Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile Network ISSN 2230-7079 No.13 | September 2011 Date of publication: 21 September 2011
Contents
Reptilian fauna of agricultural landscapes of Chembarambakkam Lake, Chennai, Tamil Nadu -- Chime Tsetan & R. Ramanibai, Pp. 2–8
Snakes of Bongaigaon Municipality Area, Assam, India -- Anukul Nath, Hilloljyoti Singha & Abhijit Das, Pp. 9–13
Recent records of the Asian Giant Softshell Turtle Pelochelys cantorii (Gray) (Chelonia: Trionychidae) in northern Kerala, southern India -- Muhamed Jafer Palot & C. Radhakrishnan, Pp. 14–16
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1 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 Reptilian fauna of agricultural landscapes studies have been carried of Chembarambakkam Lake, Chennai, Tamil out on reptiles in Chennai Nadu and its neighboring districts of Chengalpattu-MGR, Chime Tsetan 1 & R. Ramanibai 2 Kanchipuram, Thiruvellore, Kolli Hills, Mannampandal 1,2 Aquatic Biodiversity Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600025, India and Nagapattinam districts, Email: 2 [email protected] (corresponding author) the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu namely Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Kalairasan India being one of the and bones. Some reptiles are 1999; Aengals 1999, Kumar top 12 mega-biodiversity used for traditional medicinal 1999, Kalaiarasan 2000; countries of the world, boasts purposes (Mahawar & Jaroli Daniels 2001, Ganesh & Mouli a rich herpetofauna with 299 2008). 2007). amphibian species (Dinesh Reptiles occupy a diverse This study was to survey & Radhakrishnan 2009) and range of habitats and the distribution and diversity 506 reptiles (Das 2003). In microhabitats, i.e., they of reptiles in the areas India, reptiles are threatened are found from deserts to around Chembarambakkam by many causes, the main grasslands, from forests to agricultural landscapes. among them is the illegal oceans and from hills to our trade in spite of Indian Wildlife own houses. Tamil Nadu with Study Area (Protection) Act, 1972 (Molur its diversity in ecosystems Chembarambakkam Lake et al. 1998). This involves has a very good potential to (1300’32.69’’N & 8003’36.88’’E) pet trades and the poaching support numerous reptiles, (Image 1) is situated about of snakes, turtles, monitor especially snakes (Daniels 25km southwest of Chennai lizards etc. for their skin, meat 2001). As such, a few beach and the lake is fed by
Image 1. Chembarambakkam Lake location
2 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 two major water channels distribution. for easy analysis in future. running through Chennai City, The climate of Dodd (2003) has classified that is, Adyar and Cooum. The Chembarambakkam Lake the sampling methods into lake covers an area of 357km2 area is tropical wet and three groups: active sampling, with its catchment and the dry, with a hot dry summer easy passive sampling, and 9km lake bund was once a season prevailing during the intensive passive sampling. major source of drinking water months from March to June. The latter two involve designing (Daniels & Rajagopal 2004). The monsoon season is from and laying traps for the The area lies near one of the July to October and the warm target species, for example, large fresh water bodies near winter from November to making cover-boards, PVC Chennai City managed by the March. pipe refugias, drift fences etc. public works department; it A few studies have been The trapping method though is free of encroachments and done on the reptiles of the efficient was unfeasible in pollution. area as compared to fishes and this survey because of the The lake also serves as birds of Chembarambakkam. size of the survey field, the an irrigational water source This survey will provide a base long gaps between field visits, for neighboring fields with for further studies and the possibilities of traps numerous water outlets in getting stolen or damaged by the form of sluice gates and Methods other grazing animals. Active small water channels. The Before the initiation of the sampling was carried out for present study was primarily actual reptile survey, a list this survey and the method focused on the east face of of microhabitats, which were involved is quadrant survey. Chembarambakkam Lake found in the landscapes, was Quadrant survey: It is close to the road which joins prepared. Along with the almost the same as transects the NH-4 and Sri Perumbudur reptile, the microhabitat in but instead of walking a path Highway. A short stretch of Sri which it was found was noted, length, quadrant involves