On the status of the Long-tailed Marmot Marmota caudata (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Kargil, Ladakh (Indian Trans-Himalaya)

oleh: Tanveer Ahmed, Mohammad Shoeb, Pankaj Chandan, Afifullah Khan

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2016-08-01

Deskripsi

<p>Two species of marmots occur in India, the Himalayan Marmot <em>Marmota himalayana</em> and the Long-tailed Marmot or Golden Marmot <em>Marmota caudata</em>.  Marmots constitute part of the diet of some globally endangered carnivores in the Trans-Himalaya, yet studies on marmots in India are scanty.  Besides, the status of the Long-tailed Marmot is still unknown in India.  Considering this, a survey was carried out in Rangdum Valley, Kargil between May and July 2011 to collect baseline information on the Long-tailed Marmot.  Trails and roads were explored through walk and slow moving vehicle, respectively.  The Long-tailed Marmot was found to have a density of 14.31±2.10 per sq.km. and an encounter rate of 2.86±0.42 per km.  Most of the observations of Long-tailed Marmot were in hilly areas (77.7%), lower slope (48.8%) and herbaceous meadow (38.0%).  The current information is expected to bring concern towards this lesser known species in India. </p><div> </div>