Small Mammal Mail Newsletter celebrating the most useful yet most neglected Mammals for CCINSA & RISCINSA -- Chiroptera, Rodentia, Insectivora, & Scandentia Conservation and Information Networks of South Asia Volume 5 Number 2 ISSN 2230-7087 January 2014
Contents
Recent photographic observation of Nicobar Treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica (Zelebor, 1869) on Great Nicobar Island, Kannadasan Narasimmarajan, Pp. 2-3
Rescue of micro-bats in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, Dau Lal Bohra and Shradha Vyas, Pp. 4-8
Common Indian Megachiroptera (My Collections), Azad Ali, Pp. 9-10
Roost of Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus in Badurtola, Chuadanga District, Bangladesh, Tahsinur Rahman Shihan, Pp. 11-12
Ending the journey of PhD in bat ecology - Photo Features, Pushpa Raj Acharya, P. 1 3
Foliage roosting by the painted bat, Kerivoula picta in Thrissur, Kerala, Madhavan, A., Sreedevi Rajasekar and S. Suthakar Isaac, P. 14
Living with Villagers for Bat Conservation, Sanjan Thapa, Pp. 15-18
Amity University, M.Sc. Wildlife Course, P. 1 8
New site records of the Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica (Erxleben, 1777) from the southern Eastern Ghats, India, A. Kalaimani and G. Gokula Krishnan, Pp. 19-20
JRF Position in DST-SERB Funded Project at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, P. 2 0
First record of White-tailed Wood-rat, Madromys blanfordi from Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India Kartik Upadhyay, Pritesh Patel and Reshma Solanki, Pp. 21-22
Small mammal conservation awareness programs in Tamil Nadu, India, Brawin Kumar, Pp. 23-25
Threat to wildlife from carnivorous pets: (Gray, 1838), Preeti S. Virkar and Shivam Shrotriya, Pp. 26-27 We at ZOO, WILD and all our networks are happy to Albinism in Ratufa indica (Erxleben) and report that Dr. Azad Ali, a CCINSA member, recently published a other mammals from Satara District, book from Scholars' Press, Germany entitled "Indian Flying Fox of Maharashtra, Amit Sayyed, Anil Mahabal Assam. Ecobiology of Indian Flying Fox, Pteropus giganteus and R.M. Sharma, Pp. 28-29 Brunnich, 1782. The poster above will spread the news Sighting of a total albino Ruddy Mongoose regarding publication of this book for bat researchers and bat Ranthambore National Park, R. Kulkarni fans. See page 31 for more information. and Anil Mahabal , Pp. 30-31 Congratulations to Azad Ali. A book “Indian Flying Fox of Assam” and a Bat Rhyme, Azad Ali, P. 31 The ZOO Crew
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 1 Recent photographic observation of Nicobar Treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica (Zelebor, 1869) on Great Nicobar Island Kannadasan Narasimmarajan*
The Nicobar Treeshrew Tupaia nicobarica (Zelebor, 1869) (Order: Scandentia, Family: Tupaiidae, Subfamily: Tupainae), is a small arboreal mammal species endemic to India. Its distribution is restricted to Great Nicobar and Little Nicobar Islands (Corbet and Hill, 1992; Alfred et al., 2002, 2006a & b; Molur et al., 2005; Pande et al., 2009). Since entry to Nicobar Islands is restricted and is allowed only after tedious formal permissions from govern- ment authorities, and considering the logistics involved, any recent records of the poorly known, endemic and endangered species like Nicobar Treeshrew are very Figure: 1. Photograph of the Nicobar Treeshrew clicked on 12.02.2012, at valuable. In this note, I report Great Nicobar Island the recent photographic obser- ations of this species, taken in its on this island. I did not Threats and recommendations wild natural habitat on Great specifically search for it, since I This Indian endemic species is Nicobar Island. was concentrating on Long-tailed listed in C.A.M.P. 1997 as an macaque survey (Narasimmarajan Endangered (EN-b1, 2c); IUCN Observations & Raghunathan (2012). It is 2013, Endangered (B1ab3); but On 12th February 2012 at 9.00am, likely that we could have is not included in Wildlife during the Long-tailed macaque overlooked some more individuals (Protection) Act 1972 (as survey on the Great Nicobar of Tree shrews. amended up to 2003 (Alfred et Island, I came across a pair of al., 2006a,b), and is facing high Nicobar Treeshrew on the East- Identification risk of extinction (Molur et al., Coast Road about 28 km from The features that point to the 2005). The Nicobar Tree shrew is Campbell Bay (6°53’39.3”N; identification of the species from protected under CITES: Appendix 93°53’49.5”E). The pair was seen photographs match with the II; however, the region where it on a palm tree in the rainforest at earlier published descriptions. occurs is a part of the Great the lower canopy level on the (Prater, 1971; Menon, 2003; Nicobar Biosphere, hence the edge of a ravine through which a Alfred et al., 2002, 2006; Pande, habitat is protected. The threats perennial mountain stream was et al., 2009). The present to this species are quantitative flowing although only one photograph taken by the author and qualitative habitat loss at the individual could be photographed. appears to be the detailed visual rate of <20% decline in the last The pair was quite active and the documentation of this species in four decades and a predicted rate two animals were seen chasing the wild in its natural habitat on of >20% during the next 10 years one another. They were observed the Great Nicobar Island. due to agriculture, change in land walking over branches and were Although Nicobar Tree shrew use pattern, human settlements, seen preferably keeping to the observation is known, the precise introduction of domestic shady parts and were not information on this species, with mammals, predation by dogs and observed to leap. They were photographic evidence is worth natural disasters like earthquake observed searching for food and documenting. Nevertheless the and tsunami (Molur et al., 2005; soon disappeared as they moved previous observation was away to another tree. The published five years ago (Pande, species was seen twice again et al., 2009). *Care Earth Trust, No.15, 2nd Main during our entire survey along a road, Thillaiganga Nagar, Nanganallur, total line transect walk of 215 km Chennai- 600061. Email: [email protected]
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 2 Pande et al., 2007). There is nothing much known Pande, S., N. Sant, and S. Pednekar (2009). Recent about its ecology and the natural history. There are Observations of Nicobar Tree Shrew Tupaia nicobarica no captive stocks of the Nicobar Tree Shrew. (Zelebor, 1869) on Great Nicobar Island. Small mammal Research, management and conservation measures mail.1 (1); 30–31. like systematic surveys, taxonomic studies and Prater, S.H., (1971). The Book of Indian Animals. identification of new protected areas have been Bombay Natural History Society., (Ed.3), 1–324pp. recommended by Sankaran (1997). Knowing the threats to the Nicobar Tree Shrew, particularly Sankaran, R., (1997). Developing a protected area construction of the 35 km east–coast road, more network in the Nicobar Islands: The perspective of details about the study area and threats can be endemic avifauna. Biodiversity and Conservation. 6, found in Narasimmarajan et al. (2012) and this 797-815. endemic and endangered species needs to be included in the appropriate schedule of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, for its long term conservation on a priority basis.
References Alfred, J.R.B., N.K. Sinha, and S. Chakraborty (2002). Checklist of Mammals of India. Rec. Zool. Surv. India, Occ. Paper 199: 1–289. (Published by the Director, Zool. Sur. India, Kolkata).
Alfred, J.R.B., A.K. Das and A.K. Sanyal (2006a). Animals of India: Mammals. ENVIS-Zool. Surv. India., 1-236pp. (Published by the Director, Zool. Sur. India, Kolkata).
Alfred, J.R.B., Ramkrishna and M.S. Pradhan (2006b). Validation of Threatened Mammals of India., , 1- 568pp. (Published by the Director, Zool. Sur. India, Request Kolkata). Dear Readers, Corbet, G.B., and J.E. Hill (1992). The Mammals of the Indo-Malayan Region. Oxford University Press. New York. I understand that the Vernay Survey of the 1- 488pp. Eastern Ghats had a mammal section (Vernay Scientific Survey of the Eastern Ghats: Menon, V., (2003). A Field Guide to Indian Mammals. Ornithological section, by N.B. Kinnear and Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd. And Penguin Book India Hugh Whistler, Journal of the Bombay Natural (P) Ltd. 1- 201pp. History Society, Volume 34, Issue 2, pages 386-403 (1930)). I have been able to find in Molur, S., C. Srinivasulu, S. Bhargavi, S. Walker, P.O. the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Nameer and L. Ravikumar (2005). Status of South Society a series of articles on the Asian Non-volant Small Mammals: Conservation ornithological work that the survey carried out Assesment and Management Plan (C. A. M. P.) Workshop (series of 16 articles titled Vernay Scientific Report. Zoo Outreach Organisation. ICBSG-South Asia, Survey of the Eastern Ghats (Ornithological Coimbatore, India. 618pp. Section) by Hugh Whistler and N.B. Kinnear, between 1932 and 1937 (Volumes 35-39)). Narasimmarajan, K., and C. Raghunathan (2012). But there is no report in this journal on the Status of the Long-tailed macaque and conservation of the mammal survey. Can anyone suggest how I recovery population in the Great Nicobar Island, India. might gather any details about the mammal Wildl. Bio. Prac. 8 (2). 1–8. section of the Vernay Survey.
Pande, S., N. Sant, S. Ranade, S. Pednekar, P. Thanking you Mestry, P. Deshpande, S. Kharat and V. Deshmukh Kumaran Sathasivam (2007). Avifaunal survey of Andaman and Nicobar Email: [email protected] Islands, January 2007. Indian Birds. Vol. 3 No. 5: 162– 180.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 3 Rescue of micro-bats in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India Dau Lal Bohra* and Shradha Vyas
Bats are warm-blooded true flying mammals. They are also long- lived, intelligent and have a complex social life. According to Mistry (1997) insectivorous bats prey on nocturnal insects not only in the agricultural ecosystems but also within the towns and cities. Their importance as natural pest- controlling agents have never been highlighted. Larger mines with single or multiple entrances are preferred by bats because they have varying temperature zones that are similar to their natural habitats (Altenbach, 1995; Devkar et al., 2011). Insectivorous bats eat insects and other invertebrates such as spiders, which they catch in flight or pick off water, the ground or Bat collection foliage. Some bats specialise in catching large insects such as beetles or moths but others eat large numbers of very small insects, midges and mosquitoes during night. Bats gather to feed wherever there are lots of insects, so the best places for them include traditional pasture, woodland, marshes, ponds and slow moving rivers (Kunz, 1988).
