Vertebrate fauna of Morankanda-Mukalana secondary forest patch in Sri Lanka: A checklist reported from 2004-2008 survey

• Main Author: Hareschandra Bandula Jayaneththi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Ruhuna 2015-06-01
• Series: Ruhuna Journal of Science
• Subjects: Agro-ecosystem; analogue forestry; endemic fauna; rain forests; vertebrate checklist
• Online Access: http://rjs.ruh.ac.lk/index.php/rjs/article/view/82/100

Morankanda-Mukalana is a fragmented forest patch which is located in the Galle district, Southern wet zone of Sri Lanka. Biogeography of the Morankanda is noteworthy because it is located in the middle of the transition area of forest reserves or proposed forest reserves, which includes Beraliya Mukalana. This basic field survey was carried out upon the request made by Morakanda Estate management to define vertebrate checklist in the related area with the aim of starting analogue forestry as a future practice. During the study, a total of nine freshwater fish species were recorded (including four endemics), together with 14 species of amphibians (8 endemics), 43 reptile species (20 tetrapods and 23 serpentoids incl. 16 endemics), and 26 mammals (3 endemics). Avifauna comprised of 112 species (9 migrants) with 12 endemic birds (including proposed endemics). The high vertebrate faunal diversity revealed in this study paved the way for the estate management to change their plantation practice by maintaining partially analogue forestry following conservation practices which will positively affect to improve the status of wild fauna.