The Bamboo Phylogeny Project was undertaken by the Bamboo Phylogeny Group (BPG), an international... more The Bamboo Phylogeny Project was undertaken by the Bamboo Phylogeny Group (BPG), an international collaboration of bamboo scientists. This project represents the first broadly based, collaborative attempt to produce a global evolutionary tree (phylogeny) for bamboos. An evolutionary tree for bamboos is essential to answer questions about the evolution of unique bamboo features, biogeography, and ecology, and to provide the basis for a stable and predictive classification system that accurately reflects relationships among bamboos. Survey of bamboos was done in Sri Lanka and the whole of South India for the distributional status of the species included in the present study. The following four species of woody bamboos namely Oclandra stridula Moon ex Thwaites, Oclandra travancorica (Bedd.)Benth., Davidsea attenuata (Thwaites) Soderstrom & Ellis, Pseudoxytenanthera monadelpha (Thw.) Soderstrom & Ellis and one species of herbaceous grass Streptogyna crinita P. Beauv., were selected and used for molecular studies as well as morphological scorings. Morphological characters were analysed and some of the characters that cannot be coded or scored were excluded. Characterizations of species and OTUs have been developed. The Sequenced DNA of all the five selected species has been uploaded in the Bamboo Phylogeny Website and the homology obtained through NCBI-BLAST are also provided. The data matrix and character states selected are also given. The Phylogeny aspect is being carried out at the IOWA State University and hence, it is not included in this report.
Andaman & Nicobar islands are the largerst archipelago system consisting of 306 islands, over 300... more Andaman & Nicobar islands are the largerst archipelago system consisting of 306 islands, over 300 islets and constitute one of the hotspot of biodiversuty. The total geographical area is 8, 249 km 2 with a coastline of 1, 962 km. The northern group of islands, the Andaman group, is 6, 408 km 2 and the Nicobar group is 1, 841km 2. It is seperated from mainland India by almost 1,000 km. There are 3,552 plant species known from these islands. As regards bamboos, not much work has been done because most of the areas are unexplored. The author has made extensive collection of bamboos of both Andaman & Nicobar group. There is high degree of endemism in these islands. In Andaman & Nicobar islands only 8 species belonging to 5 genera are known to occur. Five species viz. Dinochloa nicobariana, Pseudobambusa kurzii, Schizostachyum andamanicum, S. kalpongianum, and S. rogersii are endemic to these islands. Recent report on the occurrence of Dendrocalamus calostachys, Schizostachyum dulloa and S. polymorphum from the wild is to be reexamined. Probably the said species might have been recently introduced to the Island and cultivated. In the present report description of all the naturally occurring bamboos in Andaman and Nicobar Island is given. The illustrations are provided only for the newly described species. Critical comments or notes have been priovided where ever necessary.
Nearly 200 species of orchids have been recorded from Kerala, but several of them have a restrict... more Nearly 200 species of orchids have been recorded from Kerala, but several of them have a restricted distribution. Urgent steps have become necessary for the protection of orchids, especially the rare and endemic species. Although the best way to conserve a species i s to conserve its habitat, this is not always practicable in the case of orchids as each species has its own habitat preferences. In addition to in situ conservation, ex situ conservation is possible through establishment of orchidaria. An orchidarium was constructed in the institute as per the design obtained from the orchidologist, National Orchidarium, Yercaud, for ex situ conservation and multiplication of indigenous orchids. About one hundred species were collected during the study period and 84 species are maintained in the orchidarium, including some rare and endemic species. Herbarium specimens were also prepared and incorporated into the institute herbarium (KFRI). The specimens were identified with pertinent literature and by comparing with authentic specimens. Suitable planting methods were adopted for growing the orchids i n the orchidarium depending on their habit and habitat. In general, epiphytic orchids come well under cultivation. Among the orchids collected, five species are records of occurrence for Kerala.
Two species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae), I. sorikensis Utami and I. batanggadisensis Utami are d... more Two species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae), I. sorikensis Utami and I. batanggadisensis Utami are described as new species. They are endemic for Batang Gadis National Park, North Sumatra.
Schizostachyo gracili simile facie et culmi vaginae structura, ab eo in culmis effusissimis, inte... more Schizostachyo gracili simile facie et culmi vaginae structura, ab eo in culmis effusissimis, internodiis brevibus (ad 20 cm longis), linea nodali conspicua ob annulam spongiosam, palea apice bifurcato, antheris brevibus apice obtuso pilorum tenuium fimbria, stigmatibus inaequalibus, caryopsidis rostro leniter curvato differt.
