International trade of swiftlet nests has affected wild populations of edible-nest swiftlets throughout their range. The white-nest swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands lost 80% of its population in the 1990s. Conservation efforts for the species were initiated in 2000, with the active involvement of former nest collectors. To measure the efficacy of protection measures we collected data on the swiftlet, using the nest count method. We monitored annual breeding populations in 28 protected caves on Chalis-ek and one on Interview Island during 2000–2008, and in 168 unprotected caves on Baratang and Interview Islands during February–April 2008. The swiftlet population in protected caves increased by 39%, whereas it declined by 74% in unprotected caves. Nearly 61% of the 152 caves on Baratang Island were abandoned by the swiftlet during 1997–2008. This study highlights the importance of extending protection to the unprotected caves on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Caridina ravisankarani sp. nov. is a cave-adapted species, collected during June and November 2018 and January 2019 from a limestone cave (CN2) on Interview Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The shrimps were collected from a stream, sourced through the percolation of rainwater, which reduces during the post-monsoon months. The species is closely related to Caridina typus H. Milne Edwards, 1837, Caridina villadolidi Blanco, 1939 and Caridina jeani Cai, 2010. A detailed comparison of characters and a key for identification are given in the text. The present species can be diagnosed by the presence of: short rostum with edentulous upper margin and ventral margin with 2 minute teeth situated at the distal part; outer antennular flagellum with 16 segments at the basal part swollen; highly atrophied propodus and dactylus of endopod of 2nd maxilliped; bushy long setae on fingers of 2nd chelate legs; dactylus of 5th pereopod with 42–43 comb-like bristles; dieresis with 18 spines; dorsal surface of telson with 4–5 pairs of spines and disto-median region doesn’t end in a point, outer lateral pair of spines absent and eyes with cornea pigmentation variable, from totally absent to a small black spot. Fecundity is 1300 eggs with an average length 0.71±0.03 mm and width 0.42±0.03 mm (Mean±SD).

We report the crepuscular hunting behavior by the Besra Accipiter virgatus, on the Glossy Swiftlets Collocalia esculenta affinis and the Edible-nest Swiftlets Aerodramus fuciphagus inexpectatus in urban areas the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Unlike other raptors in the islands, the Besra hunts at twilight often in the absence of moonlight or/and artificial light. Glossy and Edible-nest Swiftlets have been ranched in human habitations and their nests harvested for livelihood support of local communities under an ex situ conservation program. Using the focal animal sampling method, we recorded the hunting behavior of the Besra (the predator) on the swiftlets (the prey) for 40h (120 min/day for 20 days) at the ex situ swiftlet colony established in a house in the Middle Andamans. The Besra made 84 hunting attempts, with the highest success rate (15.4%) between 17.00–18.00 h. The catch rate was a mean of 4±11 (SD) per day. The maximum time that was used for attempt to kill the prey was two hours. Depredation of the Edible-nest Swiftlet by the Besra could affect ex situ conservation efforts, which can also lead to economic losses and retaliation against the raptor. Restricting perch sites for the raptor around ranching houses might reduce predation risks for the swiftlets.