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All in all it’s just another branch in the tree: A new species of Acanthocercus Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata: Agamidae), from Angola
Abstract
Recent integrative taxonomic studies of the agamid genus Acanthocercus Fitzinger, 1843 have shown that Angola harbors three different taxa, all within the Acanthocercus atricollis (Smith, 1849) species complex—A. cyanocephalus (Falk, 1925) in the northeastern parts of the country, A. margaritae Wagner et al. 2021 in the southern regions, and an unnamed species in the central and northwestern parts of Angola. Using the previously published molecular data as evidence of phylogenetic support and newly collected morphological, meristic and coloration data, we here describe this unnamed lineage as a new species. The new species is morphologically very similar to A. cyanocephalus, but it can easily be differentiated from the latter by the coloration pattern of displaying males, with a blue coloration restricted to the head region, and by its inferior scale counts compared to other species of the A. atricollis complex group. As reported in other studies in this group, male breeding coloration is an effective trait for diagnosing these morphologically conserved species. This description raises the number of Acanthocercus species recognized to 15 and is another contribution revealing the rich but still incompletely described herpetological diversity of Angola.
... Angola has experienced long-lasting political instability and armed conflicts, starting with the Angolan struggle for national liberation (1961)(1962)(1963)(1964)(1965)(1966)(1967)(1968)(1969)(1970)(1971)(1972)(1973)(1974), and following independence from Portuguese rule in 1975, by the Angolan Civil War . With the advent of peace and increased security across the country, modern surveys have revealed a very rich herpetological diversity (e.g., Haacke 2008;Huntley 2009Huntley , 2011Conradie et al. 2012aConradie et al. , 2012bConradie et al. , 2013Conradie et al. , 2016Conradie et al. , 2020aConradie et al. , 2020bConradie et al. , 2021Conradie et al. , 2022aConradie et al. , 2022bCeríaco et al. 2014Ceríaco et al. , 2016Ceríaco et al. , 2018Ceríaco et al. , 2020aCeríaco et al. , 2020bCeríaco et al. , 2020cCeríaco et al. , 2021Branch and Conradie 2015;Stanley et al. 2016;Branch et al. 2017Branch et al. , 2018Branch et al. , 2019aBranch et al. , 2019bBranch et al. , 2021Branch 2018a;Baptista et al. 2018Baptista et al. , 2019aBaptista et al. , 2020Marques et al. 2019Marques et al. , 2020Marques et al. , 2022aMarques et al. , 2022bMarques et al. , 2023Vaz Pinto et al. 2019Hallerman et al. 2020;Nielsen et al. 2020;Lobón-Rovira et al. 2021, 2022b, 2022cParrinha et al. 2021;Wagner et al. 2021). Historical records of reptiles and amphibians in Angola (1840Angola ( to 2017 were recently summarised and mapped by Marques et al. (2018), a checklist of the country's snakes was published by Branch (2018b), and summaries of current knowledge of reptiles and amphibians were produced by Branch et al. (2019c) and Baptista et al. (2019b) respectively. ...
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.
... Access to newly-collected material from these regions has brought new opportunities to understand the evolutionary patterns of African herpetofauna, especially African gekkonids. This is particularly noteworthy in terms of the remarkable increase in knowledge of Angolan herpetofauna, with the description of 34 new species (Conradie et al. 2012a(Conradie et al. , b, 2013(Conradie et al. , 2020aStanley et al. 2016;Ceríaco et al. 2018aCeríaco et al. , 2020aCeríaco et al. , b, c, 2021Branch et al. 2019aBranch et al. , 2021Marques et al. 2019aMarques et al. , b, 2020Marques et al. , 2022aHallermann et al. 2020;Nielsen et al. 2020;Baptista et al. 2021;Lobón-Rovira et al. 2021;Parrinha et al. 2021;Wagner et al. 2021) and several new country records Conradie and Bourquin 2013;Ernst et al. 2014Ernst et al. , 2015Branch et al. 2019b;Conradie et al. 2020bConradie et al. , 2021Lobón-Rovira et al. 2022c) in the last decade. This increase has been especially evident within gekkonids, where the number of taxa has risen to over 45 recognised species for the country Ceríaco et al. 2020a, b;Branch et al. 2021;Lobón-Rovira et al. 2021, 2022c including two endemic leaf-toed gecko genera, Kolekanos (Heinicke et al. 2004) and Bauerius . ...
We here describe a new species of feather-tailed leaf-toed gecko, Kolekanos, from southern Benguela Province, Angola, based on morphological and osteological evidence, supported by phylogenetic analy- sis of mitochondrial data. The new species adds to the rapidly growing and newly-recognised endemic biodiversity of Angola, doubling the number of Kolekanos species, breaking the pattern observed within other closely-related African members of a clade of circum-Indian Ocean leaf-toed geckos – Ramigekko, Cryptactites and Afrogecko – all of which are presently monotypic. The new species is easily distinguished from K. plumicaudus, based on spine-like (as opposed to feather-like) scales on the margins of the original tail. Phylogenetic analyses also recovered the new taxon as monophyletic, with a well-supported sister re- lationship to K. plumicaudus, from which it differs by a substantial 24.1% NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 2 mitochondrial gene uncorrected p-distance.
