Morphological and molecular description of a new species of sandfly,Sergentomyia(Neophlebotomus)ashwanii sp.nov.(Diptera:Psychodidae)from Western Ghats,India

Objective:To report a new species of sandfly,Sergentomyia(Neophlebotomus)ashwanii sp.nov.(Diptera:Psychodidae)from Western Ghats,India.Methods:A systematic sandfly survey was conducted in the Thrissur and Kollam districts of Kerala,India using mechanical aspirators,light and sticky traps,both indoor and outdoor habitats,for a period of one year.Deoxyribonucleic acid barcoding of samples was performed targeting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I(COI)gene and sequence generated was subjected to phylogenetic analysis.Results:Sergentomyia(Neophlebotomus)ashwanii,a new sandfly species is recorded and described in this communication.A single row of 10-12 pointed teeth in the cibarium with 4-6 small denticles or fore-teeth are the key characteristics that is distinctive from other members of the subgenus Neophlebotomus.Mitochondrial COI barcode followed by phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence confirms that specimens of the species belong to the same taxonomic group while the genetic distance(14.2%)with the congeners established it to be a different species.Conclusions:The Western Ghats'being an important biodiversity hotspot and has dearth of systematic entomological surveys on sandflies.The current study tried to fill the void and also report a new sandfly species.

Assessment of soil erosion in a tropical mountain river basin of the southern Western Ghats,India using RUSLE and GIS

Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation(RUSLE) model coupled with transport limited sediment delivery(TLSD) function was used to predict the longtime average annual soil loss, and to identify the critical erosion-/deposition-prone areas in a tropical mountain river basin, viz., Muthirapuzha River Basin(MRB; area=271.75 km^2), in the southern Western Ghats, India. Mean gross soil erosion in MRB is 14.36 t ha^(-1) yr^(-1), whereas mean net soil erosion(i.e., gross erosion-deposition) is only 3.60 t ha^(-1) yr^(-1)(i.e., roughly 25% of the gross erosion). Majority of the basin area(~86%) experiences only slight erosion(<5 t ha^(-1) yr^(-1)), and nearly 3% of the area functions as depositional environment for the eroded sediments(e.g., the terraces of stream reaches, the gentle plains as well as the foot slopes of the plateau scarps and the terrain with concordant summits). Although mean gross soil erosion rates in the natural vegetation belts are relatively higher, compared to agriculture, settlement/built-up areas and tea plantation, the sediment transport efficiency in agricultural areas and tea plantation is significantly high,reflecting the role of human activities on accelerated soil erosion. In MRB, on a mean basis, 0.42 t of soil organic carbon(SOC) content is being eroded per hectare annually, and SOC loss from the 4th order subbasins shows considerable differences, mainly due to the spatial variability in the gross soil erosion rates among the sub-basins. The quantitative results, on soil erosion and deposition, modelled using RUSLE and TLSD, are expected to be beneficial while formulating comprehensive land management strategies for reducing the extent of soil degradation in tropical mountain river basins.

Sapphirine granulites from Panasapattu,Eastern Ghats belt,India:Ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism in a Proterozoic convergent plate margin

