A herpetologist in the making

Transcription

1 1 Historic catchup A herpetologist in the making Herpetological Laboratory Story and records Muhammad Sharif Khan Herpetological Laboratory, 306 N. Morton Avenue, Morton, PA 19070, USA 2016

2 2 الحمد All Thanks to Allah Almighty Acknowledgements Since 1963, when I started working in field of herpetology, I enjoyed support of my family. None except me, were lovers of frogs and lizards, especially my late wife Rashida Tasnim (Professor of Persian language), with neat and clean habits, tolerated the smell of formalin, scattered jars and papers at my table, and dust everywhere in my study; over several years of our relationship. She generously Okayed devoting much of my time in the field and laboratory, taking care of four kinds single handedly. Her protests have always been short-lived. I am thankful for her immense understanding and meticulous care. Nobody in the family objected to live under the same roof, in the neighborhood of a herp collection. Thank you all very much! My special thanks go to my mentor late Professor Dr. Ahsan ul Islam ( ), my university professor and guide, who suggested herpetology of Pakistan for my lifelong project. And also to late Professor Dr. Robert Mertens ( ), curator Natur-Museum and Forschungs-Institute Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and to late Professor Dr. Sherman A. Minton, Jr. ( ), Department of Microbiology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA, for their help with literature and identifications and understanding of various morphological terms used in herpetological studies. They taught how to tread safely through maze of synonymy, and identify amphibians and reptiles correctly. I specially acknowledge support of my countless students in field collections, translations, typing of manuscripts and for valuable gifts, all were always so ready to help, thank you very much you all. Morton, PA 19070, USA 4 September, 2016 Muhammad Sharif Khan About myself Born to Pakistani parents, in East Africa Tanzania, where my Father Dr. Habib Ullah Khan, I.M.D., served in health department Moved with family in Qadian, India, started early education Migrated to Pakistan Completed school F.Sc. pre-med from Talim ul Islam College, Rabwah,

3 3 Pakistan BS, Islamia College (c.l), Lahore, Pakistan MS in Zoology, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan Ph.D. University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Professor of Zoology, Talim ul Islam College, Rabwah, Pakistan. 1999, 11 th August: Retired from service. Honors and Awards Islamia College (c. l), Lahore: College medal and Roll of Honor for topping in subject of Zoology in BS examination Sir. William Roberts Gold medal for topping in MS Zoology, Exam, Zoologist for the year 2002 award, Zoological Society of Pakistan Life time Achievement award, Zoological Society of Pakistan. <<>> 1999-August 11 th. Retired from service in Pakistan September 11 th Immigrated to USA. <<>>

4 4 Mission statement Herpetological Laboratory (15/6 Darul Saddar N. Rabwah, Pakistan) was established in 1973 to introduce my research results to interested herpetologists in the subcontinent herpetology. I personally had been involved from collections, preservation, tagging maintaining record in the logbook by recording tag-numbers of the specimens, studying, defining new taxa, writing and submitting papers for publication; receiving/returning loans and depositing type specimens in museums all over the world. When I immigrating to USA in September 1999, I carried with me the written records. Since then it has been lying with me. As time passes, wear and tear has started by eating corners of the documents. Since the herpetological Laboratory is now internationally known, type-specimens described are deposited in museums all over the world. Fearing losing important depository records, I have transferred the data in the present document, for future consultation. Copies of communications with museums are being appended. 306 N. Morton Avenue, Morton, PA 19070, USA. <<>> Muhammad Sharif Khan,

5 5 My induction into school of herpetology Prof. Dr. Ahsan ul Islam Prof. Dr. Robert Mertens Prof. Dr. Sherman A. Minton, M.D. Mrs. Madge Minton The story of my initiation in the study of amphibians and reptiles (herpetology-a long neglected field in Pakistan) dates back to1965. For my Master degree in zoology ( ), I studied external morphological changes a fertilized amphibian egg undergoes during its subsequent normal development undergoes till four-legged creature. I used egg of the common toad Bufo stomaticus. The work was supervised by Professor Dr. Ahsan ul Islam (Government College Lahore, Pakistan) who identified the toad as Bufo melanostictus. It was published in 1965 under the title A normal table of Bufo melanostictus based on external morphological criteria. Biologia (Lahore), 11:1-39. The first response to the publication, came from world s renowned German herpetologist Prof. Dr. Robert Mertens (Forschungsinstitut, Natur-Museum Senckenberg, Frankfurt em main, Germany), he corrected name of the toad as Bufo stomaticus Lűtken. The revelation came to me as a sort of shock, thinking perhaps I did something big wrong! Checking from key and description in the Amphibia Reptilia volume (Fauna of British India series), found Mertens was correct. Answering my question regarding status of our knowledge of the amphibians and reptiles in Pakistan, Dr Ahsan told me Yet nobody in Pakistan has worked in this field. He suggested, Since you are just starting your carrier in zoology, I wish you to initiate in this field. He promised, Whatever assistance you may need I will help. Acknowledging his scholarship and hard work that he did in shaping me into an ardent biologist, I named a new species of snake in his honor: Indotyphlops (Typhlops) ahsani Khan, 1999, (Ahsan s Blind-snake). (Two new species and a subspecies of blind snakes of genus Typhlops from Azad Kashmir and Punjab, Pakistan (Sepentes: Typhlopidae). Russian J. Herpetol., 6(3):

