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Understanding the population status and habitat use of a species is fundamental for initiating conservation action. The present study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022 to assess the population status and habitat use of White-crested Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos hamiltoni in the Limber Wildlife Sanctuary. Line transects/trails (n = 7) were established across all the habitat types. A total of 45 direct sightings of the bird were recorded in the study area. The highest abundance was recorded in autumn (2.25 ± 0.53 birds/km) and the lowest in spring (0.22 ± 0.53 birds/km). Flock size ranged from one individual to nine individuals. Of the different habitat types identified, most sightings occurred in coniferous forests with high understory (n = 16). The agricultural terracings (n = 6) and grassy slopes (n = 2) exhibited the fewest sightings. Recognizing and mapping these habitats are fundamental initial measures for conserving the species within the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tarim red deer Cervus hanglu has been recently recognized as a separate deer species with populations in China, Central Asia and Kashmir. These populations are few, isolated and at risk of extinction. The documented range of the Kashmir population of the hangul, now recognized as Cervus hanglu hanglu , is restricted to c. 808 km2 and comprises < 200 individuals, confined mainly to the 141 km2 Dachigam National Park. A few relict herds inhabit the surrounding landscape. Here we analyse the results of almost 20 years of population monitoring (January 2001–March 2020). We found that this population is unable to increase despite full protection within Dachigam National Park. We performed a population viability analysis using both deterministic and stochastic simulations and found that further population decrease is likely. We recommend the use of improved monitoring methods to investigate the population dynamics of the hangul and the implementation of measures to reduce the risk of extinction faced by this small population. Science-based conservation policies, including ex situ conservation and reintroduction programmes, will be required to increase the hangul population size and range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) are the most widely grown solanaceous crops in the world. However, their production has reduced over several years due to the attack of various fungal and bacterial pathogens and various abiotic factors. Still, the major constrain in their production are pathogens with fungal etiology, especially the fungal wilt of solanaceous crops. Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani have been previously identified as the pathogens causing wilt disease in chili and brinjal. Recently, a new fungal pathogen F. equiseti has been reported as the causal agent of wilt disease infecting chili. The current study focused on identifying fungal pathogens associated with the wilted plants of chili and brinjal, collected from different parts of the Himalayan region of Kashmir valley, through morpho-cultural and molecular characterization. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing were performed on various isolates. DNA barcoding using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was used to identify the pathogen followed by the pathogenicity test. Further confirmation of the pathogen was done by sequencing of transcription elongation factor (TEF) and Calmodulin (CAL2). In current study Fusarium chlamydosporum has been reported as the wilt causing pathogen of chili and brinjal for the first time in Kashmir Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe the breeding biology of Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii), a poorly studied wader nesting on the River Sindh in Kashmir Himalayan region of India. A total of 16 nests were monitored during the breeding seasons (late February to late July) of Ibisbill in 2018 and 2019. Nest building was completed in 21-28 days on bare ground by tossing small pebbles into a shallow depression that had no special markings to the human eye (mean pebble size = 4.09 mm ± 1.26 SD x 6.23 ± 3.71 mm, n = 42). Nests measured 28.45 ± 1.75 cm × 18.91 ± 0.99 cm (n = 12). Eggs were laid in the first week of April with clutch size ranging from 2 to 4 eggs. Eggs were 50.58 ± 1.07 mm in length and 36.77 ± 0.85 mm in breadth (n = 5), with egg shape index of 72.23 ± 2.58 (range: 69.23 to 76.42). Incubation lasted 28-32 days, with 3 out of 19 observable eggs successfully hatched (15.79% hatching success). Fledging success was zero due to predation. Defensive behavior was directly observed for 16 nesting pairs during two breeding seasons. A total of 407 defensive incidents were recorded during incubation and chick stage, with both parents engaging in defense together and individually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a general belief among the ecologists that the high altitude flowering plants attain their blooming peak during short growing season and exhibit synchronous flowering. We made observations on the phenology of a common roadside herb Ajuga bracteosa in Kashmir Himalaya during April to December 2012. Unlike most of the angiosperms in Kashmir, this species had bimodal amplitude and relatively low flowering synchrony. The total flowering duration was divisible into three phases i.e., first peak, lull, and second peak. The species exhibited a prolonged flowering episode which lasted for about 23 - 26 weeks. The mean flower longevity was 5.8 days. In addition to longer flowering durations, individual plants also had more evenly distributed amplitude. Fruit set ranged from 85% to 92%. These traits make A. bracteosa much more adaptive and allows it to grow in a wide range of habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]