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Home , Banded racer, Boiga trigonata, Duttaphrynus stomaticus, Eutropis dissimilis, Laudakia melanura, Lycodon aulicus

Baseline studies of Herpeto-fauna of Dhingano-Lakhat Reserve Forests, Sindh,

Sustainable Forest Management Project (Mar. 2018)

By; Tahir Mehmood

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the management of Sustainable Forest Management program in general and particularly to Mr. Muhammad Ayaz Khan (National Project Manager) and Najam-ul-Huda (Manager, SFM) who provided and extended their support and resources to finalize these studies. My work will not be produced without the help and restless field support by all of my colleagues especially team in-charge Dr. Khalid Mehmood (PMNH). I am also much indebted to all members of the project team for providing support of any kind in the field in gathering the required information.

Tahir Mehmood Consultant

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List of Abbreviations

SFM Sustainable Forest Management PMNH Pakistan Museum of Natural History WWF World Wildlife Fund IUCN International Union of Nature Conservation CITIES Convention on International Trade on Endangered of Flora and Fauna DD Data Deficient LC Least Concerned EN Endangered NE Not Evaluated Ha Hectares m Meters Km Kilometers EPA Environmental Protection Act

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List of tables and figures

Tables

Table No. Description Page No.

Table 1 and of Dhingano and Lakhat riverine 18 forests, Nawab shah, Pakistan Table 2 Amphibians and Species Abundance and 21 Diversity by Habitat Type, Survey Conducted March 2018 Figures

Figure No. Description Page No.

Figure 1 Layout Map of Dhingano-Lakhat Riverine Forest, Nawab shah, 9 Pakistan

Figure 2 Survey Sites in Dhingano-Lakhat Forest Reserves, March 10 2018

Figure 3 Indus valley ( stomaticus) 22

Figure 4 monitor (Varanus bengalensis) 24 Figure 5 Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) 25 Figure 6 Saw Scale Viper ( sochureki) 26

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1. INTRODUCTION

Summary

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Project" is a joint venture of the Government of Pakistan, UNDP, and GEF. SFM aims at promoting sustainable forest management in Pakistan's forests for mitigating climate change and securing ecosystem services. This report is an outcome of the field survey carried out in March 2018 to explore the amphibians and reptilian diversity in the two riverine forests i.e., Lakhat and Dhingano riverine forests in district Nawab shah (Sindh).

The information about the amphibians and reptilian diversity, ecology and other related aspects are based on the review of related literature, communication with the local people, their experience in the study area and field observations and collection during the field studies.

Since the available time for present studies was extremely limited (the herpeto-faunal species assessment always needs extended time, may be in years, for precise determination of numbers), previous documentation in the form of fragmentary reports from the nearby areas has also been used to prepare a consolidated list of the species.

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1.1 Sustainable Forest Management: Project Brief

Project Title: Sustainable forest management to secure multiple benefits in Pakistan's high conservation value forests Duration: Five years (January 2017 to December 2021) Project Areas: i). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Temperate forest) ii). Sind (Riverine forest) iii. Punjab (Scrub forest and Riverine forest) Project objective: The objective of the proposed project is to promote sustainable forest management in Pakistan's Western Himalayan Temperate coniferous, Sub-tropical broadleaved evergreen thorn (Scrub) and Riverine forests for biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change and securing of forest ecosystem services. In particular, it aims at implementation of three inter-related and mutually complementary components that are focussed at addressing the barriers of inadequate planning, regulatory and institutional frameworks to integrated forest resource management, and enhancing the limited experience among key government and civil society stakeholders in developing and implementing SFM practices on the ground.

Project outcomes: Outcome 1: Embedded sustainable forest management into landscape spatial planning;

Component/Outcome 2: Biodiversity conservation strengthened in and around High Value Conservation Forests; and

Component/Outcome 3: Enhanced carbon sequestration in and around HCVF in target forested landscapes

Description The objective of the proposed project is to promote sustainable forest management in Pakistan's Western Himalayan Temperate Coniferous,

Sub-tropical broadleaved evergreen thorn (Scrub) and Riverine forests for biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change and securing of forest ecosystem services. In particular, it aims at implementation of three inter-related and mutually complementary components that are focussed at addressing the barriers of inadequate planning, regulatory and institutional frameworks to integrated forest resource management, and the limited experience among key government and civil society

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stakeholders in developing and implementing SFM practices on the ground. Component 1 will support the incorporation of sustainable forest management objectives and safeguards in forest management planning, forestland allocation and compliance of monitoring systems at the local level. Component 2 will identify, demarcate and implement on-the- ground approaches to improving management of high conservation value forests within seven landscapes covering an area of 67,861 ha with the aim of meeting the life requisites of the target species, and habitats such as breeding areas, feeding areas, water sources, dispersal and connectivity corridors, etc. Component 3 will develop practical approaches to enhancing carbon sequestration through restoring degraded and former forested areas (LULUCF activities) by a combination of restoration and reforestation of 10,005 ha of degraded conifer forests; 3,400 ha of degraded scrub forests, and reforestation of 13,099 ha of Riverine forests with native species.

