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2. ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE DIET OF SLOTH BEAR MELURSUS URSINUS IN MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE AS SHOWN BY SCAT ANALYSIS

Authors:
Tharmalingam Ramesh at Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
Tharmalingam Ramesh
K. Sankar at Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College
K. Sankar
Qamar Qureshi at Wildlife Institute of India
Qamar Qureshi
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The Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus is a widely distributed omnivore, endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is a medium-sized mammal weighing between 127 and 145 kg (Prater 1965). Very few studies on its food habits in the Subcontinent have been carried out; Mudumalai (Baskaran et al.. The Sloth Bear is a well-known seed disperser, which influences the regeneration of some plant species (Srikumaran and Balakrishnan 2002). Consequently, its movement depends largely on the density and distribution of its key food availability in the area. Sloth Bear population is declining in many parts of its range due to deterioration and loss of habitat (Johnsingh 2003). Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (11º 32'-11º 43' N; 76º 22'-76º 45' E) is situated at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala states at an elevation that varies from 960 to 1,266 m. This 321 sq. km reserve is bounded by Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on the west, Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the north, and in the south by Nilgiri North Forest Division. According to Champion and Seth (1968), the vegetation types found in Mudumalai are classified into Southern Tropical Dry Thorn Forest, Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest, Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest, Southern Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest, Moist Bamboo Brakes and Riparian Forest. Earlier studies on food habits of Fig. 1: Locations of Sloth Bear scats collected in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (January-May 2009)
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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
204 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (2), May-Aug 2009
2. ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE DIET OF SLOTH BEAR MELURSUS URSINUS
IN MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE AS SHOWN BY SCAT ANALYSIS
T. RAMESH
1,2
, K. SANKAR
1,3
AND QAMAR QURESHI
1,4
1
Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, P.O. Box 18, Dehradun 248 001, Uttarakhand, India.
2
Email: ramesh81ngl@gmail.com
3
Email: sankark@wii.gov.in
4
Email: qnq@wii.gov.in
The Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus is a widely distributed
omnivore, endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is a medium-
sized mammal weighing between 127 and 145 kg (Prater
1965). Very few studies on its food habits in the Subcontinent
have been carried out; Mudumalai (Baskaran et al. 1997;
Desai et al. 1997), Mundanthurai plateau (Gokula et al. 1995),
Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Johnsingh 1981), Neyyar Wildlife
Sanctuary (Srikumaran and Balakrishnan 2002), Panna Tiger
Reserve (Yoganand et al. 2005), Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
(Gopal 1991), Chitwan National Park (Laurie and
Seidensticker 1977; Joshi et al. 1997) and Wilpattu National
Park (Eisenberg and Lockhart 1972). The Sloth Bear is a well-
known seed disperser, which influences the regeneration of
some plant species (Srikumaran and Balakrishnan 2002).
Consequently, its movement depends largely on the density
and distribution of its key food availability in the area. Sloth
Bear population is declining in many parts of its range due to
deterioration and loss of habitat (Johnsingh 2003).
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (11º 32'-11º 43' N; 76º
22'-
76º
45' E) is situated at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, and Kerala states at an elevation that varies from
960 to 1,266 m. This 321 sq. km reserve is bounded by
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on the west, Bandipur Tiger
Reserve in the north, and in the south by Nilgiri North Forest
Division. According to Champion and Seth (1968), the
vegetation types found in Mudumalai are classified into
Southern Tropical Dry Thorn Forest, Southern Tropical Dry
Deciduous Forest, Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest,
Southern Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest, Moist Bamboo
Brakes and Riparian Forest. Earlier studies on food habits of
Fig. 1: Locations of Sloth Bear scats collected in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (January-May 2009)
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
205J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (2), May-Aug 2009
Table 1: Frequency and percent occurrence of food items
found in Sloth Bear scats in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
(January-May 2009)
Frequency of Percent
Plants occurrence occurrence
Albizzia odoratissma 2 1.0
Anogeissus latifolia 2 1.0
Artocarpus heterophyllus 2 1.0
Cassia fistula 26 13.83
Cordia oblique 12 6.38
Ficus sp. 2 1.0
Grewia tilifolia 4 2.1
Lagerstromia microcarpa 1 0.5
Lantana camara 4 2.1
Mangifera indica 1 0.5
Olea glandulifera 1 0.5
Semicarpus anacardium 1 0.5
Syzygium species 2 1.0
Zizyphus mauritiana 16 8.51
Zizyphus oenoplia 2 1.0
Zizyphus rugosa 2 1.0
Heteropogon contortus 1 0.5
Seteria intermedia 2 1.0
Unidentified fruit 1 0.5
Others
Family: Formicidae (Red Ant) 30 15.9
Family: Formicidae (Black Ant) 12 6.3
Odontotermes sp. 33 17.5
Order: Coleoptera (Beetle) 6 3.1
Apis sp. and wax 18 9.5
Cervus unicolor 5 2.6
Sloth Bear in Mudumalai (Baskaran et al. 1997; Desai et al.
