Shorebird droppings analysis: Microplastics and heavy metals in a key conservation reserve and adjoining sand beaches in the west coast of India.

Coastlines are susceptible to plastic and heavy metal pollution, which can accumulate from both marine and terrestrial sources. Shorebirds, top-level predators in these fragile ecosystems are considered as indicators of environmental health. Here, we tested the occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in the droppings of ten regular wintering migrant shorebird species in Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve and adjoining sand beaches during November, December and January, each year, between 2019 and 2021.

Review of the spider wasp genus Episyron Schidte, 1837 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from India, with description of three new species.

The spider wasp genus Episyron Schidte, 1837 is reviewed, with five species recorded from various parts of India along with three new species described and illustrated from Kerala: E. keralaensis Anju, Girish Kumar & Thejass, sp. nov.

The threat of microplastics: Exploring pollution in coastal ecosystems and migratory shorebirds along the west coast of India.

To evaluate the exposure risk and ingestion of microplastics by migratory shorebirds, which are regarded as apex predators in the coastal ecosystem, this study investigated the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in estuarine and coastal habitats and their potential to be transferred in the food chains. We analysed the presence of microplastics in water, sediment, major macroinvertebrate prey and the guano samples of ten shorebird species from ten important wintering grounds in the west coast of India. Our results revealed that water is the primary source through which microplastics disseminate into various ecosystem components.

Taxonomic study on the spider wasp genus Ceropales Latreille, 1796 (Pompilidae: Ceropalinae) with description of two new species from India.

The spider wasp genus Ceropales Latreille, 1796 from India was studied, resulting in the discovery of two new species in the nominotypical subgenus: Ceropales (Ceropales) anaghae Anju, Girish Kumar & Thejass, sp. nov. and C.