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conservation globally
Building evidence for
Journal of
Threatened
Taxa
Open Access
10.11609/jott.2022.14.1.20311-20538
www.threatenedtaxa.org
26 January 2022 (Online & Print)
14(1): 20311–20538
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online)
ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
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Caption: Cyrtodactylus myintkyawthurai, endemic to Myanmar. Medium: Water colours on watercolor sheet. © Aakanksha Komanduri
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2022 | 14(1): 20461–20468
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) OPEN
ACCESS
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6762.14.1.20461-20468
#6762 | Received 02 October 2020 | Final received 29 September 2021 | Finally accepted 04 January 2022
COMMUNICATION
Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw (Macronyx sharpei Jackson, 1904)
around the grasslands of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua, Kenya
Hamisi Ann Risper 1 , Charles M. Warui 2 & Peter Njoroge 3
1
Department of Biological Science, Mount Kenya University, PO BOX 342-01000, Thika, Kenya.
2
School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Murang’a University of Technology, PO BOX 75-10200, Murang’a, Kenya.
3
Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, PO BOX 40658- 00100 Nairobi, Kenya.
1
risperhamisi@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 cmwarui@yahoo.com, 3 pnjoroge@museums.or.ke
Abstract: Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei is an endangered Kenyan endemic bird restricted to high-altitude grasslands with long
tussocks. The species occurs on the grasslands surrounding Lake Ol’Bolossat in Nyandarua, Kenya, an area that is globally recognized
as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. The grasslands receive little conservation measures, which have led to the decline in the
population density of Sharpe’s Longclaw. Nesting success in birds is crucial for their population growth. The daily survival rate for natural
nests of Sharpe’s Longclaw in the grasslands of Lake Ol’Bolossat had not been systematically assessed prior to this study. Natural nests
were actively searched during the breeding seasons of March–May 2016, while artificial nests were constructed using dry grass containing
artificial eggs made of cream modeling clay. Natural nests had a higher daily nest survival percentage than artificial nests. The highest
daily nest survival rate was 40% and the lowest 0.01%. Predators, livestock grazing and fires greatly reduced the survival of nestlings. We
recommend intensive ecological management of the high-altitude grasslands of Lake Ol’Bolossat.
Keywords: Daily survival rate, Endangered, endemic, Lake Ol’Bolossat, nest, nestling, Sharpe’s Longclaw.
Editor: Hem Sagar Baral, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia. Date of publication: 26 January 2022 (online & print)
Citation: Risper, H.A., C.M. Warui & P. Njoroge (2022). Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw (Macronyx sharpei Jackson, 1904) around the grasslands of lake
Ol’bolossat Nyandarua, Kenya. Journal of Threatened Taxa 14(1): 20461–20468. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6762.14.1.20461-20468
Copyright: © Risper et al. 2022. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article
in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: No funding was received for this research study.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Author details: Hamisi Ann Risper—she is a biology teacher working for Teachers Service Commission in Kenya. She has been carrying out some ornithological
research around grasslands of Lake Ol’bollosat where she has great passion in conservation of birds. She is a member of Nyahururu Bird Club which is committed
to environmental conservation. Charles M. Warui—he is a conservation biologist/entomologist and a senior lecturer at Murang’a University of Technology,
Department of Physical & Biological Sciences in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences where teaches Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Entomology and
Conservation Biology. He has interests in Conservation of Biodiversity and Biology and Environmental Modeling. Peter Njoroge—he is a Senior Research Scientist
and Head of Ornithology Section of the National Museums of Kenya. He has actively engaged in biodiversity research for the last 24 years, especially research on
avian species. He has published many articles on conservation, avian ecology and environmental-related issues.
Author contributions: HAR—conceived and designed experiment of the study, collected field data, analyzed data, interpreted data, discussed data, wrote the
manuscript. CMW—designed study, analyzed, interpreted and discussed data, wrote the manuscript. PN—designed study, analyzed and interpreted data, wrote
the manuscript.
Acknowledgements: I would like to acknowledge George Mungai for his fieldwork assistance and guidance.
20461
J TT Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua Risper et al.
