Arthropod
King Crabs Two dead King Crabs (species not determined) were found on the shore of Pak Sha Chau (in Port Shelter) on 27 November 1997. Several other dead individuals were seen floating in the surrounding water. These may have been purchased in Sai Kung and ill-advisedly released by well-meaning buddhists.
GR, ML, SR
Dragonfly records 1997
Below are listed some interesting dragonfly locality records from the DEB Biodiversity Survey in 1997:
Philoganga vetusta Sheung Tong, Tai Lam Country Park (April).
Cercion sexlineatum Shek Kwu Chau (July). New HK record (KW).
Pseudagrion rubriceps Dung Ping Chau (October).
Anaciaeschna jaspidea Dung Ping Chau (October).
Gynacantha japonica Mui Wo and Ngong Ping, Lantau (September).
Tetracanthagyna waterhousei Lai Chi Chong, Sai Kung (June).
Megalogomphus sommeri Sheung Tong, Tai Lam Country Park (April).
Diplacodes nebulosa Sham Wat, Lantau (November).
Macradiplax cora Lai Chi Wo, Kat O Hoi (May). New HK record (kW).
Pseudothemis zonata Tai A Chai (November).
GR, ML
Papilionidae (Swallowtails) Birdwing (Troides helena) Sunset Peak and Ngong Ping, Lantau (September). Glassy Bluebottle (Graphium cloanthus) Sunset Peak (September). Dragontail (Lam-proptera curius) Lai Chi Wo (May). Nymphalidae (Tigers, Crows, Browns, Nymphs etc.) Hong Kong Yeoman (Cirrochroa tyche) Kat O Chau (June).
Danaid Eggfly (Hypolimnas misippus) Ho Pui (October), Pak Nai, Castle Peak (November); also Long Valley (October) (GW).
Commander (Moduza procris) Shek Lei Pui Reservoir (November).
Euploea sylvester Kat O Chau (June). New record for Hong Kong.
Chestnut Tiger (Parantica sita) Tai Long, Sai Kung (March), Chek Keng, Sai Kung (April), Mount Davis and Mount Parker (November).
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) Kat O Chau (June), Dung Ping Chau (October), Mount Davis (November).
Pieridae (Whites & Yellows) White Albatross (Appias albina) Fung Yuen and Kat O Chau (June). Small White (Artogeia rapae) Lai Chi Wo (May), Fung Yuen (June), Sham Wat, Lantau (November) Pak Nai, Castle Peak (November). Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete) Mount Davis, Hok Tau, Sha Lo Tung/Ping Shan Chai, Crescent Island (all in November). Lycaenidae (Blues) Tailed Punch (Dodona egeon) Ping Shan Chai (November).
Falcate Oak Blue (Mahathala ameria) South Lamma and Dung Ping Chau (October), Castle Peak Monastery (November).
Onyx (Horaga onyx) Chek Keng (April), Castle Peak Monastery and Shek Lei Pui Reservoir (November).
White Royal (Pratapa deva) Chek Keng (April), Castle Peak Monastery and Shek Lei Pui Reservoir (November).
Bush Flash (Sinthusa chandrana) Tsing Fai Tong, Tai Lam Country Park (April), Kat O Chau (June).
Hesperiidae (Skippers) Abraximorpha davidii Sheung Tong, Tai Lam Country Park (April), Lai Chi Wo (May).
Aeromachus pygmaea Cheung Sheung (April). New record for Hong Kong.
Variegated White Swift (Caprona alida) Kat O Chau (June).
Awl King (Choaspes benjaminii) Dung Ping Chau, (October).
Common Awl (Hasora badra) Double Island (November), Hok Tau (November).
Banded Awl (Hasora chromus) Lai Chi Wo (May), Dung Ping Chau (October).
Isoteinon lamprospilus Lai Chi Wo (May).
Grass Dart (Taractrocera ceramas) Lai Chi Chong (June).
Fish
New Damselfish for South China A distinctive black and white, marine damselfish (Pomacentridae) has been found at the Lima (Dangan) Islands, which are about 10 km south of Hong Kong SAR waters, and at Pedro Blanco, which is approximately 125 km east of Hong Kong. The closest relative among the damselfish appears to be the Humbug fish Dascyllus aruanus (Linnaeus). I first noticed the fish when diving with Brian Darvell at the Limas on 24 June 1998. The single fish was very small, about 1 cm, hidden underneath a flat table disc of Acropora sp. coral. After consulting a number of reference books I deduced that the fish may a new species. However, due to the small size of the specimen, it was not possible to rule out juvenile colour phases of other damselfish.
A few weeks later, on 25 and 26 July 1998 at Pedro blanco, whilst diving with Nigel Dearden, I encountered at least 50 more of these attractive little fish in several groups under flat discs of Acropora sp. coral. All of them had the same colour pattern as the Lima fish. The largest specimen was approximately 3.0 cm.
I intend to collect specimens from the Lima Island in September 1998. The fish will almost certainly occur in Hong Kong.
Keith Wilson
Amphibians
Newts A Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) was spotted at Kai Ham, Ho Chung (Sai Kung) in August 1997, at an altitude of 100 m. In fact there are good populations of this species in several streams draining into Ho Chung valley.
Frogs - New locality records from the Hong Kong Biodiversity Survey: Big-headed Frog (Rana kuhlii). Two individuals recorded at Lai Chi Wo in the New Territories on 25 May 1997.
Brown Wood Frog (Rana latouchii). Several recorded at Cheung Sheung (Sai Kung) on 16 April 1997.
Two-striped Grass Frog (Rana taipehensis). Several individuals at Chek Keng (Sai Kung) on 2 April 1997. Also, several individuals recorded on Kat O Chau (Crooked Island, NE New Territories) on 17 June 1997.
ML
Reptiles
Sea Turtle sightings A sea turtle of indeterminate species was spotted near Fan Tsang Chau (Conic Island, Sai Kung) at around 1.00 pm on 18 April 1998. The turtle had a length of approximately 60 cm.
A sea turtle (again of indeterminate species) was seen off the SE coast of Lamma Island on 7 May 1998. Its length was approximately 70 cm. Another object spotted at the same time was suspected of being a turtle but was too distant for confirmation.
There are three species of sea turtle known from Hong Kong waters: the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Pacific Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) and the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Most Hong Kong sightings are of the Green Turtle. There have been very few records of Leatherback Turtle in Hong Kong and none since the 1980s.
AC, TC, ML
Terrapins Two Chinese Bigheaded Terrapins (Platysternon megacephalum) were seen at KFBG on 27 April 1998.
BC
A Three-banded Box Terrapin (Cuora trifasciata) was seen on Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, on 11 July 1997. The individual appeared to be a young hatchling.
DW
Lizards Tree Gecko (Hemiphyllodactylus sp.). Shek Kwu Chau, 14 July 1997.
Long-tailed Skink (Mabuya longicaudata). Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, 15 July 1997.
Reeves' Smooth Skink (Leiolopisma reevesi). High Island Reservoir, 15 July 1997.
Dark Forest Skink (Scincella modesta). Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung, 12 March 1997. KFBG, 21 March 1998, 2 April 1998.
Chinese Waterside Skink (Tropidophorus sinicus), KFBG, 2 April 1998.
Blue-tailed Skink (Eumeces quadrilineatus). KFBG, 19 June 1997. Tai Po Kau, 17 August 1997.
BC, DW, ML, RD
Snake sightings
Common Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus). Hoi Ha, Sai Kung, 5 August 1997. Burmese Python (Python molurus). Shui Hau, Lantau, 2 September 1997. KFBG, 17 October 1997.
Chinese Slug Snake (Pareas hamptoni). KFBG, 25 June 1997, 17 & 23 October 1997.
Copperhead Racer (Elaphe radiata). High Island Reservoir, 15 July 1997. Pak Tam Au, Sai Kung, 27 July. Hoi Ha, Sai Kung, 2 August 1997 (hatchling with rat bites). Siu Lek Yuen, Sha Tin, 16 August 1997.
Red Mountain Racer (Elaphe porphyracea). Sha Ha/Tai Wan, Sai Kung, 20 July 1997.
Indo-Chinese Rat Snake (Ptyas korros). Tate's Cairn Tunnel (Sha Tin entrance), 24 August 1997.
Greater Green Snake (Opheodrys major). Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, 14 July, 4 & 18 August 1997. Kadoorie Agric. Res. Ctr., 10 April 1998. KFBG, 2 May 1998 (2 individuals mating).
Taiwan Kukri Snake (Oligodon formosanus). Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, 20 June 1997. KFBG, 27 May 1998.
Ashy Kukri Snake (Oligodon cinereus). Ko Tong, Sai Kung, 19 August 1997.
