New Records of Snakes and Lizards from Bhutan

New records of snakes and lizards from Bhutan

Jigme Tshelthrim Wangyal

College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa, Punakha, Bhutan E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT.– Ten snake species (Ramphotyphlops braminus, Python bivittatus, Lycodon fasciatus, Lycodon aulicus, Lycodon jara, Rhabdophis subminiatus, Chrysopelea ornata, Dendrelaphis tristis, Naja naja, Trimeresurus albolabris) and two lizards (Gekko gecko and Sphenomorphus maculatus) are reported for the first time from Bhutan. With the exception of a few species, most are from the Sarpang District. Data were collected opportunistically and georeferenced.

KEYWORDS.– Snakes, lizards, distributional records, Bhutan

Introduction port the occurrence of 10 snake species and one Bhutan is a landlocked Himalayan country, ly- lizard from the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan ing between two Asian giants, China and India. (Fig. 1). For each of these records, I provide a A large part of the country is comprised of moun- digital photograph, georeferenced locality data tains and valleys, located on the southern slopes and details of pholidosis, using the Dowling sys- of the Eastern Himalayas. A majority of the Bhu- tem, when relevant. I also provide information tanese are Buddhists and consider reptiles (espe- on where some of the collected materials are ar- cially snakes) as animals that represent anger and chived. jealousy. They also believe that snakes represent deities which live underground, and prefer not Materials and Methods to disturb them. Therefore, most people choose After the publication of a regional reptile report to keep away from reptiles, and it has generally (Wangyal & Tenzin 2009) of Bumdeling Wildlife been presumed locally that the country does not Sanctuary (BWS), Trashiyangtse, collection of require separate measures for reptile conserva- information on the reptiles found in Bhutan was tion. Conservation is further hindered by a lack continued by the field staff of the Department of of resources, inclusive of personnel (Das 1998; Forests and Park Services, who were encouraged Das & Palden 2000; Das & Palden 2001; Wangy- to gather data whenever they came across rep- al 2011). Consequently, information relevant to tiles. Photographs and data reported here, there- reptiles continues to be inadequate for conserva- fore, are derived from opportunistic encounters tion and management. Recent studies in Bum- of reptiles by several different individuals, and deling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) have revealed the quality of data collection varies considerably. a number of new records for Bhutan (Wangyal For the identification of species, references used 2011). Past research on reptiles of Bhutan in- include Das (2002), Smith (1935 1943), Whitak- clude those of Bustard (1979 1980a 1980b) who er and Captain (2004) and Ahmed et al. (2009). reported on status of crocodiles, a report of a new Digital images of species reported are archived at species of agamid, Calotes bhutanensis (Biswas the College of Natural Resources, Royal Univer- 1976), a report on the herpetofauna based on an sity of Bhutan. For lack of a standardized system old collection (Bauer & Günther 1992), a report to allocate e-voucher numbers, digital copies of on a collection of reptiles and amphibians from the images are maintained by the author and the southern Bhutan (Das & Palden 2000), and two Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry at the studies of reptile diversity at BWS (Wangyal & College under the Royal University. GPS datum Tenzin 2009; Wangyal 2011). In this paper, I re- used is WGS 84. 26 Hamadryad [Vol. 36, No. 1

Figure 1. Political map of Bhutan, showing localities mentioned in text. Image from Google Earth prepared by author.

