[Herpetology • 2021] Hemidactylus cinganji, H. faustus, ... • Between Sand, Rocks and Branches: An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of Angolan Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata, Gekkonidae), with Description of Four New Species

  Hemidactylus cinganji
H. carivoensis
H. faustus 
H. pfindaensis 

 Lobón-Rovira, Conradie, Iglesias, Ernst, Veríssimo, Baptista & Vaz Pinto, 2021 

       

 DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e64781 

 facebook.com/JavierLobonRovira

 

Abstract

The taxonomy of Angolan Hemidactylus has recently been revised. However, the lack of fresh material for some groups and regions, has led to the misidentification of some taxa and an underestimation of actual diversity in others. To shed light on the evolutionary history and systematics of Angolan Hemidactylus, we generated a new phylogenetic hypothesis for the group, and updated the taxonomy following an integrative approach. This resulted in the description of four new species (Hemidactylus pfindaensis sp. nov., H. faustus sp. nov., H. carivoensis sp. nov. and H. cinganji sp. nov.), the reevaluation of two recently described species (H. vernayi and H. paivae) and the synonymization of a recently described species (H. hannahsabinnae). We estimate divergence times for these lineages, providing a preliminary interpretation of their speciation process. Moreover, we suggest and outline 13 Angolan Main Biogeographic Units (AMBUs) in the area, defining a new biogeographic context for future works on Angolan herpetofauna. We now recognize eleven Hemidactylus species in Angola, and we provide here a new morphological key for Angolan Hemidactylus to help with identifications and species assignments in this group.

Keywords: Angola, biogeography, Gekkota, Hemidactylus, systematics, taxonomy

Hemidactylus bayonii-group 

Hemidactylus vernayi Ceríaco, Agarwal, Marques and Bauer 2020

Hemidactylus pfindaensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The name “pfindaensis” derives from the local word “pfinda” which in Kikongo – the main language used in Uíge Province and northwestern Angola – refers to a “gallery forest” or a “continuous block of thick forest”, the main habitat type associated with the species.

Hemidactylus longicephalus-group

Hemidactylus paivae Ceríaco, Agarwal, Marques and Bauer 2020

A – From top, dorsolateral view of Hemidactylus cinganji sp. nov. (FKH0435), H. benguellensis (FKH0413) and H. carivoensis sp. nov. (MNCN 50543);
B – records of H. benguellensis–group (purple color represents records of H. cinganji sp. nov.; blue H. benguellensis; dark green H. carivoensis sp. nov.; circles represent genetically assigned records, while triangles represent historical or non-genetically assigned records by Ceríaco et al. 2020a; color stars depict type or neotype localities; black star depicts original type locality of H. benguellensis assigned by Bocage (1893);
C – habitat of H. cinganji sp. nov. at Ebanga; D – habitat of H. carivoensis sp. nov between Dombe–Echimina. E – habitat of H. benguellensis at Tchivinguiro.

 Photos Javier Lobón–Rovira (A–D) and William R. Branch (E).

Hemidactylus benguellensis-group

Hemidactylus cinganji sp. nov.

Etymology: The name “cinganji” is a widespread traditional word used in Angolan local languages that represents an ancestral spiritual entity that reincarnates assuming different physical forms in different places and occasions. This name is suitable as the new species corresponds to a taxon that was first described under a different name, then became lost and now resurfaces after its original name had been hijacked by a surrogate sister-species. The species epithet is used as a neuter singular noun in opposition to the generic name.

Hemidactylus carivoensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet “carivoensis” refers to the Farm Carivo, an old estate situated along the banks of the mid-lower Coporolo River on the coastal plain of Benguela Province, and where most of the type series was collected. The species proved to be common in the area, and by recognizing the farm, we also acknowledge the ongoing support from the owners to researchers, similar to the Chapmans nearly a century ago.

Species not assignable to specific species groups

Hemidactylus faustus sp. nov.   

  

Etymology: The name “faustus” applies to a Latin word that designate ‘good luck’, evoking the serendipitous discovery of this species. The species epithet is used as a masculine adjective singular. The first specimen was found by Beatriz Vaz Pinto, daughter of PVP, under a small stone which was removed while preparing a campsite. This unexpected find led to further collecting of this new and previously unrecorded form, albeit from a locality that had been regularly surveyed since the mid-19th century.  

