Diversity and ecology of mammals of Bahawalnagar, South Punjab, Pakistan

Research Article Volume 9(3): 450-469 (2025) (http://www.wildlife-biodiversity.com/) Diversity and ecology of mammals of Bahawalnagar, South Punjab, Pakistan Jawad Ahmad1, Adil Riaz2, Ghulam Rasool3, Sana Ashraf4, Muhammad Haroon Hamed5, Muhammad Ameen6, Sundas Asghar7, Muhammad Zohaib4, Ayesha Ishaq8, Muhammad Waris9, Muhammad Tariq10, Muhammad Junaid4, Naseem Mukhtar4, Mubashir Mumtaz4, Muhammad Qasim4, Abdul Majid Khan11, Muhammad Imran11, Noushin Irshad12, Muhammad Altaf13* 1Department of Zoology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar Campus, Pakistan 2Department of Zoology, University of Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan 3Deputy Director, Wildlife, Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, Pakistan 4Department of Zoology, University of Lahore, Sargodha campus, Pakistan 5Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 6Department of Zoology, University of Sialkot, Pakistan 7Department of Biological Sciences, The Superior University, Lahore 8Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Pakistan 9Department of Zoology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan 10Department of Livestock Management, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Sub-Campus Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan 11Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan 12Department of Zoology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan 13Insitute of Forest Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan *Email: altafwe[email protected] Received: 13 May 2025 / Revised: 26 September 2025 / Accepted: 30 September 2025/ Published online: 18 October 2025. How to cite: Ahmad, J., et al. (2025). Diversity and ecology of mammals of Bahawalnagar, South Punjab, Pakistan, Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity, 9(3), 450-469. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17393200 451 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 9(3):450-469 (2025) Abstract Pakistan has 195 species of mammals and diverse habitats, with three zoogeographical realms: Palearctic, Oriental, and Ethiopian. Approximately two-thirds of the area is mountainous, and abrupt altitude changes result in variations in diversity over short distances. The key objectives of this study are to examine the diversity, distribution, and ecological status of mammalian species in Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan. Data collection was done twice every month throughout the day and night for one year using the Linear Count Method. The research identified 21 mammalian species from district Bahawalpur. The diversity indices show that the area has a high and rich diversity, as the Dominance Index is 0.1605, Simpson Index is 0.8395, ShannonWiener diversity index (H’) is 2.124, the evenness (E) is 0.3982 and the richness index (R) is 2.648, and in the study area. During the survey, the highest relative abundance (abbreviated as RA = 0.26261) of Mus musculus is documented from Bahawalnagar. The lowest relative abundance (RA = 0.00105) is noted in three species (i.e. Vulpes bengalensis, Viverricula indica and Antilope cervicapra) in the natural habitats of Bahawalnagar. These three species are rarely seen in the study area. It is documented that Rattus rattus, Herpestes edwardsii, Millardia meltada and Canis aureus also have high relative abundances as 0.21008, 0.15756, 0.10504 and 0.07773 respectively. Keywords: Bahawalnagar, abundance, ecology, mammals, diversity Introduction Pakistan is a key country for faunal diversity (Sial, 2024), home to at least 195 recorded mammalian species (Roberts, 1997). Conservation efforts have been initiated to protect this diversity through the establishment of various conservation areas, such as national parks, wildlife reserves, and sanctuaries (Bolaane, 2004; Green et al., 2024). But managing such environments 452 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 9(3):450-469 (2025) can have a negative influence on animals in a number of methods including degradation of habitat, enhanced human-wildlife relations, and decreased fertility rates. As a result, knowing the differences in mammalian diversity (Altaf et al., 2014), distribution, and abundance is important for handling environmentally friendly land-management approaches. Mammalian populations are vital to the proper function and structure of ecosystems and can modify nutrient routes, change the structure of plants, and ultimately effect the species composition of the ecosystem (Hantak et al., 2021). They are essential seed dispersers for various tree species (García‐Rodríguez et al., 2022), participating in food networks at multiple trophic levels and assisting in herbivore control (Tourani et al., 2023). Despite this, mammals provide many economic benefits to people, including food (Alves et al., 2021), pets, (Bashir et al., 2024; Shivambu et al., 2021), medicine (Faiz et al., 2022), ornamental (Shivambu et al., 2021), and tourism (Barcelos et al., 2022). Recent increases in both anthropogenic and natural factors have put the survival