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Mammalian diversity, distribution and potential key conservation areas in the Western Ghats


Affiliations
1 Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty Post, Coimbatore 641 108, India, India
2 Biopsychology Laboratory, Vijnana Bhavan, Institution of Excellence, University of Mysore, Mysuru 570 006, India, India
3 Biopsychology Laboratory, Vijnana Bhavan, Institution of Excellence, University of Mysore, Mysuru 570 006, India; Zoo Outreach Organization, No. 12, Thiruvannamalai Nagar, Saravanampatti–Kalapatti Road, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore 641 035, India, India
4 Zoo Outreach Organization, No. 12, Thiruvannamalai Nagar, Saravanampatti–Kalapatti Road, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore 641 035, India, India
 

An updated list confirms the presence of 134 species of wild mammals in the Western Ghats, India. The superimposed distribution range of all, and threatened species of mammals depicts the potential mammalian key diversity areas for the Western Ghats, which can be prioritized for long-term conservation. These mammalian key diversity areas are confined to the central and the southern Western Ghats. The most crucial key diversity areas for both threatened and all mammalian species occur in Pushpagiri–Talakaveri, the Nilgiri Biosphere, the Anamalai Hills, the Periyar landscape and the Agastyamalai Hills
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  • Mammalian diversity, distribution and potential key conservation areas in the Western Ghats

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Authors

Honnavalli N. Kumara
Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty Post, Coimbatore 641 108, India, India
Santanu Mahato
Biopsychology Laboratory, Vijnana Bhavan, Institution of Excellence, University of Mysore, Mysuru 570 006, India, India
Mewa Singh
Biopsychology Laboratory, Vijnana Bhavan, Institution of Excellence, University of Mysore, Mysuru 570 006, India; Zoo Outreach Organization, No. 12, Thiruvannamalai Nagar, Saravanampatti–Kalapatti Road, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore 641 035, India, India
Sanjay Molur
Zoo Outreach Organization, No. 12, Thiruvannamalai Nagar, Saravanampatti–Kalapatti Road, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore 641 035, India, India
Avadhoot D. Velankar
Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty Post, Coimbatore 641 108, India, India

Abstract


An updated list confirms the presence of 134 species of wild mammals in the Western Ghats, India. The superimposed distribution range of all, and threatened species of mammals depicts the potential mammalian key diversity areas for the Western Ghats, which can be prioritized for long-term conservation. These mammalian key diversity areas are confined to the central and the southern Western Ghats. The most crucial key diversity areas for both threatened and all mammalian species occur in Pushpagiri–Talakaveri, the Nilgiri Biosphere, the Anamalai Hills, the Periyar landscape and the Agastyamalai Hills

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv124%2Fi1%2F38-49