Population status and genetic assessment of mugger (Crocodylus palustris) in a tropical regulated river system in North India.
Adaptive management
Conservation translocation
Ecological generalist
Occupancy
Population trend
Species recovery
Journal
Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
Titre abrégé: Sci Rep
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101563288
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
28 Mar 2024
28 Mar 2024
Historique:
received:
21
01
2023
accepted:
24
03
2024
medline:
29
3
2024
pubmed:
29
3
2024
entrez:
29
3
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
For rewilding the depleted crocodylian populations in India, a targeted 'one-species one area' based conservation approach was adopted in the early-1970s. Suitable habitats were identified and designated as protected areas, specifically targeted to recover a particular crocodylian species. A ~ 610 km stretch of Chambal River in the Ganga River Basin was declared as National Chambal Sanctuary to restore the 'Critically Endangered' gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), where active management of mugger (Crocodylus palustris) was discouraged. In the present study, we examined the population trends, occupancy, and genetic status of mugger by conducting population monitoring and genetic assessment to understand the status of potentially competitive mugger in the Sanctuary. Our finding suggests that the mugger population has notably increased and colonised the Sanctuary. We observed a moderate level of genetic diversity in the mugger, which was relatively higher compared to the gharial in the Sanctuary. The rapid colonization of ecological generalist mugger raises concerns about potential competition with ecological specialist gharial threatening its long-term sustainability. Considering the coexistence dynamics between the species, it is essential to extend adaptive management strategies for mugger to ensure successful recovery of gharial population in the Sanctuary.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38548905
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-57983-2
pii: 10.1038/s41598-024-57983-2
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
7438Subventions
Organisme : National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India
ID : B-02/2015-16/1259/NMCG-WII-PROPOSAL
Organisme : National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India
ID : B-03/2015-16/1077/NMCG - NEW PROPASAL
Organisme : Department of Science and Technology-INSPIRE
ID : IF160549
Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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