STUDIES ON WILD LIFE OF NARBADA VALLEY· PART II. REPTILIA

This report deals with reptiles of Narbada Valley and is based on collection made during the survey of Narbada River from 1962 to 1972 and its adjoining areas within about 15 km. of the river from its origin in Amarkantak (Shahdol district, M. P.) to its fall in the Arabian Sea in Baroach district (Gujarat State). The collection was -lnade under the leadership of the authors. There are 145 specimens comprising 25 species. Smith (1931, 1935, 1943) listed about 40 species of reptiles from the area. Several interesting individual variations have been recorded. Some of them may have a geographical significance if series of specimens are available for comparison in future. Melanism in Sitana ponticeriana and descriptions of young ones of a number of species are also recorded for the first time. An accoWlt of snakes of Jabalpur district has already been given by one of the author of this report Agrawal (1971).


INTRODUCTION
This report deals with reptiles of Narbada Valley and is based on collection made during the survey of Narbada River from 1962 to 1972 and its adjoining areas within about 15 km. of the river from its origin in Amarkantak (Shahdol district, M. P.) to its fall in the Arabian Sea in Baroach district (Gujarat State). The collection was -lnade under the leadership of the authors. There are 145 specimens comprising 25 species. Smith (1931,1935,1943) listed about 40 species of reptiles from the area. Several interesting individual variations have been recorded. Some of them may have a geographical significance if series of specimens are available for comparison in future. Melanism in Sitana ponticeriana and descriptions of young ones of a number of species are also recorded for the first time. An accoWlt of snakes of Jabalpur district has already been given by one of the author of this report Agrawal (1971).
One of the important objects of the investigation was to conduct a status survey of this interesting group, very important from the point of view of wild life conservation, in this centrally located, thickly populated, and agriculturally important area of Central India. The abundance or rarity of the species in the season of collection is generally indicated by the number of specimens collected. Except in Jabalpur Dist., the surveys were generally not undertaken during rainy season because of transport difficulty. In rainy season the snakes are more commonly seen and easy to collect.
Only important variations as noted in comparison with descrip-*Part I of this report which deals with genera) introduction and summary of the results and Part III which covers Birds and Mammals are being published in the same journaJ.