We report equilibrium sapphirine ＋ quartz assemblage in biotite-orthopyroxene-garnet granulites from a new locality in Panasapattu of Paderu region in the Eastern Ghats granulite belt, which provide new evidence for ultrahigh-temperature （UHT） metamorphism at 1030-1050 ℃ and 10 kbar in this region. The development of migmatitic texture, stabilization of the garnet-orthopyroxene- plagioclase-K-feldspar association, prograde biotite inclusions within garnet and sapphirine as well as sapphirine and cordierite inclusions within garnet in these granulites indicate that the observed peak assemblages probably formed during prograde dehydration melting of a Bt-Sill-Qtz assemblage, and constrain the prograde stage of the p--T path. The core domains of orthopyroxene porphyroblasts have up to w（Al203） 9.6%, which suggest that the temperatures reached up to 1150 ~C suggesting extreme crustal metamorphism. These conditions were also confirmed by the garnet-orthopyroxene thermobar- ometery, which yields a p--T range of 1012--960 ~C and 9.4 kbar. The p--T phase topologies computed using isochemical sections calculated in the model system Na20-CaO-K20--FeO-MgO-A1203-SiO2 --H2O （NCKFMASH） for metapelites, garnet-free sapphirine granulites and garnet-bearing sapphirine granulites match the melt-bearing assemblages observed in these rocks. Isochemical sections constructed in the NCKFMASH system for an average sub-aluminous metapelite bulk composition, and contoured for modal proportions of melt and garnet, as well as for the compositional isopleths of garnet, predict phase and reaction relations that are consistent with those observed in the rocks. Garnet and orthopyroxene contain Ti-rich phlogopite inclusions, suggesting formation by prograde melting reactions at the expense of phlogopite during ultrahigh-temperature conditions. These p--T results underestimate ＇peak＇ condi- tions, in part as a result of the modification of garnet compositions in the domains where some melt was retained. The post-peak evolution is constrained by a succession of melt-present reactions that occur at p 〈 10 kbar, inferred from micro-structural relations among various minerals. After high-temperature decompression from the metamorphic peak, the p--T path followed a near isobaric cooling stage to T 〈 900℃. The UHT rocks investigated in this study occur within a continental collision suture which witnessed prolonged subduction-accretion history prior to the final collision. We correlate the extreme metamorphism and the stabilization of UHT mineral assemblages to heat and volatile input from an upwelled asthenosphere during subduction--collision tectonics in a Proterozoic convergent plate margin.

Distribution of Pill Millipedes (Arthrosphaera) and Associated Soil Fauna in the Western Ghats and West Coast of India

Seven sampling sites in each of three biomes (Western Ghats, foothills of Western Ghats and west coast) of south- western India were investigated to study the distribution, abundance and ecology of pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera) and associated fauna in relation to edaphic features. Abundance and biomass of Arthrosphaera and other millipedes were the highest in Western Ghats, while earthworms were in foothills. Arthrosphaera magna and Arthrosphaera spp. were common in Western Ghats and foothills respectively, while no Arthrosphaera were found in the west coast. None of the sampling sites consisted of more than one species of Arthrosphaera. Biomass of Arthrosphaera, other millipedes and earthworms significantly differed in Western Ghats (P = 9.48 × 10-7) and foothills (P = 1.35 × 10-8), as did the biomass of species of Arthrosphaera (P = 2.76 × 10-7) between Western Ghats and foothills. Correlation analysis revealed that biomass of Arthrosphaera was significantly (P = 0.01, r = 0.45) correlated with soil organic carbon rather than other edaphic fea- tures (pH, phosphate, calcium and magnesium). Distribution pattern, abundance, biomass and ecology of Arthrosphaera of Western Ghats in relation to soil qualities were compared with millipedes of other regions of the world.

Structure and floristic composition of tree stand in tropical forest in the Eastern Ghats of northern Andhra Pradesh, India

The changes in species composition, abundance and forest stand structure were analyzed across altitudinal regimes in tropical forests of Eastern Ghats of northern Andhra Pradesh, India. Three 1-ha plots were established with one each in low, medium and high altitudes. A total of 153 species, 2129 stems （709 stems .ha^-1） of ≥10 cm girth were enumerated. Species richness and diversity pattern varied along altitudinal gradient and increased with the altitude. Species richness varied from 52 to 110 species-ha^-1 and stand density from 639 to 836 stems.ha^-1 with average basal area of 34.39 m^2.ha^-1. Shannon-Wiener index （H＇） ranged from 4.55 to 5.17. Low altitude （i.e., Site 1） is dominated byXylia xylocarpa （59.22） and Lagerstroemia parviflora （23.90）, medium altitude （i.e., Site 2） by Xylia xylocarpa （45;50） Bursera serrata （17.29）, and high altitude （i.e., Site 3） has Schleichera oleosa （28.25） Pterocarpus marsupium （26.55） as predominant species. Taxonomically, Rubiaceae （12 species）, Fabaceae （12）, Euphorbiaceae （11）, Rutaceae （7） and Lanraceae （7） were dominant families. Density-wise, Fabaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Anacardiaceae and Myrtaceae were abundant. Thus, conservation assessment based on altitudinal regimes and the information on species structure and function can provide baseline information for monitoring and sustaining the biodiversity.