... In the last decade a renewed interest in the Angolan herpetofauna has led to numerous expeditions to remote areas. Consequently, the number of species recorded from the country, has increased considerably (Conradie et al. 2012a(Conradie et al. , 2012b(Conradie et al. , 2013Stanley et al. 2016;Ceríaco et al. 2018Ceríaco et al. , 2020aCeríaco et al. , 2020bCeríaco et al. , 2020cCeríaco et al. , 2021bBranch et al. 2019Branch et al. , 2021Marques et al. 2019aMarques et al. , 2019bMarques et al. , 2020Marques et al. , 2022aMarques et al. , 2022bHallermann et al. 2020;Nielsen et al. 2020;Baptista et al. 2021;Lobón-Rovira et al. 2021;Parrinha et al. 2021;Wagner et al. 2021). Among these are four new species of snakes Hallermann et al. 2020). ...
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.
... With a resurgence of Angolan herpetological research in the last decade, there has been a remarkable increase in knowledge of the herpetofauna, with the addition of numerous new country occurrence records Conradie and Bourquin 2013;Ernst et al. 2014Ernst et al. , 2015Branch et al. 2019a;Conradie et al. 2020a), the rediscovery of species (Vaz Pinto et al. 2019;Baptista et al. 2020), and the description of 33 new species (Conradie et al. 2012a(Conradie et al. , 2012b(Conradie et al. , 2020bStanley et al. 2016;Ceríaco et al. 2018aCeríaco et al. , 2020aCeríaco et al. , 2020bCeríaco et al. , 2020cCeríaco et al. , 2021Marques et al. 2019aMarques et al. , 2019bMarques et al. , 2020Marques et al. , 2022Branch et al. 2019bBranch et al. , 2021Hallerman et al. 2020;Nielsen et al. 2020;Lobon-Rovira et al. 2021;Parrinha et al. 2021;Wagner et al. 2021). This renaissance of knowledge came about only after the improvement in political and social stability that followed more than two decades of civil war (Huntley and Ferrand 2019). ...
Angola has experienced an incredible increase of the knowledge of its herpetofauna over the past decade. However, accurate biodiversity inventories remain deficient for certain regions of particular conservation interest. We therefore provide an updated checklist of Iona National Park’s herpetofauna, with 75 recorded species, including five amphibians and 70 reptiles, 40 of these recorded for the first time in Iona National Park. These species comprise ~80% of the reptile diversity of Namibe Province. Therefore, this work recognises Iona National Park as the most reptile-diverse protected area in Angola and is potentially one of the richest in southern Africa. Consequently, this work enhances the importance of specific conservation plans in the area and the need for further investigation into the hidden biodiversity of this region.
We describe a new species of the agamid genus Acanthocercus from Namibia and Angola, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The phylogenetic analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene suggests that the new species is closely related to the other taxa from southern Africa and is distinct from species from eastern and northeastern Africa. The new species is characterized by its high scale counts (mean scale rows around midbody 136, mean dorsal scale rows 103, mean ventral scale rows 101) and displaying males showing a blue coloration of the head, forelimbs, flanks of the anterior part of the body and distal half of the tail; a very distinct pale vertebral stripe between the blue flanks and enlarged yellowish dorsal scales on the posterior part of the body. In Namibia the species is restricted to a small area of grassland with mopane and Maklani palms in northern Ovamboland, but its distribution in Angola spans a diversity of habitats. We also recognize a potential new species from northern Angola and discuss the preliminary distribution of Acanthocercus in Angola.
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 ( H. 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.
Alien species are among the greatest threats to biodiversity, but the evolutionary origins of invasiveness remain obscure. We conducted the first range-wide sampling of Hemidactylus mabouia from more than 120 localities across Africa, Madagascar and the Neotropics to understand the evolutionary history of one of the most widely distributed, invasive vertebrates in the world. We used a multi-locus phylogeny, species delimitation, fossil-calibrated timetree, ancestral area reconstruction and species distribution models (SDMs) to determine how many putative species-level lineages are contained within H. mabouia , the timing and tempo of diversification, and the origins of commensality—providing insights into the evolutionary origins of invasiveness. Our analyses suggest ‘ H. mabouia ’ originated in the Miocene in the Zambezian biogeographic region and includes as many as 20 putative species-level lineages, of which only Hemidactylus mabouia sensu stricto is invasive and widely distributed, including all Neotropical records. Zambezia is the hotspot for diversity within the group with 14 species in southeastern Zambezia. SDMs suggest that H. mabouia was able to establish in the Neotropics due to habitat suitability, and globalization and the slave trade probably allowed it to cross the Atlantic. Distribution models for the H. mabouia complex overpredict the range of the invasive H. mabouia sensu stricto —highlighting the importance of taxonomy in invasive species management.
