svnp report final

7/29/2019 SVNP Report Final

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Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department

An Interim Report of the

Amphibians and Reptiles of

Silent Valley National Park

Submitted to

The Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department

Anil Zachariah, Ansil B.R., Robin Abraham, David Raju,

Sandeep Das, Umesh P.K. and Vivek Philip


2/18

An Interim Report of the

Amphibians and Reptiles of

Silent Valley National Park

Anil Zachariah

Ansil B.R.

Robin Abraham

David V. Raju

Sandeep DasUmesh P.K.

Vivek Philip Cyriac

2011-2012

Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department


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Introduction

India having a rich diversity of life forms and complex network of

ecosystems is one of the 12 mega diversity countries in the world. Around 91,200

species of animals and 45,500 species of plants have been documented (WII,2009), making India one of the top 10 species rich countries in the world. The high

degree of endemism concentrated in four regions- Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma,

Western Ghats & Sri Lanka and the Sundaland, have led to the consideration of

these regions as Biodiversity Hotspots. In spite of this diversity, these regions still

remain largely unexplored and lack proper documentation.

The Western Ghats with its unique topography and wide range of biotopes

such as forests, grasslands, wetlands etc not only supports a high diversity of

plants, but also support a large diversity of animals that are unique to the region.

However, the herpetofauna of the Western Ghats still remains poorly documented

when compared to other higher vertebrates.

The Silent Valley National Park, nestled in the western slopes of the Nilgiri

hills supports a great diversity of flora and fauna. The floral diversity includes

Abstract:

The Silent Valley National Park is located on the western slope of the Nilgiri Hills of

Palakkad District of Kerala. The Unique topography and vegetation of the National

Park is known to support a high diversity of flora and Fauna. However, the diversity ofamphibians and reptiles of the park remain poorly documented. Two surveys were

conducted between the year 2011 and 2012. The survey recorded a total of 42 species

of amphibians and 54 species of reptiles. The areal also shows a high degree of

endemic species with about 88% of amphibians and 54% of reptiles being Western

Ghat endemic. The park also supports several species that are considered to be

threatened by extinction. Around 32% of amphibians and 20% of reptiles which inhabit

the park are categorised as Threatened species by the IUCN. The survey also revealed

the presence of a few new, undescribed species of amphibians and reptiles. The resultsof the survey reveal a high diversity of amphibians and reptiles which provides yet

another reason to protect and conserve the National Park


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about 1000 species of flowering plants, 107 species of orchids, 100 ferns and fern

allies, 200 liverworts, 75 lichens and about 200 algae. Of these plants a respectable

majority are endemic to the Western Ghats. The avian diversity of the Park is

represented by 211 species. The park is also known to support a high diversity of

mammals which includes around 30 species. However, the herpetofaunal diversityof the area still remains poorly documented and information regarding the

amphibians and reptiles of the park remain scanty. This prompted us to conduct

two surveys between the year 2011 and 2012, in order to assess the diversity and

status of the amphibian and reptile species that inhabit the National Park.

Study Area

Silent Valley National Park, the icon of tropical evergreen forest in India

which lies in the Palakkad district of Kerala, within the latitudes 11o

, 2 N and 11o

,13 N and longitudes 76o, 24 E and 76o, 32 E. It covers an area of 237.52sq.km

and is contiguous with Mukkuruthi National park of Tamil Nadu. The Park has a

core zone of 89.52sq.km surrounded by a buffer zone of 148sq.km. The Silent

valley National Park was established in 1980 after the effort of a public movement

for the conservation of this fragile land, its biota and against the Hydro-electric

project in Pathrakadavu. The terrain of the park is strictly undulating with elevation

varying from 600 to 2300 m above the sea level, which makes it hard for

anthropogenic activities. The highest peak in the area is the Anginda peak having aheight of 2383 m Asl. The average rain fall of this area is approximately 4000mm.

The perennial river known as the Kunthipuzha which nourishes the tract and

drains about 15km north to south and forms the tributary of Bharathapuzha. In

addition to meeting the water requirements of the animals in the park, this shallow

river provides a pesticide free environment for aquatic and semiaquatic biota.

