Damage Inflicted by the Indian Crested Porcupine, Hystrix indica, on Forestry and Agricultural systems in Punjab, Pakistan

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, fruit orchards, vegetables, flowering plants and grasses of forage importance in rangelands. The most important porcupine damage, however, occurs in forestry and range areas. Damage estimates are 15.18 ± 1.79% to Dalbergia sissoo, 12.38 ± 1.86% to Morus alba, 15.16 ± 2.04% to Eucalyptus camaldulensis and 3.44 ± 0.04% to Albizzia procera in different irrigated forest plantations of Punjab have been reported. Severe stock damage figures of 58.4 ± 4.00% to Bombax ceiba, 9.81 ± 2.69% to Dalbergia sissoo and 6.79 ± 2.23% to Albizzia procera were recorded in different areas of the Punjab. Crops of economic importance such as wheat, maize, sugar cane, groundnut and melon are severely damaged in the irrigated plains and rain-fed Pothohar belt. Among the vegetables, okara, pumpkin, bitter gourd and onions are badly damaged.

<b>A first confirmed record of the Indian Crested Porcupine <I>Hystrix indica</I> (Mammalia: Rodentia: Hystricidae) in the United Arab Emirates</b>

“…In the case of WWNP, the buffer zone within the protected area comprises rugged foothill environments that are transitional to extensive flat and agricultural lands outside the park., both of which contribute towards diversifying food and habitat resources for wildlife. Both H. indica and Vulpes vulpes arabica are particularly suited to these peripheral environments, as their association with anthropic habitats is well known (Hafeez et al 2011;Kauhala et al 2016). Wildlife using buffer areas used by humans are, however, at more risk from human persecution.…”

“…Despite being globally listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Amori et al 2016), within many individual countries H. indica is considered threatened due to consumptive hunting, including in Turkey, Palestine, Jordan and India (Qumsiyeh 1996;Amr et al 2004;Doç & Yürümez 2016). In addition, in Iran and Pakistan it is persecuted as an agricultural pest (Hafeez et al 2011;Khan et al 2014). Anecdotal reports suggest that hunting also occurs in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Syria, although H. indica is not considered threatened in these countries.…”

Some Observations on Species Composition and Deterioration of Crop Plantations and Forest Flora by Porcupines in Consort With Control Techniques

“…Amongst the vegetables, bitter gourd, pumpkin, okra and onions are severely injured. On the other hand, for the reason that these are damaging to agricultural crops and gardens, and regardless of being well-thought-out a pest, crested porcupines perform a key part in dispersal of pollens and seeds [35].…”

Process optimization, antioxidant, antibacterial, and drug adjuvant properties of bioactive keratin microparticles derived from porcupine (Hystrix indica) quills

“…In many locations throughout the New and Old World, porcupines have long been regarded as forest pests ( Khan et al, 2000 ). The majority of porcupines are herbivores, and they favor some tree bark as well as bulbs, roots, and succulent tubers ( Hafeez et al, 2011 ). Porcupine quills have antibiotic properties.…”