W. G. M. Edirisinghe

• Palaeobiodiversity Diploma and Zooarchaeology Diploma
• Researcher at Wild Rescue Team, Sri Lanka and Bats Observations Team Sri Lanka

Symbology

History, Folklore, Extanal Characters, Behaviors, Habitats, Roosting Places, Distributions, Conservation

Culture and Animals

Bali yaga Shanthi Karmaya and Symbology

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...

Observations on population size at two large permanent roosting sites of R. rouxii from Hapitigama and Hapitigamkanda and a new site records for H. speoris from Hapitigama, Gampaha District, Western province, Sri Lanka

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 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...

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...

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...

Bats as understood by humans are unearthly creatures of the night. Therefore bats are one of the least popular species of animals in the world.

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...

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...

The lesser woolly horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus beddomei) is a forest dwelling species found throughout Sri Lanka, mostly restricted to old growth forest areas with small populations known, and listed as Vulnerable (VU) according to the National Red List. Two new forest roosting sites of this species were identified in the lowland wet zone within the...

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 large extent of habitats, most of the wildlife protected areas being found in the dry zone and also the rapid destruction of forest cover for development brings up a crucial need to explore and document the diversity of these less known dry zone habitats. A three month survey (February to April 2014) covering the entire area of the National Wil...

Phytophagous or fruit bats feed primarily on fruits, seeds, and flower buds. Some fruit bats also feed on flower nectar, a habit that affects pollination and plant dispersal. As a consequence of chiropteran nectarivory many commercially important plant species are known to be pollinated. Nectar is an important source of carbohydrates and water for...

Phytophagous or fruit bats feed primarily on fruits, seeds, and flower buds. Some fruit bats also feed on flower nectar, a habit that affects pollination and plant dispersal. As a consequence of chiropteran nectarivory many commercially important plant species are known to be pollinated. Nectar is an important source of carbohydrates and water for...

Due to two unique specializations - echolocation and flight, bats have become one of the most successful groups of extant mammals in the world. Pilikuttuwa rajamaha viharaya, an ancient meditation monastery complex is a one of best places for bats which gives protection in Sri Lanka. In the present study, we evaluate the species diversity and popul...

Sri Lanka is a critical area for global biodiversity conservation but rapid land–use changes endanger much of its fauna. Though understudied and under–estimated, bats are a critical component of Sri Lanka’s diversity. Comprising nearly one third of the overall terrestrial mammals of Sri Lanka, bats provide vital ecological and economic services. Sr...

Einleitung Die endemische Colubride Cercaspis carinatus ist in den Tiefland-und Submontanwäldern der Feucht-zone Sri Lankas verbreitet und kommt sowohl in natürlichen wie auch in vom Menschen veränderten Lebensräumen vor (Das & de Silva 2005). Es ist eine nachtaktive, terricole Schlange mit einer gewis-sen Neigung zum Klettern, welche sich während...

Duttaphrynus melanostictus and Polypedatus cruciger are common amphibians in Sri Lanka, being sympatric in many habitats, while P. cruciger is endemic to the island. This is the first published observation on an unusual mislead communication behavior on D. melanostictus and P. cruciger at a human habitat in Sri Lanka. Considering the field observat...