Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 October 2022 | 14(10): 21946–21960
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8004.14.10.21946-21960
#8004 | Received 02 May 2022 | Final received
08 August 2022 | Finally accepted 14 September 2022
An updated checklist
of reptiles from Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, India, with sixteen new
distribution records
Malsawmdawngliana
1, Bitupan Boruah 2, Naitik G. Patel 3, Samuel
Lalronunga 4, Isaac Zosangliana 5, K. Lalhmangaiha 6
& Abhijit Das 7
1,2,3,7 Wildlife Institute of
India, PO 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India.
4,5,6 Systematic and
Toxicology laboratory, Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl,
Mizoram 796004, India.
1 valpuia17@gmail.com, 2
bitupan.kaz@gmail.com, 3 naitikpmsu@gmail.com, 4 samuellrna@gmail.com,
5 zosanglianaisaac6@gmail.com,
6 hmangaihakhiangte34@gmail.com,
7 abhijit@wii.gov.in (corresponding author)
Abstract: We present an updated
inventory of the reptilian fauna of Dampa Tiger Reserve based on two separate
field surveys during March and September 2021. We recorded 33 species of
reptiles which is about 27% of the total reptilian diversity recorded from the
state. This includes new distribution records for 16 snake species with
observations on rare species: Smithophis atemporalis, Smithophis bicolor,
and Boiga quincunciata.
Keywords: Indo-Burma
biodiversity hotspot, herpetofauna, Mizoram, natural history, northeastern
India, snakes.
Abbreviations: DTR—Dampa Tiger
Reserve | TR—Tiger Reserve | WS—Wildlife Sanctuary | SVL—Snout Vent Length |
TL—Tail Length | IB—Inspection Bungalow.
Mizo abstract: Kum 2021 March leh
September thla a Dampa Tiger Reserve-a survey neih atangin reptilian fauna
(bawkvak chi – rul, laiking lam chi, satel) awm te chhinchhiah belhna tarlan a
ni. He zirchianna ah hian reptile chi hrang hrang 33 hmuh a ni a, hei hi
Mizoram atanga reptilian diversity record zawng zawng atanga 27% vel a ni. He
survey atang hian rul chi hrang 16 te a vawikhat nan Dampa Tiger Reserve atanga
chhinchhiah thar a ni a, hmun dang a hmuh tur tam lem lo: Smithophis
atemporalis, Smithophis bicolor, leh Boiga quincunciata te an tel a
ni.
Editor: S.R. Ganesh, Chennai
Snake Park, Chennai, India. Date of
publication: 26 October 2022 (online & print)
Citation: Malsawmdawngliana,
B. Boruah, N.G. Patel, S. Lalronunga, I. Zosangliana, K. Lalhmangaiha & A.
Das (2022). An updated checklist of reptiles from Dampa
Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, India, with sixteen new distribution records. Journal of Threatened
Taxa 14(10): 21946–21960. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8004.14.10.21946-21960
Copyright: © Malsawmdawngliana et al. 2022. Creative Commons
Attribution 4.0 International License.
JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this
article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the
source of publication.
Funding: The present study is a
part of ongoing project funded by SERB-DST, Government of India vide grant no.
CRG/2018/000790.
Competing interests: The authors declare no
competing interests.
Author details: Malsawmdawnglianais currently enrolled as a PhD student in the
Dept. of Environmental Science, Mizoram University. He did his MSc in the
Heritage Conservation and Management Course from the Wildlife Institute of
India. His research interests lie in the ecology of lesser known herpetofauna
of India with special reference to northeastern India.. Bitupan Boruah is researcher at WII and currently pursuing
PhD. Naitik Patel is PhD student
at WII and he has done MSc in Zoology from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of
Baroda. His work has focused on the ecology and systematics of stream frogs of
Indian Himalayan Region. Samuel Lalronunga is a postdoctoral
researcher at department of zoology, Mizoram University. His research interest
lies in the systematics of ichthyofauna and herpetofauna of India with special
reference to northeastern India.
Isaac Zosangliana is
a naturalist who developed his interest in the field of herpetology. K. Lalhmangaiha is a naturalist who
developed his interest in the field of herpetology. Abhijit Das is a faculty in the department of Endangered
Species Management at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun (WII).
Author contributions:
All the authors contributed in the field study; AD
conceived and designed the study; Malsawmdawngliana and BB studied the
specimens; M wrote the manuscript draft; AD, BB and SL studied, reviewed and
edited the manuscript drafts; all authors approved the final draft.
Acknowledgements: We thank: the
Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of Mizoram for
issuing research permit (B.19060/5/2020-CWLW); Mr. Debanjan Sarkar and Mr.
Navaneeth for helping us in making the map and photo plates; the wildlife
guards of Dampa TR who helps and guided us throughout the survey.