6 6 Talim ul Islam College Rabwah, Pakistan Meanwhile, I joined Talim ul Islam College Rabwah, as lecturer in Zoology, determined to work in herpetology, I started figuring what I needed to start: 1. Pertinent literature, and 2. Working material from the field. Literature quest Explored libraries in the town (about six), found few volumes of Proceedings of the Asiatic Society Bengal and Journal of Bombay Natural History Society in Fazal-a-Omar Research Institute library, I copied the relevant material. A friend in the Punjab University Library, helped to get Amphibian and Reptile volume in the Fauna of British India series, which proved of immense value in laying foundations of my knowledge in the herpetology of the subcontinent. Dr. Mertens, provided me with a bunch of his papers on Pakistan herpetology. Unfortunately all were in German language. I tried to learn the language, soon I realized I am very bad in learning languages, despite efforts with the dictionary I could not progress beyond und. Dr. Mertens introduced me to Dr Sherman A. Minton, Indiana University, USA. (Who was advisor and visiting professor in newly established Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Karachi), a physician, as hobby collected amphibians and reptiles from around Karachi, later expanding his interest to all over the country. He wrote first ever papers exclusive on Pakistan herpetology. His papers, updated my knowledge. We extensively corresponded, exchanging ideas on different herpetological issues I was facing in Pakistan, guided me with the identifications and understanding scientific terms used in herpetological descriptions. As my sphere of acquaintances grew in the herpetological community, literature came pouring from several sources, in different languages including German, French, Russian, Italian etc. Thus my literature library grew fast, all thanks to the generosity of the herpetological community. Translations Now the big big issue was getting papers in German translated in English. One of my BSc students, Malik Zubair Ahmad came as God s help (he learned German language from his German mother). I found him so fluent in the language that he would hold the paper in hands and start dictating in fluent English as if reading directly from an English document, I diligently went on putting down word by word as he uttered. Later Mr. Zubair astounded me with his exceptional talent with several other languages, a real natural multi-linguist, Italian, Russian etc. He could have translated French papers, however, not to burden him more, the job was done by students from Mauritius: Dr. Mahmood Bhunno, Mr. Din, and a student in missionary college, Ahmad Shamir Sukhia.

7 7 Field work - getting working material Rabwah town, is located on the right bank of the River Chenab, in temperate central Punjab, Pakistan ( N, E). It covers an area of about 24 km 2, is situated at an elevated platform from the low-lying surrounding country. The terrain is arid, stony, salt-petri, surrounded by low rocky, barren hills. The river circumvallates the town from East to South; (thus the raised location of the town is aptly reflected in its name "Rabwah" - meaning raised area). Its elevation protects the town from floods, when river flows at its highest level during monsoons, every year. Several lizard species were seen scurrying from bush to bush during day in the town, and frogs jumping by night fall, geckos chased each other on house walls. Most of our collection was done by practical-class weakly tours, to study nature in and around the town. We studied and observed, collected invertebrate, vertebrates, and plants from the surrounding hills, and along River banks. Moreover, as my interest in amphibians and reptiles came to be known all over the college campus, several students volunteered to help. With instructions how to handle and preserve they were provided with plastic jars and preservative; those coming daily from villages around, brought killed or living snakes and lizards in plastic bags, while those leaving for homes for summer and winter breaks, took preservatives returning with preserved material. Yearly Biology Society tours: Under Biological Society, we made yearly a week long study tour to different parts of the country, to study nature and making collections. Self-financed collection tours: I used my personal savings, over the year; to tour different areas of my research interest in southern Punjab, Azad Kashmir and Baluchistan. Research grants: Meanwhile, research grant awarding agencies in Pakistan, acknowledged my research efforts, granted me finances for herpetological explorations in some remote areas of the country: WWP-Pakistan: awarded two years research grant to collect and describe amphibians and reptiles of the sub-himalayan Potwar table land. Pakistan Science Foundation: awarded to study, collect and record herps from Dera Ghazi Khan and Kohsulaiman range, in western Punjab. Establishment of Herpetological Laboratory Now that considerable number of specimens of frogs, lizards and snakes had accumulated in the museum. I would stay in the lab well into evening after college, studying the material. However, with the nationalization of the college in 1973, security conditions in college premises deteriorated. Fearing loos of my precious collection I transferred it in the safety of my home. Where I established: Herpetological Laboratory 15/6 Darul Saddar North, Rabwah 35460, Pakistan. I arranged my laboratory and set working. Noticing my research orientation from the reprints of papers, my college Principal Qazi M. Aslam, he readily wrote an introductory letter to his

8 counterpart in Government College Lahore (see copy below). It helped me get binocular dissection microscopes, camera lucida etc. on loan, making things easier for me to record and present. 8

9 9 Manuscript preparation and submission In the beginning my manuscripts were typed by one of my student Munawar Ahmad Anees (now Dr, Anees). Until I had my personal type-writer, which was soon replaced by an electric type-writer and a printer. Things became much easier: preparation, typing, proof reading etc., with a gift of second hand computer from one of my students Salahuddin (now Dr. Salahuddin). Thus gradually my problems with preparation of manuscript were solved. Meanwhile, internet access became available in Pakistan, I was one of the first subscribers, so problem of communications with editors etc., were resolved with use of my personal address: khan@ kherps. brain.com.pk. Visitors Herpetology has been a long neglected field in Pakistan. As my studies progressed, my publications in Urdu and English attracted students and teachers, there was a general awakening of interest in herpetological studies. Students from various institutions in Pakistan (Government College, Lahore; Agriculture University, Faisalabad; Qaid-a-Azam University Islamabad, Karachi university) frequently visited or contacted me by , seeking help and guidance in this field. Distinguished herpetologists visiting Herp Laboratory Dr. Sherman A. Minton, Jr., M.D. Dr. Sherman A. Minton, serving as visiting professor of microbiology at the newly established Basic Medical Science Institute Karachi. Minton family stayed in Karachi from 1958 to Apart from regular teaching duties, Minton spent his leisure time in traveling around Pakistan, studying and collecting herpetological specimens as hobby. Thus these four years would inextricable linked Sherman and Madge Minton with the herpetofauna of Pakistan. Since I started working in herpetology, I had been in constant contact with Dr. Sherman, corresponding and exchanging reprints. Dr. Minton and his family was invited to take part in 25 th anniversary celebrating of the institute in early December Sometimes that year Dr. Minton wrote to inform me that he and Madge intended to spend Christmas (December 23-26) with us in Rabwah. They were to arrive from Karachi at Faisalabad by plane, I was to drive them to Rabwah. However, due to an unfortunate misunderstanding about the arrival time of the plane; when I reached the airport the Mintons had already left for Rabwah by hiring a taxi. We crossed each other in the way! The couple was greeted by my wife (wisely she had called one of my former students from USA currently visiting the town, thinking she may have difficulty to understand American accent). When back in Rabwah, I was relieved to find the guests seated comfortably, enjoying cup of tea and local sweets.

