Confirmation of Naja oxiana in Himachal Pradesh, India

Santra, hb . Vishal; Owens, John Benjamin; Stuart, Graham H.; Wüster, Wolfgang; Kuttalam, Sourish; Bharti, Omesh Kumar; Selvan, Melvin; Mukherjee, Nilanjan; Malhotra, Anita

doi:10.33256/hb150.2628

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…However, Santra et al. (2019) revealed a different phylogenetic position for N . oxiana using a single mitochondrial marker (16S), incongruent with the results of Wüster et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Within its distribution range, N. oxiana is subdivided into eastern and western populations, split by the Hindu Kush Mountains and desert zones of southern Afghanistan, southeastern Iran, and southwestern Pakistan (Wüster, 1990). However, a new population in its eastern distribution has been recently recorded in Himachal Pradesh, India, at an altitude of approximately 2,100 m (Santra et al., 2019). Based on morphological characters, Wüster (1990) suggested that the western population is relatively homogeneous but morphologically different from the eastern population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The distribution, demography, biology, ecology, and conservation status of the Caspian cobra remain largely undescribed. Even though some molecular studies have investigated Asian and African cobras (Kazandjian et al., 2020; Lin et al., 2008, 2012, 2014; Ratnarathorn et al., 2019; Santra et al., 2019; Wallach et al., 2009; Wüster et al., 2007), the phylogenetic and phylogeographic status, as well as the evolutionary history and population structure of the Caspian cobra in the Trans‐Caspian region, are still poorly known. The only study conducted on the genetic structure and phylogeny of the Caspian cobra in Iran, using 589 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial D‐loop region, revealed low genetic diversity and unstructured populations of the Iranian Caspian cobra (Shoorabi et al., 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The phylogeny, phylogeography, and diversification history of the westernmost Asian cobra (Serpentes: Elapidae: Naja oxiana) in the Trans‐Caspian region

Kazemi

Nazarizadeh

Fatemizadeh

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the phylogenetic, phylogeographic, and demographic relationships of Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana; Eichwald, 1831) populations based on a concatenated dataset of two mtDNA genes (cyt b and ND4) across the species' range in Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, along with other members of Asian cobras (i.e., subgenus Naja Laurenti, 1768). Our results robustly supported that the Asiatic Naja are monophyletic, as previously suggested by other studies. Furthermore, N. kaouthia and N. sagittifera were recovered as sister taxa to each other, and in turn sister clades to N. oxiana. Our results also highlighted the existence of a single major evolutionary lineage for populations of N. oxiana in the Trans‐Caspian region, suggesting a rapid expansion of this cobra from eastern to western Asia, coupled with a rapid range expansion from east of Iran toward the northeast. However, across the Iranian range of N. oxiana, subdivision of populations was not supported, and thus, a single evolutionary significant unit is proposed for inclusion in future conservation plans in this region.

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“…However, Santra et al. (2019) revealed a different phylogenetic position for N . oxiana using a single mitochondrial marker (16S), incongruent with the results of Wüster et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The phylogeny, phylogeography, and diversification history of the westernmost Asian cobra (Serpentes: Elapidae: Naja oxiana) in the Trans‐Caspian region

Kazemi

Nazarizadeh

Fatemizadeh

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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“…N. naja, which occurs from the semi-arid environment of the Indus valley of Pakistan to tropical Southeast Asia, will lose the least amount (~ 12%) of its currently suitable climate. N. oxiana may disperse towards the east, which might be on the edge of its niche 39 . However, within this century, five of the Asian Naja species might meet the Red List assessment criteria B1(a)(b)(c) for Vulnerable status, which is less than 20,000 square kilometres of discontinuous extent of occurrence 40 , 41 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change and the increase of human population will threaten conservation of Asian cobras

