The monotypic genus Lankanectes, considered an evolutionary long branch with India’s Nyctibatrachus as its sister lineage, is represented by L. corrugatus, a species widely distributed within the wet zone of Sri Lanka up to 1500 m asl, where it inhabits a variety of lotic and lentic habitats. Here, following an integrative taxonomic approach using DNA-based phylogenies, morphology, morphometry, and ecological niche models, we describe a new species—Lankanectes pera sp. nov. The new species is distinguished from its sister species mainly by its tuberculated throat and absence of dark patches on venter, throat, manus and pes. The uncorrected genetic distances between the two Lankanectes species for a fragment of the non-coding mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene is 3.5–3.7%. The new species has a very restricted climatic distribution with a total predicted area of only 360 km2 (vs. 14,120 km2 for L. corrugatus). Unlike L. corrugatus, which prefers muddy substrates and marshy areas, the new species is observed inhabiting only pristine streams flowing through canopy covered montane forests in the highest reaches of the Knuckles Mountain range. The specialized new species will need immediate conservation attention due to its restricted distribution (montane isolate), specialized habit of inhabiting clear mountain streams, and small population size.

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We resurrect the nominal taxon Boiga ranawanei Samarawickrama, Samarawickrama, Wijesena et Orlov, 2005 as a valid species endemic to Sri Lanka. We uphold the view that B. ranawanei is conspecific with what was previously considered as the Sri Lankan population of ‘B. beddomei’. The revised concept of B. beddomei as a species endemic to the Western Ghats of India and altogether absent from Sri Lanka necessitated the Sri Lankan ‘B. beddomei’ population be conferred with the available nomen B. ranawanei. We also report on further specimens of the two Indian species closely associated with B. ranawanei – B. beddomei that was associated in a nomenclatural sense and B. flaviviridis that is associated in a taxonomic sense. Here, we expand the descriptions of B. beddomei and especially that of B. flaviviridis based on many more additional specimens from several localities across Peninsular India. We again update the key to this group with the inclusion of B. ranawanei. We perform Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) to elaborate on the recorded and simulated distribution range envelopes of the Indian taxa (B. flaviviridis, B. beddomei, B. nuchalis, B. thackerayi) in the B. ceylonesis group. Thus we explain the geographical discontinuity among these taxa to further corroborate our findings on their taxonomic statuses.

The Knuckles Mountain Range is situated in the Intermediate Zone between the latitudes 7°18 1 _7°34 1 and longitudes 80°41 1 _80°55 1 within a 915-1906m elevation range in the Matalc District. The slopes directly exposed to monsoon winds receive a high amount of rainfall (2725-4470 mm) per annum. Temperature in the area ranges between 25°C and 27°C at lower altitudes and 18°C-20oC at higher altitudes.Data were collected in the two localities Nawanagala and Dcenston Nature trail in the submontane and montane forests on the west facing slopes from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. on 17th_18 th The animal life is highly divcrcs too. The total number of species identified in study area was 124 with 67 bird species (9 endemic), 2 fish (1 endemic), 20 butterflies (2 endemic), 16 mammals (4 endemic), amphibians (6 endemic) and 19 reptiles.The Nawanagala and Deenston nature trail arc unique areas of island's bio diversity heritage.There are more plant and animal species, especially amphibians yet to be identified. The area faces the threat of periodic fires triggered by people. Moreover, the Deenston nature trail experiences the problem of garbage. Therefore, the bio diversity of this unique area has to be conserved forfuture generations.