Faunal assemblages in Myristica swamps of Central Western Ghats, Karnataka , India
 
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Sameer Ali , M D Subash Chandran and T V Ramachandra
Centre for Ecological Sciences,
Indian Institute of Science
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Introduction  

Tropical forests, which harbour most of the world's plant diversity, continue to be destroyed at unprecedented rates (Myers et al., 2000; Pittman & Jorgenson 2002). The faunal species associated with these forests are also affected by one or another reason. The wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of India are one of the global biodiversity hotspots, being rich in biodiversity and endemic species (Myers et al ., 2000), it is also under the threat of deforestation. It harbours some of the relic elements in the remnant forests, which are in patchy distribution. Myristica swamps are one such threatened ecosystems occuring in these remnant forests of Western Ghats . They are undoubtedly priceless assets for the evolutionary biologist, since many features of Myristicaceae are primitive in origin and hence regarded as ‘living fossils'.

What are Myristica swamps?

Swamps are wetlands dominated by woody plants. They have fairly deep water and minimal growth of emergent plants. A marsh, though sometimes used synonymously with swamp is more applicable to a large area of wetland where the dominant vegetation consists of low-lying grasses, rushes and sedges. Swamps have a high water table and occur near rivers, streams, and lakes. The soils are saturated (or soaked) with water. The soil is thick, black, and nutrient-rich providing an environment for water tolerant trees and other organisms. Freshwater swamps occur in many parts of the world,

Valleys of Mississippi and its tributaries, in Sweden , Odzala National Park, Congo , in the Malaysian region, Papua New Guinea , Swamp forests fringe the Amazon and its tributaries, etc. In India , freshwater swamps are reported from the Siwalik and Doon Valley and the Brahmaputra Valley (Rao, 1994).

Myristica swamp is any freshwater swamp where any one or both of the exclusive swamp growing trees of the family Myristicaceae namely Gymnacranthera canaria or Myristica fatua var. magnifica are present. These swamp species may occur in association with some other, usually evergreen trees having varied degrees of flood tolerance.

  Distribution of Myristica swamps

Davis et al. (1934), in their working plan for North Mangalore Forest Division Madras reported about “swampy evergreens” with Myristica spp. confined to low lying poorly drained areas, without specifying the exact locations. However, KrIishnamoorthy (1960) reported Myristica swamps, for the first time, as a special type of habitat from Travancore. These swamps were found in the valleys of Shendurney, Kulathupuzha and Anchal forest ranges in the southern Western Ghats . Champion and Seth (1968) classified such swamps under a newly introduced category ‘ Myristica Swamp Forests' under the Sub Group 4C. Talbot (1911), in The Forest Flora of the Bombay Presidency and Sind vol. II, reported just one locality, near Malemane, in Siddapur of Uttara Kannda for Myristica magnifica . The northernmost swamp known is associated with a sacred grove in the Satari taluk of Goa (Santhakumaran et al. 1995). However, they have not reported M. fatua or G. canarica from the Goa locality. The photographs in their paper, however, are indicative of the presence of G. canarica , thereby meriting the classification of the habitat as a Myristica swamp .

Varghese and Kumar (1997) differentiate between two types of swamps having Myristicaceae, in the Travancore region: 1. Myristica swamp forest, restricted to below 300 m, fringing sluggish streams. 2. Tropical sub-montane hill valley swamp forest- found as narrow strips of water-logged areas. Whereas the former has M. fatua as well as G. canarica , in the latter, G. canarica is found along with Mastixia arborea and several others. Such bifurcation of these swamps does not have enough justification. The Atlas of Endemics of the Western Ghats ( India ) by Ramesh and Pascal (1997) shows that G. canarica and M. fatua occur from sea level to 700 m and 1000 m altitudes respectively.

More detailed studies on the Myristica swamps of Uttara Kannada in Central Western Ghats have been made recently. These swamps are isolated and situated in localities from near sea level to about 450 m altitude (Chandran et al . , 1999; Chandran and Mesta, 2001).

