Papers by Prof. Sharat Kumar Palita
Science and Culture, 2024
Fishes form an integral part of the diet, being the easily available and cheap source of animal p... more Fishes form an integral part of the diet, being the easily available and cheap source of animal protein. The present study focused on the proximate composition of the most commonly available fish species from Koraput of southern Odisha by considering four large fish varieties and four small fish varieties. Among the large fish varieties, the protein was observed to be maximum in G. catla (12.885± 1.207%), while minimum in O. mossambicus (5.213±0.115%), fat was maximum in L. rohita (5.863±0.410%), and minimum in G. catla (2.278±0.166%). The ash content was maximum in O. mossambicus (8.855±3.623%) while minimum in G. catla (4.250±0.212%). Moisture was found to be similar for all the species ranging within 78-82%. Among the small fish varieties protein and fat content was found to be maximum in P. conchonius i.e. 22.752±2.389% and 8.021±0.573% respectively. Moisture content was found to be maximum in P. dorsalis (74.434±1.021%). The components were observed to vary significantly (p<0.05) within the species. Overall proximate composition showed significant variation among the small and large fishes (p<0.05), with the maximum protein and fat in small fishes while moisture content was higher in larger fishes, Instead of size variation, both the large and small-sized fishes have similar ash content, highlighting the good amount of mineral content among them. Though the small fishes are neglected as food fishes, the present study revealed them to be comparatively better option in having higher amounts of protein, fat, and ash content.
Asian Journal of Conservation Biology, 2024
Despite advanced genetic tools, morphological taxonomy remains crucial for managing fish genetic ... more Despite advanced genetic tools, morphological taxonomy remains crucial for managing fish genetic resources. Mahseer, a prized fish known as the "King of Indian Aquatic Systems," faces taxonomic challenges due to incomplete morphological descriptions. Ambiguities arise in Mahseer taxonomy due to the occurrence of a few holotypes, inconspicuous morphological distinctions in them, and differences in recognizing specific morphological characters. This study collected Mahseer specimens from the Indravati River (a tributary of the Godavari River system) in Odisha and analysed morphometric and meristic characteristics using Least Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The study came out with records of two Tor Mahseer species, Tor putitora and Tor tor, in the region, with Tor putitora being a new record for the entire Godavari Basin in India. Strategies for the conservation of Mahseers and suggestions for conservation awareness among the local population have been discussed. Further, a comprehensive investigation on Mahseer diversity and distribution in rivers of southern Odisha has been recommended.
Biodiversity and conservation, Mar 1, 2024
Biodiversity and conservation, Feb 14, 2024
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, Dec 29, 2023
To understand the impact of soil properties and land use systems on earthworm diversity in the bi... more To understand the impact of soil properties and land use systems on earthworm diversity in the biodiversity-rich Eastern Ghats Highlands of India, the present study was carried out in six land use systems i.e., moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, fallow land, cropland, compost pit, and, sewage soil. The study area has been divided into 10 × 10 km2 grids and 25% grids were randomly selected for sampling from May to December 2022. A total of 16 species of earthworms under 14 genera and 8 families were recorded in this study, out of which 15 species are new records for the region. The most taxonomically rich family was the Megascolecidae. The most abundant species are endogeic followed by epigeic and anecic. Based on Hill numbers, the highest values of Shannon index (1D= 9.89) and Simpson diversity (2D= 9.14) were found for the fallow land. Earthworm abundance showed a significant difference among six land use systems [F (5,84) = 3.25, p = 0.01]. Furthermore, earthworms showe...
Science and culture, Sep 20, 2023
Indigenous peoples around the world are essentially dependent on the environment and natural reso... more Indigenous peoples around the world are essentially dependent on the environment and natural resources for their everyday survival as a result of their livelihood strategies. In India, various indigenous peoples live close to the vicinity of forests and have managed and conserved the biodiversity of their localities for a long time. In this study, the conservation of biodiversity and natural resource by the indigenous communities through their traditional belief systems, animism, and conservation of sacred groves have been analysed and a way forward has been suggested. ARTICLE Introduction T he global indigenous population of approximately 300 million people is composed of about 5,000 distinct indigenous cultures and languages worldwide, living in every climate from the Arctic Circle to the tropical rain forests. Despite making up only 4% of the world's population, indigenous peoples account for 95% of its cultural diversity. Nearly every major biome on earth, including the polar regions and deserts, tropical and temperate zones, forests and savannahs, hilly regions, tundras, marshes, and small islands, are home to indigenous people. Indigenous Peoples are present in around 75 of the 184 countries in the globe 1,2. Indigenous Peoples also called tribal, aboriginal, autochthonous peoples, national minorities, or first peoples; are best defined by using several criteria. The most widely accepted characterizations of indigenous peoples are derived from the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 107 and 169 3, 4 , and from the United Nations Economic and Social
Current Botany, 2012
Human use of the world's seas and oceans is causing cumulative pressures on, and changes to, coas... more Human use of the world's seas and oceans is causing cumulative pressures on, and changes to, coastal marine habitats. The Gulf of Pozzuoli (GoP) is one of the three marginal sub-basins identifiable in the Gulf of Naples which have been affected by strong anthropogenic pressure since the end of the 19th century. While several studies demonstrated sediment and water contamination in the GoP, to date, few and fragmented data have described the effects on the phytoplankton community in such a coastal system. In order to contribute to a more detailed picture of the ecological status of the GoP, we have analysed the phytoplankton community in terms of biomass and functional diversity, particularly in relation to water salinity and nutrient availability. Our results reveal the presence of two different trophic areas in the GoP. The first one is located in the eastern sector, which is more sensitive to land runoff and characterized by a higher level of biomass. The second one is situated in the western sector, and is characterized by a higher salinity and lower level of biomass. Diatoms and haptophytes were the most representative groups; other minor groups showed higher spatial and temporal variability, especially in coastal stations. The weakening gradient of salinity from the coast to open water and the point distribution of nutrients suggest that the GoP is affected by scattered anthropogenic sources, the contribution of which to the overall system is irregular and depends on dilution dynamics. Despite this, the GoP presents mean Chl a concentrations similar to those of oligotrophic environments, and, the high variability observed underlines the importance of applying the appropriate sampling scales to measure coastal systems subject to point anthropogenic pressures.
