DOCSLIB.ORG

Snakes in The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Snakes in The V & FIRST REPORT ON TIIE COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE COLOMBO MUSEUM, Compiled by Order of the Sub-Committee. Original from and digitized byPrice National12io. University[2 annas]. of Singapore Libraries Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries FIRST REPORT ON THE COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE COLOMBO MUSEUM. The following List of Snakes recorded from Ceylon is compiled from Dr. Giinther's "Reptiles of British India," 1863. The synonomy is restricted to such books and papers as are contained in the Colombo Museum Library. On later classifications the student should consult Dr. Giinther's article in the "Encyclopedia Brittannica," art. Reptiles. A. HALY, October, 1886. Director. OPHIDII. Sub-Order I.—Ophidii colubriformes. Family.— Typh lopidce, I.—Typhlops. Cat. No. 1. braminus, Daud. ... ... 1 2 tenuis, Gthr. ... ... 2 3 mirus, Jan. ... ... 3 4 ? ... ... 4 Family.— Tortricidce. I.—Cylindrophxs. 1 maculatus, Linn. ... ... 5 Family.— ZJropeltidce. I.—Rhinopiiis. 1 oxyrhyncus, Schn. ' ... ■'... 6 2 punctatus, Mull. ... ... 7 3 planiceps, Peters. ... ... 8 4 trevelyanus, Kel. ... ... 9 5 blythii, Kel. ... ... 10 II.—Uropeltis. 1 grandis, Kel. ... ... 11 III.—Silybura. 1 melanogaster, Peters. ... ... 12 47—86 ' . u Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries ( 2 ) Family.—Calamaridee. I.—Aspidura. Cat. No. 1 brackyhorros, Boie ... ... 13 2 copii, Gthr. ... ... 14 3 trachyprocta, Cope ... ... 15 4 guntheri, Ferg. ... ... 16 II.—Haplocerccs. 1 ceylonensis, Gthr. ... ... 17 Family.—Oligodontida. I.—Oligodon. 1 subgriseus, D. et B. ... ... 18 2 sublineatus, D. et B. ... ... 19 3 templetonii, Gthr. ... ... 20 II.—Sihotes. 1 russelli, Daud. ... ... 21 2 albiventer, Gthr. ... ... 22 Family.— Colubridee. I.—Ablabes. 1 liumberti, Jan. ... ... 23 II.—Ctclophis. 1 calamaria, Gthr. ... ... 24 III.—Odontomus. 1 semifasciatus, Gthr. ... ... 25 2 nympha, Daud. ... ... 26 IV.—Cynophis. 1 kelena, Daud. ... ... 27 V.—Ptyas. 1 mucosus, Linn. ... ... 28 VI.—Zamknis. 1 fasciolatus, Shaw ... ... 29 VII.—Tropidonotus. 1 quincunciatus, Schleg. ... ... 30 2 stolatus, Linn. ... ... 31 3 ceylonensis, Gthr. ... ... 32 4 plumbicolor, Cantor. ... ... 33 VIII.—Atre tium. 1 sehistosum, Daud. ... ... 34 Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries o ( 3 ) Family.—Homalopsid.ce. I.—Gerarda. Oat. Xo. 1 bicolor, Gray ... ... 35 II.—Cerberus. 1 rbyncops, Schn. ... ... 36 Family.—Den drophides. I.—Dendrophis. 1 picta, Gmel. ... ... 37 2 caudolineata, Gthr. ... ... 38 II.—Chrysopelea. 1 ornata, Shaiv. ... ... 39 „ Family.—Dryophidcc. I.—Passerita. 9 1 mycterizans, Linn. ... ... 40 2 purpurascena, Gthr. ... ... 41 ^ Family.—Dipsadidce. I.—Dipsas. 1 ceylonensis, Gthr. ... ... 42 2 forstenii, D. et B. ... ... 43 3 barnesii, Gthr. ... ... 44 4 trigonata, Boie ... ... 45 5 gokool, Gray ... ... 46 Family.—Lycodontidce. I.—Lycodon, 1 aulicus, Linn. ... ... 47 II.—Cercaspis. I carinata, Kulil. ... ... 48 „ Family.—Pythonidcs. I.—Python. 1 molurus, Linn. ... ... 49 Family.—Acrochoridce. II.—Ceersydrus. 1 granulatus, Schn. ... ... 50 Sub-Order II.—Ophidii Colubriformes Yenenosi. Family.—Elapidcs. I.—Naja. 1 tripudians, Merr. Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries 1 ( 4 ) II.—BuNGARUS. Cat. No. 1 coeruleus, Schn. ... ... 52 2 ceylonicus, Gthr. ... ... 53 III.—Callophis. 1 trimaeulatus, Daud. ... ••• 54 Family.—Hydrophidie. I.—Hydrophis. 1 jerdonii, Gray ... ... 55 2 stokesii, Gray ... ... 56 3 spiralis, Shaw - ... ... 57 4 cyanocincta, Daud. ... ••• 58 5 chloris, Daud. ... ... 59 - 6 gracilis, Shaw ... 