download the PDF here - Amphibian Specialist Group

Hand spraying a strawberry plot in the highlands. Inset. Hundreds
of dead earthworms, day after application of insecticides to the soil.
Photo: Anslem de Silva and D. M. N. P. K. Dawundasekara.
of chemicals could be reasons for less amphibians coming into
these vegetable plots. In fact the Two-sample T test for chemical
free (CF) 1 vs. chemical applied (CA) 1 were significant. However,
the major draw back in this study was that the investigations
were not repeated using variables. Nevertheless, the distinct
and statistically significant species richness and diversity of
amphibians in the chemical-free and chemical-applied vegetable
plots is an indication of the effects of chemicals.
An earlier study on the stomach contents of amphibians and
reptiles in a mid-country paddy field showed that 50% of the
diet of the common frog (Fejervarya limnocharis) consisted
of Hemipterens that were pest species (Nayana Pradeep and
Wijegunasekera, 2004). These two authors showed that the
amphibian species surveyed had taken more harmful insect
pests than reptiles as main food items. Thus, amphibians play a
significant role in the biological control of insect pests. We feel
that farmers should be better informed of the importance of
amphibians in their farmlands. Additionally, we agree with the
FAO that farmers should be properly educated about alternatives
to a 100% pesticide-based farming; about timing, frequency and
dosage issues; the dangers of pest resistance through overuse;
long-term damage to ground water (and consequent impact not
just on wildlife but also their own livelihoods as their crops are
adversely impacted) and irresponsible promotion of products in
the field by the manufacturing companies and dealers.
Author details: D. M. N. P. K. Dawundasekara,
Udabulathgamuwa, Ambagamuwa, Sri Lanka. Anslem de Silva,
15/1, Dolosbage road, Gampola, Sri Lanka
Acknowledgements
Dept of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka for the permission
(WL/3/2/1/14/12) granted to AdS and the Amphibian Specialist
Group for a Seed Grant to AdS to investigate threats to
amphibians of Sri Lanka. We thank the owners of the 10 farms for
the support they gave us during investigations and John Rudge for
commenting on a draft of this paper.
Literature Cited
de Silva, Anslem. 2001.The Herpetofauna of Sri Lanka: historical aspects and
current status. Ministry of Environment, 100 pp + 150 plates
de Silva, Anslem. 2009. The Incidence and Pattern of Malformations,
Abnormalities, Injuries, and Parasitic Infection of Amphibians in Sri Lanka
(PRELIMINARY FINDINGS). Amphibian Specialists Group, Seed Grant, Author 40
pages + 7 plates.
de Silva, Anslem & D. M. N. P. K. Dawundasekara. 2010. Cases of possible
direct effects of pesticides on amphibians and reptiles in plantation agriculture.
Lyriocephalus Special issue, 7(1 & 2): 181.
de Silva, Anslem & D. Mahaulpatha. 2007. A Manual on Field Techniques on
herpetology for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science &
Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources. 52 pp.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2005. Proceedings of
the Asia regional workshop on the implementation, monitoring and observance of the
international code of conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides. Internet: http://
www.fao.org/docrep/008/af340e/af340e00.htm
Manamendra-Arachchi, K. & R. Pethiyagoda. 2006. Sri Lankawe ubayajeewin
(Text in Sinhala). WHT Publications (Pvt) Ltd. Colombo. 440 pp + plates.
Meegaskumbura, M. & K. Manamendra-Arachchi. 2011. Two new species of shrub
frogs (Rhacophoridae: Pseudophilautus) from Sri Lanka. Zootaxa 2747: 1–18.
Nayana Pradeep, D.M. and H.N.P.Wijegunasekera. 2004. Predatory patterns of
paddy field pests by amphibians and reptiles of Sri Lanka. Lyriocephalus special
edition. 5 (1 & 2): 96-102
Premathilake, R. and S. Nilsson. 2001. Pollen morphology of endemic species of
the Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka. Grana, 40: 256-279.
Registrar of Pesticides. 2010. Annual Circular of Pesticide Statistics for 2010.
Office of the Pesticides Register, Peradeniya.
Sri Lanka Ministry of Health. 2007. Annual Health Statistics 2007. Internet:
http://203.94.76.60/AHB2007/SF/9%20Morbidity%20and%20Mortality.pdf
32 | FrogLog Vol. 98 | September 2011