jalaplavit_vol7_no3

This Issue-A Rendezvous for Young Vol.7, No.3 December 2017 Indo-US Wetland Researchers Exploring wetlands ISSN 2321-1881Insects of Khijadiya Wetlands, India Spotted Turtles in North AmericaAn Overview of Hydric Soil CharacteristicsThe Mallard Complex: A Complex of Issues Wetlands of Vadodara , India

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No. 3 Avichal Tatu Editorial 3 Dr. Ketan Tatu………………………………………………………….. Reflections 4 Dr. Pranav Trivedi…………………………………………………….. Vol. 7, No. 3, Dec. 2017 The Mallard Complex:A Complex of Issues 5a tri-annual treat for nature lovers Sally Yannuzzi ……………..…………………………………………..Founding Editor: Dr. Ketan TatuPrincipal Technical Advisor: Current Status of Entomofaunal Diversity ofProf. (Dr.):James T. Anderson, USA Khijadiya Wetland, Jamnagar, Gujarat, IndiaAdvisor: Dr. Pranav TrivediAssociate Editor: Dr. Amita Tatu Kalavanti Mokaria, Dr.Ketan Tatu & R.D. Kamboj……. 16Copy Editor: Kandarp Kathju Conservation of Spotted Turtles(Clemmys 32 guttata) in North AmericaLayout & Design (Foundation):Pugmark Qmulus Consortium Alissa L. Gulette…………………………………………………………Designing for the present issue: Biodiversity of Wetlands of Vadodara Taluka 41Ketan Tatu & Amita Tatu Dr. Jagruti Rathod, Amita Sankhwal, Shruti Shah &Cover Photo: Avichal TatuViews expressed by the authors in Dr. Deepa Gavli…………………………………………………………“Jalaplavit“ are not necessarilythose of editorial team. Editorial An Overview of Hydric Soil Characteristicsteam is not responsible for anyplagiarism by any author. Bethani Chambers…………………..………………………………… 53 Otter of Gujarat at the American Museum of 59 Natural History,New York(USA) Akshit Suthar……………………………………………………………. 2

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3EDITORIAL Ketan TatuDear Nature Enthusiasts, Ketan Tatu Every year since 1997, the World (MoEF & CC) has launched. Wetland RulesWetlands Day is celebrated all over the world were first launched in 2010 under Environmenton 2nd February. Owing to this celebration, the (Protection) Act, 1986. The revised Draft Ruleshumanity all over the world has certainly were made and circulated in 2016 and the newbecome more aware and sensitized about Wetland (Conservation & Management) Rules,wetlands, their importance, threats being 2017 have been launched in February 2017 andfaced by them and need for their conservation. they have superseded the Wetland Rules, 2010.However, considering the multifarious Many experts have expressed their opinions onchallenges being faced by the wetlands in Wetland Rules, 2017. The definition ofIndia and the gravity of these challenges, it wetlands under the Wetland Rules, 2017 itselfwill not be improper if it becomes a norm to needs brainstorming. Thus, though,celebrate Wetlands Week on the similar lines fundamentally it is based on Ramsarof Wildlife Week! Such a Wetland Week can Convention’s definition of wetlands, it excludesideally start from the World Wetlands Day (i.e., paddy-fields, river channels, man-made2nd February). I hope that the authorities may wetlands constructed for drinking, irrigation,think further in this direction. For wetland aquaculture, salt-production and recreationconservation in India, those interested in purposes. Jalaplavit’s future issues will focuswetland protection have (had?!) lot of on pros and cons of the Wetland Rules, 2017.expectations from the Wetlands (Conservation& Management) Rules (briefly called the In this issue, enjoy reading articles byWetland Rules) which the Ministry of young wetland researchers from India and USA.Environment and Forests and Climate Change I thank Dr. Anderson for facilitating articles from grad students from USA! - Ketan Tatu 3

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No. 3REFLECTIONS Pranav TrivediVoice of the WetlandIf I was a wetland,I would be very disturbed and insecure,But you wouldn’t care, I’m sure,For reflecting is my nature, from within I’m pure!Life is my virtue, in diversity I revel,Each life form inside me - a unique jewel,Ephemeral in nature,Just like every creature,Wealth I do possess in abundance,Still I’m reduced to such redundance!Each day my banks shrink, andSpecies disappear before you blink,Plants aplenty and birds in bounty - is how I used to boast,For hundreds of little creatures – I was the host!Shimmering water, abounding life… calls of cranes and honking geeseWould you be able to bring back these?I would if I was a human…alas, that is not the case,In silence, I watch your destructive waysYou can see - I’m now counting my days;---But you wouldn’t care, I’m sure, Photo: Pranav TrivediFor reflecting is my nature, from within I’m pure!--Prana4v Trivedi—

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3TThhee MMaallllaarrdd CCoommpplleexx:: AA CCoommpplleexx ooff IIssssuueess SSaallllyy YYaannnnuuzzzzii sseeyy00000110@@mmiixx..wwvvuu..eedduu The “Mallard Complex” is the capability like several other island birdname given to a large group of birds all species (Reynolds et al., 2013). It has aclosely related to the mallard (Anas small average clutch size of 3.8 eggsplatyrhynchos). Many of these species and high parental investment from onlybecame genetically distinct from the the hen (Reynolds & Klavitter, 2006).mallard due to long periods of Like most continental ducks, the pairisolation, and yet in the past century bond between drakes and hens laststhis has been rapidly changing. While only up until incubation is fullythere is a long list of ducks that initiated, with a reunion of the pairqualify, I will focus on three North merely occurring if the first clutch isAmerican members who are being lost (Moulton & Weller, 1984). Theyresearched at an increasing rate to nest on the ground in clumps of nativedetermine limiting factors of their grasses and contribute little down. Nestpopulations and improve management predation is not high, but can occurefforts: the Laysan Duck (Anas from Laysan finches (Telespizalaysanensis), the Mexican Duck (Anas cantans). Upon hatching, the broodsplatyrhynchos diazi), and the American are commonly led to freshwaterBlack Duck (Anas rubripes). seepages on the island (Moulton &Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis) Weller 1984). Adult survival is high, butLife History ducklings are at risk from exposure during large storm events (Moulton & The Laysan Duck is a small, Weller 1984).nonmigratory, monomorphic, long-lived The Issuesdabbler found solely on the island ofLaysan in the northwestern Hawaiian The current threats to thearchipelago (Moulton & Weller, 1984). Laysan Duck can be told through itsThe duck is known to be insectivorous, history. Originally thought to have beenhighly terrestrial, but has not lost flight found throughout the Hawaiian 5

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3archipelago, it is believed that the decline (Reynolds et al., 2011). Due toLaysan Duck was confined to the 400 its highly restrictive range, and smallhectares of Laysan Island 1200–1500 population size fluxing around 500years ago following human settlement individuals, Laysan Ducks are at high(Browne et al., 1993; Reynolds & Citta, risk from virtually any kind of2007). The population of roughly 500 devastating event: disease outbreak,birds has undergone at least two severe weather, and the introductionbottlenecks, and in 1967 was listed as of predators, herbivores, and invasivefederally endangered (Reynolds & plants (Moulton & Weller, 1984).Citta, 2007). Management These population crashes were To handle past transgressions,mainly caused by human activities such rabbits and mice were eradicated fromas guano-mining operations, duck the island in the early 1900s and thehunting, and Japanese plumage hunters island was made into a Bird Reserve inin the late 1900s and early 1900s, 1909 (Reynolds et al., 2013). In 1967,devastating the already insignificant the island was declared a Researchpopulation of less than 100 birds Natural Area, meaning only permitted(Moulton & Weller, 1984). Around the researchers are allowed to land on thesame time, rabbits and mice were island in order to prevent unwantedintroduced to the island and nearly species introductions. This occurred theexterminated all vegetation, resulting same year that the species was listedin the population plummeting to a as endangered (Moulton & Weller,mere 6–12 birds (Moulton & Weller, 1984; Reynolds & Citta, 2007). Perhaps1984; Reynolds & Klavitter, 2006). the most successful feat was theAlmost a century later in 1993, the translocation of 42 non-sibling, hatchpopulation crashed again due to year Laysan Ducks from Laysan Island tostarvation, low reproduction and Midway Atoll, another island in theinvasion by the nematode parasite northwestern Hawaiian archipelago inEchinuria uncinata (Reynolds & Citta, 2004 – 2005 (Reynolds & Citta, 2007;2007). Most recently in 2011, the Reynolds & Klavitter, 2006), thusTohoku, Japan tsunami caused another expanding the Laysan’s range and 6