60 7 lapemoides, Gray ... ••• 61 8 ellioti, Gthr. ... ••• 62 9 curta, Shaw ... ... 63 10 holdsworthii, Gthr. ... ... 64 II.—PelAmis. 1 bicolor, Schn. ... ... 65 Sub-Order III.—Viperiformes. Family.— Crotalidce. I.—Trimeresurus. 1 trigonocephalus, :Merr. ... ... 66 II.—Hypnale. 1 nepa ... ... ... 67 Family.— Viperidce. I.—Daboia. 1 russellii, Shaw ... ... 68 II.—Echis. 1 carinata, Schn. ... ... 69 1 Typhbops braminus, Daudin. Cuv. R. A. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 175, pi. xvi., fig. I. From Nepaul through the Malayan Archipelago to China. Dr. Giinther says it is common in Ceylon ; but according to his description, its circumference in the middle is one-thirteenth of its total length ; there is no snake in the collection that at all agrees with this in its proportions. Original from and digitized0 by National University of Singapore Libraries ( 5 ) 2 Typiilops tenuis, Giinther. Gthr. Rept. Brit, Ind., p. 176, Madras ; Ceylon ? One specimen in the British Museum from Madras. Mr. W. Fer¬ guson (letter on the "Reptile Fauna of Ceylon," Colombo, 1877, p. 17) is uncertain about this species. I have placed under this number those specimeus which seem to me to agree with the description, but they are all more slender than Dr. Giinther's specimen, averaging in thickness only a thirtieth of the total length, against a twenty-fourth in the Madras specimen. Their snouts are yellow, as in T. Mirus. Two specimens presented by W. Ferguson, Esq. ; one from Colombo, presented by S. Lawrance, Esq. ; and one purchased. 3 Typhlops mirus, Jan. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p, 176. Ceylon. A.11 our specimens greatly exceed the proportions given by Dr. Giinther in circumference (viz., one-sixteenth of the total length), their average circumference being about one-thirtieth. It is therefore very doubtful whether they belong to this species. Two specimens presented by G. H. K. Thwaites, Esq., and one from Colombo, which, however, differs greatly in colour from Mr. Thwaites'. 4 Typhi.ops ? A specimen from Colombo, presented by Mr. Hudson in April, 1886, is of extraordinary slenderness, its circumference being contained in its total length over seventy limes. 5 Cylindrophis maculatus, Linnceus. Anguis maculatus, Linn. Tortrix maculata. Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii., p. 12. Cylindrophis maculatus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 179. Ceylon. Very common. The form of this snake is described as cylin¬ drical, which is the form of specimens preserved in spirits, and I imagine that when burrowing it assumes this form during life ; but its habitual shape is quite unlike that of any other snake, being nearly flat—the "back slightly convex, and the belly concave. Placed on a table it makes no attempt to escape, but lies with its head beneath its lowest coil, and its tail spread out so as to resemble the head of a cobra, which it imitates in its motions. Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries ( 6 ) If irritated for some time it finally ejects from the anus a few drops of a yellow acrid liquid. The collection contains no speci¬ mens from a higher elevation than Kandy, and it is not certain that Mr. Thwaites' specimens are from Peradeniya. 6 Rhinophis oxyriiyncus, Schneider. Dapatnaya lankadivana, Kel. Prodr. II., p. 16. Rhinophis oxyrhyncus, G-thr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 184. Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H-, v. 17, p. 3, 1886. Ceylon. One specimen from Mullaittivu, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq. 7 Rhinophis punctatus, Miiller. Gtlir. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 184. Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H., v. 17, p. 3, 1886. Ceylon. No specimens. A very rare species. " In the neighbourhood of Kandy, under stones."—Beddome. 8 Rhinophis planiceps, Peters. Typlops phillipinus, Cuv. R. A. Rhinophis phillipinus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 184. Rhinophis planiceps, Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. II., v. 17, p. 3, 1886. Ceylon. Three specimens presented by W. Ferguson, Esq., and one by E. F. Modder, Esq. "Not uncommon about Kandy in loose vegetable soil or decaying vegetable matter."—Ferguson, loc. cit., p. 17. 9 Rhinophis trevelyanus, Kelaart. Dapatnaya trevelyana, Kel. Prodr. F. Z., II., p. 17. Rhinophis trevelyanus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 185. Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H., v. 17, p. 8, 1886. Ceylon. Three specimens from Rakwana, presented by A. C. Ryves, Esq., a,nd one specimen presented by W. Ferguson, Esq. Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries ( * ) 10 Rhinophis Blythii, Kelaart. Kel. Prodr. II., p. 14. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind. (part), p. 186. Bedd. Ann. Mag., N. H., v. 17, p. 8, 1886. Ceylon. Seven specimens. Very common from Kandy to Ramboda. 11 Uropeltis grandis, Giinther. Uropeltis phillipinus, Cuv. R. A. Tenn. Ceylon, vol. I., p. 195, —— safifragamuH, grandis, pardalis, Kel. Prodr. II., p. 15. grandis, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 188. Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H., v. 17, p. 3, 1886. Ceylon. One specimen from Matara, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq., and another from Badulla, presented by J. F. Garvin, Esq. 12 Silybura melanogaster, Peters. Rhinophis blythii, Gthr. (part) Rept. Brit, ind., p. 186. Silybura melanogaster, Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H., v. 17, p. 20, 1886. Ceylon. No specimens. " Very common in the Central Province."— Beddome. 13 Aspidora brachyhoisros, Boie. Calamaria scytale, Schleg Phys. Serp. II., p. 42. Aspidura brachyhorros, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 202. Ceylon. Five specimens—one from Colombo ; the locality of the others not known. 14 Aspidura copii, Giinther. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 203, pi. xviii., fig. E. Ceylon. One specimen from Dikoya, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq. 15 Aspidura trachyprocta, Cope. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 203, pi. xviii., figs. F and F 1. Ceylon. Numerous specimens from Kandy and Ramboda. Original from and digitized by National University of Singapore Libraries ( 3 ) 16 Aspidura gtrntheri, Ferguson. Ferg. Proc. Zool. Soc., 1876, p. 819. Ceylon. Seven specimens (Western Province), presented by W. Fergu¬ son, Esq. 17 Haplocercus ceylonensis, Giinther. Gthr. Colubr.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download Download
    PLATINUM The Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT) is dedicated to building evidence for conservaton globally by publishing peer-reviewed artcles OPEN ACCESS online every month at a reasonably rapid rate at www.threatenedtaxa.org. All artcles published in JoTT are registered under Creatve Commons Atributon 4.0 Internatonal License unless otherwise mentoned. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproducton, and distributon of artcles in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publicaton. Journal of Threatened Taxa Building evidence for conservaton globally www.threatenedtaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Communication A new species of shieldtail snake (Reptilia: Squamata: Uropeltidae) from Kolli Hill complex, southern Eastern Ghats, peninsular India S.R. Ganesh & N.S. Achyuthan 26 March 2020 | Vol. 12 | No. 4 | Pages: 15436–15442 DOI: 10.11609/jot.5680.12.4.15436-15442 For Focus, Scope, Aims, Policies, and Guidelines visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-0 For Artcle Submission Guidelines, visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions For Policies against Scientfc Misconduct, visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-2 For reprints, contact <[email protected]> The opinions expressed by the authors do not refect the views of the Journal of Threatened Taxa, Wildlife Informaton Liaison Development Society, Zoo Outreach Organizaton, or any of the partners. The journal, the publisher,
    [Show full text]
  • The Discovery of XY Sex Chromosomes in a Boa and Python
    Current Biology, Volume 27 Supplemental Information The Discovery of XY Sex Chromosomes in a Boa and Python Tony Gamble, Todd A. Castoe, Stuart V. Nielsen, Jaison L. Banks, Daren C. Card, Drew R. Schield, Gordon W. Schuett, and Warren Booth Figure S1. PCR validation of male-specific RAD markers in boa and python. Related to Figure 1. A. Male-biased amplification of RAD marker TCBoa_2918 in eleven male and eleven female Boa imperator. Individual specimen ID numbers are listed below the gel image. B. Male-biased amplification of RAD marker TCBoa_2918 in an additional eight male and eleven female Boa imperator. Individual specimen ID numbers are listed below the gel image. C. Photograph of South American Boa (Boa constrictor) from Goiás, Brazil. D. Male-biased amplification of RAD marker TCBoa_2918 in three male and three female Boa constrictor. Individual specimen ID numbers are listed below the gel image. E. Male-biased amplification of RAD marker M3 in twelve male and twelve female Python bivittatus. Individual specimen ID numbers are listed below the gel image in panel F. F. Male-specific restriction digest of PCR amplicon (PCR-RFLP) from RAD marker M10 in twelve male and twelve female Python bivittatus. Individual specimen ID numbers are listed below the gel image. G. Cartoon illustrating PCR amplicons from the python RAD marker M10. The X and Y alleles are illustrated including the approximate position of the Y chromosome-specific SpeI restriction site. H. Gel image of python RAD marker M10 showing difference between digested and undigested PCR amplicons from a male Python bivittatus.
    [Show full text]
  • Pyron Et Al 2013A.Pdf
    This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier’s archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright Author's personal copy Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 66 (2013) 969–978 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev Genus-level phylogeny of snakes reveals the origins of species richness in Sri Lanka ⇑ R. Alexander Pyron a, , H.K. Dushantha Kandambi b, Catriona R. Hendry a, Vishan Pushpamal c, Frank T. Burbrink d,e, Ruchira Somaweera f a Dept. of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 2023 G. St., NW, Washington, DC 20052, United States b Dangolla, Uda Rambukpitiya, Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka c Kanneliya Rd., Koralegama, G/Panangala, Sri Lanka d Dept. of Biology, The Graduate School and University Center, The City University of New York, 365 5th Ave., New York, NY 10016, United States e Dept. of Biology, The College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10314, United States f Biologic Environmental Survey, 50B, Angove Street, North Perth, WA 6006, Australia article info abstract Article history: Snake diversity in the island of Sri Lanka is extremely high, hosting at least 89 inland (i.e., non-marine) Received 5 June 2012 snake species, of which at least 49 are endemic.
