තපසර බුලත්[Tapasara Bulath] (Thottea siliquosa)

A native branched shrub growing rain forest understory of the wet zone. Leaves chewed with betel.

කාවයියා/පොල් කාවයියා [Kawaiya/Pol Kawaiya]/Climbing Perch(Anabas testudineus)

Climbing Perch is a common fish inhabiting tanks, ponds, swamps, streams and some time even in lakes which have connected to the sea. It is distributed in both wet and dry lowlands. Climbing Perch is one of the most hardy fish which can survive in extremely unfavorable water conditions and it has been recorded that they can travel certain distance overland from one water body to another. However tree climbing habit attributed to this fish by some authors is not reliably observed. As per Deraniyagala it visits newly sown paddy fields at night to feed on the grain (Deraniyagala P.E.P., 1952). It feeds on macrophytic vegetation, fish fry and shrimps (Pethiyagoda, R., 1991).

අඬනහිරියා [Adanahiriya] (Clitoria laurifolia)

An introduced small shrub naturalized in wet zone. It is native to tropical America. Flowering throughout the year.

Kirtisighe's Frog/කීර්තිසිංහගේ මැඩියා[Kirthtisinhage Madiya] (Minervarya kirtisinghei [Fejervarya kirtisinghei])

A common endemic frog inhabiting streams in forests and adjoining plantations (Rubber estates), home gardens, marshy areas and such aquatic habitats of the wet zone below 1600m elevation. Sometime found far away from the water. 

කූඩලු [Koodalu](Impatiens leptopoda)

An endemic herb growing among rocks or on banks of streams and rivers in rain forests and thickets in more open places of the hill country(Above 1200m a.s.l). Flowers are variable in size and color and color varies from pink, mauve-pink to white with a dark magenta spot towards the base of each pair of lateral united petals. 

Drepanosticta anamia

Drepanosticta anamia is a recently described endemic damselfly inhabiting small to mid-size shaded stream habitats in primary and secondary wet zone forests from 50-800m a.s.l. altitude in 22 localities in Kegalle, Nuwaraeliya, Colombo, Kaluthara, Rathnapura Galle and Mathara districts (Bedjanič, M., 2010). As per M. Bedjanič flight season stretches from end of April to September with a single end-February record. 

My Observations 

Above specimen was photographed at Meethirigala forest reserve of Gampaha district adding one more locality to already described 22 locations.  It has been observed there in May and June of 2011 and July 2012. 

References

Bedjanič, M., 2010. Three new Drepanosticta species from Sri Lanka (Zygoptera: Platystictidae). Odonatologica 39(3): 195-215.

Osmunda collina

A primitive terrestrial fern endemic to Sri Lanka. It grows by stream banks in fast flowing water with shade in montane and submontane forests. Brownish leaflets of the leaves are reproductive leaflets and green ones are vegetative.

Red Helen (Papilio helenus)

Red Helen is a rare butterfly found in wet zone forests in all the year round. The males are fond of settling on damp earth on the roads and stream beds. When resting with open wings the forwing is drawn back over the yellow color patches of the hind wing as shown in the picture above, probably to avoid unwanted attraction of predators. Larva feeds on Zanthoxylum tetraspermum, Citrus japonica, and Kudumiris[කුඩුමිරිස්] (Toddalia asiatica) in the field.(Larva also fed on Citrus madurensis [නස් නාරන්] and Citrus sinensis leaves when offered in the lab.)

වල් - ඉඟුරු [Wal-Inguru] Wild Ginger (Zingiber zerumbet)

A perennial herb with leafy stem cultivated throughout the island and sometime naturalized. Flowering from February to October. Used medicinally. 

Jerdon's Nightjar/Large-tailed Nightjar/Long-tailed Nightjar/Horsfield's Jungle Nightjar/ දිගුපෙඳ බිම්බස්සා [Dhigupedha bimbassa] (caprimulgus atripennis)

Common breeding resident of dry lowlands to drier mid hills. Local and uncommon in wet lowlands. Jerdon's Nightjar inhabits scrub lands, chena cultivation and wooded areas. It roosts on the ground during the day time in a well camouflages shady location. Nesting on the ground without a nest, often at the side of a jungle path, from February to May and possibly again from August to September.  It feeds on various flying insects such as beetles, termites etc.