 

 Javier Lobón-Rovira, Werner Conradie, David Buckley Iglesias, Raffael Ernst, Luis Veríssimo, Ninda Baptista and Pedro Vaz Pinto. 2021. Between Sand, Rocks and Branches: An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of Angolan Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820, with Description of Four New Species. Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 465-501. DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e64781

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[Herpetology • 2025] Rhoptropus minimus, R. megocellus & R. crypticus • Three New Endemic Species of Namib Day Geckos (Gekkonidae: Rhoptropus) From the Namibe Province, Angola

 Rhoptropus minimus, R. megocellus & R. crypticus  

Lobón-Rovira, Heinicke, Bauer, Conradie & Pinto, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71609 

  facebook.com/JLRWildLifePhotography 

Researchgate.net/publication/393103136

 

ABSTRACT

Angola remains one of the least explored countries in Africa, and several groups of reptiles still require taxonomic and phylogenetic revision. To shed light on the true diversity of geckos in this gecko diversity hotspot of southwestern Africa, we conducted fieldwork in some of the less explored coastal regions of southern Angola. As a result, we identified previously unknown populations of Namib day geckos (genus Rhoptropus) which represent candidate new species. Through a comprehensive revision of the group, we describe three new endemic Rhoptropus spp. from the northern region of Namibe Province in Angola, based on morphological, phylogenetic and biogeographic data: R. minimus sp. nov., R. megocellus sp. nov., and R. crypticus sp. nov. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the biogeographic patterns of gecko diversity in Angola, highlighting the importance of this region as a significant center of endemism and diversification in Africa.

Keywords: Africa, endemism, Gekkonidae, Namib desert, Rhoptropus crypticus sp. nov., Rhoptropus megocellus sp. nov., Rhoptropus minimus sp. nov.

Rhoptropus crypticus sp. nov. 

Osga-diurna-críptica do Namibe 

Rhoptropus megocellus sp. nov. 

Osga-diurna-de-manchas-grandes do Namibe  

Rhoptropus minimus sp. nov. 

Osga-diurna-miniatura do Namibe 

 

Javier Lobón-Rovira, Matthew P. Heinicke, Aaron M. Bauer, Werner Conradie and Pedro Vaz Pinto. 2025. Three New Endemic Species of Namib Day Geckos (Gekkonidae: Rhoptropus) From the Namibe Province, Angola. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71609 [27 June 2025]

  facebook.com/JLRWildLifePhotography/posts/1315086743954254 

 Researchgate.net/publication/393103136_Three_New_Endemic_Species_of_Rhoptropus_from_the_Namibe_Province_Angola

[Herpetology • 2025] Sepsina caluanda • Buried in the Sands of Time: A New Species of Sepsina Bocage, 1866 (Squamata: Scincidae), from Angola

 Sepsina caluanda

 Parrinha, Marques, De Sousa, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.2992/007.090.0302 

 Abstract

Burrowing skinks of the genus Sepsina Bocage, 1866 (Squamata: Scincidae) have a complex taxonomic history and are particularly diverse, although poorly known, in Angola. With elongated bodies and reduced limbs, the five recognized species of the genus can be diagnosed based on the presence or absence of forelimbs and the number and relative size of digits. Sepsina bayonii (Bocage, 1866) is the most distinctive species of the genus, being the only taxon without forelimbs and a single digit on the hind limbs. Revision of historical material from the collections of the California Academy of Sciences revealed the presence of two specimens without forelimbs, but differing from S. bayonii in the number of digits on each hind limb. Considering this unique combination of morphological diagnostic characters, we herein describe a new species from Angola, Sepsina caluanda. This discovery highlights the importance of natural history collections and the revision of historical material for the description of biodiversity and alerts to the threat of habitat loss due to rapid urban growth.

KEYWORDS: Africa, Endemism, herpetofauna, Luanda, natural history collections, taxonomy

 Sepsina caluanda sp. nov. 

