Pallikaranai marshland is home to 220 species of fauna, ranging from protozoa to mammals, a recent study has found.

A baseline data collection was conducted by a team of researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at the marshland.

Director of ZSI, K. Venkataraman, said the State forest department had provided funds for taking up the data collection work, which began in April last year. The final report is expected to be ready by March next year.

Talking about the diversity of species in the marshland, Dr. Venkataraman said nine species of amphibians, 21 species of reptiles, 72 species of birds, five species of mammals, 38 species of fishes, nine species of shells and 59 species of aquatic and terrestrial insects had been recorded, besides a good number of planktons.

Once the baseline data collection work is completed, the status of endangered species of fauna will be assessed and included in the report, he said.

Since the work began last year, the team of researchers along with students from various colleges went on seven field trips to conduct the survey. As part of the study, the officials imparted training on identification of fauna at the site and also created awareness among students, said Dr. Venkataraman.

Researchers from the Botanical Survey of India will come to Chennai in October and begin baseline data collection on the flora at the marshland, he said.