in Sri Lanka

The Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation Edited by Channa. N. B. Bambaradeniya

This pubiication has been prepared by the Worid Conservation Union in Sri Lanka with financia) assistance from the Roya! Nethertands Government. Printing of this pubiication has been made possibie by the Roya) Nethertands Government and the Protected Area Management and Wiidlife Conservation (PAM & WC) Project

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The designation of geographical entities in this report, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. This publication has been prepared by the World Conservation Union in Sri Lanka with financial assistance from the Royal Netherlands Government. Printing of this publication has been funded by the Royal Netherlands Government and the Protected Area Management and Wildlife Conservation Project. Published by:

The World Conservation Union (IUCN), Colombo, Sri Lanka Government of Sri Lanka.

!UCN

'heW oridConservationUnion

Copyright:

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A H Vw W t CAW 'A W tA T

@ 2006, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder.

Citation:

Bambaradeniya, C.N.B. (Editor), 2006. Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation. The World Conservation Union, Colombo, Sri Lanka & Government of Sri Lanka, viii + ЗОНрр

ISBN:

935-8177-51-2

Coverphotographs:

,S7e/?e//n /ong/w.Mn.T - @ Anouk Hangakoon /Vrjtwrypta рдгд/улгАТ - O Naalin Perera рягг/мл - O Gchan dc Silva Wijeratne

Produced by:

The World Conservation Union (IUCN), Sri Lanka

Printed by:

Karunaratne & Sons Ltd., 67, UDA Industrial Estate, Katuwana Rd, Homagama. Sri Lanka

Available from:

The World Conservation Union (IUCN), Sri Lanka 53, Horton Place. Colombo 7, Sri Lanka Biodiversity Secretariat Ministry of Environment. 104, 'Parisarapiyasa', Robert Gunawardane Mawatha. Battaramulla, Sri Lanka


Contents v

Message from the Country Representative of tUCN Sri Lanka Message from the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Dedication

YJU

jx

Acknowledgements Editorial Section 1: Status of Invertebrate Fauna in Sri Lanka

3

An Overview of the Taxonomic Status of Class Hexapoda (insccta) in Sri Lanka Anura Wijesekara Current Status and Future Directions in Bee Taxonomy in Sri Lanka W. A. I. P. Karunaratne and J. P. Edirisinghe

12

Current Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation of Dragonfly Fauna of Sri Lanka Matjaz Bedjanic

20

Current Status of Aphid Taxonomy in Sri Lanka Jayanthi P. Edirisinghe and M. A.P. Wijerathna

15

Current t axonomic Status of Ants (Hymenoptcra: Formicidac) in Sri Lanka R. K. Sriyani Dias

41

Species Richness, Distribution and Conservation Status oi Butterflies in Sri Lanka W. P. N. Perera and C.N.B. Bambaradeniya Taxonomic Status of Ticks in Sri Lanka P. R. M. P. Ditrukshi

65

Systematics and Conservation of Spiders in Sri Lanka: Current Status and Future Prospects Suresh P. Benjamin and Channa N. B. Bambaradeniya

7(1

Conservation of Sri Lankan Freshwater Crabs Mohomed M. Bahir & Rohan Pethiyagoda

22

f und Snails in Sri t anka

M

K 4 __Ran a w an a

Section 2: Status of Vertebrate Fauna in Sri Lanka

Mil

Conservation of Sri Lankan Freshwater Fishes Rohan Pethiyagoda

M il

Some Aspects of Ecology of Endemic Freshwater Fishes of Sri Lanka Upali S. Amarasinghe, R. R. A. R. Shirantha and M. J. S. Wijeyaratne

111

Sri Lankan Amphіbians^Diversity, Uniqueness and Conservation Rohan Pethiyagoda, Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, Mohomed M. Bahir and Madhava Meesaskumbura

125

Current Status of the Reptiles of Sri Lanka

114

A n s i c m d e S ilv a

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Avifauna! List of Sri Lanka Professor Sarath W. Kotagama, Rex !. De Sitva, Attmta S. Wijayasinha & Vathsata Abeygunawardane

164

Status of Waterfow! in Sri Lanka Dccpat Warakagoda and Udaya Sirivardana

204

Taxonomic Status of the Mammais of Sri Lanka D.K. Weerakoon and W. L. D P. T. S. de A. Goonatiiake

216

Eco!ogica! Traits of Endemic Smai) Mammais in Rainforests of Sri Lanka, and Their impiications for Conservation Mayuri R. Wijesinghe

232

The Eco!ogy of the Wiid Cats of Sri Lanka Sriyanie Mithdiapaia

235

Section 3: Status of Marine Fauna in Sri Lanka

257

Cora! Associated Invertebrates: An Overview of the Current Taxonomic Status Matik Fernando