Diogo Parrinha, Mariana P. Marques, Ana Carolina Andrade De Sousa, Aaron M. Bauer and Luis M.P. Ceríaco. 2025. Buried in the Sands of Time: A New Species of Sepsina Bocage, 1866, from Angola (Squamata: Scincidae). Annals of Carnegie Museum. 90(3); 183-193. DOI: doi.org/10.2992/007.090.0302 (10 January 2025) 

[Herpetology • 2022] Prosymna lisima & P. confusa • Taxonomical Review of Prosymna angolensis Boulenger, 1915 (Elapoidea: Prosymnidae) with the Description of Two New Species

Prosymna lisima

Conradie, Keates, Baptista & Lobón-Rovira, 2022

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1121.85693  

Abstract

African Shovel-snout snakes (Prosymna Gray, 1849) are small, semi-fossorial snakes with a unique compressed and beak-like snout. Prosymna occur mainly in the savanna of sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 16 currently recognised species, four occur in Angola: Prosymna ambigua Bocage, 1873, P. angolensis Boulenger, 1915, P. frontalis (Peters, 1867), and P. visseri FitzSimons, 1959. The taxonomical status and evolutionary relationships of P. angolensis have never been assessed due to the lack of genetic material. This species is known to occur from western Angola southwards to Namibia, and eastwards to Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The species shows considerable variation in dorsal colouration across its range, and with the lower ventral scales count, an ‘eastern race’ was suggested. In recent years, Prosymna material from different parts of Angola has been collected, and with phylogenetic analysis and High Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography, the taxonomic status of these populations can be reviewed. Strong phylogenetic evidence was found to include the angolensis subgroup as part of the larger sundevalli group, and the existence of three phylogenetic lineages within the angolensis subgroup were identified, which each exhibit clear morphological and colouration differences. One of these lineages is assigned to the nominotypical P. angolensis and the other two described as new species, one of which corroborates the distinct eastern population previously detected. These results reinforce that a considerable part of Angolan herpetological diversity is still to be described and the need for further studies.  

Keywords: Africa, Angola, cryptic species, fossorial, Kalahari, Serpentes

Reptilia

Squamata

Prosymnidae

Photos of live Prosymna lisima sp. nov. from eastern Angola
A PEM R23457 from Quembo River Source, Moxico Province, Angola B PEM R23483 from Cuando River Source, Moxico Province, Angola
C PEM R23512 from Cuito Source Lake, Moxico Province, Angola D PEM R27381 from Quembo River bridge camp, Moxico Province, Angola.

Holotype of Prosymna lisima sp. nov. (PEM R23512) from Cuito River source, Moxico Province, Angola
A dorsal and ventral full body B dorsal head C ventral head D lateral head.

Prosymna lisima sp. nov. 

Common names: Kalahari Shovel-snout snake (English); 

Cobra-de-focinho-de-pá-do-kalahari (Portuguese).

Etymology: The name lisima is derived from the locally spoken Luchaze language in the region of the type locality meaning ‘source’. The full phrase used, ‘Lisima Lwa Mwondo’, is translated as “source of life”. This is a reference to central Angola, a high rainfall area where some of the most important rivers in Angola arise. This water makes it its way to the Okavango Delta, sustaining wildlife and local communities in Angola, Namibia and Botswana.

Live Prosymna confusa sp. nov. (PEM R24013) from 20 km west of Lola on the road northwest to Camacuio and on the edge of Bentiaba River, Namibe Province, Angola (Photo: Bill Branch).

Holotype of Prosymna confusa sp. nov. (PEM R24013) from 20 km west of Lola on the road northwest to Camacuio and on the edge of Bentiaba River, Namibe Province, Angola
A dorsal and ventral full body B dorsal head C ventral head D lateral head.

Prosymna confusa sp. nov.

 Common names: Plain Shovel-snout Snake (English); 

Cobra-de-focinho-de-pá-lisa (Portuguese).

Etymology: When the late Bill Branch collected the holotype, he was unsure of its identification and referred to it as an unusual specimen that could not be assigned to any known species from Angola. He later referred to it as P. ambigua (Branch 2018), presumably based on its uniform grey colouration. The name confusa is a reflection of the confusion this specimen has caused and of the general confusion in the P. angolensis group.

