scholarly journals Killer Whale Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) predation on Sperm Whales Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Physeteridae) in the Gulf of Mannar, Sri Lanka

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 16742-16751
Author(s):  
Ranil P. Nanayakkara ◽  
Andrew Sutton ◽  
Philip Hoare ◽  
Thomas A. Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Gulf Of Mannar ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Almost All ◽  
First Time ◽  
Published Account ◽  
Eastern Half

To date in Sri Lankan waters, there has been limited research on Killer Whales.  These animals have been recorded almost all around the island, except in the northernmost waters and in Palk Bay.  The highest observed concentrations are from the northeastern, south/southwestern and northwestern coastal waters of Sri Lanka.  These have come from both opportunistic observations and dedicated scientific surveys.  Seasonal trends in sightings in some locations suggest fairly consistent occupancy.  Transient Killer Whales have been documented attacking/killing Sperm Whales from many geographic locations around the world.  To date, there is only one published account of Killer Whales feeding in Sri Lankan waters.  Our paper presents, for the first time, field observations of Killer Whales preying upon superpods of Sperm Whales in the waters off the Kalpitiya Peninsula (eastern half of the Gulf of Mannar), northwestern Sri Lanka.  The incidents took place on two separate occasions during the months of March and April, 2017.

scholarly journals First records of the Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides (G. Cuvier, 1829) (Cetartiodactyla: Phocoenidae) from Sri Lanka

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 11081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranil P. Nanayakkara ◽  
Thomas A. Jefferson ◽  
Sandaruwan Abayaratne
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Gulf Of Mannar ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Finless Porpoise ◽  
Survey Team ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
Neophocaena Phocaenoides

Thirty species of marine mammals have been recorded from Sri Lanka.  Amongst them the Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides is the only representative of the family Phocoenidae.  The only previous record from Sri Lanka was a specimen caught on the Wadge Bank by a Smithsonian Carangid Survey team in 1970.  Wadge Bank is west of the island and is, in fact, in Indian territorial waters.  Here we present the first legitimate records of the Finless Porpoise from Sri Lanka, based on one stranding and three live sightings.  Furthermore, the occurrence of threatened species such as the Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoise in the waters of the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar indicates that a cross boundary research initiative between Indian and Sri Lankan scientists, simultaneously focusing on the conservation of the species, is essential.  We believe, through such an initiative, a more holistic approach could be adopted when studying and conserving the species, which could then be expanded to encapsulate many other marine species and ecosystems. 

scholarly journals New additions to the larval food plants of Sri Lankan butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 17731-17740
Author(s):  
Himesh Dilruwan Jayasinghe ◽  
Sarath Sanjeewa Rajapakshe ◽  
Tharindu Ranasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Larval Food ◽  
First Time

Larval food plants (LFPs) of Sri Lankan butterflies have been well documented recently with the aid of studies done by numerous researchers.  In this paper, we present further records, 118 LFPs used by 83 butterflies and 145 plant-butterfly combinations.  LFPs of Lethe dynsate and Potanthus pseudomaesa pseudomaesa are reported for the first time in Sri Lanka.  Important observations, possible LFPs and LFP preferences of rare and threatened butterfly species, are discussed.  This information on plant-butterfly interactions will play an important role in conservation management of both plant and butterfly species.

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Angolan and Gulf of Guinea waters, tropical West Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 1601-1611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline R Weir ◽  
Tim Collins ◽  
Inês Carvalho ◽  
Howard C. Rosenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
External Appearance ◽  
Tropical Waters ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
Mola Mola

Killer whales Orcinus orca are considered to be relatively uncommon in tropical waters. Few sightings have been reported from the west coast of Africa due to a paucity of survey coverage. We present data on 32 killer sightings from tropical waters off Angola (N = 18), Gabon (N = 7), São Tomé (N = 6) and Cameroon (N = 1), comprising a combination of dedicated survey sightings (N = 21) and reliable anecdotal records (n = 11). Killer whales were reported from coastal waters, the shelf edge and deep, oceanic areas. Sightings indicate a probable year-round occurrence of killer whales within the region. Mean group size was 5.6 animals. There was no difference in group size between sightings in waters >200 m deep and those on the continental shelf. No photo-identification matches were found between Angola, Gabon and São Tomé. Re-sightings of two individuals occurred annually in São Tomé during 2002–2004. Killer whales had external appearance consistent with the Type A nominate species form. Antagonistic encounters were recorded between killer whales and humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae off Angola, Gabon and Cameroon, and with sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus off Angola. Predation on ocean sunfish Mola mola was recorded in São Tomé, and possible predation on sharks was recorded twice in Gabon.

scholarly journals Delayed Hypoparathyroidism following Thyroidectomy, a Diagnostic Conundrum: A Report of Three Cases from Sri Lanka

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Piyumi Sachindra Alwis Wijewickrama ◽  
Henry N. Rajaratnam
Keyword(s):  
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Total Thyroidectomy ◽  
Parathyroid Glands ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Duration Of Surgery ◽  
First Time

Introduction. Hypoparathyroidism, which is a common complication following total thyroidectomy can be transient in majority and permanent in 1.5% of the patients and usually occurs secondary to an inadvertent removal of parathyroid glands, mechanical or thermal injury or disruption of the vasculature. In some patients, it is observed that symptoms of hypocalcemia can occur for the first time several years after the surgery, which is known as “delayed hypoparathyroidism.” We report three cases of delayed hypoparathyroidism from Sri Lanka, presenting several years after total thyroidectomy. Case Presentation. Case 1- a 60-year-old Sri Lankan woman who presented with symptomatic hypocalcemia for the first time, 30 years after total thyroidectomy for follicular thyroid carcinoma. Case 2- a 53-year-old Sri Lankan woman presenting with neuropsychiatric manifestations of hypocalcemia for the first time, 12 years after total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Case 3- a 49-year-old Sri Lankan woman developing symptoms of hypocalcemia for the first time, 11 years after completion of thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. All these patients were detected to have low parathyroid hormone levels, without an alternative etiology for hypoparathyroidism, hence leading to a diagnosis of delayed post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. Conclusion. Delayed hypoparathyroidism is a rare phenomenon, which is secondary to progressive atrophy of parathyroid glands and slowly progressive hypovascularization of parathyroids due to scar tissue retraction following thyroidectomy. The nonspecific nature of hypocalcemic symptoms and lack of continuous follow-up for a long time after thyroidectomy could contribute to a further delay in diagnosis. However, it is an important diagnosis to consider in any patient with a history of neck surgery presenting with hypocalcemia, irrespective of the time duration of surgery, as timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term complications of hypocalcemia and improve the quality of life.

scholarly journals Taxonomic descriptions of nine new species of the goblin spider genera Cavisternum, Grymeus, Ischnothyreus, Opopaea, Pelicinus and Silhouettella (Araneae, Oonopidae) from Sri Lanka

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-80
Author(s):  
U.G.S.L. Ranasinghe ◽  
Suresh P. Benjamin
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Taxonomic Descriptions ◽  
First Time

Nine new species of goblin spiders are described in six different genera:Cavisternumbomn. sp.,Grymeusdharmapriyain. sp.,Ischnothyreuschippyn. sp.,Opopaeaspinosiscoronan. sp.,Pelicinussnookyn. sp.,P.tumpyn. sp.,Silhouettellasaaristoin. sp.,S.snippyn. sp. andS.tiggyn. sp. Three genera are recorded for the first time in Sri Lanka:Cavisternum,GrymeusandSilhouettella. The first two genera are reported for the first time outside of Australia. Sri Lankan goblin spider diversity now comprises 45 described species in 13 different genera.

The Simuliidae (Diptera) of Sri Lanka. Descriptions of additional species of Simulium (Simulium), with a key for Sri Lankan species in the subgenus and a checklist for the country

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 1029-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Davies ◽  
H. Györkös
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
First Time

This is the fifth and final paper in a series treating the Simuliidae of Sri Lanka, and it contains a checklist of the species in the country. In this paper are described three new species of Simulium (Simulium): all stages of Simulium subpalmatum and Simulium cruszi (except the larva) and the male and pupa of Simulium paranubis. The female, male, and pupa of Simulium (Simulium) consimile and S. (S.) striatum are redescribed and the larva of S. (S.) consimile is described for the first time. Taxonomic comparisons are made with related species and keys are provided to separate the eight Sri Lankan species in the subgenus.

New species and new records of cuckoo wasps (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) from India and Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-212
Author(s):  
P. Rosa ◽  
M. Halada
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
New Records ◽  
Indian Species ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Oriental Region ◽  
First Time

A contribution to the knowledge of Indian and Sri Lankan Chrysididae is given. The following six species are described: Chrysis decorosasp. nov. from Rajasthan (Ch. maindroni group); Ch. glauca sp. nov. from Karnataka (Ch. succincta group); Ch. zdenula sp. nov. from Tamil Nadu (Ch. succincta group); Ch. kartikeya sp. nov. from Tamil Nadu (Ch. decemdentata group); Ch. unidentata sp. nov. from Tamil Nadu (Ch. unidentata group); Hedychridium zeylanicum sp. nov. from Sri Lanka (H. roseum group). The Chrysis unidentata group is established here; the Ch. maindroni, Ch. pulchella and Hedy­chridium roseum groups are recorded for the first time for the Oriental Region. The genus Isegama Krombein, 1983 and eight species are recorded for the first time from India: subfamily Amiseginae: Isegama aridula (Krom­bein, 1980); subfamily Chrysidinae, tribe Elampini: Hedychridium mysticum Semenov-Tian-Shanskij, 1912, Hedychrum striatum Mocsáry, 1911, Holophris marginella (Mocsáry, 1890), Omalus aeneus (Fabricius, 1787); tribe Chrysidini: Chrysis goetheana Semenov-Tian-Shanskij, 1967, Praestochrysis spinula Bohart, 1988, and Primeuchroeusmalayensis (Linsenmaier, 1982). ­Chrysis goetheana is transferred to the Ch. pulchella group. New distributional data for other six Indian species are provided.

