17 species of se recorded at Marine Park

As many as 17 species of sea slugs were reported and recorded for the first time in India during a recent study by a team of scientists led by Dr Deepak Apte from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) at five different locations in the Marine National Park, Jamnagar.

A total of 45 species of sea slugs — soft-bodied marine creature — were recorded. Of these, 35 were being recorded for the first time in Gujarat. “The new findings have added to the richness of marine biodiversity in this park. A total of 45 species belonging to 35 genera and 18 families of opisthobranchias were encountered during the survey conducted during 2009-10,” said R D Kamboj, Chief Conservator of Forests, Marine National Park.

The highest species richness was found at Poshitra; with 24 species whereas Narara recorded 14, Dwarka and Okha recorded nine and 10 respectively and the goose reef recorded six species of opisthobranchs.

These soft-bodied mollusks belong to the order opisthobranch of phylum mollusk of the animal kingdom. These are highly evolved gastropods having a single gill behind the heart and one pair each of oral tentacle and rhinophores. The members of this order include sea slugs, sacoglossans, sea hares and nudibranchs. They maybe herbivores, carnivores or omnivorous.

According to Dr. Apte, many more species can be recorded if a consortium of scientists works on the project. “It is important to record these species because often we don’t even know what we have lost,” he said.

Scientists say that these mollusks are highly sensitive to slltation due to dredging of ocean floors to construct jetties, ports and ship traffic in the marine ecosystem. Small confined populations like that of sakuraeolis gujaratica, an endemic species to Poshitra region, Gulf of Kutch, can even face extinction due to loss of Habitat.

“This is only a rapid assessment. Once the full surveys are done, species count is likely to increase manifold. Poshitra bay is also home to several rare species such as facelina lineata, lomanotus vermiformis and cuthona yamasui. Another species sakuracolis gujaratica is endemic to Gulf of Kutch and found only in Poshitra, There are only two known existing sites for this species at Okha and Poshitra,” Kamboj said.

During the study, scientists found that in view of the rich marine biodiversky of corals and molluscs in Poshitra bay, this area needs to be insulated against various degradation factors, particularly industrial and port development activities, which may spell doom for the last remaining good quality of corals and other rare marine fauna in Gulf of Kutch.

The Marine National Park in ,Jamnagar is spread over 161 sq km area and has major species like sponges, corals, jelly fish, sea horse, octopus, oyster, pearl oyster, starfish, lobster, dolphin, dugon and waterfowl among others.

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011.

Another Vulture Chick born at Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.

It Was Born On February 21; First Was Born On February 1 at Junagadh Zoo

The joy is palpable on the faces of forest officials at Sakkarbaug Zoo here in Junagadh as the second white backed vulture chick was born at the zoo in February. The first was born at the zoo’s Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre on February 1 and second was born on February 21.

The Sakkarbaug Zoo is managed by state Forest Department. According to forest officials, the success of vulture breeding in captivity at the Zoo is a significant development for the conservation of the endangered species.

“This is the second chick born at the captive breeding centre. The efforts which we have spent got encouraging results. We are hopeful that the same would continue in the future as well. It makes good news for the species which faces extinction,” said V J Rana, Director, Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh.

Rana said that Sakkarbaug is one of the five captive vulture breeding centers in the country. The vulture breeding aviary was started in the zoo in April 2009 at the zoo. The success in vulture breeding in captivity came after one and a half year.

“We have observed a very good progress of the first vulture chick which was born on February 1. Our officials are working round the clock and are keeping a watch on them. All the necessary facilities have been created at centre such as artificial nesting sites and trees. We maintained its food habits regularly,” Rana added.

Forest officials say that the Pinjore Vulture Breeding Centre in Haryana has succeeded in breeding vultures in captivity. “During this year’s vulture breeding season, four eggs were laid of which two hatched. We have been closely monitoring the chicks,” Rana said.

Forest officials say that there are total 43 vultures at the Zoo which includes white backed vulture, long billed vultures and Egyptian vultures. All vultures have been rescued from various parts of the state such as Ahmedabad, Rajula, Bajana, Surat, Gandhinagar Dhrangdhra, Vyara, Amreli, Morbi and Junagadh. “Most of these vultures were injured by kite strings during the kite festival,” said Rana.

Sakkarbaug zoo is known for its conservation programmes. Currently, the zoo is running conservation and breeding programmes for the Asiatic lion, vultures, Indian wolf, Indian wild ass, Asiatic cheetah and the four horned antelope with aid from the Central Zoo Authority of India.

Courtesy:- Times Of India, Thursday, Feb 4th, 2011.