Lakshminarasimhan 3 , Prakash Diwakar 4
P. Lakshminarasimhan 3 , Prakash Diwakar 4
& Sachin Punekar 5,6
1 Art, Commerce and Science College, Lanja, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra 416701, India
2 Department of Botany, University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
3 Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, P.O. Botanic Garden, Howrah, West Bengal 711103, India
4 Botanical Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, 7, Koregaon Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411001, India
5 Paleobiology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
6 Biospheres, Eshwari, 52/403, Lakshminagar, Parvati, Pune, Maharashtra 411009, India
Email: 1 [email protected] (corresponding author),
2 [email protected], 3 [email protected],
4 [email protected], 5 [email protected],
OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD
Date of publication (online): 26 June 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 June 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)
Editor: N.P. Balakrishnan
Manuscript details:
Ms # o2444 Received 19 April 2010 Final received 06 April 2012 Finally accepted 14 May 2012
Citation: Kavade, S., S. Deokule, P. Lakshminarasimhan, P. Diwakar & S. Punekar (2012). Belosynapsis vivipara (Dalzell) C.E.C. Fisch. (Commelinaceae), a vulnerable spiderwort, rediscovered after sixteen decades from Maharashtra, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(6): 2660–2663.
Copyright: © Shrinath Kavade, Subhash Deokule, P. Lakshminarasimhan, Prakash Diwakar & Sachin Punekar 2012. Creative Commons Attribution
3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.
Acknowledgements: We thank Dr. V.R. Gunale, Head, Department of Botany, University of Pune, Dr. S.R. Bhosale, Principal, ACS College, Lanja and Directors of Agarkar Research Institute, Pune and Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata for facilities. Thanks are also due to Maharashtra Forest Department during the fieldwork in Chandoli National Park. Help rendered by Dr. V.P. Prasad, Indian Liaison Officer, Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, London by sending the type image is gratefully acknowledged.
Chandoli National Park (previously Chandoli Wildlife Sanctuary) is a part of recently declared Sahyadri Tiger Reserve situated in the heart of
the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, ear-marked as a future UNESCO World Heritage site. The study area spreads over
an area of 317.67km 2 along the backwaters of Varana River across the Sahyadri range. Chandoli National Park (CNP) lies between 17 0 3’29”–17 0 17’00”N and
73 0 41’55”–73 0 51’55”E. The altitude ranges from 589 to 1044 m. During a study to assess the floristic diversity of CNP, we collected and identified Belosynapsis
vivipara (Dalzell) C.E.C Fisch. after a lapse of 160 years from Maharashtra. The genus Belosynapsis Hassk. is represented by five species distributed from South Asia to New Guinea (e-Floras, Digital Flora
of Taiwan 2009). In India, it is represented by three species, namely, B. epiphytica (Blatt.) C.E.C. Fisch., B. kewensis Hassk. and B. vivipara (Dalzell) C.E.C. Fisch.
(Karthikeyan et al. 1989). After Dalzell’s collection in 1851 from Parva Ghat (Fig. 1), Maharashtra (at the junction of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka State), this species could not be collected from any other place in Maharashtra and it is treated as nearly vanished from the state (Lakshminarasimhan 1996; Mishra & Singh 2001). Apart from Maharashtra, this endemic (Ahmedullah & Nayar 1986) species is distributed in Karnataka (Katlekan, Jog Falls, Yedur, Agumbe, Shimoga, Hulical-Hosgadda, Shirur Ghat, Talacavery) (Sundararaghavan 1970), Kerala (Wayaaad) (Sharma et al. 1984) and Tamil Nadu (Anamalai Hills) (Gamble 1931). In the present investigation, a total of about 100 individuals were seen growing as epiphytes on large tree trunks at about 1.52–3.04 m from the ground in the riparian forest patches of Male and Patharpunj villages in Chandoli National Park, which in fact forms the northernmost distribution of this vulnerable taxon (Kammathy 1987).
Materials and Methods: The present work is based on intensive floristic survey of CNP in the period 2005 to 2010. During the field study four specimens of
this species were collected and plant specimens were identified using Gamble (1967), Sundararaghavan,
(1970), Kammathy (1987), Lakshminarasimhan (1996) and deposited in the herbarium of the Department of Botany, University of Pune and Herbarium of Botanical Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune (BSI) with collection number SPK 645.
A detailed description, ecological observations,
Belosynapsis vivipara rediscovered S. Kavade et al.
Figure 1. Distribution map of Belosynapsis vivipara showing the type locality (Parva Ghat) and Chandoli National Park.
photographs (Image 1a-c) and distribution map (Fig. leaves 1–2 x 0.2–0.5 cm, sessile, ovate or elliptic, apex
1) of the species are provided for easy identification. acute, pilose. Scape 8–25 cm long, slender, viviparous at the apex with several small oblong-lanceolate acute
Belosynapsis vivipara (dalzell) sprague ex c.e.c.
leaves. Peduncle with 2–4 flowers in umbel, arising
from the leaf axils, pilose, 2-bracteate. Sepals 3, 2–3 in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1928: 254. 1928 &
Fisch.
mm long, oblong, villous. Petals 3, white, connate to in Gamble, Fl. Madras 1551. 1931 [3: 1082. 1967
the middle. Stamens 6; filaments naked. Capsules (Repr.)]; Kammathy in M.P. Nayar & Sastry (eds.),
oblanceolate, ca. 3mm long, obtuse, hairy, recurved Red Data Book Indian Pl. 1: 124, f. 1987; Karthik. et
after dehiscence, 3-celled, 2-seeded. Seeds cylindric, al., Fl. Ind. Enum. Monocot. 24. 1989; Lakshmin. in B.
smooth.