Bats have evolved a number of unusual features, mainly connected with their ability to fly. Their wings are formed from a web of highly elastic skin stretched over greatly elongated finger bones, the legs and tail, though their thumbs remain free to help them cling on when Bat capture during rescue programme roosting (Kunz, 1988). Bats have also developed a highly sophisti- electronic bat-detectors that pick sheltered roosts, let their body cated echolocation system that up these calls and turn them into temperature drop close to that of allows them to avoid obstacles sounds that we can hear are now their surroundings and slow their and catch tiny insects, even in widely used by specialists. heart rate to only a few beats per complete darkness. When they're minute. This greatly reduces their flying, bats produce a stream of During the winter, there are energy requirements so that their high-pitched calls and listen to the relatively few insects available, echoes to produce a sound picture so bats hibernate. In September Thar Desert Ecological Society of India of their surroundings. Most of and October they put on weight (TDESI), Khabedi Changaneyo ki gali, these echolocation calls are too Bahthdo ka chowk, Bikaner-334001, and then, as the weather gets Rajasthan, India. Email: *corresponding high pitched for us to hear, but colder, they seek out appropriate author- [email protected]
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 4 Importance of study Bats are one of the most neglected species that should be given priority and importance in terms of wildlife conservation in India. Population trends in bats are particularly difficult to measure on the basis of any assessment. The fragmentary evidence available supports the view that bat populations have declined over the last century or so.
Due to urbanization bats have lost countless traditional roosts such as caves, rock carvings, old buildings and old tree hollows Release of bats in nearby safe caves by volunteers (Cowan, 2003). Mines are being recognized as key to the life history of bats and are critical for many purposes such as rearing young, hibernation, social activities (courtship and mating), and roosting. The complexity and associated airflow of these mines provides a range of internal temperatures suitable for bats (Altenbach, 1995). In Rajasthan, multiphase development work like infrastructure developments and un-utilized land conversion are happening. In winter, most of the newborn offspring hibernate with the mother and take a long time Caves damaged due to developmental activities for maturation. Thar Desert (a part of North-West Rajasthan) is food reserves last as long as enough to fly (Entwistle, 2001). an unique habitat in India, that possible. Bats have a unique way During this spring and summer experience extreme low tempera- of fitting their breeding cycle in period female bats gather ture in winter and in summer hot with hibernation (Barnard, 1989 together into maternity colonies and dry atmosphere occur, and and Briggs, 2002). They mate for a few weeks to give birth and has an average annual rainfall of during the autumn and winter, but rear their babies. Once the baby 100-400 mm and temperatures the female stores the sperm alive is independent, the colony breaks range from a minimum of -20C in in her body and only become up and the bats generally move to winter to a maximum of 510C in pregnant the following spring. other roosts (Freer, 1998). Bats summer (Sharma, 2009). In Pregnancy lasts for six to nine may gather together from over a India, a total of 110 species of weeks and can vary in length large area to form these colonies, bats belonging to 36 genera and 6 depending on the weather. so any disaster at this summer families have been recorded Usually only one baby is born breeding site can affect all the (Agrawal, 1998). This was raised each year. This is looked after females from this area (Appleton, to 112 species belonging to 33 carefully and suckled for between 2003). Many of these maternity genera and eight families within four and five weeks until it is old sites are used every summer and Indian limits (Srinivasulu and enough to fly out and hunt for it. bats have a strong tradition of Srinivasulu, 2001). Simmons Bats do not build nests and bring returning to the same site year (2005) revised the checklist which food back to the roost to feed after year. now includes 117 species and 100 their young, so the baby lives only subspecies under 39 genera on its mother's milk until it is old belonging to 8 families. Sinha
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 5 (1980) and Bates et al., (1994) have reported the occurrence of 22 species of bats in Rajasthan. In Bikaner, the presence of four species of Microchiropterans Rhinopoma microphyllum, Rhinopoma hardwickii, Pipistrellus tenuis and Rhinolophus lepidus and one Megachiropteran Pteropus giganteus has been recorded (Bohra, 2010). The term threatened according to the IUCN categories means Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) or Vulnerable (VU).
Study area The study area is located within the Thar Desert. The vegetation is mainly composed of dry open grassland or grassland Bats were safely removed from the cotton bags. interspersed with trees and thorny drought resistant bushes growing in sandy soils (Gupta, 1975). Bats are flying or crawling in the living area of the old havalis. The most common source of bats in the inhabited parts of a building is through some connection habitually used by bats. In modern houses, such connections are common where pipes, such as sink waste pipes, pass through a cavity wall (Mitchell-Jones, 1999). In older houses particularly, there is a wide range of possible entry points such as between floor joists, around window frames where there is a gap between the wood and brick or stone, through gaps. Caves, mines and structures such as ice-houses, Rescued bats released in new habitat tunnels provide the protected and lacking in these, and the provision conservation aspects including stable conditions that many bats of additional places can habitat restoration (protect seek during hibernation. Within sometimes increase the natural caves and bats such sites, there is relatively little attractiveness of the site to bats. translocation) in Thar Desert of variation in temperature and India. humidity throughout the year, Urbanization, mining and although each site will provide a industrialization have made major Bats Rescue in Bikaner, range of conditions. Bats use inroads in this desert. The low Rajasthan such sites both as mating and temperatures and humid Programme I gathering areas in early and late conditions of bat caves create Between October and December summer, as night roosts and as ideal breeding and residence. Our 2011, 20 caves (sites rich in bat hibernation sites. Many species programme, considers how to roosting), near old city (Near prefer to roost in cracks or protect bats natural safe zone. Temple of Harolai Hanuman Ji) crevices. Some sorts of artificial Thar Desert Ecological Society of were damaged by urban improve- tunnels or natural caves are India (TDESI) is working on Bat ment trust of Bikaner (UIT,
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 6 similar natural caves at a distance away from the city.
Steps used for bats rescue: 1. Procure all supportive apparatus like insect net, loop net, gloves, Thermo-hygrometer, Point lesser beam temperature recorder, light weight metal tag, and cotton bag for collection of specimens.
2. Records all ecological parameters of havilies underground
3. Find similar climatically natural caves in out side of city (<20km) of same species of bats for Damaged bat caves of the region release
Bikaner). During our routine bat as very common animals as house 4. Daily monitoring survey we observed, about 3000 rats and other rodents. According bats to be dead (Rhinopoma to IUCN reports habitat loss is one On observation we found that no hardwikii and Rhinopoma of the major threats for many single bat returned to the microphyllum kinneri). Rescue of listed Critically Endangered previous site and also we are bats were carried out in five species. The bats of this region monitoring nearest roosting site. caves: are also experiencing the same threat. So they need more Some reasons to avoid bats in Cave A. (Latitude 28.009088 and attention to protect local and house by house owners: Longitude 73.289065), available wild species in this Noise: Noise from bat colonies Cave B. (Latitude 28.009301 and Desert area. can be temporary but annoying Longitude 73.289334), problem during the summer. Cave C. (Latitude 28.009021 and Programme II Noise is usually noticeable at dusk Longitude 73.288910), In Bikaner old city, traditional and on hot sunny days. The Cave D. (Latitude 28.009334 and havillaies (Rhinopoma hardwikii problem can be particularly acute Longitude 73.289613) and roosting sites) were reducing due in house with hanging tiles pinned Cave E. (Latitude 28.008818 and to modernization and reforms of directly onto block work walls. Longitude 73.289175) with the house structure. At present
help of local volunteers, 500 cave Bikaner city has about 50+ sites Smell: bats were protected by relocating available in central Bikaner. In a Smell from droppings is relatively them in nearest safe cave Damani Chok, old city (Latitude uncommon but sometimes exists. (Latitude 28.006695 and 28.01426 and Longitude Problems usually arise either Longitude 73.284720). 73.29897) we conducted bats where a building defect allows rescue programmes in 2012 with droppings to get wet or where All operation was done in daytime the help of local volunteers and large quantities of droppings are with permission from the local house owner Vyas Ji in havali accumulating rapidly in a poorly forest department. For rescue we underground. According to house ventilated area. used insect net and standard owner, they do not want to kill protocols used for collection of bats by fire (for Hindu mytho- Transmission of disease: bats. No single bat was injured in logical reason), so they contacted Fears about the possibility of this operation. us to protect them and to remove disease being spread by bat the bats from their house. In droppings or urine. Such fears The Department of Local Bodies preliminary stages of rescue, we are under-standable in view of the (D.L.B. Dept.) Rajasthan has to collected all supportive number of diseases that can be be informed about the existing information regarding depth of spread by the excreta of other protection laws and species of havillaies underground, humidity species, including domestic pets. Rajasthan. According to list of and temperature so as to find a wildlife animals, bats are treated
