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An Assessment about Habitat Preference and Diversity of Fauna (Anurans) in Aurangabad Bihar Nalinaksh Pankaj* Department of Zoology,Magadh University, BodhGaya, India. *Corresponding author: Tel:9431801150; Email: [email protected] Citation: Pankaj N. An Assessment about Habitat Preference and Diversity of Amphibian Fauna (Anurans) in Aurangabad Bihar India. Electronic J Biol, 16:5 Received: October 14, 2020; Accepted: November 12, 2020; Published: November 19, 2020

Research

Abstract of different species is a major work and requirement in conservation biology [3]. The habitats, distribution, Present study of the Amphibian diversity mainly of Anuran amphibian and their habitat preference abundance and ecology of various rare larger wild was conducted for one year between March 2017 to have been reported while working on their February 2018 at Aurangabad, an important district conservation strategies; however, such information of Bihar, India. Nine species of Anuran amphibian is very few in case of as we hardly belonging to four families and eight genera were know the role of quality and quantity of habitat in found to occur in Aurangabad Bihar. The habitat determining distribution and abundance of anurans preference of these amphibians are of wide range like [4]. For implementation the specific conservation in and around the natural and artificial water bodies, programmes for amphibians it is important to human residential area, forested areas, termite nest, understand the factors that control their diversity in tree hole, under spaces of logs, leaf litter and so on. that particular region [5]. As amphibians inhabit, both Of the nine Anuran amphibian identified 5 species in terrestrial and aquatic habitation, a change in either were found in and around the DeoSuryakund (site-I), all the 9 species were found and identified in and or both the ecosystems can lead to adverse effect around the area of Raja Jagganath dam Deo (site-II), on amphibian diversity of any particular area [6]. The and 7 species were identified in and around the Umga present work was done in and around major water pond (site-III) of Aurangabad Bihar. Analysis of the bodies of Aurangabad city of Bihar state to assess collected data on the anuran community of the study the Amphibian diversity (anuran) as these pretty area revealed Shannon–Wiener species diversity creatures are easily victimizedand greatly affected index minimum (1.213) at site-I and maximum (1.969) to the alteration in environmental components as at site-II. In contrast Margalef richness index value environmental pollution and habitat degradation. was minimum (0.693) at site-I and maximum (1.325) I have surveyed and sampled the amphibian at site-II. This study showing he amphibian diversity species pollution free areas however there were of Aurangabad and their habitat preference. some anthropogenic activities adversely affect the Keywords: Amphibian diversity; Aurangabad amphibian diversity. Anurans are also considered Bihar; Diversity index; Habitat preference;Margalef very important as ecological and economic richness index standpoints of view. As they are good ecological indicator indicator and they also acts efficiently as Introduction natural agent to control different varieties of pestsi.e good biological controller also. In Aurangabad Amphibians are the diverse group of organisms District of Bihar mainly anuran amphibians are having dual mode of life i.e aquatic as well as found that are represented by 9 species belonging terrestrial. The species in this group includefrogs, to 4 families and 7 genera that show patchy and toads’ salamanders and newts.thei.e aquatic as well discontinuous distribution in this area. Amphibians as terrestrial. The species in these groupsinclude found in Aurangabad were represented by only the , toads salamanders and newts.They inhabit order Anura. Boulenger GA [7] described amphibian a wide variety of habitats with most species living fauna of British India. Venkateshwarlu&Murthy [8] within terrestrial, fossorial, arboreal or freshwater firstdescribedthe amphibian species of Bihar state, aquatic ecosystems. Anura is a diverse Order under with very few description and short notes on their the Class Amphibia that contains 406 described character and habitat also. Later on Sarkar AK[9] species known from India [1]. Out of these Bihar described the amphibian species of Chhotanagpur state is the home of 14 amphibian species belonging (Jharkhand) it only provides taxonomical description to 4 families and 8 genera [2]. It is very essential to of amphibians. Sarkar A.K [9] provide list of know about the habitat preference and habitat use amphibians in the state fauna series of ZSI and

