Showing posts with label Endemic Arthropodians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Endemic Arthropodians. Show all posts

20. Long Legged Spiny Lobster


Common Name:   Bathik Issa or Bathik Pokirissa

Scientific Name:   Panulirus longipes

Animal Family: Palinuridae 

Population: Least Concern

Description: Grows to a maximus length of about 30cm,but a more normal adult size is 20 to with a carapace length of up to 10cm.The general colour is dark brown or bluish-brown and there are numerous circular white spots on the abdomen and rather fewer spots on other parts of the body.

Habitat: Most commonly found at a depth range of 10-15m, occasionally at a depth range of 1-40m . It prefers to hide in the crevices found in rocky areas and coral  reefs and especially  in a clear water habitat.

Foods: Their favourite diet consists mostly of snails,clams,crabs,and urchins.

19. Mud Spiny Lobster


Common Name: Mada Issa, Mada Pokirissa 

Scientific Name:   Panulirus polyphagus

Animal Family: Palinuridae

Population:  Least Concern

Description: Panulirus polyphagus,  the mud spiny lobster ,is a species of crustacean that lives on shallow rocky reefs and muddy substrates in the topical indo- pacific region.

Habitat: Though is prefers muddy sea bottom as its habitat it relishes an environment of greenish coloured muddy water near river mouths .it is commonly found at a depth range of 5-15 cm , occasionally down to 90m.

Foods: In general, palinurids are mainly considered carnivores, usually feeding upon sluggish, easily captured animals where most material is eaten alive or freshly killed .

18. Ornate Rock Lobster or Ornate Spiny Lobster


Common Name:   Diwi Issa, Diwi Pokirissa

Scientific Name:   Panulirus ornatus

Animal Family: Palinuridae

Population: Least Concern

Description: The ornate rock lobster is a larger specimen with a blue- green carapace.It is characterized by its large frontal horns, as well as as distinct patterning with stripes and sport of various colors throughout its body .its walking legs have intricate stripe patterns, making it appear almost spider- like.

Habitat:Through this species prefers brackish water habitat in the close proximity of rivers and river mouths, they are able to live in a habitat full of rocky areas and coral reefs on muddy and sandy sea bottoms. found solitary or in pairs.  commonly found at a depth of 5-10 cm, and at times 1-50 cm.

Foods: While lobsters will eat almost anything, their favourite diet consists mostly of snails, clams, crabs, and urchins. 

17. Scalloped Spiny Lobster


Common Name:  Wali issa, Wali Pokirissa

Scientific Name:   Panulirus homarus

Animal Family: Palinuridae 

Population:   Least Concern 

Description:    Grows up to 20-32 cm. It has a green  mottled carapace with red spines mostly on anterior part of carapace. Antennular plate with two pairs of spines and a patch of smaller spines between them. Antennular with conspicuous banding. Short frontal horns. Transverse grooves with scalloped margin on abdominal 2-5. 

Habitat:   Being nocturnal it prefers crevices in rock and sandstone reefs, often shallow, 5-10 m, sometimes down to 90 m.

Foods:   Small crustaceans, molluscs, worms and algae.

16. Bamboo Lobster or Blue Spiny Lobster


Common Name:   Raja issa-or-raja-pokirissa  

Scientific Name:   Panulirus versicolor 

Animal Family:   Palinuridae

Population:   Least Concern 

Description:   Grows up to 40 cm. Lateral white stripes across each abdominal somite and blue -black patches and white line on carapace. Two white bands on each leg. Curved frontal horns and two pairs of small spines on antennular plate. Females lay eggs and carry their eggs. Juveniles have a bright blue coloration.  

Habitat:   Most commonly found at a depth range of 10-15 m, occasionally at a depth range of 1- 40 m. It prefers to Hide in the cervices found in rocky areas and coral reefs and especially in a clean water.

Foods:   Fresh caught arthropods, other crustaceans, and occasional small fish.

15. Anoplolepis Gracilipes


Common Name:   Yellow Crazy Ant

Scientific Name:   Anoplolepis Gracilipes

Family:   Formicidae

Description:   Yellow Crazy Ants are small insects known for their erratic movements and yellowish coloration. They typically form large colonies and are aggressive towards other ant species and small animals.

Population:   Yellow Crazy Ant populations can vary greatly depending on environmental conditions and control efforts. In some regions, they can form super colonies with millions of individuals.

Habitat:   Yellow Crazy Ants thrive in a variety of habitats, including forest, grasslands, and urban areas.

Food:   Yellow Crazy Ants are omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of food sources including insects, small vertebrates, honeydew produced by aphides and scale insects, and various plant materials.

14. Aneuretus Simoni (Sri Lankan Relict Ant)

 


Common Name:   Sri Lankan Relict Ant

Scientific Name:   Aneuretus Simoni 

Animal Family:   Formicidae (Ants)

Description:   Aneuretus Simoni is a species of ant known for its relatively large size and distinctive physical features, including a dark coloration and robust mandibles.