Results the subtropical and tropical parts of Asia (Das Information on 10 species of snakes and two 2002; Whitaker & Captain 2004; Ahmed et al. lizards was collected from different parts of the 2009). country (Fig. 1), the details of which are given below. Pythonidae

Typhlopidae Python bivittatus Kuhl, 1820, Burmese rock python.– An individual (Fig. 3) was found by a staff Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), Brah- member of Royal Manas National Park from an miny worm snake.– A dead snake (Fig. 2) was ob- unspecified locality in 2006. Subsequently, two served at the College complex (27°30’13.17”N, individuals were spotted in the Sarpang District, 89°52’41.26”E) at 13h46 on 27 March 2009 one at Gortey (26°48’47.09”N, 90°40’28.72”E) at an altitude of 1406 m asl, Punakha District. on 29 March 2011, and one at Kanamakura (26° Specimen maintained at the College labora- 48’51.65”N, 90°40’18.16”E), at an altitude of tory. The species can be found on the campus 245 m asl on 15 February 2011. This species is any time between March and June in the flower reported from India from the Terai and eastern gardens, kitchen gardens, and elsewhere. Intro- India (Das 2002), as well as from Nepal, Bang- duced worldwide, it is known from the whole of ladesh, China and Southeast Asia (Whitaker &

Figure 2. Ramphotyphlops braminus, College of Natu- Figure 3. Python morulus bivittatus, Kanamakura, Sar- ral Resources compound 1406 m asl Photograph by pang District, South Bhutan, 245 m asl. Photograph D. B. Gurung, Faculty of Forestry. by Sonam Wangdi. June, 2012] Wangyal 27

Figure 4. Lycodon fasciatus (dorsal and ventral views), Trongsa, Trongsa District, Central Bhutan, 2073 m asl. Photograph by author.

Captain 2004). It was previously reported from urements of the specimen are SVL 560 mm, TL an unspecified location from Bhutan (Ahmed et 142+ mm. Pholidosis. Body scales smooth, in al. 2009). This report authenticates their claim 17:17:15, rows; ventrals 208; subcaudals 67+, of its presence in Bhutan. paired; anal undivided. The specimen is preserved in the laboratory of Bumdeling Wildlife Colubridae Sanctuary. This species has been reported from India (Assam), Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Viet- Lycodon fasciatus (Anderson, 1879), Banded wolf nam, China (Boulenger 1890), and southwest snake.– A road-killed specimen (Fig. 4) was Cambodia (Daltry & Wüster 2002). This is the collected by Tashi Wangchuk, a Bhutanese first record for Bhutan. naturalist in the monsoon of 2005 from Trongsa Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758), Common wolf (27°30’02.99”N, 90°30’18.36”E), at an altitude snake.– This is one of the most common snakes of 2073 m asl and was deposited at the headquar- on the College of Natural Resources campus, ters of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, and is seen frequently from March until Sep- Tshangkha, Trongsa District. The specimen has tember. The location of collection is as reported 37 white bands including the white tail part until for Ramphotyphlops braminus above. It has the tip. The loreal touches the eye. The meas- been recorded from throughout Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Das 2002; Whitaker & Captain 2004). The specimen photographed (Fig. 5) was found on the college campus at 21h30 on 16 September 2008. A specimen is preserved at the College of Natural Resources laboratory. Lycodon jara (Shaw, 1802), Yellow-speckled wolf snake.– An individual (Fig. 6) was seen in Ge- lephu town, Sarpang District (26°52’28.08”N, 90°29’43.09”E) at 17h50 on 16 April 2011, at an altitude of 255 m asl. The species is reported from the states of Orissa, West Bengal, Figure 5. Lycodon aulicus, College of Natural Re- sources compound 1406 m asl. Photograph by D. B. Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarkhand of the Indian Gurung 28 Hamadryad [Vol. 36, No. 1

Figure 6. Lycodon jara, Gelephu town, 255 m asl. Figure 7. Rhabdophis subminiatus, Kanamakura, 271 Photograph by Dorji Wangchuk. m asl. Photograph by D. S. Rai.

