Saturday, March 26, 2016

Common iora (Aegithina tiphia)


English: Common iora
Binomial: Aegithina tiphia
Sinhala: පොදු අයෝරාවා[Podu ayorawa]

Common iora is a widely distributed bird in Indian subcontinent. It is common in dry-zone forests of Sri Lanka. Above photographs were taken at Yala national park in June, 2015.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Beddome's cat snake (Boiga beddomei)


English: Beddome's cat snake
Binomial: Boiga beddomei
Sinhala: කහ මාපිලා[Kaha mapila]

Beddome's cat snake is a nocturnal and mostly arboreal colubrine snake found in Sri Lanka and India. It is considered to be mildly venomous. Above photographed one was found in a wet zone forest  of Sri Lanka in December, 2015.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Rhynchoglossum notonianum

Binomial: Rhynchoglossum notonianum
Sinhala: දියනිල්ල[Diyanilla]

It is an indigenous plant found in Sri Lanka and some other Asian countries. It is grown in hill country and mostly found close to water streams. Above photographs were taken close to a stream in Badulla district where elevation above the sea level is about 790m.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Kandyan Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus rus)


English: Kandyan Shrub Frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus rus
Sinhala: නුවර පඳුරු මැඩියා[Nuwara panduru madiya]

Pseudophilautus rus is an endemic species of frog found in wet zone of Sri Lanka. Lives many in wet zone forests and also close to human habitats. It was first described from Kandy district that caused the name 'Kandyan Shrub frog'. IUCN Red List status is 'Near Threatened'. Habitat loss and agrochemicals are considered to be the main treats for the existence of this species. 

References: Manamendra-Arachchi, K., and Pethiyagoda, R. (2005). ''The Sri Lankan shrub-frogs of the genus Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Ranidae: Rhacophorinae), with description of 27 new species.'' Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement 12, 163-303.
Sri Lankawe Ubhayajeeven - Rohan Pethiyagoda/Kelum Manamendra-arachchi.