    [Show full text]
  • Cobra, Volume : IV Issue 2. 2010 RICHARD HENRY BEDDOME AND
    Cobra, Volume : IV Issue 2. 2010 RICHARD HENRY BEDDOME AND SOUTH INDIA’S HERPETOFAUNA— A TRIBUTE ON HIS CENTENNIAL DEATH ANNIVERSARY S.R. Ganesh Chennai Snake Park, Rajbhavan post, Chennai 600 022, Tamil Nadu, India Email: [email protected] One name that stands out in the early decades of systematic herpetology of south India is Richard Henry Beddome (11th May 1830 – 23rd February 1911). Biographic sketches of his life and work are available in Godwin-Austen (1912), Smith (1931), Das (2003) and Vijayaraghavan (2005). For the immediate interest of the readers these are summarized here. Beddome was the eldest son of Richard Boswell Brandon Beddome, solicitor, of Clapham Common, S.W. He was educated at Charterhouse School in Surrey, U.K. He first studied for the legal profession, but he could not get interested in it and preferred a life abroad. He entered the Army, obtaining a direct cadetship in 1848 in the East India Company's service, and was sent to India. He was posted to the 42nd Madras Native Infantry. He was with that Regiment at Jabalpur in 1856, serving as Quartermaster and Interpreter of the regiment and from there he went to Secunderabad. Soon after his arrival in Madras, at the end of 1856, he was appointed to the Madras Forest Department, and never rejoined his regiment. In 1857, due to his profound fascination for natural history, was selected as an assistant to Dr. Hugh Cleghorn, the first Conservator of Forests of the then – Madras Presidency. In 1859, he succeeded Dr. Cleghorn to become the Chief Conservator of Forests in which position he continued until 1882.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Survey of the Reptile Fauna in Nilgala Forest and Its Vicinity, Monaragala District, Sri Lanka
    KARUNARATHNA & AMARASINGHE, 2011 TAPROBANICA, ISSN 1800-427X. October, 2011. Vol. 03, No. 02: pp. 69-76, 3 pls. © Taprobanica Private Limited, Jl. Kuricang 18 Gd.9 No.47, Ciputat 15412, Tangerang, Indonesia. A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE REPTILE FAUNA IN NILGALA FOREST AND ITS VICINITY, MONARAGALA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA Sectional Editor: John Rudge Submitted: 30 July 2011, Accepted: 10 October 2011 D. M. S. Suranjan Karunarathna1 and A. A. Thasun Amarasinghe2 1 Young Zoologists' Association of Sri Lanka, Department of National Zoological Gardens, Sri Lanka. E-mail: [email protected] 2 Komunitas Konservasi Alam Tanah Timur, Jl. Kuricang 18 Gd.9 No.47, Ciputat 15412, Tangerang, Indonesia E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Nilgala Conservation Forest Area (NCFA) is an intermediate zone forest situated in the south east of Sri Lanka. During our four-year study we recorded 70 species of reptiles, which represents about 33% of the total Sri Lankan reptile fauna. This number includes eighteen species that are recorded from the NCFA for the first time and ten nationally threatened species. Ten unidentified species were also recorded during the survey period. The results of this study indicate that the Nilgala forest area supports a rich reptile faunal diversity. Unfortunately, this important forest is threatened by fire, illegal logging, chena cultivation, rubber plantation, granite rock blasting, gem mining and road kills. It should be considered an area of high conservation priority. Key words: Sri Lanka, Intermediate zone, savannah, reptiles, threats, ecology, conservation Introduction Based on published sources, a total of 210 species intermediate zone forest areas of the island have not of reptiles (Lizards – 97 sp.; Turtles and tortoises – been well studied.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of Xylophis Beddome, 1878 (Serpentes: Pareidae) from the Southern Western Ghats of India
    Vertebrate Zoology 71, 2021, 219–230 | DOI 10.3897/vz.71.e63986 219 A new species of Xylophis Beddome, 1878 (Serpentes: Pareidae) from the southern Western Ghats of India Surya Narayanan1, Pratyush P. Mohapatra2, Amirtha Balan3, Sandeep Das4,5, David J. Gower6 1 Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Bangalore, Karnataka – 560064, India 2 Zoological Survey of India, Central Zone Regional Centre, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482002, India 3 Santhi illam, Keezha vannan vilai, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu – 629501, India 4 Forest Ecology & Biodiversity Conservation Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala – 680653, India 5 Department of Zoology, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala – 680121, India 6 Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK http://zoobank.org/E3969D3B-48CE-4760-8FF9-A65E19A09AD6 Corresponding author: Pratyush P. Mohapatra ([email protected]) Academic editor Uwe Fritz | Received 4 February 2021 | Accepted 5 April 2021 | Published 15 April 2021 Citation: Narayanan S, Mohapatra PP, Balan A, Das S, Gower DJ (2021) A new species of Xylophis Beddome, 1878 (Serpentes: Pareidae) from the southern Western Ghats of India. Vertebrate Zoology 71: 219–230. https://doi.org/10.3897/vz.71.e63986 Abstract We reassess the taxonomy of the Indian endemic snake Xylophis captaini and describe a new species of Xylophis based on a type series of three specimens from the southernmost part of mainland India. Xylophis deepaki sp. nov. is most similar phenotypically to X. captaini, with which it was previously confused.
    [Show full text]
  • Endemic Animals of India
    ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA Edited by K. VENKATARAMAN A. CHATTOPADHYAY K.A. SUBRAMANIAN ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA Prani Vigyan Bhawan, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700 053 Phone: +91 3324006893, +91 3324986820 website: www.zsLgov.in CITATION Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (Editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates): 1-235+26 Plates. (Published by the Director, Zoological Survey ofIndia, Kolkata) Published: May, 2013 ISBN 978-81-8171-334-6 Printing of Publication supported by NBA © Government ofIndia, 2013 Published at the Publication Division by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, M -Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700053. Printed at Hooghly Printing Co., Ltd., Kolkata-700 071. ~~ "!I~~~~~ NATIONA BIODIVERSITY AUTHORITY ~.1it. ifl(itCfiW I .3lUfl IDr. (P. fJJa{a~rlt/a Chairman FOREWORD Each passing day makes us feel that we live in a world with diminished ecological diversity and disappearing life forms. We have been extracting energy, materials and organisms from nature and altering landscapes at a rate that cannot be a sustainable one. Our nature is an essential partnership; an 'essential', because each living species has its space and role', and performs an activity vital to the whole; a 'partnership', because the biological species or the living components of nature can only thrive together, because together they create a dynamic equilibrium. Nature is further a dynamic entity that never remains the same- that changes, that adjusts, that evolves; 'equilibrium', that is in spirit, balanced and harmonious. Nature, in fact, promotes evolution, radiation and diversity. The current biodiversity is an inherited vital resource to us, which needs to be carefully conserved for our future generations as it holds the key to the progress in agriculture, aquaculture, clothing, food, medicine and numerous other fields.
    [Show full text]
  • Two New Species of Rhinophis Hemprich (Serpentes: Uropeltidae) from Sri Lanka
    Zootaxa 2881: 51–68 (2011) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2011 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Two new species of Rhinophis Hemprich (Serpentes: Uropeltidae) from Sri Lanka DAVID J. GOWER1,3 & KALANA MADUWAGE2 1Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK 2University of Peradeniya, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 3Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Two new species of uropeltid (shieldtail) snake are described from Sri Lanka; Rhinophis lineatus sp. nov. from Harasbed- da, near Ragala, and Rhinophis zigzag sp. nov. from Bibilegama, near Passara. The new species are distinguished from congeners in morphometric and meristic external characters, and in having very distinctive colour patterns. Scale-row re- duction data are presented for the two new species; this is a new development for uropeltid systematics, and its potential utility is highlighted. The nature of the overlap between the two anal scales is also highlighted as a potentially useful char- acter. The two new species were included in previous phylogenetic analyses of allozyme and albumin immunological data, but their phylogenetic relationships are not yet well resolved. Key words: Alethinophidia, India, shieldtail, snake, systematics, taxonomy Introduction Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 comprises about 13 nominal species of burrowing uropeltid snake endemic to the West- ern Ghats region of peninsular India and, mostly, Sri Lanka (e.g., McDiarmid et al., 1999; Wickramasinghe et al., 2009). The taxonomy of uropeltids (sensu McDiarmid et al., 1999) has been fairly stable over the last century, but probably due in large part to lack of attention rather than prior completion of a well-founded framework (Gower et al., 2008).