D. Sharma et al., Fl. Maharashtra State, Monocot. 147. Specimens examined: 1851, Parva Ghat, 1996; D.K. Mishra & N.P. Singh, Endemic & Threat.
Maharashtra, India, coll. Dalzell, s.n. (K), 30.xi.1961, Fl. Pl. Maharashtra 241. 2001. Cyanotis vivipara
Katlekan, on way to Gerusoppa from Jog, coll. Ansari Dalzell in Hooker’s J. Bot. Kew. Gard. Misc. 3: 226.
and Kammathy, 78707; 04.x.1962, Yedur, Shimoga 1851; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 388. 1892; T. Cooke,
District, coll. Raghavan, 82972; 08.x.1962, Hulical, Fl. Bombay 3: 305. 1967 (Repr.).
Shimoga District, coll. Raghavan, 83069; 09.x.1962, Epiphytic, subscapigerous herbs, 10–25 cm long,
same locality, coll. Raghavan, 83088 A; 16.x.1962, covered with scattered rufous spreading hairs or
Agumbe, Shimoga District, coll. Raghavan, 83267; glabrescent in the tender plants; rootstock small.
24.viii.1963, Hulical-Hosgadda area, Shimoga Leaves radical and cauline; radical leaves 3–8 x 1–2 cm,
District, coll. Raghavan, 9196; 01.ix.1963, Shirur sessile, linear or linear-lanceolate, base narrowed, apex
Ghat, Shimoga District, coll. Raghavan, 90372 A; acute or acuminate, covered with pilose hairs; cauline
23.x.1963, Bhimanagundi, Coorg District, coll. A.S.
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2660–2663
Belosynapsis vivipara rediscovered S. Kavade et al.
© Shrinath Kavade
© Shrinath Kavade © Shrinath Kavade
Image 1. Belosynapsis vivipara (Dalzell) C.E.C. Fisch. a - Habitat; b - Vegetative habit; c - Reproductive habit
Rao, 95014; 26.x.1963, Talacauvery, Coorg District, (Wayanad) and Tamil Nadu (Anamalai Hills). coll. A.S. Rao, 95144 (All in BSI); 21.vii.2007,
Ecology: Growing at an elevation of ca. 992m Chandoli National Park, Sangali District, SPK 645 (17 0 16’22.79”N & 73 0 45’15.20”E) as an epiphyte (Department of Botany, University of Pune; BSI) on densely moss covered tree trunks and branches (Image 2).
of Flacourtia montana, Memecylon umbellatum and Flowering & Fruiting: July–October.
Syzygium cumini in shady, semi-evergreen riparian Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats. forests (Image 1a) in association with Begonia Maharashtra (Sangali); Karnataka (Chikmagalur, crenata, Bryum sp., Hoya wightii, Hymenophyllum sp., Coorg, Hassan, Mysore, N. Kanara, Shimoga), Kerala Lycopodium hamiltonii, Pogonatum sp. and Remusatia
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2660–2663
Belosynapsis vivipara rediscovered S. Kavade et al.
vivipara.
We suggest that total protection should be given to the riparian forests areas of Chandoli National Park for the conservation of this vulnerable and endemic taxon. Ex situ conservation and domestication of this species in greenhouses and gardens for future survival, besides its re-introduction into the wild in similar habitats is the need of the hour.
reFerences
ahmedullah., M. & M.P. nayar (1986). Endemic Plants of Indian Region—Vol. 1. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, p.208.
digital Flora of taiwan (2009). <http://www.efloras.org> Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Online version dated
26 September 2009. Gamble, J.s. (1931). The Flora of the Presidency of Madras— Pt. IX. Adlard and Son Ltd. London, p.1551. [3: 1082. 1967 (Repr.)].
Kammathy, r.V. (1987). Belosynapsis vivipara (Dalz.) Sprague et Fischer, p.123, f. on p.124. In: Nayar, M.P. & A.R.K. Sastry (eds.). Red Data Book of Indian Plants—Vol.
1. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta.
Karthikeyan, s., s.K. Jain, M.P. nayar & M. sanjappa
(1989). Florae Indicae Enumeratio: Monocotyledonae, Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, p.24.
lakshminarasimhan, P. (1996). Monocotyledones, p. 147. In: Sharma, B.D., S. Karthikeyan & N.P. Singh (eds.). Flora of Maharashtra State. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta.
Mishra, d.K. & n.P. singh (2001). Endemic and Threatened Flowering Plants of Maharashtra. Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, p.241.
sharma, B.d., n.P. singh., r. sundararaghavan & u.r.
deshpande (1984). Flora of Karnataka Analysis. Botanical Survey India, Calcutta, p.288.
Image 2. Herbarium of Belosynapsis vivipara
sundararaghavan, r. (1970). The Flora of Agumbe and Tirthahalli areas in Shimoga District, Mysore State. PhD Thesis. Madras University, Madras. (Unpublished)
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2660–2663
JoTT n OTE 4(6): 2664–2666
New distributional record of a rare
While revising the genus
sedge Kobresia (Cyperaceae) from
Kobresia Willd. (Cyperaceae)
Sikkim, India
in India under ‘Flora of India Project’ of the Botanical Survey
Bikash Jana 1 , R.C.Srivastava 2 , D.G. Long 3 &
of India, the authors came across specimens in the G.P. Sinha 4 BSHC herbarium, which on critical studies were
identified as K. harae Rajbh. & H. Ohba. A scrutiny
1,2 Botanical Survey of India, CGO Complex, DF Block, 5 th Floor,
Sector I, Saltlake, Kolkata, West Bengal 700064, India
of the literature (Clarke 1894; Karthikeyan et al.
