less compared to Pelecaniformes, Charadriiformes, Surprisingly, members of Pelecaniformes were Anseriformes and Ciconiiformes in dry agro-climatic more commonly found in different lakes and were region of southern Karnataka. Since, Gruiformes are represented by 12 species which belong to families wading birds; Suliformes include cormorants, whereas Ardeidae, Pelecanidae and Threskiornithidae. The Coraciiformes includes kingfisher’s which lead Pelecaniformes are relatively medium-size to large water amphibious life with widespread geographical diversity birds, have the habit of living at diversified inland aquatic (Jordan and Verma, 2000). However, Passeriformes are habitats (Jordan and Verma, 2000). Rajashekara and small sized perching birds, known for their very high Venkatesha (2011), Harisha (2016), Rubina et al. (2016) diversity at both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and Shruthi and Basavarajappa (2016) have reported (Jordan and Verma, 2000). Similar types of observations more species from Pelecaniformes in different lakes were made at different water habitats in Rajasthan located in south-eastern region (e.g. Bangalore), maidan (Mohan and Gaur, 2008), Kurukshtra (Kumar and Gupta, region (e.g. Davangere), northern Karnataka (e.g. 2009), Anekere wetland of Karkala (Bhat et al., 2009), Dharwad) and south-western region (e.g. Mysore) in Heggeri lake, Haveri (Birasal, 2010), Hassan Karnataka. It was followed by Charadriiformes, (Ravikumar, 2011), urban lakes in Bangalore Anseriformes and Ciconiiformes respectively with 10, 8 (Rajashekara and Venkatesha, 2011), Wular lake of and 4 species. Charadriformes are diverse order of small Jammu and Kashmir (Hussain et al., 2012), Uttar to medium-large birds, and live near water habitats, Pradesh (Kanaujia et al., 2013), Keloladeo National whereas, Anseriformes comprises the ducks; Park, Bharatpur (Bhadouria et al., 2014), Tamil Nadu Ciconiformes are storks and other wading birds. Birds (Teneson and Ravichandran, 2015), Ekburji Reservoir, species belong to these groups are very specific in their Maharastra (Wanjari and Washim, 2016), Kondajji lake, roosting, resting, nesting, feeding behaviour and never Davangere (Harisha, 2016), wetlands in K.R. Nagar, compete for similar living conditions in aquatic habitats. Mysore (Shruthi and Basavarajappa, 2016). Thus, many However, they live together and become part of different bird species have direct relationship with different water food chains and food web amidst inland water habitats habitats viz., ponds, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, bays, lagoons, (Rubina et al., 2016; Shruthi and Basavarajappa, 2016). gulf and wetlands, their presence is unique and ubiquitous, Thus, our observations are on par with the observations

Biosystematica, 2020, 11(1&2) 42 V.S. SATHISH, ET AL.

Table 7. Status of aquatic avifauna in various Lakes at playing a pivotal role in the sustenance of native flora southern dry agro-climatic region, Karnataka and fauna. However, their distribution and abundance is habitat specific but, not similar among various aquatic Sl. Scientific Name Type Abun- Food IUCN ecosystems (Yang et al., 2005; Inac et al., 2008; Lameed, No. dance Habit Status 2011; Donatelli et al., 2013; Geofrey et al., 2013; Shao 1. Tadorna tadorna WM UC O LC et al., 2014; Henkanththgedara and Amarasinghe, 2015; 2. Nettapus coromandelianus RCOLCShruthi and Basavarajappa, 2016; Dauda et al., 2017; 3. Aythya nyroca WM UC I T Odewumi et al., 2017; Wijesundara et al., 2017) as 4. Spatula querquedula MCHLCelucidated in the present study. 5. Anser anser WM C H LC 6. Dendrocygna javanica RCOLC Further, bird species composition varied 7. Anas poecilorhyncha WM C H LC considerably in different geographical regions. Inac et 8. Asarcornis scutulata RUCOE al. (2008) have identified 17 bird species at Kumasir 9. Pluvialis fulva RCILClake in Turkey. Rajashekara and Venkatesha (2011) have 10. Vanellus indicus RCILCrecorded 35 bird species in 15 lakes of Bangalore. 11. Metopidius indicus RCILCHussain et al. (2012) have recorded 24 bird species in 12. Sterna aurantia MCPT Wular lake of Jammu and Kashmir. Harisha (2016) has 13. Himantopus himantopus RCILCrecorded 46 bird species at Kondajji lake in Davanagere 14. Limosa limosa MUCIT District. Shruthi and Basavarajappa (2016) have 15. Tringa tetanus WM C I LC recorded 43 species in K.R. Nagar, Mysore. However, 16. Tringa ochropus MUCILC during the present investigation, 43 bird species were 17. Tringa stagnatilis WM UC I LC recorded in dry agro-climatic region of southern 18. Tringa erythropus WM C I LC Karnataka. Thus, all these investigations suggested that 19. Anastomus oscitans M UC Car LC bird species live in community with unique species 20. Ciconia episcopus M UC Car LC composition, which is dissimilar between various water 21. Mycteria leucocephala M C Car T habitats located at different geographical region. 22. Ciconia episcopus R C Car V Furthermore, population density of aquatic birds in 23. Alcedo atthis RCPLCdifferent inland water habitats varied considerably. 24. Halcyon smyrnensis R C Car LC Bhadouria et al. (2014) have recorded 63,540 birds at 25. Fulica atra MCHLC27 wetlands around Keloladeo National Park, Bharatpur. 26. Porphyrio porphyrio RUOLCTeneson and Ravichandran (2015) have recorded 5,671 27. Gallicrex cinerea RCOLCbirds in the wetland of Koothapar Periyakulam at 28. Motacilla maderaspatensis RCILCTiruchanapalli District, Tamil Nadu. Dauda et al. (2017) have reported 25,361 birds at Uchali wetland (Ramsar 29. Ardea cinerea RCPLC site), Pakistan. Donatelli et al. (2013) have recorded 30. Ardeola grayii R C Car LC 7,834 birds at three aquatic habitats such as Negro river, 31. Ardea intermedia RCPLC Bays and Saline’s of Nhecolandia sub-region of south 32. Ardea alba RCPLC Pantanal, Brazil. Rajpar and Zakaria (2010) have 33. Egretta garzetta R C Car LC recorded 13,872 birds at Paya Indah wetland reserve, 34. Nycticorax nycticorax R C Car LC Selangor Peninsular region of Malaysia. However, during 35. Ardea purpurea R C Car LC the present study, 9,443 aquatic birds were recorded and 36. Egretta gularis MUCILC indicated good population density. Although, Cauvery 37. Pelecanus philippensis RCPT River basin is flowing amidst southern dry agro-climatic 38. Threskiornis melanocephalus R UC Car T region at Kollegala, it could not create wetland due to 39. Pseudibis falcinellus RUCOLC its perennial nature in this region. Despite the constraint 40. Pseudibis papillosa RCILCof water throughout the year amidst dry agro-climatic 41. Anhinga melanogaster RUCPT region of southern Karnataka, few lakes hosted good 42. Phalacrocorax carbo MUCPLC population density of birds and become potential habitat 43. Microcarbo niger RCPLCfor various aquatic birds. Size wise wetlands have larger Note: Data is based on Table 1. R: Resident; M: Migratory; WM: geographical area with diversified flora compared to Winter Migrant; C: Common; UC: Uncommon; P: Piscivorous; lakes (Shruthi and Basavarajappa, 2016); perhaps this Car: Carnivorous; O: Omnivorous; H: Herbivorous; LC: Least Concerned; E: Endangered; T: Threatened; V: Vulnerable. Biosystematica, 2020, 11(1&2) Aquatic Avifaunal Diversity 43

