Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Population Estimation of Golden Jackal (Canis Aureus) Using Different Methods in Various Habitats of Cachar District, Southern Assam


Affiliations
1 Department of Ecology and Environmental Science Assam University, Silchar-788011
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Golden jackal (Canis aureus) is one of the top carnivores distributed in different habitats in Cachar district, Assam (India). Survey was conducted in the three representative habitats of Cachar district, Barak Valley, Assam (India), viz. Reserve Forest, Tea garden and unprotected forests from January to June, 2013 for estimation of minimum population by both direct (sighting) and indirect (howling and active den) survey methods. From the study, more number of jackals were documented by howling survey (n=89), followed by direct sighting (n=22) and active den survey (n=14). Among 2 the different population survey, jackal density was also found more in howling survey (1.85 per km2) followed by 2 2 sighting survey (0.46 per km2) and in active den survey (0.29 per km2). In sighting survey, from all areas sampled, the species was sighted. Highest number of individuals in total was sighted in tea gardens (n=8) followed equally by reserve forest (n=7) and unprotected forest (n=7).

Keywords

Active Den, Density, Golden Jackal, Howling, Minimum Population, Sighting
Font Size

User
About The Authors

D. Debnath
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science Assam University, Silchar-788011

P. Choudhury
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science Assam University, Silchar-788011


Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications

  • Angerbjorn, A. and Isakson, (1995). The abundance of wolves in northern Siberia. In : Swedish-Russian Tundra Ecology-Expedition-94. A Cruise Report, Stockholm (E. Greenland and O. Melander, editors.). Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, Stockholm, Sweden pp. 122–127.
  • Arnold J., Humer, A., Heltai, M., Murariu, D., Spassov, N. and Hacklander, K. (2012). Current status and distribution of golden jackals Canis aureus in Europe. Mammal Review, 42: 1–11.
  • Elton, C.S. (1924). Period fluctuations in the numbers of animals: their causes and effects. British Journal of Experimental Biology, 2(1):119–163.
  • Giannatos, G., Marinos, Y., Maragou P. and Catsadorakis, G. (2005). The status of golden jackals in Southern Greece. Belg. J. Zool., 135: 145- 149.
  • Harrington, F.H. and Mech, L.D. (1982).An analysisof howling response parameters useful for wolf pack censusing. J. Wildlife Management, 46: 686-693.
  • Jaeger, M.M., Pandit, R.K. and Haque, E. (1996). Seasonal differences in territorial behavior by golden jackals in Bangladesh: howling versus confrontation. J. Mammalogy, 77: 768-775.
  • Jaeger, M.M., Haque, E., Sultan, P. and Brudess, R.L. (2007). Day time cover, diet and space use of golden jackal in the agro-ecosystem of Bangladesh.Mammalia, 1-10
  • Jhala, Y.V. and Moehlman, P.D. (2008) Canis aureus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.2. http://www.iucnredlist.org
  • Jhala, Y.V. and Moehlman, P.D. (2004). Golden jackal. In: Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs. 156-161, (Sillero-Zubiri, C., Hoffman, M. and Macdonald, D.W. eds.), IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group, Cambridge.
  • Krystufek B., Murariu, D. and Kurtonur, C. (1997). Present distribution of the golden jackal Canis aureus in the Balkans and adjacent regions. Mammal Review, 27(2): 109-114
  • Lapini, L., Conte, D., Zupan, M. and Kozlan, L. (2011). Italian jackals 1984-2011. An updated review (Canis aureus: Carnivora, Canidae)
  • Laundre, J.W. (1981). Temporal variation in coyote vocalization rates. J. Wildlife Management, 45: 767-769.
  • Linnell, J.D.C., Swenson, J.E., Landa, A. and Kvam, T. (1998). Methods for monitoring European large carnivores - A worldwide review of relevant experience. - NINA Oppdragsmelding, 549: 1-38.
  • Macdonald, D.W. (1979). The Flexible Social System of the Golden Jackal, Canis aureus, Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 15: 17-38.
  • Macdonald, D.W. and Sillero-Zubiri, C. (2004). Dramatis personae. In: Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids 3-36, (Macdonald, D.W. and Sillero-Zubiri, C. eds.), Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • Macpherson, A.H. (1969). The dynamics of Canadian arctic fox populations. Canadian Wildlife Service Report, 8:1–49.
  • Mills, M.G.L. (1996). Methodological advances in capture, census and food habits studies of large African carnivores. In: Carnivore behavior, ecology, and evolution (J.L. Gittleman, eds.), Cornell University Press, London. pp. 223-242.
  • Mitchell-Jones, A.J., Amori, G., Bogdanowiecz, W., Krystufek, B., Reijnders, P.J.H., Spitzenberger, F., Stubbe, M., Thissen, J.B.M., Vohralik, V., Zima, J. (eds; 1999). The Atlas of European Mammals. Academic Press, SanDiego, USA.
  • Poche, R.M., Evans, S.J., Sultana, P., Haque, M.E., Sterner, R. and Siddique, M.A. (1987). Note on the golden jackal, Bangladesh. Mammalia, 51: 259-270.
  • Prater, S.H. (1980). The Book of Indian Animals. Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay.
  • Rose, M.D. and Polis, G.A. (1998). The distribution and abundance of coyotes: the effects of allochthonous food subsidies from the sea. Ecology, 79: 998-1007.
  • Szabo, L., Heltai, M., Szucs, E., Lanszki, J. and Lehoczki, R. (2009). Expansion range of the golden jackal in Hungary between 1997 and 2006. Mammalia,73: 307–311.
  • Tannerfeldt, M. (1997). Population fluctuations and life history consequences in the arctic fox. Dissertation, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Wongpadkan, K., Chanaboon, T., Yodsiri, S. and Khoomgratook, S. (2007). Status of Canis aureus Linnaeus, in cultural forests in Maha Sarkeham Province, Thailand. KKU Res. J.,12: 244-247.

Abstract Views: 463

PDF Views: 6




  • Population Estimation of Golden Jackal (Canis Aureus) Using Different Methods in Various Habitats of Cachar District, Southern Assam

Abstract Views: 463  |  PDF Views: 6

Authors

D. Debnath
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science Assam University, Silchar-788011
P. Choudhury
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science Assam University, Silchar-788011

Abstract


Golden jackal (Canis aureus) is one of the top carnivores distributed in different habitats in Cachar district, Assam (India). Survey was conducted in the three representative habitats of Cachar district, Barak Valley, Assam (India), viz. Reserve Forest, Tea garden and unprotected forests from January to June, 2013 for estimation of minimum population by both direct (sighting) and indirect (howling and active den) survey methods. From the study, more number of jackals were documented by howling survey (n=89), followed by direct sighting (n=22) and active den survey (n=14). Among 2 the different population survey, jackal density was also found more in howling survey (1.85 per km2) followed by 2 2 sighting survey (0.46 per km2) and in active den survey (0.29 per km2). In sighting survey, from all areas sampled, the species was sighted. Highest number of individuals in total was sighted in tea gardens (n=8) followed equally by reserve forest (n=7) and unprotected forest (n=7).

Keywords


Active Den, Density, Golden Jackal, Howling, Minimum Population, Sighting

References