The project is funded by GEF and UNDP and implemented by jointly by UNDP Pakistan and Minstry of Climate Change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sind, and Punjab. Project Outputs 1.1 Forest resources and ecosystem services inventory and mapping informs forest management planning, implementation and monitoring at the landscape level

1.2 Updated guidelines, planning tools and regulations facilitate harmonization and mainstreaming ecosystem, climate risk mitigation and biodiversity considerations into forest management planning

Output 1.3. Landscape level forest plans integrates considerations of biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate mitigation and community resource use

Output 1.4 Stakeholders’ benefits of current unsustainable and sustainable forest practices and status of forest resources assessed

Output 1.5 System for effective monitoring and enforcement of

[7] forest management plans, including clear delineation of roles and responsibilities of key partners and management of participatory processes informs forest management and development

Output 1.6 Forest resource use conflict management and resolution processes established in multiple use zones

Output 1.7 Capacity building for provincial and district level forest agencies, local communities and other stakeholders, including (i) training workshops and courses (ii) vocational training modules (iii) on- the-ground demonstration and training and (iv) patrolling skills and forest fire controlling training enhances capacity for sustainable land and forest management within key agencies and communities.

1.8 Recommendations for facilitating adoption (institutionalizing), scaling up and replication of sustainable forest management practices promoted

Output 2.1 Avoided deforestation of High Conservation Value Forests with forest use regime change from unsustainable use to biodiversity conservation and non-exhaustive community forest management instituted Output 2.2 Community-Managed Conservation Area model of community governance and management system operational

Output 2.3 Biodiversity conservation and capacities in and around high conservation value forests reinforced through training, enhanced enforcement, guidelines and strengthening with community managed conservation forests and involvement of communities in state managed forests

Output 3.1 Restoration of degraded Temperate Conifer forests and Sub- Tropical Broadleaved Evergreen Thorny forests with indigenous species, realizing carbon benefits Output 3.2 Reforestation of degraded Riverine forests with indigenous

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species, realizing carbon benefits and biodiversity conservation

Output 3.3 Best practice silvicultural approaches to forest restoration and reforestation documented, and capacities enhanced through training and local language guidelines.

Output 3.4 On-the-ground application of Nationally-tailored methodology for measuring carbon stocks (to be developed under a parallel REDD Readiness Preparation Project) applied, demonstrated and validated for the target areas.

The present study site of Sindh Riverine Forest Landscape consists of two adjoining riverine forests of Lakhat and Dhingano Forest Reserves. The project document outlines the various features of the project as under:

These riverine forests are situated along the Indus River, downstream of Sukkur Barrage on the left bank in the Nawab Shah District. The landscape is comprised of Dhingano Reserve Forest (1,538 ha) and Lakhat Reserve Forest (1,462 ha) in Nawab Shah District. Both forests are also separately designated as wildlife sanctuaries Figure 1 Layout Map of Dhingano-Lakhat Riverine Forest, under the Sindh Wildlife Nawab shah, Pakistan law in addition to their

[9] designation as Reserved Forest under the Forest Act. The total area of the Dhingano-Lakhat Riverine landscape is 3,300 ha.

One of the reasons of inclusion of this landscape in this project is that most of the forests downstream of Sukkur Barrage do not get inundation except in high or super floods whereas this landscape, situated between Sukkur and Kotri barrages that is in Central Sindh still receives substantial annual inundation.

Figure 2 Survey Sites in Dhingano-Lakhat Forest Reserves, March 2018

Abad Reserve Forest is located adjacent to this landscape. There is an opportunity of developing a corridor from the riverine landscape to Abad Reserve Forest. River meandering in this section of the river is common with the result that the processes of erosion and accretion are also common. Thus, there is an opportunity for recreating new riverine forest with traditional regeneration techniques that is broadcasting of treated seed of native species including Populus euphratica during the last receding flood

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There are two villages and hamlets situated in and around these forests which consist of 1,670 households and 10,000 forest dependent local persons. One of the two dependent local communities are actively involved in protection and conservation of forests.

Flora: Climax vegetation of these forest reserves consists of Acacia arabica, Tamarix dioica, Populus euphratica with grasses Erianthus munja, Saccharum munja and S. spontaneum.

