Herpetofaunal Diversity in Dothalugala Man and Biosphere Reserve, of the Knuckles Forest Range, Sri Lanka

D. R. N. S. Rajapaksha, V. A. M. P. K. Samarawickrama, K. B. Ranawana

Abstract


The Knuckles Forest Range (KFR) is distinct morphological unit of the central highland of Sri Lanka. A survey was carried out using 10 × 10 m plots in two major habitats, namely Montane forest (MF, >1300 m a.s.l.) and Sub montane (600 – 1300 m a.s.l.) forests (SMF) in the Dothalugala MAB reserve in the Knuckles Forest Range in order to evaluate its herpetofaunal diversity. Distribution and abundance of amphibians and reptiles in their microhabitats were recorded during the study. A total of 30 species in 18 genera in 7 families were encountered during the study. This includes two unidentified amphibians as well. Among herpetofauna endemic and threatened Ceretophora tenenntii (Leaf Nosed Lizard) and Nannophrys marmorata (Kirtisinghe’s Rock Frog) are restricted to KFR. Of these 14 species were amphibians and 16 were reptiles. Comparison of herpetofaunal diversity among two forest habitats showed that SMF habitats supported higher diversity for amphibians. According to Shannon index (HI) amphibian diversity in SMF was 1.05 whereas low diversity was recorded from the MF for amphibians (H’ = 0.40). Shannon evenness for SMF was 0.42 while this value for MF was 0.21 for amphibians. Reptiles also showed a similar pattern of diversity where Shannon Index for MF was 0.5 while the SMF recorded higher value (1.29). Shannon evenness for reptiles in the MF was 0.26 and for the SMF was 0.49. Reasons for high diversity in SMF is mainly due to the availability of number of microhabitats including man modified habitats that are favorable for amphibian and reptiles. Low diversity of MF may be due to canopy opening resulting exposure of the forest floor to high temperature and winds. Due to this reason species loose their habitats and are subjected to predation. Findings of this study could be used baseline information for future research works.

Keywords


Knuckles forest range; Dothalugala Man and Biosphere Reserve; diversity; diversity indices; montane; sub-montane

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2006-13-2-120-134

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