INTRODUCTION
Mizoram is the
southernmost state in northeastern India and is a part of the Indo-Burma
biodiversity hotspot (Pawar & Birand 2001; Mittermeier et al. 2004). The
geographic location lies between 23.3875–23.7055 °N & 92.2736–92.4319 °E
and the tropic of cancer passes through the state. Low to mid-elevation hill
slopes with extensive forested tracts are contributing factors to its native
biodiversity. The reptilian diversity of the state so far comprises more than
60 species of snakes (Talukdar & Sanyal 1978; Pawar & Birand 2001;
Mathew 2007; Lalremsanga et al. 2011; Lalremsanga & Lalronunga 2017; Vogel
et al. 2017, 2020; Ashaharraza et al. 2019; Giri et al. 2019a; Lalbiakzuala
& Lalremsanga 2019a,b, 2020; Das et al. 2021; Lalronunga et al. 2021a,b)
and 41 species of lizards (Pawar & Birand 2001; Harit & Ramanujan 2002;
Matthew 2007; Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015; Giri
et al. 2019b; Muansanga et al. 2020; Purkayastha et al. 2021, 2022; Lalremsanga
et al. 2022). However, systematic herpetofauna reports from the protected areas
of the state are only partially available: Nengpui Wildlife Sanctuary (Pawar
& Birand 2001) and Dampa Tiger Reserve (Pawar & Birand 2001;
Lalrinchhana et al. 2015; Decemson et al. 2020). We herein address the hitherto
unknown reptilian species richness of Dampa Tiger Reserve and present an
updated checklist on the reptile fauna.
METHODS
Study area
Dampa Tiger Reserve
(hereafter DTR) is located in Mamit District of Mizoram along the Bangladesh
border (Figure 1). It is situated at the western limit of the state, and falls
within 23.54–23.69 oN & 92.22–92.45 oE. The
natural vegetation of the area is tropical evergreen to semi-evergreen,
corresponding to the Cachar tropical evergreen 1B/C3 and semi-evergreen 2B/C2
forest (Champion & Seth 1968). The elevation ranges 250–1,100 m with an
average precipitation of 2,150 mm, mainly from the south-west monsoon from May
to December (Raman et al. 1998). The area has one of the last remaining natural
low- to mid-elevation forests in western Mizoram (FSI 1999). DTR is drained by
two drainage systems: Karnaphuli and Barak. The Karnaphuli drainage consists of
Aivapui, Keisalam, Seling, and Mar rivers and the Barak drainage consists of
Teirei and Tut rivers (Lalramliana et al. 2020).
The study was carried
out in the two forest ranges, Phuldungsei and Teirei. In the Phuldungsei range,
surveys were done along the Saithah to Phuldungsei road (~5 km) and in the
Teirei range, surveys were carried out along the Teirei to Damparengpui village
road (~3 km). Both the road segments form the boundary between the core and
buffer of DTR. We employed stratified random sampling along possible habitats
such as torrent streams, dry streambeds, roadside vegetation, ponds,
agriculture fields, and oil palm plantations for species inventory (Image 5).
Data collection
The data for this
paper was collected from 23 to 27 March and 12 to 16 September 2021. Visual
encounter surveys (Crump & Scott 1994) and opportunistic searches were
deployed to assess the reptilian diversity during the survey period. Data on
road-killed specimens found during the survey period were also recorded.
Collected specimens were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution and then
transferred to 70% ethanol solution for longer preservation. All collected
specimens were deposited at the Reptile and Amphibians Repository, Wildlife
Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
RESULTS
In the present study,
10 species of lizards from four families and eight genera; 23 species of snakes
from seven families and 16 genera were documented. Among the 33 species of
reptiles, one species is Near Threatened, one species is Data Deficient and the
rest are Least Concern or Not Evaluated as per the IUCN Red List.
Species Accounts
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Agamidae
Emma Gray’s Forest
Lizard Calotes emma Gray, 1845
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1112, Female, SVL 93.3 mm; TL 255 mm. Image 1A.
Supraocular spine on
each side, over the ears; neck with an oblique (blackish) fold on each side in
front of the shoulders. This description agrees well with Gray (1845). We
encountered an individual roosting at approximately 1.5 m above the ground among
the roadside vegetation on 12 September at around 1845 h. Another individual
was observed at 1130 h foraging on a roadside bamboo groove ~2 m above ground.
Manthey (2008)
depicted diverse morphotype of the Calotes emma (sensu lato) from China,
Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Mizoram population agrees well in live
colouration with the population from Assam reported by Das et al. (2009).
In Mizoram, this
species was recorded from Ngengpui WS, DTR, and Aizawl (Pawar & Birand
2001; Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015).
Irawadi Forest Lizard
Calotes cf. irawadi Zug, Brown, Schulte & Vindum, 2006
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1103 and WII-ADR 1111, both Female, SVL 62.5 mm & 97.8 mm; TL 180
mm & 270 mm. Image 1B.
Scales on neck and
supra-axillary region oriented obliquely; supratympanic spines are half or less
than the diameter of tympanum (Zug et al. 2006). Das et al. (2009)
provisionally reported the species from adjoining Barail WS. Lalrinchhana.
Solanki (2015) also provisionally reported the species from Dampa TR. The
individuals were frequently encountered roosting on shrub along forest trail about 1.5 m above the ground
during our survey on 12 September 2021 at around 2138 h.
