Jalaplavit_Vol10_No3

Vol. 10, No. 3 Oct.-Nov., 2020 [“Wildlife Week-2020” Special] ISSN 2321-1881 exploring wetlands Obituary-Dr. B. M. Parasharya Dancing Towards Extinction-Sangai and its Marsh Habitat Mugger Resembling a Giant Prehistoric Amphibian in the Vishwamitri River Picturesque Bhigwan Lake Invasive Plants in Wetland Ecosystems Field Notes on the Wetlands of Czech Republic & Poland Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Mahanadi Delta’s Deserted Mangroves Dog-faced Water Snake in Pichavaram Mangroves Diminutive Snakehead Fish in Northern West Bengal Sociable Lapwing in Gujarat

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Amita Tatu Editorial Jalaplavit, Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Dr. Ketan Tatu…………………………………………………………….....................3 (marking India’s Wildlife Week-2020) Dancing Towards Extinction-The Sangai and its Marsh Habitat Founding Editor: Dr. Ketan Tatu Priya Ranganathan.............................................................4 Supporting Editors: Dr. Amita Tatu & A Mugger Crocodile Resembling Mastodonsaurus (a Giant Mr. Avichal Tatu Prehistoric Amphibian) in the River Vishwamitri, Gujarat Dr. Raju Vyas…………………………………………...….............................13 Core Team Picturesque Bhigwan Lake, Maharashtra Honorary Directors, Foundation for Ecological Sushmita Karmakar..........................................................23 Welfare (a not-for-profit Foundation under Field Notes on a Few Wet Habitats in Czech Republic and Poland section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 of India) Krishan Kaushik...............................................................31 Principal Technical Advisor Obituary: Dr. Bhavbhuti M. Parasharya Dr. P. S. Thakker.............................................................40 Prof. James T. Anderson, USA Role of Invasive Plants in Wetland Ecosystems Senior Advisor: Dr. Raju Vyas, India Sushmita Krishnan and Darshini Subramaniam........................43 Copy Editing: Priya Ranganathan, USA Avifaunal Diversity of Thol Wetland and its Conservation Dr. Mahendra H. Bhadrecha and Dr. Pradeep C. Mankodi…........54 Cover Photo: Bhushan Pandya (Grey Heron, Lake Nalsarovar) Insect Diversity and Adaptations in Wetlands Shatarupa Sarkar.............................................................68 Views expressed by the contributors in ‘Jalaplavit’ are not necessarily those of Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Deserted Mangrove Patch of Maha- editors. Editors are not responsible for nadi Delta, Odisha Subhechha Tapaswini and Sabmeet Singh..............................72 any kind of plagiarism by any author. Sightings of Sociable Lapwing in Saurashtra, Gujarat, India Viral Joshi.....................................................................82 A Diminutive Snakehead Fish Channa andrao (Britz 2013)- An Endemic Fish in the Wetlands of Northern West Bengal Priyankar Chakraborty.....................................................88 Dog-faced Water Snake in Pichavaram Mangroves, Tamil Nadu Puja Deb.......................................................................91

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 EDITORIAL This is the second issue of Amita Tatu “Jalaplavit” during the Covid -19 pandemic! of the freshwater wetlands. The freshwater And this time, it is being launched when one is also inevitable for hand sanitization as of its dedicated supporting editors Dr. just a soap is not enough for it. So, Amita Tatu is home quarantined and has humankind should add one more been going through corona treatment! It is “ecosystem service” of the wetlands, i.e. heartening that she has dedicatedly health care (even in such a pandemic)! contributed for this issue of “Jalaplavit” as a supporting editor though taking bed-rest And of course, wetlands are not just while gradually recovering. Accolades! for mankind. Wetlands fulfil a variety of life requisites of numerous species of aquatic Well, in corona treatment, many and terrestrial wildlife too. These people have no doubt about importance of “guardians of nature”, through their steam-inhalation. So, my “wetland-centric” genetically programmed ecosystem mind cannot be stopped from thinking that functions, keep the wetland ecosystems the freshwater wetlands are supporting hale and hearty! To acknowledge their human society in health care too! How? contribution, this issue marks “Wildlife Simple! The steam which the man inhales Week” of India. comes from fresh water-the prime product - Ketan Tatu 3

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Dancing Towards Extinction- The Sangai and its Marsh Habitat Priya Ranganathan Email: [email protected] Manipur Forest Department The Manipuri dancing deer (meaning “the one who looks back at you”). Cervus eldi eldi makes its final stand World’s rarest wild deer species in the world’s only floating National Park, Keibul Lamjao (“the land where The Sangai goes by many the tiger resides”) located in the names, but its two commonest Bishnupur district of Manipur. This appellations are the Dancing Deer and unique Park covers 40 sq. km. It is the Manipuri Brow-antlered Deer (one uniquely characterized by thick of three known distinct subspecies of floating beds of decomposing plant Eld’s deer). It derives the former name matter known as phumdis (Ranjitsinh, from its unique mincing gait that 1978). Keibul Lamjao was notified as a comes from walking on the rear Sanctuary in 1966, and then further surface of its pasterns with a slight hop uplisted as a National Park in 1977, as it navigates on the floating making it a refuge for the dancing phumdis. The pasterns are hairless and deer, commonly known as “Sangai” hard, so they enable it to walk on this 4

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 marshy ground (Gee, 1961). Early including Saccharum latifolium, sportsmen noted that the deer seemed Phragmites karka, Saccharum munja, to walk on its hind legs in a near- Zizania latifolia, and Erianthus vertical stance, possibly to lighten its procerus, among others. weight while walking on the delicate phumdi. This deer has distinctive The rulers of the State of antlers that protrude from its Manipur conscientiously protected the forehead, almost out of its eyebrow, Sangai during their reign, but the deer thus leading to its other name, viz. was widely hunted by locals and the Brow-antlered Deer. Males shed their army when Manipur was under British antlers annually. Females give birth to rule. By 1950, surveyors believed the young year-round, and this species subspecies of brow-antlered deer takes on a dark reddish-brown winter found in Manipur to be extinct; colouration that lightens in the however, a small population was summer months (Ranjitsinh, 1978). spotted in a small region known as Keibul Lamjao at the edge of Loktak It is important to note that Lake. To protect the species from while the Sangai is well-adapted to life imminent extinction, local authorities on the phumdis, it is not exclusively a created a Sanctuary over 50 sq. km. in marsh animal (Ranjitsinh, 1978). 1953, subsequently reducing the Keibul Lamjao National Park has three Protected Area to 40 sq. km. in 1959. hills named Toya, Pabot, and Chingjao In 1975, an aerial survey of Loktak that create an important eco-region Lake picked up 14 individuals of within the Park and provide the only Sangai; a repeat survey two years later hard ground in the Protected Area. recorded 18 individuals. After formal Sangai frequents these hills year-round notification of the National Park in and primarily reside here during the 1977, all hunting and fishing rights flooded season (Ranjitsinh, 1978). This were suspended in the effort to deer displays a bimodal feeding maintain this unique habitat for the pattern – it grazes between 4:00 and Sangai (Ranjitsinh, 1978). Population 8:00 in the morning and between 3:00 censuses of the sangai are carried out and 7:00 in the evening, resting during annually. From only 18 individuals in the midday (Gee, 1961). It 1977, the deer’s population has risen preferentially feeds on aquatic plants to 260 individuals in 2016 (Table 1). 5

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 The Manipur Zoological Garden in A unique wetland habitat: Imphal is actively maintaining a Located in Moirang in the northeastern state of Manipur, Loktak Lake is the private breeding centre to sustain a largest freshwater lake in the region. Due to its immense ecological and population of Sangai that may be socioeconomical value, the lake was decreed a Ramsar Site (i.e. a Wetland released into Keibul Lamjao (Singh and of International Importance) on 23 March 1990. The lake is fed by the Khare, 2018). Manipur (also known as the Imphal) River, which rises in the hills to the Table 1. Sangai population census-types north, and its southern edge is barred and results from 1975 to 2016 by the Ithai Barrage. Loktak Lake is loosely divided into three zones, of Year Census Population which the Southern Zone encompasses Type Count Keibul Lamjao National Park 1975 Aerial 14 (Ranjitsinh, 1978; Rai and Singh, 1977 Aerial 18 2014). 1978 Aerial 23 1979 1984 Aerial 30 1986 Ground 57 1991 Ground 95 1995 Ground 104 1996 Ground 152 1999 Ground 143 2000 Ground 149 2003 Ground 162 2013 Ground 180 2016 Ground 204 Ground 260 Nipu Kumar Das Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. 6

