Zeitschriftenartikel zum Thema „Himalayan Pheasant“

Influence of Human Disturbance on the Abundance of Himalayan Pheasant (Aves, Galliformes) in the Temperate Forest of Western Himalaya, India We conducted field studies in the Jiwa valley (Indian Himalayas) to examine the influence of human disturbance on Himalayan pheasants. We used the "call count" and "line transect" methods to estimate the abundance of pheasants in Jiwa valley. A human disturbance gradient defined by human population, agriculture activity, forest wood collection, grazing, vehicle, use of heavy machines, human settlements, dumping ground, and blasting was prepared. We assessed the pheasant numbers under two conditions (1) a decline in the gradient of human activity during two consecutive years (2009-2010) (2) in the presence of hydroelectric development activities. The numbers of koklass pheasants, Himalayan monal, cheer pheasant and Western tragopan declined significantly with anthropogenic activities. During spring 2010, hydroelectric construction activity was temporarily suspended in Manjhan adit, and a positive response was noted in terms of an increase in the pheasant numbers near the site. The response of pheasants to human disturbance has inferred that large scale development can lead to decline of Himalayan pheasant in Himalayan region.

ABSTRACT Jolli V., Pandit M.K. 2011. Monitoring pheasants (Phasianidae) in the Western Himalayas tomeasure the impact of hydro-electric projects. Ring 33, 1-2: 37-46. In this study, we monitored pheasants abundance to measure the impact of a hydroelectric development project. The pheasants abundance was monitored using “call count” and line transect methods during breeding seasons in 2009-2011. Three call count stations and 3 transects were laid with varying levels of anthropogenic disturbance. To understand how the hydro power project could effect the pheasant population in the Jiwa Valley, we monitored it under two conditions; in the presence of hydro-electric project (HEP) construction and when human activity significantly declined. The Koklass Pheasant (Pucrasiamacrolopha), Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichi) and Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) were not recorded in Manjhan Adit in 2009. During 2010 and 2011 springs, the construction activity was temporarily discontinued in Manjhan Adit. The pheasants responded positively to this and their abundance increased near disturbed sites (Manjhan Adit). The strong response of pheasants to anthropogenic disturbance has ecological application and thus can be used by wildlife management in the habitat quality monitoring in the Himalayan Mountains.

Pheasants are most beautiful and colorful birds in the world. They refer to any member of the subfamily phadianidae in the order Galliformes. Out of 50 species 5 are found in Pakistan i.e. Monal, (Lophoporus impejanus) koklass (Pucrasia macrolopha), Kalij (Lophura leucomelana) Cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichi) and Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus). Yellow pheasant and red pheasants are introduced in outer countries for the sake of money. One pair of red pheasant specie in (25,000) rupees They are found mainly in the KPK, extending eastwards into Kaghan and Azad Kashmir, few in Pallas Valley and Ayubia National Park, coniferous forests of Chitral, Dir, Swat, Hazara, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit, swat, Kohistan etc. Altitude range varies from species to species i.e. Monal (2000-2400m), Koklass (2200-2500m), Kalij (1200-1100 ft), and Western Tragopan (1750-3600 ft).The Western Tragopan is considered as the rarest of all living pheasants. Dhodial Pheasant in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Asia’s largest Pheasantry, established four decades ago next to the Karakoram Highway that connects Pakistan with China. Named after the small town in the province’s Mansehra district, it sprawls across 12.5 acres and is home to around 4,000 birds, representing 38 of the 50 pheasant species in the world. Six are indigenous species, found largely in the Himalayas. Dhodial Pheasantry is a Pheasantry and breeding center for several species of pheasants situated in Mansehra District, Pakistan. Dhodial Pheasantry holds captive 38 of the 52 species of pheasants found in the world.

To study the microstructure and difference of remiges in galliformes, the Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), Blue Eared Pheasant (Crossptilon auritum), Koklass Pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha), Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) and Thunderbird (Tetrao urogallus) were selected as the representative of six species of endangered birds. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was adopted to photograph and count the hooked barbule, cilia and ventral tooth, meanwhile, the single factor analysis of variance of different remiges was carried out by Spss 11.5 software. The results show that remiges are mainly composed of hook feathers and proximal barbule, and there are hook feathers on the side of a small hook, but also with cilia. Proximal barbule is mainly composed of ventral tooth, whose number and shape are the main features. The number of hooked barbule, cilia and ventral tooth of proximal barbule of the remiges of the different birds were significantly different or significant differences among the two species, which could provide the basis for identification.

