Behavior Associated with Habitat Utilization of Rhino Horned Lizard (Ceratophora stoddartii) (Sauria: Agamidae) in Montane Cloud Forests of Sri Lanka

Ceratophora stoddartii is an endemic endangered relict of the genus Ceratophora which inhabit few localities in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. This is a unique lizard species with a prominent rostral appendage which resembles a Rhino-horn. C. stoddartii is highly adapted to montane cloud forests of Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the behaviours associated with its habitat utilisation in the Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) from January 2016 to January 2018. Transects of 100 m were conducted in the cloud forest and cloud forest die-back habitats of HPNP. A total of 324 line transects of 100 m were traversed monthly for C. stoddartii census. At each lizard sighting, the gender and maturity stage were determined. Body surface temperature of lizards was recorded at the first encounter using Extech IR201A Infra-Red thermometer. Substrate temperature and ambient temperature were also recorded. An ethogram was developed and focal animal sampling was conducted dividing the day into four time periods; morning, mid-day, evening and night. Activity level was determined considering the number of lizards that could be visually observed. The activity level peaked from 1000-1100h with an average of 5.1±1.76 lizards and gradually decreased in the evening. Alert behavior was the prominent behavior (34.5%) followed by resting (23.7%). When compared to other lizard species, a relatively low time was allocated by C. stoddartii for foraging related activities that include feeding and hunting prey items. The reduced time alocation for basking (10.8%) and locomotion (12.3%) suggests that C. stoddartii is a less active lizard that mostly prefers sit and wait predation equipped with good camouflage strategies. This species was mostly using the substrate temperature for its thermoregulation where there was a strong positive correlation between body surface temperature and substrate temperature (Pearson correlation=0.871, p<0.05). The correlation between the body temperature and ambient temperature was not strong despite being significant (Pearson correlation=0.545, p<0.05). Behavioral thermoregulation was also observed where C. stoddartii was seen seeking insulation inside the cradles created by mosses and other epiphytes that are abundant in the cloud forest. Mosses provided them insulation in cold weather conditions as well as in high temperatures. Therefore, the mosses and lichens which are highly sensitive to climate change and pollution are vital components of their microhabitats. The data generated by the present study will be useful for the conservation and management of C. stoddartii as well as its natural habitat.Keywords: Rhino-horned lizard, Behaviour, Thermoregulation, Cloud forests, Horton Plains National Par

Behavior Associated with Habitat Utilization of Rhino Horned Lizard (Ceratophora stoddartii) (Sauria: Agamidae) in Montane Cloud Forests of Sri Lanka

Ceratophora stoddartii is an endemic endangered relict of the genus Ceratophora which inhabit few localities in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. This is a unique lizard species with a prominent rostral appendage which resembles a Rhino-horn. C. stoddartii is highly adapted to montane cloud forests of Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the behaviours associated with its habitat utilisation in the Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) from January 2016 to January 2018. Transects of 100 m were conducted in the cloud forest and cloud forest die-back habitats of HPNP. A total of 324 line transects of 100 m were traversed monthly for C. stoddartii census. At each lizard sighting, the gender and maturity stage were determined. Body surface temperature of lizards was recorded at the first encounter using Extech IR201A Infra-Red thermometer. Substrate temperature and ambient temperature were also recorded. An ethogram was developed and focal animal sampling was conducted dividing the day into four time periods; morning, mid-day, evening and night. Activity level was determined considering the number of lizards that could be visually observed. The activity level peaked from 1000-1100h with an average of 5.1±1.76 lizards and gradually decreased in the evening. Alert behavior was the prominent behavior (34.5%) followed by resting (23.7%). When compared to other lizard species, a relatively low time was allocated by C. stoddartii for foraging related activities that include feeding and hunting prey items. The reduced time alocation for basking (10.8%) and locomotion (12.3%) suggests that C. stoddartii is a less active lizard that mostly prefers sit and wait predation equipped with good camouflage strategies. This species was mostly using the substrate temperature for its thermoregulation where there was a strong positive correlation between body surface temperature and substrate temperature (Pearson correlation=0.871, p<0.05). The correlation between the body temperature and ambient temperature was not strong despite being significant (Pearson correlation=0.545, p<0.05). Behavioral thermoregulation was also observed where C. stoddartii was seen seeking insulation inside the cradles created by mosses and other epiphytes that are abundant in the cloud forest. Mosses provided them insulation in cold weather conditions as well as in high temperatures. Therefore, the mosses and lichens which are highly sensitive to climate change and pollution are vital components of their microhabitats. The data generated by the present study will be useful for the conservation and management of C. stoddartii as well as its natural habitat.Keywords: Rhino-horned lizard, Behaviour, Thermoregulation, Cloud forests, Horton Plains National Par

