A Project Report on the

Transcription

1 A Project Report on the REPTILE & AM PHIBIAN SURVEY O F TIM O R-LESTE A 2014 Flag Expedition of the Explorers Club of New York MARK O SHEA BSc., DSc. h.c., FRGS FLS, Explorers Club International Fellow 99 Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom Mark O Shea s Reptile World, West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, Worcestershire, United Kingdom HINRICH KAISER PhD FLS, Professor of Biology, Victor Valley College, California Project overview: Timor-Leste is a small sovereign state in Southeast Asia, which in 2002 became the first new nation of the 21st Century. Centuries of Portuguese colonialism, followed by decades of bloody suppression and neocolonialism by Indonesia, resulted in its biological diversity being ignored by foreign researchers throughout this time. Only now are scientists able or eager to investigate the fauna and flora of this unique country, the eastern half of the 44th largest island on Earth, and a zoogeographical stepping-stone between Asia and Australia. Map of Southeast Asia and Australasia showing the central position of Timor-Leste. The Reptile and Amphibian Survey of Timor-Leste is the first comprehensive survey of the frogs, turtles, crocodiles, lizards and snakes of Asia s newest country. In 2014 it entered its 6th year with Phases IX and X which together were recognized as an official Flag Expedition of the Explorers Club of New York. The Flag of the Explorers Club of New York.

2 Project location: Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor) was a Portuguese colony from the 16 th Century. It received its independence in 1975 but was almost immediately annexed by Indonesia as its 27 th province. There followed 21 years of unrest and bloodshed, costing the lives of nearly a quarter of the territory s population, before Indonesian withdrew after a United Nations-administered referendum in Further bloodshed in the following years, fuelled by militias crossing the border from Indonesian West Timor, only abated when peacekeepers intervened, allowing the UN to administer the country until 2002, when Timor-Leste finally received independence as the first new sovereign state of the 21 st Century. The Flag of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Modern-day Timor-Leste comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor (area 15,410 km 2 ); the Oecusse exclave (815 km 2 ), located on the northern coast of Indonesian West Timor; the inhabited island of Ataúro (150 km 2 ), 26 km north of the capital Dili; and the uninhabited spirit island of Jaco (10 km 2 ), less than 1 km from the eastern tip of Timor island. Timor-Leste comprises 13 districts, 12 in the contiguous eastern half of Timor Island plus Oecusse. Ataúro Island lies within Dili District, which also contains the country s capital, whereas Jaco Island is included in Lautém District. Map of Timor-Leste including Oecusse exclave, Ataúro and Jaco Islands. The country s highest point is Mt Ramelau (or Tata Mailau) at an elevation of 2,986 m (9,797 ft), which is located in the mountainous backbone of the island. The largest area of freshwater is Lake Ira Lalaro located on a large elevated polje (karst basin) in Lautém District. Lake Ira Lalaro, which varies seasonally in size from km 2 ( mi 2 ) is home to a land-locked population of Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) and an endangered endemic snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi timorensis). Left: Mt Ramelau (2,986 m), Ainaro Distr.; Right: Lake Ira Lalaro (10 55 km 2 ), Lautém Distr., Timor-Leste. 2

3 Project explanation: Unlike the Dutch in their adjacent territories, the Portuguese did not appear very interested in the biological diversity of their remote East Indian colony, and only three reptile and amphibian collections were made. These specimens were lost in the Museu Bocage fire in Lisbon in During the period of Indonesian rule and the unrest that followed, foreign researchers showed little appetite for conducting fieldwork in such a dangerous environment and the flora and fauna of this troubled land remained largely ignored. During the late 20 th and early 21 st Centuries, researchers from Australian institutions made several small collections of reptiles and amphibians, but when the Victor Valley College team embarked on the Reptile and Amphibian Survey of Timor-Leste in 2009 they discovered they were working from an almost blank canvas. During the eight phases up to 2013, the survey teams conducted fieldwork in all twelve contiguous districts of mainland Timor-Leste, the Oecusse exclave and both Ataúro and Jaco Islands. They documented over 70 species of reptiles and amphibians, some of which are new to science. The 2014 Reptile and Amphibian Survey of Timor-Leste formed part of the ongoing survey being conducted under the auspices of the Tropical Research Initiative (TRI) of Victor Valley College (VVC), a community college in Victorville, California, USA. The project is the first comprehensive survey of the entire herpetofauna of Asia s newest country. Students from VVC and the University of Marburg, Germany, participated in the two 2014 phases of the survey (Phases IX and X, respectively) through June July, and July August. During these two phases, we conducted fieldwork in the following districts of Timor-Leste: Dili (mainland and Ataúro Island), Oecusse, Lautém, and Manatuto. Map of Timor-Leste showing the routes taken by survey teams on Phases IX and X, encompassing all four Timorese land-masses: the contiguous eastern half of Timor Island, the Oecusse exclave and both Ataúro and Jaco Islands. Leading both phases of the project were Prof. Hinrich Kaiser (leader), and Dr Mark O Shea (deputy leader and EC International Fellow), with Agivedo Laca Verelera (Universitade National Timor-Lorosa e). Phase IX (25 June 17 July 2014), best identified as The American Phase, involved five students 3