Fauna: The dominant fauna of the area include Chinkara (Gazella gazelle), Hog Deer (…..), Wolf (Canis lupus), Asiatic Jackal (Canis aureus), Red Fox (Canis vulpus), Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Fishing Cat (……), Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis), Yellow Throated Marten (Martes flavigula), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Cape Hare (Lepus capensis), Fruit Bat (Pteropus giganteus), Indian Garden (Calotes versicolor), Skittering (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis), Yellow- bellied House Gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis), Punjab -eyed Lacerta (Ophisops jerdonii), Rope Snake (Ptyas mucosus), Black Cobra (Naja naja).

1.2 Objectives of the Study This study was carried out to provide a comprehensive ecological and systematic account of the amphibians and reptiles of Lakhat and Dhingano Riverine forests. The prime objectives of the study were to: a) Collect and review secondary data on the reptile and species of the study area, using the available literature and local inhabitants. b) Collect data from the field on amphibian and reptilian species occurrence, abundance and diversity in the study areas. c) Prepare a taxonomical checklist of all the species with their English and local names. d) Identify threatened amphibian and reptile species in the study sites, if any and recommend measures to improve the situation. e) Assessment of impacts from environmental changes and human population pressure on potential reptilian and amphibian species and their habitats and to suggest associated mitigation steps. f) Provide photographs, where possible, of the amphibians and reptiles species. g) Compile a report on the consultancy addressing all the above-mentioned issues.

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1.3. Scope of the study Herpeto-fauna, reptiles and amphibians are the important vertebrate. Amphibians are found both in aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Reptiles are the first vertebrates to adopt the terrestrial life. The have successfully adopt a variety of habitats from marine to hot deserts. Amphibian and reptile species may occupy similar habitats and are similarly vulnerable to habitat degradation and other threats. They cannot travel long distances to avoid the drastic changes in the environment at local level. These are recognized as key biological indicators of environmental health and critical members of healthy functioning ecosystems.

Amphibians and reptiles play a vital role in food web. These are the mid-level consumers, feed on small invertebrates and vertebrates and, on the other hand, are the prey of larger vertebrates like birds and mammals. Their presence or absence in ecological niche has a vital impact on energy cycle.

Approximately, 6500 amphibians (Frost 2008; Frost et al 2006) and 10,038 reptiles species (Uetz, 2014) have been described so far. The amphibians and reptiles of Pakistan are represented by 219 species including 24 amphibians and 195 reptiles. Of them nine amphibians and 13 reptilian species are endemic to Pakistan. Despite of their key role in ecological niche, unfortunately negligible attention had been paid to these creatures in Pakistan. The main reason of this attitude is because of lack of expertise and awareness in this field. In Pakistan major part of our society is of view that all reptiles, specially and are harmful, and are afraid of them. This present study will enable us to know about the reptile and amphibian species of riverine forests of Nawab Shah (Dhingano and Lakhat). Furthermore, the status of all the species of amphibians and reptiles will be evaluated so that in any adverse circumstances the conservation strategies shall be suggested.

1.4. Literature Review on Amphibians and Reptiles of Riverine Forests of Nawab Shah (Dhingano and Lakhat).

Because of the colonial history, scientists initiated herpetological studies in southern . The first general work was The Reptiles of British by Albert Günther (1864), followed by George Boulenger’s volume in Fauna of British India series (1890). Malcolm Smith later revised it in three volumes (1931, 1935, 1943). The revision updated the herpetological knowledge, but it

[12] fell short of the coverage of the area. Large parts of land in the subcontinent are even nowadays unknown in respect of the herpetofaunal composition. William Blanford (1874, 1876), James A. Murray (1886) and Ferdinand Stoliczka (1872) are among those who published herpetological papers prior to 1900 on the region that became Pakistan. After 1947, Minton (1962, 1966) and Mertens (1969, 1970, 1974) were the only contributors to the herpetology of Pakistan, covering large areas not covered by previous work. Minton’s collections were made mainly in lower Sind and Balochistan, while Mertens’s were of wider scope. Since then, several reports have been published on herpetological collections from different parts of Pakistan, adding much to our knowledge about the composition of herpetological assemblages in different parts of Pakistan. The bulk of that work was produced by only two of the eminent herpetologist including Khalid Javed Baig and Muhammad Sharif Khan (Baig, 1988a,b,c, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998a,b; Baig & Böhme, 1991, 1996; Baig & Masroor, 2006; Dubois & Khan, 1979; Khan, 1968 a, 1972, 1979, 1980a, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991c, 1992, 1993a,c, 1997, 1999 a, b, 2001, 2004, 2006; Khan & Ahmed, 1987; Khan & Baig, 1988, 1992; Khan and Tasnim, 1990). Several species have been recorded for the first time from Pakistan (Baig, 1988c, 2005; Baig & Gvozdik, 1998; Khan, 1974, 1977, 1984a,b, 1985b, 1986, 1989, 1992) and new species of , geckoes and snakes have been described (Baig 1989, 1992a, 1998b, 1999; Baig & Böhme, 1996; Baig & Masroor, 2006; Dubois & Khan, 1979; Khan, 1980a, 1985b, 1988, 1991a,b, 1993a, 1997a,b, 1998, 1999c,d; Khan & Tasnim, 1989, 1990; Khan & Baig, 1992; Khan & Khan, 1997; Khan & Khan 2000).

