Submitted date: 01 December 2019 Accepted date: 11 March 2020 Published date: 21 May 2020 Pp. 39–49, pls. 15–18.
TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION OF Liopeltis calamaria (GÜNTHER, 1858) (REPTILIA : COLUBRIDAE), INCLUDING REDESCRIPTION OF THE SYNTYPES
A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe*, Suranjan Karunarathna, Patrick D. Campbell, S.R. Ganesh & Gernot Vogel *Corresponding author. E-mail: thasun@rccc.ui.ac.id
Abstract Liopeltis calamaria, a rare non-venomous colubrid snake of South Asia, is redescribed. Its syntypes and all the available type specimens of its recognized synonyms are examined, including information about the respective populations found across India and Sri Lanka. Our literature compilation and mapping analyses reveal three distinct populations – (I) Sri Lankan (probably also present in some parts of South India as well), (II) Peninsular Indian, and (III) Himalayan / Nepalese, separated by the Palk Strait and the Indo-Gangetic plains respectively.
Key words : India, population variation, reed snake, sexual dimorphism, Sri Lanka, synonyms
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
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.
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
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
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
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