R.H.G. Ranil, PhD

Department of Crop Science Faculty of Agriculture University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka

Phone +94 718668109 (Mobile); +94 812395111 (Office)

Email - rhgranil@gmail.com rrajapaksha@agri.pdn.ac.lk

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy

Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2004-2010)

Research work on conservation biology of endemic tree fern species in Sri Lanka

Bachelor of Science

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (2000 -2004)

Four-year honors degree Specialized in Crop Science

WORK EXPERIENCE

Senior Lecturer, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 2012 to date)

Visiting Lecturer, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 2012 to date)

Lecturer (Temporary), Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 2009 to 2012)

RESEARCH FOCUS

Conservation biology

Tropical biodiversity

Diversity and taxonomy of lycophytes and ferns of Sri Lanka

Biogeography and plant systematics

Forest ecology

Crop wild relatives and underutilized crops

Herbarium studies

Ethnobotany

Collection and conservation of plant genetic resources

Memberships of societies

American Fern Society (since 2005)

International Association of Pteridologists (since Feb 2005)

International Society of Tropical Foresters (since Nov 2020)

Society of Herbarium Curators (since Feb 2021).

Botanical Society of America (2010-2011, since Jan 2021)

Member of British Pteridological Society (since Jan 2021)

Indian Fern Society (since January 2016 to 2020)

Academic distinctions and awards

Chartered biologist - Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka - from 18th September 2019

SLCARP awards for excellence in Agriculture Research - 2019 (a team award)

The NRC merit award for Scientific Publication - 2015

Rt. Hon. Sir. John Kotelawale Memorial Gold Medal - for achieving the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in the Ph.D. programme, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka - 2006.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Journal articles (selected)

Ranil, R.H.G. (2021). Six new combinations and one new natural hybrid of ferns from Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa 511(2):183-186.

Ranil, R.H.G. and Bussmann, R.W. (2021). Potential uses of lycophytes and ferns in Sri Lanka: an ethnopteridological perspective. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 21, pp.1-11.

Ranil, R.H.G., Chamara, R.M.S.R., Dissanayaka, D.M.S.B., Eeswara, J.P., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Wijesuriya, G. and Jayasekara, I.G.R.I. (2021). Potential of spineless Lasia spinosa as a neglected indigenous vegetable. International Journal of Vegetable Science pp.1-10.

Ranil Rajapaksha, Nadeeka Gunawardena, Upul Garasin, Gamini Pushpakumara, Tilak Premakantha, Siril Wijesundara and Leonid Averyanov. (2019). Elatostema rigidiusculum (Urticaceae), a new endemic species from Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa. Phytotaxa 404 (2): 085–090.

Rekha Attanayake, Rasu Eeswaran, Ranil Rajapaksha, Palitha Weerakkody, and Pradeepa C. G. Bandaranayake. (2018). Biochemical Composition and Expression of Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Genes of a Yellow Peeled and Pinkish Ariled Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cultivar are Differentially Regulated in Response to Agro-Climatic Conditions. J. Agric. Food Chem. 66 (33): 8761–8771.

R.H.G. Ranil, D.K.N.G. Pushpakumara, D.S. A. Wijesundara, P.D. Bostock, A. Ebihara and C.R. Fraser- Jenkins. (2017). Diversity and distributional ecology of tree ferns of Sri Lanka: a step towards conservation of a unique gene pool. Ceylon Journal of Science 46 (5): 127-135.

Lalith DB Suriyagoda, Ranil Rajapaksha, Gamini Pushpakumara and Hans Lambers. (2017). Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves of epiphytes, hemiparasites and their hosts in tropical forests of Sri Lanka. Journal of Plant Ecology 11(6): 815-826.

Van The Pham, Tien Chinh Vu, Ranil Rajapaksha, Ngoc Bon Trinh, Leonid Averyanov. (2017). Phyllagathis phamhoangii (Melastomataceae), a new species from central Vietnam. Phytotaxa 314(1):140-144.

S.R.M.R Attanayake, S.A.S.M. Kumari, W.A.P. Weerakkody, R.H.G. Ranil, A.B. Damania and C.G. Bandaranayake. (2017). Molecular diversity and genetic relationships of Sri Lankan pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) landraces assessed with Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) regions. Nordic Journal of Botany 35(4): 385-394.

Rajakapasha H.G. Ranil, Jaime Prohens, Xavier Aubriot Hagoda, M.L. Niran, Mariola Plazas, Ramya M. Fonseka, Santiago Vilanova, Hemal H. Fonseka, Pietro Gramazio and Sandra Knapp. (2016). Solanum insanum L. (subgenus Leptostemonum Bitter, Solanaceae), the neglected wild progenitor of eggplant (S. melongena L): a review of taxonomy, characteristics and uses aimed at its enhancement for improved eggplant breeding. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 63(8).

