A. A. Thasun Amarasinghe

National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN): Government of Indonesia

Bronchocela celebensis Gray, 1845 is one of the rarest species of the genus, known only from less than 20 museum specimens collected from northern Sulawesi. It is often confused with its similar congener, B. cristatella, which occurs widely throughout the Indonesian Archipelago and Peninsular Malaysia, except on the Sulawesi mainland. Here, we exam...

Lankascincus fallax is an endemic, but widespread species of skink distributed throughout Sri Lanka, including all bioclimatic zones (elevations from 0 to 1,200 m a.s.l.). After thoroughly comparing morphology and morphometry between populations in different bioclimatic zones, we recognize it as a single morphospecies. We revise the systematics of...

Opportunistic observations of Erabu sea kraits (Laticauda semifaciata) provide evidence that this species undertake a novel foraging tactic; coordinated communal hunting. Erabu sea kraits prey on cryptic fish species in highly complex reef habitats. Intra- and interspecific cooperative hunting strategies may increase chances for all members of the...

Crocodile attacks on humans and subsequent retaliations are a pressing issue for saltwater crocodile conservation. As human-crocodile conflict is complex, integrating social and ecological information better explains the drivers and patterns of these interactions. Our study aims to incorporate ecological factors associated with the intensity of cro...

The Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus 1758 is a common shorebird in Eurasia and North Africa that breeds in a variety of habitats, exhibits different extents of migratory behaviour, and is an emerging model species of breeding system evolution. Here we focus on the resident population found across the southern tip of India and Sri Lan...

Species of the agamid genus Bronchocela Kaup, 1827 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are reassessed based on newly collected specimens from different parts of the Nicobar Archipelago. An assessment based on morphology and distribution of the identified groups reveal two new, unnamed populations, one allied to B. cristatella and the other allied to...

We reviewed the systematics of Lycodon striatus (Shaw, 1802), including all available name‐bearing types of its synonyms after evaluating phylogeographic (genetics), morphological (morphometry, meristic, and hemipenes), osteological and distribution evidence. Lycodon striatus sensu lato is widely distributed throughout South and Central Asia and mi...

Opportunistic observation of Erabu sea snakes ( Laticauda semifaciata ) provide evidence that these species undertake a novel foraging tactic; coordinated communal hunting. Erabu sea snakes prey on cryptic fish species in highly complex reef habitats. Intra- and interspecific cooperative hunting strategies may increase chances for all members of th...

Opportunistic observation of Erabu sea snakes (Laticauda semifaciata) provide evidence that these species undertake a novel foraging tactic; coordinated communal hunting. Erabu sea snakes prey on cryptic fish species in highly complex reef habitats. Intra- and interspecific cooperative hunting strategies may increase chances for all members of the...

The banded krait, Bungarusfasciatus is a widespread elapid snake, likely to comprise several distinct species in different geographic regions of Asia. Therefore, based on molecular phylogenetics and comparative morphology data, we present an overview of the systematic composition of the species to delimit potential biogeographic boundaries. Our phy...

Lankascincus dorsicatenatus is an endemic species of litter-skink distributed throughout the wet zone of Sri Lanka (elevations from 15 to 800 m a.s.l.). The recent resurrection of Lygosoma megalops by the recent description of its neotype designated by Batuwita (2019), presently lost, destabilized the taxonomic status of Lankascincus dorsicatenatus...

Based on phylogenetic and morphological characters, we revise the systematics of the natricid genus Fowlea in Sri Lanka, comprising two morphospecies. The taxonomy of the Sri Lankan populations has long been controversial, and one of the species has, for more than a decade, been listed as Xenochrophis cf. piscator. Although the Sri Lankan populatio...

Encounters between snakes and humans are one a common example of animal-human conflict, especially in urban areas. We evaluated the occurrence of snakes in the academic and administration facilities of the Universitas Indonesia (UI) using citizen science through a combination of surveys and public participation. The university premises accommodate...

Annandale (1906) described Lygosoma megalops, now in the genus Lankascincus, based on two syntypes collected from Kitulgala and Puttalam in Sri Lanka. These syntypes have not been recognized since the original description. In 2019, Batuwita designated a neotype, WHT 6545, for Ly. megalops from Kitulgala. The number WHT '6545' does not exist in the...

Bronchocela jubata Duméril and Bibron, 1837 is one of the commonest species of the genus, known mostly from Java Island and southern parts of Sumatra. It is rare in Bali and Borneo. The juveniles are often confused with its morphologically similar congener, B. cristatella, which occurs widely throughout the Indonesian Archipelago and Peninsular Mal...

