Dinesh Gabadage

• Researcher at Biodiversity Conservation Society, Sri Lanka

Chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), constitutes a major threat to many amphibian species worldwide. Predicting the species and regions of highest geographical risk is critical for the early detection and mitigation of chytrid emergence. In this study, using a niche modelling approach, the most conducive habitat for Bd...

Sri Lanka is a local hotspot for Cnemaspis day geckos with 40 currently known species with 100% endemism. In this paper, we evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Cnemaspis species belonging to the alwisi group of the podihuna clade and describe two additional new species of Cnemaspis from Sri Lanka; one from Galgiriya mountain, Kurunegala Dist...

Sri Lanka is considered one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. Although Sri Lanka has a rich diversity of bats, Kerivoula malpasi is the only bat that is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is represented by only five records. The other known species of Kerivoula in Sri Lanka, Kerivoula picta, is more widely distributed. This study maps the current a...

Bats perform critical ecosystem functions, including the pollination, seed dispersal, and regulation of invertebrate populations. Yet, bat populations are declining worldwide primarily due to habitat loss and other anthropogenic stressors. Thus, studies on bat ecology, particularly on environmental determinants of bat occupancy, are paramount to th...

Ecological responses of nocturnal predatory birds to forest cover and other geospatial predictors vary both geographically and taxonomically. Considerable knowledge gaps exist regarding the habitat associations of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth, a nocturnal bird restricted to Sri Lanka and the Indian Western Ghats. Via a 20-year island-wide survey, we sea...

Sri Lanka is a global biodiversity hotspot, and also harbour a unique and largely endemic assemblage of reptiles, especially agamid lizards. Twenty (90%) out of the 22 species in the island are endemic and nearly 68% of these are threatened with extinction. Several species are restricted to a single, small range (<100 km 2 ; i.e. micro-endemics). D...

We describe the presence of fourth molar teeth in the upper jaw of a subspecies (Macaca sinica aurifrons) of the endemic toque macaque of Sri Lanka. Compared to the first three molars, supernumerary ones were smaller by more than 50%, showed four cuspids in the crowns, and had three roots. This observation contributes to knowledge of orthodontic an...

This species is known from Kaduannawa in Kandy District, in Sri Lanka's Central Province, at 427 and 435 m asl. The broader Kadungannawa area has an area of 600 ha and an altitudinal range between 354 and 587 m asl. The species' closest relatives have type localities within around 40 km straight-line distance, suggesting that this species has a gen...

This species is known only from Keerthibandarapura, Walapane, Nuwara Eliya District, in Sri Lanka's Central Province, at elevations of 539 and 562 m asl. The Keerthibandarapura area covers an area of 900 ha and an altitudinal range of 500-750 m asl. It is thought unlikely to be more widespread than presently known, but this requires confirmation th...

This species is known only from Kumaradola, Maragalakanda, Monaragala District in Sri Lanka's Uva Province, at elevations of 421 to 437 m asl. The broader Maragalakanda area covers an area of 4,100 ha and an altitudinal range from 354 to 750 m asl.

This species is known only from granite caves in Bambarabotuwa, Opanayake, Ratnapura District, in Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa Province, where it has been collected at 445 and 458 m asl. Bambarabotuwa Forest Reserve covers an area of 3,500 ha and an altitudinal range of 380-850 m asl. It may be more widespread in forest in this protected area, but this...

A new day gecko of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 is described from the intermediate bioclimatic zone (Haputale Forest and Idalgashinna Forest in Badulla District) of Sri Lanka. The new species belongs to the Cnemaspis kandiana clade and was recorded from granite caves and abandoned buildings within forested areas. The region in which these habi...

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...

Three new day gecko species of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 are described from three isolated granite cave habitats with rock walls in Bambaragala (Ratnapura District), Dimbulagala (Polonnaruwa District), and Mandaramnuwara (Nuwara-Eliya District) in Sri Lanka based on morphometric and meristic characters. All of these new species are assigned...