10 10 Later my wife described: answering to the knock, when I opened the door Dr Minton, keeping his eyes low asked is this Dr. Khan s bungalow? Yes, yes, please, come in. Dr. Minton recounts his visit in his autobiography, We spent Christmas with Dr. M. Sharif Khan at Rabwah, the Punjab. Dr. Khan is Pakistan s leading herpetologist. He took us in the field, but it was too cold for most reptiles. The lowland along Chenab River is cultivated but surrounding hills are bare and rocky. Mynas and crows were the only common birds, but we also saw green parrot, Indian roller, rufous shrikes, and a small owl. The Ahmadi Mouslems of Rabwah have a strict dress code for women, and Mrs. Khan had made some suitable clothes made so Madge could appear in public, page 135. (Life, love and reptiles Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida). Three species of snakes are named in honor of Dr. Minton and Madge Minton: Platyceps karelini mintonorum (Mertens, 1969) (Pakistan spotted desert racer) (Colubridae) Indotyphlops (Typhlops) madgemintonae (Khan, 1999) (Typhlopidae) o Indotyphlops (Typhlops) madgemintonae madgemintonae (Khan, 1999) (Madge Minton's blind-snake) o Indotyphlops (Typhlops) madgemintonae shermani (Khan, 1999) (Sherman's blindsnake). (Two new species and a subspecies of blind snakes of genus Typhlops from Azad Kashmir and Punjab, Pakistan (Sepentes: Typhlopidae). Russian J. Herpetol., 6(3): Dr. Minton s contributions to Pakistan herpetology Minton, S. A An annotated key to the amphibians and reptiles of Sind and Las Bela, West Pakistan. Am. Mus. Novit. (2081):1-21. Minton, S. A., and J.A. Anderson, A record of the turtle, Hardella thurjii, from salt water. Herpetologica 18; 126. Minton, S. A., and J.A. Anderson, Feeding habits of the kukri snake, Oligodon taeniolatus. Herpetologica 19(2):147. Minton, S. A., and M. R. Minton The snake charmers of Sind. Bull. Philadelphia Herp. Soc. 1964: Minton, S. A., and J. A. Anderson, A new dwarf gecko (Tropiocolotes) from Baluchistan. Herpetologica 21(1): Minton, S. A A contribution to the herpetology of West Pakistan. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 134(2): Minton, S. A., S. C. Anderson, and J.A. Anderson, Remarks on some geckos from Southwest Asia, with description of three new forms and a key to the genus Tropiocolotes. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. (4th Ser.) 37: Minton, S. A Snake people of Sind. Animal Kingdom, 86(1): Minton, S. A Venomous bites by nonvenomous snakes: an annotated bibliography of colubrid envenomation. J. Wild. Med. 1: Minton, S. A Life, love and reptiles. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida, USA.

11 11 Dr. George Zug, Curator Division of amphibians and reptiles, Smithsonian institution American Museum of Natural History Washington. I had been writing for reprints of papers and other publications from Dr. George Zug and had been requesting USNM tag numbers for the holotypes and paratypes of the new species that I intended to deposit in USNM and to record in the first description accounts of the species. Zug developed interest in Pakistan herpetology. His proposal for collection and record of amphibians and reptiles from Thal Desert, northwestern Punjab was approved by American Science Foundation in He visited Pakistan to finalize the arrangements, stayed with me for two days, we discussed and planned. However, because Punjab government was biased, since I belonged to Ahmadyya community, asked Zug to replace me by some one else, but Dr. Zug refused, saying there is nobody beside Mr. Khan working in herpetology in Pakistan. Consequently Dr. Zug diverted the grant to the study of herpetofauna of Myanmar, contributing several papers to the herpetology of that region. Dr. Walter Auffenberg, Curator Florida State Museum, Gainesville, Florida, USA. Financed by American Science Foundation, Dr. Walter worked in collaboration with Zoological Survey Department Karachi. Collected herps from different parts of the country, that now forms a part of his Pakistan collections at The Florida State Museum, Gainesville, Florida, USA. He published several papers on Pakistan herpetology: Auffenberg, W Behavior of Lissemys punctata (Reptilia, Testudinata, Trionychidae) in a drying lake in Rajasthan, India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 78: Auffenberg, W Combat behaviour in Varanus bengalensis (Sauria, Varanidae).J. Bombay. Nat. Hist. Soc.78(1): Auffenberg, W. 1983a. The burrow of Varanus bengalensis: characteristics and use. Rec. Zool. Survey. India, 80(3-4): Auffenberg, W. 1983b. Courtship behavior in Varanus bengalensis (Sauria: Varanidae). In: Advances in Herpetology and Evolutionary Biology. Mus. Comp. Zoology, Cambridge: (A. C. J. Rhodin and K. Miyata Eds.). Auffenberg, W Notes on feeding behaviour of Varanus bengalensis (Sauria, Varanidae). J. Bombay, Nat. Hist. Soc. 80: Auffenberg, W. and Naeem Ahmad, Studies of Pakistan reptiles: notes on Kachuga smithi. Hamadryad 16(1-2): Auffenberg, W. and H. Rehman, Studies on Pakistan Reptiles. Pt. 1. The genus Echis (Viperidae). Bull. Florida Mus. Nat. Hist. 35(5): Auffenberg, W. and H. Rehman, Studies on Pakistan Reptiles. Pt. 3. Calotes versicolor. Asiat. Herpetol Res., 5: Auffenberg, W. and H. Rehman, Geographic variations in Bufo stomaticus, with remarks on Bufo olivaceus: biogeographical and systematic implications, pp In: Biodiversity of Pakistan. (S. A.

