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Communication
Habitat structure determines the abundance of
the Endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei
(Aves: Passeriformes: Motacillidae) at Timau montane
grasslands in central Kenya
Dominic Kimani, Muchane Muchai, Johnstone Kimanzi, Joseph Mwangi,
Wanyoike Wamiti, Samuel Bakari, Bernhard Walter & Peter Njoroge
26 April 2020 | Vol. 12 | No. 5 | Pages: 15565–15571
DOI: 10.11609/jott.5466.12.5.15565-15571
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Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2020 | 12(5): 15565–15571
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5366.12.5.15565-15571
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#5366 | Received 28 August 2019 | Final received 13 February 2020 | Finally accepted 04 April 2020
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Habitat structure determines the abundance of the Endangered
Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei (Aves: Passeriformes: Motacillidae)
at Timau montane grasslands in central Kenya
Dominic Kimani 1 , Muchane Muchai 2 , Johnstone Kimanzi 3 , Joseph Mwangi 4 ,
Wanyoike Wamiti 5 , Samuel Bakari 6 , Bernhard Walter 7 & Peter Njoroge 8
Department of Wildlife Management, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
Zoology Department, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
2
Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
6
BirdLife International, African Secretariat, P.O. Box 3502-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
7
Biological Station Guetersloh and Bielefeld e.V. Niederheide 63 33659 Bielefeld, Germany.
1
dkk4.kimani@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 mmuchaim@yahoo.com, 3 kimanzijo@gmail.com, 4 mwamujos@yahoo.com,
5
wwamiti@gmail.com, 6 bakarisamuel@gmail.com, 7 Bernhard.Walter@biostationgt-bi.de, 8 peter.njoroge2306@gmail.com
1,2,3
1,4,5,8
Abstract: Understanding the habitat selection and structure of a species is critical for developing evidence-centered conservation actions.
Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei, a passerine bird endemic to Kenya, is threatened by reductions in habitat size and quality that
have left it inhabiting a small and highly fragmented range. From January to June 2016 we investigated the abundance and density of
Sharpe’s Longclaw in Marania farm located in Meru county in the northern sector of Mt. Kenya, where no previous study had been done.
Population abundance and density were determined using the flush and count method. We observed that these birds were exclusively
found in grasslands, being most abundant in habitats of short grass with tussocks, and less so in areas with tall grass. This habitat specificity
indicates a key requirement for survival of Sharpe’s Longclaw populations in this area. We recommend surveys in and around Marania
farm to determine the distribution of suitable habitats for this species, and that the farm be designated an Important Bird Area. Further
studies should also focus on determining the intensity of grazing that is compatible with conservation of Sharpe’s Longclaw populations.
Keywords: Conservation, density, endemic, grasslands, passerine bird, population.
Editor: Simon Dowell, Chester Zoo, UK.
Date of publication: 26 April 2020 (online & print)
Citation: Kimani, D., M. Muchai, J. Kimanzi, J. Mwangi, W. Wamiti, S. Bakari, B. Walter & P. Njoroge (2020). Habitat structure determines the abundance of the
Endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei (Aves: Passeriformes: Motacillidae) at Timau montane grasslands in central Kenya. Journal of Threatened Taxa
12(5): 15565–15571. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5366.12.5.15565-15571
Copyright: © Kimani et al. 2020. 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: Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) Germany; African Bird Club; National Research Fund Kenya (NRF).
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
For Author details & Author contribution see end of this article.
Acknowledgements: This study would not have been possible without the unconditional permission and support from the management and staff of Marania
farm. In particular, we are deeply indebted to Jamie Murray, the general manager for all logistical assistance. The financial support received from NABU (BirdLife
Germany) through Werner Schroder, African Bird Club, David Fox Family, Patrick Mboso, Late Sarah Higgins, and National Research Fund (Kenya) is highly
appreciated. Our appreciation goes to National Museums of Kenya for allowing time for the first author to be away from duty. We are sincerely grateful to
University of Eldoret for supervising this research. Johana Kamau’s dedication to data collection and perseverance to the chilly weather is not taken for granted.
Boniface Mwangi is treasured for his time helping with the statistical analysis and production of the study area map. Many thanks to Dr. Kariuki Ndang’ang’a for
invaluable help in the field, the staff of Wildlife Department for assistance to first author. We also wish to thank Drs. Rosie Trevelyan and Kevin Wallace of Tropical
Biology Association for valuable comments on the manuscript.