Previously C.
versicolor was reported from Ngengpui WS, DTR, Aizawl, Hmuifang (Pawar
& Birand 2001; Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015). Calotes
cf. irawadi from DTR (Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015). However, after
Gowande et al. (2021), the validity of these records needs to be investigated.
Smooth-scaled
Mountain Lizard Cristidorsa planidorsata (Jerdon, 1870)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1071 and WII-ADR 1072, both Females, SVL 38.4 mm & 52 mm; TL 65 mm
& 80 mm. Image 1C.
Flat dorsum; no
nuchal or dorsal crest; a double series of slightly enlarged keeled scales;
series of angularly bent larger scales. The description agrees with Jerdon
(1980). The individuals were encountered roosting on shrub along a forest trail
at around 0.5 m above the ground on 12 Sept 2021 at around 1900 h.
In Mizoram, this species
was previously reported from DTR, Hmuifang (Pawar & Birand 2001;
Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015).
Green Fan-Throated
Lizard Ptyctolaemus gularis (Peters, 1864)
Materials examined: WII-ADR 1152, Female, SVL 69.5 mm;
TL 160 mm. Image 1D.
Body slender; with a pointed head; bluish gular pouch
folded in U shape. The description agrees with Das & Das (2017). The
individual was spotted on a tall isolated tree at about 2 m in a bamboo patch.
When approached, the individual showed circulating movement in the tree going
upwards on 16 September 2021 at around 1300 h. Liu et al. (2021)
recently described Ptyctolaemus chindwinensis from Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary,
Sagaing Division, Myanmar. Our specimen differs from P. chindwinensis in
having three long bluish-black stripes which occupy most portions of the gular
pouch.
In Mizoram, this species was previously reported from
Ngengpui WS, DTR, Aizawl (Pawar & Birand 2001; Lalrinchhana et al. 2011;
Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015).
Family: Gekkonidae
Jampui Bent-toed
Gecko Cyrtodactylus montanus Agarwal, Mahony, Giri, Chaitanya, and Bauer
2018
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1077, Male, SVL 57.6 mm; TL 58 mm. Image 1E.
Dorsal col-oration
consisting of thick dark reticulations enclosing lighter blotches; the tail had
alternating dark and lighter bands. This description agrees with Agarwal et al.
(2018). We encountered the individual roosting on a shrub from a forest trail
at around 0.5 m above ground on 15 September 2021 at around 1900 h. Another
individual was also encountered on a wall of a small concrete roadside drain at
around 2230 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from DTR (Lalmuansanga et al. 2020).
Tokay Gecko Gekko
gecko (Linnaeus, 1758)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1114, Juvenile, SVL 59.1 mm; TL 55 mm. Image 1F.
Reddish spots on a
greyish dorsum; tubercles present on ventrolateral folds. This description
agrees with Das & Das (2017). The calls of G. gecko were frequently
heard from the buildings in the Forest IB Complex and nearby forests. Many
juveniles and one adult were observed from the Forest IB Complex during the
survey every night.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, DTR, Aizawl (Pawar &
Birand 2001; Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015).
Flat-tailed House
Gecko Hemidactylus platyurus (Schneider, 1792)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1069 (Male). SVL 52.8 mm; TL 55 mm. Image 1G.
Body colour variable;
brown to grey; with smooth dorsal scales; tail dorso-ventrally flattened with
serrated edges. This description agrees with Das & Das (2017). We
encountered one individual on a wall of Phuldungsei Forest IB Complex on 12
September 2021 at around 1900 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, DTR, Aizawl (Pawar &
Birand 2001; Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015)
Common House Gecko Hemidactylus
frenatus Duméril & Bibron, 1836
Materials examined:
Not collected, unsexed, not measured. Image 1H.
Smooth dorsal scales;
round tail bearing rings of enlarged tubercles. This agrees with the
description in Das & Das (2017). We encountered the species on the wall of
the guest house at the Phuldungsei Forest IB Complex on 12 September 2021 at
around 1830 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, DTR, Aizawl and Hmuifang
(Pawar & Birand 2001; Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki
2015).
Family: Scincidae
9. Spotted Forest
Skink Sphenomorphus maculatus (Blyth, 1853)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1109, Male, SVL 31.3 mm; TL 45 mm.
Bronze dorsum and
dark flanks lightly speckled with white; having two series of black spots on
the side of the body. The morphological description agrees with Das & Das
(2017). During night sampling a few individuals were sighted along a forest
trail and one individual was encountered in a dry drain filled with leaf litter
on 12 September 2021 between 2130 and 2200 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, DTR, Aizawl, Hmuifang (Pawar
& Birand 2001; Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015)
Family: Varanidae
10. Water Monitor
Lizard Varanus salvator (Laurenti, 1768)
Materials examined:
None, Image 1I
Triangular head;
snout elongated and flat. One individual was photographed hiding in a rock
crevice along with a Large Green Frog Zhangixalus smaragdinus in Teirei
stream near Lallen village on 24 March 2021 at around 1930 h. The species was
identified as V. salvator from the photograph based on characters such
as nostril closer to the snout and distinctly enlarged supraocular scales (Koch
et al. 2013).
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, DTR (Pawar & Birand 2001;
Lalrinchhana et al. 2011; Lalrinchhana & Solanki 2015).