 Figure 1. Myristica swamps distribution in Western Ghats  

Study area  

The Uttara Kannada district, formerly North Kanara (13°52" to 15°30"N and 74°05" to 75°5"E), is located towards the centre of the Western Ghats. The district with 10,250 km² of area is one of the most forested in South India with about 70% of the land under forest cover, including forest plantations. Here the Western Ghats seldom exceeds 700 m in altitude. The district is a maze of steep hills with narrow valleys. Tropical evergreen to semi-evergreen forests form the natural climax vegetation in most parts of the district, which receive 200 to 500cm of rainfall. The survey has been carried out in five localities of Honnavar and Siddapur taluk (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Surveyed localities

Materials and Methods

The sampling has been carried out in five Myristica swamp localities namely, Kathalekan, Malemane, Torme, Halsolli and Mundigethagu. The survey was a random opportunistic survey visiting all the swamps and listing all the information regarding flora and fauna. For amphibians, time constrained samplings were carried out (2x2 man hours) from 17:30 to 19:30 hrs in five localities. During the survey, amphibians were searched using torchlight and also their vocal calls. Microhabitats like litter, wood logs, waterbodies, rocks, bushes, etc., were thoroughly searched. Keys of Daniel (1963a and b , 1975 ); Daniel and Sekhar (1989) and Daniels (1997a , b and c ) were used for species identification.

Photographs and geographical co-ordinates of occurrence using Global positioning system (GPS) were noted. Specimens were identified with the help of regional and other floras for plants and faunal elements are identified with the help of literature and experts.

Results and Discussion

Flora

The survey resulted in 64 trees, 24 species of shrubs and herbs (which include 8 species pteridophytes) (see Annexure I&II). As per the Myristica swamp definition it should have one or both exclusive swamp species viz., Gymnacranthera canaria or Myristica fatua var. magnifica, all five swamps have these trees as prominent tree species. Apart from these species Myristica swamps also associated with some of the flood tolerant evergreens like, Mastixia arborea , Calophyllum apetalum, Dipterocarpus indicus, Elaeocarpus tuberculatus, and Lophopetalum wightianum . Recently one new species was described from the Myristica swamps of Uttara Kannada viz., Semecarpus kathalekanensis (Swaminath, 2000). Three surveyed swamps have this species in an isolated patch of few trees. The swamp has high level of Western Ghats endemism among trees; 34 species are endemics.

Notable of the ground layer are rare shrubs and herbs like Apama siliquosa , Ochlandra scriptoria , Calamus spp., Arenga wightii , Pandanus spp., Nothopodytes foetida , Alpinia malaccensis , Jerdonia indica , Neurocalyx calycinus Begonia maabarica and Schumanniatus virgatus . An aroid Lagenandra ovata and Elatostemma lineolatum and Pellionia heyneana , both members of Urticaceae, are found abundantly in all the surveyed swamps. Pinanga dicksonii , a slender endemic palm of the Western Ghats , grows gregariously in all the swamps. In case of ground layer 7 species are endemic to Western Ghats . The notable of the Pteridophytes are Angiopteris evecta , Bolbitis appendiculata , Cyathea nilgiriensis , Osmunda regalis , Pronephrium triphyllum , Selaginella , Pteris , Staenochlaena palustris and Tectaria wigthii .

Fauna

These swamps also harbour many endemic and endangered fauna of the Western Ghats . The survey resulted in 15 species of mammals, 59 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles (including snakes), 29 species of amphibians, 16 species of fishes, 109 species of butterflies and six species of damselflies.

About six species of damselflies of are found in these swamps (see Annexure III) including Phylloneura westermanni , which is a range extension from Coorg and Wayanad. Other species are, Clear-winged Forest glory ( Vestalis gracilis ), Malabar torrent dart ( Euphea fraseri ), Stream ruby ( Rhinocypha bisignata), Black-tipped forest glory ( Vestalis apicalis ) and Pied reed tail ( Protosticta gravelyi ). Most of the species are found along the perennial stream inside the swamp. Clear-winged Forest glory ( Vestalis gracilis ), is found in the undergrowth of interior forest areas.