of mammals at risk (Pérez-Irineo et al., 2021). Key contributors to the decline of mammal species include overexploitation (Vuorinen et al., 2021), fragmentation (Kuipers et al., 2021), global climate change, and various other human-induced pressures threatening mammals in the worldwide (Riddell et al., 2021). Mammals serve as key indicators for evaluating human impact on biodiversity and play a vital role in maintaining ecological functions (Jacob et al., 2024). The continuous disappearance of species across the globe is decreasing the variety of ecological roles organisms perform in communities, as well as the number of evolutionary lineages present (Altaf et al., 2022). Understanding which anthropogenic factors have the most severe impacts on functional and evolutionary diversity is challenging, as is discerning whether the loss of these aspects of diversity is outpacing, or lagging behind, the reduction in species numbers (Brodie et al., 2021). In this case, we demonstrate that unique mammals which perform critical functions within their ecosystems are especially 453 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 9(3):450-469 (2025) vulnerable to overhunting, species dislike (Ejaz & Rasheed, 2024) and habitat destruction in the most species-rich regions (Bennett, 2023). There is an immediate and grave need to enhance protective measures, particularly concerning the sustainability of harvesting, to avert the decline of biodiversity and ecosystem functions (Sharma & Birman, 2024). Bahawalnagar, situated in South Punjab, Pakistan, features a diverse ecological landscape that includes a mix of habitats such as arid plains, agricultural fields, river areas, and scattered native flora. This ecological diversity supports a wide range of mammal species, many of which are poorly documented due to limited scientific research and increasing human influence. The area's proximity to the Sutlej River and its transitional between desert as well as agricultural land make it ideal for investigating mammal diversity and environmental relationships. But challenges like as fragmentation of habitat, development of agriculture, and conflict between humans and mammals pose serious threats to the indigenous species of mammals (Jahangeer & Awan, 2024). As a consequence, an in-depth knowledge of the richness, distribution, and ecological roles of mammals in this overlooked area is essential in developing effective conservation efforts to sustain the balance of nature. The key objectives of this study are to examine the diversity, distribution, and ecological status of mammalian species in Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan. Material and methods Study area Bahawalnagar is also known as a district of the Punjab province in Pakistan (Fig. 1). Before the independence of Pakistan, Bahawalnagar was included within the Bahawalpur state, which was ruled by the Nawab of Bahawalpur. The district capital is located in the city of Bahawalnagar. The eastern and southern boundaries of Bahawalnagar border the Indian district of Bikaner, while 454 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 9(3):450-469 (2025) the Firozpur and Bahawalpur districts are to its west, and the River Sutlej flows to its north. District Bahawalnagar extends over a cross-section of 8,878 square kilometers. According to the census of 2023, there are 557,616 households and a population of 3,550,342 in the Bahawalnagar district. The sex ratio of the district is 108.27 males to 100 females, and the literacy rate is 57.01 percent: 63.55 percent male and 49.95 percent female. A total of 971,921 individuals (27.42 percent of the surveyed population) are below ten years of age. Additionally, 974,118 individuals (27.44 percent) reside in urban areas (Hussain & Shaikh, 2025; Iqbal et al., 2023). Data collection From July 2024 to June 2025, data was gathered in Bahawalnagar by a team of two field members using both direct and indirect approaches to study mammalian species. The two-person team employed these methods to collect data, and field guides were utilized for accurate species identification (Roberts, 2005a,b). 455 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 9(3):450-469 (2025) Figure 1. Map of the study area. The research group spends an excessive amount of time studying the study area and conducting numbers to identify the mammalian species present. The researchers recorded noises and identified the species; voice counts from the same species were combined. Data collection was done twice every month throughout the day and night for one year using the Linear Count Method. In the designated study area, the researchers collected fecal pellets from wild mammalian species for observational identification purposes. They also examined mammal 456 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 9(3):450-469 (2025) pugmarks and footprints to determine species identification. The researchers identified the species of animal carcasses reported in the study region. The researchers also gathered photographs of mammalian species from residents and wildlife photographers in Bahawalnagar. Hair mounting procedures were used