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3decreasing its vulnerability. Despite hybridization with mallardsexperiencing an outbreak of avianbotulism in 2008 that killed almost half (Baldassarre, 2014). They mostly onlyof the birds, the current Midwaypopulation has been estimated at over breed along the Rio Grande and the400 adults (BirdLife International,2015). Following this success, another deep southwest in the United States28 birds were translocated to Kure Atollin 2014 (BirdLife International 2015). portion of habitat (Aldrich & BaerDespite its vulnerability and lowreproductive rates, the Laysan Duck has 1970). Mexican ducks are considered tomade a great comeback from its all-time low of 6 – 12 birds only a century be residents in their range, but move toago.Mexican Duck (Anas platyrhyncos follow water availability (Baldassarre,diazi) 2014). They have an extended breedingLife History The Mexican Duck (Anas period that may be dependent uponplatyrhynchos diazi) is likely to be one summer rains and are thought to have aof the less studied members of theNorth American mallard complex, with long pair bond, which has sometimesa breeding range that barely occurs inthe United States. Like most non- shown to last through brood rearingmallard members of the complex, thespecies is monomorphic and in small (Aldrich & Baer, 1970; Baldassarre,numbers. The Mexican Duck’s rangeoccurs from Mexico up through the 2014). Hens lay an average of 6.7 eggssouthern reaches of New Mexico andArizona, and the western point of and nest in a variety of habitats andTexas; however, the northern extent isconsidered to be an area of great vegetation types, including in willows, cattails (Typha latifolia) and upland spots with tall grass (Baldassarre 2014). Swarbrick (1979) estimated an average fledging-age brood size of 5.7 birds. The population is not reliably estimated, with less than 1,000 in the United States and anywhere from 55,000 to 78,000 adults throughout its range (Baldassarre, 2014). Regardless, it is known that the population is small. The Issues: The Mexican Duck was listed as federally endangered in 1967, but later confusion about whether or not it was a 7

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3distinct species or a subspecies of the with hybridization with mallards,mallard changed this. In 1983, the particularly in the northern reaches ofAmerican Ornithological Union (AOU) the breeding range (Baldassarre, 2014).listed the Mexican Duck as a subspecies Due to a high rate of intermingling byof the mallard, which also took away mallards and Mexican Ducks, along withthe harvest restrictions that stemmed the great similarity in appearance,from being a federally listed species Mexican ducks are also at risk from(Baldassarre, 2014). Despite later being hunters who may easily confuse therecognized as a separate species by the two in the field (Swarbrick, 1979).International Ornithological Union in2010, the AOU continues to refute this The Mexican Duck portrays the(Baldassarre, 2014). quintessential problems of not only members of the mallard complex, but In addition to a lack of federal also waterfowl worldwide through itsprotection, the Mexican Duck originally great vulnerabilities to changing waterreached its former legal designation supplies and demands, huntingdue to issues with the region’s water pressure, habitat degradation andresources. While they formerly bred in potential for hybridization.potholes and other well watered Managementenvironments, overgrazing, drainagefor agriculture practices, along with Overall, not much is being donethe alteration of water courses for for the Mexican Duck. It is infrequentlyhuman consumption has caused studied and there are still large datasignificant dryness and draining in the gaps in its life history and especially itsregion (Aldrich & Baer, 1970). genetic makeup. While the region itCurrently, most Mexican ducks use inhabits has undergone significanthabitat where reliable water flow is change and damages to its waterfound such as along rivers and in resources, Mexican Ducks have quicklyartificial impoundments (Aldrich & adapted to ponds created fromBaer,1970). agriculture practices, allowing the population to remain fairly stable Like most other members of the (Baldassarre, 2014). Despite this, thecomplex, Mexican Ducks also struggle Mexican Duck, along with other 8

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3wetland specialists, and even the The Issues: Black Ducks are ahuman population will be at great riskif the long history of water source culmination of the challenges thatneglect and destruction is continued.American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) waterfowl face worldwide. There areLife History several problems facing the species, The American Black Duck (Anasrubripes) is a species endemic to including: hybridization andnortheastern North America, ranging asfar south as North Carolina up into competition with the more aggressiveparts of Canada, including Ontario,Newfoundland, Quebec, and Manitoba mallard, habitat loss and degradation,(Longcore et al., 2000). Its corepopulation is found along the Atlantic and historic overhunting. Prior to theCoast, but smaller numbers are foundinland up to the eastern portion of the 1920s, mallard mostly occupied centralMississippi Flyway (Baldassarre, 2014). and western North America (Brodsky & Black Ducks are a larger,monomorphic bird that takes advantage Weatherhead, 1984; Heusmann, 1974).of highly productive wetlands duringboth breeding and nonbreeding periods Due to captive releases for hunting(Baldassarre, 2014; Stotts & Davis,1960). Like mallards, they will take purposes, mallard range expandedadvantage of what is available,including tree stumps, nest cavities, greatly throughout North America,and duck blinds, but are most likely tonest on the ground (Baldassarre, 2014; including black duck range (Ankney etKirby, 1988). Hens lay an average of 9eggs, but have a wide range of nest al., 1987; Drilling et al., 2002; Brodskysuccess (Krementz et al., 1991;Baldassarre, 2014). & Weatherhead, 1984; Heusmann, 1974). With similar feeding habits, courtship rituals, morphology, and for the past near-century range, the potential for and occurrence of gene swamping is high (Heusmann, 1974). In addition, there has been evidence that mallards have outcompeted black ducks for higher quality breeding habitat (Merendino et al., 1993; Conroy et al., 2002). As a species that prefers the highest quality habitat, the significant wetland loss that the Unites States has experienced due to drainage for 9

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3agriculture, silviculture, and overall protect 2.5 million hectares of wetlanddevelopment hurt populations (Dahl, habitat and improve waterfowl2011). This, in combination with the populations and have far surpassed thatformer overharvest prior to stricter goal (Graziano & Cross, 1993). Themanagement efforts, caused a drastic NAWMP also implemented the Blackdrop in black duck numbers (Francis et Duck Joint Venture, which specificallyal., 1998). In total, the black duck focuses on black duck research andpopulation was estimated to have population improvement (Graziano &declined by greater than 50% between Cross, 1993). Even with so much focus1955 and 2014, from ~750,000 to put on black duck research, continuous~288,000 birds (MWS; USFWS, 2014). efforts need to be made to understandManagement this species better and protectFortunately for the black duck, important habitat.significant efforts have been made to Conclusionimprove its standing. The black duckhas been aided greatly by the law, To increase, stabilize, andthrough stricter harvest regulations protect these species, both further(including an extended moratorium on research and active management isthe species), the Clean Water Act of needed and likely will be necessary for1972, the “no net loss” policy of the a long time. As shown, most of the1980s, and more (Balcombe et al., threats to these species, such as2005; Nichols, 1991). These policies harmful species introductions and thehave made the creation and restoration draining of vital wetlands, wereof wetlands a focal point in the United originally manmade and careful actionsStates, yet quality of wetlands is still must be taken to ensure that we do notan issue (Morton et al., 1989). In make the same mistakes again. Theaddition to wetland-focused American black duck, Laysan duck, andregulations, the North American Mexican duck are not alone in theirWaterfowl Management Plan of 1986 plights with many of their issues being(NAWMP) and North American Wetlands applicable to not only other waterfowlConservation Act of 1989 aims to species, but also most organisms dependent on the natural world. 10

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Fig.1: A mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) drake in flightFig.2: A productive wetland for wintering waterfowl near Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. 11

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 Fig.3: A pair of American Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) in flightFig. 4: An American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) dabbling in the company of a hen Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 12

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3References Browne, R.A., C.R. Griffin, P.R. Chang,Aldrich, J.W. and K.P. Baer (1970). M. Hubley and A.E. Martin (1993). Genetic divergence Status and speciation in the among populations of the Mexican Duck (Anas diazi). Hawaiian duck, Laysan duck, and Wilson Bulletin 82(1): 63-73. mallard. Auk 110(1): 49-56.Ankney, C.D., D.G. Dennis and R.C. Bailey(1987).Increasing mallards, Conroy, M.J., M.W. Miller and J.E. decreasing American black Hines (2002). Identification and ducks: coincidence or cause and synthetic modeling of factors effect? Journal of Wildlife affecting American black duck Management 51(3): 523-529. populations. Wildlife MonographsBalcombe, C.K., J.T. Anderson, R.H. 150: 1-64. Fortney and W.S. Kordek (2005). Wildlife use of mitigation and Dahl, T.E. (2011). Status and trends of reference wetlands in West wetlands in the conterminous Virginia. Ecological Engineering United States 2004 to 2009. U.S. 25: 85-99. Department of the Interior; FishBaldassarre, G. (2014). Ducks, geese, and Wildlife Service, and swans of North America. Washington, D.C. 108 pp. Revised and updated edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Drilling, N., R.D. Titman and F. Baltimore, Maryland, USA. McKinney (2002). Mallard (AnasBirdLife International (2015). Anas platyrhynchos). Cornell Lab of laysanensis. The IUCN Red List of Ornithology: Birds of North Threated Species 2015. America. <https://birdsna.org>.Brodsky, L.M. and P.J. Weatherhead (1984). Behavioral and ecological Francis, C.M., J.R. Sauer and J.R. Serie factors contributing to American (1998). Effect of restrictive Black Duck-Mallard hybridiz- harvest regulations on survival ation. Journal of Wildlife and recovery rates of black Management 48(3): 846-852. ducks. Journal of Wildlife Management 62(4): 1544-1557. 13