12 12 Mufti, C. A. Woods, and S. A. Hasan Eds.). Pakistan. Mus. Nat. Hist., Islamabad and Gainesville, Florida. Prof. Dr. Roberts Mertens, curator Staatlichen museum, Frankfurt, visited Karachi for two months November and December 1952, collecting herps and studying ecology around Karachi. However, he studied a large collection of herps from Pakistan deposited in Staatlichen museum by M. G. Konieczny (as member of oil and gas exploration German team, explored and collected herps in Pakistan from 1959 to 1068 across Pakistan. The material formed the basis of following series of paper by Dr. Mertens, contributing to the herpetology of Pakistan: Mertens, R. 1959a. Eine neue Wassnernatter aus West Pakistan. Senckenb. Biol. 40(3-4): Mertens, R. 1959b. Uber einige seltene Eidechsen aus West Pakistan. Aquar. Terr. Zeit. 12(10): Mertens, R Wenig bekannte "Seitenwinder" unter den Wustenottern Asiens. Natur und Museum, 59(8): Mertens, R Die Amphibien und Reptilien West-Pakistans. Stuttg. Beitr. Naturk. (197):1-96. Mertens, R Eine neue Rasse der Dachschildkrote, Kachuga tecta. Senckenb. Biol. 50: Mertens, R Die Amphibien und Reptilien West-Pakistans. 1. Nachtrag. Stuttg. Beitr. Naturk. (216):1-5. Mertens, R Die Amphibien und Reptilien West-Pakistans. 2. Nachtrag. Senckenb. biol.52 (1-2):7-15. Mertens, R Nachtrage zum Krokodil-Katalog der senckenbergischen Sammlungen. 3. Nachtrag. Senckenb. Biol. 53: Mertens, R Die Amphibien und Reptilien West-Pakistans. Senckenb. Biol. 55(1-3): <<<<<<<>>>>>> Log book records Reference specimens deposited in museums Newly described amphibians and reptiles species (MSK=Muhammad Sharif Khan, herpetological collection) This section is based on records in the log-book maintained in the Herpetological Laboratory. The Appendix (at the end of this document) includes copies of scans of original communications with museums, and recordings of the tag numbers of the specimens donated: The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London. (Ref. E. N. Arnold, 2 June 1986; A. F. Stimson,August 1, 1990). BMNH Bungarus sindanus razai (MSK 0312) BMNH Cyrtodactylus indusoani (MSK ) BMNH Cyrtodactylus monmtiumsalsorum

13 13 BMNH Tenuidactylus kohsulamanai (MSK ) BMNH Tenuidactylus batalensis (MSK ) BMNH Tenuidactylus baturensis, holotype (MSK ) BMNH Tenuidactylus fortmunroi (Holotype MSK ) BMNH Eumeces indothalansis BMNH Tenuidactylus rohtasfortai (MSK ) BMNH BMNH Tenuidactylus kohsulaimanai (MSK ) Rana barmoachensis BMNH Cyrtodactylus kachhensis ingoldbyi [MSK ] BMNH Eumeces indothalansis (MSK Holotype) BMNH Rana hazarensis BMNH Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis microspinulata (Holotype MSK ), Paratype MSK ) California Academy of Sciences (CAS) (ref. Alan E. Leviton, June 11, 1988) CAS Tenuidactylus batalensis CAS Typhlops (goaie) diardii plaryventris (MSK 0901) CAS Typhlops leucosubcauda (Holotype) CAS Tenuidactylus baturensis (MSK ) CAS Tenuidactylus fortmunroi (MSK ) CAS Cyrtopodion indusoani (MSK ) CAS Cyrtopodion. montiumsalsorum (MSK ) CAS Tenuidactylus kohsulaimanai CAS Tenuidactylus baturensis (MSK ) CAS Tenuidactylus baturensis (MSK ) CAS Cyrtodactylus kachhensis ingoldbyi (HOLOTYPE: MSK ) CAS Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis microspinulata (MSK ) CAS Cyrtodactylus potoharensis (MSK ) The Field Museum Natural History (FMNH), Chicago, Illinois, (Ref. Alan Resetar, June 30, 1994) FMNH Tenuidactylus kohsulaiman (MSK ) FMNH (MSK ), (MSK ) Tenuidactylus rohtasfortai (Ref: Herpetologica, 1990, 46: ) FMNH Tenuidactylus battalensis (MSK )

