[Herpetology • 2018] Systematics and Phylogeography of the Widely Distributed African Skink Trachylepis varia Species Complex: Trachylepis varia, T. damarana & T. laevigata

 Weinell & Bauer, 2018.

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.11.014  

Highlights

• A molecular systematic study was conducted for the wide-ranging Trachylepis varia complex.

• Phylogenetic analyses support the existence of at least eight species within the Trachylepis varia complex.

• The Southern African members of the Trachylepis varia complex are phenotypically distinct.

• We update the taxonomy for the southern Africa members of the Trachylepis varia complex.

• Diversification within the Trachylepis varia complex began during the mid to late Miocene or early Pliocene.

Abstract

A systematic study of the Trachylepis varia complex was conducted using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers for individuals sampled across the species range. The taxonomic history of T. varia has been complicated and its broad geographic distribution and considerable phenotypic variation has made taxonomic revision difficult, leading earlier taxonomists to suggest that T. varia is a species complex. We used maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to estimate gene trees and a multilocus time-tree, respectively, and we used these trees to identify the major clades (putative species) within T. varia. Additionally, we used morphological and color pattern data to distinguish and revise the taxonomy of the southern African clades. The major clades recovered in the multilocus time-tree were recovered in each of gene trees, although the relationships among these major clades differed across gene trees. Genetic data support the existence of at least eight species within the T. varia complex, each of which originated during the mid to late Miocene or early Pliocene. We focus our systematic discussion on the southern African members of the T. varia complex, revive Trachylepis damarana (Peters, 1870) and T. laevigata (Peters, 1869), and designate lectotypes for T. damarana and T. varia.

Keywords: Africa, Lygosominae, Phylogenetics, Phylogeography, Trachylepis damarana, Trachylepis laevigata

Trachylepis varia (Peters, 1867)

Euprepes varius Peters, 1867

Trachylepis laevigata (Peters, 1869)

Euprepes laevigatus Peters, 1869

Trachylepis damarana (Peters, 1870)

Euprepes damaranus Peters, 1870

  Trachylepis damarana from Haenertsberg, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

photo:  facebook.com/AfricanHerpBioInstitue 

Conclusions: 

We find strong evidence that Trachylepis varia, T. damarana, and T. laevigata are distinct species that occur in southern Africa and that five additional, species-level clades occur north of the Zambezi and Kunene rivers, although future studies are needed to determine whether Trachylepis nyikae and Trachylepis isellii should also be recognized. The allopatric distribution and morphological distinctiveness of T. isellii (Largen and Spawls, 2010) suggests that this species is probably valid and the presence of multiple endemic species on the Nyika Plateau (Poynton, 1997; Burrows and Willis, 2005) suggests that T. nyikae may also be a valid species. Additionally, little is known about the distribution or natural history of the undescribed species sampled in Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Tanzania. Lastly, next generation DNA sequencing may be useful in resolving deeper phylogenetic relationships within the T. varia complex and for distinguishing historical gene flow from incomplete lineage sorting. This study is the first to use genetic data to address species diversity, phylogenetic history, and taxonomic issues for the T. varia complex and is an example of how both genetic and phenotypic data can be used to resolve taxonomic problems and to estimate species ranges.

 Jeffrey L. Weinell and Aaron M. Bauer. 2018. Systematics and Phylogeography of the Widely Distributed African Skink Trachylepis varia Species Complex. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.  120; 103-117. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.11.014

ResearchGate.net/publication/321703844_Systematics_and_phylogeography_of_the_widely_distributed_African_skink_Trachylepis_varia_species_complex

 facebook.com/PEMHerp/posts/1718281291592085

 facebook.com/AfricanHerpBioInstitue/photos/1974781749451453

[Herpetology • 2017] Rediscovery and Range Extension of the Guinean Skink Trachylepis keroanensis (Chabanaud, 1921) (Squamata: Scincidae)

Trachylepis keroanensis  (Chabanaud, 1921)

zoologicalbulletin.de

  Abstract

 We report the rediscovery of the skink Trachylepis keroanensis (Chabanaud, 1921) 90 years after its description. For the first time pictures of live specimens are shown and the known, now extended, distribution is presented. The clear morphological differences (body shape, colouration and most notably ratio tail length to body length) towards Trachylepis perrotetii (Duméril & Bibron, 1839), which justify the species status, are confirmed.