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Natricidae
Wall’s Keelback Herpetoreas
xenura (Wall, 1907)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1158, Male, SVL 480 mm; TL 185 mm. Image 2A.
Subcaudals single;
nostrils lateral; internasals truncated; supralabials largely light. The
individual agrees with the description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga &
Lalronunga (2017) in having dorsal rows 19:19:17, ventrals 162 and 99 (single)
subcaudals. We encountered an individual on the streambed along the road on 16
September 2021 at around 2145 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from DTR, Sihhmui, Tamdil, Aizawl district,
Reiek Community Reserved Forest (Pawar & Birand 2001; Das 2010; Lalremsanga
et al. 2011, 2014; Hmar et al. 2020)
Khasi Hills Keelback Hebius
khasiensis (Boulenger, 1890)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1104, Female, SVL 350 mm; TL 50 mm. Image 2B.
19 dorsal scales
round the mid body (19:19:17) with first dorsal scale row keeled; nine
supralabials which are cream coloured with dark edges. The individual agrees
with the description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in
having dorsal scale rows 19:19:17; ventral 154; subcaudals 34 (paired). We
encountered the individual on a streambed upon turning a rock in a small stream
that flows along the road on 15 September 2021 at around 2030 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously only reported from Reiek Community Reserved Forest (Hmar
et al. 2020).
Red-necked Keelback Rhabdophis
helleri (Schmidt, 1925)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1151, female and WII-ADR 1155, male; SVL 490 mm & 365 mm ; TL 160
mm & 105 mm, respectively. Image 2C.
Olive green dorsum; reddish neck. Some
individuals having a tear drop mark below the eye. The individual agrees with
the description of R. helleri in having 19:19:17 dorsals scale rows;
ventrals 164, 166, 84, & 91 paired subcaudals (David & Vogel 2021). One
individual was encountered roosting on a shrub at about 2 m from the ground
along a forest trail near Teirei Forest IB complex on 16 September 2021 at
around 1930 h. Another individual was encountered on the same night under a
rock from a stream flowing along the road at around 2130 h.
The species was
previously identified as R. subminiatus with two subspecies. After David
& Vogel (2021), the northeastern Indian populations of the species
conferred to R. helleri.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, DTR, all districts of
Mizoram, Reiek Community Reserved Forest (Pawar & Birand 2001; Lalremsanga
et al. 2011; Hmar et al. 2020).
Orange-collared
Keelback Rhabdophis himalayunus (Gunther, 1864)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1116, Female, SVL 550 mm; TL 185 mm. Image 2D.
Olive-brown dorsum;
anterior part of dorsum with whitish checkering; posteriorly dorsolateral
series of small yellowish or cream spots present. Neck with a cream or pinkish
collar which is broad in the middle, many dorsal scales edged with white and
sky blue colour. Small black bars from the eye to the labials and one large bar
from behind the eye to the angle of mouth, ventral with light mottling that
increases posteriorly. The individual agrees with the description in Das (2010)
and Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in having a dorsal scale rows 17:19:17;
ventrals 158; subcaudals 86 (paired). We encountered the individual roosting on
roadside vegetation at about 0.5m from ground on 13 September 2021
at around 2130 h. A Xenophrys sp. frog was recovered from the gut of
this individual.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Champhai and Mamit districts (Lalremsanga
et al. 2011).
Brown Rain Snake Smithophis
bicolor (Blyth, 1854)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1107, Female, SVL 590 mm; TL 150 mm. Image 2E.
The individual agrees
with description in Das (2010), Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017), and Giri
et al. (2019) in having dorsal 17:17:17; ventral 194; subcaudals 64 (paired).
We encountered the individual in a dry stream bed under rocks on 14 September
2021 at around 2035 h. Another individual was encountered on the same night in
a streambed, but it disappeared tunneling through the pebbles in the stream.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Mizoram university campus, Lunglei, Saiha,
Aizawl district, Reiek Community Reserved Forests (Das 2010; Lalremsanga et al.
2011; Hmar et al. 2020).
Mizo Rain Snake Smithophis
atemporalis Giri, Gower, Das, Lalremsanga, Lalronunga, Captain &
Deepak, 2019
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1068, Male, SVL 315 mm; TL 175 mm. Image 2F.
Without temporal
scales. The individual agrees with the description in Giri et al. (2019) in
having dorsal scale rows 17:17:17; ventral 195; subcaudals 82 (paired). We
encountered the individual on a side drain at about ~2 km from West phaileng
village near watershed on 12 September 2021 at around 1530 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Mizoram Univesity Campus, Aizawl (Type locality)
by Giri et al. (2019).
Family: Colubridae
Tawny Cat Snake Boiga
ochracea (Theobald, 1868)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1156 (Male) and WII-ADR 1157 (Female), SVL 620 mm & 700 mm; TL 170
mm & 180 mm. Image 3A.
Dorsum without
pattern or with faint dark transverse dorsolateral bands on yellowish-brown or
reddish-brown ground. The individuals agrees with description in Das (2010) and
Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in having dorsal 19:19:15; ventral 222-241;
subcaudals 96-107(paired). We encountered the individual active along a
roadside vegetated slope 2 m from ground 16 September 2021 at around 2100 h.