INTRODUCTION changes reduce nesting substrates which hide the nest
from their predators (Ammon & Stacey 1997). Nesting
Approximately, 350 bird species are grassland success is also related to the structure of the habitat
dwellers in Kenya (Morris et al. 2009). Sharpe’s Longclaw (Bowman & Harris 1980), nest site features (Norment
Macronyx sharpei (Jackson 1904) is among these 1993), nesting bird behavior (Cresswell 1997) and
grassland birds. It is 16 to 17 cm long, with upper parts parental activity (Martin et al. 2000). The nests located
heavily marked with buff and rufous streaks, yellow in hidden places such as cavities, shrubs, and tussocks
underparts, and white outer tail feathers in flight (BirdLife have a higher probability of survival than nests located
International 2016). Sharpe’s Longclaw is endemic in open spaces (Walk et al. 2010). Food availability is also
to Kenya and it is listed as globally endangered in the an important factor determining nestlings’ growth and
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) survival (Roff 1992).
Red List of threatened species (BirdLife International Increased parental activity escalates the risk of
2016). The preferred habitat for Sharpe’s Longclaw is the nest predation (Martin et al. 2000). The birds with
high-altitude grasslands of the central Kenyan highlands. minimal parental activities, therefore, reduce nest
The population of Sharpe’s Longclaw in the grasslands predation. Habitats may indirectly influence predation
of Ol’Bolossat has been on the decline due to the loss of risks, food availability for nesting birds, and time and
feeding and nesting habitats caused by the conversion energy available for nest defense (Martin 1995). When
of grasslands into crop fields, afforestation, uncontrolled a predator visits a particular nest and takes some of
bird shooting, mining activities and constant use of its contents but not all (i.e., partial depredation), the
insecticides (Monadjem & Virani 2016). behavior may lead to selective pressure, which is not
For birds that lay eggs in nests and incubate them enforced by complete nest predation (Lariviere &
until they hatch, many eggs are lost due to predation, Messier 1997; Amundsen 2000).
which varies with the quality and site of nests (Martin To properly manage the declining populations of
& Clobert 1996). Nests located in hidden places (for grassland dwelling birds, habitat protection is important
example, cavities) have a higher probability of survival because it directly influences their nesting success
than those located in open ground (Walk et al. 2010). (Winter & Faaborg 1999). Determining the nesting
During the breeding season, the selection of good nest success of Sharpe’s Longclaw is therefore, important
sites is important because it affects nesting success when developing species-specific conservation
and the survival of the nestlings (Lima 2009). Other measures. This study was designed to determine the
factors that affect nesting success of grassland birds nest success of Sharpe’s Longclaw in the grasslands
include wind and sunlight direction, which influence the around Lake Ol’Bolossat in Nyandarua , Kenya.
microclimate of the nest (Wiebe et al. 2001; Tieleman
et al. 2008).
Sharpe’s Longclaw constructs its nest in long grass STUDY AREA AND RESEARCH METHODS
tussocks (Dominic et al. 2020), which provide both nest
material (Collias & Collias 2014) and cover from predators Study area
(Muchai & Plessis 2005). However, tussocks can be Lake Ol’Bolossat is located in Kenya, Nyandarua
destroyed by various human activities such as farming, County, Ol-joro-orok Sub-County. It lies between
fires and overgrazing (Wamiti et al. 2008) which alter the latitudes 0.1640 90’ 00” South and longitudes 36.4450
quality of bird nesting habitats and reduce nesting areas. 26’ 00” East (Figure 1). It is positioned in Ongata Pusi
Nests in inferior quality habitats will expose eggs and valley and is adjacent to the Rift valley with an elevation
nestlings to predators such as snakes, predatory birds of 2,340 m above sea level. It is a natural wetland
and moles, leading to decreased nest success (Pace et covering an area of approximately 43.3 km2 and its
al. 1999; Polis et al. 2000). Adverse weather conditions open waters cover 4 km2. It has a rich biodiversity zone
have also contributed to the decline in nesting success of with many species of water birds and other threatened
Sharpe’s Longclaw (Stephenson et al. 2011; Shiao et al. species. The riparian land around Lake Ol’Bolossat is
2015). During heavy rains, runoff water destroys nests covered by grasslands inhabited by birds (Wamiti et al.
reducing nesting success and survival rates (Rodriguez 2008). It was internationally recognized as the sixty-
& Barba 2016). first Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in Kenya
Nesting success is mainly influenced by changes in in March 2008 by BirdLife International (Mwangi et
habitat structures through management practices. These al. 2010) and protected officially from February 2018
20462 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2022 | 14(1): 20461–20468
Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua Risper et al. J TT
Figure 1. Lake Ol’Bolossat basin showing the main geographical features in the study area (Google 2018).
