PROJECT KNUCKLES

:AIMS

The Project aims to report on the status of the threatened reptiles inhabiting the Knuckles Cloud Forest.


  • Very little is known about the Knuckles Cloud Forest and its reptile inhabitants.

 

 

 

 

 

  • The project will study species diversity in the various habitat types of the mountain range.
  • The Project will study the ecological aspects and the status of the Leaf Nose Lizard (Ceratophora tennenti).

    This is a relict agamid found ONLY in the Knuckles Range.

 

 

 

 

 
  • The project will study the status and ecological aspects of other agamids such as the Sri Lankan Pygmy Lizard (Cophotis ceylanica) and the Crestless lizard (Calotes liocephalus)

 

  • The project will study the status and ecological aspects of the relict monotypic species the Four-Toed Snake Skink (Chalcidoseps thwaitesii).

    This is found ONLY in the Knuckles Range.

    At present nothing is known of its ecology, although our findings are currently being collated and assessed.

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • The project will monitor where the different reptile speices are living.

    These distributions will then be collated and mapped.
  • The project will assess the threats posed to reptiles at all stages of development (egg, hatchling, adult).

    Threats to the various habitats of these species will also be assessed.

 

 

 

 
  • Armed with information gathered in the field, the project will be able to recommend remedial actions for the protection of the reptile species.

Examples of such action may include in-situ and ex-situ breeding or the establishment of new regulations concerning cultivation and agriculture in the area.

 
  • The project will place high priority on working alongside and educating local NGOs.

    The project aims to conduct awareness programmes for locals, targetting schools in particular.

 

 

 
  • The project will publish its research findings in Lyriocephalus.

This is the leading local herpetological journal (indexed in the zoological record, UK).

The project also aims aim to publish its findings in reputable journals worldwide.