21
Records 0/ the Zoological Survey of India tions given by Smith are recorded. Field notes are given wherever possible. The photographs of species which were not illustrated by Smith are given from preserved specimens. Some photographs of live specimens have also been provided.
Measurements are taken of the largest specimens and are in millimetres. The scale count are given after method followed of Smith. Standard length is measured from snout to vent and total length from snout to tail tip. The abbreviations used are : A.-Anals; C.-Caudals; and V-Ventrals.
We are thankful to the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta for the facilities provided to carry out this work, to Sarvasbri S. Biswas and D. P. Sanyal of reptile setcion of Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta for help in identification of some species and to Shri Atal Paul, departmental photographer in taking photographs. SYSTEMATIC  Morphological and field notes: The characters of the young do not appear to have been recorded. The specimen is young and was collected in the water supply tank about 30 km. from Jabalpur city. It is a mounted specimen and thus the external characters cannot be made o~t with accuracy. There are 18 teeth in the upper jaw instead of l~ mentioned for the adult by Smith (1935). The number of longitudinal rows of ~utes with enlarged keels on the dorsal surface varies from 2 to'· 9 reaching the maximum on the middle of the back. In the posterior part of the tail, the two rows of &cutes have converged to form a single ridge for about two third of the posterior portion of tail. There are four rows of scutes with enlarged keels on the dorsal surface. A gradual enlargement of the keel can be seen on the lateral sides of this portion of the tail. On the neck, four such scutes can be recognised while on the shoulder six such scutes are present arranged in two rows, four scutes in the anterior row and two in the posterior row. A serrated fin on the outer side of the limbs is visible in one of the leg only.
These crocodiles were reported to be quite common in the Narbada River but now have been hunted down ~xcept in protected places of religious or tourist interest .. At Bheragha-t, a tourist resort, a few can generally be seen while boating. There are no authentic records of attack on humans by these animals. The present record shows that it may rarely be found in smaller streams and tanks. The collecting locality is a deep water reservoir formed by damming stream for water supply to Jabalpur city and is far away from human habitations~ It is surrounded by low forested hills and is a holiday resort. Material: Jabalpur district : 2 ex., Narbada river at Gwarigbat, 14. x. 1962, CoIl. R. C. Sharma,· 1 ex., Sita Pahad, 22. i. 1965, Purchased;1 ex., Pachpedi, Jabalpur, 13. viii. 1965, ColI. H. Khajuria;1 ex., Budagar tank, 27. iv. 1974, ColI. D. S. Mathur;1 ex., 24. v. 1974, purchased .. · .
Morphological and field notes: The collection shows three steps in· growth from the young to the adult. The smallest specimen is reddish on the under surface and dark brown on the dorsal surface without any indication ~f plastral callosities, green· spots ,and bla~k streaks on the head. The dorsal disc is longitudinally striated or ·plated~ In two·la.rg~r' specimens, the plastral callosities· are present, but the entoplastra1 callosity is small (length .. 7.5 mm., bt'eadth 3.5 rom.) and is semicircular.
The granulation of the adult is slightly visible. The carapace shows lateral striation hut the dorsal region. is faintly. granulated. The colour of older specimens resembles more or less that of the smallest specimen given above. In the largest specimen the colour and marking of the' adult are visible. There 'are three black streaks on either 'side of the head in one of the adult specimen. The lower most streak is a furrow radiating from the snout. The uppermost is zigzag. The granulation of plastral calosities is very irregular and is confined to a few spots. Two callosities are entirely free from granulation. The entoplastral callosity is smaller than shown by Smith (1931, p. 146). Plastron of one of the specimen is more extensively granulated than in others where it is confined to a few worn out spotS". The latcr specimen is paler than the others. The tortoise is sold in the market for the table. As it is easily caught, it is rare and needs protection. Remarks: In recently preserved specimens which appear to be subadult, a dark streak along the side of the head cannot easily be made out. Specimens are brownish with dark brown spots. In contrast, specimens from Nidigul and Nandikanda (Nagarjunsagar area) are milky white, with dark brown spots on the dorsum and the sides (Sharma, 1971). Characters of the tail present a bewildering variety, possibly due to its loss and regeneration. It is rare in most of the specimens examined. There are very few specimens with verticellate tail. In the newly hatched young, the tail length and head length are proportionately much longer than in the adults. It is a common species in the area. Remarks: In one or the specimen the inner pair of post montais is indistinct. Whole of the undersurface of the head is covered with small scales and the granules on the back are indistinct. However, it appears that the specimen is apparently moulting because some of its parts are covered by whitish mould. The details of colouration cannot be made out, possibly because of action of preservative. The identification of specimens has been confirnlcd by the head office (Reptile Section). The measurements given by Smith (1935) are: snout to vent-83 111:m., tail also 83 mnl. Remarks.' Dark spots or bars and caudal annulate are generally confined to younger individuals. Some of the gular pouches were found to be darker in colouration. Because of the action of the preservative further details of colouration cannot be noted. In one case there is a distinct lighter band around the root of the tail and in another more than half of the tail is of lighter colour distally. The double spines above the tympanum, an important distinguishing character of the species, may be broken in some cases or there may be a group of smaller spines around the longer ones.
It is a common species around Jabalpur district and ~an often be observed in the gardens at a very close range. Khajuria (in press) has given a (Tiwari and Sharma, 1970) found it common in Maharashtra. detailed account of its feeding and breeding habits in Jabalpur city. Remarks: In all the specimens there is a black spot usually with one or more smaller spots on either side on the snout between the inner borders of the eye. In the largest specimen of which measurements are given above, the colour pattern has faded away except on the tail. In thfs specimen as well as in some other larger specimens there are prominent swellings below the ears converging on the undersurface of the head. There is a newly born young measuring -Total length, 64.0; standard length, 23.0 collected on 11.x.1961. If the breeding season is in May (Smith, 1935 p. 10) the incubation period appears to be prolonged. Remarks: In these specimens fold in front of the shoulder extend far down to throat almost joining with the one from opposite side. The colour pattern on the back is not distinct possibly due to action of preservative, although the white streak from the angle of the mouth can be made out in some specimens. The one on each side of the nape is indistinct. In the yotmger specimens the colour pattern is more distingt on the hinder part of the body and the tail. Remarks: The largest specimen in the collection (measurements given above) has a gular appendage. In a specimen collected on 25th

