Estimation of accumulated degree hours-based post-mortem intervals in mammalian and avian model

The post-mortem interval (PMI) of a jungle cat (Felis chaus) and a chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) were estimated as a mammalian and an avian model, respectively. The estimations were performed adopting the Accumulated Degree Hours (ADH) method using blowfly, Lucilia sericata. The required developmental time from oviposition to the 3rd instar larvae of the blowfly species was considered for the determination of PMI in each of the study. The results revealed that the calculated PMI of jungle cat was 5.29 days. On the other hand, the estimated PMI of the chicken was 2.83 days. The difference of these two PMIs in two different models might be due to the variation of temperatures and other related factors in the development of the larvae of the blowfly species. This study might offer a new approach in the medico-legal investigations with a view to resolving homicide as well as other suspected death of animals including wildlife in Bangladesh. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 9(1 & 2): 49-58, 2020 (June & December)

New data on the status of the jungle cat (Felis chaus Schreber, 1777) in Azerbaijan

The article presents new data on the status of the jungle cat (Felis chaus) in Azerbaijan, a species from the Red Data Book of Azerbaijan.

Opportunistic records of jungle cat (Felis chaus) and their activity pattern in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

Jungle cat (Felis chaus) is one of the widely distributed but less studied species in Nepal. We studied jungle cat distribution and their activity pattern in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), Nepal. Photographs of the jungle cats obtained during camera trapping survey targeted to fishing cats in the winter season of two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) were used for this study. With an effort of 525 trap days from 69 stations, we obtained a total of 234 images/videos of jungle cats on 37 occasions from 15 stations. We recorded jungle cats distributed in the eastern buffer zone of the KTWR. All the jungle cat photographs were obtained in the night with peak activity within a couple of hours following the sunset. We suggest to carry out focused study specific to jungle cats to understand their distribution, status and diet.

First photographic record of Jungle Cat Felis chaus Schreber, 1777 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Haripur District, Pakistan

The Jungle Cat Felis chaus was recorded in Pakistan’s Haripur District during a camera trapping survey in March to April 2019. This is the first photographic evidence of its presence outside a protected area in northern Pakistan.

Jungle Cat Felis chaus Schreber, 1777 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) at high elevations in Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

To date, the Jungle Cat Felis chaus has been recorded in the lowlands and mid-hills in Nepal. Photographic evidence, however, is scarce, particularly in alpine habitat. Here we present the first photographic records of the Jungle Cat in an alpine habitat in Lower Mustang of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. It was recorded by camera traps at elevations of 3,000–3,100 m in 2014 and 2016 in 10 detections during 2,755 trap days. In July 2016, one individual was sighted at an elevation of 3,300m. The habitat of these records comprised riverbed, a poultry farm adjacent to agricultural land and shrubland of Juniper and Caragana species.

Ethno-medicinal uses of vertebrates in Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, central Nepal

Background: Traditional knowledge on use of animal products to maintain human health is important since time immemorial. Although a few studies are reported as food and medicinal values of different animals, a comprehensive ethno-medicinal study of vertebrates in Nepal is still lacking. Thus, present study is aimed to document the ethno-medicinal knowledge related to vertebrate fauna among different ethnic communities in Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, central Nepal.Methods: Ethno-medicinal information collected by using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussion and key informant interview. The data were analyzed by applying Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL).Results: The study reported a total of 58 species of vertebrates of which 53 were wild and 5 as domestic. They were used to treat 62 different types human ailments. Four vertebrates were also used for veterinary and agriculture. The most commonly used species was Felis chaus (UV = 0.25) with 3 use-reports by 10 informants. Cardiovascular and dental problems had the highest ICF value (0.974) with cardiovascular problems having 351 use-reports for 10 animal species and dental problems having 77 use-reports for 3 animal species. The least ICF was found in ophthalmological problems (ICF=0.833, use reports=7 for 2 species). Conclusions: The vertebrates are widely used by the local people and the traditional healers in Chitwan-Annapurna landscape against various ailments. The users collected the vertebrates mostly from wild. People intentionally or unintentionally kill wild animals that has threated the availability of different species. Our study revealed in-depth knowledge on use of vertebrates including their status needed for the sustainable ethno-medicinal uses and their future conservation.