Asian Research Thesis Index

Abstract

In Pakistan, Hystrix indica is abundant and distributed all over the country. It has been identified as a serious pest of traditional as well as non-traditional crops, trees and shrubs. The prospective porcupine belt of the Punjab has been divided into four ecological zones i.e., rainfed Pothowar belt; irrigated forest plantations and embankment of link canals, desert lands and agricultural lands. The fecal pellets and stomach contents of H. indica were collected from the randomly selected sites. An analysis of 131 stomachs contents and 480 fecal pellets revealed that 44 species of different plants were consumed by the porcupine as food. H. indica mainly likes to consume agricultural crops including vegetables and fruits rather xeric vegetation. It is analysed that the diet of the porcupine comprised of vegetable matter, roots, seeds, leaves, stems, spikes, tubers, flowers and pods. Maximum food diversity was found in irrigated forest plantations. The data collected on tree debarking in plantations revealed serious damage to different tree species. The incidence of damage to Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo, Morus alba and Albizzia procera averaged 15.16±2.04, 15.18±1.79, 12.38±1.86 and 3.44±0.04% respectively. However, the degree of damage to different tree species among the plantations showed highly significant difference. Damage to mature tree of Acacia modesta, Populus deltoides and Tamarix aphylla was not recorded. On an average, plant nursery of Bombix ceiba, Dalbergia sissoo and Alibizzia procera received 58.4±4.00, 9.81±2.69 and 6.79±2.23% damage respectively. Up rooting stumps of Dalbergia sissoo, Bombix ceiba and Eucalyptus camaldulensis after transplanting is a characteristic behaviour of Indian crested porcupine that was commonly observed in the plantations or on farms visited. Necessary control measures are also suggested.

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