4 (Kimberly Antekeier, Jose Huerta, Ruby Resendez, Kaitlin Rickerl, Justin Steeno) from Victor Valley College (VVC), a Southern California community college. This group was led by Caitlin Sanchez a continuing project team member and a VVC alumna, who is now an 8 th grade science teacher. The destinations for Phase IX were Ataúro Island and the Oecusse exclave. Phase X (21 July 13 August 2014), known as The German Phase, involved four students (Laura Fuchs, Lukas Hartmann, Max Kieckbusch, Mirco Wölfelschneider) from Phillips University in Marburg, Germany (PUM). This group was led by Sven Mecke, a PUM doctoral student and continuing project team member. The destinations for Phase X were eastern and southeastern mainland Timor, and Jaco Island. The Explorers Club Flag was carried proudly during both phases of the 2014 project. It is believed this was the first time that a US community college had the honour of carrying an Explorers Club Flag on expedition. Left: Phase IX team in the mountains of the Oecusse exclave (l-r): Caitlin Sanchez, Mark O Shea, Kaitlin Rickerl, Justin Steeno, Agivedo Varela Ribeiro, Ruby Resendez, Jose Huerta, Kimberly Antekeier, Hinrich Kaiser and our local forest guard. Right: Phase X team on Jaco Island, Lautém District (l-r): local guide, Agivedo Varela, Mirco Wölfelschneider, Sven Mecke, Hinrich Kaiser, Laura Fuchs, Mark O Shea, Lukas Hartmann and Max Kieckbusch. Both teams are proudly holding the flags of Timor-Leste and the Explorers Club of New York. Project objectives: The objective of these two phases were to conduct herpetological fieldwork in four of Timor-Leste s thirteen districts, surveying key areas in the north, south, east, west, and center of the country: Dili District: in the Metinaro mangrove swamp and on the Comoro River on the mainland, and on Ataúro Island; Oecusse District: in the western section of the Oecusse exclave; Lautém District: around the port of Com on the north coast, at Raça on the limestone polje, and on Jaco, a sacred local spirit island ; Manatuto District: in the central mountains at Soibada and in the southern coastal forests at Nancuro. Phase IX had specific aims: collect additional material of a bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus sp.) living at the top of Mt Manucoco, Ataúro Island, Dili District, currently known from only a single specimen; collect additional specimens of night skink (Eremiascincus spp.) along the Antipasa River, Ataúro Island, Dili District; investigate reports of a spitting cobra (Naja sputatrix) on Ataúro Island, Dili District; assess the herpetofaunal diversity of the high mountain valleys along the Indonesian border of the Oecusse District. Phase X had specific aims: investigate the herpetofauna of Jaco Island, Lautém District; investigate the herpetofauna of the Paixtau Mountains, Lautém District; collect additional specimens of the Timor pipesnake (Cylindrophis cf. boulengeri) from the Comoro River, Dili District, not seen since 1933 the project collected the only recent specimen of this 4

