Seasonality and diversity of mammalian fauna of Gautala reserve forest, Maharashtra, India

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 25 57 | Mirza and Patil RE RERE RESEARCH SEARCHSEARCH SEARCH PAPER PAPERPAPER PAPER OPEN ACCESS OPEN ACCESSOPEN ACCESS OPEN ACCESS Seasonality and diversity of mammalian fauna of Gautala reserve forest, Maharashtra, India Amrin Naimoddin Mirza * , Satish S. Patil Department of Environmental Science, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Chh. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), India Article published on May 07, 2025 Key words: Checklist, Distribution, Mammals, Monitoring Abstract Mammalian communities play an important role in ecological integrity. Gautala reserve forest is an important part of the ecological system. In the current study, fifteen spots were selected to identify mammalian species and assess their survival in the Gautala sanctuary area. During the survey, 30 mammalian species from 17 mammalian families were detected. The transect method was used to sample direct and indirect evidence of mammalian species. The Cercopithecidae family contains numerous mammal species, whereas the Manidae family contains fewer mammal species reported in the current study. This paper discusses seasonal fluctuations in mammalian diversity and statistical analysis methods. Four species are vulnerable such as Tetracerus quadricornis (Blainville), Rusa unicolor (Kerr), Panthera pardus (Linnaeus), and Melursus ursinus (Shaw); one species is near to threatened (NT) as the Hyaena hyaena (Linnaeus); and two species are Endangered such as the Cuon alpinus (Pallas), Manis crassicaudata (E. Geoffroy) as per the IUCN red data. The current study compiled baseline data on the survivability of these mammalian species. Future planning for mammalian variety conservation will benefit from this information. * Corresponding Author: Amrin Naimoddin Mirza  [email protected] Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online) Vol. 26, No. 5, p. 57-65, 2025 http://www.innspub.net J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 25 58 | Mirza and Patil Introduction Terrestrial mammals are important components of tropical forest communities because they provide ecosystem services and serve as indicators of ecosystem health, making them a management and conservation priority (Kitamura et al., 2010). Anthropogenic pressures are causing the extinction of half of the world's 5491 known species of mammals, and a fifth is certainly on the verge of extinction (Anon, 2016). As a result, to make informed conservation decisions, it is critical to document their diversity, patterns of species richness, and compositions in various forest conditions (Bernard et al., 2013). However, it is extremely difficult to monitor these creatures in tropical forests due to their elusive and primarily nocturnal, prefer dense forests, occurring in low abundances, and enduring social connection (Datta et al., 2008). India comprises 450 different kinds of mammalian fauna, and for the past few decades, individuals have existed within (Singh and Banyal, 2012). International extinction of species is occurring at an incredible rate due to anthropogenic factors (Cardillo et al., 2006; Isaac et al., 2007; Morrison et al., 2007; and Pimm, 2001). For the purpose of enhancing mammal conservation efforts, it is essential to consider the types of land utilization, land cover, human density, and socio-behavioral sensibility for species diversity and distribution (Cardillo et al., 2004). Mammals are especially vulnerable to extinction due to their huge body size, particular ecological demands, and used as characteristics (Brashares, 2003; Michalski and Peres, 2005). In addition to sustaining a flow of energy and efficiency as herbivores, predators, and granivores, mammals also shape natural ecosystems and surroundings over pollinating, seeds distribution, termites management, and ecological technology. These ecological systems are essential for human health (Lacher et al., 2019; Shrestha et al., 2022). Despite the fact that mammalian species are important to ecosystems, Almost 25% including entirely mammalian species are at risk of becoming extinct, with habitat loss, degradation, and biological resource extraction being the primary threats to their survival (Ceballos et al., 2005; Schipper et al., 2008). In the past century, several mammalian species have disappeared, and a large number are at risk of becoming extinct (Ceballos et al., 2005). The success of conservation efforts will depend on locating endangered species and environmental variables that contribute to their survival, particularly in areas where people predominate, like southern Asia. Research that includes both current and 25 Indian mammals’ local susceptibility to extinction was assessed using previous distributions. In the previous 100 years, there have reportedly been significant effects on these mammalian species and their surroundings from widespread hunting, landuse changes (such as agricultural expansion and deforestation), and rapid economic growth (Madhusudan