Enter records

ID: 66510
Title: Effect of Land-Use Change on The Abundance of Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa Macroura), around the Protected Area of Srivilliputhur-Meghamalai Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Division, Tamil Nadu
Author: Shilpa Bevoor, Gopi, G.V., Goyal, S.P. and Varun Kher
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 158-169 (2025)
Subject: Effect of Land-Use Change on The Abundance of Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa Macroura), around the Protected Area of Srivilliputhur-Meghamalai Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Division, Tamil Nadu
Keywords: - Land-use and land cover, protected area, eco-sensitive zone, Grizzled giant squirrel, density estimation, distance sampling
Abstract: Human-induced land-use changes have significantly altered wildlife habitats, affecting biodiversity worldwide. In the Western Ghats of India, extensive conversion of forests into agricultural land and plantations has reshaped ecosystems, influencing species distribution and behavior. The Grizzled giant squirrel (GGS- Ratufa macroura), an endemic and Near Threatened species, faces increasing habitat fragmentation due to such land-use changes. This study examines the impact of land-use transitions on GGS abundance in the Srivilliputhur-Meghamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR) and its surrounding eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). A decadal land-use land-cover (LULC) analysis for the ESZ from 1993 to 2023 revealed a 152.76% increase in plantation area, while fallow land declined by 42.97%. Squirrel and drey densities were estimated in protected areas and in ESZ using distance sampling techniques, with sightings recorded along transects. The results indicate that GGS density varied significantly across habitats, with the highest densities observed in plantations with both coconut and mango in the ESZ. However, the lowest density was found in riparian forests within the protected area. The species is increasingly utilizing plantations, likely due to food availability and canopy connectivity. The expansion of plantations has facilitated greater movement of squirrels into farmlands, intensifying human-wildlife conflicts. This study highlights the importance of understanding habitat preferences and land-use dynamics to develop conservation strategies for the GGS. The findings underscore the need for sustainable plantation management, habitat restoration, and conflict mitigation measures to ensure the long-term survival of this species. Future conservation efforts should focus on maintaining tree canopy connectivity.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Alroy, J. (2017). Effects of habitat disturbance on tropical forest biodiversity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(23), 6056-6061. Babu, S., & Kalaimani, A. (2014). New site record of Grizzled Giant Squirrel Ratufa macroura from Thiruvannamalai Forest Division, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 6(2), 5492-5493
Literature cited 2: Baskaran, N., Senthilkumar, K. & Saravanan, M. (2011). A new site record of the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Ratufa macroura (Pennant, 1769) in the Hosur forest division, Eastern Ghats, India and its conservation significance. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 3(6): 1837– 1841 Davidar, P. (1989). Grizzled Giant squirrel Ratufa macroura-distribution in Kudirayar. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 86(3), 437. Govind, S. K. & Jayson, E. A. (2018). Crop damage by wild animals in Thrissur District, Kerala, India. Indian Hotspots: Vertebrate Faunal Diversity, Conservation and Management Volume 2, 309-323.

ID: 66509
Title: Assessing the Wildlife-Domestic Dog Interface Inmudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
Author: Sanjana Vadakke Kuruppath, Varun Kher and Ramesh, K.
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 142-157 (2025)
Subject: Assessing the Wildlife-Domestic Dog Interface Inmudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
Keywords: Canis familiaris, mammals, camera trapping, spatio-temporal overlap
Abstract: Dogs are considered to be a destructive invasive species, harming wildlife by preying on native herbivores, competing with native carnivores, mating with wild canids and transmitting disease to wild populations. This issue is particularly pressing in India, where large dog populations are closely connected with fragmented natural ecosystems harbouring diverse wildlife. This study was conducted from February to March 2025 to understand the spatial and temporal overlap between dogs and mammalian wildlife in the Masinagudi and Singara ranges of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, focusing on the interface with the dog populations in five villages. Camera trapping was carried out for two weeks each within the boundaries of each village, and this data was compared with forest camera trapping data from 2021 to understand how dogs’ use of space and time overlap with different wild species in the village versus the forest. We found that wildlife adjust their activity patterns to be more active at night and less active during the day close to villages, compared to the forest. Dogs, being diurnal, were therefore less likely to encounter wildlife near villages compared to the forest. A similar pattern was found with respect to space – certain wildlife species were present at fewer sites closer to villages compared to forest sites, reducing the risk of encountering dogs or other sources of disturbance. Overall, despite the high dog population in the region (n=1200), they may be less likely to encounter wildlife than expected, as the wildlife species adjust their use of space and time to avoid them. This indicates that the dog population that resides in villages may not be of significant concern. Rather, the minority of the dog population that regularly enters the forest needs to be monitored and controlled where necessary.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Allen, M. L., Sibarani, M. C., & Krofel, M. (2021). Predicting preferred prey of Sumatran tigers Panthera tigris sumatrae via spatio-temporal overlap. Oryx, 55(2), 197– 203, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605319000577. Bryce, C. M., Davis, M. S., Gompper, M. E., Hurt, A., Koster, J. M., Larson, G., Ostrander, E. A., Udell, M. A. R., Urfer, S., Wirsing, A. J., & Jimenez, A. G. (2021). Biology’s Best Friend: Bridging Disciplinary Gaps to Advance Canine Science. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 61(1), 76–92, https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab072.
Literature cited 2: Carvalho, W., Rosalino, L., Godoy, M., Giorgete, M., Adania, C., & Esbérard, C. (2019). Temporal activity of rural free-ranging dogs: Implications for the predator and prey species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Neobiota, 45, 55–74, https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.45.30645. Doherty, T. S., Dickman, C. R., Glen, A. S., Newsome, T. M., Nimmo, D. G., Ritchie, E. G., Vanak, A. T., & Wirsing, A. J. (2017). The global impacts of domestic dogs on threatened vertebrates. Biological Conservation, 210, 56–59, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.04.007