The work on distribution and current status of Testudine species of Pakistan was published by Khan M S. The work on herpeto-fauna of nearby areas is very small. In 2014 Abeda Begum et. al published about the current status of amphibian from Sindh province. According to this work, in Sindh Province, five species of frogs and two species of have been recorded. These include Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Common Skittering Frog), Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Tiger Frog), Sphaeroteca breviceps (Burrowing Frog), Limnonectes limnocharis (Indian Cricket Frog), Fejervarya sahyadrensis (Southern Cricket Frog), Bufo stomaticus (Indian Valley Toad) and Bufo melanostictus (Common Asian Toad).

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2. Materials and Methods

No other recent work is available about the herpeto-fauna of these study areas. Due to lack of experts in the field of herpetology in general and particularly with no previous ecological long- term studies on the herpetofauna of the riverine forests, the present report will help to encompass the systematics of amphibians and reptiles from the study areas. Although no baseline is available on the amphibians and reptiles of the present study area yet as per earlier works from the nearby regions and the possible distribution range of several amphibians and reptiles, not only the results of present studies were counted for but also those from earlier reports were also included in this report.

2.1. Methods of fieldwork

The activities of amphibians and reptiles are highly seasonal and are influenced by the variation of weather even on a daily basis due to their ectothermic and cryptic nature. It is more fruitful to survey them during their active period which is quite obvious in the summer and monsoon season. Amphibians are usually most active just after dusk during their breeding seasons while many diurnal reptiles such as or other lizards are active in mid-morning. However, many other nocturnal reptiles such as certain snakes and geckos would only be active at night.

Most amphibians and reptiles go into hibernation during winter. They would be under-estimated if surveys were carried out during this time. As such, it would be essential to survey herpetofauna at appropriate timings in order to collect a representative baseline for assessment. Indeed, many reptiles such as snakes and lizards are timid, secretive, fast-moving and cryptically colored which render survey on reptiles difficult and therefore reptiles tend to be under- represented in ecological surveys in general. More intensive surveys with appropriate survey methodologies would rectify such limitation.

There are standard methods for the studies of Amphibians and Reptiles (Foster and Gent, 1996; Heyer et al., 1994; Hayek and Martin, 1997). All these techniques have been summarized in the EIAO Guidance Note, 2004. In the present study, however, only active searching in selected line transects was used as a standard method for the maximum observation.

Line transects: For the observation and or collection of amphibians and reptiles, active searching in twelve line-transects, each of 500 m long and 20 m wide were carried out at the

[14] selected habitats in Dhingano and Lakhat riverine forests. Besides the general observations on the presence of the amphibians and reptiles, presence of signs like impression of body, tail or footprints, fecal pellets, tracks, dens and egg laying excavations were also recorded. The observed/collected specimens were identified with the help of most taxonomic recent keys available in the literature. Other parameters like density and diversity of sampling transect in terms of amphibians and reptiles were calculated for different habitat type i.e. agriculture land, forest, riverside etc.

An effective way to survey amphibians and reptiles is by active searching, particularly during the daytime. This method is equally applicable for both nocturnal and diurnal species. The study area was actively searched for potential breeding areas of amphibians (e.g. marsh, small water pools, water channels) and suitable microhabitats for both amphibians and reptiles (e.g. stones, pond bunds, crevices, leaf litter/debris, rotten log). These places were deliberately uncovered to search for the eggs and tadpoles of amphibians in aquatic habitats or to reveal the presence of the amphibians and reptiles hiding under these covers. Active searching was carried out in the whole sites with focus on suitable microhabitats.

