Unraveling a 146 Years Old Taxonomic Puzzle: Validation of Malabar Snakehead, Species-Status and Its Relevance for Channid Systematics and Evolution

The current distribution of C. diplogramma and C. micropeltes is best explained by vicariance. The significant variation in the key taxonomic characters and the results of the molecular marker analysis points towards an allopatric speciation event or vicariant divergence from a common ancestor, which molecular data suggests to have occurred as early as 21.76 million years ago. The resurrection of C. diplogramma from the synonymy of C. micropeltes has hence been confirmed 146 years after its initial description and 134 years after it was synonymised, establishing it is an endemic species of peninsular India and prioritizing its conservation value

Leech repellents used by Estate workers in O’ valley Panchayat of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

A field study was conducted among estate workers of different types of plantations viz., cardamom, tea, clove, pepper and coffee where leech bite is common for humans and cattles in forest and estates. Plant- based products as leech repellents are used and applied by estate workers of O’valley Panchayat of Gudalur taluk in Nilgiris. The plant species used are enlisted. Estate workers as informants were interviewed with questionnaire group discussion. The data were analyzed using different statistical quantitative tools viz., use value (UV), frequency citation (FC), fidelity level (FI %) and factor informant consensus (FIC). The data obtained revealed use of seven medicinal plants as effective leech repellents. The species identified are- Oxalis latifolia L., Ageratum conizoides L., Nicotiana tobacum L., Piper betle L, Tithonia diversifolia (Hemslay), Cucumis prophetarum L. and Brugmansia suaveolens (Bercht)