Munnar wildlife division records new additions to regional checklist in faunal survey
A recent faunal survey in the Munnar wildlife division has documented 11 species that were previously unrecorded in its checklist, elevating the known biodiversity of
A recent faunal survey in the Munnar wildlife division has documented 11 species that were previously unrecorded in its checklist, elevating the known biodiversity of the high-altitude landscape within the southern Western Ghats. The extensive documentation, organised from May 21 to 24, was coordinated by the Munnar wildlife division of Forest Department in association with the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS). Yielding the highest number of additions, seven new records of dragonflies and damselflies were recorded, bringing the division’s total of documented odonates to 82 species.
The additions include the Western Ghats endemics Nilgiri clubtail (Asiagomphus nilgiricus), Nilgiri clawtail (Lamelligomphus nilgiriensis), Anamala reedtail (Protosticta anamalaica), blue hawklet (Hylaeothemis apicalis), yellow torrent-hawk (Macromia miniata), Orange-tailed marsh-dart (Ceriagrion cerinorubellum) and Marsh bambootail (Onychargia atrocyana). Three butterfly species, viz., the Malabar autumn leaf (Doleschallia bisaltide malabarica), the Striped Pierrot (Tarucus nara) and the Oriental orchid tit (Hypolycaena othona othona), pushed the butterfly checklist to 260 species. The Common swift (Apus apus), a bird species only occasionally encountered in the high ranges, was added to the checklist.
As a result, the division’s total bird species count has gone up to 263. The researchers state that several of the documented odonates are Western Ghats endemics associated with pristine hill streams, marshes and montane forest ecosystems, and serve as important indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. The occurrence of these habitat-restricted species highlights the conservation importance of the Munnar landscape and its network of protected areas. The survey also documented numerous endemic birds, butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, reptiles and amphibians across the division.
Harikrishnan K.V, Wildlife Warden, Munnar wildlife division, says the additions of new faunal records from the Munnar landscape demonstrates the remarkable biodiversity value of the protected area network. Such scientific surveys help better understand species distribution patterns, monitor ecosystem health and identify conservation priorities, he added. Kalesh Sadasivan, research associate, TNHS, pointed out that the addition of several endemic odonates and high-elevation specialists indicates that many parts of the Munnar landscape still harbour significant undocumented biodiversity.
The BriefWire