About 109 species of butterflies representing five families (see Annexure IV) are found in the Myristica swamps. Family Nymphalidae is dominated by 43 species followed by Papilionidae 16 species, Pieridae 13, Lycaenidae 18 and Hesperiidae 19 species. Many species are found basking in the open canopy areas. Malabar tree nymph ( Idea malabarica ), an endemic species found in moist, shady areas and in two swamps they form congregations. Evening browns and Bush browns of family nymphalidea are found in the thick litter covered areas and in the vicinity of Ochlandra scriptoria , Calamus spp. The members of the family Hesperiidae are found in the swamp edges, grasslands and open canopy areas.

16 species of fishes are found in the perennial streams of these swamps (see Annexure V). Most of them are generalists species found in the Western Ghats . Garra gotyla stenorhynchus , Rasbora daniconius , Danio aequipinnatus are prominent species.

About 29 species of amphibians are listed from the five Myristica swamps (see Annexure VI). Order Anura comprises eight families and Gymnophiona the family Ichtyophiidae. The family Dicroglossidae and Rhacophoridae comprises seven species each. Whereas the family Nyctibatrachidae and Ranidae comprises three species each. Some of the notable species are Micrixalus saxicola Nyctibatrachus major , N . petraeus Philautus ponmudi, P . neelanethrus , Polypedatus pseudocruciger and Rhacophorus malabaricus .

21 species of reptiles include 13 species of snakes found in the surveyed swamps (see Annexure VII). The notable snakes are Python ( Python molurus ), King cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah ), Humpnosed pit viper ( Hypnale hypnale ), Malabar pit viper ( Trimersurus malabaricus ), Trinket snake ( Elaphe helena helena ), etc.

About 59 species of birds found in these swamps (see Annexure VIII). Some of the endemic species like, Wynaad laughing thrush ( Garrulax delesserti ), Great pied hornbill ( Buceros bicornis ), Bluewinged parakeet ( Psittacula columboides ) are found in all the five surveyed swamps. Indian great horned owl ( Bubo bubo L.,), is a common species found in the riparian vegetation of Kathalekan, Halsolli and Torme swamps. Other species like, Fairy bluebird ( Irena puella ), Malabar whistling Thrush ( Myiophonus horsfieldii ) and Wagtails are found along the perennial streams.

About 15 species of mammals found in these swamps (see Annexure IX), which include an endemic and endangered primate Lion tailed macaque ( Macaca silenus ). This species is associated with the relics of the primary forests in Siddapur having the Myristica swamps and Dipterocapus.

Conclusion

In Myristica swamp the perennial streams and its associated flora harbours many of the endemic and endangered fauna of the Western Ghats . The swamp and its immediate surrounding forests have a number of wild fruit bearing trees which include Garcinia, Myristica, Syzygium, Holigarna, members of Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, etc. which provide food for many wild mammals and birds. Due to high watershed value and ecological value, it is necessary to conserve and document the biodiversity of these swamps in a proper way.

In the study area most swamps are presumably extinct due to human impacts of various kinds. The swamps are encroached for agricultural lands and areca plantations. The two of the studied swamps are at risk of disappearance due to areca plantations. The pressure is mounting on the last traces of the remaining swamps, due to mainly ignorance about the value and evolutionary significance of these ancient patches of forests. Rich biodiversity of swamps along with the evolutionarily significance demands the immediate policy measures to conserve these Myristica swamps— fragile ecosystems in remnant forest patches of Uttara Kannada. Special efforts should be made to locate more of these swamps lying hidden in the recesses of the Western Ghats .

Acknowledgements

We thank Mr. Divakar K. Mesta, Dr. K.V. Gururaja, Mr. Karthick B., Mr. Vishnu D Mukri, and Mr. Shrikanth Naik for their assistance in field work, identification and data collection.

