Volume 24, Issue 74, 2023

About the Cover

Predators including invertebrates and vertebrates prey on insects in the wild as a natural occurrence for food. Insects such as honeybees, carpenter bees and bumblebees form a major diet of such predators. While certain predators such as bears, skunks and raccoons raid beehives in search of honey, other predators including birds such as Oriental Honey Buzzards and Honeyguides are adapted specifically to feed on beeswax. Bee-eaters (Meropidae) and a few members of Muscicapidae are however specialized in bee-predation. The present article demonstrates notable observations on bee predation along with foraging of beeswax and honey in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve of Uttarakhand, India. The observational records are expected to shed light on the foraging behaviours of birds and mammals that rely on bees as a primary source of food.

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REPORT

Noteworthy observations on bee-predators in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, India

Rounak Patra, Sipu Kumar, Himanshu Sahu, Amit Kumar

Predators including invertebrates and vertebrates prey on insects in the wild as a natural occurrence for food. Insects such as honeybees, carpenter bees and bumblebees form a major diet of such predators.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e56s1559

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Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntz.: A serious threat to Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar site, India

Arun Pratap Mishra, Naveen Chandra, Amit Kumar, Sachin Sharma, Gajendra Singh

Biological invasions have significant ecological and environmental impacts on different ecosystems across the world. Wetlands well known as diverse and productive ecosystems provide critical habitat.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e57s1558

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A new record of mygalomorph spider Tigidia konkanensis Mirza, Zende & Patil, 2016 (Araneae: Barychelidae) from Raigad District, Maharashtra, India

Pawan U Gajbe

Tigidia Simon, (1892) is a genus of mygalomorph spiders that belongs to family Barychelidae. Tigidia konkanensis Mirza, Zende & Patil, 2016 is among the seven species of this genus found in India.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e58s1557

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NEW SPECIES

Lagenandra kunkichirimuseumensis (Araceae), a new species from south Western Ghats, India

Jose Mathew, Pichan Mohammed Salim, Kalpanamol Karunakaran

Lagenandra kunkichirimuseumensis, a new species of Lagenandra from the Wayanad District of Kerala is described. The new species can be differentiated from all other described Lagenandra species by the absence of tail.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e59s1564

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REPORT

Impact of red-neck pattern on pairing in Black-headed ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus

Anil Kumar Sharma, Anil Kumar Tripathi

For the study of the breeding biology of near threatened BHI Threskiornis melanocephalus, Nehru Talai “25.21°N, 74.38°E” of Bhilwara city was selected.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e60s1561

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Damage of trees by forest Elephants (Elephas maximus) in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, Karnataka: Are they sustainable?

Ganapathy Vanaraj, Arul Pragasan L

In the dry deciduous forests along transects for one-month, detailed investigations of indirect observations of forest elephants uprooting and debarking trees were conducted in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e61s1563

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CHECKLIST

Checklist of angiosperm and gymnosperm in Chandbali College Campus, Odisha, India

Panda T, Mishra N, Rahimuddin S, Pradhan BK

The assessment of biodiversity plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and serves as a valuable tool for decision-making regarding the conservation and management of natural resources.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e62s1565

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REPORT

Taxonomy of stored grain pest Callosobruchus phaseoli (Gyllenhal, 1833) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

Dhanashree R Salunkhe, Sunil M Gaikwad

The members of the genus Callosobruchus, in particular, feed on stored beans. The species Callosobruchus phaseoli is distributed in Brazil, the United States of America, Nigeria, Colombia, Mexico, the Philippines and India.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e63s1566

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Diversity of Mushroom in Sundarvan - A Nature Discovery Centre Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Deep Shah, Khyati Gangwar, Krishna Patel

The present study incorporates the vast diversity of mushroom species found on different substratum in the premises of Sundarvan-A Nature Discovery Centre, Ahmedabad by emphasizing the good biodiversity of the area.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e64s1567

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New reports on Monoraphid and Biraphid diatoms from India based on ultrastructure characteristics

Rahul Bose, Ruma Pal

The study aims at the taxonomic investigation of Raphid diatoms and reporting of some new taxa of Bacillariophyceae from the Indian subcontinent based on frustule ultrastructure.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e65s1571

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Dipcadi krishnadevarayae B.R.P. Rao (Asparagaceae): A new distributional record of an endemic geophyte to Tamil Nadu, India

Raja P, John Peter Arulanandam L, Soosairaj S, Johny Kumar Tagore

Dipcadi krishnadevarayae B.R.P. Rao an endemic geophyte is reported for the first time from Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. A detailed description, photo plates are provided for the easy identification.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e66s1569

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ANALYSIS

Species composition and status of Hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in the Agroecosystem and Man-Made Mini Understory of Bayabason, Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines

Jeanne Kuan, Dave P Mohagan, Alma B Mohagan

Hawkmoths are referred to as Sphinx moths, as they belong to family Sphingidae family, they play a vital role as ecological indicators and they exhibit remarkable diversity across the globe, with the exception of Antarctica and Greenland.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e67s1570

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REPORT

Status assessment of the two Acanthaceae species strictly endemic to Saddle Peak National Park of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Johny Kumar Tagore, Raja P, Sebastian Soosairaj, Venkat Ramana M, Jansirani P

The paper showcases the up-to-date distribution and IUCN threat status evaluation of Justicia andamanica Vasudeva Rao and Staurogyne andamanica Ramana et al. (Acanthaceae), which are strictly endemic to Saddle Peak National Park, North Andaman

Species, 2023, 24(74), e68s1572

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Eriocaulon ravii (Eriocaulaceae), a new species from Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, Kerala region, India

Shaju T, Rajendraprasad M, Raghu AV, Rijuraj MP, Ashi AM

A new species of Eriocaulon, E. ravii (Eriocaulaceae), is described and illustrated from the Kerala region of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR), southern Western Ghats, India

Species, 2023, 24(74), e69s1573

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Omiodes milvinalis (Swinhoe, 1886), Pyralidae family a new distribution record from Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India

Manohar Pawar, Anil Sarsawan

The present finding is a new state record Omiodes milvinalis (Swinhoe, 1886), Pyralidae family: From Madhya Pradesh, India

Species, 2023, 24(74), e70s1574

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Zingiber montanum (J. Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr. (Zingiberaceae): An addition to the Flora of Odisha

Sifan Priyadarshini, Sabita Tudu, Sudam C Sahu

While documenting the ethnobotanical information on food and medicinal values of Zingiberaceous plants of Odisha, the reported plant was found growing near a stream from Ranpur block of Nayagrah District, Odisha

Species, 2023, 24(74), e71s1577

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ANALYSIS

Autecology of Termite species in Barangay Pinatilan, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines

Milven V Orevillo, Alma B Mohagan

Termite mounds have long captivated human interest, yet the underlying reasons for developing mound-building characteristics in termites remain elusive

Species, 2023, 24(74), e72s1578

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REPORT

First photographic record of albinism in Chital (Axis axis) from Bardia National Park, Nepal

Rabin Kadariya, Rabin Bahadur KC, Umesh Paudel, Bishnu Prasad Shrestha

Chital or spotted deer (Axis axis) is one of the important cervids in Bardia National Park of Nepal, serving as the primary prey species of tiger within the national park

Species, 2023, 24(74), e73s1581

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Channa assamensis, a new species of freshwater snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from the Indo-Bhutan drainage of lower Brahmaputra basin of Assam, Northeast India

Sewali Pathak, Nripendra Nath Sarma, Mrigendra Mohan Goswami

A new species of snakehead is described from the Indo-Bhutan hill streams, a special habitat zone of channids within gachua-complex

Species, 2023, 24(74), e74s1580

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A note on the distribution of Asian Chameleon in Maharashtra with a new photographic record from Katol in Nagpur district

Pawan U Gajbe

Chameleons are unique lizards. They are well known for their distinctive ability to exhibit complex changes in body coloration

Species, 2023, 24(74), e75s1584

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New records of Aquilonastra iranica (Mortensen, 1940) and Callopatiria granifera (Gray, 1847) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Balochistan coast (Pakistan)

Farhana S Ghory, Qaseem Tahera

The present paper is based on data collected as part of the survey of Balochistan's coast. Seven specimens of the Asteroid echinoderm species Aquilonastra iranica (Mortensen, 1940) were collected from Gwader

Species, 2023, 24(74), e76s1585

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New record of albatross turrid Gemmula diomedea Powell, 1964 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Turridae) from Indian waters

Md Hafiz, Aritra Ghosh, Tamal Mondal, Sheikh Sajan

In this study, the Albatross turrid Gemmula diomedea, previously reported from the Philippines, and South China sea is recorded for the first time from Visakhapatnam, East coast of India.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e77s1587

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ANALYSIS

First study on spider diversity in three distinct habitats in Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

Emmanuel Okrikata, Jane I Otabor, Titus Tanko

Spiders are vital biological control agents and environmental change indicators in the ecosystem. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct studies on spider biodiversity, monitor their ecological activities, and work towards preserving them to prevent extinction

Species, 2023, 24(74), e78s1586

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REPORT

Spider Diversity in Karnatak College Dharwad (KCD), Karnataka, India

Shreyas Betageri, Ningaraj S Makanur, Kotresha K, Prashant Karadakatti

The spiders are critically analyzed biological species in biodiversity, as we surveyed and listed out the species inside of campus from Karnataka College Dharwad (KCD) Karnataka, India

Species, 2023, 24(74), e79s1588

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First documentation of the Camptandriine crab Baruna socialis Stebbing, 1904 in the Arabian Sea from the mangroves of Kerala