14 14 FMNH Tenuidactylus fortmunroi (MSK ) FMNH 229,900 Tenuidactylus indusoani (paratype) FMNH Cyrtopodion khahhensis ingoldbyi (MSK ) FMNH 229,899 Crtodactylus montiumsalsorum FMNH 207,872 Rana hazarensis FMNH Tenuidactylus kohsulaimanai FMNH Typhlops ductuliformes (HOLOTYPE, MSK ) US National Museum of Natural History (Ref. Hymen Marx, 6 April 1988) USNM Rana hazarensis (MSK USNM USNM Cyrtodactylus indusoani (MSK Cyrtodactylus montiumsalsorum (MSK USNM Tenuidactylus kohsulaimanai (MSK ) USNM Tenuidactylus battalensis (MSk ) USNM Tenuidactylus baturensis (MSK ) USNM Tenuidactylus fortmunroi (MSK ) Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (Ref. Franz Tiedeman, Oct 5, 1989) NMW Tenuidactylus kohsulamanai NMW Tenuidactylus batalensis (MSK ) NMW Tenuidactylus fortmunroi (MSK ) Forschungsinstitut, Natur-Museum Senckenberg, Frankfurt em main (Ref, Konrad Klemmer, 31 January, 1979) SMF Rana hazarensis SMF Gymnodactylus dattanensis (holotype) SMF Cyrtodactylus indusoani (paratype) SMF Cyrtodactylus montiumsalsorum Institute of zoology, Academy of Sciences, Kiev-30, USSR (Ref. N. N. Szczerbak) SR Tenuidactylus kohsulamanai SR Tenuidactylus batalensis (MSK ) SR Tenuidactylus fortmunroi (MSK ) The Florida State Museum, Gainesville, Florida (Ref. David L. Auth, April 13, 1988) UF Tenuidactylus fortmunroi (MSK )

15 15 UF Cyrtopodion kachhensis ingoldbyi (MSK ) UF Cyrtopodion montiumsalsorum UF Cyrtopodion indusoani UF Tenuidactylus kohsulaimanai UF Typhlops ductuliformes (MSK ) Museum National d Histoires Naturelle Laboratotoire des Repiles et Amphibiens, 25 Rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris (Ref. A. Dubois, 11 March 1986) MNHN Rana hazarensis MNHN Cyrtodatylus dattanensis MNHN Cytrodactylus indusoani (MSK ) MNHN Crtodactylus montiumsalsorum (MSK ) <<<<<<>>>>> Current status of new taxa described from Herpetological Laboratory Since descriptions of following taxa generic changes (recorded in bold) have taken place Allopaa (Rana) hazarensis (Dubois and Khan, 1979) Allopaa (Rana) barmoachensis (Khan and Tasnim, 1989) Amphibians Euphlyctis (Rana) cyanophlyctis microspinulata Khan, 1997 Pseudepidalea (Bufo) siachinensis (Khan, 1997) Duttaphrynus (Bufo) hazarensis (Khan, 2000) Geckos Siwaligekko (Cyrtodactylus) dattanensis (Khan, 1980) Indogekko (Cyrtodactylus) indusoani (M. S. Khan, 1980) Indogekko (Cyrtodactylus) rohtasfortai (M. S. Khan and Tasnim, 1990) Cyrtopodion (Cyrtodactylus) kohsulaimanai (M. S. Khan, 1991) Altigekko (Tenuidactylus) baturensis (Khan and Baig, 1992) Indogekko (Cyrtodactylus) fortmunroi (M. S. Khan, 1993) Siwaligekko (Cyrtodactylus) battalensis (M. S. Khan, 1993)

16 16 Cyrtopodion kachhense ingolbyi M. S. Khan, 1997 Cyrtopodion potoharensis M. S. Khan, 2001 Lizard Novoeumeces (Eumeces) indothalensis (M.S. Khan and M.R.Z.Khan, 1997) Snakes Bungarus sindanus razai M.S.Khan, 1985 Indotyphlops (Typhlops) diardii platyventris M.S.Khan, 1998 Indotyphlops (Typhlops) ahsanuli M.S.Khan, 1999 Indotyphlops (Typhlops) ductuliformes M.S. Khan, 1999 Indotyphlops (Typhlops) madgemintonae madgemintonae M.S.Khan, 1999 Indotyphlops (Typhlops) madgemintonae shermanai M.S.Khan, 1999 Platyceps (Coluber) rhodorachis kashmirensis M.S.Khan and A.Q.Khan, 2000 Platyceps (Coluber) ventromaculatus. bengalensis M. S. Khan and A. Q. Khan, 2000 <<>> When news of my USA immigrating reached to the colleagues in Lahore, the curator of Zoology Museum of Government College, Lahore, requested to donate my collection to their museum (see the pictures).

17 17 My specimen deposited in American Museum of Natural History.? The main bulk of my luggage I carried while immigrating to USA included: some important literature items which I never expected to be available in USA, and some specimens I was studying. With intention to complete my study while in USA, and some tagged specimens I wanted to deposit in museums in USA and UK (due to lack of time I could not post in Pakistan). However, in USA I found conditions unexpected, while hectically looking for a suitable home, we changed from one apartment to another. Fearing loss of the material in these unsettled conditions, I decided to deposit it somewhere safe, from where it could be retrieved. The safe depository for the specimens, that came into my mind was, Dr. George Zug, Curator American National History Museum. Washington. I posted the packet with following covering letter:

18 18 Contents of to Dr. G. Zug, Curator American Museum of Natural History 3 June 2001 Dear Dr. Zug: Please, find included in this packet following material, keep the specimens with USNM tag numbers. Please, help me distribute rest according to the tags: Typhlops type material Typhlops ahsananuli Holotype: MSK Typhlops ductuliformes FMNH (MSK ) UF (MSK ) Extra specimens MSK , Typhlops madgemintonai madgemintoni Holotype: MSK Paratype Typhlops madgemintoni shermanai Holotype: MSK , Paratypes: MSK , Typhlops diardi platyventris CAS (MSK ), Paratypes: , , , , Additional material Cyrtopodion potoharensis Holotype CAS (MSK ); Paratypes MSK , Locality: Holotype: CAS (MSK ), an adult male, collected from crevices among bricks under road bridge, and cracks in the surrounding mudflats, near Lawrancepur Town, District Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi-Attock Grand Trunk Road, 5th July, 1987, M. S. Khan. Paratypes: MSK 0640, adult male; MSK 0643, adult female, data for all as for holotype. Return of the specimens from British Museum Natural History loan material: & Typhlops?? MSK & MSK 8610, from the sides of a recently tilled field, near Ghakkhar Mandi Town, 15 Km N, Gujranwala, Punjab; M.S. Khan 25 August, Typhlops?? MSK from Rabwah, Punjab, collected at different dates during 1999, M.S. Khan. Leptotyphlops macrhynchus From Rabwah City MSK ; ; ; from different localities, all in moist soil around water pipes. Thanks M. S. Khan. Answer received from Mr. Addison Wynn Sent: Friday, January 14, :44 PM To: typhlops99@hotmail.com Subject: Re: typhlops material from Pakistan Dear Dr. Khan, We have not yet had the time to catalogue your specimens (we have a large backlog of material awaiting to be catalogued, and due to the retirement of