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 7 Recommendation Bates, P.J.J., D.L. Harrison & M. Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & A.P. McLeish Our aim is to minimize problems Muni (1994). The bats of the (1999). The Bat Workers’ Manual of bats and promote bat western India Revised. Part 3. Journal (2nd Ed.). JNCC, Peterborough. ISBN conservation with local community of the Bombay Natural History 1-86107-462-X. [3rd edition in 2004]. Society, 91(3): 360–380. person, and also develop Srinivasulu, C. & B. Srinivasulu prominent community leaders Bohra, D.L. (2010). Biodiversity of (2001). Bats of the Indian who in turn help to impart the Megachirpterans and Microchiropteran subcontinent. Current Science 80 message of conservation to their bats in Bikaner City. (IP-6) pp.63 in (11): 1378-1380. community fellows. Both pro. of International Symposium on programmes of bats rescue was “Role of biotechnology in conserving Simmons, N. B. (2005). Order very helpful for local people as biodiversity and livestock development Chiroptera. In: Mammal species of the compared to kill them. Thar for food security and poverty World: a taxonomic and geographic Desert is having a good bat alleviation”& XVII Annual Convention reference, Third Edition, Volume 1 (D. population and hence is a very of Indian Society of Veterinary E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, eds.). Immunology & Biotechnology” in Johns Hopkins University Press. important place regarding bat CVAS, Rajasthan University of 312-529 conservation. Veterinary & animal Science, Bikaner-334001 (Rajasthan). Sinha, Y.P. (1980). Further Acknowledgement observations on the field ecology of We thank local volunteers Briggs, P. (2002). A study of bats in Rajasthan bats. Journal of the Bombay Mr. Hanish and Mr. Deeraj Bhati for barn conversions in Hertfordshire in Natural History Society, 77(3): 465 – support wonderful conservation work 2000. Hertfordshire Biological Records 470. during rescue programme and I Centre, Hertford. Available on CD from thankful to Forest Department, HBRC, County Hall, Pegs Lane, Sharma, K.K. and S.P. Mehra Bikaner for key inputs and Hertford SG13 8DN. (2009). “The Thar of Rajasthan suggestions. (India): Ecology and conservation of a Cowan, A. (2003). Trees and bats. desert ecosystem”, in C. Sivaperuman, References Arboricultural Association Guidance Q. H. Baqri, G. Ramaswamy and M. Agrawal, V.C. (1998). Faunal Note 1 (Second Edition). Arboricultural Naseema [eds], Faunal ecology and diversity in India: Mammalia. In: Association, Hants. http:// conservation of the Great Indian Faunal diversity in India (eds. Alfred, www.trees.org.uk/ Desert, Springer-Verlag Berlin J. R. B., Das, A. K. and Sanyal, A. K.), Heidelberg. Envis Centre, Zoological Survey of Entwistle, A.C., S. Harris, A.M. India, Kolkata, 460–469. Hutson, P.A. Racey, A. Walsh, S.D. Gibson, I. Hepburn & J. Johnston Altenbach, J.S. (1995). In Inactive (2001). Habitat Management for Bats Mines as Bat Habitat: Guidelines for - A guide for land managers, land Research, Survey, Monitoring, and owners and their advisors. JNCC, Mine Management in Nevada (ed. Peterborough. 48 pp. ISBN 1 86107 Riddle, B. R.), Biological Resources 528 6. Available online at: Research Center, University of Nevada, http://www.jncc.gov.uk/ Reno, pp. 57–61. communications/pubcat/publications/ Habitat_Management_for_bats.pdf Appleton, C. (2003). The effect of building work on bats: ten case Freer, R.A., D.A. Waters & J.D. studies. The National Trust. Available Altringham (1998). Artificial on CD from The National Trust, maternity roosts for Rhinolophus Conservation Directorate, 33 Sheep hipposideros, the lesser horseshoe St., Cirencester, Glos. GL7 1RQ. bat. CCW Contract Science Report 250. Barnard, S.M. (1989). The use of microchip implants for identifying Big Gupta, R.K. (1975). “Plant life in the Brown bats. Animal Keepers Forum, Thar”, in R.K. Gupta and I. Prakash 16(2). 50–52. DAAN, S. 1969. (eds) Environmental analysis of the Frequency of displacements as a Thar Desert, English Book Depot, measure of activity of hibernating Dehra Dun. 1975. bats. Lynx, 10, 13–18. KUNZ, T.H. (ed.). 1988. Ecological Kenward, R.E. 2000. A Manual for and Behavioral Methods for the Study Wildlife Radio Tagging (2nd edn). of Bats. Smithsonian Institution Press, Academic Press. ISBN 0124042422. Washington & London. 533 pp. ISBN 0 87474 411 3.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 8 Common Indian Megachiroptera (My Collections) Azad Ali*
Nancy Simmons of the American Some photographs of the three common Indian Megachiropteran Museum of Natural History species which I have encountered in different times of my bat study reported a new total of at least (1998-2013) are given below: 1,293 living bat species during the recent International Bat Research Conference (IBRC) in Costa Rica. That's more than 20 percent of all mammal species. She also noted that about a dozen other potentially new species are in the process of being confirmed and named. And another 247 bat species are listed as Extinct. Simmons had raised the total to Shortnosed Fruit Bat 1,232 at the 2010 IBRC in Czech (Cynopterus sphinx) from Republic, and in 2003 she boosted Kamrup District of Assam. the number of bat species to 1,105 – from the 925 cited since 1993 (e-Newsletter of BCI, September 2013, Volume11, Number 9).
Bats are the Volant (true flying) mammals. There are also other mammals in the globe that have the flight skin development, like the flying lemurs, flying squirrels, flying marsupials; but their flight travel is only a short distance, downwardly, almost like a gliding jump. So, it cannot be termed as an actual flight like that of the bats.
As per standard classification the Shortnosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx) from Kamrup District of Assam. bats belong to the order “Chiroptera” meaning hand – winged, as forelimbs are modified into simple wings. The order chiroptera is again subdivided into two suborders, “Megachiroptera” (known as the Old World fruit bats) and “Microchiroptera” which include all the insectivore and carnivore bats.
The suborder magachiroptera is represented by a single family called “Pteropodidae”. Old World fruit bats (Megachiropterans) are Fulvous Fruit Bat (Rousettus leschenaulti) restricted to the Old World tropics and subtropics and are almost exclusively phytophagous. (A Note on the Photo: This Rousettus leschenaulti colony was found inside a cave on a hill at Thrissur, Kerela during field visit in the “Practical workshop in field techniques, ecological studies, captive management and public education I encountered Short Nosed fruit for conservation of chiroptera” which bat (Cynopterus sphinx) from was organized by CCINSA and hosted *Assistant Professor and Head, Srimantapur area of Guwahati city by College of forestry, KAU, Thrissur, Department of Zoology, under Kamrup District of Assam in Kerala from 28th July to 1st August B. N. College, Dhubri-783324, Assam, the year 1998 (Ali, 1999; and Ali, 2003.) India. Email: [email protected]
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 9 Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus): Adult breeding male from Dhubri district of Assam.
Fulvous Fruit Bat (Rousettus leschenaulti): Same colony.
Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus): Fox like Head and ear!
Fulvous Fruit Bat (Rousettus leschenaulti) : Same colony.
Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus): Adult breeding female with a baby on the chest from Kacharighat Roosting Site of Dhubri district of Assam.
Fulvous Fruit Bat (Rousettus leschenaulti) : Same colony. by CCINSA and hosted by College of forestry, KAU, Thrissur, Kerela from 28th July to 1st August 2003. 2001). First scientific study on Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) Colonies in and around References: Guwahati city of Assam was also conducted by me Ali, A. (1999). Asttittor Sankatot Nikhar Atithi Baduli (In from June to November 1998 (Ali, 1999). Then Assamese). Prantik, Vol.XVIII, No. 14: 25–26, 51. onwards I am regularly doing my surveys on Ali, A., and S.K. Basistha (1999). Fruit Bats in and Pteropus giganteus colonies basically in the lower around Guwahati city, Assam. ZOOS’ Print Journal, Vol. I- reach of the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam (Ali, XIV, No. 1–10: 136. 2013). I came across a Rousettus leschenaulti Ali, A. (2001). New Chiropteran localities in Assam. Newsletter, The Rhino Foundation for nature in NE India, colony inside a cave on a hill at Thrissur, Kerela No. 3:16. during field trip period in the “Practical workshop Ali, A. (2013). Indian Flying Fox of Assam. Scholars’ in field techniques, ecological studies, captive Press, Germany. 136pp (https://www.morebooks.de/store/ management and public education for gb/book/indian-flying-fox-of-assam/isbn/ conservation of chiroptera” which was organized 978-3-639-51988-4)
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 10 Roost of Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus in Badurtola, Chuadanga District, Bangladesh Tahsinur Rahman Shihan*
Badurtola is a famous location close to the eastern side of Chuadanga Paurashava of Chuadanga District, Bangladesh. Its geographic specs are (230 38’ , 26.60´N and 88041’ 08.30´E). It is named after the roosts of Indian Flying Fox. (In Bengali Indian Flying Fox is called Badur). Locally known, this place is being used for roosting for more than 70 years. It is the centre point of this district and one of the most important roosting sites for the Flying Fox.
In the observed area the present study was conducted between 29 June 2012 and 1 July 2012. Here, four large Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) trees are found which are being used for roosting by the Colony of Indian Flying Fox in Tamarind tree in Badurtola Indian Flying Fox. A population of about 155 were roosting in those trees (Table 1). Mating activities were observed in the month of July. An oil mill is present under those trees and the district highway runs just beside the habitat.
We interviewed some local people: the oil mill owner was of the opinion that bats caused no harm. Local people said that several times some of the ethnic tribal people called Kol catch and kill them for food. Locally Flying Fox are important for seed dispersal. In this area they eat leaves and fruit of Ficus bengalensis and Ficus sp., fruits of Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Syzygium javanicum, Ficus comosus, Musa sepientum, Syzygium spp, leaf of Dalbergia sisoo, nectar and flower of Bombax sp. and Anthocephalus kadamba. They have also been known to feed on cultivated fruits such as Mangifera indica and Roosting of Indian Flying Fox in Litchi chinensis. *Research assistant and M.Sc student Tamarind tree in Badurtola of Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University. Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 11 During peak fruiting season Table 1. Roost tree details of Indian Flying Fox recorded in Badurtola, Chuadanga District, Bangladesh. orchard owners use fishing net to protect their fruits from the Flying Tree height in feet No. of trees No. of bats Fox by which a large number of bats are getting killed. 31-40 1 5
However, the roosting place is 41-50 1 50 being disturbed by the local 51-60 0 0 people, development of settlements, concrete buildings, 61-70 1 70 industries and factories are 71-80 1 30 causing rapid decline of habitat. Survival of these roosts in the long-run needs awareness among local people and legislative measures.