    [Show full text]
  • Herpetofauna of Southern Western Ghats, India − Reinvestigated After Decades
    CHANDRAMOULI & GANESH, 2010 TAPROBANICA, ISSN 1800-427X. October, 2010. Vol. 02, No. 02: pp. 72-85, 4 pls. © Taprobanica Nature Conservation Society, 146, Kendalanda, Homagama, Sri Lanka. HERPETOFAUNA OF SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS, INDIA − REINVESTIGATED AFTER DECADES Sectional Editor: Aaron Bauer Submitted: 29 March 2010, Accepted: 01 January 2011 1 2 S. R. Chandramouli and S. R. Ganesh 1 Department of Zoology, Division of Wildlife Biology, A.V.C College, Mannampandal, Mayiladuthurai–609 305, Tamil Nadu, India; E-mail: [email protected] 2 Chennai Snake Park, Rajbhavan post, Chennai - 600 020, Tamil Nadu, India Abstract We recorded amphibians and reptiles in two hill ranges, the Cardamom Hills and Ponmudi Hills of the southern Western Ghats, India, for a period of four months each. In all, 74 species, comprising of 28 species of amphibians belonging to 11 genera and 8 families and 46 species of reptiles, belonging to 27 genera and 9 families were recorded. Aspects deviating from literature have been discussed. A comparison of the results of the present study with that of the earlier works from the same region is also provided. Key words: Amphibians, Reptiles, Cardamom hills, Ponmudi hills, Reinvestigation, Herpetology Introduction Materials and Methods The Western Ghats is one of the global biodiversity This work is based on an eight-month-long Visual hotspots (Myers et al., 2000) and its herpetofauna Encounter survey (Campbell & Christman, 1982) in has been investigated by several authors (Ferguson, post-monsoon season of two consecutive year- 1895, 1904; Hutton, 1949; Hutton & David, 2009; transitions in two hill ranges (Map 1). Fieldwork Inger et al., 1984; Ishwar et al., 2001; Kumar et al., was carried out in the Cardamom Hills, Theni and 2001; Malhotra & Davis, 1991; Vasudevan et al., Virudunagar districts, Tamil Nadu state (Site 1; 2001; Wall, 1919, 1920).
