Volume 9-14 (2020-26)

v11i2286v11i2.286
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v11i2.286

Submitted date: 9 March 2022
Accepted date: 29 October 2022
Published date: 22 November 2022
Pp. 97–98.

First record of spottedsail barb (Pethia phutunio) from Maharashtra, India

G.A. Shinde*, B.S. Devare & K.R. Tayade
*Corresponding author. E-mail: gauravshinde22@gmail.com

Fishes of the cyprinid genus Pethia are diagnosed from other cyprinid genera by a suite of characters that includes small adult size (usually less than 50 mm standard length (SL), exceptionally up to 80 mm SL), absence of rostral barbels, absence or rudimentary maxillary barbels, last unbranched dorsal-fin ray stiff and serrated, 3 to 4 unbranched and 8 branched dorsal-fin rays, 3 unbranched and 5 branched anal-fin rays, lateral line complete, interrupted or incomplete with 19–24 scales in lateral series, and a unique color pattern consisting of a humeral spot, a black blotch on the caudal peduncle, and in some species, black blotches, spots or bars on the body. Pethia are distributed throughout South and Southeast Asia, from Sri Lanka and peninsular India in the west, to Myanmar in the east.

Section Editor: Upali S. Amarasinghe
v11i2285v11i2.285
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v11i2.285

Submitted date: 14 May 2022
Accepted date: 29 October 2022
Published date: 22 November 2022
Pp. 94–96, Pl. 31.

Migration of crimson rose butterfly (Pachliopta hector) from India to Sri Lanka

P.K. Dissanayake*, P. Vinod, S. Vinod, H.S.B. Wijesinghe, R.W.D.L Kumara, H.M.D.S. Subhashana & R. Gamage
*Corresponding author. E-mail: kapila@agri.sab.ac.lk

Migrations of butterflies are common phenomena, yet they are one of the greatest natural events on earth. The migration of monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus (L.) is a spectacular event that has received great attention in northern America. They travel 1,200–2,800 miles from the northeast United States and southeast Canada to the mountain forests of central Mexico, where they find suitable climatic conditions to hibernate from the beginning of November to mid-March. This swarming occurs primarily across North American land mass, so does not cross the sea. Although migration appears to be widespread among butterflies, its prevalence, and migration behaviours, are poorly understood.

Section Editor: Himesh D. Jayasinghe
v11i2284v11i2.284
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v11i2.284

Submitted date: 30 May 2022
Accepted date: 25 October 2022
Published date: 22 November 2022
Pp. 84–93, pls. 23–30.

THE SNAKE FAUNA OF LAOS WITH NEW PROVINCIAL RECORDS

Nathanaël Maury, Patrick David* & Somchit Sudavanh
*Corresponding author. E-mail: patrick.david@mnhn.fr

Abstract
We add seventeen new provincial records for fifteen snake species of Laos with precise localities and elevations. These new records result from 45 independent surveys conducted at different times between the years 2016 and 2021 in all Laotian provinces except Attapu. In all field trips, we took a series of photographs that allowed us to prepare high-resolution photographic plates that then allowed us to identify all individuals down to species level. No specimen was killed and preserved. Here we provide the list of all new localities of snakes photographed during our surveys. We discuss potential systematic problems and the biogeographic implications of these new provincial records.

Key words : Distribution, Indochinese Region, geography, Southeast Asia, Sundaland, taxonomy

Section Editor: Thasun Amarasinghe
v11i2283v11i2.283
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v11i2.283

Submitted date: 22 August 2022
Accepted date: 11 November 2022
Published date: 22 November 2022
Pp. 54–83, pls. 15–22.

A REVIEW OF THE COMPLEX OF Trimeresurus hageni (LIDTH DE JEUDE, 1886) (SQUAMATA: VIPERIDAE) WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW INSULAR SPECIES FROM INDONESIA

Gernot Vogel*, Patrick David & Irvan Sidik
*Corresponding author. E-mail: Gernot.Vogel@t-online.de

Abstract
Variations in morphological characters were investigated among 124 specimens covering the whole range of the large, Indo-Malayan pitviper complex of species currently known as Trimeresurus hageni (Lidth de Jeude, 1886). Herein, we redefine T. hageni and discuss and confirm the validities of its description and name-bearing type; the lectotype is redescribed. Morphological analyses show that at least four taxa, distinct at species level, are currently confused under the combination T. hageni. As a consequence, three new insular species are described, from Nias Island, Siberut Island, and Simeulue Island. All these three new species differ from T. hageni sensu stricto by a combination of differences in scalation and pattern. T. hageni sensu stricto inhabits Sumatra and Bangka Island, as well as West Malaysia, Singapore and southern Thailand. The new species are compared with T. sumatranus and T. gunaleni, also present on Sumatra.

Key words : Great Sunda, Nias, Siberut, Simeulue, Sumatra, Trimeresurus sumatranus, West Malaysia

Section Editor: Thasun Amarasinghe
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
v11i2282v11i2.282
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v11i2.282

Published date: 22 November 2022
Pp. 47–53

EDITORIAL : The how and why of scientific naming: What’s in a name?

Michael S. Engel
Section Editor: Taprobanica, the journal of Asian Biodiversity

Quite a lot, actually. Names organize and give meaning to our world. They give us identity and allow us to communicate clearly and efficiently. In the context of scientific names for living and fossil organisms, they link data from around the globe into a synthetic framework from which we can make powerful predictions and effective strategies: everything from governmental policies and next-generation medicines to the origins of diversity and its responses to climate change. These, and many other reasons, are the why, but how is equally important. Unlike folk taxonomies, which are rich in cultural tradition and applicable only at local scales, scientific nomenclature must abide specific rules to remain effective globally, unbounded by the vagaries of local customs. These names must also transcend time so that data from past and future generations can be meaningfully synergized for their greatest benefit. Not surprisingly, to achieve such lofty goals, an entire form of information science is needed, one complete with its own terminology and pragmatic rules. The how of scientific naming is as vital as the why, for to fail at the first means catastrophe for the fundamental reasons of the latter. Imagine bad practices for the scientific naming of drugs or diseases and the tsunami of disastrous impacts that would follow. Now imagine the same if we failed at communicating about disease-transmitting mosquitos or poisonous mushrooms. Scientific names have life-sustaining importance and we cannot be cavalier about taxonomic science and formalized nomenclature.
Hubungi Kami
The ultimate aim of the journal is to provide an effective medium for communication of the latest and best scientific information.
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