The herpetofauna of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in central Bhutan: status, distribution and new records

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Published: Oct 26, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.3849.10.11.12489-12498
Keywords:
Amphibians, Bhutan, herpetofauna, lizards, protected area, reptiles, snakes, turtles

Main Article Content

Sangay Tshewang
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, P.O. Box 1345, Tshangkha, Bhutan
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1766-6311
Letro Letro
Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald, Greifswald 17489, Germany
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2042-4030

Abstract

A checklist of herpetofauna in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in central Bhutan based on field surveys and photographic records is presented.  Twelve families, 30 genera, and 42 species of herpetofauna were recorded; 33 species from 24 genera and eight families were reptiles and nine species belonging to six genera and four families were amphibians.  Two ophidians, Bungarus caerulus and B. lividus, and one anuran, Amolops formosus, are new records for Bhutan.  The compiled record also includes three threatened species.  We recommend enhanced monitoring and herpetofauna-oriented conservation and research for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 10 No. 11 (2018)
Section
Communications

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Author Biographies

Sangay Tshewang, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, P.O. Box 1345, Tshangkha, Bhutan

 Sangay Tshewang serves as Park Ranger of Adha Deputy Park Park Range Office under Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and is also the park focal for SMART patrolling. He is an active field biologists with deep taxonomical knowledge in flora and fauna. Limited experts in the herpetological field in Bhutan made Tshewang put special interests in herpetofauna.

Letro Letro, Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald, Greifswald 17489, Germany

Letro Letro serves as a Forestry Officer at Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and coordinates various conservation research works in the park. Currently he is a graduate student at the University of Greifswald, studying Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation. His research focuses on landscape approach conservation of wildlife.

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