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Breeding the Indian python (Python m. molurus) under captive conditions in India
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Selected Abstracts
92L/00008 The fishery of the Comoros, with comments on its possible impact on coelacanth survival R . E . Stobbs & M. N. Bruton, Environmental Biology of Fishes, 32(1-4), 1991, pp 341-359. The traditional methods of deepsea handline fishing in the Comoros are described. The main target species is the oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus. Coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae is caught as a bycatch. Traditional handline fishermen are not considered to be a threat to the coelacanth, but fishermen equipped with motorised boats and modem tackle would constltute a real threat if they direct their efforts on inshore reefs. -from Authors 92L/00009 Studies on nesting and artificial hatching of the e n d a n g e r e d river t e r r a p i n Batagur baska ( G r a y ) in the S u n d a r b a n s Tiger Reserve, West Bengal A. Ghosh & N. R. Mandal, Journal - Bombay Natural History Society, 87(1), 1990, pp 50-52. Three clutches of eggs were collected from the Mechua beach of the National Park. In the hatchery, after 60-66 days of incubation, hatchlings emerged. Average hatching success of 48% was recorded. -from Authors 92L/00010 I n d i a ' s freshwater turtle resource with recommendations for management E. O. Moll, in: Conservation in developing countries. Proc. centenary seminar, Bombay Natural History Society, ed J.C. Daniel & J.S. Serrao, (Oxford University Press/BNHS), 1990, pp 501-515. Of 22 freshwater turtle species inhabiting India, ten are commonly used as food with soft-shells (Tdonychidae) being most popular. To stem declines and allow rehabilitation of depleted populations the following actions are recommended: 1) Revise lists of endangered species on the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the CITES by removing common species and adding truly threatened ones. 2) Train wildlife officers to identify endangered reptiles. 3) Prohibit exploitation of chelonians during nesting seasons. 4) Establish sanctuaries, hatcheries and/or protected nesting sites on major river systems. 5) Encourage captive breeding programmes for conservation and commercial purposes. 6) Provide educational programmes for the public. -from Author 92L/00011 Breeding the Indian python (Python m. molurus) u n d e r captive conditions in India S. Dattatri, in: Conservation in developing countries. Proc. centenary seminar, Bombay Natural History Society, ed J.C. Daniel & J.S. Serrao, (Oxford University Press/BNHS), 1990, pp 488-495. Includes emphasis on problems with captive breeding, strategies employed in inducing breeding, artificial incubation of eggs and care of hatchlings. -from Author 92L/00012 Modeling and the management of migratory birds B. K. Williams & J. D. Nichols, Natural Resource Modeling, 4(3), 1990, pp 273-311. Describes the management context for modeling efforts, with a focus on large-scale operational data collection programs and on processes by which waterfowl harvest is regulated and waterfowl habitats are protected and managed. Through their impacts on key population parameters such as recruitment and survival rate, these activities can influence population dynamics, providing managers some measure of control over the status of populations. -from Authors 92L/00013 Eider exploitation by hunters and t r a p p e r s on S v a l b a r d during the 19th and early 20th centuries G. Rossnes, Polar Record, 27(160), 1991, pp 47-52. The Somateria mollissima population was protected by legislation in 1963 and the designation of several bird sanctuaries in 1973. -from Author
92L/00014 Conservation of vultures in (developing) India R. Grubh, G. Narayan & S. M. Satheesan, in: Conservation in developing countries. Proc. centenary seminar, Bombay Natural History Society, ed J.C. Daniel & J.S. Sermo, (Oxford University Press/BNHS), 1990, pp 360-363, 2 plates. Discusses conservation prospects of the Indian, particularly the meat eating, vultures, in comparison with the status and conservation of vultures in other parts of the world. -from Authors 92L/00015 Assessing human disturbance of breeding bald eagles with classification tree models T. G. Grubb & R. M. King, Journal of Wildlife Management, 55(3), 1991, pp 500-511. The authors recorded 4188 events of human activity and associated Haliaeetus leucocephalus response in the vicinity of 13 C Arizona nest sites during 1983-85. A hierachical classification of nine dependent and three independent parameters was developed to quantify pedestrian, aquatic, vehicle, noise (gunshot/sonicboom), and aircraft disturbance groups. Bald eagles were more often flushed from perches than nests and were most easily disturbed when foraging. Pedestrian was the most disturbing human activity, aircraft was the least. Classification tree (CART) models for pooled and group disturbances were developed to