Post-fire soil nutrient dynamics in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Western Ghats,India

Background: The effect of forest fire on soil is complex and relatively less understood than its above ground effect.Understanding the effect of fire on forest soils can allow improving management of valuable forest ecosystems as adequate and proper information is very important for efficient management. We have studied the recovery of soil properties after fire, using a chronosequence approach(two, five and fifteen years after fire and control). Soil samples were collected from each plot of four fire patches(B0, B2, B5 & B15) from three different depths viz. 0–10(Top), 10–20(Middle), and 20–30 cm(Bottom).Results: Soil organic carbon was lower than unburned plots after the fire and could not recover to the level of unburned plot(B0) even in 15 years. Total N, available P, and extractable K were lower 2-years and 5-years after the fire but are higher than unburned plot after 15-years. Available nitrogen(NO_3^- and NH_4^+) remain unchanged or higher than B0 in burned patches. Soil pH, Bulk Density, Water Holding Capacity, and Electrical Conductivity was lower initially after the fire. Forest fires have affected soil properties considerably. The response of soil properties varied with years after fire and soil depth.Conclusion: Forest fires occur very frequently in the study area. Significant quantities of carbon and total nitrogen are lost to the atmosphere by burning of litter, duff, and soil OM. Because nitrogen is one of the most important soil nutrients, the recapture of N lost by volatilization during a fire must receive special attention. Long-term studies are required to better understand the recovery of soil nitrogen.

Differences in Tree Species Diversity and Soil Nutrient Status in a Tropical Sacred Forest Ecosystem on Niyamgiri Hill Range,Eastern Ghats,India

We have quantitatively analyzed the tree species diversity with respect to soil nutrient status in three sites of a sacred forest ecosystem of Niyamgiri hill range, Eastern Ghats, India. Extensive field surveys and sampling were conducted in 3 sites of the hill range： Site 1 Pterocarpus dominated forest （PTF） （19°40＇02.2＇＇ N and 83°21＇23.1＇＇ E）, Site 2 Mangifera dominated forest （MAF） （19°40＇02.8＇＇ N and 83°21＇40.8＇＇ E） and Site 3 Mixed forest （MIF） （19°36＇47.1＂ N and 83°21＇02.7＇＇ E）. A total of 28 families, 42 genera, 46 tree species, and 286 individual trees were recorded on an area of0.6 ha. Tree density varied between 470 and 49o individuals ha and average basal area between 3.16 and l0.04 m2 ha-1. Shannon Index （H＇） ranged from 2.34 to 4.53, Simpson＇s Index ranged from 0.07 to o.09, and equitability Index ranged from 0.7 to 1.34. The number of individuals was highest in the girth at breast height （GBH） class of 50-7o cm. The soil nutrient status of the three forest types was related to tree species diversity. The soil pH value of the three sites reflected the slightly acidic nature of the area. Species diversity was positively correlated with organic carbon and phosphorus and negatively with nitrogen, EC and pH. The results of the current study may be helpful to further develop a conservation planfor tree species in tropical sacred forest ecosystems.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in some commonly occurring medicinal plants of Western Ghats,Goa region

Thirty-six medicinal plant species belonging to 25 families were surveyed to study Arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungal diversity from different localities of North and South Goa of Western Ghats, Goa region, India. A total of 30 medicinal plant species were found to be mycorrhizal and six plant species showed absence of AM fungal colonization. Forty two AM fungal species belonging to five genera viz., Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Gigaspora and Ambispora were recovered from the rhizosphere soil. Glomus was found to be the most dominant genera in the study sites, and Glomus fasciculatum the most dominant AM fungal species. Negative significant correlation was observed between percent colonization and spore density. Simpson＇s and Shannon Weiner diversity index studies carried out in North and South Goa exhibited less variation in both the sites, indicating a stable and a diverse plant community.

