Visual leopard identifications performed with camera traps using the capture–recapture method only consider areas of the skin that are visible to the equipment. The method presented here considered the spot or rosette formations of either the two flanks or the face, and the captured images were then compared and matched with available photographs. Leopards were classified as new individuals if no matches were found in the existing set of photos. It was previously assumed that an individual leopard’s spot or rosette pattern would not change. We established that the spot and rosette patterns change over time and that these changes are the result of injuries in certain cases. When compared to the original patterns, the number of spots may be lost or reduced, and some spots or patterns may change in terms of their prominence, shape, and size. We called these changes “obliterate changes” and “rejig changes”, respectively. The implementation of an earlier method resulted in a duplication of leopard counts, achieving an error rate of more than 15% in the population at Yala National Park. The same leopard could be misidentified and counted multiple times, causing overestimated populations. To address this issue, we created a new two-step methodology for identifying Sri Lankan leopards. The multi-point identification method requires the evaluation of at least 9–10 spot areas before a leopard can be identified. Moreover, the minimum leopard population at the YNP 1 comprises at least 77 leopards and has a density of 0.5461 leopards per km².

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) plays a significant role in natural ecosystems and it is considered as an endangered animal. Molecular genetics studies on elephants’ dates back to 1990s. Microsatellite markers have been the preferred choice and have played a major role in ecological, evolutionary and conservation research on elephants over the past 20 years. However, technical constraints especially related to the specificity of traditionally developed microsatellite markers have brought to question their application, specifically when degraded samples are utilized for analysis. Therefore, we analyzed the specificity of 24 sets of microsatellite markers frequently used for elephant molecular work. Comparative wet lab analysis was done with blood and dung DNA in parallel with in silico work. Our data suggest cross-amplification of unspecific products when field-collected dung samples are utilized in assays. The necessity of Asian elephant specific set of microsatellites and or better molecular techniques are highlighted.

The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is an endangered subspecies restricted to isolated and fragmented populations in Sri Lanka. Among them, melanistic leopards have been recorded on a few occasions. Literature suggests the evolution of melanism several times in the Felidae family, with three species having distinct mutations. Nevertheless, the mutations or other variations in the remaining species, including Sri Lankan melanistic leopard, are unknown. We used reference-based assembled nuclear genomes of Sri Lankan wild type and melanistic leopards and de novo assembled mitogenomes of the same to investigate the genetic basis, adaptive significance, and evolutionary history of the Sri Lankan melanistic leopard. Interestingly, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon-4 Sri Lankan melanistic leopard, which may completely ablate Agouti Signalling Protein (ASIP) function. The wild type leopards in Sri Lanka did not carry this mutation, suggesting the cause for the occurrence of melanistic leopords in the population. Comparative analysis of existing genomic data in the literature suggests it as a P. p. kotiya specific mutation and a novel mutation in the ASIP-gene of the Felidae family, contributing to naturally occurring colour polymorphism. Our data suggested the coalescence time of Sri Lankan leopards at ~0.5 million years, sisters to the Panthera pardus lineage. The genetic diversity was low in Sri Lankan leopards. Further, the P. p. kotiya melanistic leopard is a different morphotype of the P. p. kotiya wildtype leopard resulting from the mutation in the ASIP-gene. The ability of black leopards to camouflage, along with the likelihood of recurrence and transfer to future generations, suggests that this rare mutation could be environment-adaptable.

Cinnamomum verumBlume (synCinnamomum zeylanicum) commonly known as Ceylon cinnamon, has gained worldwide attention due to its health benefits and its unique quality. Therefore, maintaining the yield quality and quantity is essential, especially for high-end value-added products. Knowledge on floral behaviour and reproductive biology is essential for breeding superior varieties and is critical for commercial cultivation efforts. However, limited literature is available on the floral biology ofC.verum. Here in this study, we assessed the seasonal flowering, floral development and pollination of two cultivars ofC.verum. Both macroscopic and microscopic data were collected on floral biology, pollination, and male and female floral organs before and after pollination.Cinnamomum verumis morpho-anatomically, structurally, and physiologically adapted for cross-pollination, possible between the two cultivars; type A (Sri Gemunu) and type B (Sri Wijaya) flowers; naturally evolved with Protogynous Dichogamy. However, due to changes in environmental conditions, female and male stages in the same tree overlap for about 45–60 min suggesting possible close-pollination within the same plant. During this event some of the pollens were observed hydrated even during self-pollination. In mean time, 4–8% of the flowers formed fruits after natural close and hand pollination which is between male and female phases of the same tree. AlthoughC.verumis adapted for cross-pollination, natural close-pollination is also possible. The data suggest the complex nature of the sexual reproduction ofC.verum. Well-managed breeding attempts with controlled factors like temperature and humidity will help to develop superiorC.verumvarieties.

The genus Cinnamomum of the family Lauraceae is an economically important crop. The Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum syn. C. zeylanicum) has an exceptional position in the global cinnamon market. In addition to the cultivated species, Sri Lanka is home to seven endemic wild Cinnamomum species, C. capparu-coronde, C. citriodorum, C. dubium, C. litseifolium, C. ovalifolium, C. rivulorum, and C. sinharajaense. Nevertheless, the species delimitation has not been successful with some morphometric and molecular traits. Therefore, this study focused on molecular characterization with an Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) nuclear marker, floral morphometric characteristics, and microscopy of the powered bark of Cinnamomum species reported in Sri Lanka. According to the results four polymorphic ISSR regions resulted in an average of 83.7% polymorphism among all collected species, suggesting considerable polymorphism. The bark fiber size of the cultivated species is different from the studied wild species and could be used as a key to identify adulterants during export. The cultivated cinnamon, C. verum and two wild species (C. sinharajaense, and C. capparu-coronde) have considerably larger flowers compared to other species. Moreover, floral traits such as flower colour and shape could differentiate species C. sinharajaense and C. capparu-coronde. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SCM) of pollen showed that the pollen size, spine length, interspinal distance, and spine ornamentation significantly contribute to species variation, and such variations need to be studied comprehensively. Nevertheless, the phylogeny of Cinnamomum species could not be completely resolved using ISSR regions, bark powder morphology, and floral morphological traits assessed and suggested for further studies.