Burrows of biodiversity: faunal associations with Chinese pangolin habitats in the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal, India.
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| Title: | Burrows of biodiversity: faunal associations with Chinese pangolin habitats in the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal, India. |
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| Authors: | Rai, Priyanka1, Sarkar, Ratnadeep1, Rhea Ganguly2, Pradhan, Sunita1 sunita.pradhan@atree.org |
| Source: | Current Science (00113891). 3/10/2026, Vol. 130 Issue 5, p470-473. 4p. |
| Subjects: | Pangolins, Underground areas, Wildlife refuges, Dwellings, Biodiversity, Biotic communities, Wildlife monitoring |
| Geographic Terms: | West Bengal (India), India |
| Abstract: | Pangolins (Manis pentadactyla), globally threatened and a wildlife trade icon, remain ecologically understudied. As burrowing mammals, they act as ecosystem engineers, modifying soil and habitat structure, enhancing ecosystem functions. We examined fauna associated with 19 fresh burrows in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal, using 13 camera traps from December 2023 to August 2024 (2401 trap nights). Thirty-four faunal species were recorded, including 17 mammals, 15 birds, 1 reptile, and 1 amphibian. Activity occurred across the diel cycle (46.4% nocturnal, 34% diurnal). Faunal use of the burrows occurred across time, habitat, and behaviour. Pangolin burrows enhance habitat complexity and support diverse fauna, underscoring their importance for integrated conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Current Science (00113891) is the property of Indian Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
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