HERPETO·FAU'NAL SURVEVOFTHE DEENSTON·NAVANAGALA NATURE TRAIL, THE KNUCKLES RANGE

Abstract

A survey of amphibians and reptiles was carried out along the "Deenston-NavanagalaNature Trail" on the eastern slopes of the Knuckles Range (elevation: 915-1906 m)during the June-Oct period of 2003. The objective was to identify the amphibians andreptiles species in their micro-habitats of the studies area. The survey is important as SriLanka is an amphibian biodiversity hot spot

The survey was done both during day and night using the 'long transect method'. 'Visiblerange' (weather-dependent) determined the transect width. The species were caught foridentification (using hand nets) and released.

12 amphibian species were recorded within three families. There were six endemic - allnationally threatened-including one in the endemic genus Lankanectus . Theirdistribution in the micro-habitat is:

Litter: 2 spp.• Puddles: 2 spp.• Stream banks: 3 spp.• Tree holes: I sp.• Trunks: 2 spp,Litter and bushes: I sp., Litter and underneath logs: 1 sp.

As for the reptiles the number of tetrapod species is 12 within three families. Out of 8endemic spceis 6 are nationally threatened.There were 17 serpentoid species within 4 families. Six are endemic and nationallythreatened. Their micro-habitat break down is:

Tetrapod reptiles:Litter: 2 spp.. Trunks: 1 spp.Cardamom & trunks I sp.• Litter & beneath rocks 1 sp.. Trunk & beneath rocks I sp.•Trunk and Bushes 2 sp., Trunk and Rocks 2 sp.

Serpentoid reptiles:Grasslands: 4 spp.• Litter: 5 spp., Log cavities; I sp., Puddles: 1 sp.,Sub persorial : 1 sp.• Tree holes: 1 sp.Grass and litter: I sp. Trunks.and bushes: 3 spp