3 Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburg | Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, Scotland, UK
1989; Kuekenthal 1909; Koyama 1978; Noltie 1994;
4 Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre,
Noltie & Zhang 2010) and herbaria revealed that this
10 Chatham Lines, Allahahabd, Uttar Pradesh 211002, India Email: 2 [email protected] (corresponding author),
species is known so far from Nepal only. Therefore,
the present collection from northern Sikkim forms the first report for India.
Kobresia, a genus established by Willdenow in
Kobresia harae rajbh. & h. ohba
1805, is placed in the tribe Cariceae under the subfamily in J. Jap. Bot. 62(7): 193, f.1. 1987. Cyperioideae of the sedge family Cyperaceae. The
(Image 1) genus is characterized by its utricles, which are more
Type: Nepal: Janakpur Zone, Ramechhap District, or less open on one side and in having at least some Serdingma-Dubikharka, 3400–3720 m, 7.vii.1985, bisexual spikelets with male flowers above the female Ohba et al. No.8570278 Holotype (TI) flowers. There are about 65 species (Govaerts et al.
13.vii.1996, 3520m, 2007) distributed in the northern hemisphere, especially Yumthang, North Sikkim District, Sikkim, India, coll. at high altitudes in the Himalaya, India, China and G.P. Sinha & D.G. Long, 17821 (BSHC) (Image 2). central Asia. About 42 taxa are recorded so far from
Specimen
examined:
Perennial herbs. Rhizome elongated, ca. 4 x 0.3 cm India. It is one of the important genera in the alpine covered with brownish-black scales. Culms slender, flora of the eastern and western Himalayan region of erect, 9.5–10.1 cm x 0.5mm, triquetrous, smooth; base India. It is also an important pasture plant dominating covered with brownish-black lamina bearing outer
a vast area of the alpine region where grazing animals sheaths. Leaves ca. 2–7 cm x 1.5–2 mm, much shorter feed extensively on it.
than the culm; lamina linear, slightly scabrid at apex, midrib smooth, greenish in colour; sheath 1–2 cm long. Inflorescence erect, racemose, oblong, ca. 2.4cm x
Date of publication (online): 26 June 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 June 2012
1mm with 4–6 spikes; axis slightly triquetrous. Spikes
ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)
oblong, 9–11 x 3mm, with about 5 or 6 spikelets.
Editor: N.P. Balakrishnan
Spikelets all unisexual, lowest and lateral ones female
and terminal one male. Glumes of the lowest spikes
Manuscript details:
Ms # o3039
broadly ovate, ca 4x1 mm, glabrous, brownish, margin
Received 19 December 2011 Final received 16 May 2012
slightly hyaline, prominently, 1-nerved, apex long
Finally accepted 30 May 2012
attenuate, scabrid, base slightly sheathing. Lowest
Citation: Jana B., R.C. Srivastava, D.G. Long & G.P. Sinha (2012). New
spikelets female, elliptic, ca. 4 x 0.75 mm. Glumes
distributional record of a rare sedge Kobresia (Cyperaceae) from Sikkim, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(6): 2664–2666.
of the female spikelets ovate to ovate-elliptic, ca. 2.5
x 0.5 mm, apex slightly acute to obtuse, glabrous,
Copyright: © Bikash Jana, R.C. Srivastava, D.G. Long & G.P. Sinha
2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows
brown, margin slightly hyaline at apex. Prophyll
unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors
linear to oblanceolate, ca. 4 x 0.75 mm, membranous,
and the source of publication.
smooth, brownish, upper portion hyaline, margin
Acknowledgements: Authors are grateful to the Director, Botanical Survey of India for facilities.
OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD BSHC - Botanical Survey of India Sikkim Himalayas Circle Herbarium
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2664–2666
Kobresia - new record from Sikkim
B. Jana et al.
Image 1. Kobresia harae Rajbh. & H. Ohba
A - close-up of apical portion of leaf; B - apical portion of inflorescence; C - female glume; D - prophyll with gynoecium; E - gynoecium; F - Male spikelet.
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2664–2666
Kobresia - new record from Sikkim B. Jana et al.
Image 2. Herbarium of Kobresia harae
open in upper half from apex to the middle. Male of Cyperaceae:Sedges. Royal Botanic Garden, Kew. glume broadly elliptic-lanceolate, ca. 5 x 0.5 mm,
Karthikeyan, s., s.K. Jain, M.P. nayar, M. sanjappa (1989).
apex obtuse, glabrous. Stamens 3; filaments slender. Florae Indicae Enum. Monocot. Botanical Survey of India, Gynoecium ca. 3 x 0.5 mm; style 3-fid, ca.1mm long; Calcutta, 58–60pp.
Koyama, t. (1978). Kobresia, pp. 112–114. In: Hara, H., ovary trigonous, obovate, ca 2 x 0.5 mm, smooth, light
W.T. Stern & L.H.J. Williams (eds.). An Enumeration of yellow in colour. Rachiola ¾ th of the ovary, 1-nerved,
The Flowering Plants of Nepal—Vol. 1. British Museum smooth, greenish-yellow in colour.
(Natural History), London.
Flowering and Fruting: July. Kuekenthal, G. (1909). Kobresia Willd. In: Engler, Pflanzenr. Distribution: India: Sikkim ( Yumthang); Nepal. Heft 38: 40–48. Berlin. noltie, h. J. (1994). Kobresia Willdenow, 1(3): 333–352. In:
Grierson & Long (eds.). Flora of Bhutan. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
reFerences
noltie, h.J. & s.r. Zhang (2010). Kobresia Willd., pp. 23: 269–285. In: Flora of China - Cyperaceae. Missouri
clarke, c.B. (1894). Kobresia Willd. 6: 696–702. In: Hooker, Botanical Garden Press (St. Louis), USA. J.D. (ed.). Flora of British India. L. Reeve, London.