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Harvinder Singh The lake surface is covered in floating organic masses known as phumdi. The National Park is defined by surface, while in the dry season, when its phumdis, which consist of organic the water level drops, they touch the matter, vegetation, and soil. They lakebed and absorb nutrients (Angom range from a few centimetres to two and Hussain, 2013). This nutrient metres in thickness. Much like an absorption allows the biomass to iceberg, only 20 per cent of a phumdi survive during the monsoon period is visible above the water’s surface, when they are untethered. Phumdis while the rest of the mass rests are made up of a variety of aquatic underwater (Ranjitsinh, 1978). One plants including Phragmites karka, third of the Park is open water, while Saccharum munja, Saccharum the remaining two-thirds of the area is latifolium, Alpina allughas and covered with phumdis, making them a Erianthus procerum (Gee, 1960). major ecosystem within the Park. These floating beds have their own While the Sangai is uniquely seasonal variations; during the adapted to life upon a marsh, the park monsoon, when the water level rises in is also home to other fauna. Hog Deer the Park, the phumdis float on the (Cervus porcinus), Sambar (Rusa 7

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 unicolor), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Antigone), Eurasian Teal (Anas Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha), crecca), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Common ferruginea), Hooded Crane (Grus Otter (Lutra lutra), Asian Golden Cat monacha), Indian White-breasted (Catopuma temminckii) and Flying Fox Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus), (Pteropus medius) are found within and Spotbill Duck (Anas the ecosystem. India’s only ape, the poecilorhyncha). Kingfishers brighten Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), has the landscape with their colourful a severely restricted habitat due to plumage. Total 64 species of fish have deforestation. The Indian Rock Python been recorded in the lake, two of (Python molurus) is a rare species which are restricted to Manipur, residing in the Park as well. Waterbirds Myanmar, and the Yunan state of include the Sarus Crane (Antigone China. CL Pramod Sarus Cranes frequent the marshy landscape of Keibul Lamjao National Park 8

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Threatened habitat, threatened a common practice during the dry species season, as was annual controlled burning of grass. Both practices halted The livelihood of local people upon notification of the Park, given has always been closely intertwined the high level of disturbance to the with Loktak Lake. In 1886, the Manipur ecosystem. However, a lack of forest Gazetteer noted the presence of staff in the Park is partially responsible dwellings on the phumdis, possibly for the continued disturbances to this belonging to fisher-folk. Prior to the haven, including the occasional case of construction of the Ithai Barrage in poaching. 1986, 207 huts were recorded on the phumdis. After completion of the dam Perhaps the most imminent in 1999, nearly 800 such huts were threat to the Sangai and its wetland reported by the Loktak Development habitat is the development of the Ithai Authority, with over 4,000 permanent Barrage and the activities of the dwellers residing in these floating huts National Hydroelectric Power and living off the lake ecosystem. Corporation Loktak, which is Aquaculture is common here responsible for maintaining the lake as (Wetlands International, 2012). a reservoir with high water level year- round to sustain hydropower for Domestic buffaloes freely roam surrounding villages and other states in through Keibul Lamjao, treading upon northeast India. The reservoir is also rooted phumdis and competing expected to aid in lift irrigation for directly with the Sangai for food. The nearly 23,000 ha of land in the Manipur dry lands in the Park are mostly Valley. The lake’s water level is denuded by overgrazing and maintained at 168.5 metres competition with land-dwelling consistently to feed the hydel mammals such as Wild Boar and Hog reservoir (Wetlands International, Deer. Small swaths of the Sanctuary 2012). However, high water levels have been encroached and cultivated prevent the phumdi from docking on by local farmers. Fishing is common the lakebed to glean nutrients during throughout the Sanctuary, disturbing the dry season, leading to thinning of the wildlife. Prior to the establishment these phumdis and a direct loss of of the National Park, grass cutting was habitat for the Sangai. This alone is 9

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 responsible for a decline of 84 per cent Lake. Changes in the lake hydrology of viable Sangai habitat (Rai and Singh, directly impact the aquatic vegetation 2014). Currently, over 1,00,000 people that comprise the Sangai’s diet (Singh live in 25 villages around the lake and and Khare, 2018). Construction of the directly utilize this ecosystem for Ithai Barrage has also reduced fish living. Poor land use practices around stocks in the lake and blocked the the lake have also led to silt deposition migration paths of several species of in the lake, affecting the pH and migratory fish that once bred in Loktak hydrology further. Inflow from smaller Lake and accounted for 40 per cent of rivers such as the Nambul, Nambol, fishery stocks (Wetlands International, Moirang, Potsangbam, and Naransenia 2012). As the lake ecosystem continues is highly polluted due to agricultural to deteriorate, so does the health of runoff and poor management, the phumdis and the dancing deer compromising water quality in Loktak must cope with a shrinking habitat. G. Ravikanth Land use change and a lack of proper management has lowered the lake habitat quality Planning for the future Currently, the Forest Department and measures to ensure the survival of the the Park authorities are taking several Sangai (Singh and Khare, 2018). 10

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 The Measures include: the population in Keibul Lamjao (Angom et al., 2017).  Engaging locals as animal A cultural symbol of Manipur watchers to involve them in Despite the threats to its delicate conservation and employ those ecosystem, the Sangai remains an icon of Manipur and a symbol of the State. from surrounding villages; The dancing deer is viewed as a bridge between man and nature, and to kill a  Establishing fire lines over 200 deer is considered a sin. Manipuri folklore is steeped with tales of the metres in length and 10 metres in Sangai. One popular legend says that a prince of the Luwang tribe width to prevent fires; transformed into a Sangai and his crown became the unique antlers that  Monitoring population trends of the deer is known to sport. Another the Sangai annually or every few folktale states that the great hero Kadeng Thangjahanba once captured a years; Sangai as a gift for his lover. However, upon returning to his village, he found  Vaccinating free-ranging out that his lover had married the king. Broken-hearted, he released the livestock to prevent spread of sangai into the dense thicket of Keibul Lamjao, and the deer has remained zoonotic disease; there ever since (Gee, 1960).  Establishing a second, captive Given that Keibul Lamjao is the population of Sangai at a last remaining wild refuge for this deer, the Sangai’s fate remains wholly different site to increase gene intertwined with that of the Park and Loktak Lake. Stringent protection of pool; its habitat may be the only thing preventing the Sangai from dancing  Monitoring livestock within and precariously close to extinction. The around the Park to regulate 11 grazing pressure on natural foliage;  Manual manipulation of phumdis to increase area of floating vegetation. Ecologists strongly recommend the establishment of a second wild population of Sangai in a different region of the State to ensure genetic diversity and prevent a bottleneck effect, should any disease threaten

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Park, however, is on the verge of Review. Scientific Technology Journal, 2(1): 98-103. meeting its carrying capacity. Ranjitsinh, M.K. (1978). The Manipur brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi eldi) – According to population ecology a case history. Threatened Deer: 26- 32. studies, the Protected Area cannot Singh, M. and N. Khare (2018). Distribution, status and conservation sustain a population of 500 or more of Sangai deer (Rucervus eldii eldii) in Manipur, India. Journal of Sangai, with 500 being the marker of a Entomological and Zoological Studies, 6: 732-737. viable wild population (Angom and Wetlands International – South Asia (2012). “Integrated Wetland and River Hussain, 2013). Alternate habitats Basin Management – A Case Study of Loktak Lake.” New Delhi, India. must be sought if the species is to take Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. a step back from the doorstep of About the Author extinction. Priya Ranganathan is currently researching References: wetland ecosystem services and conservation in the Western Ghats. She Angom, S. and S.A. Hussain (2013). A holds a master’s degree from Duke review on genetic status of Eld’s deer University in ecosystem conservation Rucervus eldii: with notes on science and management. She is a geologist distribution, population status and by training and an avid science future perspectives. Octa Journal of communicator, with over 30 articles Environmental Research, 1(2). published in print and online sources. Angom, S., A. Kumar, S.K. Gupta, and S.A. Hussain (2017). Analysis of mtDNA control region of an isolated population of Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) reveals its vulnerability to inbreeding. Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 2(1): 277-280. Gee, E.P. (1960). Report on the status of brow-antlered deer of Manipur (India). Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 57(3): 597-617. Gee, E.P. (1961). The Brow-antlered Deer of Manipur. Oryx, 6(2): 103. doi:10.1017/s0030605300001277 Government of India (2016). “Inventory of wetlands, Keibul Lamjao National Park” (PDF). pp. 314—318. Rai, P.K. and M.M. Singh (2014). Wetland Resources of Loktak Lake in Bishenpur District of Manipur, India: A 12