SummaryThe Critically Endangered Himalayan Quail Ophrysia superciliosa has not been reliably recorded since 1876. Recent searches of historical sites have failed to detect the species, but we estimate an extinction year of 2023 giving us reason to believe that the species may still be extant. Species distribution models can act as a guide for survey efforts, but the current land cover in the historical specimen record locations is unlikely to reflect Himalayan Quail habitat preferences due to extensive modifications. Thus, we investigate the use of two proxy species: Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallechi and Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus that taken together are thought to have macro-habitat requirements that encapsulate those of the Himalayan Quail. After modelling climate and topography space for the Himalayan Quail and these proxy species we find the models for the proxy species have moderate overlap with that of the Himalayan Quail. Models improved with the incorporation of land cover data and when these were overlaid with the Himalayan Quail climate model, we were able to identify suitable areas to target surveys. Using a measure of search effort from recent observations of other galliformes, we identify 923 km2 of suitable habitat surrounding Mussoorie in Northern India that requires further surveys. We conclude with a list of five priority survey sites as a starting point.

Pheasants play a distinctive and significant role in high altitudinal ecosystems. These are good indicators of environmental changes, and their presence determines the health and balance of the bio-network. Recent human pressure continues to degrade their populations, and some pheasant species are already extinct. Therefore, the current study focuses on pheasant abundance and emerging conservation issues. The pheasant population was assessed using “Call count methods” and analyzed by DISTANCE software. The results revealed that the valleys where human interference is minimum had significantly higher encounter rates and densities of pheasants. At the same time, the pheasant population was severely affected, whether found at lower or higher altitudes, showing seasonal migration toward human settlements. The habitat suitability modeling was performed using the MaxEnt model and showed that human activities overlap with the suitable natural habitats of pheasants. The threats were identified using a systematic questionnaire survey from the nearest villages of the potential habitat, and particular attention was paid to valleys where human pressures were found to be high. Major infrastructure development projects, illegal hunting, and deforestation were identified as the major threats to the pheasant population. The study concluded that proper conservation measures are required to protect pheasants in their potential habitats.

Cheer pheasant, a vulnerable species in the pheasant family, Phasianidae, is found distributed through the southern foothills of the Himalayas from Pakistan to Nepal. In Nepal, it has been recorded from few areas including the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) in central Nepal. However, no systematic survey has been conducted on this shy species in the ACA since 2010. Thus, this study represents a general picture of cheer pheasant distribution and potential threats in Lete and Kunjo Rural Municipalities of Mustang district within the ACA by establishing vantage points in different locations. Among ten vantage stations, cheer pheasants were detected from all stations in Kunjo but only from three stations in Lete. The major threats to the species were found to be overgrazing, habitat fragmentation and hunting/snaring. For the effective conservation of cheer pheasants, a conservation program should be promptly formulated and implemented in Mustang district.

The purpose of the research is studying existing fauna and ecology of Galliform helminths in biogeocenoses of Uzbekistan.Materials and methods. Parasitic worms were collected from chicken-like birds of the terrestrial cenoses of Karakalpakstan and North-eastern Uzbekistan. Birds were studied in all seasons of 2018–2020. Wild birds – Himalayan hen, keklik, grey partridge, quail and pheasant, were hunted by local hunters during hunting seasons, while domestic birds - chickens, turkeys and guinea fowls were uncovered from different types of poultry farms. The study of birds was carried out by well-known methods. It was examined 913 wild and 755 domestic chicken-like animals. The detected cestodes and trematodes were fixed in 70% alcohol, and the nematodes were fixed in Barbagallo liquid. The determination of helminth species was carried out according to the well-known guidelines of domestic and foreign authors.Results and discussion. We found that helminthoses were widespread among representatives of Galliformes in Uzbekistan. Total helminth infections in domestic and wild Galliformes were 50.5%. In infected birds, 44 helminth species were identified, among which 10 species were cestodes, 12 species were trematodes and 22 species were nematodes. Helminth species diversity was the most extensive in the domestic chicken (36 species), turkey (21), and partridge (20). For the first time for the helminth fauna in Galliformes in Uzbekistan, we identified 3 trematode species – Brachylaema fuscatus, Collyriclum faba and Echinostoma miyagawai, and 10 nematode species of the genera Capillaria, Aonchotheca, Ascaridia, Heterakis, Dispharynx, Streptocara, Tetrameres, Diplotriaena and Ornithofilaria.

