An annotated checklist of the herpetofauna of the Rashtrapati Bhawan Estates, New Delhi, India

Main Article Content

Vishal Kumar Prasad
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1818-0903
Anjali Verma
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4258-9944
Ghazala Shahabuddin
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0730-9284

Abstract

Rashtrapati Bhavan Estates is a large semi-natural area comprising significant patches of secondary forest, cultivation, wetlands and parks in the heart of Delhi, the capital city of India.  An inventory of herpetofauna was undertaken from May 15 to July 31, 2015, which revealed four species of amphibians and eight of reptiles.  One reptilian species—Striped Keelback—was a new record for the Delhi region.  In addition, secondary records of the presence of five snake species were obtained.  Given the paucity of published data on natural history of the national capital, this annotated species checklist assumes importance and will be of use for urban planning and conservation.

 

Article Details

Section
Short Communications
Author Biographies

Vishal Kumar Prasad, Biodiversity Research and Conservation Foundation, 73 Gulmohar Colony, ITI Road, Maharashtra- 415002.

I am a scientist working on herpetofaunal biology and conservation.

Anjali Verma, Karanth Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012,

Research Assistant working on herpetofaunal evolutionary biology.

House No. 184, Doiwala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248140, India

 

Ghazala Shahabuddin, Centre for Ecology, Development and Research (CEDAR) 201/1 Vasant Vihar Dehradun Uttarakhand- 248006 India

Senior Scientist working on avian ecology, land use change and conservation policy in South and South-east Asia

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