Perumbudur Highway (800m) with the time for analysis of surveying a sampling area. outside Kunrathur forms the the reptile’s microhabitat Sizes of the sampling area can collection site of road-kills. preference, spatial distribution be variable based upon the In the National Wetland etc. The microhabitats were habitat type. For example, Conservation Programme as follows (Table 1): in forests the quadrant area (NWCP), 115 wetlands have 1. On walls or buildings must be kept small (10 X 10 been identified in India and in 2. Inside Burrows m) whereas in open fields the Ramsar convention of wetland 3. Under rocks and other area can be kept larger (20 conservation, 25 spots in India debris fall under its list of important 4. Less than 2m high on international wetlands. tree or bush Table 2. Microhabitat preferences Though not in the list, 5. More than 2m high on by Lizards Chembarambakkam Lake and tree or bush. its flanking areas (wetlands) 6. Near water Micro Habitats Lizards constitute diverse groups of 7. In water On Walls/buildings 13 local flora and fauna especially 8. Open ground Burrow 0 in fishes and aquatic birds Under rock/debris 34 (Daniels & Rajagopal 2004). These microhabitats along < 2m on tree/bush 27 A few studies on the reptiles with the major habitat, times > 2m on tree/bush 32 of Chembarambakkam Lake for the start and end of the Near water 0 have been carried out, there survey, weather conditions In water 0 by providing a good source etc. were formulated into a Open ground 125 of data on their diversity and data sheet for use in the field Total 231
3 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011
Image 2. Chembarambakkam landscape showing location of the snakes observed during the study period
X 20 m). In this survey, a (Squamata and Testudines), high affinity towards open quadrant size of 20 X 20 m was nine families and 19 genera ground microhabitat, but used as most of the habitats of reptiles were documented nevertheless stayed close to were open land or lake bund from the Chembarambakkam some bush clumps or rock with mild vegetation. Target Lake area (Table 2). This debris for quick retreat. species encountered within included live individuals as Twenty-six percent of lizards these quadrants were noted well as road kills and sloughs preferred trees or bushes, down along with the time and collected. Out of 22 species especially Calotes versicolor. the microhabitat in which they reported, 20 species were at This species was seen on were found. Sloughs were lower risk, for one species the ground only to forage for collected and documented Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, ants or to bask. 15% (mostly (see transect section) (Image 1758) the data was deficient geckoes and few skinks) were 2). Photographs were taken and one species Varanus found sheltering under rocks for documentation and in bengalensis (Daudin, 1802) and other debris. Hemidactylus case of unidentified species, was vulnerable. brookii was the chief occupant for identification. Handling Microhabitat usage: Only of this microhabitat and two of dangerous animals like live individuals were considered Lygosoma punctata were venomous snakes was avoided for assessing the microhabitat found under rock debris. altogether. usage by each group of these reptiles. Sloughs and road Discussion Observation kills were discarded for this A total of 30 quadrant During the study a total of assessment. surveys was carried out in 278 reptiles were encountered Around 54% of the lizards this present study for the which included live animals, observed were found in the collection of data. During the road kills and sloughs. open ground (either foraging or study a total of 278 reptiles Twenty-two different species basking). Sitana ponticeriana were encountered. Among belonging to two orders and Eutropis carinata showed the squamates, agamids
4 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 Table 1. Checklist of reptile species found in Chembarambakkam landscape
