Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad

Glimpses of BIODIVERSITY OF GREATER HYDERABAD Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad C. Srinivasulu and Bhargavi Srinivasulu (Compilers and Editors) Compiled from the Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad [A database maintained by the Wildlife Biology and Taxonomy Lab, Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad] Anhinga melanogaster ©CS Acknowledgements Published by: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India in collaboration with the Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, Biodiversity Research and Conservation Society, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Copyright: © C. Srinivasulu and Bhargavi Srinivasulu, 2012 This publication can be reproduced for educational and non-commercial purposes without prior permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior permission (in writing) of the copyright holder. ISBN 978-81-887-22-33-4 Citation: Srinivasulu, C. & Bhargavi Srinivasulu (Compilers & Editors) 2012. Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Sponsored by: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad. Cover photographs by : Dr. C. Srinivasulu, PhD, Osmania University. Contributors Flora Fauna Dr. M.Venkata Ramana Dr. C. Srinivasulu Research Associate, Deccan Regional Centre, Botanical Survey of India, Hyderabad Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad Dr. C. Sudhakar Reddy Dr. Bhargavi Srinivasulu Scientist-SE, Forestry & Ecology Division, NRSC, Hyderabad Research Associate, Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad Dr. C. Srinivasulu Dr. S. Tej Kumar (Butterflies, along with CS) Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad President, Butterfly Conservation Society, Hyderabad Mr. R. Sreekar (Birds, along with CS) Researcher, Biodiversity Research and Conservation Society, Hyderabad Photograph Contributors Dr. C. Srinivasulu (CS) Mr. J.M. Garg (JMG) Dr. Bhargavi Srinivasulu (BS) Mr. S. Srinivasan (SS) Mr. M. Seetharamaraju (MSR) Mr. K. Krishna Prasad (KKP) Mr. B. Ramakrishna (BR) Mr. G. Chethan Kumar (CK) Mr. Umesh Mani (UM) We would like to express our gratitude to all those who have contributed in documenting the biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad either directly or indirectly. We thank Mr. M.T. Krishna Babu, I.A.S., Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for active interest in preparation of this document.We are also thankful to Mr. K. Sathyanarayana, OSD to Commissioner, Mr. N. Chandra Mohan Reddy, IFS, Additional Commissioner (Parks), and Ms. P. Anuradha, Additional Commissioner (Sports) at GHMC, Hyderabad for support and encouragement. We put on record the help provided to us by numerous stakeholders (citizenry, amateurs and experts) from the society, non-governmental organizations, institutions and universities who over the last two decades have contributed to our knowledge of the biodiversity in Greater Hyderabad. We thank Mr. B. Ravi Kiran Reddy for co-operation and co-ordination of this project. Our team of researchers Mr. P. Venkateshwarlu, Mr. M. Seetharamaraju, Ms. Harpreet Kaur, Mr. G. Chethan Kumar, Mr. K. Krishna Prasad, Mr. B. Ramakrishna, Ms. G.B. Pravalikha and Ms. K. Karuna Kumari, helped with species documentation and database management. Mere thanks are not enough for their painstaking devotion. Our son, Mr. C. Aditya Srinivasulu, has been our punch bag throughout this project and has silently borne the neglect. We thank Prof. S. Satyanarayana, Vice Chancellor, Osmania University and Prof. G. Maruthi Ram, Head, Department of Zoology, Osmania University for support and encouragement. Many colleagues at the University have been great support and we thank them all. Special thanks to Dr. S. Tej Kumar (President, Butterfly Conservation Society), Dr. C. Sudhakar Reddy (Scientist, NRSC, ISRO) and Dr. M. Venkata Ramana (Research Associate, Botanical Survey of India) for helping with listing. We also thank our friends, Mr. Aasheesh Pittie (and members of the Birdwatcers’ Society of Andhra Pradesh), Ms. Farida Tampal (WWF-APSO) and Mr. Avinash (and members of the Friends of Snakes Society) for their help and support. We thank the Officers’ in Charge of the Regional Centres of the Zoological Survey of India and Botanical Survey of India located at Hyderabad and their staff for support and library facilities. This is an attempt to document the varied biodiversity present in the urban and semi urban areas of the Greater Hyderabad, and is based on the best of the contributors’ knowledge. Errors in listing and missing species are purely unintentional, and we request for corrections to be suggested via email (csrinivasulu@osmaniawildlife.org). C. Srinivasulu, PhD & Bhargavi Srinivasulu, PhD Osmania University, Hyderabad October 2012 Mr. Mohammad Majid Hussain H.W. Mayor of Greater Hyderabad City MESSAGE The city of Hyderabad, as has been expected when the foundation was being laid, has indeed become the abode of ‘millions of men of all castes, creeds and religion’. The multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society of Hyderabad is a reflection of the cosmopolitan character of the city. The tremendous growth and prosperity that the city has witnessed is unparalleled and with this development comes the challenge of striking the balance between the basic requirements of the citizenry and retaining the naturalness of the region, and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has been striving to achieve this. The future development plans relies heavily on the cooperation and participation of the citizens and other government departments to ensure holistic advance. The Convention on Biological Diversity – Conference of Parties 11, being held in Greater Hyderabad, has set the background for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to rededicate themselves to this cause. I am sure that the outcome of the Conference will be greatly beneficial for one and all and Hyderabad in particular to develop as a city where the citizens feel happy to live. I am happy to present ‘Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad’, a volume being brought out by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the researchers working on biodiversity at Osmania University, Hyderabad. This book is meant to showcase the rich and varied biodiversity existing in Greater Hyderabad. Mr. M.T.Krishna Babu, I.A.S Commissioner, GHMC FOREWORD Cities are expanding and in future they will be home to a majority of human population. It is recognised that the decisions taken within the cities will affect the biodiversity both within and beyond the cities. Cities have a greater role in biodiversity conservation, which has always been little understood. The Greater Hyderabad city, with the rich cultural and historical background, is home to varied microhabitats and rich biological diversity. Information about the species diversity that dwells within the city is of utmost priority. Through this information, the changes in species numbers can be documented and corrective measures can be taken to curb such loss. It is the responsibility of every one of us to know about the rich biodiversity and conserve them from vanishing from our surroundings. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is bringing out this handy book ‘Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad’ based on the database of Wildlife Biology and Taxonomy Lab of Osmania University and its associates. This will be released during the CBD-Conference of Parties 11 being held at Greater Hyderabad in October 2012, with an intention to make available the information to the stakeholders and citizens. (Re-Accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ Grade) Prof. S. Satyanarayana Vice-Chancellor MESSAGE Indeed Hyderabad is the capital of Biodiversity in India. The geographic position, unique vegetation, rich cultural heritage and spread offer many different habitats to harbour rich and varied biodiversity. The expansion of urban areas and related issues such as congestion, pollution and habitat destruction, no doubt has left their impression on the environs, but the protected areas (public and private owned), green islands in the form of large campuses of Universities and institutions and patches of vegetation in the semi-urban and peri-urban regions provide safe haven to the biological diversity. These areas need to be protected from the developmental pressures of urbanization to maintain the ecosystem balance. Scientific investigations carried out by academicians of different Universities and institutions in Hyderabad on different aspects of biological diversity has revealed interesting patterns of spatiotemporal distribution of species. It is a pleasure to know that the Wildlife Biology and Taxonomy Lab of Department of Zoology of our University had been instrumental in creating a database on the biological diversity of Greater Hyderabad and in collaboration with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is bringing out a book to showcase the rich and varied biodiversity of Hyderabad. It is laudable that Dr. C. Srinivasulu and Dr. Bhargavi Srinivasulu of our University and their able research team has taken up this responsibility and have coordinated and collaborated with different stakeholders to bring out such a database. I would also like to thank all those involved with this project directly or indirectly and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore for technical collaboration for database maintenance and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Government of Andhra Pradesh for publishing this document in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity – Conference of Parties (COP11) being held at Hyderabad, India. Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – A Brief Background ©CS Hyderabad A Brief Background 12 Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, covering an area of 650 square kilometres is India’s fourth most populous city (with 7.75 million residents) and the sixth most populous urban agglomeration of India. During the reign of the first king of the Golkonda dynasty in 1512 the area where the present city lies was a vast stretch of wilderness. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth king of the Golkonda kingdom, laid the foundation of the city in 1589. In 1687 when Mughals conquered the Golkonda, the city became part of the Deccan province of the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb’s reign. Chin Khin Kalich Khan was appointed as the Viceroy of the Dekhan with the ancient title Nizamul-Mulk Bahadur (Lord Regulator of the State) in 1712, and subsequently being recognized as the Supreme Deputy of the Empire in 1723. He attained the final recognition a year later as the Asaf Jah and 13 Map of the Greater Hyderabad depicting major Habitat Characteristics GHMC 2012 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad laid the foundation of the rule of the Nizams of the princely state of Hyderabadlocated at the centre of the Deccan plateau with boundaries touching that of Berar and the Central Provinces on the north, and the Khandesh District of the Bombay Presidency on the north-west, the Rivers Krishna and Tungbahdra in the south, Ahmednagar, Sholapur, Bijapur, and Dharwar districts of Bombay on the west and rivers Wardha and Godavari on the east. The rule of the Nizams continued till the princely state became part of the Indian union in 1948. The Nizams ruled the princely state of Hyderabad for more than two centuries, under subsidiary alliance Hyderabad – A Brief Background with the British Raj. The city of Hyderabad became the capital of the Hyderabad State in 1769 and since then has witnessed unmatched development in all respects. Its geographical position, rich history and heritage infuses Hyderabad with uniqueness in local tradition, art, literature, architecture and cuisine. This expanding urban conglomerate has been ravaged by the unprecedented development as reflected by substantial pollution, congestion and overpopulation, but has also been exemplary in striking a balance between urban expansion and provision of habitable space. Photo by Jack Birns, 1948 Hyderabad the city proper Distant view of Hyderabad city (photo by Lala Deen Dayal ca. 1880s) 16 Hyderabad city, per se, in the historic times was spread over an area of 67.4 square kilometres, and was surrounded by the suburbs of the city (known as Atraf-i-balda [suburbs of the city] or Sirf-i-khas [‘crown’ district]) covering an area of approximately 8803 square kilometres. It is located on the right bank of River Musi and originally was contained within a stone wall (flanked with bastions, and pierced with thirteen gates and twelve or posterns) in the form of a parallelogram spread over 6.5 square kilometers. The city has extended beyond its former limits on the north and east and by the beginning of the 20th century encompassed an area ten times its original. The city was renowned for its buildings and some of the important ones include the Char Minar (or ‘four minarets,’ erected in 1591, that occupies a central position in the city, with four roads radiating from its base; the minarets, 180 feet high, spring from the abutments of 17 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – A Brief Background Recent scenario Another important feature of the area is the Hussain Sagar lake (a large water body) spread over an area of about 21 square kilometres between Secunderabad on the north and Saifabad (a part of the Hyderabad suburbs) on the south. Built in 1575 this lake was the primary source of water for the city and its suburbs. The dam (popularly known as the Tank Bund) is 2 kilometres long, and forms the road connecting the northern suburbs with Secunderabad. Another lake, the Mir Alam, situated to the south-west of the city, also supplied drinking water to the city. Photo by Jack Birns, 1948 open arches facing the cardinal points), (or ‘four arches,’ built in 1593 over four streets, leading to the four quarters of the city); , (or ‘cistern of four roads,’ is situated to the north of the Char Minar), the (hospital), the (‘old palace’), the , the (‘old bridge’, connecting the city with the Karvan road to Golconda), the , the Mecca Masjid and the Jama Masjid. Some recent buildings of the expanded city include the Chaumahalla Palace, Sirdar Villa, Salar Jang’s Palace, Shams-ul-Umara’s Baradari, the Falaknuma Palace, and the Jahannuma Palace. The immediate suburbs of the city included those beyond the Musi (Begam Bazar, Karvan, Afzal Ganj, Mushirabad, Khairatabad, Saifabad and Chadarghat) and those adjoining the 18 city (Yakutpura, Malakpet and Jahannuma). The British Residency, an imposing building, situated on the left bank of the Musi, Residency Bazars, the Residency hospital, the Residency high school and clocktower also formed the suburbs of the city proper. By 1921, Hyderabad’s expanse was about 84 square kilometres and in 1934 the first elected Municipal Administration was established. Between 1937 and 1950 municipalities in immediate surroundings, including that of Secunderabad, came into existence. After the accession of the Hyderabad State by the Indian Union in 1948 and subsequent recognition of the city as the capital of the state of the Andhra Pradesh in 1956, the city’s administration was basically a responsibility of the Municipal Commission of Hyderabad. Besides, the cantonment area, with an area of 40 square kilometres, is under a civic administration agency - the Secunderabad Cantonment Board and the campus of the Osmania University (with an area of 6 square kilometres) is administered independently by Orthetrum sabina ©CS Hyderabad’s twin city, Secunderabad (named after the Nizam Sikandar Jah), located about 10 kilometres north-east of Hyderabad city, was the British cantonment. By the turn of the 20th century the cantonment included areas of Secunderabad, Chilkalguda, Bowenpalli, Begumpet, Trimulgherry, North Trimulgherry and Bolarum. Vast stretches of wilderness and cultivated lands around the interspersed villages existed between the cantonment and the city. 19 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – A Brief Background Climate the University authority. The city is currently under the civic administration - the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). GHMC was formed on 16 April 2007 by merging 12 municipalities and 8 Gram Panchayats with the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad in the districts of Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Medak. The municipalities in Ranga Reddy district are L. B. Nagar, Gaddiannaram, Uppal Kalan, Malkajgiri, Kapra, Alwal, Qutubullapur, Kukatpally, Serilingampalle and Rajendranagar, while that in Medak district are Ramachandrapuram and Patancheru. The Panchayats in Ranga Reddy district are: Shamshabad, Satamarai, Jallapalli, Mamdipalli, Mankhal, Almasguda, Sardanagar and Ravirala. Topography The topography is predominantly sloping rocky terrain with an average altitude of 542 m above mean sea level. Several small hillocks with higher altitude are scattered throughout with the highest point at Banjara Hills (672 m asl). The city limits had 140 lakes and 834 water tanks smaller than 10 hectares (25 acres) and due to urbanization pressures the geographical area covered by water bodies declined from 2.5 percent of the area in 1964 to 1.6 percent. Just outside the city limits are the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, two artificial lakes, created as a result of dams on the River Musi. 20 Hyderabad has a combination of tropical wet and dry climate.The annual mean temperature is 26°C (range 21–32°C). Summers (March– June) are hot and humid with maximum temperatures often exceeding 40°C. Winters (Mid November–Mid February) are moderate with the lowest temperature occasionally falling to 10°C. South-west summer monsoon (June–September), is the principal source of rain with the average annual rainfall being 81cm. People With an increase in the area under the municipality from 170 square kilometres to 650 square kilometres, the population of the city increased as much as 87 per cent and presently has a population density of about 18500 individuals per square kilometre. Besides the resident population, migrants from the rest of the country add to the existing population to almost upto 24 per cent of the city population. The sex ratio is 945 females per 1000 males. The residents of Hyderabad proudly call themselves ‘Hyderabadis’. The majority of the population is that of Telugu speaking community followed by the Urduspeaking and Marathi speaking communities. The minority communities are the Kannadiga, Marwari, Bengali, Tamilian, Malayali, Gujarati, Punjabi and Uttar Pradeshis. Hyderabad’s resident population also has people representing the foreign-origin communities including those of Yemeni Arabs, African Arabs, Armenians, Abyssinians, Iranians, Pathans and Turks.Telugu and Urdu are the first and second official languages of Hyderabad, and the Telugu in Hyderabad has a varied dialect called the Telangana dialect and the Urdu spoken in the city is called Deccani Urdu. A significant minority of the city speaks different languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada and Tamil. Hindu is the major religion followed by Islam (Muslims have large presence across the city, predominantly in and around the Old City); other religious communities are that of Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. Green Cover & Waterbodies The rate of urbanization witnessed by Hyderabad has negatively impacted the vegetation and lakes within the core urban area. However, due to the lateral expansion in area under the municipal administration, a lot of green cover has been included within the GHMC limits. Prior to 1995, about 4.5 percent of geographical area was under the green cover, but under the visionary development projects undertaken with an objective to “achieve sustainable improvement of the living environment with active stakeholder participation and a focus on gender and poverty alleviation”, like the Hyderabad Green Belt Project (between 1994-2000) and Green Hyderabad environment Project (between 2002-2006) the green cover has increased up to about 25 percent.Around 1000 waterbodies within the city limit have been mapped and of these 169 lakes (of water spread area greater than 10 hectare) have been notified for protection and conservation of which as many as 87 have been effectively conserved, treated and managed in a sustainable manner. Parks and forested tracts in urban areas, often considered to be the lungs of the city, are also utilized for recreation and act as ‘Carbon sinks’. More than 800 colony parks and open spaces have been identified of which over 66 percent have been developed into forest lots and the remaining 34 percent have been set aside for use as colony parks. As many as fifteen theme parks with the intention of creating awareness among citizens with respect to different plant species and to encourage academic interest among students, botanists, ecologists and other interested persons have been created. ©CS 21 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Biodiversity Urban Biodiversity - Its Importance Urban areas are the most domesticated landscapes. The process of urbanization leads to an environment that is favourable for humans. It also leads to a host of environmental problems, including the loss of biodiversity. Although cities occupy just 2 per cent of the Earth’s surface, their inhabitants use 75 per cent of the planet’s natural resources. Cities draw on their surrounding ecosystems for goods and services, and their products and emissions can affect regional and even global ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems and biological diversity are vital for cities to function properly. Ecosystems provide three main kinds of services to the city: provisioning, regulating and enriching. While some of these services are easily measured, such as the provision of food and fresh water, others are harder to quantify, such as the contribution an ecosystem makes to the quality of life in aesthetic or spiritual terms. Biodiversity plays an essential role in ensuring the survival of life on earth. Clean water, food, medicines and quality of life are just a few of the services which biodiversity offers to the cities. Recognizing the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems for their survival, cities today undertake many initiatives to utilize and conserve their surroundings efficiently. These actions can reach far beyond the boundaries of the city, affecting biodiversity on a global scale. Studies of the ‘ecological footprint’ of cities – the area of land needed to provide a city with the resources it requires to function and 22 Biodiversity of Hyderabad - A Glimpse to remove its wastes – show that cities affect a geographic area vastly greater than their own surface area. A city’s ecological footprint contributes significantly to biodiversity loss, both locally and at the global level. For example, ecosystem disturbance in just one city on a migratory flight path of birds can affect certain species well beyond the confines of that city. The way in which a city interacts with its mileu shows clearly how biodiversity and ecosystems can be unbalanced by urban demands. Urban patches of green cover can contribute to soil conservation, urban hydrology, microclimate improvement and urban biodiversity. The major biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad, dealt in this report, is represented by the taxa belonging to easily identifiable groups of living organisms ranging from vascular plants to mammals. The groups dealt here are such, which have been studied since long and validated listings have been collated by stakeholders. These groups of organisms also act as ’bioindicators’, reflecting the quality and health of the habitat. In urban ecosystems, the biota are naturally under stress and are represented by species that show some resistance and are resilient in general. Some of the species have become locally extirpated due to ever-increasing pressures on them due to the process of urbanization and also due to negligence both on the part of citizenry and administration alike. Brief Summary of the Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Taxa Jatropha gossipifolia ©JMG Number of Families Number of Species 1 Vascular Plants (Dicots) 164 915 2 Vascular Plants (Monocots) 71 390 3 Odonates 6 30 4 Spiders 11 42 5 Butterflies 5 141 6 Fishes 14 60 7 Amphibia 4 16 8 Reptilia 16 41 9 Birds 60 314 10 Mammals 25 58 23 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Greater Hyderabad’s Biodiversity A List of Selected Taxa Of nearly 1,305 species of plants recorded in Hyderabad, 915 species are dicotyledons and 390 species are monocotyledons. Of this diversity, 577 species belonging to 107 families are native and 728 species belonging to 128 families are naturalized and introduced. List of Native Vascular Plants of Greater Hyderabad DICOTYLEDONS Albizia lebbeck ©JMG Vascular Plants of Greater Hyderabad Plants (including green algae and other land plants) differ from animals in possessing cellulose laden cell walls and chloroplasts with which they manufacture their own food by means of photosynthesis. Globally, more than 2.8 lakh species of plants are known, of which nearly 75 percent of the dicotyledons and 65 percent of the monocotyledon plants are threatened with extinction. Plants have played a key role in the history of life on Earth and are responsible for the presence of oxygen without which there would be no life on this Earth. Plants have been also solely responsible in keeping the greenhouse effect in check thereby saving us 24 from global warming. Our lives and the lives of all other living beings depend directly or indirectly on plants. Apart from these, plants also are great treasure troves of medicinal importance many a drug has been developed from plant extracts. However, hundreds and thousands of hectares of prime forest areas are being felled and cleared, for accommodating the ever-growing human population, for expansion of agriculture and for fuel. Nearly 12-15 million hectares of forests are being lost every year leading to loss of all the other biota that depend on forests for their survival, thereby contributing to global warming and greenhouse effect. Acanthaceae – 17 species Andrographis echioides (L.f.) Nees, 1832 Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, 1832 Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson, 1860 Barleria longiflora L.f., 1782 Barleria prionitis L., 1753 Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) B.Heyne ex Roth, 1821 Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees, 1832 Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Heine, 1962 Justicia adhatoda L., 1753 Justicia gendarussa Burm. f., 1768 Justicia glauca Rottler, 1802 Justicia procumbens L., 1753 Lepidagathis cristata Willd., 1800 Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz, 1870 Rungia repens (L.) Nees, 1831 Thunbergia alata Bojer ex Sims, 1825 Thunbergia fragrans Roxb., 1796 Aizoaceae – 1 species Zaleya decandra (L.) Burm. f., 1768 Amaranthaceae – 11 species Achyranthes aspera L., 1753 Aerva lanata (L.) Juss., 1808 Allmania longepedunculata Gamble, 1925 Allmania nodiflora (L.) R.Br. ex Wight, 1834 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC., 1813 Amaranthus spinosus L., 1753 Amaranthus tricolor L., 1753 Amaranthus viridis L., 1763 Chenopodium album L., 1753 Pupalia lappacea (L.) Juss., 1803 Spinacia oleracea L., 1753 Anacardiaceae – 5 species Buchanania cochinchinensis (Lour.) M.R.Almeida, 1996 Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr., 1938 Mangifera indica L., 1753 Semecarpus anacardium L.f., 1782 Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz, 1875 Annonaceae – 3 species Artabotrys hexapetalus (L.f.) Bhandari, 1964 Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. Polyalthia longifolia (Sonner.) Thwaites, 1864 Apocynaceae – 9 species Beaumontia grandiflora Wall., 1824 Carissa carandas L., 1767 25 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Basellaceae – 1 species Basella alba L., 1753 Bignoniaceae – 3 species Dolichandrone falcata (Wall. ex DC.) Seem., 1870 Millingtonia hortensis L.f., 1782 Stereospermum colais (Buch.-Ham. ex Dillwyn) Mabb., 1978 (1979) Bixaceae – 1 species Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston 1931 Boraginaceae – 5 species Coldenia procumbens L., 1753 Cordia dichotoma G.Forst, 1786 Heliotropium indicum L., 1753 Heliotropium ovalifolium Forssk., 1775 Trichodesma indicum (L.) Lehm., 1818 Burseraceae – 2 species Boswellia serrata Roxb., 1807 Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari, 1965 Calophyllaceae – 1 species Calophyllum inophyllum L., 1753 Cannabaceae – 1 species Cannabis sativa L., 1753 Capparidaceae – 6 species Cadaba indica Lam., 1785 Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew., 1862 Capparis divaricata Lam., 1785 Capparis grandis L.f., 1782 Capparis sepiaria L., 1759 Bauhinia variegata ©JMG Carissa spinarum L., 1771 Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don, 1837 Holarrhena pubescens Wall. ex G. Don, 1837 Nerium oleander L., 1753 Plumeria alba L., 1753 Rauvolfia tetraphylla L., 1753 Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult., 1819 Aristolochiaceae – 2 species Aristolochia indica L., 1753 Aristolochia bracteolata Lam., 1783 Asclepiadaceae – 8 species Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) R.Br., 1809 Ceropegia juncea Roxb., 1795 Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f., 1883 26 Marsdenia sylvestris (Retz.) P.I.Forst., 1995 Pergularia daemia (Forssk.) Chiov., 1916 Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt., 1845 Telosma minor (Andrews) W. G. Craib, 1911 Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr., 1921 Asteraceae – 6 species Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist., 1943 Epaltes divaricata (L.) Cass., 1818 Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L., 1753 Tagetes erecta L., 1753 Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd., 1803 Vicoa indica (L.) DC., 1834 Balanitaceae – 1 species Balanites aegyptiacus Delile, 1813 Calotropis gigantea ©JMG 27 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Caricaceae – 1 species Carica papaya L., 1753 Caryophyllaceae – 2 species Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam., 1797 Polycarpon prostratum (Forsk.) Asch. & Sehweinf., 1889 Casuarinaceae – 1 species Casuarina equisetifolia L., 1759 Celastraceae – 2 species Cassine glauca (Rottb.) Kuntze, 1891 Maytenus emarginata (Ruiz & Pav.) Loes., 1864 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Cleomaceae – 2 species Cleome aspera J.König ex DC., 1824 Cleome felina L.f., 1782 Combretaceae – 8 species Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Bedd., 1869 Combretum album Pers., 1805 Quisqualis indica L., 1762 Terminalia alata Roth, 1821 Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn., 1834 Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., 1805 Terminalia catappa L., 1767 Terminalia chebula Retz., 1789 Convolvulaceae – 8 species Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer, 1837 Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L., 1762 Ipomoea aquatica Forssk., 1775 Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth, 1797 Merremia emarginata (Burm. f.) Hallier f., 1893 Merremia hederacea (Burm. f.) Hallier f., 1893 Merremia tridentata (L.) Hallier f., 1893 Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso, 1836 28 Droseraceae – 1 species Drosera indica L., 1753 Ebenaceae – 3 species Diospyros chloroxylon Roxb., 1795 Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel., 1834 Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb., 1795 Cassia fistula ©JMG Nelumbo nucifera ©JMG Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, 1786 Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb., 1832 Momordica charantia L., 1753 Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd., 1805 Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M.Roem., 1846 Trichosanthes cucumerina L., 1753 Cucurbitaceae – 12 species Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai, 1916 Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt., 1845 Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottler) C.B.Clarke., 1879 Ctenolepis garcini (L.) C.B.Clarke., 1879 Cucumis melo L., 1753 Cucumis sativus L., 1753 Euphorbiaceae – 20 species Acalypha capitata Willd., 1805 Acalypha fruticosa Forssk., 1775 Acalypha lanceolata Willd., 1805 Baliospermum solanifolium (Burm.) Suresh, 1988 Bridelia montana (Roxb.) Willd., 1806 Bridelia retusa (L.) A.Juss., 1824 Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp., 1909 Chrozophora rottleri (Geiseler) A.Juss. ex Spreng., 1826 Euphorbia antiquorum L., 1753 Euphorbia neriifolia L., 1753 Euphorbia thymifolia L., 1753 Flueggea