The present communication is reports a new record of Usnea hirta (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg. family Parmeliaceae collected from the Western Ghats Karnataka. differs already known U. ghattensis in having norstictic acid, fatty acid murolic group and presence isidia thallus.

Eriocaulon meenachilense, a new species of the family Eriocaulaceae from southern Western Ghats, India, is described and illustrated. The similar to idukkianum E. tuberiferum but differs in its short, linear-subulate, stiff leaves, solitary 6-angled peduncle, inflexed involucral bracts, eglandular petals, yellow anthers seeds.

A new species of Idris – semiflaviventris sp. n. - belonging to the tribe Baeini is described from Kodaikanal in Western Ghats, S. India. This unusual that it has a short interocellar space, subequal posterior margins T1 and T2, T2 longest widest tergite.

It is generally argued that in rural areas people depend more on natural environment like forest due to the economic compulsions arising out of poverty (Dasgupta and Mäler, 1995). A number of forest resources are complimentary in production and consumption to other goods and services and supplement household incomes especially in times of acute economic stress (Falconer and Arnold, 1989). The c...

Areas of high conservation value were identified in the Western Ghats using a systematic conservation planning approach. Surrogates were chosen and assessed for effectiveness on the basis of spatial congruence using Pearson’s correlations and Mantel’s tests. The surrogates were, threatened and endemic plant and vertebrate species, unfragmented forest areas, dry forests, sub-regionally rare vege...

A new species of Amomum Roxb. from Western Ghats of Kerala is illustrated and described. Amomum nilgiricum VP.Thomas & M.Sabu, sp. nov. shows similarity with Amomum masticatorium Thwaites in having long drying ligule with an acuminate apex, pubescent anther and echinate capsules, but differs in clump forming habit with non-stoloniferous rhizomes, tomentose lamina beneath, long corolla tube, obo...

Red lined torpedo barbs (RLTBS) (Cyprinidae: Puntius) endemic to the Western Ghats Hotspot of India, are popular and highly priced freshwater aquarium fishes. Two decades of indiscriminate exploitation for the pet trade, restricted range, fragmented populations and continuing decline in quality of habitats has resulted in their 'Endangered' listing. Here, we tested whether the isolated RLTB pop...

Tropical montane habitats, grasslands, in particular, merit urgent conservation attention owing to the disproportionate levels of endemic biodiversity they harbour, the ecosystem services they provide, and the fact that they are among the most threatened habitats globally. The Shola Sky Islands in the Western Ghats host a matrix of native forest-grassland matrix that has been planted over the l...

Two samples of seed materials of the Indian tribal pulse, Mucuna pruriens var.utilis were collected from Karaiyar, Tirunelveli district, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu .The seeds of another tribal pulse, M.deeringiana were collected from Marunthuvazhmalai, Kanyakumari district, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. The mature seed samples were analysed for proximate and mineral compositions, vitamins (niacin a...