SNo Species Name Common Name Snakes 1 Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacepede, 1789) Common Vine Snake 2 Atretium schistosum (Daudin, 1803) Olivaceous Keelback 3 Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider, 1801) Common Krait 4 Coelognathus Helena (Daudin, 1803) Trinket Snake 5 Daboia russelii (Shaw & Nodder, 1797) Russell’s Viper 6 Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin, 1803) Common Bronzeback Tree Snake 7 Gongylophis conicus (Schneider, 1801) Common Sand Boa 8 Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Wolf Snake 9 Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758) Spectacled Cobra 10 Oligodon arnensis (Shaw, 1802) Common Kukri Snake 11 Ptyas mucosus (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Rat Snake 12 Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider, 1799) Checkered Keelback Lizards 13 Calotes versicolor (Daudin,1802) Indian Garden Lizard (Images 1 & 2) 14 Hemidactylus brooki (Gray, 1845) Spotted Indian House Gecko (Image 3) 15 Hemidactylus frenatus (Dum. & Bib., 1836) Southern House Gecko (Image 4) 16 Lygosoma punctata (Gmelin,1799) Dotted Garden Skink (Image 5) 17 Eutropis bibronii (Gray,1838) Sand Skink (Image 6) 18 Eutropis carinata (Schneider, 1801) Common Skink (Image 7) 19 Eutropis macularia (Blyth, 1853) Bronze Grass Skink 20 Sitana ponticeriana (Cuvier, 1844) Fan-throated Lizard (Images 8–10 ) 21 Varanus bengalensis (Daudin, 1802) Common Indian Monitor (Images 11 & 12) Turtle 22 Lissemys punctata (Lacépède, 1788) Indian Flapshell Turtle (Image 13) including Sitana ponticeriana given area. Sloughs and As such, the future scope and Calotes versicolor, faecal pellets (scat) of snakes of studies in the same field formed the most common and can be taken as secondary with inclusion of prey and abundant species. Also the signs of the presence of predator relationships among family Scincidae with its four otherwise cryptic snakes. reptiles, reptile breeding, different species were next Intact sloughs can be used for human impact like agricultural in abundance after agamids. the identification of the snake practices, on the reptile A few geckos and only one species down to its genus diversity and distribution still varanus were observed. In level by careful examination stands. Serpentes, the maximum of scale counts (Smith 1943; Reptiles, especially snakes diversity was 12 different Daniel 2002). For example, are in crisis due to people’s poor species of snakes recorded in the present study, the knowledge of these creatures, from the area. Rat Snake common wolf-snakes were influenced by superstitious Ptyas mucosus was most documented only with their beliefs. To protect these abundant and of others only a sloughs. animals, education of the few individuals were sighted. A well planned survey with general public regarding their Sloughs or shedded skins good human resources and biology, ecological value and of the snakes were found to good input will surely yield eradication of associated be useful for detecting the better results with reliable data myths must take front stage. presence of snakes in the on diversity and distribution. Implementation of stringent
5 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011
Images 1 & 2. Indian Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor male (left) female (right)
Image 3. Spotted Indian House Gecko Image 4. Southern House Gecko Hemidactylus Hemidactylus brooki frenatus
Image 6. Sand Skink Eutropis bibroni Image 5. Dotted Garden Skink Lygosoma punctata
6 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011
Image 7. Common Skink Eutropis carinata Image 8. Fan-throated Lizard Sitana ponticeriana male gular pouch
Image 9 & 10. Fan-throated Lizard Sitana ponticeriana male (left) female (right)
Image 11 & 12. Common Indian Monitor Varanus bengalensis
7 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 of India (BCPP Endangered herpetofaunal community in Species Project), Zoo Outreach Mannampandal, Nagapatinam Organisation, Conservation District, Tamil Nadu. Cobra Breeding Specialist Group, 1(4): 33–43. India, Coimbatore, India, Kalaiarasan, V. (1999). The 175pp. Community structure of Daniel, J.C. (2002). The reptiles in the scrub jungle Book of Indian Reptiles and forests in Chengal-MGR and Amphibians. Oxford University Madras Districts. Cobra 35 & Press, Oxford, 235pp. 36: 29–30. Daniels, R.J.R. (2001). Snakes Kumar, M.V.R. (1999). Reptiles Image 13. Indian Flapshell Turtle of Tamil Nadu: a status report. of Kesarkulli Dam, Dharmapuri Lissemys punctata Cobra 44: 11–17. District. Cobra 38: 6–11. Daniels, R.J.R. & B. Mahawar, M.M. & D.P. Rajagopal (2004). Fishes Jaroli (2008). Traditional laws against those who violate of Chembarampakkam Lake - zootherapeutic studies in and illegally manipulate the a wetland in the outskirts of India: a review. Journal Chennai. Zoos’ Print Journal of Ethnobiology and laws must be followed. 19(5): 1481–1483. Ethnomedicine 4: 17. Das, I. (2003). Growth of Smith, M.A. (1943). The Fauna References knowledge on the reptiles of of British India, Ceylon and India, with an introduction Burma, including the whole Aengals, R. (1999). Studies to systematic, taxonomy and of the Indo-Chinese region. on the ecology of common nomenclature. Journal of Vol. III—Serpentes. Taylor & Arboreal and land snakes the Bombay Natural History Francis, London, xii+583pp+ in scrub jungle forests of Society 100 (2&3): 446–501. 