Jalaplavit_final_vol_6_no._3

Vol. 6, No. 3
Research Special
ISSN 2321-1881

Odonates of Pariej Wetland
Dragonflies in Wetlands around Two PAs
Intersexuality in a Freshwater Crab Species
Waterbirds of Tena Wetland
Pesticide Toxicity in Wetlands
Wetlands for Terrestrial Birds and Farmers
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Ketan Tatu

Editorial Page No.
3
Dr. Ketan Tatu

Reflections 4

Dr. Pranav Trivedi

Vol. 6., No. 3, Dec. 2015 Odonate Diversity of a Wetland of National 6
a tri-annual treat for nature lovers Importance-Pariej
16
Founder Editor: Dr. Ketan Tatu Darshana M. Rathod, S. G. Dholu, Dr. B. M. Parasharya 22
Principal Technical Advisor: & Vishal Mistry 38
Prof. (Dr.)James T. Anderson, USA
Advisor: Dr. Pranav Trivedi New record of intersexuality in Freshwater
Associate Editor: Dr. Amita Tatu Crab Barytelphusa cunicularis (Westwood,
1836) (Decapoda, Gecarcinucidae)
Copy Editor (for this Research
Special issue): Dr. Maulik Varu Jignesh N. Trivedi, Gunjan M. Soni & Dr. Kauresh
Vachhrajani
Layout & Design Foundation:
Pugmark Qmulus Consortium Odonates of Freshwater Wetlands Around
Thol Bird Sanctuary and Blackbuck National
Designing for the present issue: Park, Gujarat
Ketan Tatu
Kalavanti Mokaria
Cover Photo: Avichal Tatu
Waterbird Diversity of Tena Wetland, Surat
Views expressed by the authors (Gujarat, India)
in “Jalaplavit“ are not
necessarily those of editorial Namrata R. Umrigar
team. Editorial team is not
responsible for any plagiarism Pesticide Toxicity with Special Reference to 51
by any author. Wetlands of India-A Review
60
Dhaval Varagiya, Dr.Devang Pandya & Dr.Ketan Tatu 70

Tena and Bhatha Wetlands in Surat District
(Gujarat, India)-Beyond Waterbird Habitats

Palak Thakore

Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin and Review
of Past Studies on it in Gulf of Kachchh,
Gujarat, India

Yashpal A. Anand, Dr. Linz Buoy George &
Dr. Hyacinth N. Highland

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Editorial

Wetlands⎼Not Just for Waterbirds

Dear Wetland Explorers! (e.g., crabs) and other arthropods including
insects etc.], which may not be easily visible for
Wetlands are not just for waterbirds. lay nature-lovers or which may not be as
Often, they also substantially support terrestrial attractive as waterbirds for casual nature-lovers.
birds by fulfilling their critical drinking water But, still all of them have very interesting
needs. Many of us who might have seen wetland-dependent aspects of life cycles. It may
sandgrouses or green pigeons repeatedly coming not be an exaggeration to say that a Cattle Egret,
to an edge of a wetland and sucking or a Black (or Red-naped) Ibis or a White-throated
swallowing wetland’s water by dipping their Kingfisher are less of wetland creatures than
beaks into the water, would readily accept this dragonflies, damselflies, pond skaters, whirligig
fact. Why to speak only about drinking water! beetles, crabs etc. But have we oriented
Many a times, terrestrial birds also get benefited ourselves to enjoy watching them? How many
in terms of food and/or cover availability as of us know that dragonflies are more ‘wetland
croplands, trees and shrubs in which they take buddies’ than the above-mentioned
shelter or get their food, proliferate due to waters ‘waterbirds’? Their entire nymph stage is spent
of a wetland in the vicinity. submerged in wetlands and this nymph stage
may be up to four years; much longer than the
Wetlands also belong to numerous airborne adult stage which may be of a few
macro-invertebrates [e.g., mollusks, crustaceans weeks or months)

Indeed, wetlands should be looked
beyond waterbird habitats. And therefore, in this
‘Research Special’ issue,‘Jalaplavit’ has brought
several papers and review artlcles on the topics
beyond waterbirds. You will find papers or
review articles on Odonates (i.e., dragonflies and
damselflies), Crabs, Dolphins and terrestrial
birds.

Happy reading………………………!
-Ketan Tatu

(Founder Editor)
([email protected])

3

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Reflections…

Pranav Trivedi
([email protected])

Pranav Trivedi

WATER is a great leveller.

First, because it shows me my reflection,
So that I can ponder over the most important questions about myself!
Secondly, it reminds me of who I am – just a carrier of water (the body), a user of

water and also an admirer of water.
Third, it soothes and calms me – merely by its sight and touch and also through

the breeze that passes over it…
Fourth, it motivates me - providing the stimulus to just flow! Again and again it
reminds me of my EGO coming in the way of my progress and the resistence that I

offer to my own good.
Fifth, it is a giver and nurturer of life – for which no descriptions are needed – you

will agree!

4

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

And finally, it belittles my EGO directly - by the way it reminds me of death; by
drowning, flooding and inundation of vast areas of inhabitation.

The power of WATER is seen, heard, felt and experienced and imagined by me in
my waking, dreaming and meditative states…

And so to this great leveller - the softest, smoothest and yet the most powerful
elements on earth that makes the EARTH special by making, nurturing and taking

LIFE –

I bow to thee with great rerspect and reverence!!

But wait, who am I bowing to?

Am I not containing water myself?! Am I not a part of this great cycle of water on
the earth?

Am I not the dancing rain drop? Am I not the dewdrop lingering at the edge of
the grass?!

Do I not merge into the river, and the sea and the shower in my own bath-room?!
Am I not then a ‘Reflection of Water’ in my own little – special way?!

If water is my reflection and if I am reflected in water – aren’t we ONE?!!
And when I celebrate WATER in any way, do I not also celebrate my own self…and

life itself?!

But, neither I, nor you, nor water or whatsoever you consider in the Universe
exists by itself – we are all separate and yet ONE…

This is the GREAT TRUTH that reveals itself time and again….!!

Pranav Trivedi

5

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Odonate Diversity of a Wetland of National Importance-Pariej

Darshana M. Rathod1, S. G. Dholu2, B. M. Parasharya3 and Vishal Mistry4

1,2,3AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388110, Gujarat,
4Darbar Pole,Vaso-387380, District-Kheda, Gujarat

Corresponding Author1 Email: [email protected]

Abstract: Odonate diversity was investigated at Pariej wetland of Gujarat during

2014 to 2015. Total 29 species belonging to two suborders, five families and 22
genera were recorded. Total 9 species of Zygoptera (damselflies) and 19 species of
Anisoptera (dragonflies) were recorded. Twelve species were common, 13 were
uncommon and 4 were rare.

Keywords: Brown dusk hawk, Diversity, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Odonates, Pariej

Wetland, Zyxomma petiolatum

Introduction first records for Gujarat. In all, total 65
Globally 5,952 species of species of Odonates have been listed
from Gujarat.
odonates are known and of this 474
species in 142 genera and 18 families Most of the Odonate inventories
exist in India (Subramanian, 2014). have been either area specific or state
However, very little is known about the specific. However, Odonate inventories
Odonates of Gujarat State through for individual wetlands are very few.
publications such as those by Asana & Palot and Soniya (2000) reported 16
Makino (1935), Shull and Nadkarney species of Odonates from Keoladeo
(1967), Prasad (2004). The document National Park, Bharatpur which is a
by Prasad (2004) lists about 48 species Ramsar Site.
of Odonates collected by ZSI scientists
during general faunal survey in Gujarat As the Odonates are important
state. Sharma (2009) listed 58 species indicators of wetland quality (Budin et
of Odonates from Gujarat (again based al., 2007; Kulkarni and Subramanian,
on ZSI collections) considering that all 2013; Chakravorty et al., 2014), it is
were collected from arid and semi-arid important that Odonate diversity of all
regions. Recently, Rohmare et al. important wetlands (of individual
(2015) reported 42 species of states and the country) are prepared.
Odonates from Central Gujarat with 7 Pariej wetland is the largest man-made

