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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.

Status, current distribution and threats to the Fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus (Bennett, 1833) in Nepal
Sachin Timilsina, Rama Mishra, Amit Adhikari, Subash Gautam, Bijaya Neupane,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2021)
Abstract
The Fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrinus is a medium-sized, wild felid, native to south and Southeast Asia. The global status of the species has been assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and it is further listed as ‘Endangered’ in Nepal. Knowledge on the species is limited due to scarce research studies, resulting in a lack of ecological information. A few conservation programs for the species have been initiated in the past but current concern is that conservation programs may not be sufficient for the long-term survival of the species in Nepal. Therefore, we reviewed the available published scientific literature and anecdotal reports relating to the Fishing cats in Nepal, and used this data to assess current population status, distribution, threats and conservation efforts for the species. We screened and selected 49 scientific papers and reports related to Fishing cats for the current study and analyzed them to produce our findings. Our results found that fishing cats are recorded from five protected areas, and three non-protected wetland areas, within the Terai region of Southern Nepal. Two publications are found that substantiate the population status of the species in the country. In Protected Areas of Nepal, most of the Fishing cat records were accessed through camera trap surveys targeting large cat species. Fishing cats have been facing extinction threats mainly due to poaching, human over-exploitation of local fish stocks, retaliatory killing, wetland shrinkage and conversion, pollution and other conflicts with humans. We believe our review will be a useful guide for conservationists, managers and wildlife researchers to promote the conservation of this charismatic and threatened species in Nepal.

Mammal diversity in Biological Corridor No. 03 covering the Sarpang–Tsirang District landscapes of Bhutan
Jigme Tenzin, Yeshi Phuntsho, Dr. Phuntsho Thinley, Karma Tenzin,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (9-2022)
Abstract
In Bhutan, protected areas constitute 51.4% of the total geographical area, out of which 7.7% is designated biological corridors (BCs) that serve as connectors between protected areas. The biological corridor (BC-03) constitutes a total area of 407.7 km² and connects Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in the west, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and Royal Manas National Park in the north and southeast through Sarpang–Tsirang District landscapes. However, most BCs, including BC-03, lack comprehensive inventories of mammal species. We conducted joint rapid biodiversity assessment (RBA) using camera trap surveys from November 2019 to February 2020. Our findings from BC-03 include records of 26 mammal species belonging to 11 families in five orders. Nearly half of these species are listed as Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened. Overall, the BC-03 landscape was found to support 77.8% of the mammal species of Sarpang District and 21.7% of Bhutan (as per Biodiversity Statistics of Bhutan, 2017). Therefore, BC-03 is of conservation interest. Comprehensive conservation plans, periodic monitoring of keystone species, and restrictions on the expansion of cardamom plantations in BCs are suggested for securing wildlife habitats and ensuring long-term persistence of keystone species, including within BC-03 in southcentral Bhutan. 

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