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Sharpe’s Longclaw in Timau montane grasslands, Kenya
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INTRODUCTION
Abundance of bird species is largely influenced by
the spatial and temporal distribution of key resources
(McCain 2009). Elevation and slope affect vegetation
structure, site productivity, distribution, composition,
and secondary biotic interactions (Girma et al. 2017).
The conservation of Sharpe’s Longclaw (Image 1)
requires a detailed understanding of population sizes
and distribution, and habitat quality and availability.
This endemic and endangered species is restricted
to grasslands at 1,800–3,500 m altitude (BirdLife
International 2018). It has been reported at higher
elevations, but this has not been confirmed (Borghesio et
al. 2013). Much of past research has been concentrated
in the Kinangop grasslands in the southern parts of
Nyandarua County (Muchai 1998; Muchai et al. 2002;
Ndang’ang’a et al. 2002; Mwangi et al. 2012; Borghesio
et al. 2013). The species occurs at low densities
throughout its range (BirdLife International 2015). In
Kinangop grasslands, Ndang’ang’a et al. (2002) recorded
a density of 1.2 individuals/ha while Muchai et al. (2002)
and Mwangi et al. (2012) found an overall mean density
of 0.85±0.21 individuals/ha and 1.24 ± 0.15 individuals/
ha, respectively. At Lake Ol’ Bolossat, Wamiti et al.
(2008) recorded a density of (0.004–0.06 individuals/
ha). There are few precise breeding records (Keith et
al. 1992). The highland grasslands that are strongholds
for Sharpe’s Longclaw (Muchai 1998; Muchai et al. 2002;
Ndang’ang’a et al. 2002; Borghesio et al. 2013) also
provide nesting, feeding, and breeding habitats for the
eastern African endemic and near-threatened Jackson’s
Widowbird Euplectes jacksoni, the regionally threatened
Long-tailed Widowbird E. progne, and the Afro-tropical
highland biome-restricted species Hunter’s Cisticola
Cisticola hunteri (Bennun & Njoroge 1999).
The Timau high altitude grasslands in Kenya have
recently undergone significant reduction, primarily
due to habitat conversion to crop lands (Kimani et al.
2015). The alarming decline of local grassland habitat
is linked to land sub-division within family units and
sale of land parcels, resulting in native grassland loss
and fragmentation. The local people living in the
Kenyan highlands whose livelihood mainly revolves
around small-scale farming play a large role in habitat
fragmentation (Muchai 1998; Ndang’ang’a et al. 2002;
Kimani et al. 2015). The main threat to native grassland
habitat is conversion, especially through cultivation
and establishment of woodlots of exotic species
(Muchai 1998; Muchai et al. 2002; Borghesio et al.
2013). These factors have exacerbated the pressure on
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© Credit Samuel Bakari
Image 1. Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei
highland grassland biodiversity, and the establishment
of large-scale farming for commercial crops that are
more profitable than livestock has also contributed to
reduction of native grassland habitats.
Lack of appropriate information on the population
status of Sharpe’s Longclaw prevents efficient
management of the habitats necessary to guide
conservation efforts. Collection of such information
on population size, abundance, and density are
important when deciding where to allocate resources
in conservation and research activities, and to provide
empirical data to evaluate existing management
strategies. These data are essential for the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species assessments. The overall
objective of this study was to investigate population
abundance and density of Sharpe’s Longclaw in different
habitat types in Marania farm, following reports that the
species was present there. A detailed understanding of
population size, spatial distribution and demographic
trends will inform future management decisions and
conservation interventions.
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Sharpe’s Longclaw in Timau montane grasslands, Kenya
Kimani et al.
Figure 1. The location of Marania farm,
Meru County, Kenya.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The population of Sharpe’s Longclaw was studied
in Marania farm, Meru County (0.080–0.070 0N and
37.458–37.367 0E), part of the northern section of Mt.
Kenya that offers a previously unstudied fragmented
population of the species. Marania farm is an
approximately 2,580ha privately owned farm bordering
Mt. Kenya National Park on the north-eastern side. The
elevation of Marania farm grasslands where this study
was carried out ranged from 2400 to 2800 m. In Marania
farm, rearing of livestock (sheep and beef cattle) that
forage in the native grasslands is controlled by paddocks,
although the animals are supplemented with hay during
the dry seasons. There is also natural vegetation in the
valleys and hill tops.