leucopyrus Willd., 1806 Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle, 1836 Jatropha heynei N.P.Balakr., 1962 Jatropha moluccana L., 1753 Microstachys chamaelea (L.) Müll.Arg., 1893 Phyllanthus emblica L., 1753 Phyllanthus maderaspatensis L., 1753 Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir., 1804 Ricinus communis L., 1753 29 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Fabaceae – 105 species Abrus precatorius L., 1767 Acacia caesia (L.) Willd., 1806 Acacia campbellii Arn., 1836 Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd., 1806 Acacia chundra (Rottler) Willd., 1806 Acacia intsia (L.) Willd., 1806 Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd., 1806 Acacia torta (Roxb.) Craib., 1915 Adenanthera pavonina L., 1753 Albizia odoratissima (L.f.) Benth., 1844 Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth., 1844 Alysicarpus bupleurifolius (L.) DC., 1825 Alysicarpus hamosus Edgew., 1852 Alysicarpus monilifer (L.) DC., 1825 Bauhinia purpurea ©JMG Alysicarpus rugosus (Willd.) DC., 1825 Alysicarpus tetragonolobus Edgew., 1852 Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC., 1875 Arachis hypogaea L., 1753 Bauhinia acuminata L., 1753 Bauhinia purpurea L., 1753 Bauhinia racemosa Lam., 1785 Bauhinia vahlii Wight & Arn., 1834 30 Bauhinia variegata L., 1753 Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., 1894 Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb., 1832 Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston., 1931 Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw., 1791 Caesalpinia sappan L., 1753 Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp., 1900 Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars, 1817 Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC., 1825 Cassia fistula L., 1753 Chamaecrista absus (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, 1982 Chamaecrista pumila (Lam.) K.Larsen, 1993 Cicer arietinum L., 1753 Clitoria ternatea L., 1753 Crotalaria bifaria L.f., 1782 Crotalaria hebecarpa (DC.) Rudd., 1983 Crotalaria hirsuta Willd., 1802 Crotalaria juncea L., 1753 Crotalaria mysorensis Roth., 1821 Crotalaria orixensis Willd., 1803 Crotalaria pallida Aiton, 1789 Crotalaria prostrata Rottl. ex Willd., 1809 Crotalaria retusa L., 1753 Crotalaria trifoliastrum Willd., 1802 Crotalaria verrucosa L., 1753 Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik., 1787 Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub., 1894 Dalbergia lanceolaria L.f., 1782 Dalbergia latifolia Roxb., 1799 Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC., 1814 Dalbergia volubilis Roxb., 1799 Delonix elata (L.) Gamble., 1919 Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth, 1860 Derris trifoliata Lour., 1793 Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willd., 1806 Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC., 1825 Dicerma biarticulatum (L.) DC., 1825 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Spathodea campanulata ©JMG Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn., 1834 Dolichos trilobus L., 1753 Erythrina stricta Roxb., 1814 Erythrina suberosa Roxb., 1814 Erythrina variegata L., 1754 Hardwickia binata Roxb., 1819 Indigofera cordifolia Heyne ex Roth, 1821 Indigofera hirsuta L., 1753 Indigofera trifoliata L., 1756 Macrotyloma ciliatum (Willd.) Verdc., 1970 Medicago polymorpha L., 1753 Medicago sativa L., 1753 Mimosa hamata Willd., 1806 Mimosa prainiana Gamble, 1919 Mucuna pruriens (Linnaeus) de Candolle, 1825 Paracalyx scariosus (Roxb.) Ali, 1968 Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, 1899 Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce., 1913 Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., 1799 Pterocarpus santalinus L.f., 1782 Pterolobium hexapetalum (Roth) Santapau & Wagh., 1964 Rhynchosia aurea (Willd.) DC., 1825 Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC., 1825 Rhynchosia suaveolens (L.f.) DC., 1825 Rhynchosia viscosa (Roth) DC., 1825 Rothia indica (L.) Druce, 1914 Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde, 1968 Senna alata (L.) Roxb., 1824 Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb., 1753 Senna occidentalis (L.) Link, 1829 Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, 1982 Senna sophera (L.) Roxb., 1832 Senna tora (L.) Roxb., 1753 Shuteria involucrata (Wall.) Wight & Arn., 1834 Stylosanthes fruticosa (Retz.) Alston., 1931 Tamarindus indica L., 1753 Tephrosia maxima (L.) Pers., 1807 Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers., 1807 Tephrosia strigosa (Dalzell) Santapau & Maheshw., 1957 Tephrosia villosa (L.) Pers., 1807 Teramnus labialis (L.f.) Spreng., 1826 31 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal., 1969 Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek., 1954 Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdc., 1968 Zornia gibbosa Span., 1841 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Vitex negundo L., 1753 Vitex trifolia L., 1753 Gentianaceae – 3 species Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult., 1818 Enicostema axillare (Poir. ex Lam.) A.Raynal, 1969 Exacum pedunculatum L., 1753 Hernandiaceae – 1 species Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq., 1763 Lamiaceae – 24 species Anisochilus carnosus (L.f.) Wall., 1830 Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze, 1891 Anisomeles malabarica (L.) R.Br. ex Sims, 1819 Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze, 1891 Clerodendrum inerme (L.) Gaertn., 1788 Clerodendrum infortunatum L., 1753 Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f., 1782 Duranta erecta L., 1753 Gmelina arborea Roxb., 1814 Holmskioldia sanguinea Retz., 1791 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link, 1822 Leucas cephalotes (Roth) Spreng., 1825 Mentha aquatica L., 1753 Mentha arvensis L., 1753 Meriandra dianthera (Roth ex Roem. & Schult.) Briq., 1896 Ocimum basilicum L., 1753 Ocimum gratissimum L., 1753 Ocimum tenuiflorum L., 1753 Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng., 1825 Plectranthus barbatus Andrews, 1810 Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb., 1824 Tectona grandis L.f., 1782 32 Nyctanthes arbor-tristis ©JMG Lauraceae – 2 species Cassytha filiformis L., 1753 Cinnamomum verum J.Presl, 1825 Leeaceae – 1 species Leea macrophylla Roxb. ex Hornem., 1813 Linaceae – 1 species Linum usitatissimum L., 1753 Linderniaceae – 1 species Lindernia parviflora (Roxb.) Haines, 1922 Loranthaceae – 1 species Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh., 1872 Lythraceae – 7 species Ammania baccifera Gamble, 1919 Lagerstroemia indica L., 1759 Lawsonia inermis L., 1753 Nesaea lanceolata Koehne., 1882 Rotala fimbriata Wight, 1839 Grewia tiliaefolia ©JMG Rotala illecebroides (Arn.) Koehne., 1880 Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz, 1871 Magnoliaceae – 1 species Magnolia champaca (L.) Baill. ex Pierre, 1753 Malpighiaceae – 1 species Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz, 1874 Malvaceae – 28 species Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, 1794 Abelmoschus ficulneus (L.) Wight & Arn., 1833 Abelmoschus moschatus Medik., 1787 Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) Sweet, 1826 Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet, 1826 Bombax ceiba L., 1753 Corchorus olitorius L., 1753 Gossypium arboreum L., 1753 Gossypium herbaceum L., 1753 Grewia asiatica L., 1767 Grewia aspera Schinz, 1908 Grewia damine Gaertn., 1790 Grewia flavescens Juss., 1804 Grewia hirsuta Vahl., 1790 Grewia rhamnifolia Burret, 1926 Grewia rothii DC., 1824 Grewia tiliifolia Vahl, 1790 Hibiscus cannabinus L., 1759 Hibiscus hirtus L., 1753 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., 1753 Hibiscus sabdariffa L., 1753 Kavalama urens (Roxb.) Raf., 1838 Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd., 1800 Sida cordata (Burm.f.) Borss.Waalk., 1966 Sida mysorensis Wight & Arn., 1834 Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa, 1807 Thespesia populneoides (Roxb.) Kostel. Triumfetta rotundifolia Lam., 1792 Meliaceae – 4 species Azadirachta indica A. Juss., 1830 Melia azedarach L., 1753 Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.) A. Juss., 1832 Toona ciliata M.Roem., 1846 Menispermaceae – 2 species Cocculus hirsutus (L.) W.Theob., 1860 Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers, 1851 Molluginaceae – 5 species Glinus lotoides L., 1753 Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug.DC., 1901 Mollugo cerviana (L.) Ser., 1824 Mollugo nudicaulis Lam., 1797 Mollugo pentaphylla L., 1753 Moraceae – 7 species Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., 1789 Artocarpus hirsutus Lam., 1789 Ficus benghalensis L., 1753 Ficus benjamina L., 1767 Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem., 1819 33 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Plumbaginaceae – 1 species Plumbago zeylanica L., 1753 Polygalaceae – 3 species Polygala arvensis Willd., 1802 Polygala erioptera DC., 1824 Polygala persicariifolia DC., 1824 Polygonaceae – 1 species Persicaria glabra (Willd.) M.Gómez, 1986 Portulacaceae – 1 species Portulaca wightiana Wall. ex G.Don, 1834 Derris scandens ©JMG Ficus racemosa L., 1753 Ficus religiosa L., 1753 Moringaceae – 1 species Moringa oleifera Lam., 1785 Nelumbonaceae – 1 species Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., 1788 Nyctanthaceae – 1 species Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L., 1753 Nymphaeaceae – 2 species Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f., 1799 Nymphaea pubescens Willd., 1799 Oleaceae – 6 species Jasminum angustifolium (L.) Willd., 1797 Jasminum auriculatum Vahl., 1794 Jasminum grandiflorum L., 1762 Jasminum multiflorum (Burm.f.) Andrews, 1807 Jasminum officinale L., 1753 34 Putranjivaceae – 1 species Putranjiva roxburghii Wall., 1826 Jasminum sambac (L.) Sol., 1789 Orobanchaceae – 3 species Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G.Don, 1756 Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze, 1891 Striga densiflora (Benth.) Benth., 1836 Oxalidaceae – 2 species Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC., 1824 Oxalis dehradunensis Raizada, 1976 Pedaliaceae – 1 species Sesamum indicum L., 1753 Periplocaceae – 2 species Cryptolepis dubia (Burm.f.) M.R.Almeida., 2001 Finlaysonia wallichii (Wight) Venter., 2001 Piperaceae – 1 species Piper longum L., 1753 Ranunculaceae – 1 species Clematis heynei M.A.Rau, 1993 Rhamnaceae – 2 species Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) Wight & Arn., 1834 Ziziphus oenopolia (L.) Mill., 1768 Rubiaceae – 13 species Canthium coromandelicum (Burm.f.) Alston, 1931 Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng., 1978 Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, 1761 Haldina cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsdale., 1978 Ixora coccinea L., 1753 Ixora pavetta Andr., 1799 Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth., 1839 Mussaenda frondosa L., 1753 Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, Oldenlandia corymbosa L., 1753 Oldenlandia herbacea (L.) Roxb., 1814 Spermacoce articularis L.f., 1782 Spermacoce ramanii Sivar. & R.V.Nair, 1986 Spermdictyon suaveolens Roxb., 1815 Rutaceae – 10 species Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa, 1800 Chloroxylon swietenia DC., 1824 Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle, 1913 Citrus aurantium L., 1753 Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr., 1917 Citrus medica L., 1753 Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, 1765 Limonia acidissima L., 1762 Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng., 1817 Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, 1820 Santalaceae – 1 species Santalum album L., 1753 Sapindaceae – 4 species Cardiospermum halicacabum L., 1753 Dodonaea viscosa Jacq., 1760 Filicium decipiens Thwaites, 1864 Sapindus trifoliatus L., 1753 Sapotaceae – 3 species Madhuca longifolia (J.König ex L.) J.F.Macbr., 1918 Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard., 1915 Mimusops elengi L., 1753 Ipomoea obscura ©JMG 35 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Scrophulariaceae – 1 species Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., 1891 Simaroubaceae – 2 species Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., 1795 Simarouba glauca DC., 1811 Solanaceae – 7 species Cestrum diurnum L., 1753 Cestrum nocturnum L., 1753 Cestrum parqui (Lam.) L’Hér., 1788 Solanum melongena L., 1753 Solanum violaceum Ortega, 1798 Solanum virginianum L., 1753 Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, 1852 Strynaceae – 1 species Strychnos nux-vomica L., 1753 Talinaceae – 1 species Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.) Asch. ex Schweinf., 1896 Tamaricaceae – 1 species Tamarix dioica Roxb., 1821 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants MONOCOTYLEDONS Acoraceae – 1 species Acorus calamus L., 1753 Agavaceae – 1 species Agave cantala (Haw.) Roxb. ex Salm-Dyck., 1829 Alismataceae – 1 species Limnophyton obtusifolium (L.) Miq., 1855 Amaryllidaceae – 3 species Crinum latifolium L., 1753 Crinum viviparum (Lam.) R.Ansari & V.J.Nair, 1988 Pancratium triflorum Roxb., 1832 Andropogonaceae – 1 species Andropogon pumilus Roxb., 1820 Anthericaceae – 3 species Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker, 1876 Chlorophytum malabaricum Baker, 1876 Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker, 1876 Arecaceae – 12 species Calamus rotang L., 1753 Caryota mitis Lour., 1790 Caryota urens L., 1753 Cocos nucifera L., 1753 Cyrtostachys renda Blume, 1843 Latania verschaffeltii Lem., 1859 Livistona jenkinsiana Griff., 1845 Phoenix loureiroi Kunth, 1841 Phoenix pusilla Gaertn. 1788 Phoenix rupicola T.Anderson, 1869 Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb., 1832 Pinanga coronata (Blume ex Mart.) Blume, 1839 Arundinellaceae – 1 species Arundinella ciliata (Roxb.) Nees ex Miq., 1851 Asparagaceae – 5 species Asparagus gonoclados Baker, 1875 Asparagus gracilis Salisb., 1796 Asparagus racemosus Willd., 1838 Asparagus setaceous (Kunth) Jessop, 1966 Sansevieria zeylanica (L.) Willd., 1799 Ulmaceae – 1 species Holoptelea integrifolia Planch., 1848 Violaceae – 1 species Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F.Muell., 1876 Colchicaceae – 2 species Gloriosa superba L., 1753 Iphigenia indica (L.) Kunth, 1843 Vitaceae – 4 species Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch., 1884 Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin, 1927 Cissus quadrangularis L., 1767 Cissus repanda (Wight & Arn.) Vahl, 1794 Pennisetum setaceum ©JMG 36 Araceae – 5 species Aglaonema pictum Kunth, 1841 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don, 1839 Anthurium andraeanum Linden, 1877 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, 1832 Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl., 1908 Commelinaceae – 8 species Commelina benghalensis L., 1753 Commelina clavata C.B.Clarke, 1874 Commelina subulata Roth, 1821 Cyanotis adscendens Dalzell, 1852 Cyanotis cristata (L.) D.Don, 1825 Cyanotis fasciculata (B.Heyne ex Roth) Schult. & Schult.f., 1830 Murdannia semiteres (Dalzell) Santapau, 1951 Murdannia spirata (L.) G.Brückn., 1930 Cyperaceae – 31 species Abildgaardia ovata (Burm. f.) Kral, 1971 Bulbostylis barbata (Rottb.) C.B.Clarke, 1893 Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb., 1772 Cyperus alulatus J.Kern., 1952 Cyperus clarkei T.Cooke, 1908 Cyperus exaltatus Retz., 1788 Cyperus niveus Retz., 1788 Cyperus pangorei Rottb., 1773 Cyperus rotundus L., 1753 Cyperus squarrosus L., 1756 Cyperus tenuispica Steud., 1854 Fimbristylis aestivalis Vahl, 1805 Fimbristylis argentea (Rottb.) Vahl, 1805 Fimbristylis complanata (Retz.) Link, 1827 Fimbristylis falcata (Vahl) Kunth, 1837 Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Kunth, 1822 Fimbristylis schoenoides (Retz.) Vahl, 1805 Fimbristylis woodrowii C.B.Clarke, 1898 Kyllinga brevifolius Rottb., 1773 Kyllinga pumila Michx., 1803 Lipocarpha sphacelata (Vahl) Kunth, 1837 Lipocarpha squarrosa (L.) Goetgh., 1989 Pycreus flavidus (Retz.) T.Koyama, 1976 Pycreus membranaceus (Vahl) Govind., 1990 Pycreus polystachyos (Rottb.) P.Beauv., 1816 Pycreus pumilus (L.) Nees, 1834 Rhynchospora longisetis R.Br., 1810 Rhynchospora wightiana (Nees) Steud., 1855 Sacciolepis indica (L.) Chase., 1908 Schoenoplectiella articulata (L.) Lye, 2003 37 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Schoenoplectiella roylei (Nees) Lye., 2003 Dioscoreaceae – 3 species Dioscorea bulbifera L., 1753 Dioscorea hispida