R. H. G. Ranil, C. R. Fraser-jenkins, D.K.N.G. Pushpakumara, D. S. A. Wijesundara and B. S. Parris. (2016). The endemic pteridophyte flora of Sri Lanka: taxonomy, geographical distribution and conservation status. Indian Fern Journal 33: 1-36.

Mariola Plazas, Santiago Vilanova, Pietro Gramazio, Adrián Rodríguez-Burruezo, Ana Fita, and Francisco J. Herraiz, Rajapaksha Ranil, Ramya Fonseka, Lahiru Niran, Hemal Fonseka, Brice Kouassi, Abou Kouassi, and Auguste Kouassi, Jaime Prohens. Interspecific Hybridization between Eggplant and Wild Relatives from Different Genepools (2016). Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 14(1)34-44.

Ranil, R.H.G., Beneragama, C.K., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Wijesundara, D.S.A. (2015). Ornamental Pteridophytes: An Underexploited Opportunity for the Sri Lankan Floriculture Industry. The Journal of National Science Foundation. Sri Lanka 43 (4): 293 - 301.

R.H.G. Ranil, H.M.L. Niran, M. Plazas, R.M. Fonseka,.H. Fonseka, S. Vilanovac, Andújar, P. Gramazioc,

A. Fitac and J. Prohens. (2015). Improving seed germination of the eggplant rootstock Solanum torvum by testing multiple factors using an orthogonal array design. Scientia Horticulturae 193 (2015) 174–181.

RHG Ranil, DKNG Pushpakumara, KT Premakantha, PD Bostock and A Ebihara. (2014). Naturalization of Dicksonia antarctica Labill. in Pidurutalagala Mountain Forest Reserve and adjacent Eucalyptus plantation in Sri Lanka. Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science, 40 (3):107-112.

Ebihara, A., Fraser-Jenkins, C.R., Parris, B.S., Zhang, X-C, Yang, Y-H, Chiou, W-L, Chang, H-M, Lindsay, S., Middleton, D., Kato, M., Praptosuwiryo, T.N., Amoroso, V.B., Barcelona, J.F., Ranil, R.H.G., Park, C- H, Murakami, N and Hoya, A. (2012). Rare and threatened pteridophytes of Asia 1. An enumeration of narrowly distributed taxa. Bulleting of Natural Museum of Nature and Science 38(3): 93-119.

Ranil, R.H.G., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Janssen, T., Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. and Wijesundara, D.S.A. (2011). Conservation priorities of tree ferns of Sri Lanka. Taiwania 56(3): 201-209.

Ranil, R.H.G., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Janssen, T., Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. and Wijesundara, D.S.A. (2010). Cyathea sledgei Ranil et al., (Cyatheaceae): A new species of tree-fern from Sri Lanka. Fern Gazette 18(7):318-325.

Ranil, R.H.G., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Janssen, T., Wijesundara, D.S.A. and Dhanasekara, D.M.U.B. (2010). Cyathea srilankensis Ranil: a new tree fern species from Sri Lanka. American Fern Journal 100(1):39-44.

Ranil, R.H.G., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Samita, S, Wijesundara, D.S.A. and Dhanasekara, D.M.U.B. (2010). Variation of three co-occurring taxa of the genus Cyathea and their relationship in Sinharaja and Kanneliya lowland rain forests of Sri Lanka, Tropical Agricultural Research 21(2):134-146.

Books and book chapters (selected)

Ranil, R.H.G., Chamara, R.M.S.R., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Bussmann, R.W. (2021). Exploration, Conservation, and Utilization of Ethnobotanical Knowledge: Sri Lankan Perspective. Ethnobiology of Mountain Communities in Asia, Springer, Singapore pp.409-431.

Ranil, R.H.G., Gunawardena, N.P.T., Muthukudaarachchi, D.K.T., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Wijesundara, D.S.A. (2020). Pteridophytes in Sri Lanka. In: The National Red List 2020 - Conservation Status of the Flora of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka: Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and the National Herbarium, Department of the National Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. pp. 170–188.

Ranil R.H.G., Pushpakumara D.K.N.G., Fonseka R.M., Fonseka, Bandaranayake P.C.G., Weerakkody W.A.P., Ariyaratne W.M.T.P., De Silva A.N. and Gunawardhana N.P.T. (2020). Utilizing Neglected Crop Genetic Resources for Food and Nutritional Security: Special Reference to Indigenous Vegetables of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Agriculture, In Agricultural Research for Sustainable Food Systems in Sri Lanka. Springer, Singapore. pp. 39-66.

Ranil, R.H.G. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (2015). A checklist of agriculturally important plants of Sri Lanka. Agricultural Education Unit, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (ISBN No: 978- 955-589-152-3).

Ranil, R.H.G. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (2012). Taxonomy and conservation status of pteridophyte flora of Sri Lanka. In: Weerakoon, D.K and Wijesundara, S. (eds.) The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka: Conservation status of the fauna and flora. Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. pp 148-164.

