Science Research Reporter, 4(2):167-170, (Oct. - 2014) © RUT Printer and Publisher (http://jsrr.net) ISSN: 2249-2321 (Print); ISSN: 2249-7846 (Online) Received: 22-06-2014, Revised: 25-07-2014, Accepted: 09-08-2014e

Full Length Article

A review of ophidian studies in region (M.S.)

Joshi PS1, Tantarpale VT2 and KM Kulkarni3

1Research Student, Dept. of Zoology, Jijamata Mahavidyalaya, Buldhana (M.S.) India 2Associate Professor, P. G. Dept. of Zoology, Vidya-Bharti Mahavidyalaya, Amravati (M.S.) India 3Former Director of Higher Education, Government of , Pune (M.S.) India Former Vice- Chancellor, S. R. T. M University, Nanded (M.S.) India

ABSTRACT Through literature survey and current knowledge on the ophidian fauna, this paper deals with a review of ophidian studies in the Vidarbha Region (M.S.) India. A complete bibliography with respect to ophidian taxonomy, distribution, range extension, status reports and conservation is listed. These studies cleared that thirty five ophidian species belonging to six families were common in Vidarbha region in which Colubridae family contributes more number of species.

Key word: Ophidian fauna, Vidarbha Region, Bibliography, Overview.

INTRODUCTION Amravati University Campus. Captain et al. (2005) The biological diversity of the earth and its was reported Elaschitodon westermanni from origins has long been a source of amazement and Wardha district which is adjacent to Amravati curiosity. Vidarbha is one of the most diversified District. Nande and Deshmukh (2007) recorded 32 Regions in Maharashtra State of India, with respect species from Amravati district including Melghat. to biodiversity. Its healthy climate, mountainous Harney et al. (2009) and Harney (2011) reported 17 terrain, rugged configuration and sudden fall in ophidian species from Bhadravati of District elevation are phenomenal and have received Chandrapur. Joshi (2009) studied the diversity and notable interest that provides favourable population dynamics of reported 24 species of environment for ophidian fauna (Joshi and snakes in Yavatmal district. A preliminary survey of Tantarpale, 2014). Joshi (2011) reveals occurrence of 22 ophidian Studies on ophidian fauna of Vidarbha species in Buldhana District. Narayanan (2012) Region comparatively better than amphibian and gave record of Indian Egg Eater Snake Elaschitodon fishes but has not equaled the progress made on westermanni from the localities of Shegaon, Dist. birds and mammalian fauna. Literature survey Buldhana. Uke et al. (2013) studied eco-diversity, shows that a few naturalists and scientists have distribution and conservation strategy of attempted to study this ophidian fauna. The first Amphiesma stolatum in city. Recently Joshi appreciable study was carried out by D’Abreu et al. (2013 a) studied the Ecology and behaviour of (1928), he made a comprehensive collection of Coelognathus helena montecolaris. Joshi et al. snakes for the Central museum, Nagpur, which (2013 b) studied Sexual dimorphism in provides information on reptiles of Vidarbha in Xenochrophis piscator in Buldhana District. Gore general and Amravati in particular. and Joshi (2013) studied the dicephalic Naja naja The scattered but detailed information from Washim District. Joshi and Tantarpale (2014) about ophidian fauna of Vidarbha Region is studied diversity and population dynamics of 33 available in some of the mention studies. Wadatkar ophidian species in Buldhana District of Vidarbha (2003) documented 12 ophidian species from Region (M.S.) India.

