v3i2.49

Submitted date: 30 July 2011
Accepted date: 10 October 2011
Published date: 20 December 2011
Pp. 69–76.

A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE REPTILE FAUNA IN NILGALA FOREST AND ITS VICINITY, MONARAGALA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

D.M.S. Suranjan Karunarathna* & A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dmsameera@gmail.com

Abstract
Nilgala Conservation Forest Area (NCFA) is an intermediate zone forest situated in the south east of Sri Lanka. During our four-year study we recorded 70 species of reptiles, which represents about 33% of the total Sri Lankan reptile fauna. This number includes eighteen species that are recorded from the NCFA for the first time and ten nationally threatened species. Ten unidentified species were also recorded during the survey period. The results of this study indicate that the Nilgala forest area supports a rich reptile faunal diversity. Unfortunately, this important forest is threatened by fire, illegal logging, chena cultivation, rubber plantation, granite rock blasting, gem mining and road kills. It should be considered an area of high conservation priority.

Key words : Sri Lanka, Intermediate zone, savannah, reptiles, threats, ecology, conservation

Section Editor: John Rudge