Herpetofauna of Southern Eastern Ghats, India – II from Western Ghats to Coromandel Coast

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Herpetofauna of Southern Eastern Ghats, India – II from Western Ghats to Coromandel Coast

Asian Journal of Conservation Biology, July 2018. Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 28-45 AJCB: FP0092 ISSN 2278-7666 ©TCRP 2018 Herpetofauna of Southern Eastern Ghats, India – II From Western Ghats to Coromandel Coast S.R.Ganesh1*, A. Kalaimani2, P. Karthik2, N. Baskaran2, R. Nagarajan2 & S.R.Chandramouli3 1Chennai Snake Park, Chennai - 600 022, Tamil Nadu, India. 2Dept. of Zoology, Divn. of Wildlife Biology, A.V.C College, Mannampandal - 609 305, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India. 3Dept. of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry - 605 014, India. *Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected] Accepted : June 30, 2018) ABSTRACT We surveyed for herpetofauna along the poorly-explored sections of Southern Eastern Ghats. This 1000 hours-long large scale survey covered ranges stretching from near Western Ghats eastwards to the Coroman- del Coastal Plains, across a longitudinal gradient. Study area consisting of the tall and wet Bilgiri-Melagiri massifs to the west and the low and dry South Arcot and North Arcot ranges to the east were selected and surveyed. We recorded a total of 95 species including 23 species of amphibians, 35 species of lizards and 37 species of snakes. A descriptive species accounts with photographic vouchers is presented. Noteworthy find- ings include significant new range records for many wet-zone taxa and a few dry-zone taxa from hitherto fore under-surveyed regions. This includes many rare and range-restricted ones and newly described little-known taxa. The study highlights the importance of landscape-level, long-term fieldwork to unravel the hidden di- versity of tropical montane regions like the Eastern Ghats. Key words: amphibians, dry zone, ecoregion, lizards, peninsular India, snakes, wet zone. 28 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Melagiris (Tamil Nadu)
MELAGIRIS (TAMIL NADU) PROPOSAL FOR IMPORTANT BIRD AREA (IBA) State : Tamil Nadu, India District : Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri Coordinates : 12°18©54"N 77°41©42"E Ownership : State Area : 98926.175 ha Altitude : 300-1395 m Rainfall : 620-1000 mm Temperature : 10°C - 35°C Biographic Zone : Deccan Peninsula Habitats : Tropical Dry Deciduous, Riverine Vegetation, Tropical Dry Evergreen Proposed Criteria A1 (Globally Threatened Species) A2 (Endemic Bird Area 123 - Western Ghats, Secondary Area s072 - Southern Deccan Plateau) A3 (Biome-10 - Indian Peninsula Tropical Moist Forest, Biome-11 - Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone) GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Melagiris are a group of hills lying nestled between the Cauvery and Chinnar rivers, to the south-east of Hosur taluk in Tamil Nadu, India. The Melagiris form part of an almost unbroken stretch of forests connecting Bannerghatta National Park (which forms its north-western boundary) to the forests of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary - Karnataka (which forms its southern boundary, separated by the river Cauvery), and further to Biligirirangan hills and Sathyamangalam forests. The northern and western parts are comparatively plain and is part of the Mysore plateau. The average elevation in this region is 500-1000 m. Ground sinks to 300m in the valley of the Cauvery and the highest point is the peak of Guthereyan at 1395.11 m. Red sandy loam is the most common soil type found in this region. Small deposits of alluvium are found along Cauvery and Chinnar rivers and Kaoline is found in some areas near Jowlagiri. The temperature ranges from 10°C ± 35°C. South-west monsoon is fairly active mostly in the northern areas, but north-east monsoon is distinctly more effective in the region.
