Status Survey of the Indian Golden Gecko, Calodactylodes aureus (Beddome, 1970) in YSR Kadapa and SPSR Nellore Districts of Andhra Pradesh, India

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1 World Journal of Zoology 9 (1): 21-27, 2014 ISSN IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: /idosi.wjz Status Survey of the Indian Golden Gecko, Calodactylodes aureus (Beddome, 1970) in YSR Kadapa and SPSR Nellore Districts of Andhra Pradesh, India I.S. Chakrapani, B. Chanikyudu, R. Janardan Rao and M. Rajasekhar 1 Department of Zoology, SKR Govt. Degree College, Gudur, SPSR Nellore Dt. A.P. India 2 Department of Zoology, S.V. University, Tirupati, A.P. India Abstract: The Indian Golden Gecko Calodactylodes aureus is an endangered, Scheduled I geckonid lizard endemic to Peninsular India. After its rediscovery by Daniel and Bharat Bhushan in Tirumala hills during 1985 and 1986, there was a silence among the scientific community about its distribution and morphology. Later on, Nandakumar and Rajasekhar reported the presence of Golden geckos from Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, which encompasses Chittoor, Kadapa and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. Consequently, there were reports on its occurrence along the Eastern Ghats from locations far away from Seshachalam Biosphere reserve. There were no comprehensive reports on the presence of animal in YSR Kadapa and SPSR Nellore districts. This prompted the investigator to take up a comprehensive status survey to see its Habitat and distribution. Line transect method and direct observation methods were used to note the population of Golden geckos. They are observed in moist and humid environment. The number of eggs was counted and they ranged from 10 to 150 from each clutch. More and more locations need to be surveyed to assess their distribution and conservation status. Key words: Golden Gecko Scheduled I Animal Line Transect Method INTRODUCTION district of Andhra Pradesh and reported its presence in many localities previously not reported. As it was More than 850 species of lizards are known to exist all Considered to be a Gondwanian relic [5], Golden Gecko is over the world, out of which 675 are primitive and of particular interest to the scientists of wild life biology. nocturnal. These are distributed mainly in the tropics [1]. The present study aims at surveying new locations in two The Indian Golden Gecko, Calodactylodes aureus, is districts of Andhra Pradesh, namely YSR Kadapa and notified as Scheduled I animal as per the Indian wildlife SPSR Nellore, where this animal is not reported earlier. It act, It belongs to the family Geckonidae. Among the also aims at describing the details of microhabitat, feeding South Asian Herpetofauna, it is one of the least and breeding habits of Golden Gecko. A complete survey appreciated primitive lizards [2]. It has been consistently was conducted in these districts to review its cited in various checklists from time to time [3-6]. But, little conservation status. is known about its distribution, morphological and anatomical correlates, biology and phylogeny [7]. The MATERIALS AND METHODS Indian Golden gecko was first observed by Beddome in 1870 [8] and later on spotted by Daniel et al. in Tirumala Study area comprised parts of YSR Kadapa and SPSR hills during 1986 [9]. Its presence from Seshachalam Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh (Figure 1). It was Biosphere Reserve was reported by Nandakumar et al. extensively surveyed between July 2011 and June [10]. This animal is being reported to be present along the The study area includes Velikonda range of Hills, which length of Eastern Ghats and their spurs by different is the prime focus area of the survey. YSR Kadapa district researchers from time to time. [11-21]. Rajasekhar and is located between 13.43' and 15.14' of the northern Chakrapani [20] made an extensive survey in Chittoor latitude and 77.55' and 79.29' of the eastern longitude. Corresponding Author: Dr. M. Rajasekhar, Department of Zoology, S.V. University, Tirupati , India. 21

2 Fig. 1: Location map of the study area The district spreads northwards beneath the Western Direct counting method was used to arrive at slopes of the Eastern Ghats as a rough parallelogram, population count of golden geckos in the areas surveyed. dented deeply in its Southern, Western and Northern Conventional distance sampling method was adopted for boundaries. The altitude varies from 259 to meters this survey in Kadapa and Nellore districts. As in the above M.S.L. It is surrounded by Kurnool District on the previous survey conducted in Chittoor district of Andhra North, Chittoor District on the South, Nellore and Pradesh by the same authors [20], the expanded terminal Prakasam Districts on the East and Ananthapur District phalanges with large trapezoidal penultimate and distal on the West. Nellore District is the Southernmost Coastal expansions were considered as the key character to District of Andhra Pradesh. It lies between and identify Golden Gecko [22]. Colour is the basis for sexual 15-6 of the Northern latitude and 70-5 and of the dimorphism as noticed. Opportunistic searches comprised Eastern Longitude. It is bound on the north by Prakasam of slow walking among the rock boulders. These were District, on the East by Bay of Bengal, on the South by carried out over a vast area. Both vertical and horizontal Chittoor District and Chengalpattu District of Tamilanadu crevices in rock boulders were searched intensely, for and on the West by Velikonda Hills which separate it from recording the presence of golden geckos. During day light Kadapa District. The eastern half of the District adjoining searches, number of noticed egg patches was recorded, coastal belt is fairly fertile and the western half of the along with morphological correlates of the animal. Line district has low elevation towards west with large track of transect method was used for nocturnal searches, which low shrub jungles diversified with rocky, will stony plains. were conducted where the density of golden geckos is Maximum temperature ranges between C during assumed to be high. Transect lines were marked during May, which is the hottest month in summer. Minimum daytime with fishing line for every 5 metres, prior to each temperature ranges from C during December. attempt. Using power full head mounted 6 v spotlights 22

