Journal of Environmental Science, Computer Science and Engineering & Technology

JECET; September 2013 – November 2013; Vol.2.No.4, 1270-1275.

Journal of Environmental Science, Computer Science and Engineering & Technology

An International Peer Review E-3 Journal of Sciences and Technology

Available online at www.jecet.org Environmental Science

Research Article

First record of Koegal Ground Gecko (Geckoella

collegalensis) Beddome, 1870 Sauria: Gekkonidae) from little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India

Nitin Walmiki

, Siddhesh Karangutkar

, Bhaskar Yengal

, Rishab Pillai

, Rushil Bhatt

, Anil Gohil

, Asif Khan

and Bhargav Parmar

1Eco Echo, D/85 Meghwadi, Dr. S.S. Rao Road, Lalbaug, Mumbai, India

2S.A.R.R.P (Spreading Awareness on Reptile and Rehabilitation programme), P/17, plot No. 269, Shiv Smriti HSG Soc. Gorai 2, Borivali (W), Mumbai, India

3R.A.W.W (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare), Mumbai, India

4SAHJEEVAN, Vijay nagar, Bhuj 370001, Gujarat, India

Received: 28 August 2013; Revised: 14 October 2013; Accepted: 31 October 2013

Abstract: The genus Geckoella is endemic to South Asia i.e. (India & Srilanka) Total five species are represented in India namely Geckoella deccanensis, Geckoella collegalensis, Geckoella albofasciata, Geckoella nebulosa, and Geckoella jeyporensis.

Geckos of this Genus are poorly known in terms of natural history, distribution and variation in Indian geckos. This genus is found to be terrestrial, nocturnal & forest dwelling. The present article emphasizes on Geckoella collegalensis with special reference to its unique habitat and presence in Little Rann of Kutch since until now this genus has been recorded from semi deciduous forested habitats at lower elevations from southern India except the occurrence of this species in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra extending its range to19° N. reported by Sekar A. G. (1994), (Mirza et al 2010).

Keywords: Geckoella collegalensis, unique habitat, distribution, range extension

INTRODUCTION

Gujarat is a state in western region of India with a geographical area of 1, 96,024 sq km of which 10%

or 19,658 sq km is under Forest cover, which hosts 4 National Parks & 23 Sanctuaries. Kutch, the second largest district in India forms major portion of a bio-geographic province with Indian Desert

1(Rodgers at al. 2000). This dry land is endowed with varied micro-habitats and an array of xerophytic vegetation adding uniqueness to the biodiversity of Gujarat state & India. This district (45,652 km², 22°41’11 00” to 24°41’47”N and 68°9’46” to 71°54’47”E) located in western part of Gujarat, covers about 73% of total arid region. The climatic conditions of Kutch are extreme from very hot in summer (ranging between 44°c - 50°c) and below freezing point in winter. Draughts are frequent with scanty rainfall once in two to three years, which averages to 326 mm in 13 rainy days ²(Joshua et al 2008).

These climate conditions have resulted in unique habitats which vary from tropical thorn forest to extensive grasslands & mangroves. Mudflats along the coast, seasonal wetlands & the most unique of them is Rann (Saline desert) interspersed with elevated land masses called Beyts. Rann of Kutch, an area of 18,000 Sq km, lies almost entirely within Gujarat along the border with Pakistan. The little Rann of Kutch extending north east from the Gulf of Kutch over 5,100 Sq km. is also a Wildlife sanctuary which is home to the Indian wild Ass.

This Wild Ass Sanctuary encompasses an area of 4953.71 Sq km of the Little Rann of Kutch and the districts of Surendranagar, Rajkot, Patan, Banaskantha & Kutch. Wild Ass are easily spotted in big groups in vast span of desert throughout the year, this population of Wild Ass is last in its natural habitat in the entire world and one of the six geographical varieties or sub – species surviving on the earth. The area is unique with the existence of rare & endangered species such as Pelecanus crispus, Phoenicopterus minor, Grus antigone, Vulpes vulpes pusilla, Naja naja oxiana etc. The area is being considered to be declared as one of the world heritage sites. Internationally the area is recognized for its natural & geomorphological value & has high biodiversity conservation significance. Large portion of Little Rann of Kutch has been covered by Prosopis chilensis. The other plants & tress are Acacia nilotica, Euphorbia nivullia, Prosopis juliflora, Zizyphus nummularia, Capparis deciduas and Commiphora wightii ³.