(Nature Kenya 2018). for future geo-location. They were checked after three
The climate is sub-humid throughout the year and days to determine their status.
is mainly influenced by the surrounding highlands. Lake Care was taken during nest searches to avoid
Ol’Bolossat has a rainfall pattern between 700 and 1,000 disturbance to the nests and surrounding vegetation. A
ml with long rains from April to July, and short rains in stick was used to hold the vegetation aside to prevent
November (Wamiti et al. 2008). Temperatures are cold contact with human clothing/skin that would leave
because of the wind blowing from the Aberdare ranges, behind scents that attract predators. Mayfield nesting
which can bring frost that can destroy grass, including success formula was used to estimate the probability of
the tussocks favored by Sharpe’s Longclaw (Wamiti et al. successful nesting (Mayfield 1975).
2008).
Exposure days - Failed nests
Daily survival probability = ––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Exposure days
Methods
Determination of natural nest success Daily survival probability refers to the probability of
Nests were searched during the breeding seasons the nestling to survive from one day to the next in the
of March to May (2016) by fortuitous encounters, or nest. In contrast, exposure days refer to the total number
by following adults carrying nesting material during of days a nest will be observed active and susceptible to
incubation and feeding of the young, or by dragging a failure.
50m rope between two people and flushing birds from Nest survival refers to the probability that a nest
nests (Bibby et al. 2000). Once the nests were located, fledges at least one chick using a nesting period of 26
global positioning system (GPS) coordinates were taken days (4 laying, 12 incubating, and 10 nestling).
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2022 | 14(1): 20461–20468 20463
J TT Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua Risper et al.
Nest survival= daily survival probability nesting period natural and artificial nests. The null hypothesis was
rejected when p ≤0.05.
Predation rate for artificial nets
Artificial nests were used to assess the effect
of different variables on the rate and trend of nest RESULTS
predation (Major & Kendall 1996). They allow
researchers to manipulate the number of nests in the Sharpe’s Longclaw nesting success
study area, and take less time to place and locate than A total of seven natural nests were identified in seven
natural nests (Yahner & Delong 1992). However, the lack locations between April and July 2016, and observed
of an incubating adult may affect the ability of predators during the nesting period. Nests were discovered on
to locate them (Martin 1987). 12 May, 26 May, 10 June, 02 July, and 06 July around
The artificial nest experiment in the grasslands of the grasslands of Lake Ol’Bolossat. At the beginning of
Lake Ol’Bolossat was conducted between March and the study, nests were in various stages of development:
July 2016. Experimental nests were constructed 10 cm two nests had eggs, two nests had nestlings, and three
wide and 5 cm deep using dry grass interwoven to mirror nests were in the construction stage. One of the seven
Sharpe’s Longclaw nests as much as possible. Cream natural nests located in Nduthi was abandoned during
non-toxic modeling clay was used to make artificial the construction stage, possibly due to flooding caused
eggs. The plasticine eggs were similar in size, shape and by heavy rains. Three eggs were recorded in each nest,
color to Sharpe’s Longclaw eggs. After shaping the egg, although nests located in Rurii and Nduthi had none
a marker was used to make irregular spots. Edge effects (Table 1). All eggs hatched to chicks in Mukindu, Kirima,
were considered near forests, roads, and hedgerows Munyeki, and Makereka nest locations, indicating a
(Keyel et al. 2013) and extended between 50–100 m into 100% hatching rate. However, the eggs in Kanguo did not
the nesting habitat (Bollinger & Gavin 2004). hatch (Table 1). Tussock height ranged between 25.0 m
The grassland habitat was divided into several in Makindu to 21.5 m in Rurii (Table 1).
portions measuring 1,000 x 850 m. Three line transects
were laid in each habitat 200 m apart. Samples of 30 Daily survival of natural and plasticine eggs
nests were laid out. These included three nests in two The highest daily nesting survival among the natural
transects and four in one transect, repeated two more nests of 96% was recorded in Kirima, while the least daily
times in habitats with tussocks. Each nest had three survival of 75% was recorded in Rurii, as shown in Table
white plasticine eggs, which were left for a minimum of 2. The least daily survival rate of natural nests of 0.01%
21 days, a duration that resembles Sharpe’s Longclaw was observed in Rurii, while the highest daily survival
incubation period. rate of natural nests of 40% was reported in Kirima
The average distance between nests was 250 m. (Table 2; Figure 2). The survival of chicks in some of the
Artificial nests were randomly placed together with nests was greatly reduced. For example, one of the nests
Sharpe’s Longclaw nests but at a specified distance of was found with healthy chicks during the interval check,
250 m away. GPS coordinates were taken for the future but a chunk of round feaces was found in the nest on
location. The eggs were examined for bites or teeth the next checking date. This was an indication that the
impressions and the appropriate records made, ensuring chicks had been predated by an unknown animal (Image
a proper differentiation between avian and rodent 1).