1 map. Chengalpattu-MGR District, Dinesh, K.P., C. Radhakrishnan, Tamil Nadu. Cobra 35 & 36: K.V. Gururaja, K. Deuti Acknowledgements 18–24. & G.K. Bhatta (2009). The authors thank Care Earth Molur, S., P.O. Nameer & S. A Checklist of Amphibia of Trust for the technical support Walker (eds.) (1998). India. Newsletter of Zoological and guidance provided during the Report of the Workshop Survey of India 138–139. study. “Conservation Assessment and Ganesh, S.R. & S.R.C. Mouli Management Plan for Reptiles (2007). A Study of the
8 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 Snakes of Bongaigaon Municipality Area, and when we were informed Assam, India about their straying into residential areas. The Anukul Nath 1, Hilloljyoti Singha 2 & Abhijit Das 3 snakes were captured using hooked aluminum sticks and 1,2,3 Aaranyak, 50, Samanwoy Path, Survey, P.O. Beltola, Guwahati, Assam immediately transferred into 781028, India 1 Department of Wildlife Biology, A.V.C. College (Autonomous), cloth bags (after Whitaker Mannampandal, Tamilnadu 609305, India 1970). The length of the 2 Centre for Biodiversity & Natural Resources Conservation, Assam University, Silchar, Assam 788011, India snake, location & different Email: 1 anucool.nath5 @gmail.com, 2 [email protected] human habitations (inside (corresponding author), 3 [email protected] the house, in the courtyard or inside a shop), time and India is home to 275 species been reported, particularly date were noted. Species of snakes (Whitaker & Captain from western India, no such identification was done 2004) of which 102 species report hitherto existed from following Daniel (2002), have been so far recorded from northeastern India. Thus the Das (2002) and Whitaker & northeastern India (Ahmed present study was conducted Captain (2004). The snakes et al. 2009). Snakes have to record the incidence were released back to the adapted themselves to almost of rescued snakes in the nearest suitable habitat. We all kinds of landscapes from Bongaigaon Municipality Area categorized November to aquatic to the high altitudes of (BMA) with notes on natural February as winter season, the Himalayas including urban history. This is also a record March to June as pre- areas and a few species have of snakes in an urban area monsoon and July to October become human commensal. and a conservation initiative as monsoon season. Chi- With their presence being for snakes. square test was performed to almost everywhere, snakes find the significant difference are frequently found in human Materials and Methods between the number of non- habitations, both in villages Study Area: We rescued venomous and venomous and towns: leading to a snakes in the Bongaigaon snakes rescued, and to find serious human-snake conflict. Municipality Area (90028’– the difference in the number Besides, snakebite is a major 90050’E & 26015’–26030’N) in of snakes rescued in different medical hazard in India Bongaigaon District, western habitats and different and it has been estimated Assam. Though the area is seasons. that as many as 20,000 to totally urbanized, it is also 40,000 people die per year covered by mixed plantations Results from snake bites (Das 2002). as well as natural, moist We rescued 26 individuals Snakes have been used as a deciduous vegetation along belonging to three families, suitable model to investigate with a few patches of semi- seven genera and eight certain ecological questions evergreen forest types. species (Table 1). Out of (Shine & Bonnet 2000). It is Besides, there is Bagheswari these, Naja naja, N. kaouthia thus important to know the Hill and the Birjhora tea and Bungarus fasciatus cause of snake occurrence gardens in the eastern were venomous species. in human habitation with boundary of the town. It is Two Python bivittatus were additional information on inhabited by 60,550 people rescued. Among the rescued seasonal occurrence, micro- (2001 census). snakes, Xenochrophis piscator habitat preference and relative Methods: Snakes were was highest in number abundance. Although a few rescued during September (38.4%). Significantly more (Urfi 1999; Vyas 1987a,b; 2007 to May 2009 from non-venomous snakes were Urfi 2005) studies have different locations in BMA as rescued than venomous
9 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 Table 1. Rescued snake species in Bongaigaon Municipality Area (BMA) from September 2007 to May 2009.