Meistera masticatorium [Syn: Amomum masticatorium]

Large endemic herb specimens collected so far only from few places of the Kandy district (Flora of Ceylon Vol 4). It grows in moist forests.

කටකළුවා/මුදුහබරා[Katakaluva/Muduhabara]/Trinket Snake (Coeloganthus helena)

The Trinket snake is a common non-venomous, terrestrial snake widely distributed in lowlands up to about 600m elevation. It can be found both in forests and anthropological habitats mostly closer to water bodies. It is active during morning hours as well as dusk and considered as a diurnal snake though nocturnal habitats have been observed too. When cornered Trinket snake expands its fore body and open mouth displaying its black color. Hence the vernacular name Katakaluwa (One with a black mouth). It feeds on rodents, frogs and lizards. 

* One depicting in above photographs is a juvenile albino snake with about 36mm length, encountered in a home garden. Distinct black lines of the neck  region and black streak behind the eye are faint of this specimen unlike it is with normal snakes. It had red eyes as it is always with albino animals.

කූඩලු [Koodalu](Impatiens elongata)

An endemic herb found in riverside rocks, near waterfalls, scrub covered slopes or in open places in  montane forests (1170 - 2000m a.s.l.)

Spotted Skink (Eutropis madaraszi)

An endemic skink found in rock crevices, leaf litter of forests or under logs in both wet and dry zone up to about 800m elevation .

Bladderwort (Utricularia moniliformis)

Only endemic member of the bladderwort flower family with local distribution in south-central hills of Sri Lanka (750-2300m a.s.l). It can be found on wet rocks as well as tree trunks. Flowering from July to December. It is a insectivorous tiny herb which lacks true roots to absorb nutrients from the soil. Bladderwort plants have tiny hollow sacks less than 1mm in diameter (bladders) that lie below ground level to capture and digest small protozoans and insect larva.

Broad line Strip Rasbora/දන්ඩියා/කුඩමස්සා [Dandiya/Kudamassa] (Rasbora dandiya)

Very common freshwater fish found in streams, rivers, paddy fields and tanks throughout the lowlands up to about 700m altitude.

කූඩලු [Koodalu](Impatiens cornigera)

An endemic herb growing in shady places amongst rocks or pathways usually near streams and rivers of lowland and hill country rain forests (165-  1400m a.s.l. ). Color of the flower varies from yellow, pink, pale violet purple to white. 

Blank Swift (Caltoris kumara)

Blank Swift is a rare butterfly found in hill country above 300ft (Woodhouse L.G.O, 1950). Ormiston recorded it from Haldummulla and hills above Rathnapura and Woodhouse from Corbet's gap[most months of the year] and Madugoda [plentiful in March and Apri] (Woodhouse L.G.O, 1950 & Ormiston W., 1924). Above photograph was taken at Sinharaja World Heritage site (~1700ft a.s.l). Its larva feeds on Davidsea attenuata and also Bambusa multiplex only when offered.

Alpinia abundiflora

An indigenous large herb grows in the hill country forests. Flowering from February to November.

Rufous Horse-shoe Bat (Rhinolophus rouxii)

Rufous Horseshoe Bat is a common bat occurs from forested parts of the low country to the lower hills (500 m a.s.l) while becoming scarce above 1300 m a.s.l. It roosts day time in caves, old buildings, barns and dark culverts as large colonies of same species or sometime with other species of bats such as Schneider’s leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros speoris), Long-eared false vampire bat(Megaderma spasma) and Bi-colored leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros ater). But roosting single individuals or small parties are also not uncommon in such places. It emerges late in the evening from the roosting site and catch small flying insects (Moths, Beetles etc.) by flying about 3-4 feet above the ground below trees or sometime darting at the prey from a perched position in a low bushes. This bat occurs in two color forms,  brown and orange, while later color phase bats are much common during the winter months of the northern hemisphere (Yapa A. & Ratnavira G., 2013). 

වල් - කිඩාරම් [Wal-Kidaram] (Arisaema leschenaultii)

Rather rare indigenous herb found in shady places in the hill country. The "flower" is hooded with the green spathe protecting the interior, which contains the true flowers from the rain. 

Muller's shrub frog (Pseudophilautus sarasinorum)

An endemic shrub frog confined to the sub-montane forests from 600 to 1300m in Central and Knuckles hills. It can be observed on moss covered rocks and trees near forest streams as well as such anthropogenic habitats.

පුංචි ලේනා[Punchi Leana]Dusky striped jungle squirrel (Funambulus obscurus)

The smallest squirrel in Sri Lanka with relatively short tail compared with the other squirrels. It is distributed in wet zone forests from lowlands to higher hills. It is strictly forest dweller though sometime visits adjoining well wooded home gardens. Dusky striped jungle squirrel feeds on insects, grubs, flowers, fruits and often follows mix-species feeding flocks of birds, closer to the ground in search of disturbed insects and grubs by the birds. They are often encountered as pairs and keep contacts with each others with bird-like contact call. 

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Hare-bell (Wahlenbergia marginata)

An indigenous and common herb found in Patana lands and rocky areas of the higher hills (1400-2400 m). Flowering throughout the year though chiefly from December to May.

Malayan (Megisba malaya)

Malayan is a common butterfly occurs from lowlands to hills (Up to about 400ft). The dry seasonal form is large. Males often settle on damp earth and bird dropping to absorb minerals. Its larval food plant are Allophylus cobbe (බූ-කොබ්බෑ\කොබ්බෑ), Mallotus rhamnifolius (මොළබෑ/බුලු හුලු කැප්පෙටියා), Mallotus philippensis, and Mallotus eriocarpus.

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බුලත් හපයා/මනමාලයා[Bulath Hapaya/Manamalaya]/Black Ruby Barb(Pethiya nigrofasciatus)

An endemic fish restricted to slow flowing clear, shady forest streams with gravel or sand substrate from wet lowlands up to about 300m elevation from Maha Oya to Walawe basin. 

Eulophia graminea

Rather rare terrestrial orchid species grows in open places under partial shade in the dry regions. 

Blue Pursuer (Potamarcha congener)

Blue Pursuer is a locally common dragonfly found in small weedy ponds and marshes from lowlands to mid-hills. 

සුදු වේවැල්/තුඩරෑන[Sudu Wewal/Thuda rena] (Calamus ovoideus)

An endemic rattan climbing about 50-70 m height, occurs in wet lowlands and lower montane forests up to about 1500m a.s.l. Flowering in April and fruits ripen during September - October. Canes use to make furniture and baskets.  

Sharp-snouted shrub frog (Pseudophilautus cuspis)

An endemic shrub frog is confined to the wet lowland close canopy rain forests with little understorey from 150m to 660m a.s.l. Sharp-snouted shrub frog is active both day and night and during the day time it can be found among leaf litter on the ground. Vocalizing males can be found on branches and leaves above the forest floor during the night.

Recorded areas - Millawa near Morawaka, Mederipitiya and Wathugala near Deniyaya, 

Above individual was photographed near famous giant Navada tree of Sinharaja world heritage site from Kudawa entrance. 

බාඳුරා වැල්[Badura wel]/Pitcher-plant (Nepenthes distillatoria)

A woody leaf climber reaching top of tall trees or growing over lower vegetation in primary and secondary forests of the lowland wet zone.  Also grows in scrublands. The insectivorous habit of the plant is believed to be as an adaptation to meet nutritional deficiency when it occurs in poor soils. However plant can be found in both poor and rich soils. The lid over the pitcher functions as insect attraction due to its reddish green or brown color and also prevent dilution of its insect-digesting fluid with rain water. The fluid in the 'pitcher' part of the leaf is prescribed as a remedy for whooping cough by some indigenous medical practitioners and prescribes to taken orally. The stems are used as rough cordage. 