259

Current Status of Taxonomy and Ecotogy of Marine MoHuscs in Sri Lanka Darshani de Sitva

274

The Taxonomy and Status of Offshore Birds (seabirds) of Sri Lanka S. W. Kotagama! and Rex I. De Sitva

2H8

Taxonomy and Status of the Sharks and Rays of Sri Lanka Rex !. De Sitva

294

Taxonomy and Current Status of Marine Mannnats in Sri Lanka A. D. Hangakoon

302

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Message from the Country Representative of IUCN Sri Lanka in the year 2004, after a lapse of neariy two decades, The Worid Conservation Union (iUCN), in coiiaboration with the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment organized a series of national workshops on the status of fauna in Sri Lanka. The intention of organizing these workshops was to upgrade and disseminate the knowiedge pertaining to taxonomy, ecology and research on the fauna of the isiand through presentations made by eminent scientists and naturaiists, based on recent research. Since a weaith of information was presented at these workshops, IUCN recognized the need to compile this valuable knowledge and information into a single comprehensive publication, which could be used by a variety of stakeholders, including policy makers, protected area managers, researchers, conservation biologists, environmentalists and students. Most of the scientists who presented papers at these national workshops came forward voluntarily to write up full papers on their research in relation to taxonomy, ecology and the conservation of fauna in Sri Lanka. Thus, this publication includes updated information on all groups of inland vertebrate fauna, selected groups of inland invertebrate fauna and selected groups of marine fauna. We wish to thank all the scientists and naturalists who contributed towards this publication and sincerely acknowledge the group of peer reviewers that included Sri Lankan and foreign scientists who assisted us to review each paper in order to enhance the technical quality of this publication. We sincerely hope that this publication would be used by various stakeholders for the conservation of fauna in Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Shirance E Yasaratne Country Representative The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka

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Message from the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka It is with great pieasure th a t! write this message for this comprehensive publication on the status of fauna in Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment. Being the government focal member, the Ministry of Environment has been actively involved in biodiversity conservation activities in collaboration with 1UCN - The World Conservation Union in Sri Lanka, during the past two decades. Such collaborations have resulted in several valuable outputs, including publications such as the 1999 Biodiversity Conservation Framework for Action, and several workshops to raise awareness and/or build capacity to conserve the rich biodiversity in the island. The Ministry decided to co-finance the printing of this publication through financial assistance from the ADB/CEE funded Protected Area Management and Wildlife Conservation Project, in order to disseminate it and provide information on the current status of fauna in Sri Lanka, among a wider group of stakeholders including researchers, students, teachers and policy makers. I am confident that this publication would contribute towards promoting research on the different groups of fauna in the island, and also be used to develop and implement relevant conservation policies. I wish to thank all the researchers who contributed with very interesting papers on the status of different groups of fauna, in order to make this publication a success.

Mr. JayalathR.W . Dissanayake Secretary Ministry of Environment Sri Lanka


Dedication This publication is dedicated to the memory of iate Prof. Felix Prashantha Amerasirtghe, a briiiiant research scientist and an exempiary university academic who contributed immensely towards the development of natural sciences in Sri Lanka. Although initially selected to enter medical college, Prof. Amerasinghe, in his youth, opted to pursue biological sciences as an undergraduate at the University of Ceylon. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, where he obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Zoology. Subsequently, he obtained a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Bristol. UK. He commenced his university teaching career in 1972 as an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, where he served for nearly three decades. In 1996, he was appointed Professor of Applied Zoology and between 1998 and 1999. held the position of Head of the Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Between 1990 and 1992, Prof. Amerasinghe also served as a Visiting Associate Professor at the Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, USA. He was a dedicated teacher who possessed unique teaching skills that encouraged and stimulated students to develop an interest in biology. As a research scientist, Prof. Amerasinghe specialised primarily in the field of Medical Entomology. He was very methodical and systematic in his research work, with extra-ordinary commitment to deliver scientifically objective and high quality outputs. During his research career spanning 35 years, he was able to publish more than 80 peer-reviewed papers in reputed national and international journals, and also present more than 50 papers at national, regional and international conferences. He believed in applied research that would benefit the country and the world at large. He made an invaluable contribution to the field of Medical Entomology, through his pioneering research work on mosquito ecology and taxonomy. The findings of his enduring research work enabled the government of Sri Lanka to design and implement effective malaria control programmes, especially in the Mahaweli irrigation systems. Apart front his primary research interests related to Medical Entomology, he also pursued an interest in the field of ecology and biodiversity as an ardent naturalist. Some of his unique research related to these fields include the study of food habits of the Sri Lankan Leopard, and description of the structure and identification of the hairs of the mammals of Sri Lanka. He supervised the research work of several undergraduate and postgraduate students in Sri Lanka, where his able guidance enabled them to complete their research successfully and pursue their careers in the field of biology. He always encouraged creative thinking amongst students, and promoted constructive criticism and positive approaches in designing and implementing research work. Prof. Amerasinghe held several professional affiliations, in national and international scientific bodies. A few that highlight his reputation and credibility as a scientist include being a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka, Fellow of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, Fellow of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, and Member of the Entomological Society of America. He also held chairmanship of committees and councils in several professional associations and national institutes in Sri Lanka. His expertise was regularly sought by many international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), where he was hired as an advisor on assignments related to vector control. Fie was invited to be one of the Lead Authors of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and was also a member of an international working group on a WHO/UNEP-commissioned project on Biodiversity and Human Health. He carried out several short-term consultancies in countries such as the Philippines, Pakistan. Thailand and India.


