Vertebrate diversity at Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan
Citation
Aslam I, Yasmeen R (2022). Vertebrate diversity at Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan. Version 1.3. Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15470/hf1s9i accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-01.Description
The Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) in Islamabad, Pakistan, is an important site for the conservation of many plants and animals. The present study aimed to determine the status of fauna diversity and richness, and environmental threats to the animals. A field study was conducted and the point count method was used to determine vertebrate diversity. The survey showed that the MHNP is home to 117 species of birds, 27 reptiles – including species such as the saw-scaled viper, Russell’s viper and the Indian cobra - and 30 mammalian species, such as barking deer, wild boar, golden jackal, red fox, Asiatic leopards, monkeys, fruit bats, and pangolins. The results showed a maximum count of 9,076 birds of 117 species belonging to 48 families. According to the Islamabad wildlife management board, one of the unique species, the grey goral (Nemorhaedus goral), has become extinct at the MHNP as no single specimen has been recorded since 2018. It was also been observed, however, that the numbers of the endangered species of common leopard (Panthera pardus) and pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) have increased, possibly due to the wildlife management board’s strategy for conservation. Nevertheless, greater conservation and protection of wild fauna at the MHNP is still needed. During the visits, threats such as habitat degradation, climate change, and over hunting were recorded, but focus on the implementation of approved legislation and better managerial practices to protect the unique diversity was observed.Sampling Description
Study Extent
The study area was divided into four sampling sites (fig.1): site 1 (Rawal lake); site 2 (Darra Jangla); site 3 (Shakarparian); and site 4 (Shahdara). Site 1: Rawal Lake Rawal Lake lies south east of Islamabad (PEPA, 2004). It has an area of 19.02 square kilometers with a sustained zone of two square kilometers. Annual precipitation is about 1,000 mm and temperature ranges between 1–15°C in winter and 20–40°C in summer. Site 2: Darra Jangla Darra Jangla is situated half a kilometer from trail 3. It is the most wooded and quiet gorge in the park. The stream alongside the trail makes the area an ideal home range for several unique birds and animals. Site 3: Shakrparian Shakarparian is the core part of the park. It is ecologically dense and it is the most diversified area of the park. The Shakarparian has an area of 1376 ha (Jabeen et al., 2009). Its latitude and longitude are 73° 39 N and 33° 44 E. It is considered the most vital part of the park because its thick vegetation provides ideal conditions for numerous animals. Site 4: Shahdara Shahdara is a small town on the fringes of the MHNP. It is seven kilometers from Bara Kahu, and fifteen kilometers from Islamabad. The town is renowned for its animals and water falls. Its dense vegetation provides habitat for many animal species and the town plays a valuable role in conserving biodiversity in the park.Sampling
Each site was visited frequently to observe the microhabitats - such as rotting logs, leaf litter, flotsam, and water channels - of vertebrates. In winter, surveys were conducted before the onset of the hibernation period of amphibians and reptiles, mostly in October and November. Most studies in winter were carried out before sunset as low evening temperatures limit the movement of most species, including reptiles. We also used hiding places, fecal matter, body impressions, tail drags or footprints, tracks, dens, and egg laying excavations to estimate local distribution and population density of all the classes of vertebrates. Surveys and in summer were conducted early in the morning and late in the afternoon.Quality Control
To evaluate the vertebrate diversity we used the direct count method as described by Haldin and Ulfvens (1987). Species of vertebrate classes such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals were considered. The GPS (GARMIN, GPS map 76CS x) was also used for the point coordinates. The equipment used included binoculars (magnification 10 × 50) and spotting scope (magnification 20 × 40 × 60) with a tripod and digital camera. Birds and animals were identified using field guides and reference books (Roberts, 1991, 1992, 1997, Khan, 1977; Mirza et al., 1998; Mirza and Wasiq, 2007; Grimmett et al., 2008, 2016). A bimonthly survey of study area was carried out over one year (7-8 days in each survey).Method steps
- Various types of analysis were conducted to establish the diversity index, such as species richness as described by Jost (2006): Shanon-Wiener Index, Simpson Index, Eveness, and Species Richness.
