ScieXplore: International Journal of Research in Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Distribution and Status of the Lesser Known Madras Hedgehog Paraechinus nudiventris in South Tamil Nadu, India


Affiliations
1 School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati C/o Sree Rama Engineering College (Transit Campus), Rami Reddy Nagar, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam (P.O.) Tirupati - 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
2 Department of Zoology, Vellalar College for Women, Erode - 638012, Tamil Nadu, India
 

Hedgehogs recognized by their spines able to roll into a tight ball in self-defense with spines pointing outwards. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and hibernate depending on temperature, species and abundance of food. The South Indian Hedgehogs is least studied and are steadily declining in rural areas especially from large areas of agricultural land. The major distribution habitats are shrubs, small hillocks and thorny shrubs. The main threats for these spiny small mammals are hunting, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, injuries, road kill, lack of invertebrate prey, local trade, difficulty in long term monitoring leads to least concern on theses small mammals. The declining status of Hedgehog population made this to enter into endangered species lists.

Keywords

Conservation, Habitat, Nocturnal, Shrubs, Small Mammal, Spiny.
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Adhikari D, Barik SK, Upadhaya K. Habitat distribution modeling for reintroduction of Ilex khasiana Park. A critically endangered tree species of northeastern India. Ecological Engineering. 2012; 40:37-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2011.12.004

  • Ai HS, He K, Chen ZZ, Li JQ, Wan T, Li Q, Nie WH, Wang JH, Su WT, Jiang XL. Taxonomic revision of the genus Mesechinus (Mammalia: Erinaceidae) with description of a new species. Zoological Research. 2018; 39(5):1-13.

  • Al-Musfir H, Yamaguchi N. Timings of hibernation and breeding of Ethiopian hedgehogs, Paraechinus aethiopicus, in Qatar. Zool Middle East. 2008; 45:3e9. https://doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2008.10638300

  • Amori G, Gippoliti S. A higher-taxon approach to rodent conservation priorities for the 21st century. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. 2003; 26(2):1-8.

  • Baker MAA, Reeve N, Mohedano I, Conkey AA, Macdonald DW, Yamaguchi N. Caught basking in the winter sun: Preliminary data on winter thermoregulation in the Ethiopian hedgehog, Paraechinus aethiopicus, in Qatar. Journal of Arid Environments. 2016; 125:52-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.10.002

  • Barnosky AD, Matzke N, Tomiya S, Wogan GO, Swartz B, Quental TB, Mersey B. Has the Earth’s sixth mass extinction already arrived? Nature. 2011; 471(7336):51. PMid: 21368823. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09678

  • Berry CJ. Potential interactions of hedgehogs with North Island brown kiwi at Boundary Stream Mainland Island (p.22). Wellington: Department of Conservation; 1999.

  • Brockie RE. The ecology of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus L.) in Wellington, N.Z. [M.Sc Thesis]. Victoria University of Wellington. 1958. p. 121.

  • Campbell PA. Feeding behavior of Erinaceus europaeus in New Zealand pasture. [PhD thesis]. University of Canterbury, Canterbury: 1973. 1-237.

  • Catania KC. Evolution of sensory specializations in insectivores. The Anatomical Record. 2005; 287(1):1038-50. PMid: 16215983, https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.a.20265

  • Chakraborty S, Srinivasulu C. Molur S. Paraechinus nudiventris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017; 2017: e.T39594A22326706. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T39594A22326706.en

  • Corbet GB. The family Erinaceidae: A synthesis of its taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology and zoogeography. Mammal Rev. 1988; 18:117-72. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2907.1988.tb00082.x

  • Frost DR, Wozencraft WC, Hoffmann RS. Phylogenetic relationships of hedgehogs and gymnures (Mammalia: Insectivora: Erinaceidae). Smithson. Contrib Zool. 1991; 518. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.518

  • Geiser F. Reduction of metabolism during hibernation and daily torpor in mammals and birds: temperature effect or physiological inhibition? Journal of Comparative Physiology B. 1988; 158(1):25-37. PMid: 3385059. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00692726

  • Goyal RP, Mathur RS. Anatomic, histologic and certain enzymatic studies on the male genital organs of Hemiechinus auritus collaris Gray, the Indian Long eared hedgehog. Acta Zoologica. 1974; 55(1):47-58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-6395.1974.tb00178.x

  • Haigh A. The ecology of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in rural Ireland. [PhD Thesis]. University College Cork: Cork; 2011.

  • He K, Chen JH, Gould GC, Yamaguchi N, Ai HS, Wang YX, Zhang YP, Jiang XL. An estimation of Erinaceidae phylogeny: A combined analysis approach. PloS One. 2012; 7:e39304. PMid: 22745729 PMCid: PMC3380021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0039304

  • Hoefer HL. Hedgehogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1994; 24:113-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-5616(94)50006-8

  • Hutterer R. “Family Erinaceidae”. Wilson DE and Reeder DM (eds.). Mammal species of the world: A taxonomic and geographic reference. 3rd ed. Johns Hopkins University Press. 2005. p. 212-9.

  • Johnsingh AJT. The Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: A global heritage of biological diversity. Curr Sci. 2001; 80:378-88.

  • Joly CA, Metzger JP, Tabarelli M. Experiences from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: Ecological findings and conservation initiatives. New Phytologist. 2014; 204(3):459-73. PMid: 25209030. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.12989

  • Krishna D, Prakash I. Hedgehogs of the deserts of the Rajasthan; Part II; Food and Feeding habitats. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc. 1955; 53:362-6.

