Antibiotic resistance in wildlife is an emerging concern, as birds can serve as reservoirs and vectors for resistant bacteria. In this study, we investigated the diversity of bacteria belonging to the Enterobacterales order and their antibiotic resistance patterns in the unexplored Red-naped ibis (Pseudibis papillosa). It is a resident wading bird species in western India, i.e., Udaipur city, Rajasthan. It inhabits a wide range of environments, including urban areas, wetlands, agricultural fields, and fallow lands. Fecal samples (n = 45) were collected and a total of 60 bacterial isolates were analyzed for bacterial diversity and bacteria were characterized using biochemical, molecular, methods. Interestingly, four novel bacterial taxa from this host species were identified, i.e., Enterobacter mori, Enterobacter soli, Citrobacter freundii, and Leclercia adecarboxylata. Notably, E. mori and E. soli were reported for the first time in this bird species globally. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high levels of multidrug resistance, with 40

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern within the One Health framework, yet the role of synanthropic wild birds in harboring and disseminating resistant bacteria remains underexplored. This study investigated the seasonal diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of coliform bacteria isolated from fecal samples of Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis) inhabiting urban environments of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. A total of 45 fecal samples (15 per season) were collected across monsoon, winter, and summer between July 2022 and June 2023. Sixty bacterial isolates were obtained and characterized through biochemical assays and 16S rRNA sequencing, identifying six genera: Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, and Shigella. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent species (66.7%), followed by Enterobacter spp. and others. Enterobacter chuandaensis and Escherichia fergusonii were the novel bacteria in this species. Although seasonal variation in total coliform counts was not significant, bacterial community composition differed across seasons. Antibiotic susceptibility testing against 15 antibiotics revealed high resistance to linezolid (100%), rifampicin (100%), and erythromycin (46%), while gentamicin remained effective. Overall, 33.3% of isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR), with E. coli showing the highest resistance. These findings underscore the potential of urban-dwelling Cattle Egrets to act as reservoirs and vectors of AMR, highlighting the need for expanded genomic surveillance and integrated management within the One Health paradigm.

In Udaipur, the lake water is treated and distributed throughout the city to ensure drinking water supply. However, Bacillus spp. may persist in treated drinking-water supplies due to their ability to form endospores, which are resistant to desiccation, heat, ultraviolet radiation, and many disinfectants. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the key threats to public health, largely driven by antibiotic overuse and improper disposal. In this study, water samples (n = 90) were collected across all three seasons from various lakes (Fateh Sagar, Badi, Pichola, Rang Sagar, and Doodh talai) and localities of Udaipur and Bacillus spores were enumerated using the plate count method. The highest Bacillus spore count was recorded in summer, with Badi Lake consistently exhibiting the maximum count across all seasons. Characterization of Bacillus spp. was performed using morphological, biochemical, and 16 S rRNA sequencing. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first documented evidence of Bacillus infantis, Cytobacillus oceanisediminis, Cytobacillus kochii and Fictibacillus phosphorivorans inhabiting freshwater lake ecosystem. Four putative novel taxa, Bacillus subtilis (LB 8), Bacillus cereus (LB 65), Bacillus licheniformis (LB 56), and Bacillus cereus (LB 87) were identified. Maximum antibiotic resistance was found against β-lactam antibiotics, indicating the prevalence of putative extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. A significant portion of the Bacillus isolates (47.22