    [Show full text]
  • An Overdue New Taxonomy for the Rhinophiidae (Uropeltidae)
    Australasian Journal of Herpetology 51 Australasian Journal of Herpetology 17:51-57. ISSN 1836-5698 (Print) ISSN 1836-5779 (Online) Published 29 April 2013. An overdue new taxonomy for the Rhinophiidae (Uropeltidae). RAYMOND T. HOSER 488 Park Road, Park Orchards, Victoria, 3134, Australia. Phone: +61 3 9812 3322 Fax: 9812 3355 E-mail: [email protected] Received 16 January 2013, Accepted 21 March 2013, Published 29 April 2013. ABSTRACT This paper resolves issues of taxonomy and nomenclature for the small burrowing shield-tailed snakes of the family Uropeltidae as they are generally known in early 2013. These snakes of primitive form from Southern India and Sri Lanka have been subject of detailed taxonomic analysis for over 20 years. While 8 genera are currently recognized, it has long been known that some of these are composite. Revisiting existing data, the allied genera Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 and Uropeltis Cuvier, 1829 as presently recognized are both merged. In summary these two names are only now used for the Sri Lankan species and a small number of others, with the latter now being treated as a subgenus within the former. As a result the family name reverts back to Rhinophiidae, Fitzinger, 1843. Crealia Gray, 1858 is resurrected as a subgenus for some Sri Lankan species of within Rhinophis, while Pseudotyphlops Schlegel, 1839 remains, but also as a subgenus within Rhinophis. Indian species formerly within Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 and Uropeltis Cuvier, 1829 are herein placed in two new genera, each with subgenera and formally named for the first time according to the Zoological Code.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Focus Mainland Asia Regional Updates and Latests Research
    September 2011 Vol. 98 www.amphibians.orgFrogLogNews from the herpetological community Regional Focus Mainland Asia Regional updates and latests research. INSIDE News from the ASG Regional Updates Global Focus Recent Publications General Announcements And More..... More Frog Chytridiomycosis Bounties in Asia from India’s Prevalence and distribution of chytridiomycosis Peninsular throughout Asia Mountains FrogLog Vol. 98 | September 2011 | 1 FrogLog CONTENTS 3 Editorial NEWS FROM THE ASG 4 New web site coming soon. 6 ASG International Seed Grant Award Winners 2011 REGIONAL UPDATE 8 News from Regional Groups 19 Amphibian Conservation 30 Species richness and diversity 12 Amphibian Population Workshop in India of amphibians in conventional Declines and Chytridiomycosis 19 More Frog Bounties from and chemical free agricultural in South Korea India’s Peninsular Mountains systems in highlands of Sri Lanka 14 Brief History of Long-Term 22 A dozen new Night frog species Research Efforts on the discovered from dwindling 33 Prevalence and distribution of Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad, rainforests in India chytridiomycosis throughout Asia Bombina orientalis, in the 24 Some observations Republic of Korea of malformation, eye 15 Saving the Gold-spotted Pond disease, parasitic and viral Frog in South Korea infection and the effects of 16 Little known endemic frogs of agrochemicals on amphibians the Andaman Islands in Sri Lanka 17 In search of Legless 26 Amphibian Research in Sri amphibians at Goa and Lanka Karnataka parts of the Western Ghats GLOBAL NEWS 35 1st International Symposium 38 Checking in with Jamaica’s on Ranaviruses endangered frogs Recent Publications 39 | Meetings 52 | Internships & Jobs 52 Funding Opportunities 53 | Author Instructions 56 2 | FrogLog Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Account (PDF)
    FULL ACCOUNT FOR: Felis catus Felis catus System: Terrestrial Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Felidae Common name cat (English), domestic cat (English), pusiniveikau (English, Fiji), house cat (English), Hauskatze (German), poti (Maori), feral cat (English) Synonym Similar species Summary Felis catus was domesticated in the eastern Mediterranean c. 3000 years ago. Considering the extent to which cats are valued as pets, it is not surprising that they have since been translocated by humans to almost all parts of the world. Notable predators, cats threaten native birdlife and other fauna, especially on islands where native species have evolved in relative isolation from predators. view this species on IUCN Red List Species Description Felis catus is a small animal in the wild (up to 5kg, but more commonly 1.5 -3.0kg) but may be considerably heavier when domesticated. Colour is extremely variable in domesticated varieties and feral cats commonly revert to black, tabby or tortoiseshell with varying extents of white starting from the belly and breast. Lifecycle Stages Gestation: 65 days. Weaning: 35-40 days. Sexual maturity: 9 months. Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) 2021. Species profile Felis catus. Available Pag. 1 from: http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=24 [Accessed 07 October 2021] FULL ACCOUNT FOR: Felis catus Habitat Description Feral cats adapt to a variety of habitat types and circumstances. On the Australian continent they inhabit forests and woodland habitats in eastern, western and northern parts of the country (Dickman 1996). On Hahajima Island, Japan, feral cats have been observed widely in various kinds of habitats, including primary forests (Kawakami and Higuchi 2002).
    [Show full text]