Volume 9-14 (2020-26)
v9i2.227ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i2.227
Published date: 28 November 2020
Pp. 133–135
EDITORIAL: Cladonotus bhaskari: a call for improving ethical standards in taxonomic journals
A.A.Thasun Amarasinghe
Co-editor-in-chief: Taprobanica, the journal of Asian Biodiversity
We are in a period of mass extinctions, when many species of animals, plants and other organisms are disappearing through direct or indirect human activities. Yet, the declining numbers of expert taxonomists represents a barrier to identifying, studying and protecting threatened species. This is especially true in developing countries such as Sri Lanka. How can we enjoy and protect something if we don‘t know it is out there to enjoy and protect? As urgent as the description of newly discovered species is, such descriptions must necessarily take place in the context not only of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) but also a sound ethical framework including adherence to local laws. Even urgently needed taxonomic research cannot be justified if it breaches ethical guidelines or the laws of the countries in which the organisms of interest originate, as the following cases illustrate.
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i2.227
Published date: 28 November 2020
Pp. 133–135
EDITORIAL: Cladonotus bhaskari: a call for improving ethical standards in taxonomic journals
A.A.Thasun Amarasinghe
Co-editor-in-chief: Taprobanica, the journal of Asian Biodiversity
We are in a period of mass extinctions, when many species of animals, plants and other organisms are disappearing through direct or indirect human activities. Yet, the declining numbers of expert taxonomists represents a barrier to identifying, studying and protecting threatened species. This is especially true in developing countries such as Sri Lanka. How can we enjoy and protect something if we don‘t know it is out there to enjoy and protect? As urgent as the description of newly discovered species is, such descriptions must necessarily take place in the context not only of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) but also a sound ethical framework including adherence to local laws. Even urgently needed taxonomic research cannot be justified if it breaches ethical guidelines or the laws of the countries in which the organisms of interest originate, as the following cases illustrate.
v9i1.219ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i1.219
Submitted date: 28 March 2020
Accepted date: 30 April 2020
Published date: 21 May 2020
Pp. 31–38, pls. 12–14.
ON TWO POORLY KNOWN, INSULAR SKINKS, Eutropis tytleri (THEOBALD, 1868) AND E. andamanensis (SMITH, 1935) (REPTILIA : SCINCIDAE), ENDEMIC TO THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA
S.R. Chandramouli* & A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe
*Corresponding author. E-mail: findthesnakeman@gmail.com
Abstract
We examined the holotype of Eutropis tytleri and one of the syntypes of E. andamanensis collected from the Andaman Islands, currently deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Information on taxonomy, morphology, distribution, behaviour and natural history of these two poorly-known, insular endemic skinks are presented here based on individuals recorded and examined in-situ, in the field as well as preserved material. Their types are illustrated and redescribed. A distribution map is presented based on records from the present study; threats and conservation status are discussed.
Key words : Andaman grass-skink, distribution, Mabuya, natural history, Sincus, taxonomy
Section Editor: Jakob Hallermann
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i1.219
Submitted date: 28 March 2020
Accepted date: 30 April 2020
Published date: 21 May 2020
Pp. 31–38, pls. 12–14.
ON TWO POORLY KNOWN, INSULAR SKINKS, Eutropis tytleri (THEOBALD, 1868) AND E. andamanensis (SMITH, 1935) (REPTILIA : SCINCIDAE), ENDEMIC TO THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA
S.R. Chandramouli* & A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe
*Corresponding author. E-mail: findthesnakeman@gmail.com
Abstract
We examined the holotype of Eutropis tytleri and one of the syntypes of E. andamanensis collected from the Andaman Islands, currently deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Information on taxonomy, morphology, distribution, behaviour and natural history of these two poorly-known, insular endemic skinks are presented here based on individuals recorded and examined in-situ, in the field as well as preserved material. Their types are illustrated and redescribed. A distribution map is presented based on records from the present study; threats and conservation status are discussed.