 Werner Conradie, Chad Keates, Ninda L. Baptista and Javier Lobón-Rovira. 2022. Taxonomical Review of Prosymna angolensis Boulenger, 1915 (Elapoidea, Prosymnidae) with the Description of Two New Species. ZooKeys. 1121: 97-143. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1121.85693  
 

  

Resumo: As cobras-de-focinho-de-pá africanas (Prosymna) são pequenas cobras semi-fossoriais com um focinho único, achatado e em forma de bico, que ocorrem principalmente na savana da África subsaariana. Das 16 espécies actualmente reconhecidas, quatro existem em Angola: Prosymna ambigua Bocage, 1873, P. angolensis Boulenger, 1915, P. frontalis (Peters, 1867), e P. visseri Fitz-Simons, 1959. O estatuto taxonómico e as relações evolutivas de P. angolensis nunca foram avaliados devido à falta de material genético. A espécie ocorre desde o oeste de Angola, para sul até a Namíbia, e para este em direcção à Zâmbia, Botswana e Zimbábue. Na sua área de ocorrência, esta espécie tem variação principalmente na coloração dorsal, e com base no menor número de escamas ventrais, foi sugerida a existência de uma raça oriental. Recentemente foi amostrado material de Prosymna de várias partes de Angola, e com recurso a análises filogenéticas e a tomografia computadorizada de raios-X de alta resolução, foi possível rever o estatuto taxonómico destas populações. Encontrámos fortes evidências filogenéticas para incluir o subgrupo angolensis como parte do grupo sundevalli. Revelámos a existência de três linhagens filogenéticas no subgrupo angolensis. Atribuímos uma dessas linhagens ao P. angolensis nominotípico, e descrevemos as outras duas como espécies novas, uma das quais corrobora a população oriental previamente detectada. Estes resultados reforçam a ideia de que uma parte considerável da diversidade herpetológica angolana está ainda por descrever, e a necessidade de mais estudos.

Palavras-chave: África, Angola, espécies crípticas, fossorial, Kalahari, Serpentes

[Herpetology • 2024] Brookesia nofy • A New miniaturized Species of Leaf Cchameleon, Genus Brookesia (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae), from a littoral forest fragment in eastern Madagascar

Brookesia nofy

 Rakotoarison, Hasiniaina, Glaw & Vences, 2024

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5506.4.3

 facebook.com/Andolalao

  facebook.com/IUCNchameleons

 

Abstract

The number of species of miniaturized chameleons of the genus Brookesia, subgenus Evoluticauda, known to science has witnessed a dramatic increase over the past 15 years, due to the discovery of multiple microendemic species of very strong genetic divergence. So far, no described Evoluticauda species are known from the littoral forest of Madagascar’s east coast, one of the most threatened habitat types of the island. Here, we report on the discovery of a new species of Evoluticauda occurring in the littoral forest at Ankanin’ny Nofy, a touristic site at about sea level and close to Vohibola forest where probably the same species occurs. The new species, Brookesia nofy sp. nov., is sister to B. ramanantsoai which occurs in mid-altitude and highland forests (800–1300 m a.s.l.) at a similar latitude of eastern Madagascar, but differs from this species by an enormous genetic divergence in both mitochondrial and nuclear genes (8.1–9.4% uncorrected pairwise distance in the 16S rRNA gene, 1.8–2.5% in c-mos), a relatively shorter tail, a different arrangement of cephalic ridges, and probably smaller body size and relatively larger head. The discovery of B. nofy sp. nov. emphasizes the importance of conserving Madagascar’s last remaining fragments of littoral forest.

Reptilia, Squamata, Chamaeleonidae, Brookesia nofy sp. nov., Ankanin’ny Nofy

Andolalao Rakotoarison, Alida Frankline Hasiniaina, Frank Glaw, Miguel Vences. 2024. A New miniaturized Species of Leaf Cchameleon, Genus Brookesia, from a littoral forest fragment in eastern Madagascar.  Zootaxa. 5506(4); 533-547. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5506.4.3

 facebook.com/Andolalao/posts/10162053722794090

  facebook.com/IUCNchameleons/posts/1056406103159165

[Herpetology • 2024] Panaspis ericae & P. mundavambo • 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

 Panaspis ericae  

 Marques, Parrinha, Lopes-Lima, Tiutenko, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2024

   DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.8.121103

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

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

[Herpetology • 2024] Trachylepis attenboroughi, T. ovahelelo, T. vunongue, ... • The Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) of Angola : An Integrative Taxonomic Review with the Description of Seven New Species