[Show full text]
Archaeology of Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu
Volume 4, Issue 1, January – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 Archaeology of Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu S. Paranthaman Ph.D Research Scholar Dept. of Ancient History and Archaeology University of Madras Abstract:- Kirshnagiri district has glories historic past Guttur, which was later on excavated him in 1976 (IAR1977- revealed from epigraphical records from the temples and 78:50, IAR 1982-83:71-72). After, K.V. Raman, K. Rajan from the Herostone inscriptions. This district has many explored this region and have brought to light a Paleolithic forts built during Vijayanagara-nayakav period. But site at Varatanapalli and have located many archaeological there is a lacuna in understanding the early history of site with Megalithic, Early Historical material remains and Krishnagiri district. This article pertains to the recent few rockshelters with rock art (Rajan 1997:111-195). After finding from the district of Krishnagiri, by means of K. Rajan, freelancers have reported many site with rock art reconnaissance survey. The intensive exploration work in from this area. this region has brought to light a large corpse of information of the inhabitants from early phase of III. PRESENT EXPLORATION Krishnagiri district especially from Paleolithic to Iron Age period. Present exploration in this district have brought light large corpus of information on the occurrence of This article pertains to the recent finding from the archeological site from Krishnagiri district. Systematic district of Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu state, by means of exploration by the present author of this article have brought reconnaissance survey. The intensive exploration work in to light new archaeological sites (refer Appendix 1 for list of this region has brought to light a large corpse of sites) (Fig-2).
[Show full text]
Herpetofauna of Southern Eastern Ghats, India – II from Western Ghats to Coromandel Coast
Asian Journal of Conservation Biology, July 2018. Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 28-45 AJCB: FP0092 ISSN 2278-7666 ©TCRP 2018 Herpetofauna of Southern Eastern Ghats, India – II From Western Ghats to Coromandel Coast S.R.Ganesh1*, A. Kalaimani2, P. Karthik2, N. Baskaran2, R. Nagarajan2 & S.R.Chandramouli3 1Chennai Snake Park, Chennai - 600 022, Tamil Nadu, India. 2Dept. of Zoology, Divn. of Wildlife Biology, A.V.C College, Mannampandal - 609 305, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India. 3Dept. of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry - 605 014, India. (Accepted : June 30, 2018) ABSTRACT We surveyed for herpetofauna along the poorly-explored sections of Southern Eastern Ghats. This 1000 hours-long large scale survey covered ranges stretching from near Western Ghats eastwards to the Coroman- del Coastal Plains, across a longitudinal gradient. Study area consisting of the tall and wet Bilgiri-Melagiri massifs to the west and the low and dry South Arcot and North Arcot ranges to the east were selected and surveyed. We recorded a total of 95 species including 23 species of amphibians, 35 species of lizards and 37 species of snakes. A descriptive species accounts with photographic vouchers is presented. Noteworthy find- ings include significant new range records for many wet-zone taxa and a few dry-zone taxa from hitherto fore under-surveyed regions. This includes many rare and range-restricted ones and newly described little-known taxa. The study highlights the importance of landscape-level, long-term fieldwork to unravel the hidden di- versity of tropical montane regions like the Eastern Ghats. Key words: amphibians, dry zone, ecoregion, lizards, peninsular India, snakes, wet zone.