Govaerts, h.a. rafael & d. simpson (2007). World Checklist
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2664–2666
JoTT n OTE 4(6): 2667–2669
Microgomphus souteri Fraser, a new
The genus Microgomphus
addition to the Odonata (Insecta) fauna belongs to the family Gomphidae.
of Kerala, southern India
Its members are among the smallest species in the family,
K.G. Emiliyamma 1 , Muhamed Jafer Palot 2 &
and are coloured black marked with greenish-yellow.
C. Radhakrishnan 3 The genus Microgomphus is defined by the following
1,2,3 Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre,
characters: Discoidal cell of forewing and hindwing
Jaferkhan Colony, Eranhipalam P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala
different in shape, that of forewing shorter than in
673006, India Email: 1 [email protected] (corresponding author),
hindwing; incomplete basal antenodal nervure absent;
2 [email protected], 3 [email protected]
superior anal appendages with an inner branch, inferior appendages slightly notched at the tips (Image 1), further they have more than two transverse nervures
The Odonata fauna of Kerala comprises 138 species, between the sectors of the arc, from arc to bifurcation representing 80 genera and 12 families (Emiliyamma of Rs (Radial Sector) in fore and in hindwing. & Radhakrishnan 2006; Emiliyamma et al. 2007). The
They are distributed in the humid parts of the present report adds an additional record from Kerala.
Western Ghats and the northeastern part of India at an During a faunistic survey tour conducted on 6
elevation of 609.5m and above. Other species of the June 2010 in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (between genus are distributed in Myanmar, Malaysia, Sumatra,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, located in the Brahmagiri slopes of the northern Borneo and Africa. Species of the genus are arboreal Western Ghats in the Kannur District of Kerala, we by nature, but occasionally the males descend and collected a specimen of Microgomphus souteri Fraser, settle on rocks in midstream; they do not wander far 1924 at Valayamchal. The specimen was collected at from their parent streams, and may be found settled on around 0200hr below a tube light. The weather was vegetation, usually beside the water. The larvae breed rainy and windy all through the day and night and in deep pools in lowland and submontane streams the surroundings were thoroughly drenched. It is flowing through heavy primary rainforest (Fraser conjectured that the weather conditions might have 1934). The genus Microgomphus is represented in prompted the species to come to the light at night.
11 0 53’1”–11 0 59’14”N and 75 0 47’29”–75 0 55’58”E),
India by four species: M. chelifer Selys, 1858, M.
Date of publication (online): 26 June 2012 Date of publication (print): 26 June 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)
Editor: Albert Orr
Manuscript details:
Ms # o2885 Received 27 July 2011
© K.G. Emiliyamma
Final received 11 May 2012 Finally accepted 01 June 2012
Citation: Emiliyamma, K.G., M.J. Palot & C. Radhakrishnan (2012). Microgomphus souteri Fraser, a new addition to the Odonata (Insecta) fauna of Kerala, southern India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(6): 2667–2669.
Copyright: © K.G. Emiliyamma, Muhamed Jafer Palot & C. Radhakrishnan 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.
Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata for facilities and encouragement. Thanks are also due to Shri. K.V. Uthaman, Wildlife Warden, Aralam WLS for the permission accorded to conduct the field trip in the conservation area.
1mm OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD
Image 1. Male anal appendages of Microgomphus souteri
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2667–2669
Addition to Odonata of Kerala K.G. Emiliyamma et al.
© Md. Jafer Palot
Image 2. Adult male Microgomphus souteri at Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
souteri Fraser, 1924, M. torquatus (Selys, 1854) and thorax not confluent with mesothoracic collar; vertex M. verticalis (Selys, 1873) (Subramanian 2009). Of without marking; labrum black, marked with two large these, only M. souteri is endemic to the Western Ghats triangular greenish spots; abdominal segments 4 and 5 (Prasad & Varshney 1995).
without mid dorsal oval yellow spots; 8 to 10 without The characters of the specimen collected tally yellow markings. (though with some minor variations) with that of M.
However, we have observed minor variations from souteri (Fraser 1924). The genus Microgomphus and the description: anterior collar of prothorax black, two the species M. souteri Fraser is reported here for the large yellow spots on either side; antehumeral stripe first time from Kerala. The morphometric details of broad, short; mesepimeron and metepimeron yellow, the specimen are given below with their diagnostic separated by a thin black stripe at the posterolateral characters.
suture; undersurface of all coxae and thorax yellowish with white pruinescence; wings with pale yellow at the
Microgomphus souteri Fraser
subcostal and cubital spaces extended up to one cell (Image 2)
length; marking on abdominal segments similar, but Material examined: 06.vi.2010, 1 male, Aralam apicolateral spot absent on segment 2; markings on Wildlife Sanctuary, Kannur District, Kerala, India, segment 6 bilobed and on 7 th segment not overlapping coll. Muhamed Jafer Palot, Registration No. ZSI/ the transverse suture. WGRC/IR-INV-2240.
Fraser (1924) described Microgomphus torquatus Measurements: Total length - 40mm; Abdomen - souteri based on a specimen collected from Coorg, 28mm; Forewing - 25mm; Hindwing - 23mm.
Karnataka. According to Fraser (1934), the species diagnostic characters: Antehumeral stripes on is confined to Coorg and South Kanara and breeds in
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2667–2669
Addition to Odonata of Kerala K.G. Emiliyamma et al.