Cant a Sen Vargonya

1987 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth David Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Oral Traditions ◽  
Late Nineteenth Century ◽  
British Library ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Cultural Traditions ◽  
Textual Practices ◽  
Unique Source ◽  
First Time

This study analyzes the oral traditions of Sri Lanka Creole Portuguese as a syncretism of European, African, and Asian sources, evidenced in literary themes, linguistic practice, and cultural traditions. Resulting musical, dramatic, and textual practices play a central role in defining tradition and maintaining group identity in the creole communities. Both the co-existence and the interrelationship of oral texts establish traditions which contribute to a system of creole culture that spread throughout Asia. References are primarily to Sri Lankan and Indian materials collected by scholars in the late nineteenth century and during my field work in the 1970s and 1980s. Sri Lankan verses refer to the east coast Burghers of Bat-ticaloa and Trincomalee and to the Kaffirs of Puttalam. This study also presents for the first time a unique source for data and comparative analysis from the H. Nevill collection at the British Library, which is an extensive manuscript of Sri Lankan Creole texts from the 1870s or 1880s written in Dutch orthography and including material subsequently published by Schuchardt, Dalgado, and others. The theoretical focus concerns the translation of European, African, and Asian materials into a Eurasian discourse that displaces the originals, creating a new textual system of Portuguese Creole oral materials in Asia. The texts that give definition to creole culture have proved remarkably persistent, surviving in Sri Lanka from the seventeenth century to the present.

scholarly journals Genetic identification and hybridization in the seagrass genus Halophila (Hydrocharitaceae) in Sri Lankan waters

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shang Yin Vanson Liu ◽  
Terney Pradeep Kumara ◽  
Chi-Hsuan Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Morphological Plasticity ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Gulf Of Mannar ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Bisphosphate Carboxylase

Seagrasses, as marine angiosperms, play important roles in coastal ecosystems. With increasing anthropogenic impacts, they are facing dramatic declines on a global scale. Halophila is well-known as a complex taxonomic challenge mainly due to high morphological plasticity. By using only a morphological approach, the genus could be over-split or similar species could be erroneously lumped, thus masking its true biodiversity. In the present study, we incorporated genetic identification with morphological examination to reveal the identity of Halophila plants in southern and northwestern Sri Lankan waters. The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and chloroplast ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene (rbcL) were used to identify plants collected from the Gulf of Mannar, Puttalam Lagoon, and Matara, Sri Lanka. Based on genetic identification, H. major (Zoll.) Miquel is reported for the first time from Sri Lanka, which might have been misidentified as H. ovalis in previous literature based on morphology alone. We also observed a first hybridization case of Halophila cross between H. ovalis and H. major. Two potential cryptic species were found, herein designated Halophila sp. 1 (allied to H. minor) and Halophila sp. 2 (closely related to H. decipiens). In order to clarify taxonomic ambiguity caused by morphological plasticity and the low resolution of genetic markers, further comparative phylogenomic approaches might be needed to solve species boundary issues in this genus.

scholarly journals Sri Lankan Medical Undergraduates Awareness of Nanotechnology and Its Risks

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiz M. M. T. Marikar ◽  
Piyumi I. P. W. Ilangakoon ◽  
Sri H. K. M. N. Jaliya ◽  
Lalinda D. Jayasena ◽  
Supun K. P. B. Kalavitigoda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Therapeutic Application ◽  
The Status ◽  
Medical Undergraduates ◽  
Nanotechnology Education ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

This study examines students’ understanding of the normative connections between key concepts of nanotechnology in nanomedicine and underlying biological principles that are critical for an in-depth understanding of its therapeutic application in medical field. A structured questionnaire was distributed among randomly selected undergraduates at the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, University of Rajarata, Sri Lanka. A total of 80 students participated in this study and completed written questionnaire on nanomedicine. The outcome of this study shows that there is a strong positive response on basic knowledge on nanoscale, but the undergraduates had an average knowledge on therapeutic application related to nanomedicine. Almost all students had a good knowledge on nanoscale but they lack knowledge of the relationship between nano and nanomedicine. Specifically, students were challenged to demonstrate an integrated understanding of the nanomedicine therapeutic application. Almost 58% of them were unable to give an example of it. Also some students struggled to explain it. Furthermore, in this study it was observed that there is a positive correlation in risk benefit section related to nanomedicine. Although the outcome is preliminary in nature, the results provide cause for concern over the status of nanotechnology education in Sri Lanka which needed to be uplifted.

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