The genus Cyrtodactylus has recently been classified phylogenetically into several clades, subclades, groups, and some into Sri Lankan Cyrtodactylus. Certain complexes from the Indian subcontinent have been assigned to the “C. triedrus group”. This group is comprised of medium-sized species (SVL 50.6–105.7 mm) and are composed of five major species...

Bronchocela hayeki (Müller, 1928) is one of the rarest species of the genus, known only from a handful of museum specimens from five locations in North Sumatra, and often confused with its similar congener, B. cristatella, which occurs widely throughout the Indonesian Archipelago and Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we examined the morphology of B. hayek...

Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Obi Island in the northern Moluccas, Indonesia. The new species is genetically and morphologically allied to the Melanesian species Cyrtodactylus papuensis but is distinguished by its larger body size, fewer midbody scale rows, deep precloacal groove i...

We review the taxonomic status of Oligodon arnensis (Shaw 1802) after examining all the name-bearing types of its synonyms, and evaluating morphological and biogeographic evidence. Oligodon arnensis sensu lato is widely distributed throughout Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. We demonstrate that southern, eastern...

We re-evaluate the taxonomic identities of five-lined skinks of the genus Eutropis (E. trivittata, E. beddomei, E. nagarjunensis, and E. bibronii) inhabiting the Indian subcontinent. Previously it has been considered that E. trivittata is distributed in the western India and E. dissimilis in the northern India (from north-eastern India up to Pakist...

ERRATUM :Amarasinghe, A.A.T., S. Karunarathna, M. Madawala, and A. de Silva (2021). Two new rupicolous day geckos of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Sri Lanka. Taprobanica, 10 (1): 23–38 + pls. 3–8.

We describe a large gecko of genus Hemidactylus from the southern face peneplain foothills of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. It closely resembles Hemidactylus hunae but is distinguished by adult males reaching 121.2 mm snout–vent length; presence of 11 or 12 supralabials at the midorbit position; dorsal scalation of homogeneous granules interm...

This recently-described species is known only from Udamaliboda, and from the Lihinihela, Borangamuwa and Warnagala areas of Samanala Nature Reserve, all in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. It has been recorded from 435 to 634 m asl. It has not been found in surveys of surrounding areas.

We examined the holotype of Euprepes innotatus Blanford, 1870 which was presented to the Natural History Museum, London (NHMUK) by Blanford himself, and is redescribed herein. Based on the morphological similarity, we placed Eutropis innotata within the E. carinata group (contra Blanford, 1870), as it is closely allied to E. dissimilis and E. carin...

We review the taxonomic status of Oligodon waandersi sensu lato after examining all the name-bearing types (including synonyms) and morphological evidence. Oligodon waandersi sensu stricto is widely distributed (up to 1200 m above sea level) throughout the southern, some parts of the central, and the northern slopes of Central Sulawesi Island, Indo...

We investigated diminutive day geckos of the genus Cnemaspis in Sri Lanka, and based on morphological evidence, two populations belonging to the C. alwisi group within the C. podihuna clade are described. Both populations are morphologically closely allied to C. hitihamii, but can be clearly distinguished based on a combination of morphological cha...

We report on the results of a survey of the herpetofauna of West Bali National Park (Taman Nasional Bali Barat in Indonesian, hereafter TNBB) that was carried out in 2015. The survey also included other taxa and the motivation for it was to identify a species or group of species that could be used as indicators of management success for Protected A...

We reassessed the systematic position of the ranid frog Hylorana (=Hylarana) nicobariensis that, owing to its uncertain phylogenetic position and lack of clear morphological characterisation, has lately been allocated to various Asian and African frog genera such as Rana, Sylvirana, Hylarana, Amnirana, and most recently to Indosylvirana. Based on a...

We reassessed the systematic position of the ranid frog Hylorana (=Hylarana) nicobariensis that, owing to its uncertain phylogenetic position and lack of clear morphological characterisation, has lately been allocated to various Asian and African frog genera such as Rana, Sylvirana, Hylarana, Amnirana, and most recently to Indosylvirana. Based on a...

Lankascincus gansi has been considered as a widespread single species, distributed in the wet bioclimatic zone of Sri Lanka (alt. below 1,100 m a.s.l.). After a thorough comparison of morphology and morphometry, we recognised two distinct populations from (i) high-elevations (1,000 m a.s.l.) of the Rakwana Hills and (ii) the south western lowland w...

We examined the syntype series of Eutropis rudis (6 specimens) collected from Sumatra and Borneo, currently deposited at the Natural History Museum, London. We observed that the type series is composed of two species. In order to stabilize application of the name, we designate a lectotype for E. rudis from Sumatra. Mabuya lewisi, described based on...

The Modigliani’s nose-horned lizard, Harpesaurus modiglianii Vinciguerra, 1933, is one of the rarest lizards in the world, known only from its single type specimen collected in 1891, from North Sumatra, Indonesia. During explorations of the forests surrounding Lake Toba and its caldera, we discovered a population of H. modiglianii at an elevation o...

We examined the holotype of Eutropis tytleri and one of the syntypes of E. andamanensis collected from the Andaman Islands, currently deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Information on taxonomy, morphology, distribution, behaviour and natural history of these two poorly-known, insular endemic skinks are presented here based on indivi...

We examined the syntype series of Eutropis rudis (6 specimens) collected from Sumatra and Borneo, currently deposited at the Natural History Museum, London, and it was observed that the type series is composed of two species. In order to stabilize application of the name, we designate a lectotype for E. rudis from Sumatra. Mabuya lewisi, described...

Examination of the Dendrelaphis bifrenalis populations on Sri Lanka showed that there are two populations that are morphologically different from each other. One population is distributed only in the wet zone forests (hereafter treated as wet zone population), while the other population occurs widely in the dry zone and intermediate zones (hereafte...

We redescribe the poorly-known peninsular India endemic colubrid snake Lycodon travancoricus based on its traceable syntype. We elaborate on the geographic range of the species and reveal its distribution in several disjunct hill ranges scattered across its range-the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats and the Central Indian Highlands. Discussions abo...

We investigated diminutive day geckos of the genus Cnemaspis in Sri Lanka, and based on morphological evidence, a new species belonging to the C. podihuna complex is described herein. The new species occurs in lowland wetzone (alt. 50 m a.s.l.) forests and adjacent human habitations which have a dense tree cover in Gampaha District, near Colombo, t...

Liopeltis calamaria, a rare non-venomous colubrid snake of South Asia, is redescribed. Its syntypes and all the available type specimens of its recognized synonyms are examined, including information about the respective populations found across India and Sri Lanka. Our literature compilation and mapping analyses reveal three distinct populations-(...

A new bent-toed gecko species of the genus Cyrtodactylus is described herein from West Bali National Park on the island of Bali, Indonesia. The Cyrtodactylus from Bali have been recognized as C. fumosus for nearly a century. However, recent detailed examination of the type material of C. fumosus has revealed that Balinese Cyrtodactylus represent at...

In September 2019, the IUCN/CI Biodiversity Assessment Unit held a workshop to complete IUCN Red List assessments for 169 species of snakes and lizards of the 230 currently (September 2019) described reptile species known from Sri Lanka, as part of the Global Reptile Assessment. Additionally, a preliminary Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) assessment was...

This study presents a systematic revision of South Asian members of the taxonomically challenging genus Microhyla Tschudi, 1838. Species relationships and diagnostic characters are determined by integrating molecular, morphological, and acoustic approaches, through which we also recognize six groups of closely related species. In addition, a new sp...

The tricarinate skink Scincus multifasciatus was described by Kuhl in 1820, without the subsequent designation of a type specimen or specific type locality. In 1930, Mertens assigned the type locality as Java, Indonesia, but still with no type specimen. Therefore, in order to stabilize the name with a recognized type specimen, we designate a neotyp...

Terrapins are integral to many freshwater ecosystems, yet are imperilled at a global scale. In Sri Lanka, terrapins are understudied; thus, much of their natural history and distribution status remain unknown. Such paucity of studies impedes conservation. In this study, 79 freshwater habitats located outside the protected area network of south‐west...

The Asian water monitor Varanus salvator is one of the largest species of lizard in the world and is widespread on the island of Sri Lanka. In the present study, we conducted a 7-month survey within a 5-km stretch in the urbanised Attanagalu-Oya river area to study habitat associations, mesohabitat use and behaviour of V. salvator in urban landscap...

Eutropis rugifera has long been identified as a widespread species complex distributed in Nicobar, Peninsular Malaysia, Greater Sundaic Islands, Bali, Sulawesi and the Philippines. This skink was described by Stoliczka in 1870 from Nicobar Island based on a single specimen (holotype by monotypy). Later, Peters (1871), Bartlett (1895) and Werner (18...