Chowdhury

Müller

Varela

2021

Sci Rep

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Asian cobras (genus Naja) are venomous snakes distributed from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. Because cobras often live near humans settlements, they are responsible for a large part of snakebite incidents and as such pose a challenge for public health systems. In the light of growing human populations, correctly mapping the present and future ranges of Asian cobras is therefore important for both biological conservation and public health management. Here, we mapped the potential climatic niches of ten Asian cobra species for both the present and the future, with the aim to quantify changes in climate and human population densities relative to their current and future ranges. Our analyses reveal that cobras that are adapted to dry climates and inhabit islands have narrow climatic niches, while those of mainland species with larger geographic ranges are much wider. We also found a higher degree of fragmentation of future cobra distributions; within the next 50 years, Asian cobras will lose an average of around 60% of their current suitable climatic range. In the near future, Naja mandalayensis, N. sputatrix, N. samarensis, and N. philippinensis are likely to have no accessible suitable climate space left. Besides, a further increase of human populations in this region may also exponentially accelerate the effects of anthropogenic impacts. Solutions for conservation may involve awareness and appropriate use of law to overcome the rate of habitat degradation and the increase of animal trade of Asian cobras, while promoting investment on health systems to avoid snakebite fatalities.

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“…Unlike birds and mammals, herpetofauna in India have not been studied in detail (Vasudevan et al 2001), with most studies restricted to the rainforests of the Western Ghats (Myers 1942;Inger et al 1984;Vasudevan et al 2006;Naniwadekar & Vasedevan 2007;Chandramouli & Ganesh 2010;Venugopal 2010;Murali & Raman 2012;Balaji et al 2014;Bhupathy et al 2016;Garg & Biju 2017;Chaitanya et al 2018;Ganesh et al 2018;Harikrishnan et al 2018;Malik et al 2019;Ganesh & Achyuthan 2020) and northeastern India (Ahmed et al 2009;Das et al 2009;Chhetri et al 2010;Purkayastha et al 2011;Pan et al 2013;Vogel & Ganesh 2013;Roy et al 2018). Sporadic studies have described or recorded new species for the western Himalaya (Murthy & Sharma 1976;Saikia et al 2007;Negi & Banyal 2016;Santra et al 2019). Gibbons et al (2000) enumerated six causes of global decline in herpetofauna: habitat loss and degradation, introduced invasive species, environmental pollution, disease and parasitism, unsustainable use, and global climate change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herpetofauna assemblage in two watershed areas of Kumoan Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Ahmed¹,

Khan²

2021

J. Threat. Taxa

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We surveyed herpetofauna along the poorly-explored region of two watersheds of Kumoan Himalaya, Dabka and Khulgarh. Adaptive cluster method was used to collect forest floor reptiles, and stream transect was used for stream reptiles and amphibians. In total, 18 species of reptiles were recorded in two watersheds, with 15 and nine species recorded in Dabka and Khulgarh, respectively. Forest floor density of reptiles was 87.5/ha in Dabka and 77.7/ha in Khulgarh. In terms of species, Asymblepharus ladacensis and Lygosoma punctatus density were highest in Dabka and Khulgarh, respectively. Eight species of amphibians were recorded in Dabka with a density of 9.4/ha and four species in Khulgarh with density of 5.2/ha. In both watersheds, density of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis was highest. Reptilian and amphibian diversity of Dabka was 1.52 and 1.23, respectively, and in Khulgarh 0.43 and 0.23, respectively. In both watersheds reptile density, diversity and richness decreased with increasing elevation. Reptile density showed a weak correlation with microhabitat features such as litter cover, litter depth, and soil moisture in both watersheds. Amphibian density was positively correlated with soil moisture, litter cover, and litter depth. Comparison showed that Dabka is richer and more diverse than Khulgarh, presumably because of the undisturbed habitat, broad and slow stream, and deeper forest litter of the former.

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Confirmation of Naja oxiana in Himachal Pradesh, India

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

The phylogeny, phylogeography, and diversification history of the westernmost Asian cobra (Serpentes: Elapidae: Naja oxiana) in the Trans‐Caspian region

The phylogeny, phylogeography, and diversification history of the westernmost Asian cobra (Serpentes: Elapidae: Naja oxiana) in the Trans‐Caspian region

Climate change and the increase of human population will threaten conservation of Asian cobras

Herpetofauna assemblage in two watershed areas of Kumoan Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

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