Biology subjects

Habib, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Habib, B..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Catch me if you can: Species interactions and moon illumination effect on mammals of tropical semi-evergreen forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India

Species interaction plays a vital role in structuring communities by stimulating behavioral responses in temporal niche affecting the sympatric associations and prey-predator relationships. We studied relative abundance indices (RAI) and activity patterns of each species, temporal overlap between sympatric species, and effects of moon cycle on predator-prey relationships, through camera-trapping in tropical semi-evergreen forests of Manas National Park. A total of 35 species were photo-captured with 16214 independent records over 7337 trap nights. Overall, relatively high number of photographs was obtained for large herbivores (11 species, n=13669), and low number of photographs were recorded for large carnivores (five species, n=657). Activity periods were classified into four categories: diurnal (day-time), nocturnal (night-time), crepuscular (twilight), and cathemeral (day and night time) of which 52% records were found in diurnal period followed by 37% in nocturnal phase whereas only 11% photographs during twilight. Small carnivores were strictly nocturnal (leopard cat and civets) or diurnal (yellow-throated marten and mongooses); whereas large carnivores were cathemeral (tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and Asiatic black bear). Analysis of activity patterns throughout the 24-h cycle revealed a high degree of temporal overlap (>60%) among most of the sympatric species; however, differences in the activity peaks were found between most of the species pairs. Moon phase was classified according to the percentage of visible moon surface as new (0-25%), waxing (25-50%), waning (50-75%) and full moon (75-100%). Moon phase did not have any correlation with activity of large carnivore and large prey. The large carnivore followed the feed and starve pattern of cyclic activity. The activity of small carnivore was influenced negatively by moonlight (partial correlation r = -0.221, p<0.01). The result suggests that large carnivores were active non-differentially across moon phases; however, small carnivores showed significantly high activity in darker nights. These patterns indicate that small predators may differ their activity temporally as an anti-predator strategy or otherwise to increase their foraging efficiency.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2018

Standardization and validation of a panel of cross-species microsatellites to individually identify the Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus): implications in population estimation and dynamics

BackgroundThe Asiatic wild dog or dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a highly elusive, monophyletic, forest dwelling, social canid distributed across south and Southeast Asia. Severe pressures from habitat loss, prey depletion, disease, human persecution and interspecific competition resulted in global population decline in dholes. Despite a declining population trend, detailed information on population size, ecology, demography and genetics is lacking. Generating reliable information and landscape level for dholes is challenging due to their secretive behaviour and monomorphic physical features. Recent advances in non-invasive DNA-based tools can be used to monitor populations and individuals across large landscapes. In this paper, we describe standardization and validation of faecal DNA-based methods for individual identification of dholes. We tested this method on field-collected dhole faeces in four tiger reserves of the central Indian landscape in the state of Maharashtra, India. Further, we conducted preliminary analyses of dhole population structure and demography in the study area.\n\nResultsWe tested a total of 18 cross-species markers and developed a panel of 12 markers for unambiguous individual identification of dholes. This marker panel identified 101 unique individuals from faecal samples collected across our pilot field study area. These loci showed varied level of amplification success (57-88%), polymorphism (3-9 alleles), heterozygosity (0.23-0.63) and produced a cumulative probability of identity (unbiased) and probability of identity (sibs) value of 4.7x10-10 and 1.5x10-4, respectively. Our preliminary analyses of population structure indicated four genetic subpopulations in dholes. Qualitative analyses of population demography show signal of population decline.\n\nConclusionOur results demonstrated that the selected panel of 12 microsatellite loci can conclusively identify dholes from poor quality, non-invasive biological samples and help in exploring various population parameters. Our methods can be used to estimate dhole populations and assess population trends for this elusive, social carnivore.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2018

The Cuon Enigma: Genome survey and comparative genomics of the endangered Dhole (Cuon alpinus)

The Asiatic wild dog is an endangered monophyletic canid restricted to Asia; facing threats from habitat fragmentation and other anthropogenic factors. Dholes have unique adaptations as compared to other wolf-like canids for large litter size (larger number of mammae) and hypercarnivory making it evolutionarily notable. Over evolutionary time, dhole and the subsequent divergent wild canids have lost coat patterns found in African wild dog. Here we report the first high coverage genome survey of Asiatic wild dog and mapped it with African wild dog, dingo and domestic dog to assess the structural variants. We generated a total of 124.8 Gb data from 416140921 raw read pairs and retained 398659457 reads with 52X coverage and mapped 99.16% of the clean reads to the three reference genomes. We identified ~13553269 SNVs, ~2858184 InDels, ~41000 SVs, ~1854109 SSRs and about 1000 CNVs. We compared the annotated genome of dingo and domestic dog with dhole genome sequence to understand the role of genes responsible in pelage pattern, dentition and mammary glands. Positively selected genes for these phenotypes were looked for SNP variants and top ranked genes for coat pattern, dentition and mammary glands were found to play a role in signalling and developmental pathways. Mitochondrial genome assembly predicted 35 genes, 11 CDS and 24 tRNA. This genome information will help in understanding the divergence of two monophlyletic canids, Cuon and Lycaon, and the evolutionary adaptations of dholes with respect to other canids.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2018

Risky home with easy food: Denning of a generalistic and widely distributed carnivore red fox

Dens are crucial for the survival of all canids, however, for a meso-carnivore like red fox, denning is of greater importance as they utilize dens all throughout the year for protection, resting and breeding. The red fox known for its generalist and opportunistic behavior and extremely good adaptability to the dynamic anthropogenic changes is the most widespread and successful wild land carnivore. With an ever-growing human population the choice of space for wild animals is limited and such adaptability is important for species survival. In this study we examined the denning preferences and den characteristics of red fox. Intensive surveys were conducted across two study sites Chiktan and Changthang. Foxes preferred to den on mountain slopes (43.70 {+/-} 3.38 SE) where human disturbances were minimal. The red fox chose den sites closer to human settlements, water and road as compared to random points (Pillais trace = .487, F= 31.014 and P = 3.497e-14), which are risky and may expose the pups to humans but also provide the advantage of procuring anthropogenic food subsidies. In Changthang, foxes preferred to den at a greater distance (936 {+/-} 223 meters) from human settlements as compared to Chiktan (403 {+/-} 50 meters). The present research is of broad significance, given the increasing presence of human settlements within original animal ranges, even in remote harsh environments like the Trans-Himalaya.

ecology↗