predators (Dion et al. 2000). Nests were considered The artificial nests recorded the highest nest daily
depredated when the plasticine eggs were destroyed or survival of 90% in Rurii, Nduthi and Kanguo, while the
showed bite marks. least daily survival of 67% was recorded in Munyeki
and Makereka (Table 2). The least daily survival rate
Data analysis for plasticine egg of 0.003% was recorded in Munyeki
Raw data were recorded and then tabulated in and Makereka, while the highest daily survival rate
Microsoft Excel for cleaning and storage. Quantitative of 6.0% was reported in Rurii, Nduthi, and Kanguo
data was exported to SPSS (Statistical Package for Social (Table 2; Figure 2). A large portion of the tussocks that
Sciences) software version 25.0 (IBM corporation, contained a total of 10 artificial nests was consumed
Armonk, New York, United States of America) for analysis. by fire. Of the remaining ten nests, two experimental
An unpaired t-test was used to test for the statistical nests were attacked by unknown predators, leaving bite
difference between the daily survival percentage of marks on the eggs (Image 2). Other factors that strongly
20464 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2022 | 14(1): 20461–20468
Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua Risper et al. J TT
Table 1. Sharpe’s Longclaw nesting success.
No. of No. of
Nest Location Status at Discovery Tussock size No. of nest No. of eggs Status
nest chicks
1 Makindu Construction 25.0 1 3 3 Chick fledged
2 Rurii Laying 21.5 1 0 0 Faeces found
3 Nduthi Construction 24 1 0 0 Nest abandoned
4 Kirima Fledging 23 1 3 3
5 Kanguo Laying 27 1 3 0
6 Munyeki Laying 25 1 3 3
7 Makereka Fledging 24 1 3 3
Table 2. Daily nest survival for natural and artificial nests.
Study site DSPA DSPP DSRa 95% DSRp 95%
Mukindu 94.12 80.00 20.67 3.00
Rurii 75.00 90.47 0.01 6.0
Nduthi 84.61 90.47 1.30 6.0
Kirima 96.50 84.61 40.14 1.30
Kanguo 92.86 90.47 14.56 6.0
Munyeki 92.86 66.70 26.35 0.003
Makereka 95.00 66.70 26.35 0.003
Key: DSPA—Daily survival percentage for natural nest | DSPp—Daily survival
percentage for artificial nest | DSRa—Daily survival rate for natural nest | DSRp—
Daily survival rate for artificial nest.
Image 1. Picture showing fresh faeces from unknown predictor
(sourced from this study).
1.29; p= 0.11).
DISCUSSION
Sharpe’s Longclaw is a threatened bird due to the
rapid encroachment of its habitat. This endemic and
endangered species is restricted to highland grasslands
in Kenya (Dominic et al. 2020). This study has revealed
a higher hatching success of Sharpe’s Longclaw in some
areas around the grasslands of Lake Ol’Bolossat, such as
Makindu, Kirima, Munyeki, and Makereka. The higher
Figure 2. Daily survival percentage and daily survival rate for both nesting hatching success could be attributed to dense,
natural and artificial nests. DSPA—Daily survival percentage for
natural nest | DSPP—Daily survival percentage for artificial nest | long tussocks, which helped conceal the nests from
DSRa—Daily survival rate for natural nest | DSRp—Daily survival rate predation. However, in some nests, the hatching success
for artificial nest.
of chicks was greatly reduced due to predation. This was
revealed by the presence of a chunk of round faeces
in the nest. Predation is the main cause of nest failure
contributed to the low survival of plasticine eggs were in grassland nesting birds and many populations living
human disturbance, livestock grazing, and trampling on in fragmented habitats experience low reproductive
the eggs. success worldwide (Chalfoun et al. 2002; Klug & Jackrel
In comparison, there was no significant difference 2010). Human disturbance, fires, and livestock grazing
between daily survival of natural (90.14±2.19) and leading to trampling on the eggs are other factors that
artificial (81.35±4.06) nests (unpaired t-test; df= 12; t= strongly contributed to reduced hatching success.
