Population density and group size of the Grey Junglefowl <i>Gallus sonneratii</i> in the Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, central India
A detailed survey was conducted from October 2010 to March 2011, to estimate the population density and group size of the Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratti in the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The survey was conducted in three forest ranges: Dhargad, Dhakna and Chikhaldara which come under the Gugamal Fore...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society
2012-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Threatened Taxa |
| Online Access: | http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/777 |
| Summary: | A detailed survey was conducted from October 2010 to March 2011, to estimate the population density and group size of the Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratti in the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The survey was conducted in three forest ranges: Dhargad, Dhakna and Chikhaldara which come under the Gugamal Forest Division in the Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. Population density was estimated by the line transect method using distance sampling. A total of 34 transects were walked in the study area each having 5 temporal replicates, which yielded 36 sightings, comprising 114 individuals of Grey jungle fowl in the entire period of study. An overall density of Grey Junglefowl was found to be 16.72 plus or minus 4.70 Birds/km2 (n= 36), whereas the average cluster size was 2.95 Birds (n= 36), average group density 5.68 plus or minus 1.49 (n= 36). This study was the first of its kind on the Grey Junglefowl in the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The results are intended to provide baseline data for the conduct of further studies on this important species in the region. |
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| ISSN: | 0974-7893 0974-7907 |