[Show full text]
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in India Priority Sites for Conservation
IMPORTANT BIRD AND BIODIVERSITY AREAS IN INDIA Priority sites for conservation Second Edition: Revised and Updated Volume II Asad R. Rahmani, M. Zafar-ul Islam and Raju M. Kasambe Maps prepared by Mohit Kalra and Noor I. Khan Team Members Noor I. Khan, Siddesh Surve, Abhijit Malekar and Nandkishor Dudhe Significant Contribution to this edition Anwaruddin Choudhury, Arvind Mishra, Ajai Saxena, Dhananjai Mohan, Himmat Singh Pawar, Intesar Suhail, Khursheed Ahmad, Neeraj Srivastava, P.O. Nameer, Manoj Nair, Mrutyumjaya Rao, Praveen, J., Sanjeeva Pandey, S. Subramanya, Satya Prakash Editors Gayatri Ugra and Maithreyi, M.R. Layout and Design V. Gopi Naidu With major sponsorship from Pavillion Foundation, Singapore Recommended citation: Rahmani, A.R., Islam, M.Z. and Kasambe, R.M. (2016) Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in India: Priority Sites for Conservation (Revised and updated). Bombay Natural History Society, Indian Bird Conservation Network, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and BirdLife International (U.K.). Pp. 1992 + xii © 2016 Authors. Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai-400001, INDIA. Telephone: 0091-22-28429477 and 0091-22-22821811. Fax: 0091-22-22837615. Email: [email protected]; websites: www.bnhs.org and www.ibcn.in Bombay Natural History Society in India is registered under Bombay Public Trust Act 1950: F244 (Bom) dated 06th July 1953. ISBN: 978-93-84678-02-9 Cover Photographs: Design and collage by Gopi Naidu conceptualized by IBA Team. First published: 2004 by IBCN: Bombay Natural History Society. Second Revised Edition: 2016. Printed by Akshata Arts Pvt Ltd. 22, A to Z Industrial Estate, G.
[Show full text]
Pressures on the Forest in the Ecologically Critical Areas of Urigam and Anchetty Ranges
Pressures on the Forest in the Ecologically Critical Areas of Urigam and Anchetty Ranges Submitted to The Divisional Forest Officer Hosur Forest Division Tamil Nadu by Kenneth Anderson Nature Society Registered Office: Mohan and Chandrasekhar Chartered Accountants, No.8, JD Plaza, Opp. TNEB, Rayakotta Road, Hosur, Tamil Nadu 635109 MAY 2012 The ecological significance of the forests adjoining river Cauvery in Anchetty and Urigam ranges of Hosur Forest Division is huge. This unique riparian zone is particularly important for many endangered species like Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura), Four-Horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) and Otter (Lutra perspicillata). The other schedule species found here include predators such as Leopard, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Marsh Crocodile, Jackal and herbivores such as Elephant, Chital, Gaur, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Common Langur etc. These forests form a vital link in the elephant corridors of South India, connecting the Bannerghatta National Park and the river Cauvery and is going to be ever more critical in terms of a safe habitat for elephants, considering the Elephant Proof Trench being dug to reduce the problem of human- elephant conflict in the division. The forests from a continuous stretch all the way to the the Tiger Reserves of the south and the recent reports of direct sighting of Tiger across Uganiyam in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka should be taken as a sign of tigers trying to expand their territory and already knocking on the doors of Melagiri. Also, a proposal for converting this area into a new Wildlife Sanctuary has been submitted to the Government. This report intends to bring into the notice of Hosur Forest Division some pressures which exist on these forests and to extend our complete support for better protection of the area.
[Show full text]
Ethnobotanical Studies on Some Rare and Endemic Floristic Elements of Eastern Ghats-Hill Ranges of South East Asia, India
Ethnobotanical Leaflets 11: 52-70. 2007. Ethnobotanical Studies on Some Rare and Endemic Floristic Elements of Eastern Ghats-Hill Ranges of South East Asia, India Dowlathabad Muralidhara Rao and Thammineni Pullaiah Department of Botany (SKU Herbarium), Sri Krishnadevara University, Anantapur. 515003 [email protected] WWW.SKUNIVERSITY.ORG Issued 24 May 2007 ABSTRACT The Eastern Ghats, one of the nine Floristic Zones in India. Eastern Ghats are spread over three States of India, namely Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The hilly areas of Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh are mainly inhabited by 33 aboriginal/tribal communities, who still practice the age old traditional medicines and their application. There are 62 different tribes, inhabited in Orissa. The inhabitants of the aboriginal tribal communities, who still practice the age old traditional medicines and their applications. The author undertook ethno medicobotanical studies in Eastern Ghats along with systematic survey. Many tribal people depending on naturally growing or wild plants for their food and medicine in this region. The study during 1997-2005 brought to light, many unknown uses of plants which are interesting has been collected by the author. The present paper deals with some rare and endemic plant ethnobotanical uses of Eastern Ghats. Key words: Eastern Ghats, Ethnobotany, Rareplants, Endemic plants. INTRODUCTION The Eastern Ghats are located between 11° 31' and 22° N latitude and 76° 50' and 86° 30' E longitude in a North-East to South-West strike. The Ghats cover an area of about 75,000 Sq. Km with an average width of 200 Km in the North and 100 Km in the South.