ID: 66508
Title: Understanding the Ecology of Lesser-Known Mammals in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
Author: Vandana Kannan, Mathesan, R., Vijay Ramesh, Anita Varghese and Pratim Roy
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 127-141 (2025)
Subject: Understanding the Ecology of Lesser-Known Mammals in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
Keywords: Indian pangolin, grey slender loris, burrow, PAM, BirdNET, STR
Abstract: Regional scientific research is critical for conserving threatened mammals, many of which are understudied. This study focused on two nocturnal, lesser-known, cryptic mammals under the IUCN Red List, the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Grey slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), where there is no prior research available on both species. We studied the distribution of both mammals in STR, estimating the population density and habitat use of the Indian pangolin using burrow count surveys and a borescope, and determined the presence/absence of the Grey slender loris (GSL) in 21 study sites using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and BirdNET, a deep learning model. We encountered 62 pangolin burrows, out of which 19 were active. The population density was estimated to be 0.32 ± 0.24 (mean ± SD) individuals/km2. For the GSL, we deployed AudioMoth audio recorders in two seasons: March-April 2024 and September-October 2024 and recorded between 1800 and 0500 hours for 17 days, and developed a BirdNET model for automatic prediction of GSL whistle calls. GSL presence was confirmed in 13 out of 21 sites in STR. The BirdNET model produced 625 true positive predictions with a precision rate of 76%. We did not observe any patterns in the vocalizing time of GSL across our study period. PAM and BirdNET were highly effective monitoring tools for cryptic vocalizing species, being non-invasive, cost-effective, and user-friendly. Our recommendations for management include a) create awareness and prepare a conservation for declaring STR as a good habitat for the pangolin and GSL, b) promote long-term population monitoring studies for the pangolin and GSL c) conduct the use of PAM in wildlife monitoring, and d) facilitate more research studies on lesser-known taxa.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Aditya, V., Komanduri, K. P., Subhedar, R., & Ganesh, T. (2021). Integrating camera traps and community knowledge to assess the status of the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in the Eastern Ghats, India. Oryx, 55(5), 677–683. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605319001303 Akrim, F., Mahmood, T., Hussain, R., Qasim, S., & Zangi, I. (2017). Distribution pattern, population estimation, and threats to the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) (Mammalia: Pholidota: Manidae) in and around Pir Lasura National Park, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 9(3), 9920–9927. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2914.9.3.9920-9927
Literature cited 2: Begon, M. (1979). Investigating Animal Abundance: Capture recapture methods. Nature, 279. Clink, D. J., Cross-Jaya, H., Kim, J., Ahmad, A. H., Hong, M., Sala, R., Birot, H., Agger, C., Vu, T. T., Thi, H. N., Chi, T. N., & Klinck, H. (2024). Benchmarking automated detection and classification approaches for monitoring of endangered species: A case study on gibbons from Cambodia (p. 2024.08.17.608420). BioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.17.608420