Population:   Population data may vary depending on the region and available studies, but it's generally considered to have stable population. 

Found Where:   Aneuretus Simoni is native to southeast Asia.

Food: Aneuretus Simoni is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of organic matter including insects, nectar, and other plant materials.

Habitat: This ant species inhabits forested areas, typically residing in leaf letter or soil. They can also be found nesting in rotting wood or under stones.

13. Black Ant



Common Name:   Black Ant

Scientific Name:   There are several species of black ants, but one common species is Lasius Niger. 

Animal Family:   Formicidae (Ants) 

Description:   Black ant, as the name suggest, are typically black in color. They are small insects with six legs, segmented bodies, and antennae. Their size can very depend on the species, but they are generally small, ranging from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in length.

Population:   Black ants are widespread and can be found in large population, especially in areas with suitable habitats and food sources.

Habitat:   Black ants are adaptable and can thrive in various habitats. They typically nest underground or in rotting wood but can also be found nesting in walls, under rocks, and in other sheltered locations.

Found Where:   There are commonly found in forests, grasslands, urban areas, and even deserts.

Food:  Black ants are omnivores and scavengers. They feed on a variety of food sources, including dead insects, nectar, fruit, and sugary substances. 

12. Weaver Ant


Common Name:   Weaver ant or green tree ant

Scientific Name:   Oecophylla smaragdina

Animal Family:   Formicidae (ants)

Description:   Weaver ants are known for their complex social structure and them ability to construct intricate nests by weaving leaves together using silk produced by their larvae. They are typically red or reddish-brown in color and have a distinctive slender body with long legs and antennae.

Population:   Weaver ants are found in larger populations, often forming extensive colonies consisting of thousands of individuals.

Found where:   Weaver ants native to tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Habitat:   They inhabit a variety of environments including forests, gardens, and arboreal, meaning they



11. Agelenidae Spider


Common Name:
   Agelenidae Spider (commonly known as funnel weavers or grass spiders) 

Scientific Name:   Agelenidae

Family:   Agelinidae

Description:   Agelenidae spiders are usually medium-sized spiders known for their distinctive funnel-shaped wings. They have long bodies with long, thin legs. They vary in color but generally include blue, white, or tan. They have eight eight eyes arranged in two rows.

Population:   Agelnidae spider populations can vary depending on factors such as habitat suitability and prey availability. They are genearlly widespread and not considered a threat.

Found where:   These spiders are found all worldwide, with species inhabiting various regions and ecosystems. 

Habitat:   These spiders are commonly found in grassy areas, forests, meadows, and other vegetation-rich environments. They often build their funnel-shaped webs in low vegetation, along the ground, or in corners of buildings and structures.

Food:   These spiders are carnivorous and primarily feed on insects that become trapped in their webs. They typically prey on small insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and beetles. Once ensnared in the web, the spider will immobilize its prey with silk before consuming it.   

10. Barychelid Spider


Common Name:   
Barychelid Spider

Scientific Name:   Barychelidae (family), with various species within it.

Animal Family:   Barychrlidae

Description:   Barychelid Spiders are typically medium to large-size spiders with robust bodies. They often have a stocky appearance and are well adapted for burrowing.

Population:   Population sizes may very depend on the species and their habitat condition. Specific population data for individual species may not be readily available.

Found where:   Barychelidae spiders are found in various regions worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. 

Habitat:   These spiders inhabit a range of environments, including forest, grasslands, and deserts. They are known for their burrowing behavior, often constructing silk-lined burrows in soil or beneath rocks and logs.

Food:   Barychelidae spiders are carnivorous, feeding primarily on insects and other small invertebrates that they catch using their silk webs or by ambushing prey near their burrows. 

09. Sac Spider


Common Name:   Sac spider

Scientific Name:  Clubionidae

Animal Family:   Clubionidae

Description:   Sac Spiders are small to medium-sized spiders with a pale yellow to light brown coloration. They have long legs and a cylindrical body, and their characteristic feature is the sac- like retreat they construct for shelter.

Population:   Sac Spider are relatively common and can be found in various regions worldwide.

Found where:   They are found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, urban areas, and agricultural fields.

Habitat: Sac Spiders prefer to dwell in vegetation, under rock, and in crevices. They are nocturnal hunters and use their silk retreats to rest during the day and hunt at night.

Food:   Sac Spiders primarily feed on insects, such as ants, flies, and small moths, which they catch by ambushing or actively hunting.

08. Corinnidae


Common Name:   Corinnidae Spider

Scientific Name:   Corinnidae

Animal Family:   Arachnids

Description:   Corinnidae Spider are a diverse family of spiders known for their varying size, colors, and behaviors. They typically have compact bodies and robust legs, often with distinct pattens or markings.

