PANGOLIN 3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.4.5 Statistical Analysis
The numbers of active living burrows of Indian pangolin were found to be significantly different in association with different trees/shrubs species (p=0.03) (Appendix- VII). Among shrubs, burrows numbers were significantly higher with or around Lantana camara, followed by those found around Zizyphus nummularia and Prosopis juliflora (Table 3.13).
3.5 DISCUSSION
Vegetation features in the habitat of an animal species are very important since they can provide any type of cover to the species enhancing its survival. Vegetation in the form of trees, shrubs and herbs may provide food, and shelter to an animal species. The habitat of Indian pangolin analyzed during current study
period showed some particular ecological features which were noticeable; firstly, the soil of the area was soft and semi-sandy helpful to the animal species for excavating its burrows. Secondly, ants and termites colonies were found abundantly in the habitat which forms the main prey items of Indian pangolin. Thirdly, water source was definitely present in the near surrounding area in the form of freshwater streams and ponds.
During the current study period, vegetation analysis in the habitat of Indian pangolin was carried out at two representative sampling sites, in each district by collecting data about plants species including trees, shrubs and herbs. The results showed almost similar kind of vegetation features in the habitat of all four districts of the Plateau. Although Indian pangolin is not a tree dweller unlike those of African species, even then trees, herbs and shrubs are important constituents of its habitat.
At most of the sampling sites in the habitat of Indian pangolin, the prevailing species recorded included Acacia nilotica, Zizyphus mauritiana, Acacia
modesta, Zizyphus nummularia, Calotropis procera, Prosopis cineraria,
Cynodon dactylon and Cenchrus ciliaris. Earlier on, Haq et al. (2011) had reported
major species of district Chakwal; Acacia modesta, Olea ferrugine, Cenchrus
ciliaris and Cynodon dactylon. Similarly, Nawaz et al. (2012) explored vegetation
of selected sites of Chakwal and Jhelum districts and reported Acacia modesta,
Justicia adhatoda, Chrysopogon serrulatus, Cynodon dactylon and Dichanthium
foveolatum as dominant species.
The statistical analysis showed a close phyto-association of Indian pangolin with three different shrub species Lantana camara, Zizyphus nummularia and
Prosopis juliflora. Infact, the animal species used to excavate its burrows at the
base of these shrubs in order to hide it. There was no significant difference between any of the tree species regarding numbers of active living burrows. However, it was observed in the field that burrows of the species were mostly present with and around the tree species Capparis deciduas at sampling sites namely “Murred” in district Chakwal, at site “Moza Frash Pamal” in district Jhelum and at site “Jand”in Attock district.
During the current study period, Indian pangolin was found to live mostly near villages around the human dwellings, although, its burrows were also recorded in natural areas, and in the crop fields. However, we, as such, did not compare the impact of human dwellings on percentage of burrows of the species. We did not aim to calculate the individual percentage of burrows of Indian pangolin or their average distance from the crop fields. The reason for this may be the availability of water source and availability of food. Earlier published literature shows that the feeding sites of Indian pangolin may include grasses, bare grounds, and bases of trees, shrubs, roots, leaf litter and fallen logs (Richer et al., 1997). It mostly feeds upon profound ant species. It may consume more ground prey species in summer as compared to those consumed in winter (Swart et al., 1999) because of the facile availability of ants in hot weather. The Indian pangolin excavates its burrows in the soil for its living, similar to soil animals. The burrows of the species were recorded in natural areas, in crop fields and also in human dwellings. It uses to hide its burrow opening with vegetation (wood and dirt) so that one cannot locate and identify its burrow the same characteristic of Indian pangolin earlier on reported by Roberts (1997).
3.5 CHAPTER SUMMARY
Vegetation analysis in the habitat of Indian pangolin was carried out at selected representative sampling sites (two in each district) of the Potohar Plateau. The trees, shrubs and herbs species were recorded by using “Point Centered Quarter” method (for trees) and “Quadrat” method (for shrubs and herb species). The data were analysed in terms of density, relative density, relative frequency, relative cover and importance value index.
A total of six trees, seven shrubs and twenty four herb/grass species were recorded at all eight sampling sites of the study area. Among trees, maximum IVI was recorded for Acacia nilotica (IVI=74.9) followed by Zizyphus mauritiana (IVI=61.75), Acacia modesta (IVI=58.6), Dalbergia sissoo (IVI=48.76),
Eucalyptus clamadulensis (IVI=24.9) and Tamarix aphylla (IVI=8.2). Among
shrubs, Zizyphus nummularia showed highest IVI (199.16), followed by Calotropis
procera (65.08), Prosopis juliflora (35.40), Lantana camara (30.13) Dodonaea
viscosa (27.46) Grewia optiva (26.06) and least for Carissa opaca (13.94). The
herb species showed more variety in the study area, the species with high IVI included; Cynodon dactylon (40), Cenchrus ciliaris (37.56), Cyperus rotundus (31.06), Saccharum bengalense (21), Aerva javanica (24.26), Amaranthus hybridus (21.76), Alhagi marorum (21.20), Chenopodium album (18.92), Carthamus
oxycantha (17.8) and Dicentra roxburghina (15.38). Whereas other species with
lower IVI values were; Erogrestis prolifera (9.29), Cymbopogon spp. (9.0),
Sorghum helepanse (8.0), Cynoglosum lancealatum(7.6), Oenothera rosea (6.06),
(4.305), Helitropuim eurapallum (3.6), Achyranthus aspera (3.4) and Cannabis
sativa (2.9).
A close phyto-association of Indian pangolin was found with Capparis
decidua, since most of the burrows of the species were found around this tree
species. It indicates that this particular tree species is more important in the habitat of Indian pangolin, and it may provide food to the animal species.
Chapter 4