ID: 57712
Title: Human perceptions of, and interactions with, caecilian amphibians in the Kerala region of the Western Ghats of India
Author: K Ramachandran and VO Oommen
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Caecilians, Human perceptions, Kerala, Western Ghats
Abstract: Among the extant amphibians the least known are caecilians (Order Gymnophiona), probably because most species of this largely tropical group live in soil. Caecilians are elongate and limbless and have skin that is divided into annuli, so they appear superficially snake or worm-like. The Western Ghats is a centre of caecilian diversity with more than 10% of global species diversity occurring here. There has been a substantial increase in knowledge of the Caecilians of the Western Ghats in the last 10 years, and much of this has been possible because they can be found in anthropogenic habitats as well as (their presumably natural home) forests. Indeed, some species occur in very high densities in altered habitats, to the point where they can be locally the most abundant vertebrates. The adaptability of some caecilians to human-altered landscapes results in face-to-face interactions with humans along the Ghats region. Preliminary previous work in peninsular Idnia indicated that at least some caecilian species might be persecuted by humans, as well as killed accidentally on roads and in plantations. In order to study caecilian anthrozoology in further detail we interviewed people from all walks of life who were encountered at caecilian localities along the Western Ghats region of Kerala during January 2008- November 2010. There is no specific name for caecilians in the local language. Different names people use for caecilians are invariably applied also to soil-dwelling snakes. Caecilians are identified by laypeople usually as earthworms or snakes, depending on the species in question. People generally find caecilians frightening (if they believe them to be snakes) or at least slimy adn unappealing. Occasional fear exits because of misidentification and myths and not through harmful experiences. Knowledge that caecilians are amphibians is almost non-existent. Culturally, in this part of the Ghats caecilians are not well represented except for some faint proverbs. Our findings might cause some concern for caecilian conservation in anthropogenic habitats, but we also found that laypeople responded well to brief, informal education sessions and demonstrations that these animals are not dangeous and may even be beneficial in the health of agricutlural soils.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57711
Title: Cherai beach: A haven of taxonomy diversity
Author: G Priyalakshmi and N R Menon
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Psammophilous, Interstitial taxa, Nematodes, Gastrotricha
Abstract: A study of psammophilous fauna of Cherai beach (lat. 100 09 ' N; long. 760 02 ' E) in Kerala revealed that species from nien taxa dominated by nematodes abound this beach. Taxonomic studies of selected aberrant groups brought to light forty three species that come under Nematoda, Gastrotricha, Polychaeta, Kinorhyncha, Isopoda and Cnidaria. Macrodasyd gastrotrich, Pseudostomella cheraensis Priyalakshmi et al. (2007) is new to science. Halichaetonotus spinosus and Halichaetonotus sp. (Gastrotricha) are premier records from the Indian beaches. A striking feature of the species distribution is the distinct discontinuity in its occurrence and abundance. BEST analysis revealed the correlation co-efficient (Rho) to be 0.202 and 0.075 for sediment and hydrographic parameters respectively. Organic carbon and nitrogen determined the abundance and distribution of fauna and among the hydrographic parameters; dissolved oxygen seemed to be the most important factor. The diversity of interstitial taxa in Cherai is an index of the high nutritional nature of this pristine beach.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57710
Title: Biodiversity of marine gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda) along Kerala coast
Author: Preetha Karnaver and A Biju Kumar
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Biodiversity, Gastropods, mollusca, Kerala coast
Abstract: Phylum Mollusca forms a significant component in the marine biodiversity of India. Gastropods are the largest and most diverse class of molluscs and are commercially valuable not only as a nutrient-rich food with great export potential and as ornamental curios, but also as a source of a wide array of bioactive compounds. The gastropod molluscs of Kerala coast were surveyed for a period of one year from the bycatch of trawlers and from the rocky shore habitats. A total of 132 species of gastropods representing the families Fissurellidae (1), Trochidae (3), Turbinidae (2), Neritidae (2), Littorinidae (1), Cerithidae (2), Potamididae (1), Turritellidae (4), Strombidae (4), Crepidulidae (2), Xenophoridae (3), Cypraeidae (4), Naticidae (1), Tonnidae (1), Ficidae (1), Cassidae (3), Ranellidae (11), Bursidae (5), Epitoniidae (2), Muricidae (13), Buccinidae (9), Collumbellidae (1), Nassariidae (1), Melongeniidae (1), Fasciolariidae (4), Volutidae (1), Vasidae (1), Olividae (4), Marginellidae (1), Harpidae (1), Mitridae (1), Cancellaridae (2), Conidae (8), Turridae (7), Terebridae (3), Architectonicidae (1), Hydatiinidae (1) and Bullidae (1) were recorded during the study. Family Muricidae (Order Neogastropoda) and Family Naticidae (Order Mesogastropods) exhibited the maximum species diversity. Families like Ranellidae, Buccinidae, Conidae and Turridae also showed comparatively higher species diversity. About 21 families limited their representation with one or two species. The abundant species in the collection included Bursa spp., Babylonia spirata, Tibia curta, Murex spp., Natica lineata, and Conus inscriptus. Rare ornamental species like conus milneedwardsi, Cymatium perryii, and Conus geographus were recorded during the present collection. Shannon diversity index of gastropods was 3.062 in Kerala coast and the Margalef species richness was 14.25, indicating higher diversity. The values of Pielou ' s eveness ilndex (0.1619) showed lesser even distribution of species, with relatively more vlaue for dominance index 1.8592. The study revealed rich diversity of marine gatropods along Kerala coast.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57709
Title: Diversity of litter degrading microfungi from the forests of Western Ghats, India
Author: J Pratibha, S Raghukumar and D J Bhat
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Litter fungi, biodiversity, distribution
Abstract: The forests of Western Ghats, are a treasure house for new and interesting fungi. Tropical forests produce a large amount of litter which is a favoured source of nutrient for fungal colonization. Fungi are the major degraders of plant litter which is basically composed of cellulose and lignin. Plant litter is divided into leaf litter, branch litter, bark litter, fruit litter, flower litter and seed litter. Litter fungi play a major role in carbon and nitrogen cycling in forest ecosystem. In an attempt to document the biodiversity of litter fungi of the region, litter samples were collected from different places in Goa and some parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu and Maharashtra. The fungi were isolated and cultured by direct isolation, moist chamber incubation and particle filtration methods. In all, 230 litter fungi belonging to 164 genera of hyphomycetes, ascomycetes and coelomycetes were isolated. These included several rare and interesting species in the monotypic genera like Bibanasiella, Cheiromyceopsis, Esdipatilia, Gliophragma, Megacapitula, Morrisiella, Paradictyoarthrinium, Pseudogliophragma and Venustosynnema. New species belonging to Dendryphiopsis, Digitoramispora, Natarajania, Spondylocladiopsis, Stauriella, Tetraploa and Vamsapriya have been recorded. The study further deals with the distribution of the fungi in the Western Ghats region of Goa.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57708
Title: Larval digenean diversity in non-commercial marine fishes off the Southwest Coast of India
Author: B O Prasad
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Larval digeneans, non-commercial fishes, parasite biodiversity, parasitology
Abstract: Parasites of non-commercial fishes are poorly known, especially off the southwest coast of India. During a survey of the metazoan parasites of non-commercial fishes in the by-catches off the southwest coast of India (Kerala coast) during 2006-2008, ten species of larval digeneans were collected from six species of fishes belonging to six families (Plotosidae, Fistulariidae, Tetraodontidae, Dactylopteridae, Synaneeiidae, Uranoscopidae). The parasites are, Opistholebes sp. and Maculifer sp. (Opistholebitidae), two different species of Stephanostomum (Acanthocolpidae), Prosorhynchus sp. and three different species of Bucephalus (Bucephalidae), didymozoid larva (Didymozoidae) and Tetrochetus coryphaenae (Accacoelidae). The highest prevalence was noted for Stephanostomum sp. (7.7%) in Plotosus lineatus and the heighest mean intensity for Opistholebes sp. (65.0) in Lagocephalus inermis. In L. inermis, five species (Opistholebes sp., Maculifer sp., Prosorhynchus sp., T. coryphaenae and didymozoid larva) of larval digeneans were encountered. Fistularia petimba harboured two species and P. lineatus, Dactyloptena orientalis, Minous monodactlus and Uranoscopus guttatus, one species each. Of the parasites collected, Maculifer sp. is reported for the first time off the southwest coast of India and six species of digeneans are recorded from six new host species.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57707
Title: Seasonal influence of halobacterial biodiversity in Cape Comorin coast
Author: G Prakash Williams
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Cape Comorin coast, Halobacterium sp., Hypersaline environment, salt pans, seasonal influence, sea sediments, sea water
