Abstract Physoschistura tuivaiensis is described from Likhailok on the Tuivai River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River in southern Manipur, India. It is distinguished from congeneric species except P. shanensis and P. yunnaniloides by having a complete lateral line. It can be distinguished from those two species by the presence of 12-14 dark olivaceous blotches on the flank, and 15-17 dark olivaceous saddles on the back, more branched caudal fin rays, and 4+8 pores in the infraorbital canal. Examination of the holotype of Physoschistura elongata shows lip morphology different from Physoschistura, and the species is referred tentatively to Schistura.
Key words : Anatomy, freshwater, morphology, taxonomy, Brahmaputra River
EDITORIAL : How embarrassing can it get? Or: Taxonomy undermined
Sven O Kullander Section Editor: Taprobanica, the journal of Asian Biodiversity
Whereas biological systematics and taxonomy are probably about the same kind of scientific enterprise, they were separated by Ernst Mayr in his classical text book, and taxonomy became cemented as a subset of systematics. A little over 40 years have passed since these definitions were expressed, and the work in which they appeared has become obsolete with the appearance of new technology and new philosophy about what are the fundamental aspects of species and higher taxa, especially with the development of phylogenetic systematics and facility of studying factors of inheritance at molecular level. Nevertheless, biological systematics remains the fundamental powerful scientific domain for understanding and expressing biological diversity, and keeps its definitions.
Submitted date: 19 December 2020 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 79.
ERRATUM :Gowande, G.G., S.R. Ganesh and Z.A. Mirza (2020). A new cryptic species of bush frog (Amphibia: Anura: Raorchestes) from the Southern Eastern Ghats, India. Taprobanica, 9 (2): 164–173 + pls. 49–50.
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.