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A recent study published in the Records of the Zoological Survey of India has documented 51 species of herpetofauna — including amphibians and reptiles — in Papikonda National Park, located in the northern part of the Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh. This comprehensive survey marks a significant step in understanding the region’s biodiversity, which has remained largely underexplored.

Key Findings of the Study

Researchers recorded 18 amphibians, 21 lizards, 10 snakes, and 2 turtles through extensive fieldwork conducted between September 2021 and February 2023. The study revealed three species — Minervaryakalinga, Sphaerothecamaskeyi, and Hemidactylus kangerensis — reported for the first time in Andhra Pradesh.

According to the IUCN Red List (2024):

• 46 species are listed as Least Concern,
• 3 species are Not Yet Assessed,
• Hemidactylus kangerensis is Endangered, and
• Lissemyspunctata is Vulnerable.

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 2022, several species enjoy legal protection:

• Schedule I:Chamaeleozeylanicus, Calodactylodes aureus, Pangshura tentoria, Lissemyspunctata
• Schedule II:Hoplobatrachustigerinus, Euphlyctiscyanophlyctis

The study also highlighted rare species such as Psammodynastespulverulentus and Argyrophisdiardii, the latter recorded for the first time in the Eastern Ghats. Two Eastern Ghats endemics — the Indian golden gecko (Calodactylodes aureus) and Dutta’s Mahendragiri gecko (Hemidactylus sushilduttai) — were also documented.

About Papikonda National Park

• Location: East and West Godavari districts, Andhra Pradesh
• Area: Approximately 1,012.86 sq km
• Established: Declared a Reserved Forest (1882), Wildlife Sanctuary (1978), and upgraded to National Park (2008)
• Landscape: Rugged terrain of the Eastern Ghats, divided by the Godavari River, with elevation ranging from 20–850 metres
• Geographical Features: Contains 62 named mountains, including Devara Konda (highest point) and Verala Konda (most prominent peak)
• Recognition: Identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International

Flora and Fauna

• Vegetation: Tropical moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, and dry deciduous forests.
• Flora: Teak, rosewood, sandalwood, bamboo, sal, mahua, pterocarpus, terminalia, cassia, and eucalyptus.
• Fauna: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, dhole (wild dog), sambar, and spotted deer.
• Unique Feature: Home to the “KanchuMekha”, a rare dwarf goat breed native to the region.

Conservation Significance

• The study provides baseline data crucial for biodiversity conservation and monitoring in the Eastern Ghats. Researchers warned that herpetofaunal populations face multiple threats — including habitat loss, fragmentation, emerging diseases, and climate change.
• Rare and threatened species like the Jeypore Hill Gecko (Geckoellajeyporensis), Barkud Spotted Skink (Barkudiainsularis), and King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies.
• The authors advocated for systematic surveys and integrated taxonomic approaches across the Eastern Ghats to enhance understanding of species distribution and to strengthen regional conservation planning.