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provide taxonomical description of 14 species of diversity and their habitat preference in altered amphibians from Bihar. But till date no any workers ecosystems due to various anthropocentric activities, provide the comprehensive account of amphibian a work first of its kind, in Aurangabad district of Bihar diversity of Aurangabad dist.Bihar. Major effective province. As species diversity indices have been surveys were conducted in Western Ghat regions, used to characterize communities and ecosystems abode of most diverse species of amphibians and [17], alpha diversity measures are used to comment these were under taken by Abraham et al. [10], on the within-habitat or intra-community anuran Dahanukar and Padhye [6], Krishnamurthy [4] and diversity of the study areas. Purushotham et al. [11]. Similar important works Study Area from the North-East India were reported by Meren et al. [12] and Ningombam and Bordolol [13]. These The study area (Figure 1-3) of present study is the works have amply documented the diversity and Aurangabad district of Bihar province. Aurangabad microhabitats of amphibian species. Several authors district located between24° 45' to 240 75' N and 84° also work on amphibian diversity in other parts of 22' to 84° 37'E, and is the main southern districtof India such as Hegde and Roy [14], Padhye and Bihar, India. The total area of Aurangabad is 1419 Ghate [15], Srinivasulu et al. [16]. The main objective sq km and the elevation varies between 100 and of the present study was to estimate the amphibian 108 m.Vegetation of the study area is mainly of dry

Figure 1. DeoSuryakund, An artificial pond of Aurangabad Bihar (SITE-1).

Figure 2. Raja Jagganath Dam deo Aurangabad Bihar (SITE 2).

Figure 3. Umga pond Madanpur Aurangabad Bihar (SITE 3).

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deciduous type dominated by Shorearobusta. The conducted the study between 07:00 am to 10:00 am river Sone, Punpun, Batane, and a large number of and 06:00 pm to midnight. Flashlights were also used temporary and permanent lentic water bodies and to locate the anuran species in night. The anuran wetlands are present in the study area, that are the diversity was also studied by noting the deposited main habitat for large number of amphibian species. eggs during breeding period. Nesting site, type of Forest, Grasslands and Cultivated land is situated nest and egg cluster was helpful in identifying anuran around the study sites. We carried out the present species. The field data for each individual encountered study between March 17 February 18 which included like locality, date, time, weather condition, habitat, a consecutive pre-monsoon, monsoon and post- microhabitat and reproductive condition of each monsoon periods. We selected three study sites from individual (if it could be determined), co-existing the perspective of contrasting habitat characteristics species (if any) and other behavioral notes were that differ in amphibian species and their habitat recorded. Taxonomic notes of individuals captured preference also. Site-I, DeoSuryakund(24.70330 N during field work and morphometric data were also and 84.35420 E) was a large permanent artificial water noted. We calculated Shannon–Wiener diversity body occupying 821.5 m2 area with a mean depth index, Pielou’s evenness index, Margalef’s richness of 2 m. Both floating and submerged aquatic weeds index and Simposon’s dominance index using D were noted in this pond.Because of Hindu rituals on index software version 4.0. Photographs of the the bank of this pond, this become very important for representative species and their habitats were taken amphibian species. This pond was in the vivinity of with a digital camera. Geographic position of study dense human habitation besides this pond, few small sites were recorded by using a GPS mobile software. temporary water bodies, agricultural field around Coordinates were recorded as latitude and longitude this Suryakund were also included for tha sampling in degrees. Identification of the amphibian species and identification of amphibian species of this area. was done using the identification keys available as Raja Jagganath dam (24.56760 N and 84.45490 E) Dutta [18], Daniels [19] and Frost [20]. was selected as site-II. This site or study is very rich Results and Discussion in amphibian diversity was large forested area that is surrounded by thick matty grasslands provide A total of nine anuran belonging to 4 families and 7 suitable habitat for various species of amphibians and genera species were recorded from all the study sites all the 9 species of amphibian recorded from here. It of Aurangabad Bihar India (Figure-4). Many species has dense forest and grassland extending about 20 of anurans are found to spend a good part of their sq km was with about 20 permanent and temporary life hiding, either in water under detritus, or on land water bodies. Umga pond Madanpur (24.63910 under leaf litter, rocks or logs and even underground N and 84.55960 E), covering an area of about 5-7 holes and termite mounds [21]. Therefore with the acre eith catchment area about 40 acre. This pond increasing in microhabitats and breeding sites of is surrounded by mountainous region and cultivation amphibians the diversity of anuran species increases. land. It was a low lying area and in the monsoon, However, the amphibian diversity of Aurangabad most of the area of this study site was inundated Bihar region is not so high. During the survey we found by temporary water and watery area become large only nine species of amphibians under four families during monsoon season. named, Bufonidae, , Microhylidae Materials and Methods and Rhacophoridae. The amphibian species were represented by Duttafreanusmelanostictus, During the whoe survey and sampling we have Duttaphrynusstomaticus, Hoplobatrachustigerinus, used visual encounter survey (VES) and acoustic Hoplobatrachuscrassus, Sphaerothecabraviceps, encounter survey (AES) for the rapid assessments Euphlyctiscyanophlyctis,Fejervaryalimnocharis, and the evaluation of larger areas (Ro del and Ernst Microhyla ornate and Polypedatesmaculatus (Table 2004). The visual encounter survey (VES) was the 1). most frequently used technique throughout the study and was used in all the terrestrial sites studied The most common species is Duttaphrynusstomaticus and sampled. We laid stress primarily to estimate that was mainly observed to be ground living, the varied types of suitable habitats, where the occupying both dry and damp moist terrestrial habitats anuran amphibian species mainly thrives. We also including dump-yards, under the leaf litter, wood log implemented different active searches like turning and near about human habitations. This species rocks and logs, peeling bark, digging through leaf observed in large number during the dawn and night litter, and excavating burrows and termite mounds period. This was observed to be the most common in order to got a good and reliable result. We also ‘road kill’ anurans in study locations throughout the occasionally performed acoustic searching along the year. The life-cycle of D. melanostictus is biphasic wooded trail, degraded forest edges and along water type as they were observed to breed in monsoons bodies where visual encounter was not possible. We (early July to early October) and also in vernal

