Effect of environment on functional traits of co-occurring water beetles

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Sayali D. Sheth ◽  
Anand D. Padhye ◽  
Hemant V. Ghate
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Size Ratio ◽  
Water Beetles ◽  
Rlq Analysis ◽  
Food Size ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats

We investigated trait-environment relationships of co-occurring aquatic Coleoptera specifically true water beetles in anthropogenic ponds from the Western Ghats, India for the first time. Our objectives were to: (1) identify species assemblages; (2) study species traits; (3) study trait-environment relationships of co-occurring species. We analysed 132 samples collected using standardised quantitative method during the years 2016 and 2017. We found 16 significant assemblages using Fager's index, where most of the pairs have body size ratio of 1.3 or more. For example, Laccophilus parvulus and Hydaticus satoi pair has body size ratio of 3.98, and both are predators, indicating that body size is a function of food size. Moreover, factor analysis revealed three major swimming categories of studied beetles, namely fast swimmers, maneuverers and poor swimmers. Further, the RLQ analysis, and combined approach of RLQ and fourth-corner analysis showed that environmental variables affected species traits. For instance, odonate nymphs and submerged vegetation were positively associated with fast swimmers like Laccophilus inefficiens and Hydaticus satoi. The assemblage of congeners Hydroglyphus inconstans and H. flammulatus can be predator-mediated as these beetles showed negative association with odonate nymphs as well as competitive to obtain resource by showing positive association with chironomid larvae. Therefore, the traits studied were important for ecological performances of species in ponds. This study has also highlighted the importance of anthropogenic ponds in the Western Ghats as biodiversity refuges of ecologically unique and evolutionary old major extant lineages of water beetles.

New locality records and call description of the Resplendent Shrub Frog Raorchestes resplendens (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Western Ghats, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 16502-16509
Author(s):  
Sandeep Das ◽  
K.P. Rajkumar ◽  
K.A. Sreejith ◽  
M. Royaltata ◽  
P.S. Easa
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Small Area ◽  
Grassland Ecosystem ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
Controlled Burning ◽  
New Locations ◽  
Southern Western Ghats ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats

Abstract: The Resplendent Shrub Frog, Raorchestes resplendens Biju, Shouche, Dubois, Dutta, & Bossuyt, 2010 is a Critically Endangered species endemic to the Western Ghats and was considered to be restricted to a three-square kilometer patch atop Anamudi summit.  In this study, we report 36 new locations of the species from the Anamalai massif of the southern Western Ghats.  Niche-based prediction modelling suggests that the species is restricted to Anamalai massif.  The call description of this frog is also provided for the first time. The preferred microhabitat of the frog is Chrysopogon grass clumps in the marshy/swampy montane grassland ecosystem. Restricted to a small area with controlled burning management practiced in its habitat, R. resplendens needs immediate attention.

scholarly journals A new distribution record of the Western Ghats endemic damselfly Melanoneura bilineata Fraser, 1922 (Insecta: Odonata) from Maharashtra, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 19380-19382
Author(s):  
Yogesh Koli ◽  
Akshay Dalvi
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
First Time ◽  
Distribution Record ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
New Distribution

Melanoneura bilineata Fraser, 1922 is reported for the first time from Maharashtra, India. Previously it was only known from the Kerala and Karnataka states.

scholarly journals First record of Mantispilla indica (Westwood, 1852) (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from the Western Ghats, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 19376-19379
Author(s):  
T.B. Suryanarayanan ◽  
C. Bijoy
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
First Record ◽  
Kerala State ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats

The species, Mantispilla indica (Westwood, 1852) of the Mantispidae family is recorded for the first time from the Western Ghats as well as from Kerala state. Besides, the distribution of the species in India is mapped. 

scholarly journals First record of Speculitermes chadaensis Chatterjee & Thapa, 1964 (Isoptera: Termitidae) from the Western Ghats, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 9042
Author(s):  
Poovoli Amina ◽  
K. Rajmohana ◽  
K. V. Bhavana
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
First Record ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Termite Species ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats

Speculitermes chadaensis Chatterjee & Thapa, 1964, a termite species under Termitidae family is reported for the first time from the Western Ghats.  A distribution map of the species is also provided.