Another river, The Bhavani, a major tributary of Cauvery originates in Nilgiris,

draining the south slope of the Nilgiri Hills. After flowing for a few kilometers

southward it enters Kerala, between two high, forested ridges till Mukkali. AtMukkali, Bhavani takes an abrupt 120 turn towards the northeast and enters into

Attappady plateau.

.


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Map 1: Map showing the boundary and the different ranges of Silent Valley National Park

Methods

The present study on the herpetofaunal diversity of the Silent Valley

National park was carried out during the months of November 2011 and May

2012. For the diversity assessment 11 sampling points were selected according to

altitudinal gradation and vegetation type. The sampling points were strategically

selected in different habitats around Sispara, Valakkadu, Syrandhri, Thudukki and

Anavai.

Sampling points ware searched methodically for the presence of different

species of reptiles and amphibians. Sampling was carried out by searching indifferent microhabitats such as in streams, puddles, swamps, reed brakes, sholas,

grasslands etc. Scan searches during day and night; visual encounter survey, call

survey, tadpole surveys etc. were employed for surveying amphibians while scan

searches and visual encounter survey were conducted for reptiles. Amphibians

were collected as per Research permit no, order no. WL10-1965/2012 dated 13-4-


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2012. Reptiles were not collected due to lack of permits. Amphibians that were

collected were first fixed in 10% formaldehyde and were later transferred to 90%

alcohol. All the amphibians collected are deposited at the Travancore Natural

History Museum, Thiruvanandhapuram district, Kerala.

Result and Discussion

a.AmphibiansA total of 42 species of amphibians belonging to 10 Families and 20 Genera

were recorded from within the National Park. The list included 5 species of toads,

35 species of frogs and 2 species of caecilians. The area supports a high degree of

endemism with around 88% of the amphibians reported from SVNP being Western

Ghats endemics. The study also revealed that about 32% of the amphibian species

of the National Park are categorized as Threatened and around 42% as DataDeficient according to the IUCN criteria.

Figure 1: Pie Chart showing the percentage of Amphibian endemics of Western Ghats that are reported from SVNP

WG

Endemic

88%

Non endemic12%

Endemism of Amphibians of SVNP


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Figure 2: Pie Chart showing the IUCN status of the Amphibians species of SVNP

The survey revealed a high diversity of Bush frogs of the genus Raorchestes.

Maximum numbers of amphibians were recorded from the dense evergreen forests

alongside streams. Most species ofRaorchestes and Ghatixaluswere observed

calling from low bushes and grasses of the grasslands and evergreen forests, while

species ofRamanella,Fejervarys and Nyctibatrachus were observed calling from

swampy areas within evergreen forests. The survey has also led to the rediscovery

of the Red Torrent Toad which has not been reported since 1981 after its

discovery. The expedition has also led to the discovery of two undescribed Bush

frogs of the genusRaorchestes.

b.ReptilesA total of 54 species of reptiles belonging to 11 Families and 32 genera were

listed based on present observations and previous records. The list included 1

species of tortoise, 25 species of lizards and 28 species of snakes. Of the 54

species, 29 species were found to be Western Ghat endemics, which form 54% ofthe total reptile species recorded from the area. Assessment of the reptile species

based on the IUCN criteria revealed about 20% of the reptiles in the National park

to be threatened species. Of these 64% are lizards and 36% are snakes. The list also

included several species (about 15% of the total reptile species) which are

considered Data Deficient.

DD

42%

LC

16%

NT

10%

VU

16%

EN

16%

IUCN Status of the Amphibians of SVNP


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Figure 3: Diversity of the different groups of reptiles recorded from SVNP

Figure 4: Pie Chart showing the percentage of endemism and IUCN status of the reptiles of SVNP