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 A Mugger Crocodile Resembling Mastodonsaurus (a Giant Prehistoric Amphibian) in the River Vishwamitri, Gujarat Raju Vyas Email: [email protected] Fig. 1: The stub-tail mugger (Crocodylus palustris) along with a team of rescuers from the city of Vadodara, Gujarat, India A recent account of Mastodonsaurus is an extinct prehistoric amphibian that once encountering this unusual animal in roamed on earth during the middle the river Vishwamitri, Vadodara Triassic period. It had a wide (Gujarat, India) raised curious distribution encompassing the present- concerns. At first sight, it resembled day Europe, Germany and Russia. As the giant ‘crocomander’ (an alleged per some findings and speculations, it animal having features shared with grew over one or two meters in length, two different groups of animals, i.e. but there is some comparative crocodile and salamander [and hence hypothesis that suggests that some of called ‘crocomander’) or a these tetrapods grew up to six meters mastodonsaurus (=breast tooth lizard). 13

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 in length. Mastodonsaurus was a large around the upper stream areas of the tetrapod vertebrate with huge river Jambuwa (a small tributary of the powerful jaws, bulky body and river Vishwamitri). Some volunteers comparatively smaller limbs and a from a local NGO (non-government stubby tail. It was capable to survive organization), with the help of the on land and water, peculiar to its State Forest Department staff were amphibious lifestyle. Palaeontological able to rescue this animal when some studies depict over a dozen different residents of Tarsali informed about its formerly assigned species through occurrence (Fig. 1). At first, it fossil records. However, considering appeared that its uncanny appearance their synonymy, very few of them can had some resemblance to that of be validated as of now. This tetrapod mastodonsaurus (Fig. 2) though its skin inhabited swamps, pools and large was covered with scales and scutes. water bodies and mostly fed on fishes Upon instant closer examination, it and other smaller aquatic animals was identified to be an adult female (Moser & Schoch, 2007). Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) a.k.a Marsh Crocodile having a small stubby On January 25, 2020, an unusual tail. Total body length of this odd tetrapod was rescued from the specimen measured 197 cm (= snout to outskirts of Vadodara (Gujarat, India). vent 160 + 37 cm tail). This animal was spotted walking around the streets of a newly Behaviorally, the crocodile developed industrial suburban area seemed fairly healthy and aggressive, called Tarsali (22°15'27.23\"N; with no old wounds or notable injuries on 73°13'18.97\"E). This locality is situated the body. Fig.2:Iconic resemblance of the rescued specimen of short-tail mugger (lower) from the river Vishwamitri, Vadodara with extinct short tailed amphibian astodonsaurus (top). 14

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 However, it lacked an otherwise wilderness in relatively less disturbed remarkably large posterior portion of natural vicinities (Vyas, 2012). These the tail (typical of muggers), known to rescue-release practices are effective be 120-130 cm long. as conservation measures for this species, which is listed under As per the study and available ‘Schedule I’ of IWPA-1972 and as data, mugger population in the river ‘Vulnerable’(VU) species on the IUCN Vishwamitri has been thriving well Red List (Choudhury and de Silva, since last three decades. Vishwamitri 2013). river’s mugger population is well- known for its remarkable symbiotic The tail plays a vital role in relationship with urban human tetrapod animals for locomotion in populations (Vyas, 2010a, 2012, 2018). both terrestrial and aquatic habitats The river Vishwamitri is a part of (Willy et al., 2004). For crocodiles, the Dhadhar-Vishwamitri system; a small tail plays a critical role in almost all its river system that flows from north-east activities, i.e. walking, swimming, to west, in between two large predating (death roll) as also social perennial river systems of Mahi and behaviours and interactions (e.g. Narmada. visual displays) (Garrick & Lang, 1977; Fish et al., 2007). The utility of the tail Vishwamitri river flows across is so high for an ambushing aquatic the city of Vadodara. The river carries predator like a crocodile that without with it an enormous amount of sewage a healthy tail, it becomes extremely and effluents of the city (Vyas, 2010b). difficult to swim in water or walk on The river being home to a large land. The tail, indeed appears long, number of crocodiles, there are thick and muscular in comparison to frequent occurrences and some of the body length in crocodilians (Grigg these crocs end up occurring in human and Krishner, 2015). During locomotion settlements. It causes lot of fear and on the land, the tail helps to panic amongst local people. counterbalance an elevated torso and Nowadays, few NGOs and concerned regulates the movement. Likewise, for staff from the State Forest Department swimming, the tail provides propulsive provide 24x7 voluntary services for power to these semiaquatic tetrapods. rescuing such out-of-place crocodiles At times, the tail is also used as a and releasing them back into 15

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 weapon in defence, as a tool to assault that a mugger without the tail Is a a prey, slashing an opponent to disable handicapped tetrapod animal. it or knock it down. There is no doubt Fig. 3: Another severed-tail injured mugger rescued from the railway line at Vadodara city, Gujarat, India A report from Australia could be genetic or due to mentions about some tailless C. porosus hatchlings emerging from their environmental factors such as very nests in wilderness. This phenomenon is suggestive of a genetic basis for the high temperatures during incubation deformity (Webb and Manolis, 1989). Huchzermeyer (2003) stated that the (Webb and Manolis, 1989; Shuker, birth of a tailless crocodile can be recognised as a congenital deformity. 2011). Such congenital defect has so He has stated that such an individual cannot swim and therefore, it will sink far been observed in few other on diving into deeper waters. Though the species was not specified for the crocodilian species including Salty same observation; it was stated that some of the reasons for this anomaly Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Nile Crocodile (C. niloticus), African Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) and American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Therefore, this particular case of a healthy adult mugger having just a stubby tail) intrigued us very much. 16

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Anirudh Vasava Fig. 4: A tailless mugger found dead at Heranj village, Kheda, Gujarat, India. Concerns and questions were preys and thus harnessing its food till raised by many regarding how such a date! It was noticeable that the sizeable animal managed to survive individual could manage to live till without a tail till date! How did it date even in a densely populated (9.1 compete with other predators for muggers/km) urban stretch of a small acquiring a prey or how did it manage river like Vishwamitri (Vyas, 2018). to feed itself! As the tail is very And above all, a big question remained beneficial in creating vertical thrusts as to how did the crocodile lose its tail, (death roll) for tearing any prey apart, unfolding an array of possibilities that questions were also asked by many could have been a reason for the how could such a tailless crocodile missing tail. survive and grew well by capturing Dr. Raju Vyas is Based at Vadodara, Gujarat, India. His long-term research has focused on monitoring crocodiles and their habitat as well as issues of human-crocodile conflicts for more than 25 years. He has authored over 230 scientific publications and book on ‘Muggers of Vadodara’, and is widely recognized for his contributions to the herpetology in India. Dr. Vyas is the Regional Vice Chair of the IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group (South Asia and Iran), and also a member of IUCN/SSC’s South Asian Amphibian and Reptile Specialist Group, Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Boa and Python Specialist Group, Viper Specialist Group and Reintroduction Specialist Group. 17

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Figure 5: The large short-tail female in caged captivity for a close examination shows: (a) the dorsal aspect of the tail. (b) the end portion of the tail with intact scutes and scales, (c) intact osteoderms without any soft tissues. (Picture Credit: Raju Vyas). Some of the explanations we Vasava, 2019; Vyas et al., 2020). There could primarily thought of involved the could have been other responsible following: a) the croc might be a social factors too. Reports of victim of a collision with a train on the crocodiles devoid of tails/well-grown railway track; b) its tail was retrieved tails exist for other parts of the globe for some superstitious malpractice, or too (see Norman, 2018; Gander, 2019; c) the animal lost it in an intraspecies Yahoo News, 2019). In various other feud. There have been multiple parts of the globe also, crocodiles are records muggers lacking the tail (Fig 3 known to have become victims either & 4). These victims were either found of the black-magic rituals or some alive (Vyas and Bhavsar, 2009), badly purported miraculous healing injured or dead (Vyas, 2014a; Vyas and properties. 18