Colony of Indian Flying Fox in anotherTamarind tree in Badurtola
Map of roosting place of Indian Flying Fox in Badurtola, Chuadanga District.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 12 Ending the journey of PhD in bat ecology - Photo Features Pushpa Raj Acharya*
Foraging ecology of nectarivorous bat, the dawn bat (Eonycteris spelaea: Pteropodidae) in Southern Thailand
The dawn bats foraged most at agricultural areas. It feeds merely on floral diet and thus assists in pollination of food plants through outcrossing. The major diet crops at cultivated orchard are Durian (Durio zibethinus), Petai (Parkia spp.) and banana (Musa spp.). Conserving the dawn bat population in local caves is crucial for better yield of crops which links to the livelihood source of farmers.
Researcher exploring the outlet of day roost cave of the Colony of dawn bat roosting at tall and dark part of ceiling. dawn bat, Srikesorn Cave, Khaophra village, Rattaphum Srikesorn Cave district
The dawn bat with radio-collar, observing inside the cage The dawn bat on durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) flowers. before to release Durian is mass flowering tree
The dawn bats on Petai (Parkia speciosa) flowers of popular Indian trumpet flower (Oroxylum indicum). vegetable crop of Southeast Asia. Late successional plant
*Researcher, Nepal. Email: [email protected]
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 13 Foliage roosting by the painted bat, Kerivoula picta in Thrissur, Kerala Madhavan, A., Sreedevi Rajasekar and S. Suthakar Isaac*
The painted bat, Kerivoula picta (Chiroptera: having a peculiar roosting habit. They usually roost Vespertilionidae) is one of the most beautiful of all inside dry and drooping funnel shaped plantain bats and distinctively looks brilliantly reddish orange leaves and seldom roosts inside tender green shoots scarlet, with black wings and orange along the of plantain tree. The roosts are exposed with fingers. It is recorded from many parts of South- minimum protection from temperature and East Asia (Philips, 1980) and found distributed from humidity. Southern and Eastern India to Southern China, Sri Lanka, India to Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ambient conditions such as the temperature and Sumatra, Java, Bali and the Lesser Sunda and humidity within and around the roost play an Moluccas Islands (Bates and Harrison, 1997). important role in balancing energy budget (Kunz, Among the vespertilionids, comparatively little is 1980) and evaporative water loss (Webb et al., known about the roosting ecology and distribution of 1995). K. picta prefer habitats with low K. picta. temperature and high humidity, with terrain in banana plantation and in the vicinity of water logged The present study area is confined to Thrissur paddy fields. It seems that the climatic conditions District (100 32’ N; 760 14’E), which is the central of the Thrissur district support K. picta at a greater part of Kerala State with 1041 sq km. It lies in the level for its roosting ecology and distribution. western slope of the Southern Western Ghats (Sasidharan and Sivarajan, 1996). The Weekly References: mean maximum temperature ranges from 28.70C to Bates, P.J.J. and D.L. Harrison (1997). Bats of the 36.50C and the weekly minimum temperature Indian Subcontinent. Harrison Zoological Museum, TN 13, ranges from 220C to 25.50C. The annual humidity England. Kunz, T.H. (1980). Daily energy budgets of free–living ranges from 66% to 93.7%. The average annual bats. In : Proceedings of the Fifth International Bat rainfall recorded in the region is 3500 mm. Survey Research Conference (Wilson, D.E., and Gardner, A.L. was made throughout the district to study the Eds.), 369-392 Pp. Texas Tech Press, Lubbock, 434 pp. distribution of K. picta during 2009. During the Philips, W.W.A. (1980). Manual of mammals of Sri weekly field trips enquires were made with local Lanka, Part I. Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri farmers and the roosts were identified in plantain Lanka., 1-116. farms. Bats were hand picked from the roost sites Sasidharan, N. and V.V. Sivarajan (1996). Flowering and their morphometric parameters with plants of Thrissur forests (Western Ghats, Kerala, India). reproductive status were recorded. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur. 579 pp. Webb, C.L., M.A. Kirr, C.H. Knight and P.A. Racey (1995). Lactation in vespertilionid bats. Sym. Zool. Soc. K. picta is a relatively small insectivorous species London., 67: 148-149. with a mean forearm length of 32.14 + 0.9 mm (range 31.5 – 33.0 mm) and body mass of 4.25 + 0.25 g (4.0 – 4.5 g). Observations reveal that it is *Research Department of Zoology, St. John’s College, phytophilic, and the bats were located to either Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu. Email: observe or capture in 96 foliage roosts. It prefers [email protected] dried, rolled up and drooping leaves of plantain as diurnal roosts. Among the dry leaves of banana, their resting posture merges very much with the environment of the bright yellowish and dry leaves. Unique climatic conditions of Thrissur district play an important role in their roosting ecology.
Generally, this species is found in banana plantations. The plantain groves are generally situated on the fringes of paddy fields and the Kole wetlands which usually support a rich insect population. More concentrated distribution occurred in commercially cultivated banana fields. They were also sighted in banana plants grown in Kitchen gardens in urban areas. Bats were also located in roosts distributed in urban areas but sparsely populated. K. picta is of considerable interest in
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 14 Living with Villagers for Bat Conservation Sanjan Thapa*
Several bat conservation projects have been carried out including surveys in different parts of Nepal, most of them in remote areas. These projects run for a short period of about two months each in each project area. The effectiveness of the projects are sustained only to the date of project activities, and the project aim could not be reached because of the project’s short duration.
There is a limited fund for the conservation of species like bats. With this in mind, these realities required a long-lasting, effective, self-sustaining project, thus “Living with villagers for bat conservation” was planned. It is a volunteer project, without financial support from funding agencies.
In this project the BCO (Bat Conservation Officer) had to spend time at different parts of Nepal for about 9 months a year. BCO will make substantial visits to villages or sub-urban areas interacting with the villagers for five years in total. This project has three objectives; first one surveying the species diversity, second raising awareness through the outreach materials and the last educating the schoolchildren. Last two objectives are expected to inform about bats and their role in ecosystem services and change the misconception among local people. Subsequently, it will aid in the local long-term conservation of bats in Nepal.
The project started from a remote part of eastern Nepal. For the first year, 2012-13, Madi, Madi- Rambeni Village Development Committee, Sankhuwasabha District was selected. BCO worked as a high school teacher to teach Biology and Chemistry to *Bat Conservation Officer, class XI and XII pupils. From the Small Mammals Conservation and teaching salary, living expenses Research Foundation could be managed. The project Kathmandu, Nepal
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 15 area included Madi-Rambeni ward no. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9; Madi- Mulkharkha; Manglabare Chauki (in Tinjure-Milke-Jaljala area); Umling V.D.C. put up at local people’s homes as well as school, and shop walls.
A bat detector (Bat Box) was opened and bat sounds were recorded. Bat roosts were surveyed. Four species namely; Rhinolophus pusillus, Hypsugo sp., Megaderma lyra and Pipistrellus sp. were recorded. For the second and third objectives, the following activities were conducted;
Schedule survey and interview: this was conducted to gather the information on people’s perception regarding bats. Eighty schedule forms were filled up.
Most of the people can recognize bats but, still, some identify bats as birds. They have good knowledge of habitats (living in caves, under banana leaves etc.) and certain habits of bats such as flight times and season, diet and foraging habits. According to the respondents they have neither killed bats nor were informed of bat culling. They have ignored the bats as they have perceived bats not to be dangerous or not harming them. Almost all of them had no idea of the role of bats in pollination, seed dispersal and pest control. Therefore, a neutral attitude (neither positive nor
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 16 negative) for bats had been developed in the local people of the project area, and this was very good for bat conservation.