6

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

inland wetland of Kheda district in district) and seashore is only 50 km
Central Gujarat. It is linked with Mahi
Right Bank Canal system (MBRS) for away. The wetland is 7 km north to
the purpose of irrigation on drinking.
Considering its ornithological Tarapur town, on Tarapur–Kheda State
importance, it was declared as a
wetland of National Importance by highway (Map 1). Adjoining Pariej
Ministry of Environment and Forests,
New Delhi. Ornithological (Mukherjee Reservoir, on its sourthern side, there
et al., 2002), arachnological (Parmar
and Acharya, 2013; Bhatt, 2014) and is a small tank known as Rakteshwar,
herpeto-faunal (Vyas et al., 2012)
significance of Pariej wetland is which has 33 ha (0.33 sq.km) area and
available. However, studies on
obligatorily wetland dependent taxa a depth of about 4⎼5m. A sub-minor
have been missing. The order Odonata
(Class: Insecta) is a true wetland canal from Mahi River Bank Canal
dependent taxa having amphibious
life. Their immature stages pass in System joins Pariej and Rakteshwar.
water, whereas adults are free flying.
This study was aimed at preparing an The low-lying saline area of this region
inventory of Odonates of this wetland
of National importance. is converted into a reservoir by raising

Study Area a small wall. Pariej is also a perennial
Pariej wetland is located at
wetland since it is linked with the
22°31'39.84"N to 22°33'47.07"N and
72°36'24.19"E to 72°37'31.73"E. It is the canal. The water is used both for
largest inland wetland of Kheda district
having 445 ha (4.45 sq. km.) area and irrigation and drinking purpose. There
maximum depth of 10m. It is located
12 km NE to Kanewal wetland (Anand is saline land on eastern and southern

sides of the wetland, whereas

remaining two sides have agricultural

fields. The wetland is full of aquatic

vegetation. Typha angustata

constitutes the most dominant

hydrophytic emergent vegetation on

fringes. Hydrophytes like Nymphea sp.,

Nelumbo nucifera, Ichhornea cressipus

and Ipomoea aquatica have covered

the water surface almost entirely.

There is an excessive growth of

submerged vegetation too. The land

on the eastern side of the state

highway retains seepage water of the

reservoir and it constitutes a nice

7

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Pariej Wetland (Source: Google Earth)

A view of Pariej Wetland Ketan Tatu
8

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

wetland habitat for waterbirds. Around Identification of specimens was
the reservoir, paddy is the only crop confirmed by Dr. S. S. Talmale at
during monsoon whereas wheat is Zoological Survey of India, Jabalpur.
grown during winter.
Results and Discussion
Material and Methods During study period, total 29
This study was conducted
species belonging to 22 genera, under
during 2014 and 2015. Intensive five families and two suborders were
surveys were carried out during South- recorded. Total 9 species of Zygoptera
West monsoon (July to November) (damselflies) and 19 species of
during both the years. Adult, free Anisoptera (dragonflies) were
flying Odonates were collected from recorded. Zygoptera and Anisoptera
the shallow edge of the wetland using were represented by two and three
standard insect net. The specimens families respectively (Table 1).
were preserved in 70% alcohol and
kept separate by placing them in On the basis of abundance,
envelopes, labelled properly with Odonates were categorized in three
details like species, date and place of categories: “Common”, “Uncommon”
collection. Extra specimens were and “Rare”. The commonnest Odonate
preserved dry following standard species were Pigmy dartlet,
procedure. Frequently seen odonates Coromandal marsh dart, Senegal
species were categorized as common, golden dartlet, Trumpet tail, Ditch
species not found frequently jewel, Granite ghost, Ruddy marsh
categorized as uncommon and species skimmer, Ground skimmer, Green
found only once categorized as Rare. marsh hawk, Wandering glider,
Crimson marsh glider and Long legged
The specimens were identified marsh glider. The Wandering gliders
with the help of photographic guides were gregarious and could be seen
(Emiliyamma et al., 2005; Subramanian, throughout monsoon season flying in
2009; Nair, 2011) and a suitable flocks, often on crop fields, away from
taxonomic book (Fraser 1933, 1934, the wetland. The Ditch jewels were
1936). The scientific names were very common at the water’s edge near
adopted from the revised the camp site. Usually, the Ditch jewels
nomenclature by Subramanian (2014).

9

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Table 1. Checklist of Odonates of Pariej Wetland

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific name Abundance
Common Uncommon Rare

Suborder: Zygoptera Lestes umbrinus  

Superfamily : Lestoidea Agriocnemis pygmaea 
Ceriagrion coromandelianum  
Family :Lestidae Ischnura aurora 
Ischnura nursei 
1. Brown Spread wing Ischnura senegalensis 
Pseudagrion decorum
Family : Coenagrionidae Pseudagrion microcephalum 
2. Pigmy Dartlet Pseudagrion rubriceps 

3. Coromandal Marsh Dart Anax guttatus 
4. Golden Dartlet Anax immaculifrons 
5. Pixie Dartlet 
6. Senegal Golden Dartlet Ictinogomphus rapax  
7. Three Striped Blue Dart  
8. Blue Grass Dartlet Acisoma panorpoides
9. Saffron-faced Blue Dart Brachydiplax sobrina  
Brachythemis contaminata 
Suborder: Anisoptera Bradinopyga geminata 
Super family: Aeshnoidea Crocothemis servilia  
Family : Aeshnidae Diaplacodes lefebvrii 
10. Blue- tailed Green Darner Diaplacodes trivialis 
11. Blue Darner Neurothemis tullia  
Family : Gomphidae Orthetrum sabina
12. Common Clubtail Pantala flavescens
Family : Libellulidae Rhyothemis variegata
13. Trumpet Tail Tramea basilaris
14. Little Blue Marsh Hawk Trithemis aurora
15. Ditch Jewel Trithemis pallidinervis
16. Granite Ghost Urothemis signata
17. Ruddy Marsh Skimmer Tholymis tillarga
Zyxomma petiolatum
18. Black Ground Skimmer
19. Ground Skimmer
20. Pied paddy Skimmer
21. Green Marsh Hawk
22. Wandering Glider
23. Common Picture Wing
24. Red Marsh Trotter
25. Crimson Marsh Glider
26. Long-legged Marsh Glider
27. Greater Crimson Glider
28. Coral-tailed Cloudwing
29. Brown dusk hawk

10

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

are known to occur in the waters paddy skimmer, Common picture
polluted by anthropogenic activities wing, and Coral-tailed cloudwing.
(Wankhede et al., 2012; Saha and
Gaikwad, 2015). At Pariej, the Ditch The damselflies of this category
jewels were seen at the camp site were neither encountered during each
where the water was polluted due to visit nor in every vegetation patch
activities of the visitors and campers. examined. The darners and clubtail
The Ground skimmers are small were seen only in the area with open
dragonflies and are highly water. The Blue darner always flew far
camouflaged. Therefore, their from the edge and hence registered as
abundance cannot be judged unless uncommon.
special efforts are made. Species like
Ruddy marsh skimmer, Green marsh Rare species included Brown
hawk, Crimson marsh glider and Long- spreadwing, Red marsh trotter, Greater
legged marsh glider were frequently crimson glider and Brown dusk hawk.
seen perching high on thin woody These species were encountered only
projection, but not in flock. All the once (Table 1).
damselflies and Trumpet tail kept
flying low in the vegetation near water. Out of 29 species reported in
present study, 28 species have already
Uncommon Odonate species been reported by Rohmare et al.
were Golden dartlet, Pixie dartlet, (2015) from Anand District. However,
Three Striped Blue Dart, Blue grass record of Brown dusk hawk is being
dartlet, Saffron-faced blue dart, reported for the first time from
Common clubtail, Blue-tailed green Gujarat. With this new record, total
darner, Blue darner, Little blue marsh number of Odonate species of
hawk, Black ground skimmer, Pied Gujarat is raised to sixty six and
species list of central Gujarat is
raised to forty three.