The island of Sri Lanka is home to 21 species of draconid lizards including 19 (~90%) endemic species. Nearly 62% of these species are listed as threatened with 7 critically endangered, 5 endangered and 1 vulnerable, however this number may change as conservation status of four species described after 2012 are not assessed. A number of taxonomic re...

Jaffna peninsula is quite an unexplored area of Sri Lanka's lowland dry zone. We constructed a species checklist for all herpetofauna of this area based on a short-term field survey, a comprehensive literature review, museum specimens, and observations made by field herpetologists. Based on 200 × 10 m belt transects, we surveyed herpetofauna both d...

Sri Lanka’s location, historic and geologic isolation from the continental landmass, topography and climate act to shape its biogeography and biodiversity, including conferring a remarkably high level of endemism, given its close proximity to the mainland. The island hosts several ‘point endemic1 species and even monotypic endemic genera. However t...

The day geckos (Cnemaspis) are diminutive, slender-bodied geckos with crepuscular behavior. These geckos are mostly rupicolous with a few being arboreal and ground-dwelling. Most members of this genus have a cryptic morphology and coloration, which help in camouflage. Sri Lankan Cnemaspis clade has undergone much taxonomic revisions, where a number...

The island of Sri Lanka is home to 21 species of draconid lizards including 19 (~90%) endemic species. Nearly 62% of these species are listed as threatened with 7 critically endangered, 5 endangered and 1 vulnerable, however this number may change as conservation status of four species described after 2012 are not assessed. A number of taxonomic re...

Six new day gecko species of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 are described from geographically isolated forested hills (Bambarabotuwa, Kadugannawa, Kokagala, Kudumbigala, Maragala and Walapane) in Sri Lanka based on analyses of morphological and molecular traits. We provide an updated mtDNA-based genealogy of Sri Lankan Cnemaspis and provide furt...

A new species of Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 is described from Nilgala Savannah Forest in Sri Lanka. The new species is diagnosed from all other congeners by the following suite of characters: small body size (SVL< 33 mm), dorsal scales on trunk homogeneous, one pair of post mentals separated by a single small chin scale, ventral scales on trunk smooth...

Three new day gecko species of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 are described from three isolated granite cave habitats with rock walls in Bambaragala (Ratnapura District), Dimbulagala (Polonnaruwa District), and Mandaramnuwara (Nuwara-Eliya District) in Sri Lanka based on morphometric and meristic characters. All of these new species are assigned...

The Sri Lanka frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) is a small-sized nocturnal bird largely restricted to tropical lowland forests with thick undergrowth. The motionless roosting posture as well as their plumage coloration and color patterns (which resemble that of tree stems and branches) enable them to camouflage and thereby avoid predation. Throu...

The endemic Sri Lankan keelback (Balanophis ceylonensis) is a snake largely restricted to rainforests of the island. Based on an 11-years field survey covering 83 field sites and rescued specimens, we present an autecology of B. ceylonensis. We recorded 32 individuals of B. ceylonensis at 25 field sites. All snakes were found in 10 – 1000 m altitud...

Mammalian conservation in Sri Lanka has mostly focused in the protected area network which only covers >30% of the nation's land area. Bats are relatively mobile and their overall fitness depends on landscape-scale features, including habitat suitability both inside and outside protected areas. To study the bat communities outside Sri Lankan conser...

Distribution of Kerivoula hardwickii, Hardwicke’s Woolly Bat, in Sri Lanka is restricted to the central highlands and to the northeastern region of the country, and so far, only recorded from four distinct locations. In Sri Lanka, this species was last documented in the year 1994 and no subsequent surveys recorded this species in Sri Lanka, thus co...

In Sri Lanka, there are 31 species of bats distributed from lowlands to mountains. To document bat diversity and their habitat associations, 58 roosting sites in Maduru-Oya National Park periphery were surveyed. Fifteen bat species were recorded occupying 16 different roosting sites in this area. Among all the species recorded, Rhinolophusrouxii wa...