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Figure 4. Different amphibian (Anuran) species found in Aurangabad, Bihar India.

Table 1. Amphibian species found in Aurangabad Bihar India with their habitat, occurance, abundance and IUCN status. Abundance Common Occurance in IUCN Species Family Habitat preference at study name study sites status sites Dry and wet terrestrial Common Duttaphrynusmelnostictus Bufonidae areas,Human habitation, Forest, II, III C LC Asian toad Road side Terrestrial areas, human Duttaphrynusstomaticus Marbled toad Bufonidae I, II III VC LC habitation, leaf litter, wooden log Hoplobatrachustigerinus Indian bullfrog Dicroglossidae Water bodies, ditch, drain, pool I, II, III VC LC Hoplobatrachuscrassus Jerdon’s Dicroglossidae Water bodies,pool,mud I, II, III C LC (Hoffman,1932) bullfrog Indian Sphaerothecabraviceps burrowing Dicroglossidae - II, III O LC Asias grass Water bodies, Forest, Frejerveryalimnocharis Dicroglossidae II O LC frog Agricultural field Euphlyctiscyanophlyctis Skittering frog Dicroglossidae Water bodies I, II, III VC LC Ornate Under stone, near water bodies, Microhylaornate narrow Microhylidae II, O LC temporal water mouthed frog Common tree Human habitation, tree hole, Polypedatesmaculatus Rhacophoridae I, III VC LC frog forest, termite nest season (end of January to end of March). Indian collected live species of this variety as a full-grown Bullfrog (H. tigerinus) was frequently found in rainy frog and sold in the market (NE states)for the delicacy season in and around lentic water bodies, paddy field of its legs. Jerdon’s Bull Frog (H. crassus) was areas, and occasionally also at residential areas. morphologically much similar to the Indian Bullfrog. These species were also observed throughout the The legs of Jerdon’s Bull Frog were also used as a year near the human habitation in the pool, Ditch delicacy. Both these bull frogs were observed to be and drains. We observed that in the rainy season good long distance jumpers. Sphaerothecabraviceps when this species was commonly available, people (Indian burrowing frog) also observed frequently