Union, and is also known from Nepal and Bang- Range office (26°47’32.04”N, 90°57’39.33”E) ladesh (Whitaker & Captain 2004). on 20 October 2006, at 13h47. This species has Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel, 1837), Red- been reported from the foothills of Himalayas, necked keelback.– An individual (Fig. 7) was Uttar Pradesh, south Gujarat, Western Ghats and found resting on the river bed, with fallen northeast India. It is also found in Nepal, China, leaves, at Kukulung within the Kanamakura Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and mainland Southeast Range, Royal Manas National Park, Sarpang Asia (Schleich & Kästle 2002). District (26°46’22.09”N, 90°43’58.01”E) at Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin, 1803), Common an altitude of 271 m asl at 15h00, on 11 April bronzeback tree snake.– An individual (Fig. 9) was 2006. Field staff of the Royal Manas National found dead below the road in Gelephu, Sarpang Park report the species as encountered occasion- District (26°52’45.8”N, 90°29’22.5”E), at an al- ally. In India, it has been reported from Sikkim, titude of 258 m asl on 20 September 2011. The Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The species is species was identified by the two parietal spots, also found in Nepal, China, Thailand, Cambo- a vertebral stripe on the anterior part of the body dia, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia and and ventrolateral stripes. Outside of Bhutan, the Vietnam (Whitaker & Captain 2004). species is found in neighbouring Nepal, India, Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw, 1902), Ornate flying Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (Das 2002). snake.– There are many undocumented reports of this species (Fig. 8) from Royal Manas National Elapidae Park, Sarpang District, 124 m asl. An individual was found trying to enter the elephant shed at the Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758), Spectacled cobra.– An individual (Fig. 10) was found in the irri- gation channel at Chuzegang, Sarpang District (26°52’26.4’’N, 90°31’59.6”E), at an altitude of 238 m asl on 18 January 2011 at 14h42.

Figure 8. Chrysopelea ornata, Manas Range Office, Figure 9. Dendrelaphis tristis, Gelephu 258 m asl. 124 m asl. Photograph by Sonam Wangdi. Photograph by Dorji Wangchuk. June, 2012] Wangyal 29

Figure 10. Naja naja naja, Chuzegang 238 m asl. Pho- Figure 11. Trimeresurus albolabris, near Manas Range tograph by Dorji Wangchuk. 148 m asl. Photograph by Dorji Wangchuk.

The species is found throughout mainland In- Gekkonidae dia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal (Whitaker & Captain 2004). Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758), Tokay gecko.– This species (Fig. 12) is known from Bihar, West Viperidae Bengal, Assam and Tripura in India and also Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Southeast Asia (Das Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, 1842, White-lipped 2002). It was found in Manas (26°47’35.55”N, pit viper.– Two individuals of this species were 90°57’42.91”E) at an altitude of 180 m asl on 28 observed chasing each other by a staff mem- April 2008 at 12h00. ber near Manas Range on 27 September 2006 at 07h55 , whereas a road-kill was found Scincidae at Lodari, Sarpang District (26°55’29.6”N, 90°30’19.10”E), on 16 March 2010. A third Sphenomorphus maculatus (Blyth, 1853), Spotted specimen (Fig. 11) was observed on 7 October litter skink.– This species is fairly common in 2010 at 07h31 in Gelephu, Sarpang District. In Manas close to the Forest Range Office com- India it has been reported from West Bengal and plex. Of many observations, one individual Assam states (Whitaker & Captain 2004). It is (Fig. 13) was seen in the forest, not far from the also found in China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, office (26°47’40.45”N, 90°57’27.59”E) at an al- Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indo- titude of 150 m asl on 17 August, 2010 at 08h30. nesia (Whitaker & Captain 2004). The literature mentions its presence in Bhutan (Ahmed et al. 2009), without specific location besides Northeast and north India including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Das 2002). The species is also found in Southern China, Nepal and Southeast Asia (Das 2002).