[Show full text]
Karnataka Circle Cycle III Vide Notification R&E/2-94/GDS ONLINE CYCLE-III/2020 DATED at BENGALURU-560001, the 21-12-2020
Selection list of Gramin Dak Sevak for Karnataka circle Cycle III vide Notification R&E/2-94/GDS ONLINE CYCLE-III/2020 DATED AT BENGALURU-560001, THE 21-12-2020 S.No Division HO Name SO Name BO Name Post Name Cate No Registration Selected Candidate gory of Number with Percentage Post s 1 Bangalore Bangalore ARABIC ARABIC GDS ABPM/ EWS 1 DR1786DA234B73 MONU KUMAR- East GPO COLLEGE COLLEGE Dak Sevak (95)-UR-EWS 2 Bangalore Bangalore ARABIC ARABIC GDS ABPM/ OBC 1 DR3F414F94DC77 MEGHANA M- East GPO COLLEGE COLLEGE Dak Sevak (95.84)-OBC 3 Bangalore Bangalore ARABIC ARABIC GDS ABPM/ ST 1 DR774D4834C4BA HARSHA H M- East GPO COLLEGE COLLEGE Dak Sevak (93.12)-ST 4 Bangalore Bangalore Dr. Dr. GDS ABPM/ ST 1 DR8DDF4C1EB635 PRABHU- (95.84)- East GPO Shivarama Shivarama Dak Sevak ST Karanth Karanth Nagar S.O Nagar S.O 5 Bangalore Bangalore Dr. Dr. GDS ABPM/ UR 2 DR5E174CAFDDE SACHIN ADIVEPPA East GPO Shivarama Shivarama Dak Sevak F HAROGOPPA- Karanth Karanth (94.08)-UR Nagar S.O Nagar S.O 6 Bangalore Bangalore Dr. Dr. GDS ABPM/ UR 2 DR849944F54529 SHANTHKUMAR B- East GPO Shivarama Shivarama Dak Sevak (94.08)-UR Karanth Karanth Nagar S.O Nagar S.O 7 Bangalore Bangalore H.K.P. Road H.K.P. Road GDS ABPM/ SC 1 DR873E54C26615 AJAY- (95)-SC East GPO S.O S.O Dak Sevak 8 Bangalore Bangalore HORAMAVU HORAMAVU GDS ABPM/ SC 1 DR23DCD1262A44 KRISHNA POL- East GPO Dak Sevak (93.92)-SC 9 Bangalore Bangalore Kalyananagar Banaswadi GDS ABPM/ OBC 1 DR58C945D22D77 JAYANTH H S- East GPO S.O S.O Dak Sevak (97.6)-OBC 10 Bangalore Bangalore Kalyananagar Kalyananagar GDS ABPM/ OBC 1 DR83E4F8781D9A MAMATHA S- East GPO S.O S.O Dak Sevak (96.32)-OBC 11 Bangalore Bangalore Kalyananagar Kalyananagar GDS ABPM/ UR 1 DR26EE624216A1 DHANYATA S East GPO S.O S.O Dak Sevak NAYAK- (95.8)-UR 12 Bangalore Bangalore St.
