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A review of amphibian fauna of Sri Lanka: distribution, recent taxonomic changes and conservation
Sudesh Batuwita, Sampath Udugampala, Madura de Silva, Jiaojiao Diao, Udeni Edirisinghe,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (12-2019)
Abstract
The amphibian fauna of Sri Lanka comprises 120 species, including 107 (~90.0%) endemic species. They belong to five families: Bufonidae, Dicroglossidae, Ichthyophiidae, Microhylidae, and Rhacophoridae. Based on distribution, we recognized five zoogeographic zones for them, Central Hills, Dry Zone, Knuckles Range, Lowland Wet Zone, and Rakwana Hills. Fifty three species were reported from the Central Hills (48 endemics [90.6%] and 42 [79.2%] threatened species). 47 species were recorded from the Lowland Wet Zone, including 36 (76.6%) endemics and 28 (59.6%) threatened species. The Knuckles Range had 25 species, of which, 19 (76.0%) were endemics and 15 (60.0%) are threatened species. 19 species were reported from Dry Zone including seven endemics (36.8%) and four threatened species (21.1%). Out of 29 species, which inhabited in the Rakwana Hills, 26 were endemics (~89.7%) including 24 (82.8%) threatened species. Species diversity along the elevational gradient was also observed with the highest species richness in the mid-elevational localities. Family Ichthyophiidae can be considered as the least studied family. Recent rediscoveries and studies have helped to reduce the number of extinct species from 21 to 18. It is speculated that some of the other extinct species have to be rediscovered or probably were misidentified as other species. About 90% of Sri Lankan amphibians occur in the regions with the highest human populations where there are established agricultural lands. Loss of habitats, competition due to anthropogenic species and invasive species, pollution (cause for malformations, parasites, and other diseases), and climate change appear to be major threats.

The Cetaceans of Mauritania, West Africa: a concise zoogeographical review with two new species records
Abdellahi Samba Bilal, Moulaye Mohamed Wagne, Abdoulaye Wagué, Abdoul Dia, Koen van Waerebeek,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
The exact number of cetacean species present in Mauritanian waters is unknown. A first overview was published only in 1980, the latest in 1998. Yet, published information remains modest compared to, e.g., neighboring Senegal (first review in 1947). The complex oceanography of Mauritanian waters permits a mixed assemblage of cetacean fauna, with the distribution of both cool temperate and (sub) tropical species. In this review, we use our own observations from strandings, bycatches and vessel-based surveys, as well as published and grey literature, to support an updated inventory of cetaceans of Mauritania. This checklist includes two new authenticated species records: Kogia sima (Owen) (Kogiidae) and Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser (Delphinidae). Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen) (Delphinidae) is verifiably documented for the first time. Further, a first specimen record of Stenella longirostris (Gray) (Delphinidae) is described, as well as second specimen records of Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais) (Ziphiidae), Steno bredanensis (G. Cuvier) (Delphinidae) and Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski) (Balaenopteridae). Of 30 reported species, 27 (of six families) are fully supported, while three species lack (accessible) voucher material though probably (P) occur in Mauritania: Balaenopteridae: Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski), Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus), B. borealis Lesson, B. omurai Wada, Oishi and Yamada, B. acutorostrata Lacépède, B. physalus (Linnaeus) and B. brydei Olsen (P); Physeteridae: Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus; Kogiidae: Kogia sima (Owen) and K. breviceps (Blainville); Delphinidae: Sousa teuszii (Kükenthal), Tursiops truncatus (Montague), Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, Stenella frontalis (G. Cuvier), Stenella attenuata (Gray), Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen), Stenella longirostris (Gray), Stenella clymene (Gray), Steno bredanensis (G. Cuvier), Peponocephala electra (Gray) (P), Lagenodelphis hosei (Fraser), Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier), Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, Globicephala melas (Traill) (P), Orcinus orca (Linnaeus) and Pseudorca crassidens (Owen); Ziphiidae: Ziphius cavirostris G. Cuvier, Mesoplodon europaeus and Mesoplodon densirostris (de Blainville); Phocoenidae: Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus). Finally, we report the first case for continental northwest Africa of tattoo skin disease in a stranded D. delphis.

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