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Table 1. Systematic list of Ophidian species reported from Vidarbha Region (M.S.) India Sr.No. Taxa* Common Name* Type* Status # Family: Typhlopidae 1. Grypotyphlops acutus (Dumeril and Bibron, 1844) Beaked worm snake NV Frequent 2. Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) Common worm snake NV Common Family: Pythonidae 3. Python molurus molurus (Linnaeus, 1758) Indian rock python NV Occasional Family: Boidae 4. Gongylophis conicus (Schneider, 1801) Common sand boa NV Frequent 5. Eryx johnii (Russell, 1801) Red sand boa NV Rare Family: Colubridae 6. Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacepede, 1789) Common vine snake SV Occasional 7. Amphiesma stolatum (Linnaeus, 1758) Striped keelback NV Frequent 8. Argyrogena fasciolata (Shaw, 1802) Banded racer NV Abundant 9. Boiga forsteni (Dumeril, 1854) Forsten’s cat snake SV Uncommon 10. Boiga trigonata (Bechstein, 1802) Indian cat snake SV Abundant 11. Coelognathus helena helena (Daudin, 1803) Common trinket snake NV Abundant 12. Coelognathus helena monticollaris (Schulz, 1992) Montane trinket snake NV Occasional 13. Coronella branchyura (Gunther, 1866) Indian smooth snake NV Occasional 14. Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin, 1803) Bronzback tree snake NV Frequent 15. Elachistodon westermanni (Reinhardt, 1863) Indian egg eater SV Rare 16. Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) Common wolf snake NV Abundant 17. Lycodon flavomaculatus (Wall, 1907) Yellow spotted wolf snake NV Common 18. Lycodon striatus (Shaw, 1802) Barred wolf snake NV Abundant 19. Macropisthodon plumbicolour (Cantor, 1839) Green keelback NV Common 20. Oligodon arnesis (Shaw, 1802) Common kukri snake NV Abundant 21. Oligodon taeniolatus (Jerdon, 1853) Russell’s kukri snake NV Occasional 22. Psammophis condanarus (Merrem, 1820) Condanarus sand snake SV Frequent 23. Psammophis leithii (Gunther, 1869) Leith’s sand snake SV Occasional 24. Psammophis longifrons (Boulenger, 1897) Stout sand snake SV Occasional 25. Ptyas mucosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Indian rat snake NV Abundant 26. Sibynophis subpunctatus (Dumeril, 1854) Black headed snake NV Occasional 27. Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider, 1799) Checkered keelback NV Abundant Family: Elapidae 28. Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider, 1801) Common krait V Common 29. Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801) Banded krait V Rare 30. Bungarus sindanus walli (Wall, 1908) Wall’s sind krait V Rare 31. Calliophis melanurus (Shaw, 1802) Slender coral snake V Rare 32. Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758) India spectacled cobra V Abundant Family: Viperidae 33. Daboia russelii (Shaw and Nodder, 1797) Russell’s viper V Abundant 34. Echis carinatus (Schneider, 1801) Saw-scaled viper V Frequent 35. Trimeresurus gramineus (Shaw, 1802) Green pit viper V Rare * According to Whitaker and Captain (2008) / # Summary of Review Type: NV- Non-Venomous; SV- Semi- venomous; V- Venomous