Awareness campaign a. Bat Art Drawing: Bat Art Drawing was organized at Madi Higher Secondary School, Madi Rambeni-2. Sixty schoolchildren of class IX participated in the bat art drawing. The drawings indicated that a few schoolchildren were aware of bats, their habits and habitats but they still had no idea about the ecological role of bats. Precisely, most of them had no interest or idea of bat conservation. b. Poster dissemination: About 400 posters were disseminated to schoolchildren of Madi Higher Secondary School, Narayan Secondary School. Those posters were also distributed among head teachers of 35 schools under Madi H.S.S. Resource center during a meeting at the resource center. About 50 posters were attached and displayed at local people’s homes as well as school, and shop walls. c. Leaflets and greeting cards dissemination: About 200 leaflets and 100 greeting cards were disseminated to school children also. The leaflets in Nepalese included detailed information on bats and their importance. The greeting card included photographs of two bats Myotis sicarius and M. csorbai. Short information on the status of these species were also given in English. M. sicarius is a vulnerable species worldwide while M. csorbai is an endemic species to Nepal. The leaflets and greeting cards were provided by SMCRF. d. Lecture on bat and their importance: A thirty minute lecture was delivered at two schools of Madi Rambeni among 170 schoolchildren of class VIII of Narayan Secondary School and classes IX and X of Madi H.S.S.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 17 Each lecture included information f. Display of bat material: area for their kind co-operation during on bats and importance of bats Fifty schoolchildren of class V, VI the project. I am thankful to Caroline for human beings. The and VII and teachers of the Madi Ware, British Natural History Museum; schoolchildren were asked to Namuna English Boarding school Bat Conservation Trust, UK; Year of the Bat 2011-12 Secretariat for convey information they had read the bat publications providing the outreach material and learned about bats and their published by UNEP (Year of the Bat Conservation International for ecological role to their youngsters Bat 2011-12), Bat Conservation providing the video. I would like to and elders at the schools, their Trust, Kent Bat Group and SMCRF. express esteem acknowledgement to family members, friends, relatives Prof. Dr. Paul A. Racey for continuous and in the society. g. Providing ‘Bat of Nepal’: support and guidance. I would like to A complimentary copy of the book honor my sincere gratitude to Sally e. Bat documentary show: “Bats of Nepal” was provided to Walker, Dr. B.A. Daniel, R. Marimuthu, A documentary show was the head teacher of Madi Higher Dr. Sanjay Molur, Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, organized at Madi Namuna English Secondary School, Madi Mr. Prof. Karan Bahadur Shah and Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal for the Boarding School. Fifty Bishwanath Prasad Subedi for the encouragements and continuous schoolchildren of class V, VI and school library. support. I would like to thank Mr. VII and teachers of the school Hem Bdr. Katuwal, SMCRF for the enjoyed the bat documentary Acknowledgements map. “Secret of bats”. The I am grateful to Madi H.S.S. Family, documentary was provided by Bat Madi Namuna English Boarding School Conservation International. Family and Narayan Secondary School Family and the villagers of the project
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 18 New site records of the Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica (Erxleben, 1777) from the southern Eastern Ghats, India A. Kalaimani¹ and G. Gokula Krishnan²
The Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica is endemic to southwestern, central and eastern peninsular India specifically in the Western Ghats, Satpuras and Eastern Ghats, where it is known from Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (Molur et al. 2005). This species is widely distributed with several fragmented populations at elevation 180-2300 m asl. Fig: 1. Distribution of the Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica in the Eastern (Molur et al. 2005). There are Ghats and Western Ghats (marked areas) Inset Fig: Star symbols indicate four or five generally recognized locations of the Indian Giant Squirrel nesting sites in the Gingee Hills. subspecies which might be elevated to species level. Abdulali (Figure 1). All these nests were 2010). In Gingee Hills and Daniel (1952) reported eight recorded on a Tamarind tree (Pakkamalai RF) a small colour forms of this taxon from its Tamarindus indica. Bhaskaran et populations of R. indica is facing range in India. Ellerman (1961) al. (2011) also reported that the severe problems like, human listed five subspecies - R. i. fruit of the Tamarindus indica is disturbance, wood cutting and indica (Erxleben, 1777), R. i. one of the preferred foods for poaching. superans Ryley, 1913, R. i. Indian Giant Squirrel. The bengalensis (Blanford, 1897), R. i. approximate height of the nesting The following conservations centralis Ryley, 1913, and R. i. trees in Pakkammalai ranged from measures such as,(a) restoration maxima (Schreber, 1784). 15 to 35 m, whereas nests were of habitat and maintenance of However, presently only three found at approximately a height canopy continuity, (b) reducing subspecies are recognized namely of 10 to 15m. The habitat of anthropogenic pressure along the R. i. indica (Erxleben, 1777), R. i. Indian Giant Squirrel in habitats. maxima (Schreber, 1784) and R. Pakkammalai represents rocky, i. centralis Ryley, 1913 isolated hills and low mountains Acknowledgment (Srinivasulu and Srinivasulu with large expanses of sparsely Our grateful thanks to Mrs. 2012). wooded vegetation. This area Geethanjali, District Forest Officer, forest type categorized as tropical Villupuram Forest Division, Tamil Nadu. We also thank K. Thiyagesan, Ratufa indica centralis (Ryley, dry deciduous (Ali and Ripley, R. Nagarajan, J. Pandiyan, T. Sumathi 1968). 1913) was recorded from South and M. Karthikeyan of my college’s Arcot (now Villupuram and Zoology Department and S. Bhupathy Cuddalore districts) in Tamil Nadu Habitat degradation due to (Principal Scientist) and S.Babu (Abdulali and Daniel 1952). The expansion of agro-industry based (Scientist) SACON, Coimbatore for present communication adds to large-scale and small-scale their comments and suggestions the knowledge of its presence in plantation, monoculture during manuscript preparation. I Pakkammalai (East) Reserve plantation, clear felling, selective would like to thank T. Konneri Rao and Forest, Gingee Range, Villupuram logging, construction of dam, K.V. Sudhakar (Madras Naturalists Society, Chennai) for their help. Forest Division, Tamil Nadu. hunting for local consumption Finally, I thank my friends, Anukul Between December 2011 and have been observed to be the Nath, Lakshmi Narayan, Sneha, April 2012 several direct and major threats for this species indirect evidences of the presence throughout its range (Molur et.al. ¹&²Department of Zoology & Wildlife of the Indian Giant Squirrel were 2005). It is being hunted Biology, A.V.C. College recorded. Two instances of direct extensively in the Eastern Ghats (Autonomous), Mannampandal, sighting and six inactive and an where new human settlements Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. active nest were recorded in three have been built. Population Email: ¹[email protected] different sites of Pakkammalai R.F decline and habitat loss is at an (Corresponding author) and ² [email protected]. alarming rate (Rajamani et al.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 19 Baburao, Reddy, Naresh, Thiruvel and the Hosur forest division, Eastern Rajamani, N., Molur, S. & Nameer, Shek Dhavooth Ali for their help Ghats, India and its conservation P.O (2010). Ratufa indica. In: IUCN during the survey. significance. Journal of Threatened 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Taxa 3(6): 1837-1841. Species. Version 2012.2. References Abdulali, H. & J.C. Daniel (1952). Champion, H.G & A.K. Seth
University School of Environment Management GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY Sector-16C, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078, India A Grade NAAC-Accredited & ISO 9001:2000 Certified (Govt of NCT, Delhi) Website : www.ipu.ac.in
JRF Position in DST-SERB Funded Project
Applications are invited for purely time bound position of Junior Research Fellow under Department of Science & Technology, Science & Engineering Research Board (DST-SERB) funded research project entitled “Ecology and habitat-suitability of Indian spiny-tailed lizard Saara hardwickii (Gray, 1827) in Rajasthan, India”.
Duration of project: Three years (wef date of start of project) Name of the post: Junior Research Fellow (JRF) – two posts. Qualification: M.Sc. (Animal Sciences/Zoology/Life Sciences/Wildlife/ Biodiversity & Conservation/ Any other branch of Biological Sciences/Environmental Studies/Geoinformatics) and NET (including LS) qualified. The person to be considered must have second class master degree with a minimum of 55% marks (50% in case of SC/ST/PH) Desirable: Persons who are highly motivated towards extensive field survey in desert conditions.
Salary: NET Qualified-Rs 16,000 p.m. plus HRA as applicable (for first two years), Rs 18,000 p.m. plus HRA as applicable (for third year); NET Qualified for Lectureship-Rs 12,000 p.m. plus HRA as applicable (for first two years), Rs 14,000 p.m. plus HRA as applicable (for third year). If suitable NET (including LS) qualified candidates are not available, non-NET qualified candidates will be considered, but their appointment and emoluments will be as per rules of the funding agency.
Application on plain paper along with CV supported by one passport size photograph and other supporting documents may be sent by post or e-mail to the following address on or before 12th February, 2014.Short-listed candidates will be called for interview by phone or e-mail. No TA/DA will be paid for appearing in the interview.
Dr. Sanjay Keshari Das, Assistant Professor & Principal Investigator, AFR-007, University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sec 16C, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078.E-mail: [email protected], Tele: 011-25302372.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 20 First record of White-tailed Wood-rat, Madromys blanfordi from Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India Kartik Upadhyay1, Pritesh Patel2 and Reshma Solanki3*
Madromys blanfordi (Thomas, 1881), White-tailed Wood-Rat, also known as Blanford’s Madromys belongs to the Order: Rodentia; Family: Muridae; Subfamily: Murinae is endemic to South Asia. This species is thought to be ubiquitously distributed in India and Sri Lanka, and known from a single location in Bangladesh, however, its presence has been discretely reported in western India (Molur et al. 2005). This research note reports on presence of Madromys blanfordi from Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary (Figure 1).
The Jambughoda Wildlife Image 1: White-tailed Wood-Rat (Madromys blanfordi) sighted at Sanctuary is located between Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat (Juvenile). Photo by Kartik Upadhyay latitudes 22º20’-20º33’ N and longitudes 73º35’-73º45’ E in the Panchmahal and Vadodara districts of Gujarat State, India. Terrain is undulating covered by hills, forests and cultivated lands in villages situated in the valley. The Sanctuary encompasses 130 km2 of forest at altitudes ranging from 230 to 354 m above mean sea level. There are about 51 villages located in and around the sanctuary area, out of which 31 villages are situated inside the sanctuary (Vyas 2006). The entire forest area is of the Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous type, further classified into four sub-types, i.e. 5A/ C 1b dry teak forest, 5A/C 2 southern dry mixed deciduous forest, 5/E 9 dry bamboo brakes, and 3B/C 2 Image 2: White-tailed Wood-Rat (Madromys blanfordi) sighted at southern moist mixed deciduous Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat (Adult). Photo by Kartik Upadhyay forest (Champion and Seth 1968). distally white. Approximately, A dead specimen of Madromys 1104, Premsagar Apartment, Near blanfordi (Image 1) was one fourth of the distal tail was Rameshwar temple, Ellora park, accidently collected from an Eco- white in colour. These physical Vadodara. Email: tourism centre at village Bhat, features are characteristic [email protected] 2GIS cell, Forest Department, Van JWLS on 20th September 2012 at Madromys blanfordi (Image 2) Bhavan, Vadodara. Email: (Blanford’s Madromys or White- 21:30 h. The specimen was [email protected] relatively fresh with a dark brown tailed Wood-Rat) (Prater 1971; 3Department of Zoology, Faculty of dorsal side and white ventral side. Wilson & Reeder 2005). During Science, The M.S. University of The tail was proximally brown and our subsequent field surveys, we Baroda, Vadodara. Email: were able to observe and *[email protected]
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 21 References Champion, H.G. & S.K. Seth. (1968). A revised survey of the forest types of India. Government of India, Delhi, 404 pp. Molur, S. & P.O. Nameer (2008). Madromys blanfordi. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 22 Small mammal conservation awareness programmes in Tamil Nadu, India Brawin Kumar*
Small mammal conservation outreach is to educate the importance of small mammals and their immense role in ecosystem with a wider audience. Four different small mammal awareness programs were conducted in Tamil Nadu from July to December 2013.