Chemmencheri Ramakrishnan Sreeraj, Sreelakshmi S, Haripriya TD, Hussna Nazar, Limna Mol VP

Crabs belonging to the Baruna genus, as classified by Stebbing in 1904 and part of the Camptandriidae family described by Stimpson in 1858, are commonly observed in various habitats within the Indo-West Pacific region

Species, 2023, 24(74), e80s1589

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ANALYSIS

Ensemble modeling of Rhododendron arboreum distribution in Nepal: Assessing current patterns and projecting future changes

Samit Kafle, Divya Thapa, Keshav Ghimire, Jeetendra Gautam

This research article presents a comprehensive analysis of the distribution patterns of Rhododendron arboreum in Nepal, encompassing the current distribution and future projections

Species, 2023, 24(74), e81s1590

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Diversity of Marine Sponges and their associated organisms in Fanar Ibn Hani Marine Protected Area (Latakia, Syria)

Izdihar Ali Ammar, Ahmad Ibrahim Kara Ali, Khalil Ahmad Ibrahim

Sponges and associated organisms had studied in Fanar Ibn Hani Marine Protected Area, northern of Latakia, during the period 2020-2022, Free diving and underwater photography were conducted at depths ranging from 2 to 10 meters on site

Species, 2023, 24(74), e82s1591

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REPORT

Selaginella willdenowii (Desv.) Baker (Selaginellaceae) first record from Sitakundo Ecopark, Chattogram, for the vascular plant of Bangladesh

Zinia Nasrin Shumon,Ashrafuzzaman M

The present study provides the new distributional records of Selaginella willdenowii (Desv.) Baker in the Sitakundo Ecopark, located in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Species, 2023, 24(74), e83s1594

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Hog deer Axis porcinus reclaiming historical geographical distribution range due to ecological restoration in the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Delhi, India

Mohan Singh, Sameer Gautam, Srivastava DP, Pranjal Jain, Umendra Sirohi, Harmeek Singh, Arjun, Ekta Khurana, Faiyaz A Khudsar

The Hog deer (Axis porcinus) was known to inhabit the Yamuna floodplains of Delhi but became locally extinct due to the degradation of its characteristic habitats

Species, 2023, 24(74), e84s1596

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First record of Atlantic Sea anemone (Telmatactis panamensis (Verrill, 1869)) on the artificial reefs of the Syrian coast (Eastern Mediterranean)

Izzat Arabia, Izdihar Ammar, Abdel Latif Ali

One individual Telmatactis panamensis, has been found on the artificial reefs for the first time on the Syrian coast.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e85s1597

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First record of Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) for Sudurpaschim province of Nepal

Simran Dhakal, Manoj Ayer, Hirulal Dangaura

This paper presents the new record of the Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) from the buffer zone of the Shuklaphanta National Park in Nepal

Species, 2023, 24(74), e86s1598

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ANALYSIS

The exotic perennial invasive weed, Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), a potential source of nectar for butterflies

Solomon Raju AJ, Venkata Ramana K, Prasada Rao CH

The exotic invasive weed, Lantana camara, has two natural varieties, yellow and white, in the study area. The two varieties bloom simultaneously, seasonally or year-long, depending on the availability of soil moisture

Species, 2023, 24(74), e87s1601

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Time and space distributions of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the Syrian coast (eastern mediterranean)

Amir Ibrahim, Chirine Hussein, Firas Alshawy, Alaa Alcheikh Ahmad

The distribution of cetaceans' species through the time and space along the Syrian coast has been studied from 2003-2021. Visual monitoring had been done to record the species encountered

Species, 2023, 24(74), e88s1609

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REPORT

First record of Stenoterommata platensis (Araneae: Pycnothelidae) in Santiago del Estero, Argentina and niche modelling to unveil its distributional pattern

Fiorella Signorotto, Micaela Nicoletta, Nelson Ferretti

Stenoterommata platensis is distributed in Argentina and Uruguay along the La Plata River basin, characterized by a predominantly humid climate and moist habitats.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e89s1606

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Parasitism in biocontrol agent Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) by Tetrastichus bilgiricus Narendran (2007) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Sumit Ravi Mali, Sunil Madhukar Gaikwad

The adult pair of ladybird beetles, along with their pupa, were spotted on the Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus. They were collected and taken to the laboratory for further study

Species, 2023, 24(74), e90s1612

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ANALYSIS

Utilization of artificial water holes by tiger (Panthera tigris) and its prey species in dry season in Bardia National Park of Nepal

Ashim Thapa, Abhinaya Pathak, Basudev Pokhrel, Ashish Bashyal, Ajay Karki, Bed Kumar Dhakal, Saneer Lamichhane

Waterholes play a crucial role in wildlife habitats, serving as a determining factor in maintaining a healthy ecosystem for wildlife.

Species, 2023, 24(74), e91s1619

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