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in Aurangabad district. They found mainly around species. Study site-I had no additional water bodies the temporary water bodies burrowed inside the attached to main pond, so the anuran species were holes in soil, leaf litter and logs. The skipper frog found to migrate towards the nearby agricultural field (E. cyanophlyctis) was very much common in both during their mating season. Species diversity (E lotic and lentic water bodies of Aurangabad Bihar. Mayr) is one of the fundamental concepts of ecology The life-cycle of E. cyanophlyctis was also biphasic that has been used to characterize communities and followed the similar pattern as stated for D. and ecosystems structure and functioning [17]. melanostictus.We found millions of tadpoles of skipper Diversity is the basic concept that is used to denote frog in the month of January–March in nearby water the community structure. It has been defined by bodies. Paddy Field Frog (F. limnocharis) was also a the indices used to measure it. Whittaker and common species in and around Aurangabad. It was Woodwell’s [24] alpha diversity is the within-habitat located mainly in the temporal lentic waterbodies, or intracommunity diversity that is the subject of the agricultural land, degraded forest and beside the wet present consideration. He has advocated using the banks of water bodies. Common Indian Tree Frog (P. Simpson index to express relative concentration maculatus) was also a very common species found of dominance that is, measures of slope of the in tree hole, stem of banana tree, damp or moist area importance value sequence, but differentiating of domestic places including bathrooms and inside between Simpson’s index for concentration of the well and hand pumps. However, in the breeding dominance and Shannon’s formula as an index of time they were frequently found in and around equitability. We dealt with site-wise species diversity lentic water bodies, preferably in the temporary rain indices of anurans at the study locations (Table 2). water pools and puddles. This species of Common The Shannon–Wiener species diversity index (H’), Indian tree frog can easily observed in the home of based mainly on proportional species abundances, Aurangabad.They were observed to prepare a foam was observed to be minimum at site-I (1.213) while nest, which remained suspended in the vegetation comparable high values were calculated from site- above the water level. Like most of the rhacophorids, II (1.969) and site-III (1.849). These two sites were they deposit their eggs in the foam nest attached to moist and contain both lotic and lentic water bodies, vegetation either above or near water [22], Ornate high anuran diversity were recorded in site-II and site- Narrow- Mouth Frog (M. ornate) was encountered III. Evenness is an important property of all ecological only in the breeding period (Monsoon season) in communities. It may be defined as ‘‘the degree to temporary lentic waters. This is the smallest frog which the abundances are equal among the species (30–35 mm) found in Aurangabad. The call of this present ina sample or community’’ [25]. A community species was very loud and the frequency of its call in which each species present is equally abundant was also very high. Das et al. [23] reported that the has high evenness; a community in which the species chorus of this species was commonly heard in and differ widely in abundance has low evenness (Smith around human habitation, as well as along forest and Wilson, 1996). Pielou’s index (J0) of evenness edges and in plantations. Throughout the study was also very high for site-I (0.932) and site-III F limnocharis and Microhylaornata was not found (0.853) while minimum at site-II (0.832). Simpson’s in the site-I and site-III but in site-II (Table 1). This dominance index (DSIMP), which is also based on may be due to the absence of proper hilly areas and proportional abundance like H’ revealed contrasting preferred forest in sites I and III. Likewise, absence values to those of H’. The maximum was recorded of Duttaphrynusmelanostictus,Sphaerothecabravi from site-II (0.231) while comparatively much ceps, Frejerveryalimnocharis and Microhylaornata lower values at site-I (0.149) and at site-III (0.169) indicating the lack of habitat for these species in were calculated. Although both Shannon–Wiener these areas site-I (Table 1) and may be accounted and Simpson’s indices consider the proportional from the fact of absence of any suitable water body abundance of species, H’ is more sensitive to rare in the site concerned. Between february to April a species, where as DSIMP put greater emphasis to good number of tadpoles of E. cyanophlyctis and D. common species. Therefore these indices point out stomaticus were seen to occupy the site-II and III. occurrence of many diverse anuran species at site-II This moist site with a large lentic water-body having and site-III while only specially adapted species are several small streams was observed to be least confined to site-I. The use of diversity indices has disturbed and hence was a good habitat of anuran increased due to the necessity of testing different

Table 2. Calculated diversity indices of all the study sites of Aurangabad Bihar. Diversity index SITE- I SITE- II SITE -III Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H’) 1.213 1.969 1.849 Simpson’s Dominance Index (DSIMP) 0.149 0.231 0.169 Margalef Richness Index (DMARG) 0.693 1.325 1.243 Pielou’s Evenness Index (J’) 0.932 0.832 0.853

