This volume provides the first kaleidoscopic work on the great biodiversity of Rajasthan. The three major biomes covered include deserts and xeric shrublands, tropical and sub-tropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and sub-tropical moist broadleaf forests.
The state of Rajasthan in India ranks very high in biodiversity and contains several different types of ecosystems. It has implications for ecology and conservation in many areas of the world. The state of Rajasthan broadly falls under the Indomalaya ecozone- one of the eight ecozones dividing earth s land surface. Indomalaya has 03-major biomes in Rajasthan, namely, Deserts and Xeric Shrublands, Tropical and Sub-tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests and Tropical and Sub-tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests. Further, the ecoregions which are covered under these biomes are North Western Thorn Scrub Forests and the Thar Desert; Khathiar-Gir Dry Deciduous Forests and the Upper Gangetic Plains Moist Deciduous Forests respectively. This is the first ever kaleidoscopic work on the compilation and documentation of the faunal wealth of Rajasthan.
Preface.- List of Contributors.- Acknowledgments.- Rajasthan at a Glance.-
Chapter-1: Historical, Socio-cultural, Religious, Mythological and Anthropological aspects of Faunal Conservation in Rajasthan.- Chapter-2: Physiography, Zoogeography and Ecosystem Diversity of Rajasthan.- Chapter-3: Fossil Records of Rajasthan and the Fauna in Retrospect.- Fishes and Amphibians.- Chapter-4: Ichthyofauna of Rajasthan.- Chapter-5: Anuran Fauna of Rajasthan: Identification and Monitoring using a Novel Sound Analysis System.- Reptiles.- Chapter-6: Ophidian Fauna of Rajasthan, India.- Chapter-7: Natural History Observations on the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard, Uromastyx hardwickii in the Thar Desert.- Chapter-8: Species of Lizards in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan and their Conservation.- Chapter-9: Ecology and Behavior of the Indian Star Tortoise, Geochelone elegans (Schoepff) in Aravalli Foot-hills of Rajasthan.- Chapter-10: Chelonian Status and Conservation in Rajasthan.- Chapter-11: Conservation Planning for Chambal River Basin taking Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) as Umbrella Species.- Aves.- Chapter-12: Present Status of Vultures in Rajasthan.- Chapter-13: An Overview of the Status and Distribution of Raptors in Rajasthan.- Chapter-14: In situ Conservation of Bustards with Special Reference to the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) in Rajasthan.- Chapter-15: The Distribution, Status and Habitat Conservation of Lesser Florican in Rajasthan.- Chapter-16: Conservation and Management of Demoiselle Crane at Kheechan (India).- Chapter-17: White-naped Tit Parus nuchalis: An Endemic and Endangered Species.- Chapter-18: Distribution of Different Species of Munias in Southern Rajasthan with Emphasis on Globally Threatened Green Avadavat Amandava formosa (latham).- Chapter-19: Structure and Species Composition in Bird Communities of Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India.- Chapter-20: Ecology and Behavior of the Indian Black Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa) inhabiting the Arid Zone of Rajasthan, India.- Chapter-21: Aquatic Avifauna of Southern Rajasthan.- Chapter-22: Important Bird Area (IBA) Program for Conserving Avian Diversity in Rajasthan.- Mammals.- Chapter-23: Non- volant Small Mammals of Rajasthan.- Chapter-24: Chiropteran Fauna of Rajasthan-Taxonomy, Distribution and Status.- Chapter-25: Squirrels of Rajasthan with special reference to Elliot s Giant Flying Squirrel
This is the first ever monumental and scientific documentation of the faunal wealth of the Indian Desert state of Rajasthan. This volume, the first of two, provides background on Rajasthan and covers species diversity and distribution of fauna. A scholarly contribution to the field of knowledge, it provides novel and vital information on the vertebrate faunal heritage of India's largest state.
Broadly falling under the Indo-Malaya Ecozone, the three major biomes of Rajasthan include deserts and xeric shrublands, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests. The corresponding ecoregions to the above biomes are, respectively, the Thar Desert and northwestern thorn scrub forests, the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests, and the Upper Gangtic Plains moist deciduous forests. Contrary to popular belief, the well-known Thar or Great Indian Desert occupies only a part of the state. Rajasthan is diagonally divided by the Aravalli mountain ranges into arid and semi-arid regions. The latter have a spectacular variety of highly diversified and unique yet fragile ecosystems comprising lush green fields, marshes, grasslands, rocky patches and hilly terrains, dense forests, the southern plateau, fresh water wetlands, and salt lakes.
Apart from the floral richness, there is faunal abundance from fishes to mammals. In this volume, the various flagship and threatened species are described in the 24 chapters penned by top notch wildlife experts and academics. The world famous heronry, tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and some threat-ridden biodiversity rich areas shall certainly draw the attention of readers from around the world.
This is the first ever scientific documentation of the faunal wealth of Rajasthan
A significant contribution to knowledge in the field of animal ecology
Implications for ecology and conservation in similar areas of the world
Foreword by Paul H Harvey, CBE, FRS, Professor & Head, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom