A lifetime with the gharial — and what its body still teaches us-- “From Egg to River: What Gharial Growth Reveals About Evolution and Survival”

SNOUT–TAIL ALLOMETRY IN CROCODILE BODY GROWTH

(English translation of Singh, L.A.K., 2026; originally in Odia, Bigyana Diganta, Odisha Science Academy)

The popular article, discusses how the proportions of body‑length components change during the growth of the gharial Gavialis gangeticus. Two hypotheses are proposed:

1. Egg Space Economy During Embryonic Development
2. Post‑hatching Growth Priority

Evolutionary Background

During evolution, the proportions and functional mechanisms of body parts are shaped in harmony with the environment. These adaptations help the organism survive and reproduce successfully.

Academia.edu Link: (44) SNOUT-TAIL ALLOMETRY IN CROCODILE BODY GROWTH

The Odia article in Bigyana Diganta (May 2026) revisits these early findings with renewed clarity. Even after five decades, the biological insights remain fresh and contemporary, because natural history grounded in careful field observation does not lose relevance. 

Along with the original Odia version with Figures, I am sharing this refined English version on academia.edu so that young researchers and naturalists may rediscover the enduring value of morphometry, field biology, and evolutionary reasoning in crocodilian conservation.

My research on gharial growth proportions began in 1975 and formed a part of the foundation of my PhD thesis in August 1978. The two hypotheses on snout development were first touched upon in Singh & Bustard (1982) in the British Journal of Herpetology, though not discussed in full. These ideas later matured in a chapter to my 2018 book 'Gharial is a Fish eating Crocodile', published in eight international languages. 

Gharial repeated 800km Long-distance movement (1985, 2026)

My colleague Binod C. Chaudhury, shared a news which is about an “Adult gharial rescued from Rajasthan canal, set for release in Punjab’s Beas River” (The Tribune, Rajmeet Singh, Tribune News Service, Chandigarh, Jul 30, 2026).

It immediately took me and refer my 1985 report from Chambal where I had compiled information about long distance movements by crocodiles (Singh, L. A. K. (1985). Gharial Population Trend in National Chambal Sanctuary with notes on radio-tracking.  Study Report Dec. 1985. Crocodile Research Centre, Wildlife Institute of India, Hyderabad. 167 vii pp with 3 plates, 10 Figs., 21 tables, accessible at academia.edu).

Direct comparison: 1985 vs 2026 movement by gharial

Parameter	1985 Chambal Case	2026 Beas Case
Distance	~800 km	~800 km
Pathway	Natural rivers (Chambal → Yamuna → Ganga)	Canal system (Beas → Rajasthan Canal → Jaisalmer)
Direction	Downstream + upstream	Downstream canal flow
Age class	Juvenile	Adult
Outcome	Recaptured in Ganga	Rescued, returned to Punjab
Significance	First documented extreme dispersal	Modern confirmation of same behaviour

This is one of the strongest cross‑decadal behavioural validations in crocodilian movement ecology.

Scientific conclusion

The 1985 findings were not only accurate, they were prescient.

The 2026 Beas–Jaisalmer gharial movement demonstrates that:

• Gharial possess high dispersal ability
• They can travel hundreds of kilometres across both natural and artificial waterways
• Long‑range movement is a species‑level behavioural trait, not an exception
• Conservation planning must account for inter‑state movement, canal connectivity, and non‑sanctuary habitats

This new case is a perfect modern analogue of the 1985 800‑km movement record.

Similipal “Melanistic Tigers” are not “Pseudomelanistic”: Management of the Case of a Phenotypic Nomenclature Drift

Today (22 June 2026) morning I saw the article published in Zoo's Print and drawing the attention of all who love Similipal and its tigers,-- all who have thought of giving shape for upgrading gene-pool status of tiger in Similipal---, to increase the production of normal colour tigers. With thanks to all, I give a brief of the Abstract and link for reading more about the critical case of 'Managing a nomenclatural drift' for "melanistic tigers of Similipal".

First described on July 21, 1993, the "melanistic tigers of Similipal" is a historically and biologically accurate term representing one of 14 known tiger phenotypes. However, a 2021 multi-author publication introduced the incorrect prefix "pseudo-melanistic" ('pseudo' meaning false) without justification or reference to the historical accounts in literature and official use. This flawed nomenclature rapidly spread through media and administrative communications, causing widespread confusion. Following formal objections and public resentment, editors requested a correction from the authors in April 2026. Dropping the erroneous "pseudo" prefix and restoring the original term is essential to safeguard scientific continuity, administrative accuracy, and Odisha's three-decade-long ecological record. https://share.google/MQyGv0Wz9CV8nTdBd 

Key words: Similipal, melanistic tiger, gene-pool improvement, Biological Terminology Drift 

SCIENTIFIC OPINION: WHY “PSEUDO MELANISTIC TIGER” IS INCORRECT AND HARMFUL

 1. The term “pseudo‑melanistic” is biologically wrong

Melanism is a real phenotype, not a “false” one.
The prefix pseudo‑ implies:

• fake
• incomplete
• misleading
• not a true phenotype

My 1999 model given for Panthera tigris and all subsequent field evidence shows that:

• Melanistic tigers are genuine phenotypes
• They do not arise because of repeated mutations
• They arise from real genetic variation
• They fit into Types 12–14 of my 14‑colour model
• They are part of the natural segregation spectrum of Panthera tigris

Thus, “pseudo‑melanistic” is scientifically indefensible.