Clonal propagation through stem cuttings and air layering in Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) Alston an endemic tree Species of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-87
Author(s):  
Abdul Hussain ◽  
C. Anilkumar
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Clonal Propagation ◽  
Stem Cuttings ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Ideal Tool ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats

Rooting trials conducted with stem cuttings and air layering in Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) Alston, an important medicinal and fruit plant gave promising results after treatment with auxins such as IAA, IBA and NAA in different concentrations. Both stem cuttings and air layering from 10 year old plants have resulted a maximum rooting of 80% and 70% respectively through the application of IBA-1000ppm, in their natural habitats. The plants developed from stem cuttings and air layering was also survived with 90% success. Thus the standardized clonal propagation method in S. caryophyllatum through stem cutting and air layering reported for the first time can be taken as an ideal tool for the multiplication and subsequent resource base utilization of the species since the populations are prone to endangerment in its habitats.

Two new Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Shevaroy massif, Tamil Nadu, India, with a preliminary ND2 phylogeny of Indian Cnemaspis

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4609 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
AKSHAY KHANDEKAR ◽  
NIKHIL GAITONDE ◽  
ISHAN AGARWAL
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Peninsular India ◽  
The Western Ghats

We present a preliminary ND2 phylogeny of South Asian Cnemaspis, recovering a number of deeply divergent clades within Indian Cnemaspis, endemic to the southern and northern Western Ghats besides the Mysore Plateau and hills of Tamil Nadu. There are a number of unnamed lineages that are >5% divergent on ND2 across the phylogeny, including three from the gracilis clade on an elevation gradient (800–1400 m asl.) around Yercaud in the Shevaroy massif, Salem district, Tamil Nadu. We describe two of these as new species— Cnemaspis shevaroyensis sp. nov. and Cnemaspis thackerayi sp. nov. are both allied to Cnemaspis gracilis and can be diagnosed from all other Indian Cnemaspis by the absence of spine-like scales on flank, heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis, presence of femoral and precloacal pores, tail with enlarged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles forming whorls, a median row of enlarged and smooth sub-caudals. They differ from C. gracilis and each other in body size, the number of tubercles around midbody, the number of tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of femoral and precloacal pores, the number of poreless scales in-between precloacal pores and between femoral and precloacal pores, and subtle colour pattern differences; besides uncorrected mitochondrial sequence divergence (7.9–16.6 %). We also provide a description of Cnemaspis yercaudensis from its type locality and an additional locality. The discovery of two endemic species and a third unnamed divergent lineage from an isolated massif in peninsular India outside the Western Ghats indicate that many other such understudied hill ranges may harbour high endemic biodiversity. 

scholarly journals Can proteomics of snake venoms help drug discovery? A study on the venom of spectacled cobra (Naja naja) from the Western Ghats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muralidharan Vanuopadath ◽  
Dileepkumar Raveendran ◽  
Bipin Gopalakrishnan Nair ◽  
Sudarslal Sadasivan Nair
Keyword(s):  
Glutathione Peroxidase ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Cobra Venom ◽  
Venom Protein ◽  
Naja Naja ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats

AbstractVenom proteome profiling is important to understand the toxicology and treatment of persons poisoned by animal venoms. An in depth understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms induced by venom toxins could help in the discovery of novel drug molecules. In the current study, we aimed to delineate the venom toxins of Indian cobra (Naja naja) from the Western Ghats of India through SDS-PAGE and reversed-phase HPLC followed by Q-TOF LC-MS/MS analysis, incorporating PEAKS and Novor assisted de novo sequencing methodologies. A total of 143 proteins distributed across 17 different enzymatic and non-enzymatic venom protein families were identified. The de novo analysis exclusively yielded 59 peptides representing 28 venom protein families. Among these, glutathione peroxidase and endonuclease were reported for the first time in Indian cobra venom. Immunological cross-reactivity of cobra venom assessed using Indian polyvalent antivenoms suggested that VINS showed better EC50 (2.48 µg/mL) values than that of PSAV (6.04 µg/mL) and Virchow (6.03 µg/mL) antivenoms. Also, immunoaffinity chromatography performed using VINS antivenom indicated that it failed to detect few low molecular mass proteins (<10 kDa) that include three-finger toxins, phospholipase A2s and kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors. Taken together, the present study enabled a large-scale characterization of the venom proteome of Naja naja that offers valuable insights on the possible pharmacological mechanisms and future therapeutic potential of hitherto unexplored snake venom constituents.SignificanceThe present work describes the venom proteome characterization of Naja naja collected from the Western Ghats region in India, incorporating conventional proteomics approaches as well as de novo sequencing methods. Interestingly, we were able to determine proteins belong to glutathione peroxidase and endonuclease family, which was not reported in any of the previous studies on Naja naja venom. Notably, our study has reported the highest number of proteins from cobra venom so far. Also, the current study highlights the importance of developing region-specific antivenoms for improving the specificity and cross-neutralization potential of antivenoms.HighlightsProteomics of cobra venom resulted in the identification of 143 proteins.De novo approaches exclusively yielded 59 peptides representing 28 proteins.Glutathione peroxidase and endonuclease were identified for the first time in Indian cobra venom.Indian polyvalent antivenoms showed varying cross-reactivity towards cobra venom.VINS antivenom failed to detect few low molecular mass proteins (< 10 kDa).