Reference  

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  5. Chandran, M.D.S., & Mesta, D.K. On the conservation of the Myristica swamps of the Western Ghats . In Forest Genetic Resources: Status, Threats, and Conservation Strategies (eds Uma Shaanker, R., Ganeshaiah, K.N., & Bawa, K.S.) 1-19 (Oxford & IBH, New Delhi , 2001).
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  18. Daniels, R. J. R.1997b. A field guide to the frogs & toads of the Western Ghats , India . Part II. Cobra , 28: 1-24.
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Annexure I. Checklist of Tree species found in the five Myristica swamps.  

Sl. No. Plant species Distribution
1 Gymnacranthera canarica Western Ghats endemic
2 Mastixia arborea Western Ghats endemic
3 Lophopetalum wightianum Indomalaysia
4 Myristica fatua var. magnifica Western Ghats endemic
5 Semecarpus kathalekanensis Western Ghats endemic (New species)
6 Dipterocarpus indicus Western Ghats endemic
7 Hopea wightianum Western Ghats endemic
8 Hopea ponga Western Ghats endemic
9 Olea dioica Western Ghats & N.E. India
10 Dimocarpus longan Tropics
11 Garcinia gummi-gutta Western Ghats , Sri Lanka
12 Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Indomalaysia
13 Caryota urens Tropical Asia
14 Persea macarantha Western Ghats , Sri Lanka
15 Hydnocarpus laurifolia Western Ghats endemic
16 Holigarna grahamii Western Ghats endemic
17 Syzygium laetum Western Ghats endemic
18 Diospyros candolleana Western Ghats endemic
19 Syzygium hemispericum South India , Sri Lanka
20 Callicarpa tomentosa South India
21 Holigarna arnotiana Western Ghats endemic
22 Euonymus indicus Western Ghats endemic
23 Syzygium macrocephala Western Ghats endemic
24 Anthocephalus cadamba India , Sri Lanka , Sumatra , Borneo
25 Vapris bilocularis Western Ghats endemic
26 Alstonia scholaris S. Asia through Malaysia to Australia & Melanesia
27 Knema attenuata Western Ghats endemic
28 Garcinia morella Indomalaysia
29 Syzygium cumini Indomalaysia
30 Holigarna ferruginea Western Ghats endemic
31 Diospyros malabarica India , Sri Lanka
32 Canarium strictum Western Ghats endemic
33 Myristica malabarica Western Ghats endemic
34 Mangifera indica Western Ghats endemic
35 Aglaia elaeagnoidea Indomalaysia
36 Paramignya monophylla India , Burma , Sri Lanka
37 Myristica dactyloids South India , Sri Lanka
38 Artocarpus hirsutus Western Ghats endemic
39 Elaeocarpus serratus India including Tropical Himalayas
40 Flaucortia montana Western Ghats endemic
41 Aglaia anamallayana Western Ghats endemic
42 Aporosa lindleyana Peninsular India , Sri Lanka
43 Diospyros assimilis Western Ghats endemic
44 Ficus nervosa India to Vietnam
45 Syzygium gardneri Western Ghats , Sri Lanka
46 Cyclostemon confertiflorus Western Ghats endemic
47 Garcinia talbotii Western Ghats endemic
48 Nothopegia colebrookeana Western Ghats endemic
49 Cleidion sp.  
50 Beilschmedia fagifolia Western Ghats endemic
51 Casearia elliptica India to Australia through Indomalaysia
52 Macaranga peltata Peninsular India , Sri Lanka
53 Murraya paniculata Indomalaysia
54 Glochidion sp.  
55 Carallia brachita Continental Asia to N. Australia
56 Cinnamomum macrocarpum Western Ghats endemic
57 Actinodaphne hookeri Western Ghats endemic
58 Linociera malabarica Western Ghats endemic
59 Ervatamia heyneana Western Ghats endemic
60 Agrostistachys longifolia Central & Peninsular India
61 Ixora brachiata Western Ghats endemic
62 Miliusa indica Western Ghats , Sri Lanka
63 Calophyllum polyanthum Western Ghats , Indomalaysia , China
64 Symplocos racemosa Western Ghats endemic

  Annexure II. Checklist of Shrubs and Herbs (including pteridophytes) species found in the Five Myristica swamps.

