Sikkim Biodiversity: Where nature smiles

Sunday, 29 June 2014

Tragopan satyra (Satyr tragopan) - Sikkim Bird

Tragopan satyra (Satyr tragopan)

Venue: Himalayan Zoological Park, Gangtok, East Sikkim

Date: June 28, 2014

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Galliformes

Family: Phasianidae

Subfamily: Phasianinae

Genus: Tragopan satyra

Species: T. satyra

Binomial name: Tragopan satyra (Linnaeus, 1758)

Other Names: crimson horned pheasant, satyr tragopan

Special feature: It falls under Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)

Females are brown. Males are usually red with blue, black, and white spots and freckles. (Source: Wikipedia)

Xystrocera globosa (Monkey-pod Borer) - Sikkim Beetle

Xystrocera globosa, also known as the monkey-pod borer or "imli ko kira" in Nepali, is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was first described by the French entomologist Guillaume-Antoine Olivier in 1795. This beetle is widely distributed across tropical Asia and infests monkey-pod trees (Samanea saman) and other leguminous trees.

The adult beetle is around 25-30 mm long, with a shiny, metallic greenish-blue body. The larvae bore into the stems and branches of the trees, causing significant damage by disrupting the flow of nutrients and water, which leads to weakened or dead branches.

Trees infested with this borer often show symptoms like wilting leaves and dieback. Effective management involves regular monitoring and removing infected parts to prevent the spread of the larvae.

Saturday, 28 June 2014

Paguma larvata ( Masked palm civet) - Sikkim Mammal

Paguma larvata ( Masked palm civet)

Venue: Himalayan Zoological Park, Gangtok, East Sikkim

Date: June 28, 2014

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Viverridae

Subfamily: Paradoxurinae

Genus: Paguma

Species: P. larvata

Binomial name: Paguma larvata (Hamilton-Smith, 1827)

Other Names: masked palm civet or gem-faced civet

Special feature: It is native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia

The genus Paguma was first named and described by John Edward Gray in 1831. All described forms are regarded as a single species.

In recent times, masked palm civets were considered to be a likely vector of SARS.

Paguma larvata is protected in Malaysia and Thailand. The population of India is listed on CITES Appendix III. In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170. (Source: Wikipedia)

Friday, 27 June 2014

Ailurus fulgens (Red panda) - Sikkim Mammal

Ailurus fulgens (Red panda)

Venue: Himalayan Zoological Park Gangtok, East Sikkim

Date: June 28, 2014

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Ailurus fulgens (Red panda)

Venue: Himalayan Zoological Park Gangtok, East Sikkim

Date: June 28, 2014

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Ailuridae

Genus: Ailurus

Species: A. fulgens

Binomial name: Ailurus fulgens F. Cuvier, 1825

Other Names: red panda, lesser panda and red cat-bear

Bhalu Biralo/ Habre (Nepali), Saknam (Lepcha) , Kaala (Limbu), ye niglva ponva/wah donka (Sherpa)

Special feature: It is native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China that has been classified as vulnerable by IUCN as its wild population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals.

The red panda is the only living species of the genus Ailurus and the family Ailuridae.

An anthropomorphic red panda was featured as Master Shifu, the Kung Fu teacher, in the 2008 film Kung Fu Panda and its 2011 sequel Kung Fu Panda 2.

Ailurus is adopted from the ancient Greek word αἴλουρος (ailouros), meaning "cat".[53] The specific epithet fulgens is Latin for "shining, bright".[54] Panda is the French name for the Roman goddess of peace and travelers, who was called upon before starting a difficult journey.(Source: Wikipedia)