Another individual was encountered on the same night at 2200 h on vegetation, 2
m above ground along a roadside stream.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Tamdil, Pachhunga University campus, Reiek
Community Reserved Forests (Das 2010; Lalremsanga et al. 2011, 2014; Hmar et
al. 2020).
Assamese Cat Snake Boiga
quincunciata (Wall, 1908)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1115, Male, SVL 1080 mm; TL 335 mm. Image 3B.
Dorsal pattern
consists of fine dark brown spots and a vertebral series of dark brown; white
edged blotches on yellowish or greyish-brown ground. The individual agrees with
the description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in having
dorsal scale rows 19:19:15; ventral 254; subcaudals 128 (paired). We
encountered the individual along a thick forested slope by roadside during our
survey at about 0.5 m from ground on 13 September 2021 at around
2200 h.
In Mizoram, this species
was previously reported from Aizawl districts (Lalremsanga et al. 2011).
Gunther’s Kukri Snake
Oligodon cf. cinereus (Gunther, 1864)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1106, Female, SVL 445 mm; TL 70 mm. Image 3C.
Head shields finely
spotted with black; no typical head marking. Anteriorly ventral scales with
squarish black spots on outer edge. Posteriorly ventral almost dark; subcaudals
also heavily spotted with black; 46 narrow irregular black crossbars on dorsum
that develops from the dorsal scales edged with black; three bands on top of
tail. The individual agrees with the description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga
& Lalronunga (2017) in having dorsal scale rows 17:17:15; Ventral 173;
Subcaudals 42 (paired). We encountered the individual from a loose rocky
crevice along streamside during the survey on 14 September 2021 at
around 2230 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, Tamdil, Siaha, Reiek
Community Reserved Forests (Pawar & Birand 2001; Das 2010; Lalremsanga et
al. 2011; Hmar et al. 2020).
Gray’s Kukri Snake Oligodon
dorsalis (Gray, 1834)
Materials examined:
Road-killed Specimen, unsexed, not measured.
Completely red
subcaudals. The individual agrees with description in Das (2010) and
Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017). We encountered a road killed individual on
the road between Saithah and Phuldungsei village on 13 September 2021 at around
1100 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Aizawl district and Reiek Community
Reserved Forests (Lalremsanga et al. 2011; Hmar et al. 2020).
Zaw’s Wolfsnake Lycodon
zawi Slowinski, Pawar, Win, Thin, Gyi, Oo & Tun, 2001
Materials examined:
Not collected, Unsexed, Not measured. Image 3D.
Brownish-black dorsal
with narrow white cross bars best marked anteriorly; neck without any band,
first band appear two head length behind. The individual agrees with the
description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017). We
encountered the individual active on the bank of the Tuichar stream and left
after photographing it on 27 March 2021 at around 2030 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, Keifang, DTR, Aizawl and
Saiha districts, Pachhunga University Campus, Reiek Community Reserved Forests
(Pawar & Birand 2001; Slowinski et al. 2001; Lalremsanga et al. 2011; Dutta
et al. 2013; Hmar et al. 2020).
White-banded
Wolfsnake Lycodon septentrionalis (Günther, 1875)
Materials examined:
Roadkill specimen, unsexed, not measured.
Purplish-black dorsum
with narrow transverse white bands and a white venter. The individual agrees
with description in Biakzuala et al. (2020). We came across a road killed
individual on the road near Teirei Forest IB Complex on 15 September 2021 at
around 1930 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Bhumtilong (= Bungtlang), Sawleng, Aizawl,
Mamit, Khawbung, Thenzawl, Pangzawl, Khawrihnim, Dampui (Taklukdar & Sanyal
1978; Lalbiakzuala et al. 2020).
Painted Bronzeback
Treesnake Dendelaphis proarchos Wall, 1909
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1102, Female, SVL 275 mm; TL 115 mm. Image 3E.
Bronze coloured
dorsal, distinct cream dorso-lateral lines cover half of the outermost row and
the half of the scale row above it. The individual agrees with the description
in Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) and Lalbiakzuala et al. (2022) in having
dorsal scale rows 15:15:11; ventral 193; subcaudals 150 (paired). We
encountered the individual roosting on grass at about 0.2 m from ground on 14
September 2021 at around 2145 h.
Vogel & van
Rooijen (2011) revalidated the occurrence of D. proarchos in northeast
India and Biakzuala et al. (2022) reassessed the systematics of Dendrelaphis
from Mizoram, northeastern India and removed all the records of D. pictus
and replaced it with D. proarchos.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, Aizawl, Aizawl district,
Sialsuk, Tanhril, Mizoram University Campus, Sateek, Leng, Khawzawl, Maubuang,
Kepran, Tlangnuam,, Buangpui, Durtlang, Khawlailung, Reiek, Phura, DTR,
Thenhlum, and Sailam (Pawar & Birand 2001; Das 2010; Lalremsanga et al.
2011; Lalbiakzuala et al. 2022).
Wall’s Bronzeback
Treesnake Dendrelaphis cyanochloris (Wall, 1921)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1117 (Female), SVL 760 mm; TL 330 mm. Image 3F.