and Mishra, 2003). According to conservative estimates, 20% of the large mammalian species in India are in danger of disappearing, as well as other species have vanished from >90% of their distinctive variation (Madhusudan and Mishra, 2003). There exists a pressing demand in the persevering inhabitants for fundamental knowledge about current mammal distribution, as well as environmental and social causes. In the 1970s, the installation became a country-wide flora and fauna reserve system. Anthropogenic influences on mammalian species and their natural environments were more severe over the past century as a result of the rapid economic and demographic expansion of human populations (Forest Survey of India, 2000; Das, 2006). The wildlife population has declined in both abundance and distribution as a result of habitat loss, hunting, and agricultural land use practices, as well as land degradation caused by overgrazing (Gebresenbet et al., 2018; Girma et al., 2020 and Lemma et al., 2020). To reverse the situation, research-based action is required (Berhanu et al., 2021). A wide variety including bird, mammalian, and invertebrate species J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 25 59 | Mirza and Patil all survive in the sanctuary (Sarkar et al., 2014; Mirza et al., 2021). The sanctuary's vegetation, fauna, and floral composition are crucial to the overall wildlife. It is necessary to raise people's awareness of its value and significance and to involve them in their preservation and conservation. The current study collected baseline data on the viability of numerous observed mammalian species found in the Gautala reserve forest region. This information will be useful in future planning for the conservation of mammalian diversity. Materials and methods The Gautala reserve forest was visited at regular intervals during the study to collect data on mammals during the rainy, winter, and summer seasons. From 2017 to 2018, a study was carried out to document the mammalian fauna in the Gautala reserve forest. The transect method was used to sample direct evidence of mammals (Burnham et al., 1980). In the direct method, sighting and capturing them with a highresolution DSLR camera Canon EOS 200D and lenses 18-55 mm and 55-250 mm were used for the study. Field Binocular with a magnification of 8 × 30 was used to observe the Mammals. The statistical analysis was performed using the 'R' programme. Survey and monitoring of mammals All significant mammalian habitats were thoroughly investigated using the transect method for both direct and indirect evidence. The transect method was used, with various transects of 200 lengths laid at random. As a result, their presence was evaluated using both direct and indirect methods. The mammals were observed by walking silently along transect on either side of transect and were recorded by direct sightings. The animals could sometimes be located by hearing the sounds of their feeding, locomotion, and calls or barks. Secondary data were gathered from scats, dung, pellets, kills, as well as pugmarks. Indirect methods involved quantifying indirect evidence such as hoof marks, pug marks, and mammalian fecal matter (Burnham et al., 1980). However, high-quality images have also been captured to further the species identified. As a result, all identified mammalian species were classified using IUCN data as either endemic or non-endemic. In the reserve forest region, a total of fifteen sampling spots were selected through systematic sampling. A GPS receiver (Garmin GPS map 76CSx, Garmin) was used to ensure proper pacing. Identification The field guide books were used for the fieldwork i.e. The Book of Environment and Ecology, Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, and standard keys are used for species identification of observed mammals (Booth, 2015). The specialists’ Laboratories (Department of Environmental Science at the Dr. B.A.M.University, Aurangabad). Statistical analysis In the current study, to identify observed mammalian species with comparable diversity, as assessed by the variety of species during the summer, winter, and rainy seasons were used descriptive analysis method. For the analyses, the statistical analysis of data software 'R Studio' was used. Descriptive analysis It is one of the most widely used methods for performing effective data analysis. Statistical analysis, there was used descriptive analysis for summarizing the gathered information from mammalian diversity data collection during the current study. The frequency distribution It was used to summarize the category distribution by counting the number of observed mammalian species and the percentage of each group. Also, it was used to describe the mammalian diversity's distribution range. Measures of central tendency The mean, mode, and median were used to determine the center of an observed mammalian species data set. The average data value was determined using central tendency. Measures of dispersion Dispersion measures were used to quantify seasonal variation in mammalian diversity. The most common J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 