ID: 66507
Title: First Synchronized Population Estimation and Social Organization Of Nilgiri Tahr Nilgiritragus Hylocrius in Tamil Nadu, South India
Author: Ganesan, M.G , Ganesh Ram, K., Priyanka, S., Subbaiyan, B., Manigandan, K., Rajeshkumar, N., Nesan, T., and Ashokkumar, M.
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 113-126 (2025)
Subject: First Synchronized Population Estimation and Social Organization Of Nilgiri Tahr Nilgiritragus Hylocrius in Tamil Nadu, South India
Keywords: Nilgiri tahr, population estimation, Anamalai hills, Nilgiris, age composition, newly colonized habitats of tahr
Abstract: The Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is an endangered and endemic mountain ungulate of the Southern Western Ghats of India. The tahr population is threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, and population isolation in its distributional ranges. Though the population estimates from certain protected areas were available for the study species, it was not comprehensive. The first synchronized survey on Nilgiri tahr in its distributional range was surveyed in 140 survey blocks, in 36 forest ranges using bounded count method in fragmented forests and double observer method in contiguous forests during April 29, 30 and May 1, 2024. The estimated population of Nilgiri tahr was 1,031 with an average detection probability of 0.5. The Anamalai hills, Srivilliputhur, Megamalai, and Nilgiri Hills hold 90% of the population. The Anamalai and Nilgiri hills hold 41% and 24% respectively, of the metapopulation that serves as the source population for the long-term conservation of the species in the fragmented landscape. The male-female sex ratio was 1:2 and the female-calf ratio was 2:1. The age composition revealed that adult female constituted 42.2%, followed by adult male (25.1%), young (19.1%) and yearling (13.6%). Further, the study has identified newly colonized habitats of Nilgiri tahr in the Pasumalai habitat in the Chinnamanur range of the Megamalai division. This is the first synchronized survey of the tahr population as part of Project Nilgiri tahr's initiative to conserve Nilgiri tahr in Tamil Nadu.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Arasumani, M., Khan, D., Das, A., Lockwood, I., Stewart, R., Kiran, R. A., Muthukumar, M., Bunyan, M., & Robin, V. V. (2018). Not seeing the grass for the trees: Timber plantations and agriculture shrink tropical montane grassland by two-thirds over four decades in the Palani Hills, a Western Ghats Sky Island. PLoS ONE, 13(1): e0190003, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0190003. Bagghi, S., & Ritchie, M. (2010). Herbivore effects on above and belowground plant production and soil nitrogen availability in the Trans-Himalayas shrub-steppes. Oecologia, 164: 1075-1082.
Literature cited 2: Brack, I. V., Kindel, A., de Oliveira, L. F. B., & Lahoz-Monfort, J. J. (2023). Optimally designing drone-based surveys for wildlife abundance estimation with Nmixture models. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 14, 898– 910, https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14054 Caughley, G. (1974). Bias in aerial survey. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 381. 921.

ID: 66506
Title: Checklist Of Ichthyofaunal Diversity In The Muthupet Coastal Ecosystem: Biodiversity Insights And Conservation Implications
Author: Abinaya, R. and Sajeevan, M.K
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 95-112 (2025)
Subject: Checklist Of Ichthyofaunal Diversity In The Muthupet Coastal Ecosystem: Biodiversity Insights And Conservation Implications
Keywords: Ichthyofaunal diversity, wetland, red list, checklist, Muthupet lagoon, conservation
Abstract: Documenting ichthyofaunal diversity is essential for understanding biodiversity patterns and informing conservation efforts. This study presents a comprehensive checklist of fish species from the Muthupet region from January 2023 to December 2023. The checklist encompasses 105 species, two classes, 23 orders, 48 families, and 88 genera. Notably, 60 species were exclusive to the lagoon. Teleostei was the most diverse class (100 species, 83 genera, 44 families, and 20 orders), while Elasmobranchii was the least diverse (5 species, 5 genera, 4 families, and 3 orders). The order Eupercaria/misc (19%) was the richest, followed by Clupeiformes (16%), Carangiformes (10.5%), and Acanthuriformes (8%). Carangidae was the most speciesrich family (10 species), followed by Engraulidae and Sciaenidae (8 species each). According to the IUCN Red List, 86 recorded fish species were categorized as "Least Concern," 8 as "Not Evaluated," 4 as "Vulnerable," 3 as "Data Deficient," and 1 each as "Critically Endangered" and "Near Threatened." More than 95% of the recorded species have commercial significance, contributing to subsistence fisheries year-round. The findings of this study provide baseline data for conservation planning and sustainable fisheries management in the Muthupet coastal ecosystem.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Abinaya, R., Kanishkar, A., & Sajeevan, M. K. (2024). Temporal variations in fish diversity, guild dynamics, and their association with environmental variables in a tropical estuary. Environ Monit Assess, 196(12):1253. Abinaya, R., Kantharajan, G., & Sajeevan, M. K. (2025). Mapping of water spread dynamics of a tropical Ramsar wetland of India for conservation and management. Environ Monit Assess, 197(2):145.
Literature cited 2: Arasumani M, Kumaresan M, & Esakki, B. (2024). Mapping native and non-native vegetation communities in a coastal wetland complex using multi-seasonal Sentinel-2 time series. Biol Invasions, 26(4):1105-24. Bassi, N., Kumar, M.D., Sharma, A., & Pardha-Saradhi, P. (2014). Status of wetlands in India: a review of extent, ecosystem benefits, threats and management strategies. Journal of Hydrology, 2:1–19.