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Practitioners of Unani medicine scale scutes. This led to the only are known to discard the remaining crocodile body after cutting the tail possibility that this animal was born off. Such occurrences have been reported from the remote areas of the without a tail; a classic case of State in the last few years caused by the prevalent superstitious and abnormality and a congenital defect. aphrodisiac beliefs associated with the crocodilian tails (Vyas, 2017). This tailless mugger might be a similar There is also an another case like that of the famous captive possibility. It is likely that this particular mugger indulged into alligator ‘Bob’ from Alligator intraspecies combat and lost its tail. These kinds of feuds are common in Adventure, USA; who was born in 1997 carnivorous predators as they are territorial in nature and often end up without a tail, confirmed as a birth fighting with other dominant conspecific individuals and it often defect(https://alligatoradventure.co causes fatalities or serious injuries to the losing opponents (or sometimes m/animals/detail/Bob). both). This tendency is noted in wilderness as well as in captive There are a few other cases in conditions (Vyas, 2014b; Kannadasan, 2018). However, upon closer which crocodiles managed to survive examination, all these above speculations were ruled out. The tail well, both in wilderness and captivity part when examined thoroughly, was covered with scale scutes along with a without tail. They include the records presence of well-formed osteoderms (Fig. 5). There were no signs of of tailless estuarine crocodiles scarring or any previous wounds or any sort of healing; otherwise, there would (Crocodylus porosus) from Sungei have been only soft tissues without Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore river, Kallang river, Sungei Seletat and Kranji Reservoir, and Pulau Tekong, Singapore (Zheng, 2017). There has also been a record of a tailless salt- water crocodile in wilderness as noted by Nikhil Whitaker from the Andamans (Kannadasan, 2018). A captive female False gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) known as ‘Godzilla’, survived successfully at the Madras Crocodile Bank, Chennai, after losing its tail in a violent battle with another captive male (Kannadasan, 2018). Another, noteworthy example of a tailless American alligator (Alligator 19

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 mississippiens) is Mr Stubbs from Red List of Threatened Species 2013: Phoenix, Arizona, who was assisted e.T5667A3046723. with a prosthetic tail for the prospect <http://doi.org/10.2305/ IUCN. of a longer and better life in captivity UK.20132.RLTS.T5667A3046723.en>. (Craven, 2013). One of interesting accounts is that of the ‘crocodile frog’, Craven, S. (2013). Phoenix group gives alligator a prosthetic tail. 10March presented by Shuker (2011). It was 2013.<https://www.usatoday.com/st ory/news/nation/2013/03/10/alligato about a tailless crocodile (probably, C. r-prosthetic-tail/1977413/> porosus) from the Sabah forest, North Fish1, F.E, S.A. Bostic, A.J. Nicastro and J.T. Beneski (2007). Death roll of Borneo and in Sabah’s Croc farm the alligator: mechanics of twist feeding in water. The Journal of (Sandakan, Malaysia). This formed the Experimental Biology, 210: 2811-2818. basis for a book written by a Czech Gander, K. (2019). Crocodile discovered decapitated with tail cut cryptozoologist, Jaroslav Mareš off: ‘What is wrong with people? 30 August 2019. entitled Detektivem v Říši Zvířat (‘A <https://www.newsweek.com/crocod ile-decapitated-tail-cut-off-1456909> Detective in the Animal Kingdom’), Garrick, L.D. and J.W. Lang (1977). published in Prague in 1995. However, Social Signals and Behaviors of Adult Alligators and Crocodiles. American this case of a tailless Mugger crocodile Zoology, 17:225-239 in Vishwamitri river instantly reminded Grigg, G. and D. Krishner. (2015). Biology and Evolution of the Crocodilian, of its extinct primitive ancestor⎯ the Cornel University Press, Ithaca, 645pp. prehistoric amphibian called Mastodonsaurus. Nevertheless, this particular croc that was encountered in Vishwamitri river left me and other rescuers curious about how did this tailless tetrapod manage to survive successfully amidst so many other “well-tailed” crocodiles in such a densely populated urban habitat? References Choudhury, B.C. and de Silva, A. (2013). Crocodylus palustris. The IUCN 20

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Huchzermeyer, F. W. (2003). Vadodara City Gujarat State, India. Crocodiles Biology. Husbandry and Russian Journal of Herpetology, 17(1): Diseases, CABI Publishing, Cambridge, 43-50. MA. 352pp. Vyas, R. (2010b). The Muggers Kannadasan, A. (2018). The tale of a (Crocodylus palustris) of Vishwamitri crocodile without a tail, 17 July 2018. River: Past and Present. Herpetology & <https://www.thehindu.com/society/ Environmental Research Project the-tale-of-a-crocodile-without-a- (HERP), Vadodara, Gujarat State. 32 tail/article24442642.ece> pp+ Fig.5+Table 11+ i-xxi. Moser, M. and R. Schoch. (2007). Vyas, R. (2011). New threat on the Revision of the type material and mugger (Crocodylus palustris) nomenclature of Mastodonsaurus population of Vadodara city, Gujarat, giganteus (Jaeger) (Temnospondyli) India. CSG Newsletter, 30 (3): 15-16. from the middle Triassic of Germany. Palaeontology, 50 (5): 1245–1266. Vyas, R. (2012). Current status of Marsh Crocodiles Crocodylus palustris Norman, G. (2018). Mutilated (Reptilia: Crocodylidae) in Vishwamitri alligators turning up in Florida with River, Vadodara City, Gujarat, India. head, tails missing, 22May 2018. J. of Threatened Taxa, 4 (14):3333- <https://www.foxnews.com/us/mutil 3341. ated-alligators-turning-up-in-florida- with-head-tails-missing> Vyas, R. (2014a). Roads and Railway: Cause for mortality of Muggers Shuker, K. (2011). A real-life (Crocodylus palustris) Gujarat State, crocodile-frog from Borneo? 31 May India. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 2011.<http://karlshuker.blogspot.co 21(3):237-240. m/2011/05/real-life-crocodile-frog- from-borneo.htmal> Vyas, R. (2014b). Note on a seriously injured male mugger crocodile Vyas, R. (2010a). Mugger (Crocodylus (Crocodylus palustris) surviving in palustris) population in and around captivity. CSG Newsletter, 33(4):8-10. 21

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Vyas, R. (2017). Emergence of a new Webb, G. and C. Manolis. (1989). potential threat to the mugger Crocodiles of Australia. Reed Books: (Crocodylus palustris) population of Frenchs Forest, Australia.160pp. Gujarat state, India. CSG Newsletter, 36(4):16-17. Willey, J.S., Biknevicius, A.R., Reilly, S.M. and K.D. Earls. (2004). The tale of Vyas, R. (2018). Result of the 2015 the tail: limb function and locomotor Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus mechanics in Alligator palustris) Count at Vadodara, Gujarat, mississippiensis. The Journal of India. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibia, Experimental Biology, 207:553-563. 25(1):20-25. Yahoo News. (2019). What's wrong Vyas, R. and S.R. Bhavsar. (2009). with people?' Grisly theory behind Movement of an individual mugger into gruesome croc discovery, Yahoo News urban areas of Vadodara City, Gujarat, Australia30 August 2019. India. CSG Newsletter, 28(3): 5-7. <https://au.news.yahoo.com/crocodil e-found-decapitated-in-crystal-rapids- Vyas, R. and A. Vasava. (2019). Mugger katherine-203555404.html> crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) mortality due to roads and railways in Zheng, Z. (2017). Amous tailless Gujarat, India. Herpetological crocodile sighted in Sungei Buloh Conservation and Biology, 14(3):615- Wetland Reserve, spot it if you are 626. there, May 2017. <https://mothership.sg/2017/05/famous Vyas, R., Vasava, A. and V. Mistry. -tailless-crocodile-sighted-in-sungei- (2020). Crocodile-vehicle collision: buloh-wetland-reserve-spot-it-if-you-are- New threat to mugger crocodile there. (Crocodylus palustris) at Gujarat, India. CSG Newsletter, 39(1):15-19. 22

