Browsing by Author "Nanayakkara R.P."

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Discovery of the Critically Endangered Tarantula Species of the Genus Poecilotheria, (Araneae: Theraphosidae), Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica, from Sri Lanka
(Journal of Asia – Pacific Biodiversity, 2015) Nanayakkara R.P.; Ganehiarachchi G.A.S.M.; Vishvanath N.; Kusuminda T.G.T
The arboreal spiders in the genus Poecilotheria is represented by 16 species and restricted to India and Sri Lanka. Each country has eight endemic species. During a survey on mygalomorph spiders in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, the critically endangered species of Theraphosidae Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica was discovered for the first time outside of its native habitat in India, expanding its range to northern Sri Lanka. The discovery of P. hanumavilasumica is unique, as it used to be a critically endangered and endemic species of the genus Poecilotheria found in India, and it is evident that during the land bridge connection between India and Sri Lanka, when the Pleistocene epoch biotic exchange took place between the two countries, taxa were dispersed through the land connections.
A new species of tiger spider, genus Poecilotheria, from northern Sri Lanka
(British Terantula Society, 2012) Nanayakkara R.P.; Kirk, P.J.; Dayananda S.J.; Ganehiarachchi G.A.S.M.; Vishvanath N.; Kusuminda T.
The Range Extension of the Critically Endangered, Poecilotheria smithi in Sri Lanka, with Notes on its Sociality
(Asian Journal of Conservation Biology, 2013) Nanayakkara R.P.; Vishvanath N.; Kusuminda T.; Ganehiarachchi G.A.S.M.
Poecilotheria smithi is a Critically Endangered Theraposid known only from the type locality Haragama in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka. It was thought to be distribution specific to Haragama. During a survey on the genus Poecilotheria, which was initiated in 2011 by the authors, P. smithi was recorded, the first confirmed observation of P. smithi outside of its type locality from the Matale district about 31.42 Km in aerial distance northwest of the type locality. Distribution of this species extended in Sri Lanka by this novel record. P. smithi displays the social behaviour of sharing same microhabitat with few individuals. As demonstrated for P. smithi, we suggest the large group size and social behaviour observed was in response to unavailability of suitable micro habitat for the mature individuals.