3 and hand torches, survey was held after dusk. Every rock boulder was searched for the presence of geckos and number of geckos observed was noted down. When a gecko was sighted, perpendicular distance to the transect line at ground level was measured directly beneath the gecko. A noose was used to catch the gecko live. Gecko was released after taking morphometric details as given by Daniel et al. [9]. Population analysis was carried out by direct counting. Habitat analysis was done, as described by Kotwal [23]. Sympatric reptiles were identified using the key provided by Smith [22] and Aaron M. Bauer and Indraneil Das [7]. No animal was either harmed or killed while doing morphometric analysis in the field and no sample was collected for any other purpose. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Habitat: Golden geckos were identified in a number of new places in Nellore and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh. These were also observed in the huge rock boulders which are having vertical and horizontal crevices of variable size, located in shaded areas. In all cases, temperature range was 21 C to 41 C and humidity ranged from 76% to 100 % (Tables 1 and 2). Mean altitude of different survey areas ranged from 150 to 400 m. It seems that these geckos prefer vertical crevices to horizontal crevices to live in. These crevices were cool and more humid than rocky surface as reported by Rajasekhar and Nandakumar [11]. Some geckos were observed in rock crevices present near small water bodies. The authors observed golden geckos in isolated rock boulders existing in arid open places also, unlike the common reports of their existence in massive chains of rock boulders near well-shaded areas. Many of the different habitats observed are characterized by the presence of thick vegetation consisting of Albizia amara, Boswellia serrata, Dalbergia lanceolata, Emblica officinalis, Givotia moluccana, Gyrocarpus americanum, Haldina cordifolia, Hardwickia binata, Strychnos nux vomica, Pterocarpus santalinus, Syzizium cumini, Terminalia spp., Wrightia tinctoria etc. and many unidentified climbers and herbs (Image.1). Animal Description: A male specimen was captured at Penchalakona, part of Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Wildlife Sanctuary by noosing. It was examined and released after recording morphological details. Morphometric details were collected using Standard Vernier Callipers to the nearest 0.1mm (Table 3). Many of the morphological characters agree with our earlier Table 1: Distribution sites of Indian Golden Geckos in YSR Kadapa district and climatic variants No Location Temperature ( C) Humidity 1 Lankamala Gandikota Ranganayakulakona Nayanalappakona Gandi Ramapuram Veyinutalakona Tummalapalle Chitwel Palakondalu (near Buggavanka) Namalagundu Turupukonda Table 2: Distribution sites of Indian Golden Gecko in SPSR Nellore district and climatic variants No Location Temperature ( C) Humidity 1 Vempallitoka Udayagiri Somasila Panchalingalakona Mallemkonda Penchalakona Bairavakona (near penchalakona) Akilavalasa Sidduleswarakona Dattanagaram Attalasiddavaram Stambhalakona Konamalleswaram Varadanapalli Paravolu Nagabhairavakona Table 3: Morphometric correlates of the Indian Golden gecko Calodactylodes aureus. Location: Penchalakona, SPSR Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India No Part Measurement (mm) 1 Head 8.5 w and 14 L 2 Eye 3 3 Ear Opening 1.3w and 1.8 l 4 Distance between eyes 6 5 Distance between eye and ear Distance between nostril and eye Distance between nostrils 2 8 Labials 12 Upper and 12 lower 9 Neck 3.8 w 10 Abdomen Fore limb length 7 FL and 7 TL 12 Hind limb length 9 FL and 9 TL 13 Fore limb digits 2,3,4,5,4 14 Hind limb digits 2,3,5,6.5,5 15 SVL Tail Total body length