1) Bat and biodiversity awareness program in Pillur village, Nilgiris 2) Bat education program in Pannaikaadu, Kodaikanal 3) Bat awareness program in Government School, Attapakavundanpudhur, Coimbatore 4) Small mammal conservation and awareness program in Government tribal school, Kaani Kudiyirupu in Kalakad The Attapakavundanpudhur school kids actively listening in the bat Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, session Tirunelveli. less studied and less focused and assessment, ‘Know each other’ India has a total of 423 mammals, they are under severe threats and game, bat video sessions, drawing there are 115 species of bats, 101 under no protection. The and painting activity and pledge species of rodents, 29 species of conservation outreach of this activity were common in all the shrews, 11 species of lagomorphs, lesser studied mammals will help four programs. A bat puppet was three species of hedgehogs, three to save the species directly and used to attract the attention of species of tree shrews and two indirectly. the kids and teens towards the species of pangolins are the small ‘less-charismatic’ group. Team mammals. These 64.77% The main objective of this series interactive sessions were mammals are small mammals in was to teach the kids about ‘bats, conducted in all the sessions. Zoo the mammalian diversity in India. small mammals as a whole and Outreach Organization’s bat Out of these many species are their role in ecosystem’. Attitude education packets were used to inform the kids about common names, ecological role, food pattern, role in pollination of bats in India. Information on the two major groups of bats namely megachiroptera & microchiroptera and their different feeding behaviour using sense of smell and echolocation respectively was presented.
1. Bat and biodiversity awareness program in Pillur village, Nilgiris One-day bat and biodiversity education awareness program was
*Researcher, Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society, Coimbatore, TN. Email: A bat video session [email protected]
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 23 1000 insects per hour, so these small bats help us a lot and also save humans from various infectious diseases. Basically these kids are ready to mend their ways when they are steered in the right direction. Traditionally, they respect and revere the forest and its wild animals.
3. Bat awareness program in Government School, Attapakavundanpudhur, Coimbatore An half-day bat awareness program was conducted on 5th October 2013 in Government school, Attapakavundanpudhur, Coimbatore. 45 students of the school participated in the During the bat puzzle game program. This program was conducted during the Wildlife conducted on 11 August 2013, at them shared their experiences of Week. Bat facts and myths were the Keystone Resource Center, hunting bats. The issue of related wherein each child read Pillur dam, Nilgiri Biosphere evicting bats from temples by out one myth from the bat Reserve for 40 kids (aged 5-19). hunting and general disturbance booklet and discussed it to Tribal kids from Sengalur, was also discussed. The Palliyar understand it thoroughly. By Sethumadai, Pochimarathur, Keel tribal kids are a treasure house of using a bat poster and the bat Pillur, Neeradi, Korappathi and traditional knowledge and their mask the different body parts of a Sittukonai villages participated in observation skills are very sharp bat were explained. The school the program. A special mention and also they are effective kids actively participated in the of pollinators & seed-dispersers learners. After the program one program. One of them said that such as bats, insects such as of the kids committed not to kill they used old broken mirror honeybees, Garden Lizard, or hunt the bats anymore, pieces to reflect light on bats in squirrels, rodents & primates and because the program helped him caves to disturb them. After he the important role they play in our understand that bats eat 600 to understood the importance of day-to-day lifestyle was explained. The students informed of their experience with bats and the types of bats seen by them in their vicinity. The vital ecological roles of bats in reducing insect populations (example: mosquitos) as seed dispersers and the effects of global warming on bats were explained.
2. Bat education program in Pannaikaadu, Kodaikanal One-day bat education program was conducted in Pannikaadu Vaanavil Tribal Foster House, Kodaikanal on 18 August 2013. The program was attended by 32 local Paliyar tribal kids. There was a question-answer session conducted to understand the perception of the students towards bats (Table 1). Many of A group photo of the session with the kids holding a bat placard
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 24 Acknowledgements: I thank Zoo Outreach Organization and Wildlife Information and Liaison Development for their valuable bat education materials to conduct the programmes. I thank Sally Walker Madam and Dr. Sanjay Molur for their encouragement and Dr. B.A. Daniel and Mr. Marimuthu for their enormous support in conducting the programs. I thank Key Stone Foundation and Nilgiri Natural History Society to organize the program in Key Stone Pillur village resource center. I thank Mr. Sudhakar, Mr. Sumin and Mr. Vinodh from Keystone Foundation and Ms. Sangeetha from Nilgiri Natural History A group showed their coloured bat picture with the audience Society for enormous support to conduct the program. I thank bats, he said that he would not Mr. Nimesh Ved for ideas for the harass the bats anymore. We learned various things from program. I wish to thank the tribal kids and the school Mr. Naveen Haldorai for the 4. Small mammal conservation children. The attitude towards snacks to kids attending the bat and awareness program in the forest and wild animals and program in Pillur village. I wish Government tribal school, their eagerness to understand my sincere thanks to Mr. Ashok Kaani Kudiyirupu in Kalakad various species is fascinating. Raja of Act India Foundation, Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, The natural observation skills of Kodaikanal. I thank the Tirunelveli the tribal kids need to be headmasters of the Government Small mammal conservation and encouraged. More such school, Attapakavundanpudhur awareness program was grassroots-level education and Kaani Kudiyirupu for their conducted in Government tribal programs for local communities in kind help to conduct the program school, Kaani Kudiyirupu in remote locations to help them in their school. I thank Mr. Sakthi Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger understand the threats faced by Raj for accompanying with me for Reserve, Tirunelveli on 4th wildlife and ecosystems within the KMTR program. December 2013. The main goal their region, is essential. They of this program was to create are stakeholders who understand Table 1. Questionnaire awareness about the lesser- the forests and different inspired by the bat booklet of known animals such as bats and ecosystems for they live and the Zoo Outreach Bat rats. There were 40 students for interact with them on a daily Education packets the program. They said some of basis. They have a crucial role to 1) How do you feel you are living the small mammals they had seen play in protecting the forests and in a village with a 1000 of bats? last were hares, rats, squirrels, its wild denizens. The kids in all 2) Do you know bats help to bats and hedgehogs. Bats facts their innocence informed us of farmers? and their importance were hunting activities that they 3) Bats are mammals? explained to the kids. The conduct for sport and for 4) In the world one forth of ecological role of rodents in the consumption. Some of the mammals are bats? food chain and as pollinators were animals include bats, small birds 5) Bats clean their body like cats explained to the participants. (sunbirds, sparrows, Blue Rock with their tongue Information on the three species Pigeon etc.). These kids do not 6) Bats are living in this world for of hedgehogs, their importance understand the effects of their the past 50 million years and their ecological role as actions and need to be informed 7) Bats are community animals insectivores was shared. Two kids about it for they are the hope for 8) Climate change leads the out of the entire group had seen a our forests and streams! animals in worry. live Madras Hedgehog in Sankarankovil in Tirunelveli District in Tamil Nadu recently.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 25 Threat to wildlife from carnivorous pets: A case of cat attacking Indian Pipistrelle Pipistrellus coromandra (Gray, 1838) Preeti S. Virkar1* and Shivam Shrotriya1
Ecology of urban wildlife is sparsely known despite its relevance in sustaining exclusive populations of many species and instilling environmental awareness among citizens. While a number of species have adapted to human modified habitats, domestic pets pose an impending risk to their populations.
We can report such an incidence from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) campus in Dehradun, Uttarakhand (300 17' 2.47"N 77˚ Rescued Indian Pipistrelle. Full view of the animal in hand (a hole in right side 58' 30.48"E), a semi-natural patagia is visible) habitat of forest and human-built areas with a large interface between wild and domestic life (Figure 1). On April 15, 2013, at 22:15 hrs, a semi-domesticated cat was spotted with an unusual catch. A small bat was rescued from its mouth. The animal was still alive, but injured with visible and very small blood stain, a hole in the patagia, and was breathing rapidly. The animal was covered with a cloth and kept in a box away from disturbances to relieve its stress and come out of trauma. Holes were made in the box for air circulation and a fan was supplied and used continuously to lower the body temperature of the animal. After the animal became active and commenced normal Animal kept in box after the rescue behaviour, it was examined, measured and identified to species level. Megachiroptera. Small body size and wide tragus with rounded tip, and absence of claw at the second dentition characteristics, and the Despite a little injury caused by toe of the forelimb of the rescued absence of clearly visible anti- the cat, there was no critical bat indicated it to be a michro- tragus. Morphometric measure- effect on its flight as it was chiropteran. Species level ments of head to tail length (75 observed flying comfortably within identification was done with the mm), ear pinna length (7 mm), a confined space. The bat was set help of keys to identify the South forearm length (34 mm), free before dawn, and it flew Asian bats (Srinivasulu et al. condylocanine length (11 mm), an away successfully. 2010). It was classified to the occlusion to form a bicuspid family Vespertilionidae based on canine of the upper jaw and The rescued bat was identified as its small eyes, well developed interfemoral membrane having a male of Indian Pipistrelle tragus, long tail, interfemoral sparse and dark coloured hairs Pipistrellus coromandra (Gray, membrane covering the tail, near the body dorsally and 1838), also called the Coromandal absence of nose leaf or dermal ventrally confirmed the species to Pipistrelle or the Little Indian bat. ridge on muzzle, and a slightly be Pipistrellus coromandra (Gray Order Chiroptera is one of the 26 longer second phalanx of third 1838). mammalian orders, characterised finger in forelimb than the first phalanx. Further, it was classified by the ability of sustained flight. 1Wildife Institute of India, Dehradun, The order is divided into two sub- to the genus Pipistrellus based on *Email: [email protected], its short and broad ears, short [email protected] orders: Microchiroptera and (Corresponding Author)
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 26 bat species present within the campus is not known, while a substantial number of cats and dogs could be hunting on them and other fauna without being frequently detected. Incidental records of cats and dogs hunting on ground-dwelling birds, rodents, mongooses, skinks, juvenile monitor lizards and shrews have also been reported from the campus.
