The food habits and relative abundance of large carnivores was studied through scat analysis technique in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary from November 2002 to April 2003. A total of 377 scats (103 of Tiger, 188 of Leopard and 86 of Dhole) were analysed. The niche breadth, niche overlap and diversity indices of the diet were calculated. The relative abundance of large carnivores in different habitats was assessed based on the number of scats encountered per kilometer. The result showed that the major part of the diet of all the three large carnivores were from Spotted Deer and Sambar. The Leopard showed a higher diversity and niche breadth in its diet compared to the Tiger. Niche overlap analysis showed that a strong overlap exists between large carnivores. All the large carnivores showed more preference to undisturbed habitat and less preference to evergreen habitat. The result has shown high implication in understanding the predator-prey dynamics and preference of large carnivores to different habitats.

The aerial distribution of the pollen grains Cassia species was found to be predominant in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the adjacent states of South India. The present study deals with the allergenicity and biochemical aspects of four different species of Cassia which were found to be dominant in the atmosphere of India. The pollen grains of Cassia occidentalis were found to be the most and Cassia roxburghii the least reactive of the four different species studied. The individual analysis of the reactive patients also showed the possibilities of cross-reactivity. The protein, carbohydrate and amino acids of these members were analysed. The results obtained are useful as a step towards standardisation of allergen extracts of Cassia species and are also worthy of further investigations both in relation to cross-reactivity and characterisation of allergens.

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