Abstract: Hypersaline habitats like the salt pans and the coastal areas sonstitute a typical example of extreme environment in which relatively low microbial diversity can be fouind. A detailed investigation on the ecology of halobacteria in Cape Comorin coast was carried out from october 2008 to September 2009. It is obvious from the present study that, the bacterial counts were fouind maximum in sediment samples than in water in both beach and saltpan irrespective to the sites and months. The samples from saltpan harboured maximum number of halobacteia. Like wise, summer season harboured maximum halobacterial couints and Halobacterium spp was the predomianant bacterial flora in the Cape comorin coast.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57706
Title: Purity assessment of a riparina ecosystem: A rapid pursuit using entomological indicators
Author: S Nandakumar and M G Sanal Kumar
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Aquatic insects, biomonitoring, rapid bioassessment protocol, family biotic index
Abstract: Diversity fluctuations of aquatic insects due to increased perturbation at selected segmetn of river Achencovil was estimated with the aid of Rapid Bioassessment Protocol. Sampling was done in the alternative months during the period of March to July 2010. River segment in the co-ordinate range 9014.573 ' N - 9015.641 ' N and 760 35.792 ' E- 76034.628 ' E were selected for applying the protocol. Using multi-habitat, composite sample method insects were collected and identified upto family level. Taxa richness, measures of tolerance/intolerance, feeding, habit and Family-level Biotic Index were calculated. All results were analysed for significant level of pollution using Hilsenhoff ' s Family Biotic Index. Negligible occurrenceof intolerant insects was noted in contrast to a percentage composition of tolerant organisms as high as 52.94% in the samples from the selected segment. Dominant taxa measures gave a result of 27.95% of insects from family Coenagrionidae from test site in the month of May. Families of Gomphidae, Chlorocyphidae, Dytiscidae, Elmididae, Hydrometridae, Belostomatidae and Tipulidae were absent in samples from test site when compared to reference site. Hilsenhoff ' s Family Biotic Index calculated for purity assessment of water at test site ranged between 7.9 and 8.13 which found to be higher than that of the value of range 5.86-6.56 obtained at reference site. Month wise between - site test computed for metric responses to pollution showed that 7 among 8 metrices match predicted values of increased perturbation at test site. Family Biotic Index above 7.71, tolerance value of 9 for dominant taxon from the area and the negligible presence of intolerant taxa shows that the diversity of aquatic invertebrates has sharply declined due to anthropogenic intervention like industrialization near the river and other unscientific exploitations. This segment of river Achencovil has to be given prime concern for ceasing all sorts of contamintoin since the depletion of aquatic biodiveristy and non-availability of pure water are going to be the inevitable consequences.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57705
Title: Flowering and fruiting phenophases in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, Southern India
Author: A Nanda
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary, phenophases, rainfall, temperature, tropical dry forests
Abstract: Flowering and fruiting phenophases of dry deciduous forest of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary was examined for 277 individuals of 45 species at community level the timing of the phenophases in relation to seasonal rainfall and temperature. Regression analysis was performed to examine how variations in rainfall and temperature influenced the peaks and troughts of phenology cycles. Flower initiation begins in November and continues till June with peak during April to June. Opening of flower and pollination peak in April and May. Fruiting initiation had two peaks in February to April in the dry season and continued after rainfall in September to October. Maturity in fruit peak in March in dry season and after rainfall in September to October. Maturity in fruit peak in March in dry season and after rainfall directionality of maturity was more with a peak in August and November. Deviations from phenology cycles were largely attributable to short-term fluctuations in rainfall and/ or temperature. Overall our study suggests that reproductive phenophases response is an indication of regional environmental changes.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57704
Title: Schematic identification of ' Chethikoduveli ' (Plumbago rosea L.) ideotype for optimal plumbagin content
Author: Namboodiri Raji Vasudevan, S Krishnan and V V Radhakrishnan
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Accessions, Plumbago, Plumbagin, Morphological characters