evaluate response severity and to formulate disturbancespecific management criteria. Response frequencies and critical distances for p o o l e d disturbance were 64% at <215m, 45% between 216 and 583m, and 24% at >583m. Distance to disturbance was the most important classifier of eagle response, followed in decreasing order of discriminatory value by duration of disturbance, visibility, number of units per event, position relative to affected eagle, and sound. -from Authors 92L/00016 The by-catch of thick-billed m u r r e s in salmon drift nets off West G r e e n l a n d in 1988 K. Falk & J. Durinck, Occasional Paper - Canadian Wildlife Service, 69, 1991, pp 23-28, refs pp 59-61. It is estimated that <3000 murres (mostly Uria lomvia) were entangled in 1988. This estimate is 100 times less than the losses estimated in the early 1970s. -from Authors 92L/00017 The management of the Newfoundland t u r r hunt R. D. Elliot, Occasional Paper - Canadian Wildlife Service, 69, 1991, pp 29-35, refs pp 59-61. Thick-billed murres Uria lomvia are harvested during the late fall and winter in coastal waters of Newfoundland by hunters in small boats powered by outboard motors. Current harvest estimates of 600 000-900 000 birds appear to exceed the sustainable yield. Although population declines have occurred at Greenland colonies affected by additional summer hunting, recent decreases have not been confirmed at major Canadian colonies. A public information program explaining the numbers, sources, and reproductive characteristics of the murres has resulted in widespread support among Newfoundland hunters for practical harvest restrictions. -from Author 92L/00018 Causes o f mortality of red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees R . N . Conner, D. C. Rudolph, D. L. Kulhavy & A. E. Snow, Journal of Wildlife Management, 55(3), 1991, pp 531-537. Over a 13yr period the authors examined the mortality of cavity trees used by Picoides borealis on national forests in E Texas. Bark beetles (53%), wind snap (30%), and fire (7%) were the major causes of cavity tree mortality. Bark beetles were the major cause of mortality in loblolly Pinus taeda and shortleaf P. echinata pines, fire the major cause in longieaf pines P. palustris. Cavity trees on the Angelina National Forest were dying at a higher rate than new, complete cavities were being excavated. Cavity enlargement by pileated woodpeckers Dryocopus pileatus on the Angelina NF was substantial, with 20% (49/249) of the cavity trees enlarged over 7yr. To reduce cavity tree mortality, site disturbances in cluster areas (midstory control,
Selected Abstracts
92L/00008 The fishery of the Comoros, with comments on its possible impact on coelacanth survival R . E . Stobbs & M. N. Bruton, Environmental Biology of Fishes, 32(1-4), 1991, pp 341-359. The traditional methods of deepsea handline fishing in the Comoros are described. The main target species is the oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus. Coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae is caught as a bycatch. Traditional handline fishermen are not considered to be a threat to the coelacanth, but fishermen equipped with motorised boats and modem tackle would constltute a real threat if they direct their efforts on inshore reefs. -from Authors 92L/00009 Studies on nesting and artificial hatching of the e n d a n g e r e d river t e r r a p i n Batagur baska ( G r a y ) in the S u n d a r b a n s Tiger Reserve, West Bengal A. Ghosh & N. R. Mandal, Journal - Bombay Natural History Society, 87(1), 1990, pp 50-52. Three clutches of eggs were collected from the Mechua beach of the National Park. In the hatchery, after 60-66 days of incubation, hatchlings emerged. Average hatching success of 48% was recorded. -from Authors 92L/00010 I n d i a ' s freshwater turtle resource with recommendations for management E. O. Moll, in: Conservation in developing countries. Proc. centenary seminar, Bombay Natural History Society, ed J.C. Daniel & J.S. Serrao, (Oxford University Press/BNHS), 1990, pp 501-515. Of 22 freshwater turtle species inhabiting India, ten are commonly used as food with soft-shells (Tdonychidae) being most popular. To stem declines and allow rehabilitation of depleted populations the following actions are recommended: 1) Revise lists of endangered species on the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the CITES by removing common species and adding truly threatened ones. 2) Train wildlife officers to identify endangered reptiles. 3) Prohibit exploitation of chelonians during nesting seasons. 4) Establish sanctuaries, hatcheries and/or protected nesting sites on major river systems. 5) Encourage captive breeding programmes for conservation and commercial purposes. 