Brozed coloured
dorsal; a black temporal stripe starts behind the eye; covers the whole
temporal region and extends onto the neck; ventrals and subcaudals greenish. The individual agrees with the
description in Slowinski et al. (2001), Das (2010), and Lalremsanga &
Lalronunga (2017) in having dorsal scale rows 15:15:11; ventral 206; subcaudals
142 (paired). We encountered the individual roosting on overhanging vegetation
above road about 2 m from the ground on 14 September 2021 at around
2230 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Tamdil, Aizawl and Kolasib districts,
Reiek Community Reserved Forest (Lalremsanga et al. 2011, 2014; Hmar et al.
2020).
Short-nosed Vinesnake
Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910)
Materials examined:
not collected (unsexed). Image 3G.
Snout lacking pointed
dermal appendage. The individual agrees with the description in Das (2010),
Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) and Srikanthan et al. (2022). We
encountered an individual roosting on a Mesua ferra tree about 10 m from
the ground inside Teirei Forest IB complex on 12 September 2021 at around 2030
h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Aizawl, Ngengpui WS, Tamdil, Aizawl and
Mamit districts (Pawar & Birand 2001; Lalremsanga et al. 2011, 2014).
Earlier this speciese
was reported as Ahaetulla prasina from northeast India. Srikanthan et
al. (2022) recently revaluated the taxonomic identity of the northeast Indian
populations of the species as A.
flavescens.
Mock Viper Psammodynastes
pulverulentus (Boie, 1827)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1105 (Female), SVL 360 mm; TL 90 mm. Image 3H.
Brownish dorsal,
scales edged with black, head with 3–4 indistinct bars, dorso-laterally three
closely arranged lined and with yellowish spots. The individual agrees with the
description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in having
dorsal scale rows 17:17:15; ventral 160; subcaudals 67 (paired). We encountered
the individual roosting on roadside vegetation between Saithah and Phuldungsei
on 13 September 2021 at around 1945 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, DTR, Aizawl & Champhai
districts, Reiek Community Reserved Forest (Pawar & Birand 2001; Das 2010;
Lalremsanga et al. 2011; Hmar et al. 2020).
Large-eyed False
Cobra Pseudoxenodon macrops (Blyth, 1855)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1101, Female, SVL 245 mm; TL 60 mm. Image 4A.
Reddish-brown or
olive brown dorsal in colour; indistinct, small transverse bars on dorsum,
Labials edged with faint black bars; labial and chin region whitish. The
individual agrees with the description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga &
Lalronunga (2017) in having dorsal scale rows 19:17:15; ventral 153; subcaudals
69 (paired). We encountered the individual active of slope along the side of a
stream on 13 September 2021 at around 1300 h and it tried to hide when
encountered.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Tamdil, Aizawl district, Reiek Community
Reserved Forests (Das 2010; Lalremsanga et al. 2011; Hmar et al. 2020).
Assam Snail Eater Pareas
monticola (Cantor, 1839)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1076, Female, SVL 360 mm; TL 115 mm. Image 4B.
Yellowish dorsum with
series of irregular edged black bars on the two side of mid dorsal line, top of
head heavily spotted with black but the mottling is defined within an arrow-head
shaped space. The individual agrees with the description in Das (2010) and
Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in having dorsal scale rows 15:15:15;
ventral 192; subcaudals 81 (paired). We encountered the individual on a tree
branch above stream at about 5 m from
the ground on 14 September 2021 at around 2030 h. Another individual was
encountered on the same night on a branch on a roadside vegetation slope at
about 1 m from the ground.
In Mizoram, this
species was reported from Aizawl, Tamdil, Kolasib district, Reiek Community
Reserved Forests (Das 2010; Lalremsanga et al. 2011, 2014; Hmar et al. 2020).
Family: Elapidae
Monocled Cobra Naja
kaouthia Lesson, 1831
Materials examined:
Not collected (Unsexed). Image 4C.
Hood markings usually
distinct, usually a pale, oval or circular marking, with a dark center and
occasionally a narrow dark outer border. The individual agrees with the
description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017). We
encountered an adult individual during a day trek towards Dampatlang on 5 March
2021 at around 1300 h. The individual was photographed on the spot and left in
the area.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, Mizoram University Campus,
Tamdil, All districts of Mizoram, Reiek Community Reserved Forest (Pawar &
Birand 2001; Das 2010; Lalremsanga et al. 2011, 2014, Hmar et al. 2020).
Banded Krait Bungarus
fasciatus (Schneider, 1801)
Materials examined:
Not collected (Unsexed). Image 4D.
Black and yellow
banded snake with blunt tail. The individual agrees with the description in Das
(2010) and Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017). We encountered the individual
active on a thick vegetated slope along a road near Teirei Forest IB Complex on
15 September 2021 at around 2000 h. The snake displayed head hiding
behavior while being photographed in day light.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Ngengpui WS, Aizawl district, Champhai
district, Kolasib district, Mamit district, Reiek Community Reserved Forests
(Pawar & Birand 2001; Das 2010; Lalremsanga et al. 2011; Hmar et al. 2020).