Agama minor Hardwicke & Gray
April the gular appendage entends from the throat to a point about 5 mm. posterior to exila. Gular fold as well as the underside of the head and chest are sharply marked off by tbeir dirty yellowisb colouration from , rest of the undersurface which is much lighter. Also a broad edge bordering the underside of the lower jaw is contrasted from the dirty yellow area described above by its light yellow colouration. In an another specimen collected on the some date but 10 years later, a differently coloured area on the lower jaw is distinct but there is no gular fold. Two specimens collected in the end of February and March are melanistic.
The one collected on 21.ii.1961 in Jabalpur district is very dark all over with obliteration of all colour patterns but the underside is slightly paler. The. YOWlgest specimen measuring 59 mm. in total length has heen collected in September in Jabalpur district. A number of juveniles has been collected in Broach district, Gujarat and Khargone district, M. P.
in February. In most of the these young individuals colour pattern except on the head and neck is distinguishable but in others colour pattern particularly the dorsal stri pes are indistinct. In many specimens a white stripe starting from below the eye and extending to the sides of n-eck can be distinguished but it is entirely absent in the young specimens. Soine of the keels on the lateral scales in adults project as spine like' structures. Chopra (1964) has made interesting studies on its breeding habits, ecology and behaviour of this lizard. Remarks: A pair of nuchals are present. A minute postnasal is present in some specimens. Ear opening is almost circular. Two young ,specimens are very dark while two including the largest are much paler. This colour variation does not appear to be due to season or age or to the action of preservative. There is also considerable variation in the distribution of spots and stripes (HQ. identification). Khajuria (in press) has given an account of its habits. Material: Jabalpur district: I ex., Pachpedi, Jabalpur city, 30.iii.1960, CoIl. D. P. Sanyal;1 ex., Pachpedi, 14.vi. 1961, Purchased;1 ex., Pachpedi, 18.vi.1963, purchased;1 ex., Ricchai village, 2.viii.196"3, Coll. D. N. Basu;Hoshangabad district: 1 ex., Bijanwada village, 6.xii.1974, ColI. Haridas. Measurements of the largest specimen: Standard lengtb, 426, Total length, 960.

Mabuya carinata (Schneider)
Morphological and field notes: The six specimens listed above represent a good series of age groups. There is a considerable variation in colour pattern. In the youngest the undersurface (chest, abdomen and anterior parts of the tail) are whitish with reddish tinge but the undersurface of head and neck is marked with loop-shaped dark bands which are bent in opposite direction from the middle of undersurface of head. On the dorsal side there are tranverse rows of black bars separated by rings of white spots. In one of the older young specimen the pattern on the ventral side is more or less the same (though more dark spots on the throat are present), but on the dorsal sides the whole body is covered with irregularly shaped dark spots generally arranged in transverse rows particularly on the back where rows of such spots with whitish centre alternate with rows of dark spots. The underside is markedly yellowish with irregularly arranged dark spots. However, the underside of the head and neck is much darker. On the dorsal side of thiS specimen the spots are much lighter. In the adults also the intensity of spotting varies considerably, collections of very young ones in June shows that porturition appears to take place mostly in summer.
The stomach contents of two youngest specimens showed a lizard and some insects. The species is caught by villagers for its hide and also by some tribals for its meat. It is reported to be getting rare. Remarks: A number of important variations from the description given by Smith (1935) have been found in this specimen which on account of its geographical distribution is referable to the nominate race. molurus: (i) 6th and 7th superalabials are separated from the eye by suboculars an important character of P. m. bivittatus., (ii) instead of being pitted, posterior infralabials are prominently grooved (length of groove is 18 mm. on the right infralabial and 13 mm. on the left); (iii) there is a pit on 3rd supralabial; and (iv) there are 19 infralabials. Besides there are following other important variations (i) no longitudinal division on the frontal; (ii) mental groove in preserved specimen is 3 mm. wide; (iii) 3 infralabials pitted, (iv) anal is having a wide depression in the middle; (v) the dark spots on the border of the outermost row of scales on the ventral side irregularly disposed; (iv) there are several dark spots on the dorsal side with much paler portions in the middle. The species is very rare in unprotected areas and is extensively collected lor its skin despite legal protection. Only young specimens were seen.

Remarks:
The outer scale rows on lower parts in the adult specimen are marked with black spots and not with brown only as recorded by Smith (1943). The variation in colour may be due to the action of preservative. The large amount of orange fat was found·' inside the adult specimen. The intestine showed numerous lumps of hairs and bones of small mammals possibly of rats, mice and shrews.
The adult female appears to be collected along with immature specimen as shown by the collection data. There does not appear to be any record of the description of the young of this species. The immature specimen which appears to have been collected with the adult female has been practically acquired the characters of the adult. Another immature specimen collected on 10th April and provisionally referred to this form is very different in colour pattern (plate 1 fig. 8). The colour is light brown on the dorsal side marked by black-edged irregular whitish spots. These spots originate from the ventral white surface on either side and encircle the dorsal surface mostly incompletely. 29 such bands can be distinguished. 6 of these have coalesed or practically so with the fellows of their opposite side on the dorsal surface, mostly towards the anterior portion. Many are, however, unpaired. If all the bands have coale sed with their fellows of opposite side, the result would have been a series of whitish black-edged rings separated by about a centimeter of light-brown space. The tail on the dorsal surface and the snout is darker. Material: Jabalpur district: 1 ex., Pachpedi, Jabalpur 9.viii.1962 t purchased. 1 ex., Pachpedi, Jabalpur, 30.vi.I967, Purchased;1 ex., Pachpedi, Jabal pur, 30.vi.1967, purchased;1 ex., Pachpedi, Jabalpur, 5.x.1967, ColI. M. L. Koshta;1 ex., Pachpedi, Jabalpur, 1. viii. 1970, ColI. Mohan;1 ex., Pachpedi, Jabalpur, 10.xii.1970, purchased. Aleasurenlents of largest specinlen : Totall(;ngth., 2438; Tail length,