 
Sl. No. Plant species Remarks
1 Alpinia malaccensis Indomalaysia
2 Jerdonia indica Western Ghats endemic
3 Neurocalyx calycinus Western Ghats endemic
4 Schumannianthus virgatus Western Ghats , Sri Lanka
5 Lagenandra ovata Western Ghats , Sri Lanka
6 Elatostemma lineolatum India
7 Pellionia heyneana Western Ghats , Sri Lanka
8 Pinanga dicksonii Western Ghats endemic
9 Apama siliquosa Western Ghats , Sri Lanka
10 Ochlandra scriptoria Western Ghats endemic
11 Calamus sp.  
12 Arenga wightii Western Ghats endemic
13 Pandanus sp.  
14 Nothopodytes foetida China , India , Malaysia
15 Begonia maabarica Western Ghats endemic
16 Argostemma courtallense Western Ghats endemic
Pteridophytes
1 Angiopteris evecta  
2 Bolbitis appendiculata  
3 Cyathea nilgiriensis  
4 Osmunda regalis  
5 Pronephrium triphyllum  
6 Pteris sp.  
7 Staenochlaena palustris  
8 Tectaria wigthii  

Annexure III. Checklist of Damcelflies found in the Five Myristica swamps.

Sl. No. Scientific Name Common Name
1 Phylloneura westermanni Myristica swamp Bambootail
2 Vestalis gracilis Clear-winged Forest glory
3 Vestalis apicalis Black-tipped Forest glory
4 Rhinocypha bisignata Stream ruby
5 Euphaea fraseri Malabar toreent dart
6 Protosticta gravelyi Pied reed tail

  Annexure IV. Checklist of Butterflies found in the Five Myristica swamps.

Sl. No. Scientific Name Common Name
Family Papilionidae
1 Troides minos Cramer Southern Birdwing (WG)
2 Pachliopta aristolochiae Fabricius Common Rose
3 Pachliopta hector L.,* Crimson Rose (PI&SL
4 Graphium sarpedon L., Common Bluebottle
5 Graphium doson C&R Felder Common Jay
6 Graphium agamemnon L., Tailed Jay
7 Graphium nomius Esper Spot Sword Tail
8 Graphium antiphates Cramer Fivebar Swordtail
9 Papilio liomedon Moore * Malabar Banded Swallow Tail (WG)
10 Papilio dravidarum Wood-Mason Malabar Raven (WG)
11 Papilio helenus L., Red Helen
12 Papilio polytes L., Common Mormon
13 Papilio polymnestor Cramer Blue Mormon (PI&SL)
14 Papilio paris L., Paris Peacock
15 Papilio buddha Westwood Buddha Peacock
16 Papilio crino Fabricius Common Banded Peacock
Family Pieridae
1 Catopsilia pomona Fabricius Common Emigrant
2 Eurema brigitta Cramer Small Grass Yellow
3 Eurema laeta Boisduval Spotless Grass Yellow
4 Eurema hecabe L., Common Grass Yellow
5 Delias eucharis Drury Common Jezebel (PI & SL)
6 Leptosia nina Fabricius Psyche
7 Appias albina Boisduval Common Albatross
8 Colotis etrida Boisduval Small Orange Tip
9 Colotis danae Fabricius Crimson Tip
10 Ixias pyrene L., Yellow Orange Tip
11 Pareronia valeria Cramer Common wanderer
12 Pareronia ceylanica C&R Felder Dark Wanderer (PI&SL)
13 Hebomoea glaucippe L., Great Orange Tip
Family Nymphalidae
1 Melanitis leda L., Common Evening Brown
2 Melanitis phedima Stoll Dark Evening Brown
3 Elymnias hypermenstra L., Common Palmfly
4 Mycalesis anaxias Hewitson White-bar Bushbrown
5 Mycalesis perseus Fabricius Common Bushbrown
6 Mycalesis patnia Moore Glad-eye Bushbrown (PI&SL)
7 Orsotrioena medus Fabricius The Nigger
8 Zipoetis saitis Tamil Catseye (WG)
9 Ypthima asterope Klug Common Three-ring
10 Ypthima hiiebneri Kirby Common Four-ring
11 Polyura athamas Drury Common Nawab
12 Acraea violae Fabricius Tawny Coster
13 Cethosia nietneri C&R Felder Tamil Lacewing (PI&SL)
14 Vindula erota Fabricius Cruiser
15 Cupha erymanthis Drury Rustic
16 Phalanta phalantha Drury Common Leopard
17 Cirrochroa thais Fabricius Tamil Yeoman (PI&SL)
18 Neptis jumbah Moore Chestnut-streaked Sailer
19 Neptis hylas Moore Common Sailer
20 Pantoporia hordonia Stoll Common Lascar
21 Athyma perius L., Common Sergeant
22 Limenitis procris Cramer Commander
23 Parthenos sylvia Cramer Clipper
24 Tanaecia lepidea Butler Grey Count
25 Euthalia aconthea Cramer Common Baron
26 Dolpha evelina Stoll Red-spot Duke
27 Ariadne merione Cramer Common Castor
28 Ariadne ariadne L., Angled Castor

