Diversity of herpetofauna in Dantan I, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, with a note on anthropogenic impact

Abstract

Diversity and abundance of herpetofauna are an integral part of a healthy ecological food web and indicators of environmental changes. Hence a study was conducted in Dantan I, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India, from January 2020 to January 2021, with an aim to determine the diversity and prepare a checklist of herpetofauna in this area. There is hardly any comprehensive work on herpetofauna in this region. The present study provides baseline information about herpetofauna diversity in this area. A total 34 species of Herpetofauna were observed. These included 23 species of reptiles from 2 order (Squamata and Testudineus) and 8 families, represented by 14 snakes species (4 venomous and 10 non-venomous), 1 turtle and 8 lizards. Amphibians were represented by 11 species under order (Anura), 5 families have been included in this first-ever comprehensive checklist from the area. Such studies are essential from time to time to monitor the increasing impact of anthropogenic global environmental changes and frame policies accordingly to safeguard these precious organisms and prevent biodiversity degradation.