Fig. 1. Photographs of live specimens Trachylepis perrotetii (ZMB 83362: A & B) and Trachylepis keroanensis (ZFMK 96261: C & D).

Photographs of live specimens Trachylepis keroanensis (ZFMK 96261: C & D; ZMB 82943: E & F).

 Johannes Penner, Joseph Doumbia, N’Goran Germain Kouamé, Laurent Chirio, Laura Sandberger-Loua, Wolfgang Böhme and Michael F. Barej. 2017 Rediscovery and Range Extension of the Guinean Skink Trachylepis keroanensis (Chabanaud, 1921) (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae).  
 Bonn zoological Bulletin. 66(1); 55–60. 

  http://zoologicalbulletin.de/BzB_Volumes/Volume_66_1/055_060_BzB66_1_Penner_J_et_al.pdf

   

[Herpetology • 2017] Trachylepis gonwouoi • A New Species of Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Central Africa and A Key to the Trachylepis of West and Central Africa

Trachylepis gonwouoi 

Allen, Tapondjou, Welton & Bauer, 2017  
 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4268.2.5 

Abstract

A new species of skink, Trachylepis gonwouoi sp. nov. is described from Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. It differs from all other species of Trachylepis in Central-West Africa by a combination of number of keels on dorsal scales (3–5); moderate SVL (maximum size of 80 mm); number of scale rows at midbody (28–34); number of supracilliaries (6–10); a well defined lateral white stripe, bordered by black, extending from under the eye to the insertion of the hind limb; and a ventral color in life of bright blue-green. Trachylepis gonwouoi sp. nov. was found in association with disturbed forest at elevations from 50 to 1050m. This species is syntopic with T. affinis and T. maculilabris. In order to aid in the identification of Trachylepis in West and Central Africa with the addition of T. gonwouoi sp. nov., we provide an updated key to the Trachylepis found from Mauritania through the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This key combines previous literature that treated Western and Central African taxa separately and represents the most comprehensive key for Trachylepis in West-Central Africa to date.

Keywords: Skink, Cameroon, Central-West Africa, systematics, key, Reptilia

Kaitlin E. Allen, Walter P. Tapondjou N., Luke J. Welton and Aaron M. Bauer. 2017. A New Species of Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Central Africa and A Key to the Trachylepis of West and Central Africa.
 Zootaxa. 4268(2); 255–269. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4268.2.5

[Herpetology • 2016] A Review of the Genus Trachylepis (Sauria: Scincidae) from the Gulf of Guinea, with Descriptions of Two New Species in the Trachylepis maculilabris (Gray, 1845) Species Complex

Trachylepis principensis 

Ceríaco, Marques & Bauer, 2016  
  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4109.3.2

Abstract

The scincid genus Trachylepis is represented in the oceanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea by four species, Trachylepis maculilabris, T. affinis, T. adamastor and T. ozorii. Here we describe two new species, Trachylepis thomensis sp. nov., endemic to São Tomé Island and Rolas Islet, and Trachylepis principensis sp. nov., endemic to Príncipe Island. Phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial gene 16S shows that both new species are genetically divergent and reciprocally monophyletic, and confirms evidence for the uniqueness of these lineages presented in previous studies. Morphological data (scalation and morphometry) identify consistent phenotypic differences between these two island species. We were also able to confirm that the T. affinis population of Príncipe Island is conspecific with the African mainland population and most probably the result of recent introductions. These findings raise the number of known Trachylepis species in the Gulf of Guinea islands group to five, four of which are endemic, although the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships of T. adamastor and T. ozorii remain unknown and require further investigation.

