A Comparative Study on the Nutrients in Organic Fertilizers and Garden Soil in Tirunelveli

Organic fertilizers are natural compounds made from waste or by-products and human assistance is limited to physical extraction or processing steps. Examples of commonly used organic matter include sewage sludge, food processing waste, composted animal manure, and urban biosolids. In this study, an attempt was made to examine the nutritional value of Lyroderma lyra (giant pseudo-vampire bat) bat guano, garden soil, and earthworm compost. Essential elements (macro elements - N, P, K, NO3, NO2, Pi, PO3), trace elements (Na, C, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cl), meso elements (Mg, Ca, SO4)) from this study The identified non-essential elements (Al), toxic elements (Ba) and pH were analysed and compared. Earthworm compost is rich in No3, No2, Pi, PO3, Ca, Mg, SO4, C, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cl. On the other hand, bat guano is rich in N, K and Na. The garden soil was rich in Cl, Mg, Ca, N. No toxic element was found in the garden soil but found in very low levels in both vermicompost and bat guano. In summary, these elements improve soil health and gradually release necessary nutrients into the soil as essential elements. This study suggests the need for prior soil studies and the need to better balance the effects of different organic matter on plant growth

Diversity and Distribution of Chiroptera Species in Munnar and the Adjacent Enchanting Landscape of the Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India

Preserving suitable habitats and addressing potential threats is essential for the long-term survival of bat populations in this ecologically important region. We investigated the bat species diversity and species composition by using mist net and acoustic survey in the Munnar landscape of the Western Ghats region, Kerala, India.  A total of 33 bat species from two suborders were identified. Microchiroptera was the dominant suborder, comprising 81.8% of the bat species, while Megachiroptera represented 18.2%. Notably, Salim Ali's fruit bat (Latidens salimalii), an endemic and endangered species, was documented during the survey. The study also identified other near-threatened species, data deficient and vulnerable species. The findings underscore the ecological significance of the Munnar landscape for bat conservation and provide valuable baseline data for future research and conservation initiatives

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF BUTTERFLY IN TIRUNELVELI, TAMILNADU

The most productive pollinators are butterflies. Pollination is essential to the plants survival, because it is part of their reproductive process. The areas with undisturbed vegetation and high floral diversity support large butterfly communities. In the study area 20 species of butterflies were recorded. Out of the 20 species, twelve belonged to Nymphalidae, three to Pieridae, one to Lycaenidae and four to Papilionidae families. Species belonging to the family Nymphalidae were the most dominant (60 %) followed by Papilionidae (20%), Pieridae (15 %) and Lycaenidae (5% ). Among the 20 butterflies recorded 2 species Pachlioptahector and Hypolimnas misippus come under schedule I of the Act. The aim of the present study makes an attempt to the diversity of Butterfly in perumalpuram, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, South India

An Investigation on the Vestiges of Lyroderma lyra and Taphozous melanopogon Guano in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India

Chiropterans are the major contributors to mammalian biodiversity. They play a dynamic role in the ecosystem as pollinators, seed dispersers and pest controllers. Among the biocontrol agent of the agro ecosystem, the bats play a major role as a control agent. Their roosting places are mostly near the human habitation and agricultural fields. They forage among the dry deciduous forest and also in the agro ecosystem of the plains. The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary content in the fecal matter of Lyroderma lyra and Taphozous melanopogon in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Agriculture is the main resource in this area. The undigested parts in the guano was microscopically observed and identified up to order level. As L. lyra and T. melanopogon are the microbats their Pellet contain large amount of partly digested insect parts. Among them, the order Coleoptera was the most dominant food of L. lyra followed by the other orders whereas for T. melanopogon the most dominantly identified order is lepidopteran followed by the remaining orders. The bats play an important role as pest controller in the ecosystem and hence they need to be protected