Sujan M. Henkanaththegedara Ph.D. Student (Dr. Craig Stockwell) Office: 233 Stevens Hall Phone: (701)-231-6561 Henkanaththegedara.Maduranga@ndsu.edu

Education

2004     B.S. Zoology University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
(thesis: Investigation of species diversity of aquatic birds in seasonal reservoirs in Anuradhapura and Monaragala districts, Sri Lanka.)

 

Dissertation Research

The Mohave tui chub is the only native fish of the Mojave river system (Hubbs & Miller 1943). The fish is presently recorded from only four localities of Mojave river basin; Lake Tuendae and MC spring at the Majave national preserve, Lark Seep at China lake naval air weapon station and an artificial pond at Camp Cady Wildlife area (Archbold 1994). The only naturally living population occurs in MC spring (Hubbs & Miller 1943) and all the other existing populations thought to descend from this population. Several attempts were made to transplant the fish to various stations but almost all of them were failed (Miller 1968, St. Amant & Sasaki 1971) except above three locations. Unfortunately, the recent appearance of the exotic mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in Lake Tuendae, from an unknown and illegal introduction, has seriously degraded the suitability of the lake as habitat for the Mohave tui chub.  Further, coincident with the introduction of mosquitofish, the lake has shifted to a turbid state associated with high productivity of phytoplankton.  Mojave National Preserve hosted a workshop of desert fish experts in September, 2003 to develop management recommendations for dealing with threats facing the species.  One recommendation of this workshop was for a thorough study of Lake Tuendae ecology, including the effects of mosquitofish and lake turbidity on the Mohave tui chub.  This information will be used to sustain the population in Lake Tuendae, evaluate threats for the other existing populations, and to design new refugia to improve the status of the species.  We are aim to evaluate the impacts of mosquitofish and lake clarity on experimental populations.  The work will be used in developing appropriate management actions to improve the status of the Mohave tui chub.  

Other interests

I enjoy studying desert ecology, fish sampling, birding, wildlife painting, traveling and cycling. Also I enjoy spending time with my wife Bodini.

Special Training

2005   Small mammal field technique training, organized by University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and Zoo Outreach Organization, India.

Awards and Honors

2004       Gold medal for the best performance in B.S. Zoology degree, Alumini association of the Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Publications

Maduranga, H. G. S. 2003. Endemic freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka (Sirilaka awenika miridiya masun; In Sinhalese). Department of National Zoological Gardens. Sri Lanka,108 pp.

Maduranga, H. G. S. 2005. Ichthyofauna of Bellanwila-Attidiya sanctuary and its environs in Colombo, Sri Lanka. TIGER PAPER. FAO 32 (1). 26 – 32.

Presentations

Maduranga, H. G. S. & U. S. Amarasinghe. 2004. Species diversity of aquatic birds in seasonal reservoirs in Anuradhapura and Monaragala districts, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of 60th annual session (17-22 Dec, 2004), Sri Lanka association for the Advancement of Science.