Abstract:
The seasonal fluctuations of population density and distribution of Otocryptis wiegmanni
inhabiting indifferent habitats of the Yagirala forest reserve of Sri Lanka was investigated during
the north-east, first inter-monsoon, south-west and second inter-monsoon seasons of the year 2014.
Three linear transacts, each measuring 200 m in length were marked along the natural forest,
degraded forest and riverine forest habitats. All transects were surveyed by visual encounter survey
(VES) method. Ambient temperature, relative humidity, canopy cover and leaf litter moisture
content were measured in three points of each transect (50, 100 and 150 m) and the monthly total
rainfall data was obtained from Meteorological Department. The highest mean adult population
density and the highest number of juveniles were recorded during the relatively dry north-east
monsoon season. O. wiegmanni preferred the degraded forest habitat (0.027±0.020 lizards/m2
)
compared to the natural (0.007 ± 0.006 lizards/m2
) and riverine forest habitats during all four
climate seasons. Fluctuations in the population density varied according to season and habitat
conditions. This species fed mostly on insects of the Orders Orthoptera, Coleoptera and
Hymenoptera, and the common breeding season was during the north-east monsoon (NEM) in
January-February period.