ID: 66505
Title: Seasonal Diversity Of The Finfish Community In A Tropical Estuary, South-East Coast Of India, Tamil Nadu
Author: Kanishkar, A., Santhoshkumar, S., Abinaya, R., Pavinkumar, P., Aruna, S. and Ranjithkumar, V
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 74-94 (2025)
Subject: Seasonal Diversity Of The Finfish Community In A Tropical Estuary, South-East Coast Of India, Tamil Nadu
Keywords: Estuarine ecosystem, diversity indices, physicochemical parameters, management.
Abstract: Efficacious management and health assessment of estuarine ecosystems is augmented when comprehensive data on biodiversity is accessible. Correlations between species diversity and physicochemical factors are core information for directing management tactics and conservation planning. Present study was conducted from January to December 2023 to evaluate the measures of finfish diversity in the Muthupet estuary as a component of the Ramsar site, Point Calimere wetland complex. The diversity indices were unraveled monthly and seasonally (post-monsoon, summer, pre-monsoon, and monsoon). The ranges of Shannon-Wiener diversity (H’), Margalef’s richness (d), Pielou’s evenness (J’), Simpson diversity (1- λ), Taxonomic diversity (∆),Taxonomic distinctness (∆*), Average taxonomic distinctness (∆+) and Total phylogenetic diversity (sPhi+) were 2.467 to 3.858, 3.945 to 10.935, 0.935 to 0.977, 0.934 to 0.984, 69.290 to 76.551, 74.158 to 77.787, 74.066 to 78.519 and 800 to 3060 respectively for monthly gillnet finfish samples and 3.34 to 4.26, 6.82 to 15.43, 0.956 to 0.963, 0.970 to 0.987, 73.798 to 76.114, 76.045 to 77.092, 76.129 to 78.014, and 1800 to 4420 respectively for seasonal data. The Bray-Curtis similarity was zenithal between the pre-monsoon and summer, at 64.93%. The monthly and seasonal fluctuations in diversity were analysed using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), which showed 40% resemblance across the monthly samples and indicating that the monsoon unveiled the highest species richness. The temporal oscillations in diversity were influenced by various environmental drivers, such as rainfall, tidal fluctuations, freshwater influx and seasons. Effective management inputs, such as ecological monitoring and assessment, community participation and governance, policy and regulatory frameworks, capacity building and education, economic incentives, and infrastructure and technology, are essential for sustaining resources that enhance the livelihoods of local people in this estuary.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ajmal Khan, S. (2008). Statistical Packares for Assessing Biodiversity. Winter School on Advanced Biological Techniques for Fisheries. Professionals, 103-113. Ansar, C.P., Mogalekar, H.S., Sudhan, C., Chauhan, D.L., Golandaj, A., & Canciyal, J. (2017). Finfish and shellfish diversity of Vembanad Lake in the Kumarakom region of Kottayam, Kerala, India. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 5(2), 351- 357.
Literature cited 2: Balakrishnan, T., Sundaramanickam, A., Shekhar, S., & Balasubramanian, T. (2015). Distribution and seasonal variation of heavy metals in sediments of Muthupet lagoon, southeast coast of India. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 16(3), 49-60. Barbier, E. B. (2019). The value of coastal wetland ecosystem services. In Coastal wetlands (pp. 947-964). Elsevier.

