Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) Distribution pattern, Habitat Structure and Characteristics in the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, India

Naresh Baja, Ambalavanan Sankari, Nagarajan Baskaran, Rajarathinavelu Nagarajan, Murali Saravanan

Abstract

An attempt has been made to study the distribution pattern and habitat characteristics of the Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) at Grizzled Giant Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a part of the Periyar-Agasthyamalai landscape of Southern Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, Southern India. The study results revealed that the R.indica is widely distributed in moist deciduous forest followed by evergreen forest and not located in dry thorn forest habitat. Among the 17 habitat variables studied, 14 variables were significantly higher in R. indica distribution area than those in the non-distribution area. Tree species density and GBH were significantly higher in R.indica distribution area (density: 442±13.12, GBH = 81±1.56) than that of non-distribution area (density: 318±6.3, GBH: 57±0.68) (density: t –test, df = 153, P < 0.05 and GBH: t = -7.27, df = 169, p<0.05). The present distribution pattern and habitat characteristics of R. indica in the area provides baseline data for future studies. The study is also addressed the issue of an urgent need of survey the status, distribution, abundance and habitat utilization patterns of R.indica in the studied area.

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DOI:10.21276/ambi.2017.04.1.Ra01>

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Published by: National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India

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