Time of rescue No. of Avg. length ± Species Snakes SD (in cm) Day (0600– Night (1800– 1800 hr) 0600 hr) Boidae 1 Burmese Python Python bivittatus (Image 1) 2 108 ± 33.94 1 1 Colubridae 2 Common Wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus (Image 2) 4 50 ± 11.74 2 2 3 Copper-headed Trinket Snake Coelognathus radiatus (Image 3) 3 116 ± 65 3 0 4 Indian Rat Snake Ptyas mucosa (Image 4) 2 159 ± 43.13 1 0 5 Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator (Image 5) 10 91.2 ± 20.83 6 4 Elapidae 6 Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus (Image 6) 1 126 0 1 7 Spectacled Cobra Naja naja (Image 7) 3 69 ± 45.07 1 2 8 Monocled Cobra Naja kaouthia (Image 8) 1 120 0 1
© Abhijit Das and pre-monsoon seasons (χ2 = 6.32, df = 2, p < 0.05). The highest number of snakes rescued was in August (Fig. 1).
Discussion During the 20 months of the study period at least one snake was rescued per month. Though not surveyed, we found at least eight species of snakes in this urban area. Xenochrophis piscator is one of the commonest snakes in India (Daniel 2002; Das 2002), this was also found to be the most relatively abundant snake in BMA. It
Image 1. Burmese Python Python bivittatus 2 snakes (χ = 8.64, df = 1, p Image 2. Common Wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the number of snakes rescued at different human habitations (inside the house, courtyard and inside shops) (Table 2). Further more, the number of snakes rescued in the monsoons was significantly more than that of the winter
10
© Abhijit Das © Abhijit Das about 1m (see Table 1), these two pythons were young individuals, which suggests a breeding population of Python bivittatus might be present in and around Bongaigaon. The number of snakes rescued in the monsoons was significantly more because the majority of the species breed during this season, and usually come into contact with Image 3. Copper-headed Trinket Snake Coelognathus radiatus
was also reported as the Image 4. Indian Rat Sanke Ptyas mucosa second most common snake rescued from houses and city gardens in Amaravati © Abhijit Das District, Maharashtra (Nande & Deshmukh 2007). In a similar study, spanning 10 years in Amaravati District, including Melghat Tiger Reserve, Nande & Deshmukh (2007) rescued 32 species belonging to six families of snakes. They used to © Abhijit Das receive 20 phone calls per day from residents; however, in our case, because of less publicity, we did not receive so many phone calls. There might have been more snakes which went unnoticed in the process. The rescue of Python bivittatus (Schedule-I, Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972) in a district headquarters town is noteworthy; they might have come out from the nearby hills. One of them was rescued from a grocery shop early in the morning and the other was rescued from the Deputy Commissioner’s office. As their length was Image 5. Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator
11 © Abhijit Das cases, non-venomous snakes were found to be the victims in the human-snake conflict. Three harmless snakes (Common Wolf Snake, Copper- headed Trinket Snake, and Indian Rat Snake) had been killed (pers. obs.) before we reached the spot. Lack of awareness was the main reason for the killing. While rescuing the snakes, we also motivated people not to kill snakes instead to inform the concerned authorities, which seemed to create awareness during this period. We also rescued one Indian Rat Snake Image 6. Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus from a snake charmer, and
Image 7. Spectacled Cobra Naja naja Image 8. Monocled Cobra Naja kaouthia © Abhijit Das © Abhijit Das
humans. Snakes were found non-venomous species and subsequently the number of in close proximity to human one of venomous species snake charmers reduced. settlements irrespective were rescued from houses, of different microhabitats. initiating human-snake Seven individuals of four conflict very often. In most
12 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 Table 2. Number of snakes rescued from different human habitations in Urfi, A.J. (1999). The Bongaigaon Municipality Area from September 2007 to May 2009. snake conservation programme of Sundarvan Name of the Species Inside house Courtyard Inside Shop Nature Discovery Centre, Checkered Keelback 2 4 4 Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India): Common Wolf Snake 3 1 0 an evaluation. Zoos’ Print Copper-headed Trinket Snake 1 0 2 XIV(4):7–10. Urfi, A.J. (2005). Ecology Burmese Python 0 1 1 of snakes in an urban Indian Rat Snake 1 0 0 environment: an analysis of Spectacled Cobra 2 1 0 the data on snakes collected Monocled Cobra 0 1 0 by Sundrvan Nature Discovery Banded Krait 0 1 0 Centre, Ahmedabad. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 102(1): 44–49. Vyas, R. (1987). Snake 6 collection data from Bhavnagar City, Gujrat for 5 1984. Hamadryad 12(1): 3–4. 