The survey recorded a noticeably high abundance of Cnemaspis indica,

Salea horsfieldii andAhaetulla perroteti in the high elevation grasslands of Sispara

and Anginda peak. All of which are considered to be threatened species. Most

individuals ofSalea horsfieldii found during the survey were juveniles or gravid

females. This indicates that the species is breeding successfully in the area. The

unique grassland sholas ecosystem also supports a high diversity of fossorial

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Turtles Lizards Snakes

NumberofSpecies

Diversity of the Reptiles of SVNP

Non

endemic

46%WG

Endemic

54%

Endemism among the

Reptiles of SVNP

DD

15%

LR-nt

65%

VU

13%

EN

7%

IUCN Status of the

Reptiles of SVNP


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snakes such as shieldtail snakes and narrow- headed snakes. The survey revealed

an evidently high number of the striped narrow-headed snake, Xylophis perroteti

around the dense evergreen forests near Havlock bungalow. Overall, the survey

recorded several species such as Cnemaspis gracilis, C. littoralis, Hemidactylus

leschenaultia,Kaestlea bilineata, Uropeltis ocellata andBoiga nuchalis that were

previously not recorded from within the National park. A species of shieldtail

snake belonging to the genus Uropeltis was also recorded in the Sispara area,

which we tentatively place as Uropeltis cf. smithi. However, future study on the

species may reveal it to be a distinct species. The survey also revealed two

undescribed species of geckos belonging to the genus Cnemaspis, yet formal

description of the species cannot be done due to the lack of collection permits for

reptile.

Conclusion

The results of the expedition, indicates that the unique topography and

habitats of the Silent Valley National Park sustain a very high diversity of

Herpetofauna unique to the region. The occurrence of several species of

amphibians and reptiles that were previously not reported from the National Park

and the finding of several species of frogs and lizards new to science, indicate the

lack of studies and scientific explorations in the area. The high diversity and

uniqueness of the herpetofauna of the region is yet another reason to protect and

conserve this unique habitat.


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Acknowledgement

We would like to thank The Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department for providing

permits and logistic support during the study. We are in debt to Sri. V. Gopinathan,

PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala, for his encouragement and for issuing

study and collection permits to study the amphibians of Kerala. We specially thank

Sri Shivadasan, DCF- Development; Sri Vimal- ACF, SIP, Palakkad Wildlife

Division; Sri Sunil, ACF- planning; Ms. Renny, Wildlife Assistant,

Thiruvanandhapuram; Sri. Sedumadhavan, retired PWD Superintendent and Sri.

N.P. Jayan, Deputy Chief Photographer, Kerala, Indian Express, for their support

and encouragement throughout the survey period. We also thank all the Forest

Guards and Watchers who accompanied and guided us during the survey. We also

extend our thanks to Asst. Wildlife Warden Sri Joshil for his support during the

survey.


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Reference

Biju, S. D. & Bossuyt, F., (2009) Systematics and phylogeny of Philautus Gistel,

1848 (Anura, Rhacophoridae) in the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of

12 new species. Zool. J. Linn. Soc, 155, 374444.

Boulenger, G. A. (1890), The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon andBurma. Reptilia and Batrachia, Secretary of State for India in Council, London.

Dinesh, K. P., Radhakrishnan C., Gururaja K.V. & Bhatta, G. K. (2009) A

checklist of amphibians of India.Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.

Dinesh K.P., Radhakrishnan C., Gururaja K.V., Deuti K. & Bhatta G. (2011)

A Checklist of Amphibia of India Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.

Easa P.S., (1998) Survey of reptiles and amphibians in kerala part of Nilgiri

Biosphere Reserve. KFRI Research Report 148, 40 pp.

Murthy, T. S. N. (1990). A field book of the lizards of India, Records of theZooogical Survey of India. Occasional Paper. 115, IVII, 1116

Pillai, R. S. (1981) Two new species of amphibian from Silent Valley, Kerala.

Bulletin of Zoological Surevy of India,3(3): 153-158.

Pillai, R.S. (1986) Amphibian fauna of Silent valley, Kerala, South India. Records

of the Zoological Survey of India 84:229-242

Pillai, R. S & Pattabiraman, R. (1981) A new species of Torrent Toad (genus

Ansonia) from Silent Valley, S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy of Sciences,

(B), 90:203-208.(Serpentes, Colubridae), Contributions to Zoology 77(1): 33-43

Smith, M. A. (1931). The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma.

Vol. I. Loricata, Testudines. Taylor and Francis, London. xxviii + 185 pp + 2 pl

Smith, M. A. (1935). The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma.

Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. II.Sauria. Taylor and Francis, London. xiii + 440 pp

+ 1 pl.

Smith, M. A. (1943). The fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, including the

whole of the IndoChinese region. Vol. III. Serpentes. Taylor and Francis,

London. xii + 583 pp. + 1 map

Thomas, J. & Easa P.S., (1997). Additions to the Reptile Fauna of Silent Valley,

Kerala. Cobra, 27: 31-33

Whitaker, R. & Captain A.S., (2004). Snakes of India, The field guide. Draco

Books, Chennai, India. xiv + 481 pp.


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Appendix1: Checklist of the Reptiles of Silent Valley National Park

SL.

No

Scientific Name Common Name IUCN Status

Order TestudiensFamily TestudinidaeGENUS INDOTESTUDO

1 Indotestudo travancorica(Boulenger,1907)*

Travancore tortoise LR-nt

Order SquamataSub order SauriaFamily AgamidaeGENUS CALOTES

2 Calotes calotes(Linnaeus, 1758) Large scaled forest

lizard

LR-nt

3 Calotes nemoricola Jerdon, 1853* Nilgiri forest lizard VU4 Calotes elliotiGnther, 1864* Elliots forest lizard LR-nt

5 Calotes rouxiiDumril & Bibron, 1837 Rouxs forest lizard LR-nt

6 Calotes versicolor(Daudin, 1812) LR-nt

GENUS DRACO

7 Draco dussumieri Dumril & Bibron,

1837*

South Indian flying

lizard

LR-nt

GENUS PSAMMOPHILUS

8 Psammophilus blanfordanus(Stoliczka,

1871)

South Indian rock

agama

DD

GENUS SALEA

9 Salea horsfieldii Gray, 1845* Horsfields spiny lizard ENFamily GekkonidaeGENUS CNEMASPIS

10 Cnemaspis gracilis (Beddome, 1870)* Slender day gecko DD

11 Cnemaspis indica Gray, 1846* Indian day gecko VU

12 Cnemaspis littoralis (Jerdon, 1854)* Coastal day gecko LR-nt

13 Cnemaspis sisparensis (Theobald, 1876)* Sispara day gecko EN

14 Cnemaspis wynaadensis(Beddome,

1870) *

Wayanad day gecko EN

15 Cnemaspis sp. nov 1* DD

16 Cnemaspis sp. nov 2* DD

GENUS HEMIDACTYLUS17 Hemidactylus brookii Gray, 1845 Brooks house gecko LR-nt

18 Hemidactylus frenatus Dumril &Bibron, 1836

Asian house gecko LR-nt

19 Hemidactylus leschenaultii Dumril &Bibron, 1836

Bark gecko LR-nt

Family SincidaeGENUS EUTROPIS


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20 Eutropis carinata (Schneider, 1801) Common keeled skink LR-nt

