Review Paper The status of herpetofauna of Bhutan 1* Jigme Tshelthrim Wangyal Nanorana sp. from Rigsoom Gonpa, Trashiyangtse Abstract gularis), Annandali’s Paa (Nanorana annandalii), and Pygmy Leaf Frog (Chiromantis This paper presents the state-of-the-knowledge vittatus) bring the total number of species on herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) of Bhutan. Through a comprehensive review of reported species, Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) andknown the in AmericanBhutan to Bull191. FrogTwo (previouslyLithobates catesbeianus) are removed from the list. The oneliterature, caecilian the paperand a identifiesHimalayan 84 Salamander snakes, 23 paper highlights which species need further knownlizards, 20to tortoisesoccur in andBhutan. turtles, Based 56 anurans,on the research or special conservation protection status.confirmation, and which warrant further (author’sOligodon field taeniolatus work, six), previouslyYunnan Bamboo unreported Pit Viperspecies (Trimeresurus of herpetofauna cf. stejnegeri viz. Russel’s yunnanensis Kukri), Keywords: Tibetan Pit Viper (Trimeresurus cf. tibetanus), tortoises and turtles, amphibians, Ptyctolaemus anurans, Bhutan Herpetofauna, snakes, lizards, Blue Fan Throated Lizard ( 1* Corresponding author’s email: [email protected] District Forest Office, District Administration, Trashigang, Bhutan 20 Herpetofauna of Bhutan Introduction the population. As such, they indicate short- term changes in their environment. Therefore, depend on prosthetic devices to keep ourselves andWilson the (1998) biosphere states thatalive, “To thewe extentwill thatrender we Thisstudy paper of the presentstaxa is very a comprehensiveimportant. update on the herpetofauna of Bhutan, to promote the rest of life, we will impoverish our own attention for research priorities in the specieseverything for fragile.all time.” To He the offers extent a that tremendously we banish grave cautionary to Homo sapiens, a caution and the world as a whole. that on trying to use all the natural forces for foreseeable future, for the welfare of the taxa ourselves we risk our very survival. Therefore, it is time that we understand our environment Methods and its biodiversity so that we do not lose All data in this report are based on a literature loss of biodiversity according to Raven & the meaning of our existence. Further, global due to habitat degradation and destruction. untilsearch the beginning latest frompublished the first report ever report(Wangyal on BhutanBerg (2001) is not and immune many toothers such isdegradation primarily the reptiles found in Bhutan by Biwas (1976) and destruction, which is manifested as reptiles. This paper reviewed the reports of deforestation for road construction, logging 2013) on the new records of amphibians and due to increased demand for timber, shifting listBustard of reptiles (1979, for 1980a, Bhutan, 1980b) and onDas crocodiles, and Palden of of towns, and other activities. It is important to Bauer and Günther (1992) on the preliminary agriculture practices, forest fires, expansions (2000) for a collection of herpetofauna. suchexamine as theherpetofauna, increasing developmentwhich receive impacts little The paper also analyzed the work of Mitra attentionon the country’s in Bhutan. biodiversity, including taxa Bumdeling(2009), and Wildlife the recent Sanctuary works region,of Wangyal Wangyal and Tenzin (2009) for the snakes and lizards from Compiling and interpreting the available data of Natural Resources (CNR) compound, and and Gurung (2010) on the snakes of the College for creating awareness of and interest in this ecologicallyon herpetofauna important, is an butimportant often overlooked, first step Wangyal (2011) on the reptiles of Bhutan. Further reports of the taxa including Wangyal herpetofauna, particularly the amphibians, have(2012) been and also Wangyal reviewed. et al.A report(2012) on and tortoises work indicatestaxon. The transformation presence orin habitatthe absence (Pechmann of on amphibians (Wangyal & Gurung 2012 a, b) reviewed.and turtles Finally, by Wangyal some et information al. (2012) andreported some conditionset al. 1991; where Blaustein they live,et al. so 1994; are responsive Fontenot toet new record reports (Wangyal 2013) have been changesal. 