4 Vyas, R. (1987). A list of the snakes of Bhavanagar 3 District, Gujrat State. Journal of the Bombay Natural History 2 Society 84(1): 227–230. Number of snakes Whitaker, R & A. Captain 1 (2004). Snakes of India - The Field Guide. Draco 0 Books, Chengalpet, Tamil J F M A M J J A S O N D Nadu, India, 489pp. Months Figure 1. Number of snakes rescued at different months of years in Bongaigaon Municipality Area from September 2007 to May 2009. Acknowledgement We are thankful to Forest Department, Aie Valley Division, References Reptiles of India. New Holand Bongaigaon and Nature’s Publication, UK, 144pp. Foster (NGO) for their active Ahmed, F., A. Das & S.K. Nande, R. & S. Deshmukh cooperation. We would like to Dutta (2009). Amphibians (2007). Snakes of Amravati offer thanks to Biplab Choudhury, and Reptiles of northeast District including Melghat, Suman Debnath, Ayan Sarkar India - A Photographic Guide. Maharastra, with important and Surajit Saha, students Aaranyak, Guwahati, India, records of the Indian Egg- of Birjhora Mahavidyalaya, 169pp. Eater, Montane Trinket Snake Bongaigaon for their assistance Daniel, J.C. (2002). The and Indian Smooth Snake. during the rescues. We would Book of Indian Reptiles and Zoos’ Print Journal 22(12): also like to thank Sanjoy Amphibians. Bombay Natural 2920-2924. Sutradhar and S. Chandramouli History Society, Oxford Shine, R. & X. Bonnet (2000). for providing various study University Press, Bombay, Snakes: a new a ‘model materials and references during India, viii+238pp. organism’ in ecological manuscript preparation. Das, I. (2002). A Photographic research? Trends in ecology Guide to Snakes and other and Evolution 15: 221–222.
13 REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 Recent records of the Asian Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Giant Softshell Turtle Pelochelys Vietnam, Sumatra and Borneo (Das 2008). cantorii (Gray) (Chelonia: In India, the species is known mainly from Trionychidae) in northern Kerala, eastern coast in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil southern India Nadu and Kerala (Moll & Vijaya 1986; Das 1995; Vasudevan 2009). On the west coast Muhamed Jafer Palot 1 & of India, the species is known from Kerala, C. Radhakrishnan 2 in Thiruvananthapuram District (Nair & Badarudeen 1975), Kannur District (Palot 1,2 Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre, Kozhikode, Kerala 673006, India & Radhakrishnan 2002, 2004), Kozhikode 1 Email: [email protected] District (Palot 2003) and Malappuram District (Bijukumar 2004). Little is known about their The Asian Giant Softshell Turtle Pelochelys status and distribution, natural history, habits cantorii (Gray, 1864) (Trionychidae), is a little and breeding. known species from South and South-east In 2010, we made three additional records Asia. The turtle is characterized by its large of the species from northern Kerala. The size, which can reach 60–100 cm in total first specimen was caught at Azheekkal carapace length, and depressed shell, small (11091’20”N & 75031’95”E) on 6 August head and short snout. It occurs in a variety 2010. It was a half-grown individual, of habitats, including lakes, rivers, estuaries, measuring about 50cm in length. The seacoasts, and occasionally, in coastal marine turtle was caught from the sea mouth of waters. Azheekkal (Kannur District), the estuary of The species is known to occur in Bangladesh, Valapattannam and Kuppam rivers, by local Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, fishermen using fishing net. Subsequently,
Image1. A dead specimen of Pelochelys cantorii at Kolavipalam Beach, Kozhikode District, Kerala
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REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 it was released into the Valapattannam River. Pelochelys cantorii is currently a threatened The second specimen was recorded from the species on account of overexploitation for their marine waters of Kolavipalam (11056’54”N & flesh nda habitat destruction. It is listed in 75059’14”E), Kozhikode District, about 3km the Endangered category of the IUCN Redlist from the Kottapuzha estuary of the river (Asian Turtle Trade Working Group 2000) and Kuttiady on 20 September 2010 (Image 1). in Appendix II of the CITES. It is also listed in The specimen apparently got entangled in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) the gill nets (thirandi vala; Malayalam) laid Act, 1972. for catching Rays (thirandi; Malayalam) by local fishermen. The right hind limb of the References turtle was wounded and the cause of death was evidently due to the injury and drowning Asian Turtle Trade Working Group (2000). for long in the 5m deep fishing net. The Pelochelys cantorii. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red specimen appeared to be fully grown, about List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. 1m in length. The carapace was olive brown
15 Madras Crocodile Bank Trust CENTRE FOR HERPETOLOGY
Herpetological Conservation Research Fund
Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) and Centre for Herpetology (CFH) have been working towards the conservation of herpetofauna since their inception. MCBT/CFH and its associated centres, particularly the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Environmental Team (ANET) offer a wealth of possibilities for research and knowledge‐based conservation actions.