25 60 | Mirza and Patil methods for describing the spread of mammalian diversity are variance and standard deviation. Equations The arithmetic mean is one of several different types of averages. Consider the arithmetic mean formula: μ=∑xNμ=∑x (1) Where, μ is the population mean, x is the sample means, ∑x ∑x, and then divide by the number of species, N. To reveal this, the mean equation can also be written as follows: μ=∑fi(xi)Nμ=∑fi(xi)N (2) Where, f i denotes the frequency of population members with the value x i . Results Three seasons' of data from a comprehensive oneyear study (June 2017 to May 2018) were compiled, and seasonal differences related to rainy, winter, and summer seasons were examined (Table 1, Figs 1-3). Table 1. Checklist of mammalian species identified in the Gautala reserve forest Sl Common name Scientific name Family IUCN 1. Blue Bull Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas) Bovidae LC - Stable 2. Four - horned antelope Quadricornis Tetracerus (Blainville) Bovidae VU - Decreasing 3. Dhole/ Indian Wild Dog Cuon alpinus (Pallas) Canidae EN - Decreasing 4. Jackal Canis aureus (Linnaeus) Canidae LC - Increasing 5. Indian fox Vulpes bengalensis Canidae LC - Decreasing 6. Indian Wolf Canis lupus pallipes Canidae LC - Stable 7. Bonnet Macaque Macaca Radiata (Geoffroy) Cercopithecidae LC - Stable 8. Grey Langur Semnopithecus entellus (Dufresne) Cercopithecidae LC - Decreasing 9. Spotted deer Axis axis (Erxleben) Cervidae LC - Unknown 10. Indian muntjac/ barking deer Muntiacus muntjak (Zimmermann) Cervidae LC - Decreasing 11. Indian Chevrotain/ Mouse Deer Moschiola indica (Gray) Cervidae LC - Unknown 12. Sambar Rusa unicolor (Kerr) Cervidae VU - Decreasing 13. Leopard Panthera pardus (Linnaeus) Felidae VU - Decreasing 14. Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis (Kerr) Felidae LC - Stable 15. Jungle Cat Felis chaus (Giildenstaedt) Felidae LC - Decreasing 16. Common Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii (Geoffroy) Herpestidae LC - Stable 17. Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena (Linnaeus) Hyaenidae NT - Decreasing 18. Indian crested porcupine Indica Hystrix (Kerr) Hystricidae LC - Stab le 19. Indian Hare Lepus nigricollis Leporidae LC - Unknown 20. Thick - tailed pangolin Manis crassicaudata (E. Geoffroy) Manidae EN - Decreasing 21. Indian Gerbil Tatera indica Muridae LC - Unknown 22. Indian flying fox Pteropus medius (Temminck) Pteropodidae LC - Decreasing 23. Greater Short - Nosed Fruit Bat Sphinx of Cynopterus (Vahl) Pteropodidae LC - Increasing 24. Indian Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum (Linnaeus) Sciuridae LC - Increasing 25. Giant Squirrel of India Indica ratufa (Erxleben) Sciuridae LC - Decreasing 26. Wild Boar Sus scrofa (Linnaeus) Suidae LC - Unknown 27. Indian Tree shrew Anathana ellioti (Waterhouse) Tupaiidae LC - Decreasing 28. Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus (Shaw) Ursidae VU - Decreasing 29. Small Indian Civet Viverricula Indica (Desmarest) Viverridae LC - Stable 30. Palm Small Civet Paradoxurus Hermaphroditus (Pallas) Viverridae LC - Decreasing Note: LC stands for "Least Concern," NT for "Near Threatened," VU for "Vulnerable," and EN for "Endangered." 30 The findings of this study showed a significant seasonal fluctuation in the diversity characteristics of mammals. A total of 30 observed mammalian species were found in their natural habitat in the current study. The remaining species, on the other hand, were unable to be recognized because higher vertebrates are scared of their surroundings and evacuate at the first comprehensive or track. The Gautala reserved forest is covered by a hilly, scrubby, bushy, deciduous forest. Mammals generally migrate from one location to another based on climate, specifically temperature differences and water availability because of the J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 25 61 | Mirza and Patil abundance of water bodies and dense forest vegetation (Mirza and Patil, 2021 and 2023). Fig. 1. Total number of mammalian species at different spots Fig. 2. Comparison of total number of mammals’ with different families There are numerous families of observed mammals in the Gautala reserve forest, including the Bovidae (2), Canidae (4), Cercopithecidae (2), Cervidae (4), Felidae (3), Herpestidae (1), Hyaenidae (1), Hystricidae (1), Leporidae (1), Manidae (1), Muridae (1), Pteropodidae (2), and Sciuridae (2). The Gautala forest area contains 30 mammalian species and 17 mammal families. Four species are Vulnerable such as Tetracerus quadricornis (Blainville), Rusa unicolor (Kerr), Panthera pardus (Linnaeus), and Melursus ursinus (Shaw), One species is near to threatened (NT-Decreasing) as the Hyaena hyaena (Linnaeus), and two species are Endangered (ENdecreasing) such as the Cuon alpinus (Pallas), Manis crassicaudata (E. Geoffroy) as per the IUCN red data. Fig. 3. Total number of mammals’ at selected 15 spots The surviving 7 species are LCStable, 5 are LCUnknown, 3 are LCIncreasing, and 8 are LCDecreasing. Statistical relationship In the current