Butterflies of Pillavakkal Dam of Giant Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputtur Tamil Nadu India
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World Journal of Zoology 9 (1): 46-51, 2014 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2014.9.1.8351 Butterflies of Pillavakkal Dam of Giant Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputtur Tamil Nadu India P. Kumar, S. Ramarajan and A.G. Murugesan Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Sri Paramakalyani Centre of Excellence in Environmental Science, Alwarkurichi-642 127 Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India Abstract: The giant grizzled squirrel wildlife sanctuary (Western Ghats) is one of the wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, located 485 square kilometres, it is bordered on southwest by the Periyar Tiger reserves and south of Palghat gap. The detailed survey of butterfly was conducted during January 2013 to December 2013. The main goal of the study is to determine the presence of butterflies. A total of 59 species with 41 genera of butterflies were recorded under 5 families. The family Nymphalidae and Pieridae were found dominant with 23 species and 12 species followed by Lycaenidae 10 species, Papilionidae 5 species and 4 species from the family Hesperiidae. The number of genera was the highest in Nymphalidae (13) followed by Pieridae (10), Lycaenidae (10), Papilionidae (4) and Hesperiidae (4). The species dominant score of butterflies were recorded 24 species are very common and their dominant index showed 40.68%, 17 species are common (28.81%), 12 species are uncommon (20.34%) and 6 species rare (10.17%). Of the 59 species of butterflies, seven scheduled species were seen in the study area under wildlife protection act1972. Key words: Butterfly Fauna Sanctuary Wild Life Protection Conservation INTRODUCTION plants [12]. Many species of butterflies are considered as indicators of community or habitat health [13]. Butterflies India encompasses about 2.7% of total area of the as pollinators, Indicators and are appreciated for aesthetic land and one of the richest countries in the world in terms value [14]. Butterflies are ideal for ecological studies of of biodiversity. It has 17 biodiversity countries of the landscapes [15]. Butterfly serve as important plant world more than 92,000 species of animals have been pollinators and help to pollinate plant crops and their recorded [1]. The number of Indian butterflies amount to diversity indirectly reflects plant diversity [16] Western one fifth of the world butterfly species [2]. India harbours Ghats is recognised as one of the most diversified areas approximately 1501 species of butterflies of which 285 containing a wide variety of butterfly species [17]. A total species are found in Southern India [3]. Butterflies are of 322 species are reported from Western Ghats [18]. among the most fascinating and the most noticeable Western Ghats is recoded for rich species of butterfly and colourful insects [4]. Lepidoptera is the second diversity [19]. Butterfly fauna in southern parts of the largest order after coleopteran [5]. Among the lower Indian peninsular is very rich and diverse compared to invertebrates, butterflies are probably the best studied other parts of the peninsular due to habitat availability group in Western Ghats [6]. Biological diversity is now [15]. increasingly recognized as the vital parameters to assess The scientific records of the butterflies of Western global and local environmental changes and sustainability Ghats dates back to 18th century Linnaeus, Fabricius and of developmental activities [7]. Butterflies are good Cramer [20]. The earlier work in butterfly studies dates indicators of environmental changes as they are back to 19th century [21]. Hence this study is essential in sensitive to habitat degradation and climate changes conservation and management of the Western Ghats. compare to other invertebrate taxa [8-11]. Butterflies Abundance of butterfly diversity has altered the habitat provide important ecological services for crops and wild association in heterogeneous landscapes [22]. The main Corresponding Author: P. Kumar, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Sri Paramakalyani Centre of Excellence in Environmental Science, Alwarkurichi-642 127, India. 46 World J. Zool., 9 (1): 46-51, 2014 aim of this study was to collect information on the current rainfall of the area during the study area was 32°C and status of butterflies in Pillavakkal dam of Giant Grizzled 811mm respectively. Squirrel wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputtur, Tamilnadu. The work presented here is based on the presumption that Dominance Index: The dominance of each genera and preparation of checklist of butterflies. The most exciting species in a locality was determined by calculating the elements of insect diversity bring about a lot of values dominance index using the following formula: addition to the potential of this sanctuary as an ecosystems destination. 