Sampaji and Hallery Rivers and the Kibribetta stream,
reFerences
609–1067 m, Coorg. The present collection locality of the species from Kerala is however, only about 40–50
emiliyamma, K.G. & c. radhakrishnan (2006). First report km south of the type locality of the species. With the of Cyclogomphus heterostylus Selys (Odonata: Insecta) present discovery, a total of 139 species of dragonflies from Kerala, South India. Records of Zoological Survey of
India 106(Part-2): 123–124.
and damselflies (Odonata) representing 81 genera are
emiliyamma, K.G., c. radhakrishnan & M.J. Palot (2007).
now known to occur in Kerala. The specimen studied Odonata (Insecta) of Kerala. Zoological Survey of India, is deposited in the faunal depository of the Western
Kolkata, 243pp.
Ghat Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Fraser, F.c. (1924). Microgomphus torquatus souteri Fraser, Kozhikode, Kerala. Records of Indian Museum 26: 427, 474. Fraser, F.c. (1934). The Fauna of British India Including
distribution: India: Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada Ceylon and Burma. Odonata—Vol. 2. Taylor & Francis (Karnataka) and Kannur (Kerala) - present report.
Ltd., London, 398pp. Prasad, M. & r.K. Varshney (1995). A checklist of the odonata of India including data on larval studies. Oriental Insects 29: 385–428.
subramanian, K.a. (2009). A Checklist of Odonata (Insecta) of India: 1–36. http://www.zsi.gov.in/checklist/Odonata/ pdf. Downloaded on 20 December 2010.
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2667–2669
JoTT B OOk R EvIEw 4(6): 2670–2672
A Contribution to the Herpetology of
maps). Color pictures are provided
Northern Pakistan: The Amphibians
for each species and recent updated
and Reptiles of Margalla Hills National
information is contained at the end
Park and Surrounding Regions
of each account.
By Rafaqat Masroor
Chapter 1 presents a systematic list of amphibians Published by Society for the Study of Amphibians
and reptiles in the park. Chapter 2 deals with specific and Reptiles, Ithaca, New York, USA,
identification, presenting line drawings and figures of ISBN: 978-0-916984-83-0, 20 April 2012, 217pp.
key characters such as sole and hind foot of frogs, bone (14x22 cm), Price $ 45 and scutes of turtle shells, basic scale types found on
Book reviewed by Raju Vyas
the bodies of lizards and snake scalation. Regrettably, the author did not include a diagram depicting the body
505, Krishnadeep Tower, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
characters of a typical frog, potentially confusing some
Email: [email protected]
readers.
Chapter 3 covers toads and frogs. Of note, Duttaphrynus melanosticus is only found in northern In this book Rafaqat Masroor focuses on the
Pakistan (especially in the hilly region), and not in the herpetofauna of Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).
plains of Punjab and Sind Province. This is an interesting Located at the foothills of Himalaya, the MHNP is an observation given that this species is present in the important protected area, sharing a common boundary adjoining border areas of India, especially in the states of with the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in northern Gujarat and Rajasthan (GEER 2009). The distribution
Pakistan. This book is the first regional field guide from of Microhyla ornata in Pakistan is interesting, as it also Pakistan with colored pictures and illustrations since the occurs only in northern Punjab. The author notes that compilation by Khan (2006); its title is reminiscent of ‘Sarkar (1984) has found them at Bhuj, Gujarat, India, Minton (1966). There is a foreword by Prof. Wolfgang very close to the southern Sind Province’. Uperodon Bohme and the book is dedicated to the renowned systoma is a very rare species in Pakistan, and is only herpetologist the late Dr. Khalid Javed Baig.
recorded from Shakarparian Hills, Islamabad (Baig & The author has published extensively on the subject,
Gvozdic 1998). M. ornata is recorded from two border with much of the work derived from an extensive study districts of Gujarat; Katchchh (Kachchh Desert Wildlife conducted from 2003–2009 in MHNP. He describes Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary and nine species of amphibians (from three families and eight Kachchh Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary: Daniel 1963; genera) and 33 species of reptiles (from 13 families and Vyas 2002, 2007, 2008) and Banaskantha (Jassore
30 genera) inhabiting the park, and also provides general Wildlife Sanctuary: GEER 2009). These protected information on their distribution throughout Pakistan.
areas are close (0 –160 km) to Pakistan border areas The detailed information provided in eight chapters with similar biogeography and habitats. U. systoma has covers diagnostic features, descriptions, habits and been recorded at Ajmer, Rajasthan (Sharma & Sharma habitats and distribution (including regional distribution 2009) and Banaskantha, Gujarat (GEER 2009). Thus,
it remains possible that both the Microhylidae species may occur on/along the border of Pakistan, especially
Date of publication (online): 26 June 2012
in Sind Province. The record of a single species of
Date of publication (print): 26 June 2012 ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)
Fejervarya from MHNP is F. limnocharis, is a species
complex. Recently a number of new cryptic species has
Manuscript details:
Ms # o3218
been described from the complex from South East Asia.
Received 26 May 2012
Therefore a statement should have been rephrased
Copyright: © Raju Vyas 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-
as “a number of cryptic species containing the F.
profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit
limnocharis species complex”. While only two species
to the authors and the source of publication.
of Fejervarya (F. limnocharis and F. syhadrensis) are
OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD
reported to inhabit Pakistan, there may be others present
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2670–2672
Book Review R. Vyas
that could be detected by molecular studies. is a result of lack of referral of any literature for this Chapter 4 covers turtles and tortoises. Three species
particular species. There are half a dozen publications of turtles are found in MHNP of the eight species of
on the record of the species, which show that the species freshwater turtles recorded from all of Pakistan. Chapter
is widely distributed in Gujarat (Gayen 1999; Vyas
5 covers the lizard fauna, discussing a total of 13 species 1998, 2000, 2006; Sharma 2000) and Rajasthan (see: six families: Agamaidae (three species), Euplepharidae
Whitaker & Captain 2004).