[Show full text]
District Survey Report for Minor Minerals (Granite)
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT FOR MINOR MINERALS (GRANITE) (Prepared as per Gazette Notification S.O.3611 (E) Dt: 25.07.2018 of Ministry Environment, Forest.) DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT 2018-2019 CONTENTS Chapte Page Content r No. 1. Introduction 3 2. Overview of Mining Activity in the District 3-4 3. General Profile of the District 4-13 4. Geology of Krishnagiri District 13-15 5. Drainage of Irrigation pattern 15-16 6. Land Utilisation Pattern in the District: Forest, 16 Agricultural, Horticultural, Mining etc., 7. Surface Water and Ground Water scenario of the District 16-21 8. Climate and Rainfall of the District 21-22 9. Details of Mining Leases in the District 22-54 10. Details of Royalty or Revenue received in last three years 54 11. Details of Production of Minor Mineral in last three years 54 12. Mineral Map of the District 55 13. List of Letter of Intent (LOI) Holder in the District along 56 with its validity 14. Total Mineral Reserve available in the district 57 15. Quality/Grade of Mineral available in the district 57 16. Use of Mineral 58 17. Demand and supply of the Mineral in the last three 58 years 18. Mining Leases marked on the map of the district 59 19. Details of the area of where there is a cluster of the 60 mining leases 20. Details of Eco-sensitive area 61-62 21. Impact on the environment due to Mining activity 63-65 22. Remedial measures to mitigate the impact of mining on 65-67 the environment 23.
[Show full text]
A Study on the Issues of Human Elephant Conflict with Reference to Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri Districts
Karpagam Journal of Commerce and Management, Volume 1, Issue 1, October – December, 2020 A STUDY ON THE ISSUES OF HUMAN ELEPHANT CONFLICT WITH REFERENCE TO DHARMAPURI AND KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICTS Dr. J. A. Raja Assistant Professor, Department of Management Studies, Er. Perumal Manimekalai College of Engineering, Hosur, Tamilnadu, India Dr. R. Vani Assistant Professor, Department of Management Studies, S.I.V.E.T College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India ABSTRACT Human –elephant conflict are always considered to be a geographical, economical and emotional issues in the elephant corridors and in the villages, which were located near and at elephant corridors. Agricultural lands which are nearby the forest regions were invaded by the elephant herds and they were totally collapsed which results in loss of crops and sometimes even in human lives. Such conflicts were prevailing all over the world where forests and human populated regions meet. This paper speaks about the problems faced by the farmers due to the interruption of elephants in agricultural fields with reference to Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri District. The paper reveals the reasons behind the Human Elephant conflict (HEC) and suggestions have been recommended to overcome the issues due to the human elephant conflict. Keywords: Elephant, Conflict, INTRODUCTION Elephants are considered as a major destructor of agricultural products in the farms nearby forests. It has been a great controversy that whether elephants are voluntarily entering the farms or it is compelled to do so by indirect and direct human activities. When investigating the farmers about the loss created by the elephant, they say that the elephant enters the fields and they create loss of crops than they consume as food.
[Show full text]
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT for MINOR MINERALS (Gravel/Earth)
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT FOR MINOR MINERALS (Gravel/Earth) (Prepared as per Gazette Notification S.O.3611 (E) Dt: 25.07.2018 of Ministry Environment, Forest.) DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT 2018-2019 1 CONTENTS Chapte Page Content r No. 1. Introduction 3 2. Overview of Mining Activity in the District 3-4 3. General Profile of the District 4-11 4. Geology of Krishnagiri District 11-13 5. Drainage of Irrigation pattern 13-14 6. Land Utilisation Pattern in the District: Forest, 14 Agricultural, Horticultural, Mining etc., 7. Surface Water and Ground Water scenario of the District 14-19 8. Climate and Rainfall of the District 19 9. Details of Mining Leases in the District 20 10. Details of Royalty or Revenue received in last three years 20 11. Details of Production of Minor Mineral in last three years 20 12. Mineral Map of the District 21 13. List of Letter of Intent (LOI) Holder in the District along 22 with its validity 14. Total Mineral Reserve available in the district 22-23 15. Quality/Grade of Mineral available in the district 23 16. Use of Mineral 23 17. Demand and supply of the Mineral in the last three 24 years 18. Mining Leases marked on the map of the district 24-25 19. Details of the area of where there is a cluster of the 25 mining leases 20. Details of Eco-sensitive area 26-27 21. Impact on the environment due to Mining activity 28-30 22. Remedial measures to mitigate the impact of mining on 30-32 the environment 23.