11

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Some Damselflies and Dragonflies of Pariej Wetland

Brown Spread wing, Lestes umbrinus Pigmy Dartlet, Agriocnemis pygmae

Coromandal Marsh Dart, Ceriagrion Golden Dartlet, Ischnura auror
coromandelianum

Pixie Dartlet, Ischnura nursei Three Striped Blue Dart, Pseudagrion decorum
12

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Little Blue Marsh Hawk , Brachydiplax sobrina Black Ground Skimmer, Diaplacodes lefebvrii

Pied paddy Skimmer, Neurothemis tullia Red Marsh Trotter, Tramea basilaris

Coral-tailed Cloudwing, Tholymis tillarga (F) Brown dusk hawk, Zyxomma petiolatum

13

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Acknowledgements Emiliyamma, K. G., Radhakrishnan, C.
We are thankful to Dr. S. S.
and Palot, M. J. (2005). Pictorial
Talmale, ZSI, Jabalpur for confirming
identification of Odonates. Handbook on Common

References Dragonflies and Damselflies of

Asana, J. J. and S. Makino (1935). A Kerala. Zoological Survey of
comparative study of the
chromosomes in the Indian India, Kolkata. 67pp.
dragonflies. J. Faculty Sci.
Hokkaido Imperial Uni. Series VI. Fraser, F. C. (1933, 1934, 1936). The
Zoology, 4(2): 67-86.
Fauna of British- India
Bhatt, N. (2014). A preliminary
systematic study of spiders of Including Ceylon and Burma,
major Wetlands of Anand-Kheda
districts, Gujarat, India. 3(7):71- Odonata. Vol. 1, 2, 3. Taylor
73.
and Francis Ltd., London.
Budin, K., Ahmed, A., Abdullah, N. and
Dawalih, M. (2007). Correlation Gandhi, N. (2012). Study of terrestrial
Analysis on Water Quality
Parameter with Aquatic Insects birds with special reference to
Abundance in Telipok River,
Sabah, Malaysia. pp. 324-327. In: insects as their food base
12th WSEAS Int. Conf. on Applied
Mathematics, Cairo, Egypt. around three reservoirs in

Chakravorty, P. P., Sinha, M. and Central Gujarat, Ph.D thesis in
Chakravorty, S. (2014). Impact of
industrial effluent on water Zoology. M. S. University of
quality and benthic macro
invertebrate diversity in fresh Baroda.
water ponds in Midnapore district
of West Bengal, India. J. Entomo. Kulkarni, A. S. and Subramanian, K. A.
Zoo. Studies. 2(3): 93-101.
(2013). Habitat and seasonal

distribution of odonata (Insecta)

of Mula and Mutha River basins,

Maharastra, India. J. Threat. Taxa

5(7):4084-4095.

Mukherjee, A., Borad, C. K. and

Parasharya, B. M. (2002). A study

of the ecological requirements

of waterfowl at man-made

reservoirs in Kheda district,

Gujarat, India with a view

towards conservation,

management and planning.
Zoos’ Print J. 17(5): 775-785.

14

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Nair, M. V. (2011). Dragonflies & (odonata: insecta) of arid and
semi-arid regions of India.
Damselflies of Orissa and Hexapoda, 16(1): 36-39.
Shull, E. M. and N. T. Nadkarney, (1967).
Eastern India, Wildlife Insects attracted to mercury
vapour lamp in Surat Dangs,
Organisation, Forest & Gujarat State. J. Bombay
Natural History Soci., 64(2):
Environment Department, 256-266.
Subramanian, K. A. (2009). Dragonflies
Government of Orissa, 252pp. of India- A Field Guide. Vigyan
Prasar, Department of Science
Palot, M. J. and Soniya, V. P. (2000). and Technology, New
Delhi.168pp.
Odonata of Keoladeo National Subramanian, K. A. (2014, version 2.0). A
Checklist of Odonata (Insecta) of
Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India. India. Zoological Survey of India,
Zoo’s Print J. 15(8): 317-320. Kolkata, India, 31pp.
Vyas, R. Parasharya, B.M. and Jani, J. J.
Parmar, B. M. and Acharya, A.V. R. L. N. (2012). Herpetofaunal diversity in
and around the selected man-
(2013). The spider fauna of Pariej made wetlands of central and
northern Gujarat, India. Reptile
Wetland, Gujarat, India. Int. J. Sci. Rap. 14: 21-26.
Wankhede, V., Manwar, N. And
Res., 4(10): 1028-1033. Dahihande, A. (2012). Effect of
water pollution on Assemblage
Prasad, M. (2004). Insecta: Odonata. In: and Community structure of
dragonfly at Three Ecosystems
Fauna of Gujarat. State Fauna of Pune (India). Golden Research
Thoughts. 2(3): 1-6.
Series, 8 (Part 2), (Director-ZSI,

Ed.). Zoological Survey of India,

Kolkata pp. 19-40.

Rohmare, V. B., Rathod, D. M., Dholu, S.

G., Parasharya, B. M. and

Talmale, S. S. (2015). An

Inventory of Odonates of Central

Gujarat, India. J. Threat. Taxa.

7(11): 7805-7811.

Saha, P. D. And Gaikwad, S. M. (2015).

Odonata assemblage at a small

marshy land in Khadki (Pune
city) – An assessment. J. Entomo.

Zool. Studies. 3(1):53-64.

Sharma, G. (2009). Studies and status of

damselflies and dragonflies

15

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

New Record of Intersexuality in Freshwater Crab Barytelphusa
cunicularis (Westwood, 1836) (Decapoda, Gecarcinucidae)

1Jignesh N. Trivedi, 2Gunjan M. Soni and 3Kauresh D. Vachhrajani

[1,2,3]Marine Biodiversity and Ecology Lab., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science,
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002, Gujarat, India.
Email of Corresponding Author3: [email protected]

Abstract: The present paper records the presence of freshwater crab Barytelphusa

cunicularis (Westwood, 1836) for the first time from freshwater habitat of Gujarat along
with presence of intersexuality in the species. The specimens showing intersexuality
were collected from Polo forest of Sabarkantha district of Gujarat state. The details of
variation in morphological characters between normal and intersexual individuals of the
species are given in the report.

Keywords: Barytelphusa cunicularis, Brachyuran crab, Freshwater habitat, Intersexuality.

Introduction defects (Zou and Fingerman, 2000),
The occurrences of morphological chemical pollution (Stephen et al., 2014)
abnormalities or deformities in or injuries caused by predators
crustaceans have been reported in especially during molting process
various studies (Sivalingam and Rao, (Moncada and Gomez, 1980).
1968; Mantelatto et al., 2003; Hugo and Intersexuality in animal is an interesting
Michel). The abnormalities include phenomenon in which individuals of the
malformations in appendages or species with prominent sexual
carapace, duplication or lack of various dimorphism show morphological and
body parts etc (Santana et al., 1990; anatomical characters that are
Hugo and Michel, 2005; Gregati and intermediate between true male and
Negreiros-Fransozo, 2009). The true female forms of the species (Ledwig
malformations in morphology of the et al., 2002). The occurrence of
animal may be attributed to genetic intersexuality has been recorded for

16

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

mollusks (Gibbs et al., 1991) and up turned and burrows were excavated
crustaceans (Rudolph, 2002). Studies to find the crabs. Hand picking method
have shown that intersexuality in was adopted for the collection of
crustaceans is associated with specimens. The specimens were
environmental contamination and/ or photographed on the field for fresh
parasite infection (Stephen et al., 2014). coloration (Cannon 1000D; 18-55 mm
However few studies reported lens) and preserved in 70% alcohol. The
occurrence of intersexuality in specimen were brought to the lab and
crustacean living in uncontaminated identified up to species level. The body
environment (Takashashi et al., 2000). In size of the specimen was recorded in
the present study, intersexuality was terms of carapace width using digital
observed in freshwater crab vernier calipers (± 0.01 mm; INSIZE
Barytelphusa cunicularis (Westwood, Model No. 1137-150). All the specimens
1836). examined in the present study were
deposited in Zoology Museum,
Material and Methods Department of Zoology, Faculty of
The present observation was recorded at Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao
Polo forests (23°59'.16 84'' N; 73°17'.39 University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat,
70'' E) of Sabarkantha district of Gujarat India.
state, India during the survey of fresh Results and Discussion
water crustaceans of the Gujarat under Out of 1306 species of freshwater crabs
the project entitled “Documentation of recorded worldwide (Yeo et al., 2008), 90
Crustacean (Phylum Arthropoda) species are reported from India (Pati and
Biodiversity of Gujarat” funded by Sharma, 2012) of which only one species
Gujarat Biodiversity Board, Gandhinagar. Barytelphusa guerini (H. Milne Edwards,
Fresh water crabs are cryptic in nature 1853) is reported from freshwater
and make burrows on the banks of small habitat of Gujarat. In the present study
streams or hide beneath rock boulders another species Barytelphusa cunicularis
lying in the streams running through (Westwood, 1836) is reported first time
forest habitat. The rock boulders were from fresh water habitats of Gujarat.

17

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Specimens of the species were collected specimens showed the intersexual

from Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, characters. The intersexual individuals

Panchmahal, Valsad and Dang districts (Figure 1) had male like abdomen

which shows the wide spread (Figure 1b) with female gonopods and

distribution of the species in Eastern gonopores (Figure 1d). The abdominal

Hilly Region of Gujarat. In some part of segments of the intersex individuals

Eastern Hilly Region of Gujarat, the were comparatively broader than the

species shares habitat with another normal male abdominal segments

species called B. guerini. B. cunicularis (Figure 1b, 1c).

mainly inhabits small streams in the Maximum number of individuals with

forest habitats. The species is nocturnal intersex was observed in size class

in nature and widely distributed between 25 to 35 cm i.e. 8 intersex

throughout India except North East. individuals and 1 normal individual

During the examination of specimens whereas, 3 individuals with intersex were

collected from freshwater streams of observed in size class 20-25 (Table 1).