Nutrient composition of pill millipede manure of the Western Ghats, India

Nutrient composition of the manure of four pill millipedes （Arthrosphaera dalyi, ,4. davisoni, ,4. fumosa and,4, magna） inhabiting in semi-evergreen forests and plantations of the Western Ghats of Southwest India was evaluated. The quantity and quality of fecal pellets differed between millipedes and their habitats （forest and plantation）. Organic carbon content in manure was lower in plantations than in forests, while nitrogen content was elevated in plantations. The carbon to nitrogen （C/N） ratio of manure was lower in plantations compared to forests. The phosphorus content in manure was elevated in plantations in all except for A. dalyi. Calcium content of manure was increased in plantations than in forests. The contents of magnesium, potassium and phenolics in manure showed varied results. The mass of fecal pellets was correlated only with volume in forests （r=0.882; p 〈0.01） and pH in plantations （r=0.616; p 〈0.05）, while the volume of fecal pellets was correlated with nitrogen content in forests （r=0.751; p 〈0.01） and cal- cium in plantations （=0.619; p 〈0.05）. The conductivity was positively correlated with phosphorus and potassium, while magnesium was negatively correlated in forests as well as plantations. Potassium and magnesium were negatively correlated in forests （r=0.920; p〈0.001） and plantations （t=0.692; p 〈0.05）. Overall, the physicochemical characteristics and nutrient composition of fecal pelets differed between millipedes as well as habitats. The low carbon to nitrogen ratio and the increased nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium content in the manure of millipedes inhabiting in plantations indicates possibilities for successfully employing them for in situ composting of forest or plantation residues.

Diversity, distribution and resource values of woody climbers in tropical forests of southern Eastern Ghats, India

We investigated the distribution and resource values of liana species assessed in six hill complexes of southern Eastern Ghats, India. 143 liana species （DBH （diameter at breast height） ≥1.5 cm） and 32,033 liana individuals were recorded from 110 transects （0.5 ha each covering 55 ha area） in the study sites. The resource values of lianas were broadly categorized into ecological and economic importance. About 90% （129） of liana species and 96% （30,564） of liana individuals were established ecological/economic values. Fruit rewards provided by 76 species and 20,325 individuals constituted the major resource of ecological importance. 82 species and 21,457 liana individuals are of economic importance as medicine, edible fruits, edible and medicinal values, and yet others are used for different domestic purposes including furniture, fuel wood, rope making etc.. Ecologically, the prevalence of succulent diaspores in lianas of Indian Eastern Ghats indicates the animal dependence of many liana species for dispersal and underlines the need for a holistic and whole-forest conservation approach in maintaining forest biodiversity.

Structure and floristic composition of old-growth wet evergreen forests of Nelliampathy Hills, Southern Western Ghats

We analyze the structure and composition of old-growth wet evergreen forest of Nelliampathy hills, the chain of hills lying immediately south of Palghat Gap, in the southern Western Ghats of India. We sampled 30 plots of 0.1 ha each （50 m × 20 m） at six locations enumerating all plants ？ 10 cm girth at breast height. We pooled the data and computed various structural parameters. There were 152 species of 120 genera and 51 families of the study area. Of these, 118 （77%） were trees, 24 were climbers （16%） and 10 were shrubs （7%）. Species richness varied from 58–99 per 0.5 ha sample and Shannon indices of diversity ranged from 4.4 to 5.2. Fifty-nine per cent （89 species） of the species were Indian Sub-continent elements and 34% （51 species） are endemic to the Western Ghats. Fifteen species are listed in various threat categories. Aglaia and Litsea were the most species-rich genera. Numbers of families ranged from 27–43 per 0.5 ha sample. Euphorbiaceae and Lauraceae were the most species-rich families. Stand density varied from 1714 to 2244 stems·ha？1 and basal area from 53.6 to 102.1 m2·ha？1. The vegetation was dominated by 3–6 species and six dominance patterns characterized the species composition within the hill complex. The old-growth evergreen forests of Nelliampathy exist as small fragments rich in biodiversity and can be used as benchmarks for comparison with disturbed forests.

