Sandfly species diversity in association with human activities in the
Kani tribe settlements of the Western Ghats,Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala,
India |
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Authors: | Srinivasan Ranganathan Subramanian Swaminathan |
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Institution: | Vector Control Research Centre, Indian Council of Medical Research, Pondicherry, Pondicherry, India |
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Abstract: | Sandfly prevalence in the Kani tribe settlements of Western Ghats in India was
investigated. A total of 1,279 sandflies comprising 17 species was obtained. Sandfly
abundance showed a negative correlation (r = -0.97, p = 0.003) with increase in
altitudinal ranges from 0-1,000 m. When sandfly samples were grouped according to
landscape characteristics of the location, the estimated Shannon-Weiner index (H) and
species richness index (S) were high and species evenness index (J) was low in
settlements located at 0-300 m altitudinal range. On the contrary, the values of H
and J were high, while S was low at 301-600 m altitudinal range. With further
increase in altitude, species diversity, S and J were low. Though the relative
abundance of sandflies decreased with increase in altitude, the influence of
altitudinal variation could not be attributed to determine sandfly diversity, since
the number of sampling units were not uniform at all the altitudinal gradients due to
nonavailability of suitable resting shelters. Sandfly species showed great
aggregation at 0-300 m altitude interval, where not only the number of settlements
were maximum (n = 19), but also the environmental conditions favoured sandfly
abundance due to the concentration of tribal settlements, human dwellings and his
activities. |
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Keywords: | sandfly diversity human activity tribal settlements the Western Ghats Kerala India |
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