 

 1. Trachylepis albilabris; 2. T. albopunctata; 3. T. ansorgii.

4. Trachylepis attenboroughi, sp. nov.; 8. Trachylepis bouri, sp. nov.; 13. T. hilariae, sp. nov.;

18. T. ovahelelo, sp. nov.; 19. T. suzanae, sp. nov.; 

 22. T. vunongue, sp. nov.; 25. T. wilsoni, sp. nov. 

Ceríaco,  Marques, Parrinha, Tiutenko, Weinell, Butler & Bauer, 2024

hdl.handle.net/2246/7345 

 twitter.com/redgcko7

Drawings by Arthur Tiutenko.

Abstract

The genus Trachylepis is currently represented by 21 species in Angola, most of them part of nomenclaturally and taxonomically challenging species complexes. In this study we present an integrative taxonomic revision of the genus in Angola and describe seven new species: Trachylepis attenboroughi, sp. nov., Trachylepis bouri, sp. nov., Trachylepis hilariae, sp. nov., Trachylepis ovahelelo, sp. nov., Trachylepis suzanae, sp. nov., Trachylepis vunongue, sp. nov., and Trachylepis wilsoni, sp. nov. As result of our taxonomic revisions, 25 valid Trachylepis species are now confirmed from Angola. A phylogenetic analysis using a combination of mitochondrial (16S, ND2) and nuclear (RAG1) markers, as well as morphological data, supports the recognition of the new species. In addition, data support the revalidation of Trachylepis albopunctata (Bocage, 1867), Trachylepis notabilis (Peters, 1879), and Trachylepis ansorgii (Boulenger, 1907). We also provide a redefinition of Euprepes anchietae Bocage, 1866, which we synonymize with Trachylepis maculilabris (Gray, 1845). Given that the type material for Trachylepis albopunctata, T. angolensis, and T. anchietae has been lost or destroyed, we designate neotypes for the purpose of nomenclatural stability. The description of the new species and the revision and revalidation of previously described Angolan species contribute to a better understanding of the taxonomy and biogeography of the genus, as well as to the general biogeographic patterns and evolution of the Angolan fauna.

 

Keywords: Skinks, Angola, Classification, Squamata, Trachylepis attenboroughi, Trachylepis bouri, Trachylepis hilariae, Trachylepis ovahelelo, Trachylepis suzanae, Trachylepis vunongue, Trachylepis wilsoni

 1. Trachylepis albilabris; 2. T. albopunctata; 3. T. ansorgii.

4. Trachylepis attenboroughi, sp. nov.; 5. T. bayonii; 6. T. binotata; 7. T. bocagii.

8. Trachylepis bouri, sp. nov.; 9, T. chimbana; 10. T. damarana; 11. T. hoeschi; 12. T. huilensis; 13. T. hilariae, sp. nov.; 14. T. laevis. 

Drawings by Arthur Tiutenko.

  15. Trachylepis maculilabris; 16. T. notabilis.  

17. Trachylepis occidentalis; 18. T. ovahelelo, sp. nov.; 19. T. suzanae, sp. nov.; 20. T. punctulata; 21. T. raymondlaurenti.  

 22. T. vunongue, sp. nov.; 23. T. sulcata; 24. T. wahlbergi; 25. T. wilsoni, sp. nov. 

Drawings by Arthur Tiutenko.

Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Mariana P. Marques, Diogo Parrinha, Arthur Tiutenko,  Jeffrey L. Weinell, Brett O. Butler and Aaron M. Bauer. 2024. The Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) of Angola : An Integrative Taxonomic Review with the Description of Seven New Species. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 465. hdl.handle.net/2246/7345

  twitter.com/redgcko7/status/1762174590745280730

  

[Herpetology • 2019] Nucras broadleyi • A New Nucras Gray, 1838 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from south-western Angola

Nucras broadleyi

Branch, Conradie,  Pinto & Tolley, 2019

 amphibian-reptile-conservation.org

 facebook.com/PEMHerp 

 Researchgate.net/publication/337146214

 Abstract
A new endemic Sandveld Lizard, genus Nucras, is described from south-western Angola. Morphologically it resembles members of the Nucras tessellata group, but it is genetically separated and is sister to  the larger tessellata + lalandii group. Although  the genus is generally very conservative morphologically, the new species differs from other congeners in a combination of scalation, overall dorsal color pattern, and geographic separation. The new species is known  from  fewer  than  12  specimens  collected over a period spanning  120  years from arid  south-western Angola. This brings  the total number of species in  the  genus to 12 and adds another species  to  the growing list of endemic species of  the Namib region of Angola. This new finding further reinforces the idea that this Kaokoveld Desert region is a key biodiversity area worthy of conservation and long-term protection.