Family: Viperidae
Spot-tailed Pit Viper
Trimeresurus erythrurus (Cantor, 1839)
Materials
examined: WII-ADR 1119, Male, SVL 510
mm; TL 115 mm. Image 4E.
Dorsal greenish in
colouration, eyes yellow; tongue dark brown; ventral yellowish-white; top of
tail uninterrupted reddish in colour. The individual agrees with the
description in Das (2010) and Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in having
Dorsal scale rows 25:25:19; ventral 167; subcaudals 65 (paired). We encountered
five individuals of this species during the survey on saplings and tree
branches along forest trails, and vegetation slopes on roadsides and on roads.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Bhumtilang (= Bungtlang), All districts of
Mizoram, Reiek Community Reserved Forest (Talukdar & Sanyal 1978;
Lalremsanga et al. 2011; Hmar et al. 2020).
Pope’s Pit Viper Trimeresurus
popeiorum Smith, 1937
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1120, Male, SVL 560 mm; TL 140 mm. Image 4F.
Eyes red, background
colour is uniformly green, red ventrolateral stripe below and white stripe
above in males, well defined white stripe in females; the ventrolateral stripe
become broken down into blotches alongside of the tail. The individual agrees
with the description in Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in having dorsal
23:21:19; ventral 166; subcaudals 70 (paired). This species was quite common in
the study area, we encountered >10 individuals along roadside vegetation,
saplings on forest trails and a female individual in an ambush position in a
small guava tree near the guest house in Phuldungsei IB complex.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Aizawl and Mamit district (Lalremsanga et
al. 2011). Pawar & Birand (2001) reported Trimeresurus cf.
stejnegeri from DTR which supposedly would be a misidentification of T.
popeiorum.
Family: Typhlopidae
Diard’s Blindsnake Argyrophis
diardii (Schlegel, 1839)
Materials examined:
WII-ADR 1067, Female, SVL 32.5 mm; TL 4 mm.
Shiny blackish brown
dorsum, on the neck and anterior part of body nine to ten dorsal scale rows are
dark brown and shiny, little paler below, the two colours are not sharply
contrasted. The individual agrees with the description in Das (2010) and
Lalremsanga & Lalronunga (2017) in having a mid-row dorsal scale of 28. We
encountered a fresh dead individual on the road in West Phaileng village on 12
September 2021 at around 1500 h.
In Mizoram, this
species was previously reported from Tamdil, Sihhmui, Aizawl & Saiha
district, Reiek Community Reserved Forest (Das 2010; Lalremsanga et al. 2011,
2014; Hmar et al. 2020).
Discussions
The first attempt to
document the herpetofauna of DTR was made about two decades ago (Pawar &
Birand 2001). That study recorded 22 species of amphibians, 16 species of
lizards, seven species of snakes, and four species of cheloneans from DTR. With
the subsequent observations by Lalrinchhana & Solanki (2015), Lalremsanga
et al. (2016), Muansanga et al. (2020), Biakzuala et al. (2020), Decemson et
al. (2021), currently the reptilian fauna of DTR stands to 40 species
(saurians: 26, serpentes: 9; cheloneans: 4). The present study recorded 33
species of reptiles from DTR of which 16 species of snakes, viz., Hebius
khasiensis, Rhabdophis himalayunus, Smithophis bicolor, Smithophis
atemporalis, Boiga ochracea, Boiga quincunciata, Oligodon cf. cinereus,
Oligodon dorsalis, Dendrelaphis cyanochloris, Ahaetulla flavescens,
Pseudoxenodon macrops, Pareas monticola, Naja kaouthia, Bungarus fasciatus,
Trimeresurus erythrurus, and Agyrophis diardii were reported
for the first time from DTR.
Pawar & Birand
(2001) made a pioneer work to document the herpetofauna of DTR. They recorded
27 species of reptiles from DTR out of which one species (Draco sp.)
cannot be determined to a species level. However, they indicated that the
species in question had an affinity with D. blanfordi or D. norvilli
and another two species that were conferred as Dendrelaphis cf. pictus
and Trimeresurus cf. stejnegeri needs verification.
Lalrinchhana et al.
(2011) recorded 22 species of lizard from DTR. Subsequently, Lalrinchhana &
Solanki (2015) recorded 22 species of lizards from DTR. It is interesting to
note that, even though the number of species recorded in these studies remained
the same, the recorded species were not the same. Eighteen species, viz., Calotes
versicolor, Calotes emma, Draco maculatus, Cristidorsa
planidorsata, Ptyctolaemus gularis, Gekko gecko, Hemidactylus
platyurus, Hemidactylus frenatus, Hemidactylus brookii, Hemidactylus
garnotii, Cyrtodactylus sp., Takydromus sexlineatus, Sphenomorphus
maculatus, Eutrophis multifasciata, Eutrophis macularia, Tropidophorus
assamensis, Varanus bengalensis, and Varanus salvator were
recorded in both studies. Lalrinchhana & Solanki (2015) reported four
species viz., Calotes cf. irawadi, Draco maculatus divergens,
Draco cf. blanfordi, and Sphenomorphus indicus which were
not reported by Lalrinchhana et al. (2011). A recent study in DTR (Lalmuansanga
et al. 2020) as well as the present study recorded Cyrtodactylus montanus
from DTR. Therefore, the species previously reported as Cyrtodactylus
sp. from DTR is likely represented by this species.