(one species), Geckkonidae (three species), Lacertidae Over all distribution and habitat preferences of (two species), Scincidae (three species) and Varanidae
species inhabiting the park is discussed in Chapter 7. (one species). Lizards are the second most dominant
Chapter 8 discusses various threats and suggestions for group in area, after snakes. In the distribution note on
herpetofauna conservation in general, and particularly Eublepharis macularius, the author quotes the species
within the park. The book also contains an excellent distribution up to ‘… Rajputana and Khandesh districts
glossary covering technical terminology and a of India’. There are no such districts in independent
comprehensive bibliography.
India. The Rajputana and Khandesh provinces are the The book concludes with an updated list of 210 old monarch states named before India gained freedom;
species of amphibians (21 species) and reptiles (179 Rajputana now is a part of Rajasthan and Khandesh is
species) in Pakistan with common English names now a part of Maharashtra. Das (1997) elevated the
(author should have mentioned the local vernacular subspecies (E. m. fascus) to species rank as E. fascus.
name along with province distribution of each species). The population from Gujarat (Bhatt et al. 1999) and
The author has not clarified why some amphibians and Maharashtra is considered as E. fascus species (Mirza
reptiles have been omitted (see Table 1) that were listed & Upadhye 2010). The E. macularius population is
in the earlier works of Minton (1966) and Khan (2004; restricted to Pakistan and north-west India (Rajasthan,
2006). Such information would be beneficial to readers Punjab and Jammu), Das (1997) speculated that the
and subsequent studies.
Rann of Kachchh could be a barrier separating E. Khan (2006) provided a list of 23 species (three macularius and E. fuscus.
amphibians and 20 reptiles) as unconfirmed amphibians The snakes of MHNP are presented in Chapter 6,
and reptiles from Pakistan in literature, of which three covering 17 species from five families, dominated by
species are snakes; Dendrelaphis tristis, Coelognathus the Colubridae with nine species. The rare record of
helana and Natrix tessellata are now incorporated in the Dendrelaphis tristis from MHNP is accompanied with
present list by the author and therefore, it states a valid the author’s quote in ‘Remarks’ that ‘The Zoological
and confirmed record.
Survey of India has also not found it in the states of There are very minor and negligible spelling Gujarat or Rajasthan, both bordering states of Sind’,
mistakes (see on page 148: B. aeruleus) and some which comes out as a big surprise from the author in
technical taxonomic errors where the author is not the book. This is vague statement from the author
aware of or has not accepted recent taxonomic changes.
Table 1. List of species of amphibian and reptiles records from Pakistan in literatures No
Specie Name
Distribution
Source
Amphibian: Dicroglossidae
1 Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Lesson, 1834)
Punjab
Frost 2011
Reptile: Geckkonidae
2 Cyrtopodion fedtschenkoi (Strauch, 1887)
Baluchistan
Smith 1935; Minton 1966
3 Teratolepis fasciata Blyth, 1853
Jaulana, Hyderabad
Minton 1966
Reptile: Agamidae
4 Sitana ponticeriana Cuvier, 1844 *
Thar Parkar, Sind
Murray 1886
5 Trapelus ruderata Oliver, 1804
Quetta
Minton 1966; Khan 2004, 2006
Reptile: Lacertidae
6 Mesalina brevirostris Blanford, 1874
Kalabag, Punjab
Khan 2006
Reptile: Colubridae
7 Macropisthodon plumbicolor (Cantor, 1839) *
Sind
Murray 1884
* marked species recorded from border areas of Kachchh and Banashkanth, Gujarat by author. Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2670–2672
Book Review R. Vyas
Khan, M.s. (2006). Amphibian and Reptiles of Pakistan. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida, 311pp. Minton, s.a. (1966). A contributions to the herpetology of West Pakistan, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 134: 27–184.
Mirza, Z. & r. upadhye (2010). On the distribution and natural history of the endemic Eublepharid Gecko Eublepharis fuscus Borner, 1981 in India. SAURIA, Berlin 32(3): 15–23.
Murray, J.a. (1884). The vertebrate zoology of Sind: A Systematic Account, with Descriptionof all the known Mammals, Birds
The author should refer the taxonomic position of and Reptiles inhabiting the Province; Observation on the Python molurus with family Boidae. In the present
habit, and a Table of their Geographical Distribution in taxonomic chart of P. molurus, the species has been
Persia, Beloochstan, and Afghanistan; Punjab, North-west removed from the family Boidae and now all old world
Province, and Peninsula of India generally. Education pythons from subfamily (Pythoninae) are elevated to a Society’s Press, Byculla, Bombay, and Richardson and Co.,
London, 424pp.
family known as Pythonidae. The Old World pythons Murray, J.a. (1886). The Reptiles of Sind: A systematic account
are now considered distinct from Boidae and are widely with description of all the species inhabiting the Province recognized as a separate family (Vidal & Hedges
and a Table of their Geographical Distribution in Persia, 2004).
Beloochstan, and Afghanistan; Punjab, North-west Province, Overall, this book is handy in size and easy to carry
and Peninsula of India generally, with woodcut, lithographs, during field work. It is a worthwhile read for students and colored illustrations. Education Society’s Press, Byculla, Bombay, and Richardson and Co., London, 92pp.
and experts alike, and the best available reference on sarkar, a.K. (1984). Ecological studies on the amphibians of
the herpetofauna of Pakistan in general and certainly of Gujarat. Bulletin of the Zoological Society of India 6(1–3): the herpetofauna of Margalla Hills National Park.