21 Eutropis macularia (Blyth, 1853) Bronze grass skink LR-nt

GENUS LYGOSOMA

22 Lygosoma punctata (Gmelin, 1799) Spotted supple skink LR-nt

GENUS RISTELLA

23 Ristella beddomii Boulenger, 1887* Beddomes cat skink VUGENUS KAESTLEA

24 Kaestlea beddomii (Boulenger, 1887)* Beddomes ground

skink

DD

25 Kaestlea bilineata (Gray, 1846)* Two-lined groundskink

DD

Family VaranidaeGENUS VARANUS

26 Varanus bengalensis (Daudin, 1802) Bengal monitor VU

Suborder: Serpentes

Family Typhlopidae

GENUS RAMPHOTYPHLOPS27 Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin,

1803)Brahminy worm snake LR-nt

Family UropeltidaeGENUS TERETRURUS

28 Teretrurus sanguineus (Beddome,1867)* Western shieldtail DD

GENUS MELANOPHEDIUM

29 Melanophedium punctatum

Beddome,1871 *

Pied-bellied shieldtail VU

GENUS PLECTRURUS

30 Plectrurus perroteti Dum.Bibr. &

Dumril,1854*

Perrotets shieldtail LR-nt

GENUS UROPELTIS

31 Uropeltis ocellata (Beddome, 1863)* Nilgiri shieldtail LR-nt

32 Uropeltis phipsonii (Mason, 1888)* Phipsons shieldtail LR-nt

33 Uropeltis cf smithi Gans,1966* Violet shieldtail DD

Family PythonidaeGENUS PYTHON

34 Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758) Rock python LR-nt

Family ColubridaeGENUS PTYAS

35 Ptyas mucosa (Linnaeus,1758) Indian Rat snake LR-nt

GENUS OLIGODON

36 Oligodon venustus (Jerdon,1853)* Black-spotted kukri

snake

LR-nt

37 Oligodon taeniolatus (Jerdon,1853) Russells kukri snake LR-nt

GENUS DENDRELAPHIS

38 Dendrelaphis grandoculis (Boulenger,1890)*

Large-eyed bronzebacktree snake

VU

GENUS LYCODON


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39 Lycodon aulicus(Linnaeus,1754) Common Wolf Snake LR-nt

40 Lycodon travancoricus (Beddome,1870) Travancore wolf snake LR-nt

GENUS MACROPHISTODON

41 Macrophistodon plumbicolor(Cantor,1839)

Green keelback LR-nt

GENUS XYLOPHIS42 Xylophis perroteti (Dumril et al., 1854)* Striped narrow-headed

SnakeVU

GENUS BOIGA

43 Boiga ceylonensis(Gnther,1858) Cylones Cat Snake LR-nt

44 Boiga nuchalis (Gnther,1875) Collared cat snake LR-nt

GENUS AHAETULLA

45 Ahaetulla perroteti (Dumril et

al.,1854)*

Bronze-headed vine

snake

EN

46 Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacepede,1789) Common vine snake LR-nt

47 Ahaetulla dispar(Gnther, 1864) * Gunthers vine Snake LR-nt

GENUS XENOCHROPHIS48 Xenochrophis piscator(Schneider,1799) Checkered keelback LR-nt

Family ElapidaeGENUS BANGARUS

49 Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider,1801) Common Indian krait LR-nt

GENUS CALLIOPHIS

50 Calliophis nigrescens (Gnther,1862)* Striped coral snake LR-nt

GENUS NAJA

51 Naja naja (Linnaeus,1758) Spectacled cobra LR-nt

GENUS OPHIOPHAGUS

52 Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor,1836) King cobra LR-nt

Family ViperidaeGENUS TRIMERESURUS

53 Trimeresurus malabaricus

(Jerdon,1854)*Malabar pit viper LR-nt

54 Trimeresurus strigatus Gray, 1842* Horseshoe pit viper LR-nt

* indicates the species endemic to the Western Ghats


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Appendix 2: Checklist of the Amphibians of Silent Valley National Park

SL.