Table 8. Status and abundance of aquatic birds in southern dry agro-climatic region, Karnataka

Sl.No. IUCN Status Abundance Category No. of species %Occurrence Type No. of species % Occurrence 1. Endangered 01 2.3 Common 29 67.4 2. Least Concerned 34 79.1 Uncommon 14 32.6 3. Threatened 07 16.3 4. Vulnerable 01 2.3 Total 43 100.0 Total 43 100.0 Data is based on Tables 1 and 7.

Table 9. Feeding habits of aquatic birds at southern dry agro-climatic region, Karnataka Sl.No. Type No. of species % Occurrence Major Food 1. Carnivorous 10 23.3 Aquatic insects, fishes, molluscs 2. Herbivorous 04 9.3 Hydrophytes rootlets, seeds, etc. 3. Insectivorous 13 30.2 Insects 4. Omnivorous 07 16.3 Insects, fruits, seeds, fishes 5. Piscivorous 09 20.9 Mainly fishes Total 43 100.0 - could become one of the major constraints for less understand their abundance. Total 29 species were population density of birds in lakes. commonly found and 14 species were not common and represented 67.4 and 32.6% respectively at the lakes of Inland water habitats host migratory birds dry agro-climatic region of Karnataka. Similar type of besides local bird species. Several migratory birds are observations was made by Shruthi and Basavarajappa regular visitors to different lakes/wetlands during (2016), Rubina et al. (2016). different seasons to access and avail the congenial climate, locally available abundant food and to have Furthermore, feeding habits of aquatic birds are breeding-cum-nesting sites. Wanjari and Wasim (2016), highly diversified. They feed on grains, wild grass, Bhat et al. (2009), Birasal (2010), Ravikumar (2011), hydrophytes rootlets, tender shots, aquatic insects, Rubina et al. (2016), Shruthi and Basavarajappa (2016), molluscs, fishes, amphibians and lizards also. In the lakes Puri and Virani (2016) have recorded good number of of dry agro-climatic region, 30.2% aquatic birds were migratory birds species along with local resident birds in insectivorous and 23.3% were carnivorous and 20.9% Maharashtra, Udapi, Haveri, Hassan, Dharwad and were piscivorous birds. However, 16.3% bird species Mysore Districts. In the lakes of dry agro-climatic region, were omnivorous and only 9.3% were herbivorous. Few 60.4% birds (26 species) were local residents, which aquatic birds feed on aquatic insects in lakes. The occur throughout the year and 10 species were migratory omnivorous bird species feed on hydrophytes and their birds, visited these lakes for foraging, breeding-cum- rootlets. The southern dry agro-climatic region is covered nesting purpose during different seasons. During the present investigation, an attempt was made to distinguish them into endangered (one species), least concerned (34 Table 10. Local and migratory aquatic birds found in species), threatened (7 species) and vulnerable (one southern dry agro-climatic region, Karnataka species) species based on IUCN category. Such type Sl. Type No. of % Residents of of observation is very essential to understand the species No. species Occurrence composition and status of bird species living in a lake especially in dry agro-climatic region, where water is 1. Migratory 10 23.3 North India one of the major constraints, precautions could be made 2. Resident 26 60.4 Local during dry seasons to restore such inland water habitats 3. Winter Migrant 07 16.3 Northern region for threatened bird species. Further, classifying the birds into common and uncommon species would help Total 43 100.0 -

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Received: 19 Jul 2020 Accepted: 10 Nov 2020 Print Edition Published: 03 Apr 2021

Biosystematica, 2020, 11(1&2)