Key words : Andaman grass-skink, distribution, Mabuya, natural history, Sincus, taxonomy
Section Editor: Jakob Hallermann
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
v9.i1.218ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i1.218
Submitted date: 17 April 2020
Accepted date: 30 April 2020
Published date: 21 May 2020
Pp. 23–30, pls. 9–11.
A NEW SPECIES OF Lankascincus GREER, 1991 (REPTILIA : SCINCIDAE) FROM THE RAKWANA HILLS OF SRI LANKA
L.J. Mendis Wickramasinghe*, Dulan Ranga Vidanapathirana & Nethu Wickramasinghe
*Corresponding author. E-mail: mendi.w@ime.edu.lk
Abstract
A new species of the endemic scincid lizard genus Lankascincus from the Rakwana hills of Sri Lanka, is described. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by possessing the following combination of characters: maximum SVL less than 35.0 mm, prefrontals in broad contact, seven supralabials, last supralabial scale split, 24 mid-body scale rows, 46–48 paravertebrals, 49–51 ventrals, 13–16 lamellae on fourth toe, and a conspicuous dark brown band from snout to mid-tail, gradually fading posteriad. The number of palpebral scales around eye is used as a meristic character in the genus Lankascincus for the first time.
Key words : Central highlands, rainforest, Ristella, South Asia, systematics, taxonomy
Section Editor: Jakob Hallermann
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i1.218
Submitted date: 17 April 2020
Accepted date: 30 April 2020
Published date: 21 May 2020
Pp. 23–30, pls. 9–11.
A NEW SPECIES OF Lankascincus GREER, 1991 (REPTILIA : SCINCIDAE) FROM THE RAKWANA HILLS OF SRI LANKA
L.J. Mendis Wickramasinghe*, Dulan Ranga Vidanapathirana & Nethu Wickramasinghe
*Corresponding author. E-mail: mendi.w@ime.edu.lk
Abstract
A new species of the endemic scincid lizard genus Lankascincus from the Rakwana hills of Sri Lanka, is described. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by possessing the following combination of characters: maximum SVL less than 35.0 mm, prefrontals in broad contact, seven supralabials, last supralabial scale split, 24 mid-body scale rows, 46–48 paravertebrals, 49–51 ventrals, 13–16 lamellae on fourth toe, and a conspicuous dark brown band from snout to mid-tail, gradually fading posteriad. The number of palpebral scales around eye is used as a meristic character in the genus Lankascincus for the first time.
Key words : Central highlands, rainforest, Ristella, South Asia, systematics, taxonomy
Section Editor: Jakob Hallermann
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
v9.i1.217ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i1.217
Submitted date: 05 December 2019
Accepted date: 17 March 2020
Published date: 21 May 2020
Pp. 12–22, pls. 4–8.
A REVISION OF Eutropis rudis (BOULENGER, 1887), RESURRECTION OF E. lewisi (BARTLETT, 1895) AND DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES (REPTILIA : SCINCIDAE) FROM GREAT NICOBAR
A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe*, S.R. Chandramouli, Kaushik Deuti, Patrick D. Campbell, Sujan M. Henkanaththegedara & Suranjan Karunarathna
*Corresponding author. E-mail: thasun@rccc.ui.ac.id
Abstract
We examined the syntype series of Eutropis rudis (6 specimens) collected from Sumatra and Borneo, currently deposited at the Natural History Museum, London. We observed that the type series is composed of two species. In order to stabilize application of the name, we designate a lectotype for E. rudis from Sumatra. Mabuya lewisi, described based on a specimen from Borneo, is resurrected as a valid species of Eutropis and redescribed. Based on morphology and geographic distribution, we describe a new species of this complex from Great Nicobar Island with two specimens deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata.