Carnivorous pets, if kept without movement restrictions, can follow their natural instincts and hunt available prey in the surroundings. While their populations are sustained by human food provisioning (pet food and garbage), they are known to kill their natural prey as substitute food. Stray dogs have been reported forming hunting packs and killing wild animals as well as livestock Close view of facial characters of the bat (Bhatta 2008; Habib et al. 2013). Cats particularly have been reared in homes to hunt on rodents for thousands of years. A considerable impact of domestic cats on wildlife of the United States of America has been estimated where free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.4–3.7 billion birds and 6.9–20.7 billion mammals annually (Loss et al. 2013). Presence of domestic/semi-domestic cats and dogs turns into a concerning issue around wild/semi-wild habitats. Such areas are not only important for big, charismatic, well-known and threatened species, but also for small, cryptic, ignored and often Data Deficient (DD) species. Carnivorous pets around such areas could impose a threat to many small mammals, birds and reptiles by hunting them, and such events should be avoided to the best possible extent.
Figure 1. Location of the bat rescue- Campus of Wildlife References Institute of India, Dehradun. Bates, P.J.J. & D.L. Harrison (1997). Bats of the Indian Subcontinent. Harrison Zoological Museum Publications. 258pp. P. coromandra is found in small groups in forested, Bhatta, S.R. (2008). People and Blackbuck: Current agricultural and urban areas, and its roosting sites Management Challengs and Opportunities. The Initiation include trees, cracks and crevices in buildings, roof 2(1): 17–21. Csorba, G., P. Bates, N. Furey, S. Bumrungsri, S. tiles of huts, old buildings etc. It feeds on flies, ants Molur & C. Srinivasulu (2008). Pipistrellus coromandra. and small insects; and are seen in fast erratic In IUCN 2013. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. foraging flights. The species is found at elevations Version 2013.1.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 27 Albinism in Indian Giant Squirrel, Ratufa indica (Erxleben) and Lesser Bandicoot Rat, Bandicota bengalensis (Gray) (Rodentia: Mammalia) from Satara District, Maharashtra Amit Sayyed*, Anil Mahabal# and R.M. Sharma**
A study was undertaken to inventory the faunal diversity of vertebrates and some inverte- brates from Satara district, Maharashtra, since 2010. During this study, various places in the district especially Vasota Fort, Mahabaleshwar, Koyna, Satara city, Kas Plateau, Phaltan, Myani Lake etc. were surveyed number of times to record the faunal elements. On two different occasions we encountered two separate cases of genuine albinism from two dissimilar places in Satara district.
Total albinistic Indian Giant Squirrel: While surveying the city evergreen forested area of Photo. 1: Albino Giant Squirrel, Ratufa indica (Photo credit: Anup Deodhar) Mahabaleshwar (17° 56' N and 73° 58' E, 1330 mts asl), a part of Northern Western Ghats, we sighted a live example of albino Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica (Erxleben, 1777) (Rodentia: Sciuridae) on 22nd February 2013. The albino squirrel was totally white in colour with pink mouth, pink ears, pinkish limbs and blood red eyes. It was a male resting on a tall tree branch. Its long bushy tail too was white in colour and typically falling over (Photo. 1). The normal colour of the Giant Squirrel in Northern Western Ghats area is brownish- maroon on the back and brownish/whitish on underside together with tail (Menon, 2003). Photo.2: Albino Lesser Bandicoot Rat, Bandicota bengalensis (Photo credit: Amit The same place was again visited Sayyed) rd on 23 April 2013 to reconfirm its Giant Squirrel R. indica from least 1952 (may be even earlier) occurrence, to our astonishment Mahabaleshwar at 4000 Ft. along till date. the albino squirrel was with normal coloured squirrels on frequenting the same area. The 29th December, 1952 by Mahabal et al (2005) have normal coloured squirrel too was Mr. Jamshed Panday (Abdulali and indicated that the sighting of sighted along with this albinistic Daniel, 1953). If at all, both total albinos, a young and an individual. The enquires with these localities are same then the local people especially the aged report of Abdulali and Daniel * ones disclosed that the white (1953) and our present findings Wild Life Protection & Research coloured squirrel has been seen Society, Satara - 415002 suggest that there could be a **Retired Scientists, Zoological Survey by them for decades here. A persistent expression of total of India, Western Regional Centre, perusal of literature revealed Pune - 411044. Email: albinism in subsequent [email protected] , there is a single report of sighting generations in wild population of [email protected] of a pure white, pink eyed albino Indian Giant Squirrel from at (corresponding author), [email protected]
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 28 adult together in November, 2001, there could be References likelihood of naturally breeding albino population of Abdulali, H and J.C. Daniel (1953). A colour variation Five - striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennanti and albinism in the Giant Squirrel Ratufa Indica. J. Bombay (Rodentia : Sciuridae) in the wild. Further, the Nat. Hist. Soc., 51 (3): 731. second author (AM) has again sighted the above Chaturvedi, Y and A.K. Ghose, (1984). A case of referred adult albino squirrel in the same nesting albinism in the Five –striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus locality at Deogad Fort, Sindhudurg district, pennanti Wroughton. Bulletin of Zoological Survey of India, Maharashtra in November, 2002 and in December, 6 (1-3): 321–322. 2008. Harrison, J.L. (1950). The occurrence of albino and Genuine albinistic Lesser Bandicoot Rat: Two melanic Rats. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.,49 (3): 548–549. different specimens of total albino Lesser Bandicoot Rat, Bandicota bengalensis (Gray, 1835) (Rodentia: Hossack, W.C. (1907). An account of the rats of Muridae) were sighted near a residential area at Calcutta. Mem. Indian Mus., 1.:17 foothills of Ajinkya Durg (17° 40' N and 73° 59' E) in Mahabal, Anil, R.M. Sharma and M.S. Pradhan Satara city, Maharashtra. The first specimen was a (2005). A case of total albinism in the Five - striped Palm th road kill found on 17 January, 2013. A second Squirrel Funambulus pennanti Wroughton in Sindhudurg nd specimen was caught live on 22 August 2013, in district, Maharashtra state . J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.,102 the same locality. It measured 22.4 cm (head and (1): 98–99. body) and tail 16.6 cm in length (Photo 2 ). It was released back after taking photograph and Mandal, A.K. and M.K. Ghosh (2000). First record of measurements. Both the specimens were totally occurrence of albino Crestless Himalayan Porcupine Hystrix white with pinkish tinge, pink mouth, pink ears and brachyura Linnaeus, 1758 (Rodentia: Hystricidae) in India. red eyes. The normal Lesser Bandicoot Rat is J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 97 (2): 274. identified by its more brown colouration. The Mehra, S.P., J.S. Khawar and N.S. Kharwar (2007). undersides are greyish in colour, face is more Second record of albino Five - striped Palm Squirrel rounded and tail is shorter than its head and body Funambulus pennanti Wroughton from Udaipur, Rajasthan. length (Menon, 2003). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.,104 (3): 344–345. Although, a substantial population of Lesser Bandicoot Rat ocurs near human habitation and crop Menon, Vivek (2003). A Field Guide to Indian Mammals. fields all over the country, but there are no Darling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Penguin Book of published records on albinism in this species. India (P.) Ltd. Delhi 201 pp. However, there is a single report of partial albino Prakash, I., A.P. Jain and B.D. Rana (1973). A white Lesser Bandicoot Rat B. bengalensis from Rangoon, Indian Gerbil. Tatera indica indica (Hardwicke). J. Bombay Myanmar (Harrison, 1950). Hence, the present Nat. Hist. Soc.,70 (2):375–376. sighting of total albino Lesser Bandicoot Rat B. bengalensis could be the first record of the species Rajagopalan, P.K. (1967). A case of albinism in Rattus from India. blanfordi (Thomos, 1881) (Rodentia: Murinae). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 64 (3): 554–555. It is well known that the albinism is a rare phenomenon in animal world. It’s occurrence is also Rajagopalan, P.K.and A.K. Mandal (1965). Partial rare in wild populations of rodent species. Besides albinism in Whitebellied Rat, Rattus niviventer Hodgson these present albinistic cases of Indian Giant from Khasi Hills. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 62 (2):299– 300. Squirrel R. indica and Lesser Bandicoot Rat B. bengalensis, some instances of partial and total Sharma, S.K. (2004). Occurrence of albino Common albinism have also been reported in few other rodent Palm Civet and Northern Palm Squirrel in Southern species such as: Five-striped Palm Squirrel Rajasthan. Zoo’s Print Journal, 19(5): 1483. Funambulus pennanti (Chaturvedi and Ghose,1984; Sharma, 2004; Mahabal et al 2005; Mehra et al 2007); Indian Gerbil Tatera indica (Prakash et al 1973); Common House Rat Rattus rattus (Hossack, 1907); Blanford’s Rat Madromys (=Rattus) blanfordi (Rajagopalan, 1967); Himalayan White-bellied Rat Niviventer (= Rattus) niviventer (Rajagopalan and Mandal,1965) and Crestless Himalayan Porcupine Hystris brachyura (Mandal and Ghosh, 2000).
