DISTRIBUTION OF AMPHIBIANS IN THE ISOLATED FOREST PATCHES AND OTHER HABITATSOF THE HANTANA RANGE, PERADENIYA

Abstract

Sri Lanka is blessed with a diverse amphibian fauna, and the island harbors 54 recordedamphibian species.

Five major habitat types namely Grasslands, Natural isolated forest patches, Riverinevegetaion, Pinus plantations, and abandoned tea land in the Hantana range was surveyedfor six months from June 2003 to November 2003. Day and night-time survey wascarried out to locate amphibian and to record their microhabitats. Line transect was usedin the field and hand nets were used to catch the amphibians. Species identification wasdone in the field used standard guides and photographs of amphibians were takenwhenever necessary.

Seventeen amphibian species (3l:Yo of the total) including ten endemics were recordedfrom the five sites during the survey. Highest number of species (13) was recorded fromthe Riverine vegetaion. Natural isolated forest patches held the second highest number ofspecies (10). The number of species in the Riverine vegetation represents 24% of the totalnumber present in the country. Phi/autus fergusonianus, Rhacophorus macropus,Rhacophorous reticulatus, Rhacophorous cavirostris, and Microhyla ornate wererecorded for first time in the site.

Hantana Range and the University land are subjected to severe degradation due to humanactivities. The natural forests have reduced to a greater extent due to the illegal felling,and the grasslands and Pinus plantations are subjected to annual fires. Many sites wereidentified with severe human interruption due to hiking and other re-creative activitiesand other domestic usages. Therefore, the most amphibian species found in the regionare heavily threatened.