87–93. sharma, K.K. & V. sharma (2009). Records of two Microhylids: Ornate Narrow Mouthed Frog (Microhyla ornata) and
reFerences
Marbled Balloon Frog (Uperodon systoma) from Ajmer district, central Rajasthan, India. Cobra 3(3): 11–15.
Baig, K.l. & l. Gvozdic (1998). Uperodon systoma: Record sharma, r.c. (2000). Reptilia, 243–297. In: State Fauna Series of a new microhylid frog from Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of
8: Fauna of Gujarat, Part - I. Zoological Survey of India. Zoology 30(2): 155–156.
smith, M.a. (1935). The Fauna of British India, including Bhatt, K., r. Vyas & M. singh (1999). Herpetofauna of Gir
Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and amphibia. Vol. II: Sauria. protected area. Zoos’ Print Journal 14(5): 27–30.
Taylor and Francis Ltd. London, 440pp. daniel, J.c. (1963). Field guide to the amphibians of western
Vidal, n. & s.B. hedges (2004). Molecular evidence for a India. Part II. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society
terrestrial origin of snakes. Proceedings of the Royal Society 60(3): 690–702.
of London, B Supplement 271, S226–S229. das, I. (1997). Resolution of the systematic status of Eublepharis
Vyas, r. (1998). The reptiles of Gujarat State: Updated macularius fuscus Borner, 1981 (Eublepharidae: Sauria:
distribution. TigerPaper 25(1): 8–14. Squamata), Hamadryad 22: 13–20.
Vyas, r. (2000). Herpetofauna of Hingolgadh Nature Education Frost, d.r. (2011). Amphibian Species of the World: an Online
Sanctuary, Gujarat. Zoos’ Print Journal 15(6): 285–286. Reference. Version 5.5 (31 January, 2011). Electronic
Vyas, r. (2002). Preliminary survey of herpetofauna of Narayan Database
Sarovar Sanctuary, Gujarat. Zoos’ Print Journal 17(6): 812– herpetology /amphibia/. Accesses on 23rd May 2012
accessible
at
http://research.amnh.org/vz/
Gayen, n.c. (1999). A synopsis of the reptiles of Gujarat, Vyas, r. (2006). Reptilian diversity of Jambughoda Wildlife western India. Hamadryad 24(1): 1–22.
Sanctuary, Gujarat. Tigerpaper 33(1): 20–23 Geer (2009). The status of Biodiversity of Jessore Wildlife
Vyas, r. (2007). Present conservation scenario of reptile fauna Sanctuary (A comprehensive ecological and socio-Economic
in Gujarat State, India. The Indian Forester 133(10): 1381– study). Gujarat Ecological Education and Research
(GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar and Forest Department, Vyas, r. (2008). Review of the current diversity and richness of Government of Gujarat, March 2009, 167pp. (Published
amphibians of Gujarat, India. The Indian Forester 134(10): Report).
Khan, M.s. (2004). Annotated checklist of amphibians and Whitaker, r. & a. captain (2004). Snakes of India: The Field reptiles of Pakistan. Asiatic Herpetological Research 10:
Guide. Draco Books, Chennai, India, xiv+481pp. 191–121.
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | June 2012 | 4(6): 2670–2672
Dr. Pankaj Kumar, Tai Po, Hong Kong Dr. Luke Rendell, St. Andrews, UK Dr. Krushnamegh Kunte, Cambridge, USA
Dr. Anjum N. Rizvi, Dehra Dun, India Prof. Dr. Adriano Brilhante Kury, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dr. Leif Ryvarden, Oslo, Norway Dr. P. Lakshminarasimhan, Howrah, India
Prof. Michael Samways, Matieland, South Africa Dr. Carlos Alberto S de Lucena, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Dr. Yves Samyn , Brussels, Belgium Dr. Glauco Machado, São Paulo, Brazil
Dr. Asok K. Sanyal, Kolkata, India Dr. Gowri Mallapur , Mamallapuram, India
Dr. K.R. Sasidharan , Coimbatore, India Dr. George Mathew, Peechi, India
Dr. Kumaran Sathasivam , India Prof. Richard Kiprono Mibey, Eldoret, Kenya
Dr. S. Sathyakumar , Dehradun, India Dr. Lionel Monod, Genève, Switzerland
Dr. M.M. Saxena , Bikaner, India Dr. Shomen Mukherjee , Jamshedpur, India
Dr. Hendrik Segers, Vautierstraat, Belgium Dr. P.O. Nameer, Thrissur, India
Dr. R. Siddappa Setty, Bengaluru, India Dr. D. Narasimhan, Chennai, India
Dr. Subodh Sharma , Towson, USA Dr. T.C. Narendran , Kozhikode, India
Prof. B.K. Sharma , Shillong, India Mr. Stephen D. Nash, Stony Brook, USA
Prof. K.K. Sharma, Jammu, India Dr. K.S. Negi, Nainital, India
Dr. R.M. Sharma , Jabalpur, India Dr. K.A.I. Nekaris , Oxford, UK
Dr. Tan Koh Siang , Kent Ridge Road, Singapore Dr. Heok Hee Ng , Singapore
Dr. Arun P. Singh, Jorhat, India Dr. Boris P. Nikolov, Sofia, Bulgaria
Dr. Lala A.K. Singh , Bhubaneswar, India Prof. Annemarie Ohler, Paris, France
Prof. Willem H. De Smet, Wilrijk, Belgium Dr. Shinsuki Okawara, Kanazawa, Japan