Keywords. Sandveld Lizard, taxonomy, Africa, endemism, Kaokoveld, biodiversity hotspot

 Nucras broadleyi sp. nov.
 A – holotype, adult male, PEM R24005 (AG 18) in life; B – general habitat photo of type locality, 10 km west of Lola, edge of Bentiaba River valley, Namibe Province, Angola; C – lateral close-up of head of holotype; D – dorsal close-up of head of holotype; E – ventral close-up of head of holotype

 (Photos: Bill Branch).

 Nucras broadleyi sp. nov.
A – paratype, adult female, PEM R24157 (AG 166) dorsal view; B – ventral view; C – dorsal close-up of head of paratype; D – ventral close-up of head of paratype; E – lateral close-up of head of paratype; F – general habitat photo of type locality, 8.8 km southwest of Farm Mucongo, Namibe Province, Angola

(Photos: Bill Branch).

Nucras broadleyi sp. nov.

Angolan Sandveld Lizard

Diagnosis. Assigned to Nucras due to a well-defined collar (absent in Ichnotropis), toes not serrated or fringed (versus serrated or fringed in Meroles), subdigital lamellae smooth (versus keeled in Pedioplanis and Heliobolus), subocular bordering lip, the nostril is pierced between two nasals, nasal well separated from upper labial, and dorsal scales small, smooth, and juxtaposed.
...
 
Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Donald G. Broadley for his numerous contributions to the herpetofauna of Africa. Don (as most of us knew him) was the frst to recognize the Angolan population as a separate species (Broadley 1972). The name is constructed in the masculine genitive.

 Habitat. The species appears to be associated with mopane woodlands, dry savannas, and semi-desert shrublands (Barbosa 1970). The new material was found in sandy plains with scattered low granite outcrops, with varying degrees of short grass cover and scattered bushes. Vegetation included Colophospermum mopane, Ficus sp., Senegalia (=Acacia) mellifera, Commiphora sp., Boscia foetida, and Salvadora persica. The confrmed historical records were also obtained within the dry woodland zone, even though the possible occurrence of the species in Caconda would place the species above 1,500 m asl and well into the mesic conditions of Brachystegia habitats (Barbosa 1970).

    

William R. Branch, Werner Conradie, Pedro Vaz Pinto and Krystal A. Tolley. 2019. Another Angolan Namib endemic Species: A New Nucras Gray, 1838 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from south-western Angola. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 13(2) [Special Section]: 82–95 (e199).
 amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/archive.html
 facebook.com/PEMHerp/posts/2759769770776560
  Researchgate.net/publication/337146214_A_new_Nucras_from_south-western_Angola

[Herpetology • 2023] Acontias mukwando • A New Species of African Legless Skink, Genus Acontias Cuvier, 1816 “1817” (Squamata: Scincidae) from Serra da Neve Inselberg, south-western Angola

 Acontias mukwando

Marques, Parrinha, Tiutenko, Lopes-Lima, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2023

DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2023.2246487 

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ABSTRACT

During a recent survey of the Serra da Neve inselberg in south-western Angola, a population of legless skinks of the genus Acontias was found. Only three species of this genus have been recorded for the country so far – A. occidentalis, A. kgalagadi and A. jappi. Using an integrative approach and combining molecular and morphological data we found that the Serra da Neve population represents a new species, closely related to species such as A. percivali and some members of the A. occidentalis species complex. In this paper, we describe this population as a new species, Acontias mukwando sp. nov. and provide brief comments on its conservation and biogeography.