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2022 | 14(1): 20461–20468 20465
J TT Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua Risper et al.
Image 2. Photos of some damaged experimental eggs (sourced from this study).
The study has also found that daily natural nest them (Estrada et al. 2002).
survival of Sharpe’s Longclaw is higher in grasslands
around Lake Ol’Bolossat, especially in areas such as Approaches to conserve threatened birds
Kirima, Makereka, Mukindu, Munyekia, and Kanguo. Increased agricultural activities diminish and
The higher daily survival can be attributed to dense, fragment suitable breeding habitats for Sharpe`s
tussocks, which help protect the nests from predators. Longclaw (Wamiti et al. 2008). This reduces the habitat
The nests located in dense long tussocks have a higher for breeding birds leading to the formation of patches.
probability of survival than those located in open fields Therefore, the predators may specialize on the patches in
(Walk et al. 2010). Also, the lowest and highest daily search of rewarding prey, decreasing Sharpe`s Longclaw
survival rate of the natural nests were observed in Rurii population. Increased vegetation heterogeneity would
and Kirima, respectively. It was noted that the survival significantly reduce the risk of nest predation (Davis
of the chicks was greatly reduced in some of the nests 2015). This is because shrubs would grow together with
due to predation. This is consistent with a study carried grassland, reducing the nest’s visibility to their potential
out by (Leonard et al. 2017), which has reported that predators.
the predators significantly reduce the nest survival rate. Mowing of the vegetation should not occur
Besides, flooding also destroyed the nests resulting in frequently, and if it does it should only happen after
reduced nest success and survival rates. This finding nestlings have left their nests around mid-July. When
is also reported by Rodriguez & Barba (2016) on the delayed nesting occurs, mowing should be delayed to
growth and survival of Great Tit Parus major nestlings. guard the nests together with their fledglings (Gruebler
Parental activity and nest-site characteristics strongly et al. 2012). In addition, dry vegetation should be left
impact the predation of eggs and nestlings (Martin et al. on the habitat because it will provide cover and offer
2000). Parental activity such as loud calls and beggings the birds with nest construction materials in the next
can act as a signal for the nestlings and attract predators breeding season (Shaffer et al. 2019).
(Martin et al. 2000; Muchai & Plessis 2005), hence Overgrazing should be discouraged, but instead,
increasing the probability of predation. This is because moderate grazing should be enhanced because it is
parents always visit nests more frequently to feed the beneficial. This is because moderate grazing prevents
young. Birds with low predation rates have developed the growth of foreign grass and improves the nesting
short to long on and off bouts to reduce activities that habitat for Sharpe`s Longclaw (Bock et al. 1993; Sutter
would attract predators (Conway & Martin 2000). Nests 2006; Wersher et al. 2011). Large grassland fields should
likely to be attacked by predators are always located be identified, preserved and protected as they reduce
early in their nestling cycle (Skutch 1985). Nests that the rate of nest destruction and brood parasitism (Davis
are not well concealed have a high predation rate in the & Sealy 2000). Burning of the grasslands should also
incubation stage than during the nestling stage (Liebezeit be discouraged since it destroys the eggs leading to
& George 2002). reduced population growth of Sharpe’s Longclaw during
It is also observed that the daily survival of natural its breeding time.
and artificial nests is not significantly different in the The recovery of grassland can be achieved through
grasslands of Lake Ol’Bolossat. This can be attributed the seeding of native grasses in both private and public
to the fact that the plasticine eggs resembled almost lands through Conservation Reserve Program (CRP);
natural eggs and the predators could not differentiate (Best et al. 1998; Riffell et al. 2008); and the formation
20466 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2022 | 14(1): 20461–20468Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua Risper et al. J TT
of buffers around agricultural fields (Adams et al. 2013). 53: 93–103. https://doi.org/10.1006/anbe.1996.0281
Davis, S.K., & S.C.G. Sealy (2000). Cowbird Parasitism and Nest
This aids in designing a suitable habitat for the birds Predation in Fragmented Grasslands. Ecology and management
during nesting. of cowbirds and their hosts: studies in the conservation of North
In conclusion, some areas of Lake Ol’Bolossat American passerine birds, 220–237.