Large carnivores face increasing challenges in human-dominated landscapes, where conflict undermines both livelihoods and conservation goals. We investigated the patterns, drivers, and community perceptions of human-leopard conflict in and around Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan, India, between 2011 and 2024. We documented a total of 572 conflict incidents, largely livestock depredation (98.08%), with goats, cows and calves being most frequently targeted. Conflict occurred year-round, peaking at night in cattle sheds and households. Modeling identified elevation, land-use/land-cover, distance to sanctuary, and distance to human habitation (DTHH) as strong predictors of conflict probability, with highest risk in built-up and scrubland areas near village peripheries. Husbandry practices, including poorly constructed cattle sheds seem to be associated with increased livestock vulnerability, while coping strategies (e.g., night guarding) were largely ineffective. Only 31% of depredation cases were claimed for compensation, and approved payouts were significantly lower than actual losses, reinforcing economic grievances. Encouragingly, no retaliatory killings were reported, reflecting cultural coexistence toward wildlife. Surveys (n = 201) revealed that local attitude were close to neutral, with only a slight negative tendency (mean attitude score = -0.2). Education level emerged as the strongest determinant of coexistence, with more educated respondents expressing greater positive orientation toward leopards. Our findings demonstrate that conflict in semi-arid landscapes arises from the intersection of ecological, socio-economic, and institutional factors. Effective coexistence strategies should prioritize leopard-proof livestock enclosures, equitable and timely compensation, education-based awareness programs, and landscape-level planning beyond protected areas to foster long-term human-leopard coexistence.

It has been considered that the coexistence of similar species is facilitated by the differentiation in their foraging habits. We sought to test this hypothesis by evaluating the foraging behavior and factors influencing the foraging success of three coexisting ibis species – Black-headed ibis ( Threskiornis melanocephalus), Red-naped ibis ( Pseudibis papillosa), and Glossy ibis ( Plegadis falcinellus) – in the semi-arid landscape of western India from January 2020 to April 2022. Overall, foraging parameters were similar among the species, except for inter-individual parameters (P < 0.05) and for the number of locomotion turns each species performed. Probing and the number of nearby wading birds significantly and positively influenced the foraging success of all the Ibis species studied. Seasonal variations affected the foraging success only for the Red-naped Ibis and within a season, the foraging success was significantly different between species. All species showed different water depth utilization for foraging. Red-naped Ibis used habitats other than wetlands without impacting its foraging success. Also, the foraging success differed between adults and juveniles of the Red-naped ibis but remained consistent for the Black-headed ibis. These findings can aid the future development of hypotheses related to how similar species coexist and help in management and conservation efforts for these species.

This study investigates the patterns of butterfly diversity, abundance, and community structure in relation to seasonal variation and environmental variables in the tropical dry deciduous forests of the southern Aravalli hills, Rajasthan, India. Field data were collected over one year (July 2023–June 2024) using 30 randomly placed 10 × 10 m plots along an elevation gradient in and around Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary. A total of 45 butterfly species from four families were recorded, with Lycaenidae being the most species-rich. Diversity peaked during the monsoon, with significantly lower values in summer. Generalized Linear Mixed Models revealed that season was the strongest predictor of both species richness and abundance, while elevation and grass cover had minor additional effects. Species richness and abundance were significantly higher in the monsoon than in winter and summer. Community composition also varied seasonally, driven mainly by species turnover rather than nestedness. Eight species were identified as seasonal indicators, including Belenois aurota (summer) and Eurema hecabe (monsoon). Our findings highlight that butterfly diversity is predominantly shaped by seasonality rather than topographic or vegetative variables in this semi-arid landscape. These results underscore the importance of seasonal-driven resource availability for butterfly conservation. We recommend habitat management strategies that promote grassland regeneration and seasonal monitoring to inform long-term conservation planning in tropical dry forest landscapes.

Human activities have rendered freshwater ecosystems among the most endangered in the globe, yet these ecosystems provide critical habitats for a variety of waterbird species. Semi-arid landscapes, characterized by variable climatic conditions and water availability, present unique challenges to these ecosystems. In our study, we investigated how wetland size and seasonal variations in a semi-arid climate influence waterbird populations, distribution, and habitat preferences. Using an a-priori field design, we surveyed areas with varying wetland extents across different seasons in the Dungarpur district, Rajasthan, western India. Between March 2021 and January 2022, we recorded 69 waterbird species belonging to 9 orders, including 10 species of global conservation concern. We found that both bird species diversity and richness were significantly higher in areas with high wetland extent. Interestingly, seasonal changes did not significantly affect waterbird diversity and richness. However, encounter rates were higher in winter than summer and monsoon seasons. The encounter rates of different feeding guilds varied across wetland classes, except for omnivores, which showed significant seasonal variation. Overall, our findings indicate that wetland extent is a major driver of waterbird population and distribution. Therefore, we strongly recommend the protection of extensive wetland areas to enhance waterbird conservation in the study area.