19 19 Ron Crombie and the promotion of our cataloger, cataloguing has recently proceeded at a snail's pace). When I complete cataloguing a large collection of several thousand salamanders, which I have taken responsibility of, sometime later this year, I'll personally catalogue your specimens and let you know once I have finished. Feel free to keep checking, though. I have been examining your Typhlops types as part of a revision of T. porrectus that I am working on. I'll let you know when I finish. Addison <<>> >> "muhammad sharif Khan" <typhlops99@hotmail.com> 01/13 11:23 AM >> Bismillah irrahaman irrahim dear dr wynn: perhaps you remember of exchanging s some time ago regarding typhlops material that I deposited in your museum back on 2 June, 2001, through Dr George Zug. than later you informed that you have located the material and you will soon let me know the depository numbers of the material. since I am waiting for your reply! hope you would have catalogued the material by this time. If somebody has studied the material please, let me know, similarly if there is some publication based on the material I shall like to know and have a pdf copy. hope you will acknowledge this message asp. regards Khan, Muhammad Sharif, Ph.D. Apt # A South Bishop Avenue, SECANE, PA 19018, USA Ever since I am waiting information about the packet and its contents! >>>>>>>>> Securing literature from Pakistan The first depository that came to my mind was: Breck Bartholomew, since for some time I knew him because of his informative newsletter Bibliomania, and his collection of herpetological memorabilia. I included copies of my correspondence with Dr. Minton and Dr. Mertens etc., with half of my published material, in a box and mailed to Breck Bartholomew, 7021 South 400 West, Midvale, UT Unfortunately the packing gave away in the transit, everything was lost! Even today I regret losing my correspondence (see copy of the parcel search form telling the story):

20 20 With Prof. Dr. Aaron Bauer, Villanova University Having thus lost a part of my valuable material, I thought of Prof. Dr. Aaron Bauer, Villanova University, as safe depository for the rest of the documents. He has been longtime friend (we have been exchanging reprints since I started publishing in 1965). I visited him and personally handed over the literature collection in his custody. Now, whenever I need a paper, he is prompt to respond with pdf copy. Hat off to him for proving best friend over the years! <<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<,

21 21 Publications from Herpetological Laboratory, Rabwah, Pakistan 1965 to Research papers Khan, M. S A normal table of Bufo stomaticus (Bufo melanostictus). Biologia, 11: Morphogenesis of digestive tract of Bufo stomaticus. Pakistan J. Sci. Res.20: Amphibian fauna of District Jhang with notes on habits. Pakistan J. Sci. 20 (5-6): A normal table of Rana tigerina Daudin. 1. Early development (Stages 1-27). Pakistan J. Sci. 2(1-2): An interesting abnormality in the arterial system of Uromastyx hardwickii Gray and its possible evolutionary Significance. Pakistan J. Sci.,23(1): a. The commonest toad" of West Pakistan and a note on Bufo melanostictus Schneider. Biologia, 18(2): b. Checklist and key to the lizards of Jhang District, West Pakistan. Herpetologica, 28(2): Food of tiger frog Rana tigerina Daudin. Biologia, 19(1-2): Discovery of Microhyla ornata (Dumeril & Bibron) from the Punjab, Pakistan. Biologia,

22 and Mirza, M. R An annotated checklist and key to the reptiles of Pakistan. Part I: Chelonia and Crocodelia. Biologia, 22 (2): An annotated checklist and key to the amphibians of Pakistan. Biologia, 22(2): And Mirza, M. R An annotated checklist and key to the reptiles of Pakistan. Part II: Sauria (Lacertalia). Biologia, 23(1): Checklist and key to the snakes of Jhang District, Punjab, Pakistan. Biologia, 23(2): A double-headed monster of Hemidactylus flaviviridis Rupell. Biologia, 24(1): On a collection of amphibians from northern Punjab and Azad Kashmir, with ecological notes. Biologia, 25: Dubois, A. and Khan, M. S A new species of frog (genus Rana, subgenus Paa) from northern Pakistan (Amphibia, Anura). J. Herpetol., 13 (4): a. A new species of gecko from northern Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool. 12(1): b. Affinities and Zoogeography of herpetiles of Pakistan. Biologia, 26: a. Key for the identification of amphibian tadpoles from the plains of Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 14: b. Collection, preservation and identification of amphibian eggs from the plains of Pakistan. Pakistan. J. Zool., 14: c. An annotated checklist and key to the reptiles of Pakistan. Part III: Serpentes (Ophidia). Biologia, 28: Venomous terrestrial snakes of Pakistan. The Snake, 15: a. Validity of the natricine taxon Natrix sancti-johannis Boulenger. J. Herpetol., 18: b. Rediscovery and validity of Bungarus sindanus Boulenger. The Snake, 16: c. A cobra with an unusual hood pattern. The Snake, 16: a. An interesting collection of amphibians and reptiles from Cholistan Desert, Punjab, Pakistan. J. Bombay. Nat. Hist. Soc., 82: b. Taxonomic notes on Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider) and Bungarus sindanus Boulenger. The Snake, 17: A noteworthy collection of amphibians and reptiles from northwestern Punjab, Pakistan. The Snake, 18: Checklist, distribution and zoogeographical affinities of herpetofauna of Balochistan. Proc. 7 th Pakistan Zool. Cong.: & Ahmed, Naeem, On a collection of amphibians and reptiles from Baluchistan, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool.,19: & Malik, S. A. 1987a. Buccopharyngeal morphology of tadpole larva of Rana hazarensis Dubois and Khan 1979, and Its torrenticole adaptations. Biologia, 33: & b. Reproductive strategies in a subtropical anuran population in arid Punjab, Pakistan. Biologia, 33:

