World Journal of Zoology 7 (2): 131-134, 2012 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2012.7.2.63105

Status of Herpetofauna in Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, ,

M. Bubesh Guptha, P.V. Chalapathi Rao, N.V. Sivaram Prasad, S.R.S.C. Sekhar Maddala, P. Madhu Babu and D. Srinivas Reddy

Wildlife Management Circle, , 517 507 Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract: Seshachalam Hills, the first Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, is located in southern Eastern Ghats of Chittoor and Kadapa districts. It is spread over 4755.99 Km2 . The vegetation is a unique mix of the tropical southern dry mixed deciduous types. A detailed survey of herpetofauna was conducted from 2nd May 2011 to 3rd January 2012. Data collection was carried out by using Visual Encounter Survey Method, Transects of 500 meter length were covered on foot and carefully examine for obtaining sighting of the target species on both the sides. A total of eight species of Amphibians belonging to four families and seven genera were recorded. So for 34 species of Reptiles belonging to 29 genera, distributed in 11 families were recorded, 22 species of snakes (65%) and 12 species of lizards (35%). The snakes belong to seven families, more number of snakes recorded from the family Colubridae (12 species) followed by Boidae (3 species), Elapidae (3 species), Viperidae (2 species), Typhlopidae (1 species) and Uropeltidae (1 species) were recorded. The lizards are members of five families have been recorded in the study area, more number of lizards recorded from the family Gekkonidae (5 species) followed by Agamidae (3 species), Scincidae (2 species), Varanidae (1 species) and Chamaeleonidae (1 species) were recorded. This report indicated that the area is rich and must contain many more species of amphibians and reptiles. We recommend further studies in the Eastern Ghats at the earliest opportunity. Also everyone should realise that the protection of habitat is an important aspect in the conservation of such species.

Key words: Amphibians Reptiles Seshachalam Status Andhra Pradesh

INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seshachalam Hills, the first Biosphere Reserve in Totally 38 field days, in three different ranges namely Andhra Pradesh, located in southern Eastern Ghats of Tirupati, Balapalli and Chamala were spent to rapidly Chittoor and Kadapa districts. It is spread over 4755.99 assess the research on herpetofauna, during 2nd May 2011 Km2 . The vegetation is a unique mix of the tropical to 3rd January 2012, with the objective to determine the southern dry mixed deciduous types. A detailed survey present distribution and presence of the species. Data of herpetofauna was conducted from 2nd May 2011 to collection was carried out by using Visual Encounter 3rd January 2012. There is no Herpetofauna study so Survey Method. Transects of 500 m length were covered far Seshachalam Hills. This paper is a result of the on foot and carefully examine for obtaining sighting of the study carried out as part of a project “Biodiversity target species on both the sides. Such transects were study of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve” undertaken selected systematically in such a way that equal number by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. Now the of transects were laid in all the habitat. The area is of present herpetofaunal studies give the precise different zones, like Road, water bodies, scrub jungle, information about their occurrence and habitat dense forest, open forest etc. Each zone was randomly information for proper management and conservation of explored on the basis of habitat structure and possibility these species. and availability of the species. All important major and

Corresponding Author: M. Bubesh Guptha, Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Management Circle, Tirupati - 517 507 Andhra Pradesh, India. 131 World J. Zool., 7 (2): 131-134, 2012

Fig. 1: Map showing the locations of the study area in Andhra Pradesh, India minor water bodies, including seasonal rivulets were RESULTS AND DISCUSSION extensively explored for aquatic species, especially amphibians. Preliminary information on habitat and IUCN A total of eight species of amphibians belonging to status was also gathered [1]. All collected herpetofaunal four families and 34 species of Reptiles belonging to specimens were examined and carefully identified by 29 genera, distributed in 11 families have been recorded using the diagnostic keys [2-12]. from the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve (Table 1). More number of species recorde from the family Ranidae Study Area: Seshachalam hills, the first Biosphere (3 species) followed by Microhylidae (3 species), Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, is located in southern Eastern Bufonidae (1 species) and Rhacophoridae (1 species) were Ghats of Chittoor and Kadapa districts. It is spread over recorded. The Indian Pond Frog Euphlyctis hexadactylus 4755.99 Km2 (Fig. 1). The reserve locates in southern and Indian Cricket Frog Fejervarya limnocharis are Eastern Ghats and spread over the Seshachalam hills of relatively abundant in this Sanctuary. The Common Indian Kadapa district and hills of Chittoor district. Toad Bufo melanostictus, Marbled Balloon Frog Bufo Tirumala hills which are popularly known as the seven stomaticus and Indian Burrowing Frog Sphaerotheca hills of Lord Sri . The elevation ranges from breviceps commonly occur throughout the entire 150 to 1,130 m, the terrain is undulating, with deep forest- Sanctuary. However, the Balloon Frog Uperdon covered valleys. Most of the rainfall is received from the globulosus, Painted Kaloula Kaloula taprobanica and northeast monsoon. The vegetation is a unique mix of the the Common Tree Frog Polypedates maculates are found dry deciduous and moist deciduous types. The biosphere only in the scrub jungle trail and rocky areas. So for reserve is home to six endemic plant species: Cycas 34 species of Reptiles belonging to 29 genera, distributed beddomei, Pterocarpus santalinus, Terminalia pallida, in 11 families have been recorded from the study area. Syzygium alternifolium, Shorea tambaggia and 22 species of snakes (65%) and 12 species of lizards Boswellia ovalifoliolata. It is the richest floristic hot spot (35%). The snake belong to seven families, more number harboring many endemic and rare plants. The entire of snakes recorded from the family Colubridae (12 species) sanctuary is an uninhabited large chunk of dry deciduous followed by Boidae (3 species), Elapidae (3 species), Red Sanders bearing forest, forming catchments to Viperidae (2 species), Typhlopidae (1 species) and and Penna rivers, both in Chittoor and Uropeltidae (1 species). The lizards are members of five Kadapa districts. families have been recorded in the study area, more

