ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1936-3947
Current Organisation
Trace Ecology
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Publisher: Magnolia Press
Date: 24-05-2017
DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.4269.4.4
Abstract: The amazing levels of freshwater bio ersity found in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States are among the highest recorded globally. Localized endemics make up much of this ersity, with numerous fish, freshwater mussels, salamanders and crayfish often being restricted to a single watershed, and in some instances, subwatersheds. Much of this ersity is the product of the processes of vicariance and historical stream drainage patterns. Herein, we describe three new crayfish species, all previously members of the Cambarus robustus complex, which occur in the Appalachian portion of the Kentucky and Licking river basins in Kentucky, USA. All three species differ from each other morphologically, genetically, and zoogeographically, fulfilling the requirements of the integrated species concept. Cambarus guenteri occurs in the southern tributaries of the Kentucky River mainstem as well as throughout the South Fork Kentucky River. Cambarus taylori is a narrow endemic, which only occurs in the Middle Fork Kentucky River. Cambarus hazardi, which has the widest distribution of the three new species, occurs in the North Fork Kentucky River, Red River, and upper reaches of the Licking River basin. Stream piracy events between the Cumberland and South Fork Kentucky River, as well as the Licking, Red and North Fork Kentucky rivers, are theorized to be important in the evolution of this complex. Cambarus guenteri is proposed as currently stable, though both C. taylori and C. hazardi are considered imperiled at this time due to habitat destruction throughout both of their respective ranges.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 09-01-2015
DOI: 10.3390/D7010003
Publisher: Humboldt Field Research Institute
Date: 10-06-2021
DOI: 10.1656/045.028.0213
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-08-2012
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-11-2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-07-2017
DOI: 10.1002/AQC.2792
Publisher: Herpetologists League
Date: 08-06-2021
Publisher: Western North American Naturalist
Date: 04-2011
DOI: 10.3398/064.071.0119
Publisher: Herpetologists League
Date: 12-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-06-2014
Publisher: Magnolia Press
Date: 17-01-2019
DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.4545.3.4
Abstract: 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, subimbricate, 17–19 scales across the belly. Subdigitals scansors smooth, entire, unnotched lamellae under digit IV of pes 17 –18. Males with femoral pores on each thigh but lacking precloacal pores. Median row of subcaudals smooth, subimbricate, enlarged and in an irregular series of subhexagonal scales. This new species had been previously confused with Cnemaspis alwisi Wickramasinghe & Munidradasa, 2007. The new species differs from Cnemaspis alwisi by having 122–129 ventral scales (versus 146–152), 7–8 supralabials (versus 8–10), and relatively shorter SVL ranging between 31.5–32.9 mm (versus 37.8–39.9 mm). Further, the new species is genetically ergent from Cnemaspis alwisi, the species that it closely resembles by 13.5% and 7.8% from its sister species in the ND2 gene. The present discovery highlights the need for dedicated herpetofaunal explorations in Sri Lanka, especially the intermediate bioclimatic zone and associated cave systems and rock outcrops.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 28-10-2016
DOI: 10.1017/S0030605316000594
Abstract: The tropical island nation of Sri Lanka is a bio ersity hotspot with a high ersity and endemism of hibians. 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 conducted a 4-year study using transect surveys and opportunistic excursions to assess habitat associations, demographics and abundance of A. kandianus in and around Pidurutalagala Conservation Forest. We recorded a mean of 44.25 post-metamorphs per year, with a density of 1 in idual per 100 m 2 , with occurrence within a narrow extent (c. 0.005 km 2 ) of the stream channel. Behaviour and microhabitat selection varied depending on sex and stage of maturity. The species preferred moderately sized montane streams with rocky substrates and woody debris, colder temperatures, and closed-canopy, intact riparian forests. We noted size-based reversed sexual dimorphism and a strong ontogenetic relationship between snout–vent length and body weight. Anthropogenic activities such as intensive crop farming deterred the species proximity to croplands had a negative influence on abundance. We recommend re-delineation of the boundary of Pidurutalagala Conservation Forest to incorporate the toad's habitat into the core of the reserve and thus limit the impacts of human activities. Conservation and management actions such as ex-situ breeding, population monitoring, and restoration of degraded habitats could also contribute towards the persistence of this toad. Our findings provide useful insights into ecological research on and conservation of range-restricted aquatic hibians.
Publisher: Pensoft Publishers
Date: 03-11-2020
DOI: 10.3897/NATURECONSERVATION.42.57283
Abstract: The illegal wildlife trade is considered one of the major threats to global bio ersity. Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ) have been highly valued by various cultures for use in religious and spiritual contexts, as a draft animal, and more recently, as a tourist attraction. Thus, the demand for captive elephants is high. Wild Asian elephants are taken from the wild, often illegally, to maintain these captive populations due to the unviability of captive breeding programs. For the first time, we documented the extent to which wild elephants are being illegally captured and traded in Sri Lanka between January 2008 and December 2018. We collected data from case records maintained by the Sri Lanka court system where the suspects of illegal elephant trade were prosecuted in addition to information gathered by archives and interviews with various stakeholders. We documented 55 cases where elephants were illegally traded. This is probably an underestimate due to the mortality rate of elephants during capture operations, and challenges in collecting data on this highly organized illicit trade. Nearly equal numbers of male and female elephants were traded and more than 50% of them were juveniles, aged ≤5 years. Significantly more elephants were found to be seized in 2014–2015 than in the other time periods combined. We found evidence of the illegal capture of wild elephants from wildlife protected areas and state forests. More importantly, we identified evidence of corruption of wildlife officers, involvement of politicians and other high-ranking personnel in the illegal wildlife trade, and lack of active enforcement of wildlife law as major challenges to overcome if the illegal capture and domestic trade of wild elephants in Sri Lanka are to be halted. Based on our study, we make a series of recommendations that should result in implementing policy to reduce the trafficking of Asian elephants in Sri Lanka and improve the conservation management of the species.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-08-2020
DOI: 10.3390/D12080315
Abstract: Bio ersity is vital for the stability of the planet its ecosystem services provide essential elements for our survival and well-being. This review analyzes the national bio ersity policies and describes the main strategies for bio ersity conservation in Ecuador, one of the “mega- erse” countries in the world with the highest species density. It deepens an analysis of in-situ and ex-situ conservation processes. Ecuador has six clear policies for bio ersity conservation. These policies strengthen bio ersity conservation through mechanisms that improve the well-being of wildlife by ensuring human, wildlife and ecosystem health. It promotes actions for the welfare of wildlife, through technical, administrative and legal tools. The National System of Protected Areas, with 60 protected areas, is the most effective in-situ conservation instrument at the country level. Several ex-situ conservation and management means for the conservation of wild species are being utilized, including nurseries, botanical gardens, zoos, germplasm banks, aquariums, species reproduction and rehabilitation centers. Ecuador is making slow progress on ex-situ conservation despite the availability of a sound policy framework, possibly due to financial, infrastructural, and/or technological challenges, and knowledge gaps. We propose fostering international research collaborations and establishing fully funded small-scale captive breeding programs at zoos, aquariums and university research facilities to help recovery of at-risk species of reptiles, hibians, fish and species beyond Galapagos region. We recommend utilizing citizen science programs to fill the gaps of bio ersity information and increasing efforts to revive the ex-situ conservation strategies in protecting the unique bio ersity of Ecuador.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2023
Publisher: Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre Oy (REABIC)
Date: 2016
Location: United States of America
No related grants have been discovered for Sujan Henk (Henkanaththegedara).