Notes on the extended distribution of Humboldtia bourdillonii (Fabales: Fabaceae), an Endangered tree legume in the Western Ghats, India

Humboldtia bourdillonii is an Endangered tree legume; considered endemic to its type locality in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Idukki District of Kerala State. A new population of this highly threatened endemic species is located in the Vagamon Hills of Kottayam District which is about 70km away from its original locality. The newly located population is drastically affected by the severe floods and landslides that occurred in Kerala state during August 2018. Urgent conservation measures are needed to protect the population from further loss.

SCREENING OF ACTINOMYCETES ISOLATED FROM NATURAL ECOSYSTEM (PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE, KERALA) FOR LIPASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITIES

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to screen pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of crude extracts of actinomycetes species isolated from the soil sediments of Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala. The identified lipase inhibitory activity was partially purified, and the selected isolate was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. Methods: The preliminary screening for the extracellular lipase inhibitory activities of actinomycetes isolates was performed by inoculating the culture to the test tubes containing inoculation media in submerged condition. The lipase inhibitory activities were again evaluated based on secondary screening on the production media and the strain which produced consistent highest lipase inhibitory activity was selected for further studies. The crude extract from the selected strain was subjected to solvent extraction and partially purified by plain silica gel column (mesh size 100–200 μm; column 300 mm×18 mm) and eluted with different solvents in the increasing order of polarity and all the solvent fractions were checked for lipase inhibitory activity. Results: Based on the secondary screening on the production of media, DDE6 strain showed highest lipase inhibitory activity (96.2%) and was selected for further studies. The dichloromethane extract showed the highest lipase inhibitory activity (96.38%) when compared to other solvents. The partial 16S rRNA sequence analysis of DDE6 isolate confirmed the strain as Curtobacterium oceanosedimentum. Conclusion: Many research publications have reported the isolation of Curtobacterium species and its type strains. However, this is the first time to report its potential to produce lipase inhibitor metabolite under submerged fermentation conditions. Further, studies are needed to be conducted to characterize the active principle of lipase inhibition as well as to elucidate the structure of the extracted compound.

Metagenomic Exploration of Microbial Signatures on Periyar River Sediments from the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats

ABSTRACT We report here targeted deep-sequencing metagenomic data that reveal a high level of diversity in the microbiota residing in the sediment of the Periyar River in a reserve forest of the Western Ghats. Of the 4,674 operational taxonomic units discovered, the dominant phyla represented were Proteobacteria (33.12%), Actinobacteria (14.58%), Acidobacteria (12.81%), and Bacteroidetes (9.89%).

Revisiting the ‘Kerala Model’

For several decades after Independence, the ‘Kerala model’ provided a development alternative that set it apart from the rest of India. The recent rise of Kerala as a fast growing ‘responsible’ tourism destination has led to a resurgence of this narrative of exceptionalism. This article charts the shift from the ‘old’ Kerala development model, and its emphasis on distributive justice, to the ‘new’ Kerala model that nurtures public–private partnerships, in understanding how Kerala’s reputation as a unique region in India is maintained amid significant socioeconomic and political changes. Specifically, the article draws on ethnographic data from the Kumily/Periyar Tiger Reserve region in analyzing how unique locale-specific networks of biodiversity conservation ideologies, international capital and notions of environmental citizenship contribute to overall placemaking in Kerala. These regional identities are formed through the confluence of several ideologies, influences and personnel, thereby contributing to unique ‘actor-networks’ that emerge at specific locales.

Recent records and distribution of the Indian Brown Mongoose Herpestes fuscus Gray, 1837 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Herpestidae) from the southern Western Ghats, India

We are reporting four new records of Brown Mongoose Herpestes fuscus Gray, 1837 from four protected areas in Western Ghats including Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve and Pampadum Shola National Park and one new site record outside a protected area from Pambanar Tea plantation in Idukki dt. situated in Kerala part of southern Western Ghats. An updated distribution map of Brown Mongoose in Western Ghats is presented here.

New locality record of the Travancore Bush Frog Raorchestes travancoricus Boulenger, 1891 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, India

<p><em>Raorchestes travancoricus </em>is a rare and endemic rhacophorid from southern Western Ghats. The frog was listed in the Extinct category of the IUCN Red List until June 2015, even after its rediscovery in 2004. In June 2015, the <em>R. travancoricus</em> was reassessed to Endangered category. All published reports of the species are restricted to disturbed habitats outside protected areas and the current study report the presence of the species from eight different localities from a protected area the Periyar Tiger Reserve.</p><div> </div>