23 & Baig, K. J., Checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of District Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan. The Snake, 20: A new cyrtodactylid gecko from northwestern Punjab, Pakistan. J. Herpetol., 22: Rediscovery and description of the highland ground gecko, Tenuidactylus montiumsalsorum (Annandale, l913). Herpetologica, 45: Venomous terrestrial snakes of Pakistan and snake bite problem. In: Snakes of Medical importance (Asia-Pacific Region): (Ed.) P. Gopalakrishnakone and L. M. Chou. National University of Singapore a. The impact of human activities on the status and distribution of amphibians in Pakistan. Hamadryad, 15: b. Discovery of a new gecko! Natura-WWF-Pakistan, Lahore, 9: & Tasnim, Rashida, 1986a. A note on tail injury in Eryx johnii. The Snake, 18: & Tasnim, Rashida, 1986b. Balling and caudal luring in young Bungarus caeruleus. The Snake, 18: & Tasnim, Rashida. 1986c. Notes on the Himalayan pit viper, Agkistrodon himalayanus (Gunther). Litteratura Serpentium. (Eng. Ed.) 6: &Tasnim, Rashida.1987a. Observations on distress behavior of an injured Eryx johnii. The Snake, 19: & Tasnim, Rashida.1987b. A field guide to the identification of herps of Pakistan. Part I: Amphibia, Monograph No. 14. Biological Society of Pakistan, Lahore, pp & Tasnim, Rashida, A new frog of the genus Rana, subgenus Paa, from southwestern Azad Kashmir. J. Herpetol., 23: Venomous terrestrial snakes of Pakistan and snake bite problem. In: Snakes of Medical importance (Asia-Pacific Region): (Ed.) P. Gopalakrishnakone and L. M. Chou. National University of Singapore. ----& Tasnim, Rashida, A field guide to the identification of herps of Pakistan. Part: II Chelonia. Biological Society of Pakistan, Lahore, pp a. Morphoanatomical specialization of the buccopharyngeal region of the anuran larvae and its bearing on the mode of larval feeding. Ph.D. diss., University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. pp b. Endangered species of reptiles of Pakistan and suggested conservation measures.: In Handbook published to mark second seminar on "Nature conservation and environmental protection", 12 March, 1991, Islamabad. Pakistan Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Islamabad c. Amphibians, lizards, turtles and snakes. Chapter 3 In: Pakistan ki Jangli Hayat (Wildlife of Pakistan): Publication No.241. Urdu Science Board, 299 Upper Mall, Lahore (in Urdu) d. A new Tenuidactylus gecko from the Sulaiman Range, Punjab, Pakistan. J. Herpetol., 25: e. Amphibians, turtles, crocks, lizards, and snakes. Chapter 3 In: کی جنگلی حیات Pakistanپاکستان ki Jangli Hayat (Wildlife of Pakistan): Publication No.241. Urdu Science Board, 299 Upper Mall, Lahore (in Urdu) f. Additions of new species to the herpetofauna of Pakistan. Species: 56.

24 g. New additions to the herpetofauna of Pakistan. Hamadryad, 16 (1-2): Validity of the mountain gecko Gymnodactylus walli Ingoldby, Herptol. J., 2: & Baig, K. J A new tenuidactylid gecko from northeastern Gilgit Agency, North Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 24: a. سر زمین پا کستا ن کے سا نپ (Snakes of Pakistan). Publication # 276. Urdu Science Board, 299 Upper Mall, Lahore, pp.229, (in Urdu) b. A new angular-toed gecko from Pakistan, with remarks on the taxonomy and a key to the species belonging to genus Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia:Sauria:Geckkonidae). Pakistan J. Zool, 25: c. Hemipeneal morphology of Varanus flavescens Hardwicke and Gray, 1927), and its phylogenetic implications. Pakistan J. Zool., 25: d. A new sandstone gecko from Fort Munro, Dera Ghazi Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 25: f. A checklist and key to the gekkonid lizards of Pakistan. Hamadryad, 18: a. Validity and description of Tenuidactylus yarkandensis (J. Anderson). Pakistan J. Zool., 26: b. Key for identification of amphibians and reptiles of Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 26: c. A revised checklist and key to the amphibians of Pakistan. Hamadryad, 19: A report on an unborn litter of chain viper Vipera russelli (Shaw and Nodder, 1797). Pakistan J. Zool., 27(2): Oropharyngeal morphology of tadpole of southern cricket frog Rana syhadrensis Annandale, 1919, and its ecological Correlates. Pakistan J. Zool., 28: a. The oropharyngeal morphology and feeding habits of tadpole of tiger frog Rana tigerina Daudin. Russian J. Herpetol., 2: b. A new toad from the foot of Siachin Glacier, Baltistan, northeastern Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 29(1): c. Taxonomic notes on Pakistani snakes of Coluber-karelini-rhodorachis-ventromaculatus species complex: a new Approach to the problem. Asiatic Herpetol. Res. 7: d. A new subspecies of common skittering frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, 1799) from Balochistan, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 29(2): e. A report on an aberrant specimen of Punjab Krait Bungarus sindanus razai Khan 1985 (Ophidia:Elapidae) from Azad Kashmir. Pakistan J. Zool., 29: f. Validity, generic redesignation, and taxonomy of western rock gecko Gymnodactylus ingoldbyi Proctor, Russian J. Herpetol., 4(2): g. Biodiversity of gekkonid fauna of Pakistan In: Biodiversity of Pakistan. Edits: Mufti, S. A., Woods, C. A. and Hasan, S. A Pakistan Mus. Nat Hist. Islamabad, Pakistan. ----& Khan, M.R.Z. Khan, A new skink from the Thal Desert of Pakistan. Asiatic. Herpetol. Research, 7:61-67.