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Graziano, A.V. and D.H. Cross (1993). America. The North American Waterfowl <https://birdsna.org/>. Management Plan: a new Merendino, M.T., C.D. Ankney and D.G. approach to wetland Dennis (1993). Increasing conservation. US Department of mallards, decreasing American the Interior: Fish and Wildlife black ducks: more evidence for Leaflet 13.2.2 cause and effect. Journal of Wildlife Management 57(2): 199-Heusmann, H.W. (1974). Mallard-Black 208. Duck relationship in the Morton, J.M., R.L. Kirkpatrick, M.R. northeast. Wildlife Society Vaughan and F. Stauffer (1989). Bulletin 2(4): 171-177. Habitat use and movements of American Black Ducks in winter.Kirby, R.E. (1988). American Black Duck Journal of Wildlife Management breeding enhancement in the 53(2): 390-400. northeastern United States: a Moulton, D.W., and M.W. Weller review and synthesis. Biological (1984). Biology and conservation Report 88. U.S. Fish and Wildlife of the Laysan Duck (Anas Service, Washington, D.C., USA. laysanensis). Condor 86(2): 105- 117.Krementz, D.G., V.D. Stotts, D.B. Nichols,J.D.(1991). Science, population Stotts, J.E. Hines and S.L. ecology, and the management of Funderburk (1991). Historical the American Black Duck. changes in laying date, clutch Journal of Wildlife Management size, and nest success of 55(40): 790-799. American black ducks. Journal of Reynolds, M.H., and J.J. Citta (2007). Wildlife Management 55: 462- Postfledging survival of Laysan 466. Ducks. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71(2): 383-388.Longcore, J.R., D.G. McAuley, G.R. Reynolds, M., and J. Klavitter (2006). Hepp and J.M. Rhymer (2000). Translocation of wild Laysan American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Birds of North 14

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3establish a population at Midway About the AuthorAtoll National Wildlife Refuge, The Author- Sally Yannuzzi Sally Yannuzzi has had a lifelongUnited States and US Pacific passion for waterfowl, growing up by the Chesapeake Bay, USA andPossession. Conservation raising several flocks of domestic ducks. Her love of ducks hasEvidence 3: 6-8. continued to grow as she has traveled, studying waterfowl andReynolds, M.H., E. Weiser, I. Jamieson, other wildlife in the Alaskan arctic down to the tropics ofand J.S. Hatfield (2013). Trinidad. She is currently researching wintering AmericanDemographic variation, Black Duck (Anas rubripes) habitat use on the Appalachianreintroduction, and persistence Plateau.of an Island Duck (Anaslaysanenesis). Journal of WildlifeManagement 77(6): 1094-1103.Stotts, V.D. and D.E. Davis (1960). TheBlack Duck in the ChesapeakeBay of Maryland: breedingbehavior and biology.Chesapeake Science 1: 127-154.Swarbrick, B.M. (1979). Ecology of theMexican Duck in the SulphurSprings Valley of Arizona. TheUniversity of Arizona, MScThesis.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS].(2014). Waterfowl PopulationStatus, 2014. U.S. Department ofthe Interior, Washington, D.C.,USA. 15

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 CCuurrrreenntt SSttaattuuss ooff EEnnttoommooffaauunnaall DDiivveerrssiittyy ooff KKhhiijjaaddiiyyaa WWeettllaanndd,, JJaammnnaaggaarr,, GGuujjaarraatt,, IInnddiiaa Kalavanti Mokaria11, Ketan Tatu and R. D. Kamboj 11kkaallaa330033@@ggmmaaiill..ccoommAbstract: Wetlands are often the transitional areas between permanently aquaticecosystems and permanently terrestrial ecosystems. Due to such transitionalcharacter, both, aquatic and terrestrial organisms occur at the wetlands and insectsare no exception. A study was conducted at Khijadiya wetland (a Bird Sanctuary) toexplore its insect diversity. Visual Encounter Survey (VES) through stratified randomsampling strategy was carried out to explore insects of all the habitat-components.During the study, total 69 species of insects belonging to 11 orders and 39 familieswere recorded. Out of 69 species, 17 species were aquatic/semi-aquatic and 52species were terrestrial.Introduction from Gujarat. It is also an Important Many studies have been Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Various species/genera of insect wereconducted on various taxa including recorded from Khijadiya Bird Sanctuarybirds, mammals and herpetofauna in along with other fauna (Kumar, 2013).and near wetlands of Gujarat State. During this study, efforts were made toHowever, very limited studies have have a complete entomofaunal profilebeen conducted on the insect diversity of this important wetland of the stateof wetlands of the state. A large in two different seasons (Monsoon andnumber of wetlands in the state are winter) of 2016-17 along with insectstill awaiting even for preliminary occurrence in its associated habitats.studies on insect diversity. They alsoinclude wetlands having Protected Area Study Area(PA) status. Khijadiya wetland is one Khijadiya Wetland and Sanctuarysuch wetland that was declared as asanctuary in 1982 with total area of is located between 22o 27' 32” N & 22o6.05 sq. km. 33' 46” N latitudes and 70o 03' 25” E & 70o 14' 28” E longitudes. It is spread Khijadiya wetland is also one of over an area of 6.05 sq. km (Fig. 1).the eight nationally important wetlands 16

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 This wetland is located in semi- an assemblage of a variety of wetlandarid region of Jamnagar district on the habitats including three freshwatersouthern coast of Gulf of Kachchh, ponds (popularly called ‘lakes’),Gujarat state. The sanctuary is located creeks, marshlands, mangroves,at a distance of about 12 km northeast saltpans, open mudflats, intertidalof Jamnagar city and falls in 4B mudflats, scrubs sandy beaches andGujarat-Rajwara biotic province of the adjoining farmlands. This mosaic ofsemi-arid biogeographical zone having wetland habitats provides suitable5/DS I-Dry Deciduous Scrub\" type environment to different kinds of birds.forests. The sanctuary is endowed withFig.1. Khijadiya Wetland with its different habitats/micro-habitatsMethodology seasons. Stratified random sampling The study was carried out in the was adopted to cover all the major habitats in/adjacent to the sanctuaryyear 2016-17 covering monsoon (August majorly near freshwater ponds2016) and winter (January 2017) 17

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3(popularly called “Khijadiya lakes”), During the study, a total of 69 speciesmangroves, mudflats creeks and of insects belonging to 11 orders and 39saltpans. The Visual encounter survey families were recorded (Table 3, Fig.(VES) approach was adopted to carry 3). Out of 69 species, 17 (24.64%)out to develop inventory of insect in species were aquatic/semi-aquatic andthese habitats i.e. freshwater ponds, 52 (75.36%) species were terrestrial.mangroves, mudflats creeks and The occurrence of both, aquatic andsaltpans. Insects were usually terrestrial species justifies the wetlandphotographed using Canon Powershot characteristic of the sanctuary area asSX60 HS camera and recorded in a pre- wetlands are known to be thedesigned datasheet. Insects difficult to transitional areas between permanentlyidentify in situ were collected by hand- aquatic and permanently terrestrialpicking and insect collection nets and ecosystems. Total 55 insect species andwere also photographed from various 38 insect species were encounteredangles, identified and then released during monsoon season and winterback into nature after recording all its season, respectively. Of the total 55morphological features in detail for its species recorded in monsoon season, 17identification. Insects were also species (30.91%) were aquatic/semiidentified using standard insect aquatic and 38 species (69.09%) wereidentifying guides including those by terrestrial. However, out of total 38Corbet (1999), Borer et. al. (1989), species encountered during winterIMMS (1977), Subramanian (2005). season, 2 species (5.26 %) were aquaticResults and Discussion and 36 species (94.73 %) were terrestrial (Table 1).Table 1. Seasonal variation in aquatic/semi-aquatic and terrestrial insect species Aquatic/ semi-aquatic insect Terrestrial insect Total insect species Seasons species (%) species (%)Monsoon 55 17 (30.91%) 38 (69.09%)Winter 2 (5.26%) 36 (94.74 %) 38Monsoon & Winter 17 (24.64 %) 52 (75.36 %) 69*collectivelyNote: Number of species in winter and that in summer cannot make an arithmetic total for these twoseasons collectively due to species overlap during the two seasons 18

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Various insect species belonging to the species) which includes ants, bees,Orders Ephemeroptera, Odonata, wasps, and Order Odonata (i.e. 10Plecoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, species) that includes dragonflies andand Hymenoptera are known to spend damselflies. On the other hand,at least some stage of their lives under minimum numbers of specieswater (Ganai. 2011; Edmunds & Waltz, encountered for the insect orders i.e.1996). In the present study, maximum Thysanura (1 species), Ephimeropteranumber of species belonged to the (1 species), Orthoptera (4 species),Order Lepidoptera (i.e. 22 species) Dictyoptera (2 species), Isoptera (1which includes butterflies and moths. species), Hemiptera (4 species),Good number of species belonged to Coleoptera (5 species), Diptera (8the order Hymenoptera (i.e. 11 species). (Fig. 2) 25 22 20No. of species 15 11 8 10 10 5 1 4 45 1 21 0 OrdersFig. 2. Number of species encountered for various orders during entire surveyAmong all the families encountered maximum number of species belongedduring the entire study period, to the family Pieridae (7 species) 19