Spot-winged Thrush/ශ්‍රී ලංකා තිත්පිය තිරාසිකයා/පුල්ලි වල් අවිච්චියා [Sri Lanka Titpiya Thirasikaya/Pulli Wal Avichchiya] (Geokichla spiloptera)

A rare breeding resident inhabiting undergrowth of forests and well wooded areas from wet lowlands to higher hills. Scarce and local in riverine forests in the dry zone. It feeds on insects, worms, etc mainly on the ground, skulking in the undergrowth while turning over leaf litter. It lives as pairs or as solitary birds. The breeding season is from March to April and again from August to September. It build a nest - an untidy mass of twigs, moss and grass- placed in a crown of tree fern or fork of a sapling where it lays two eggs. 

සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න >>

Aphyllorchis montana

A rare leafless terrestrial saprophytic orchid species with distinguish purple stem. It grows under the shade of trees in the submontane or mid-country tropical wet evergreen forests below 610 m altitude. 

First physical observation of Petinomys fuscocapillus (jerdon, 1847) with photographic evidence from Sinharaja World Heritage Site

 Small flying squirrel or Heen Hambawa (හීන් හම්බාවා) in Sinhalese is one of the rarest nocturnal mammals of heavy forests of the lower foothills to higher altitudes (Yapa A. & Ratnavira G., 2013). As per Phillips W.W.A. its range limited to the hills at medium altitudes with extremely local distribution (Phillips W.W.A., 1981). Further he has given a list of places from where it had been recorded up to then (Table 1). Other than Sri Lanka it is found only in Western Ghats of India and there also it was re-discovered in a coconut grove in Kerala state in 1989 after one hundred years and it was thought to be extinct in India till then (Yapa A. & Ratnavira G., 2013 & Nanayakkara et.al., 2012 quoting Kurup, 1989).  In 2007 Jayasekara et.al. recorded it from Sinharaja forest with a black & White picture captured by a camera trap placed on a fruiting tree to assess fruit consumption by birds and mammals of a tropical rain forest (Jayasekara et.al., 2007).  Most recent observation of it is from Laggala-Illukkubura road of Knuckles range made by Nanayakkara et.al on 26^th January 2013. They have observed and photographed a single specimen while it was feeding on tender part of the shoot and leaves of a climber at 2130 hr on a tree 9m above ground level in a well-developed semi-evergreen forest habitat .  They have not observed gliding of the animal (Nanayakkara et.al, 2013). Hitherto only color photographs available of this illusive mammal was from them and it was the first physical examination of this species from Sri Lanka after 78 years.  

	Location	Altitude (ft)
1	Forests of Dimbula (in 1850s)	4500
2	Dickoya
3	Gammaduwa in the east Mathale hills	2500ft
4	Kitulgala	900
5	Wellawaya	600
6	Adam’s peak wilderness

Food:

It is believed that Small flying squirrel is feeds on wild fruits, berries, nuts, shoots and young leaves and possibly also sappy bark of certain trees (Phillips W.W.A., 1981)

Habits:

Small flying squirrel is purely nocturnal and arboreal and it spends day time in a hole of a tree trunk or branch of a large tree. It carries its tail curled over its back when stationery and feeding. Not much information available on its breeding and it is said that two young are born in a hole, lined with vegetable fibres, etc. in which their mother lives day hours.

Observation and discussion

On 14^th January 2014 we were able to observe and photograph a Small flying squirrel at a place close to the Sinharaja forest reserve (Outside the protected area) from around 11.30 PM to 3.00AM of 15^th January 2014 (It was not at the site continuously during the observation period but appeared there time to time). It was observed about 2m above the ground while feeding probably on young shoots and leaves of a mango tree (Mangifera indica). Short distance (less than 3m) gliding also noticed at least once during the observation period.  Most of the time except when moving from one place to another it kept its tail draped over its back. It was not much shy and not paid much attention toward camera flashes and torch lights. According to all available published data this might be the second instance of the physical observation of this rare mammal in recent history with photographic evidences and first instance of observing it in Sinharaja forest reserve area though existing of it there has been already proved with camera traps (Jayasekara et.al., 2007). Most important fact here is that this observation was made not inside the dense forest but small secondary forest area close to Kudawa conservation center office and this observation highlights the  important of conserving not only Sinharaja forest itself but also buffer zone forest areas surrounding the Sinharaja heritage site.