Edge effects on plant diversity in tropical forest ecosystems at Periyar Wildlife sanctuary in the Western Ghats of India

Forest resource conservation has been widely accepted as a key to sustain the local and regional economic development. The forest edges are affected by anthropogenic activities including deforestation, forest fragmentation, selective logging, extraction of non-timber forest products, collection of medicinal plants, recreations, hydroelectric pro- jects and its associated developmental activities, which alter the biodiver- sity. The present study intends to evaluate the edge effect on vegetation structure and species compositions in the tropical forest ecosystems at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats. High species richness （number of species） and Shannon＇s diversity indices were observed in the site IlI （completely undisturbed forest） compared to site I （adjacent to the village/edge of the forest, which is next to the teal（ plantation, severely disturbed forest） and site II （in between the undisturbed forest and mod- erately disturbed forest） while density of tree species showed greater value in site II. Single species such as Tectona grandis （IVI of 80） and Terminaliapaniculata （IVI of 112） were the dominant tree species in site I and site II, respectively, whereas, in site III Terminalia bellirica, Bishofia javanica and Syzgium gardneri shared the dominance. Perturba- tion leads to alien plant invasion particularly Lantana camara, Eupato- rium odoratum and Ageratum conizoides. Site II is at forest transition level because the site is dominated by both natural species as well as plantation species such as Tectona grandis. This site seems to be a buffer zone on natural forest and plantations. Further studies are required to analyse the real patterns of regeneration and dynamic change due to human impact by long term monitoring with the establishment of perma- nent plots.

Sensitivity of digital elevation models:The scenario from two tropical mountain river basins of the Western Ghats,India

The paper evaluates sensitivity of various spaceborne digital elevation models （DEMs）, viz., Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer （ASTER）, Shuttle Radar Topography Mapping Mission （SRTM） and Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data 2010 （GMTED）, in comparison with the DEM （TOPO） derived from contour data of 20 m interval of Survey of India topographic sheets of 1 ： 50,000 scale. Several topographic attributes, such as elevation （above mean sea level）, relative relief, slope, aspect, curvature, slope-length and -steepness （LS） factor, terrain ruggedness index （TRI）, topo- graphic wetness index （TWI）, hypsometric integral （lhyp） and drainage network attributes （stream number and stream length） of two tropical mountain river basins, viz. Muthirapuzha River Basin and Pambar River Basin are compared to evaluate the variations. Though the basins are comparable in extent, they differ in respect of terrain characteristics and climate. The result.,; suggest that ASTER and SRTM provide equally reliable representation of topography portrayed by TOP（） and the topographic attributes extracted from the spaceborne DEMs are in agreement with those derived from TOPO. Despite the coarser resolution, SRTM shows relatively higher vertical accuracy （RMSE -- 23 and 20 m respectively in MRB and PRB） compared to ASTER （RMSE - 33 and 24 m） and GMTED （RMSE - 59 and 48 m）. Vertical accuracy of all the spaceborne DEMs is influenced by relief of the terrain as well as type of vegetation. Further, GMTED shows significant deviation for most of the attributes, indicating its inability for mountain-river-basin-scale studies.

Non-mycorrhizal fungal endophytes in two orchids of Kaiga forest(Western Ghats), India

We used standard isolation protocols to explore the endophytic fungal communities in three tissue types of two dominant orchids （Bulbophyllum neilgherrense and Vanda testacea） of the Kaiga forest of the Western Ghats. We surface sterilized and assessed 90 segments of each orchid for the occurrence and diversity of endophytic fungal taxa. The 118 fungal isolates were obtained from root, bulb and leaves of B. neilgherrense, consisting of 17 anamorphic taxa （range, 10-15 taxa） with 1.3 fungal taxa per segment （range, 1.2-1.4 taxa）. Four taxa （Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium sp. and morpho sp. 1） belonged to the core group （11.1%--32.2%）. The relative abundance of A. flavus and morpho sp. 1 was more than 10%. A total of 130 fungal isolates from roots, stems and leaves of V. testacea yielded 20 anamorphic taxa （range, 11-15 taxa） with 1.4 fungal taxa per segment （range, 1.4-1.5 taxa）. Aspergillusflavus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, Gliocladium viride, Penicillium sp. and morpho sp. 1 belonged to the core group. Relative abundance exceeded 10% for A. flavus, A. niger, and morpho sp. 1. The Simpson and Shannon diversity indices were higher in leaf than root or bulb/stem of both orchids. Jaccard＇s similarity coefficient was higher between root and leaf in both orchids （56.3%-60%） than between other pairs. Our study revealed that the endophytic fungal assemblage and diversity orB. neilgherrense and E testacea of Kaiga forest of the Western Ghats were relatively similar between orchids and their tissues.

