Volume 9-14 (2020-26)
v10i1.251ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.251
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.
Section Editor: Vincent Nijman
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.251
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.
Section Editor: Vincent Nijman
v10i1.250ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.250
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.
Section Editor: Ruchira Somaweera
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.250
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.
Section Editor: Ruchira Somaweera
v10i1.249ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.249
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.
Section Editor: Nikolay A. Poyarkov
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.249
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.
Section Editor: Nikolay A. Poyarkov
v10i1.248ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.248
Submitted date: 20 December 2020
Accepted date: 10 May 2021
Published date: 27 May 2021
Pp. 54–57.
Ichthyofauna of Maben Wathurawa Swamp Forest, southwestern Sri Lanka
K.H.M.A. Deepananda*, K. Wewalwala, P.K.W.I.N. Rathnayake, H.M.V. Udayantha, G.A.T.K. Yomal, R.B.D.D. Senarathne, A.U. Kuragodage & S.U. Thuduwage
*E-mail: ashoka@fish.ruh.ac.lk
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.
Section Editor: Upali S. Amarasinghe
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.248
Submitted date: 20 December 2020
Accepted date: 10 May 2021
Published date: 27 May 2021
Pp. 54–57.
Ichthyofauna of Maben Wathurawa Swamp Forest, southwestern Sri Lanka
K.H.M.A. Deepananda*, K. Wewalwala, P.K.W.I.N. Rathnayake, H.M.V. Udayantha, G.A.T.K. Yomal, R.B.D.D. Senarathne, A.U. Kuragodage & S.U. Thuduwage
*E-mail: ashoka@fish.ruh.ac.lk
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.
Section Editor: Upali S. Amarasinghe
v10i1.247ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.247
Submitted date: 25 December 2020
Accepted date: 23 March 2021
Published date: 27 May 2021
Pp. 47–53, pl. 10.
ABUNDANCE AND FEEDING HABIT OF SQUIRRELS (MAMMALIA: RODENTIA: SCIURIDAE) IN AN URBAN PARK, BANGLADESH
Tanvir Ahmed, Shimul Nath, Habibon Naher*, Hasanuzzaman Jowel & Shamima Nasrin
*Corresponding author. E-mail: likhi.habibon@gmail.com
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
Section Editor: Lee Harding
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.247
Submitted date: 25 December 2020
Accepted date: 23 March 2021
Published date: 27 May 2021
Pp. 47–53, pl. 10.
ABUNDANCE AND FEEDING HABIT OF SQUIRRELS (MAMMALIA: RODENTIA: SCIURIDAE) IN AN URBAN PARK, BANGLADESH
Tanvir Ahmed, Shimul Nath, Habibon Naher*, Hasanuzzaman Jowel & Shamima Nasrin
*Corresponding author. E-mail: likhi.habibon@gmail.com
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
Section Editor: Lee Harding
Hubungi Kami
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