THE STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF REPTILES IN THE WESTERN GHATS, INDIA AND DISTRIBUTION OF REPTILES IN THE WESTERN GHATS, THE STATUS REPTILES IN THE WESTERN GHATS, INDIA Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) C. Srinivasulu, B. Srinivasulu and S. Molur (Compilers) Supported by THE STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF REPTILES IN THE WESTERN GHATS, INDIA Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) C. Srinivasulu, B. Srinivasulu and S. Molur (Compilers) i The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or other participating organizations, concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or other participating organizations. Published by: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society Copyright: © 2014 Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Red List logo: © 2008 Citation: C. Srinivsaulu, B. Srinivasulu and S. Molur (Compilers). 2014. The Status and Distribution of Reptiles in the Western Ghats, India. Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP). Wildlife Information Laision Development Society, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. ISBN: 978-81-88722-40-2 Cover design: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society Cover photo: © N.S. Achyuthan. Naja naja All photographs used in this publication remain the property of the original copyright holder (see individual captions for details). Photographs should not be reproduced or used in other contexts without written permission from the copyright holder. Layout by: Zoo Outreach Organization Produced by: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society Available from: Wildlife Information Laision Development Society, 96 Kumudham Nagar, Vilankurichi Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Tel: +91 422 2665450, Fax: +91 422 2665472, Email: [email protected], [email protected] ii Contents Acknowledgements.........................................................................................................................................................................v Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................................................................................vii 1. Chapter 1. Background...............................................................................................................................................................................1 1.1 The Western Ghats and peninsular India..............................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Studies on reptilian diveristy of Western Ghats and peninsular India...........................................................................................1 1.3 Reptilian diveristy and endemism in Western Ghats and peninsular India......................................................................................2 1.4. Threats to terrestrial biodiversity.............................................................................................................................................................3 1.5. Species threatened status........................................................................................................................................................................4 1.6 Conservation status.................................................................................................................................................................................4 1.7 Objectives of the assessment..................................................................................................................................................................4 1.8 Assessment methodology.......................................................................................................................................................................5 1.8.1 Data collation and quality control.................................................................................... .........................................................5 1.8.2 Species mapping............................................................................................................................................................................5 1.8.3 Assessment of species threatend status......................................................................................................................................5 1.8.4 Nomenclature....................................................................................................................................................6 1.8.5 Review workshop.........................................................................................................................................................................6 1.8.6 Post-workshop follow-up...........................................................................................................................................................6 2. Chapter 2. Results........................................................................................................................................................................................9 2.1 Conservation status.................................................................................................................................................................................9 2.2 Threats to reptilian fauna.......................................................................................................................................................................12 2.3 Conservation actions and recommendations......................................................................................... ...........................................13 2.4 Spatial distribution of Western Ghats endemic reptiles ...................................................................................................................14 2.4.1 Species richness..........................................................................................................................................................................14 2.4.2 Distribution of endemic species ...............................................................................................................................................15 2.4.3 Distribution of threatened species...........................................................................................................................................16 2.4.4 Distribution of Data Deficient species....................................................................................................................................17 3. Western Ghats Endemic Reptile Species Point Localities.............................................................................................................23 4. Species Accounts - Western Ghats (Endemics) .....................................................................................................................................49 Agamidae ................................................................................................................................................................................................................49 Boidae ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Colubridae.............................................................................................................................................................................................................52 Elapidae.......................................................................................................................................................................................57 Gekkonidae.........................................................................................................................................................................................57 Gerrhopilidae....................................................................................................................................................................................................66 Natricidae...........................................................................................................................................................................................................67 Scincidae.....................................................................................................................................................................................................68 Typhlopidae..................................................................................................................................................................................................................74