Polo forest, Sabarkantha district, some Interestingly the number of individuals

male specimens showed presence of having intersex decreased with an

intersexuality. Out of 23 specimens increase in carapace width.

collected from Polo forest, 12 male like

Table 1: Size class wise occurrence of intersexuality in Barytelphusa cunicularis

Specimen carapace No. of Individuals with No. Of Normal
width (mm) intersex Individuals

20-25 3 0
25-30 4 0
30-35 4 1
35-40 1 4
45-50 0 1
50-60 0 1
65-70 0 1
70-75 0 2
80-85 0 1
Total 12 11

18

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Fig. 1: Intersexuality in fresh water crab Barytelphusa cunicularis. (1a) Male dorsal view, (1b)
Intersexual male abdomen, (1c) Male normal abdomen, (1d) Female like gonopores and female
like pleopods.

In the previous studies, intersexuality estrogen and testosterone which may
has been reported for fresh water crab modify the sexual development of the
Travancoriana schirnerae which was animal (Williams et al., 2009). The reason
collected from the paddy fields of the behind the presence of intersex
Mananthavadi of Kerala (Sudhadevi and individuals in the studied population of
Smija, 2014). Different causes have been B. cunicularis is still unknown and
attributed to intersexuality like contact detailed study is needed to find out the
with anthropogenic chemical which possible factors for the occurrence of
mimics the chemical property of present phenomena.

19

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Acknowledgements: The authors are Dendobanchiata, Penaeidae) from
thankful to Gujarat Biodiversity Board, the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
Government of Gujarat for financial Crustaceana. 78: 113-119.
support under project entitled Ladewig, V., D. Jungmann, A. Koehler, M.
“Documentation of Crustacean (Phylum Schirling, R. Triebskorn and R.
Arthropoda) Biodiversity of Gujarat” Nagel. 2002. Intersexuality in
(Grant No.: GBB/RS/2037-41/2013-14 of Gammarus fossarum Koch, 1835
13-03-2014). The authors are also (Amphipoda). Crustaceana. 75:
thankful to Ms. Dhruva Trivedi and Ms. 1289-1299.
Barkha Purohit for technical support. Mantelatto, F. L; O’brien, J. J. and Biagi,
R. 2003. Parasites and Symbionts of
References crabs from Ubatuba Bay, São Paulo
Gibbs, P. E., G. W. Bryan and P. L. Pascoe. State, Brazil. Comparative
Parasitology. 70: 211-214.
1991. TBT-induced imposex in the Moncada, F. G. and Gomez, O. 1980.
dog whelk, Nucella lapillus: Algunos aspectos biológicos de
geographical uniformity of the tres especies del género Callinectes
response and effects. Marine (Crustacea, Decapoda). Revista
Environment Research. 32: 79-87. Cubana Invest Pesqueras. 5: 1- 35.
Gregati, R. A. and M. L. Negreiros- Pati, S. K. and Sharma R. M. 2012.
Fransozo. 2009. Occurrence of shell Freshwater crabs of India: Diversity,
disease and carapace abnormalities Conservation needs and Future
on natural population of Neohelice Potential. Ela Journal. 1(4): 2.
granulate (Crustacea: Varunidae) Rudolph, E. 2002. New records of
from a tropical mangrove forest, intersexuality in the freshwater
Barazil. Marine Biodiversity crayfish Samastacus spinifrons
Records. 2: 1-3. (Decapoda, Parastacidae). Journal
Hugo, A. and H. Michel. 2005. Abnormal of Crustacean Biology. 22: 377-389.
rostrum and telson in two species Santana, J. I., Caldentey, M. A., González,
of penaeid shrimps (Decapoda, J. A., Lozano I. J. and Carrillo, J.
1990. Anomalías morfológicas

20

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

rostrales en pandalidos (Crustacea, Takahashi, T., A. Akira, N. Yuji, K. Minoru

Caridea) de las Islas Canarias. In: L. and A. Koji. 2000. The Occurrence

Gallego Castejon (ed.), Benthos, 6: of Dual-gender Imposex in

223-228. (Ed. Bilbilis, Palma de Japanese Freshwater Crab. Journal

Mallorca). of Health Science. 46 (5): 376-379.

Sivalingam, D. and Rao, P. V., 1968. A Williams, R. J., V. D. J. Keller, A. C.

case of abnormal petasma in the Johnson and A. R. Young. 2009. A

penaeid prawn Metapenaeus affinis national risk assessment for

(H. Milne-Edwards). Journal of intersex in fish arising from steroid

Marine Biological Association of estrogens. Environmental

India. 10: 386- 387. Toxicology and Chemistry. 28: 220-

Stephen S., Y. Gongda, G. Yasmin, G. 230.

Amaia, K. Peter and T. Alex. 2014. Yeo, D. C. J., P. K. L. Ng, N. Cumberlidge,

Crustacean Intersexuality Is C. Magalhaes, S. R. Daniels and M.

Feminization without R. Campos. 2008. Global diversity

Demasculinization: Implications for of crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda,

Environmental Toxicology. Brachyura) in freshwater.

Environmental Science and. Hydrobiologia. 595: 275-286.

Technology. 48: 13520-13529. Zou, E. and M. Fingerman. 2000. External

Sudha Devi, A. R. and M. K. Smija. 2014. features of an intersex fiddler crab,

Histologically confirmed intersex Uca pugilato (Bosc, 1802)

(ovo-testis) in the freshwater crab (Decapoda, Brachyura).

Travancoriana schirnerae (Bott, Crustaceana. 73: 417-423.

1969). International Journal of

Fisheries and Aquatic Studies. 1(3):

99-104.

----------------------------------------------

21

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Odonates of Freshwater Wetlands Around Thol Bird Sanctuary and
Blackbuck National Park, Gujarat

Kalavanti Mokaria
Research Fellow, GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar

Email - [email protected]

Abstract: An inventory of dragonflies and damselflies was carried out covering

freshwater wetlands around Thol Bird Sanctuary and Blackbuck National Park, Gujarat
state, India. Though these two Protected Areas do not fall in Ahmedabad District, they
are located in the vicinity of the district and the wetlands that were covered for the
inventorying were also located in Ahmedabad district. For odonate inventory, surveys
were carried out randomly. Visual encounter Survey (VES) was carried out. Total 23
species of Odonates were encountered belonging to 4 families. Twenty one species of
odonates were encountered around Blackbuck National Park whereas 15 species of
odonates were encountered around Thol Bird Sanctuary. Overall, 20 species were
commonly encountered whereas 3 species were uncommon in study areas.

Keywords: Blackbuck National Park, Odonates, Thol Bird Sanctuary.

Introduction of environmental changes. They are very
sensitive to environmental and
Odonates are most ancient and atmospheric changes, change in habitats
beautiful insects that ever roamed earth and weather conditions. Odonates are
with fossil records dating back to the important bio-control agents of diseases
Permian era 230 – 280 million years ago and are very good predators of pest
(Subramanian 2005). Odonates are insects such as mosquitoes and
semiaquatic insects. Most of their pre- agricultural pest insects (Andrew et al.
adult stage, i.e. nymph stage is primarily 2008, Tiple et al. 2008). Even though
aquatic. Their life-cycle is very closely Odonate species are highly specific to
associated with flowing and stagnant their habitat needs, some of the
waters (Andrew et al., 2008). Due to their Odonate species are very well-adapted
primarily aquatic mode of life cycle and to man-made wetlands and can survive
development, their life history is quite even in wetlands with deteriorated water
closely linked to specific aquatic quality. Diversity and number of
habitats. Odonates are good indicators
22