At the time of his unexpected demise, he held the position of Theme Leader overseeing the global research program related to the Water. Heaith and Environment Theme of the !ntcrnationat Water Management Institute (1WM1), a CGlAR-supportcd research institute with headquarters in Coiomho, Sri Lanka. During his six year tenure at 1WM1, he initiated a cohaborative partnership with The Worid Conservation Union through a unique project integrating biodiversity conservation aspects into an irrigation deveiopment scheme in Southern Sri Lanka. This was the first time in Sri Lanka where conservation concerns were addressed parade] to the implementation of a ktrgc-scate irrigation development and agricultural settlement scheme. Prof. Amerasinghe managed to introduce the concept of cco-agricuiture into this project. Prof. Amerasinghe received severa! national and international research awards and honours, for his unique research work. In 2001, he brought immense honour and glory to his motherland by being included in the First Edition of the "2000 OUTSTANDING SCIENTISTS OF THE 21ST CENTURY" published by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge. England. His untimely demise, which left a vacuum in the field of biological research in Sri Lanka, is an irreplaceable loss to the scientific community of the world.

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Acknowledgements The World Conservation Union gratefully acknowledges the scientists and naturalists who contributed their findings through scientific papers towards making this publication possible. The Union would also like to thank the following scientists who reviewed the papers in this publication for technical content: Dr. Panic la Rasmussen, Michigan State University Museum West Circle Drive, East Lansing, Ml, USA: Prof. Colin P. Groves, School of Archaeology & Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Dr. Indraneil Das, University of Sarawak Malaysia, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia; Mr. Sanjay Molur, Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, India; Prof, .layanthi Edirisinghe, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; Dr. Michael van der Poorten. Wariyapola, Sri Lanka; Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, Wildlife Heritage Trust, Sri Lanka; Mr. JerkerTamelander. Regional Marine Programme, Asia Regional Office, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka; Dr. Sriyanic Miththapala. IUCN - Asia Regional Office, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka and Dr. Channa Bambaradeniya. Regional Species Programme, IUCN - Asia Regional Office, Colombo 7 Sri Lanka. We would like to thank the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment for the continuous support rendered. The Protected Area Management and Wildlife Conservation (PAM & WC) Project, along with the Royal Netherlands Government are gratefully acknowledged for providing the financial support needed to print this document.

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Editorial Species Richness of Fauna in Sri Lanka: Current Status and f uture Prospects Taxonomic research on the fauna! groups of Sri Lanka has undergone a tremendous growth since the 1990s, initiated by a handfu! of Sri Lankan naturahsts and taxonomists. This has rcsuhcd in the discovery and scientific description of severa! new species of invertebrate and vertebrate fauna, tn particutar, the numbers of amphibian and freshwater crab species have increased considerahty, due to intensive scientific surveys of these groups. The number of amphibian species recognised by Kirtisinghe (] 957) has undergone a three-fo!d increase (102 species at present), as a result of the work earned out during the past decade by Dutta and Manamcndra-Arachchi (1996): Manamendra-Arachchi and Pcthiyagoda (199H); ManamcndraArachchi and Pethiyagoda (2005); Meegaskumbura and Manamendra-Arachchi (2005). Similarly, over the past 12 years, a surge in interest of research on Sri Lanka's freshwater crabs has resulted in the discovery of more than 40 new species (Ng, 1994, 1995a, b; Bahir. 1998. 1999; Ng and Tay, 2001; Bahir and Ng, 2005; Bahir and Yeo, 2005). It is interesting to note the discovery of new species even among popular groups of vertebrates such as birds (Warakagoda and Rasmussen, 2004) and mammals (Groves and Mcijaard. 2005), after a lapse of more than 100 years. It is also encouraging to note that a few researchers have begun to focus on lesser-known invertebrates such as insects, spiders and land snails in the island, leading to the discovery of new species (Karunaratne, 2004; Wijesinghe, 1991a, 1991b; Benjamin. 2000; Benjamin and .loeque, 2000; Benjamin, 2001; Naggs