Grasslands in this farm cover an area of 865ha while
the rest is under cultivation and interspersed with
natural and planted forests. The farm has crops such as
wheat, canola, peas, maize, and a small portion of mixed
crops. They also practice animal husbandry. During the
study, there were approximately 150 cattle grazing in
the study area, over 400 sheep, and about 20 horses.
The average annual rainfall in the area ranges 380–2,500
mm with a bimodal rainfall pattern in March–May and
October–December (Gakuubi & Wanzala 2012).
Sharpe’s Longclaw is a monogamous, sedentary
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Kimani et al.
species restricted to high altitude, open, short
grasslands. It is territorial and insectivorous, feeding
particularly on grasshoppers and beetles. Birds live in
permanent groups of two–seven individuals depending
on the quality of their habitat (Muchai 1998; Muchai et
al. 2002).
where two people dragged a 50m rope on opposite ends
to flush out the birds for easier sighting. Flushed out
Sharpe’s Longclaws were recorded, and the position
they flew to was noted to avoid double counting. The
original position of the bird was marked using a handheld global positioning system unit (Garmin etrex 20).
Sampling Design and Census
During the first month of the study (20 January–20
February 2016), a survey of Marania farm was done to
determine appropriate study plots through purposive
sampling. The study area was divided into six grassland
plots (Figure 1) measuring an average of 2.25 ± 0.12
(SD) ha (range 2.21–2.45 ha). Three of the plots were
characterized as short grass with dense tussocks (SGWDT)
and the other three as tall grass (TG) following Muchai
et al. (1998). The plots were separated by different
matrices with either natural forest, farm cultivation or
plantation forests. Grass height at plots was classified
as SGWDT and ranged between 10–20 cm while those
of TG were 30cm and above, following design employed
by Muchai (1998).
The plots were monitored for a period of five months
(February–June 2016). Sharpe’s Longclaw (SLC) is known
to breed during the onset of rains or shortly after rains
(Kimani et al. 2015). The study partly coincided with the
breeding season but, only for a short period between
April and May (Muchai 1998). This was done deliberately
to ensure the breeding population was present. Due to
the limitation of time, the study lasted only five months,
in which February and March were dry while April–June
were wet months. Censuses were conducted at each
study plot at different times of the day (spread in three
4-hour long observation periods; 06.00–10.00 h, 10.00–
14.00 h, 14.00–18.00 h) to give a spread of data on a
spatial and temporal spread throughout the day. Each
study plot was intensively searched once every week; 20
censuses were undertaken in each of the six study plots.
Study plots were intensively searched using a flush-out
and count method (Muchai 1998; Muchai et al. 2002)
Statistical analysis
Bird abundance in grasslands was examined in
relation to plot size, grass height and presence/absence
of tussocks using a generalized linear model via Poisson
regression (Table 1). Abundance per plot was calculated
as the total number of individuals counted divided by the
number of sessions the birds were counted in that plot.
Mean density was calculated as the mean abundance
divided by the size in hectares of the plot. Generalized
linear model via Poisson regression was used to
determine which of the independent variables explained
population abundance in the grassland habitat.
RESULTS
Mean abundance
The mean ± SE abundance in short grass with dense
tussocks (SGWDT) was 4.53 ± 0.30 while in tall grass
(TG) it was 2.23 ± 0.29. Figure 2 illustrates a significant
difference in mean abundance between SGWDT and TG
(P= 0.01, df =40, t = -6.95).
Determinants of Sharpe’s Longclaw abundance
Three variables were the significant determinants:
grass height (β =0.021, P=0.050), tussocks presence/
absence (β=1.101, P=0.001) and interaction of grass
height and tussocks presence /absence (β= -0.059,
P<0.001) (Table 1). The equation of the fitted model was:
Abundance = 1.188+0.021 grass height +1.101
tussocks presence/absence -0.059 grass height*
tussocks presence/absence.
Table 1. Generalized linear models via Poisson regression examining the relationship between grass height (GLHT), tussock presence/absence
(TUPA) and their interaction (TUPA * GLHT) on Sharpe’s Longclaw abundance in Marania farm grasslands.
Parameter
Estimate ± SE
95% confidence limits
Wald chi-square
Df
Sig.
