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Author: Abhijith Vijay × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    POPULATION DENSITY, SPATIAL USE AND HABITAT PREFERENCE OF Micrixalus saxicola USING SPATIAL- EXPLICIT CAPTURE-RECAPTURE METHOD IN SOUTH WAYANAD FOREST DIVISION
    (KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY POOKODE, WAYANAD, 2022-02-25) Abhijith Vijay; Rajasekhar. R
    The present study was carried out to study the population size, movement pattern and habitat preference of Micrixalus saxicola also to compare the non-spatial and spatial density in three different streams. The study was carried out in three streams in South Wayanad Forest Division having different levels of anthropogenic disturbance. All individuals from the study areas were photographed, identified and named manually by comparing the unique natural markings on the dorsal side of the frogs. Population size of M. saxicola was calculated using mark-recapture method. This data was used to calculate non- spatial density in three sites. Spatial-explicit capture-recapture (SECR) was used to estimate the density of M. saxicola accurately with capture history data, trap location data and trap buffer. Non-spatial density analysis underestimated the population density of frogs due to lack of spatial data. Highest density was observed in site B, an intact habitat with no anthropogenic pressure. The activity time of individual frogs was normal in site B. Lowest density was observed in site A, a highly disturbed habitat with high anthropogenic activity. Nocturnal activity of frogs was prominent in site A and C. Male frogs displayed longer movements in site A and B but not in site C. Longest movements of individuals were observed in disturbed habitats having low density of substrates. Individuals from site B displayed short movements compared to other two sites. Micrixalus saxicola showed a negative relationship with atmospheric temperature and a positive relationship with relative humidity. Individual frogs occupied on rocks having medium substrate temperature and water velocity. Number of sightings decreased towards higher and lower rock temperature and water velocity. Most individuals occupied inside the splash zone of the rocks in site A and B but no reliable data was obtained in site C.