Microhabitat Requirements and Utilisation of Cophotis Ceylanica in Cloud Forests in Horton Plains National Park

The pigmy lizard (Cophotis ceylanica) is an endangered and rare lizard species endemic to Sri Lanka, yet no studies exist on its microhabitat requirements and utilisation. The present study was carried out in the Cloud Forest habitat of the Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) with the aim of addressing this knowledge gap in their ecology. Microhabitat variables were measured by placing 1x1 m quadrates making the point of each lizard sighting as the center. Microhabitat details including perch plant characteristics, soil characteristics and environmental parameters were recorded. Highest number of individuals were seen on Sarcococca brevifolia (1.167±0.937) plant species. Total of 78.13%, C. ceylanica were observed perching on branches and 9.38% were observed perching on trunks and 6.25% were observed perching on leaves and ground. Total of 48.87% of C. ceylanica was recorded where the lichen cover was between 50%-75%, 25.00% of C. ceylanica was recorded where the lichen cover was between 25%-50% and 15.62% of C. ceylanica was recorded where it was &gt;75% where 12.50% of C. ceylanica was recorded where the lichen cover was less than 25%. Total of 71.87% C. ceylanica were recorded where branch diameter was between 1-2 cm, 3.12% C. ceylanica were observed where branch diameter was more than 3 cm, 9.37% C. ceylanica were recorded where it was less than 1cm and 15.62% C. ceylanica was recorded in branches where diameter was between 2-3 cm. Total of 71.88% of C. ceylanica were recorded perching in the height category of 2-3 m of perching plants. 15.63% was recorded in the height category of 1-2 m heights. 12.50% was recorded perching in the height category of more than 3 m. No individuals were recorded up to 1m from ground level. C. ceylanica preferred microhabitat where mean ambient temperature was 20.36±3.68° C and mean substrate temperature was 16.89±2.67° C. Relative humidity ranged from 61.40% to 100.00. Results show that this species prefer unique microhabitats in endemic plant species in HPNP with particular branch sizes in certain heights which are covered with lichens. Since these agamid populations are already low, more conservation focus should be given to protect these specific microhabitats in HPNP in order to conserve the existing populations.Keywords: Microhabitat, Perch plants, Conservatio

Diurnal avifaunal diversity, species richness and density along the Bolgoda canal in the Bellanwila- Attidiya sanctuary, western Sri Lanka

Diurnal Avifaunal diversity, density and species richness were studied along the Bolgoda Canal inBellanwi la- Attidiya Sanctuary (70 42/ N, 79° 49!E) of Western Sri Lanka from June 2005 to February2006. Six lines transect (length 500m) totaling 3.00 km and positioned along the Bolgoda canal weretravelled slowly on foot three times per month. The day was divided into three time periods as 0700-1000 (morning), 1200 - 1500 (noon) and 1500 - 1800 (evening). Data were collected three times permonth for each time period. All birds seen within one hundred meters on either side of each transectwere recorded. Fifty-two bird species were recorded including globally endangered spotted billedpelican (Pelecanus philippensisi and four migratory species (Actitis hypoleucos,Burhinusodicnemus, Gelochelidon nilotica, Terpsiphone paradisi). Species diversity was significantly highin December 2005 and low in August 2005. (ANaYA, F= 17.00, p&lt;0.05) Species density wassignificantly high in September 2005 and low in June (ANaYA, F =15.00, p&gt;0.05) Highest speciesrichness was recorded in the morning session (Species richness 26.32 ± 0.021) and the lowest speciesrichness was recorded in the noon session (Species richness 18.82 ± 0.031). Species richness variedfrom33.12 ± 0.023 in August47.54 ± 0.31 in December 2005. Relative abundant indicated that HouseCrow (Corvus splendenss was the most abundant species while Lesser Wh istling Duck (Dendrocyonajavanica) was the least abundance species. Present study revealed that although the study site is inclose proximity to densely populated residential area; it still provides a vital habitat to large number ofbird species and therefore warrants protection