ID: 66504
Title: Distribuion and habitat use by shola birds of the Nilgiris
Author: Nisha Bhakat, Vivek Ramachandran, Ashwin Vishwanathan and Jayashree
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 62-73 (2025)
Subject: Distribuion and habitat use by shola birds of the Nilgiris
Keywords: Endemic birds, forest specialists, habitat use, land-use , land-cover, shola
Abstract: Economic development and food security have led to significant land-use changes worldwide, posing challenges for conserving biodiversity and natural systems. Protected areas offer a safe refuge for wildlife, but their coverage is often inadequate. In the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, habitat loss and fragmentation threaten endemic and endangered bird species. The most at risk are restricted-range species such as shola specialists of the high elevations. This study assessed bird diversity and abundance in the montane Nilgiris landscape by conducting point counts across a complex habitat matrix, emphasizing the shola bird community. Field work was carried out from March 2023 to June 2023.Natural forests and urban parks showed high species richness. But when obligate commensals like crows and pigeons were excluded, bird abundance decreased significantly in settlements and parks. Urban parks appeared to play a role in providing refuge and improving connectivity for birds in the landscape. Shila birds were mostly seen in natural forests and timber plantations, with the Nilgiri laughingthrush being partial to natural forests. Our mapping , exercise also showed that the potential habitat available to high-altitude shola birds beyond Mukurthi National Park in the montane Nilgiris is around 500 sq.km. The role of different land cover types and landscape contexts in shaping avian communities in human-dominated landscapes is emphasized .Protecting natural habitats and restoring other potential habitats can benefit endangered species like the Nilgiri laughingthrush and Nilgiri sholakili. The need for sustainable land-use practices in conservation efforts to secure the future of montane shola birds in the Nilgiris is highlighted.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Brooks, T. M., Bakarr, M. I., Boucher, T., Da Fonseca, G. A. B., Hilton-Taylor, C., Hoekstra, J. M., Moritz, T., Olivieri, S., Parrish, J., Pressey, R. L., Rodrigues, A. S. L., Sechrest, W., Stattersfield, A., Strahm, W., & Stuart, S. N. (2004). Coverage provided by the global protected-area system: Is it enough? BioScience, 54: 1081–1091. Daniels, R. R. (1993). The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and its role in conserving India’s biodiversity. Current Science, 64: 706–708.
Literature cited 2: De Cáceres, M., Legendre, P., Wiser, S. K., & Brotons, L. (2012). Using species combinations in indicator value analyses. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 3: 973–982. Hansen, A. J., & Rotella, J. J. (2001). Nature reserves and land use: Implications of the “Place” principle. In: Dale, V. H. & Haeuber, R. A. (Eds.) Applying Ecological Principles to Land Management, pp. 54–72, Springer, New York, NY. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0099-1_3 [Accessed July 25, 2022].

ID: 66503
Title: Spatial patterns of sea urchin diversity and their relationship to ecosystem health in the gulf of Mannar
Author: Radhika Rajasree S.R, Anagha Biju,Praisy M.Shaju, Vishnu P, and Anugrah Jayesh
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 54-61 (2025)
Subject: Spatial patterns of sea urchin diversity and their relationship to ecosystem health in the gulf of Mannar
Keywords: Sea urchin diversity, Gulf of Mannar, species richness, benthic habitat, conservation
Abstract: Th Gulf of mannar, a marine biodiversity hotspot, is home to diverse ecosystems, including significant sea urchin populations.A survey conducted from July 2023 to October 2024 across 13 islands in the Gulf of Mannar, a marine biodiversity hotspot, identified six a sea urchin species. Hare island exhibited the highest species richness, hosting five species (Salmacis virgulata, Temnopleursu toreumaticus, Gymnechinus sp., Brissopsis alta and Lovenia elongata) with a total of 110 individuals, alongside diverse macroalgae and coral. This island displayed high biodiversity (Simpson's D'=0.6774, Shannon-Wiener H'=1.2340) and even species distribution (evenness Index E=0.7667).Notably, Gymechinus sp. was recorded for the first time in the Hare Island region. The Vhaan Island showed moderate diversity with three species (S.virgulata, S.bicolor, and T.toruematicus) and 36 individuals. The Kasuwari Island had the lowest diversity, with only two species (S.virgulata and S.bicolor) and nine individuals, resulting in lower-diversity indices (D'=0.3457, H'=0.5297) and uneven distribution (E=0.7642) due to the dominance of S.virgulata. The sea urchin distribution correlated with specific macroalgae and coral species, emphasizing the importance of healthy benthic habitat. This study highlights the need for conservation measures, including bycatch reduction, predator monitoring, and long-term population tracking, to protect sea urchin populations and overall ecosystems health in the Gulf of Mannar
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Azwir, A, Musriadi,M &Saputra S (2019). Diversity of echinodermata types based on the littoral zone on the white sand beach of Ujong Batee, Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province.BIOEiDUKASI.Biology Education Journal, 10 (2), 149-156. Davidson, T. & Grupe, B. (2015). Habitat modification in tidepools by bioeroding sea urchins and implications for fine-scale community structure. Marine Ecology, 36(2), 185-194.
Literature cited 2: Ditzel, P, Konig S, Musembi P, & Peters M. (2022).Correlation between coral reef condition and the diversity and abundance of fishes and sea urchins on an East African coral reef, Oceans, 3 (1) , 1-14; https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans3010001. Droulin, G. Himmelman, J.H. &Belnand P (1985). Impact of tidal salinity fluctuations on echinoderm and mollusc populations. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 63 (6):1377-1387.