5 poorly known species in 2013; collect additional specimens of the Timor ground snake (Stegonotus sp.) from the Nancuro coastal forest, Manatuto District the project collected three specimens of this previously unknown species in the same area; investigate the herpetofauna of the Soibada area in the central mountains; investigate the snake fauna of the Metinaro mangrove swamp, Dili District three snake species are known from this swamp: the Little filesnake (Acrochordus granulatus), White-bellied mangrove snake (Fordonia leucobalia), and Dog-faced watersnake (Cerberus schneideri). Full reports on the previous Phases I VIII ( ) are either published and available for download from the official Timor webpage (Kaiser et al. 2011; O'Shea et al. 2012; Sanchez et al. 2012; Kaiser et al. 2013), or are due to for publication (O'Shea et al. in review). The website contains all the papers resulting from the herpetological survey. The first four of the full reports listed above are included as pdfs with this report, and the fifth can be forwarded when it is published. Project methods: The field methodology and techniques used were described in detail by Kaiser et al. (2011) which is included with this report. Fieldwork was conducted by day and night, in any accessible habitats, with particular emphasis on often overlooked microhabitats such as banana gardens or bamboo forest, both habitats that have brought forth surprises on previous phases. In addition, villagers were interviewed, using photographic cards prepared for the purpose, as described by O'Shea and Kaiser (2013). Voucher material has been placed in the United States National Museum (USNM), Washington, D.C.; Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ), Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, Germany. Left: Phase IX: the American team chasing night skinks (Eremiascincus sp.) on the Antipasa River, Ataúro Is., Dili District; Right: A successful evening s frog hunt at Pante Macassar, Oecusse District. Phase IX: Hinrich teaching voucher prep work: Barry s Place, Beloi, Ataúro Is., Dili District. 5

6 Left: Phase X: the German team prepare to overnight near the Raça caves; Right: Doing voucher specimen preparation at Com, both Lautém District. Left: Laca using our picture cards to interview villagers about their reptiles and amphibians,oecusse District, (O'Shea & Kaiser 2013); Right: Mark O Shea preparing to milk an Island pitviper (Trimeresurus insularis), Com, Lautém District. Phase IX: the American team on Mt Manucoco, Ataúro Is., Dili District. 6

7 Table 1: Checklist of Reptiles and Amphibians recorded during Phases IX & X of the survey (2014). 7

8 Project results: An approximate total of 46 species of reptiles and amphibians were recorded during the two 2014 phases of the survey, comprising six frog species, 27 lizard species, 12 snake species, and a crocodile. Due to the pre paucity of data concerning the taxonomic status of the Timorese herpetofauna, many of these taxa are currently in a state of taxonomic flux. The results of our morphological examinations of specimens, combined with the analysis of their DNA, has led us to the conclusion that many of the species collected are new to science. Table 1 lists the reptiles and amphibians collected, observed and documented during the two phases. The genera Kaloula (pumpkin frogs), Cyrtodactylus (bent-toed geckos), Anilios (slender blindsnakes) and Stegonotus (ground snakes) were not known to occur on the island of Timor prior to the initiation of the survey and the specimens collected are almost certainly new species. The genus Cyrtodactylus also appears to demonstrate considerable local endemism with at least six genetically different species already defined, but not yet formally described. Probably many more species will be identified when all the specimens are examined and the samples analyzed. The genera Carlia (four-fingered skinks) and Eremiascinus (glossy night skinks) may also contain a number of locally endemic species, previously unknown to science. In addition, several widely distributed Indo-Australian species, such as the Striped treefrog (Polypedates cf. leucomystax), Indo-Pacific house gecko (Hemidactylus cf. garnotii), Dwarf tree gecko (Hemiphyllodactylus cf. typus), Emerald tree skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina cf. elberti) and the Black-throated forest skink (Sphenomorphus cf. melanopogon) may represent species-complexes containing a number of cryptic species. A sampling of the important specimens obtained during the two phases includes the following: Frogs: Kaloula sp. a single adult specimen was collected at Natarbora, near Nancuro, to add to the two previous juvenile specimens collected at Nancuro and a voucher series of adults from Fatucahi in neighbouring Manufahi District. There is a very strong possibility that this is a Timor endemic and new species. Lizards: Cyrtodactylus spp. specimens were collected at nine locations including on Jaco Is., Lautém District, as sealevel, and at Soibada, Manatuto District, as 613 m asl in the mountains. Almost every karst outcrop seems to accommodate another population with the potential to be recognized as a new species. Hemidactylus cf. garnotii was collected at Soibada and Natarbora, near Nancuro, all in Manatuto District. At Soibada this species was found in sympatry for the first time with the three other Hemidactylus spp. (H. frentatus, H. platyurus and H. tenkatei) while at Natarbora a male was obtained. Both factors lead us to believe the Timor population may not belong to the widespread Indo-Pacific obligate parthenogenetic, all-female species H. garnotii and may represent an undescribed species. 8

9 Hemiphyllodactylus cf. typus was collected on Ataúro Is., Dili District, only our third specimen following the collection of two examples at a remote location in the central mountains on Timor Is. several phases ago. Hemiphyllodactylus typus is another widespread obligate parthenogenetic, all-female, species but our examination of these specimens leads us to doubt that they all represent this taxa. Varanus timorensis was recorded for the first time from the Oecusse exclave of Timor-Leste. This is a common and widespread monitor lizard on Timor island, occurring on the north and south coasts of Timor-Leste, but it was not previously known to occur in Oecusse District. Our specimen was a road-kill found just west of Pante Macassar. Note: The specimen in the photograph is a live specimen from Lautém District on an earlier phase. Snakes: Stegonotus sp. was collected at Nancuro, Manatuto District, our fourth specimen from this location. Together with another specimen from Betano in neighbouring, Manufahi District, these specimens represent a new species for this Australo-Papuan genus. The closest known Stegonotus species is found on Flores to the north and it differs considerably from the Timor specimens. Lycodon subcinctus is a rarely encountered snake on Timor, unlike its extremely common congeneric Lycodon capucinus. We obtained only our third specimen at Tutuala Beach, Lautém District, our first specimen obtained alive in over five years. Cylindrophis cf. boulengeri is a poorly known species on Timor with eight specimens collected in the 1930s. Prior to this year, the project had obtained two specimens at widely scattered locations, from the Comoro River, Dili District, and Raça, Lautém District. On Phase X we obtained a specimen in the middle of this range, at Soibada, Manatuto District. The type locality of Cylindrophis boulengeri is Wetar Island so the Timorese material may represent a new species. 9

10 Liasis mackloti is the water python. There are three subspecies: L. mackloti mackloti is recorded for Timor, Roti, Semau and Alor islands; L. m. dunni is endemic to Wetar Is., L. m. savuensis is endemic to Sawu Is. We obtained two road-killed specimens on Ataúro Is., which not only represent a new island record but also raise questions about the taxonomic status of Alor and Wetar populations of this python. Note: this photograph is of a live specimen captured on the mainland during an earlier phase. Anilios sp. is an extremely slender blindsnake quite unlike any other blindsnake collected or recorded for the Lesser Sunda Islands. It was collected on the airstrip at Dili International Airport and may represent a new species of deep burrowing termite-feeding blindsnake similar to equally etiolated species in Australia, some of which are only known from single specimens due to their secretive subterranean habits. Trimeresurus insularis is the green pitviper of the Lesser Sundas, although specimens from Komodo may be cyan in colour and those from Wetar are bright yellow. We are familiar with the green pitvipers, having captured them on numerous previous phases, but in 2014 we also obtained yellow specimens from Tutuala Beach, Lautem District, and Nancuro, Manatuto District. In the latter location the yellow phase was found in sympatry with the green phase. At this time we are uncertain whether these are simple colour forms or whether they represent two different species. 10