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

individuals of dragonflies have been (2013), Manwar et al., 2012, Rangnekar
known to be related to water quality et al., 2010, Arulprakash and
worldwide (e.g., Watson et al. 1982; Gunathilagaraj, 2010, Kandibane et al.,
Takamura 1991; Corbet 1999). 2005, Gunathilagaraj et al, 1999.
The order Odonata is divided into three
sub-orders – Zygoptera, Anisoptera and Prasad (2004) has listed about 48
Anisozygoptera. About 5,740 species / species of Odonata belonging to 30
subspecies of Odonates belonging to genera, under 7 families and 2
654 genera in 32 families are suborders in fauna of Gujarat Series
documented worldwide (Subramanian, based on the species collected during a
2009). India harbors 463 species and faunistic survey in Gujarat State. Prasad
subspecies belonging to 140 genera in (2004) described 15 odonates species
19 families (Subramanian, 2009). Several from Ahmedabad district including
studies have been conducted in past in Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1773),
various states of India. The taxonomy of Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770),
adult odonates is well documented in Orthetrum pruinosum (Rambur, 1842),
India (Fraser 1933; 1934; 1936; Prasad Acisoma panorpoides (Rambur, 1842),
and Varshney, 1995, Subramanian, Tramea virginia (Rambur, 1842),
2009). Prasad and Varshney (1995) Rodischnura nursei (Morton, 1907),
reported Odonate diversity known from Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842),
various regions adjoining to India Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865),
including Nepal, Bangladesh and Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842),
Shrilanka. Similar studies have been Ischnura elegans (Brauer, 1865),
reported by Mitra (2006) from Bhutan. Enallagma parvum (Selys, 1879),
However, odonate is well studied in Enallagma cyanthigerum (Charpentier
recent years from different states in ,1840), Agrionemis pygmaea (Rambur
India by Sharma et al., 2009, ,1842), Onychargia atrocyana (Selys
Subramanian et al. 2011, Koparde et al. ,1879), Lestes thoracicus (Laidlaw, 1920)
2014, Varghese et al., 2014, Prasad et al., whereas 5 odonate species from sanand
2013, Kulkarni & Subramanian (2013), including Crocothemis servilia (Drury,
Shende & Patil (2013), Tiple & Chandra 1773), Lestes umbrinus (Selys, 1891),

23

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Lestes thoracicus (Laidlaw, 1920) Area 1–Around Thol Sanctuary
Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842)
and Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865). Thol Bird Sanctuary (23o 22.50' N,
Sharma (2009) recorded about 58 72o 37.50' E) is situated in Kadi Taluka of
species of odonates from arid and semi- Mehsana district, North Gujarat region
arid regions from Gujarat, India. of Gujarat State.
Recently an inventorying of Odonates It is a man-made wetland having an area
has been done by Shukla et al. (2014) of about 7 sq. km and is surrounded by
from Bhavnagar Victoria Park Reserve agriculture fields. The wetland area is
Forest of Gujarat State. Rohmare et al. surrounded by trees and scrubs.
(2015) carried out a survey on Odonate Moreover, emergent and floating
diversity from Central Gujarat at various aquatic plants also exist in the watery
sites within Ahmedabad, Kheda, Anand, areas in the vicinity of the wetland.
Vadodara, Panchmahal and Dahod Major hydrophytic vegetation in and
districts. The present study was carried around this wetland includes Typha sp.,
out to fill the data gap in the Cyperus sp., Scirpus sp., Hydrilla
biodiversity study in term of Odonate verticillata, Chara sp., Ceratophyllum
diversity and Species occurrence in demersum, Nymphaea sp., Ipomoea
selected study sites. spp., Vallisneria natans, Lemna sp.,
Polygonum spp. etc. Trees like
Study Area Acacia nilotica, A.leucophloea,Zizyphus s
pp.,Azadirachta indica, Ficus spp.,Salvad
Wetlands around two PAs were ora sp., Prosopis chilensis, Capparis sp
selected randomly i. e. Thol Bird . also exist in the vicinity and
Sanctuary and Blackbuck National Park. surrounding areas (Singh 1998, 2001,
Though Black buck National Park is Karia 2012).
located in Bhavnagar district
(Saurashtra) and Thol Sanctuary in Area 2–Around Blackbuck National
Mehsana district (North Gujarat), both of Park
them are located near Ahmedabad
district (Central Gujarat). Blackbuck National Park
(22ᵒ02'00" N, 72ᵒ03'00"E) is situated in

24

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Velavadar, Bhavnagar District, Gujarat

State. It is located in the Bhal region of

Saurashtra, Gujarat. It is situated at low

mean sea level and considered as

ecologically complex region (Vyas &

Joshi 2015). The region of Blackbuck

National Park is flat, coastal alluvial plain

consisting of cropland, saline

wastelands, grasslands and marshes

(Dharmakumarsinhji 1978; Singh and

Rana 1995). Majority of the wetlands in

this area that were covered in this study Location of Study area
were “khet talavdies” (i.e., farm-ponds) A View of Thol Bird Sanctuary

situated amidst agricultural fields. A View of a wetland near Blackbuck National
Park
During good monsoon, vast area gets

inundated by rain waters and there is

also seawater influx in and around study

area through creeks. Study area also

have village ponds, waterlogged area

and rivers/streams. The area near

Blackbuck National Park has varied

habitats. Major groups of plants include

halophytes, xerophytes and

hydrophytes. Grassland in and around

Velavadar Blackbuck National Park is

inhabited by Sporobolus

coromandellianus, Link., Schoenoplectus

maritimus and Echinopse chinatus, Roxb

(Vyas & Joshi 2015).

25

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Material and Methods 1842), 3.Crocothemis servilia (Drury,
1773), 4.Orthetrum glaucum (Brauer,
A random survey was carried out 1865), 5.Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770),
in the study area covering several 6.Orthetum taeniolatum (Schneider,
waterlogged areas near/around the PAs. 1845), 7.Pantala flavescens (Fabricius,
The survey was done from 8 am to 11 1798), 8.Tramea basilaris (Palisot de
am on weekends during monsoon Beauvois, 1817), 9.Tramea limbata
season from the month of August 2015 (Desjardins, 1832), 10.Trithemis aurora
– October 2015. Visual Encounter (Burmeister, 1839), 11.Trithemis
Survey (VES) was carried out. Odonate pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889), 12.Trithemis
species encountered were observed, kirby (Selys, 1891) and 13.Diplacodes
identified and photographed. The trivialis (Rambur, 1842), 14.Diplacodes
species which were difficult to identify in lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842), 15.Rhyothemis
situ through VES or through photograph variegata (Linnaeus, 1763)]. Zygoptera
were collected, identified and released (Damselfly) included 5 species namely
back into field. Rodischnura nursei (Morton, 1907),
Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842),
Results and Discussion Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865),
Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius,
Total 23 species of Odonates 1798) & Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur,
were recorded including 17 species of 1842) belonging to Coenagrionidae
dragonflies (Suborder Anisoptera) family and 1 species of Lestes umbrinus
belonging to 2 families and 6 species of (Selys, 1891) belonging to Lestidae
damselflies (Suborder Zygoptera) family (Table 1).
belonging to 2 families. Anisoptera
(Dragonfly) included 2 species, namely, Twenty one species of Odonates
Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842) & belonging to four families such as
Paragomphus lineatus (Selys, 1850) Gomphidae (2 species), Libellulidae (13
belonging to Gomphidae family and 15 Species), Lestidae (1 species) and
species belonging to Libelluidae family Coenagrionidae (5 species) were
[1.Brachythemis contaminate (Fabricius, encountered around Blackbuck National
1793), 2.Bradinopyga geminate (Rambur,
26

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Park. On the other hand, 15 species of indicator. Bradinopyga geminate
odonates belonging to four families (Rambur 1842) was successfully used to
such as Gomphidae (2 species), control Aedes mosquito which is one of
Libellulidae (13 Species), Lestidae (1 the important vectors of the dengue
species) and Coenagrionidae (5 species) fever in urban areas of Thailand
were encountered around Thol Bird (Subramanian 2005). Bradinopyga
Sanctuary (Table 2). geminate (Rambur 1842) is considered
as a very important bio-control agent of
Among 23 species of Odonates mosquito. Some of the Odonates
encountered during this study, 20 recorded during this study are well-
species were commonly encountered. known for their migratory behaviour.
On the other hand, 3 species were Pantala flavescens (Fabricius 1798) and
uncommon in the study areas (Table 3). some species of Tramea travel far and
wide, and cover whole of the tropics.
Some species of Odonates are Trithemis dragonflies recorded during
known to play role of an indicator this study is known to breed in sluggish
species or role of bio-control agent. waters of streams. They usually perch on
During this study, two such species were aquatic plants and rock fragment,
recorded, viz. Brachythemis contaminate pebbles and stones (Kulkarni &
(Fabricius 1793) and Bradinopyga Subramanian 2013 and Tillyard 1917).
geminate (Rambur, 1842). Brachythemis Destruction or modification inland
contaminate (Fabricius 1793) is known wetlands may hamper the survival of
to be a dragonfly of polluted water as it such ecologically important species.
is very well adapted to polluted water
(Wankhade et al. 2012). Therefore, this Exuvia
species is seen in large number during
post-monsoon season, when the water Ketan Tatu
is polluted with organic wastes. In turn,
this species acts as a water quality