Key words : Borneo, Great Channel, lectotype, Mabuya, Sumatra, systematic, taxonomy
Section Editor: Jakob Hallermann
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i1.217
Submitted date: 05 December 2019
Accepted date: 17 March 2020
Published date: 21 May 2020
Pp. 12–22, pls. 4–8.
A REVISION OF Eutropis rudis (BOULENGER, 1887), RESURRECTION OF E. lewisi (BARTLETT, 1895) AND DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES (REPTILIA : SCINCIDAE) FROM GREAT NICOBAR
A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe*, S.R. Chandramouli, Kaushik Deuti, Patrick D. Campbell, Sujan M. Henkanaththegedara & Suranjan Karunarathna
*Corresponding author. E-mail: thasun@rccc.ui.ac.id
Abstract
We examined the syntype series of Eutropis rudis (6 specimens) collected from Sumatra and Borneo, currently deposited at the Natural History Museum, London. We observed that the type series is composed of two species. In order to stabilize application of the name, we designate a lectotype for E. rudis from Sumatra. Mabuya lewisi, described based on a specimen from Borneo, is resurrected as a valid species of Eutropis and redescribed. Based on morphology and geographic distribution, we describe a new species of this complex from Great Nicobar Island with two specimens deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata.
Key words : Borneo, Great Channel, lectotype, Mabuya, Sumatra, systematic, taxonomy
Section Editor: Jakob Hallermann
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
v9i1.216ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i1.216
Submitted date: 01 December 2019
Accepted date: 04 February 2020
Published date: 21 May 2020
Pp. 3–11, pls. 1–3.
REDISCOVERY OF MODIGLIANI’S NOSE-HORNED LIZARD, Harpesaurus modiglianii VINCIGUERRA, 1933 (REPTILIA : AGAMIDAE) AFTER 129 YEARS WITHOUT ANY OBSERVATION
Chairunas A. Putra, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe*, Desy Hikmatullah, Stefano Scali, JanJaap Brinkman, Ulrich Manthey & Ivan Ineich
*Corresponding author. E-mail: thasun@rccc.ui.ac.id
Abstract
The Modigliani’s nose-horned lizard, Harpesaurus modiglianii Vinciguerra, 1933, is one of the rarest lizards in the world, known only from its single type specimen collected in 1891, from North Sumatra, Indonesia. During explorations of the forests surrounding Lake Toba and its caldera, we discovered a population of H. modiglianii at an elevation of 1,675 m a.s.l., and provide the first data on its habitat. We here re-describe the species based on an examination of its type and new material, and provide an English translation of the complete original description which was originally written in Italian.
Key words : Living population, Toba Caldera, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, elevation forest
Section Editor: Philip Bowles
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i1.216
Submitted date: 01 December 2019
Accepted date: 04 February 2020
Published date: 21 May 2020
Pp. 3–11, pls. 1–3.
REDISCOVERY OF MODIGLIANI’S NOSE-HORNED LIZARD, Harpesaurus modiglianii VINCIGUERRA, 1933 (REPTILIA : AGAMIDAE) AFTER 129 YEARS WITHOUT ANY OBSERVATION
Chairunas A. Putra, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe*, Desy Hikmatullah, Stefano Scali, JanJaap Brinkman, Ulrich Manthey & Ivan Ineich
*Corresponding author. E-mail: thasun@rccc.ui.ac.id
Abstract
The Modigliani’s nose-horned lizard, Harpesaurus modiglianii Vinciguerra, 1933, is one of the rarest lizards in the world, known only from its single type specimen collected in 1891, from North Sumatra, Indonesia. During explorations of the forests surrounding Lake Toba and its caldera, we discovered a population of H. modiglianii at an elevation of 1,675 m a.s.l., and provide the first data on its habitat. We here re-describe the species based on an examination of its type and new material, and provide an English translation of the complete original description which was originally written in Italian.
Key words : Living population, Toba Caldera, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, elevation forest
Section Editor: Philip Bowles
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
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