http://jsrr.net 168 ISSN: 2249-7846 (Online) Science Research Reporter, 4(2):167-170, (Oct. - 2014) ISSN: 2249-2321(Print) Conservation and protected areas few pockets and habitats in the Region required Vidarbha region has lush green deciduous extensive exploration. forests with large protected areas which are home to variety of flora and fauna. It has approximately REFERENCES 37,251 km2 forest cover. Vidarbha has many Captain A, F Tillack, A Gumprechet and P popular wildlife sanctuaries and parks viz. Melghat Dandage, 2005. First record of Elachistodon in Amravti, Amba-barwa and Nalganga in Buldhana, westermanni from Wardha District of Maharashtra, Tadoba-Andhari in Chandrapur, Nagzira and India. Russian J. Herp. 12 (2): 323-324 Navegaon Bandh in , etc. These Protected D’Abreu AE, 1928. Records of the Nagpur museum Area networks are managed by Forest departments No.VI. A list of reptiles of the Central Province. with the prime objectives to conserve entire Government Press, Nagpur. 1-13 biodiversity of Region. But it raises a question; Gore AM and PS Joshi, 2013. Record of dicephalic whether the present management practices really Naja naja (Lin.1758) from Washim District (M.S.) supports the conservation of entire biodiversity? It India. NCEIOR 2013- J. Aqua. Biol. 114-115. does not because the present management Harney NV, Sitre SR, Wadhave NS and PN Nasare, practices and plans of protected areas focus only 2009. Biodiversity of snake during monsoon on mega wildlife projects. The different wildlife and months in Bhadrawati tahsil of Chandrapur district, forest conservation acts also provides legislative Maharashtra. J. of Ecol. and Fish., 2(2): 103-106. protection to biodiversity. Harney NV, 2011. Studies on snakes of Bhadravati, Present status and threats to ophidian fauna District Chandrapur (M.S.) India. Online Intern. Snakes are part of our ecosystems and they Interd. Res. J. 1(1): 12-17. play a vital role in pest-control. Along with that, Joshi P, 2009, Studies on the diversity and they form a vital part of the food chain as a prey as populattion dynamics of snakes in Yavatmal district well as a predator. These important animals are of Maharashtra, India. Bios. Biot. Res. Com. 2 (1): always threatened by anthropogenic and 99-105. environmental factors. The diverse habitats of the Joshi PS, 2011. A preliminary survey on snake of Vidarbha Region are rapidly changing due to new Buldhana District, Maharashtra. Gold. Res. Tho. irrigation projects and industrialization. Forest 1(2): 73-74. areas are being de-notified for implementing Joshi PS and VT Tantarpale, 2014. Diversity and development projects such as mining, industry, population dynamics of ophidian fauna from communication and tourism. This has resulted in Buldhana District, Maharashtra (India), Thesis alternating climate as well shrinkage, Submitted to S. G. B. Amravati University, fragmentation, degradation and destruction of Amaravati. 260 pp. natural habitats. Road accidental killing on Joshi PS, Tantarpale SA, Tantarpale VT and KM highways across wildlife refuges are an intrusion Kulkarni, 2013 a. Ecology and behaviour of and affect the wildlife and its habitats adversely. Coelognathus Helena montecolaris (Schulz 1992) Misconceptions and fear about snakes are also from Buldhana District (M.S.) India. NCEIOR 2013- J. threatening this important creature of the Aqua. Biol. 24-25. ecosystem. Joshi PS, Tantarpale VT and KM Kulkarni, 2013 b. Species account Sexual dimorphism in Xenochrophis piscator The literature survey shows that total 35 (Schneider 1799). AILSPF- 244-246. ophidian species belonging to six families have Nande R and S Deshnukh, 2007. Snakes of Amravti been reported from Vidarbha Region (M.S.) India district including melghat, Maharshtra. With (Table 1). These families are namely Typhlopidae (2 important record of the Indian egg-eater, Montane Species), Pythonidae (1 Species), Boidae (2 trinket snake and Indian smooth snake. Zoos Print Species), Colubridae (22 Species), Elapidae (5 J. 22(2): 2920-2974. Species) and Viperidae (3 Species). Out of these Narayanan A, 2012. Records of Indian Egg Eater thirty five ophidian species, 8 species are Snake Elaschitodon westermanni in the localities of venomous, 7 species are semi venomous, and (20) Shegaon, Maharashtra, India. Reptiles Rap. 14 (6): species are non-venomous. There are, in future, 09-12. chances of more species being reported because

http://jsrr.net 169 ISSN: 2249-7846 (Online) Joshi et al., Uke SB, Shende VA and KG Patil, 2013. Eco- Wadatkar JS, 2003. Herpetofauna of the Amravati diversity, distribution and conservation strategy of university campus. Maharashtra. Zoos Print J. Amphiesma stolatum in Nagpur city. Asian J. Biol. 19(2): 1381-1382. and Biotech. 2 (2) 212:001-005. Whitaker R and A Captain, 2004. Snakes of India. The Field Guide. Draco Books. Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu. xiv+479 pp, pls, text-figs.

How to Cite this Article: Joshi PS, Tantarpale VT and KM Kulkarni, 2014. A review of ophidian studies in Vidarbha region (M.S.) India. Science Research Reporter, 4(2):167-170.

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