Dennst., 1818 Dioscorea pentaphylla L., 1753 Eragrostidaceae – 9 species Eragrostiella bifaria (Vahl) Bor, 1940 Eragrostiella brachyphylla (Stapf) Bor, 1940 Eragrostis amabilis (L.) Wight & Arn. 1834 Eragrostis aspera (Jacq.) Nees, 1841 Eragrostis ciliata (Roxb.) Nees, 1829 Eragrostis coarctata Stapf., 1896 Eragrostis gangetica (Roxb.) Steud., 1854 Eragrostis unioloides (Retz.) Nees ex Steud., 1854 Eragrostis viscosa (Retz.) Trin., 1831 Hyacinthaceae – 3 species Drimia wightii Lakshmin., 2003 Ledebouria hyderabadensis Venkat Ramana, Prassana and Venu, 2012 Ledebouria revoluta (L.f.) Jessop, 1970 Hydrocharitaceae – 2 species Lagarosiphon alternifolius (Roxb.) Druce, 1917 Ottelia alismoides (L.) Pers., 1805 Hypoxidaceae – 1 species Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., 1788 Iridaceae – 1 species Iris domestica (L.) Goldblatt & Mabb., 2005 Musaceae – 1 species Musa paradisiaca L., 1753 38 Orchidaceae – 1 species Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) Hook. ex G.Don, 1830 Oryzaceae – 1 species Oryza sativa L., 1753 Pandanaceae – 1 species Pandanus fascicularis Lam., 1785 Panicaceae – 2 species Panicum repens L., 1762 Panicum sumatrense Roth., 1817 Poaceae – 51 species Acrachne racemosa (Heyne ex Roth) Ohwi, 1947 Alloteropsis cimicina (L.) Stapf., 1918 Apluda mutica L., 1753 Aristida hystrix L.f., 1782 Aristida setacea Retz., 1786 Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss., 1895 Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl., 1808 Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A.Camus., 1931 Brachiaria distachya (L.) Stapf., 1918 Brachiaria ramosa (L.) Stapf., 1918 Chrysopogon fulvus (Spreng.) Chiov., 1929 Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty., 1960 Coix lacryma-jobi L., 1753 Cymbopogon caesius (Hook. & Arn.) Stapf., 1906 Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf., 1906 Cymbopogon coloratus (Hook.f.) Stapf., 1906 Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) W.Watson, 1882 Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) W.Watson, 1882 Cynodon barberi Rang. & Tadul., 1916 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., 1805 Cynodon radiatus Roth., 1817 Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd., 1809 Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees, 1835 Dichanthium caricosum (L.) A.Camus, 1921 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Digitaria bicornis (Lam.) Roem. & Schult., 1825 Echinochloa glabrescens Munro ex Hook.f., 1896 Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn., 1788 Eriochloa procera (Retz.) C.E.Hubb., 1930 Hackelochloa granularis (L.) Kuntze, 1891 Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult., 1825 Ischaemum rugosum Salisb., 1791 Iseilema anthephoroides Hack., 1889 Iseilema laxum Hack., 1889 Iseilema prostratum (L.) Andersson., 1856 Leersia hexandra Sw., 1788 Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees., 1824 Lophopogon tridentatus (Roxb.) Hack., 1889 Melanocenchris jacquemontii Jaub. & Spach., 1851 Melanocenchris monoica (Rottler) C.E.C.Fisch., 1934 Microchloa indica (L.f.) P.Beauv., 1812 Oplismenus burmannii (Retz.) P.Beauv., 1812 Oropetium thomaeum (L.f.) Trin., 1820 Paspalidium punctatum (Burm.) A.Camus., 1922 Paspalum scrobiculatum L., 1767 Pennisetum hohenackeri Hochst. ex Steud., 1854 Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin., 1834 Setaria intermedia Roem. & Schult., 1817 Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv., 1921 Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv., 1812 Thysanolaena latifolia (Roxb. ex Hornem.) Honda., 1930 Tragus mongolorum Ohwi., 1941 Sporobolaceae – 3 species Sporobolus coromandelianus (Retz.) Kunth., 1829 Sporobolus diandrus (Retz.) P.Beauv., 1810 Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth., 1829 Xanthorrhoeaceae –1 species Dianella ensifolia (L.) DC., 1802 Xyridaceae – 1 species Xyris pauciflora Willd., 1794 Zingiberaceae – 3 species Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt & R.M.Sm., 1972 Curcuma longa L., 1753 Zingiber officinale Roscoe, 1807 Pennisetum pedicellatum ©JMG 39 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad List of Introduced Vascular Plants of Greater Hyderabad Thunbergia alata Bojer ex Sims, 1825 Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T.Anderson, 1864 Thunbergia fragrans var. laevis (Nees) C.B. Clarke ex Hook. f., 1884 Aizoaceae – 2 species Trianthema portulacastrum L., 1753 Trianthema triquetra Rottler & Willd., 1803 Vallaris solanacea ©JMG DICOTYLEDONS Acanthaceae – 19 species Aphelandra squarrosa Nees, 1847 Aphelandra tetragona (Vahl) Nees, 1847 Barleria cristata L., 1753 Blepharis integrifolia (L.f.) E.Mey. & Drège ex Schinz, 1915 Dipteracanthus prostratus (Poir.) Nees, 1832 Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff., 1854 Justicia brandegeeana Wassh. & L.B.Sm., 1969 Justicia japonica Thunb., 1784 Justicia neesii Ramamoorthy, 1976 Justicia quinqueangularis K.D.Koenig ex Roxb., 1820 Dicliptera paniculata (Forssk.) I.Darbysh., 2007 Pseuderanthemum bicolor Radlk., 1833[1834] Pseuderanthemum kewense L.H.Bailey, 1923 Ruellia tuberosa L., 1753 Sanchezia longiflora (Hook.) Hook. f. ex Planch., 1880 Sanchezia oblonga Ruiz & Pav.1798 40 Alangiaceae – 1 species Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin, 1910 Amaranthaceae – 11 species Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult., 1808 Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) Nicols., 1912 Alternanthera paronychioides A.St.-Hil., 1833 Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., 1879 Alternanthera pungens Kunth, 1818 Amaranthus caudatus L., 1753 Celosia argentea L., 1753 Digera muricata (L.) Mart., 1826 Gomphrena globosa L., 1753 Gomphrena serrata L., 1753 Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants, 1753 Anacardiaceae – 2 species Anacardium occidentale L., 1753 Rhus sinuata Eckl. & Zeyh., 1836 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Annonaceae – 3 species Annona muricata L., 1753 Annona reticulata L., 1753 Annona squamosa L., 1753 Apiaceae – 9 species Carum carvi L., 1753 Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., 1879 Coriandrum sativum L., 1753 Cuminum cyminum L., 1753 Daucus carota L., 1753 Foeniculum vulgare Mill., 1768 Pimpinella anisum L., 1753 Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague., 1929 Trachyspermum roxburghianum (DC.) H. Wolff, 1927 Apocynaceae – 11 species Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult., 1819 Aganosma dichotoma K.Schum., 1895 Allamanda blanchetii A.DC., 1844 Allamanda cathartica L., 1771 Catharanthus pusillus (Murray) G.Don, 1837 Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.1810 Plumeria rubra L., 1753 Tabernaemontana citrifolia L., 1753 Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold, 1980 Vallaris solanacea (Roth) Kuntze., 1891 Wrightia tinctoria R.Br., 1810 Araliaceae – 6 species Hedera helix L., 1753 Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms, 1894 Polyscias guilfoylei (W. Bull) L.H. Bailey, 1912 Polyscias balfouriana (André) L.H. Bailey, 1916 Schefflera actinophylla (Endl.) Harms, 1894 Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merr., 1929 Aristolochiaceae – 1 species Aristolochia elegans Mast., 1885 Asclepiadaceae – 12 species Asclepias curassavica L., 1753 Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand., 1811 Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand., 1811 Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb., 1795 Cryptolepis buchanani Roem & Schult. Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb. ex R.Br., 1819 Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn., 1834 Marsdenia sylvestris (Retz.) P.I.Forst., 1995 Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult., 1820 Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult., 1820 Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight & Arn., 1834 Oxystelma esculentum (L. f.) Sm., 1813 Asteraceae – 60 species Acanthospermum hispidum DC., 1836 Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L., 1753 Oligochaeta ramosa Wagenitz., 1962 Artemisia annua L., 1753 Artemisia nilagirica (C.B.Clarke) Pamp., 1926 Bidens bipinnata L., 1753 Bidens pilosa L., 1753 Blainvillea acmella (L.) Philipson., 1950 Blumea obliqua (L.) Druce., 1917 Blumea bifoliata (L.) DC., 1834 Blumea lacera (Burm.f.) DC., 1834 Blumea laciniata DC., 1836 Blumea mollis (D. Don) Merr., 1910 Blumea oxyodonta DC., 1834 Caesulia axillaris Roxb., 1759 Calendula officinalis L., 1753 Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees, 1832 Calyptocarpus vialis Less., 1832 Carthamus tinctorius L., 1753 41 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., 1970 Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Vis., 1847 Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt., 1821 Cosmos bipinnatus Cav., 1791 Cosmos sulphureus Cav., 1791 Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob., 1990 Dahlia rosea Cav., 1794 Dendranthema indicum (L.) Des Moul., 1855 Dicoma tomentosa Cass., 1818 Echinops echinatus Roxb., 1814 Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., 1771 Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. ex DC., 1834 Flaveria trinervia (Spreng.) C.Mohr, 1901 Gaillardia aristata Pursh, 1814 Gaillardia pulchella Foug., 1788 Gerbera jamesonii Adlam, 1888 Glossocardia bosvallia (L.f.) DC., 1834 Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass., 1829 Helianthus annuus L., 1753 Helianthus debilis subsp. cucumerifolius (Torr. & A. Gray) Heiser, 1956 Helianthus laetiflorus Pers., 1807 Helianthus mollis Lam., 1789 Lagascea mollis Cav., 1803 Matricaria recutita L., 1753 Parthenium hysterophorus L., 1753 Pulicaria angustifolia DC., 1836 Solidago canadensis L., 1753 Sphaeranthus senegalensis DC., 1836 Spilanthes paniculata Wall. ex DC., 1836 Spilanthes oleracea L., 1767 Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides (L.) G.L.Nesom, 1994 Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn., 1791 Tagetes minuta L., 1753 Tagetes patula L., 1753 42 Tagetes tenuifolia Cav., 1793 Tridax procumbens (L.) L., 1753 Vernonia cinerea var. parviflora (Reinw. ex Blume) DC., 1836 Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski, 1996 Xanthium inaequilaterum DC., 1836 Zinnia angustifolia Kunth, 1818 Zinnia violacea Cav., 1791 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Tabebuia aurea (Silva Manso) Benth. & Hook.f. ex S.Moore, 1895 Tecoma capensis (Thunb.) Lindl., 1828 Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth., 1819 Couroupita guianensis ©JMG Balsaminaceae – 1 species Impatiens balsamina L., 1753 Bignoniaceae – 21 species Adenocalymma comosum (Cham.) DC., 1845 Amphilophium paniculatum (L.) Kunth, 1819 Anemopaegma chamberlaynii (Sims) Bureau & K.Schum., 1896 Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) K.Schum., 1894 Crescentia cujete L., 1753 Jacaranda acutifolia Bonpl., 1805[1808] Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth., 1849 Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G.Lohmann, 2008 Markhamia lutea (Benth.) K.Schum., 1895 Podranea ricasoliana (Tanfani) Sprague, 1904 Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, 1863 Mansoa hymenaea (DC.) A.H.Gentry, 1980 Spathodea campanulata P.Beauv., 1805 Bignonia magnifica W.Bull, 1879 Tabebuia heterophylla (DC.) Britton, 1915 Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos, 1970 Handroanthus chrysanthus (Jacq.) S.O.Grose, 2007 Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) Bertero ex A.DC., 1845 Bixaceae – 1 species Bixa orellana L., 1753 Bombacaceae – 21 species Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn., 1791 Pachira aquatica Aubl., 1775 Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet, 1826 Abutilon pannosum (G.Forst.) Schltdl., 1851 Alcea rosea L., 1753 Gossypium hirsutum L., 1763 Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky, 1968 Hibiscus lobatus (Murray) Kuntze, 1898 Hibiscus mutabilis L., 1753 Hibiscus ovalifolius (Forssk.) Vahl, 1790 Hibiscus schizopetalus (Dyer) Hook. f., 1880 Hibiscus tiliaceus L., 1753 Hibiscus trionum L., 1753 Malachra capitata (L.) L., 1767 Malva sylvestris L., 1753 Malvaviscus penduliflorus DC., 1824 Diplopenta odorata Alef., 1863 Diplopenta odorata Alef., 1863 Sida acuta Burm.f., 1768 Sida cordifolia L., 1753 Sida spinosa L ., 1753 Boraginaceae – 4 species Cordia monoica Roxb., 1795 Cordia sebestena L., 1753 Ehretia laevis Roxb., 1796 Heliotropium zeylanicum (Burm.f.) Lam., 1789 Brassicaceae – 7 species Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J. Koch, 1833 Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss., 1859 Brassica oleracea L., 1753 Iberis amara L., 1753 Iberis umbellata L., 1753 Rorippa indica (L.) Hiern, 1896 Raphanus sativus L., 1753 Burseraceae – 1 species Bursera penicillata (DC.) Engl., 1880 Cactaceae – 4 species Harrisia bonplandii (Parm. ex Pfeiff.) Britton & Rose, 1920 Opuntia cochenillifera (L.) Mill., 1768 Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw., 1812 Opuntia elatior Mill., 1768 Capparidaceae – 1 species Capparis zeylanica L., 1759 Caryophyllaceae – 1 species Spergula arvensis L., 1753 Celastraceae – 1 species Salacia reticulata Wight, 1838 43 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Ceratophyllaceae – 1 species Ceratophyllum demersum L., 1753 Cleomaceae – 3 species Cleome gynandra L., 1753 Cleome monophylla L., 1753 Cleome viscosa L., 1753 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C.Jeffrey., 1962 Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl., 1930 Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng., 1826 Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour., 1790 Droseraceae – 1 species Drosera burmanni Vahl., 1794 Combretaceae – 1 species Combretum coccineum (Sonn.) Lam., 1785 Convolvulaceae – 15 species Cuscuta chinensis Lam., 1786 Cuscuta reflexa Roxb., 1798 Evolvulus nummularius (L.) L., 1762 Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet, 1826 Ipomoea fistulosa Mart. ex Choisy, 1845 Ipomoea hederifolia L., 1759. Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr., 1917 Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth, 1787 Ipomoea quamoclit L., 1753 Ipomoea eriocarpa R. Br., 1810 Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker Gawl., 1817 Ipomoea pes-tigridis L., 1753 Merremia quinquefolia (L.) Hallier f., 1893 Merremia aegyptia (L.) Urb., 1910 Merremia tuberosa (L.) Rendle, 1905 Crassulaceae– 5 species Echeveria setosa Rose & Purpus, 1910 Kalanchoe delagoensis Eckl. & Zeyh., 1837 Kalanchoe floribunda Wight & Arn., 1834 Kalanchoe laciniata (L.) DC., 1802 Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers., 1805 Cucurbitaceae – 7 species Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., 1881 Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, 1786 Cucurbita pepo L., 1753 44 Grewia damine ©JMG Elatinaceae – 2 species Bergia ammannioides Roxb. ex Roth 1821 Bergia capensis L., 1771 Euphorbiaceae – 26 species Acalypha amentacea Roxb., 1832 Acalypha hispida Burm.f., 1768 Acalypha indica L., 1753 Breynia disticha J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., 1775 Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small, 1903 Chamaesyce serpens (Kunth) Small, 1903 Codiaeum variegatum (L.) A.Juss., 1824 Croton bonplandianus Baill., 1864 Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch, 1834 Euphorbia cyathophora Murray, 1786 Euphorbia heterophylla L., 1753 Euphorbia leucocephala Lotsy, 1895 Euphorbia milii Des Moul., 1830 Euphorbia sanguinea Hort. Berol. ex Klotzsch & Garcke, 1860 Euphorbia tirucalli L., 1753 Jatropha curcas L., 1753 Jatropha gossypiifolia L., 1753 Jatropha multifida L., 1753 Jatropha podagrica Hook., 1848 Jatropha integerrima Jacq., 1760 Manihot esculenta Crantz, 1766 Euphorbia tithymaloides L., 1753 Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels, 1909 Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., 1829 Phyllanthus debilis Klein ex Willd., 1805 Phyllanthus virgatus G.Forst., 1786 Fabaceae – 51 species Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth., 1842 Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd., 1806 Acacia nilotica subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan., 1957 Acacia planifrons Wight & Arn., 1834 Albizia amara (Roxb.) B.Boivin., 1837 Albizia inundata (Mart.) Barneby & J.W. Grimes, 1996 Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth., 1844 Albizia saman (Jacq.) F. Muell., 1876 Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, 1961 Lysiloma latisiliqua A. Gray ex Sauvalle, 1869 Mimosa pudica L., 1753 Parkia biglandulosa Wight & Arn., 1834 Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth., 1844 Bauhinia aculeata L., 1753 Bauhinia tomentosa L., 1753 Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd.,1799 Cassia grandis L. f., 1781 [1782] Cassia roxburghii DC., 1825 Cassia javanica L., 1753 Delonix regia (Bojer) Raf., 1837 Parkinsonia aculeata L., 1753 Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) K.Heyne., 1927 Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers., 1806 Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr., 1912 Senna alexandrina Mill., 1768 Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, 1982 Senna spectabilis (DC.