Status and Phylogeny of Threatened Wildlife Species Found in Himachal Pradesh, India

Global status of 38 species and phylogeny of 27 species of birds and mammals found in Himachal Pradesh has been analysed during the present study. Of these, White-rumped Vulture ( Gyps bengalensis ), Slender-billed Vulture ( Gyps tenuirostris ) and Red-headed Vulture ( Sarcogyps calvus ) have been categorised as Critically Endangered. Populations of all the 38 species are decreasing globally. Around 60% (23 species) of these threatened birds and mammals are found in one or the other type of forests. Habitat loss has been enumerated as one of the main threats in the 37 species. Further, around 1100 individuals of White-rumped Vulture have been estimated in Himachal Pradesh, mainly in Kangra, which is the highest in the Country and the World. Moreover, existence of Slender-billed Vulture has been confirmed from 11 opportunistic sightings by field workers from Himachal Pradesh. Estimated population of Western Tragopan ( Tragopan melanocephalus ) in Himachal Pradesh has been derived to be around 5,000 individuals. Population of Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) in Chail Wildlife Sanctuary has been estimated to be Around 40 to 60 pairs. In addition, population of Snow Leopard ( Panthera uncia ) in Lahaul & Spiti has been estimated to be 73. Phylogenetically, Aythya nyroca and Catreus wallichi have evolved independently from rest of the threatened birds found in Himachal Pradesh. Psittacula eupatria and Numenius arquata showed genetical closeness to each other. On the basis of Cyt. b gene analyses, Neophron percnopterus, Gypaetus barbatus, Mycteria leucocephala and Ciconia episcopus have originated from a common ancestor. Egg laying mammal, Manis crassicaudata and the ungulate, Hemitragus jemlahicus have evolved comparatively independently from rest of the mammals studied. Interestingly, Aonyx cinerea showed more similarity with Ursus thibetanus . Moreover, genetically, Moschus leucogaster (Family Moschidae) showed closeness to Rusa unicolor (Family Cervidae).