Figure 12. Gekko gecko, near Manas Range 180 m asl. Figure 13. Sphenomorphus maculatus, near Manas Photograph by D. B. Gurung Range 150 m asl. Photograph by Dorji Wangchuk 30 Hamadryad [Vol. 36, No. 1

Discussion ral Resources, Punakha, Bird Sherub, Ugyen Amphibians and reptiles are among the least Wangchuck Institute for Conservation of Envi- studied faunal groups in Bhutan, and there are ronment, Bumthang, Dorji Wangchuk and Son- no specific conservation programmes. Even am Wangdi both from Royal Manas National Calotes bhutanensis (Biswas 1976), an endemic Park, Sarpang for data and the images. I would species, is not included in the list of protected also like to thank the authorities of the College plants and animals in the Forest and Nature of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhu- Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995. However, tan for giving me opportunity to prepare this re- all wildlife species of the Kingdom are deemed port. Thanks are also due to Kezang Wangchuk, safe owing to the overall commitment in the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park, Trong- nature conservation acts and rules of Bhutan sa for providing me with the data on Lycodon which give protection to wildlife as a whole. fasciatus. Ramphotyphlops braminus, a cosmopolitan species, is reported here for the first time from Literature Cited Western Bhutan. The records of Lycodon auli- AHMED, M. F., A. DAS & S. K. DUTTA. 2009. Amphib- cus and L. jara from southern Bhutan are ex- ians and reptiles of Northeast India: A photo- pected, as they are also found in the adjacent graphic guide. Aaranyak, Guwahati, 168 pp. Indian state of Assam. However, the presence BAUER, A. M. & R. GÜNTHER. 1992. A preliminary of Lycodon fasciatus, a Chinese element from report on the reptilian fauna of the Kingdom Central Bhutan, is significant in the sense that of Bhutan with description of a new species it occurs relatively far from the international of scincid lizard (Reptilia: Scincidae). Asiatic boundaries with India and China. Other snakes, Herpetological Research 4: 23–36. such as Rhabdophis subminiatus, Chrysopelea BISWAS, S. 1976. Reptilia from Bhutan with de- ornata and Dendrelaphis tristis, are also expect- scription of a new species of Calotes Rafin- ed in Bhutan, as they are reported from north- esque. Journal of the Bombay Natural His- east Indian states. Cryptelytrops albolabris, tory Society 72: 774–777. which is found in West Bengal, is also a new BOULENGER, G. A. 1890. The Fauna of British In- record for Bhutan, and Gekko gecko, an element dia, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia of eastern and northeast India, is also formally and Batrachia. Taylor & Francis, London. reported for the first time. With the exception xviii + 541 pp. of Ramphotyphlops braminus and Sphenomor- BUSTARD, H. R. 1979. Bhutan: Crocodile Con- phus maculatus reported from southern Bhutan servation Commercial Farming. FAO: DP/ (Bauer & Günther 1992), and Naja naja (Das & BHU/78/003. FAO, Rome. 9 pp. Palden) also from southern Bhutan, I consider ——. 1980a. Status of the gharial (Gavialus all species reported in this paper as new records gangeticus Gmelin) in Bhutan. Journal of the for Bhutan since there are no formal papers or Bombay Natural History Society 77: 150. voucher specimens to reliably document their ——. 1980b. Extinction of the gharial (Gavialus past occurrences in the Kingdom. Further, this gangeticus) in Bhutan. British Journal of report authenticates the presence of Python Herpetology 6: 68. bivittatus (fide Whitaker & Captain 2004) in DALTRY, J. C. & W. WÜSTER. 2002. A new spe- Bhutan, which was otherwise recorded without cies of Wolf Snake (Serpentes: Colubridae: any specific locations. Lycodon) from the Cardamom Mountains, Although the study of the herpetofauna of Southwestern Cambodia. Herpetologica 58: Bhutan has received no focused attention until 498–504. now, with young foresters taking up the subject, DAS, I. 1998. Country report for Bhutan. Herpeto- it is expected that the group will receive a re- fauna of Bhutan: present status, distribution search boost in the near future. and conservation. Biology and Conserva- tion of Amphibians and Reptiles and their Acknowledgements Habitat in South Asia (Proceedings of the I would like to acknowledge contributors, International Conference on the Biology and including D. B. Gurung, College of Natu- Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles June, 2012] Wangyal 31

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