4 Image. 1: Golden Gecko habitat with high humidity. Table 4: Survey of Calodactylodes aureus in YSR Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India No. of Eggs Observed No. of Specimens No Location observed Excreta observed Hatched Un hatched Spoiled Total 1 Lankamala 0 Present Gandikota 6 Present Ranganayakulakona 4 Absent Nayanalappakona 5 Absent Gandi 2 Present Ramapuram 8 Present Veyinutalakona 6 Absent Tummalapalle 10 Present Chitwel 4 Present < Palakondalu (near Buggavanka) 0 Absent Namalagundu 12 Present Turupukonda 14 Present 54 >80 16 >150 Table 5: Survey of Calodactylodes aureus in SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, India No. of Eggs Observed No. of Specimens No Location observed Excreta observed Hatched Un hatched Spoiled Total 1 Vempallitoka 0 Present Udayagiri 6 Present Somasila 4 Absent Panchalingalakona 5 Absent Mallemkonda 2 Present Penchalakona 8 Present > >100 7 Bhairavakona(Near Penchalakona) 6 Absent > Akilavalasa 1 Present Sidduleswarakona 4 Present Dattanagaram 0 Absent Attalasiddavaram 0 Present Stambhalakona 3 Present Konamalleswaram 12 Present >50 25 > Varadanapalli 0 Absent Paravolu 4 Present

5 description of specimens from Chittoor Dt. [20]. Golden surfaces [26,27]. As reported earlier, in the present survey gecko has a flattened body, large head and distinct also, the authors could observe site fidelity in deposition oviform neck. Dorsal surface of the body is covered with of egg patches [20]. Hatched and unhatched eggs along very small granules, which are interspersed, by large, with dried foetal remains and spoiled eggs are observed smooth, round and tubercles. Ventral surface of the body in each communal patch. Decomposed scars are observed is covered with squarish scales juxtaposed against each in many locations, which implied that eggs are deposited other [22]. Tail is long and slender, covered with large in the same place year after year [15, 24]. Rate of hatching squarish scales. Supraorbital is strong and rounded. is noticed to be high, except for in a few sites located. Canthal ridge is observed. Pupil and the ear opening are Spoiled eggs are sighted in few locations where vertical. Snout is longer than the distance between ear anthropogenic interference is noticed, otherwise, hatching opening and eye. Head is covered with small granules. is more perfect in narrow crevices and roof of open Unlike our earlier description of specimen from Chittoor tourists. Much damage to the eggs is caused where egg District, granules on canthal ridge are slightly larger than deposition took place nearer to ground. We could those on the head. This observation is close to our observe common skinks (Mabuya carinata) scratching previous description of specimens from Tirumala Hills and away the egg patches and eating the embryos. According Vellore and description of others [11, 20]. Golden Gecko to some authors, Golden geckos lay eggs between late has a four-sided rostral which has a concavity at its June and September [15] but fresh eggs could be posterior border. Nostril is pierced between the rostral, observed even in November also [20]. Contrary to the three nasals and the first labial. 12 supra and infralabials reports that golden gecko inhabits cool and humid are present. Mental is equal in size to the adjacent labials. habitats, we could observe many geckos in isolated rock No regular chin shields were observed, but small granules boulders, which implies that hatching may be partly are present on the gular region. Pentadactyle limbs are independent of the environmental variables. More and long and slender. Each toe/digit appears like a hoof. Digits more observations during night times are required to have large trapezoidal penultimate and distal expansions. elucidate the details of oviposition, development and Each of these expansions has two large plates beneath, breeding habits. In some locations, we could observe separated by a longitudinal groove. A retractile claw is juveniles also. We predict parental care to exist in this observed in all the digits [9]. Penultimate expansion on the species. Further research is needed to know the details of inner digit is not observed and this corroborates with the biology of Calodactylodes aureus. earlier descriptions of specimens from Chittoor district by the same authors [20].Colour of the body is reportedly CONCLUSION golden yellow in colour, but the authors found that the golden geckos camouflaged with the surroundings Majority of the locations surveyed for the presence efficiently. We observed brown, black, grey and white of golden geckos are located in deep forest areas, where shades. Dorsoventral sides of the specimens exhibit waterfalls or a running water source is nearby. Based on golden yellow colour [24, 25]. Adult females have mixed our previous survey in Chittoor district and the present colours with dark brown and yellow. one, we propose that populations of the Indian golden Gecko are wide spread along the rocky boulders which are Food: Golden gecko s feed on small arthropod insects and located at the costal line of Penna and its tributaries like ants. Very fine smooth powdery soil is observed adjacent Chitravati, Cheyyyeru and Papaghni on the south and to rock boulders, which implies that the withering activity Jayamangali, Kunderu and Sagileru on the north. We also indirectly helps geckos survive. propose that this animal is abundantly present in the hitherto unexplored rocky habitats along the Swarnmaukhi Cohabits: The authors found Calotes rouxii, Sciniscids corridor. We propose an intense survey in the forest areas and Hemidactylus species as common co inhabitants. Red along the length of these two rivers. Based on the present ants, beetles and bees are also common inhabitants in and work, we propose range extension of habitat of the Indian around the rock boulders. golden Gecko to the southern and south-western ranges of the Eastern Ghats and their spurs, through Ananthapur Breeding Habits: Golden geckos lay eggs in communal district in Andhra Pradesh, Chikbalapur, Tumkur and patches, attaching them to the roof of rock boulders or Mysore districts in Karnataka, gradually falling into the vertical walls or hanging down from the horizontal Western Ghats. We further predict that the Indian Golden 25