Tree cavities play a vital ecological role in urban areas by providing essential habitats and resources for a variety of animal taxa, including cavity-nesting birds, mammals, and insects, thereby contributing to urban biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. While most studies on cavity availability focus on forest habitats, little is known about their presence in urban environments. In cities, reduced tree densities, the management of tree branches for public safety, and the limited presence of tree-excavating species may all affect the availability of tree cavities. In this study, we asked three key questions: (1) What is the frequency of tree cavities across different habitats in Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India? (2) How are cavities distributed on trees species? (3) How do the characteristics of natural and excavated cavities differ across habitats? (4) What factors influence cavity availability? We surveyed 487 individual trees representing 69 species across five urban habitats, with the majority being native (62.31

Tropical cities provide challenging conditions for resident wild species to undertake critical activities such as roosting and breeding. Tree-nesting waterbirds are widespread urban inhabitants but how they choose sites for these critical activities in urban areas, and whether requirements vary by species, are poorly understood. We assessed whether waterbirds chose roosting and nesting sites using similar cues in a rapidly urbanising small Indian city, Udaipur. Roost sites (N = 78, 17 species especially Ardeola grayii , Bubulcus ibis , Pseudibis papillosa ) were located mostly beside roads and wetlands. Nest sites (N = 130, 12 species especially B. ibis , P. papillosa and Anastomus oscitans ) were different from roost sites and were located mostly in built-up areas and wetlands. Waterbirds used 23 of 39 available tree species for roosting and nesting, strongly preferring snags and the largest trees of introduced ( Azadirachta indica ), native ( Ficus spp., Vachellia nilotica ) and exotic ( Eucalyptus sp.) species. Site locations for both activities were associated negatively with built-up areas at the smallest spatial scale. At larger spatial scales they were associated positively with wetlands and built-up areas, with waterbirds entirely avoiding the Aravalli mountains. Individual waterbird species displayed idiosyncrasies in choice of tree species but used similar cues to locate roost and nest sites. Retaining large trees and wetlands across Udaipur city is essential to allow space for waterbirds’ critical activities. The scale and diversity of waterbirds roosting and nesting in Udaipur city is unprecedented suggesting that the ability of small tropical cities to aid urban biodiversity conservation has been overlooked.

Birds are well known for their close association with humans and their roles in disease transmission or as reservoirs for drug-resistant bacteria. Waterbirds are exposed to many antibiotics due to the runoff of water from many human-origin sources. In this review, we examined scientific literature from the past two decades to delineate waterbirds–Escherichia coli association and antibiotic resistance in E. coli. We found that studies were biased toward temperate regions, and only 9.87

Small tropical and sub-tropical cities frequently retain considerable and diverse green spaces. Such cities can house diverse bird assemblages but these species face conditions varying both spatially (habitats and human activity spread out unequally) and temporally (influx of migratory birds, seasonally varying weather). How do urban birds cope with such conditions? More specifically, do migratory species vary from resident ones in their requirements, and how do resident species deal with variations in conditions? To address these questions, we used an ordination technique, the Outlying Mean Index (OMI), to estimate niche characteristics (OMI, tolerance, and residual tolerance) of 74 resident and migratory bird species in the tourism-dominated Udaipur city, India, across three seasons during 2019-20 using 16 variables that incorporated human presence, land use and trees. OMIs indicated high residual tolerance suggesting that measured variables were inadequate to fully characterize urban bird niches. Contrary to predictions, birds grouped by feeding guilds had similar niche metrics both within and across seasons. Also contrary to predictions, migratory species had more generalized niches relative to resident species. Bird niches were most influenced by trees, effects due to other natural habitats (open areas, scrublands, wetlands) were weaker, and human-related variables (cattle, built-up area, people, vehicles) had the weakest influence. Seasonal niche characteristics computed for 41 resident species suggested that individual species coped with changing conditions differently. Conservation of bird assemblages in small cities will require preservation of city-wide habitat diversity alongside spatially restricting urbanization.