Checkered Keelback (Xenochrophis piscator). KO Tong Ha Yeung, Sai Kung, 20 June 1997. Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, 18 August 1997.
Red-necked Keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus). Lam Lo Au, Sai Kung, 10 & 11 July 1997 (hatchling/juvenile). Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, 12 & 15 July 1997. Ngong Ping, Lantau, 28 June 1998.
Mountain Water Snake (Natrix percarinata). KFBG, 24 April 1998 (hatchling), 26 May 1998, 7 August 1998.
Banded Stream Snake (Opisthotropis balteatus). Wu Kau Tang, June 1997. Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, 23 June 1997. KO Tong, Sai Kung, 25 June 1997 (juvenile). Plover Cove, 30 November 1997.
Bicoloured Stream Snake (opisthotropis lateralis). Lin Au, Tai Po, October 1997. Anderson's Stream Snake (Opisthotropis andersoni). Hoi Ha Road, 15 July 1997. KFBG, 25 March 1998 (1 adult and 3 hatchlings).
Large-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga multimaculata). Pak Tam Au, Sai Kung, 1 July 1997. Ko Tong, Sai Kung, 14 July 1997 (two individuals). Tsak Yue Wu, Sai Kung, 8 August 1997. Hoi Ha, Sai Kung, 12 August 1997.
Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pulverulentus). Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, 14 July 1997.
Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus). Tai Lam Chung, 29 August 1997. Cloudy Hill, Tai Po, 29 October 1997.
Many-banded Krait (Bungarus multicinctus). KFBG, 17 & 23 June 1997, 23 September 1997, 14 & 22 October 1997, 4 May 1998. Pak Tam Au/Uk Tau, Sai Kung, 12 August 1997.
Macclelland's Coral Snake (Calliophis macclellandi). KFBG, 19 June 1998.
Chinese Cobra (Naja naja). Lan Lo Au, Sai Kung, 10 July 1997. Peng Chau, 6 August 1998.
King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). Hau Tong Kai, Sai Kung, 20 July 1997. Hoi Ha Road, Sai Kung, 18 August 1997. Nam Shan, Lantau, 15 September 1997 (juvenile). KFBG, 1 September 1997, 5 October 1997.
Mountain Pit Viper (Trimeresurus monticola). KFBG, 27 June 1998.
White-lipped Pit Viper (Trimeresurus albolabris). Pak Tam Road, Sai Kung, 4 August 1997. Pak Sha O, Sai Kung, 13 August 1997. KFBG, 10 September 1997, 9 October 1997, 20 May 1998 (2 individuals). Tung O, Lamma, October 1997 (juvenile swallowing Crocidura shrew).
AM, BC, DW, GA, GR, JH, LKS, LP, PC, RG, RP-J
Birds
Selected records from seldom-visited sites or significant dates / rare species
Hodgson's Hawk-cuckoo (Cuculus fugax). KFBG, 13 & 15 May 1998.
Crested Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris). Lai Chi Wo, NENT, September to November 1997.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops). Dung Ping Chau, 21 October 1997.
Raptors Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). KFBG, 4 December 1997; 10 March 1998 (first and last sightings at KFBG in winter 1997/8).
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Tai Ho Wan, Lantau, 20 January 1998.
Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). KFBG, 27 June 1998 (4 individuals).
Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo). Shek Kwu Chau, 14 July 1997.
CF, RG, JH, KHK, ML
Passerines Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). Breeding in Kam Tin 24 November to 18 December.
Asian House Martin (Delichon dasypus). KFBG, 13 March 1998.
Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus). Tai Chuen, north Lantau, 29 January 1998 (flock of ~ 20).
Siberian Thrush (Zoothera sibiricus). Mount Parker, 4 November 1997.
Eyebrowed Thrush (Turdus obscurus). Tai Ho Wan, Lantau, 4 February 1998.
Dusky Thrush (Turdus naumanni). Tai Ho Wan, Lantau, 4 February 1998.
Grey Thrush (Turdus cardis). Tai Ho Wan, Lantau, 4 February 1998.
Red-throated Flycatcher (Ficedula parva). Tai Ho Wan, Lantau, 27 November 1997; 20 January 1998 (three individuals). Pak Nai, NW New Territories, 20 January 1998.
Japanese Grosbeak (Eophona personata). Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung, 12 March 1997.
