Chytridiomycosis in Sri Lanka: Predicting the future of a global amphibian hotspot

Sri Lanka: an amphibian hot spot.

Dramatic population declines have affected frogs worldwide (1), and, although new species continue to be described (2), the discovery of large new species radiations is rare. Here, we report the discovery of an endemic radiation of 100 species of Old World tree frogs (Rhacophorinae) from Sri Lanka, an island from which only 18 rhacophorine species were known previously (3). An extensive survey,...

Local endemism within the Western Ghats-sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot.

The apparent biotic affinities between the mainland and the island in the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot have been interpreted as the result of frequent migrations during recent periods of low sea level. We show, using molecular phylogenies of two invertebrate and four vertebrate groups, that biotic interchange between these areas has been much more limited than hitherto assumed. ...

Prevalence of Organophosphate Poisoning In Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

Background: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a global problem which has steadily increased over the past few years in developing countries and has become as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in these countries. The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the prevalence of organophosphate poisoning among other acute DSH cases admitted to the medical ward at Batticaloa Teaching...

Suicide in Sri Lanka: Past, Present and Future Transformations

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country with an approximate area of 66 thousand square kilometers (UNO, 2008). The population is 20,409,946 and the sex ratio (men per hundred women) is 98 (UNO, 2009). The proportion of the population under the age of 18 years is 28% and the proportion above age 60 is 8% (UNO, 2009). The literacy rate is 97% for men and 99% for women (UN Statistics, 2008). The life expectancy at...