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3followed by good number of species compared to those belonging to thebelonging to the family Libelluidae (5 families Pieridae and Libelluidae (Tablespecies). Less number of species were 2).recorded for all other familiesTable 2. Order wise & Family wise number of species of insects recorded at Khijadiya wetland Order Family No. of species in familyThysanura Lepismatidae 1Ephimeroptera Ephemeridae 1Odonata Aeshnidae 1 Coenagrionidae 3 Lestidae 1 Libelluidae 5Orthoptera Gryllidae 1 Acrididae 2 Pyrgomorphidae 1Dyctioptera Mantidae 1 Hymenopodidae 1Isoptera Rhinotermitidae 1Hemiptera Aphrophoridae 1 Gerridae 2 Membracidae 1Coleoptera Carabidae 1 Tenebrioninae 2 Coccinellidae 1 Gyrinidae 1Diptera Asilidae 1 Bombyliidae 1 Cecidomyiidae 1 Chironomidae 1 Culicidae 1 Dolichopodidae 1 Syrphidae 1 Tipulidae 1Hymenoptera Apidae 3 Formicidae 4 Pompilidae 1 Sphecidae 1 20

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Lepidoptera Vespidae 2 Erebidae 2 Geometridae 2 Noctuidae 1 Lycaenidae 4 Nymphalidae 4 Papilionidae 2 Pieridae 7Aquatic insects play very important role freshwater ponds as compared toin wetland ecology and they contribute habitats including mangroves, creeks,to the maintenance of ecological mudflats, saltpans (Table 3). This wasbalance within aquatic ecosystem (Daly expected as taxonomically highet al., 1998). Insects are known to be diversity of insects are known to beclosely associated with their respective associated with freshwater habitatshabitats. Some insects can become whereas very few insects are known togood indicators as they are specific to be associated with marine environmentthe habitat (Lewis and Gripenberg, (Cheng, 1985; Glausiusz, 1997; Daly et.2008). During entire study, maximum al., 1998).number of insect species occurred nearTable 3. Checklist of entomofauna encountered at Khijadiya Wetland (a BirdSanctuary) and its associated habitatsFamily Sr. Species Habitats No. Common name Scientific nameOrder: Thysanura (Silverfish)Lepismatidae 1 Silverfish Lepisma saccharina Near (Linnaeus, 1758) Freshwater pondOrder: Ephimeroptera (Mayflies)Ephemeridae 2 Mayflies Ephemera danica Near (Muller, 1764) Freshwater pondOrder: Odonata (Dragonfly and Damselflies)Aeshnidae 3 Blue-Tailed Green Anax guttatus Near Freshwater Darter (Burmeister, 1839) pond 21

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Coenagrionidae 4 Coromandel Marsh Ceriagrion NearCoenagrionidae Dart coromandelianum FreshwaterCoenagrionidae (Fabricius, 1798) pondLestidae Near 5 Golden Dartlet Ischnura aurora (Brauer, Freshwater 1865) pond Near 6 Green striped Pseudagrion decorum Freshwater Grass Dart (Rambur, 1842) pond Near 7 Spread wings Lestes elatus (Hagen in Freshwater Selys, 1862) pond NearLibelluidae 8 Ruddy Marsh Crocothemis servilia Freshwater Skimmer (Drury, 1773) pond, Mangrove,CreLibelluidae 9 Green Marsh hawk Orthetrum sabina ek, mudflats (Drury, 1773) Near FreshwaterLibelluidae 10 Ground Skimmer Diplacodes trivialis pond, (Rambur, 1842) Mangrove,Cre ek, mudflatsLibelluidae 11 Long-legged Marsh Trithemis pallidinervis Near Freshwater Glider (Kirby, 1889) pond NearLibelluidae 12 Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens Freshwater (Fabricius, 1798) pond NearOrder: Orthoptera (Grasshoppers & Cricket) Freshwater pondGryllidae 13 Cricket Gryllus domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Near FreshwaterAcrididae 14 Short horned Hieroglyphus sp. pond, Grasshopper Saltpans Poekilocerus pictus NearAcrididae 15 Painted (Fabricius, 1775) Freshwater grasshopper pond Paratettix sp. NearPyrgomorphidae 16 Pygmy Freshwater Grasshopper pond Near Freshwater pond 22

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Order : Dictyoptera (Mantis)Mantidae 17 Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa Near (Linnaeus, 1758) FreshwaterHymenopodidae 18 Asian ant mantis pondOrder: Isoptera (Termites) Odontomantis planiceps NearRhinotermitidae 19 Termites (Giglio-Tos, 1913) FreshwaterOrder: Hemiptera (Bugs) pondAphrophoridae 20 Spittle bug Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki, 1909 ) NearGerridae 21 Marine water Freshwater strider Philaenuss pumarius pond (Linnaeus, 1758)Gerridae 22 Water strider Near Halobates sp. FreshwaterMembracidae 23 Treehopper pond Gerris lacustris Mangrove,Order: Coleoptera (Beetles) (Linnaeus, 1758) Creek, mudflatsCarabidae 24 Black ground Centrotus cornutus Near beetle (Linnaeus, 1758) Freshwater pond Pterostichus melanarius Near (Illiger, 1798) Freshwater pondTenebrioninae 25 Darkling beetle Blaps sp. NearTenebrioninae 26 Ground Scarab Gonocephalum sp. Freshwater beetle pond NearCoccinellidae 27 Lady Bird Beetle Coccinella Freshwater septempunctata pond (Linnaeus, 1758) Near FreshwaterGyrinidae 28 Whirligig beetle Gyrinus natator pond (Linnaeus, 1758) Near FreshwaterOrder: Diptera (Flies, mosquitoes and midges) pond NearAsilidae 29 Robber Fly Asilidae sp. Freshwater pondBombyliidae 30 Beefly Bombylius major Near Freshwater pond Near 23

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 (Linnaeus, 1758) Freshwater pondCecidomyiidae 31 Gall midges Resseliella sp. Near FreshwaterChironomidae 32 Midges Chironomu sp. pond NearCulicidae 33 Mosquito Aedesa egypti (Linnaeus, Freshwater 1762) pondDolichopodidae 34 Wetland flies Near Dolichopus sp. Freshwater pondSyrphidae 35 Hover fly Eristalis sp. Near FreshwaterTipulidae 36 Long Crane fly Tipula sp. pond NearOrder: Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees and Wasps) Freshwater pondApidae 37 Honey bee Apisindica (Fabricius, Near 1798) Freshwater pondApidae 38 Bumble bee Xylocopa sp. NearApidae 39 Honey bee Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, FreshwaterFormicidae 40 Big red ant 1758) pondFormicidae 41 Small ants Near Camponotu scastaneus Freshwater (Latreille, 1802) pond Near Cremato gastercerasi Freshwater (Fitch, 1855) pond NearFormicidae 42 Small ants Formica species Freshwater pondFormicidae 43 Carpenter ants Camponotu scompressus Near (Fabricius, 1787) Freshwater pondPompilidae 44 Spider wasp Tachypompilus sp. Near Freshwater pond Near Freshwater pond Near Freshwater pond 24

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Sphecidae 45 Mud Wasp Sceliphron NearVespidae 46 Paper Wasp caementarium (Drury, Freshwater 1773) pond Near Polistes sp. Freshwater pond,Vespidae 47 Potter Wasp Delta sp. Mangrove, Creek,Order: Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) mudflats NearErebidae 48 Salt-and-pepper Utetheisa lotrix Openwater moth (Cramer, 1777) NearErebidae 49 Burnet moth Zygaena sp. Freshwater pondGeometridae 50 Geometrid moth Pasiphila rectangulata NearGeometridae (Linnaeus, 1758) FreshwaterNoctuidae pondLycaenidae 51 Geometrid moth Traminda mundissima NearLycaenidae (Walker, 1861) FreshwaterLycaenidae pondLycaenidae 52 Moth Grammo desstolida NearNymphalidae (Fabricius, 1775) FreshwaterNymphalidae pond 53 Grass jewels Freyeria trochylus Near (Forster, 1980) Freshwater pond 54 Plain cupid Chilades pandava Near (Horsfield, 1829) Freshwater pond 55 Bright Babul Blue Azanusu baldus (Stoll, Near 1782) Freshwater pond 56 Pea Blue Lampides boeticus Near (Linnaeus, 1767) Freshwater pond 57 Joker Bybliai lithyia (Drury, Near 1773) Freshwater pond 58 Striped tiger Danaus genutia (Cramer Near 1779 ) Freshwater pond Near Freshwater pond 25

