Significance Of Wildlife Forensics and Endangered Species of Plants, Animals and Reptiles

Niranjana.S.Karandikar MSc-I Roll No.12

Wildlife Forensics
The application of a range of scientific disciplines to legal cases involving non-human biological evidence. Genetics Morphology Chemistry Pathology Veterinary science.

Significance
Food: e.g., caviar from Caspian Sea sturgeon, freshwater and marine turtles; Pets: many species of exotic amphibians, reptiles and birds; Testing to distinguish extant elephant and mammoth ivory products Species identification of cetaceans (dolphin/whale) illegally killed Species determination of birds from eggs Timber: rainforest hardwood trees such as mahogany and teak; Analysis of ivory roulette balls to establish whether they are made of ivory Testing traditional medicine: e.g., rhinoceros horns, bear gallbladders, and various plants in TAM Animal furs and skins: e.g., the trade in crocodile and alligator skins; and products sold as souvenirs such as figurines made from illegal ivory or marine turtle shells, or jewellery made of coral.

Contd.
Species Identification -- Captive Breeding -- mtDNA Population Identification --Pugmarks Identification of mixed animal tissue Sex Identification

Endangered Species
An endangered species is a native species that faces a significant risk of extinction in the near future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Such species may be declining in number due to threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, or pressure from invasive species.

CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora If a species is listed under Appendix I, the member countries have agreed not to trade (buy and sell) that species commercially. If a species is listed under Appendix II, the member countries have agreed to trade that species commercially only if it does not endanger the survival of the species.

Endangered Plants

Baobob Tree (Adansonia gregorii)

Native to equatorial Africa and India, and most famous for covering much of Madagascar, the distinctive baobab tree is increasingly threatened. This tree is leafless nine months of the year and stores water in its trunk much like a camel. People make homes in the base, and the tree also produces an edible fruit called the monkeyfruit.

(Images via pbase, myspace and about.com)

Cork(Quercus suber)
The cork is actually a type of oak. From this article on endangered forests: The odd and distinctive cork bark

forest of the Mediterranean is a case where industry actually

preserves this unique biome. In fact, the advent of the screw-top wine stopper is the cork bark forests greatest threat. Experts say we will lose cork forests in the next decade if the wine industry continues to turn to alternative corks. Cork oaks are really fascinating; they can be shorn, much like sheep, for many years with proper maintenance. Without market incentive, though, these forests may fall into disrepair or be cleared all together.

Rafflesia
The Rafflesia is a parasitic plant with a fleshlike bloom the size of an armchair and a stench thats unmissable if youre even remotely close.

Tacca Chantrieri
The black bat flower, or tacca chantrieri, is exceptionally rare and quite beautiful. The flowers can reach over 12 in diameter and each bloom typically has many whiskers that can grow to two feet or more in length.

Polygala irregularis
Gujarat(rare)commonly known as Milkwort is an annual or perennial herb.Blooms during July and August.The plants are found at an altitude of

1000 meters.The flowers are found in blue ,near

white ,pink and white in color.The plants are destroyed due to human habitation and land for agriculture.

Endangered Animals

Amur Leopard(Panthera pardus orientalis)

Black Rhino(Diceros bicornis)

Cross River Gorilla(Gorilla gorilla diehli)

Many a times mistaken for BIG FOOT

Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus)

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis)

References
http://www.wildlifeforensics.com.au/backgro und_info.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_forensic _science https://worldwildlife.org/species/directory?di rection=desc&sort=extinction_status http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/11/03 /strange-rare-bizarre-endangered-flowersplants-and-trees/