A preliminary study of lower group of plants from Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary revealed the occurren... more A preliminary study of lower group of plants from Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary revealed the occurrence of 36 species of lichens, 20 species of bryophytes and 81 species of pteridophytes. Under bryophytes the following 7 species Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum majus, Homaliodendron flabellatum, Rhodobryum roseum, Theriotia sp., Thuidium delicatulum, Tortella tortuosa are new records to Kerala. All species are enumerated along with their frequency of occurrence.
Erect or pendulous herbs; stems 1.5 - 6 cm long, curved upwards, with remains of old petiolar she... more Erect or pendulous herbs; stems 1.5 - 6 cm long, curved upwards, with remains of old petiolar sheaths covering them at the base. Leaves 1 - 3.5 x 0.2 - 0.4 cm, linear-lanceolate, recurved, twisted, fleshy, semiterete, upperside concave, channelled, apex emarginate. Inflorescence a leaf-opposed raceme, up to 6.5 cm long, peduncle 2.5 cm long, semiterete with 3 or 4 sterile bracts. Floral bracts 1.3 1.9 x 0.6 mm, triangular-ovate, acuminate, 1-veined, induplicate. Flowers 3 x 2 mm, white; sepals and petals dissimilar; dorsal sepal 1.8 - 1.9 x 0.8 mm, elliptic to oblong, obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals 1.8 - 1.9 x 0.8 mm, obliquely obovate, subacute, tip
Xenikophyton seidenfadenianum M. Kumar, S. Seq. & J. J. Wood from South India is described an... more Xenikophyton seidenfadenianum M. Kumar, S. Seq. & J. J. Wood from South India is described and illustrated.
Kerala State of India (8° 18′ and 12° 48′ N and 74° 52′ and 77° 22′ E) covers an area of 38 863 k... more Kerala State of India (8° 18′ and 12° 48′ N and 74° 52′ and 77° 22′ E) covers an area of 38 863 km 2 in the humid tropics. The State is divisible into four physiographical zones, viz., coastal belt, midlands, hilly uplands and highlands. Forests which occupy the hilly uplands and ...
A Preliminary Study for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Erankol (Pseudoxytenanthe... more A Preliminary Study for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Erankol (Pseudoxytenanthera ritchiei (Munro) Blatt. & Mc Cann) a rare and endemic bamboo and Koorankolly (Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees. of the Western Ghats
Neisosperma opposilifolia (Lamk.) Fosberg and Sachet is being reported here for the first time fr... more Neisosperma opposilifolia (Lamk.) Fosberg and Sachet is being reported here for the first time from Lakshadweep Island.
The Bamboo Phylogeny Project was undertaken by the Bamboo Phylogeny Group (BPG), an international... more The Bamboo Phylogeny Project was undertaken by the Bamboo Phylogeny Group (BPG), an international collaboration of bamboo scientists. This project represents the first broadly based, collaborative attempt to produce a global evolutionary tree (phylogeny) for bamboos. An evolutionary tree for bamboos is essential to answer questions about the evolution of unique bamboo features, biogeography, and ecology, and to provide the basis for a stable and predictive classification system that accurately reflects relationships among bamboos. Survey of bamboos was done in Sri Lanka and the whole of South India for the distributional status of the species included in the present study. The following four species of woody bamboos namely Oclandra stridula Moon ex Thwaites, Oclandra travancorica (Bedd.)Benth., Davidsea attenuata (Thwaites) Soderstrom & Ellis, Pseudoxytenanthera monadelpha (Thw.) Soderstrom & Ellis and one species of herbaceous grass Streptogyna crinita P. Beauv., were selected and used for molecular studies as well as morphological scorings. Morphological characters were analysed and some of the characters that cannot be coded or scored were excluded. Characterizations of species and OTUs have been developed. The Sequenced DNA of all the five selected species has been uploaded in the Bamboo Phylogeny Website and the homology obtained through NCBI-BLAST are also provided. The data matrix and character states selected are also given. The Phylogeny aspect is being carried out at the IOWA State University and hence, it is not included in this report.
Andaman & Nicobar islands are the largerst archipelago system consisting of 306 islands, over 300... more Andaman & Nicobar islands are the largerst archipelago system consisting of 306 islands, over 300 islets and constitute one of the hotspot of biodiversuty. The total geographical area is 8, 249 km 2 with a coastline of 1, 962 km. The northern group of islands, the Andaman group, is 6, 408 km 2 and the Nicobar group is 1, 841km 2. It is seperated from mainland India by almost 1,000 km. There are 3,552 plant species known from these islands. As regards bamboos, not much work has been done because most of the areas are unexplored. The author has made extensive collection of bamboos of both Andaman & Nicobar group. There is high degree of endemism in these islands. In Andaman & Nicobar islands only 8 species belonging to 5 genera are known to occur. Five species viz. Dinochloa nicobariana, Pseudobambusa kurzii, Schizostachyum andamanicum, S. kalpongianum, and S. rogersii are endemic to these islands. Recent report on the occurrence of Dendrocalamus calostachys, Schizostachyum dulloa and S. polymorphum from the wild is to be reexamined. Probably the said species might have been recently introduced to the Island and cultivated. In the present report description of all the naturally occurring bamboos in Andaman and Nicobar Island is given. The illustrations are provided only for the newly described species. Critical comments or notes have been priovided where ever necessary.