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby, 1982 Senna surattensis (Burm.f.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, 1982 Senna uniflora (Mill.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, 1982 Stylosanthes hamata (L.) Taub., 1890 Aeschynomene indica L., 1753 Crotalaria angulata Mill., 1768 Crotalaria laburnifolia L., 1753 Crotalaria pusilla Heyne ex Roth, 1821 Crotalaria ramosissima Roxb., 1832 Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp., 1842 Glycine max (L.) Merr., 1917 Indigofera astragalina DC., 1825 Indigofera glandulosa Wendl., 1798 Indigofera glabra L., 1753 Indigofera nummulariifolia (L.) Alston, 1921 Indigofera tinctoria L., 1753 Indigofera linifolia (L.f.) Retz., 1791 Indigofera linnaei Ali, 1958 Indigofera trifoliata L., 1756 Indigofera trita L.f., 1782 Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.) Urban, 1825 45 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb., 1763 Melilotus albus Medik., 1787 Melilotus indicus (L.) All., 1785 Sesbania bispinosa(Jacq.) W. Wight, 1909 Tephrosia pumila (Lam.) Pers., 1807 Trigonella foenum-graecum L., 1753 Vigna unguiculata subsp unguiculata (L.) Walp., 1978 Canavalia mollis Wight & Arn., 1834 Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., 1825 Lauraceae – 1 species Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl, 1825 Gentianaceae – 1 species Hoppea dichotoma Willd., 1801 Lobeliaceae – 1 speceis Lobelia alsinoides Lam., 1792 Geraniaceae – 1 species Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér., 1792 Lythraceae – 2 species Lagerstroemia floribunda Jack sec. Griff., 1864 Rotala indica (Willd.) Koehne., 1880 Gisekiaceae – 1 species Gisekia pharnaceoides L., 1771 Hydrangiaceae – 2 species Hydrangea aspera subsp. strigosa (Rehder) E.M. McClint., 1956 Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser., 1830 Lamiaceae – 9 species Ocimum americanum L., 1775 Ocimum filamentosum Forssk., 1775 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., 1806 Leonotis nepaetifolia (L.) R.Br., 1811 Salvia coccinea Buc’hoz ex Etl., 1777 Salvia leucantha Cav., 1791 Salvia splendens Sellow ex Roemer & J.A. Schultes, 1822 Salvia viridis L., 1753 Plectranthus scutellarioides (L.) R.Br. 1810 46 Lecythidaceae – 1 species Couroupita guianensis Aubl., 1775 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., 1789 Kleinhovia hospita L., 1763 Sterculia africana (Lour.) Fiori, 1911 Sterculia foetida L., 1753 Lentibulariaceae – 3 species Utricularia aurea Lour., 1790 Utricularia caerulea L., 1753 Utricularia stellaris L.f.1782 Malpighiaceae – 6 species Galphimia gracilis Bartl., 1839 [1840] Malpighia coccigera L., 1753 Malpighia glabra L., 1753 Stigmaphyllon bonariense (Hook. & Arn.) C.E. Anderson, 1996 Stigmaphyllon ciliatum (Lam.) A. Juss., 1832 [1833] Stigmaphyllon emarginatum (Cav.) A. Juss., 1840 Malvaceae – 14 species Corchorus aestuans L., 1759 Corchorus tridens L., 1771 Corchorus trilocularis L., 1767 Grewia villosa Willd., 1803 Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garcke, 1857 Melochia corchorifolia L., 1753 Triumfetta pentandra A. Rich., 1831 Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq., 1760 Pavetta crassicaulis ©JMG Adansonia digitata L., 1753 Urena lobata L., 1753 Waltheria indica L., 1753 Meliaceae – 2 species Swietenia macrophylla King, 1886 Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq., 1760 Menispermaceae – 1 species Cissampelos pareira L., 1753 Moraceae – 5 species Ficus carica L., 1753 Ficus hispida L.f., 1782 Ficus natalensis Hochst., 1845 Ficus pumila L., 1753 Morus alba L., 1753 Moringaceae – 1 species Moringa ovalifolia Dinter & A.Berger, 1914 Muntingiaceae – 1 species Muntingia calabura L., 1753 Myrtaceae – 10 species Callistemon citrinus (Curt.) Skeels, 1913 Callistemon rigidus R. Br., 1819 Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson, 1995 Eucalyptus globulus Labill., 1800 Eucalyptus rudis Endl., 1837 Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm., 1795 Psidium guajava L., 1753 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels., 1912 Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston, 1931 Syzygium operculatum (Roxb.) Nied., 1893 Nandinaceae – 1 species Nandina domestica Thunb., 1907 Nyctaginaceae – 1 species Boerhavia diffusa L., 1753 Boerhavia erecta L., 1753 Boerhavia repens L., 1753 Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd., 1799 Mirabilis jalapa L., 1753 Oleaceae – 3 species Jasminum arborescens Roxb., 1820 Jasminum calophyllum Wall. & G.Don, 1837 Jasminum mesnyi Hance, 1882 Onagraceae (1 species) Ludwigia perennis L., 1753 Orobanchaceae – 2 species Striga angustifolia (D. Don) C.J. Saldanha, 1963 Striga gesnerioides (Willd.) Vatke, 1875 Oxalidaceae – 2 species Oxalis debilis var. corymbosa (DC.) Lourteig, 1980 Oxalis corniculata L., 1753 47 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Polygonaceae – 5 species Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn., 1838 Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L., 1759 Muehlenbeckia platyclados (F.Muell.) Meisn.,1865 Polygonum plebeium R.Br., 1810 Rumex vesicarius L., 1753 Kleinhovia hospita ©JMG Papaveraceae – 1 species Argemone mexicana L., 1753 Passifloraceae – 4 species Passiflora foetida L., 1753 Passiflora holosericea L., 1753 Passiflora edulis Sims, 1818 Passiflora incaranata L., 1753 Pedaliaceae – 1 species Pedalium murex L., 1759 Phytoloccaceae – 1 species Rivina humilis L., 1753 Plantaginaceae – 1 species Plantago orbignyana Steinh. ex Decne., 1852 Plumbaginaceae – 1 species Plumbago auriculata Lam., 1786 Polemoniaceae – 1 species Phlox drummondii Hook., 1835 Polygalaceae – 1 species Polygala elongata Klein ex Willd., 1802 48 Portulacaceae – 4 species Portulaca grandiflora Hook., 1829 Portulaca oleracea L., 1753 Portulaca pilosa L., 1753 Portulaca quadrifida L., 1767 Primulaceae – 2 species Anagallis pumila Sw., 1788 Bonellia macrocarpa (Cav.) B. Ståhl & Källersjö, 2004 Proteaceae – 2 species Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. ex R. Br., 1830 Grevillea pteridifolia Knight, 1809 Ranaunculaceae – 3 species Clematis terniflora DC., 1817 Consolida ajacis (L.) Schur, 1853 Nigella sativa L., 1753 Rhamnaceae – 2 species Ziziphus mauritiana Lam., 1789 Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd., 1798 Rosaceae – 5 species Rosa chinensis Jacq., 1768 Rosa canina L., 1753 Rosa damascena Mill., 1768 Rosa multiflora Thunb., 1784 Rosa setigera Michx., 1803 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Rubiaceae – 14 species Ceriscoides turgida (Roxb.) Tirveng, 1978 Dentella repens (L.) J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., 1775 Hamelia patens Jacq., 1760 Hedyotis cyanantha Kurz., 1876 Ixora chinensis Lam., 1789 Kohautia aspera (B.Heyne ex Roth) Bremek., 1952 Macrosphyra longistyla Hook. f., 1873 Oldenlandia affinis (Roem. & Schult.) DC., 1830 Oldenlandia biflora L., 1753 Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb., 1814 Oldenlandia pumila (L.f.) DC., 1830 Oldenlandia umbellata L., 1753 Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers, 1889 Spermacoce hispida L., 1753 Rutaceae – 5 species Citrus aurantium L., 1753 Citrus reticulata Blanco, 1837 Ravenia spectabilis (Lindl.) Engl., 1874 Ruta graveolens L., 1753 Chloroxylon swietenia DC., 1824 Simmondsiaceae – 1 species Simmondsia chinensis (Link) C.K. Schneid., 1907 Solanaceae – 16 species Brugmansia candida Pers., 1805 Brunfelsia americana L., 1753 Brunfelsia pauciflora (Cham. & Schltdl.) Benth. Capsicum annuum L., 1753 Datura innoxia Mill., 1768 Datura metel L., 1753 Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv., 1802 Nicotiana tabacum L., 1753 Petunia atkinsiana D.Don ex Loudon, 1839 Physalis angulata L., 1753 Solanum erianthum D. Don, 1825 Solanum lycopersicum Lam., 1794 Solanum seaforthianum Andrews, 1808 Solanum rudepannum Dunal, 1852 Solanum tuberosum L., 1753 Solanum americanum Mill., 1768 Strychnaceae – 1 species Strychnos potatorum L.f., 1782 Salicaceae – 2 species Oncoba spinosa Forssk., 1775 Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr., 1917 Tropaeolaceae – 1 species Tropaeolum majus Linn., 1753 Sapotaceae – 1 species Manilkara kauki (L.) Dubard, 1915 Turneraceae – 1 species Turnera ulmifolia L., 1753 Scrophulariaceae – 4 species Antirrhinum majus L., 1753 Russelia sarmentosa Jacq., 1760 Russelia equisetiformis Schltdl. & Cham., 1831 Martynia annua L., 1753 Urticaceae – 3 species Pouzolzia zeylanica (L.) Benn. & R. Br., 1838 Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm., 1851 Pilea depressa Blume, 1856 Verbenaceae – 17 species Citharexylum spinosum L., 1753 49 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Clerodendrum chinense (Osbeck) Mabb., 1989 Clerodendrum splendens G.Don, 1824 Clerodendrum thomsoniae Balf., 1869 Glandularia bipinnatifida Nutt., 1821 Lantana camara L., 1753 Lantana indica Roxb., 1832. Lantana veronicifolia Hayek., 1906 Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng., 1825 Petrea volubilis L., 1753 Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene, 1899 Premna mollissima Roth, 1821 Premna tomentosa Willd., 1800 Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl, 1804 Stachytarpheta mutabilis (Jacq.) Vahl. 1804 Stachytarpheta urticifolia (Salisb.) Sims, 1816 Verbena officinalis L., 1753 Vitaceae – 1 species Vitis vinifera L., 1753 Zygophyllaceae – 1 species Tribulus terrestris L., 1753 MONOCOTYLEDONS Agavaceae – 3 species Agave americana L., 1753 Agave vivipara L., 1753 Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw., 1812 Alismataceae – 1 species Butomopsis latifolia (D.Don) Kunth, 1841 Amaryllidaceae – 10 species Allium cepa L., 1753 Allium sativum L., 1753 Crinum asiaticum L., 1753 50 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Crinum powellii hort. ex Baker, 1888 Hippeastrum vittatum (L’Hér.) Herb., 1821 Howea forsteriana (F. Muell. & H. Wendl.) Becc., 1877 Hymenocallis tenuiflora Herb., 1837 Scadoxus multiflorus (Martyn) Raf., 1838 Zephyranthes citrina Baker, 1882 Zephyranthes minuta (Kunth) D.Dietr., 1840 Anthericaceae – 2 species Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques, 1862 Chlorophytum laxum R.Br., 1810 Aponogetonaceae – 1 species Aponogeton natans (L.) Engl. & K.Krause, 1906 Araceae –12 species Aglaonema commutatum Schott, 1856 Aglaonema crispum (Pitcher & Manda) Nicolson, 1968 Aglaonema modestum Schott ex Engl., 1879 Aiphanes minima (Gaertn.) Burret, 1932 Alocasia reginula A. Hay, 1998 Alocasia robusta M.Hotta, 1967 Monstera deliciosa Liebm., 1849 Philodendron cordatum Kunth ex Schott, 1856 Philodendron giganteum Schott, 1856 Pistia stratiotes L., 1753 Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid., 1839 Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Horkel ex Wimm., 1857 Arecaceae – 67 species Adonidia merrillii (Becc.) Becc., 1919 Archontophoenix alexandrae (F.Muell.) H.Wendl. & Drude, 1875 Areca catechu L., 1753 Arenga engleri Becc., 1889 Delonix regia ©JMG Bismarckia nobilis Hildebrandt & H. Wendl., 1881 Borassus flabellifer L., 1753 Brahea armata S. Watson, 1876 Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc., 1916 Caladium bicolor Vent., 1801 Caladium lindenii (André) Madison, 1981 Carpentaria acuminata (H.Wendl. & Drude) Becc., 1885 Chamaedorea elegans Mart., 1830 Chamaedorea metallica O.F. Cook ex H.E. Moore, 1966 Chamaedorea seifrizii Burret, 1938 Chamaerops humilis L., 1753 Chambeyronia macrocarpa Vieill. ex Becc., 1873 Chuniophoenix hainanensis Burret, 1937 Coccothrinax argentata (Jacq.) L.H. Bailey, 1939 Coccothrinax barbadensis (Lodd. ex Mart.) Becc., 1907 Coccothrinax crinita (Griseb. & H. Wendl. ex Kerch.) Becc., 1907 Copernicia prunifera (Mill.) H.E. Moore, 1963 Dictyosperma album (Bory) H.L. Wendl. & Drude ex Scheff., 1876 Dieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schott, 1829 Drymophloeus oliviformis (Giseke) Mart., 1849 Dypsis cabadae (H.E. Moore) Beentje & J. Dransf., 1995 Dypsis decaryi (Jum.) Beentje & J. Dransf., 1995 Dypsis lastelliana (Baill.) Beentje & J. Dransf., 1995 Dypsis lutescens (H. Wendl.) Beentje & J. Dransf., 1995 Elaeis guineensis Jacq., 1763 Heterospathe elata Scheff., 1876 Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (L.H. Bailey) H.E. Moore, 1976 Hyophorbe verschaffeltii H. Wendl., 1866 Latania loddigesii Mart., 1838 Licuala grandis H. Wendl., 1880 Licuala lauterbachii Dammer & K. Schum., 1900 Licuala spinosa Wurmb, 1780 Livistona australis Mart., 1838 Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R. Br. ex Mart., 1838 Livistona decipiens Becc., 1910 Livistona humilis R. Br., 1810 Livistona saribus (Lour.) Merr. ex A. Chev., 1919 Nypa fruticans Wurmb, 1779 Phoenicophorium borsigianum (K.Koch) Stuntz, 1914 Phoenix dactylifera L., 1753 Phoenix roebelenii O’Brien, 1889 Pritchardia pacifica Seem. & H.Wendl., 1862 Pseudophoenix sargentii H.Wendl. ex Sarg., 1886 Pseudoraphis spinescens (R.Br.) Vickery, 1952 Ptychosperma macarthurii (H.Wendl. ex H.J.Veitch) H.Wendl. ex Hook.f., 1882 Ravenea glauca Jum. & H.Perrier, 1913 Ravenea rivularis Jum. & H.Perrier, 1913 Ravenea xerophila Jum., 1933 Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Fraser ex Thouin) H.Wendl. & Drude, 1876 Rhapis excelsa (Thunb.) Henry, 1930 Rhapis humilis Blume, 1839 51 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Rhapis multifida Burret, 1937 Roystonea regia (Kunth) O.F.Cook, 1900 Sabal palmetto (Walter) Lodd. ex Schult. & Schult.f., 1830 Serenoa repens (W.Bartram) Small, 1923 Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman, 1968 Syngonium auritum (L.) Schott, 1829 Syngonium podophyllum Schott, 1851 Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H.Wendl., 1861 Trithrinax brasiliensis Mart., 1837 Veitchia winin H.E.Moore, 1957 Washingtonia filifera (Linden ex André) H.Wendl. ex de Bary, 1879 Wodyetia bifurcata A.K.Irvine, 1983 Sansevieria hyacinthoides (L.) Druce, 1913 Sansevieria stuckyi God.