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Picturesque Bhigwan Lake, Maharashtra Sushmita Karmakar Email: [email protected] Sunrise at Bhigwan Lake The unmatched beauty of our under the glare of sunlight. This habitat harbours the fuel for most of the blue planet has been captured by the plants, animals, birds, benthos, small satellites and International Space invertebrates, even the aquatic flora Stations. This planet is breathing and and fauna. Such areas also preserve the thriving with life, rendering it a special ongoing natural cycles and maintain place in our solar system. Land and balance within the ecosystem. water, enshrouded by the blanket of atmosphere, has paved the path for The Bhigwan lake in evolution of life. The spontaneity of Maharashtra is famous for the annually life depends on nutrient procurement, visiting migratory birds. It plays a vital and one such facility is conquered by role in maintaining the ecological the wetlands of our planet. These balance by providing the fuel to the marshy areas, where land and water migrating birds and other varied mingle, create a nutrient rich broth 23

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 aquatic animals. This lake is the Kumbhargaon in January 2020. The culmination of Mula-Mutha river, coordinates for the same are spreading over 18,000 square 18.272111, 74.795246. This lake is hectares. It can be accessed mainly surrounded by agricultural lands and from two villages; Diksal and marshy areas, enriched by the guano of Kumbhargaon. I had the opportunity to the waterbirds. attend the localite’s hospitality at Elevation contour map of Study area at Bhigwan The early morning boat ride had Lake few times they were flying at my arm’s covered study area of around 7 km. length. After around 20 minutes, as Dawn at the lake was like a page the sky lighted up, we moved straight out of scenic beauties. The southwards and I began to recognize first rays of sun were greeted with the the inflow of various floral and faunal arrivals of at least a dozen Brown- species. There were many electric headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus (LC) poles, half submerged within the lake, and River Tern Sterna aurantia (NT). supporting the wires providing Their dark silhouettes were cackling electricity to the villages nearby. all around our boat with the occasional Cotillions of Whiskered dives near the water surface. Quite a Tern Chlidonias hybrida (LC) along 24

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 with the gulls, swung on those power scattered sediments, there was a lines. The orange beaks of the Brown- headed gulls were black tipped. Their mixed congregation of Grey white wings and bodies had presented a calming effect upon the surrounding. Heron Ardea cinerea (LC), Little Most of the birds were not in their breeding plumage. Egret Egretta garzetta (LC), Painted The sediments from under the Stork Mycteria leucocephala (NT) and lake had jutted out of the water surface at some places. Upon those Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (LC). Each species was deeply engrossed with morning ablutions and procuring their food. Brown-headed Gull Black-winged Stilt Painted Stork I watched a Painted Stork Painted Storks feeding side by side, I hunting. With one swift motion and a also spotted the Common Sandpiper long stride it had caught a Actitis hypoleucos (LC) feeding on the Pterygoplichthys pardalis, an invasive tiny crustaceans at the lakeside. A fish species native to Brazil and Peru. small flock of Black-headed This species in particular has invaded Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus (NT) the water bodies of Tamil Nadu flew towards west. After covering a (Muralidharan et al., 2015) and distance of around 01 km, the guide Western Ghats (Molur et al., 2011). had stopped the motor of the boat and Hence, this species is regarded as pointed towards a big rock in the potential threat to native fish diversity middle of the lake. A familiar shrill call in these regions. of ‘did-he-do-it’ confirmed the While watching the Asian presence of Red-wattled Openbill Anastomus oscitans (LC) and Lapwing Vanellus indicus (LC). Using 25

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 my binoculars, I saw a pair of Red- speculate, which individual had led the wattled Lapwings, with their bright flock to flight. These expert aerial red wattles, glistening under the feeders’ real beauty is enhanced once bright sun. But the real surprise sat they are in air. Their forked tail and behind the guano laced areas on the long wings with black coloured rock. There were around 28-30 patterns are easily identifiable from a individuals of Little distance. Pratincole Glareola lactea (LC) quietly sitting, with the least possible As we proceeded deeper in the movements. The sudden gusts of air lake, we were greeted by more water- ruffling their body feathers gave away birds, namely the Glossy Ibis Plegadis their presence. I studied their little falcinellus (LC), huge flocks of Pallas's curved beaks with the red mark lining Gull Larus ichthyaetus (LC), Indian its end, their fluffed up grey bodies Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis and random high-pitched chirps. These (LC) and few species of ducks like the waders can grow to a size of around 19 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata cm. Then, all of a sudden the whole (LC), Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas flock took to air. The scenario change poecilorhyncha (LC) and the Common was so abrupt, that it was difficult to Coot Fulica atra (LC). Red-wattled Lapwing Little Pratincole (Left) Ruff (Right) Black- headed Ibis There was another interesting upon the electric poles. It was species circling the lake. The searching quite intently for its prey. majestically beautiful Osprey Pandion This species can grow to a size of haliaetus (LC) which sometimes rested around 58 cm and have dark brown 26

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 wings covering a pristine white body. flava (LC), Pied Bushchat Saxicola Their eyes are bright yellow with a caprata (LC) and a Paddyfield black iris. A black stripe runs behind Pipit Anthus rufulus (LC). There was a each eye, completing the look of this small flock of Bar-headed Goose Anser sophisticated bird of prey. indicus (LC) with around 06 individuals. They were feeding in the The lakeside was also alive with small agricultural fields adjoining the activities of passerines and other bird lake. This species is one of the most species. A Common Kingfisher Alcedo iconic high-altitudinal migrants (Scott atthis (LC) was preening while keeping et al., 2015) which has been reported an eye towards the lake. I also spotted to fly over some of the high Himalayan a Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach mountains. (LC), a breeding adult of Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla Osprey Bar-headed Goose Pied Bushchat Our guide proceeded further filter feeding alternately. I watched their activities, accompanied by a pair and sped up the motor of the boat. He of Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (LC). These ducks have a warm rusty took us to the feeding grounds of brown coloured body with black beak and legs. I also spotted a rather large Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus flock of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (NT), who were preening and roseus (LC). The arrival of flamingos feeding adjacent to the Pallas’s Gulls. Their unique long thin beaks are was quite late this time. It had perfect to dig out the tiny concerned the local avitourism industry. On a patch of mudflats in middle of the lake, there were around 08 adults and one juvenile Greater Flamingo. All were standing tall and 27

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 invertebrates, worms and crustaceans bill with red and black bands at the tip. from beneath the soft mud. Pallas’s I also spotted a Little Ringed Gulls can grow up to a size of around Plover Charadrius dubius (LC) 69 cm, making them look like outcasts scurrying away from a perfectly in a flock of Brown-headed Gulls. camouflaged Ruff Calidris pugnax These generalist feeders have a heavy (LC). and slightly hooked yellow coloured A congregation of Greater Flamingo, Ruddy Pallas’s Gull preening and bathing Shelduck, Asian Openbill and other water birds The next highlight of this visit headed towards our last lap. At that was witnessing a mating ritual of river moment, we saw crowding of many tern. On a patch of land at the boats with excited birders and tourists lakeside, a male tern had been beneath an electric pole. As I followed pursuing a female of his species for the direction of their binoculars and some time. Then he presented her cameras, I was met with a Peregrine with a freshly caught fish. After that Falcon Falco peregrinus (LC) feasting he pursued her for a few more on the remnants of a Black-winged moments and soon when she had Stilt, unaware of the chaos it had settled down on a clear patch of created. This is the world’s fastest ground, he climbed on her back and member of the animal kingdom, which mated. The moment was swiftly can grow to a size of around 51 cm. carried out, and after the act The curved beak was tirelessly working completion both had parted their its way through the delicate feathers ways. As the sun rose higher, we of the kill. Its yellow legs and talons, 28

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 the black barring all over the body, Bhigwan lake was enchanting and and those bluish-grey wings, every overwhelming, decorated with the feature of this bird was worth large murmurations of perfectly studying. A Western Marsh- synchronized Rosy Starling Pastor harrier Circus aeruginosus (LC) kept roseus (LC). hovering over the lake. Dusk at A pair of River Tern mating Peregrine Falcon with a Western Marsh-harrier kill Harrier Words cannot describe the beauties of our nature and especially the tenants of wetlands and water-bodies. But the anthropogenic activities and climate change events have taken a toll on these habitats and their dwellers. The famous primatologist, Dian Fossey had once said, ‘When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future’. Studying natural diversities of such areas, make us aware both scientifically as well as spiritually, that each habitat is crucial for the continuity of life. Murmuration of Rosy Starling Grey Heron roosting at dusk 29

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 References river system of Peninsular India, Int. J. Aquat. Biol. 3: 14-18. Molur S., K. G. Smith, B. A. Daniel and W.R.T. Darwall Scott, G. R., Lucy A. Hawkes, P.B. (2011). The status and Frappell, P.J. Butler, C.M. Bishop distribution of freshwater and W.K. Milsom (2015). How Bar- biodiversity in the Western headed Geese fly over the Himalayas. Ghats, India. Cambridge, UK Physiology (Bethesda) 30: 107–115. and Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, and Coimbatore, India, Zoo Other bibliographical sources: Outreach Organisation, 110 p. Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (2013). Birds of the Indian Muralidharan, M., K. Subcontinent. Bloomsbury Publishing. <http://www.birdlife.org/> Manikandan and M. Gobi (2015). Acknowledgements: Extended distribution of the The author is thankful to Debjyoti Karmakar for providing photographs. invasive Sucker catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Pisces: Loricariidae) to Cauvery About the Author Sushmita Karmakar has done M.Sc. in Biotechnology and MBA in Marketing. She has an innate passion for conservation of nature and knowing its mysteries from a macro level point of view. She has trekked to some of the remote areas of India to study the conflict and connection between humans and the nature surrounding them. She has also written many poems, articles and made paintings depicting the bewitching Mother Nature. Currently she is working as an Information Officer under ENVIS (Environmental Information system) at BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society), Mumbai. 30

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Field Notes on a Few Wet Habitats in Czech Republic & Poland Krishan Kaushik Email: [email protected] Participants researcher having a look on the vegetations at the mouth of a streamlet that recharge Karhov pond in the area. (49°12'42.249\"N, 15°18'14.815\"E) [Image: Eva Hette] This is a brief account on my tours Monument in South Czech Republic (guided by Ester Ekrtová and Libor Ekrt). to few wet habitats of Czech Republic & These peatbog and peaty meadows are Poland during international ecology part of Zhejral NNR - National Nature conferences participations in 2018-20. Reserve. Due to its extensive complexes Undoubtedly, to have a guided tour of of oligotrophic plants, mosses, and these ancient wetlands by host country is grasses communities; landscape represent the most excited and awaited piece of a segment of high ecological and aesthetic these events. value. Management has been preserving endangered peaty and wet meadow First glimpses are from excursion communities since 1993 by regularly to fens and ponds of the Jihlavské vrchy pruning and restricted public entry. Highlands: V Lisovech Nature Reserve, Zhejral National Nature 31

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Collage showing the Kačerák pond in V Lísovech natural reserve (49°14'48.942\"N, 15°16'43.084\"E) harboring emergent reeds (Phragmites australis) with occasional trees (willow, chestnut etc.) and shrubs [sometimes you may encounter few flocks of water birds too] [Image: Eva Hette] Area has sphagnums bog clumps intertwined with Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Vaccinium oxycoccos near Karhov pond. Corner snippet is berry of Oxycoccus palustris [3,4] [Image: Laslo Zolatn] 32

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Collage depicting the various form of flora protected in this unique habitat. A & C: Littorella uniflora at the margin of Karhov pond and mosses of Sphagnum sp. & Polytrichum formosum near the Kačerák pond. [B&D] [Image: Eva Hette, Zsuzsanna Pato] Fluvial sediments of primarily Along with the communities of sandy-loam character are accumulated the Oxycocco-Sphagnetea, some small around the region having granites populations of hare’s tail cotton grass bedrock. Historically, the pond area (Eriophorum vaginatum) might grow in a traced its origin from hallow spring basin fragmentary way [3,4]. Recent years and areas with a constantly high intensive entomological surveys in Zhejral groundwater table may harbors gleysol NNR (National Nature Reserve) has and podsols [1]. recorded around 500 butterfly and moth species here. Neofaculta infernella & The vegetation type varies Apotomis sauciana etc. are few depending on water table depth, but butterfly’s species that dwell on this Sedge-sphagnum moss growths can be boggy and marshy environment along with seen easily on high groundwater table. 33

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Schoenobius forficellus and Chilo (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) and grasshopper phragmitellus moth species among many warbler (Locustella naevia) etc. [1,2]. This small tour to these native, preserved other [1,2]. With common frog (Rana and protected wet habitats left us with overall ecologically enriching experiences temporaria), Moor frog (Rana arvalis) and out there. pool frog (Rana lessonae) are habitant of Fig.1 Location of the “Torfowisko pod Zieleńcem” Nature Reserve [snippet: black fishpond shallow water. Air space is dot on extreme West of Poland] Credit: Boratyńska et.al. (2011) occupied by marshy and wetlands 34 avifauna represented by reed warbler Second glimpses are from Wroclaw (South-Western Poland) excursion that took place on behalf of the University of Wroclaw for the Stołowe mountains national park; during the 27th Congress of the European Vegetation Survey (IAVS Working Group) 23-26 May 2018. The last station was at an ancient peat bog near Zieleniec town. [westmost (Fig. 1)] The nature reserve is known as “Torfowisko pod Zieleńcem” and is situated in the Bystrzyckie Mountains range a part of Central Sudety Mountains, though Zieleniec Mire is in the Kłodzka Valley (750-764 m. a.s.l.). Area receive an average annual 1300 mm precipitations & has a 3.5 to 6.0°C as mean annual temperatures range.[5] It was established in 1954 to conserve the Holocene era peatbog and a rare glacial relict with a status as ‘precious plant species of Polish flora’ i.e. dwarf birch (Betula nana).[3,6] The flora of the reserve has 220 taxa of

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Fig.2 Contemporary vegetation of the subarctica, endangered butterflies: Zieleniec mire: 1- Sphagnetum magellanici; 2 Somatochlora alpestris & S. arctica and – Pino mugo-Sphagnetum; 3 – Sphagno- birds: Vaciniina optilete, Colias palaeno, Piceetum; 4 – bog pool; 5 – location of Lyrurus tetrix & Ciconia nigra etc. The stratigraphical sectionis relict species may advantageous climatic conditions of the appear because of habitat acting as glacial area have been favoring raised bog refuge. [credit: Kucharski & Kloss (2005)] development since many sanctuaries along with pollen deposits profiles that vascular flora, 20 endangered species on largely correspond to the scheme of vegetations development of existing a regional scale and 10 endangered on a typical central European flora. [3] Principal plant communities flourishing in national scale. Few more glacial relics are the oligotrophic nutrient habitat are Oxycocco - Sphagnetea & Sphagnion Scheuchzeria palustris, Carex pauciflora, europium along with contemporary vegetations types in the area (Fig. 2) [4]. Pinus x rhaetica and among others are Normally woodland species constitute with Pinus mugo, P. uliginosa, P. Drosera sp., Galium saxatile, & sylvastris, spruce stand represents the final stage of succession, while herb layer Trichophorum cespitosum etc. Fauna was is with Eriophorum vaginatum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Oxycoccus quadripetalus, not the subject of comprehensive Drosera rotundifolia, & Sphagnum mosses mainly [1,2]. The tour was refreshing and research, but you can meet here, among genuine treat to environmental conservation of an ancient habitat. There others endangered dragonfly: Aeshna was much to comprehend and to takeaways. Below are few snaps for visual ecstasy. 35

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Aerial view showing Pinus mugo and spruce stands occurs mostly on the border of this rare and ancient habitats, trying to dominate the area. But the growth has been severely hampered due to waterlogging and nutrient poor substrate. [credit: R. Łapiński] Left: Knowing that Sphagnum has antimicrobial properties, a participant trying a ‘moss facial’ [*not encouraged*]. Right: A comparative image of Betula nana this dwarf form is a relict species; surviving as of habitat acted as glacial refuge. 36

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Pinus mugo stands with stunted and dwarf growth form has a mosaic occurrence throughout the habitats Vaccinium oxycoccus embedded with sphagnum clumps were abundant across the habitats. 37

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Bog has frequent white fluffy spread of Eriophorum vaginatum inflorescences [snippet – showing the closeup of the plant profile, along with wind dispersing hairy seeds] References Nature Reserve V Lisovech. – Ms. [deposit. in OŽP Regional Office of Czech wetlands the Vysočina Region, Jihlava] [1]http://www.cittadella.cz/europarc/in dex.php?p=index&site=NPR zhejral_en [4] Hofhanzlová E. & Ekrt L. (2006): Floristický a vegetační inventarizační [2] Dvořák, M. – Šumpich, J.: The fauna of průzkum Národní přírodní rezervace selected families of moths from the Zhejral [Floristic and vegetation research natural reserve Zhejral in the Jihlavské at the Zhejral reserve]. – Acta Rer. Natur. vrchy Mts. (Lepidoptera). Vlastivědný 2: 19–37 Sborník Vysočiny, Oddíl Věd Přír., 12, 1995: 109–124 (in Czech) Pol wetlands [1] Boratyńska K, Jasińska AK, Marcysiak [3] Ekrtová E. & Ekrt L., Štechová T. & K, Sobierajska K (2011). Pinus uliginosa Holá E. (2015): Botanical inventory survey from Czarne Bagno peatbog (Sudetes) (vascular plants, vegetation, mosses) compared morphologically to related Pinus species Dendrobiology 65: 17–28. 38

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 [2] Flora Europaea (1972) Volume III. [5] Madeyska, E. (2005). The history of the Cambridge University Press, 276-280. Zieleniec mire and the surrounding areas based on the palynological [3] Kloss, M. (2005). Palaeobotanical research. Monogr Bot, 94, 145-157. studies of raised mires. Monogr Bot, 94, 1- 162. [6] Regulation Minister of Forestry and Woody Industry 1954. Monitor Polski 22, [4] Kucharski, L. E. S. Z. E. K., & Kloss, M. pos. 358 A. R. E. K. (2005). Contemporary vegetation of selected raised mires and its preservation. Monogr. Bot, 94, 37-64. About the Author Mr. Krishan Kaushik is a PhD scholar at University of Pecs, Hungary. His current research focuses on the community ecology, invasion and conservation of a Monodominant plant species. He had finished M.Phil. and M.Sc. from Department of Botany, University of Delhi - India in Plant Biotechnology and Botany respectively. He had been a Summer Research Fellow [Indian Academies of Sciences] & Stipendium Hungaricum Fellow [UGC-TPF venture] with 5 articles including popular science are; in press/published. 39

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Obituary Dr. Bhavbhuti M. Parasharya P. S. Thakker Email: [email protected] adventurous field naturalist, ecologist, conservationist, academician (outstanding Professor/Teacher/Guide) and especially, India’s Economic Ornithologist. He was widely respected and loved in Ornithology circles at the state, country and world level. His primary, high school and college level education was completed in Bhavnagar. He earned his Master’s degree from M. S. University of Baroda, Vadodara. I had known Dr. Parasharya from his earlier days (1980) as a Ph. D. student with Prof. R. M Naik at Saurashtra University, Rajkot. I remember that he had visited Shilaj Heronry. We went on bicycle from Ambavadi. He crossed chest deep water Dr. B. M. Parasharya (4-7-1955 to 9-10-2020) with the support of my shoulder and We, the people of Gujarat and reached on island to count nests and India, lost Dr. Bhavbhuti M. Parasharya different birds. Later, he was Gujarat’s on 9 October 2020. He was an eminent and veteran International ornithologist, state coordinator for Asian Wetland Bureau and Asian Waterfowl Census, so I had been sending him the forms. We 40

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 were in contact, but came closer when I Walking 15-20 kms in water or reported flamingo breeding at Thol Lake muddy area of LRK/GRK or GoK, working and published a paper on flamingo in scorching heat of April- May in open breeding site using satellite data. ISRO Rann or surveying undulating terrain for allotted a project to Anand Agriculture population studies/counts even during University to study Flamingo breeding monsoon were his adventurous acts. He habitat using satellite data. Dr. had vast knowledge and experience, be Parasharya was Project Investigator and it fish, spiders, insects, dragonfly, I was the coordinator representing ISRO. snakes or birds. He was the master of his Dr. Anika Tere was Ph.D. student. I had subject, but he respected the visited Little Rann of Kachchh (LRK), knowledge of other people too, like a Gulf of Kachchh (GoK) and Great Rann of peon Das Kaka and driver like Nazeer Kachchh (GRK) with him many times as bhai working with him. His nature was a part of the study. I visited Flamingo very simple. He was frank and outspoken City twice with him. He had developed and yet kind hearted, polite, friendly crop draining apparatus to study the and generous. He was caring and food from the crop of Lesser Flamingo protective for his students. In fact, he without killing the bird using simple was a friend and parental figure for aspirating tube and syringe. A real many of them. conservationist indeed! We had found five new breeding sites of flamingo in For many years he was Gujarat GRK, in addition to Sindal bet, LRK, GoK, state coordinator for AWC/AWB bird Shahwadi and Thol Lake. census carried out by volunteers. He wrote a monograph on Butterflies of He had initiated efforts to have Gujarat. He was also one of the authors an organization for bird conservation in of a Gujarati book “Krushi Gujarat. As a result, Bird Conservation Paryaavaranmaa Pakshio”. He also Society, Gujarat (BCSG) came in prepared a checklist of the Birds of existence. He was one of the founding Gujarat with Gujarati names. He members and served as the secretary for published a small booklet on Flamingoes many years. in Gujarat. Dr. Anika Tere and Dr. 41

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Parasharya represented India at Nairobi Nowadays, a few birdwatchers Kenya for Lesser Flamingo Action plans. are advocating about new flamingo city in GRK to the North of Kuda. But as a He was an expert member of silent researcher Dr. Parasharya had following international organisations/ published a report about this site in groups: IUCN Flamingo Specialist Group’s journals (no.18 of March 2011).  Bird Life International (UK)  IUCN (Switzerland) His latest discovery was that of  Species Survival Committee successful breeding of Greater Flamingo  Heron Specialist Group in the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay) in  Working Group on Storks, Ibises 2018. It was published in January 2020 issue of Indian Birds. and Spoonbills  Flamingo specialist Group I was fortunate to talk with him any time without hesitation. Before his He was an advisory committee sad demise (before he was admitted to member of the Standing Committee on a hospital), I had talked to him to discuss Applied Ornithology (SCAO) constituted about the presence of Black Bulbul in by International Ornithological Gujarat. I have lost a noble friend and a Congress; and Salim Ali Centre for great guide in the field of ornithology. Ornithology and Natural History There is a big vacuum hard to fill for (SACON), Coimbatore. international ornithological community. Crop draining of Lesser Flamingo Thick aspirating tube having rounded end and four perforations on the sides of the tube Innovated by Late Dr. B.M. Parashrya and his team. 42

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Role of Invasive Plants in Wetland Ecosystems Sushmita Krishnan1 and Darshini Subramaniam 1Email: [email protected] Fig 1: A typical wetland ecosystem-a biological supermarket (Source: Vrijulal) Introduction are multi-faceted personalities in the ecosystem performing a plethora of Wetlands function independent activities which benefit many species in the ecosystem and specially the of humans and have proven to perform humans. Optimizing for one is an essential services (Mitsch, 2000). They 43

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 expense for another species. For species by providing them the resources humans, the plethora of activities can they require. Wetland invaders differ be regarded as public amenities that from other invaders by dispersing seeds wetlands offer. Invasive plants have through water, whole plants and its been a major driving force in altering fragments distributed through flotation, many mechanisms within the wetland aerenchyma protects underground plant ecosystems. Many wetland plants are tissues from flooding and anoxic soil and regarded as invasive because of their efficiently using carbon (Soukup, 2000). widespread spatial distribution and very fast reproducing capacities within the Opportunities that make wetlands communities (Richardson, 2000). The vulnerable invasive plants form dense mats and clog waterways, increase sedimentation and It has been observed that low degrade pastures which increases lying lands induce the growth of invasive mosquito breed (Sainty, 1998). These species (Sobrino, 2002). The abundance not just affect biological processes but of species correlates with the density of also the human use of wetlands. It is roads, which suggests strongly that also observed that plant invaders form dispersal routes and disturbances, monotypes rather than adding to native interacts with landscape position to plant species richness. It is another facilitate plant establishment (Krecher, thought that wetlands are vulnerable to 2004). Wetlands that utilize surface invasion because they act as sinks water from agricultural and urbanized accumulating materials from both water sheds are prone to have many terrestrial and wetland disturbances invasive species (Galotowitsch, 1999). such as excess water, nutrients, Richness of species and quality are low sediments and other contaminants. It is (Kercher, 2004). Coefficients of also understood that every disturbance conservatism are assigned to examine caused to an upland watershed would the quality of species. It is assessed by negatively affect downstream. This the occurrence of high quality species in accumulation of contaminants in the the least disturbed remnants of the wetlands enables the survival of invasive native vegetation. They score up to CC = 10, while the weeds range between CC 44

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 = 0-1 (Lopez, 2002). Wetlands that are due to low nutrient concentrations in not supported by surface water have groundwater. Some exceptions are small watersheds and depend on rainfall those that receive large influxes of rather than surface water run offs nitrogen from the atmosphere (Bedford, 2003). These wetlands are (Koerselman, 1995). usually rich in species and often free from invasive plants. Their richness is Fig 2: Western Ghats, Chikmangalur (Source: Manikanta Sharma) What invaders do to wetlands? levels of flammability. Indirect impacts Invasive plants have both direct are concerned with microorganisms and larger animals. The magnitude of and indirect functions on the ecosystem. invasions is increasing worldwide and The direct impacts include canopy the distribution of invasive species is heights, aspects of architecture, shifts increasing (Pysek, 2010). Some invasions from herbaceous to woody plants or vice cause only community level changes, versa, increased productivity and litter, whereas other types can fundamentally varying nutrient regimes, and varying 45

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 change the structure and functions of also be native such as Typha ecosystem (Levine, 2003). Some species have the potential to cause regime shift, domingensis in Florida, Everglades. to restructure and transform the ecosystem and requires to be considered Some are hybrids, exotic strains of the high impact invaders and need proper management. Regime shifts are usually native species or native species drastic, abrupt the ecosystem structure and function associated with converted invasive due to reorganization (Scheffer, 2001). Regime shifts are usually the result of environmental conditions. As listed by imbalances in feedback or the emergence of new feedback in the Global Invasive Species Database, system (Bennet, 2005). Invasive wetland species are often exotic; but they can Arundo donax L., Mimosa pigra, Polygonum cuspidatum, Lythrum salicaria, Blake, Schinus teebinthifolius, Melaleuca quinquenervia, Spartina anglica, cordgrass, Tamarix ramosissima, are among the top invasive species. Table 1: List of invasive plant species in different wetlands of the world (Zedler, 2004) Name Growth form Monoculture Invasive in Native to formed or Spartina densiflora Grass not Humboldt Bay, South America Yes California Spartina alterniflora Grass U.S. Pacific North- Yes Washington, west coast Polypogon Grass Oregon and San monspeliensis Grass Yes Francisco Bay Southern Phalaris arundinacea Grass California Agrostis avenacea Graminioda Yes Southern California Typha orientalis Graminoids Yes Europe Typha domingensis Graminiods Yes Wisconsin, North Juncus articulatus Graminiods Yes America Australia Juncus acutus Graminioda Yes Eastern Australia Yes Southern California Typha x glauca Perth Florida, Yes Everglades Southern California U.S. and Europe Southern Australia California Eastern U.S. Mediterranean Great Lakes wetlands 46

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Name Growth form Monoculture Invasive in Native to formed or Central and South Mimosa pigra Shrub not Australia, Southeast Asia and America Schinus Shrub Yes South America terebinthifoius Shrub Florida Europe and Asia Shrub Yes Texas and Florida Tamarix ramosissima Shrub Eastern Asia Forb Yes wetlands Florida Triadica sebifera Forb Texas, Western Europe Forb Yes U.S. and Australia Melaleuca Forb Louisiana and Eastern Asia quinquenerva Yes South America Lythrum salicaria Yes Texas Polygonum Yes Himalayas cuspidatum The Everglades Alternanthera Yes philoxeroides North America Impatiens Yes glandulifera Europe and U.S. California ,Florida waterways, UK From the above table we infer introduced as a curiosity plant, its seeds that mostly all the wetland invasive dispersing in annual floodwaters. species form monoculture and that they Similarly, Schinus terebinthifoius was are a group of diverse class. Being native introduced as an ornamental plant in to some places they exhibit invasive southern U.S. has over 5 times the properties when brought as exotic concentration of phosphorous in leaves species elsewhere. California, Australia than the native species of sawgrass. The and Florida seem to be the most complete removal of the nutrient rich affected areas as cited in the table 1. soil is mandatory as they could re- Grasses like Spartina alterniflora is colonize if burned or rooted out. spread across 8093 ha along the coast of Melaleuca quinquenerva infests over Washington; Spartina densiflora 200,000 ha of south Florida being the occupies 393 ha of salt marsh in greatest threat in wetlands causing up Humboldt Bay and Phalaris arundinacea to 80% loss of biodiversity. Polygonum covers about 40,000 ha in Wisconsin cuspidatum, a herb that grows up to 4.5 alone. Shrubs like Mimosa pigra, which m tall, is the most invasive in riparian invaded about 800 km2 in Australia, was wetlands. Due it its rapid invasive 47

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 property it is classified as a species of high concern (Zedler, 2004). high concern. (Zedler, 2004) Fig 3: Submerged invasive plants in wetland ecosystems (Source: https://www.solitudelakemanagement.com/aquatic-weed-control-and-i nvasive-species-management) Fig 4: Floating invasive species (Source: https://www.solitudelakemanagement.com/aquatic-weed-control-and-invasive-species- management) Impact on habitat structure amplifies the intensity of fire (Cox, Many invaders are unwanted 1999) and the invader inhibits the water availability to native species. This loss is because of their effects on the habitat difficult to estimate as multiple factors structure. The increased density of are involved. It was estimated that flammable woody plants and litter 48

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 South African catchments lose billions of impacts animal diversity. It was cubic meters of water per year due to reported that reduced habitat in invasive species (Le Maitre, 2000). Lythrum salicaria stands for enormous P.autralis impacts the geomorphology insects and birds that are habitat by building up marsh plain elevation specialists (Blossey, 2001). through increased sedimentation and increased production of organic matter Impact on productivity, nutrient (Rooth, 2003).When the elevation of cycling and microorganism marsh increases more rapidly, then the sea level rises and the marsh becomes Invasive plants differ from native drier. This results in the elimination of species in their biomass and aquatic microhabitat. productivity, chemistry and morphology (Ehrenfeld, 2003). In a study, it was Impact on biodiversity found that there was reduced diversity Invasive species reduce both the of phospholipid fatty acid, which indicates low activity of microbial plant and animal diversity in an populations in soil (Ravit, 2003). In ecosystem (Werner, 2002).Often low another study conducted in the Hudson species richness results in invisibility, River freshwater tidal marshes, the potential for positive feedbacks microbial biomass and nutrient pools in exists. An invasive species that causes strands of P.australis and L.salicaria an area to lose its native species has invaded Typha angustifolia. P.australis greater possibility to become even more had higher biomass than Typha. invasive. Canopy architecture is also L.australis and L.salicaria had high altered when invasive species becomes nitrogen concentrations suggesting dominant. It was also found that high higher sequestration (Otto, 1999). salt concentrations and P.australis species act simultaneously to reduce Impact on food webs species richness and the distribution of Invasive species affect food webs native species. Hence, the integrity of the species is lost multi dimensionally. in numerous ways, by modifying the Studies suggest that plant invasion quantity and quality of food by changing its vulnerability to predators. In the 49

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2331-1881), Vol. 10, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 2020 Northeastern U.S, P.australis dominated Tiruchirappalli, for their constant the surface waters which lowered the support and encouragement. number of juvenile fishes (Able, 2000). This further suggested that fishes References consume very less P.australis even when they are abundant in the ecosystem. Able, K. W. and S.M. Hagan (2000). Bentham microalgae are more Effects of common reed (Phragmites important sources of food for juvenile australis) invasion on marsh surface fishes in the ecosystem (Currin, 2003). macrofauna: response of fishes and decapod crustaceans. Estuaries, 23: Conclusion and Future Directions 633–646. Invasions in wetlands can be explained by understanding the nature of Bedford, B. L. and K.S. Godwin opportunity and opportunists. The (2003). Fens of the United States: species take advantage of the distribution, characteristics and opportunity depending on access and scientific connection versus legal constraints. The outcomes are usually isolation. Wetlands, 23: 608–629 detrimental and the wetland becomes dominated by invaders and invites more Bennett, E.M., G.S. Cumming and invasive animals. Future research will G.D. Peterson (2005). A systems enhance our understanding of invasive model approach to determining species and help us improve its resilience surrogates for case management by fixing the underlying studies. Ecosystems, 8: 945–957. changes in disturbance regimes or other ecosystem properties between the two. Blossey, B., L.C. Skinner and J. Taylor (2001). Impact and Acknowledgements management of purple loosestrife The authors would like to express their (Lythrum salicaria) in North America. gratitude towards the School of Life Biodiversity Conservation, 10: 1787– Sciences, Bharathidasan University, 1807. 50