An inventory of the chiropteran fauna of Himachal Pradesh, northwestern India with some ecological observations

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U. Saikia
M.L. Thakur
M. Bawri
P.C. Bhattacherjee

Abstract

A chiropteran inventory of Himachal Pradesh, northwestern India is presented. Based on field observation and the study of museum collections and published literature, the occurrence of 28 species within 14 genera and five families is affirmed. The study also provides observations on ecology and biology of selected species, and ecological, zoogeographical and conservation aspects of the chiropteran fauna of Himachal Pradesh are also discussed. Considering the lack of studies on the bat fauna of Himachal Pradesh, it is expected that systematic and intensive field surveys will refine significantly our knowledge of diversity and distribution of Chiroptera in the state.

Article Details

Section
Communications
Author Biographies

U. Saikia

Uttam Saikia is currently working at High Altitude Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. His primary research interest is small mammalian taxonomy and also interested in reptilian taxonomy. He is also a keen birdwatcher.

M.L. Thakur

M.L.Tkakur is working as a young scientist fellow in the department of biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. His research interest is avifaunal diversity of Himachal Pradesh and is currently working on population status and habitat use pattern of vultures in Himachal Pradesh, under Fast Track Scheme sponsored by Department of Science and Technology,New Delhi.

M. Bawri

Mayur Bawri is a research fellow in the department of Zoology, Gauhati University. His research interest is in large mammalian ecology especially that of Asiatic Buffalo.

P.C. Bhattacherjee

P.C. Bhattacharjee is a retired professor in zoology from Gauhati University and a well known conservationist in northeastern India. He is currently associated with Wildlife Trust of India.