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Facilitating the discovery of new amphibian species
Facilitating the discovery of new species
Amphibian and reptile discoveries made in sensitive areas prone to habitat destruction demonstrate the resilience of nature and its creations.
The discovery of novel species from the wild, through Dilmah Conservation facilitated research, is a landmark in biodiversity conservation efforts in Sri Lanka. The programme is highlighted by the discovery of the highly threatened Ranwella’s Spined Tree Frog (Polypedates ranwellai) in 2012, from the Gilimale Forest Reserve in the Ratnapura District. This was followed in 2013 by the discovery of eight new species of frogs in the Pseudophilautus genus, only found in Sri Lanka and nearby India, through a study carried out in one of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity hotspots – the Peak Wilderness (Sripada) Sanctuary and World Heritage Site in the Central Highlands. The conservation status of seven of these species have been categorised as Critically Endangered. Both localities where the species were discovered are threatened by a spate of human related activities. The research was carried out in partnership with the Herpetological Foundation of Sri Lanka.
The discoveries are a positive indicator of the diversity of amphibian life in Sri Lanka. Frogs are an important indicator of ecosystems with biodiversity, referring to the number of species in a given area and using it to gauge the health of an ecosystem. The species are named after nine individuals who have worked for the betterment of the conservation sector and the country in general.
This initiative supports specialised research on amphibian and reptile species in Sri Lanka towards improving their conservation status. We will continue to expand these activities towards their documentation and preservation.