-Leb., 1903 Sansevieria trifasciata Prain, 1903 Yucca aloifolia L., 1753 Yucca gloriosa L., 1753 Bromeliaceae – 2 species Aechmea fasciata (Lindl.) Baker, 1879 Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., 1917 Cannaceae – 3 species Canna generalis L.H. Bailey & E.Z. Bailey, 1930 Canna flaccida Salisb., 1791 Canna indica L., 1753 Chloridaceae – 4 species Chloris gayana Kunth, 1829 Chloris inflata Link, 1821 Chloris barbata Sw., 1797 Chloris virgata Sw., 1797 Barringtonia acutangula ©JMG Arundinellaceae –1 species Arundinella setosa Trin., 1826 Asparagaceae –15 species Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessop, 1966 Asparagus falcatus L., 1753 Asparagus laevissimus Steud. ex Baker, 1875 Asparagus umbellatus Link, 1825 Cordyline australis Hook. f., 1860 Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev., 1919 Cordyline stricta (Sims) Endl., 1836 Hyacinthus orientalis L., 1753 Polianthes tuberosa L., 1753 Sansevieria cylindrica Bojer ex Hook., 1859 52 Commelinaceae – 4 species Commelina caroliniana Walter, 1788 Commelina undulata R. Br., 1810 Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan (1952) Tradescantia spathacea Sw., 1788 Costaceae – 1 species Cheilocostus speciosus (J.König) C.Specht, 2006 Cyperaceae – 31 species Carex hebecarpa C.A. Mey., 1831 Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb., 1772 Cyperus articulatus L., 1753 Cyperus bulbosus Vahl, 1805 Cyperus compressus L., 1753 Cyperus hyalinus Vahl, 1805 Cyperus involucratus Rottb., 1772 Cyperus laevigatus L., 1767 Hyderabad – Vascular Plants Cyperus meeboldii Kük., 1922 Cyperus pulchellus R. Br., 1810 Cyperus rubicundus Vahl, 1805 Cyperus stoloniferus Retz., 1786 Cyperus difformis L., 1756 Cyperus iria L., 1753 Dichanthium foveolatum (Delile) Roberty., 1960 Eleocharis atropurpurea (Retz.) J.Presl & C.Presl, 1828 Eleocharis geniculata (L.) Roem. & Schult., 1817 Fimbristylis bisumbellata (Forssk.) Bubani, 1850 Fimbristylis cymosa R.Br., 1810 Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Vahl, 1805 Fimbristylis ferruginea (L.) Vahl, 1805 Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Kunth, 1822 Fimbristylis tenera Schult., 1824 Fimbristylis tetragona R.Br., 1810 Fimbristylis alboviridis C.B. Clarke., 1893 Lipocarpha chinensis (Osbeck) J. Kern, 1958 Pycreus diaphanus (Schrad. ex Roem. & Schult.) S.S.Hooper & T.Koyama, 1976 Schoenoplectiella senegalensis (Steud.) Lye, 2003 Schoenoplectus mucronatus (L.) Palla, 1888 Schoenoplectiella supina (L.) Lye, 2003 Scleria rugosa R.Br., 1810 1940 Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Janch., 1907 Eragrostis minor Host, 1827 Eragrostis pilosa (L.) P.Beauv., 1812 Eragrostis patula (Kunth) Steud., 1840 Eragrostis tremula Hochst. ex Steud., 1854 Dioscoreaceae – 1 species Dioscorea alata L., 1753 Dracaenaceae – 5 species Dracaena fragrans (L.) Ker Gawl., 1808 Dracaena marginata Lam., 1786 Dracaena reflexa Lam., 1786 Dracaena sanderiana Sander, 1893 Dracaena surculosa Lindl., 1828 Lemnaceae – 1 species Lemna aequinoctialis Welw., 1858 Liliaceae – 1 species Lilium candidum L., 1753 Eragrostidaceae – 6 species Eragrostis atrovirens (Desf.) Trin. ex Steud., Najadaceae – 1 species Najas graminea Delile, 1813 Eriocaulaceae – 1 species Eriocaulon quinquangulare L., 1753 Heliconiaceae – 4 species Heliconia latispatha Benth., 1846 Heliconia psittacorum L.f., 1781 Heliconia rostrata Ruiz & Pav., 1802 Heliconia stricta Huber, 1906 Hyacinthaceae – 1 species Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop., 1977 Hydrocharitaceae – 3 species Vallisneria americana Michx., 1803 Blyxa aubertii Rich., 1814 Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, 1839 Iridaceae – 1 species Gladiolus gandavensis Van Houtte, 1844 Marantaceae – 2 species Calathea roseopicta (Linden) Regel, 1869 Maranta arundinacea L., 1753 53 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Oryzaceae – 1 species Oryza rufipogon Griff., 1851 Pandanaceae – 1 species Pandanus tectorius Parkinson, 1773 Panicaceae – 1 species Panicum curviflorum Hornem., 1819 Panicum maximum Jacq., 1781 Poaceae – 29 species Aristida funiculata Trin. & Rupr., 1842 Aristida adscensionis L., 1753 Arthraxon lanceolatus (Roxb.) Hochst., 1856 Arthraxon lancifolius (Trin.) Hochst., 1856 Brachiaria eruciformis (Sm.) Griseb., 1853 Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor., 1965 Cynodon radiatus Roth., 1817 Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, 1802 Digitaria longiflora (Retz.) Pers., 1805 Dimeria avenacea (Retz.) C.E.C.Fisch., 1932 Echinochloa colona (L.) Link, 1833 Hyderabad – A Brief Background Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., 1812 Echinochloa oryzoides (Ard.) Fritsch, 1891 Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth., 1829 Imperata cylindrica (L.) P.Beauv., 1812 Dichanthium foveolatum (Delile) Roberty., 1960 Paspalidium flavidum (Retz.) A. Camus., 1922 Paspalidium geminatum (Forssk.) Stapf., 1920 Paspalum distichum L., 1759 Cenchrus ciliaris L., 1771 Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br., 1810 Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov., 1923 Perotis indica (L.) Kuntze., 1821 Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton., 1981 Sehima nervosum (Rottler) Stapf., 1917 Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult., 1817 Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., 1805 Themeda triandra Forssk., 1775 Brachiaria mutica (Forssk.) Stapf., 1918 Potamogetonaceae – 1 species Potamogeton nodosus Poir., 1816 Pontederiaceae – 1 species Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, 1883 Typhaceae – 1 species Typha domingensis Pers., 1807 Turnera ulmifolia ©JMG 54 Saccharaceae – 2 species Saccharum officinarum L., 1753 Saccharum spontaneum L., 1753 Sporobolaceae – 1 species Sporobolus tenuissimus (Schrank.) Kuntze., 1898 Xanthorrhoeaceae – 2 species Aloe mitriformis Mill., 1768 Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., 1768 Zeaceae – 1 species Zea mays L. Nash., 1903 Zingiberaceae – 1 species Alpinia vittata Bull., 1873 Strelitziaceae – 1 species Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn., 1782 Strelitzia reginae Banks ex Aiton, 1789 Triticaceae – 2 species Triticum aestivum L., 1753 Triticum turgidum L., 1753 Allamanda cathartica ©JMG 55 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Odonates Odonates of Greater Hyderabad Odonata is an order of insects under the Phylum Arthropoda that includes dragonflies and damselflies. The odonates were named so, as they possess teeth on their mandibles. They are broadly divided into suborder Zygoptera (the damselflies) and suborder Anisoptera (the drangonflies). Odonates are different from other insect groups in possessing extremely large eyes, very minute antennae, two pairs of transparent membranous wings with numerous small veins and a long slender abdomen. Odonates serve as the indicator species of ecosystem health as they use both the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in their lifecycles. Many ecological factors affect the odonate populations which in turn affect the animal populations that depend on the timing of the emergence of the adult odonates. Changes in aquatic ecosystem or total removal would affect the quality of the odonate habitat. As these serve as both predators and prey, loss of odonate species would result in a cascade effect on both the terrestrial and aquatic food webs. Hence, the waterbodies play a vital role for the health of the ecosystem and need to be conserved. Platycnemididae – 1 species Copera vittata (Selys, 1863) 56 Pantala flavescens ©MSR In Greater Hyderabad, odonates are represented by 30 species distributed in 6 families. List of Odonates of Greater Hyderabad Suborder Zygoptera Coenagrionidae – 7 species Ceriagrion coromadelianum (Fabricus, 1798) Ceriagrion olivaceum Laidlaw, 1914 Pseudagrion microcephalum (Rambur, 1842) Pseudagrion rubriceps (Selys, 1876) Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) Ischnura aurora (Brauer, 1858) Agriocnemis pygmaea (Rambur, 1842) Tramea limbata ©CS Lestidae – 2 species Lestes elatus Hagen in Selys, 1858 Lestes viridulus Rambur, 1842 Suborder Anisoptera Gomphidae – 1 species Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842) Aeshnidae – 2 species Anax guttatus (Burmeister, 1839) Gynacantha bayadera Selys, 1891 Ceriagrion coromandelianum ©JMG Libellulidae – 17 species Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) Tramea basilaris Kirby, 1889 Tramea limbata (Rambur, 1842) Zyxomma petiolatum Rambur, 1842 Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798) Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842) Orthetrum glaucaum (Brauer, 1865) Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1770) Anax guttatus ©CS&BS Orthetrum taeniolatum (Schneider, 1845) Potamarcha congener (Rambur, 1842) Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793) Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1770) Rhyothemis variegata (Linaneus, 1763) Trithemis aurora (Burmeister, 1839) Trithemis pallidinervis (Kirby, 1889) Acisoma panorpoides Rambur, 1842 Bradinopyga geminata (Rambur, 1842) 57 Hyderabad – Butterflies Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Butterflies of Greater Hyderabad The beauties of the insect world are the butterflies that belong to Order Lepidoptera of the Phylum Arthropoda. The butterflies have been around since about 40-50 million years ago consuming nectar and in turn pollinating flowers of different species of plants. The lifespan of a butterfly can be anywhere between one week to one year depending on the species and in this short lifespan, they spread beauty wherever they fly about. The different colours of a butterfly can be attributed to the millions of scales which due to their structural differences and because they are superimposed on one another reflect sunlight in such a manner so as to lend colours unique to the butterfly. Butterflies indulge in migrations as birds and it generally coincides with the lifecycle of the host plants. Not all flowers can be pollinated by bees, hence the butterflies fit in such cases where they with their long proboscis in the act of drinking nectar help pollinate such specific species of plants. Areas rich in butterflies are rich in terms of other invertebrates comprising an important part of the food chain supporting many predator species. They are indicators of ecosystem health wherein any changes in the populations of butterflies can be reflected directly to the health of the ecosystem and also are effective in the biological control of invasive plants. In Greater Hyderabad, butterflies are represented by 141 species distributed in 5 families. List of Butterflies of Greater Hyderabad Papilionidae – 11 species Atrophaneura aristolachiae Fabricius, 1775 Atrophaneura hector Linnaeus, 1758 Chilasa clytia Linnaeus, 1758 Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus, 1758) Graphium doson C&R Felder, 1864 Graphium sarpedon (Linnaeus, 1758) Graphium nomius Esper, 1785 Papilio crino Fabricius, 1792 Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758 Papilio polytes Linnaeus, 1758 Papilio polymnestor Cramer, 1775 58 Pieridae – 21 species Appias albina (Boisduval, 1836) Appias libythea Fabricius, 1775 Belenois aurota (Fabricius 1793) Catopsilia pyranthe Linnaeus, 1758 Catopsilia pomona (Fabricius, 1775) Cepora nerissa Fabricius, 1775 Colotis amata (Fabricius, 1775) Colotis danae (Fabricius, 1775) Colotis etrida (Boisduval, 1836) Colotis eucharis (Fabricius, 1775) Colotis fausta (Olivier, 1804) Delias eucharis (Drury, 1773) Eurema hecabe Polyura agraria ©MSR ©JMG Delias hyparete (Linnaeus, 1758) Eurema brigitta (Cramer, 1780) Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758) Eurema laeta (Boisduval, 1836) Hebomoia glaucippe Linnaeus, 1758 Ixias marianne (Cramer, 1779) Ixias pyrene Linnaeus, 1764 Leptosia nina Fabricius, 1793 Pareronia valeria (Cramer, 1776) Nymphalidae – 42 species Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758) Argyreus hyperbius (Linnaeus, 1763) Ariadne ariadne (Linnaeus, 1763) Ariadne merione (Cramer, 1777) Athyma perius Linnaeus, 1758 Bybliai lithyia Drury, 1773 Charaxes bernardus (Fabricius, 1793) Charaxes solon (Fabricius, 1793) Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) Danaus genutia (Cramer, 1779) Elymnias hypermnestra (Linnaeus, 1763) Euploea core (Cramer, 1780) Euploea klugii Moore, 1858 Euploea sylvester (Fabricius, 1793) Euthalia aconthea (Hewitson, 1874) Euthalia nais (Forster, 1771) Hypolimnas bolina Linnaeus, 1758 Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764) Junonia almana (Linnaeus, 1758) Junonia atlites (Linnaeus, 1763) Junonia hierta (Fabricius, 1798) Junonia iphita (Cramer, 1779) Junonia lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758) Junonia orithya (Linnaeus, 1758) Lethe europa (Fabricius, 1787) Lethe rohria (Fabricius, 1787) Melanitis leda (Linnaeus, 1758) Moduza procris Cramer, 1777 Mycalesis mineus (Linnaeus, 1758) Mycalesis perseus (Fabricius, 1775) Mycalesis visala Moore, 1858 Neptis hylas Linnaeus, 1758 Orsotriaena medus (Fabricius, 1775) Pantoporia hordonia Stoll, 1790 Parantica aglea (Stoll, 1782) Phaedyma columella Cramer, 1780 Phalanta phalantha (Drury, 1773) Polyura agraria Swinhoe, 1887 Polyura athamas (Drury, 1773) 59 Hyderabad – Butterflies Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Papilio demoleus ©BR Tirumala limniace Cramer, 1775 Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus, 1758) Ypthima asterope (Klug, 1832) Lycaenidae – 39 species Abisara echerius Stoll, 1790 Acytolepis puspa (Horsfield, 1828) Azanus jesous (Guérin, 1847) Azanus ubaldus Stoll, 1782 Azanus uranus Butler, 1886 Caleta caleta (Hewitson, 1876) Castalius rosimon (Fabricius, 1775) Catochrysops strabo (Fabricius, 1793) Chilades lajus Stoll, 1780 Castalius rosimon ©JMG 60 Chilades pandava (Horsfield, 1829) Chilades trochylus (Freyer, 1845) Curetis thetis Drury, 1773 Deudorix isocrates (Fabricius, 1793) Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius, 1798) Everes lacturnus (Godart , 1824) Freyeria trochylus Freyer, 1845 Jamides alecto (Felder, 1860) Jamides bochus Stoll 1782 Jamides celeno (Cramer, 1775) Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767) Leptotes plinius (Fabricius, 1793) Loxura atymnus Stoll, 1780 Prosotas dubiosa (Semper, 1879) Parnara bada ©JMG Prosotas nora (Felder, 1860) Pseudozizeeria hylax (Fabricius, 1775) Pseudozizeeria maha (Kollar, 1848) Rapala iarbus Fabricius, 1787 Rapala manea (Hewitson, 1863) Rathinda amor Fabricius, 1775 Spalgis epius (Westwood, 1851) Spindasis ictis Hewitson, 1865 Cigaritis vulcanus (Fabricius, 1775) Tajuria cippus Fabricius, 1798 Tajuria jehana Moore, 1883 Talicada nyseus (Guerin, 1843) Tarucus nara Kollar, 1848 Tarucus plinius (Fabricius, 1793) Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) Zizina otis (Fabricius, 1787) Hesperiidae – 8 species Coladenia indrani (Moore, 1865) Gangara thyrsis Fabricius, 1775 Hasora chromus (Cramer, 1780) Matapa aria (Moore, 1865) Parnara bada (Moore, 1878) Pseudoborbo bevani (Moore, 1878) Spialia galba (Fabricius, 1793) Suastus gremius (Fabricius, 1798) Pareronia valeria ©BR Euthalia nais ©BR Euploea core ©CK 61 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Spiders Spiders of Greater Hyderabad Spiders belong to the Class Arachnida of the Phylum Arthropoda. They are characterized by eight jointed legs and chelicerae with fangs. Spiders differ from other arthropods with the fusing of their body segments into cephalothorax and abdomen that are connected to each other by means of a short and cylindrical segment the pedicel and by the absence of antennae. They are among the most abundant insectivorous predators of the terrestrial ecosystems and are the most diverse of the arthropods. Spiders feed primarily on different kinds of insects and their larval forms, hence playing a vital role in the ecosystem as biological controllers of insects. Spiders play an important role in controlling List of Spiders of Greater Hyderabad lepidopteran, dipteran and hemipteran insect pests in agriculture, forest, orchard and urban ecosystems. A study in South Africa indicated that within a span of two and a half months spiders reduced housefly populations by 99 percent, thus drastically decreasing the gastrointestinal infections among the humans in that area. Spider studies in Andhra Pradesh are still in a nascent state with a handful of researchers however, there is immense possibility of discovering numerous new species. In Greater Hyderabad, spiders are represented by 42 species distributed in 11 families. Araneidae – 14 species Argiope aemula (Walckenaer, 1841) Argiope anasuja Thorell, 1887 Argiope pulchella Thorell, 1881 Cyclosa bifida Doleschall, 1859 Cyclosa hexatuberculata Tikader, 1982 Cyrtophora cicatrosa Stoliczka, 1869 Cyrtophora citricola Forskal, 1775 Eriovixia laglaizei Simon, 1877 Gastracantha geminata Fabricius, 1798 Neoscona mukerjei Tikader, 1980 Neoscona bengalensis Tikader and Bal, 1981 Thelacantha brevispina Doleschall, 1857 Castianeira zetes Gravely, 1931 Hersilia savignyi Lucas, 1836 Idiopidae – 1 species Idiops constructor Pocock, 1900 Lycosidae – 1 species Hippasa agelenoides (Simon, 1884) Oxyopidae – 3 species Oxyopes javanus Thorell, 1887 Oxyopes shweta Tikader, 1970 Peucetia viridana Stoliczka, 1869 Pholcidae – 1 species Crossopriza lyoni Blackwall, 1867 Tetragnatha mandibulata ©CS 62 Hasarius adansoni Audouin, 1826 Hyllus semicupreus Simon, 1885 Phintella vittata Koch, 1846 Plexippus paykuli Audouin, 1826 Sparassidae – 2 species Heteropoda venatoria Linnaeus, 1767 Olios milleti (Pocock, 1901) Tetragnathidae – 4 species Leucage decorata Blackwall, 1864 Opadometa fastigata Simon, 1877 Tetragnatha javana Thorell, 1890 Tetragnatha mandibulata Walckenaer, 1842 Theridiidae – 4 species Parasteatoda tepidariorum Koch, 1841 Argyrodes argentatus Cambridge, 1880 Latrodectus erythromelas Schmidt & Klaas, 1991 Rhomphaea projiciens O.P. Cambridge, 1896 Thomisidae – 3 species Thomisus pugilis Stoliczka, 1869 Xysticus minutus Tikader, 1960 Mastira menoca (Tikader, 1963) Uloboridae – 1 species Uloborus krishnae (Tikader, 1970) Salticidae – 8 species Epeus indicus Prószynski, 1992 Epocilla aurantiaca (Simon, 1885) Myrmarachne orientales Tikader, 1973 Telamonia dimidiata Simon, 1899 Idiops constructor ©CS&BS 63 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Fishes of Greater Hyderabad Fishes are a group of organisms that bear gills and fins, and are the most diverse among the