100 Relative abundance = n1 ×------------- MATERIALS AND METHODS N The butterfly was surveyed during the period of RESULTS AND DISCUSSION January 2013 to December 2013. Pollard walking method was followed for observing butterflies [23]. Butterflies A total of 59 species of butterflies belonging to five were observed during sunny days without heavy rain. families were recorded. The family Nymphalidae and They were identified in the field using field guides by Pieridae were found dominant with 23 species and [24,25]. Counted while walking along the selected transect 13 species respectively, followed by Lycaenidae route of 1 Km, in the selected location during the morning (10 species) Papilionidae (5 species) and 4 species from hours between 0800 and 1200 h, which is a peak time for the family Hesperiidae. Total of 41 General species butterfly activity and all the transects surveyed were showed, Nymphalidae were dominant 13 genera followed segments of existing footpaths. All the butterflies were by Pieridae and Lycaenidae (10 genera), Papilionidae and encountered at a radial distance of 5 meter from the Hesperiidae (4 genera) each. The similar hierarchy observer. Adult butterflies were collected by sweeping patterns have also been reported from Trishna Wildlife net and preserved. Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Sanctuary Tripura, Northeast India [26]. [27] Reported that Papilionidae were identified in the species level in field 145 species, 62 species are newly recorded. 24 species are itself and other two families (Hesperiidae and Lycaenidae) coming under WPA, 1972. Seventy five species of are small size and colour variation are similar, butterflies were observed, Nymphalidae are the dominant were brought to laboratory and identified. in species level and Pieridae are dominant in family level [28]. Tiple [29] reported that 66 species belonging to 49 Study Area: The Pillavakkal or Periyar dam encompasses genera and five families. Low abundance was recorded in vast area inhabited Giant Grizzled Squirrel wildlife Hesperiidae. The same kind of low species richness was Sanctuary, Srivilliputtur is located near Western Ghats of also recorded in 18 and 22. [18, 22]. In Bondla Wildlife Virudhunagar District. The study area is located at Sanctuary of Goa, 91 species of butterflies belonging to 66 geographical area of 09. 47.005’N and 077. 31.937’E. genera, 12 sub families and five families [30]. Shamsudeen The area surrounding the dam sites have been landscaped and Mathew [31] reported that butterflies recorded in into beautiful gardens. The sanctuary was established in Shendurny Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala showed five 1988 to protect the Near Threatened Grizzled Giant Squirrel families with Nymphalidae and Papilionidae containing (Ratufa macroura) accommodated an area of 485.2 Km2 . maximum number of species followed by Pieridae and The animals present in the area are spotted deer, Satyridae. A total of 300 butterflies are reported in barking deer, sambar, bonnet macaque, Nilgiri langur, Southern Western Ghats [4]. Twenty four species of Lion tailed macaque, slender loris, sloth beer and flying butterflies with morphological feature, habitat range larval squirrel. The sanctuary is continues to Periyar Tiger and adult food, month of abundance and duration of flight Reserves on southwest side and the Megamalai Reserve were observed in Western Ghats of tiger reserves of Forest on the North-Western. The Pillavakkal dam KMTR [19]. Total of 50 species of butterflies recoded in positioned between Megamalai Reserve forest and Seshachalan biosphere reserves, Eastern Ghats of Andra Shenbagathope Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary. The dam is Pradesh. Nymphalidae were the dominant with 20 species foothills of Western Ghats about 35 Km northwest of followed by lycaenidae [32]. Srivilliputtur, Tamilnadu. The area receives good rainfall during North-East Monsoon. The mean temperature and 47 World J. Zool., 9 (1): 46-51, 2014 Table 1: List of butterfly fauna in Pillavakkal Dam during June 2013-December 2013 S. No Family Zoological Name Common Name Status 1 Nymphalidae Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) Plain Tiger VC 2 ,, Danaus genutia (Cramer,1779) Striped Tiger C 3 ,, Ariadne merione (Cramer,1777) Common Caster C 4 ,, Ariadne ariadne (Linnaeus 1763) Angled Castor UC 5 ,, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758) Tawny Caster VC 6 ,, Neptis hylas (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Sailor C 7 ,, Phalanta phalantha (Drury,1773) Common Leopard C 8 ,, Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus, 1758) Great Egg Fly UC 9 ,, Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus,1764) Danaid Egg Fly UC 10 ,, Junonia lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758) Lemon Pansy VC 11 ,, Junonia iphita (Cramer,1779) Chocolate Pansy VC 12 ,, Junonia hierta (Fabricius, 1798) Yellow Pansy C 13 ,, Junonia almana (Linnaeus, 1758) Peacock Pansy