Biodiversity-rich tropical island of Sri Lanka is not isolated from ongoing global-scale biodiversity loss. Declining populations of native fauna and flora can be attributed to a plethora of human activities. Predominantly, such anthropogenic activities involve deforestation, invasive alien species, global environmental change, modifications in nat...

Distribution of Kerivoula hardwickii, Hardwicke's Woolly Bat, in Sri Lanka is restricted to the central highlands and to the northeastern region of the country, and so far, only recorded from four distinct locations. In Sri Lanka, this species was last documented in the year 1994 and no subsequent surveys recorded this species in Sri Lanka, thus co...

The tropical island nation of Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot with a high diversity and endemism of amphibians. The endemic, stream-dwelling Kandian torrent toad Adenomus kandianus is Critically Endangered and was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2012. The species is now known from two localities in tropical montane forests. We...

There are 30 species of Chiropterans inhabiting the tropical Indian Oceanic Island of Sri Lanka, many of which are nationally threatened. These 30 species consist of four Megachiropterans and 26 Microchiropterans. Interestingly, despites geographical isolation, Sri Lanka does not possess any endemic Chiropterans. There is a paucity of long-term stu...

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 Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) is the second largest lizard species in Sri Lanka, and is well adapted to living in a variety of terrestrial habitats. Varanus bengalensis is a diurnal generalist predator, but sometimes function as a scavenger. Given the ecological plasticity and generalist foraging strategy of V. bengalensis, its feeding e...

The Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) is the second largest lizard species in Sri Lanka, and is well adapted to living in a variety of terrestrial habitats. Varanus bengalensis is a diurnal generalist predator, but sometimes function as a scavenger. Given the ecological plasticity and generalist foraging strategy of V. bengalensis, its feeding e...

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...

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...

Jaffna peninsula is quite an unexplored area of Sri Lanka's lowland dryzone. We constructed a species checklist for all herpetofauna of this area based on, a short-term field survey, a comprehensive literature review, museum specimens, and observations made by field herpetologists. Based on 200 × 10 m belt transects, we surveyed herpetofauna both d...

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).

The endangered Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya Deraniyagala, 1949) is the only big cat species native to Sri Lanka, ranging from lowland to highlands. They are habitually poached for pelts and other body parts, including for medicinal use. In addition, due to habitat degradation human-leopard conflict has slowly risen throughout the past...

The endangered Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya Deraniyagala, 1949) is the only big cat species native to Sri Lanka, ranging from lowland to highlands. They are habitually poached for pelts and other body parts, including for medicinal use. In addition, due to habitat degradation human-leopard conflict has slowly risen throughout the past...

There are 52 species of freshwater crabs in Sri Lanka and 51 of them are endemic. There are several species that are known only from a single locality. Ceylonthelphusa armata is such a species, and we have initiated a study to record the distribution of this species as its typical locality is heavily polluted at Kadugannawa. At present C. armat...

We found a total of 102 food items that have been observed predated/consumed by Varanus salvator salvator in Sri Lanka. Among these, 86 (84.3%) were vertebrates, and 16 (15.7%) invertebrates. Vertebrate prey included four species of amphibians (3.9%), 18 species of reptiles (17.7%), 11 species of birds (10.8%), 24 species of mammals (23.5%) and 29...

There are 52 species of freshwater crabs in Sri Lanka and 51 of them are endemic. There are several species that are known only from a single locality. Ceylonthelphusa armata is such a species, and we have initiated a study to record the distribution of this species as its typical locality is heavily polluted at Kadugannawa. At present C. armata is...

A survey was randomly conducted in the marginal areas of Maduruoya National Park, Sri Lanka for a period of > 7 years. These study sites are located within the dry zone and the intermediate zone. The main vegetation type of the area is dry mixed evergreen forest. We recorded 196 bird species belonging to 66 families, and they included 161 breeding...

