Trees of Baratang Island, Andaman Islands, India

Baratang Island is the second largest island in Middle Andaman extended over 297.6 Sq. Km. After five years of explorations during 2010-2015, a total of 261 tree taxa belonging to 171 genera and 61 families were recorded from the Island. Of the 261 plant taxa, 247 are dicots, 12 monocots and 2 are gymnosperms. Annonaceae is the dominant family with 16 species followed by Phyllanthaceae 15 species, Moraceae 14 species and Anacardiaceae 13 species. The largest genus is Ficus with 8 species followed by Diospyros 7, Dipterocarpus and Glochidion 5 species each. A total of 31 endemic taxa up to the level of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are recorded from the Baratang Island, of which 15 are strict endemics to Andaman Islands. Of the 261 tree taxa, 135 are with evergreen nature; 45 with semi-evergreen nature and remaining deciduous nature. Only Fourteen species namely Canarium euphyllum, Chukrasia tubularis, Dipterocarpus alatus, Dipterocarpus grandiflorus, Dipterocarpus kerrii, Firmiana colorata, Gyrocarpus americanus, Parishia insignis, Pometia pinnata, Pterocarpus dalbergioides, Pterygota alata, Sterculia rubiginosa, Terminalia bialata and Tetrameles nudiflora are found growing

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Prof. B.R.P. Rao has 28 years of research experience and published 15 books and 126 papers. He is the Principal Investigator for 13 major research projects. 21 students awarded Ph.D. under his guidance. Dr. M. Bheemalingappa awarded Ph.D. in 2014 for working on 'Trees of Baratang Island'. He has published 12 research articles.