In its 35th year of operation, MCBT/CFH is proud to announce the initiation of an annual Herpetological Conservation Research Fund of Rs. 25,00,000. The primary aim of this Fund is to support and encourage new and exciting research on herpetofauna in India as well as innovative conservation actions. The Fund will also support long‐term research initiatives at MCBT/CFH and ANET.
Individuals, organisations and students may apply for grants for short‐term research and conservation projects as well as Masters and Ph.D. dissertation projects. Grant amounts will vary from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 for a period of up to one year.
Grant applications and instructions are available on the Madras Crocodile Bank website (www.madrascrocodilebank.org). Grant applications will be reviewed by MCBT/CFH's Research Advisory Board.
Grant applications should be submitted by October 31, 2011. For all queries regarding the grant process, contact:
[email protected] Ravi Chellam Director (Research and Conservation) Madras Crocodile Bank Trust / Centre for Herpetology
[email protected] Gowri Mallapur REPTILE RAP #13, September 2011 Asst. Director Madras Crocodile Bank Trust / Centre for Herpetology Madras Crocodile Bank Trust Centre for Herpetology Herpetological Conservation Research Fund
Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) and Centre for Herpetology (CFH) have been working towards the conservation of herpetofauna since their inception. MCBT/CFH and its associated centres, particularly the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Environmental Team (ANET) offer a wealth of possibilities for research and knowledge-based conservation actions. In its 35th year of operation, MCBT/CFH is proud to announce the initiation of an annual Herpetological Conservation Research Fund of 25,00,000. The primary aim of this Fund is to support and encourage new and exciting research on herpetofauna in India as well as innovative conservation actions. The Fund will also support long-term research initiatives at MCBT/CFH and ANET.
Individuals, organisations and students may apply for grants for short-term research and conservation projects as well as Masters and Ph.D. dissertation projects. Grant amounts will vary from 20,000 to 2,00,000 for a period of up to one year. Grant applications and instructions are available on the Madras Crocodile Bank website (www. madrascrocodilebank.org). Grant applications will be reviewed by MCBT/CFH’s Research Advisory Board. Grant applications should be submitted by October 31, 2011. For all queries regarding the grant process, contact: Ravi Chellam
and Protected Areas. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India, 177pp. REPTILE RAP OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD Acknowledgment Date of publication: 21 September 2011 The authors are grateful to ISSN: 2230-7079 (online) No. 13 | September 2011 the Director, Zoological Survey Editor: Sanjay Molur of India, Kolkota for facilities and Editorial Advisor: Sally Walker encouragements. Thanks are also due to Shri. C. Sunil Kumar, Chief Photographer, Mathrubhumi Daily, SARN Co-chairs: Sanjay Molur & S. Bhupathy Kannur and Shri. K. Vijayan, Theeram, Kolavipalam, Calicut REPTILE RAP is the Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile for sharing the photographs and Network (SARN). suport from the field.
REPTILE RAP is published by Zoo Outreach Organisation and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group South Asia as a service to the South Asian reptile conservation community as well as conservation actioners and enthusiasts at large. Reptile Rap is registered under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, which allows South Asian Reptile Network unrestricted use of articles in any c/o Zoo Outreach Organisation, medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by 9-A, Lal Bahadur Colony, PB 1683, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, providing adequate credit to the Tamil Nadu 641004, India authors and the source of publi- cation. Ph: +91 422 2561743, 2561087; Fax: +91 422 2563269 Email: [email protected] OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD
REPTILE RAP is available REPTILE RAP is available online at online at www.zoosprint.org www.zoosprint.org/Newsletters/ReptileRap.htm
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