The genus Geckoella is endemic to South Asia i.e. (India & Srilanka) Total five species are represented in India namely Geckoella deccanensis, Geckoella collegalensis, Geckoella albofasciata, Geckoella nebulosa, and Geckoella jeyporensis. Geckos of this Genus are poorly known in terms of natural history, distribution and variation in Indian geckos^4. This genus is found to be terrestrial, nocturnal & forest dwelling. Considering the distribution and range extension of genus Geckoella in the state of Gujarat very few records are available one such record is from Dang forest area, where in during a regular field visit at Saputara hills, on 13.00hr (1.00 AM) of 7th February 2013, Walmiki et al spotted Geckoella deccanensis in Saputara hill forests amidst the forest litter at Lat.

20035’38.07’’N and Long. 73046’09.51’’E, between Mangalider and Malegoan villages⁵.

The present article emphasizes on Geckoella collegalensis with special reference to its unique habitat and presence in Little Rann of Kutch since until now this genus has been recorded from semi deciduous forested habitats at lower elevations from southern India except the occurrence of this species in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra extending its range to19° N.

reported by Mirza et al⁴ and Sekar⁶. The species was reported from Anaikatty (Anaikatti), Tamil Nadu state by Gupta⁷ and from Gir forest, Gujarat by Vyas⁸. Later, Vyas⁹ gave the distribution in Vansada National Park (Gujarat), Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary (Image 4), Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali (Mumbai, Maharashtra), Balarangams (Karnataka), Nilambur (Kerala) and Manar, Anaikatty, Madurai (Tamil Nadu). Prasanna¹⁰ and Chandra and Gajbe¹¹ included it in the herpetofauna of

Madhya Pradesh. The earlier studies and observations reveal that the specimen was reported from six states in India which sustained similar habitat condition and most of them from Western Ghats.

Image 4: Geckoella collegalensis from Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary Photo taken by Jigar Parmar.

Observation: On 21^st May 2011 at 04:00hrs, We entered in little Raan of Kutch with motivation of normal field survey with the help of Magnifying glass, Flash Light, GPS (eTrex Garmin), Digital camera and Vernier Caliper. During this field survey, Hemidactylus brookii, Mesobuthus sps. and Echis carinatus and Juvenile of Koegal Ground Gecko were sighted. A juvenile of Koegal Ground Gecko (Geckoella collegalensis),

(Image 1)

domestica, Palamnaeus sps. etc. during 4 days. After proper identification (Table 1) and photography Geckoella collegalensis was released back in wild at same place in Little Rann of Kutch (Image 2)

.

Table-1: Chracteristic chart for Geckoella collegalensis from Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

Characters Measurement (mm)

Snout-vent length 48.7

Tail length 3.4

Axilla to groin length 22.2

Body width 8.7

Head length 16.4

Head width 9.8

Eye to nostril distance 3.4 Eye to ear distance 3.4 Eye to snout distance 6.1

Eye diameter 3.4

Supralabials left_right 10/10 Infralabials left_right 7/8 Length of forelimb 7.4 Length of hindlimb 10.6

Image 1: Geckoella collegalensis from Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India. Photo by Mayank Desai

Image 2: Geckoella collegalensis from Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India. Photo by Mayank Desai CONCLUSION

Most recently Mirza et al.⁴ have reported the presence of this species in Mumbai other than at Sanjay Gandhi National park Mumbai at Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai Maharashtra. As evident from the literatures and earlier studies, the Little Rann of Kutch stands extremely unique in habitat wise consideration for this species, since the Rann sustains altogether an entirely different environmental condition.