Sacred groves have long been recognised for their critical role in biodiversity conservation, but research on their importance in avian conservation is limited. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of bird diversity, richness, and abundance within sacred groves and their surrounding areas in the semi-arid landscape of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. We made 120 point counts (60 sacred groves and 60 random points) to record birds from March 2023 to July 2023. Our results revealed a greater number of bird species (n = 114) within sacred groves than random points (n = 100), including several species of global conservation concern. The species diversity remained consistent, while variations in species richness and abundance was observed. Moreover, we found that the overall composition of birds' feeding guilds was similar in both groups. We observed noteworthy differences in the abundance of frugivores, granivores, insectivores, and omnivores. Species and guild-level abundance exhibited an even distribution. Species richness in both type of sites predominantly attributed to species turnover. Feeding guilds and bird species had varying associations to environmental variables. Our findings recommend the immediate protection of these sacred areas for bird conservation.

Closely related sympatric species achieve sympatry using multiple strategies, which includes avoiding competition by sharing some habitats (>1 species using the same habitat at the same time; "syntopy") while using other habitats exclusively ("allotopy"). The extent to which sympatric species use the syntopy-allotopy strategy relative to other strategies, especially with relation to changing land use and season on agricultural landscapes, is poorly documented in waterbirds. We measured year-long abundance and habitat use of three ibis species on a starkly seasonal semi-arid landscape using an a-priori design covering areas with two dominating land uses (wetlands and agriculture) in north-west India. We hypothesized that ibis abundance and allotopy would be higher in wetter areas and seasons (lower competition, higher resource availability) and that drier areas and seasons (higher competition, scarce resources) would have lower ibis abundance and increased syntopy. Ibis abundance varied by species (Red-naped > Black-headed > Glossy), season (Summer > Winter > Monsoon) and land use (wetland > agriculture). Ibises largely avoided inter-species competition (81% of observations were of single species), one species showed year-long allotopy (Red-naped Ibis used crop fields) and the other two species preferred wetland habitats. Syntopy was rare and occurred mostly in areas with more wetlands (91%) and during summer (63%). Ibises achieved sympatry by employing multiple strategies - avoiding direct competition, divergence in species' habitat use, and increased syntopy during summer. Ibis behavioural plasticity favoured their sympatry across changing landscapes and seasons, but retaining wetlands appears key to their year-long coexistence on mixed use landscapes.

Flying squirrels are one of the least studied mammalian taxa in South Asia as well as in India owing to their nocturnal, arboreal and cryptic nature. We applied ensemble species distribution modeling using BIOMOD2 (ver 1.0) R-package to predict the suitable habitat of the Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis, Elliot 1839) in Indian biogeographic regions and states, and to identify the physical variables that define its fundamental niche. A subset of least correlated variables from bioclimatic (mean diurnal temperature range, temperature isothermality, precipitation of wettest month, precipitation of driest month and precipitation of warmest quarter, and precipitation of coldest quarter), topographic (elevation), water-related (distance to major water streams), and vegetation-related (NDVI, and vegetation height) data sets were used in the modeling. The accuracy of the final ensemble habitat suitability model was characterized by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and true skill statistic (TSS). In India, a total of highly suitable habitat for the species was estimated to be 66,743 sq. km, varying between states and biogeographic regions. Final model revealed that predictive suitable habitat of the species was limited primarily to the southern peninsula, including the Western Ghats, the Deccan peninsula, and the semi-arid region, and to a lesser extent, the coastal areas of the Kerala state. At the state level, majority of suitable habitat for the species estimated in Kerala followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Climatic factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, have been identified as major determinants of Indian giant flying squirrel's potential habitat. We suggest that several new areas in the modeling that showed suitable habitat for the species necessitate immediate attention to validate species occurrence through field work. Extensive further studies on the species could also provide a detailed insight into the species' dispersion, colonization and the effect of future climate change in the Indian subcontinent.