1997) were conducted in deciduous and scrub habitats. The
present study was carried out in the entire Park covering
deciduous, scrub and semi-evergreen habitats in Mudumalai.
Ninety-three Sloth Bear scats were collected along
forest roads and trails in the Park encountered from January
to May 2009. The location of scats collected is given in
Fig. 1. The scats were distinguished by their size, shape,
composition of seeds and animal remains, and by using
indirect evidences (track, signs). Each scat sample was taken
in a separate polythene bag with details of date, place,
condition (fresh, old), habitat, and GPS location. The scats
were washed in running water using a mesh sieve (1 x 1 mm)
and sun dried to recover seeds and animal matter. The plant
remains were compared with seeds obtained from plants in
the field and identified in the herbarium of the Wildlife
Institute of India. Animal remains (bone, hair, insect parts)
were identified in the laboratory of the Wildlife Institute of
India. The percentage occurrence of various plant and animal
remains were assessed.
The frequency and percent occurrence of food items
found in Sloth Bear scats is given in Table 1. Thirty-five scats
contained plant matter along with animal remains, 40 scats
contained only animal matter, and 18 scats contained bee wax
remains. A total of 18 plant species were recorded in scats.
Cassia fistula, Zizyphus mauritiana, and Cordia obliqua
constituted the bulk of the diet with each species contributing
13.83, 8.51 and 6.38% respectively. Two grass species,
Heteropogon contortus, Seteria intermedia, and an
unidentified fruit was also recorded. Animal matter in the
scats composed mainly of red and black ants (Formicidae),
termites Odontotermes sp. and bees Apis sp. with wax, which
constituted 15.9, 6.3, 17.5 and 9.5% respectively. Beetles
(Coleoptera) and Sambar Cervus unicolor remains (bone, hair)
formed a small fraction, 3.2 and 2.7% respectively (Table 1).
The present study documented eight new plant species
including a grass species, Albizzia odoratissma, Artocarpus
heterophyllus, Ficus sp., Lagerstromia microcarpa,
Mangifera indica, Olea glandulifera, Syzygium sp., and
Heteropogon contortus, which were not reported from earlier
studies in Mudumalai (Baskaran et al. 1997; Desai et al.
1997). The percent occurrence of animal matter was found
higher than plant matter as compared to previous studies
(Gokula et al. 1995; Baskaran et al. 1997; Desai et al. 1997).
The occurrence of Sambar remains in Sloth bear scats
may be attributed to scavenging behaviour over decayed
carcass of wild animals, which has already been recorded by
Gopal (1991).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank the Tamil Nadu Forest Department for giving
us permission to work in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Special
thanks to Riddhika for her comments for the improvement
of the manuscript. We thank Mr. K. Vinay Bhargav for his
help in identification of insects, Mr. M.M. Babu for plant
identification and Ms. Nelanjana for preparing the map. We
are indebted to our field assistants C. James, M. Kethan,
S. Mathan and T.M. Manpan for their extensive help in the
field.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
206 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (2), May-Aug 2009
REFERENCES
3. MYSTERIOUS CHARACTERS RECORDED IN BLACK-HEADED IBIS
THRESKIORNIS MELANOCEPHALUS DURING BREEDING SEASON
RAJESH C. SENMA
1,2
& CHIRAG A. ACHARYA
1,3
1
Department of Zoology, M.N. College, Visnagar 384 315, North Gujarat, India.
2
Email: rcsibis@gmail.com; rajeshsenma@yahoo.com
3
Email: drchirag_acharya@yahoo.com
On May 23, 2008, while on a visit to a breeding site of
Black-headed Ibis at Paldi village, situated 8 km north of
Visnagar, Gujarat, India, we observed three pairs of the Bird
busy selecting their nesting site. On approaching closer, we
observed red coloration on the bare hind neck of one bird
(Fig. 1). Similar coloration was recorded on May 29, 2008,
in a bird in a flock of 44 birds at a breeding site at Ralisana
village. On June 14, 2008, we observed two birds with red
lores and scattered red spots on the throat, besides a red hind
neck and mantle, building their nest at Civil Hospital,
Visnagar.
During the breeding season, we observed 93 pairs, out
of which 17 birds with a red hind neck and mantle, and
3 birds with red lores and scattered red spots on the throat
were recorded. The breeding plumage of Black-headed Ibis
is well described in literature (Grimmett et al. 1998; Gadhvi
2001; Ali 2002; Kumar et al. 2005) and there is no mention
of any red coloration on body parts during the breeding season.