ID: 66502
Title: Comprehensive analysis of Road kills in Tamil Nadu Highway network:identifying hotspots and suggesting mitigation measures
Author: Sowjanya V.L., Satish Kumar S, Udhayan A, Manimozhi A, Ganesan M.G. and Senbagapriya S
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Subject: Comprehensive analysis of Road kills in Tamil Nadu Highway network:identifying hotspots and suggesting mitigation measures
Keywords: Animal-vehicle collision, conservation strategies, wildlife mortaity, protected areas, road network
Abstract: The expansion of road networks profoundly influences the environment and biodiversity. Roads often led to animal-vehicle collisions and act as a barrier to animal movement, thus increasing animal mortality. This study analysed roadkill hotspots within Tamil Nadu's extensive road network, spanning 1,99,040 km. The research aimed to identify spatial and temporal trends, compile species-specific roadkill data, identify vulnerable areas, and suggest appropriate mitigation strategies. Tamil Nadu is a biodiversity hotspot with 26,451 sq.km of forest cover. Roadkill data were collected between 2018 and 2023 from 45 forest divisions through questionnaire surveys, online sources (e.g., iNaturalist, Indian Biodiversity Portal etc.) and incidental sampling was used during road surveys. Hotspots were identified using QGIS, and road characteristics were evaluated at each hotspot. The collected data were evaluated using spatial, temporal and division-wise hotspots. The study documented 1,552 roadkill incidents involving 68 species across mammals (69%), birds (27%) and reptiles (4%). Spotted deer (47%) and Pefowl (27%) were the most frequently encountered species, followed by Bonnet macaque (5%) and Wild pig (5%).Spatially, the Tiruchirapalli Forest Division had the highest incidents, with agricultural land being the primary hotspot. Temporal analysis revealed that the roadkill incident increased annually, peaking in 2022.Dry seasons witnessed higher mammal roadkill, while avian and reptile collisiions peaked in west season. In hotspot analysis, National and State highways were the most involved in animal road accidents. Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Villupuram, Tirunelveli and Dindugal forest divisions are the most roadkill hotspots.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Annual Report-2020-21, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. New Delhi, 116 pages. Arca-Rubio, J, Moreno-Rueda, g, &Ortega, Z (2023).The distribution of vertebrate roadkill varies by season, surrounding environment, and animal class. European Journal of Wildlife Research,69 (3):42
Literature cited 2: Aquino, AG.H.E, &Nkomo, S.P.L. (2021).Spatio-temporal patterns and consequences of road kills: A review. Animals, 11 (3):799. Baskaran, N., &Boominathan D. (2010). Roadkill of animals by highway traffic in the tropical forests of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, southern India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2 (3):753-759

ID: 66501
Title: Conservation of tropical dry evergreen forest (TDEF) within Tamil Nadu
Author: Glenn Baldwin, Paul Blanchflower and Sivasankaran A
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 16-33 (2025)
Subject: Conservation of tropical dry evergreen forest (TDEF) within Tamil Nadu
Keywords: Tropical dry evergreen forest, sacred groves, ecological status, biodiversity conservation, rapid assessment survey, conservation strategies.
Abstract: Sacred groves, remnants of the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests (TDEF), are ecologically and culturally significant, serving as biodiversity reservoirs and spiritual sites. This study was conducted from 2021 to 2022.We examined 58 sacred groves through an integrated methodology, including field surveys, GIS mapping and historical satellite imagery analysis, to assess their size, canopy cover, species diversity and ecological health. The findings revealed a steady decline in vegetative cover, with 58 % of groves experiencing canopy loss over the past two decades. Key drivers of degradation include temple expansion, deforestation, understory clearing and waste accumulation. Despite these challenges the groves continue to support rare and vulnerable plant species highlighting their role as biodiversity banks. The study emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts, awareness initiatives and sustainable management strategies to protect these fragile ecosystems and preserve their ecological and cultural value.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Brandis D. (1897). Indigenous Indian Forestry; sacred groves. In: Indian Forestry working. Oriental institute, pp 12-13. Champion H.G. &Seth S.K. (1968). A revised survey of the forest types of India. Government of India, Manager of Publications, University of Minnesota, 404 pages
Literature cited 2: Meher-Homji V M (1974).The climate of Cuddalore-A bioclimatic analysis. Geographical Rev.India.36 (1):1-22. Meher-Homji V.M (1992). A document to help formulate a conservation strategy for peninsular India in relation to vegetation status and bioclimatic conditions. Final tech. report Pitambar Pant. Natl. Environ. Fel, Ministry of Environ., New Delhi.