KEYWORDS: Acontinae, taxonomy, endemism, speciation, systematics

 

Mariana P. Marques, Diogo Parrinha, Arthur Tiutenko, Manuel Lopes-Lima, Aaron M. Bauer and Luis M. P. Ceríaco. 2023. A New Species of African Legless Skink, Genus Acontias Cuvier, 1816 “1817” (Squamata: Scincidae) from Serra da Neve Inselberg, south-western Angola. African Journal of Herpetology. DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2023.2246487

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RESUMO: No decorrer de um levantamento herpetológico da ilha-montanha da Serra da Neve no sudoeste de Angola, descobriu-se uma população de escincos-lança do género Acontias. Apenas três espécies deste género foram até agora registadas para Angola - A. occidentalis, A. kgalagadi and A. jappi. Adotando uma abordagem integrativa e combinando dados morfológicos e moleculares, os nossos resultados indicam que a população da Serra da Neve representa uma nova espécie, com relações próximas a outras espécies rupícolas tais como A. percivali e membros do complexo de espécies A. occidentalis. Neste artigo descrevemos esta população como uma nova espécie, Acontias mukwando sp. nov. e apresentamos breves comentários sobre a sua conservação e biogeografia.

[Herpetology • 2023] Cordylus momboloensis • A New Species of Green-eyed Cordylus Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata: Cordylidae) from the west-central Highlands of Angola, and the Rediscovery of Cordylus angolensis (Bocage, 1895)

 

Cordylus momboloensis 

Bates, Lobón-Rovira, Stanley, Branch & Vaz Pinto, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e95639

Abstract

Cordylus angolensis (Bocage, 1895) was described 128 years ago on the basis of a single specimen collected at Caconda in the west-central highlands of Angola. Additional specimens referred to this species were collected at ‘Mombolo’ (also in the central highlands) during the Vernay Angola Expedition in 1925. As the holotype was apparently destroyed in the fire of 1978 at the Museu Bocage in Lisbon and no additional specimens have been collected, its taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships has remained uncertain. The species has eluded all efforts aimed at its re-discovery in the vicinity of the type locality, with a single specimen from near Condé, north of Mombolo—collected in 1970 by Wulf Haacke—the only other specimen of Cordylus known from west-central Angola. Recent field work in the Angolan highlands resulted in the collection of a series of specimens from Taqueta Mountain (west of Caconda), Monte Verde (Sandula, ‘Mombolo’) and Uassamba (Vondo). A phylogenetic analysis, using three mitochondrial and six nuclear genes, indicated the existence of two distinct species-level lineages in the Angolan highlands. These two species are allopatric and morphologically distinct, differing especially in terms of their colour patterns, eye colour and certain scalation characteristics. We therefore confirm that C. angolensis is a valid species and designate a neotype, and describe a new species, Cordylus momboloensis sp. nov.

Keywords: Africa, Cordyliformes, distribution, Sauria, taxonomy

Cordylus angolensis: live neotype (A) and habitat at the collecting site of Taqueta Mountain, Angola (B);
and Cordylus momboloensis sp. nov.: live holotype (C) and habitat at the type locality of Sandula, Angola (D).

Photos: Pedro Vaz Pinto (A, B), and William R. Branch (C, D).

Holotype (PEM R25217) of Cordylus momboloensis sp. nov. from Sandula (Mombolo), Cuanza Sul Province, Angola.
A dorsal and ventral aspects, B lateral (right), dorsal and ventral aspects of the head, C underside of the foot, D femoral region of the legs. Although not evident because of the way the holotype was photographed, its tail is intact.

Photos: Pedro Vaz Pinto.

Cordylus momboloensis sp. nov.

 Mombolo girdled lizard; Lagarto-espinhoso do Mombolo

Diagnosis: 

(Where variation in additional material falls outside the range of type material, this is indicated in parentheses.) A medium to large rupicolous Cordylus with a moderately depressed head and body. Referred to Cordylus (rather than any other species of Cordylidae) by the following combination of characters: head distinct from body, two pairs of large and well developed limbs (body serpentiform, head indistinct from body, and limbs rudimentary in Chamaesaura), scales on back large and keeled (granular in Platysaurus, partly granular in Pseudocordylus and Hemicordylus), non-spinose occipitals [and post-occipitals] (occipitals spinose in Smaug), 23–24 transverse dorsal scale rows (40–43 in Ninurta; 31–46 in Karusasaurus; 15–16 in Ouroborus); loreal absent (present in Smaug, Ninurta, Ouroborus, Karusasaurus, and Namazonurus).

