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Synopsis India's immense biological diversity encompasses ecosystems, populations, species and their genetic make-up. This diversity can be attributed to the vast variety in physiographic and climatic situations resulting in a diversity of ecological habitats ranging from tropical, subtropical, temperate, alpine to desert. Documentation of faunal resource of a country therefore, focuses on developing 'indicators' to be used in the assessment which are reflected in combination of ecological fundamentals, such as biodiversity, critical habitat and key ecological relationships; site-specific considerations, environmental stress and potential impacts. The present book focuses on the importance of taxonomic nomenclature and its regulation, species concept, role of natural history museums followed by the species inventory and diversity in different ecological conditions. An attempt has also been made to assess the economic value of the taxon at different levels and the conservation efforts initiated to sustain the biodiversity against the anthropogenic influences. The glossary at the end will help in understanding the terminologies employed while compiling the book.