ID: 66500
Title: Study on the impact of ocean acidification on the aragonite saturation state (ῺAR) in the coral reef ecosystem of the gulf of Mannar and Palk bay and mapping blue carbon hotspots for harnessing ecosystem-based services as well s climate change mitigation
Author: Anad M, Rangesh K, Pandiya Rajan R.S and Panda U.S.
Editor: Udhayan A, Senbagapriya S, Eswaran D, Manimozhi A, Sankar K, Vasanthakumari D, Siva Ranjani S and Gabriel Paulraj M
Year: 2025
Publisher: Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training &Education), Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Vandalur, Chennai
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: 4th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, 13-14 February, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pg no 1-15 (2025)
Subject: Study on the impact of ocean acidification on the aragonite saturation state (ῺAR) in the coral reef ecosystem of the gulf of Mannar and Palk bay and mapping blue carbon hotspots for harnessing ecosystem-based services as well s climate change mitigation
Keywords: Aragonite saturation state, ocean acidification, coral reef ecosystem, gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay
Abstract: Ocean acidification (OA), driven by atmospheric Carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption, poses significant risks to coral reef ecosystems and calcifying organisms worldwide. OA reduces the availability of aragonite, which is essential for coral calcification and ultimately weakens coral structures and reduces reef growth. The Gulf of Mannar (GoM) and Palk Bay (PB), located on the southeast coast of India, ae vital marine regions providing critical ecosystem services, including biodiversity support, carbon sequestration, and fisheries production. Between January 2023 and September 2024, we conducted a pilot study to assess the aragonite saturation state (ῺAR) across 24 stations in these coastal waters, alongside measurements of pH, temperature, salinity, nutrients, and carbonate parameters following the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) protocol. The results revealed PB exhibited higher pH (mean ± SD of pH 8.08 ± 0.02), with ῺAR values ranging from 2.64 in GoM-indicative of marginal calcification conditions to 6.71 in PB, signifying optimal conditions for calcifiers. The findings highlighted lower ῺAR values in GoM, suggesting an alarming trend towards marginal calcification conditions, which could compromise coral reef growth and resilience. This aligns with observed global trends where increased anthropogenic CO2 emissions exacerbate acidification in nearshore environments. This study underscores the importance of regular monitoring of OA parameters in these regions and hi9ghlights the need form cooumnity-ased conservation strategies to protect these critical ecosystems and their associated services.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Albright R, Mason B, Miller M, Langdon C.(2010). Ocean acidification compromises recruitment success of the threatened Caribbean coral Acropora palmata. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107:20400-20404. Andersson, A.J., & Gledhill D (2013).Ocean acidification and coral reefs: effects on breakdown, dissolution and net ecosystem calcification. Annual Review of Marine Science, 5:321-348.
Literature cited 2: Anthony, K.R., Kleypas J.A. &Gattuso J.P (2011). Coral reefs modify their seawater carbon chemistry-implications for impacts of ocean acidification. Global Change Biology, 17:3655-3666. Balachandran, K.K. &Rajamanickam G.V. (2000). Gulf of Mannar: a fragile ecosystem. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 42:267-269.

ID: 66499
Title: Host plants of Forest parasitic angiosperms of Odisha, India: Boon and Bane
Author: Sweta Mishra ,Sanjeet Kumar, and Sakti Kanta Rath
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 151 (8) Pg No. 810-813 (2025)
Subject: Host plants of Forest parasitic angiosperms of Odisha, India: Boon and Bane
Keywords: None
Abstract: Parasitic angiosperms are plants that derive their nutrients by connecting to and extracting resources from host plants (Sahu et al., 2018).These unique plants have evolved to thrive in various environments, including forests, where they play complex roles in shaping ecosystem dynamics (Mishra et al.,2022; Mahendru et al., 2022). Odisha, a state in eastern India, is home to a diverse range of flora, including parasitic plants (Lyngdoh et al.,2023).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bouwmeester H., Sinha N. and Scholes J (2021).Parasitic plants: physiology, development, signaling, and ecosystem interactions.Plant Physiology, 185 (4):1267-1269. Jaiswal A., Panda A., Kumar S and Mishra S. (2021).Medicinal parasitic plants of Odisha, In: Medico-Biowealth of India, Volume 3, Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha, India.
Literature cited 2: Lyngdoh A., Lyngdoh D., Rakhunde D., Garcha R.B., Prabhavathi K., Mishra S., Rath S.K. and Kumar S. (2023).Parasitic Plants of Odisha, India: A source of Curative Agents Against Novel Viral & Microbial Diseases. Advances in zoology and Botany, 11 (6):409-415. Mahendru N., Masresha M., Joshi P. Marndi S. and Kumar S. (2022). Medicinally important terrestrial parasitic plants. In: Medico-Biowealth of India, Volume V. Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha, India.

