Tropical mountains have exceptionally high numbers of endemic species. The central highlands of Sri Lanka are no exception. Many species are endemic to single mountain peaks; most are still unknown to science. They also might be endangered due to the changing climate. We are currently exploring these mountains for spiders to understand their evolutionary history. Another line of investigation is to understand the molecular basis of endemism.

Mphil Students: Ms. Dilini Bopearachchi, Ms. Mathura Tharmarajan and Ms. Abira Satkunanathan

Funding: NIFS, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation