Volume 9-14 (2020-26)

v10i1246v10i1.246
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.246

Submitted date: 17 November 2020
Accepted date: 3 May 2021
Published date: 27 May 2021
Pp. 39–46, pl. 9.

FIRST RECORD OF Pareas vindumi VOGEL, 2015 (REPTILIA: PAREIDAE) FROM CHINA WITH A REVISION TO MORPHOLOGY

Jian-Huan Yang*, Ho Yuen Yeung, Xiang-Yuan Huang & Shen-Pin Yang
*Corresponding author. E-mail: jhyang@kfbg.org

Abstract
We report the first record of the poorly known slug-eating snake, Pareas vindumi from China: a female specimen collected from Dazhuba ranger station, Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, Tengchong city, Yunnan Province. The newly collected specimen represents only the second known specimen of the species and provides the first and valuable data on its morphological variation. Based on the new specimen, we revise the diagnostic characteristics of the species and provide additional data on its natural history and conservation status.

Key words : molecular taxonomy, morphological variation, new record, Pareinae, slug-eating snake

Section Editor: Gernot Vogel
v10i1245v10i1.245
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.245

Submitted date: 18 February 2021
Accepted date: 10 May 2021
Published date: 27 May 2021
Pp. 23–38, pls. 3–8.

TWO NEW RUPICOLOUS DAY GECKOS OF THE Cnemaspis alwisi GROUP (REPTILIA: GEKKONIDAE) FROM SRI LANKA

A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe*, Suranjan Karunarathna, Majintha Madawala & Anslem de Silva
*Corresponding author. E-mail: thasun.amarasinghe@ui.ac.id

Abstract
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 characters, hence named here as two new species. The two new species occur respectively in (i) lowland dryzone (alt. 385 m a.s.l.) forests which have a dense tree cover in Ritigala Nature Reserve, Anuradhapura District and (ii) lowland wetzone (alt. 50 m a.s.l.) forests and adjacent human habitations which have a dense tree cover in Gampaha District, near Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. We also update the available key for these and previously recognized species from Sri Lanka, based on collected material and literature.

Key words : Colombo, Cnemaspis hitihamii, Ritigala Nature Reserve, urban biodiversity, taxonomy

Section Editor: S.R. Chandramouli
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
v10i1244v10i1.244
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.244

Submitted date: 15 March 2021
Accepted date: 10 May 2021
Published date: 27 May 2021
Pp. 4–22, pls. 1–2.

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Tylototriton (AMPHIBIA, CAUDATA, SALAMANDRIDAE) FROM CENTRAL VIETNAM

Nikolay A. Poyarkov*, Tan Van Nguyen & Dmitriy V. Arkhipov
*Corresponding author. E-mail: n.poyarkov@gmail.com

Abstract
We describe a new species of the genus Tylototriton from Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, Nghe An Province, in the northern part of Central Vietnam, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species was previously confused with T. vietnamensis from northern Vietnam and T. notialis from Laos. The new species can be distinguished from T. notialis by the absence of orange coloration on posterior end of parotids (vs presence); an indistinct brown coloration on rib nodules (vs bright orange); a broader and slightly rounded head (vs narrower and angular); comparatively shorter limbs (vs longer); slightly fewer number, smaller size and irregular arrangement of rib nodules (vs larger rib nodules arranged in two dorsolateral series). Phylogenetic analysis of the ND2 and 16S rRNA mtDNA genes confirmed the placement of the new species to Clade I of the subgenus Yaotriton, and suggests it is a sister species of T. notialis (p-distance 3.0% in ND2 gene). The range of the new species is restricted to the Pu Hoat Mountain Range and is isolated from the range of T. notialis, which inhabits Northern Annamites (Truong Son) Mountains by the valley of the Ca River, an important biogeographic barrier. The new species is currently known only from the montane forests of Pu Hoat Nature Reserve (at elevations from 700 to 1000 m a.s.l.). We suggest the new species be classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

Key words : Tylototriton thaiorum sp. nov., mtDNA genealogy, Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, Ca River

Section Editor: Thasun Amarasinghe
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
v10i1243v10i1.243
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i1.243

Published date: 27 May 2021
Pp. 1–3

EDITORIAL : Covid-19, biodiversity conservation and welfare of wild animals partially under human control

Vincent Nijman
Section Editor: Taprobanica, the journal of Asian Biodiversity

It would feel wrong if I did not start this editorial with Covid-19 and its impact on biodiversity conservation in the broadest sense. There is no doubt that little will have had as much impact on biodiversity conservation throughout Asia as the Covid-19 pandemic. National and regional lockdowns, a shutdown of international travel, trade restrictions, temporary shutdowns of wet markets as well as live animal markets, closures of zoos and animal parks, closures of national parks to tourists, restriction of budgets for conservation agencies, etc.
v9i2242v9i2.242
ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v9i2.242

Submitted date: 05 March 2020
Accepted date: 31 October 2020
Published date: 28 November 2020
Pp. 244–247.

The tallest canopy and the highest carbon stock for a forest stand in Sri Lanka

S.P. Ekanayake* & R.H.S.S. Fernando
*Corresponding author. E-mail: sekanayake@gmail.com

The height of the canopy of a forest has been noted as an important structural parameter in characterizing particular forest types in Sri Lanka. However, only limited studies have been carried out on the carbon stocks of different natural forest types, which is also an important structural parameter of forests. As per the scientific literature mentioned above, the tallest canopy forests are wet zone lowland rain forests in the south western part of the country. The forests are dominated by trees of the family Dipterocarpaceae and reach a maximum canopy height of 45 m. A preliminary botanical survey conducted in the hitherto unexplored Udakeeruwa forest in the eastern intermediate zone climatic zone, in Badulla district, revealed an unusually tall canopy of a natural forest patch dominated by dipterocarp trees.

Section Editor: Gbadamassi G.O. Dossa
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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