Kerala: Herpetofaunal survey conducted in Thiruvananthapuram wildlife division

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala: The forest department of Kerala and Aranyakam Nature Foundation conducted a herpetofaunal survey in the Thiruvananthapuram wildlife division and recorded 67 amphibians and 80 reptile species. Many of these amphibians and reptile species have been classified as vulnerable, endangered and near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The survey covered all the protected areas spread across 212 sq km including Peppara and Neyyar wildlife sanctuaries, and the Agasthyavanam Biological Park.

Most of the volunteers were from research institutions including Kerala Forest Research Institute; College of Forestry; University of Calicut, St Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda; Farooq College, Kozhikode. Travancore Natural History Society and Malabar Natural History Society were the other two NGOs to take part in the survey.

The findings included 55 Western Ghats-endemic amphibian species including spotted leaping frog, Kani bush frog and Beddome’s Toad. They also spotted critically endangered species including the Chalazodes Bubble-nest frog and the large Ponmudi bush frog.

During the survey, 186 spider species, 191 butterfly species, 129 bird species, 41 odonate species, 45 ant species, 12 mantid species and four cicada species were documented. The Peppara wildlife sanctuary recorded 83 spider species, 126 butterfly species, 115 bird species and 20 odonate species while the Neyyar wildlife sanctuary is home to 133 species of spiders, 182 species of butterflies, 70 species of birds and 35 species of odonates.

The survey team stressed the need for detailed studies into the sighting of a species of Caecilian and three species of Shield-tailed snakes. They also recorded three amphibian and 10 reptile species that were hitherto unreported from these protected areas.