Fast and cost-effective age estimation in Bengal tiger and Asiatic lion: applicability of cementum analysis method

Age estimation methods, through cementum analysis, for wild animals are rarely developed in Southeast Asian Countries. In the present study, we describe the applicability of the cementum analysis technique for developing a fast (plus minus 1, 19 hours) and cost-effective age estimation method for Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) using incisor tooth. The I2 and I3 incisor teeth from the right mandible of a tiger and I2 and I3 from the left maxilla of a lion were used in the study. The longitudinal sections of the tooth were made using a low cost hand grinding technique on sand papers followed by decalcification and staining with hematoxylin. The cementum layers were counted under the microscope at 100X or 200X magnifications. Two cementum layers were observed in each of the I2 and I3 incisor tooth of tiger and six cementum layers were observed in each of the I2 and I3 incisor teeth of lion. The permanent incisors in tiger and lion erupt between 12-14 months; hence, we added 1 year to the counted number of cementum layers to estimate the final age of tiger and lion incisors. The absolute age of tiger and lion incisors was estimated to be of 2+1 years and 6+1 years, respectively. The same number of cementum layers in both incisors respective to the tiger and lion were observed. Therefore, we suggest (i) undertake the blind test and (ii) collect incisor teeth from naturally died or killed individuals for strengthening the database on the age of the wild population. This optimized method may be suitable for many carnivore species, applicable in wildlife forensic studies and can be used by researchers with minimum expertise, time, and funds requirements throughout the world.

First record of Bengal Tiger, Panthera tigris tigris Linnaeus, 1758 (Felidae), in eastern Nepal

We report the first record of a Bengal Tiger, Panthera tigris tigris, in eastern Nepal in 2020 based on photographic evidence. We documented this evidence at 3,165 m a.s.l., which makes it the highest elevation record of a tiger in Nepal. We recorded this evidence in one of 46 trail cameras deployed for monitoring Red Pandas in the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) area. The PIT area, which has non-protected status, borders India in the east. Our finding supports the importance of transboundary conservation, which will benefit local and flagship wildlife in the PIT area.

The Mundas: an ethnic community in the south-west coastal region of Bangladesh (Buno/kuli/Sarna/Horoko, Indigenous people during the British period coming from Ranchi).

The Mundas are an ethnic community of the Kingdom of Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sundarbans. They are called ‘Sarna/Buno/Kuli/Horoko and indigenous People. During the British period, they travelled to Bangladesh from Ranchi, and have been here ever since. They practice religion and culture. They are excellent in singing, dancing, drinking, and working. They believe in ghosts and spirits- both good and bad and call on them to either help someone who is sick or to do damage to another person. Their cemetery is called ‘Masna’. They dedicate Hen for the rituals celebration for their God (Sing Bonga-The Sun). They believe that, after death the soul come back at their home and save them danger. They follow their forefather’s direction. During the festivals, they serve rice wine (Haria /Tari). They are addicted Rat’s meat, Snails etc. They speak in ‘Mundari/Nagri/Sadri’. Their greeting word is ‘Johar’.

Utilisation of honey trap method to ensnare a dispersing sub-adult Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris tigris L. in a human dominated landscape

The need to conserve the tiger, an endangered species and avoid interactions with humans is among the main objectives of forest management of tiger reserves in India. The objective of the study is show that male tigers can be trapped by pheromones in urine and feces of tigress for subsequent translocation. A sub-adult male tiger strayed out of Sariska Tiger Reserve into the human dominated areas to look for territory. Attempts to tranquilize the tiger failed due to dense vegetation. Then the urine and feces of a captive tigress was used to trail the tiger, capture him, and release him into his natal area thereby avoiding incidents with humans. Tracking data indicated that the tiger had settled in the northern area part of Sariska and subsequently sired seven cubs with two tigresses.

Non-invasive DNA extraction for molecular identification of royal Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris

The flagship animal species of Sundarbans, the Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is under threat of extinction. Its natural population is declining day by day. So, to avoid killing and harming the animal, the use of non-invasive samples such as scat, hair, or scent is preferred for DNA extraction and subsequent genotyping of tiger species. DNA has been extracted from scat samples of the Bengal tiger in the present study, and a fragment of the cytochrome b gene has been sequenced after PCR with species-specific primers. DNA has been extracted manually using a previously described methodology with slight modifications. The size of the PCR product and sequence of cytochrome b gene indicates that tiger DNA is successfully extracted from scat samples using tigerspecific primers. Thus, presence of tiger DNA can be detected by using this method just by the PCR product size in the gel. This is the first report of a partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of P. t. tigris from Bangladesh. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 30(2): 325-330, 2021 (July)

Immunohistochemical characterization of mesothelioma in 6 large felids

Mesothelioma has been reported frequently in large felids. These neoplasms present a diagnostic challenge given their highly variable morphology that mimics carcinomas or sarcomas at different locations. Our goal was to characterize mesotheliomas morphologically and immunohistochemically to determine if a panel of antibodies could be used to more accurately support the diagnosis of these neoplasms in large felids. Mesotheliomas from 6 large felids, including 4 clouded leopards, 1 Bengal tiger, and 1 cheetah, were immunohistochemically labeled for vimentin, E-cadherin, pancytokeratin, Wilms tumor 1 (WT1), MUC-1, and calretinin. The mesotheliomas of the 4 clouded leopards and the tiger were of the epithelial subtype; the mesothelioma from the cheetah was biphasic. All 6 mesotheliomas had strong immunohistochemical labeling for vimentin, E-cadherin, and pancytokeratin. All cases had cytoplasmic labeling for WT1, and 2 also had nuclear labeling. The 3 mesotheliomas with distinct papillary fronds were weakly positive for MUC-1. These and one other epithelial mesothelioma were also positive for calretinin. Our study demonstrates that the morphologic and immunohistochemical phenotypes of mesothelioma that have been identified in humans and domestic species can occur in large felids, and a panel of pancytokeratin, vimentin, WT1, and calretinin can be utilized to support the diagnosis of these neoplasms.