糖心logo入口 researcher rediscovers and renames Sri Lankan and Indian squirrel species
Dr Rajith Dissanayake鈥檚 work revives early contributions of women in science and sheds new light on South Asian mammalogy.
A 糖心logo入口 academic, Dr Rajith Dissanayake, has played a key role in rediscovering and renaming a species of squirrel in South Asia, while also highlighting the legacy of one of the first women in zoology. Dr Dissanayake's research, published in explored the complex history of small, striped palm squirrels of southern India and Sri Lanka. For over a century, the Dusky striped squirrel was thought of as a single species, but Dr Dissanayake鈥檚 work has confirmed that there were actually two distinct species, now known as the Dusky Striped Squirrel (Funambulus obscurus) in Sri Lanka and the Pygmy Striped Squirrel (Funambulus sublineatus) in India.听
This discovery traces its origins to the early twentieth century when Kathleen Ryley (1883-1935), a New Zealand born taxonomist with the Bombay Natural History Society鈥檚 Mammal Survey, was the first to propose that this species was not one species but two. Despite her efforts, her naming suggestions were superseded, and the squirrels were later lumped as a single species. Dr Dissanayake鈥檚 research has not only confirmed Ryley鈥檚 findings but also brought to light her overlooked contributions to the field of mammalogy.听
During his PhD research, Dr Dissanayake worked on palm squirrel material largely housed at the London Natural History Museum looking at the differences between the squirrels from India and Sri Lanka. However it was a further, more recent visit to Vienna that helped confirm the scientific name and type specimen for the Dusky striped squirrel. In the Vienna Natural History Museum, he examined a nineteenth century specimen that confirmed the name of the Sri Lankan species as distinct from its Indian type equivalent housed in the London鈥檚 Natural History Museum.听听
In addition to clarifying this species distinction, Dr Dissanayake鈥檚 work has drawn attention to the importance of the squirrels' habitats, which are increasingly under threat. The renaming highlights the need for conservation efforts and brings focus to the rich biodiversity of South Asia.听
Dr Dissanayake commented. 鈥淚 feel very happy to contribute to the understanding of South Asian biodiversity. Increasingly habitats and biodiversity are under threat, making the work of zoologists and taxonomists more important than ever. Given that even taxonomists are now rare, 颈迟鈥檚 not too difficult to gain expertise in a field open to all who are passionate about wildlife discoveries, biodiversity histories and cherishing our natural world.鈥听
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