Abstract: Twenty five accessions of Plumbago rosea and one accession of Plumbago zeylanica collected from various districts of Kerala were subjected to repeated measures ANOVA for selecting ideotypes with optimal plumbagin content. The ANOVA yielded homogenous subsets of accessions for each of the six morphological characters viz plant height, internodal length, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf length and leaf breadth. The P. rosea accession IC-566507 was obtained after successive method of identification based on all morphological characters. The distinctness fo this accession with other outlying accessions was also investigated by graphical method. An ideotype with optimal plumbagin content of 2-3 percent was identified by cross tabulation of all accessions of Plumbago for six morphologica characters and seven biometrical characters viz, number of roots, root length, root girth, total biomass, fresh root weight, dry root weight adn dry weight recovery of roots with plumbagin content.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57703
Title: Butterfly migration studies in Kerala part of Western Ghats: An overview
Author: Muhamed Jafer Palot
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Migration, Nilgiri, Larval food, Danainae, Bieridea, Papilonidae
Abstract: The migration of butterflies is a relatively recent discovery unlike those of birds which has been well documented in scientific literature. Quite different from birds, most butterflies migrate in one direction only from the place where they are born to a new area. There are several possible reasons for this- to avoid overpopulation; shortage of larval food plants; to find a new home when a temporary habitat is destroyed; or in response to the changing seasons. Another theory is that these migrations are sometimes a sruvival of bygone habits caused by climate or other reasons, and now the instinct remains through the conditions no longer exist.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57702
Title: Altitude-wise variations in diversity of freshwater periphytic microalgae in Anamalai area of Western Ghats
Author: K M Mohamed Nasser and S Suresh Kumar
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Microalgae, Western Ghats, Chalakkudi River
Abstract: The Anamalai, the highest peak of Western Ghats has been marked as one of the three hot spots in Western Ghats. The diversity of higher plants in this area has been well documented except for the lower forms. The present investigation aimed to delineate the diversity of freshwater periphytic microalgae with respect to the altitude in Anamalai region. We sampled freshwater microalgae from streams of Nelliyampathy (1440 m), Valparai (1200 m), Parambikulam (700 m) and Sholayar (550 m) to determine the altitude wise variations in distribution and abundance. One hundred and forty one species of microalgae belong to fifty seven genera and five classes were recorded from four stations during the survey in 2009-2010. Bacillariophyceae was the dominant group with sixty one species under twenty-six genera followed by Desmidiaceae with forty three species under eleven genera. The dominant genera were pinnularia and Cosmarium from Bacillariophyceae and Desmidiaceae respectively. The Euglenophyceae was less represened with only eight species. Margalef ' s species richness was found to be lower in high algtitude region (Nelliyampathy; d=7.90 and Valparai; d =7.09) and higher in low altitude region (Parambikulam; d =9.01 and Sholayar; D = 11.14). Diversity of micro algae is also showing a decreasing trend with increasing altitude. The result of the present study is useful for the development of a reference point for the microalgae based impact assessment of the Chalakkudy river system, as algae are considered as the major indicators of stress on the environment.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57701
Title: Diversity and distribution of Bacillus strains from the water samples of a tropical wetland ecosystem
Author: Maya George and A A Mohamed Hatha
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Lake water, bacteria, diversity, hydrolytic enzyme
Abstract: Microbial diversity of unexplored geographical locations assumes signifiance considering the various physiological and metabolic capabilities of microorganisms, especially bacteria. Many of them may possess the ability to solve new and emerging disease problems and to advance biotechnology. Species of Bacillus constitute a diverse group of bacteria widely distributed in soil and the aquatic enviornment. In the present investigation the taxonomic characteristics of 142 Bacillus sp. isolated from water samples of Vembanad lake were studied. Sixty nine percent pf isolates were identified up to their species level and they were assigned to 20 groups based on their character similarities. Analysis of the data revealed that B. subtilis ssp. subtilis (16.2%) was the most predominant species in the region under study followed by B. cereus (14.08%). More diverse strains were isolated during the monsoon season. The isolate show differences in morphological characteristics such as, shpae of the spore, position of the spore and swelling of the sporangium. About 53% and 23% of the total isolates could grow in media with salt concentrations of 7% and 10% respectively. Nearly 16% of the isolates were able to survive temperature up to 550C. While 35% of the isolates exhibited DNase activity, the ability to hydrolyse casein, Tween 80 and starch were frequently encountered. Ony 13% of isolates were capable of elaborating tyrosinase. Carbohydrate fermentation ability of Bacillus isolates revealed that glucose is the most preferred carbon source. Several strains of Bacilli encountered in the present study could be further exploited for several biotechnology applications in industry.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57700
