Distribution and Relative Abundance of the Slender LorisLoris lydekkerianusin Southern Kerala, India

Abstract

Two subspecies of slender loris, the Mysore slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus, and the Malabar slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus, are known from Peninsular India. Their distributions overlap along the southern ridges of the Western Ghats. Although the distribution and abundance of the species is known for part of the state of Kerala, the full extent of the range of the species remains unclear. We surveyed forested areas of southern Kerala for a more comprehensive understanding of their distribution pattern and relative abundance. The range of L. l. malabaricus is confined to the western slopes of the Western Ghats. The Ariankavu pass and Palghat gap have created a barrier over a period of time, which has resulted in separate populations of L. l. malabaricus. As such, L. l. malabaricus is divided into three populations in Kerala—(1) Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern tip to the south of the Ariankavu pass, (2) north of Ariankavu pass north to the Palghat Gap, and (3) north of the Palghat gap to the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. The relative abundance of L. l. malabaricus in most of the forest divisions of Kerala is <0.2 lorises/km, except in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Konni, Thiruvanthapuram, Nemmara, and Chimmoney.

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