13th & 14th Sept 2025 (Sat, Sun)
Workshop on Taxonomy & Classification of Herpetofauna
What you will learn
- Foundations of Taxonomy and Systematics: Understand the scientific principles behind naming and classifying organisms.
- How Herpetofauna Are Classified: Learn how reptiles and amphibians are named and categorized based on international conventions.
- Field Identification Skills: Apply practical identification keys to real specimens and sharpen your observational skills.
- Recognizing Morphological Characters: Learn to identify critical physical traits used in taxonomy—scalation, coloration, and anatomy.
- Recent Advances in Genetics: Explore how modern genetic tools are reshaping species classification and discovery.
Course Directors
S.R. Ganesh PhD.
Research Director
Kalinga Foundation
Dr. S.R. Ganesh is a leading herpetologist with a PhD in Wildlife Biology from the University of Madras and a post-doctoral fellowship with the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. He is a recognized PhD supervisor and expert in systematic herpetology, specializing in the taxonomy, distribution, and documentation of reptiles and amphibians across southern India.
Based in Madras, his work spans the Deccan Plateau, Western and Eastern Ghats, and Coromandel Coast. He has (co-)described 20 new species and published over 125 scientific works, including journal articles and books. Dr. Ganesh co-mentors zoology students, serves on editorial boards of 20 journals, and is affiliated with global organizations like IUCN and AmphibiaWeb.
He regularly collaborates with Indian Forest Departments, contributing to biodiversity policy and the creation of protected areas, while advising state biodiversity boards on herpetofauna.
Priyanka Swamy
PhD. Scholar, Program Manager
Kalinga Foundation
Priyanka has diverse experience across the ecological field and laboratory work.As part of the Phylogeography of king cobras project, she has travelled to king cobra habitats across the world and has experience with phylogenetic and population genetics tools to understand evolutionary and biogeography patterns and assist conservation prioritisation.
She has also addressed questions related to diversity patterns, population structure and drivers of diversification of the Ranids of the Western Ghats and other herpetofauna.
An excellent environment educator, she has co-conducted a wide range of outreach programs for diverse audiences from school and college students to forest officials, researchers, and enthusiasts.
She is now pursuing her PhD project on Malabar pit vipers in Agumbe.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to ALL above 18 years.
DETAILS
Dates
13th & 14th Sept 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Maximum participants: 18
VENUE
Kālinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology
Kālinga Mane
Guddekeri, Agumbe Hobli
Thirthahalli Taluk, Shivamogga-577411
FEE
Course Fee
Rs. 7,550/-