Comprehending the interplay between human society and environmental systems necessitates an understanding of their religious dimensions. Our research objective was to explore the cultural and spatial dimensions of sacred sites within the semi-arid Aravalli mountain range in western India, alongside assessing the current threats these sites face leading to their degradation. Between November 2021 and April 2022, we travelled ~ 5000 km within the Udaipur district to identify and document potential sacred sites. Data was collected through interview of people and survey on feet at site. We recorded 89 sacred sites associated to diverse deities, including sizes ranging from 0.08 to 90 hec. The majority of these sites, established over 500 years ago, exhibited proximity to water and were surrounded by native forests. Notably, most sites were situated atop hills or in foothills, with greater human activities observed in foothill and ground-level sites. The dominant deity encountered was Lord Shiva. Interestingly, sites associated with the gender of deities exhibited significant variations in terms of their area ( P = 0.02) and types of land ( P = 0.01). Management point of view, only 24 sites had a wall surrounding them for protection, whereas grazing and lopping were observed in 46 and 11 sites, respectively. In terms of human activity, the majority of sites experienced relatively less disturbances in terms of daily visitor counts. The cultural dimensions of these sites were intricately interwoven with regional history. Notably, the concentration of sites within forested areas suggests that the Aravalli ecosystem features a high potential for biodiversity conservation. The safeguarding of these sites, with active involvement from concerned communities and stakeholders, may aid in their effective and long-term management.

Sacred groves have a long history of flora and fauna conservation by local communities due to religious and cultural practices. Birds are crucial part of sacred grove’s ecosystem but driver regulating their diversity and composition is poorly known. Here, we first time investigated avian diversity, abundance, aggregation in sacred groves distributed across southern Aravalli Mountains, one of the most degraded ecosystem of the world, and also tried to identify its driving factors using different modelling approaches from November, 2022 to February, 2023. We recorded 147 species (86% of potential species richness as per Chao estimation) including four near threatened and two vulnerable species. Feeding guild composition varied between groves. GLMM revealed that species richness significantly and negatively influenced by elevation (CE = -0.02) and distance to human habitation (CE = -0.003), while abundance negatively from elevation (CE = -0.13) and grazing activity (CE = -41.63) but positively from lopping activity (CE = 89.46). Bird abundance was recorded significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in groves with lopping activity. Feeding guild showed varied response against elevation and distance to human habitation. Insectivore, and granivore and omnivore showed clear pattern of clustering. In conclusion, sacred groves in Aravalli Mountains support high avian diversity and we strongly recommend to include of these sites in long-term conservation plan.

Sacred groves are areas of native forest that have been protected by the local people for centuries through socio-cultural and religious practices. Many of these sites are critical biodiversity hotspots. Hence, religious beliefs and myths are considered as the primary factor for their conservation in the majority of studies. In this review, we use Generalised Linear Models (GLMs) to identify the driver of tree species richness in sacred groves at a large spatial scale in Indian subcontinent by selecting 218 sacred groves from 33 research papers and 12 doctoral theses. Six variables were selected to explain tree species richness: grove area (hec.), survey method, site elevation (m), average annual precipitation (mm), annual mean temperature (°C) and religion of the community associated with sacred grove. Our findings indicated that the tree species richness in groves is influenced by multiple variables (except religion), and the relationship with area, and average annual rainfall was positive and significant (P < 0.05). Individual model with religion showed considerable uncertainty being below the null model. Floristic surveys reported slightly higher diversity of tree species than plot-based sampling. We recommend that larger sacred groves be prioritised for conservation and management as they support greater tree diversity.

AbstractPetaurista philippensis (Elliot, 1839), commonly known as the Indian giant flying squirrel or the large brown flying squirrel, is one of the largest flying squirrels. It has a grizzled brown or claret brown coat, and a black-tipped long tail. Petaurista philippensis is distributed in a range of habitats throughout Southeast Asia, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,200 m. It is nocturnal. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed it as “Least Concern” (LC) on the global scale, but its populations are declining in many regions. The Indian Government has included it in Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Sri Lanka has listed it in Schedule II (Section 30) of the Fauna and Flora Protection (Amendment) Act.