References

Jayasekara P., Weerasinghe U.R., Wijesundara S. and Takatsuki S., 2007 Identifying diurnal and nocturnal frugivores in the terrestrial and arboreal layers of a tropical rain forest in Sri Lanka. Ecotropica, 13: 7-15 

Kurup G.U., 1989 Rediscovery of small Travancore Flying Squirrel. Oryx 23: 2-3

Nanayakkara R. P., Vishvanath N., Kusuminda T.G.T., 2013 The small  fying squirrel (Petinomys fuscocapillus) observed after 78 years in Sri Lanka Taprobanica Vol 5 No 1: 85-86

Phillips W.W.A., 1980 Manual of the mammals of Sri Lanka Part 2: 175-177 

Weerakoon D. K. 2012. The Taxonomy and Conservation Status of Mammals in Sri Lanka. In: The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Weerakoon, D.K. & S. Wijesundara Eds.,Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka 134-144pp

Yapa A. and Ratnavira G. 2013 The Mammals of Sri Lanka 212-213

Hump-nosed Lizard/Lyre-headed Lizard/ගැටහොඹු කටුස්සා/කරමල් බෝදිලිමා/බොහොඬා[Gatahombu Katussa/Karamal Bodilima/Bohonda](Lyriocephalus scutatus)

Hump-nosed Lizard is an endemic arboreal lizard found in shaded forests and adjoining well wooded home gardens and plantations from wet lowlands to mid hills (up to about 1600m a.s.l.). It feeds on insects[termites, butterflies, moths], earthworms,  young shoots and buds as well as fruits on both trees and on land. It is a diurnal lizard and during night ascending high up trees to sleep. If cornered it opens its mouth wide to show the bright red color inside, change body color  and also practicing death feigning. 

Plain Hedge Blue (Celastrina lavendularis)

Plain Hedge Blue is a rare butterfly found in up country over 3000ft between February and October (Woodhouse L.G.O., 1950). However above specimen was photographed in the Sinharaja World Heritage Site (~1700ft). No records available on its larval food plant or early stages of the life cycle.

රන් දෝතළු[Ran dothalu] (Loxococcus rupicola)

Ran dothalu is a rare endemic palm confine to the  south-western rain forests from lowlands to hills (300 to 1500m a.s.l.). It can be found as small populations on shady rocky outcrops  near streams. Seeds use as a substitute for Betel-nut palm for mastication with betel. This palm recently become  a popular ornamental plant and despite the fact that it is protected under the law, illegal over exploitation widely practices and hence become an endangered plant.

Frogmouth/මැඩිමුහුණා[madimuhuna] (Batrachostomus moniliger)

Frogmouth is a rare breeding resident found in dense forests and forests edges in all climatic zones while scarce in hills and comparatively common in the wet zone.  It is a strict nocturnal bird and spends the day perch across a branch with beak pointing upwards and the facial plumes erected forwards looking rather like a broken branch. It feeds mainly on insects like beetles. The breeding takes place from January to March and again from August to September. The nest is a small pad set on a horizontal branch, well camouflaged with lichens and barks which support a single egg which is brooded during the day by the male bird (probably the female broods at night - (Henry G.M., 1998))

බෝවිටියා [Bowitiya] (Osbeckia parvifolia)

An indigenous prostrate to ascending herb common in grasslands, open areas, among rocks and along roads in montane zone. Flowering throughout the year.

Tailless Lineblue (Prosotas dubiosa indica)

Common butterfly found in forests and such well wooded areas throughout the island. Male settles frequently on damp earth to absorb minerals. Larva feeds on Senegalia caesia (හිඟුරු වැල්), Dalbergia rostrata, Mimosa diplotricha (Giant sensitive plant/Creeping mimosa), Mimosa pudica (නිදිකුම්ඹා/Sensitive plant/Touch-me-not), Albizia odoratissima (සූරිය මාර), Pithecellobium dulce (මැනිලා සියඹලා/Madras thorn/Manila Tamarind), Samanea saman (මාර/පිනි මාර/පාරෙ මාර/Rain tree) and Allophylus cobbe (බූ-කොබ්බෑ\කොබ්බෑ).

Lobelia heyneana

An indigenous annual herb common in shady and moist places of  hill country. Flowering January to October.