  • Kumar B, Nijman V. Medicinal uses and trade of Madras Hedgehogs Paraechinus nudiventris in Tamil Nadu, India. TRAFFIC Bulletin. 2016; 28(1):7.

  • Chabaud LR, Pari Morris PA. Some aspects of the ecology of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). [Ph.D. Thesis]. Royal Holloway College: University of London; 1969. 260 p.

  • Liang J, Crowther TW, Picard N, Wiser S, Zhou M, Alberti G, De-Miguel S. Positive biodiversity-productivity relationship predominant in global forests. Science. 2016; 354(6309):8957. PMid: 27738143. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaf8957

  • Menon V. Indian mammals: A field guide. Hachette India. 2014. p. 528.

  • Murdoch JD, Sodnompil B, Buyandelger S, Kenny D, Reading RP. Ecology of the Daurian hedgehogs (Mesechinus dauuricus) in IkhNart Nature Reserve, Mongolia: preliminary findings. Mong J Biol Sci. 2006; 4:25-32. PMid: 22059088. https://doi.org/10.22353/mjbs.2006.04.12

  • Nowak RM. Walker’s Mammals of the World (Vol. 1). JHU Press. 1999.

  • Ognev SI. Mammals of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem, Israel. 1962. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.46316

  • Pacifici M, Visconti P, Butchart SH, Watson JE, Cassola FM, Rondinini C. Species’ traits influenced their response to recent climate change. Nature Climate Change. 2017; 7(3):205. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3223

  • Pereira DL, Walters J, Bennett NC, Alagaili AN, Mohammed OB. Kotzé SH. The comparative gastro-intestinal morphology of Jaculus jaculus (Rodentia) and Paraechinus aethiopicus (Erinaceomorpha). Journal of Morphology. 2016; 277(5):671-9. PMid: 26968578. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.20526

  • Rautio A, Isomursu M, Valtonen A, Hirvelä-Koski V, Kunnasranta M. Mortality, diseases and diet of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in an urban environment in Finland. Mammal Research. 2016; 61(2):161-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-015-0256-7

  • Reeve N. Hedgehogs. T and AD Poyser Ltd.: London; 1994.

  • Riber AB. Habitat use and behavior of European hedge-hog Erinaceus europaeus in a Danish rural area. Acta Theriologica. 2006; 51(4):363-71. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03195183

  • Schoenfeld M, Yom-Tov Y. The biology of two species of hedgehogs. Mammalia. 1985; 49(3):339-55. https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.1985.49.3.339

  • Sharma A, Mathur RS. Cyclic changes in the uterine phosphatases during breeding and non-breeding seasons of Hemiechinus auritus collaris Gray, the Indian long-cared hedgehog. Acta. Histochemica. 1974; 49(1):64-73.

  • Stone RD. (Ed.). Eurasian insectivores and tree shrews: Status survey and conservation action plan 26. IUCN. Gland, Switzerland. 1995. p. 109.

  • Tsytsulina K. Erinaceus amurensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. T40604A10337815. 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T40604A10337815.en

  • Terrien J, Perret M, Aujard F. Behavioral thermoregulation in mammals: A review. Front Biosci. 2011; 16:1428-44. PMid: 21196240. https://doi.org/10.2741/3797

  • Varghese AA, Jacob J, Joseph GK, Aloshya PA, Archana MB, Bijosh G, Gopi MA, Jisha J, Joseph K, James and George NM. A reconnaissance study of animal diversity in Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala with special reference to invertebrates. Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India. 2012. p. 173.

  • Webb-Peploe CG. Field notes on the mammals of South Tirunelveli, South India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc. 1949; 46:629-44.

  • Wroughton RC. Notes on the fauna of a desert tract in Southern India. Part III - A list of a small collection of mammals from Ramanad. Mem Asia Soci Beng. 1907; 1:221-2.

  • Xuelong J, Hoffman R. Insectivores chapter. John Singh A.J.T and N. Manjrekar, eds. Mammals of South Asia. 2013; 1:766.

  • Young TP. Natural die-offs of large mammals: Implications for Conservation. Conservation Biology. 1994; 8(2):410-8. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1994.08020410.x

  • Zapletal M, Sodnompil B, Atwood J, Murdoch JD, Reading RP. Home range characteristics and habitat selection by Daurian hedgehogs (Mesechinus dauuricus) in IkhNart Nature Reserve, Mongolia. Mong J Biol Sci. 2012; 10:41-50. https://doi.org/10.22353/mjbs.2012.10.05


Abstract Views: 424

PDF Views: 261




  • Distribution and Status of the Lesser Known Madras Hedgehog Paraechinus nudiventris in South Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract Views: 424  |  PDF Views: 261

Authors

Brawin Kumar
School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati C/o Sree Rama Engineering College (Transit Campus), Rami Reddy Nagar, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam (P.O.) Tirupati - 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
M. Vimala Devi
Department of Zoology, Vellalar College for Women, Erode - 638012, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract


Hedgehogs recognized by their spines able to roll into a tight ball in self-defense with spines pointing outwards. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and hibernate depending on temperature, species and abundance of food. The South Indian Hedgehogs is least studied and are steadily declining in rural areas especially from large areas of agricultural land. The major distribution habitats are shrubs, small hillocks and thorny shrubs. The main threats for these spiny small mammals are hunting, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, injuries, road kill, lack of invertebrate prey, local trade, difficulty in long term monitoring leads to least concern on theses small mammals. The declining status of Hedgehog population made this to enter into endangered species lists.

Keywords


Conservation, Habitat, Nocturnal, Shrubs, Small Mammal, Spiny.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.15613/sijrs%2F2020%2Fv7i1-2%2F210555