Fig. 1: Black-headed Ibis with mysterious characters
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OPAL, R. (1991): Ethological observation on the Sloth Bear (Melursus
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Full-text available
  • Jan 2022
Habitat modeling is one of the most common practices in ecology today, aimed at understanding complex associations between species and an array of environmental, bioclimatic, and anthropogenic factors. This review of studies of seven species of terrestrial bears (Ursidae) occupying four continents examines how habitat models have been employed, and the functionality of their predictions for management and conservation. Bear occurrence data have been obtained at the population level, as presence points (e.g., sign surveys or camera trapping), or as locations of individual radio-collared animals. Radio-collars provide greater insights into how bears interact with their environment and variability within populations; they are more commonly used in North America and Europe than in South America and Asia. Salient problematic issues apparent from this review included: biases in presence data; predictor variables being poor surrogates of actual behavioral drivers; predictor variables applied at a biologically inappropriate scale; and over-use of data repositories that tend to detach investigators from the species. In several cases, multiple models in the same area yielded different predictions; new presence data occurred outside the range of predicted suitable habitat; and future range projections, based on where bears presently exist, underestimated their adaptability. Findings here are likely relevant to other taxa.
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Feeding Ecology of Sloth Bear (Melursus Ursinus) in Nawada Forest Division (Bihar) by Scats Analysis
Article
Full-text available
  • Jul 2021
The present study deals with the feeding ecology of species which influences the home ranges and habitat use of sloth bear (Melursusursinus). Seasonal diet composition of sloth bear in Nawada Forest Division (NFD), Nawada, Bihar was determined from 115 scats. With microscopic analysis of scats, different types of food items such as plants, termites, ants and mammalian hairs were identified. On frequency of occurrence basis in scats,plants species contributed highest followed by the insects (28.9%) and mam-malian hairs (10.3%). Among the plants species, Zyzyphus sp. (14.8%) ranked highest among the plants followed by Aeglemarmelos (13.3%). Of the insects found in scats, termites (8%), larvae of beetles (7.3%), black ants (5.0%) and red ants (4.3%) respectively were observed. Some unidentified materials (2.6%) were also identified during scats analysis. Based on percent dry weight composition, plants species dominated followed by insects, unidentified matters and mammalian hairs respectively.
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Behavioural ecology of the Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2009
  • J ZOOL
The Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka, has declined in numbers in many areas in recent years probably as the result of over-killing and habitat alteration. In the 544 km2 Royal Chitawan National Park in the Nepal terai, we estimated there were a minimum of 55 bears or a crude density of 0˙1/km2. During peak concentrations in the lowlying riverine forest/tall grass habitat in March, the ecological density was 0˙5/km2. Cubs still with their mothers comprised 24 % of the 161 bears classified between December 1972 and November 1975. Females comprised 48% of the adults classified. Average size of 24 litters was 1˙6 (1–2). Seventy-two per cent of the observations were of lone individuals. Three (an adult female with two cubs), was the largest group of bears seen. The only extended social group observed was the female-young unit although newly independent siblings may remain together for a short time. Maternal relations, adult interactions, tree marking, ranging, feeding and anti-predatory behaviour are described. Examination of 139 droppings showed that these bears fed on at least 17 different fruits (47% occurrence), flowers, grass, honey, and six different insects (52% occurrence). Fruits were an important food from March to June with individual species predominating throughout their fruiting season. Termites, including Odontotermes obesus, were in the diet for most of the year. The Sloth bear was not observed preying on mammals and according to other observers, only rarely feeds on carrion. The ecological basis for selected aspects of Sloth bear biology and behaviour is discussed.
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Seed Dispersal by the Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) in South India1
Article
  • Sep 2002
  • BIOTROPICA
Previous studies have shown that sloth bears are mainly myrmecophagous, but in this study, 39 and 83 percent (wet and dry season, respectively) of scats surveyed in South India contained fruits. Seeds from three of six plant species collected from scats germinated faster than seeds not passing through bears; germination percentage was not higher in any of the six species. These results suggest that the sloth bear may play an important role in the population dynamics of fleshy-fruited species of the region.
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A revised survey of the forest types of India
  • Jan 1968
  • 404
  • H G S K Seth
CHAMPION, H.G. & S.K. SETH (1968): A revised survey of the forest types of India. Manager of Publications, Govt. of India Press, New Delhi. Pp. 404.
Ethological observation on the Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus)
  • Jan 1991
  • 915-920
GOPAL, R. (1991): Ethological observation on the Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus). Indian Forester 117: 915-920.
Bear conservation in India
  • Jan 2003
  • 190-201
JOHNSINGH, A.J.T. (2003): Bear conservation in India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 100: 190-201.