In Sri Lanka, the highest number of endemic and threatened freshwater fish species is found in the south-west and most records are from outside the protected area network. They may therefore be severely impacted by anthropogenic activities. Forested streams support higher fish biomass than non-forested streams, and almost all the endemics are strongly associated with shaded habitats. The Maben Wathurawa Swamp Forest, has been proposed as a forest reserve for several decades but there is no information available on the ichthyofaunal assemblages in that forest.
Abstract We studied population abundance and feeding habits of a native squirrel, Callosciurus pygerythrus, and an introduced squirrel, Funambulus pennantii, at Ramna Park in Dhaka City from November 2015 to April 2016. Altogether 459 squirrels were encountered comprising 167 (36.4%) encounters with C. pygerythrus and 292 (63.6%) with F. pennantii. The relative abundance of C. pygerythrus and F. pennantii were 7.0 and 12.3 individuals/km of transect respectively. Altogether 92 feeding occasions of squirrels were observed that included 29 occasions of C. pygerythrus and 63 occasions of F. pennantii. Both species had omnivorous diets while C. pygerythrus consumed more fruit (35% of all consumed foods) than F. pennantii (28% of all consumed foods). The diets of both species were highly correlated (X2=65.1, df=40, p=0.0073). Both intra- and inter-specific interactions at food sources revealed competition for limited resources in the park. Population monitoring and further research on various ecological aspects will help to understand their ecological adaptations to the urban setting and their roles in ecosystem health. This will inform management approaches for this important natural area in an urban setting.
Key words : Feeding habit, Ramna Park of Dhaka, Sciuridae, squirrel populations, urban biodiversity
Submitted date: 17 November 2020 Accepted date: 3 May 2021 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 39–46, pl. 9.
FIRST RECORD OF Pareas vindumi VOGEL, 2015 (REPTILIA: PAREIDAE) FROM CHINA WITH A REVISION TO MORPHOLOGY
Jian-Huan Yang*, Ho Yuen Yeung, Xiang-Yuan Huang & Shen-Pin Yang *Corresponding author. E-mail: jhyang@kfbg.org
Abstract We report the first record of the poorly known slug-eating snake, Pareas vindumi from China: a female specimen collected from Dazhuba ranger station, Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, Tengchong city, Yunnan Province. The newly collected specimen represents only the second known specimen of the species and provides the first and valuable data on its morphological variation. Based on the new specimen, we revise the diagnostic characteristics of the species and provide additional data on its natural history and conservation status.
Key words : molecular taxonomy, morphological variation, new record, Pareinae, slug-eating snake
Abstract We investigated diminutive day geckos of the genus Cnemaspis in Sri Lanka, and based on morphological evidence, two populations belonging to the C. alwisi group within the C. podihuna clade are described. Both populations are morphologically closely allied to C. hitihamii, but can be clearly distinguished based on a combination of morphological characters, hence named here as two new species. The two new species occur respectively in (i) lowland dryzone (alt. 385 m a.s.l.) forests which have a dense tree cover in Ritigala Nature Reserve, Anuradhapura District and (ii) lowland wetzone (alt. 50 m a.s.l.) forests and adjacent human habitations which have a dense tree cover in Gampaha District, near Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. We also update the available key for these and previously recognized species from Sri Lanka, based on collected material and literature.
Submitted date: 15 March 2021 Accepted date: 10 May 2021 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 4–22, pls. 1–2.
A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Tylototriton (AMPHIBIA, CAUDATA, SALAMANDRIDAE) FROM CENTRAL VIETNAM
Nikolay A. Poyarkov*, Tan Van Nguyen & Dmitriy V. Arkhipov *Corresponding author. E-mail: n.poyarkov@gmail.com
Abstract We describe a new species of the genus Tylototriton from Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, Nghe An Province, in the northern part of Central Vietnam, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species was previously confused with T. vietnamensis from northern Vietnam and T. notialis from Laos. The new species can be distinguished from T. notialis by the absence of orange coloration on posterior end of parotids (vs presence); an indistinct brown coloration on rib nodules (vs bright orange); a broader and slightly rounded head (vs narrower and angular); comparatively shorter limbs (vs longer); slightly fewer number, smaller size and irregular arrangement of rib nodules (vs larger rib nodules arranged in two dorsolateral series). Phylogenetic analysis of the ND2 and 16S rRNA mtDNA genes confirmed the placement of the new species to Clade I of the subgenus Yaotriton, and suggests it is a sister species of T. notialis (p-distance 3.0% in ND2 gene). The range of the new species is restricted to the Pu Hoat Mountain Range and is isolated from the range of T. notialis, which inhabits Northern Annamites (Truong Son) Mountains by the valley of the Ca River, an important biogeographic barrier. The new species is currently known only from the montane forests of Pu Hoat Nature Reserve (at elevations from 700 to 1000 m a.s.l.). We suggest the new species be classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.
Key words :Tylototriton thaiorum sp. nov., mtDNA genealogy, Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, Ca River