Breeding seasonality of Chital (Axis axis) in the Hetauda Valley of Nepal

Bhusal, Arjun; Neupane, Bijaya; Bhattarai, Suman; Kapali, Aashish; Bhatta, Suraj; Bajagain, Santosh

doi:10.3126/forestry.v17i0.33634

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…However, a previous study by Bhusal et al (2020) on the breeding patterns of chital in the forests of IOF revealed that the highest occurrence of fawning took place during December, January, and February, although fawning was observed throughout the year except in July and the peak breeding period was identified as May-June.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Chital's call: An appeal for conservation strategies in the forest of the Institute of Forestry, Hetauda, Nepal

Shrestha,

Dhami

2023

Nep. J. Zool.

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The chital, Axis axis, constitutes one of Nepal's six deer species and maintains a closed population within the forest of the Institute of Forestry, Hetauda Campus. Presently, the chital population faces a range of challenges, prompting a comprehensive study encompassing population status, habitat preference analysis, and threat assessment. We utilized the pellet group count method on 74 systematic random sample plots (4×4m) within a 100×100 m grid for population estimation. Pellet presence/absence in predetermined habitat characteristics was analyzed to assess habitat preferences. Concurrently, a relative threat ranking method from household interviews was employed to evaluate existing threats. The study revealed a total chital population estimate of approximately 141 individuals, with a population density of 190 individuals per km2. Their habitat preference showed an affinity towards areas abundant in Sal and riverine forests, along with an inclination towards locations further from roads within the forested areas. Primary threats to the chital population encompassed attacks from feral dogs, illegal hunting, and habitat degradation mainly due to invasive alien plant species. This study shows that with effective management of the feral dogs, mitigation strategy to control illegal hunting with the help of local authorities, and improving the habitat conditions concerning their preferences, the chital population has the potential to continue growing in the coming years.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Chital's call: An appeal for conservation strategies in the forest of the Institute of Forestry, Hetauda, Nepal

Shrestha,

Dhami

2023

Nep. J. Zool.

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“…Given the frequency with which we recorded insect consumption and the abundance of (ignored) Trewia fruits at the time of the observations (which can be clearly seen in the videos), we suggest the insects provide an important nutritional requirement to the deer. As Trewia fruiting overlaps partially with fawning in chital (Bhusal et al, 2020), it is possible that insectivory is driven partly by a seasonal requirement for extra nutrition. Insects are rich in proteins and fats (Gasco et al, 2019), probably providing scarce nutrients for herbivorous deer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fruiting trees provide fruit and insect resources for four tropical deer species

Awasthi,

Chen,

McConkey

2024

Ecosphere

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Fruiting trees provide important fruit and seed resources for various animal species, but rarely are they considered to be rich sources of insects as well. During a study of seed dispersal of Trewia nudiflora (Euphorbiaceae) using camera traps in Nepal, we observed four tropical deer species (Axis axis, Muntiacus vaginalis, Rusa unicolor, Axis porcinus) foraging for insects, rather than fruits under the trees. These herbivorous deer are proven seed dispersers of Trewia, but 8%–38% of video captures (across each species) were of insectivory, rather than frugivory. The deer chased and consumed red cotton bugs (Dysdercus sp. family Pyrrhocoridae), which were seed predators that hoarded Trewia seeds. It is likely that other unidentified insect species were also consumed. Tropical deer species are considered to be fully herbivorous, so our observations extend their known diets and possibly indicate a seasonal requirement for protein. These findings also highlight tri‐trophic interactions among deer, insects, and fruits that could have important implications for seedling recruitment if seed predators are being consumed by seed dispersers (in addition to fruit consumption).

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“…Most of them are carried out in community forests while studies on national forests is lacking. The forest area of IoF supports 98 species of butterflies (Chhetri, 2017), 91 species of birds (Pokharel, 2017), and 11 species of snakes (Pradhan et al, 2020) and a population of spotted deer (Axis axis) (Bhusal et al, 2020). The study area is surrounded by human settlements on the north, east, and south sides, highlighting the urgent need for conservation intervention (Bajgain et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Analysis of Vegetation Dynamics of Tree Species inside the Forest of Institute of Forestry, Hetauda

Poudel,

Joshi,

Jha

et al. 2022

Forestry: J. Inst. Fores. Nep.

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A vegetation analysis of tree species was undertaken in the 92.69 hectares (ha) of the forest connected to the Institute of Forestry (IOF), Hetauda Campus. The study separated the forest into two strata, and a total of 10 circular sample plots (each plot measuring 500 m2) were constructed using systematic sampling with a sampling intensity of 0.5%. Enumeration of tree species was carried out within the sample plots. A total of 139 individual trees representing 16 (10 in stratum 1 and 12 in stratum 2) different tree species were recorded (60 in stratum 1 and 79 in stratum 2). Diversity indices were used for calculating vegetation parameters. According to the Importance Value Index, Shorea robusta was dominant in both strata, followed by other heterogenous species. The Shannon Wiener’s index and Simpson’s Diversity Index were higher in stratum 2, but the dominance index was lower than in stratum 1. Stratum 2 had a marginally higher measure of both evenness and richness than stratum 1. The study investigated the vegetation structure of the riverine and tropical moist deciduous forest in the study area. Increasing human interference had no significant effect on diversity and number of species among the strata. This study provides the baseline data necessary to characterize the phytodiversity of the forest area of the Institute of Forestry, Hetauda Campus for conservation and sustainable management.

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Breeding seasonality of Chital (Axis axis) in the Hetauda Valley of Nepal

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Chital's call: An appeal for conservation strategies in the forest of the Institute of Forestry, Hetauda, Nepal

Chital's call: An appeal for conservation strategies in the forest of the Institute of Forestry, Hetauda, Nepal

Fruiting trees provide fruit and insect resources for four tropical deer species

Analysis of Vegetation Dynamics of Tree Species inside the Forest of Institute of Forestry, Hetauda

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