Acknowledgements We are thankful to Shri Anup Deodhar, Satara for the photograph of the albino Giant Squirrel. We are also thankful to the team members of Wild Life Protection & Mus species. Research Society, Satara, Maharashtra for helping in the Illustration by Arnab Roy field work.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 29 Sighting of a total albino Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii Gray from Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan Raghunandan Kulkarni1 and Anil Mahabal2
Albinism, in general, is a congenital disorder characterised by a total or partial absence of pigment melanin. In total albinism there is a simultaneous complete absence of pigment melanin from eyes, skin and feathers (as in birds, Mikkola 2003) and hairs, fur (as in mammals). Total albinos are with red-coloured eyes (Smielowski 1987), and in general, they have fully white to pinkish white body and many times pinkish ears and fingers of both limbs as indicated by Mahabal et al 2012 in case of Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata). Image 1. Albino Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii Gray Photo The first author (RK) along with a credit: Raghunandan Kulkarni tourist group and a guide visited Ranthambore National Park, A perusal of literature revealed References Rajasthan during 30th May to 10th that there are number of cases of Adamson, P.G. (1916). Albino Hog Deer (Cervus porcinus). Journal of June 2009 for wildlife study and partial and total albinism reported Bombay Natural History Society, photography. On 31st May while in mammals from all over India, 24(3): 589–590. travelling through the dry- for instance Hog Deer (Adamson deciduous forest a white-coloured 1916), Tigers (Gee 1959), White- Alfred, J.R.B., A.K. Das & A.K. plump animal ran in front of the bellied Rat (Rajagopal & Mandal Sanyal (2006). Animals of India: vehicle. After running some 1965), House shrew (Khajuria Mammals. ENVIS, Zool. distance it halted, looked back. It 1983), Nilgai (Ranjitsinh 1987), Surv. India, Kolkata: 1–236. was identified as an albino Ruddy Common Palm Civet and Northern Mongoose Herpestes smithii Gray, Palm Squirrel (Sharma 2004), Gee, E.P. (1959). Albinism and 1837 (Carnivora: Herpestidae) Five-striped Palm Squirrel partial albinism in Tigers. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, with pinkish red eyes and pinkish (Mahabal et al. 2005) and Bonnet 56(3): 581–587. snout (Image 1). In December Macaque (Mahabal et al. 2012). Similarly, there is a record of an 2009, the guide informed about Khajuria, H. (1983). Albinism in the albino Indian Grey Mongoose the sighting of the albino House shrew Suncus murinus mongoose twice in the same Herpestes edwardsii (E’. Geoffroy Linnaeus. Journal of Bombay Natural locality. Saint-Hilaire 1818) from Udaipur History Society, 80(1): 206. city, Rajasthan (Tehsin & Chawra The Ranthambore National Park 1994). Hence, the present Mahabal, A., R.M. Sharma & M.S. was visited by us on earlier sighting of a total albino Ruddy Pradhan (2005). A case of total (2005-2008) occasions; however, Mongoose H. smithii could be the albinism in the Five-striped Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennanti no sighting of any albino first record of albinism for this species from India and a second Wroughton) in Sindhudurg District, individuals was made although Maharashtra State. Journal of Bombay normal coloured ruddy mongoose record from the family Herpestidae. was sighted at different places in 1Sai Nagar, D1, Flat No.06 Singhgad the park area. In general, the Road, Pune and associated with Acknowledgement body length of ruddy mongoose is Indian Wildlife Experiences, Saket, The authors are thankful to Dr R. M. 45 cm. Its overall body colour is New Delhi. Email: [email protected] Sharma, Scientist-D and Officer-in- 2 brownish grey with reddish brown Scientist (Retd.), Zoological Survey Charge and Dr. S. S. Jadhav of of India, Western Regional Centre, tinge on head, neck and Zoological Survey of India, Western Pune. Email: shoulders. The tip of tail is black Regional Centre, Pune for [email protected] in colour (Alfred et al. 2006). encouragement and assistance in (Corresponding author) literature survey respectively.
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 30 Natural History Society, 102(1): 98– Sharma, S.K. (2004). Occurrence of Ranjitsinh, M.K. (1987). Unusual 99. albino Common Palm Civet and colouration of Nilgai Boselaphus Northern Palm Squirrel in Southern tragocameleus. Journal of Mahabal, A., P.D. Rane & S.K. Pati Rajasthan. Zoo’s Print Journal, 19(1): Bombay Natural History Society, (2012). A case of total albinism in the 1483. 84(1): 203. Bonnet Macaque Macaca radiata (Geoffroy) from Goa. Zoo’s Print XXVII Smielowski, J. (1987). Albinism in Sharma, S.K. (2004). Occurrence of (12): 22–23. the Blue Bull or Nilgai Boselaphus albino Common Palm Civet and tragocamelas (Pallas 1766). Journal Northern Palm Squirrel in Southern Mikkola, H. (2003). Colour variation of Bombay Natural History Society, Rajasthan. Zoo’s Print Journal, 19(1): in Owls: Albinism and melanism. In: 84(2): 427–429. 1483. Owls of the World by James Duncan, Keyporter Books Ltd., Toronto, Tehsin, R. & S.S. Chawra (1994). Smielowski, J. (1987). Albinism in Canada, p. 137–141. Albino Common Mongoose Herpestes the Blue Bull or Nilgai Boselaphus edwardsii Geoffroy sighted near tragocamelas (Pallas 1766). Journal Rajagopal, A.S. & A. K. Mandal Udaipur. Journal of Bombay Natural of Bombay Natural History Society, (1965). Partial albinism in white- History Society, 91(2): 304-305. 84(2): 427–429. bellied Rat Rattus niviventer Hodgson from Khasi Hills. Journal of Bombay Rajagopal, A.S. and A. K. Mandal Tehsin, R. & S.S. Chawra (1994). Natural History Society, 62(2): (1965). Partial albinism in white- Albino Common Mongoose Herpestes 299–300. bellied Rat Rattus niviventer Hodgson edwardsii Geoffroy sighted near from Khasi Hills. Journal of Bombay Udaipur. Journal of Bombay Natural Ranjitsinh, M.K. (1987). Unusual Natural History Society, 62(2): History Society, 91(2): 304–305. colouration of Nilgai Boselaphus 299-300. tragocameleus. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 84(1): 203.
Indian Flying Fox of Assam This book is a comprehensive A Bat Rhyme research oriented book for researchers who require an Mammals but fly, introduction to fruit bat ecology and Day for rest, biology. In the literature review Night in the sky! section , the text draws on a wealth of examples from around the Old Can not walk, World tropics and subtropics All can see, Give birth one, particularly on Flying foxes. Brief Twin can be! description on the study area and its climatic condition are integrated in Some eat insects, the beginning of the text followed by Some take fruits, the ecobiological findings on the Pollinate flowers, major objectives of the Ph.D. thesis Disperse seeds! like taxonomy and external morphology, distribution, habitat Caves may be home, selection and roosting behavior; food Trees may be room, and feeding habits; breeding and parental care; diurnal behavior; and Holes are for someone, Foliage for other one! the population status along with the prevailing threats and conservation related issues of Pteropus giganteus in the lower reach What are they? of the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, India. A discussion behavior , They are bats! and the population status along with the prevailing threats and They are bats!! conservation related issues of Pteropus giganteus in the lower reach of the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, India.
A discussion, summary and references are found at the end of the Written by: Dr. Azad Ali, Assistant Professor book. Moreover the author is the pioneer worker in the field of bat and Head, Department of Zoology, research in NE India (a Biodiversity Hot Spot) and deserves credit for B. N. College, Dhubri, Assam. being the first Ph.D. holder from Assam in chiropteran/bat fauna.
ISBN:978-3-639-51988-4; www.scholars-press.com
Small Mammal Mail - Bi-Annual Newsletter of CCINSA & RISCINSA Volume 5, Number 2, January 2014, P. 31 SMALL MAMMAL NETWORKS SMM 2013 DONORS AND PARTNERS
Chiroptera Conservation and Information Network of South Asia (CCINSA)
CCINSA is a network of South Asian Chiroptera specialists, educators and enthusiasts. The Chester Zoo, North of England Zoological network aims to enhance communication, Society Chester Zoo Conservation Fund has cooperation and collaboration among been supporting ZOO/CCINSA office, BAT NET chiroptera specialists of this region and thereby newsletter and field techniquest training for the create a chiroptera conservation “community” last decade. www.chesterzoo.org for better biodiversity conservation. Bat Conservation International Chair: Sripathi Kandula BCI is one of the most active, innovative Convenor and Administrator: Sally Walker and respected bat conservation Red List and Technical Advisor: Sanjay Molur organisations in the world. See BCI’s wonderful website: www.batcon.org Rodentia, Insectivora, and Scandentia Conservation & Information Network of Universities Federation for Animal Welfare South Asia (RISCINSA) http://www.ufaw.org.uk/
RISCINSA network of South Asia was IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group suggested by interested biodiversity CCINSA represents the IUCN SSC Bat conservation specialists and the purpose of this Specialist Group in South Asia. BSG network, then is to link together rodent field utilises the CCINSA Network to locate researchers and their field knowledge specialists in different subject areas, throughout South Asia (Afghanistan, to organise training as well as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, conservation assessment workshops Pakistan and Sri Lanka) so the pooling of and other activities to assist the CSG information can lead to conservation action. in their mission. Contact : Chair Paul Racey: Scientific Chair: Sujit Chakraborty [email protected] Convenor and Administrator: Sally Walker Red List and Technical Advisor: Sanjay Molur See Website: www.iucnbsg.org/
Small Mammal Mail
SMM is a web-based bi-annual Newsletter celebrating the most useful yet most neglected Mammals for both CCINSA & RISCINSA -- Chiroptera, Rodent, Insectivore, & Scandens Conservation and Information Networks of South Asia.
Editor: Sally Walker; Technical Advisors: Sanjay Molur, B.A. Daniel, R. Marimuthu; and Publication Assistants: Latha Ravikumar and Radhika Suresh.
CCINSA and RISCINSA are an activity of Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO) and Wildlife Information Liaison Development (WILD) in association with CBSG, South Asia and RSG, South Asia.
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