ISSN 2169-3048
International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN 2169-3048 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 574-577, June 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Preliminary study in diet composition of Indian pond Heron during breeding season
R. Roshnath
Center for Wildlife Studies, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala.
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) diet consisted of Channa sp. (25%), Trachypauchen sp. (25%), Puntius mahecola (14%) and Mystus vittatus (8%). It preferred medium sized prey of sizes 4-7 cm. In terms of biomass Channa sp. and Trachypauchen sp. constituted greater percent (51%). Scavenging behavior of Indian Pond Heron was observed. The prey fish species such as Mystus vittatus and Etroplus maculatus are economically important species and are of human interest but considering size of fishes in observed prey item it is having negligible economic value. But, continued predation of a particular size class may later affect the population structure of the prey species.
Key words: Diet composition, Indian pond heron, prey, predation, heronry.