Davis, S.K. (2005). Nest–site selection patterns and the influence of
had higher survival rates of the eggs and nestling. In vegetation on nest survival of mixed–grass prairie passerines. The
contrast, others had low survival rates due to predators, Condor 107(3): 605–616. https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/107.3.605
human activities, livestock grazing and fire. This is due Dion, N., K.A. Hobson & S. Larivière (2000). Interactive effects of
vegetation and predators on the success of natural and simulated
to the low survival rate caused by increased habitat loss nests of grassland songbirds. The Condor 102: 629–634. https://doi.
through human activities, thereby exposing eggs and org/10.1093/condor/102.3.629
nestlings to predictors. Therefore, measures to protect Dominic, K., M. Muchai, J. Kimanzi, J. Mwangi, W. Wamiti, S. Bakari,
B. Walter & P. Njoroge (2020). Habitat structure determines the
and conserve grasslands inhabited by Sharpe’s Longclaw abundance of the Endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei
around Lake Ol’Bolossat should be enforced to prevent (Aves: Passeriformes: Motacillidae) at Timau montane grasslands
their extinction in the near future. in central Kenya. Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(5): 15565–15571.
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5366.12.5.15565-15571
Estrada, A., A. Rivera & R. Coates-Estrada (2002). Predation of artificial
nests in fragmented Landscape in the tropical region of Los Tuxtlas,
Mexico, Biological Conservation Journal 106: 199–209. https://doi.
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Threatened Taxa
20468 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2022 | 14(1): 20461–20468Dr. John Noyes, Natural History Museum, London, UK Birds
Dr. Albert G. Orr, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
Dr. Sameer Padhye, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, Charles Sturt University, NSW Australia
Dr. Nancy van der Poorten, Toronto, Canada Dr. Chris Bowden, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy, UK
Dr. Kareen Schnabel, NIWA, Wellington, New Zealand Dr. Priya Davidar, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, India
Dr. R.M. Sharma, (Retd.) Scientist, Zoological Survey of India, Pune, India Dr. J.W. Duckworth, IUCN SSC, Bath, UK
Dr. Manju Siliwal, WILD, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Dr. Rajah Jayapal, SACON, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. G.P. Sinha, Botanical Survey of India, Allahabad, India Dr. Rajiv S. Kalsi, M.L.N. College, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India
Dr. K.A. Subramanian, Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata, India Dr. V. Santharam, Rishi Valley Education Centre, Chittoor Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India
Dr. P.M. Sureshan, Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode, Kerala, India Dr. S. Balachandran, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India
Dr. R. Varatharajan, Manipur University, Imphal, Manipur, India Mr. J. Praveen, Bengaluru, India
Dr. Eduard Vives, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Terrassa, Spain Dr. C. Srinivasulu, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
Dr. James Young, Hong Kong Lepidopterists’ Society, Hong Kong Dr. K.S. Gopi Sundar, International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, USA
Dr. R. Sundararaj, Institute of Wood Science & Technology, Bengaluru, India Dr. Gombobaatar Sundev, Professor of Ornithology, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Dr. M. Nithyanandan, Environmental Department, La Ala Al Kuwait Real Estate. Co. K.S.C., Prof. Reuven Yosef, International Birding & Research Centre, Eilat, Israel
Kuwait Dr. Taej Mundkur, Wetlands International, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Dr. Himender Bharti, Punjabi University, Punjab, India Dr. Carol Inskipp, Bishop Auckland Co., Durham, UK
Mr. Purnendu Roy, London, UK Dr. Tim Inskipp, Bishop Auckland Co., Durham, UK
Dr. Saito Motoki, The Butterfly Society of Japan, Tokyo, Japan Dr. V. Gokula, National College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. Sanjay Sondhi, TITLI TRUST, Kalpavriksh, Dehradun, India Dr. Arkady Lelej, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Lien, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam Dr. Simon Dowell, Science Director, Chester Zoo, UK
Dr. Nitin Kulkarni, Tropical Research Institute, Jabalpur, India Dr. Mário Gabriel Santiago dos Santos, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro,
Dr. Robin Wen Jiang Ngiam, National Parks Board, Singapore Quinta de Prados, Vila Real, Portugal
Dr. Lional Monod, Natural History Museum of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland. Dr. Grant Connette, Smithsonian Institution, Royal, VA, USA
Dr. Asheesh Shivam, Nehru Gram Bharti University, Allahabad, India Dr. M. Zafar-ul Islam, Prince Saud Al Faisal Wildlife Research Center, Taif, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Rosana Moreira da Rocha, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brasil
Dr. Kurt R. Arnold, North Dakota State University, Saxony, Germany Mammals
Dr. James M. Carpenter, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA
Dr. David M. Claborn, Missouri State University, Springfield, USA Dr. Giovanni Amori, CNR - Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Rome, Italy
Dr. Kareen Schnabel, Marine Biologist, Wellington, New Zealand Dr. Anwaruddin Chowdhury, Guwahati, India