Ranil, R.H.G., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Fraser-Jenkins, C.R. and Wijesundara, D.S.A. (2010). Chapter 15: In: Marabe, B., Silva, P., Wijesundara, D.S.A. and Atapattu, N. (eds.). Misidentification of Pteridium revolutum (Blume) Nakai as an invasive alien in Sri Lanka. Invasive Alien Species: Strengthening Capacity to control introduction and spread in Sri Lanka. Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka. pp. 141-149.

Species described

Phyllagathis phamhoangii V.T.Pham, T.C.Vu & Ranil: A new endemic species from Central Vietnam was described in 2017 and published in Phytotaxa 314(1):140-144.

Cyathea sledgei Ranil, Pushpakumara & Fras.-Jenk.: A new endemic species was described from Sri Lanka in 2010 and published in Fern Gazette 18(7):318-325.

Cyathea srilankensis Ranil: this new endemic species was described from Sri Lanka in 2010 and published in American Fern Journal 100(1):39-44.

Elatostema rigidiusculum (Thwaites ex Hooker) Ranil & Nadeeka: This endemic taxon was upgraded to the species rank in 2019 and published in Phytotaxa 404 (2): 085– 090.

Christella × fraser-jenkinsii Ranil: this endemic new natural hybrid was described in 2021 and published in Phytotaxa 511(2):183-186.

Hymenasplenium amoenum (C.Presl ex Mett.) Ranil; Alsophila sledgei (Ranil, Pushpakumara & Fraser-Jenk.) Ranil; Alsophila srilankensis (Ranil) Ranil; Metathelypteris dassanayakei (Fraser- Jenk.) Ranil; Christella sledgei (Fraser-Jenk.) Ranil; Christella × parahispidula (Fraser-Jenk.) Ranil: these five new combinations made in 2021 and published in Phytotaxa 511(2):183-186.

Research experience and grants received (as principal investigator)

Potential of Spineless Kohila (Lasia spinosa (L.) Thw.) to be used as a promising crop in Sri Lanka. (2018-2019). Funded by University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Assessment of Lycophytes and fern diversity in Piduruthalagala mountain range. (2017-2018). Funded by the Nagao Natural Environment foundation (NEF), Japan.

Collection, characterization and evaluation of Lasia spinosa (L.) Thw. (kohila – lasia) germplasm for its conservation and improvement as a native vegetable crop for sri lanka. (2014-2015). Funded by University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Assessment of diversity of lycophytes and ferns in four selected lowland wet evergreen forest reserves of sri lanka. (2014-2015). Funded by the Biodiversity Sectrateriate, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka

Ecology of tree ferns in Sri Lanka. (2011-2013). The IDEA WILD Foundation, USA, (Equipment grant).

Identification of diversity, habitats, population, and conservation status of tree ferns in Sri Lanka.

(2011-2013). Funded by the Nagao Natural Environment foundation, Japan.

Trainings/workshops/conferences/symposia attended (International level)

Exposure visit to the Xishuangbanna tropical botanical garden, China (1st- 10th September, 2019)

A paper presented at the 11th Flora Malesiana Symposium held on 30th June - 6th July 2019 at the University Brunei Darussalam, Brunei.

Training on molecular sequencing techniques and method of phylogenetic reconstructions at the Massey University, New Zealand (29th April – 24th May 2019).

Training on herbarium management and curation at the Herbarium, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore (2nd – 7th September 2018).

Training on chromosomal analysis techniques of plants at the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan (9th – 20th January 2017).

Training on herbarium techniques at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland, New Zealand (2nd - 6th May 2016).

Attended to the workshop on “working with canopy plant: ecological restoration to urban landscaping” at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, New Zealand (28th- 30th April 2016).

Training on utilization of crop wild relatives in eggplant pre-breeding for adaptation to climate change at the Universitat politechnica de Valencia, Spain. (07thJan - 5th April 2015).

A paper presented at the 2nd international Conference on Crop Improvement held on 2nd-3rd December 2015 at the University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.

Training on Botanical Nomenclature at the Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK (27th - 31st January 2014).

Training on DNA sequencing of pteridophytes at the Jodrell laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK (3rd - 21st February 2014).

A paper presented at the 6th Symposium on Asian Pteridology held on 26th -29th August 2014 at the Bali Botanic Gardens, Indonesia.

Laboratory training on molecular phylogeny of ferns organized by the National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan (2nd – 14th July 2012).

A paper presented at the 5th symposium on Asian Pteridology held on 15th – 21st November 2010 at the Shenzhen Fairylake Botanical Garden, Scenzhen, China.

Field training on Himalayan fern flora in Nepal (7th - 19th July 2009).

A paper presented at the World Biodiversity Congress held on 11-14 March 2009 at the Hotel Empress, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Training on chromosome counting techniques at the St, Xavier’s College, India (7th – 20th April 2008).

A paper presented at the 4th Symposium on Asian Pteridology and Garden Show held on 13th -17th November 2007 at the Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines.