Rediscovery of Barkudia insularis (Limbless skink) a highly threatened species from badakuda island of Chilika after 86 years :

A highly threatened species i.e. limbless skink (Barkudia insularis) which is endemic to Badakuda island of Chilika was re-sighted on 17th September, 2003 after a gap of 86 years. It was first discovered from this Island by Dr. Kemp & Anandale the then director of zoological survey of India in1917. The species is completely endemic to this island as this is not found anywhere in the world other than this island. The lizard was named as Barkudia insularis, it was first discovered from this island. The lizard is without any limb and looks like a giant earth worm. After that this highly threatened species endemic to Badakuda island was thought to have been extinct from Chilika as it was not recorded to be sighted by anybody. Even during the course of the extensive survey conducted by Zoological Survey of India for a period of 3 years i.e. from 1985 to 1987 the lizard was not sighted in spite of best effort. It is also admitted by Dr. T.S.N.Murthy, the Reptilia and Amphibian specialist of Zoological Survey of India that “the skink has, if course, become scarce on the type-locality. I failed to secure a specimen despite rigorous attempts”. Though the animal is reported to be sighted from some other places but its occurrence other than Badakuda said to be doubtful. The recent resighting is supported by the video documentation and 

The type specimen (hollow type or the first specimen) was dug up from loose earth along the roots of a banyan tree of Badakuda island of Chilika lagoon in 1917. After that no one could sight this highly threatened animal till 17.9.2003. 

On 17.9.2003, four numbers of Barkudia skink were sighted when the soil working of Cassipourea ceylanica a mangrove associate of family Rhizophoraceae was in progress. All the four animals were in healthy condition, out of the four two were adults and two were juveniles. The measurement and other documentation of all the four animals was done. Since, it is a rare animal, video documentation of the animal was also done and this is perhaps the first ever video documentation of this threatened species. This skink, which has adapted to a mostly fossorial existence, is a highly specialized lizard for living in the subsurface substrata. It was observed that the limbless skink burrows with great rapidity in loose earth and disappears from sight in a trice if released on the ground. It seems to be a nocturnal reptile that is why it is rarely sighted. It feeds on a variety of small, mostly soil-living arthropods such as the termites and the beetle larvae. Apart from the meager knowledge that it is oviparous, little is known of the breeding habits of this skink. The animals were located quite close to a termatarium.

Incidentally, Cassipourea ceylanica a mangrove associate belonging to family Rhyzophoracae is found in 3 islands of Chilika lagoon i.e., Badakuda, Sanakuda and Ghantasila. This unique species is not found even in Bhitarkanika and Sundarban mangrove forest, where as it’s nearest neighbour is in the coast of Chennai and Srilanka. In Badakuda island 6 other threatened species of plant are also recorded in addition to Cassipourea ceylanica . 



In view of the re-sighting (rediscovery) of this highly threatened Cassipourea ceylanica and presence of the unique species of plant like Cassipourea ceylanica and 6 other species of threatened plants, the un-habited island of Badakuda needs high degree of protection and need to be conserved from all biotic interference. The area of Badakuda island is 36.5 ha and it’s perimeter is 2516 Mtr. It is already notified as CRZ-I, so no construction or developmental activities is permitted on this island.

It is being observed that the vegetation of the island is repeatedly disturbed by the local people for fuel wood and the island vegetation is also disturbed due to grazing. The Chilika Development Authority is taking steps to in-situ conservation of the Cassipourea ceylanica a rare species of Mangrove associate. CDA urged to the Government to ensure strict protection of the bio resources of this island which is unique including the Barkudia insularis and Cassipourea ceylanica. The island has assumed increased importance after rediscovery of this unique species.