RESEARCH ARTICLE

BASELINE BIODIVERSITY SURVEY IN NATIONAL WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER (NWRTC), GIRITALE, SRI LANKA

Abstract

The large extent of habitats, most of the wildlife protected areas being found in the dry zone and also the rapid destruction of forest cover for development brings up a crucial need to explore and document the diversity of these less known dry zone habitats. A three month survey (February to April 2014) covering the entire area of the National Wildlife Research and Training Center (NWRTC) about the five taxonomic groups (Butterflies, Drag- onflies, Amphibians, Reptiles and Small Mammals). Hitherto any systematic survey has not been done in the study area previously. A total of 116 butterfly species including three endem- ics, 33 dragonfly species (3 endemics), 18 amphibian species (4 endemics), 44 reptile species (13 endemics) and 18 small mammal species were recorded from the site. The discovery of an unknown Suncusspecies is the key findings in this survey. The study provides much required data for conservation decision making and this study can be used as a model for other protected areas.

Keywords: Minneriya Giritale, decision making Butterflies, Dragonflie, Amphibians, Reptiles, Small mammals

How to Cite: Priyadarshana,T.M.T.S,Edirisinghe, W.G.M,Wijewardana, G.V.I.H,Jayasooriya, A.L.A.C,Samarakoon, S.M.R.T.G,Dissanayaka, D.M.W,Nanayakkara, K.G.P,Wickramasingha, W.A.K.L.M, (2015). BASELINE BIODIVERSITY SURVEY IN NATIONAL WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER (NWRTC), GIRITALE, SRI LANKA.WILDLANKA, 3(2):Pages 095-106

Published On:2015-06-30

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