Aspects Associated with Nesting Ecology of Indian Blackbird (Turdus merula kinnisii) in Tropical Montane Cloud Forests of Horton Plains National Park of Sri Lanka

Breeding ecology of Indian Blackbird (Turdus merula kinnisii) was studied at the tropical montane cloud forests of Horton Plains National Park, situated in the highland plateau of the central highlands, from September 2015 to August 2018 within three consecutive days per month. This sub species is endemic to montane forests of Sri Lanka. There are two breeding seasons from March to April and August to September. There was a research gap about the breeding ecology of Blackbird in Sri Lanka. The objective was to conduct a detailed study about breeding ecology. Three habitats were selected within HPNP as cloud forest, cloud forest die-back and grassland habitat. Nests were located by following individuals and searching the vegetation. The location of the nests were marked by a GPS (Garmin eTrex 10). Tree species, nest height, diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured after the birds leaving the nest. Nest concealment, distance from the nest tree to the adjacent tree, nearest road or walking path and water source, was measured. Disturbances for the nests were observed and recorded. Nests accessible from the ground were only taken for inner nest parameters. In this study 30 nests were observed. Most of the nests were located at cloud forest habitat (n=26).They preferred seven plant species to construct their nests. Neolitsea fuscata was their major nesting plant. The nest height was 3.87±1.42 m and the nesting tree height was 7.01±1.71 m. The nests were located in the middle of the trees (relative height=0.56±0.18). Nest concealment was 14.33±4.30%. They highly preferred medium sized trees which were situated at shady habitats near water sources. The nest was a densely built cup with a volume of 936.4±157.5 cm3. Sometimes there were dummy nests around the original nest to protect from predator attacks. They spent 7 to 9 days to complete the nest. The incubation ranged from 16 to 18 days. Nestling period ranged from 13 to 15 days. The adults considered sole care of the young until it become an adult. Nesting success was 73%. Corvus splendens was recorded as the major predator. Present study reveals that cloud forest habitat as the most suitable habitat to construct the nests of Blackbird. Hence, the protection of cloud forest habitat is the assurance of their future generations.Keywords: Indian blackbird (Turdus merula kinnisii), Endemic subspecies, Tropical montane cloud forests, Horton Plains National Park, Breeding ecolog

Frugivory of Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) and Seasonal Variation of Fruiting Phenology in Tropical Montane Cloud Forests of Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka

This study was conducted on a frugivorous bird species, Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) which is an endemic and threatened species, at Horton Plains National Park (HPNP), from September 2015 to November 2017. Direct methods as focal animal sampling and faecal analysis were used to identify food items of P. penicillatus. Feeding plants were identified using field guides. To find out the fruit phenology, ten individuals per plant species were tagged. Fruit cover was estimated in the each tagged tree. According to the present findings, P. penicillatus mainly consumed, 16 species of feeding plants belonging to eleven families. Among them six endemic, eight native and one introduced species were observed. P. penicillatus consumed Rubus ellipticus as their major fruit source. There were seedsof nine plant species were identified by faecal analysis. Maximum ripen fruit cover was recorded from Solanum mauritianum in the northeast monsoon season, first inter-monsoon season and second intermonsoon season. However, in the southwest monsoon season highest ripen fruit cover was recorded from Berberis ceylanica. There was a correlation between number of feeding attempts and ripen fruit cover, of Symplocos bractealis, S. mauritianum and Strobilanthes viscosa. Moreover, there was a correlation between number of feeding attempts and number of trees in fruiting, of Elaeocarpus coreaceus, Passiflora tripartita, Eugenia mabaeoides and S. viscosa. The present study has revealed importance of the floral community to the P. penicillatus. Therefore, it is important to recommend monitoring protocols about the seasonal variations of fruiting phenology in and around HPNP, which are harbouring a large variety of feeding plants of the threatened birds species such as P. penicillatus for conservational purposes. KEYWORDS: Frugivory, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Horton Plains National Park, Seasonal Variation, Tropical Montane Cloud Fores