Geckoella collegalensis is listed as Data deficient¹⁵ and considered as a rare species¹¹ of indeterminate status¹⁴ due to it restricted range, but also its occurrence is found in six Indian states (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu). The lowest latitude is 11⁰ 54’ N 17⁰ 14’ E at Yelondar Chamraj Nagar district, Karnataka and now it is reported from highest latitude 23⁰17’34.0.4”N 71⁰36’22.98”E from Little Rann of Kutch (Image 3), Kutch district in Gujarat. The habitat recorded from south central and western India i.e. six states is similar but the Kutch region of Gujarat is extremely different and unique for Geckoella collegalensis and this is the first highest latitude & longitude report for this species and hence the species might be more widespread than previous records.

Image 3: Map showing Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors express their thanks to Mayank Desai, Rupesh Sagvekar, Mohammed Aman Salim Salia, Niraj Singh, Amar Patil, Pawan Sharma, Vijay Patel, Mehul Takkur, Parimal Patel, Anil Ghohil, Kamal Patel, Sanjeev Gohil for help during field work as well as data collection of related species in Gujarat and are highly indebted to our mentor Dr. Vaishali Somani along with Zoology stuff of M.D College, Shri. Raju Vyas, Mr. Ishan Agarwal, Shri. Anil Kubal, Dr. Jiyalal Ram Jaiswar former Senior Principle Scientist from National Institute of Oceanography & Dr. C. Radhakrishnan (ZSI) for their valuable time and suggestions for improving the manuscript.

REFERENCES

1. Rodgers, W. A., H. S. Panwar and V. B. Mathur (2000) Wildlife ProtectedArea Network in India: A Review (Executive Summary). WildlifeInstitute of India, Dehradun.

2. J.Joshua ,S.F.W. Sunderraj and P.N.Joshi , Status survey of Threatened Plants in Kachchh Desert, Gujarat. Special Habitats and Threatened Plants of India (Ed. GS Rawat). ENVIS Bulletin: Wildlife and Protected Areas. Wildlife Institute of India,2008, 11 (1): 101-108

3. A.M. Dixit. Observation on distribution and habitat characteristics of Gugal (Commiphora wightii) in the arid region of Kachchh, Gujarat (India), Tropical Ecology,2000, 41(1): 81-88.

4. Mirza, Zeeshan A.; Saunak Pal, and Rajesh V. Sanap 2010. Notes on a ground gecko Geckoella cf.

collegalensis Beddome, 1870 (Squamata, Sauria, Gekkonidae) from India. Russian Journal of Herpetology,2010, 17 (1): 8-14.

5. Walmiki et al “New Locality Record of Deccan Banded Gecko Geckoella deccanensis (GÜNTHER, 1864) from Saputara Hills, Dang district, Gujarat, India” Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology,2013, 3,1: 127-131

6. A.G.Sekar, “Range extension of the spotted forest gecko Cyrtodactylus collegalensis (Beddome, 1870),” J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 1994, 91(3), 323 – 324.

7. B.K.Gupta, “Note o the occurrence and growth of Geckoella collegalensis (Beddome, 1870),”

Hamadryad, 1998, 23(1), 77.

8. R.Vyas, First record of the spotted forest gecko Geckoella collagalensis (Beddome, 1870) from Gir Forest, Gujarat State, India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society.1998, 95 (1): 123-124.

9. R.Vyas, Notes on distribution and breeding ecology of Gekkoella collegalensis (Beddome, 1870).

Hamadryad ,2000.25(1): 45-46

10. Prasanna, Ganesh ,Leopard gecko (Cyrtodactylus collegalensis) Dactylus,1993, 1 (4): 33 11. Chandra K. and Gajbe P. U. (2005), “An inventory of herpetofauna of Madhya Pradesh

and Chhattisgarh,” Zoo’s Print J., 20(3), 1812 – 1819.

12. R.Vyas, Herpetofauna of Vansada National Park, Gujarat, Zoo’s print journal ,2004,19(16): 1512- 1514.

13. M.A.Smith, The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Reptiles and Amphibia, Vol. II.

Sauria. Taylor and Francis, London, 1935.

14. B.K.Tikader and R.C.Sharma Handbook Indian Lizards, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta,1992.

15. S.Molur and S.Walker ,Eds., “Report on the ‘Conservation Assessment and Management Plan for Reptiles of India’ (BCPP Endangered Species Project),” Zoo’s Outreach Organisation, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Coimbatore, India,1998,.

Corresponding Author: Nitin Walmiki;