Note: * indicates Endangered species

 

Annexure V. Checklist of Fishes found in the Five Myristica swamps.  

Sl. No. Family Scientific name Distribution
1 Bagridae Mystus malabaricus Endemic to Western Ghats
2 Cyprinidae Garra gotyla stenorhynchus Endemic to Western Ghats
3 Cyprinidae Salmostoma boopis Endemic to Western Ghats
4 Channidae Channa orientalis India
5 Cyprinidae Puntius ticto India
6 Cyprinidae Rasbora daniconius India
7 Siluridae Ompok bimaculatus India
8 Aplocheilidae Aplocheilus lineatus Southern India
9 Balitoridae Schistura denisonii densisonii Southern India
10 Cyprinidae Danio aequipinnatus Southern India
11 Cyprinidae Puntius fasciatus Southern India
12 Cyprinidae Puntius filamentosus Southern India
13 Cyprinidae Puntius sp .  
14 Balitoridae Schistura sp .  
15 Balitoridae Schistura sp .  
16 Synbranchidae Monopterus sp.  

  Annexure VI. Checklist of amphibians found in the Five Myristica swamps.

Family Species Distribution IUCN Status
Bufoniidae Bufo scaber  
LC
  Bufo melanostictus  
LC
     
Microhylidae Ramnella montana Western Ghats
NT
  Microhyla ornata  
LC
     
Micrixalidae Micrixalus saxicola Western Ghats
VU
     
Nyctibatrachidae Nyctibatrachus cf.aliciae Western Ghats
EN
  Nyctibatrachus major Western Ghats
VU
  Nyctibatrachus petraeus Western Ghats
LC
     
Petropedetidae Indirana beddomi Western Ghats
LC
  Indirana semipalmata Western Ghats
LC
     
Dicroglossidae Fejervarya brevipalmata Western Ghats
DD
  Fejervarya limnocharis  
LC
  Fejervarya syhadrensis  
LC
  Fejervarya rufuscence Western Ghats
LC
  Sphearotheca breviceps  
LC
  Hoplobatrachus tigrinus  
LC
  Euphlyctes cyanophlyctis  
LC
     
Ranidae Hydrophylax malabarica  
LC
  Sylvirana temporalis Western Ghats
NT
  Sylvirana sp.  
     
Rhacophoridae Philautus tuberohumerus Western Ghats
DD
  Philautus cf. leucorhinus Western Ghats
  Philautus sp. Western Ghats
  Philautus cf. luteolus Western Ghats
DD
  Philautus ponmudi Western Ghats
CR
  Polypedates pseudocruciger Western Ghats
LC
  Rhacophorus malabaricus Western Ghats
NT
     
Ichthyophiidae Ichthyophis beddomei Western Ghats
LC
  Ichthyophis sp. Western Ghats

Annexure VI. Checklist of amphibians found in the Five Myristica swamps.

Family Species Distribution IUCN Status
Bufoniidae Bufo scaber   LC
  Bufo melanostictus   LC
       
Microhylidae Ramnella montana Western Ghats NT
  Microhyla ornata   LC
       
Micrixalidae Micrixalus saxicola Western Ghats VU
       
Nyctibatrachidae Nyctibatrachus cf.aliciae Western Ghats EN
  Nyctibatrachus major Western Ghats VU
  Nyctibatrachus petraeus Western Ghats LC
       
Petropedetidae Indirana beddomi Western Ghats LC
  Indirana semipalmata Western Ghats LC
       
Dicroglossidae Fejervarya brevipalmata Western Ghats DD
  Fejervarya limnocharis   LC
  Fejervarya syhadrensis   LC
  Fejervarya rufuscence Western Ghats LC
  Sphearotheca breviceps   LC
  Hoplobatrachus tigrinus   LC
  Euphlyctes cyanophlyctis   LC
       
Ranidae Hydrophylax malabarica   LC
  Sylvirana temporalis Western Ghats NT
  Sylvirana sp.    
       
Rhacophoridae Philautus tuberohumerus Western Ghats DD
  Philautus cf. leucorhinus Western Ghats  
  Philautus sp. Western Ghats  
  Philautus cf. luteolus Western Ghats DD
  Philautus ponmudi Western Ghats CR
  Polypedates pseudocruciger Western Ghats LC
  Rhacophorus malabaricus Western Ghats NT
       
Ichthyophiidae Ichthyophis beddomei Western Ghats LC
  Ichthyophis sp. Western Ghats  

Note: CR: Critically Endangered, EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable, DD: Data deficient, NT: Near Threatened, LC: Least concern

Annexure VII. Checklist of reptiles found in the Five Myristica swamps.  

Sl. No. Common Name Scientific Name IUCN Status
1 Common Indian Monitor Lizard Varnus bengalensis VU
2 Flapshell turtles Lissemys punctata LRnt
3 Gunther's Supple Skink Lygosoma guentheri * LRnt
4 King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah LRnt
5 The Cobra Naja naja LRnt
6 Hump-nosed Pit Viper Hypnale hypnale LRnt
7 Malabar Pit Viper Trimersurus malabaricus * LRnt
8 Bronzebacked Tree Snake Dendrelaphis tristis LRlc
9 The Vine Snake Ahaetulla nasuta LRnt
10 Indian Ornate Flying Snake Chrysopelea ornata LRnt
11 Common Indian Trinket Snake Elaphe helena helena LRnt
12 Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator piscator LRlc
13 Common Sand Boa Eryx conicus conicus LRnt
14 Shieldtail Uropeltis sp. *  
15 The Rat Snake Ptyas mucosus LRnt
16 Python Python molurus LRnt
17 Lizard Calotes sp.  
18 Roux's Forest Lizard Calotes rouxi LRnt
19 Deccan Ground Gecko Geckoella dekkanensis VU
20 Gecko Cnemaspis sp.  
21 Western Ghats Flying Lizard Draco dussumieri LRnt

Note: * indicates Western Ghats endemic VU: Vulnerable, LRnt: Lower risk near threatened, LRlc: Lower risk least concern

  Annexure VIII. Checklist of birds found in the Five Myristica swamps.