Dr. Amazonas Chagas Júnior, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brasil Dr. David Mallon, Zoological Society of London, UK
Mr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India Dr. Shomita Mukherjee, SACON, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. Heo Chong Chin, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor, Malaysia Dr. Angie Appel, Wild Cat Network, Germany
Dr. R.J. Shiel, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia Dr. P.O. Nameer, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Dr. Siddharth Kulkarni, The George Washington University, Washington, USA Dr. Ian Redmond, UNEP Convention on Migratory Species, Lansdown, UK
Dr. Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, ATREE, Bengaluru, India Dr. Heidi S. Riddle, Riddle’s Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary, Arkansas, USA
Dr. Phil Alderslade, CSIRO Marine And Atmospheric Research, Hobart, Australia Dr. Karin Schwartz, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
Dr. John E.N. Veron, Coral Reef Research, Townsville, Australia Dr. Lala A.K. Singh, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
Dr. Daniel Whitmore, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Rosenstein, Germany. Dr. Mewa Singh, Mysore University, Mysore, India
Dr. Yu-Feng Hsu, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei City, Taiwan Dr. Paul Racey, University of Exeter, Devon, UK
Dr. Keith V. Wolfe, Antioch, California, USA Dr. Honnavalli N. Kumara, SACON, Anaikatty P.O., Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. Siddharth Kulkarni, The Hormiga Lab, The George Washington University, Washington, Dr. Nishith Dharaiya, HNG University, Patan, Gujarat, India
D.C., USA Dr. Spartaco Gippoliti, Socio Onorario Società Italiana per la Storia della Fauna “Giuseppe
Dr. Tomas Ditrich, Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Altobello”, Rome, Italy
Budejovice, Czech Republic Dr. Justus Joshua, Green Future Foundation, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. Mihaly Foldvari, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway Dr. H. Raghuram, The American College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. V.P. Uniyal, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India Dr. Paul Bates, Harison Institute, Kent, UK
Dr. John T.D. Caleb, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Dr. Jim Sanderson, Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation, Hartford, USA
Dr. Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment Dr. Dan Challender, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
(ATREE), Royal Enclave, Bangalore, Karnataka, India Dr. David Mallon, Manchester Metropolitan University, Derbyshire, UK
Dr. Brian L. Cypher, California State University-Stanislaus, Bakersfield, CA
Fishes Dr. S.S. Talmale, Zoological Survey of India, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Prof. Karan Bahadur Shah, Budhanilakantha Municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal
Dr. Neelesh Dahanukar, IISER, Pune, Maharashtra, India Dr. Susan Cheyne, Borneo Nature Foundation International, Palangkaraja, Indonesia
Dr. Topiltzin Contreras MacBeath, Universidad Autónoma del estado de Morelos, México Dr. Hemanta Kafley, Wildlife Sciences, Tarleton State University, Texas, USA
Dr. Heok Hee Ng, National University of Singapore, Science Drive, Singapore
Dr. Rajeev Raghavan, St. Albert’s College, Kochi, Kerala, India Other Disciplines
Dr. Robert D. Sluka, Chiltern Gateway Project, A Rocha UK, Southall, Middlesex, UK
Dr. E. Vivekanandan, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Chennai, India Dr. Aniruddha Belsare, Columbia MO 65203, USA (Veterinary)
Dr. Davor Zanella, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Dr. Mandar S. Paingankar, University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, India (Molecular)
Dr. A. Biju Kumar, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Dr. Jack Tordoff, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Arlington, USA (Communities)
Dr. Akhilesh K.V., ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mumbai Research Dr. Ulrike Streicher, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA (Veterinary)
Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Dr. Hari Balasubramanian, EcoAdvisors, Nova Scotia, Canada (Communities)
Dr. J.A. Johnson, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India Dr. Rayanna Hellem Santos Bezerra, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
Dr. Jamie R. Wood, Landcare Research, Canterbury, New Zealand
Amphibians Dr. Wendy Collinson-Jonker, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Gauteng, South Africa
Dr. Rajeshkumar G. Jani, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India
Dr. Sushil K. Dutta, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Dr. O.N. Tiwari, Senior Scientist, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New
Dr. Annemarie Ohler, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France Delhi, India
Dr. L.D. Singla, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India
Reptiles Dr. Rupika S. Rajakaruna, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Dr. Bahar Baviskar, Wild-CER, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440013, India
Dr. Gernot Vogel, Heidelberg, Germany
Dr. Raju Vyas, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Dr. Pritpal S. Soorae, Environment Agency, Abu Dubai, UAE. Reviewers 2018–2020
Prof. Dr. Wayne J. Fuller, Near East University, Mersin, Turkey Due to pausity of space, the list of reviewers for 2018–2020 is available online.
