On the discovery of second living population of Adenomus kandianus (Günther, 1872) from sri lanka: with the bioECOLOGY, and detailed redescription to the species

Abstract

Adenomus is an endemic genus of toads to Sri Lanka known from three species. Adenomus kandianus had been considered extinct until its recent rediscovery from the Peak Wilderness in 2012, after a lap of 136 years. Here we report the second existing population of Adenomus kandianus from lower part of the Pidurutalagala Forest Reserve, in central Sri Lanka. Detailed descriptions of male and female Adenomus kandianus along with the holotype are provided. Habitats around this forest area up to 1300 m elevation have been replaced rapidly by human encroachments primarily for tea plantations, cultivated lands and human settlements. Lower part of the Pidurutalagala Forest Reserve, which supports high faunal diversity, has long been under studied and requires further exploration.