CF,GG,KHK,ML,BN,GR,NW
Mammals
Carnivores Chinese Ferret Badger (Melogale moschata). Cloudy Hill, Tai Po, 3 January 1998. Wu Kau Tang, NENT, 3 August 1998.
Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata). Lai Chi Wo, NENT, 25 May 1997 (two individuals hunting a bird). Shek O Road (near Tai Tam roundabout) 30 September 1997. KFBG, 2 September 1997 (two individuals) 16 & 31 October, 1997; 4 November, 1997; 10 March 1998; several sightings 18 March and onwards of individual feeding on figs and defecating in Ficus sp. tree; 21 May 1998. Sha Wan Drive, Pok Fu Lam, 25 March 1998.
Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica). Tai Lam Chung, 23 April 1997. Kat O Chau (Crooked Island), 18 June 1997 (scats). KO Tong, Sai Kung, 26 July 1997. Bluff Island, Sai Kung, 30 October 1997 (scats). Wong Wan Chau (Double Island), 20 November 1997 (scats). SENT Landfill site, 25 February 1998.
Chinese Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis). Cape d'Aguilar (several sightings of juvenile in October and November 1997).
GA, MC, RC, SF, SG, HK, ML, GR, SR, JS, DW,JW,NW
Porcupine, Boar Barking Deer Chinese Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura). Tai Lam Chung, 29 April 1997. Lai Chi Wo, NENT, 25 May 1997. Bluff Island, Sai Kung, 30 October 1997 (two individuals). Wong Wan Chau (Double Island), 20 November 1997. KFBG, numerous sightings throughout the year.
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). Pak Tam Road, Sai Kung, 8 August 1997 (two individuals). KFBG, 5 September 1997. KARC, 17 October 1997 (5 individuals); 25 November 1997 (2 individuals); 18 April 1998. Ha Tei Ha, Shuen Wan, 25 September 1997 (two individuals). Wong Wan Chau (Double Island), 20 November 1997. So Lo Pun, NENT, 25 November 1997 (one adult and one juvenile). Corps Ridge, SW of Fanling, 1 March 1998 (juvenile).
Barking Deer (Muntiacus reevesi). Cheung Sheung, Sai Kung, 16 April 1997. Tai Lam Chung, 23 April 1997; 29 August 1997. Lai Chi Wo, NENT, 25 May 1997. Tong Fuk, Lantau, 3 September 1997. Cloudy Hill, Tai Po, 21 October 1997. Wong Wan Chau (Double Island), 20 November 1997. Nam Chung, NENT, 11 December 1997. KFBG, records from September/October 1997 and April to June 1998.
GA, PC,RD, RG, SG, JH, KHK,ML, WHP, GR, CW, DW, JW
Bats Noctule Bat (Nyctalus noctula). Nam Chung, NENT, 1 February 1998 (in mist net). KFBG, 28 May 1998 (juvenile).
Lesser Bamboo Bat (Tylonycteris pachypus). KFBG, late July/early August 1998 (several individuals seen foraging).
Rufous Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus rouxi). KFBG, 10 July 1998 (solitary individual roosting in underground water tunnel).
Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx). Ho Sheung Heung, Long Valley, 8 February 1998 (13 individuals roosting under leaves of Livistona chinensis).
GA, GG, RG, BN, NW
Contributors: Gary Ades (GA), Bosco Chan (BC), Tracy Clark (TC), Richard Corlett (RC), Andy Cornish (AC), Paul Crow (PC), Robert Davison (RD), Steve Freeman (SF), Charles Frew (CF), Gary Grant (GG), Rupert Griffiths (RG), John Holmes (JH), Kwok Hon Kai (KHK), Michael Lau (ML), Rosita Lee (RL), Andrew McAulay (AM), Barry Nicholson (BN), Rob Parry-Jones (RP-J), Lindsay Porter (LP), Graham Reels (GR), Steve Reels (SR), Julia Shaw (JS), Lee Kwok Shing (LKS), George Walthew (GW), Nigel Wheatley (NW), Dave Willot (DW), Keith Wilson (kW), Captain Wong (CW), Wong Ho Poon (WHP).
Porcupine! like to encourage readers to submit interesting sightings from Hong Kong's marine environment. Whales, dolphins, turtles, sea snakes, horseshoe crabs and sea-horses are just some of the more intriguing creatures that have been recorded from Hong Kong waters. Please send observations to Andy Cornish (fax 2809 2197) or Gary Ades (fax 2488 3035).
P.23-27
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