6) Provide educational programmes for the public. -from Author 92L/00011 Breeding the Indian python (Python m. molurus) u n d e r captive conditions in India S. Dattatri, in: Conservation in developing countries. Proc. centenary seminar, Bombay Natural History Society, ed J.C. Daniel & J.S. Serrao, (Oxford University Press/BNHS), 1990, pp 488-495. Includes emphasis on problems with captive breeding, strategies employed in inducing breeding, artificial incubation of eggs and care of hatchlings. -from Author 92L/00012 Modeling and the management of migratory birds B. K. Williams & J. D. Nichols, Natural Resource Modeling, 4(3), 1990, pp 273-311. Describes the management context for modeling efforts, with a focus on large-scale operational data collection programs and on processes by which waterfowl harvest is regulated and waterfowl habitats are protected and managed. Through their impacts on key population parameters such as recruitment and survival rate, these activities can influence population dynamics, providing managers some measure of control over the status of populations. -from Authors 92L/00013 Eider exploitation by hunters and t r a p p e r s on S v a l b a r d during the 19th and early 20th centuries G. Rossnes, Polar Record, 27(160), 1991, pp 47-52. The Somateria mollissima population was protected by legislation in 1963 and the designation of several bird sanctuaries in 1973. -from Author
92L/00014 Conservation of vultures in (developing) India R. Grubh, G. Narayan & S. M. Satheesan, in: Conservation in developing countries. Proc. centenary seminar, Bombay Natural History Society, ed J.C. Daniel & J.S. Sermo, (Oxford University Press/BNHS), 1990, pp 360-363, 2 plates. Discusses conservation prospects of the Indian, particularly the meat eating, vultures, in comparison with the status and conservation of vultures in other parts of the world. -from Authors 92L/00015 Assessing human disturbance of breeding bald eagles with classification tree models T. G. Grubb & R. M. King, Journal of Wildlife Management, 55(3), 1991, pp 500-511. The authors recorded 4188 events of human activity and associated Haliaeetus leucocephalus response in the vicinity of 13 C Arizona nest sites during 1983-85. A hierachical classification of nine dependent and three independent parameters was developed to quantify pedestrian, aquatic, vehicle, noise (gunshot/sonicboom), and aircraft disturbance groups. Bald eagles were more often flushed from perches than nests and were most easily disturbed when foraging. Pedestrian was the most disturbing human activity, aircraft was the least. Classification tree (CART) models for pooled and group disturbances were developed to evaluate response severity and to formulate disturbancespecific management criteria. Response frequencies and critical distances for p o o l e d disturbance were 64% at <215m, 45% between 216 and 583m, and 24% at >583m. Distance to disturbance was the most important classifier of eagle response, followed in decreasing order of discriminatory value by duration of disturbance, visibility, number of units per event, position relative to affected eagle, and sound. -from Authors 92L/00016 The by-catch of thick-billed m u r r e s in salmon drift nets off West G r e e n l a n d in 1988 K. Falk & J. Durinck, Occasional Paper - Canadian Wildlife Service, 69, 1991, pp 23-28, refs pp 59-61. It is estimated that <3000 murres (mostly Uria lomvia) were entangled in 1988. This estimate is 100 times less than the losses estimated in the early 1970s. -from Authors 92L/00017 The management of the Newfoundland t u r r hunt R. D. Elliot, Occasional Paper - Canadian Wildlife Service, 69, 1991, pp 29-35, refs pp 59-61. Thick-billed murres Uria lomvia are harvested during the late fall and winter in coastal waters of Newfoundland by hunters in small boats powered by outboard motors. Current harvest estimates of 600 000-900 000 birds appear to exceed the sustainable yield. Although population declines have occurred at Greenland colonies affected by additional summer hunting, recent decreases have not been confirmed at major Canadian colonies. A public information program explaining the numbers, sources, and reproductive characteristics of the murres has resulted in widespread support among Newfoundland hunters for practical harvest restrictions. -from Author 92L/00018 Causes o f mortality of red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees R . N . Conner, D. C. Rudolph, D. L. Kulhavy & A. E. Snow, Journal of Wildlife Management, 55(3), 1991, pp 531-537. Over a 13yr period the authors examined the mortality of cavity trees used by Picoides borealis on national forests in E Texas. Bark beetles (53%), wind snap (30%), and fire (7%) were the major causes of cavity tree mortality. Bark beetles were the major cause of mortality in loblolly Pinus taeda and shortleaf P. echinata pines, fire the major cause in longieaf pines P. palustris. Cavity trees on the Angelina National Forest were dying at a higher rate than new, complete cavities were being excavated. Cavity enlargement by pileated woodpeckers Dryocopus pileatus on the Angelina NF was substantial, with 20% (49/249) of the cavity trees enlarged over 7yr. To reduce cavity tree mortality, site disturbances in cluster areas (midstory control,