1996) in because precipitation they depend and moisture on wet weather in their author. Species from all the papers have been habitats. Amphibian populations may decline listedhere are and from checked, personal and field a comprehensiveobservations of thelist has been prepared as a list of species known so far from Bhutan. or explode depending upon such changes in Manythe habitat species they of areamphibians in (Blaustein are alsoet al. known 1994; toPhelps indicate & Lancia climate 1995; change Gibbons through et al. 1997).which based on the recommendations of Whitaker necessary action can be taken for the safety Lists of expected species were developed of the earth. Amphibians depend on short- lived water sources, so a wet year can lead to turtlesand Captain and tortoises. (2004) for The snakes, species and distribution Bauer and successful breeding and ultimate increment of mapsGünther of (1992)the northeast and Wangyal Indian et al.species (2012) have for new recruits while during dry conditions, few or no additional individuals may be added to species for Bhutan. In addition, various other been taken as one basis to list the expected 21 Wangyal 2014 literatures were consulted to determine the sameand Günther collection (1992). revealed In an that interesting the Common twist, Resultsglobal conservation and discussion significance of species. Tawnya review Cat conducted Snake (Boiga by Tillackochracea (2006)) reported on the by Bauer and Günther turned out to be a Green Like many neighbouring countries, Bhutan Cat Snake (Boiga cyanea). Hence, the record has quite a number of reptiles and amphibians has been updated accordingly. for which no comprehensive list has been properly prepared. This discussion shall herpetofaunal collection the authors testudines, crocodiles) and amphibians Das and Palden (2000) reported on a (includingstart with anurans,reptiles (includinga lone salamander snakes, specieslizards, workshop on herpetological techniques for and a caecilian). staffassembled of the protectedwhile conducting areas of Bhutan, Bhutan’s at Royalfirst Manas National Park (Sarpang, Bhutan). They Reptiles added three new species of snakes to the list (Psammodynastes pulverulentus), Cantor’s has been no serious study on reptiles of Black-headedof snakes of BhutanSnake ((TableSibynophis 1): Mocksagittarius Viper), Other than opportunistic species lists, there and Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus). They Bhutan. As a first preliminary list of reptiles of (Naja naja), formerly reported by Mahendra Bhutan, Bauer and Günther (1992) reported 18 also confirmed the record of Spectacled Cobra snakes and four lizards. They based their list on specimens collected by a 1972 expedition of the (1984) without any locality data. toBasel compile Natural a list History of the Museum reptiles (Switzerland)of Bumdeling Wildlifein Bhutan. Sanctuary Wangyal and(Trashiyangtse, Tenzin (2009) Bhutan) tried asMitra new (2009), records based for Bhutan.on his Hecollection made afrom list but could not come up with a comprehensive Trashigang District, reported 16 snake species list due to lack of information on the Bhutanese reptiles. Some sporadic works on reptiles Greenof 32 snakesRat Snake from was Bhutan reported with twice, at least once two as Ptyasspecies nigromarginatus being misidentified and another and repeated: time as Zaocys nigromarginatus include Das and Palden (2000), Wangyal (2011, also reported as both Orthriophis cantoris and reptiles2012 and of Bhutan2013) areand given Wangyal below. and Gurung Gyonosoma cantoris. Therefore,; Eastern his Trinket list needs was (2010). The synopses of the records of various to be reviewed thoroughly before validating his Snakes 2009 reports. species of snakes from Bumdeling Wildlife species,The first King ever Cobra report (Ophiphagus exclusively hannah on reptiles) and SanctuaryLater Wangyal region, (2011)which coversreported the whole30 new or Himalayanof Bhutan Keelback(Das 1976) (Amphiesma records twoplatyceps snake). parts of three districts in Bhutan (Mongar, Trashiyangtse and Lhuentse). But he did not species of snakes based the on specimens Bauer and Günther (1992) added 11 new Therefore, species such as Eastern Trinket Basel Natural History Museum. However, (consultOrthriophis the listcantoris provided), White by MitraBarred (2009). Kukri theircollected record by onthe Indian 1972 Rock expedition Python (Pythonof the Snake (Oligodon albocinctus), Collared Black- morulus headed Snake (Sibynophis collaris), Banded they based their record report on Harris et Trinket Snake (Oreocryptophis porphyracea ) may need further confirmation since porphyracea), Günther’s False Wolf Snake is very common in the Duar plains of Bhutan. (Dinodon septentrionalis), and Indo-Chinese al. (1964), who mentioned that this species Rat Snake (Ptyas korros) were mistakenly Indian Rock Python in Bhutan, after Bauer There are no confirmed sightings of the considered new reports by Wangyal (2011). 22 Herpetofauna of Bhutan TABLESl. 1 No. List of Family snakes. Species Remarks 1 Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacepede 1789) 2 Ahaetulla prasina (Boie 1827) 3 Amphiesma parallelum ( David et al. 1998) 4 Amphiesma platyceps (Blyth 1854) 5 Amphiesma sieboldii (Günther 1860) 6 Amphiesma sp. BWS, Trashiyangtse 7 Amphiesma stolatum (Linnaeus