ECOLOGY OF DESERT MAMMALS

The Thar desert of western Rajasthan exhibits a rich mammalian diversi ty, In recent years, however, the number of large mammals, artiodactyl es and carnivores, has drastically dwindled due to expansion of human population, They are being replaced by small mammals, shrews and roden ts. The highly adapted Gerbillus gleadowi is a predominant species in the extreme desert largely dominated by sand dunes, The sandy plain in the central desert is the most species-rich habitat and is inhabited by 68 mammal species. Certain rodents like Cremnomys cutchicus and Mus phillipsi are found in the rocky habitats. The transformation of dese rt grasslands to irrigated agricultural fields is changing the biodive rsity scenario in the desert, Consequently, typical desert-adapted, en demic mammals are vanishing and they are being replaced by mesic eleme nts. Behavioural adaptation of mammals for survival in the inhospitabl e desert environment is discussed in this paper.