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methodologies to develop the ecological status. [2] Sarkar AK, Das S, Ray S. (2004). Amphibia. In State Richness is an indicator of the relative wealth of fauna series 11, fauna of Bihar (including Jharkhand). species in a community. The species richness (total Zoological Survey of India.1:181–193 number of species in each sample), and Margalef [3] Hartel T, Demeter L, Coga˘lniceanu D, et al. index, considering either the absolute number of (2006). The influence of habitat characteristics on individuals or the density, were calculated [26-31]. amphibian species richness in two river basins The percentage variation was calculated of Romania. Proceedings 13th congress of the SocietasEuropaeaHerpetologica, 47–50. as the ratio of Margalef index determined with the density matrix divided by the Margalef index [4] Krishnamurthy SV. (2003). Amphibian assemblages determined with the absolute numbers matrix. in undisturbed and disturbed areas of Kudremukh Margalef’s richness index National Park, central Western Ghats, India. Env Conservation. 30(3):274–282. (DMARG), which considers both abundance and [5] Vasudevan K, Kumar A, Chellam R. (2001). Structure species numbers, also indicated that maximum and composition of rainforest floor amphibian values were associated with site-II (1.325) and site- communities in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. III (1.243) while the minimum for the site-II (0.693). Current Sci. 80(3):406–412. Anurans are moisture loving creatures. Therefore the species diversity is expected to be high in moist [6] DahanukarN, Padhye A. (2005). Amphibian diversity and distribution in Tamhini, northern Western Ghats, places. This could well be substantiated from the India. Current Sci. 88:1496–1501. data recorded from site- II and site-III in the present study. However, perhaps to avoid competition some [7] Boulenger GA. (1890) The fauna of British India of the anuran species of Aurangabad Bihar have including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. adapted large forest area as in evident from the data Taylor and Francis, London recorded from various sites [8] VenkateswarluT,Murthy TSN. (1972). Fauna of Bihar State (India), Amphibia Indian. J Zoology. 3):129– Therefore, the anuran diversity is high in the study 13( 130. area compared to other parts of lower Indo-Gangetic plains of the state of Bihar of India. It is apparent from [9] Sarkar AK. (1991).The amphibian of ChhotaNagpur the study that still good habitat diversity encouraging (Bihar), India. ZologicalSurvay of India. 89: 209–217. nine species to thrive in Aurangabad Bihar. Alongside, [10] Abraham KS, Easa PS, SabuJahas SA. (2001). it is also evident that the township, criss-crossed with Amphibian fauna of Wayanad, Kerala. Zoos Print a good number of roadwayswith heavy traffic loads, J.16:457–461. experienced a very heavytoll on anuran population [11] Purushotham CB, Dharmadhikari K, Vivek R. (2011). through road-kill, especially during monsoon. A comparison of hill stream anuran diversity across Conclusion two habitats in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: a pilot study. Frog Leg.15:2–9. Aurangabad Bihar is the southernmost state of Bihar surrounded by hilly and forested areas. It also having [12] MerenAo, Bordoloi JS, Ohler A. (2003). Amphibian large number of water bodies supported great variety fauna of Nagaland with nineteen new records from the state including five new records for India. Zoo’s of floral and faunal diversity. In my study 9 species Print J.18(6):1117–1125. of amphibians identified and recorded from various study sites of the district. These will the first account [13] Ningombam B, Bordolol S. (2007). Amphibian fauna about the amphibian diversity and habitat preference of Loktak Lake, Manipur, India with ten new records of this area. for the State. Zoo’s Print J. 22(5):2688–2690. Acknowledgement [14] Hegde VD, Roy S. (2011). Amphibian fauna of Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India. I thanks to almighty god for giving me the inspiration Frog Leg 15. to do my research work. My research supervisor Dr [15] Padhye AD, Mahabaleshwarkar M, Ghate HV. (2002). Bhrigunath is also very thankful for providing me such An overview of amphibian fauna of Pune district with opportunity to do my research work. Dr SNP Yadav special reference to their status in and around Pune Deen HOD Deptt. Of zoology, Dr S K Singh Dean city. Zoo’s PrintJ. 17(4):757–763. Faculty of science Magadh University Bodhgaya for [16] Srinivasulu C, Siliwal M, Rajesh A, et al. (2007). their continuous and selfless support. Diversity and distribution of amphibian fauna in References Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve,Andhra Pradesh. Frog Leg. 13: 3–6. [1] Dinesh KP, Radhakrishnan C, Channakeshwarmurthy BH, et al.(2020). A checklist of amphibians of India, [17] DeJong TM. (1975). A comparison of three diversity with IUCN conservation status. Zoological Survey of indices based on their components of richness and India. evenness. Oikos26:222–227.

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