Journal Article
The biota of Siju Cave, Meghalaya, India: a comparison of biological records from 1922 and from 2019
Harries, D., Kharkongor, I.J. and Saikia, U.
Record Number:
5129
Year:
2020
Journal:
Cave and Karst Science
Pages:
119-130
Volume:
47
Abstract:
Siju Cave in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India was the subject of a meticulous and detailed biological survey in 1922. The cave was re-visited, and the biota documented in 2019. Observations made in 2019 were compared to those reported from 1922 and placed in context by comparisons to observations made in other Meghalayan caves. In many respects the biota resembled that recorded in 1922 but two key differences were noted. Firstly, in 2019 the bat population and the extent of the associated guano deposits were noted to be considerably reduced relative to those described from 1922. Correspondingly, the abundance of the guano-associated biota appeared considerably reduced from that of 1922. Secondly, in 2019 a distinctly troglomorphic cockroach was found to be abundant throughout the cave. This cockroach was eyeless, totally lacking in pigmentation and had pronounced elongate antennae. It is inconceivable that it would have been overlooked in 1922, so it can only be concluded that it was not then present in the accessible areas of the cave.
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species:
Related Records:
Patton, W.S. (1924)
Diptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. IV Nycteribiidae
Kemp, S. and Chopra, B. (1924)The Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam
Roewer, C.F. (1924)Opiliones aus der Siju-hohle in den Garo-Hills im Assam
Hora, S. L. (1924)Fishes of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam
Rohwer, S.A. (1924)Hymenoptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. II Description of a new Braconid
Silvestri, F. (1924)Myriapoda from the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam
Stephenson, J. (1924)Oligochaeta of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam.
Wheeler, W.M. (1924)Hymenoptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. I Triglyphothrix striatidens Emery as a cave ant
Andrewes, H.E. (1924)Coleoptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. I Carabidae
Annandale, N. and Chopra, B., (1924)Molluscs of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam
Blair, K.G. (1924)Coleoptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. IV Histeridae, Hydrophilidae, Erotylidae, Lathridiidae, Tenebrionidae and Hylophilidae
Brunetti, E, (1924)Diptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. I Tipulidae, Tabanidae, Anthomyidae, Acalyptrate Muscidae and Phoridae
Cameron, M. (1924)Coleoptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. II New species of Staphylinidae
Carpenter, G.H. (1924)Collembola of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam
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Chopra, B. (1924)Isopoda of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam
Edwards, F.W. (1924)Diptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. II Chironomidae
Fage, L. (1924)Araneids from the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam
Fletcher, T.B. (1924)Lepidoptera of the Siju Cave, Garo Hills, Assam. I Pyralidae
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Harries, D., Kharkongor, I.J. and Saikia, U. (2020)The biota of Siju Cave, Meghalaya, India: a comparison of biological records from 1922 and from 2019
Kosygin, L., Laskar, B.A. and Khynriam, D. (2023)Cavefishes of Meghalaya
Marak, W.K. and Singh, Y.L. (2023)Osteology of incomplete lateral lined schisturid loaches of Meghalaya: a comparative account
Kharkongor, I.J., Saikia, U., Khynriam, D. and Saikia, B. (2023)Current status of faunal diversity of Siju Cave, South Garo Hills, Meghalaya
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