Also known as Red-necked Bronzeback, this species has always been confused with Elegant Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis formosus). It was only in 2007 that scientists sorted out the taxonomy and designated it as a separate species. We now know Kopstein’s Bronzeback can be distinguished from other Bronzeback snakes by its bright orangey red colour at the back of its neck. The species is widespread locally, being also present in rural or suburban areas. Although widespread, it is considered rare by Baker & Lim (2008) and has a status of vulnerable in the Red Data Book. Its distribution is from Thailand down to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.
We were very lucky indeed to chance upon this individual consuming a lizard. When we first saw it, it had already captured the prey. After a brief struggle, the snake proceeded with lunch, swallowing the lizard in a matter of minutes. Our presence did not bother it at all thus enabling me to get a close video. Spotting creatures in the wild is always great but a window into the midst of their daily activity is unquestionably a huge bonus.
Kopstein’s Bronzeback is named after the Austrian herpetologist Dr. Felix Kopstein (1893-1939).
Pictures and video taken at: Central Catchment Nature Reserve, November 2009.
References:
Baker, N. & K. K. P. Lim, 2008. Wild Animals of Singapore. A Photographic Guide to Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians and Freshwater Fishes, Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd, Singapore.
Davison, G. W. H., P. K. L. Ng & H. C. Ho (eds), 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore. 2nd Edition. The Nature Society (Singapore), Singapore.
Vogel, G. & J. Van Rooijen, 2007. ‘A new species of Dendrelaphis (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Southeast Asia’, Zootaxa 1394: 25–45.
Tandem link between different dragonflies species is prevented because of the incompatibility between a male’s anal appendages and a different female’s head. It is like a lock and key system; the right key must fit the right lock. In this case, it is obvious the male N. fluctuans couldn’t grasp the female properly. After several tries, the male realised its mistake and released the female.
This critically endangered snail is mainly arboreal, inhabiting trees within primary forests preferring humid and damp conditions. Only one population survives in Singapore, and that's in SBG. We are not sure how big the population is but I believe it is hanging on by a thread considering the snail is found only within a small area in SBG. My knowledge on land snails are limited so I wonder why its found only at SBG and not in our forest reserves too. As mentioned in the Singapore Red Data Book, a study on population size is long overdue and a concerted effort must be made to introduce a second population in the nature reserves.
As I took the pictures, passerby walked past. Some gave me curious glances but most ignored me. Many Singaporeans don’t know we have several species of flora and fauna eking out a last stand here. Many of these species are unspectacular and inconspicuous unlike the charismatic Colugo or the iconic Oriental Pied Hornbills. The extinction of a snail would hardly make a dent in an urban dweller’s life. But it’ll be a loud silent scream from our natural heritage.
Finally in stage four, bodily fluids are pumped throughout the body to expand the abdomen and wings and also gaining full colour. Just like an ugly duckling, its wings open and transformed into a beautiful reddish female Orthetrum chrysis.
Aeshnids are unlike most other dragonflies in that females will insert their eggs into plant tissue. This ovipositing mode is the same as damselflies. Aeshnid females have well-developed ovipositors to cut minute slits into plant tissue for egg insertion. This behaviour is seldom seen so I was very fortunate to witness an Anax guttatus with colleagues recently. The videos show a female ovipositing into the floating plant stem. A. guttatus, when not flying at speed, is quite easy to recognise with its overall greenish colour and blue pattern on the abdomen. Up close, it is a beautiful and impressive dragonfly.
This dragonfly is one of two or three species in Singapore that have adapted to back mangrove habitats. It is an inconspicuous dragonfly where males usually perch for long periods defending their territories. Although widespread throughout Sundaland, it breeds only in salty water of back mangroves. It is therefore highly specialised and rather rare. In Singapore, R. bispina is classified as uncommon and has been recorded from only a handful locations.
Two features are used to distinguish this species from others. Raphismia bispina has two downward pointing spines behind the hind legs at the rear of the synthorax. It also has two bifid process projecting from beneath abdominal segment S2. It’s difficult to see these tiny features unless there’s a close-up photograph.
We were lucky to observe a female while on the way out. She has mottled yellowish patterns on the thorax and yellowish streaks running down her abdomen. Like the male, she perched patiently on a branch and we could see that she’s gleaning for prey. She awarded us with good close-up shots and her vulva scale beneath the abdomen tip was visible. This ‘spout’ like structure is where eggs leave the females during ovipositing. Vulva scale is not found in those dragonflies that oviposit into plant tissues.
I love the slight golden tinge on its carapace and abdomen. A closer look reveals a streak of blue on the femur. This makes the spider even more attractive. Using innovative experiments, local researchers have shown that females of another jumping spider species (Cosmophasis umbratica) would spend a longer time observing ultra-violet (UV+) males than UV- males regardless of which male display more actively. This suggests for that species, male UV influence plays a role in female-mate choice. Perhaps similarly, the iridescent bluish leg femora would help a male Banded Phintella in attracting the opposite sex.
Jewels are from the family Chlorocyphidae which consists of about 140 species worldwide, most of them distributed in Asia, Africa and Australasia. These damselflies, with the exception of the genus Rhinoneura, have their abdomen shorter than their hindwings thus separating them from other damselfly species. Another characteristic feature is the presence of an upturn snout which I feel gives them a rather cartoon-ish appearance. 