Taxonomic Coverages
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Vertebratarank: phylum
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Actinopterygiirank: class
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Channidaerank: family
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Cyprinidaerank: family
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Amphibiarank: class
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Bufonidaerank: family
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Dicroglossidaerank: family
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Microhylidaerank: family
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Avesrank: class
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Accipitridaerank: family
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Acrocephalidaerank: family
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Alaudidaerank: family
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Alcedinidaerank: family
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Anatidaerank: family
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Apodidaerank: family
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Ardeidaerank: family
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Campephagidaerank: family
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Caprimulgidaerank: family
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Charadriidaerank: family
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Cisticolidaerank: family
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Columbidaerank: family
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Corvidaerank: family
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Cuculidaerank: family
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Dicruridaerank: family
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Emberizidaerank: family
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Estrildidaerank: family
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Falconidaerank: family
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Fringillidaerank: family
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Hirundinidaerank: family
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Laniidaerank: family
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Laridaerank: family
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Leiothrichidaerank: family
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Megalaimidaerank: family
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Meropidaerank: family
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Monarchidaerank: family
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Motacillidaerank: family
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Muscicapidaerank: family
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Nectariniidaerank: family
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Oriolidaerank: family
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Paridaerank: family
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Parulidaerank: family
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Passeridaerank: family
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Phasianidaerank: family
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Phylloscopidaerank: family
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Picidaerank: family
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Pittidaerank: family
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Ploceidaerank: family
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Psittacidaerank: family
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Pycnonotidaerank: family
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Rallidaerank: family
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Recurvirostridaerank: family
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Scolopacidaerank: family
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Stenostiridaerank: family
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Strigidaerank: family
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Sturnidaerank: family
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Timaliidaerank: family
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Upupidaerank: family
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Zosteropidaerank: family
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Mammaliarank: class
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Bovidaerank: family
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Canidaerank: family
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Cercopithecidaerank: family
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Cervidaerank: family
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Erinaceidaerank: family
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Felidaerank: family
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Herpestidaerank: family
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Hystricidaerank: family
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Leporidaerank: family
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Manidaerank: family
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Muridaerank: family
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Mustelidaerank: family
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Pteropodidaerank: family
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Sciuridaerank: family
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Suidaerank: family
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Viverridaerank: family
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Reptiliarank: class
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Agamidaerank: family
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Colubridaerank: family
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Elapidaerank: family
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Gekkonidaerank: family
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Geoemydidaerank: family
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Lacertidaerank: family
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Psammophiidaerank: family
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Scincidaerank: family
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Trionychidaerank: family
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Varanidaerank: family
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Viperidaerank: family
Geographic Coverages
The study was carried out in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), Islamabad, from December 2019 to March 2021. The MHNP is located between 33°43'N and 72°55'E and has a total area of 17,386 hectares.
Bibliographic Citations
- Aslam, I., Yasmeen, R., 2021. Vertebrate diversity at Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan. Arxius de Miscel·lània Zoològica, 19: 237–247, https://doi.org/10.32800/amz.2021.19.0237 - https://doi.org/10.32800/amz.2021.19.0237
Contacts
I. Aslamoriginator
Lahore Garrison University
Lahore
PK
email: irfanaslam495@gmail.com
R. Yasmeen
originator
Lahore Garrison University
Lahore
PK
I. Aslam
metadata author
Lahore Garrison University
Lahore
PK
email: irfanaslam495@gmail.com
Montse Ferrer
administrative point of contact
position: Managing Editor
Arxius de Miscel·lània Zoològica, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
Ps Picasso s/n
Barcelona
08003
Barcelona
ES
email: montseferrerf@gmail.com
I. Aslam
administrative point of contact
Lahore Garrison University
Lahore
PK
email: irfanaslam495@gmail.com
R. Yasmeen
administrative point of contact
Lahore Garrison University
Lahore
PK