NO

Scientific Name Common Name IUCN Status

Family BufonidaeGENUS DUTTAPHRYNUS

1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Schneider

1799

Common Indian Toad LC

2 Duttaphrynus microtympanumBoulenger

1882*

Small-eared Toad VU

3 Duttaphrynus parietalisBoulenger 1882-

Duttaphrynus silentvalleyensis*

Ridged Toad NT

GENUS GHATOPHRYNE

4 Ghatophryne rubigina Pillai and

Pattabiraman 1981*

Red Torrent Toad VU

Genus PEDOSTIBES

5 Pedostibes tuberculosis Gunther 1875* Malabar Tree Toad EN

Family Nasikabatrachidae BijuAnd BossuytGENUS NASIKABATRACHUS

6 Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Biju andBossuyt 2003*

Purple Frog EN

Family MicrohylidaeGENUS RAMANELLA

7 Ramanella triangularis Gunther, 1875* Malabar Ramanella VU

8 Ramanella montana Jerdon, 1854* Jordons Ramanella NT

9 Ramanell aanamalaensis Rao, 1937* Anamalai Ramanella DDFamily RhacophoridaeGENUS RHACOPHORUS

10 Rhacophorus malabaricus Jerdon, 1870* Malabar Flying Frog LC

GENUS POLYPEDATES

11 Polypedates occidentalis Das and Dutta,

2006*

Charpa Tree Frog DD

GENUS GHATIXALUS

12 Ghatixalus variabilis Jerdon, 1853* Variable Tree Frog DD

GENUS PSEUDOPHILAUTUS

13 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis Jerdon,*

1853

Wayanad Bush Frog EN

Genus RAORCHESTES

14 Raorchestes acroparallagi Biju and

Bossuyt, 2009*

Variable Bush Frog DD

15 Raorchestes glandulosus Jerdon, 1853* Beautiful Bush Frog VU

16 Raorchestes chromasynchysi Biju and

Bossuyt, 2009*

Confusing Green Bush

Frog

DD

17 Raorchestes ravi Zachariah et al., 2011* Ravis Bush Frog DD


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18 Raorchestes tuberohumerus Kuramoto

and Joshy, 2003*

Kudremukh Bush Frog DD

19 Raorchestes signatus Boulenger, 1882* Cross-backed Bush

Frog

EN

20 Raorchestes tinniens Jerdon, 1853* Spotted Bush Frog EN

21 Raorchestes nerostagona Biju andBossuyt, 2005* Kalpetta Bush Frog EN

22 Raorchestes ochlandrae Gururaja et al.,*

2007

Ochlandrae Reed Frog DD

23 Raorchestes sp. nov 1*

24 Raorchestes sp. nov 2*

Family NyctibatrachidaeGENUS NYCTIBATRACHUS

25 Nyctibatrachus minimus Biju et al.,2007*

Miniature Night Frog DD

26 Nyctibatrachus vrijeuni Biju et al., 2011* DD

27 Nyctibatrachus indraneili Biju et al.,2011*

DD

28 Nyctibatrachus grandis Biju et al., 2011*

29 Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis Rao,1937*

Kempholey Night Frog DD

Family MicrixalidaeGENUS MICRIXALUS

30 Micrixalus phyllophilus Jerdon 1853* Pink-thighed Torrent

Frog

VU

31 Micrixalus saxicola Jerdon 1853* Small Torrent Frog VU

32 Micrixalus silvaticus Boulenger 1882* Forest Torrent Frog DD

33 Micrixalus thampii Pillai 1981* Thempis Torrent Frog DDFamily DicroglossidaeGENUS HOPLOBATRACHUS

34 Hoplobatrachu tigerinus Daudin 1803 LC

GENUS EUPHLYCTIS

35 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, 1799) Skittering Frog LC

GENUS FEJERVARYA

36 Fejervarya sp

Family RanidaeGENUS HYLARANA

37 Hylarana temporalis (Gunther, 1864) Bronze Frog NT

GENUS CLINOTARSUS38 Clinotarsus curtipes Jerdon, 1853* Bicoloured Frog NT

Family RanixalidaeGENUS INDIRANA

39 Indirana cf beddomii Gunther, 1875* Beddomes Leaping

Frog

LC

40 Indirana cf semipalmata Boulenger,1882*

Southern Leaping Frog LC


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Family IcthiophidaeGENUS ICHTHIOPHIS

41 Ichthiophis longicephalus Pillai, 1986* Long-headed Caecilian DD

GENUS URAEOTYPHLUS

42 Uraeotyphlus oxyurus Dumeril and

Bibron, 1841*

Red caecilian DD

* indicates the species endemic to the Western Ghats

Appendix 3: Number of species of amphibians and reptiles of different categories

Criteria Amphibians Reptiles

Western Ghat Endemics 37 species 29 species

IUCN Status

Data Deficient (DD) 16 species 8 species

Least Concern (LC) 6 species 0 species

Lower risk- Near Threatened (LR-

nt)

4 species 35 species

Vulnerable (VU) 6 species 7 species

Endangered (EN) 6 species 4 species


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Nyctibatrachus minimus

Photo: Vivek Philip

Raorchestes signatus

Photo: Vivek Philip

Raorchestes ravi

Photo: Vivek Philip

Micrixalus silvaticus

Photo: Umesh P.K.

Salea horsfieldii

Photo: Vivek Philip

Kaestlea bilineata

Photo: Umesh P.K.

svnp report final

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