Scorpions of the family Buthidae are widespread species in India. While studies are available on diversity and distribution of Indian buthid scorpions, no information is available on the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the family, within India and Asia in general. In the current study, we provide the first molecular phylogeny of buthid scorpions from central western India based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Our analysis confirms the current placement of the species, previously assigned to Mesobuthus in the genus Hottentotta. However, the analysis also suggests that the member of this genus from India form a monophyletic group distinct from the members of Hottentotta from Africa. Species of Lychas formed a monophyletic group. Although Orthochirus was nested within the larger clade of buthidae comprising genera such as Androctonus, Buthacus, Buthus and Odontobuthus, the exact phylogenetic placement will require more taxonomic sampling of the known genera of Buthidae. We also show that there is a substantial genetic variation among the populations of medically important scorpion species Hottentotta tamulus, and the genetic distance is linearly correlated with the geographical distance between the populations.
C omm u n fi c a t fi o n F r e s hw a t e r ff fi s h ff a u n a o ff H fi r a n y a k e s h fi R fi v e r , t h e n o r t h e r n W e s t e r n G h a t s , I n d fi a P r a d e e p K um k a r , S a n j a y S . K h a r a t , N fi fi n S . S aw a n t , U nm e s h K a tw a t e & N e e ffl e s h D a h a n u k a r
The habitat of a species can be defined as that portion of a multidimensional hyperspace (defined by any number of habitat factors) that is occupied by a given species (Whitaker et al. 1973). Data pertaining to interspecific niche partitioning by snakes has lagged behind that of other vertebrate groups, notably lizards and birds (Schoener 1977;Toft 1985). Descriptions of the preferred habitat is currently available for very few snake species (Reinert 1993) therefore, snakes are not well represented in studies of habitat selection. This is partly due to their secretive nature. They are difficult to locate and sightings are probably biased in favor of habitats where they are most visible. Measures of habitat suitability need to evaluate micro-habitat usage and animal movement patterns (Gurnell et al. 2002). Studies on some snake species suggest that individual snakes do actively select a preferred portion of their environment (Reinert 1984;Weatherhead & Charland 1985;Burger & Zappalorti 1988;Weatherhead & Prior 1992) and the habitat selection is influenced by complex biotic and abiotic factors (Reinert 1993). Although some species are highly specialized and can exploit a narrow range of habitat, most taxa utilize a broader range, at least occasionally (Heatwole 1977). Thus, it is also important to understand why species shift among habitat type.The State of Goa is located along the central west coast of India, lying between latitude 14 0 51'-15 0 48'N & 73 0 41'-74 0 20'E, with an area of 3702km 2 . The forests of Goa have been classified into various types which include the west coast tropical evergreen, cane brakes, wet bamboo brakes, west coast semi-evergreen, moist bamboo brakes, lateritic semi-evergreen forest, slightly moist teak forest, southern moist deciduous forest, southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forest, south Indian sub-tropical hill savannah woodland, southern sub tropical hill forest, lateritic scrub and dry tropical river rain forest
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