scholarly journals Early stages of Nilgiri Grass Yellow Eurema nilgiriensis (Yata, 1990) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), with a note on its range extension in the Kerala part of the Western Ghats, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 16161-16165
Author(s):  
Balakrishnan Valappil ◽  
V.K.Chandrasekharan
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Range Extension ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Southern Western Ghats ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
Photographic Records

Complete documentation of the early stages of Eurema nilgiriensis (Yata) on the larval host plant Ventilago bombaiensis (Rhamnaceae) is presented in this paper.  In addition to this, notes on the range extensions of this species in southern Western Ghats in Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Palakkad districts in Kerala is also provided. Field records from the northern Kerala part of the Western Ghats and the complete biology are reported for the first time since its description in 1990. Photographic records from seven locations since 2011 were confirmed by comparing with the original descriptions and in consultation with the author of the   species. Eggs collected from field were reared at home, and every stage observed is also reported, as well as the discovery of the host plant Ventilago bombaiensis.  It is concluded that the species is widespread in forested areas at elevations from 70m to 1,000m.

scholarly journals Pogostemon hirsutus Oil, Rich in Abietane Diterpenes

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1300801
Author(s):  
Ramar Murugan ◽  
Gopal Rao Mallavarapu ◽  
Veerappan Sudha ◽  
Pemaiah Brindha
Keyword(s):  
Rare Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Volatile Oil ◽  
Abietane Diterpenes ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats

Volatile oil extracted from the leaves of Pogostemon hirsutus Benth., a rare species from Anamalai hills of the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Fifty-four compounds amounting to 90.8% of the oil were identified. The oil was rich in monoterpenes and diterpenes. The major components of the oil were α-pinene (11.5%), sabinene (8.5%), β-pinene (5.2%), abietatriene (16.3%), dehydroabietal (3.5%) and dehydroabietol (21.0%). Abietane diterpenes are reported for the first time in the genus Pogostemon of Lamiaceae with six abietanes representing 42.6% of the oil.

A revision of Oriental Teloganodidae (Insecta, Ephemeroptera, Ephemerelloidea)

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1957 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHEL SARTORI ◽  
JANICE G. PETERS ◽  
MICHAEL D. HUBBARD
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Western Ghats Of India ◽  
The Family ◽  
Egg Morphology ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Western Ghats

Based on the examination of the type series of Cloe tristis Hagen, 1858 (type species of the genus Teloganodes Eaton, 1882) and material housed in several institutions, a revision of Oriental Teloganodidae is proposed. A lectotype is designated for Teloganodes tristis (Hagen, 1858) and the genus is redefined. The species T. major Eaton, 1884, is a subjective junior synonym of T. tristis Hagen, 1858 (syn. nov.). The genus Macafertiella Wang, 1996 is a subjective junior synonym of Teloganodes Eaton, 1882 (syn. nov.). A phylogenetic analysis is performed on all available nymphs. Teloganodes is restricted to Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India and encompasses the type species and T. dentatus Navás, 1931, T. insignis (Wang & McCafferty, 1996) (comb. nov.), and the following new species: T. tuberculatus sp. nov. (Sri Lanka), T. kodai sp. nov. (India), T. jacobusi sp. nov. (Sri Lanka) and T. hubbardi sp. nov. (Sri Lanka). The type material of T. dentata is redescribed. Species from Southeast Asia are assigned to two new genera. Dudgeodes gen. nov. includes the type species D. pescadori sp. nov. (Philippines) and D. lugens (Navás, 1933) comb. nov. (China), D. hutanis sp. nov. (Borneo), D. stephani sp. nov. (Borneo), D. ulmeri sp. nov. (Java, Sumatra), and D. celebensis sp. nov. (Sulawesi). The genus Derlethina gen. nov. is established for D. eloisae sp. nov. (Borneo). The egg morphology is presented for the first time for the family Teloganodidae. Affinities within the family and between related families are discussed and a key to distinguish all species known at the larval stage is proposed.

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