Sl. No. Family Sub-family Common name Scientific name
1 Accipitridae   Crested serpent eagle Spilornis cheela (Latham)
2 Phasianidae   Grey jungle fowl Gallus sonneratii Temminck
3     Common pea fowl Pavo cristatus L.,
4 Columbidae   Orangebreasted green pigeon Treron pompadora (Jerdon)
5     Greyfronted green pigeon Treron pompadora (Gmelin)
6     Green imperial pigeon Ducula aenea L.,
7     Emerald dove Chalcophaps indica L.,
8 Psittacidae   Blossomheaded parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala (L.,)
9     Lorikeet Loriculus vernalis (Sparrman)
10     Bluewinged parakeet Psittacula columboides (Vigors)*
11 Cuculidae   Cuckoo Cuculus canorus L.,
12     Koel Eudynamys scolopacea L.,
13     Sirkeer cuckoo Taccocua leschenaultii Lesson
14     Crow-pheasant Centropus sinensis Stephens
15 Strigidae Striginae Forest eagle-owl Bubo nipalensis Hodgson
16     Indian great horned owl Bubo bubo L.,
17 Alcedinidae   Small blue kingfisher Alcedo atthis L.,
18 Meropidae   Small green bee-eater Merops orientalis (Latham)
19 Upupidae   Hoopoe Upupa epops L.,
20 Bucerotidae   Malabar grey hornbill Tockus griseus Latham
21     Great pied hornbill Buceros bicornis L., *
22     Malabar pied hornbill Anthracoceros malabaricus Boddaert *
23 Capitonidae   Crimson throated barbet Megalaima rubricapilla Gmelin
24     Small green barbet Megalaima viridis Boddaert
25     Large green barbet Megalaima zeylanica Gmelin
26 Picidae   Indian goldenbacked threetoed woodpecker Dinopium javanense (Ljungh)
27     Great black woodpecker Dryocopus javensis (Horsfield)
28     Heartspotted woodpecker Hemicircus canente L.,
29 Hirundinidae   Swallow Hirundo rustica L.,
30 Oriolidae   Golden oriole Oriolus oriolus L.,
31 Dicruridae   Racket-tailed drongo Dicrurus paradiseus L.,
32 Sturnidae   Hill myna Gracula religiosa L.,
33 Corvidae   House crow Corvus splendens Vieillot
34     Tree pie Dendrocitta vagabunda (Latham)
35 Campephagidae   Scarlet minivet Pericrocotus roseus (Forster)
36 Irenidae   Iora Aegithina tiphia L.,
37     Goldmantled chloropsis Chloropsis cochinchinensis (Gmelin)
38     Fairy bluebird Irena puella (Latham)
39 Pycnonotidae   Redvented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer L.,
40     Rubythroated bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus gularis Gould
41     Greyheaded bulbul Pycnonotus priocephalus Jerdon
42     Yellowbrowed bulbul Hypsipetes indicus (Jerdon)
43 Muscicapidae Timaliinae Rufous babbler Turdoides subrufus (Jerdon)
44     Blackheaded babbler Rhopocichla atriceps
45     Jungle babbler Turdoides striatus ( Dumont )
46   Muscicapinae Paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi L.,
47     Redbreasted flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda Swainson
48     Verditer flycatcher Muscicapa thalassina Swainson
49   Turdinae Blue rock thrush Monticola solitarius L.,
50     Malabar whistling thrush Myiophonus horsfieldii (Vigors)
51     Wynaad laughing thrush Garrulax delesserti (Jerdon)

Note: * indicates Western Ghats endemic

  Annexure IX. Checklist of mammals found in the Five Myristica swamps.

Sl. No. Common name Scientific name IUCN Status
1 Common Langur Semnopithecus entellus Lr-lc
2 Lion tailed Macaque Macaca silenus* EN
3 Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica Lr-nt
4 Grey Mongoose Herpestes endwardsii Lr-lc
5 Small Indian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus Lr-lc
6 Three-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum Lr-lc
7 Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica indica* VU
8 Common Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista Lr-nt
9 Indian Porcupine Hystrix indica Lr-lc
10 Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata Lr-nt
11 Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis Lr-lc
12 Wild Boar Sus scrofa cristatus Lr-lc
13 Indian Spotted Chevrotain or Mouse Deer Tragulus meminna Lr-nt
14 Sambar Cervus unicolor Lr-lc
15 The Gaur or Indian Bison Bos gaurus VU

Note: * indicates Western Ghats endemic EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable, LRnt: Lower risk near threatened, LRlc: Lower risk least concern

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