Vertebrate assemblages on fruiting figs in the Indian eastern Himalaya’s Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary

Abstract

Ficus is undeniably one of the most important plants in the tropical forest in the Indian eastern Himalaya. The species composition and assemblages were analysed on fruiting figs on the west bank of Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS), Arunachal Pradesh. Figs trees are often ecologically significant keystone species because they sustain the population of the many seed-dispersing animals that feed on these fruits. This research endeavors to comprehend the dynamics of vertebrate assemblages inhabiting fruiting figs within the West bank of PWS. Over a span of 60 days and a cumulative 89 hours of observation, both direct sightings and indirect indicators of vertebrate presence were integrated. The outcome revealed a diverse spectrum of 54 vertebrate species, comprising 43 avian and 11 mammalian species, distributed across four Ficus species; concurrently, alternative plant species accommodated 28 avian and four mammalian species. Among these, the pre-eminence of green pigeons within Ficus species underscores their feeding behaviors, underscoring the vital role of figs as a dietary cornerstone within PWS’s west bank. Notably, the comparative underrepresentation of vertebrates on the local fig species Ficus drupacea offers intriguing insights. The findings substantiate the significance of figs as a nourishment resource and instigate the necessity for extended investigations to fully unravel the intricate reliance of vertebrates on Ficus species within the tapestry of tropical forests.