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Nymphalidae 59 Tawny coster Acraea violae (Fabricius, NearNymphalidae 1775) FreshwaterPapilionidae 60 Plain tiger pondPapilionidae Danaus chrysippusPieridae 61 Common Rose (Linnaeus, 1758 ) NearPieridae FreshwaterPieridae 62 Tailed Jay Pachliopta aristolochiae pondPieridae (Rothschild, 1908)Pieridae 63 Common Gull Near Graphium agamemnon FreshwaterPieridae 64 Common Grass (Linnaeus, 1758) pond YellowPieridae Cepora nerissa(Moore, Near 65 Mottled Emigrant 1878 ) Freshwater pond 66 Pioneer Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758 ) Near 67 Salmon Arab Freshwater Catopsilia pyranthe pond 68 White Arab (Linnaeus, 1758) butterfly Near Belenois aurota Freshwater 69 Little Orange-tip (Fabricius, 1793) pond Colotis amata (Fabricius, Near 1775) Freshwater pond Colotis vestalis (Butler, 1876) Near Freshwater Colotis etrida pond (Boisduval, 1836 ) Near Freshwater pond Near Freshwater pond, Mangrove, Creek, mudflats, Saltpans Near Freshwater pondThough all insects recorded during the Odonates (10 species, Table 3), aquaticstudy can play one or the other beetles (1 species, Table 3) and aquaticimportant role in maintaining bugs (2 species; Table 3) haveecosystem balance, some insect groups environmental indicator and biologicalrecorded during the study, i.e. control values Odonata nymphs are 26

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3known to have high value as a water in/adjacent to the bird sanctuary,quality indicators whereas adult freshwater ponds were found to be theOdonata can greatly reduce adult most important from the view-point ofmosquito population (Daly and Purcell insect diversity. Several species ofIII, 1998). Similarly, predacious diving insects recorded during the study arebeetles and bugs recorded in this study known to have environmental indicatorcan reduce mosquito population by and biological control values. Khijadiyafeeding on their larvae (McCafferty, wetland’s importance as a rich insect1981; Lundkvist et al., 2003). habitat should therefore be properly propagated. More detailed monitoringConclusions & Recommendations that would include summer season isThough Khijadiya wetland is well- recommended. The sanctuary hasknown as a bird haven, it is also rich display boards of only birds, butfrom the view-point of entomofauna. ideally, some display boards of insectsAmong the various wetland habitats can also be considered.Acknowledgements Authors are also thankful to Shri NitinAuthors are thankful to Department of Patel of RS-GIS unit of GEER FoundationForests and Environment, Gujarat for and Shri Kamlesh Shrinath for mappingsponsoring the study. They are also work and other staff of GEERthankful to the authorities of the Foundation for support.Sanctuary for providing necessaryfacilities. 27

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.312 345 678 910 11 1213 14 15(1) Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1773), (2) Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1773), (3) Ischnuraaurora (Brauer, 1865), (4) Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius, 1798), (5) Diplacodestrivialis (Rambur, 1842), (6) Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798), (7) Gerris lacustris(Linnaeus, 1758), (8) Gyrinus natator (Linnaeus, 1758), (9) Ephemera danica (Muller,1764), (10) Paratettix species, (11) Centrotus cornutus (Linnaeus, 1758), (12) Asilidaespecies, (13) Grammo desstolida (Fabricius, 1775), (14) Bybliai lithyia (Drury, 1773), (15)Traminda mundissima (Walker, 1861)28

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3ReferencesBorror D., N. Johnson and C. Ganai A. (2011). Aquatic InsectTriplehorn (1989). An Diversity in Some DerelictIntroduction to the Study of Waterbodies of Aligarh and theirInsects. Saunders College Limnological Significance, PhDPublication, pp 875. thesis, Fisheries Science and Aquaculture, Department ofCheng L. (1985). Biology of Zoology, Aligarh MuslimHalobates (Heteroptera: University, Aligarh.Gerridae). Annual Review of Glausiusz, J. (1997). Where Insects Fear to Tread.Entomology, 30: 111-135. http://discovermagazine.com/1 997/mar/whereinsectsfear1081.Corbet, P. S. (1999).Dragonflies: Behaviour and Imms, A. D., O. W. Richards &Ecology of Odonata. Comstock R. G. Davis (Eds.) (1977). Imms’Publishing Associates, Ithaca, General Textbook of EntomologyNew York. pp 830. Volume 2: Classification and Biology, Springer, Dordrecht,Daly, H. V., J. T. Doyen and A. ISBN 978-94-011-6516-7, ppH. Purcell (1998). Introduction 1279.to Insect Biology and Diversity.2nd Ed. New York: Oxford Kumar, S. (2013). FaunalUniversity Press. pp 752. Diversity of Khijadiya Lake and Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat – AnEdmunds, Jr. G.F. and R. D. Avian Community Perspective,Waltz (1996). Ephemeroptera. Zoological Survey of India,An Introduction to the aquatic Kolkata, Wetland Ecosysteminsects of North America. 3rd Ed. Series 15, pp 193.Kendall Hunt publishing Co.,Dubuque, Iowa. pp 126-143. 29

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Lewis, O.T. and S.Gripenberg Bartlett Publishers, Inc., Boston,(2008). Insect seed predators XV. pp 448.and environmental change.Journal of Applied Ecology, 45 Pandey C. N. & J. Teli (2005)(6): 1593-1599. Ecology and Biodiversity of Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary and itsLundkvist, E., J. Landin M. Environs, Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER)Jackson and C. Svensson Foundation, Gandhinagar. pp 143.(2003). Diving beetles Subramanian K. A. (2005).(Dytiscidae) as predators of Dragonflies and Damselflies of Peninsular India-A Field Guide.mosquito larvae (Culicidae) in E-Book of Project Lifescape. Centre for Ecological Sciences,field experiments and laboratory Indian Institute of Science and Indian Academy of Sciences,tests of prey preference. Bangalore, India.Bulletin of entomologicalresearch,93: pp 219-226.McCafferty, W. P. (1981).Aquatic Entomology - TheFishermen’s and Ecologists’Illustrated Guide to Insects andtheir Relatives. Jones and 30

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 About the Authors The First Author-Kalavanti MokariaThe first author, Kalavanti Mokaria is a Senior Researcher of entomology at GujaratEcological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar, India. Currently,she is pursuing her doctoral studies on odonates of the only Ramsar Site in GujaratState (India)-Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. She has done entomofaunal surveysin/around a dozen wetland and forest based Protected Areas of Gujarat, India. Shehas also monitored insects on the premises of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel InternationalAirport (Ahmedabad city, India). She is an Executive Council Member of IndianDragonfly Society (IDS). She was involved with Odonate Survey in Periyar TigerReserve (PTR) 2017 organized by Indian Dragonfly Society in Coordination with Keralaforest Department. She has been contributing to education and awareness relatedactivities through radio talks, Nature education camps etc.Dr. Ketan Tatu is the Senior Scientist at Gujarat Ecological Education and Research(GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar. He is the Founding Editor of Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881).Mr. R. D. Kamboj, IFS is the Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF),Gujarat State, India and he is also the Director, Gujarat Ecological Education andResearch (GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar. Previously, he also contributed as theDirector, Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Jamnagar, India. 31

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Conservation of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) in North America Alissa L. Gulette Email: [email protected] vegetation, such as marshes and bogs Spotted turtles (Clemmys (Ernst & Lovich, 2009; Haxton & Berrillguttata) are small, endangered, semi-aquatic, freshwater turtles found in the 1999). Populations of spotted turtlesEastern United States and Canada(Ernst & Lovich, 2009). They can be have declined significantly throughoutfound from northern Florida, upwardsto the Great Lakes regions of Canada their range due to habitat loss andand the United States. They are easilyidentified by their small size (up to degradation, overharvesting, and illegalapproximately 12 cm in total length asadults), and the white or yellow spots pet trade. According to Internationalthat cover their smooth, dark carapace(Ernst & Lovich, 2009) (Fig. 1). They Union for Conservation of Natureare usually found in shallow wetlandswith soft substrate and the emergent (IUCN), the species has declined by at least 50% over the past 25 years (IUCN 2017). The spotted turtle was listed as Endangered in 2011 (IUCN, 2017). Despite conservation efforts, populations continue to decline.Fig.1. Adult Spotted turtle 32