6 Gecko might be present in the forests along the length of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS other rivers like Godavari [12]. We also predict its existence in Maharashtra also, if we go on searching The authors are highly thankful to University along Godavari corridor. As we know from the present Grants Commission for providing financial support to survey, the Indian golden gecko is widely distributed in carry the survey of Golden geckos through UGC-MRP, Seshachalam and Velikonda ranges of the Middle Eastern New Delhi. Officials of the forest department are also Ghats (Tables 4 and 5). Similar habitat is present in many sincerely thanked for their continuous help and remote locations like Palavanka, Bhairavakona, encouragement. Nemaligundla, Mallelateertham etc., in the Nallamalai forests of Prakasam and Kurnool districts of Andhra REFERENCES Pradesh, which are very difficult to access. These areas need intense probing. We propose its existence along the 1. Daniel, J.C., The Text Book on Indian Reptiles. corridor of river Kaveri also, as evidenced by our Oxford University Press, Oxford. unpublished work. As already reported, some of these 2. Deraniyagala, P.E.P., A new Calodactylodes geckos are found in isolated rock boulders in dry areas. gecko from Ceylon. J. Roy. Asciatic Soc., (Ceylon), This suggests that golden gecko has greater adaptability 1: to different environmental conditions than they are 3. Wermuth, H., Liste der rezenten Amphibien und thought to possess. (Fig: 1). As per the Indian Wildlife Reptilian: Geckonidae, Phygoopodidae, Xantusiidae. Act 1972, this animal is included in Schedule I, Part II [28]. Das Tierreich, 80: As per the IUCN red list, this animal is least concerned 4. Kluge, A.G., Geckonid lizard taxonomy. [29]. Keeping this in view, we strongly recommend the International Gecko Society, San Diego, pp: 245. conservation status of Indian golden gecko be reviewed 5. Boulinger, G.A., Catalogue of the lizards both at national and international levels. Though it in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol.I. appears that the animal is widespread in parts of British Museum (Natural History), London XII+463, peninsular India, the number of individuals cited is far pp: 32. low. Recent developmental activities and projects pose a 6. Dilip Venugopal, P., An updated and annotated great threat to the existence of this animal. As reported list of Indian lizards (Reptilia: Sauria) based on a earlier, destruction of rock boulders along Vellore-Chennai review of distribution records and checklists of highway and mass destruction for constructing Indian reptiles. Journal of Threatened Taxa, Pasupudhara and Kumara Dhara Projects at Seshachalam 2(3): hills [11], submergence of habitat due to construction of 7. Aaron, M. Bauer and Indraneil Das, multi-purpose irrigation dams [12], destruction of habitat A review of the geckonid genus Calodactylodes due to uranium mining [21], have been posing great threat (Reptilia: Squamata) from India and Srilanka, to the existence of this endangered animal. As the authors South Asian. Nat. Hist., 5(1): observe, expansion of interstate highways would 8. Beddome, R.H., Descriptions of some new adversely affect the population of this animal, as it is lizards from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly noticed in Lankamala Reserve Forest and also on Kadapa- Journal of Medical Science, 1: 30-35(Art. II). Pulivendula road. The authors strongly recommend not to Reprint in J. Bombay. Nat. Hist. Soc., 59: destruct any rock boulder where the Golden geckos are 9. Daniel, J.C., B. Bhushan and A.G. Sekar, present and also we advise concerned Government Rediscovery of the golden gecko authorities to take appropriate measures to constitute a Calodactylodes aureus (Beddome) in the Eastern committee to identify habitats of this precious animal prior Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. Journal of the Bombay to constructing dams, irrigation projects, roads and stone Natural History Society, 83: crushing units. We have noticed several habitats which 10. Nandakumar, N.V., K.M. Vijayalakshmi, are destructed for stone crushing units in Andhra Pradesh M. Rajasekhar and M. Ameer Basha, Survey of and Tamilnadu states. In this context, it is essential to Golden Gecko habitat-analysis and conservation in protect both the habitat and animal by initiating new Tirumala Hills. Ecology, Environment and guidelines. Conservation, 6(4):

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