Intercept
1.19 ± 0.18
0.83, 1.55
42.43
1
< 0.01
Grass height
0.02± 0.01
-0.00, 0.04
3.84
1
0.05
Tussock presence/absence
1.10± 0.34
0.427, 1.78
10.25
1
0.001
TUPA * GLHT
-.059 ± 0.01
-0.086, -0.03
18.52
1
< 0.001
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Sharpe’s Longclaw in Timau montane grasslands, Kenya
Figure 2. Comparison of mean abundance of Sharpe’s Longclaw
between short grass with dense tussocks (SGWDT) and tall grass
(TG).
Figure 3. Mean population density of Sharpe’s Longclaw in short
grass with dense tussocks and tall grass in Marania farm.
Mean density
As birds did not occur in non-grassland habitats, the
six grassland plots had a mean density of 0.78±0. 37SD.
The mean density was 2.00 ±0.06 and 1.04 ±0.07 Sharpe’s
Longclaw per ha for SGWDT and TG, respectively (Figure
3). There was a significant difference between mean
densities in SGWDT and TG (Mann-Whitney W-test =
89.0, df = 42, P = 0.0001).
DISCUSSION
Sharpe’s Longclaw population abundance and
densities had a clear association with habitat variables.
The birds revealed a strong preference for areas of short
grass with dense tussocks. Areas of tall grass were less
preferred, and birds occurred there at lower densities.
This preference for a specific grassland habitat matches
that reported in studies by Muchai et al. (1998, 2002)
and Mwangi et al. (2012) in Kinangop grasslands.
It has been observed that many endemic bird species
have high densities on grazed pastures due to co-
Kimani et al.
evolution with large grazing mammals, for instance the
Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus (Kantrud
1981; Knopf & Rupert 1996). Low grazing intensity
results in long grass and bush encroachment, while
intense grazing destroys grass tussocks (Borghesio et al.
2013). Muchai et al. (2002) found that the persistence
of Sharpe’s Longclaw in the grasslands depends on
intermediate levels of disturbance, resulting from
grazing by mammalian herbivores. Our findings are
consistent with those of Muchai et al. (2002), in that
all the areas where we found Sharpe’s Longclaw had
grazing, especially by cattle. Although we did not have
adequate data to verify a relationship with various
grazers, we suggest that the stocking rate might be more
important than the species, as shown in Sliwinskia &
Koper (2015). Besides domestic animals, wild antelopes
(Bushbucks Tragelaphus scriptus, Duiker Neotrragus
moschatus) were regularly observed during the survey
period, while Cape Buffaloes Syncerus caffer and African
Elephant Loxodonta africana from the neighboring
Mount Kenya National Park sometimes were reported
to break fences and graze as well (unpublished data).
These wild animals might also influence grassland height
(Ogada et al. 2008) and ultimately Sharpe’s Longclaw, but
the data we had did not allow for testing of their effects
on grassland height and structure. Field observations
showed that Sharpe’s Longclaw used tussocks mainly to
rest during the hottest part of the day, which also agrees
with observations by Muchai et al. (2002).
The height of grass plays an overriding role in
determining habitat segregation and food specialization
among bird species (Fisher & Davis 2011). Interspecific
competitive exclusion is believed to be the main
mechanism explaining occurrence or specialization
of birds in grassland vegetation of different heights
(McDonald 2017). Therefore, at least within grassland
systems, mosaics of short and longer vegetation are likely
to hold the maximum benefit for many farmland birds
(Benton et al. 2003). Maphisa et al. (2017) argue that a
combination of grass height and cover is more essential
than just grass height alone or grass cover alone. It
would be plausible to argue that Sharpe’s Longclaw
would probably spend more time being vigilant to
detect predators other than carrying out other essential
life process in tall grass due to tall grass obscuring their
visibility (Muchai et al. 2002).
Although effect of patch size was not investigated
in this study, results by Mwangi et al. (2012) showed
large patches of grassland that are favoured by Sharpe’s
Longclaw compared to small ones. Consistent with this
finding, Marania farm, being a large grassland under the
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same management, is a potential Sharpe’s Longclaw
conservation site if properly managed. A year-long study
is recommended to understand the breeding strategies
that are exhibited by the Sharpe’s Longclaw. In addition,
our findings indicated that tall grass was equally good
for Jackson’s Widowbird Euplectes jacksoni, a Near
Threatened species. This species had over 40 nests in
the tall grasses. Large patches of grassland would be
ideal for conservation of various species in different
categories of threats.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The findings of this study demonstrate that Timau
grasslands still hold suitable and extensive habitat for
the endemic and Endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw. The
study established that the mean population abundance
was higher for short grass with dense tussocks compared
with tall grass. Mean density was also higher in habitat
of short grass with dense tussocks. In comparison to
previous studies, it was acknowledged that Marania
appeared better than other parts, like Kinangop
grassland, previously thought to be the world stronghold
of the species.