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Ecology of Spotted turtles 1994; Ernst & Lovich, 2009). Various Spotted turtles prefer seasonally microhabitats are required for these important activities in a spottedflooded pools, emergent wetlands, turtle’s life history (Wilson, 1994,bogs, and other shallow, vegetated Litzgus & Mousseau 2004, Ernst &wetlands for foraging, basking, mating, Lovich 2009, Stevenson et al. 2015).and as hibernacula (Haxton & Berrill, The greatest movement generally1999; Milam & Melvin, 2001; Ernst & occurs in spring for mating and nesting,Lovich, 2009) (Fig. 2). As ectothermic particularly by females, and they havereptiles, spotted turtles are largely a minimum home-range area ofinfluenced by temperature and approximately 5 ha (Ernst, 1976;reproduction (Ernst, 1976). They spend Lovich, 1988; Litzgus & Mousseau,much of daylight hours basking, or 2004).exposing their bodies to light orwarmth for energy. Although they are Spotted turtles, like most turtlegenerally solitary animals, spotted species, are considered bet-hedgingturtles can be found in large groups to species because they reproduce manybask or forage. Despite variations in times over a lifetime to compensate fortiming based on location in their range, high mortality in hatchlings. Despitethey are generally active in the spring, high mortality of young, adults havewhen courtship and copulation occurs. high survivorship and may live forEgg-laying occurs in approximately several decades (Litzgus, 2006). Due toJune, and hatchlings emerge in high adult survival, populations maysummer. Spotted turtles have an not show signs of population growthomnivorous diet and prefer to forage in issues until it is too late (Enneson &shallow water for invertebrates and Litzgus, 2008).filamentous algae (Ernst 1976, WilsonSpotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is an Endangered (EN) species as per the IUCN’s Red List ofThreatened Species (2017-3). With a generation time of probably over 25 years, the species is likelyto have suffered more than 50% overall reduction, much of this being irreversible through habitatloss. At remaining locations, habitat succession may be a challenge, while population recoveryfrom past collection for pet trade and ongoing traffic and other accidental mortality, andrecolonization of any new sites with suitable habitat, is slow and constrained by subsidizedpredators and possibly climatic changes. –Source: www.iucnredlist.org/details/4968/0 33

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Fig. 2. Spotted turtle in a shallow, emergent wetland.Population status Spotted turtles face multiple Spotted turtles were thought to threats. A major concern is pet trade and illegal collection. Although it is notbe common in North America before often reported on due to lack ofthe 1980s and 1990s (IUCN, 2017; New evidence, it is thought to be a majorYork State Department of concern for spotted turtles (ConventionEnvironmental Conservation [NYDEC], of International Trade in Endangered2017). Although spotted turtles were Species of Wild Fauna and Floridainternationally listed as Vulnerable in [CITES], 2000). Spotted turtles are1996, they were moved to be listed as beautifully decorated with yellow spotsEndangered in 2011 after continued on their carapace, head and limbs, anddecline (IUCN, 2017). They are orange coloring on their limbs (Figuresprotected in Ontario and Quebec of 3 and 4). They are highly prized as petsCanada, and in the United States they and items for collection amongare listed as a species of concern by herpetology enthusiasts and countriesU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) interested in rare animals for medicinein the Northeast Region (USFWS, 2017). (IUCN, 2017). Protection of adultThe populations are believed to be spotted turtles is most important to thedeclining currently (IUCN, 2017). 34

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3conservation of the species (Enneson & shown a concentration on protectingLitzgus, 2008). If just a few adults are hatchlings of freshwater turtles toremoved from small remnant manage populations. However, anpopulations in North America for trade elasticity analysis of a stage-classifiedor collection, this could have major matrix for a spotted turtle populationdetrimental impacts on spotted turtle in Ontario, Canada found that survivalpopulations. of adults had the greatest impact on population growth (Enneson & Litzgus Habitat loss and fragmentation is ,2008). This suggested that we shouldalso an important factor that has be focusing on protecting adult spottedimpacted spotted turtles. Spotted turtles. Therefore, restricting adultturtles rely on several types of harvest and monitoring populations towetlands to perform important discourage illegal taking is vital.activities including reproduction andaestivation. However, wetland loss in Programs such as the WetlandNorth America is significant. In the Reserve Program (WRP) in the Unitedpast, wetlands have been viewed States and the North Americannegatively and not valued for their high Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP)biodiversity and importance as habitat. aim to restore converted wetlands andBetween 1780 and 1980, approximately protect existing wetlands (Natural53% of wetlands in the United States Resources Conservation Service [NRCS]have been lost mostly due to , 2014; Government of Canada, 2016).anthropogenic causes including Increasing wetland and protectingdrainage for agriculture and filling for important habitat could reduce spotteddevelopment. Canada is estimated to turtle risks. However, due to spottedhave lost approximately 68% of turtles’ requirement of multiplewetlands due to conversion (Tiner, microhabitats, wetland diversity should1984; Dahl, 1990; Mitsch & Gosselink, be the focus (Wilson, 1994; Bedford2000; Government of Canada, 2016). 1999; Litzgus & Mousseau, 2004; Ernst & Lovich, 2009; Stevenson et al., Better management practices 2015). In addition to protecting variousmust be implemented to halt spotted habitat types for spotted turtles, it isturtle population declines. History has 35

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3also important to provide and protect breeding, finding nesting habitat, andcorridors between habitat to allow for search for refugia during droughtrescue effect, as well as travel for (Enneson & Litzgus, 2008). Fig.3. Orange limbs of an adult Spotted Fig.4. Bright yellow spots visible on an turtle. adult.International Freshwater Turtle Declines on an adult spotted turtle. Studies show that at least one- Gong et al., 2009; Nijman et al., 2012; Sung et al., 2013). Many Asian countriesthird of global turtle species are either value turtles and turtle eggs for bothendangered or vulnerable. Loss of food and medicinal purposes (Readfreshwater turtles is occurring on the ,1977). As a result of this, many Asianinternational scale. Declines are likely turtle populations have declined ordue to overharvesting and global gone extinct (Behler, 1997), and turtlewetland loss (Gibbons et al., 2000). species from around the world are being impacted due to overharvesting Overharvesting of freshwater for global consumption (Ceballos &turtles is a global issue. China has been Fitzgerald, 2004). Declines ofa major consumer of freshwater turtles freshwater turtles continue despitearound the world, and hunting wild harvest quotas and protection (Jensenturtles for bushmeat is common inmany Asian countries, especially forsoftshell turtles (Jensen & Das, 2008; 36

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3& Das 2008, Gong et al. 2009, Nijman populations will not grow withoutet al., 2012; Sung et al., 2013). tightening current trade and harvest Another major threat tofreshwater turtle populations is global restrictions.wetland loss. It is estimated that morethan 50% of global wetlands have been Referenceslost since 1900 (Davidson, 2014; Hu etal., 2017). The loss and fragmentation Bedford, B.L. (1999). Cumulativeof wetlands could have major impactsof freshwater turtles, as wetlands are effects on wetland landscapes:necessary habitat for turtles and theirprey (Gibbs, 1991; Ernst & Lovich links to wetland restoration in,2009). Many species depend of varioustypes of wetlands, terrestrial habitat, the United States and southerncorridors, and buffers to increase localpopulation growth (Roe & Georges, Canada. Wetlands 19(4):775-788.2007). Behler, J.L. (1997). Troubled times for Global freshwater turtlepopulations continue to be threatened turtles. Proceedings:by habitat loss and fragmentation,along with the demand for turtles as conservation, restoration, andmedicine, food, and pets (Gibbs, 1991;Behler, 1997; Jensen & Das, 2008; Ernst management of tortoises and& Lovich, 2009; Gong et al., 2009;Nijman et al., 2012; Sung et al., 2013). turtles- An InternationalTo better manage global freshwaterturtle populations, protection of large Conference. <complexes of various wetland andterrestrial habitats is vital. Despite http://nytts.org/proceedings/prexisting laws and knowledge ofoverharvesting, imperiled turtle oceed.htm.> Accessed 13 November 2017. Ceballos, C.P. and L.A. Fitzgerald (2004). The trade in native and exotic turtles in Texas. Wildlife Society Bulletin 32:881-892. CITES (2000). Inclusion of Clemmys guttata in Appendix II. Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, 10-20 April 2000, Nairobi, Kenya. Dahl, T.E. (1990). Wetland losses in the United States, 1780s to 1980s. National Wetlands Inventory, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. 37

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Davidson, N.C. (2014). How much Gibbs, J.P. (1991). Importance of small wetlands for the persistence ofwetland has the world lost? local populations of wetland- associated animals. WetlandsLong-term and recent trends in 13(1):25-31.global wetland area. Marine and Gong, S.P., A.T. Chow, J.J. Fong and H. Shi (2009). The chelonianFreshwater Research 65(10):934- trade in the largest pet market in China: scale, scope and941. impact on turtle conservation. Oryx 43(2):213-216.Enneson, J.J. and J.D. Litzgus (2008). Government of Canada (2016).Using long-term data and a Wetlands. Environment and Climate Change, Canada.stage-classified matrix to assess <https://www.ec.gc.ca/eau- water>. Accessed 14 Octoberconservation strategies for an 2017.endangered turtle (Clemmys Haxton, T. and M. Berrill (1999). Habitat selectivity of Clemmysguttata). Biological Conservation guttata in central Ontario. Canadian Journal of Zoology141:1560-1568. 77(4):593-599.Ernst, C.H. (1976). Ecology of the Hu, S., Z. Niu, Y. Chen, L. Li and H. Zhang (2017). Global wetlands:Spotted Turtle, Clemmys guttata potential distribution, wetland loss, and status. Science of the(Reptilia, Testudines, Total Environment 586:319-327.Testudinidae), in Southeastern IUCN. (2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2017-Pennsylvania. Journal of 2).Herpetology 10(1):25-33.Ernst, C.H. and J.E. Lovich (2009).Turtles of the United States andCanada. Johns HopkinsUniversity Press, Baltimore,Maryland, USA.Gibbons, J.W. D.E. Scott, T.J. Ryan,T.D. Buhlmann, B.S. Metts, J.L.Greene, T. Mills, Y. Leiden, S.Poppy, and C.T. Winne (2000).The global decline of reptiles,deja vu amphibians. BioScience50:653-666. 38

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3<http://www.iucnredlist.org>. Mitsch, W.J. and J.G. Gosselink (2000). Wetlands. Third Edition. JohnAccessed 7 October 2017. Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, New York, USA.Jensen, K.A., and I. Das (2008). Nijman, V., C.R. Shepherd, Mumpuni,Cultural exploitation of K.L. Sander (2012). Over- exploitation and illegal trade offreshwater turtles in Sarawak, reptiles in Indonesia. The Herpetological Journal 22:83-89.Malaysan Borneo. Chelonian NRCS (2014). Restoring America’sConservation and Biology wetlands: a private lands conservation story. United States7(2):281-285. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., USA.Lovich, J.E. (1988). Geographic NYDEC (2017). Spotted turtle factvariation in the season activity sheet. <http://www.dec.ny.gov/animalcycle of spotted turtles, s/7150.html>. Accessed 14 October 2017.Clemmys guttata. Journal of Read, B.E. (1977). Chinese materiaHerpetology 22(4):482-485. medica: Turtle and shellfish drugs. Peking Natural HistoryLitzgus, J.D. and T.A. Mousseau (2004). Bulletin, Southern Materials Center, Inc., Taipei, Taiwan.Home range and seasonal Stevenson, D.J., J.B. Jenson, E.A.activity of southern spotted Schlimm and M. Moore (2015). The distribution, habitat use,turtles (Clemmys guttata): activity, and status of the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)implications for management. in Georgia. ChelonianCopeia 2004(4):804-817.Litzgus, J.D. (2006). Sex differences inlongevity in the spotted turtle(Clemmys guttata). Copeia 2006:281-288.Milam, J.C. and S.M. Melvin (2001).Density, habitat use,movements, and conservation ofspotted turtles (Clemmysguttata) in Massachusetts.Journal of Herpetology 35(3):418-427. 39

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 Conservation and Biology Services, Region 5, Hadley, 14(2):136-142.Sung, Y., N.E. Karraker and B.C.H. Hau Massachusetts, USA. (2013). Demographic evidence of illegal harvesting of an USFWS (2017). Species of Concern. endangered Asian turtle. Conservation Biology 27(6):1421- <https://www.fws.gov/midwest 1428.Tiner, R.W. (1984). Wetlands of the /es/soc/>. Accessed 13 October United States: current status and recent trends. USFWS, Ecological 2017. Wilson, T.P. (1994). Ecology of the spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata at the western range limit. Thesis, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, USA.About the AuthorAlissa Gulette is a wildlife biologist at West VirginiaUniversity, USA. She is pursuing her master’s degreeon the suitability of restored wetlands for freshwaterturtles in West Virginia, USA. Her passions lie inwetlands and herpetology. She enjoys hiking,kayaking, and exploring new places. 40

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 Biodiversity of Wetlands of Vadodara TalukaJagruti Rathod1, Amita Sankhwal, Shruti Shah and Deepa Gavali 1Email: [email protected] and large hot and dry in summers and Natural wetlands are one of the cold in winters. It receives maximum rainfall during the monsoon period.world’s most productive ecosystems Vadodara taluka has 105 villages andwhich support valuable biodiversity, being in semi-arid conditions, has oneincluding habitat diversity or pond in each village. In the past, theseheterogeneity (Laishangbam et al., ponds were important source of2005; Ramachandra et al., 2002). drinking water, irrigation andVegetation around and within wetlands bioresources like lotus. These pondsprovide shelter, feeding and resting also harness rich diversity in terms ofhabitats for molluscs, insects, reptiles flora and fauna especially theand amphibians. The ponds in urban migratory birds, due to its strategicareas are essential as nesting, feeding, position in Gujarat. Rapid urbanizationroosting and wintering habitats for and industrialization in the taluka haslarge number of bird species (Mathias altered the land use of the area withand Moyle, 1992) as well as other fauna more pressure on the wetlands. Foralso. Some species get adapted to some example Vadodara city had around 60forms of disturbances where humans ponds a century ago, but now only 30are regularly present without posing an wetlands exist (Patel et. al., 2008).immediate threat of harm (Weller, Thus, considering the pressure on the1999). wetlands, the present study was undertaken to document the Vadodara is one of the cultural biodiversity of wetlands withinand educational centers of Gujarat Vadodara taluka.state. Vadodara taluka is theindustrialized taluka within Vadodaradistrict. The climate of the region is by 41

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 The present paper comprises of ponds away from the urban influencethe compilation of data for about fifty were in good conditions and harnessedponds within the taluka. The status of rich biodiversity as compared to thethe ponds varied from oligotrophic– ponds within close proximity of themesotrophic- eutrophic conditions. The Vadodara-city.Fig.1 Wetlands of Vadodara district [(Source: National Wetland Atlas: Gujarat By SAC (ISRO), 2010)] 42

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Table 1. Types of wetlands & their extent, Vadodara Distriact, Gujarat State, IndiaWetland type Number Total Wetland Area % wetland area (w.r.t. total wetland(Only those with (Ha) area of the Statehaving area ≥2.25ha) 6.38 Inland Wetlands-Natural 3.71 62.81Lakes/Ponds 2 2270 14.79Waterlogged 12 1320 8.80 0.09River/Stream 26 22,332 96.59 Inland Wetlands-Man-made 1.88 0.03Reservoirs/Barrage 6 5257 1.90 98.49Tanks/Ponds 511 3129 100.00Waterlogged 1 31Total Inland 558 34339 Coastal Wetlands-NaturalIntertidal Mudflat 5 668Mangroves 1 9Total-Coastal 6 677Sub- 564 35016total(Inland+Coastal)Wetlands(<2.25ha), 1101 35553mainly tanks[(Source: National Wetland Atlas: Gujarat By SAC (ISRO), 2010)]Aquatic diversity systems and indicators of the status ofAquatic diversity for the studied water quality of the wetlands. In general, the cyanophyceae memberswetlands inclusive of floral and faunal were present in the wetlands where there was high degree of anthropogenicdiversity indicated presence of total activitiess.265 species. Among the aquatic hydrophytes, i.e. anchored floating, free-floating,The floral inventory included submerged and emergent macrophytes, around 39 species were reported (Tablephytoplankton (primary producers), 1). The presence of submerged species like Hydrilla, Utricularia and Charaaquatic macrophytes and vegetation in indicated the presence of good water quality with high transparency. Theclose vicinity of wetlands. A total of 48 sedges growing in the marshy area of the wetlands provided importantphytoplankton species representingChlorophyceae, Baccillariophyceae,Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceaemembers were recorded.Phytoplankton are known to be theprimary producers in the aquatic 43

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3habitats to the aquatic birds. In a Among the reptilian species vulnerable,similar study, Paritkh et al. (2015) had Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelonereported presence of 41 different elegans) was reported.aquatic species in the category of The faunal species includedmarshy emergent, free floating and threatened species as per the IUCNsubmerged hydrophytes. (2016) category (Table 1). TheyAmong the 64 plant species included five Near Threatened (NT) andgrowing in close vicinity of the four Vulnerable (VU) bird species. Thewetlands, 44 species represented the presence of good vegetation andherbaceous vegetation and 20 availability of food base like the fish,represented the tree species. The plankton and insects sustained thepresence of different tree species in threatened species. It was interestingthe banks of the wetlands provides the to record the presence of 75 nests ofroosting place for the birds. The Asian Openbills at Sisva village pondpresence of Alternanthera (Rathod et al., 2015) at a distance ofphiloxeroides near the wetlands was a just 5-10 km away from industrialmatter of concern as it is known to be areas. Jawla pond had a breeding pairexotic and invasive in nature with the of Sarus Crane and nesting wasproperties of replacing native reported by the locals.vegetation and forms a dense mat on Conclusionsthe ponds preventing water The biodiversity status in thepercolation. present study is based on the data of As far as faunal diversity is 50 wetlands, but the number wouldconcerned, a total of 112 species were vary when the compilation of all therecorded in the wetlands of Vadodara wetlands in the district would be done.taluka. These faunal species Though the area of wetlands variedrepresented 51 species of aquatic from 0.5 Ha to 5 Ha, the presence ofbirds, 2 species of reptiles, 3 species of aquatic vegetation and threatenedamphibian, 4 species of fish, 22 species species indicated the richness of theseof butterfly, 8 species of arthropods wetlands. These small ponds provideand insects and 5 species of mollusks. habitat to birds, including threatened 44