Bagaza virus (BAGV), a member of the Ntaya serogroup in the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae, was isolated from the brain tissue of a Himalayan monal pheasant that died following neurological signs in Pretoria, South Africa in 2016. Next-generation sequencing was carried out on this isolate resulting in a genome sequence of 10980nt. The full genome sequence of this isolate, designated ZRU96-16, shared 98% nucleotide identity with a BAGV isolate found in Culex univitattus mosquitoes from Namibia and 97% nucleotide identity with a Spanish BAGV sequence isolated from an infected partridge. In total, seven amino acid variations were unique to ZRU96-16 after alignment with other BAGV and Israel turkey meningoencephalomyelitis (ITV) genomes. The 3′UTR sequence of ZRU96-16 was resolved with sufficient detail to be able to annotate the variable and conserved sequence elements within this region. Multiple sequence alignment of the 3′UTR suggested that it could be useful in lineage designation as more similar viruses carried similar mutations across this region, while also retaining certain unique sites. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed two clusters containing both BAGV and ITVs from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Broadly, temporal clustering separated isolates into two groups, with one cluster representing viruses from the 1960–2000’s and the other from 2010 onwards. This suggests that there is consistent exchange of BAGV and ITV between Europe and Africa. This investigation provides more information on the phylogenetics of an under-represented member of the Flaviviridae and provides an avenue for more extensive research on its pathogenesis and geographic expansion.

Current rates of climatic change will affect the structure and function of community assemblages on Earth. In recent decades, advances in modelling techniques have illuminated the potential effects of various climatic scenarios on biodiversity hotspots, including community assemblages in the Himalayas. These techniques have been used to test the effects of representative concentration pathways (RCPs) AR5-2050, based on future greenhouse gas emission trajectories of climate change scenario/year combinations, on pheasants. Current bioclimatic variables, Miroc-esm, Hadgem2-AO and Gfdl-cm3, in future climate change scenario models, were used to predict the future distribution and the gain/loss of future habitat area, within the Himalayas, of the pheasant, Satyr Tragopon (Tragopan satyra). The results indicate that future climatic conditions may significantly affect the future distribution of Satyr Tragopon and the effectiveness of protective areas (PAs). Using the python based GIS toolkit, SDM projection, regions of high risk under climate change scenarios were identified. To predict the present distribution of the species, environment parameters of bioclimatic variables, red reflectance, blue reflectance, solar azimuth angle, altitude, slope, aspect, NDVI, EVI, VI, and LCLU were used. The forest cover (NDVI) and the canopy cover (EVI), and variables affecting forest structure, namely altitude, slope, solar azimuth angle and Bio7, were the primary factors dictating the present distribution of T. satyra. The predicted trend of habitat shifting of T. satyra in the Himalayas to higher altitudes and latitudes will gradually become more prominent with climate warming.

Cheer pheasant is a globally vulnerable species mainly found in the mid-montane grassland of the western Himalayas. Such grasslands are spread sporadically, and the distribution of this species too, as a result, has remained patchy. Using Maxent, we investigated the distribution of cheer across its global range (Pakistan, India, and Nepal) to determine a potential distribution range. The model predicted that higher altitude (increasing probability peaking at 2060 m) and land cover categories of needleleaf evergreen forests, grasslands, barren and stony terrain, and croplands were the likely predictors of cheer pheasant occurrence. The model predicted a total potential distribution range of 3137.9 km2, most of which lies in India. Interestingly, most areas within this range fall outside the protected areas network and are thus unprotected. The habitat of cheer is believed to require some form of continual disturbance, either naturally or by human intervention, to remain suitable for the species. Given the fact that most of its habitat lies outside the protected areas and the species tolerates limited amount of disturbance to its habitat, the future of the cheer is likely to be in the outside protected areas, provided that extremes of habitat change are limited and hunting is curtailed.

