Sri Lanka Petite Shrub-frog (Pseudophilautus tanu)

English: Sri Lanka Petite Shrub-frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus tanu

Sri Lanka Petite Shrub-frog is an endemic species of amphibians found in the law-land wet zone forests of Sri Lanka. It can be observed in open areas of canopy covered forest margins. In the research paper (PETHIYAGODA 2009) they have mentioned that this species was observed in Kanneliya and Pituwela rain forests. In addition to that it has been mentioned that the species might occur in other lowland wet zone forests of the island. It is believed that this species also lay eggs in the soil, which is the common egg laying behavior of the genus Pseudophilautus.
Above photographs were taken at Gilimale rain forest, Rathnapura. Photographed location was a forest margin and there were small water streams closed to the fern trees which we found above specimen. Any human activity that change the environmental consistency of forest margins such as adding garbage and agricultural activities can be considered as the main threats for the species. IUCN Red list status of this frog is 'Endangered'.

Referance:

• PETHIYAGODA, ROHAN 2009 Two New Species of Shrub Frogs (Rhacophoridae: Philautus) from the Lowlands of Sri Lanka. Zootaxa 2122: 51–68.
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm) 2015-4 - http://www.iucnredlist.org

Luisia zeylanica

Binomial Name: Luisia zeylanica

Luisia zeylanica is an wild orchid found in lowland wetzone and submontane zone of Sri Lanka. This epyphite can be seen in shady places. In addition to Sri Lanka, this same plant has been recorded from India and Nepal. Above flowers were observed in March , 2015.

Reference:

• An Annotated Checklist of the Orchids of Sri Lanka, Samantha Suranjan Fernando and Paul Ormerod 

• Vij, S. P.; Verma, Jagdeep, 2005: Luisia zeylanica Lindl. (Orchidaceae): A new record for Himachal Pradesh. Rheedea 15(2): 138-139

Bulbophyllum thwaitesii

Binomial Name: Bulbophyllum thwaitesii

Bulbophyllum thwaitesii is a wild orchid found mainly in wet zone of Sri Lanka. It is a epiphyte grown on the stems of trees. Above flowers were observed in February and March.

Reference: An Annotated Checklist of the Orchids of Sri Lanka, Samantha Suranjan Fernando and Paul Ormerod

Sri Lanka Short-Horned Shrub frog (Pseudophilautus singu)

English: Sri Lanka Short-Horned Shrub frog

Binomial: Pseudophilautus singu 

Pseudophilautus singu is an endemic species of frogs found in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. This species was described scientifically in 2009 for the first time. Bearing horn like tubercles on the upper eyelids caused to have the species name “Singu” which has the Sinhala meaning “Horn”. In the research paper, they (PETHIYAGODA 2009) have observed this frog in Kithulgala and Kottawa rain forests. In addition to that I observed the same species in Kalugala rain forest, Baduraliya. Observed habitat of this frog was very wet and had a good forest cover. Also there were some small water streams close to the perched shrubs. It has been categorized as ‘Endangered’ In the IUCN Red Red List,

Referances: 

• PETHIYAGODA, ROHAN. 2009. “Two New Species of Shrub Frogs (Rhacophoridae: Philautus) from the Lowlands of Sri Lanka.” Zootaxa 2122: 51–68. 
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm) 2015-4 - http://www.iucnredlist.org

Water Snow Flat (Tagiades litigiosa)

English: Water Snow Flat
Binomial: Tagiades litigiosa

Water Snow Flat is a butterfly belongs to Hesperiidae family. It lives in Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Above photograph was taken at Eastern Sinharaja.

Golden shrub frog (Pseudophilautus auratus)

English: Golden shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus auratus
Sinhala: රන්වන් පඳුරු මැඩියා [Ranwan panduru madiya]

Pseudophilautus auratus is an endemic species shrub frogs restricted to the wet zone forests of Sri Lanka. It is considered to be rare and commonly seen in higher elevations (513-1270m) of Sinharaja world heritage site, such as Morningside and Sooriyakanda forest reserves. Color of the body is highly variable and can be seen in yellow, pink or brownish pink. Latin species name “auratus” is an allusion to the golden skin color. Breeding of this amphibian does not depend on water and it takes place by direct development. IUCN Red List status of this frog is “Endangered”. Deforestation and agricultural activities are said to be the main threats.

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. 
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm) 2015-4 - http://www.iucnredlist.org 
• Manamendra-Arachchi, K. & R. Pethiyagoda (2006): Sri Lankan amphibians [in Sinhala]. – WHT Publications, Colombo.

Lemon pansy (Junonia lemonias)

English: Lemon pansy
Binomial: Junonia lemonias

Lemon pansy is a widely distributed butterfly in South Asian region including Sri Lanka. Above was photographed at Yala national park in June, 2015. It is more common in the dry zone compared to the wet zone.