Acta Biomedica Scientia

COMPARATIVE EXODUS ARCHETYPE OF VULTURES IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AT JORBEER CONSERVATION RESERVE, BIKANER, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

A.K. Kataria1*, N.Kataria2, R.N.Kumawat3 and A.Sihag4

akkataria1@rediffmail.com

Bikaner, Exodus, Population, Temperature-humidity index, Vultures.

The purpose of the investigation was to compare the exodus archetype of vultures viz.Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus), cinereous (Aegypius monachus) and Himalayan griffon (Gyps himalayensis), in relation to environmental factors at Jorbeer conservation reserve, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India (JCRBRI) during period from April 2015 to July 2016. The vultures were studied according to variation in population according to temperature humidity index (THI) values and Eurasian griffon vulture asserted lucid wintering at JCRBRI. Above 25% of Eurasian griffon vulture preferred 56.64-72.5 THI values. However, maximum THI value threshold observed was 82.5 by 0.1% Eurasian griffon vultures. Himalayan griffon vulture showed a different pattern of migration with maximum THI threshold of 79.5. Cinereous vulture’s maximum THI threshold was 82.5. At low THI values (57.06-62.07), 100% of Eurasian griffon vulture and cinereous vulture were present. Regarding Himalayan griffon, 100 per cent population was observed at THI value of 76.5. Eurasian griffon vulture, cinereous vulture and Himalayan griffon stayed at reserve during various months of the study when the THI values varied as 56.64-82.5, 56.64-82.5 and 56.64-79.5, respectively. At lowest THI value, population per cent of Eurasian griffon vulture was 95, of cinereous vulture it was 90 and of Himalayan griffon only 20%. Inspection of vultures per cent in addition to the coexisting recording of environmental factors can be utilized for superintending the vulture exodus at the JCRBRI that may have impressive impingement to determine migrant population of vultures. Migration period of vultures vacillated most likely due to environmental vulnerability edge or other unrevealed issues related with the physiological mechanisms and accessibility of food and shelter. It can be inferred that 25% or more population of Eurasian griffon vulture and 20% and more population of cinereous vulture preferred THI values of 72.5 or low whereas 75% to 100% population of Himalayan griffon chose THI values of 75.5-76.5.The exploration carried out is an effort in the course of understanding the natural environment and vulture interface during itinerant forces.