Submitted date: 9 April 2021 Accepted date: 10 May 2021 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 71–78, pl. 16.
On large colonies of rufous horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus rouxii), western Sri Lanka
A.P.M.J. Bandara* & G. Edirisinghe *E-mail: malshabandara83@gmail.com
Rhinolophus rouxii and Hipposideros speoris are small-sized bats belonging to the Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae families, respectively. Rhinolophus rouxii is widely distributed in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, China and Vietnam, whereas H. speoris is found in Sri Lanka, India and more recently reported from Myanmar. These two species are listed as of Least Concern in both Global and National Red Lists of IUCN. As per the existing distribution records, they are commonly found in the low country: R. rouxii up to an elevation of 1,590 m, whereas H. speoris is at altitudes ranging up to 1,385 m.
Submitted date: 26 April 2021 Accepted date: 24 May 2021 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 66–70, pl. 15.
Roosting of black kites (Milvus migrans) in Dhaka Metropolis, Bangladesh
S. Hasan, A.M.M.K. Abedin, A.K.Sarker & H. Naner* *E-mail: likhi.habibon@gmail.com
Black kites, Milvus migrans, thrive in urban areas, agricultural areas and grasslands with adequate nesting locations and also occurs in villages and towns, deciduous forest and open areas including wetlands throughout Bangladesh. Black kites roost communally in trees and groves of trees. Communal roosting is thought to provide benefits in terms of decreased predation risk and increased foraging efficiency. Some findings suggest communal roosting is influenced by day length, light intensity and local environmental conditions but this remains controversial. Roosting sites can play a significant role in population regulation in birds.
Submitted date: 22 April 2021 Accepted date: 17 May 2021 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 64–65, pls. 13–14.
Unusual nesting behaviour of white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
T.G.S.L. Prakash, S. Jayakody, A.G.K. C. Perera, R. Gamage & T.G.T. Kusuminda *E-mail: prakashtgsl@gmail.com
The white-throated kingfisher or white-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis is a common breeding resident found throughout Asia. Both sexes are alike; juveniles are duller than the adults. They breed yearly from January to August in pairs, but the breeding season begins earlier in India and Sri Lanka. The most active period of breeding related activities is from April to July. Deep burrows (about 50 cm to 1 m) are dug by mating birds into a vertical embankment or wall for the construction of nests. They are common in agricultural landscapes, swamps, marshes, near ponds, lakes, parklands, mangrove swamps, and gardens. However, we have observed a nest of white-throated kingfisher in an artificial nest box towards the end of December 2020 in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, the first documented record of such breeding behaviour in Sri Lanka and throughout its range. This note highlights the key observations made.
Submitted date: 21 November 2020 Accepted date: 5 March 2021 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 61–63, pl. 12.
Biofluorescence in the Sri Lankan House Gecko (Hemidactylus parvimaculatus)
Robert W. Mendyk* *E-mail: rmendyk@auduboninstitute.org
In just the last five years, biofluorescence has been recorded in a growing number of reptiles. In lizards, ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence is known to occur in several genera of chameleons as well as the nocturnal gekkonids Pachydactylus rangei, Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus, C. baluensis and Chondrodactylus bibronii. Under ultraviolet (UV) light, these gekkonids display varying degrees of bone-based fluorescence of the anterior skull and various skeletal elements including the vertebral column, limb bones, pelvis, lower jaw and toe articulations.
Submitted date: 27 January 2021 Accepted date: 15 March 2021 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 58–60, pl. 11.
First record of Gammii Frog (Nanorana gammii) from the Kingdom of Bhutan
J.T. Wangyal*, S. Phuntsho & K. Wangchuk *E-mail: jigmewangyal@gmail.com
The amphibian fauna of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, sandwiched between India and China, is poorly known. Most data collected on this group of animals for the country comes from a few interested individuals or citizen scientists. Based on information provided by a citizen scientist, we report for the first time on the occurrence of the Gammii Frog, Nanorana gammii (Anderson, 1871) in Zhemgang District of Central Bhutan. In this paper, we provide information on the newly discovered locality, habitat and conservation status of this species in Bhutan. We also report on the use of N. gammii by the local communities for food.