Searching for the nocturnal species of amphibians and reptiles was carried out in exposed areas of their potential habitats on the ground, along the path or the pond/stream bank

 Collection

Hand picking (through bare hands or with the help of long forceps or snake clutch), which has been adopted for the present studies, has always been the most efficient way of collecting different species of amphibians and reptiles. However, for larger species like monitor lizard and rock-agama, noose traps or other appropriate techniques were used. For handling snakes, especially poisonous ones, snake clutches/ sticks were used. In addition to Hand picking, “Scoop nets” for shallow water and “cast nets” in large water bodies were used for aquatic reptiles and amphibians. For frogs and toads, auditory detection of mating calls at the breeding sites is considered as an efficient method to find out the species, particularly the more vocal species and therefore a large number of toads were spotted with this method.

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 Data Records

The species collected or observed during the survey were photographed with a digital camera and necessary field data were recorded. The coordinates and elevations were recorded with the help of GPS. The voucher specimens collected were subsequently transported to the PMNH laboratory for future reference.

2.2. Methods of laboratory work

 Preservation

The amphibians and reptile species were killed instantly by injecting absolute ethanol in their head. Samples of tissue of all the specimens collected from the study areas were preserved in 95% ethanol for further detailed DNA studies in future. The amphibian or reptile specimens were arranged in a tray or ice-cream container in a position, which showed those features important for identification, e.g. mouth wedged open, one hind leg extended, and fingers and toes spread.

Preservative such as 10 % formalin solution or 50-70 % alcohol or methylated spirits solution in water was added to just cover the specimens, and the container was then covered and left until the specimens were set. In case of larger specimens, the author made a slit in the belly and injected preservative to preserve the internal organs. This step was omitted in case of frogs as they have thin and permeable skins, but in case of reptiles, the preservative was injected into their bodies as their skin is impermeable and does not allow any solution to get into. For this purpose, regular syringes were used.

After that, the specimen was stored in the same preservative in a watertight jar. A waterproof label was added to the jar, giving details of place, date and collector’s name. A label was tied to the specimen written with permanent Indian ink or simple carbon pencil. The same details were stored with tadpole specimens, which don’t need to be set, just dropped into preservative.

 Identification of species

The specimens were identified with the help of most recent keys available in literature (Khan, 2003, 2006; Masroor, 2012).

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3. Results and Discussion

Twelve localities/line transects in two riverine forests viz., Dhingano and Lakhat riverine forests were surveyed from 17th to 24th March 2018 to study the amphibian and reptile species. Both diurnal and nocturnal surveys were carried-out and the mentioned methods were employed for the observation and collection of amphibians and reptiles.

Out of 50 amphibians and reptiles possibly occurring in the two riverine forests, 07 species were observed/collected during the present survey. The other species included in the report are confirmed through secondary data, interviewing local people and previous literature. Table 1 represent the list of amphibian and reptile species observed/collected during present study and those from literature, reported earlier from the nearby areas.

Table-1: Amphibians and Reptiles of Dhingano and Lakhat riverine forests, Nawab shah, Pakistan

Sr. Taxonomic Zoological Name Common Name Feeding IUCN Endemic No Position Habit Status . Frogs and Toads 1 Duttaphrynus Indus valley toad Insectivore LC x stomaticus* Class: Amphibia (Lütken, 1862) 2 Order: Anura Duttaphrynus Common Asian Toad Insectivore LC x Family: Bufonidae melanostictus hazarensis** (Khan, 2000) 3 Euphlyctis Skittering Frog Insectivore LC x cyanophlyctis cyanophlyctis* (Schneider, 1799) 4 Class: Amphibia Hoplobatrachus Tiger Frog / Bull Insectivore LC x Order: Anura tigerinus** Frog Family: (Daudin, 1803) 5 Dicroglossidae Sphaeroteca breviceps** Burrowing Frog Insectivore LC x (Schneider, 1799) 6 Limnonectes Indian Cricket Frog Insectivore LC x limnocharis** (Boie, 1834) 7 Fejervarya Southern Cricket Insectivore LC x sahyadrensis** Frog (Annandale, 1919)

Turtles and Tortoises

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8 Geoclemys hamiltonii** Yellow-spotted mud Insectivore VU x (Gray, 1831) turtle / Class: Reptilia Carnivore 9 Order: Testudine Hardella thurjii** Common mud turtle Herbivore VU x Family: Geoemydidae (Gray, 1831) 10 Pangshura smithii* Brown mud turtle Herbivore LC x (Gray, 1863) / carnivore 11 Pangshura tectum** Sawback turtle Herbivore NE x (Bell in: Gray, 1831) / carnivore 12 Nilssonia gangeticus** Indian soft-shell Omnivore VU x (Cuvier, 1825) 13 Class: Reptilia Nilssonia hurum** Peacock soft-shell Omnivore VU x Order: Testudine (Gray, 1831) 14 Family:Trionychidae Chitra indica** Narrow-head soft- Carnivore EN x (Gray, 1831) shell 15 Lissemys punctate** Flap-shell turtle Herbivore NE x (Bonnaterre, 1789) / carnivore Lizards and Geckos