650.
Scale counts: Midbody 18; Relnarks: In one of the young specim(;ns there are five loreals on one side and four on the other side. In one of the larger specimens there are ton thick black bars encircling the ventral surface. In other specimens these black bars are more pronounced but not complete in the anterior and posterior ventral surface. In two yOWlg specimens the right and left halves of these bars fail to meet on the ventral side of the tail. In one young specimen the stomach content show a young gecko and in two others a part of the intestine showed blackish matter. It is a very common species found in gard,;ns and houses. It is very active during rains. 21. Natrix stolata (Linn.), (PI. IV,fig. 10.) (Striped keel back) Coluber stolatu! Linn., 1758, Syst. Nat., 10 Ed. P. 219.
Remarks: Smith (1943) has included this snake in his key p. 283, under category 3, with internasals broadly truncate anteriorly. However, under the same category, he includes this species with intemasals much narrowed anteriorly. The constriction of frontals is distinct in our specimens. There are six supralabials, 3rd and 4th touching the eye. In three specimens out of four examined the black spots on the either side of the ventrals are distinct. The colour pattern is not clear because of action .of preservative. However, one of the specimen without black spots on either side of the ventrals is more brightly tinge with much more distinct markings on the dorsal side and with yellowish white ventral surface. Dorsal1y white stripes in this specimen are marked with white spots which are more distinct anteriorly and the black stripes are marked with black spots which also fade away posteriorly. In other specimens this pattern is fainter. It is a common species. Remarks: In the larger specimen the colour is much paler and the dark spots on the dorsal side are conspicuous. The rows of dark spots and their form and size is very variable. On the dorsal surface of the tail of the larger specimen the black spots are in the form of crescents while in case of another slightly smaller specimen they are practically absent on the tail posteriorly. In the smallest specimen provision-ally referred to this form, the colour pattern is very different. On the dorsal surface, it is practically blaok with two rows of white spots, and a couple of lateral rows of black spots but the tail is free from these spots. Also the tail is comparatively longer, possibly the difference in colour pattern is related to age. Intestme of one of the specimen contained two toads (Bufo sp.) while in another the body cavity was full with large number of orange yellow masses of fat. Remarks: Two black sPQts on the left side of the hood are present. The black cross bars on the belly behind the hood are indistinct but spectacle mark on the hood is distinct. In larger specimen, Reg. No. V 2726, the markings on the hood on the dorsal side are absent. Colour of preserved specimens is yellowish brown. Stomach contents of this specimen showed bones and remains of beetles and those of another a large toad. It is a common species.
;In tIle younger specimen in the "anterior one fourth of the body there ~re la(ge whiter spots on the white ventral sid'e on either side. In between e'ach pair of white spots on the dorsal' side there is a smaUer white spot. In the posterior region the l~rger white-spots break up 'into pairs of bars which completely encircle the body. In the old~r sp'ecililen the pairs of bars are visible only in the posterior region: In the anterior region their -presence is indicated by white mid dorsal spots which are either in pairs or in the form of coalesed pairs more or less forming a bar. In one case there are three spots instead of two. The older specimen has been collected in the act of swallowing a large toad (Bufo sp.) at least two and half times broader than its body. Only one of the hind leg of the toad have" been swallowed. An interesting point to be noted is that the part of the leg of the toad which is inside the snake lacks both bones and muscles with skin intact. Material: Jabalpur dist.: 1 6X., adult, Jabalpur city, 24.xi.1967, purcbased.

Remarks:
The ventral side is yellowish-white much lighter on the tail. Very few (only 4) semilunar markings are confined to the anterior most part of the body. There is, however, a number of larger black spots on the lateral side above the ventral scales but not on the tail region.
Also there are three blackish large areas on the ventral side. The ventral side of the lower jaw is marked with numerous small black spots in this specimen. There are black spots on the sides of upper jaw also. The markings on the head are indistinct but a pair of curved black streaks can be recognised in the parietal region. The stomach contents of the specimen show some unidentifiable blackish matter and a young house shrew (Suncus murinus Linn.) in its intestine. The anterior part of the skull of the shrew was found missing. It is very rare.