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| Panaspis ericae Marques, Parrinha, Lopes-Lima, Tiutenko, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2024 photos by Arthur Tiutenko. |
Abstract
Four species of the genus Panaspis – P. cabindae, P. wahlbergii, P. maculicollis and P. mocamedensis – are currently known from Angola. The analysis of recently collected specimens from Serra da Neve Inselberg, an isolated mountain located in northern Namibe Province, revealed unexpected taxonomic diversity in the group. Using an integrative taxonomy approach based on morphological and DNA sequence data, with both mitochondrial (16S) and nuclear (RAG-1) genes, we were able to distinguish two distinct populations, described here as two new species, Panaspis ericae sp. nov. and P. mundavambo sp. nov. Both species are assumed to be endemic to the inselberg. This reinforces our notion of southwestern Angola as a hotspot of skink diversity, and highlights the urgent need for the conservation of Serra da Neve.
Key Words: Reptiles, integrative taxonomy, Africa, herpetofauna, cryptic species
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| Live photos of Panaspis ericae sp. nov. the holotype (MUNHAC/MB03-001525) from vicinity of Catchi, Serra da Neve. the paratype (MUNHAC/MB03-001531) from vicinity of Maylowe, Serra da Neve. photos by Arthur Tiutenko. |
Panaspis ericae sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet “ericae” is formed in the genitive singular and is feminine. It is given in honor of Erica Tavares (1997–), an Angolan biologist and conservationist. Through her work in the Angolan environmental platform “Eco Angola” (of which Erica is a co-founder), Erica has revolutionized the Angolan conservation and ecological discourse, providing opportunities for members of the Angolan civil society, students, and young researchers to learn, debate and contribute to environmental causes. We suggest “Erica’s Snake-Eyed Skink” and “Lagartixa da Manta-Morta de Erica” as the English and Portuguese common names, respectively, for this species.
Panaspis mundavambo sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet “mundavambo” refers to the Mukwando (local tribe) name for Serra da Neve Inselberg (Opunda Mundavambo), to which the species is endemic, and is applied here as a substantive in apposition. We propose the English vernacular name “Serra da Neve Snake-Eyed Skink” and the Portuguese vernacular name of “Lagartixa da Manta-Morta da Serra da Neve”.
Mariana P. Marques, Diogo Parrinha, Manuel Lopes-Lima, Arthur Tiutenko, Aaron M. Bauer and Luis M. P. Ceríaco. 2024. A Treasure Trove of Endemics: Two New Species of Snake-eyed Skinks of the Genus Panaspis Cope, 1868 (Squamata, Scincidae) from the Serra da Neve Inselberg, southwestern Angola. Evolutionary Systematics. 8(2): 167-182. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.8.121103