---

2. The term originated in July 2021 and spread without scrutiny

• The term first appeared in Sagar et al. 2021 (PNAS).
• It was not used in any tiger literature before 2021.
• It was not used in my 1999 model, nor in any Indian field reports from 1988–2020.
• It spread rapidly through:
• media
• forest officers
• social media
• popular science outlets

This created terminological confusion for five years (2021–2026).

---

3. The PNAS Editors themselves corrected the issue in April 2026

My communication with PNAS resulted in:

• A formal editorial clarification (2 April 2026)
• A request to the 2021 authors to submit corrections
• Acknowledgement that the term “pseudo‑melanistic” should not be used for Similipal tigers

This is a major scientific correction — and it validates our position from 1999.

---

4. The wrongly used "pseudo" term contradicts my 14‑colour model (1999), which is the correct framework

My model already includes:

• Melanistic
• Black
• Brown‑phase
• Rufous
• Pallid
• White variants
• Ghost‑pattern
• Pattern‑dominant
• Pattern‑reduced

There is no place for “pseudo‑melanistic” because:

• It is not a phenotype
• It is not a genetic category
• It is not a colour expression
• It is not a pattern category

It is simply wrong terminology.

---

5. The term caused real‑world damage

Because of the PNAS paper:

• Media began calling Similipal tigers “pseudo‑melanistic”
• Forest officers repeated the term in reports
• Photographers and tourists adopted it
• Even some scientific articles may have copied it without checking

This undermined:

• My 1999 model
• My 1988–1998 field documentation
• the correct terminology used for 30+ years

My intervention was necessary and scientifically justified.

---

Final Opinion (for publication or official use)

The term “pseudo‑melanistic tiger” introduced by Sagar et al. (2021) is scientifically incorrect and should not be used. Melanistic tigers of Similipal are genuine phenotypes that fall within the 14‑colour model established in Singh (1999). The PNAS editorial clarification of April 2026 confirms that the prefix “pseudo” must be dropped in all scientific, official, and media communication.

 

MORE LOVE FROM SIMILIPAL WITH ANOTHER POSTER

I am really moved for the love that the young generation from and surrounding of Similipal have shown me. They have created another poster page for me. The contents are not flaw-less, but it shows that the young men need to be educated and refined with their existing base. They remember me and have given my photo from WhatsApp and have tried to depict the colour variations in tiger world-wide. Just now, I just thank them

Through Jashipur Times, Mayurbhanj people expressed their love for me and my work

My first visit to Similipal was in 1979 for a thorough survey of river systems to locate any remnant crocodile population or find locations where mugger crocodiles could be released in future. Then, on return from deputation to Government of India, from November 1987, I stayed within Ramatirtha Crocodile Research complex near Jashipur, with Puspa 35 my wife, Anshuman 5 - son and Abhalaxmi 2- daughter. The stay for next 6 years for Similipal work gave me many challenges and many opportunities. Very friendly people and officials. I started changing as a different kind of wildlife researcher. 

In 1994, my father 70+ expired while living with us at Ramatirtha. Puspa suffered from malaria in 1994 when I was absent for a little long, inside the jungle. She developed numerous health problems. She breathed her last on 28 June 2003 at Baripada. The CWLW - Sri Suresh Chandra Mohanty organised to shift me to wildlife headquarters for better education and upbringing of children. 

On 26 March 2026 evening, I accidentally saw the Tribute given to me by Jashipur Times. I am overwhelmed, and before it gets lost somewhere, I thought to interact with AI and get feedback. Then today, I am preserving it in my blog.

Thank you, Jashipur Times and the people of Mayurbhanj, for the love you have bestowed upon me.

 

 

Similipal Tigers are "Melanistic", not "Pseudo-melanistic"

Recently some media houses have wrongfully used the term "pseudo-melanistic" for "melanistic tigers" of Similipal. I may clarify that the correct term is: melanistic and not "pseudo" (meaning 'false') melanistic tiger. They belong to a natural population, and they have not arisen out of or arising out of 'repeated mutation'. 

22 years back 14 different natural tiger phenotype-colour- variations were described in the book "Born Black- The Melanistic Tiger in India" written from research by me (Dr.  L.  A.  K.  Singh) and published by WWF - India.. 

Accordingly,  within that scope of description,  a tiger has to be "black" or "melanistic", not 'pseudo' meaning false. In 2021, a "pseudo" prefix was wrongfully  used by the molecular researchers from Bengaluru. At an Odisha State Research Advisory Committee Meeting, the lead researcher agreed with me (Dr.  Singh) that the prefix "pseudo" was wrong, and will not be used anymore by them.

So, Similipal-Jashipur-Mayurbhanj melanistic tigers are not "pseudo" (meaning false) but real melanistic tigers.  Let's stop ascribing the prefix "pseudo" melanistic for the future usage.

Dr. Lala A. K. Singh

Author of 1999-book: Born Black- The Melanistic Tiger in India"