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A Prefatory Estimation of Diversity and Distribution of Moths in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya, India

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Abstract

A pilot assessment of moth distribution and diversity was conducted in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. A total of 771 specimens were collected along an elevational gradient between 2000 and 3800 m across different forest types (temperate, sub-alpine, alpine scrublands) in Joshimath and Lata. Specimens were collected using light-trapping method during April–June and September–October 2014. A declining trend in moth diversity along the elevation was found which can be correlated with food resources. Comparative analyses showed different forest types had a more prominent effect on species composition at Joshimath than Lata. The family Geometridae with 475 specimens was found to be the most abundant family across all the sampling plots. Indicator species for forest types and disturbance level can be identified for habitat-quality assessment program and conservation management of the landscape.

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Acknowledgements

The study was a part of a project funded by the Department of Science and Technology. I am thankful to the Director and the Dean, Wildlife Institute of India for providing the opportunity to carry out this study. I want to thank the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata for allowing me to use their collection for identification. I wish to extend my gratitude to the Divisional Forest Officer, Joshimath and his team of forest guards for providing logistic help and support. I am also thankful to Dr. Sutirtha Dutta, Wildlife Institute of India for helping me with the analysis and designing the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, India

    Pritha Dey & V. P. Uniyal

  2. Zoological Survey of India, Prani Vigyan Bhawan, New Alipore, Kolkata, India

    Kailash Chandra

Authors
  1. Pritha Dey
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  2. V. P. Uniyal
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  3. Kailash Chandra
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Correspondence to Pritha Dey.

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Dey, P., Uniyal, V.P. & Chandra, K. A Prefatory Estimation of Diversity and Distribution of Moths in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya, India. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 40, 199–203 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-016-0534-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-016-0534-1

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