ID: 66498
Title: New Plants Record from North India
Author: Acharya Blakrishna, Bhasker Joshi, Anupam Srivastava, Ved priya Arya, Rajesh Kumar Mishra, Amit Kumar, Arun Kushwaha, I.P. Sharma and Ramesh Kumar
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 151 (8) Pg No. 805-809 (2025)
Subject: New Plants Record from North India
Keywords: None
Abstract: The vegetation survey of Ganga River in premonsoon and post-monsoon seasons from Gomukh, Uttarakhand to Gangasagar, West Bengal was conducted between March 2003 to May 2023 and October 2023 to November 2023 respectively. Five states viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal were selected from present study. Approximately 13, 100 plant specimens have been collected. The identification and authentication of collected samples have been done with the relevant literature of Hooker (1872-1897); Duthie (1903-1929); Mao and Dash (2020); Dash and Mao(2020) as well as different regional floras by Bennet (1979); Singh et al (2001); Uniyal et al. (2007); Singh et al (2016);Pusalkar and Srivastava (2018); Naithani (2018); Sinha and Shukla (2020);Kellogg et al. (2020); Naithani et al. (2022); Naithani and Chandra (2023) and Khanna et al (2024).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bonnet S.S.R. (1979). Flora of. Periodical Expert Book Agency, New Delhi. Bhaumik M. (2020).Dioscoriaceae.In: Mao, A.A. and Dash, S.S. (Eds). Flowering Plants of India: An Annotated Checklist (Monocotyledons), 150-155.Botnaical Survey of India, Kolkata.
Literature cited 2: Bor N.L. (1960). The Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan (Excluding Bambuseae).Pergamon Press, London. Chase M.W., Christenhusz M.J.M. Fay M.F., Byng J.W.,Judd W.S., Soltis D.E. Mabberley D.J., Sennikov A.N., Soltis P.S. and Stevens P.F. (2016). The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group Classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG IV.Bot.Jour.Linn.Soc., 181(1):1-20.

ID: 66497
Title: Restoration of Gnetum edule (willd).Blume: A threatened medicinal plant of wet tropical biome in India
Author: Bhagwati Prashad Sharma, Hiranmoy Barman, Kadambini Das, Tambe Satish Sampat Rao,Arvind Kumar and Sanjeet Kumar
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 151 (8) Pg No. 801-804 (2025)
Subject: Restoration of Gnetum edule (willd).Blume: A threatened medicinal plant of wet tropical biome in India
Keywords: None
Abstract: The many medicinal plants found in India, which are mostly used by the natives for medical purposes, have gained widespread recognition and acceptance throughout the world because of their unique benefits, which include excellent outcomes, little to no negative effects, and accessibility for the general people. Indigenous and traditional medica methods have been used for a very long time and have demonstrated promise in treating a variety of feared illnesses, including the most recent worldwide COVID-19 epidemic. Many plants that are harvested from natural stands are also in danger of going extinct, therefore, there is global concern over the forecast of a sixth mass extinction.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ali M.I, Shabir S., Soni L.k and Dhobal M.P (2020). The phytochemical potential of Gnetaceae with peculiar reference of Gnetum Ula and traditional uses of Gnetaceae species. Plant Archives 20 (1):2797-2986. Barik S.K., Tiwari O.N., Adhikari D., Singh P.P, Tiwary R. and Barua S. (2018).Geographic distribution pattern of threatened plants of India and steps taken for their conservation. Current Science, 114 (3):470-503.
Literature cited 2: Gowthami R., Sharma N., Pandey R. and Agrawal A. (2021).Status and consolidated list of threatened medicinal plants of India. Genetic Resource Crop Evolution, 68 (6):2235-2263. Jena S. Behera P.PMandal U., Parida S and Mahalik G. (2021).Medicinal uses of rare, endangered and threatened (RET) plant species. Journal of Plant Development Sciences, 13 (8):597-601.

ID: 66496
Title: Lindsaea malabarica (Bedd) Baker Ex C.Chr. A new distributional record for Maharashtra
Author: Sachin M.Patil,Annat Patil,Bharat Kumar Jadhavand Kishore S.Rajput
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 151 (8) Pg No. 798-800 (2025)
Subject: Lindsaea malabarica (Bedd) Baker Ex C.Chr. A new distributional record for Maharashtra
Keywords: None
Abstract: The genus Lindsaea was described in extenso by Dryander (1797). However, it had been included a few years before in a paper by Smith (1793) as "Lindsaea dryandri (inedit)" which constitutes a valid publication. However, for none of the three species listed the combination under the new genus was made, this was left to Dryander's publication, which included a total of 10 species, of which seven species were published as new species of Lindsaea and the others were transferred to the new genus from Adiantum.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Dryander ,J.C. (1797).Lindsaea, a new genus of ferns. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, 3: 39-43. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1797.tb00554x. Fraser-Jenkins, C.R.Gandhi , K.N., Sholia, B.S. and Benniamin, A. (2017). An annotated Checklist of Indian Pterodophytes Part-1 (Lycopodiaceae to Thelypteridaceae).Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun 564 pp.
Literature cited 2: Kramer,K.U. (1972). The Lindsaeoid ferns of the Old World VI. Continental Asia, Japan and Taiwan. The Gardens Bulletin Singapore, 24:1-48. Manickam, V.S. and Irudayaraj V. (1992). Pteridophyte flora of Western Ghats, South India. BI. Publication, New Delhi.635pp.