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Table 1: List of Amphibians and Reptiles of Seshachalam Sl.No Common Name Scientific Name Family IUCN Status 1 Indian Burrowing Frog Sphaerotheca breviceps Ranidae LR-lc 2 Indian Pond Frog Euphlyctis hexadactylus Ranidae LR-lc 3 Indian Cricket Frog Fejervarya limnocharis Ranidae LR-lc 4 Marbled Balloon Frog Uperodon systoma Microhylidae LR-lc 5 Painted Kaloula Kaloula taprobanica Microhylidae LR-lc 6 Balloon Frog Uperdon globulosus Microhylidae LR-lc 7 Indian Toad Bufo melanostictus Bufonidae LR-lc 8 Common Tree Frog Polypedates maculates Rhacophoridae LR-lc Sl. No Common Name Scientific Name Family IUCN Status 1 Common India Krait Bungarus caeruleus Elapidae LR-nt 2 Indian Cobra Naja naja Elapidae LR-nt 3 Slender Coral Snake Calliophis melanurus Elapidae LR-nt 4 Green Vine Snake Ahaetulla nasuta Colubridae LR-nt 5 Buffstriped keelback Amphiesma stolata Colubridae LR-nt 6 Indian Cat snake Boiga trigonata Colubridae LR-lc 7 Smoth Water Snake Enhydris enhydris Colubridae LR-nt 8 Common Wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus Colubridae LR-lc 9 Streaked Kukri Snake Oligodon taeniolatus Colubridae LR-nt 10 Common Kukri Snake Oligodon taeniolata Colubridae LR-nt 11 Indian Rat Snake Ptyas mucosus Colubridae LR-nt 12 Tree Snake Dendrelaphis tristis Colubridae LR-lc 13 Chichred Keelback Xenochrophis piscator Colubridae LR-lc 14 Common Trinket Snake Coelognathus helena Colubridae LR-nt 15 Black-headed Snake Sibynophis subpunctatus Colubridae LR-nt 16 Elliot’s Shieldtail Uropeltis ellioti Uropeltidae LR-nt 17 John's Earth Boa Eryx johnii Boidae LR-lc 18 Russells Earth Boa Eryx conicus Boidae LR-nt 19 Indian Rock Python Python molurus Boidae LR-nt 20 Russell's Viper Daboia russelii Viperidae LR-nt 21 Saw- Scaled viper Echis carinata Viperidae LR-nt 22 Brahminy Worm Snake Ramphotyphlops braminus Typhlopidae LR-nt 23 Indian Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis Varanidae VU 24 Indian Chameleon Chamaeleon zeylanicus Chamaeleonidae VU 25 Common Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor Agamidae LR-nt 26 Fan-throated Lizard Sitana ponticeriana Agamidae LR-lc 27 Forest Calotes Calote rouxi Agamidae LR-nt 28 Bark Gecko Hemidactylus leschnaultii Gekkonidae LR-lc 29 Termite Gecko Hemidactylus triedrus Gekkonidae LR-lc 30 Golden gecko Calodactylodes aureus Gekkonidae EN 31 Brook’s Gecko Hemidactylus brookii Gekkonidae LR-lc 32 Northern House Gecko Hemidactylus flaviviridis Gekkonidae LR-lc 33 Common Skink Mabuya carinata Scincidae LR-nt 34 Snake Skink Lygosoma punctatus Scincidae LR-lc LR-nt = Lower Risk near Threatened; LR-lc = Lower Risk least Concern; VU = Vulnerable; EN= Endangered number of species recorded from the family Gekkonidae Ptyas mucosus and common Tree snake Dendrelaphis (5 species) followed by Agamidae (3 species), Scincidae tristis Buffstriped keelback Amphiesma stolata, Chichred (2 species), Varanidae (1 species) and Chamaeleonidae Keelback Xenochrophis piscator and Common Wolf (1 species) were recorded. Five gecko species were Snake Lycodon aulicus are relatively common in the recorded in this reserve, out of that the Golden Gecko Sanctuary. Common skink Mabuya carinata observed Calodactylodes aureus are rare and endemic species in only in the morning. Indian Rock Python Python molurus, the biosphere reserve. (12 species of lizards and 22 John's Earth Boa Eryx johnii and Slender Coral Snake species of snakes). Termite Gecko Hemidactylus triedru, Calliophis melanuru are very rarely recorded in this common garden lizard Calotes versicolor, rat snake reserve.

133 World J. Zool., 7 (2): 131-134, 2012

Some Species of Herpetofauna of Seshachalam Biosphere ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Reserve The authors are very much thankful to Sri S.V. Kumar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden andhra Pradesh. Special thanks to Sri T. Chakrapani, SFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Forest Range Officer, Forest Section Officers, Forest Beat Officers and Assistant Beat Officers, Wildlife Management Division, Tirupati. We thank Dr. Kishore and Dr. Rajasekar Department of Zoology, S.V. University Tirupati for valuable suggestion for this paper. Finally, we would like to thank all forest staff, helping our field trips.

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