Nearly 200 species of orchids have been recorded from Kerala, but several of them have a restrict... more Nearly 200 species of orchids have been recorded from Kerala, but several of them have a restricted distribution. Urgent steps have become necessary for the protection of orchids, especially the rare and endemic species. Although the best way to conserve a species i s to conserve its habitat, this is not always practicable in the case of orchids as each species has its own habitat preferences. In addition to in situ conservation, ex situ conservation is possible through establishment of orchidaria. An orchidarium was constructed in the institute as per the design obtained from the orchidologist, National Orchidarium, Yercaud, for ex situ conservation and multiplication of indigenous orchids. About one hundred species were collected during the study period and 84 species are maintained in the orchidarium, including some rare and endemic species. Herbarium specimens were also prepared and incorporated into the institute herbarium (KFRI). The specimens were identified with pertinent literature and by comparing with authentic specimens. Suitable planting methods were adopted for growing the orchids i n the orchidarium depending on their habit and habitat. In general, epiphytic orchids come well under cultivation. Among the orchids collected, five species are records of occurrence for Kerala.
Two species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae), I. sorikensis Utami and I. batanggadisensis Utami are d... more Two species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae), I. sorikensis Utami and I. batanggadisensis Utami are described as new species. They are endemic for Batang Gadis National Park, North Sumatra.
Schizostachyo gracili simile facie et culmi vaginae structura, ab eo in culmis effusissimis, inte... more Schizostachyo gracili simile facie et culmi vaginae structura, ab eo in culmis effusissimis, internodiis brevibus (ad 20 cm longis), linea nodali conspicua ob annulam spongiosam, palea apice bifurcato, antheris brevibus apice obtuso pilorum tenuium fimbria, stigmatibus inaequalibus, caryopsidis rostro leniter curvato differt.
A preliminary study of lower group of plants from Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary revealed the occurren... more A preliminary study of lower group of plants from Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary revealed the occurrence of 36 species of lichens, 20 species of bryophytes and 81 species of pteridophytes. Under bryophytes the following 7 species Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum majus, Homaliodendron flabellatum, Rhodobryum roseum, Theriotia sp., Thuidium delicatulum, Tortella tortuosa are new records to Kerala. All species are enumerated along with their frequency of occurrence.
Erect or pendulous herbs; stems 1.5 - 6 cm long, curved upwards, with remains of old petiolar she... more Erect or pendulous herbs; stems 1.5 - 6 cm long, curved upwards, with remains of old petiolar sheaths covering them at the base. Leaves 1 - 3.5 x 0.2 - 0.4 cm, linear-lanceolate, recurved, twisted, fleshy, semiterete, upperside concave, channelled, apex emarginate. Inflorescence a leaf-opposed raceme, up to 6.5 cm long, peduncle 2.5 cm long, semiterete with 3 or 4 sterile bracts. Floral bracts 1.3 1.9 x 0.6 mm, triangular-ovate, acuminate, 1-veined, induplicate. Flowers 3 x 2 mm, white; sepals and petals dissimilar; dorsal sepal 1.8 - 1.9 x 0.8 mm, elliptic to oblong, obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals 1.8 - 1.9 x 0.8 mm, obliquely obovate, subacute, tip
Xenikophyton seidenfadenianum M. Kumar, S. Seq. & J. J. Wood from South India is described an... more Xenikophyton seidenfadenianum M. Kumar, S. Seq. & J. J. Wood from South India is described and illustrated.
Kerala State of India (8° 18′ and 12° 48′ N and 74° 52′ and 77° 22′ E) covers an area of 38 863 k... more Kerala State of India (8° 18′ and 12° 48′ N and 74° 52′ and 77° 22′ E) covers an area of 38 863 km 2 in the humid tropics. The State is divisible into four physiographical zones, viz., coastal belt, midlands, hilly uplands and highlands. Forests which occupy the hilly uplands and ...
A Preliminary Study for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Erankol (Pseudoxytenanthe... more A Preliminary Study for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Erankol (Pseudoxytenanthera ritchiei (Munro) Blatt. & Mc Cann) a rare and endemic bamboo and Koorankolly (Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees. of the Western Ghats
Neisosperma opposilifolia (Lamk.) Fosberg and Sachet is being reported here for the first time fr... more Neisosperma opposilifolia (Lamk.) Fosberg and Sachet is being reported here for the first time from Lakshadweep Island.
Uploads
Papers by MUKTESH KUMAR