Kelaart's Dwarf Toad/කෙලාර්ට්ගේ කුරු ගෙම්බා[Kelaartge Kuru Gemba] (Adenomus kelaartii)

Kelaart's Dwarf Toad is an endemic frog inhabiting wet zone forests and adjoining well wooded areas from lowlands to sub-montane region. It is a terrestrial species though occasionally climbs on trees and walls of the rural houses. Kelaart's Dwarf Frog active mainly during the night and in the day time it hides under rocks, decaying logs and  among leaf litter along stream banks. Sometimes more than one individuals can be seen hiding together in a same rock crevice.

Knoxia platycarpa var. hirsuta [Syn: Knoxia hirsuta]

An endemic herb common in forests and open areas of montane zone. Flowering throughout the year.

New distribution record for Libellago corbeti (van der Poorten, N., 2009)

Introduction

Libellago corbeti (Ebony Gem) is an endemic damselfly first identified in July 2007 from two male specimens seen near Kudawe and later on another two females from same locality in April 2008. It was described as a new species by Nancy van der Poorten in 2009 (van der Poorten, N., 2009). Additional sightings of it from the type locality as well as from several other forests of the south western wet zone were recorded subsequently (van der Poorten, N., 2011). Those additional places are -

1)      Near the start of the Moulawella nature trail, river running down from the Kudawa entry point and near the stream beside research station in the Sinharaja forest reserve.

2)      A stream in the Haycock hill – Hiniduma.

3)      A stream in the Morapitiya forest reserve.

4)      A stream near entrance of Kanneliya forest reserve.

5)      A specimen collected in 1892 by Col. Yerbury from Kottawa (Probably the Kottawa forest reserve of Galle) and now deposited at Natural History Museum London.

Observation

During a field visit to the Katepola, a remote village in Rathnapura district on 25^th of  December 2013 we could photograph a male specimen of Libellago corbeti in a stream - a upper tributary of Kalu river -  beside a rubber plantation.  Eventhough the stream running through rubber estates and home gardens, stream itself and banks are well wooded and home to considerable number of fauna and flora including several endemics.  Libellago corbeti both males and females have been observed in that stream since May 2013 (Ishara Harshajith Wijewardhane, Personal communication, December 25, 2013)

Discussion

Hitherto all published records of Libellago corbeti are from dense rain forest streams and this might be the first sighting of it from a disturbed habitat and also from a site with least protection from environmental authorities, unlike all other places mentioned above with considerable protection under the law. This record of it from further north of the type locality and all other additional places indicates that it might be distributed in wider area and also not very rare as previously thought. Currently it is categorized as a critically endangered species (van Der Porten N. & Karen Conniff , 2012)

 

References

van der Poorten, N., 2009. Libellago corbeti sp. nov. from Sri Lanka (Odonata: Chlorocyphidae). International Journal of Odonatology 12 (2): 223-230, pl. V.

van der Poorten, N., 2011. Additional records of Libellago corbeti van der poorten, 2009 in Sri Lanka with additional comparative notes on behavior. Agrion Newsletter of the worldwide dragonfly association 15(1): 18-20.

van Der Porten N. & Karen Conniff,  2012. The Taxonomy and Conservation Status of the Dragonfly Fauna (Insecta: Odonata) of Sri Lanka. In: The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka;Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Weerakoon, D.K. & S. Wijesundara Eds.,Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1-11 pp

ගල් කරඳ/රුවන් කරඳ[Gal karadha/Ruan Karadha]/(Humboldtia laurifolia)

An endemic small tree common in damp places of wet zone forest understory. 

කඳු අහිරාවා/පොල් අහිරාවා/ගෝමර අහිරාවා/Banded Mountain Loach (Schistura notostigma)

Banded Mountain Loach is an endemic fish found in clear fast flowing shady streams in wet zone up to hills.

Devil's fig (Solanum asperolanatum [Syn: Solanum hispidum])

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Native shrub of Peruvian Andes.  Escape of Hakgala botanical garden in 1926 and now naturalized along roadsides and forest edges in the hill country at about 1500m altitude. Above plant was photographed at Pattipola - Horton plains road.