Species diversity and spatial distribution of snakes in Jigme Dorji National Park and adjoining areas, western Bhutan

The King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor 1836), is the longest venomous snake in the world; it is globally threatened and has been categorized as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Herein we describe distribution, habitats, and nesting behavior of the King Cobra in Trashigang Forest Division, Bhutan. We recorded a total of 18 King Cobras during the one-year survey period. The elevational distribution was 650–2,057 m but most sightings were at lower elevations. King Cobras did not appear to prefer or avoid any particular habitat type but most records were from areas where human disturbances were at a minimum. We monitored a nest containing 37 eggs that was actively guarded by a female. This study was the first of its kind in Trashigang Forest Division and we hope that the information obtained will help formulate appropriate conservation strategies for this globally threatened species.

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“…Das and Palden 2000;Wangyal 2011Wangyal , 2012Wangyal , 2014A. Das et al 2016;Koirala et al 2016Koirala et al , 2018.…”

Section: Methodsunclassified

Distribution, habitat use, and nesting behavior of the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) in the Trashigang Forest Division, Eastern Bhutan

Koirala

Tshering

2021

RandA

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“…In Bhutan 69 species of snakes represented by eight families and 35 genera are so far reported (Smith 1943;Biswas 1976;Bauer & Gunther 1992;Das & Palden 2000;Mitra 2009;Wangyal & Gurung 2010;Wangyal 2011Wangyal , 2012Wangyal , 2013Das et al 2016;Koirala et al 2016;Wangyal & Gurung 2017;Wangdi 2018). All these studies exclude record of Boiga quincunciata from Bhutan.…”

Section: Platinum Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Boiga cyanea had been recorded from Mongar at 1,929m and JWS at 340m (Wangyal & Tenzin 2009;Wangdi 2018). Boiga multifasciata is listed from Trashiyangtse, Lhuntse 1,170m, below 1,500m at Jigme Dorji National Park, Langthel and Taksha (Wangyal & Tenzin 2009;Koirala et al 2016;Tshewang & Letro 2018). Boiga siamensis was recorded from JWS at 234m (Lekey Chaida pers.…”

Section: Platinum Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assamese Cat Snake Boiga quincunciata (Wall, 1908) (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae) - new country record for Bhutan

Chaida¹,

Das

Tshering³

et al. 2020

J. Threat. Taxa

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“…These studies conducted at different times and spaces altogether resulted in up-to-date checklist of 49 species of snakes found in Bhutan. Koirala et al (2016) reported 17 species of snakes from Jigme Dorji National Park, western Bhutan, but without any new country record. Das et al (2016) in the Royal Manas national Park recorded 10 species of snakes, of which Boiga siamensis Nutaphand, 1971 was reported as new record for Bhutan.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and distribution of snakes in Trashigang Territorial Forest Division, eastern Bhutan

et al. 2021

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This paper presents the results of a study conducted on the species composition of serpent fauna in Trashigang Territorial Forest Division (TTFD), Bhutan. The survey was conducted from August 2019 to September 2020. The study aimed to assess the diversity, conservation threats, and distribution of both venomous and non-venomous snakes in different habitat types using time constrained visual encounter survey technique. A total of 34 species of snakes belonging to five families and 23 genera were recorded. Of the total observed species, nine were identified as venomous species. These include four species of Elapidae, four species of Viperidae, and one Colubridae. Geographically, snakes occurred throughout the landscapes, although species composition and their geographical distribution differed notably amongst various localities. We documented survival threats to local snakes where deliberate killing and road mortality were found to be the most common cause of death. The increasing trend of diversity, species richness, and relative abundance of serpent fauna was noticed as the radial distance increased from urban residential areas towards less disturbed landscapes such as rural agricultural land and natural forests indicating that the habitat mosaic plays an important role in the structure and composition of the snake community. Considering the limited information currently available on diversity and geographical distribution of the serpent fauna of the region, the present study can be considered very significant.

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Species diversity and spatial distribution of snakes in Jigme Dorji National Park and adjoining areas, western Bhutan

Cited by 6 publications

References 12 publications

Distribution, habitat use, and nesting behavior of the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) in the Trashigang Forest Division, Eastern Bhutan

Distribution, habitat use, and nesting behavior of the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) in the Trashigang Forest Division, Eastern Bhutan

Assamese Cat Snake Boiga quincunciata (Wall, 1908) (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae) - new country record for Bhutan

Diversity and distribution of snakes in Trashigang Territorial Forest Division, eastern Bhutan

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