Diversity of scorpion fauna of Saswad-Jejuri, Pune District, Maharashtra, western India

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S. Pande
D. Bastawade
A. Padhye
A. Pawashe

Abstract

Our paper deals with the diversity of the scorpion fauna of Saswad-Jejuri region in western India, and highlights the conservation implications of quantitative studies. Eight species of scorpions from five genera and three families are recorded in 10 microhabitats. Some of these areas are categorized as ‘wastelands’ and hence are vulnerable for land use modifications. The interdependence of such microhabitats and their neglected inhabitants like scorpions is highlighted in this study. This information provides a baseline biological data for further demographic and ecological studies and stresses the need for impact assessment prior to undertaking developmental projects in ‘wastelands’, since arachnids exhibit restricted movements and are vulnerable to habitat modification.

Article Details

Section
Communications
Author Biographies

S. Pande

Satish Pande is a Fellow of the Maharashtra Academy of Sciences. He is an Interventional Vascular Radiologist and Associate Professor of Radiology at KEM Hospital, Pune. He works in ecology and field ornithology and has made several video films on raptor ecology, marine ecosystem and conservation. He has published more than 40 papers and has authored several field guides and popular books on ornithology, nature education, orchids and other subjects for popularization of science and to promote conservation.

D. Bastawade

Deshbhushan Bastawade is an arachnologist and co-author of ‘Fauna of India –Scorpions’ (1983), published by the Director, Zoological Survey of India. He has several scientific papers to his credit. He recently retired from the Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Station, Akurdi, Pune.

A. Padhye

Anand Padhye is Associate Professor of Zoology in M.E.S. Abasaheb Garware College, Pune. He is a member of the Amphibian Specialist Group of the IUCN. He has published several scientific papers on biodiversity of the northern Western Ghats.

A. Pawashe

Amit Pawashe is an avid conservationist with interest in field work related to ornithology. He likes to draw birds. He gives lectures and conducts seminars to promote nature conservation.

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