Mr. Peter Smetacek , Nainital, India Dr. Albert Orr, Nathan, Australia
Dr. Humphrey Smith, Coventry, UK Dr. Geeta S. Padate, Vadodara, India
Dr. Hema Somanathan, Trivandrum, India Dr. Larry M. Page, Gainesville, USA
Dr. C. Srinivasulu , Hyderabad, India Dr. Arun K. Pandey, Delhi, India
Dr. Ulrike Streicher , Danang, Vietnam Dr. Prakash Chand Pathania, Ludhiana, India
Dr. K.A. Subramanian , Pune, India Dr. Malcolm Pearch, Kent, UK
Mr. K.S. Gopi Sundar , New Delhi, India Dr. Richard S. Peigler, San Antonio, USA
Dr. P.M. Sureshan , Patna, India Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, Sydney, Australia
Prof. R. Varatharajan, Imphal, India Mr. J. Praveen, Bengaluru, India
Dr. Karthikeyan Vasudevan , Dehradun, India Dr. Mark R Stanley Price, Tubney, UK
Dr. R.K. Verma , Jabalpur, India Dr. Robert Michael Pyle, Washington, USA
Dr. W. Vishwanath , Manipur, India Dr. Muhammad Ather Rafi, Islamabad, Pakistan
Dr. E. Vivekanandan, Cochin, India Dr. H. Raghuram, Bengaluru, India
Dr. Gernot Vogel, Heidelberg, Germany Dr. Dwi Listyo Rahayu, Pemenang, Indonesia
Dr. Ted J. Wassenberg , Cleveland, Australia Dr. Sekar Raju, Suzhou, China
Dr. Stephen C. Weeks, Akron, USA Dr. Vatsavaya S. Raju , Warangal, India
Prof. Yehudah L. Werner , Jerusalem, Israel Dr. V.V. Ramamurthy , New Delhi, India
Mr. Nikhil Whitaker , Mamallapuram, India Dr (Mrs). R. Ramanibai , Chennai, India
Dr. Hui Xiao, Chaoyang, China Prof. S.N. Ramanujam, Shillong, India
Dr. April Yoder, Little Rock, USA Dr. Alex Ramsay, LS2 7YU, UK Dr. M.K. Vasudeva Rao, Pune, India
English Editors
Dr. Robert Raven , Queensland, Australia Mrs. Mira Bhojwani , Pune, India Dr. K. Ravikumar , Bengaluru, India
Dr. Fred Pluthero , Toronto, Canada
Journal of Threatened Taxa is indexed/abstract-
ed in Zoological Records, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Index Fungorum, Bibliography of Systematic My- cology, EBSCO and Google Scholar.
j OuRnal OF T hREaTEnED T axa
June 2012 | Vol. 4 | No. 6 | Pages 2617–2672 Date of Publication 26 June 2012 (online & print)
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of articles in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.
ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)
Communications Species diversity of small mammals at Gunung
Stong State Park, Kelantan, Malaysia
-- Vijaya Kumaran Jayaraj, Nurul Farah Diyana Ahmad Tahir, Noor Amirah Udin, Noor Farahin Kamarul Baharin, Siti Katijah Ismail & Siti Noor Azwa Zakaria, Pp. 2617– 2628
Predicting effects of rainforest fragmentation from live trapping studies of small mammals in Sri Lanka
-- Mayuri R. Wijesinghe, Pp. 2629–2636
Opinion A postulate for tiger recovery: the case of the
Caspian Tiger
-- C.A. Driscoll, I. Chestin, H. Jungius, O. Pereladova, Y. Darman, E. Dinerstein, J. Seidensticker, J. Sanderson, S. Christie, S.J. Luo, M. Shrestha, Y. Zhuravlev, O. Uphyrkina, Y.V. Jhala, S.P. Yadav, D.G. Pikunov, N. Yamaguchi, D.E. Wildt, J.L.D. Smith, L. Marker, P.J. Nyhus, R. Tilson, D.W. Macdonald & S.J. O’Brien, Pp. 2637–2643
Short Communication CEPF Western Ghats Special Series
Freshwater fish fauna of Krishna River at Wai, northern Western Ghats, India
-- Sanjay S. Kharat, Mandar Paingankar & Neelesh Dahanukar, Pp. 2644–2652
Notes Aizoaceae (Magnoliopsida: Caryophyllales) - a new
family record to the flora of Andaman Islands, India
-- L. Rasingam, Pp. 2653–2655
Xerophyte Caralluma stalagmifera var. longipetala (Asclepiadaceae): a new record to the flora of Karnataka, India
-- M. Ramachandra Naik & Y.L. Krishnamurthy, Pp. 2656–2659
Belosynapsis vivipara (Dalzell) C.E.C. Fisch. (Commelinaceae), a vulnerable spiderwort, rediscovered after sixteen decades from Maharashtra, India
-- Shrinath Kavade, Subhash Deokule, P. Lakshminarasimhan, Prakash Diwakar & Sachin Punekar, Pp. 2660–2663
New distributional record of a rare sedge Kobresia (Cyperaceae) from Sikkim, India
-- Bikash Jana, R.C.Srivastava, D.G. Long & G.P. Sinha, Pp. 2664–2666
Microgomphus souteri Fraser, a new addition to the Odonata (Insecta) fauna of Kerala, southern India
-- K.G. Emiliyamma, Muhamed Jafer Palot & C. Radhakrishnan, Pp. 2667–2669
Book Review
A Contribution to the Herpetology of Northern Pakistan: The Amphibians and Reptiles of Margalla Hills National Park and Surrounding Regions—By
Rafaqat Masroor Published by Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Ithaca, New York, USA, ISBN:
978-0-916984-83-0, 20 April 2012, 217pp. (14x22 cm), Price $ 45 -- Book reviewed by Raju Vyas, Pp. 2670–2672