27

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Table 1: Checklist of odonates around Thol bird sanctuary and Blackbuck national Park
towards Ahmedabad district

Sr. Scientific name Common name
No.
Suborder: Anisoptera Common Clubtail
Family: Gomphidae Common Hooktail
1 Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842)
2 Paragomphus lineatus (Selys, 1850) Ditch Jewel
Family: Libellulidae Granite Ghost
3 Brachythemis contaminate (Fabricius, 1793) Ruddy Marsh Skimmer
4 Bradinopyga geminate (Rambur, 1842) Blue Marsh Hawk
5 Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1773) Green Marsh Hawk
6 Orthetrum glaucum (Brauer, 1865) Ashy Marsh Hawk
7 Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770) Wandering Glider
8 Orthetum taeniolatum (Schneider, 1845) Red Marsh Trotter
9 Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) Black Marsh Trotter
10 Tramea basilaris (Palisot de Beauvois, 1817) Crimson Marsh Skimmer
11 Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1832) Long-Legged Marsh Skimmer
12 Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839) Scarlet Dropwing
13 Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889) Ground Skimmer
14 Trithemis kirby (Selys, 1891) Black Ground Skimmer
15 Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842) Common Picture Wing
16 Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842)
17 Rhyothemis variegata (Linnaeus, 1763) Brown Spreadwing
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Lestidae Pixie Dartlet
18 Lestes umbrinus (Selys, 1891) Senegal Golden Dartlet
Family: Coenagrionidae Golden Dartlet
19 Rodischnura nursei (Morton, 1907) Coromandel Marsh Dart
20 Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) Green striped Grass Dart
21 Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865)
22 Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius, 1798)
23 Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842)

28

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Table 2: Occurrence of Odonate species in each study site

Sr. Scientific name Around Around Thol
No. Blackbuck Bird Sanctuary
National Park
Suborder: Anisoptera
Family: Gomphidae PP
1 Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842) P
2 Paragomphus lineatus (Selys, 1850)
Family: Libellulidae PP
3 Brachythemis contaminate (Fabricius, 1793) PP
4 Bradinopyga geminate (Rambur, 1842) PP
5 Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1773) P
6 Orthetrum glaucum (Brauer, 1865) PP
7 Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770) P
8 Orthetum taeniolatum (Schneider, 1845) PP
9 Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) P
10 Tramea basilaris (Palisot de Beauvois, 1817) P
11 Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1832) P
12 Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839) P
13 Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889) PP
14 Trithemis kirby (Selys, 1891)
15 Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842) P
16 Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842) P
17 Rhyothemis variegata (Linnaeus, 1763) P
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Lestidae PP
18 Lestes umbrinus (Selys, 1891)
Family: Coenagrionidae PP
19 Rodischnura nursei (Morton, 1907) PP
20 Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) PP
21 Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865) PP
22 Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius, 1798) PP
23 Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842)

Note: P – presence of species in particular study site

29

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Table 3: Occurrence of Odonates species in the study area

Sr. No. Scientific name Occurrence

Suborder: Anisoptera C
UC
Family: Gomphidae
C
1 Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842) C
C
2 Paragomphus lineatus (Selys, 1850) C
C
Family: Libellulidae C
C
3 Brachythemis contaminate (Fabricius, 1793) C
UC
4 Bradinopyga geminate (Rambur, 1842) C
C
5 Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1773) C
C
6 Orthetrum glaucum (Brauer, 1865) C
UC
7 Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770)
C
8 Orthetum taeniolatum (Schneider, 1845)
C
9 Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) C
C
10 Tramea basilaris (Palisot de Beauvois, 1817) C
C
11 Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1832)

12 Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839)

13 Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889)

14 Trithemis kirby (Selys, 1891)

15 Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842)

16 Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842)

17 Rhyothemis variegata (Linnaeus, 1763)

Suborder: Zygoptera

Family: Lestidae

18 Lestes umbrinus (Selys, 1891)

Family: Coenagrionidae

19 Rodischnura nursei (Morton, 1907)

20 Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842)

21 Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865)

22 Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius, 1798)

23 Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842)

Note: C-Common, UC-Uncommon

30

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Odonates Diversity around Thol Bird Sanctuary and Blackbuck National Park
towards Ahmedabad district (Photographs by Kalavanti Mokaria)

Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842) Paragomphus lineatus (Selys, 1850)

Brachythemis contaminate (Fabricius, 1793) Orthetrum glaucum (Brauer, 1865)

Bradinopyga geminate (Rambur, 1842) Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1773)

31

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770) Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798)

Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839) Tramea basilaris (Palisot de Beauvois, 1817)

Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889) Trithemis kirby (Selys, 1891)
32

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842) Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842)

Rhyothemis variegata (Linnaeus, 1763) Rodischnura nursei (Morton, 1907)

Lestes umbrinus (Selys, 1891) Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Fabricius,
1798)

33

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1865)

Pseudagrion decorum (Rambur, 1842)

34

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

References: Gunathilagaraj, K., Soundarajan, R. P., Chitra, N.,
Andrew R. J., Subramaniam K. A., Tiple A. D. & Swamiappan, M. (1999).
2008. A handbook on common odonates of Odonata in the rice fields of Coimbatore. Zoos‘
Central India. South Asian Council of Print Journal 14(6): pp 43-44
Odonatology, Nagpur, MH.

Arulprakash, R. and Gunathilagaraj, K. (2010). Kalkman, V.J., Clausnitzer, V., Dijkstra, K-D.B.,
Abundance and diversity of Odonata in Orr, G.A., Paulson, R.D., Tol, J.V (2008). Global
temporary water bodies of Coimbatore and diversity of dragonflies (Odonata) in freshwater.
Salem districts in Tamil Nadu. Journal of Hydrobiologia. 595:351-363.
Threatened Taxa. 2(8) pp1099-1102
Kandibane, M. , Raguraman, S., and Ganapathy,
Corbet, P. S. 1999. Dragonflies, behaviour and N.(2005). Relative abundance and diversity of
ecology of Odonata. Cornell University Press, Odonata in an irrigated rice field of Madurai,
Ithaca, New York. 829 pages. Tamil Nadu. Zoos‘ Print Journal 20(11) pp-
2051-2052.
Dharmakumarsinhji, K. S. (1978) Velavadar
National Park, Gujarat India. Tigerpaper, Vol. 5 Karia, J. (2012). Floral and Avifaunal Diversity of
(1): 6-8. Thol Lake Wildlife (Bird) Sanctuary of Gujarat
State, India. In: Biodiversity Enrichment in a
Fraser, F. C. (1957). A reclassification of the Diverse World (Ed. Gbolagade Akeem Lameed),
order Odonata. Publcation. Research. Janeza Trdine 9, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia, 508pp.
Zoological Society N.S.W. Sydney, Australia, pp
155 Koparde, P., P. Mhaske & A. Patwardhan (2014).
New records of dragonflies and damselflies
Fraser, F.C. (1933). The Fauna of British- India (Insecta: Odonata) from the Western Ghats of
including Ceylon and Burma, Odonata. Vol. I. Maharashtra, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa
Taylor and Francis Ltd., London. pp 423 6(5): 5744– 5754;
http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3402. 5744-
Fraser, F.C. (1934). The Fauna of British- India 5754
including Ceylon and Burma, Odonata. Vol. II.
Taylor and Francis Ltd., London. pp 398 Kulkarni A. S. & Subramanian K.A. (2013).
Habitat and seasonal distribution of Odonata
Fraser, F.C. (1936). The fauna of British- India (Insecta) of Mula and Mutha river basins,
including Ceylon and Burma, Odonata. Vol. III. Maharashtra, India., Journal of Threatened Taxa,
Taylor and Francis Ltd., London. pp 461 Volume 5(7) pp 4084–4095

35

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Kulkarni, A. S. & K. A. Subramanian (2013) Rangnekar, P., Borkar M. & Dharwadkar O.
Habitat and seasonal distribution of Odonata (2010). Additions to the Odonata (Insecta) of
(Insecta) of Mula and Mutha river basins, Goa. Journal of Threatened Taxa 2(4): pp-805-
Maharashtra, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 814.
5(7): 4084–4095;
http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3253.4084-95 Rohmare, V.B., D.M. Rathod, S.G. Dholu, B.M.
Parasharya & S.S. Talmale (2015). An inventory
Manwar N. A., Rathod P. P., I. Ahmad R.(2012). of odonates of central Gujarat, India. Journal of
Diversity and abundance of Dragonflies and Threatened Taxa 7(11): 7805–7811;
Damselflies Of Chatri Lake Region, in Pohara – http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o4292.7805-11
Malkhed Reserve Forest, Amravati, Maharashtra,
India, International Journal of Engineering Schorr, M, Lindeboom, M and Paulson, D.
Research and Applications (IJERA), Vol. 2, Issue
5, pp 521-523 (2009). World Odonata List.

Mitra A. (2006) Current Status of the Odonata http://www.pugetsound.edu/x6140.xml.
of Bhutan: A Checklist with Four New Records.
Bhutan Journal RNR, Volume 2 (1) pp136 – 143 Accessed on 01/06/2009.

Prasad K. K., Ramakrishna B., Srinivasulu C., & Sharma G., Ramamurthy V.V. and Kumar R.
Srinivasulu B.(2013). Studied on Odonate (2009) Collection of damselflies and dragonflies
Diversity of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary with (Odonata : Insecta) in National Pusa collection,
notes on Female Polymorphism of Division of entomology, Indian Agricultural
Neurothemistullia (Drury, 1773) (Odonata: Research Institute, New Delhi, India, Biological
Libellulidae) and Some Species Hitherto Forum — An International Journal, 1(2): pp47-
Unreported From Andhra Pradesh, India., 50
Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies
2013;1 (4): pp 99-104 Sharma, G. (2009). Studies and status of
damselflies and dragonflies (odonata: insecta)
of arid and semi-arid regions of India.
Hexapoda 16(1): 36–39.

Prasad, M. (2004). Insecta: Odonata, pp. 19–40. Shende V. A., & Patil K. G. (2013) Diversity of
In: Director-ZSI, (ed.). Fauna of Gujarat. State dragonflies (Anisoptera) in Gorewada
Fauna Series, 8(Part 2). Zoological Survey of International Bio-Park, Nagpur, Central India,
India, Kolkata. Arthropods, 2013, 2(4): pp200-207

Prasad, M., & Varshney R.K. (1995). A checklist Shukla A. H., Solanki D., Dodia P. P. and Mehta
of the Odonata of India including Data on larval D., 2014 Diversity of Dragonflies in the victoria
studies. Oriental Insects 29: pp385-428. Park Reserved Forest, Bahavnagar, Gujarat,

36

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

India, Periodic Research, Vol.-III, Issue-II, pp- Tillyards R. J. 1917, The Biology of dragonflies.
98-100 pp-396

Singh H.S. and V.J. Rana (1995): Management Tiple K. D. & Chandra K., (2013) Studied on
Plan for Blackbuck National Park, Velavdar, Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta, Odonata)
Forest Department, Gujarat State of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh States,
Central India., Journal Care for Nature, Volume
Singh, H. S. (1998) Wildlife of Gujarat. Gujarat 1(1), pp3-1
Ecological Education and Research Foundation Varghese, A. P., Nikesh P. R.,& Mathew J. (2014).
(GEER), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. Pp. 65-66. Odonata (Insecta) diversity of Salim Ali Bird
Sanctuary and its adjacent areas in Thattekkad,
Singh, H. S. (2001) Natural Heritage of Gujarat. Kerala, India.
Gujarat Ecological Education and Research
(GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. Vyas S. J. & Joshi A. J. 2015 Quantitative Study
of Coastal Flora of ‘Bhal’ Region in Gujarat,
Subramanian K. A., Kakkassery F., Nair M. V. International Journal of Science and Research
(2011). The status & distribution of dragonflies (IJSR), ISSN (Online): 2319-7064, Volume 4 Issue
& damselflies (Odonata) of the Western Ghats. 5, pp 337-341 www.ijsr.net
In: The Status &Distribution of Freshwater
Biodiversity in the Western Ghats, India, IUCN, Wankhade V. ,Manwar N. and Dahihande A.,
Cambridge, UK. pp 63-71, 2012, Effect Of Water Pollution On Assemblage
And Community Structure Of Dragonfly At
Subramanian, K. A. (2005): Dragonflies and Three Ecosystems Of Pune (India), Golden
Damselflies of Peninsular India – A Field Guide. Research Thoughts, ISSN:-2231-5063, Volume
E-Book of Project Lifescape. Centre for 2, Issue. 3, pp 1-6
Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science,
and Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Watson, J. A. L., A. H. Arthington, and D. L.
India. pp. 118 Conrick. 1982. Effect of sewage effluent on
dragonflies (Odonata) of Bulimba Creek,
Subramanian, K.A. (2009). Dragonflies of India - Brisbane. Australian Journal of Freshwater,
A Field Guide. VigyanPrasar, New Delhi Research 33: 517-528.

Takamura, K., S. Hatakeyama, and H. Shiraishi. ----------------
1991. Odonate larvae as an indicator of
pesticide contamination. Applied Entomology
and Zoology 26: 321-326.

--------------

37

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Waterbird Diversity of Tena Wetland, Surat (Gujarat, India)

Namrata R. Umrigar1 & A. H. Dholakia2
1, 2 Department of Zoology, Sir, P. T. Sarvajanik College of Science, Surat, Gujarat, India

Email of Corresponding Author1: [email protected]

Abstract: Wetlands are highly productive and yet threatened ecosystems on the earth.

They are well-recognized as waterbird abodes all over the world. The present study
attempts to determine species diversity and status of water birds in Tena wetland of
Surat district in Gujarat, India. It is based on our observations and sight-records of water
birds. The study was carried out from November, 2014 to October, 2015. A total of 73
species of waterbirds belonging to 10 orders and 19 families were recorded. Amongst
them, some species were migratory and some others were residential for the Indian
Subcontinent.

Keywords: Abundance, Diversity, Habitat, Waterfowl, Wetlands.

Introduction waterbirds are excellent indicators of
water quality and health of wetland
Birds are good bio-indicators and ecosystem inhabited by waterbirds.
useful models for studying a variety of Waterbirds are located at various
environmental problems (Newton et al. trophic levels in the food-webs
1995). Amongst the various groups of operating in wetland ecosystems.
birds, wetland birds act as an Waterbirds may not prefer each
important component of wetland waterbody as their habitat, but they
ecosystem. They also contribute to the are dependent on particular wetland
cultural and social benefits of the habitats for fulfilling various life
human society. Wetland birds provide requisites like foraging, resting,
us some of the nature’s most roosting and/or breeding (Dennis and
wonderful sceneries through large Tarboton 1993). Tena wetland
flocks of shorebirds wheeling (popularly known as Tena Lake) in
overhead, newly hatched nidifugous Surat district, Gujarat State (Western
chicks of plovers/lapwings basking in India) is one such wetland. It is used by
the sun, flocks of gaggling geese etc.
Apart from their beauty, recreational
and economic importance, these

38

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

a large number of individuals that remains for 7-8 months in it. Wetland
belong to a variety of waterbird gets dried up before the arrival of
species. However, waterbird diversity summer season. Apart from irrigation,
of this wetland has not been hitherto it is also used by local villagers for
studied academically and therefore, fulfilling drinking water needs of
this study was carried out. livestock, for washing clothes, though
they do not use it for their own
Study Site drinking purpose.
Surat is situated in southern part of
Gujarat state. The area of Surat district Material and Methods
is 7,657 sq.km with total population of Bird surveys were carried out every
49 lakhs approx. Total 595 wetlands week for a period of one year from
are mapped including 267 small November 2014 to October 2015.
wetlands (< 2.25 ha) occupying 86062 Waterfowl observations were made
ha(i.e., 860.62 sq.km.) area. Tena village with the aid of a pair of binoculars
(21°13'42.61"N, 72°40'28.86"E) is (10-30×70mm). Identification was
located on the west side of Surat done with the help of field guides by
district, 15-16 km from Surat city. It is a Ali (1996) and Grimmett & Inskipp
coastal village located near a creek (1998). Regular surveys were
that meets southern extension of the conducted by systematically walking
Gulf of Cambay. Local villagers of Tena on fixed transects (n=4; average
have built a check dam to protect length=800m) throughout the study
agriculture land from influence of sea area. Birds were mostly observed
water. One side of the check dam is during the most active periods of the
covered by freshwater of Tena wetland day, i.e., from 6:00 to 9:00 hrs in
and the other side is sea water. Area of morning and from 16:00 to 18:00 hrs
Tena wetland is about 4 sq. km with its in evening. Some additional visits
maximum depth about 2m and water were also made.