The reports of Calotes
versicolor by Pawar & Birand (2001), Lalrinchhana et al. (2011), and
Lalrinchhana & Solanki (2015) remain unclear as Gowande et al. (2021)
removed C. versicolor from northeastern India and placed all the
northeastern Indian species in C. irawadi clade, therefore, the
revaluation of Calotes versicolor group in northeast India is requires
further studies. Gowande et al. (2021) stated that males of C. versicolor attain
yellowish overall coloration, the trunk and the orbital region turns bright
orange, forelimbs and hind limbs turn dark to black, however in present study
we documented a displaying male from Teirei river, DTR with a reddish colour
around the tympanum that extends till the midbody, which resembles the revived
species, Calotes vultuosus (Type locality Kolkata, West Bengal) and the
occurrence of this species needs to be checked/ confirmed in Mizoram. Pawar
& Birand (2001) also reported four chelonians during their study in DTR
which were not encountered in the present study. Among other additions,
Vanlalchhuana et al. (2016) reported the nesting and hatchlings of Ophiophagus
hannah from DTR.
The maximum number of
encounters during our study inhabit roadside vegetation, forest trails and
streams flowing along the roadside while there were very few encounters in the
oil palm plantation. The roads connecting the villages within DTR are a
borderline between the core and buffer zones. The expansion of road networks is
one of the major threats for wildlife as a result of habitat destruction and
population fragmentation (Mader 1984; Jaarsma et al. 2006). Moreover, the
impact of roads is manifested in the direct mortality of wildlife through
wildlife-vehicle collisions (Bennett 2017). Vehicle collisions are a major
cause of mortality for a wide variety of herpetofauna (Dutta et al. 2016).
During our survey at DTR, we observed a road-killed gravid female Trimeresurus
erythrurus. As much as road connectivity is essential for the communities
living in the fringe villages of DTR, detailed studies on the impact of roads
on the wildlife of DTR in general and herpetofauna, in particular, will help in
formulating mitigation measures.
Biodiversity
incentivization provides essential baseline data on life forms in space and
time (McDiarmid et al. 2012), the local herpetofauna diversity inventory
presented in this study will ultimately contribute to our understanding of
biodiversity and it will be valuable information for policy makers.
Table 1. Annotated checklists of reptiles of Dampa Tiger Reserve. * represents
the first record of the species from DTR.
|
Family |
Species |
Pawar & Birand
(2001) |
Lalrinchhana &
Solanki (2015) |
Lalmuansanga et
al. (2020) |
Vanlalchhuana et
al. (2016) |
Biakzuala et al.
(2020) |
Present study |
|
AGAMIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Calotes emma |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Calotes versicolor |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Calotes cf. irawadi |
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Draco maculatus |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Draco sp. (cf.
blandfordii-norvilli) |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cristidorsa
planidorsata |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Ptyctolaemus
gularis |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
GEKKONIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Hemidactylus
platyrus |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Hemidactylus
brookii |
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hemidactylus
frenatus |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Hemidactylus
garnotii |
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hemidactylus sp. |
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cyrtodactylus sp. |
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cyrtodactylus
montanus |
|
|
√ |
|
|
√ |
|
|
Geeko gecko |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
SCINCIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Eutropis macularia |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eutropis
multifasciata |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eutropis sp. |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tropidophorus
assamensis |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sphenomorphus
maculatus |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Sphenomorphus
indicus |
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
LACERTIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Takydromus
sexlineatus |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
VARANIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Varunus
benghalensis |
√ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Varunus salvator |
|
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
NATRICIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Herpetoreas xenura |
√ |
|
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Hebius khasiensis |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Rhabdophis helleri |
√ |
|
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Rhabdophis cf. himalayanus |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Smithophis bicolor |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Smithophis
atemporalis |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Fowlea piscator |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
COLUBRIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Boiga ochracea |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Boiga quinqunciata |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Ahaetulla flavescens |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Oligodon cf. cinereus |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Oligodon dorsalis |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Lycodon zawi |
√ |
|
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Lycodon
septentrionalis |
|
|
|
|
√ |
√ |
|
|
Dendrelaphis
cyanochloris |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Dendrelaphis
proarchos |
|
|
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Psammodynastes
pulverulentus |
√ |
|
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
Ptyas korros |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PSEUDOXENODONTIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Pseudoxenodon
macrops |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
PAREIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Pareas monticola |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
ELAPIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Naja kaouthia |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Bungarus fasciatus |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
|
Ophiophagus hannah |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
VIPERIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Trimeresurus
popeiorum |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trimeresurus
erythrurus |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
TYPHLOPIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Argyrophis diardii |
|
|
|
|
|
√* |
|
EMYDIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Cuora mouhotii |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cyclemys gemelli |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Melanochelys
trijuga |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TESTUDINIDAE |
|||||||
|
|
Indotestudo
elongata |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
For figure &
images – click here for full PDF
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