Photographic Key for the Microhistological Identification of Some Plants of Indian Trans-Himalaya

Abstract

Microhistology techniques have been used in many studies regarding food habits of herbivores. The absence of detailed reference materials and time consumed in creating reference plant materials for a particular study species and area hampers an understanding and extensive use of the technique. On the other hand, the use of direct sighting procedure of animals to study the dietary spectrum of herbivores is interrupted by tough terrain and harsh climatic condition in the Trans-Himalaya. The current study provides a photographic key for identification of 38 plants species belonging to 35 genera and 21 families. Structures such as types of stomata, trichomes and epidermal cells are discussed for different species of plants collected from Kargil, Ladakh. The given information is expected to help researchers working on feeding ecology of mammals in the Indian Trans-Himalaya.