[Show full text]
Faunal Diversity of Eastern Ghats
FAUNAL DIVERSITY OF EASTERN GHATS (Source: Proceedings of the National Seminar on the Faunal Diversity of Eastern Ghats Organized by the Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Chennai-600 028. Dated. 3rd and 4th March, 2016) S.No. Authors & Topic Abstract 1. A K Ghosh Indian subcontinent represents major ecosystems in an amazing way. While, mountain ecosystem of Himalayas remain distinctive across the northern landscape, the hills Biodiversity of Eastern Ghats and of India, known of Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats have Western Ghats attracted attention of scientists specially on their origin, evolution and diversity of life. The Eastern Ghats region covers 75,000 sq.km located Centre for Environment and Development between 770 22” – 220 81” East Longitude and 110 31” – 210 0” North latitude. The region extends over a linear distance of 1750 km. The northern border can be marked with the Mahanadi River and the southern border with Nilgiri Hills (Pulliah, 2002). Landscape and Biodiversity Eastern Ghats region is spread across three coastal states of India viz., Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The region cuts across a wide array of ecosystems from the semi-arid Kalahandi to coastal Vishakhapatnam. Three major Indian rivers viz., Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna act as a main surface water resource; predominantly tropical monsoon climate is prevalent in the region. Biodiversity in Eastern Ghats flourished under an array of forests types ranging from evergreen to tropical semi- evergreen to moist deciduous forest extending into savannah and scrub jungle. Such diversity provide habitat for 2,500 species of flowering plants (recorded till 2001) dominated by family Fabaceae, Leguminoceae and Convolvulaceae.
[Show full text]
Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History Coimbatore
Annual Report 2006- 2007 Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History Coimbatore 1 Annual Report 2006- 2007 Published by: The Director Incharge Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History Anaikatty, Coimbatore – 641 108 Phone : 91-422-2657101 – 105 Fax : 91-422-2657101 Email : [email protected] URL :http://sacon.org Dr. Sálim Ali (1896-1987) 2 Annual Report 2006- 2007 SN Contents Page No 1 Background 2 Executive Summary 3 Research Highlights A. Conservation Ecology 1. Status and ecology of the Andaman Crake 2. Ecology and Conservation of the Spot-billed Pelican in Andhra Pradesh 3. An assessment of the population and habitat use of the Grey breasted Laughingthrush 4. An assessment of the status of the Black-and-orange Flycatcher in the upper Nilgiris, Western Ghats 5. Evaluation of butterfly communities as bioindicators, in Western Ghats, India 6. Inventory of the Biodiversity of Attappady with GIS Aid 7. Status of wetland birds in Coimbatore district 8. In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation of the Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia fuciphaga in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Extension of Phase II 9. Identification and mapping of Lesser Florican breeding sites to develop a fodder-producing grassland network in western India 10. A study on the Herpetofaunal Communities of the Upper Vaigai Plateau, Western Ghats, India B. Landscape Ecology 1. Establishment of ENVIS center at SACON on theme ‘Wetlands of India’ 2. Structural and functional attributes of the wetlands of Indo- Gangetic plains with reference to Uttar Pradesh 3. Ecology of Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) with special reference to its role in seed dispersal in southern Eastern Ghats 4.
[Show full text]