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Study on carnivorous fish of Sri Lanka

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Channa orientalis also known as the Ceylon snakehead is the only pelvic-fin less snakehead in Sri Lanka.

 

by Ifham Nizam

A team of ichthyologists in their latest study on carnivorous fish of Sri Lanka points out that Channa orientalis also known as the Ceylon snakehead, is the only pelvic-fin less snakehead in Sri Lanka.

Snakeheads are one of the main carnivorous groups of freshwater fish in Sri Lanka. They belong to the family Channidae and the genus Channa. There are six species of Channa in Sri Lanka, two of which are endemic. The two endemic species are Channa ara and Channa orientalis. Channa orientalis also known as the Ceylon snakehead is the only pelvic-fin less snakehead in Sri Lanka.

The latest study on the genetic diversity and morphological stasis in the Ceylon Snakehead found that the taxonomic identity and the type locality of this species were not certain.

Scientist Hiranya Sudasinghe told The Island yesterday: “We show that C. orientalis is composed of two geographically and genetically distinct lineages but which show remarkable morphological similarity between the two lineages. The recognition of two distinct genetic lineages is important because, when it comes to conservation management of this species, these two lineages could be recognised as two Evolutionary Significant Units that would deserve separate conservation attention.”

“We argue that the type locality of C. orientalis is south-western Sri Lanka, to which the species is endemic. Channa orientalis is distinguished from other species of Channa by the absence of pelvic fins, adult colouration in life, dorsal- and anal-fin ray counts, number of vertebrae, and scale counts,” the team pointed out.

This species feeds like a ciclids, experts point out.

The team of scientists comprises of Hiranya Sudasinghe of Evolutionary Ecology and Systematics Lab, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka/ Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, SriLanka, R.H.Tharindu Ranasinghe of Butterfly Conservation Society of Sri Lanka, Rohan Pethiyagoda of  Ichthyology Section, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia, Madhava Meegaskumbura of  Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology & Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China and Ralf Britz Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, Museum für Tierkunde, Königsbrücker Landstrasse 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany

As the type species of the genus Channa, the identity of the pelvic-finless snakehead Channa orientalis Bloch is important to channid systematics. Although this name has been attached to a Sri Lankan species for the past 160 years, its vaguely specified type locality, ‘India Orientali’, has long cast doubt as to its origin.

Based on a collection across its range in the island and analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) barcoding gene, scientists show that the Sri Lankan pelvic-finless Channa is composed of two geographically discrete lineages separated by an uncorrected pairwise cox1 genetic distance of 6.9–8.1%.

The minimum genetic distance between these two lineages and other species of the Gachua group of Channa is 5.1%. Despite their genetic divergence, the two lineages exhibit remarkable morphological stasis: they are indistinguishable from each other in external morphology.

 



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NPP bags CMC in secret vote; SJB, allies disappointed with bureaucratic action

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National People’s Power (NPP) councillor Vraie Cally Balthazaar yesterday (16) won a controversial secret vote to secure the mayoral seat at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). She received 61 votes while Riza Zarook, fielded by the SJB-led Opposition, obtained 54 votes.

Two votes were rejected. The CMC consists of 117 members and the winner needs to secure at least 59 votes. At the 6 May Local Government elections, the NPP won 48 seats in the CMC while the SJB had to settle for 29.

At the onset of yesterday’s proceedings, both the SJB and UNP demanded that an open vote should take place while the NPP asked for a secret vote. However, after noisy haggling over the issue for 30 to 40 minutes suddenly some Opposition members, and the NPP, declared they had reached consensus for a secret vote though some were heard insisting on an open vote.

The secret vote was conducted by Commissioner of the Department of Local Government of the Western Province, Sarangika Jayasundara. In terms of the Local Government law, the type of voting-‘open vote’ or secret vote, should be decided by a secret vote.

In the run-up to yesterday’s secret vote, both parties repeatedly declared they had the necessary numbers to secure mayoralty.

In a desperate move, the SJB reached an alliance with the UNP (13 seats), SLPP (5 seats) and People’s Alliance (1 seat) to garner support among the Opposition but couldn’t reach the target.

That bid had the support of former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesingh.

In spite of the SJB declaring that the Opposition at the CMC consisted of 69 councillors, the NPP reached consensus with many parties, and independent groups, thereby increasing its tally from 48 to 61 two votes more than the required number.

The following political parties and independent groups won seats at the CMC: NPP (48), SJB (29), UNP (13), SLPP (5), SLMC (4), Independent Group 3 (3), United Peace Alliance (2), Sarvajana Balaya (2) Independent Group 4 (2) and Independent Group 5 (2). National People’s Party, National Freedom Front People’s Alliance, Democratic National Alliance, Independent Group 1 and Independent Group 2 won one seat each.

Having won the secret vote Balthazaar shook hands with Riza Zarook before declaring that all elected members bore responsibility to serve the people. The new Mayor emphasised the responsibility on the part of all 117 to work collectively for the betterment of the people.

The March 12 Movement has claimed that political parties/individuals are being bribed by those seeking to form administration in hung councils. The civil society grouping has said that while conclusive evidence remains limited, widespread public opinion suggests that financial incentives and other benefits may have influenced the support extended to various parties. Such perceptions, whether confirmed or not, do not bode well for the future of local governance, the group has said.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

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Quality of private university degrees under scrutiny: PM

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Dr. Harini

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on Saturday, said that a fresh review would be conducted of the quality of degrees awarded by private universities in Sri Lanka.

She said that concerns had arisen over the academic standards of some private universities, whose graduates recruited into the Sri Lanka teaching service. The issue had now been identified, and the Ministry of Education had already initiated a review process in response, the PM said.

The Prime Minister said so during a discussion held on Saturday (14) at the Ministry of Education with representatives of teacher and principal unions.

She said the recruitment of graduates had been approved by the previous government and it had been implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Teachers’ Service Minute.

Dr. Amarasuritya said that although those appointments were legally valid, the Ministry had begun reviewing the quality of education degrees offered by UGC-approved private universities and affiliated higher education institutions.

By Chaminda Silva

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Ex-parte injunction against AAC vacated

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Colombo District Judge Sandun Vithana recently issued an order vacating the ex-parte injunction previously granted against Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC). The order was issued subsequent to the submissions made by the Counsel representing the Association, Executive Committee Members and Secretary.

This was in respect of Keerthi Gunawardena, former Vice President of the Association moving court against the AAC. Gunawardena obtained an ex-parte injunction that temporarily suspended the Association’s decision to terminate his Membership.

The Association’s Counsel told the court that Gunawardena had conducted himself in a manner undesirable and unbecoming of a Member at the 119th A.G.M. of the Association.

It was also noted that there were 37 formal complaints from Members regarding the incident in question. It was also emphasized that the termination of the Membership of Keerthi Gunawardena was made in strict accordance with the Consolidated Revised Rules in force at the Association. The Defence also argued that Gunawardena had provided misleading information to the Courts when seeking ex-parte injunction.

After carefully considering the submission from all parties the D.C. determined that the plaintiff had both suppressed and misrepresented material facts when he initially approached the Courts for relief.

It concluded that the ex-parte injunction should be vacated, thereby allowing the Association’s original membership termination decision to stand.

For the A.A.C. Kuvera De Zoysa P.C. led the team supported by Attorneys-at-Law Samuditha Kumarasinghe and Sanjana De Zoysa instructed by Attorney-at-Law Sanjay Fonseka.

For Association President Dhammika Attygalle, Ikram Mohamed P.C. appeared with Attorney-at-Law Charitha Wickrema. For the Executive Committee Members Chandaka Jayasundera, P.C. with Attorney-at-Law Imaz Imthiyaz, for the Association Secretary, Devapriya Hettiarachchi, Sanjay Rajaratnam P.C. appeared with Attorney at Law E.S.Jayasinghe.

The Plaintiff Gunawardena was represented by Attorneyat-Law Asthika Devendra instructed by W.M.D.M.B. Wasala.

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