chordates. Globally, more than 32,000 fish species are known. Fish have been a potential source of food for both animals and humans since prehistoric times. Studies show that brain development in early humans and evolution of man to what he is now can be attributed to the inclusion of fish in their diet along with the animals that they hunted. Many factors influence the distribution of fish, including water depth, water quality, ambient temperature, availability of breeding grounds and availability of prey species. There are many uses other than just consumption as food. Surplus fish are used for making fertilizers and as fish meal rich in protein for other animals. Fish oil derived from the air bladders is rich in Vitamin D and is consumed. However, over exploitation of fish resources, eutrophication of water bodies due to garbage dumping, sewage run-off, chemical dumping have choked and literally killed the waterbodies and the fauna and flora that are essential for the survival of the fish, thereby depleting the fish populations drastically. A delicate balance is observed in the aquatic ecosystem which has limited self -restructuring after major ecological disturbances. The cascade effect of fish fauna depletion on other ecosystems and other fauna would eventually lead to a direct impact on the humans that needs to be realized and action needs to be taken for maintaining the health of the aquatic ecosystems. In Greater Hyderabad, fishes are represented by 60 species distributed in 14 families. List of Fishes of Greater Hyderabad (* marked are increasingly becoming rare or become locally extirpated; # marked are aquarium species, intentionally or accidentally introduced in to ecosystem) Bargridae – 3 species Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) Mystus cavasius (Hamilton, 1822)* Sperata aor (Hamilton, 1822) Clariidae – 1 species Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) Heteropneustidae – 1 species Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) Labeo rohita ©KKP 64 Hyderabad – Fishes Belonidae – 1 species Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton, 1822) Siluridae – 2 species Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794) Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Notopteridae – 1 species Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769) Cobitidae – 1 species Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Hamilton, 1822)* Cyprinidae – 36 species Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822) Barilius barna (Hamilton, 1822)* Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807)* Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822) Chela cachius (Hamilton, 1822)* Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch, 1795) Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton, 1822)* Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822)* Devario aequipinnatus (McClelland, 1839)* Devario malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)* Esomus danricus (Hamilton, 1822)* Garra gotyla (Gray, 1830)* Garra mullya (Sykes, 1839)* Hypselobarbus kolus (Sykes, 1839)* Labeo boggut (Sykes, 1839)* Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch, 1795)* Labeo potail (Sykes, 1839)* Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) Osteobrama cotio (Hamilton, 1822)* Osteobrama vigorsii (Sykes, 1839) Puntius amphibius (Valenciennes, 1842)* Puntius chola (Valenciennes, 1842)* Puntius conchonius (Hamilton, 1822)* Puntius dorsalis (Jerdon, 1849)* Puntius filamentosus (Valenciennes, 1844)* Puntius sarana (Hamilton, 1822) Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822)* Puntius terio (Hamilton, 1822)* Puntius ticto (Hamilton, 1822) Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton, 1822) Rasbora rasbora (Hamilton, 1822)* Salmophasia bacaila (Hamilton, 1822)* Thynnichthys sandkhol (Sykes, 1839)* Tor khudree (Sykes, 1839)* Channidae – 5 species Channa gachua (Hamilton, 1822)* Channa marulius (Hamilton, 1822) Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793) Channa striata (Bloch, 1793) Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822) Mastacembelidae – 2 species Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800) Macrognathus pancalus Hamilton, 1822* Chiclidae – 3 species Etroplus maculatus (Bloch, 1795) Etroplus suratensis (Bloch, 1790) Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852) Ambassidae – 2 species Chanda nama Hamilton, 1822 Parambassis ranga (Hamilton, 1822) Poeciliidae – 2 species Gambusia affinis (S. F. Baird & Girard, 1853) Poecilia reticulata (Peters, 1859)# Loricariidae – 1 species Hypostomus plecostomus (Linnaeus, 1758)# 65 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Amphibians Amphibia of Greater Hyderabad Kaloula taprobanica ©CS Amphibians are unique, being cold-blooded in nature and spending part of their lives both on land and in water. Their lives revolve around water and hence cannot survive without it. As their skin is delicate and lacks scales like the fish or reptiles, the amphibians need to be in the proximity of water and take frequent dips to keep themelves moist to prevent desiccation. Globally, of the 6,300 species of amphibians documented, one third, that is 1,856 amphibians, are threatened with extinction. Though amphibians have been on earth for over 300 million years, in the past two decades the amphibian populations have witnessed alarming declines and extinctions wherein nearly 168 species have gone extinct and about 2,469 species are such whose populations have drastically declined. The main causes of amphibian declines are habitat destruction, which is loss of waterbodies due to developmental activities, deforestation, pollution due to pesticides, and climate change leading to a fungal disease called Chitridiomycosis which is causing total annihilation of amphibian populations worldwide and has also been identified in parts of India. Amphibians are important as they play an important role in the ecosystem of both prey and predator thereby maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem. In Greater Hyderabad, amphibians are represented by 16 species distributed in 4 families. List of Amphibians of Greater Hyderabad Bufonidae – 2 species Duttaphrynus melanostictus Schneider, 1799 Duttaphrynus stomaticus Lütken, 1862 Microhylidae – 5 species Kaloula taprobanica Parker, 1934 Microhyla ornata (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) Microhyla rubra (Jerdon, 1854 “1853”) Ramanella variegata (Stoliczka, 1872) Uperodon systoma (Schneider, 1799) Dicroglossidae – 8 species Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, 1799) Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Lesson, 1834) Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst, 1829) Hoplobatrachus crassus (Jerdon, 1854 “1853”) Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin, 1802) Sphaerotheca breviceps (Schneider, 1799) Sphaerotheca dobsoni (Boulenger, 1882) Sphaerotheca rolandae (Dubois, 1983) Rhacophoridae – 1 species Polypedates maculatus (Gray, 1834) Uperodon systoma ©CS 66 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus ©MSR Polypedates maculatus ©MSR 67 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Reptiles Reptiles of Greater Hyderabad List of Reptiles of Greater Hyderabad Crocodylidae – 1 species Crocodylus palustris Lesson, 1831 Testudinidae – 1 species Geochelone elegans (Schoepff, 1795) Geoemydidae – 2 species Melanochelys trijuga (Schweigger, 1812) Pangshura tecta (Gray, 1831) Trionychidae – 1 species Lissemys punctata (Bonnaterre, 1789) Psammophilus dorsalis ©CS Reptiles from Latin means ‘to creep’ are cold blooded animals and come in many forms from crocodiles to turtles and tortoises to lizards, snakes and monitors. Their skin is scaly and rough and they hatch from leathery- to hardshelled eggs. The scales of the reptiles differ from those of the fish as they are not individual structures but are plates of epidermal tissues and are made up of keratin. The scales provide protection from desiccation. Reptiles are precursors to aves and mammals and have roamed the earth since over 300 million years. Globally, more than 8,700 species of reptiles are known. Reptiles are important components of the ecosystem as they are both predators and prey. Studies in other 68 Agamidae – 4 species Sitana ponticeriana Cuvier, 1829 Calotes versicolor (Daudin, 1802) Psammophilus dorsalis (Gray, 1831) Psammophilus blanfordanus Stoliczka, 1871 Chamaeleonidae – 1 species Chamaeleo zeylanicus Laurenti, 1768 Gekkonidae – 7 species Hemidactylus triedrus (Daudin, 1802) Hemidactylus brookii Gray, 1845 Hemidactylus reticulatus Beddome, 1870 Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel, 1836 Hemidactylus leschenaultii Dumeril & Bibron, 1836 Hemidactylus flaviviridis Rüppell, 1835 Hemidactylus giganteus Stoliczka, 1871 Scincidae – 3 species Eutropis carinata (Schneider, 1801) parts of the world document the importance of certain herbivorous species of reptiles that help in the survival of endemic plant species. However, reptiles have been persecuted and exploited by humans since time immemorial due to fear, supersition and commercial gains resulting in alarming declines. A recently concluded IUCN Red Listing of the reptiles of peninsular India showed that the majority of the reptiles is threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction, human apathy, persecution and exploitation. In Greater Hyderabad, reptiles are represented by 41 species distributed in 16 families. Crocodylus palustris ©KKP 69 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Reptiles Elapidae – 2 species Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider, 1801) Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758) Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin, 1803) Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) Lycodon striatus (Shaw, 1802) Oligodon arnensis (Shaw, 1802) Ptyas mucosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Eutropis macularia ©MSR Chamaeleo zeylanicus ©CS&BS Hemidactylus giganteus ©MSR Hemidactylus leschenaultii ©BS Natricidae – 3 species Amphiesma stolatum (Linnaeus, 1758) Macropisthodon plumbicolor (Cantor, 1839) Xenochropis piscator (Schenider, 1799) Viperidae – 2 species Daboia ruselli (Shaw and Nodder, 1797) Echis carinatus (Schneider, 1801) Typhlopidae – 2 species Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) Grypotyphlops acutus (Duméril and Bibron, 1844) Eryx johnii ©CS & MSR Macropisthodon plumbicolor ©MSR Eutropis macularia (Blyth, 1853) Lygosoma punctata (Gmelin, 1799) Varanidae – 1 species Varanus bengalensis (Daudin, 1802) Pythonidae – 1 species Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758) 70 Boidae – 2 species Eryx conicus (Schneider, 1801) Eryx johnii Russell, 1801 Colubridae – 8 species Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacépède, 1789) Argyrogena fasciolata (Shaw, 1802) Coelognathus helena (Daudin, 1803) Naja naja ©MSR Lycodon aulicus ©CS 71 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Birds Birds of Greater Hyderabad The singing, flying colourful wonders of nature - the birds have evolved from the dreaded dinosaurs and are touted to be the modern day surviving dinosaurs! They are warm blooded, covered with feathers, have the ability to fly with wings, are colourful, have beaks devoid of teeth and lay hard-shelled eggs. About 10,000 species of birds have been identified distributed in 27 orders. Birds are very useful to the ecosystem and to man, as they feed on insect pests and keep the population of rodents under check. Other than that they help in seed dispersal and creation of new forests and contribute as food to both humans and other animals. In Greater Hyderabad, birds are represented by 315 species distributed in 60 families. As many as 22 species reported from (either historic or current) are globally threatened species. List of Birds of Greater Hyderabad (# marked are occasionally observed or vagrants; Pelecanus philippensis Gmelin, 1789# ^ marked are increasingly becoming rare or become locally extirpated; * marked are historic records) Podicipedidae – 1 species Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764) Pelecanidae – 2 species Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus, 1758# Phalacrocoracidae – 3 species Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot, 1817) Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Stephens, 1826 Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758) Anhingidae – 1 species Anhinga melanogaster Pennant, 1769 Egretta garzetta ©JMG Ardeidae – 11 species Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) Egretta gularis (Bosc, 1792)# Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 Ardea purpurea Linnaeus, 1766 Casmerodius albus (Linnaeus, 1758) Mesophoyx intermedia (Wagler, 1829) Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832) Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus, 1758) Ixobrychus sinensis (Gmelin, 1789) Ixobrychus cinnamomeus (Gmelin, 1789) Ciconiidae – 7 species Mycteria leucocephala (Pennant, 1769) Anastomus oscitans (Boddaert, 1783) Ciconia nigra (Linnaeus, 1758)* Ciconia episcopus (Boddaert, 1783) Ciconia ciconia (Linnaeus, 1758)* Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus (Latham, 1790)* Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsfield, 1821)* Phalacrocorax carbo ©CS 72 Threskiornithidae – 4 species Plegadis falcinellus (Linnaeus, 1766) Threskiornis melanocephalus (Latham, 1790) Mycteria leucocephala ©CS Pseudibis papillosa (Temminck, 1824) Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758 Phoenicopteridae – 1 species Phoenicopterus ruber Linnaeus, 1758 Anatidae – 19 species Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield, 1821) Anser indicus (Latham, 1790) Tadorna ferruginea (Pallas, 1764) Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus, 1758) Sarkidiornis melanotos (Pennant, 1769) Nettapus coromandelianus (Gmelin, 1789) Anas strepera Linnaeus, 1758 Anas penelope Linnaeus, 1758 Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 Anas poecilorhyncha J. R. Forester, 1781 Anas clypeata Linnaeus, 1758 Anas acuta Linnaeus, 1758 Anas querquedula Linnaeus, 1758 Anas crecca Linnaeus, 1758 Rhodonessa rufina (Pallas, 1773) Aythya ferina (Linnaeus, 1758) Aythya nyroca (Guldenstadt, 1770) 73 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Birds Galloperdix lunulata (Valenciennes, 1825) Pavo cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 Gruidae – 1 species Grus virgo (Linnaeus, 1758)* Elanus caeruleus ©KKP Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) Accipitridae – 27 species Pernis ptilorhynchus (Temminck, 1821) Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789) Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) Haliastur indus (Boddaert, 1783) Neophron percnopterus (Linnaeus, 1758) Gyps bengalensis (Gmelin, 1788)^ Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786)^ Gyps fulvus (Hablizl, 1783)^ Sarcogyps calvus (Scopoli, 1786)^ Circaetus gallicus (Gmelin, 1788) Spilornis cheela (Latham, 1790) Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1758) Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus, 1766) Circus macrourus (S. G. Gmelin, 1770) Circus melanoleucos (Pennant, 1769) Circus pygargus (Linnaeus, 1758) Accipter badius (Gmelin, 1788) Accipter nisus (Linnaeus, 1758) Butastur teesa (Franklin, 1832) Buteo buteo Linnaeus, 1758 Buteo rufinus (Cretzschmar, 1827) 74 Accipter badius ©CS Aquila pomarina Brehm, 1831 Aquila clanga Pallas, 1811 Aquila rapax (Temminck, 1828) Hieraaetus fasciatus (Vieillot, 1822) Hieraaetus pennatus (Gmelin, 1788) Spizaetus cirrhatus (Gmelin, 1788) Pandionidae – 1 species Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus, 1758)# Falconidae – 5 species Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 Falco chicquera Daudin, 1800 Falco subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 Falco jugger J. E. Gray, 1834 Falco peregrines Tunstall, 1771 Phasianidae – 8 species Francolinus pictus (Jardine & Selby, 1828) Francolinus pondicerianus (Gmelin, 1789) Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758) Coturnix coromandelica (Gmelin, 1789) Perdicula asiatica (Latham, 1790) Perdicula argoondah (Sykes, 1832) Rallidae – 7 species Amaurornis akool (Sykes, 1832) Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1769) Porzana pusilla (Pallas, 1776) Gallicrex cinerea (Gmelin, 1789) Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 Otididae – 2 species Ardeotis nigriceps (Vigors, 1831)* Sypheotides indica (J.F. Miller, 1782)* Jacanidae – 2 species Hydrophasianus chirurgus (Scopoli, 1786) Metopidius indicus (Latham, 1790) Rostratulidae – 1 species Rostratula benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758) Charadriidae – 6 species Pluvialis squatarola (Linnaeus, 1758) Charadrius dubius Scopoli, 1786 Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus, 1758 Vanellus malabaricus (Boddaert, 1783) Vanellus cinereus (Blyth, 1842)# Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783) Scolopacidae – 15 species Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758) Lymnocryptes minimus (Brünnich, 1764) Limosa limosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Numenius arquata (Linnaeus, 1758) Tringa erythropus (Pallas, 1764) Tringa totanus (Linnaeus, 1758) Tringa stagnatilis (Bechstein, 1803) Tringa nebularia (Gunner, 1767) Tringa ochropus Linnaeus, 1758 Tringa glareola Linnaeus, 1758 Actitis hypoleucos Linnaeus, 1758 Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812) Calidris temminckii (Leisler, 1812) Philomachus pugnax (Linnaeus, 1758) Recurvirostridae – 1 species Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758) Vanellus malabaricus ©KKP 75 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Birds Strigidae – 7 species Bubo bubo (Linnaeus, 1758) Strix ocellata (Lesson, 1839) Glaucidium radiatum (Tickell, 1833) Athene brama (Temminck, 1821) Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763) Caprimulgidae – 3 species Caprimulgus indicus Latham, 1790 Caprimulgus asiaticus Latham, 1790 Caprimulgus affinis Horsfield, 1821 Streptopelia decaocto ©KKP Burhinidae – 2 species Burhinus oedicnemus (Linnaeus, 1758) Esacus recurvirostris (Cuvier, 1829) Glareolidae – 3 species Cursorius coromandelicus (Gmelin, 1789) Glareola pratincola (Linnaeus, 1766) Glareola lactea Temminck, 1820 Laridae – 6 species Larus brunnicephalus Jerdon, 1840 Larus ridibundus Linnaeus, 1766 Sterna aurantia J.E. Gray, 1831 Sterna albifrons Pallas, 1764 Chlidonias hybridus (Pallas, 1811) Chlidonias leucopterus (Temminck, 1815)# Rynchopidae – 1 species Rynchops albicollis Swainson, 1838* Pteroclididae – 1 species Pterocles exustus Temminck, 1825 Columbidae – 6 species Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 76 Psittacula krameri ©KKP Streptopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) Streptopelia chinensis (Scopoli, 1786) Streptopelia tranquebarica (Hermann, 1804) Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) Treron phoenicoptera (Latham, 1790) Psittacidae – 4 species Loriculus vernalis (Sparrman, 1787) Psittacula eupatria (Linnaeus, 1766) Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) Psittacula cyanocephala (Linnaeus, 1766) Merops leschenaultii Vieillot, 1817 Coraciidae – 2 species Coracias garrulus Linnaeus, 1758# Coracias benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758) Upupidae – 1 species Upupa epops Linnaeus, 1758 Bucerotidae – 1 species Ocyceros birostris (Scopoli, 1786) Apodidae – 2 species Cypsiurus balasiensis (J.E. Gray, 1829) Apus affinis (J.E. Gray, 1830) Capitonidae – 2 species Megalaima zeylanica (Gmelin, 1788) Megalaima haemacephala (P.L.S. Müller, 1776) Alcedinidae – 4 species Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758) Halcyon capensis (Linnaeus, 1766) Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758) Ceryle rudis (Linnaeus, 1758) Picidae – 5 species Jynx torquilla Linnaeus, 1758 Dendrocopos nanus (Vigors, 1832) Celeus brachyurus (Vieillot, 1818) Dinopium benghalense (Linnaeus, 1758) Chrysocolaptes festivus (Boddaert, 1783) Meropidae – 3 species Merops orientalis Latham, 1801 Merops philippinus Linnaeus, 1766 Pittidae – 1 species Pitta brachyura (Linnaeus, 1766) Cuculidae – 7 species Clamator jacobinus (Boddaert, 1783) Hierococcyx varius (Vahl, 1797) Cacomantis passerinus (Vahl, 1797) Eudynamys scolopacea (Linnaeus, 1758) Phaenicophaeus viridirostris (Jerdon, 1840) Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii (Lesson, 1830) Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815) Tytonidae – 2 species Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) Tyto capensis (A. Smith, 1834) Megalaima haemacephala ©JMG Merops orientalis ©CS 77 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Birds Chloropsis aurifrons (Temminck, 1829) Laniidae – 4 species Lanius cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 Lanius vittatus Valenciennes, 1826 Lanius schach Linnaeus, 1758 Lanius excubitor Linnaeus, 1758 Hydrophasianus chirurgus ©CS Alaudidae – 8 species Mirafra cantillans Blyth, 1845 Mirafra erythroptera Blyth, 1845 Mirafra affinis Blyth, 1845 Eremopterix grisea (Scopoli, 1786) Ammomanes phoenicurus (Franklin, 1831) Calandrella brachydactyla (Leisler, 1814) Galerida deva (Sykes, 1832) Alauda gulgula Franklin, 1831 Hirundinidae – 7 species Riparia riparia (Linnaeus, 1758) Riparia paludicola (Vieillot, 1817) Hirundo concolor Sykes, 1833 Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758 Hirundo smithii Leach, 1818 Hirundo daurica Linnaeus, 1771 Hirundo fluvicola Blyth, 1855 Motacillidae – 10 species Dendronanthus indicus (Gmelin, 1789) Motacilla alba Linnaeus, 1758 Motacilla maderaspatensis Gmelin, 1789 Motacilla citreola Pallas, 1776 78 Motacilla flava Linnaeus, 1758 Motacilla cinerea Tunstall, 1771 Anthus richardi Vieillot, 1818 Anthus rufulus Vieillot, 1818 Anthus campestris (Linnaeus, 1758) Anthus trivialis (Linnaeus, 1758) Campephagidae – 7 species Coracina macei (Lesson, 1830) Coracina melaschistos (Hodgson, 1836) Coracina melanoptera (Rüppell, 1839) Pericrocotus cinnamomeus (Linnaeus, 1766) Pericrocotus erythropygius (Jerdon, 1840) Pericrocotus flammeus (Forster, 1781) Tephrodornis pondicerianus (Gmelin, 1789) Muscicapidae – 45 species Turdinae – 12 species Monticola cinclorhynchus (Vigors, 1832) Monticola solitaris (Linnaeus, 1758) Myiophonus horsfieldii (Vigors, 1831) Zoothera citrina (Latham, 1790) Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 Luscinia svecica (Linnaeus, 1758) Copsychus saularis (Linnaeus, 1758) Saxicoloides fulicata (Linnaeus, 1776) Phoenicurus ochruros (Gmelin, 1774) Saxicola torquata (Linnaeus, 1766) Saxicola caprata (Linnaeus, 1766) Oenanthe deserti (Temminck, 1825) Timaliinae – 6 species Dumetia hyperythra (Franklin, 1831) Chrysomma sinense (Gmelin, 1789) Turdoides caudatus (Dumont, 1823) Turdoides malcolmi (Sykes, 1832) Turdoides striatus (Dumont, 1823) Turdoides affinis (Jerdon, 1847) Sylviinae – 18 species Cisticola juncidis (Rafinesque, 1810) Prinia buchanani Blyth, 1844 Prinia hodgsonii Blyth, 1844 Prinia sylvatica Jerdon, 1840 Prinia socialis Sykes, 1832 Prinia inornata Sykes, 1832 Locustella naevia (Boddaert, 1783) Acrocephalus dumetorum Blyth, 1849 Acrocephalus stentoreus (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833) Hippolais caligata (Lichtenstein, 1823) Orthotomus sutorius (Pennant, 1769) Phylloscopus collybita (Vieillot, 1817) Phylloscopus griseolus Blyth, 1847 Phylloscopus inornatus (Blyth, 1842) Phylloscopus trochiloides (Sundevall, 1837) Sylvia curruca (Linnaeus, 1758) Sylvia althaea Hume, 1878 Sylvia hortensis (Gmelin, 1789) Pycnonotidae – 3 species Pycnonotus jocosus (Linnaeus, 1758) Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus, 1766) Pycnonotus luteolus (Lesson, 1841) Irenidae – 3 species Aegithina tiphia (Linnaeus, 1758) Chloropsis cochinchinensis (Gmelin, 1788) Luscinia svecica ©CS Prinia socialis ©UM 79 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Birds Sturnidae – 5 species Sturnus malabaricus (Gmelin, 1789) Sturnus pagodarum (Gmelin, 1789) Sturnus roseus (Linnaeus, 1758) Sturnus contra Linnaeus, 1758 Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766) Oriolidae – 3 species Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus, 1758) Oriolus chinensis Linnaeus, 1766 Oriolus xanthornus (Linnaeus, 1758) Dicrurus macrocercus ©CS Muscicapinae – 5 species Muscicapa dauurica Pallas, 1811 Muscicapa ruficauda Swainson, 1838 Ficedula parva (Bechstein, 1792) Eumyias thalassina (Swainson, 1838) Cyornis tickelliae Blyth, 1843 Monarchinae – 2 species Terpsiphone paradisi (Linnaeus, 1758) Hypothymis azurea (Boddaert, 1783) Rhipidurinae – 2 species Rhipidura albicollis (Vieillot, 1818) Rhipidura aureola Lesson, 1830 Paridae – 2 species Parus major Linnaeus, 1758 Parus xanthogenys Vigors, 1831 Dicaeidae – 2 species Dicaeum agile (Tickell, 1833) Dicaeum erythrorhynchos (Latham, 1790) Nectariniidae – 2 species Nectarinia zeylonica (Linnaeus, 1766) Nectarinia asiatica (Latham, 1790) 80 Dicruridae – 3 species Dicrurus macrocercus Vieillot, 1817 Dicrurus leucophaeus Vieillot, 1817 Dicrurus caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758) Artamidae – 1 species Artamus fuscus Vieillot, 1817 Corvidae – 3 species Dendrocitta vagabunda (Latham, 1790) Corvus splendens Vieillot, 1817 Corvus macrorhynchos Wagler, 1827 Sturnus contra ©CS Zosteropidae – 1 species Zosterops palpebrosus (Temminck, 1824) Passeridae – 8 species Emberizinae – 3 species Melophus lathami (Gray, 1831) Emberiza melanocephala Scopoli, 1769 Emberiza bruniceps Brandt, 1841 Passerinae – 2 species Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Petronia xanthocollis (Burton, 1838) Ploceinae – 3 species Ploceus benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758) Ploceus manyar (Horsfield, 1821) Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus, 1766) Estrildidae – 5 species Amandava amandava (Linnaeus, 1758) Lonchura malabarica (Linnaeus, 1758) Lonchura striata (Linnaeus, 1766) Lonchura punctulata (Linnaeus, 1758) Lonchura malacca (Linnaeus, 1766) Ploceus benghalensis ©KKP 81 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Mammals Mammals of Greater Hyderabad Mammals are vertebrates that are warm blooded, give birth to young and suckle them, have hair and skin instead of scales or feathers. They come in varied forms from great elephants to the modest bats each playing an important role in the ecological web. Mammals have been long persecuted by humans for either their economic value or have been considered as vermin like rodents and bats and treated so. Bats both frugivorous and insectivorous are extremely beneficial for the services they provide to the ecosystem. They contribute to forest regeneration and control of insect pests of economic and List of Mammals of Greater Hyderabad human importance respectively. Rodents although known to horde grains contribute to the soil biota and also to the food chain. The populations of the mammals are being affected by developmental activities such as increase in expanse of urbanization, deforestation for construction of dams and mining activites to name a few. In Greater Hyderabad, mammals are represented by 58 species distributed in 25 families. As many as eight species have become locally extirpated, and mostly these are the carnivorous species. (* marked are increasingly becoming rare or become locally extirpated; ^ marked exist only in Protected Area Network) Tupaiidae – 1 species Anathana ellioti (Waterhouse, 1850)* Cercopithecidae – 3 species Macaca mulatta (Zimmerman, 1780) Macaca radiata (E. Geoffroy, 1812) Semnopithecus anchises (Blyth, 1844) Sciuridae – 2 species Funambulus palmarum (Linnaeus, 1766) Funambulus pennantii Wroughton, 1905 Muridae – 9 species Tatera indica (Hardwicke, 1807) Bandicota indica (Bechstein, 1800) Bandicota bengalensis (Gray & Hardwicke, 1833) Golunda ellioti Gray, 1837 Millardia meltada (Gray, 1837) Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 Mus platythrix Bennett, 1832 Mus booduga (Gray, 1837) Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) Hystricidae – 1 species Hystrix indica Kerr, 1792 Funambulus palmarum ©CS Scotophilus kuhlii ©CS 82 83 Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad – Mammals Hyaenidae – 1 species Hyaena hyaena (Linnaeus, 1758)* Herpestidae – 3 species Herpestes edwardsii (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818) Herpestes auropunctatus (Hodgson, 1836) Herpestes smithii Gray, 1837 Lepus nigricollis ©MSR Felis chaus ©SS Leporidae – 1 species Lepus nigricollis F. Cuvier, 1823 Molossidae – 1 species Tadarida aegyptiaca (E. Geoffroy, 1818) Soricidae – 2 species Suncus murinus (Linnaeus, 1766) Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1822) Vespertilionidae – 6 species Scotophilus kuhlii Leach, 1821 Scotophilus heathii (Horsfield, 1831) Pipistrellus coromandra (Gray, 1838) Pipistrellus abramus (Temminck, 1840) Pipistrellus tenuis (Temminck, 1840) Pipistrellus ceylonicus (Kelaart, 1852) Manidae – 1 species Manis crassicaudata Gray, 1827 Canidae – 3 species Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758* Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758* Vulpes bengalensis (Shaw, 1800)* Pteropodidae – 3 species Pteropus giganteus (Brünnich, 1782) Cynopterus sphinx (Vahl, 1797) Rousettus leschenaultii (Desmarest, 1820) Hipposideridae – 3 species Hipposideros speoris (Schneider, 1800) Hipposideros fulvus Gray, 1838 Hipposideros lankadiva Kelaart, 1850 Megadermatidae – 1 species Megaderma lyra E. Geoffroy, 1810 Rhinopomatidae – 1 species Rhinopoma hardwickii Gray, 1831 Emballonuridae – 3 species Taphozous longimanus Hardwicke, 1825 Taphozous nudiventris Cretzschmar, 1830 Taphozous melanopogon Temminck, 1841 84 Cervidae – 2 species Axis axis (Erxleben, 1777)^ Rusa unicolor (Kerr, 1792)^ Bovidae – 4 species Antilope cervicapra (Linnaeus, 1758)^ Gazella bennettii (Sykes, 1831)* Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766)^ Tetracerus quadricornis (de Blainville, 1816)* Viverridae – 1 species Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Pallas, 1777)* Suidae – 1 species Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 Mustelidae – 2 species Lutrogale perspicillata (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1826)* Mellivora capensis (Schreber, 1776)* Ursidae – 1 species Melursus ursinus (Shaw, 1791) Felidae – 2 species Felis chaus Schreber, 1777 Panthera pardus (Linnaeus, 1758) Axis axis ©MSR 85 Alcedo atthis ©CS Suggested Citation Whole Document Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors) 2012. Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Vascular Plants Venkata Ramana, M., C. Sudhakar Reddy & C. Srinivasulu (2012). Vascular plants of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Odonates Srinivasulu, Bhargavi & C. Srinivasulu (2012). Odonates of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Spiders Srinivasulu, Bhargavi & C. Srinivasulu (2012). Spiders of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Buterflies Tej Kumar, S. & C. Srinivasulu (2012). Buterflies of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Fishes Srinivasulu, C. (2012). Fishes of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Amphibia Srinivasulu, Bhargavi & C. Srinivasulu (2012). Amphibia of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Reptiles Srinivasulu, C. & Bhargavi Srinivasulu (2012). Reptiles of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Birds Srinivasulu, C. & R. Sreekar (2012). Birds of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Mammals Srinivasulu, C. & Bhargavi Srinivasulu (2012). Mammals of Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. In: Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, B. (Compilers & Editors). Glimpses of Biodiversity of Greater Hyderabad. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad and Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore. Although cities occupy just 2 percent of the Earth’s surface, their inhabitants use 75 percent of the planet’s natural resources. Cities draw on their surrounding ecosystems for goods and services, and their products and emissions can affect regional and even global ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems and biological diversity are vital for cities to function properly. Ecosystems provide three main kinds of services to the city: provisioning of food, fibre and fuels; regulating through purification, detoxification and mitigation of droughts and floods; and enriching the spiritual terms. Biodiversity - the diversity among living organisms - plays an essential role in ensuring the survival of life on Earth. Clean water, foodstuffs, medicines and quality of life are just a few of the services which biodiversity offers to cities. Recognizing the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems for their survival, cities today undertake many initiatives to utilize and conserve their surroundings efficiently. These actions can reach far beyond the boundaries of the city, affecting biodiversity on a global scale. P: Limelite | D: bvkrishna@me.com Source – UNEP & UN HABITAT