Keywords: Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé & Príncipe, endemism, Trachylepis thomensis sp. nov., Trachylepis principensis sp. nov., skink, Reptilia

Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Mariana P. Marques and Aaron M. Bauer. 2016. A Review of the Genus Trachylepis (Sauria: Scincidae) from the Gulf of Guinea, with Descriptions of Two New Species in the Trachylepis maculilabris (Gray, 1845) Species Complex.
Zootaxa. 4109(3); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4109.3.2

[Herpetology • 2015] Trachylepis adamastor • Lost in the Middle of the Sea, Found in the Back of the Shelf: A New Giant Species of Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Tinhosa Grande Islet, Gulf of Guinea

Trachylepis adamastor Ceríaco, 2015
Lagartixa-adamastor | Adamastor Skink

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3973.3.6

Abstract

A new species of Trachylepis is described from Tinhosa Grande islet, São Tomé e Príncipe, Gulf of Guinea. Tinhosa Grande islet is a small (20.5 ha), isolated desert islet used by several bird communities as a nesting place. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by its color pattern, size and lepidosis. Due to its limited geographical distribution the new species appears to be one of the most vulnerable vertebrate species on the planet. In this study we provide a brief discussion on the natural history of the new species, as well as conservation concerns and suggestions.

Keywords: Conservation, São Tomé e Príncipe, taxonomy, Tinhosas, Trachylepis adamastor

FIGURE 3. Live photo of Trachylepis adamastor sp. nov. (specimen not collected), from Tinhosa Grande.

Photo by Ross Wanless.

The islanders of Tinhosa Great and Small Tinhosa

photographed by plane LUÍS CERÍACO

Distribution. As far as presently known, the species distribution is restricted to Tinhosa Grande Islet, Republic of São Tomé e Príncipe, West Africa.

Habitat and natural history notes. The habitat used by the species is the rocks and rock outcrops of the islet. The trophic ecology of the species is currently unknown. The habitat is almost deprived of any type of vegetation and very few invertebrates occur in the islet, although live specimens were observed eating the yolk of recently broken bird eggs (Nuno Barros & Simon Valle pers. comm.; Fig. 4). The population appears stable and reaching high densities (Nuno Barros & Simon Valle pers. comm.). The ecological relations between the newly-described species and the nesting birds is unknown, but trophic relationships can be suspected, namely the predation of arthropods associated with bird nests, as the case of other reptiles from small oceanic islands and atolls (Ineich et al. 2009). The species appear to share the islet with another reptile, a still unidentified Hemidactylus sp. (Nuno Barros, António Monteiro pers. comm.).

Etymology. The specific epithet 'adamastor' refers to the mythical giant inhabiting a rock "in the end of the sea" present in the Luis de Camões famous odyssey 'Os Lusíadas', and is applied here as a substantive in apposition. We propose the Portuguese common name Lagartixa-adamastor and the English common name of Adamastor Skink.

Ceríaco, Luis M. P. 2015. Lost in the Middle of the Sea, Found in the Back of the Shelf: A New Giant Species of Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Tinhosa Grande Islet, Gulf of Guinea. Zootaxa.  3973(3): 511–527. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3973.3.6

ResearchGate.net/publication/278676575_Lost_in_the_middle_of_the_sea_found_in_the_back_of_the_shelf_A_new_giant_species_of_Trachylepis_(Squamata_Scincidae)_from_Tinhosa_Grande_islet_Gulf_of_Guinea

FIGURE 4. Trachylepis adamastor sp. nov. feeding on a recently broken egg (specimen not collected).

Photo by Ross Wanless.

On a rocky deserted islet off the coast of São Tomé e Príncipe, Gulf of Guinea, lives a lizard new to Science. A Portuguese scientist has just described this new species in a paper publish in Zootaxa science magazine. It’s the Adamastor Skink.

Portuguese scientist discovered a new lizard species http://www.wilder.pt/english/portuguese-scientist-discovered-a-new-lizard-species/

Num rochedo perto da ilha do Príncipe habita a inigualável lagartixa-adamastor http://www.publico.pt/n1702382