to evaluate species hair samples collected in the study region. Furthermore, the researchers acquired data through the use of standardized questionnaires delivered to the local populace. Statistical analysis The parameters of diversity, such as Dominance Index, Simpson Diversity Index, Shannon Diversity Index, Evenness Index, and Richness Index, were analyzed with the help of PAST Statistical Software (Version 5.1). Graphs are compiled using the assistance of the OriginPro (2023b) statistical software and the R Program (4.5.1). Results Data was collected from 75 Muslim male (n=74) and female (n=1) informants, who work in various professions such as teachers (n=6), students (n=20), housewives (n=5), shopkeepers (n=2), farmers (n=31), shepherds (n=4), hunters (n=3), and wildlife experts (n=4). Most respondents are educated (58.7%), with only a few holding higher education degrees (14.7%); the majority have completed secondary education (26.7%) (Fig. 2). The ages of the selected informants range from 18 to 78 (Fig. 3). 457 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 9(3):450-469 (2025) Figure 2. Respondents’ profile of the study area Figure 3. Respondents of the study area 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Female Male Teachers Students Housewives Shop-keepers Farmers Shepherd Hunters Wildlife experts 18 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 60 61 to 70 above 71 PhD Master Graduate Intermediate Matric Primary Illiterate Gender Occupation Age Education 1 74 6 20 52 31 434 20 30 11 9 145692 20 2 31 458 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 9(3):450-469 (2025) Mammalian diversity During the research, 21 species (i.e. Antilope cervicapra, Boselaphus tragocamelus, Gazella bennettii, Sus scrofa, Canis aureus, Canis lupus, Herpestes edwardsii, Herpestes javanicus, Viverricula indica, Vulpes bengalensis, V. v. pusillus, Felis chaus, Hemiechinus collaris, Suncus murinus, Lepus nigricollis, Funambulus pennantii, Hystrix indica, Meriones persicus, Millardia meltada, Mus musculus and Rattus rattus) of mammals (Fig. 4 and 5), belongs to 12 families (i.e. Erinaceidae, Felidae, Hystricidae, Bovidae, Herpestidae, Sciuridae, Leporidae, Muridae, Soricidae, Canidae, Viverridae and Suidae) (Fig. 6) and 6 orders (i.e. Erinaceomorpha, Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Lagomorpha, Rodentia and Insectivora) (Fig. 7 and Table 1). 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C., & Downs, C. T. (2021). Predicting the potential distribution of non-native mammalian species sold in the South African pet trade. Diversity, 13(10), 478. Sial, M. A. (2024). Diversity, evenness, & richness of wild mammals along the Sutlej River, Punjab, Pakistan. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 12, 1447694. Tourani, M., Sollmann, R., Kays, R., Ahumada, J., Fegraus, E., & Karp, D. S. (2023). Maximum temperatures determine the habitat affiliations of North American mammals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(50), e2304411120. Vuorinen, K. E., Oksanen, T., Oksanen, L., Vuorisalo, T., & Speed, J. D. (2021). Why don't all species overexploit? Oikos, 130(11), 1835-1848. Table 1. Mammalian species of Bahawalnagar, Pakistan S r. Order Family Common name Scientific name Species Authority IUC N 1 Artiodactyla Bovidae Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra (Linnaeus, 1758) LC 2 Artiodactyla Bovidae Blue Bull Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766) LC 3 Artiodactyla Bovidae Chinkara Gazella bennettii (Sykes, 1831) LC 4 Artiodactyla Suidae Indian Wild Boar Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 LC 5 Carnivora Canidae Asiatic Jackal Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758 LC 6 Carnivora Canidae Wolf Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 LC 7 Carnivora Herpesti dae India Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii (É. Geoffroy SaintHilaire, 1818) LC 8 Carnivora Herpesti dae Small Indian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus (É. Geoffroy SaintHilaire, 1818) LC 9 Carnivora Viverrid ae Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica (Geoffroy SaintHilaire, 1803) LC 1 0 Carnivora Canidae Indian or Bengal Fox Vulpes bengalensis (Shaw, 1800) LC 1 1 Carnivora Canidae Common Red Fox Vulpes vulpes pusillus Blyth, 1854 LC 1 2 Carnivora Felidae Jungle Cat Felis chaus Schreber, 1777 LC 1 3 Erinaceidomo rpha Erinacei dae Indian Long-eared Hedgehog Hemiechinus collaris Gray, 1830 LC 1 4 Insectivora Soricida e Asian House Shrew Suncus murinus Linnaeus, 1766 LC 1 5 Lagomorpha Leporid ae Indian Hare Lepus nigricollis F. Cuvier, 1823 LC 1 6 Rodentia Sciurida e Northern Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennantii Wroughton, 1905 LC 1 7 Rodentia Hystrici dae Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrix indica Kerr, 1792 LC 1 8 Rodentia Muridae Indian Desert Jird Meriones hurricane Jerdon, 1867 LC 1 9 Rodentia Muridae Soft-furred Field Rat Millardia meltada Gray, 1837 LC 2 0 Rodentia Muridae House Mouse Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 LC 2 1 Rodentia Muridae House Rat Rattus rattus Linnaeus, 1758 LC