11 Project implications: The Reptile and Amphibian Survey of Timor-Leste serves many valuable purposes. Firstly, it has enabled us to conduct fieldwork in a fascinating region in the middle of Wallacea, the zoogeographical sub-region between the famous Wallace Line and the somewhat less famous Lydekker Line, where two important zoogeographical zones, the Australopapuan and Oriental zones, overlap. Species from both areas are represented in the herpetofauna on Timor, with a relatively high level of local endemism. Many of these species are new to science and some of them may be endangered, as the natural resources of Timor have been plundered for centuries, not least the native sandalwood forests (Santalum spp.). The new nation of Timor-Leste is taking its environmental responsibilities seriously, by re-establishing sandalwood woodlands, creating national parks and protected areas, and developing an environmental management strategy. Our herpetological fieldwork is resulting in a better understanding of the biological diversity of two important vertebrate groups and our findings assist the wildlife and forestry authorities in the country to protect unique and endangered elements of their fauna. Timor-Leste has not yet ratified CITES (the Convention for Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna) but it is hoped that the country will sign on to the treaty in the near future to further protect its flora and fauna from outside exploitation. Our initiative provides a continuing opportunity for hands-on training in field techniques to a broad clientele. Fieldwork under our leadership is carried out not only by professionals and students of herpetology, but also by community college and university students with a broader interest in nature. Our training may, eventually, allow some team members to take up careers in herpetology and continue to carry the herpetological research and conservation message forward, but regardless of their career path, it provides them with valuable experience that makes them attractive as applicants in any career field related to biology, environmental science, or conservation. Examples for this are the acceptance of our students at prestigious institutions of higher learning as well as into jobs. We wish to mention specifially our efforts in building capacity in this area, not only for our American and German students, but for four Timorese students who participated in several research phases and studied field techniques (Agivedo Laca Varela Ribeiro is one of these). All four have now graduated from the Universidade National Timor-Lorosa e, the national university of Timor- Leste, and have themselves become either involved in the education of Timorese children, by designing the curriculum, or by teaching younger students the concepts of field research and reptile and amphibian biology and identification. Three of these students graduated in their educational program with the first primary research-based theses accepted in Timor-Leste. Side projects by other workers that have links to this ongoing survey include a conservation project for the endangered Timor snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi timorensis), a study of crocodile attacks throughout the country to determine how best to reduce the annual fatality rate, and several ongoing studies related to the taxonomy and biogeography of the reptiles and amphibians we have discovered. A planned outcome for the two project leaders will be the production of a field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of Timor-Leste, which will hopefully bring our knowledge of the country s herpetofauna up to the level of most other countries in the Australasian-Papuan region. Acknowledgements: Any project as extensive and long-lived as ours requires the assistance of many people. The flag-bearing expedition to Timor-Leste of 2014 has greatly benefited from the direct support received from Their Excellencies Xanana Gusmão, current Prime Minister and former President of Timor-Leste, and José Ramos-Horta, former President and former Prime Minister of Timor-Leste. We also thank Claudia Abate- Debat, former Senior Advisor in the Prime Minister s Office, for making it possible for us to meet the all right people, and to Manuel Mendes, Director of National Parks, for issuing the necessary permits but more importantly for his dedication to developing a research-based approach to wildlife conservation in Timor- Leste. We also acknowledge the help of our American and German students (listed in the text). For their assistance with the logistics of travel we thank Kieran Glasspole and Paulo Aniceto (Rentló Car Rental), Andisuari Dewi (Air Timor), Captain Bradley Odom (SilkAir), Ian Groucott (Emirates), as well as the staff at Timor Lodge Hotel, particularly Michelle at the front office and Sheemon Kalathil. Financial assistance for equipment and supplies was partially provided by a Title V Grant to Victor Valley College. Partial financing of student travel was provided by the Associated Student Body at Victor Valley College, by donations from Pamela MacKay and Melinda Fisher, and by a research grant from the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. 11

12 Bibliography: Kaiser, H., V.L. Carvalho, J. Ceballos, P. Freed, S. Heacox, B. Lester, S.J. Richards, C.R. Trainor, C. Sanchez & M. O'Shea The herpetofauna of Timor-Leste: a first report. ZooKeys (109): Kaiser, H., C. Sanchez, S. Heacox, A. Kathriner, A.V. Ribeiro, Z.A. Soares, S. Mecke & M. O'Shea First report on the herpetofauna of Ataúro Island,Timor-Leste. Check List. 9 (4): O'Shea, M. & H. Kaiser Working with a full deck: the use of picture cards in herpetological surveys. Herpetological Review. 44 (1): O'Shea, M., C. Sanchez, S. Heacox, A. Kathriner, V.L. Carvalho, A. Ribeiro, Z.A. Soares, L.L. de Araujo & H. Kaiser First update to herpetofaunal records for Timor-Leste. Asian Herpetological Research. 3 (2): O'Shea, M., C. Sanchez, A. Kathriner, V.L. Carvalho, A. Ribeiro, Z.A. Soares, Lemos. L. & H. Kaiser. in review. Second update to herpetofaunal records for Timor-Leste. Asian Herpetological Research. Sanchez, C., V.L. Carvalho, A. Kathriner, M. O'Shea & H. Kaiser First report on the herpetofauna of the Oecusse District, an exclave of Timor-Leste. Herpetology Notes. 5: