A5029977188- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
University of Kelaniya
2011-2023
Institute of Archaeology
2021
Boston University
2004-2007
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
2004
Université Libre de Bruxelles
2004
Natural History Museum
2004
The apparent biotic affinities between the mainland and island in Western Ghats–Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot have been interpreted as result of frequent migrations during recent periods low sea level. We show, using molecular phylogenies two invertebrate four vertebrate groups, that interchange these areas has much more limited than hitherto assumed. Despite several extended land connection past 500,000 years, Sri maintained a fauna is largely distinct from Indian mainland. Future...
Based on a recent molecular phylogenetic study, the South Asian microhylid genus Uperodon (subfamily Microhylinae) currently comprises of 12 valid species that are largely restricted to India and Sri Lanka. Considering revised generic-level status its various members, here we review taxonomy all known in this clarify their nomenclatural geographical distribution, by integrating evidence from genetics, adult tadpole morphology, breeding ecology, bioacoustics. Our analyses mitochondrial 16S...
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The hump-nosed pit vipers of the genus Hypnale are substantial medical importance in Sri Lanka and India, being included among five snakes most frequently associated with life-threatening envenoming humans. has hitherto been considered to comprise three species: H. hypnale, common Western Ghats peninsular India; nepa walli, both which endemic Lanka. latter two species have confused literature. Here, through a review all extant name-bearing types genus, supplemented by examination preserved...
Phylogenetic relationships among foam-nesting clades of Old World tree frogs are analyzed using both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA data, with particular focus on Sri Lankan members the genus Polypedates. A distinctive, highly supported endemic clade is identified, recognized as a new genus, Taruga. This clade, which had previously been assigned to Polypedates, includes P. eques, fastigo longinasus. combination characters distinguishes adult Taruga from Polypedates: possess dorsolateral...
Abstract Direct development has evolved in rhacophorine frogs independently from other anuran lineages, thereby offering an opportunity to assess features associated with this derived life history. Using a developmental series of the direct‐developing Philautus silus (Ranidae: Rhacophorinae) Sri Lanka, we examine cranial morphology that are part suite adaptations facilitate feeding free‐living tadpoles, but have been changed or lost lineages. Larval‐specific upper jaw cartilages, which...
An extensive survey of amphibians in Sri Lanka, a 65,000 km2 continental island, has recently served to uncover ~100 new species amphibians, mostly Oriental shrub-frogs the endotrophic genus Philautus. Comparison specimens acquired course this with type and other historical collections have previously shown that 19 disappeared from island. The final two extinct species, Philautus pardus P. maia, known only made island prior 1876, are described herein as new. A contemporaneous account latter...
A new species of crocidurine shrew, Crocidura hikmiya, is described from the Sinharaja World Heritage Site, Sri Lanka. The diagnosed on basis both morphology and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Morphologically C. hikmiya distinguished miya, among other characters, by having a shorter tail, condyles protruding beyond margin braincase, posterior edge maxillary bone rounded (dorsal view), an occipital triangularly shaped with obtuse angle view) slightly flattened back; foramen magnum less deep...
Sri Lanka is an amphibian hotspot of global significance. Its anuran fauna dominated by the shrub frogs genus Pseudophilautus . Except for one small clade four species in Peninsular India, these cool-wet adapted frogs, numbering some 59 extant species, are distributed mainly across montane and lowland rain forests island. With described primarily morphological means, diversification has never yet been subjected to a molecular delimitation analysis, procedure now routinely applied taxonomy....
Two new species of Sri Lankan frogs the genus Philautus are described. Species diagnoses based on morphology, morphometrics and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. tanu sp. nov. inhabits shrubs in open areas lowland wet zone, while P. singu is found understory mid-elevation rainforests. These descriptions bring total number valid to 65 species, which 46 extant.
Two new species of Sri Lankan shrub frogs the genus Pseudophilautus are described. These diagnosed from their congeners on basis morphology, morphometrics and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. schneideri, species, is distinguished all by its small size (< 22.8 mm SVL), distinct tympanum supratympanic fold, sharp canthal edges, granular throat, chest belly, absence or presence a vomerine ridge. hankeni, diminutive 21.9 tympanum, rounded tuberculated outer edge lower arm, dermal fold foot,...
The bufonid genus Adenomus, an endemic of the montane and lowland rainforests central south-western Sri Lanka, has been considered to comprise three species, viz. A. kelaartii, dasi kandianus, last which recently highlighted as “the world’s rarest toad”. We conducted a survey across known range Adenomus used multiple criteria delineate species boundaries within genus. These include: molecular phylogeny based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene fragment; examination external morphology adults larvae,...
Context Lands without agricultural or urban use embedded within and regions now account for ~35% of Earth’s terrestrial extent. Although created by human disturbances, these ‘novel ecosystems’, usually poor in native flora often dominated alien species, do not require intervention their maintenance. Given large increasing area, however, ability to support – especially threatened faunas warrants investigation. With 20 species already extinct 47 its 91 extant assessed as Endangered Critically...
Ixalus semiruber Annandale, a diminutive (12-mm snout-vent length) frog originally described from the highlands of Sri Lankain 1913, has not been recorded in succeeding century and is treated as Data Deficient for conservation purposes. Here wereport its rediscovery Agra-Bopath, sub-montane forest reserve. Pseudophilautus distinguished by combina-tion following characters: size 12.0–13.4 mm SVL; canthal edges rounded; tympanum distinct; vomerine ridge absent;supratympanic fold feebly...
The monotypic genus Lankanectes, considered an evolutionary long branch with India’s Nyctibatrachus as its sister lineage, is represented by L. corrugatus, a species widely distributed within the wet zone of Sri Lanka up to 1500 m asl, where it inhabits variety lotic and lentic habitats. Here, following integrative taxonomic approach using DNA-based phylogenies, morphology, morphometry, ecological niche models, we describe new species—Lankanectes pera sp. nov. distinguished from mainly...
The vast majority of the world’s anurans feed terrestrially, with aquatic prey capture having been observed in only a handful species. We tested predation behaviour strictly ‘fanged’ frog Lankanectes corrugatus (Nyctibatrachidae) by providing specimens both and terrestrial feeding opportunities. frogs successfully captured underwater on land adjacent to water. During they located purely tactile stimuli rather than vision; were scooped into open mouth using hands. When however, relied visual...
The Ceylon Journal of Science is a peer-reviewed journal published quarterly by the University Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in March, June, September and December. It aimed at publishing high quality research articles on topics related to different disciplines Science. accepts original articles, book reviews, reviews mini-reviews, short communications, opinions, notes, commentaries notes. has its own website https://site.pdn.ac.lk/cjs/. strictly adheres publication ethics as emphasized Committee...