16 Calotes versicolor Garden lizard Insectivore LC versicolor** Class: Reptilia (Daudin, 1802) 17 Order: Sauria Brachysaura minor** Short-tail agama Insectivore NE x Family: (Hardwicke and Gray, 1827) 18 melanura Black Rock Agama Insectivore NE x melanura** (Blyth, 1854) 19 Class: Reptilia Chamaeleo zeylanicus** Ceylonese chameleon Insectivore NE x Order: Sauria (Laurenti, 1768) Family:Chamaeleonid ae 20 Crossobamon Yellow-tail sand Insectivore NE x orientalis** gecko (Blanford, 1876) 21 Class: Reptilia Cyrtopodion scabrum** Tuberculate gecko Insectivore NE x Order: Sauria (Heyden, 1827) 22 Family:Geckonidae Hemidactylus Yellow-belly gecko Insectivore NE x flaviviridis** (Rüppell, 1835) 23 Hemidactylus frenatus* Common House Insectivore NE x (Schlegel, 1836) Gecko 24 Hemidactylus brookii** Spotted barn gecko Insectivore NE x (Gray, 1845) Hemidactylus persicus** Blue-tail Sand Lizard Insectivore NE x (J. Anderson, 1872) 25 Class: Reptilia Eublepharis Fat-tail spotted gecko Insectivore NE x Order: Sauria macularius** Family: (Blyth, 1854) Eublepharidae 26 Class: Reptilia watsonana** Spotted Sand Lizard Insectivore NE x 27 Order: Sauria (Blanford, 1874) 28 Family: Mesalina brevirostris** Short-snout Sand Insectivore NE x (Stoliczka, 1872) Lizard 29 Novoeumeces Striped mole Insectivore NE

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indothalensis* (M.S. Khan and Class: Reptilia M.R.Z.Khan, 1997) 30 Order: Sauria Eurylepis taeniolatus Common mole skink Insectivore NE x Family: Scinidae taeniolatus** (Blyth, 1854) 31 dissimilis** Striped grass skink Insectivore NE x (Hallowell, 1860) 32 Class: Reptilia Varanus bengalensis* Bengal monitor Carnivore NE x Order: Sauria (Daudin, 1802) Family: Varanidae Snakes 33 Eryx conicus** Sindh sand-boa Carnivore NE x (Schneider, 1801) 34 Class: Reptilia Eryx johnii** Red sand-boa Carnivore NE x Order: Serpents (Russell, 1801) 35 Family: Boidae Python molurus** Rock python Carnivore NT x (Linnaeus, 1758) 36 Class: Reptilia Myriopholis blanfordi** Sindh thread snake Decompos NE x Order: Serpents (Boulenger, 1890) e Org. Family: matter 37 Class: Reptilia Ramphotyphlops Brahminy worm- Decompos NE x Order: Serpents braminus** snake e Org. Family: Typhlopidae (Daudin, 1803) matter 38 Amphiesma stolatum** Striped keel-back Carnivore NE x (Linnaeus, 1758) 39 fasciolata** Banded racer Carnivore NE x (Shaw, 1802) 40 trigonata** Brown cat snake Carnivore NE x (Schneider, 1802) 41 aulicus Common wolf snake Carnivore NE x aulicus** (Linnaeus, 1758) 42 Lytorhynchus Sindh awl head snake Carnivore NE x Class: Reptilia paradoxus** Order: Serpents (Günther, 1875) 43 Family: Ptyas mucosus Rat snake Carnivore NE x mucosus** (Linnaeus 1758) 44 diadema Diadem snake Carnivore NE x diadema** (Schlegel, 1837) 45 Xenochrophis piscator Checkered keelback Carnivore NE x piscator** (Schneider, 1799) 46 caeruleus Common krait Carnivore NE x caeruleus** Class: Reptilia (Schneider, 1801) 47 Order: Serpents Bungarus sindanus Sindh Krait Carnivore NE x Family: Elapidae sindanus** (Boulenger, 1847) 48 Naja naja** Black Cobra Carnivore NE x (Linnaeus, 1758)

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49 Duboia russelii Russel Chain Viper Carnivore NE x Class: Reptilia russelii** (Shaw and Order: Serpents Nodder, 1797) 50 Family: Viperidae Echis carinatus Saw Scale Viper Carnivore NE x sochureki* (Stemmler, 1964)

(*) = Species observed/collected during study

(**) = Species from secondary data

(LC) = Least Concern

(NE) = Not Evaluated

(DD) = Data Deficient

Table 2 Amphibians and Reptile Species Abundance and Diversity by Habitat Type, Survey Conducted March 2018