The survey was done randomly marginal areas of Maduruoya National Park for a period of more than seven years. These study sites are located within the dry zone and the intermediate zone. The main vegetation type of the area is dry mixed evergreen forest. We recorded 196 bird species belonging to 66 families: including 161 breeding residents, 25 pur...

Perbrinckia scansor is the only known tree-climbing freshwater crab among the 52 freshwater crab species of Sri Lanka. According to published literature, this endemic species was recorded in eleven localities (elevation range 150–960m a.s.l) in the Kalu, Walawe and Gin River basins and assessed as Least Concern, but again this species was categoris...

Perbrinckia scansor (Ng, 1995) is the only known tree-climbing freshwater crab among the 52 freshwater crab species of Sri Lanka. According to published literature, this endemic species was recorded in eleven localities (elevation range 150–960m a.s.l) in the Kalu, Walawe and Gin River basins and assessed as “Least Concern”, but again this species...

The terrapins and tortoises consist of over 330 species around the world, and are the most threatened reptiles. Sri Lanka is home to three species and two sub-species. One species and the two sub-species appear to form an endemic radiation: Lissemys ceylonensis, Melanochelys trijuga parkeri, Melanochelys trijuga thermalis, Geochelone elegans is wid...

Adenomus is an endemic genus of toads to Sri Lanka known from three species. Adenomus kandianus had been considered extinct until its recent rediscovery from the Peak Wilderness in 2012, after a lap of 136 years. Here we report the second existing population of Adenomus kandianus from lower part of the Pidurutalagala Forest Reserve, in central Sri...

Currently, 7 species were categorized as critically endangered, 5 endangered, 1 vulnerable, 2 near threatened, and 5 least concerned. More than 65% of the Sri Lankan draconids are listed in the National List of threatened species. A number of taxonomic revisions has taken place during the last decade resulting in changes in draconid systematic at s...

This Sinhala language book was published with the support of Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka; Forestry and Environmental Science Association, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka; Biodiversity Secretariat, Sri Lanka and the financial assistance by the Dilmah Conservation. It was aimed mainly at the school and university students. It describ...

A primary study was conducted to assess the impact of humans on crocodiles and vice versa along the Urubokka Oya / Maha Oya (oya = river) in Humbantota District, Sothern Province of Sri Lanka. This river provides good habitats with both rocky and muddy river banks and muddy shallow water. The river mainly flows through paddy cultivated lands and vi...

This paper describes probably the first ever study of butterflies in the Puttalam area, in the Northwestern coastal in Sri Lanka. This study was carried out over a period of one year and observations were made over 92 field days covering both the wet and dry seasons. We categorized five different habitat types within the home gardens. A variety of...

The present survey shows the biodiversity decline in Bellanwila -Attidiya Sanctuary (BAS). A total of 152 species of vertebrates and 75 species of butterflies are recorded from BAS. Sixteen of these species are endemic, and five of them are nationally threatened. Vertebrates represent 11 amphibians, 27 reptiles, 22 fresh water fishes, 78 birds and...

Acknowledgments: We sincerely thank Mohomed M. Bahir for comments; Colin McCarthy for measurements and photographs of Calotes liocephalus holotype; Rohan Pethiyagoda, Sudath Nanayakkara (WHT) for assistance and Kasun Benaragama & Kasun Ekanayake for photographs.

The island of Sri Lanka has a heritage of astonishing biodiversity of which comparatively little remains, restricted to small forest islands. Conservation efforts have been aided by many high-quality publications, while on the other hand inaccurate reports can present obstacles to effective efforts. Here we discuss inaccuracies in a report prepared...

Anew species of ranid frog, Limnonectes kirtisinghei, hitherto confused with and referred to L. greenii (in part), is described from Sri Lanka. Limnonectes kirtisinghei is distinguished from L. limnocharis (Gravenhorst, 1829) by the presence of uninterrupted dorsal ridges (vs. interrupted dorsal ridges) and from L. murthi (Pillai, 1979) by the abse...