Turtles are integral to freshwater and wetland ecosystem functions as herbivores, carnivores, and scavengers in food webs. Turtles have extensive home ranges and utilize numerous aquatic and woodland habitats to satisfy different life-history requirements; therefore, “fortress conservation” is inadequate in turtle conservation. We investigated popu...

We investigated diminutive day geckos (SVL < 40 mm) of the genus Cnemaspis (Cnemaspis kandiana Group) from mainland Sumatra and islands along its western margin (Nias, Siberut, Pagai, and Enggano). The assemblage includes several species based on morphological evidence, five of which we describe as new. The new species occur in the Sumatran provinc...

Gonatodes kandianus var. tropidogaster was described by Boulenger (1885) with only “Ceylon” (=Sri Lanka) as its locality. This taxon was later assigned to the genus Cnemaspis and then recorded from many different parts of the country. Misleading taxonomic publications and muddled nomenclatural issues has since rendered its taxonomic position unclea...

Tiliqua bibronii was described by J.E. Gray in December, 1838 based on two syntypes (MNHN-RA 2940, 7076), but the details for locality was missing. These syntypes are currently housed at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France (MNHN-RA). The same species (based on the same type specimens) was described by A.M.C. Duméril & G. Bibron...

The number of species in the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 has grown rapidly, and it currently comprises more than 100 species (Grismer et al. 2014; Amarasinghe et al. 2015). The Sri Lankan endemic and vulnerable day-gecko Cnemaspis podihuna Deraniyagala, 1944 (Ministry of the Environment 2012) was first described by Deraniyagala from the Lahugala-...

Euprepes beddomei was described by Jerdon (1870) from “Mysore” (Karnataka State, India). Simultaneously, Euprepes (Tiliqua) septemlineatus, which is morphologically similar to E. beddomei, was described by Blanford (1870) based on a single specimen collected from the Ganga River Valley, Southeast Berar, Madhya Pradesh, India. Smith (1935) synonymis...

The colubrid snake species Pseudorabdion torquatum is resurrected from the synonymy of P. longiceps. Out of the three syntypes, only two were located and examined at Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, France (MNHN-RA). Pseudorabdion torquatum differs from P. longiceps in having a larger SVL (227.0 mm vs. 132.0-193.0 mm in males); higher n...

We reassessed the taxonomic status of an Asian genus of arboreal bufonids, Pedostibes, based on examination of preserved material of the two species currently attributed to this genus. Analysis of their morphological, morphometric, and geographic distribution data revealed that Pedostibes tuberculosus, the type species of this genus from the Wester...

FIGURE 3. Habitat of Cnemaspis tropidogaster at Pilikuttuwa, Gampaha District, Sri Lanka (a) forest foot path; (b) caves and rock boulders; (c) egg-nesting habitat with an adult female (not collected; Photo: W. M. S. Botejue)

FIGURE 4. Current distribution pattern of Cnemaspis tropidogaster, with other lowland (wet and intermediate zones) and central highland Cnemaspis species. Type locality of each species marked with black dot centrally.

FIGURE 1. Cnemaspis tropidogaster male NMSL 5159, (a) dorsal head; (b) lateral head; (c) ventral head; (d) dorsal body; (e) ventral body; (f) subdigital lamellae on hind limb; (g) lateral body; (h) ventral tail and pelvic area.

FIGURE 2. Cnemaspis tropidogaster lectotype male (BMNH 71.12.14.49), (a) dorsal head; (b) lateral head; (c) ventral head; (d) dorsal body; (e) ventral body; (f) toes and subdigital lamellae; (g); lateral body (h) ventral tail base and pelvic area (photo courtesy of BMNH).

We describe a new species of the genus Rabdion based on morphological evidence. The new species, Rabdion grovesi sp. nov., is restricted to South Sulawesi, whereas Rabdion forsteni is widely distributed on the rest of Sulawesi (Indonesia). Rabdion grovesi sp. nov. differs from R. forsteni by having a broader, shallower, and rounded rostral (vs. nar...

-

We describe a new species of the genus Rabdion based on morphological evidence. The new species, Rabdion grovesi sp. nov., is restricted to South Sulawesi, whereas Rabdion forsteni is widely distributed on the rest of Sulawesi (Indonesia). Rabdion grovesi sp. nov. differs from R. forsteni by having a broader, shallower, and rounded rostral (vs. nar...