Cordylus momboloensis sp. nov. is distinguishable from other members of its genus by the following combination of characters: (1) back dark brown with a paravertebral series of pale markings; (2) top of head with pale blotches; (3) iris of the eye mostly pale green (blue-green to some eyes), with a brown ring around the pupil; (4) scales of the first transverse row of dorsals similar in appearance to those of the row behind; (5) loreal shield absent; (6) nostril pierced in the posterior part of a large nasal, situated behind the suture of rostral and first supralabial, always well separated from the first supralabial, and usually separated from the preocular; (7) an interrupted row of non-spinose occipitals consisting of 2–3 scales on either side of head; (8) a row of 5–6 non-spinose post-occipitals, the median scales of which are in contact with the posterior parietals and separate the occipitals; (9) Frontonasal separated from the frontal by a pair of prefrontals, each of which exceeds it in size; (10) Anterior pair of parietals usually in contact anteriorly; (11) dorsolateral and lateral scales weakly to moderately spinose; (12) tail spinose, more weakly so distally; (13) dorsal scale rows transversely 22–24; (14) dorsal scale rows longitudinally 18–23; (15) ventral scale rows transversely 22–27; (16) ventral scale rows longitudinally 12–13 [rarely 11 or 14]; (17) subdigital lamellae on 4th toe 11–15; (18) femoral pores per thigh 5–8 in males, 4–6 in females [rarely 0; 7 on one side in a non-type specimen, TM 46476]; (19) differentiated femoral scales [generation glands] per thigh in males 25–37; (20) premaxillary teeth 9.

Its status as a new species is supported by monophyly with high levels of support from a suite of three mitochondrial and six nuclear markers (see above); and it differs from C. angolensis, the most similar species genetically and morphologically, by an uncorrelated ND2 p-distance of 9.22% (Table 3).

Lateral views of the head in Angolan Cordylus.
 Cordylus angolensis—A CHL 611, B CHL 615, C MNCN 50649, D CHL 613, E MNCN 50648 (neotype);
Cordylus momboloensis sp. nov. —F MNCN 50760 (paratype), G FKH 0125 (paratype), H FKH 0127 (paratype), I FKH 0128 (paratype), J FKH 0129, K PEM R25217 (holotype), L MNCN 50761 (allotype);
C. namakuiyus—M PEM R25218, N CHL 616, O CHL 609;
C. phonolithos—P CHL 852, Q CHL 1056, R MNCN 50651, S CHL 851, T CHL 1057, U MNCN 50652, V CHL 848;
and C. machadoi—W CHL 701, X CHL 700, Y PEM R19784.

Photos: Pedro Vaz Pinto (A–N, P–V), Timóteo Júlio (O, W–X), and William R. Branch (Y).

   

Live specimens of various species of Cordylus:
 A C. machadoi (PEM R25218 – 6 km north of Humpata, Huíla Province, Angola; photo: William R. Branch); B C. namakuiyus (PEM R18005 – between Namibe and Omahua lodge, Namibe Province, Angola; photo: William R. Branch); C C. phonolithos (CAS 263581, holotype – vicinity of N’Dolondolo, Serra da Neve, Namibe Province, Angola; photo: Luis M. P. Ceríaco); D C. rhodesianus (near Chimoio, Mozambique; photo: David Maguire);
E C. tropidosternum (Kayalekera, Malawi; photo: Luke Verburgt); F C. jonesii (Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa; photo: Darren Pietersen); G C. vittifer (NMB R8523 – Farm: Dipka 220, Vrede district, Free State Province, South Africa; photo: Michael F. Bates); H C. cordylus (NMB R8540 – Ha Sehlaba, Lesotho; photo: Michael F. Bates). Representatives of all four Cordylus clades recovered by the current genetic analysis are included.

 

Michael F. Bates, Javier Lobón-Rovira, Edward L. Stanley, William R. Branch and Pedro Vaz Pinto. 2023. A New Species of Green-eyed Cordylus Laurenti, 1768 from the west-central Highlands of Angola, and the Rediscovery of Cordylus angolensis (Bocage, 1895) (Squamata: Cordylidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 73: 599-646. DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e95639