25 & Rosler, H. (1999). Generic redesignation and redescription of Gymnodactylus stoliczkai Steindachner, J. Asiatic Research, 8: Notes on Typhlops diardi Schlegel, 1839, with description of a new subspecies (squamata, Serpentes, Scolecophidia). Pakistan J. Zool., 30(3): a. A checklist and key to the Phrynocephalid lizards of Pakistan, with ethnological notes (Squamata:Agamidae). Pakistan J. Zool., 31(1): b. Food particle retrieval in amphibian tadpoles. Zoo Print J., 14(5): c. Typhlops ductuliformes a new species of blind snakes from Pakistan, with notes on extralimital T. porrectus Stoliczka, 1871 (Serpentes:Typhlopidae). Pakistan J. Zool.,31(4): d. Herpetology of habitat types of Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool. 31(3): a. سر ز مین پا کستا ن کے مینڈ ک اور خزندے (Amphibians and reptiles of Pakistan). Publication # 366. Urdu Science board, 299- Upper Mall, Lahore. [in Urdu] b.The oropharyngeal morphology and feeding habits of tadpole of Microhyla ornata. Asiatic Herpetol. Res., vol. 9: & Khan, A.Q Three new subspecies of snakes of genus Coluber from Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zoology. 32(1): Taxonomic notes on angular-toed gekkota of Pakistan, with description of a new species of genus Cyrtopodion. Pakistan J. Zool., 33(1): a. A guide to the snakes of Pakistan. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, pp b. Die Schlangen Pakistans. Edition Chimaera, Frankfurt am Main, pp c. A checklist and key to the Amphibia of Pakistan. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 37(9): c. Riparian tadpoles of Punjab, Pakistan: Bufo stomaticus Lütkin, Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 37(12): a. Morphology of the tadpole of Microhyla ornata, with notes on its feeding ecology and breeding habits. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 38(3): b. Morphology of riparian tadpoles: Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, 1799). Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 38(5): c. Morphology of the Limnonectes tadpole, with notes on its feeding ecology and on the breeding habits of Limnonectes frogs in riparian Punjab. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 38(9): d. Hyobranchial apparatus of amphibian tadpoles and its ecological correlates. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 35(4): a. Riparian tadpoles: Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin, 1802) with notes on breeding habits and feeding Ecology. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 39(6): b. Lung morphology and its significance in riparian tadpoles. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 39(9): c. Notes on high altitude geckos of the genus Altigekko in northeastern Pakistan. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 39(12):221-

26 a. Notes on geckos of the genus Siwaligekko Khan, 2003 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Pakistan. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 40(3): b. Addition of a frog of the family Megophryidae to the amphibian fauna of Pakistan. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 40(4): c. Notes on New Taxa of Typhlopid Snakes from Pakistan (Serpentes: Typhlopidae). Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 40(8): Amphibians and Reptiles of Pakistan. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida, pp Biology and distribution of geckos of genus indogekko Khan, 2003 (sauria:gekkonidae). Russian J. Herpetology, 15 (2): Gecos de dedos angulosos del Himalaya Major: El genero Altigekko. Reptilia Herpetology of Pakistan. Part 1. مینڈک (Frogs). Nia Zamana Publications, Lahore, pp. 96. (in Urdu) A checklist and key to the Amphibia of Pakistan. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 37(9): An addition to geckos of the genus Hemidactylus Oken 1817 in Pakistan, with notes on morphology, ecology and distribution of species. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 48(10): a. Notes on reproduction and defense mechanisms of the common Indo-Pakistan wolf snake Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ophidia: Colubridae). Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 49(3): b. The filter feeding mechanism in tadpoles. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 49(8): c. Snakes in Pakistani folklore. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 49(10): d. The snakebite problem in Pakistan. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 49(12): e. Notes on reproduction and defense mechanism of the common indo-pakistan wolf snake Lycodon aulicus (linnaeus 1758) (Ophidia: Colubridae) bull. Chicago herp soc. 49(4) f. Snakes in Pakistani folklore. Bull. Chicago Herp Soc. 49(10) g. The filter feeding mechanism in tadpoles. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 49(8): Status and distribution of freshwater turtles in Pakistan. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 50(4): <<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>

27 27 Herpetology of Pakistan Internet published field guide series In addition to the journal published papers (listed above), I started writing series of Pictorial field guides circumvallating the editorial and publishing hassle Up-loading in Research Gate, Academia Edu. and Google The present e-series of Field Guides, in pdf format, is intended to bring latest scientific information about Amphibians & Reptiles of Pakistan, within grasp of students and interested biodiversity workers. A document with scientific, common English and Urdu names of the taxa (Pakistan J. Zool. Suppl. Ser., No.11, pp.1-12, 2012) is appended. (Photo credit: Personal + www) Muhammad Sharif Khan Herpetological Laboratory

28 28

29 29 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Depositories of published herpetological literature from Herp Laboratory 1. Khalafat library, Rabwah 35460, Punjab, Pakistan. 2. Majlis Tahquiqi, Jamia Ahmadyyah, Rabwah 35460, Punjab, Pakistan. 3. Prof. Aaron M. Bauer, Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue Villanova, Pennsylvania , USA. <<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>> Any question? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

30 30 APPENDEX COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH MUSEUMS HISTORIC RECORD