This study was conducted to assess the population status, distribution, and threats of Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) in Sagarmatha National Park from February to June 2022. The study area was divided into five blocks- Namche, Furte, Syangboche, Mislung, and Kyangjuma. Population was estimated by using the line transect method. Bird survey was conducted two times in each transect during the study period. Similarly, bird distribution was determined by direct evidences such as bird sightings, ground scratching marks of the birds, their feathers and fecal matter, and indirect evidences such as information from the locals and park staff. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used in the feature digitization of slope, aspect, and elevation to show the bird distribution. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the threats. Altogether, 67 Himalayan Monal birds consisting of 48 male and 19 female individuals were recorded. The pheasants were distributed in all the blocks, preferably in the pure pine forests with different aspects and slopes within 3250 m and 4021 m altitude above the mean sea level. The overall population density was found to be 4.69 birds/km2. The highest density (7.26 birds/km2 ) was recorded in the Namche Block, followed by the Furte Block (7.05 birds/km2 ). Habitat degradation, free-ranging dogs, and human disturbance were the major threats to Himalayan Monal.

An assessment of avian fauna of Chail Wildlife Sanctuary was carried out during a three year study between 1996-1999. The Sanctuary which is famous for its Cheer Pheasant population is highly disturbed because of the presence of 121 villages with a population of nearly 10,000. Various anthropogenic activities like cattle grazing, collection of timber, firewood, cultivation and fodder extraction etc. have contributed in degrading the Sanctuary. Nevertheless, the Sanctuary harbours a total of 138 species of birds. The list includes three endangered species included in Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Majority of birds (66.66%) are resident birds followed by winter migrants (15.20%) and summer migrants (13.76%). Efforts are being made by the Wildlife department to improve the habitat by carrying out plantations and developing water holes. These efforts need to be augmented by management practices like controlling forest fires and initiating eco-development programmes to reduce people’s dependence on Sanctuary resources.

We conducted a survey in the western Himalaya of India to assess animal extraction patterns. Data on animal species and their extraction patterns, their importance to the respondents, and reasons and methods of hunting were collected using structured questionnaires. Twenty-three species of large mammals and Galliformes were present in the area, 18 of which were hunted around at least one village. Of special concern were several threatened species that were hunted around most villages were they occurred, although the impact of removal on wild populations is not clear. The main reason for hunting was to supplement animal protein, although some animals were also killed for sale of meat and their parts. The establishment of community-managed forests has not had an impact on extraction rates. Assessment of the impact of hunting on the threatened species in particular is urgently required.

Present paper reports population dynamics of Cheer pheasant Catreus wallichii in Pokhari valley, Garhwal Himalaya during January 2019 to December 2019. A total of 405 individuals with 145 groups were recorded. Overall individuals per sighting and group size (3.88±0.51 and 3.40±0.45) were also recorded during the study period respectively. Maximum value of individuals per sighting and group size were recorded in months of July and November (6.13±0.76 and 7.32±0.97), while minimum were recorded in May and April (1.75±0.27 and 1.17±0.26). Seasonal variation was also observed in population and group size. Maximum value of individual per sighting was recorded during the Monsoon season and minimum were recorded in spring season. While maximum and minimum group size were recorded in winter and spring Season.

The impact of a changing climate, particularly global warming, often harms the distribution of pheasants, particularly those with limited endemic ranges. To effectively create plans of action aimed at conserving species facing threats such as the Western Tragopan, (Tragopan melanocephalus; Gray, 1829; Galliformes, found in the western Himalayas), it is crucial to understand how future distributions may be affected by anticipated climate change. This study utilized MaxEnt modeling to assess how suitable the habitat of the targeted species is likely to be under different climate scenarios. While similar studies have been conducted regionally, there has been no research on this particular endemic animal species found in the western Himalayas throughout the entire distribution range. The study utilized a total of 200 occurrence points; 19 bioclimatic, four anthropogenic, three topographic, and a vegetation variable were also used. To determine the most fitting model, species distribution modeling (SDM) was employed, and the MaxEnt calibration and optimization techniques were utilized. Data for projected climate scenarios of the 2050s and 2070s were obtained from SSPs 245 and SSPs 585. Among all the variables analyzed; aspect, precipitation of coldest quarter, mean diurnal range, enhanced vegetation index, precipitation of driest month, temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, human footprint, precipitation of driest quarter, and temperature annual range were recognized as the most influential drivers, in that order. The predicted scenarios had high accuracy values (AUC-ROC > 0.9). Based on the feedback provided by the inhabitants, it was observed that the livability of the selected species could potentially rise (between 3.7 to 13%) in all projected scenarios of climate change, because this species is relocating towards the northern regions of the elevation gradient, which is farther from the residential areas, and their habitats are shrinking. The suitable habitats of the Tragopan melanocephalus in the Himalayan region will move significantly by 725 m upwards, because of predicted climate change. However, the fact that the species is considered extinct in most areas and only found in small patches suggests that further research is required to avert a further population decline and delineate the reasons leading to the regional extinction of the species. The results of this study can serve as a foundation for devising conservation strategies for Tragopan melanocephalus under the changing climate and provide a framework for subsequent surveillance efforts aimed at protecting the species.

The Tachinidae of mainland China and Taiwan (generally referred to as China herein for brevity) are catalogued. A total of 1109 valid species are recorded of which 403 species (36%) are recorded as endemic. Distributions within China are given according to the 33 administrative divisions of the country, and distributions outside China are given according to a scheme of geographical divisions developed for this catalogue and most finely divided for the Palaearctic and Oriental Regions. The catalogue is based on examination of the primary literature comprising about 670 references and also includes a small number of records based on unpublished data from specimens examined in collections. Taxa are arranged hierarchically under the categories of subfamily, tribe, genus, subgenus (where recognized), and species. Nomenclatural details are provided for nominal genera and species. This includes synonyms at both levels for taxa described or recorded from China. For valid species, distributions are provided along with complete name-bearing type data for associated names. Additional information is given in the form of notes, numbering more than 300 in the catalogue section and about 50 in the references section. Six genera are newly recorded from China: Calliethilla Shima (Ethillini), Chetoptilia Rondani (Dufouriini), Demoticoides Mesnil (Leskiini), Pseudalsomyia Mesnil (Goniini), Redtenbacheria Schiner (Eutherini), and Rutilia Robineau-Desvoidy (Rutiliini). Fourteen species are newly recorded from China: Actia solida Tachi & Shima, Atylostoma towadensis (Matsumura), Chetoptilia burmanica (Baranov), Demoticoides pallidus Mesnil, Dexiosoma lineatum Mesnil, Feriola longicornis Mesnil, Frontina femorata Shima, Phebellia laxifrons Shima, Prodegeeria gracilis Shima, Prooppia stulta (Zetterstedt), Redtenbacheria insignis Egger, Sumpigaster subcompressa (Walker), Takanomyia frontalis Shima, and Takanomyia rava Shima. Two genera and 23 species are recorded as misidentified from China. New names are proposed for three preoccupied names: Pseudodexilla O’Hara, Shima & Zhang, nomen novum for Pseudodexia Chao, 2002; Admontia longicornalis O’Hara, Shima & Zhang, nomen novum for Admontia longicornis Yang & Chao, 1990; and Erythrocera neolongicornis O’Hara, Shima & Zhang, nomen novum for Pexopsis longicornis Sun & Chao, 1993. New type species fixations are made under the provisions of Article 70.3.2 of ICZN (1999) for 13 generic names: Chetoliga Rondani, Discochaeta Brauer & Bergenstamm, Erycina Mesnil, Eurigaster Macquart, Microvibrissina Villeneuve, Oodigaster Macquart, Plagiopsis Brauer & Bergenstamm, Prooppia Townsend, Ptilopsina Villeneuve, Ptilotachina Brauer & Bergenstamm, Rhinotachina Brauer & Bergenstamm, Schaumia Robineau-Desvoidy, and Setigena Brauer & Bergenstamm. Subgenus Tachina (Servillia Robineau-Desvoidy) is reduced to a synonym of subgenus Tachina (Tachina Meigen). The valid names of two species are reduced to nomina nuda and replaced by other available names with new status as valid names: Siphona (Aphantorhaphopsis) perispoliata (Mesnil) replaces S. (A.) mallochiana (Gardner), and Zenillia terrosa Mesnil replaces Z. grisellina (Gardner). The following 12 new combinations are proposed: Carcelina shangfangshanica (Chao & Liang), Drino (Drino) interfrons (Sun & Chao), Drino (Zygobothria) hirtmacula (Liang & Chao), Erythrocera longicornis (Sun & Chao) (a preoccupied name and replaced with Erythrocera neolongicornis O’Hara, Shima & Zhang, nomen novum), Isosturmia aureipollinosa (Chao & Zhou), Isosturmia setamacula (Chao & Liang), Isosturmia setula (Liang & Chao), Paratrixa flava (Shi), Phryno jilinensis (Sun), Phryno tibialis (Sun), Prosopodopsis ruficornis (Chao), and Takanomyia parafacialis (Sun & Chao). The following 19 new synonymies are proposed: Atylomyia chinensis Zhang & Ge with Tachina parallela Meigen (current name Bessa parallela), Atylomyia minutiungula Zhang & Wang with Ptychomyia remota Aldrich (current name Bessa remota), Carcelia (Carcelia) hainanensis Chao & Liang with Carcelia rasoides Baranov, Carcelia frontalis Baranov with Carcelia caudata Baranov, Carcelia hirtspila Chao & Shi with Carcelia (Parexorista) delicatula Mesnil (current name Carcelia (Euryclea) delicatula), Carcelia septima Baranov with Carcelia octava Baranov, Carcelia (Senometopia) dominantalis Chao & Liang with Carcelia quarta Baranov (current name Senometopia quarta), Carcelia (Senometopia) maculata Chao & Liang with Carcelia octava Baranov, Drino hersei Liang & Chao with Sturmia atropivora RobineauDesvoidy (current name Drino (Zygobothria) atropivora), Eucarcelia nudicauda Mesnil with Carcelia octava Baranov, Isopexopsis Sun & Chao with Takanomyia Mesnil, Mikia nigribasicosta Chao & Zhou withBombyliomyia apicalis Matsumura (current name Mikia apicalis), Parasetigena jilinensis Chao & Mao with Phorocera (Parasetigena) agilis takaoi Mesnil (current name Parasetigena takaoi), Phebellia latisurstyla Chao & Chen with Phebellia latipalpis Shima (current name Prooppia latipalpis), Servillia linabdomenalis Chao with Servillia cheni Chao (current name Tachina (Tachina) cheni), Servillia planiforceps Chao with Tachina sobria Walker, Spiniabdomina Shi with Paratrixa Brauer & Bergenstamm, Tachina kunmingensis Chao & Arnaud with Tachina sobria Walker, and Thecocarcelia tianpingensis Sun & Chao with Drino (Isosturmia) chatterjeeana japonica Mesnil (current name Isosturmia japonica). Musca libatrix Panzer is a nomen protectum and Musca libatrix Scopoli and Musca libatrix Geoffroy are nomina oblita. Similarly, Redtenbacheria insignis Egger is a nomen protectum and Redtenbacheria spectabilis Schiner is a nomen oblitum. Lectotypes are designated for the following 12 nominal species based on name-bearing type material in CNC: Akosempomyia caudata Villeneuve, Blepharipoda schineri Mesnil, Carcelia puberula Mesnil, Compsoptesis phoenix Villeneuve, Ectophasia antennata Villeneuve, Gymnosoma brevicorne Villeneuve, Kosempomyia tibialis Villeneuve, Phasia pusilla Meigen, Tachina fallax pseudofallax Villeneuve, Tachina chaoi Mesnil, Wagneria umbrinervis Villeneuve, and Zambesa claripalpis Villeneuve.China is an expansive country of 9.6 million square kilometers in eastern Asia. It is a land of physical and ecological extremes: southern subtropical and tropical forests, richly diverse southwestern mountains, towering Himalayas, harsh and inhospitable Tibetan Plateau, western Tien Shan range, dry Taklimakan and Goli Deserts, northeastern temperate broadleaf and coniferous forests, and eastern fertile plains and lesser mountains. Along its southern and western borders are portions of four of the world’s 34 “biodiversity hotspots”, places recognized by Conservation International for their high endemicity and threatened habitat. These are the Indo-Burma hotspot, Mountains of Southwest China hotspot (particularly Hengduan Shan), Himalaya hotspot, and Mountains of Central Asia hotspot (represented in China by Tien Shan) (http:// www.biodiversityhotspots.org). These biodiversity hotspots, and other biodiverse places in China, have given rise to an endemic fauna and flora of significant size. In the plant world, for example, the Hengduan Shan is known as the hotbed of Rhododendron evolution with about 230 species. Among the vertebrates are such Chinese endemics as the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), golden monkeys (Rhinopithecus spp.), baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), and brown eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum). Less conspicuous, but many times more numerous in species, are the endemic invertebrates that have evolved within present-day China. Biogeographically, China is unique among the countries of the world in lying at the crossroads of the Palaearctic and Oriental Regions. Hence, for most groups of organisms, the species of China consist of a combination of Palaearctic, Oriental, and endemic elements. This is true also of the Tachinidae of China. The Tachinidae are one of the largest families of Diptera with almost 10,000 described species and many thousands of undescribed species (Stireman et al. 2006). The family is correspondingly diverse in China, but because the Chinese tachinid fauna is still in a period of discovery and study, it must be significantly larger than the numbers given here might suggest. We record 1109 species and 257 genera of Tachinidae from mainland China and Taiwan, the former number representing about 11% of the world’s described tachinid species. From mainland China we record 1040 species, which compares to 754 and 832 species recorded from the same area by Chao et al. (1998) and Hua (2006), respectively. Our higher number is partly a reflection of species described from China since those works, or described from elsewhere and recently recognized from China, but a significant number of species were presumably overlooked by Chao et al. (1998) and Hua (2006) in the voluminous literature that exists on Chinese insects. The Chinese tachinid fauna has very few endemic genera and none of significant size, but has 403 species recorded as endemic to China plus Taiwan. This represents 36% of the total tachinid fauna. We record 343 species as endemic to mainland China and 32 species as endemic to Taiwan. The total number of species recorded from Taiwan is 231; some of these species are shared with the Oriental Region but not with mainland China.