Title: Butterfly garden: Biodiversity conservation in human-stressed environments
Author: P Manoj and Punnen Kurian
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Butterfly, Kumarakom, tourism, ecological threats, Environmental education
Abstract: Butterflies are one of the most fascinating insects which are playing significant role in ecosystem services. Creation of butterfly habitats through landscaping and introdution of suitable host plants to sustain differetn species of butterflies is an emerging technique of butterfly conservation. The Kumarakon Butterfly garden is such a garden inside the Coconut Lagoon heritage resort at Kumarakom, Kottayam district Kerala. This study evaluated the changes due to the development of butterfly garden in such a human-stressed environment, both in terms of biodiversity conservation and as an environmental eduction tool. The study showed that the introduction of more than 80 species of host and food plants in the garden gave a 240.74% increase in the butterfly diversity. Significant increase in denstiy of individual species also observed. The 20 fold increase in tourist visit to the garden suggest that the butterfly garden holds immense potential as a tourism tool of environmental education and biodiversity conservation.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57699
Title: Bryophyte diversity along a gradient of human disturbance in the Ponmudi hills, of Kerala, Western Ghats
Author: G S Manoj and K Murugan
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Ponmudi hills, Bryophytes, disturbance index, human intervention, regeneration; species richness
Abstract: Ponmudi, the golden peak hill station located at Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, South India, occupies on the outer edge of the Southern Western Ghats near Agasthyakoodam, which is perched at 1868 m and the second tallest peak after Anamudi. The altitude of Ponmudi ranges from 90-1868 m and is part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. This paper records the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on species richness and pattern of bryophyte diversity in the Ponmudi hill forests of Kerala. Bryophyte species richness and biological diversity varied alogn a disturbance gradient in differnt forest types. A total of 104 species were identified. The highest species richness (70 species) was found in the low disturbed forest type, and the lowest species richness (34 species) in the highly disturbed forest type. Bryophyte density declined with an increase in disturbance intensity. Higly disturbed forests can no longer be considered natural habitats for natural plant species due to shifting cultivation and agroforestry. Highest Species diversity was shown by evergreen forest followed by degraded forests and plantations. Similarly, highest number of exclusive species was noted in the natural forest than the monoculture plantations. The latter have more generalized and tolerant species. Thus the study reveals the impact of human interference leading to replacement or disappearance of species.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 57698
Title: Comparison of different clustering patterns and development of statistical key for Vigna taxa
Author: M Latha, K T Presannakumari, S Krishnan, Z Abraham and J S Minimol
Editor: A Biju Kumar
Year: 2012
Publisher: Narendra Pubslishing House, 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Biodiversity and taxonomy
Keywords: Leguminoseae, Vigna, Cluster analysis, key
Abstract: Vigna belonging to the family Leguminoseae is a large genus comprising of seven sub-genera and over 15- species. One-hundred adn fifty accessions belonging to 22 different taxa of Vigna maintained at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Regional Station, Thrissur were observed for 48 qualitative and 24 quantitative characters. Cluster analysis was preformed using NTSYS programme for quantitative and qualitative characters separately. For each qualitative cluster the percentage fo accessions of each taxa distributed into various quantitative clusters were worked out to find out the relationship between qualitative and quantitative clustering patterns using the weighted averages. The result showed that majority of accessions of each taxa in a single qualitative cluster fell into a single quantitative cluster indicating the similarity among these accessions at quantitative level also. The key quantitative characters for each taxa were identified as those which had a CV above 25 percent in all the respective quantitative clusters in which the accessions of the taxa distributed. Using these key quantitative characters a statistical key was developed for distinguishing the various taxa.
Location: E 15, Biologicalsciences Building, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None