39

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Fig. 1. Satellite view of Tena wetland of Surat district

Fig. 2 A bird’s-eye view of Tena wetland regarding types of micro-habitats,
weather and topographic features
Birds were photographed with the were also recorded separately.
help of a digital camera. Apart from
recording the birds, observations

40

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Results and Discussion uncommon and 10 species were
rarely observed. Wetlands exhibit
A total of 73 species of severe qualitative variation in
waterbirds belonging to 10 orders avifauna. At Tena, it was observed
and 19 families were recorded that 30% of total bird species
(Table-1). Listing of the species in the belonged to Charadriiformes
Table-1 is done as per Mankandan followed by Ciconiiformes (22%),
and Pittie (2001). Anseriformes (19%) and Gruiformes
(10%) respectively (Fig.3). Based on
Of all the species recorded, 30 the frequency of the observations
(41.1%) were Resident-Migrants for Lesser whistling duck, Knob billed
Indian Subcontinent, 22(30.1%) Duck, Pond Heron, Black headed
species were Resident and 21(28.8%) Ibis, Common Sandpiper, Grey
species were Migratory. Among Heron, Purple Heron, Bronze winged
them, some species were Near Jacana, White-throated Kingfisher
Threatened (NT) (i.e., Oriental Darter, and Common Coot were the most
Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed common species inhabiting these
Ibis and Painted Stork), whereas water bodies. Moreover, in our recent
some others were Vulnerable (VU) study most importantly, Pied
(i.e., Sarus Crane, Woolly-necked Kingfisher, Red naped Ibis, Cinnamon
Stork and Indian Skimmer). The order Bittern, Sarus Crane Indian Skimmer
Charadriiformes was rich with 22 were rarely spotted. These water
species followed by Ciconiiformes birds were found to utilize different
and Anseriformes with 16 & 14 habitats for different purposes like
species respectively (Table-2). foraging, nesting and roosting.
Abundance of the birds shows that
45 species weree common, 18 were

41

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Table 1: Check list of waterbirds of Tena wetland, Surat

Sr. Common Name Order /Family/ Residential Threat Statu Abund-
No. Scientific name
Status for as per ance
Indian

Subcontinent* IUCN

Order :Podicipediformes

Family : Podicipedidae

1. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis R LC UC

Order : Pelecaniformes

Family : Phalacrocoracidae

2. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo RM LC UC

3. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger RM LC C

4. Indian Shag Phalacrocorax RM LC C

fuscicollis

Family : Anhingidae

5. Darter Anhinga melanogaster RM NT R

Order : Ciconiiformes

Family : Ardeidae

6. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii R LC C

7. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea RM LC C

8. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea RM LC C

9. Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis RM LC C

10. Little Egret Egretta garzetta R LC C

11. Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia RM LC C

12. Large Egret Casmerodius albus RM LC C

13. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis RM LC C

14. Chestnut Bittern Ixobrychus RM LC R

cinnamomeus

Family : Ciconiidae

15. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala RM NT UC

16. Asian openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans R LC UC

17. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus R VU R

42

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Family : Threskiornithidae

18. Black-headed Threskiornis R NT C

Ibis melanocephalus LC R
LC UC
19. Red-naped Ibis Pseudibis papillosa R LC UC

20. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus RM LC R

21. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia RM LC UC
LC C
Order : Phoenicopteriformes LC C
LC C
Family : Phoenicopteridae LC C

22. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus RM LC C
LC C
Order : Anseriformes LC C
LC C
Family : Anatidae
LC C
23. Greylag Goose Anser anser M LC C
LC C
24. Lesser Whistling DuckDendrocygna javanica R LC UC
LC UC
25. Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos RM
VU R
26. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea RM
LC C
27. Cotton Pygmy-GooseNettapus R

coromandelianus

28. Gadwall Anas strepera M

29. Eurasian Wigeon Anas Penelope M

30. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos M

31. Indian Spot-billeAnas poecilorhyncha RM

Duck

32. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata M

33. Northern Pintail Anas acuta M

34. Garganey Anas querquedula M

35. Common Teal Anas crecca M

36. Common Pochard Aythya farina M

Order : Gruiformes

Family : Gruidae

37. Sarus Crane Grus Antigone R

Family : Rallidae

38. White-breasted Amaurornis R

43

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Waterhen phoenicurus

39. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea R LC C
LC C
40. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus RM LC C
LC C
41. Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio R LC R

42. Common Coot Fulica atra RM LC C

43. Brown Crake Amaurornis akool R LC C

Order : Charadriiformes LC C

Family : Jacanidae LC UC

44. Pheasant-tailed Hydrophasianus R LC C
LC C
Jacana chirurgus
NT UC
45. Bronze-winged Metopidius indicus R LC UC
LC UC
Jacana LC UC
LC C
Family : Recurvirostridae LC C
LC C
46. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus RM LC C
LC R
himantopus
LC R
47. Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta RM

Family : Charadriidae

48. Red-wattled LapwingVanellus indicus R

49. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius RM

Family : Scolopacidae

50. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa M

51. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus M

52. Common Redshank Tringa tetanus M

53. Common GreenshanTringa nebularia M

54. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis M

55. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola M

56. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos M

57. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus M

58. Red-necked Phalaropus lobatus M

Phalarope

Family : Laridae

59. Pallas’s Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus M

44

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

60. Sanderling Calidris alba M LC UC

61. Little Stint Calidris minuta M LC C

62. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus RM LC C

63. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica RM LC C

64. River Tern Sterna aurantia R LC C

65. Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis R VU R

Order : Coraciiformes

Family : Alcedinidae

66. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis RM LC C

67. White-throated Halcyon smyrnensis R LC C

Kingfisher

68. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis R LC C

Order : Passeriformes

Family : Hirundinidae

69. Common Swallow Hirundo rustica RM LC C

70. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii R LC C

Family : Motacillidae

71. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flav RM LC UC

leucocephala

72. White Wagtail Motacilla alb RM LC UC

dukhunensis

Order : Falconiformes

Family : Accipitridae

73. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus RM LC UC

(Mankandan and Pittie, 2001)

Notes: R= Resident for Indian Subcontinent, RE – Resident for Tena wetland; M – Exrtra-
limital for Indian Subcontinent, Migrant; LM - Local Migrant; WV - Winter Visitor; C -
Common; UC -Uncommon; R –Rare

45

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Table 2: Numerical distribution of water birds in Tena wetland

Sr. No. Order No. of Families No. of Species
1. Podicipediformes 1 1
2. Pelecaniformes 2 4
3. Ciconiiformes 3 16
4. Phoenicopteriformes 1 1
5. Anseriformes 1 14
6. Gruiformes 2 7
7. Charadriiformes 5 22
8. Coraciiformes 1 3
9. Passeriformes 2 4
10. Falconiformes 1 1

Podicipediforme

Passeriformes Falconiformes s
1%
1% Pelecaniformes
6% 6%
Coraciiformes

4%

Charadriiformes Ciconiiformes
30% 22%

Anseriformes Phoenicopterifor
19% mes
1%

Gruiformes
10%

Fig.3 Order wise contribution of water bird species in Tena wetlands (in %)

The waterbirds are generally the migratory birds visit these areas
heterogeneous in their feeding in winter seasons, which is a very
habits (Ali & Ripley 1987). Most of common phenomenon observed

46

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

here too. Due to availability of varied sources of food as well as foraging,
rich diversity of the waterbirds was
found during the present study.

References Grimmet, R., C. Inskipp and T. Inskipp (1998).
Ali S and S. D. Ripley (1987). Handbook of Birds of the Indian subcontinent. Oxford
the birds of India and Pakistan together University Press, New Delhi.
with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri
Lanka. Mankandan, R. and A. Pittie (2001).
Standardised common and scientific names
Ali, S. (1996). The Book of Indian Birds. of the birds of the Indian Subcontinent.
Bombay Natural History Society Mumbai Buceros, 6(1): 1- 40.

Dennis, N. and W. R. Tarboton (1993). Newton, I. (1995). The contribution of some
Waterbirds. Birds of southern African recent research on birds to ecological
wetlands. Struik, Cape Town. understanding. J. Anim. Ecol. 64:675-696.

Glimpses of Waterbirds at Tena Wetland

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica)

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) Red Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
47

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii)

Pied Kingfisher (ceryle rudis) Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)

Cotton Pygmy Goose (Nettapus Garganey (Anas querquedula)
coromandelianus)

48

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba dukhunensis) Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Indian Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)

Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) and Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

49

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.6, No.3 (Research Special)

Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)

Northern Pintail (Anua acuta)

…………………………………………

50