Population:   The population of Corinnidae spiders varies depending on their specific species and Habitats. Some Species may be more abundant in certain regions, while others may be less common.

Found where:   Corinndae spider are found worldwide, with species inhabiting diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests to deserts and temperate forests.

Habitat:   They are adaptable spiders including leaf litter, under rocks, in vegetation, and even in human structures such as house and buildings.

Food:   Corinnidae spiders are predators, feeding on a variety of small insects and other arthropods. They often hunt by ambushing their prey or by constructing silk retreats where they wait for passing prey.

07. Araneidae


Common Name
:   Araneidae Spider (also known as Orb-weaver Spider)  

Scientific Name:   Araneidae
  
Animal Family:   Araneidae 
 
Description:   Araneidae spiders are known for their distinctive round webs and come in various colors and sizes. They typically have eight eyes arranged in two rows and are known for their intricate web-building behaviors.  

Population:   The population of Araneidae spiders varies depending on the specific species and region, but they are found worldwide in diverse habitats.  

Found Where:   Araneidae spiders can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They thrive in a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, gardens, and urban areas.
  
Habitat:   Araneidae spiders inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, fields, gardens, and even human dwellings. They are commonly found in areas with abundant insect prey and suitable locations for web construction.  

Food:   Araneidae spiders primarily feed on insects that become trapped in their webs, such as flies, moths, mosquitoes, and beetles. They use venom to immobilize their prey before consuming it.


06. Milky Cerulean

 


Common Name:   Milky Cerulean

Scientific Name:   Jmides Lacteata

Animal Family:   Lucanidae

Size:   Small-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 30-35 mm 

Population:   Specific population numbers are not well documented, but it is generally considered to be not rare in its natural habitats.

Found Where:   Primarily found in Sri Lanka.

Habitat:   The Milky Cerulean typically inhabits forests, woodland edges, and garden.

Foods:   The adults are often seen feeding on nectar from various flowering plants.

05. Ceylon Palmfly


Common Name:
   Ceylon Palmfly 

Scientific Name:   Elymnias singala

Animal Family:   Nymphalidae

Size:   Adults typically have a wingspan of about 4 - 5 centimeters.

Population:   Population data may vary, but this species is not considered threatened.

Found where:   Endemic to Sri Lanka, primarily found in forested areas.

Habitat:   Ceylon Palmfly butterflies inhabit various forested habitats, including tropical rainforests and montane forests.

Food:   The larvae of Ceylon Palmfly feed on various species of palm plants, while adults primarily feed on nectar from flowers.



04. Ceylon Rose



Common Name:   Ceylon Rose

Scientific Name:   Pachliopta jophon

Animal Family:   Papilionidae

Size:   The wingspan ranges from 90 to 100 millimeters.

Population:   Information on population size might vary depending on recent studies, but it's considered stable overall.

Found where:   It is found in Sir Lanka 

Habitat:   It inhabits forests and gardens, especially areas with lush vegetation.

Food:   The larvae of Ceylon Rose butterflies feed on various species of Aristolochia plants

 

03. Blue Oak leaf

 



Common Name:   Blue Oak Leaf

Scientific Name:   Kallima philarchus

Animal Family:   Nymphalidae

Size:   Wingspan ranges from 60 to 90 mm

Population:   Population status may vary, but it is generally stable.

Found where:   Native to Southeast Asia including countries like India, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Habitat:   Found in forested areas, particularly in regions with deciduous trees. They often inhabit areas with abundant foliage and sunlight.

Food:   The caterpillars primarily feed on the leaves of their host plants, which typically include tree like oaks and other deciuous trees.


02. Ceylon Forester


Common Name:   Ceylon Forester

Scientific Name:   Lethe dynaste

Animal Family:   Nymphalidae

Size:   Approximately 4-5 centimeters in wingspan

Population:   Population size may vary, but it's generally considered stable.

Found where:   Endemic to Sri Lanka, particularly in forests and wooded areas.

Habitat:   They inhabit forested areas, including rainforests and other wooded habitats.

Food:   The larvae of the Ceylon forester butterfly primarily feed on grasses, while the adults feed on nectar from flowers. 

01. Ceylon Tree Nymph



Common Name:   Ceylon Tree Nymph

Scientific Name:   Idea Iasonia 

Animal Family:   Nymphalidae

Size:   Adults typically have a wingspan of around 80-100 millimeters.

Population:   Population size can vary, but they are not considered to be in any immediate danger of extinction.

Found where:   Endemic to Sri Lanka, primarily found in forested areas.

Habitat & Food:   They inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, often found near streams or in damp areas.

Food:   As adult, they feed on nectar from various flowers, while caterpillars feed on the leaves of specific host plants.