Bioinventory and documentation of traditional ecological knowledge of wild edible fruits of Kodagu-Western Ghats, India

Forty-five species of wild edible fruits were identified and traditional local knowledge of their usage was recorded in 40 villages of Kodagu district in Central Western Ghats, India one of the eight top hotspots of biodiversity in the world. We combined biodiversity inven-tory of trees with village interviews to record traditional ecological knowledge. Wild edible fruits were an opportunistic source of food for rural people. Wild edible fruits were rich in minerals, vitamins, carbohy-drates, proteins, fats and fiber. In recent years there has been a decline in numbers of wild fruit trees due to changes in land use from uncultivated private wooded area to cardamom and coffee cultivation. The availability of wild edible fruits that were once very common on private cultivated areas has declined and their distributions are now restricted more to jungles and wildlife sanctuaries. We propose methods for conservation and describe the need for sustainable utilization to provide supplemen-tary sources of nutritional and pharmaceutically useful edible wild fruits.

Ancient terrane boundaries as probable seismic hazards: A case study from the northern boundary of the Eastern Ghats Belt, India

In the eastern part of the Indian shield, late Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of the Talchir Basin lie precisely along a contact of Neoproterozoic age between granulites of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt （EGMB） and amphibolite facies rocks of the Rengali Province. At present, the northern part of the basin experiences periodic seismicity by reactivation of faults located both within the basin, and in the Rengali Province to the north. Detailed gravity data collected across the basin show that Bouguer anomalies decrease from the EGMB （~＋15 mGal）, through the basin （^-10 mGal）, into the Rengali Province （^-15 mGal）. The data are consistent with the reportedly uncompensated nature of the EGMB, and indicate that the crust below the Rengali Province has a cratonic gravity signature. The contact between the two domains with distinct sub-surface structure, inferred from gravity data, coincides with the North Orissa Boundary Fault （NOBF） that defines the northern boundary of the Talchir Basin. Post-Gondwana faults are also localized along the northern margin of the basin, and present-day seismic tremors also have epicenters close to the NOBF. This indicates that the NOBF was formed by reactivation of a Neo- proterozoic terrane boundary, and continues to be susceptible to seismic activity even at the present-day.

Assessment of tree diversity and above-ground biomass in coffee agroforest dominated tropical landscape of India's Central Western Ghats

The purpose of this study was to quantify the changes in tree diversity and above-ground biomass associated with six land-use types in Kodagu district of India's Western Ghats. We collected data on species richness,composition and above-ground biomass(AGB) of trees,shrubs and herbs from 96 sample plots of 0.1 ha. Totals of83 species from 26 families were recorded across the landuses. Tree species richness, diversity and composition were significantly higher in evergreen forest(EGF) than in other land-uses. Similarly, stem density and basal area were greater in EGF compared to other land-uses. Detrended correspondence analysis(DCA) yielded three distinct groups along the land-use intensities and rainfall gradient on the first and second axes, respectively. The first DCA axis accounted for 45% and second axis for 35% of the total variation in species composition. Together the first two axes accounted for over 2/3 of the variation in species composition across land-use types. Across the land-uses,AGB ranged from 58.6 Mg ha-1 in rubber plantation to327.3 Mg ha-1 in evergreen forest. Our results showed that species diversity and AGB were negatively impacted bythe land-use changes. We found that coffee agroforests resembled natural forest and mixed species plantation in terms of tree diversity and biomass production, suggesting that traditional coffee farms can help to protect tree species, sustain smallholder production and offer opportunities for conservation of biodiversity and climate change mitigation.

Diversifying on the Ark:multiple new endemic lineages of dwarf geckos from the Western Ghats provide insights into the systematics and biogeography of South Asian Cnemaspis(Reptilia:Squamata)

The highly speciose gekkonid genus Cnemaspis Strauch,1887 is polyphyletic,with three distantly related and geographically isolated clades from Africa,South Asia(SA),and Southeast Asia.At present,there are 85 known species within SA Cnemaspis,although the number continues to increase rapidly with focused surveys and rigorous taxonomic work.Recent studies have provided valuable insights into the diversity and evolutionary history of SA Cnemaspis;however,most of these studies lack sufficient sampling in the Western Ghats(WG),where the genus has its greatest diversity.We addressed this research gap by conducting extensive sampling across the WG and re-examining museum specimens,thus providing a systematic account of various extant Cnemaspis species along with their distribution and natural history.We described 12 new species and a southern WG endemic clade of SA Cnemaspis.Ten of the newly described species are endemic to the forests of the southern WG.We also identified 10 well-supported subclades that can be separated across morphological,geographic,and phylogenetic axes.A time-calibrated phylogeny and ancestral area reconstructions confirmed the Paleocene origin of SA Cnemaspis in the WG and provide insights into its evolutionary history and biogeography.The discovery of multiple endemic and deeply divergent lineages further highlights the evolutionary significance of the WG for lizards.

Diversity of soil fungi in dry deciduous forest of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary,Western Ghats of southern India

Abstract： We assessed soil fungal diversity in the dry deciduous forest ofa Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary of the Western Ghats （210.31 m a.s.1.; N 13044＇ and E75°37′）. Soil samples were collected by random mixed sampling during winter （November, 2008）, summer （March, 2009） and monsoon （August, 2009） seasons, and physico-chemical parameters were recorded. During winter, summer, and monsoon seasons, 49, 45 and 49 of fungal species belongs to 20, 18 and 19 of genera were isolated, respectively. Isolated soil fungi were mainly of the Mitosporic fungi, followed by Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina, Oomycotina and Coelomycetes. Indices of diversity, dominance and fisher alpha during winter, summer and monsoon seasons were 3.756, 3.638 and 3.738 （H）, 0.9737, 0.9694 and 0.9726 （I-D） and 18.84, 29.83 and 19.46 （a）, respectively. Spear- man＇s （r） correlation coefficient of fungal population with physicochemical parameters of soils showed significantly positive and negative correlations （p〈0.01） during winter, summer and monsoon seasons. Physico-chemical soil parameters played an important role in the occurrence, diversity, distribution, and relative abundance of fungal species in the tropical dry deciduous forest soil.

Riparian Vegetation Dynamics Across Two Different Landscapes Along the River Cauvery in the Kodagu Region of Western Ghats

Decades of commercial planting and other anthropogenic processes are posing a threat to the riparian landscapes of the Cauvery river basin, which supports a high floral diversity. Despite this, the habitats in the upstream sections of the River Cauvery are still intact, as they are located in sacred groves. To understand the dynamism of riparian forests exposed to anthropogenic pressures, the upstream stretch of Cauvery extending from Kushalanagara to Talacauvery （~102 km） was categorized into two landscapes： agro ecosystem and sacred （i.e. preserved）. The tree species were sampled using belt transects at 5 km intervals and the regeneration status of endemic species assessed using quadrats. A total of 128 species belonging to 47 families, and representing 1,590 individuals, was observed. Amongst them, 65% of unique species were exclusive to sacred landscapes. A rarefaction plot confirmed higher species richness for the sacred compared to the agro ecosystem landscapes, and diversity indices with more evenness in distribution were evident in sacred landscapes. A significant loss of endemic tree species in the agro ecosystem landscapes was found. Overall, this study demonstrates that an intense biotic pressure in terms of plantations and other anthropogenic activities have altered the species composition of the riparian zone in non-sacred areas. A permanent policy implication is required for the conservation of riparian buffers to avoid further ecosystem degradation and loss of biodiversity.