Habitat Type Number of Sightings Density (Sightings per No. of Species per habitat type sampling Point)

River/Streambed habitat 10 1.4 05

Agricultural habitat 15 1.5 04

Forest Habitat 17 1.3 03

Total 42 07

A total of 42 amphibians and reptiles were sighted belonging to seven species during the survey in March 2018, in Dhingano and Lakhat riverine forests. The sightings along the transect lines were too low to calculate the density and diversity, so the sightings were divided according to habitat type viz. River/streambed habitat, Agriculture habitat and forest habitat. The highest density was shown in agriculture habitat (1.5), followed by river/streambed habitat (1.4) and forest habitat (1.3). The highest diversity was seen in river/streambed habitat where 3 species were sighted, followed by agriculture and forest habitat.

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The most common amphibian of the area was Indus valley toad Duttaphrynus stomaticus followed by skittering frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis cyanophlyctis. The IUCN status of all amphibian species of the area was Least Concerned (LC). The most common lizard of the area was common house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus, followed by bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis. All the saurian species of the area still not evaluated in IUCN red-list. The only snake species sighted in the area was saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus sochureki, which is common in the area. Photographs and systematic account for some of common amphibian and reptile species found in the Project Area are shown below.

Indus Valley Toad

Duttaphrynus stomaticus (Lütken, 1862)

Diagnosis and Description: No cranial crests present. Interorbital space is little broader than the upper eyelid. Tympanum is distinct, round, its diameter two thirds that of eye. First and second fingers are subequal. Toes have single subarticular tubercles. A tarsal with spinulated ridge is present. The parotoid gland is longer than broad. A distinct tibial gland is present. Snout-vent length is 67-70 mm. Fingers free, first finger longer than second; small inner and larger outer palmar tubercles. Subarticular tubercles on fingers and toes small, tips of Figure 3 Indus valley toad (Duttaphrynus stomaticus) digits rounded. Webbing to base of terminal phalanx of first, second, third, and fifth toes, to distal subarticular tubercle on fourth toe. Two small, rounded metatarsal tubercles. Tarsal ridge present. Dorsum tuberculated with flat tubercles and spiny warts. Male with sub-gular vocal sac and nuptial pads on dorsal surface of first and second fingers.

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Color: Dorsum light gray or olive to almost black, with dark mottling or gray to dark reticulation; upper lip cream. Ventrum dirty white, dark mottling on throat, 3 dark transverse bands on anterior aspect of forearm. Tips of digits dark brown.

Food: This is a species specialist on small prey. Daniel (1963) states that in captivity they refuse all prey except termites. However, Sarkar (1984) shows that 75 % of the preys are ants. They also eat earwigs, small beetles and caterpillars.

Habitat: Usually solitary, but in captivity a group may rest in a jumbled pile. Burry in burrow in wet soil or sand very easily with the metatarsal tubercle (Daniel 1963); remain active from March to October over most of Pakistan. Adults readily enter water and are often seen floating; during the monsoon season they often enter houses. Generally nocturnal, spending the day in dark, damp holes or crevices; apparently with a strong attachment for their retreat, for Khan (1979) found them returning to the same spot on successive days after nightly feeding forays.

Range: Duttaphrynus stomaticus is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, from through the Ganges Plain, peninsular India, upper and lower Indus Valleys, Balochistan, , , and Muscat. It does not extend beyond Mumbai along the west coast of southern India (Daniel 1963a). Duttaphrynus stomaticus has been collected from the plains to an elevation of 1800 m in the northern and western hilly tracts of Pakistan, where it occurs sympatricly with Bufo melanostictus and B. viridis. Annandale (1907) expresses the possibility of occurrence of this toad at 2330 m of elevation in the .

It is the most widely distributed amphibian species of Pakistan and is present almost all over the country at relatively lower elevations.

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Bengal Monitor

Varanus bengalensis (Daudin, 1802)

Diagnosis and Description: Naris is a little nearer to orbit than tip of the snout. Scales on head are longer than nuchals, which are round and not keeled. Supraoculars scales are small and subequal. Abdominal scales are smooth, in 90-110 transverse rows. Digits are elongated. Tail is strongly compressed with a double toothed dorsal crest. Lateral caudal scales are keeled and are little smaller than subcaudal scales. Snout-vent length is 815-900 mm. The length of tail is 1230 mm.

Color: Dorsum is olive to brown, with dark spots. Ventrum is yellowish, with or without dark spots, especially under the neck. Figure 4 Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) Food: It has a wide range of food items; arthropods, larvae, worms, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds and mammals. It is known to feed on carrion and killed mammals (Kumar, 1992).

