Current State of Mugger Populations
The mugger (<i>Crocodylus palustris</i>) is a medium-sized crocodilian inhabiting South Asia. As a result of intensive hunting, its range declined drastically up till the 1970s. Currently, the world mugger population is fragmented and threatened mainly by habitat loss and the consequence...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/691 |
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| author | Milena Sylwia Bors Pogiri Gowri Shankar Joanna Gruszczyńska |
| author_facet | Milena Sylwia Bors Pogiri Gowri Shankar Joanna Gruszczyńska |
| author_sort | Milena Sylwia Bors |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The mugger (<i>Crocodylus palustris</i>) is a medium-sized crocodilian inhabiting South Asia. As a result of intensive hunting, its range declined drastically up till the 1970s. Currently, the world mugger population is fragmented and threatened mainly by habitat loss and the consequences of human–crocodile conflict, being classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The goal of this paper is to comprehensively determine the mugger’s current range, and assess risks in notable habitats of the species across its range. To determine the range and notable habitats, extensive literature covering surveys, monitoring, population studies and reports of human–crocodile conflict was examined. Habitat suitability and risk assessment were performed by evaluating selected habitats using eight factors: the legal status of the area, elevation, surface water availability, water quality, salinity, availability of nesting and basking sites, interaction with humans and interspecific competition. Based on our findings, the chances of the mugger’s survival varies greatly across its range and the threats they face are complex and often site-specific. Defining these threats is the first step for determining suitable risk mitigation efforts, some of which are explored in this review. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:36:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4679ea5d7afa416ba3439aec818fd037 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:36:22Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-4679ea5d7afa416ba3439aec818fd0372024-03-12T16:37:53ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-02-0114569110.3390/ani14050691Current State of Mugger PopulationsMilena Sylwia Bors0Pogiri Gowri Shankar1Joanna Gruszczyńska2Department of Animal Breeding and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, PolandKālinga Foundation, Agumbe Hobli, Guddekere, Shivamogga 577411, IndiaDepartment of Animal Breeding and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, PolandThe mugger (<i>Crocodylus palustris</i>) is a medium-sized crocodilian inhabiting South Asia. As a result of intensive hunting, its range declined drastically up till the 1970s. Currently, the world mugger population is fragmented and threatened mainly by habitat loss and the consequences of human–crocodile conflict, being classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The goal of this paper is to comprehensively determine the mugger’s current range, and assess risks in notable habitats of the species across its range. To determine the range and notable habitats, extensive literature covering surveys, monitoring, population studies and reports of human–crocodile conflict was examined. Habitat suitability and risk assessment were performed by evaluating selected habitats using eight factors: the legal status of the area, elevation, surface water availability, water quality, salinity, availability of nesting and basking sites, interaction with humans and interspecific competition. Based on our findings, the chances of the mugger’s survival varies greatly across its range and the threats they face are complex and often site-specific. Defining these threats is the first step for determining suitable risk mitigation efforts, some of which are explored in this review.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/691conservationrisk assessment<i>Crocodylus palustris</i> |
| spellingShingle | Milena Sylwia Bors Pogiri Gowri Shankar Joanna Gruszczyńska Current State of Mugger Populations Animals conservation risk assessment <i>Crocodylus palustris</i> |
| title | Current State of Mugger Populations |
| title_full | Current State of Mugger Populations |
| title_fullStr | Current State of Mugger Populations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current State of Mugger Populations |
| title_short | Current State of Mugger Populations |
| title_sort | current state of mugger populations |
| topic | conservation risk assessment <i>Crocodylus palustris</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/691 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT milenasylwiabors currentstateofmuggerpopulations AT pogirigowrishankar currentstateofmuggerpopulations AT joannagruszczynska currentstateofmuggerpopulations |