The odonate fauna of Kerala, their status and distribution are reviewed. Based on personal records from field work since 2010 and published literature, all the recent additions and range extensions to the region are critically analyzed and a revised checklist of odonates of Western Ghats and Kerala is provided. The current checklist of odonates of the Western Ghats stands at 207 species, including 80 endemics. A total of 181 species of Odonates, including 68 Western Ghats endemics, belonging to 87 genera under two suborders and 14 families were recorded from the geographical boundary of Kerala. The suborder Zygoptera comprises 74 species of damselflies (30 genera in seven families) and the suborder Anisoptera has 107 species (57 genera in seven families). Endemic species and those in IUCN Red List categories are enlisted. None of the odonate species from the region are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972. A detailed discussion on odonates occurring in Kerala has been provided in the systematic part.

A new species of Protosticta Selys, 1885 is described from Anamalai Hills of southern Western Ghats in peninsular India. The new species is distinguished from its regional congeners by the posterior lobe of the prothorax being devoid of spines; anterior 1/3rd of S8 pale yellow, the marking not connected dorsally; S9 completely black; caudal appendages short, sinuous, and only twice the length of S10, cerci with a small blunt basal tooth; the tip of the superior lobe of cerci not bilobed but straight, paraprocts beveled at the tip, not clubbed; pterostigma of both wings trapezoidal with maximum length less than twice the breadth, forewing with nine & hindwing with eight postnodals, and the structure of male genital ligula. The new species is described from Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary on the northwestern flanks of the Anamalai hills. A key to the identification of Protosticta of the Western Ghats is provided based on mature males.

Background: Vertebrate gut microbiota plays essential roles in host biology, including immune regulation, energy acquisition, vitamin synthesis and disease risk. There are however several other pathogenic microorganisms found in the gut and are transmissible by fecal oral route. About 60% of all human diseases and approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. Due to an observed increase in conflicts and interactions between human and nonhuman primates, both are at risk of pathogen transfer and infection. Methods: This study was conducted on 50 captive baboons and 67 wild baboons. Stool samples were collected and cultured and species identification of each isolate was done by the use of Analytical Profile Indexing tool. Results: Species of Gram-positive cocci, Gram-positive and Gram-negative rods were identified, with more isolates being obtained from wild than captive baboon fecal samples. Unlike the Gram-negative rods, the captive baboons harbored more Grampositive cocci and Gram-positive rods than the wild baboons. Escherichia coli was the most dominant isolate and was collected in more than 50% of the samples from both groups of animals. Of the Gram-positive cocci and Grampositive rods, Aerococcus viridans, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus firmus were found to be the most common isolates in both groups of animals. Conclusion: Though the wild and captive baboons harbor different gastrointestinal bacteria, similarities do occur. The wild baboons have a richer microbial diversity as compared to the captive baboons.

The odonate diversity of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Western Ghats (WG) of Kerala state, is discussed in this paper. A total of 181 species belonging to 87 genera and 14 families have been compiled for Kerala and this includes 68 Western Ghats endemics. A total of 116 species of odonates including 33 endemics were recorded for the region. A total of 41 damselflies (Zygoptera) and 75 dragonflies (Anisoptera) were recorded for the sanctuary. Shendurney thus harbours 56.04 % of WG and 64.08 % of the odonate diversity of Kerala. In addition, this includes 48.52% of Kerala and 41.25 % of endemic odonates of Western Ghats. About 29% of all the species recorded for the Shendurney are endemic to WG. With respect to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, one species is ‘Endangered’, three ‘Vulnerable’, two ‘Near Threatened’, 84 ‘Least Concern’, 20 ‘Data Deficient’, and six species whose IUCN Red List status was not assessed. Family Libellulidae (41 species) dominated the odonate diversity, followed by Coenagrionidae (15 species) and Gomphidae (13 species). Regarding the occurrence status, we found that 11 species were Very Common, 42 species were found to be Common, 34 species Not Rare, 10 species were Rare, and 19 species were Very Rare inside the sanctuary. None of the species listed is protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Purpose: In Kenya, small holder farmers face climate change related challenges. It is therefore imperative to enhance adaptive capacity through climate smart agricultural (CSA) technologies. Access to finance is a significant enabler for adoption of CSA technologies yet small holder farmers, especially women, have an acute financing gap for agriculture. The purpose of the study was to characterize existing rural finance markets that can enhance adoption of Climate smart agricultural technologies among small holder farmers in Kenya and also improve the participation of other agricultural value chain actors in climate smart agricultural technologies.  This was to enhance a better understanding of existing rural financial services available to agricultural value chain actors and the potential of the financial institutions to increase credit access to the value chain actors. Methodology: The study used cross sectional data gathered through questionnaires administered on farmers, rural financial institutions and other actors in eight, Kenya Climate Agricultural Project (KCSAP) counties in Kenya. Data was analyzed using Stata statistical package and presented using tables and figures. Findings: Rotating and savings credit associations (ROSCAs) were the main credit source for most households. Findings revealed that farmers rarely access insurance for their farming activities. Unlike farmers, other actors for instance, agro processors and agro dealers get loans through mobile phones where short term loans were borrowed from different providers. Majority of financial institutions were serving agricultural sector. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study had presumed that access to rural financial market services by value chain actors in climate smart technologies for crops and livestock will be enhanced and this will increase adoption in the target Counties. The theory or assumption was validated in a workshop by all stakeholders which was followed up by linking up the value chain actors and the financial institutions through capacity building forums. Financial institutions could leverage on existing models used by ROSCAs to increase access to rural financial services especially by women and youth.  A gender-transformative approach should be considered to increase women access to rural financial services.