Background: The use of animals and animal-derived products in ethnopharmacological applications is an ancient human practice that continues in many regions today. The local people of the Himalayan region harbor rich traditional knowledge used to treat a variety of human ailments. The present study was intended with the aim of examining animal-based traditional medicine utilized by the population of the Himalayan region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.Methods: Data were collected from 2017 to 2019 through individual and group interviews. Data on traditional uses of animal products were analyzed, utilizing following indices such as the frequency of citation, use value, relative importance, similarity index, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis to find the highly preferred species in the area.Results: Ethnomedicinal uses of 62 species of vertebrates and invertebrates were documented. Flesh, fat, bone, whole body, milk, skin, egg, head, feathers, bile, blood, and honey were all used in these applications. The uses of 25 animals are reported here for the first time from the study area (mainly insects and birds, including iconic species like the kalij pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos; Himalayan monal, L. impejanus; and western tragopon, Tragopan melanocephalus). The diversity and range of animal-based medicines utilized in these communities are indications of their strong connections with local ecosystems.Conclusion: Our results provide baseline data valuable for the conservation of vertebrate and invertebrate diversity in the region of Himalayan of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It is possible that screening this fauna for medicinally active chemicals could contribute to the development of new animal-based drugs.

Abstract Medog County lies within the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, but biodiversity in the region remains largely unexplored as there was no permanent road access until 2014. Here we present data from camera-trap surveys in five areas of Medog County, to ascertain the occurrence and occupancy of threatened wildlife species. With a total survey effort of 4,570 trap days we detected 23 medium and large terrestrial mammal species and six pheasant species, 13 of which are categorized as Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List and 19 of which are categorized as regionally threatened on the China Species Red List. Carnivora was the most diverse order, with 15 species recorded. Our study produced the first camera-trap photographic evidence of the Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris in China. In addition, we detected the dhole Cuon alpinus, golden cat Catopuma temminckii, marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata and mainland clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa, highlighting the conservation value of the region. The occupancy of muntjac Muntiacus spp. was high (52.7%), indicating prey for large carnivores was abundant. People, livestock and domestic dogs were also recorded frequently, suggesting the fauna are potentially threatened by human disturbance. In the light of recent development in the region, conservation efforts are urgently required, to prevent prey depletion and habitat degradation in this priority region for conservation.