Habitat: Frequents moderately dry forests, and extends into cultivated areas, where it inhabits tracts of barren badlands. It often invades inhabited houses, attracted by poultry and rodents. Essentially a burrower, it is also a good tree climber.

Range: Recorded from Assam, , , Sikkim, throughout India, and . In Pakistan, it is reported from throughout the plains of Punjab and Sindh, sub-Himalayan tracts, Waziristan and extends westward into southeastern Iran and eastern Afghanistan.

Common House Gecko

Hemidactylus frenatus (Schlegel, 1836)

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Diagnosis and Description: First toe is less than half the length of second. Dorsal tubercles are few or absent. Supralabials scales range between 10- 12, infralabials scales ranges between 8- 10. Subdigital lamellae under first 4-5, and 9-10 under fourth toe. Tail feebly depressed, with a series of enlarged subcaudal scales. Male with a continuous series of 26-36 preano- Figure 5 Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) femoral pores. Snout-vent length is 60- 62 mm. Tail length is 60-67 mm.

Color: Dorsum colour is grayish or pinkish, sometimes much darker with indistinct dark spots, sometimes arranged in stripes. Ventrum colour is white, tail is sometimes red.

Habitat: A coastal species which, does not venture deep into the plains. Its natural habitat coincides with that of Hemidactylus brookii. It inhabits parks and gardens where coconut and date palm trees are common. They have been collected from among palm fronds or beneath rubbish. It rarely ventures into buildings, apparently avoiding to competition with the common yellow-belly house gecko and Hemidactylus turcicus.

Range: A pantropic species, in Pakistan it has been collected from the lower Indus Delta.

Saw-Scaled Viper

Echis carinatus (Schneider, 1820)

Diagnosis and Description: Head short, distinctly wider than neck; Nostrils small, dorsolateral; tail short and abruptly tapering from vent; all dorsal scales keeled, in 24-40 rows at mid-body; ventrals 132-188, subcaudals 23-39. Head covered with small strongly keeled imbricate scales, 8-12 between supraoculars. Supralabials 8-12, separated from ocular by 1 or 2 rows of small scales. Anterior genial broad, followed by three pairs of slightly enlarged scales. Median dorsals large, arranged in straight lines, while 3-7 rows of laterals smaller, oblique, pointing downward

[24] with serrated keels. Anal single. Body stocky. No sexual dimorphism. SVL 600-625 mm, tail length 51-56 mm.

Color: Dorsum tan, grayish, or brown, with a median row of 30 whitish (never yellowish) blotches with dark brown edges. Body sides with wide V-shaped ventrally open marks and with distinct dark spots. Ventrum whitish with dark gray spots. Head with light arrowhead, directed Figure 6 Saw Scale Viper (Echis carinatus sochureki) toward snout. A light loreal stripe extending to angle of mouth.

Food: Its diet includes common amphibians like, Bufo stomaticus (Indus Valley toad), Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Bull-frog), Sphaerotheca breviceps, sand lizards belonging to genera Crossobamon, Acanthodactylus and Ophiomorus, small snakes, birds, eggs, and arthropods.

Habitat: This amazingly adaptable snake occurs on rocky, sandy and alluvial soils, with vegetation varying from sparse xerophytes to moderately dense grass and scrub. This species is nocturnal, but during the cooler weather it is sometimes found sunning in the open.

Range: Echis carinatus is very widely distributed species: from northern to India and Sri Lanka. It ranges to northern India, the whole of Pakistan except high mountains in north, southern Afghanistan, central Iran to the Iranian Gulf coast and Khuzestan. It has been distinguished in more than 10 sub-species. In Pakistan, the three sub-species viz. astolae, multisquamatus and sochureki are present, which according to Auffenberg and Rehman (1991) and Khan (2002) do not validate.

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4. Recommendations

The time span of the present study was very limited, so a small portion of the area was studied. More detailed study is needed in order to survey the whole area. Detailed seasonal studies for the herpeto-fauna of the area is needed to explore the diversity of the fauna in the area. Local inhabitants of the area are considering the snake species as the danger to their life and are killing them to avoid the threat. Proper awareness programs are required to elaborate the importance of these species. Implementation of wildlife/environmental laws is also necessary. The population of amphibians and reptiles is declining due to different anthropogenic and biotic factors. Conservation programs for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles should be conducted. Repeated surveys are needed to access the population dynamics of the amphibians and reptiles of the area. Mandatory steps should be taken for the locally threatened fauna. There is a heavy use of pesticides in the area. This practice has adverse effects on the herpeto-fauna booth directly and indirectly. Awareness should be created among the people to discourage the heavy use of pesticides.

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