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3species. Thus, there is need to protect of aquatic weeds in two ponds ofthese wetlands for long termbiodiversity conservation. Vadodara, Gujarat. InternationalAcknowledgments Journal of Allied Practice,The authors are thankful toorganizations like MoEF & CC, New Research and Review. Vol II,Delhi and Gujarat Biodiversity Board,Gandhingar for funding different Issue I, p.n. 1-7.projects under which the present datawas compiled. Patel, D., Patel, P. and Dharaiya, N.References (2008). Impact of Migratory BirdsLaishangbam, S., Bhatt, D., and Sharma, on the Wetland Ecosystem with R. K. (2005). Habitat Heterogeneity of the Loktak lake, special reference to the Nutrient Manipur. Current Science, 88 (7): 1027-1028. Load and Primary Productivity ofMamta K. Joshi ,Rupesh Maurya , Umerfaruq Qureshi and Hitesh A. an Urban Wetland: A Preliminary Soalnki (2017). Checklist of flowering plants surrounding the Study. In : “Conservation and wetlands in Vadodara district. Int. J. Adv. Res. 5(1): 336-348. Restoration of Lakes” Edited byMathias, M. E. and Moyle, P. (1992). Wetland and Aquatic Habitats. Choubey V. K., Singh R. D., Singh Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 42: 165-176. O. and Sharma M. K.. NationalParikh Punita, Krupa Unadkat and Padamnabhi Nagar (2015). Study Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee- 247667, (Uttarakhand) India. Rathod Jagruti, Amita Sankhwal, Nisha Singh and Deepa Gavali (2015). “Asian Openbill nesting at Sisva, near Vadodara. Flamingo, Newsletter of the Bird Conservation Society, Gujarat, October- December, Vol. XIII 4 pp.15. Weller, M. W. (1999). Wetland birds: habitat resources and conservation implications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 45

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3 (a)(b) (c)(e) (d) Glimpses of Avian Diversity at Wetlands of Vadodara[(a) Spoon bill, little cormorant, river tern, and lapwing (b) Nests of Open bill stork, (c)Sarus crane (d) Wooly neck stork eats snake (e) Bronze wing jacana with reeds] 46

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Annexure I: Check-list of floral species in/ around wetlands of Vadodara TalukaSpecies name Species nameChlorophyceaeAchnanthes sp. Herbaceous vegetation near the wetlandsActinastrum sp. Alternanthera paronychioidesAnacystis sp. Ammania baccifera L.Ankistrodesmus sp. Bacopa monnieri Linn.Asterionella sp. Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) PallaCalothrix sp. Coix lachryma-jobi Linn.Chlorella sp. Cyanotis axillarisChlorococcum sp. Cyperus michelianus subsp. pygmaeus (Rottb.) Asch. & Graebn.Closterium sp. Desmostachya bippinata (Linn) stafpCosmarium sp. Dichantium annulatumDebyra sp. Digitaria sanguinalis LHydrodictyon sp. Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Manf.Mougeotia sp. Enicostema littorale Bl.Nodularia sp. Euphorbia parviflora L.Oedogonium sp. Evolvulus nummulariusPalmella sp. Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) VahlPalmodictyon sp. Glinus oppositifolius (L.) A. DCPediastram duplex Gnaphalium luteo-album L.Pediastram simplex Grangea maderaspatana (L.) Desf.Scenedesmus dimorphus Heliotropium indicum L.Scenedesmus quadricauda Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) HeineSpirogyra sp. Hygroriza aristata (Retzius) Nees ex WrightStaurastrum sp. Hymenachne acutigluma (Steudel) GillilandUlothrix sp. Laphangium luteoalbum (L.) Tzvelev (Syn. Gnaphalium luteo-album L.)Uroglenopsis sp. Lindernia antipoda (L.) Alston synVolvox sp. Lindernia crustacea(L.) F. Muell.Zygnema sp. Ludwigia perennis L.Baccillariophyceae Ludwigia octavalvis (Jacquin) RavenFragillaria sp. Ludwigia parvifloraCaloneis sp. Ludwigia perennis L.Compylodiscus Marsilea quadrofoliaCoscinoiscus sp. Oldenia procumbens L.Cymbella sp. Ottelia alismoides (L.)Gomphonema sp. Oxalis corniculataNavicula sp. Paspalum vaginatum Sw.Nitzchia sp. Peristrophe paniculata (Forssk.) Brummitt 47

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Pinnularia sp. Phyla nodiflora (L.) GreeneSynedra sp. Polygonum plebeium R. Br.Cyanophyceae Scirpus ciliaris L.Anabaena sp. Scirpus littoralis Auct.Anacystis sp. Sphaeranthus indicus L.Chroococcus sp. Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) SchleidGleotricha sp. Stemodia viscosaLyngbya sp Tamarix dioica Roxb. ex RothMerismopedia sp. Imperata cylindricaOccillatoria sp.Rivularia sp. Trees growing in close vicinity of the wetlandsSpirulina sp. Acacia nilotica (L.) Del.Euglenophyceae Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.Euglena sp. Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.Phacus sp. Annona squamosa L.Fixed floating Anthocephelos indicus A. Rich.Ipomea fistulosa Mart. ex Choisy Azadirachta indica A. Juss.Nymphaea pubscens Cordia dichotoma G. Forst.Nymphaea stellata Willd. Ficus benghalensis L.Nymphea nouchali Ficus religiosa L.Nymphoides hydrophylla (Loureiro) O Holoptelea integrefolia Planch.kuntzeSubmerged Mangifera indica L.Ceratophyllum demersum L. Mimusops hexandra Roxb.Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle Morus alba L.Utricularia sp Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) BenthChara sp Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce.Floating Prosopis juliflora (L.) DruceEichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms Streblus asper Lour.Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Syzygium cumini SkeelsHeineHygroriza aristata (Retzius) Nees ex Tamarindus indica L.WrightIpomea aquatica Forssk. Terminalia cattapaLemna minorLemna verticellata Hegelm. Wadhvana-A Nationally ImporantLimnophyton obtusifolium (L.) Miq. Wetland in Vadodara DistNeptunia oleracea Lour. Fl.Spirodella .EmergentAeschynomene indica L 48Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.)Griseb.Caesulia axillaris Roxb.

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.3Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott . A View of Wadhvana Wetland, Vadodara Dist.Marsilea aegyptica WilldenowMarsilea quadrifolia L.Persicaria glabra (Willd.) M. Gomez(Syn. Polygonum glabrum Willd.)Typha angustataSedgesCyperus brevifolius Rottb. (Syn.Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb.)Cyperus compressus L.Cyperus corymbosus Rottb.Cyperus difformis L.Cyperus esculentus L.Cyperus iria Linn.Cyperus kyllingia Endl.Cyperus rotundus L.Eleocharis sp.Ischaemum rugosum Salisb.Saccharum spontaneumSchoenoplectus juncoides (Roxb.)PallaAnnexure 2: Check-list of fauna in/around wetlands in Vadodara Taluka Birds Scientific name1 Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans2 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus3 Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus4 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica5 Red-naped ibis Pseudibis papillosa6 Black winged stilt Himantopus himantopus7 Blck tailed Godwit Limosa limosa8 Bronze winged Jacana Metopidius indicus9 Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis10 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis11 Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos12 Common coot Fulica atra13 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus14 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos15 Cotton Pigmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus16 Darter Anhinga anhinga17 Eurasian Thick knee Burhinus grallarius18 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellu19 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea20 Great Egret Ardea alba 49

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.7, No.321 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii22 Indian Spot-bill duck Anas poecilorhyncha23 Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica24 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger25 Little egret Egretta garzetta26 Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis27 little ringed plover Charadrius dubius28 Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia29 Northen Pintail Anus acuta30 Oriental White ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus31 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala32 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus33 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis34 Purple heron Ardea purpurea35 Purple Moorhen Porphyrio prphyrio36 Red rump Swallow Hirundo daurica37 Red wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus38 River tern Sterna aurantia39 Sarus Crane Grus antigone40 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis41 Eurasian Spoon bill Platalea leucorodia42 Spotted sandpiper Actitis macularius43 Water Cock Gallicrex cinerea44 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus45 white breasted water hen Amaurornis phoenicurus46 White throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis47 White wagtail Motacilla alba48 Wire tailed swallow Hirundo smithii49 Wooly neck stork Ciconia episcopus50 Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava51 Yellow-wattled lapwing Vanellus malabaricus Reptiles52 Green snake Macropisthodon plumbicolor53 King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah Amphibia Hoplobatrachus tigerinus54 Frog Testudines55 Fresh water turtle Geochelone elegans56 Indian Star Tortoise Catla catla Fish Mystus sp.57 Catla Cirrhinus mrigala58 dok Labeo rohita59 Mrigal/wagri/Naini Butterflies60 Rohu/bavas/rai Catopsilia pomona Terias hecabe61 Common emigrant Cepora nerissa62 Common Grass Yellow Euploea core63 Common gull Delias eucharis64 Common Indian crow65 common Jezebel 50