study, statistical patterns were used in descriptive analysis to describe the identified mammal species found in the Gautala reserve forest. The total number of mammals from various families was examined season-wise. Discussion Thirty mammalian species from seventeen different mammalian groups were identified throughout the survey. Only a few mammalian species were able to be observed directly, allowing their presence to be recorded. The majority of the fauna was discovered through direct evidence, such as pugmarks, fecal matter disposal patterns, fecal matter contents, nondecomposing parts of the body of dead animals, and the kinds of impressions on exposed land and tree J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 25 62 | Mirza and Patil barks in the territory of the particular species. Because the literature on indirect evidence for identifying distinct taxa is limited, efforts were made to record each fauna up to the generic level. These taxa's vernacular and common names, on the other hand, are recorded in the local language. Pugmarks, dried feces, bones, and bundles of hair pulled in the animal battle were discovered during our investigation of the Gautala reserved forest. Recorded families-wise analysis of data showed that families Cercopithecidae, Cervidae, Hynaeidae, Sciuridae, etc. from Kalatop-khajjiar Wildlife sanctuary (Singh and Banyal, 2012). This research work is similar to the current study. Eighteen mammal species from 6 orders, 12 families, and 18 genera, and two species i.e. Tetracerus quadricornis, and Rusa unicolor are vulnerable were reported (Bhat and Bhat, 2022). These outcomes of the examination are similar to the present work. The feeding habits of the study area's mammals range widely. Carnivorous animals such as the hyena, fox, and leopard prey on other small animals or bird eggs. Animals such as the Sloth Bear are omnivores, with their diet consisting of more than 90% plant material (Hwang and Garshelis, 2007). Sloth bears infested local crops. They destroy crops and feed in plantations, where they harm trees by removing their bark and consuming their cambium (Gong and Harris, 2006). In some areas, the diet includes a significant amount of meat (Hwang et al., 2002). In addition to consuming fruits, leaves, flowers, and buds, some herbivorous mammals like Grey Langurs, Bonnet Macaques, Barking Deer, etc. also feed on insects, tree trunks, and gums (Jerdan, 1985). Leopard, a carnivorous animal that feeds on monkeys and ungulates in the wild, has emerged from the forest and now lives near human settlements. During the current study, Spot 7 exhibited the greatest diversity of mammals, while Spot 15 showed the least diversity of mammals. The mammalian species diversity index may fluctuate due to habitat type, availability of food, water, etc. The diversity and richness of observed mammalian species vary from spot to spot by habitat type. In a statistical examination, for all types of observed mammals, the rainy season has more species than the other seasons, while the winter season has fewer species than the other seasons. Conclusion Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to a variety of other wild creatures, Due to its natural beauty and rarity. The Sanctuary contains a variety of habitats, including aquatic, grassland, scrubland, and woodland. A wide range of wild animals was observed as a result of the sanctuary's diverse habitats. In the present study, 30 observed mammalian species representing 17 mammalian families were identified. The Cercopithecidae family contains numerous mammal species, while the Manidae family contains fewer mammal species recorded during the current study. The most commonly observed mammals are the Bonnet Macaque (Cercopithecidae), Grey Langur (Cercopithecidae), Wild Boar (Suidae), Indian Wild Dog / Dhole (Canidae), Jackal (Canidae), Indian Fox (Canidae), and Indian Wolf (Canidae). The Cercopithecidae family was plentiful in the research region due to the abundance of natural resources and the number of fruiting plants. The Manidae family of Indian pangolins (M. crassicaudata) is listed as endangered as per the IUCN. These different families of observed mammalian species were also exhibiting variation in species richness from spot to spot. This variation in mammalian species richness may be due to habitat type, food, water, shelter availability, and so on. This baseline data will be effective in treating older taxonomic work more effective and for the enumeration of endemic taxa in the Gautala region. Acknowledgments The author is sincerely thankful to the Department of Environmental Science and Department of Zoology of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad for their guidance and support. Special gratitude is also given to the Gautala Sanctuary's Wildlife Staff and Forest Department for their assistance and cooperation. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 25 63 | Mirza and Patil References Abdar MR. 2014. Faunal diversity of Chandoli National Park, Western Ghats, Maharashtra State, India. 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