Prof. Chandrashekher U. Rivonker, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa. India
Dr. S.R. Ganesh, Chennai Snake Park, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Dr. Himansu Sekhar Das, Terrestrial & Marine Biodiversity, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The opinions expressed by the authors do not reflect the views of the
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the host, and the partners are not responsible for the accuracy of the political
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ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
January 2022 | Vol. 14 | No. 1 | Pages: 20311–20538
Date of Publication: 26 January 2022 (Online & Print)
www.threatenedtaxa.org DOI: 10.11609/jott.2022.14.1.20311-20538
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Trypanosoma evansi infection in a captive Indian Wolf Canis lupus pallipes
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Associations of butterflies across different forest types in Uttarakhand, western View Point
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herpetological research in Myanmar, and an impediment to progress
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Local hunting practices and perceptions regarding the distribution and ecological role
of the Large Flying Fox (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae: Pteropus vampyrus) in western Morphological characterization and mt DNA barcode of a tiger moth species, Asota
Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo ficus (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae: Aganainae) from India
– Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan, Joon Yee Yong, Nabila Norshuhadah Mohd Hazzrol, Philovenny – Aparna Sureshchandra Kalawate, K.P. Dinesh & A. Shabnam, Pp. 20503–20510
Pengiran, Arianti Atong & Sheema Abdul Aziz, Pp. 20387–20399
Distribution of Smooth-coated Otters Lutrogale perspicillata (Mammalia: Carnivora:
Mustelidae): in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India
Communications – Swanand Patil & Kranti Yardi, Pp. 20511–20516
Macrolichens of Mathikettan Shola National Park, Western Ghats: a preliminary Wildlife at the crossroads: wild animal road kills due to vehicular collision on a
investigation with some new records mountainous highway in northwestern Himalayan region
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Ascherson, 1871 from the North Andaman Islands highlights the importance of Notes
seagrass exploratory surveys
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& Kuppusamy Sivakumar, Pp. 20406–20412 Nadu, India
– B. Subbaiyan, V. Ganesan, P.R. Nimal Kumar & S. Thangaraj Panneerselvam, Pp.
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(Dipterocarpaceae) - a critically endangered species endemic to Sri Lanka – Sachin M. Patil, Ajit M. Vasava, Vinay M. Raole & Kishore S. Rajput, Pp. 20526–20529
– K.A.M.R.P. Atapattu, H.D.D.C.K. Perera, H.S. Kathriarachchi & A.R. Gunawardena,
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jeopardy
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Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra L. Goraya & Amit Kumar, Pp. 20530–20533
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semi-arid biogeographic region suggestions for parametric studies on ecological Aye & Swen C. Renner, Pp. 20534–20536
continuity in Khathiar-Gir Ecoregion, India
– L.A.K. Singh, R.K. Sharma & Udayan Rao Pawar, Pp. 20444–20460
Book Review
Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw (Macronyx sharpei Jackson, 1904) around the
grasslands of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua, Kenya Capparis of India
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perspicillata Geoffroy, 1826 in Hosur and Dharmapuri Forest Divisions, India
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20469–20477
Utilization of home garden crops by primates and current status of
human-primate interface at Galigamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division in
Kegalle District, Sri Lanka
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Dilan Thisaru Hewamanna & Dissanayakalage Tharaka Harshani Ananda, Pp. 20478–
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