Sharpe’s Longclaw is threatened by a very rapid
and continuing reduction in the extent and quality of
its habitat (Birdlife 2018). It is, therefore, imperative
for conservationists to collaborate with farms such as
Marania farm to adopt suitable management practices
due to the role they play in conservation of this grasslanddependent bird species. Surveys in neighbouring farms
should also be carried out to determine abundance
and the extent of population distribution of Sharpe’s
Longclaw, and to assess the suitability of its habitat.
This will be critical in guiding a discussion with the
landowners on the merits of designating the farm/
grasslands the status of BirdLife International Important
Bird Area (IBA). This would be an important task that can
be undertaken by the Sharpe’s Longclaw Working Group.
One way of recognizing the role Marania farm play in
conserving Sharpe’s Longclaw would be designating the
area as an IBA to allow easy marketing of the area as a
key tourist attraction site (avi-tourism) for Meru County.
Being an endemic species that is becoming rare in its
formerly known areas like Kinangop, good marketing
would take keen bird watchers to Marania farm where
it would be easy to find and perhaps photograph the
Sharpe’s Longclaw in its natural habitat.
Further research needs to be undertaken for both
wet and dry seasons in order to understand if the species
is affected by seasonal dynamics. Further research
is also needed to shed light on the most appropriate
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conservation measures. More information is required to
determine the best grazing regimes optimal for Sharpe’s
Longclaw with economic benefits for easier adoption.
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Threatened Taxa
Author details: Dominic Kimani (DK) is the lead ornithologist for Kipeto Energy
PLC (KEP). Prior to joining KEP, he worked as a research scientist at National
Museums of Kenya. Dominic has an MSc degree in Wildlife Ecology from University
of Eldoret. He has undertaken extensive avian research and conservation for
over 20 years. Dr. Muchane Muchai (MM) is currently the Head of Wildlife
Section and Senior Lecturer, Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Nairobi. Dr. Muchai is currently teaching graduate
and post graduate students and conducting research focusing on biodiversity
management and conservation as well as food security. Bernhard Walter (BW)
is a senior biologist and the Chief executive officer at the Biological station in
Bielefeld and Gutersloh in Germany. He has been involved in many avian research
projects. He is an avid ornithologist with over 3-decade experience. Dr. Peter
Njoroge (PN) has been actively engaged in biodiversity research for the last 24
years especially research on avian species. He has published over 50 journal
articles on conservation, avian ecology and environment-related issues. Dr.
Joseph Mwangi (JM) is currently the Kenya country Coordinator for the African
Crane Conservation Program, a partnership program between the Endangered
Wildlife Trust (EWT) and International Crane Foundation (ICF). He spearheads
coordination and implementation of the Kenya Crane and Wetland Conservation
Project that works to conserve the endangered Grey Crowned Crane. Wanyoike
Wamiti (WW) is a Research Scientist at the National Museums of Kenya and a
final year PhD candidate (Biology of Conservation) at the University of Nairobi
conducting research on the ecology of the Endangered Grey Crowned Crane
at Lake Ol’ Bolossat. He has a two decades experience of Kenyan ornithology.
Samuel Bakari (SB) is a tropical ecologist. He holds a Master of Science degree
from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands and a bachelors from the
University of Nairobi. He has worked on grassland birds for over 15 years, Bakari
currently works for BirdLife International in coordinating vulture conservation in
Africa. Dr. Johnstone Kimanzi (JK) is a Spatial Ecologist interested in applying
GIS and Remote Sensing tools to model complex ecological systems and solve
biodiversity conservation and wildlife management problems. He is currently
a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Wildlife Management at the
University of Eldoret, Kenya.
Author contribution: Study design (DK, MM,JK, JM, BW & PN); Data collection
(DK, JM, MM, JK, BW, SB & WW); Data analysis (DK, JM, JK & MM); Manuscript
write up (DK, JM, MM, JK, BW& PN).
Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2020 | 12(5): 15565–15571
15571
TT
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ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
www.threatenedtaxa.org
April 2020 | Vol. 12 | No. 5 | Pages: 15535–15674
Date of Publication: 26 April 2020 (Online & Print)
DOI: 10.11609/jott.2020.12.5.15535-15674
Article
Prey selection and food habits of the Tiger Panthera tigris
(Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Kalakkad-Mundanthurai
Tiger Reserve, southern Western Ghats, India
– Bawa Mothilal Krishnakumar, Rajarathinavelu Nagarajan &
Kanagaraj Muthamizh Selvan, Pp. 15535–15546
Communications
Community-based study to demonstrate the presence and
local perspectives of the Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin
Manis pentadactyla in Zhejiang Wuyanling, China
– Hongying Li, Shusheng Zhang, Ji Zhang, Zupei Lei, Fangdong Zheng
& Peter Daszak, Pp. 15547–15556
Field friendly method for wild feline semen cryopreservation
– Gediendson Ribeiro de Araujo, Thyara de Deco-Souza, Letícia Coelho
Ferreira Bergo, Leanes Cruz da Silva, Ronaldo Gonçalves Morato, Pedro
Nacib Jorge-Neto, Maitê Cardoso Coelho da Silva, Gustavo Guerino
Macedo & Tarcízio Antônio Rego De Paula, Pp. 15557–15564
Habitat structure determines the abundance of the Endangered
Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei (Aves: Passeriformes:
Motacillidae) at Timau montane grasslands in central Kenya
– Dominic Kimani, Muchane Muchai, Johnstone Kimanzi, Joseph
Mwangi, Wanyoike Wamiti, Samuel Bakari, Bernhard Walter &
Peter Njoroge, Pp. 15565–15571
Avifaunal diversity of some selected water bodies of
Khanapur Taluka, Belagavi District, Karnataka, India
– Harsha D. Neelgund & Girish Kadadevaru, Pp. 15572–15586
Herpetofauna of Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal
– Yam Bahadur Rawat, Santosh Bhattarai, Laxman Prasad Poudyal &
Naresh Subedi, Pp. 15587–15611
Varying colour pattern, yet genetically similar: Pebble Crab
Seulocia vittata (Stimpson, 1858) (Brachyura: Leucosiidae) from the
southeastern coast of India
– Sanjeevi Prakash & Amit Kumar, Pp. 15612–15618
Grasses of Kundadri Hills in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India
– Hanchali Udayashankar Abhijit & Yelugere Linganaik Krishnamurthy,
Pp. 15619–15630
Comparative phytosociological assessment of three terrestrial
ecosystems of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India
– M. Vishnu Chandran, S. Gopakumar & Anoopa Mathews,
Pp. 15631–15645
Short Communications
Piroplasmosis in a captive Grant’s Zebra Equus quagga boehmi
(Mammalia: Perissodactyla: Equidae) - a case study
– Sarat Kumar Sahu, Niranjana Sahoo, Bijayendranath Mohanty &
Debabrat Mohapatra, Pp. 15646–15650
Eurylophella karelica Tiensuu, 1935 (Insecta: Ephemeroptera:
Ephemerellidae) – an additional species to the mayfly fauna of
Ukraine and notes on distribution of the family in the country
– Alexander V. Martynov, Pp. 15651–15654
Some new records of katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
from Uttar Pradesh, India
– Ramesh Singh Yadav & Dharmendra Kumar, Pp. 15655–15660
Notes
On the occurrence of Honey Badger Mellivora capensis (Mammalia:
Carnivora: Mustelidae) in the northern Eastern Ghats of
Andhra Pradesh, India
– Vikram Aditya, Yogesh Pasul & Ganesh Thyagarajan, Pp. 15661–
15663
Assamese Cat Snake Boiga quincunciata (Wall, 1908) (Reptilia:
Squamata: Colubridae) - new country record for Bhutan
– Lekey Chaida, Abhijit Das, Ugyen Tshering & Dorji Wangdi,
Pp. 15664–15667
Loss of Critically Endangered Hawksbill Turtle nesting beach at
EGA facility, Abu Dhabi, UAE
– D. Adhavan, Pp. 15668–15670
Meliola elaeocarpicola sp. nov. (Ascomycetes, Meliolales) from
Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala State, India
– Lini K. Mathew & Jacob Thomas, Pp. 15671–15674
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