ABSTRACT. During a long-term study on the hoolock gibbon in Northeast India, a detailed survey was made in West Garo Hills District of the Meghalaya, India from July 1985 to March 1987. Approximately 5,075 km 2 of the area was covered. Groups and individuals were counted in 32 localities (812 km2). Interestingly only 1,395 ha was the actual forest area occupied by these gibbons. Fortytwo family groups and four floating individuals of gibbons made up the total count. Of these the adult males and females comprised of nearly 67 ~ while the sub-adults, juveniles, and infants were 6 Yo, 12 ~, and 15 %, respectively. Each family group's territory ranged from 14 to 55 ha. Of the 32 localities only 6 had more than one family group. The present paper deals with the diminishing habitats for these gibbons. The discussion is based on the available small forest patches throughout the district (a common feature for the whole of Northeast India) surrounded by bare hills due to shifting cultivation. A strategy for conservation is also outlined.

Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is an economically important fish of India and Southeast Asia. The present study examined the genetic variations between seven geographically isolated populations of T. putitora using Cyt b (Cytochrome b) and ATPase6/8 gene sequences of mitochondrial DNA. Analysis of 133 sequences of Cyt b (1141 bp) and 130 sequences of ATPase6/8 gene (842 bp) revealed 47 and 44 haplotypes, respectively. The estimated haplotype and nucleotide diversity was high in River Jia Bhoreli (Bhalukpong) population (h = 1.00000, π = 0.007121 for Cyt b and h = 0.90441 π = 0.004867 for ATPase6/8). Results of AMOVA indicated that majority of the genetic variations in both genes were due to variation among populations (60.79% for Cyt b and 51.41% for ATPase6/8 gene). The pairwise F(ST) comparison and neighbor-joining tree revealed high genetic divergence of River Jia Bhoreli population from other populations. The understanding of genetic variations of T. putitora populations will play a key role in conservation and management of this endangered fish species.

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The complete mitochondrial genome of Tor putitora, an endemic coldwater fish of Himalayas was determined for the first time. The genome is 16,576 bp in length and consists of 13 protein coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNA genes and 1 putative control region. The gene organization and its order were similar to other vertebrates. The overall base composition was; A: 31.9%, G: 15.6%, C: 27.5%, T: 25%, A + T content 56.9% and the G + C content 43.1%. The control region was also consisted of a microsatellite locus (TA) 13 between 16,456 to 16,481 bp. The present study will provide the rationale for the management and conservation of T. putitora.