Journal of Threatened Taxa, May 26, 2018
A biodiversity survey was conducted in Koraput District of southern Odisha between August 2014 an... more A biodiversity survey was conducted in Koraput District of southern Odisha between August 2014 and July 2017. During the survey, occurrence of Mugger or Marsh Crocodile Crocodylus palustris was ascertained from five localities in a stretch of 23km of river Saberi, a tributary of the Godavari River system. The area is in the Gupteswar proposed reserve forest of Odisha, and forms a boundary with Kanger Ghat National Park of Chhattisgarh State. The geographic region offers possible scope for long term ecological monitoring jointly by wildlife organizations of Odisha and Chhattisgarh in collaboration with Central University of Orissa. For long-term conservation of the species, activities may be initiated with annual monitoring of crocodile populations involving local people, and creating awareness about the Schedule-I status of crocodiles under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences
International journal of Environmental Science and Technology
The diversity of zooplanktons in relation to physico-chemical parameters was studied during summe... more The diversity of zooplanktons in relation to physico-chemical parameters was studied during summer season at hot water spring of Atri, Odisha, India. The studies were conducted in the main tank and three associated overflows of the hot spring. About 11 taxa of zooplanktons were recorded, of which 6 belonged to Copepods, 2 to Rotifers, 3 to Cladocera groups. The abundance of Copepods also indicated stable aquatic environmental conditions. Zooplankton diversity and abundance were found to exhibit positive relationship with pH, DO, nitrate and phosphate; hence these variables were the important factors governing the abundance of zooplanktons. The temperature of the hot spring exhibited a negative trend for zooplankton diversity and abundance.
Proceedings of the Zoological Society
Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2022
Freshwater fish diversity of the hill streams of Saberi River (a major tributary of the Godavari ... more Freshwater fish diversity of the hill streams of Saberi River (a major tributary of the Godavari River system) in Koraput district in Eastern Ghats of southern Odisha was studied from September 2017 to August 2019. Sites for the present study were located between Gupteswar Proposed Reserve Forest (PRF) of Odisha on the eastern side, and Kanger Valley National Park of Chhattisgarh on the western side. A total of 36 species of freshwater fish belonging to 24 genera, 13 families and six orders were recorded from the study sites, of which two species are exotic. Family Cyprinidae dominated with 14 species. Species richness and diversity is greater during the pre-monsoon months followed by post-monsoon and monsoon months respectively. The physico-chemical parameters of water in the study sites during all seasons are within prescribed limits for fish culture. Among the four major types of fish habitats identified in the study sites (riffles, runs, pools and logs), pools were the most preferred, and logs the least preferred habitat for the fishes. Habitat analysis indicated that deep pools and runs are the primary habitats contributing to the maximum species diversity, and therefore, protection of these particular habitats is recommended for conservation and management of ichthyodiversity.
Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 2023
Garra laishrami, a new cyprinid fish, is described from the Godavari River drainage in Odisha, In... more Garra laishrami, a new cyprinid fish, is described from the Godavari River drainage in Odisha, India. It is distinguished from all its congeners in the Indian sub-continent in having a combination of the following characters: a weakly developed bilobed proboscis, each lobe with 1–4 unicuspid acanthoid tubercles; transverse lobe of the snout covered with 33–47 medium-to large-sized unicuspid acanthoid tubercles; the transverse groove demarcating the transverse lobe on snout extended laterally; two prominent tubercles anteromedially between nostrils; 9–10 predorsal scales; lateral line complete, scales along lateral line (28–32)+2 on caudal-fin base; and 15 circumpeduncular scale rows.
Journal of Threatened Taxa
Freshwater fish diversity of the hill streams of Saberi River (a major tributary of the Godavari ... more Freshwater fish diversity of the hill streams of Saberi River (a major tributary of the Godavari River system) in Koraput district in Eastern Ghats of southern Odisha was studied from September 2017 to August 2019. Sites for the present study were located between Gupteswar Proposed Reserve Forest (PRF) of Odisha on the eastern side, and Kanger Valley National Park of Chhattisgarh on the western side. A total of 36 species of freshwater fish belonging to 24 genera, 13 families and six orders were recorded from the study sites, of which two species are exotic. Family Cyprinidae dominated with 14 species. Species richness and diversity is greater during the pre-monsoon months followed by post-monsoon and monsoon months respectively. The physico-chemical parameters of water in the study sites during all seasons are within prescribed limits for fish culture. Among the four major types of fish habitats identified in the study sites (riffles, runs, pools and logs), pools were the most pref...
Figure 1. Map showing detailed recorded localities of Hipposideros galeritus in India
Image 2. Head of Hipposideros galeritus showing two pairs of supplymentary leaflets
Image 1. Hipposideros galeritus from Gupteswar caves in Odisha
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Papers by Prof. Sharat Kumar Palita