Three species of Phrynomantis Peters, 1867, have been historically recorded for Angola: P. affinis, P. annectens and P. bifasciatus. As noted by all authors who have dealt with specimens of P. bifasciatus from the country, the Angolan population is characterized by an odd coloration pattern for the species, which led Boulenger to consider it a different variety. A revision of the extant specimens of Angolan Phrynomantis available in natural history collections, specimens collected in recent field surveys, as well as recent sightings and photographs allows the recognition of the Angolan population of P. cf. bifasciatus as a new species, endemic to the coastal lowlands of western Angola. The new taxon is described solely based on its coloration pattern and morphology, and it is separated from nominotypic P. bifasciatus by more than one thousand kilometers. The revision of these historical specimens also allowed us to confirm a second record of P. affinis in the country and to contribute to an overall better understanding of the distribution of the species of the genus on the continent.
The genus Toxicodryas, historically included with the renowned Australasian cat-eyed snakes of the colubrid genus Boiga, currently includes two widespread species (T. blandingii and T. pulverulenta) in western, central, and eastern Africa. We leverage findings from a recent phylogenomic and historical demographic analysis of this genus (based on 2848-4471 Rad-seq loci from across the genome), with robust sampling from throughout the ranges of both species, to define two additional taxonomic units, with species boundaries corresponding to river barriers. Additional morphometric data from scores of examined museum specimens and literature records bolster the recognition of these two new cryptic species. We hypothesize that T. blandingii occurs west of the confluence of the Congo and Ubangi rivers, whereas a cryptic new species that is found east of this biogeographic barrier has significantly higher numbers of ventral scale counts in both sexes, additional significant differences in several scale counts, and lower venom toxicity. Toxicodryas pulverulenta occurs west of the Niger Delta in West Africa, whereas a cryptic new species that is found east of this biogeographic barrier has significantly higher numbers of subcaudal scale counts in both sexes. A review of published information regarding morphological variation, ecology, natural history, habitat, and venom is summarized for these four Toxicodryas species.
Four new species of flat geckos in the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group are described from south-western and west-central Angola. The description of these new species significantly restricts the distribution range of typical A. bogerti , a morphologically very similar species, from which they differ genetically by 5.9–12% divergence for the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Morphologically and genetically, Angolan Afroedura are divided into two main groups: a mostly south-western coastal group and a west-central inland/highland group. These two groups are further divisible into three and two subgroups respectively, all geographically isolated, differing by a combination of the following features: colouration, average adult size, number of mid-body scale rows, number of scale rows on dorsal and ventral surface of each tail verticil and if nostril scales are in contact or not. All five Angolan species are morphologically distinguishable and in agreement with the molecular results. An updated dichotomous key to the Afroedura transvaalica group is provided. The new discovery adds to a growing number of endemic Pro-Namib reptiles described from Angola in recent years.
At present the genus Lygodactylus is represented by three species in Angola confirmed by voucher specimens-L. angolensis, L. bradfieldi, and L. capensis-and two others believed to be present, but without specimens with precise localities, L. chobiensis and L. lawrencei. We present a detailed taxonomic revision of the group in Angola and describe three new species, Lygodactylus baptistai sp. nov. L. nyaneka sp. nov. and Lygodactylus tchokwe sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial marker ND2, as well as morphological data support the recognition of the new species. In addition, data suggest that specimens historically assigned to L. capensis in Angola represent misidentifications of L. nyaneka sp. nov. and L. tchokwe sp. nov. We revisit the identity of Lygodactylus laurae, a junior synonym of L. angolensis. We also present the first confirmed record of L. lawrencei in the country, using both morphological and molecular data. The description of the new species and the revision of the taxonomic identity of the Angolan populations of the genus, raises the number of species occurring in the country to five. A key to the Angolan species is presented.
An integrative taxonomic review of the genus Boaedon in Angola is provided. A molecular phylogeny, based on 99 genetic samples for which the mitochondrial markers 16S rRNA have been sequenced, reveals 23 monophyletic species-level groups in Africa and indicates the presence of nine species in Angola. Based on both phylogenetic and morphological data, we revalidate and designate a neotype for B. angolensis, describe three new species for Angola (e.g. B. bocagei sp. nov., B. branchi sp. nov., and B. fradei sp. nov.), revalidate B. variegatus from its synonymy with B. lineatus and designate a lectotype for this taxon, and identify B. lineatus var. lineolatus as a junior synonym of B. variegatus. The taxonomic status of the recently described B. paralineatus from Central Africa is discussed with respect to the more inclusive B. lineatus group. Moreover, we report on a new country record for Angola, namely B. mentalis, which we elevate here to full species and discuss the taxonomic status of this species in southern Africa. Finally, we provide an identification key and updated distribution maps for all Boaedon species occurring in Angola, including the Cabinda enclave.
The genus Panaspis in Angola is represented by four species, most of them part of taxonomically and nomenclaturally challenging species-complexes. We present a taxonomic revision of the group in the region and describe one new species, Panaspis mocamedensis sp. nov., endemic to the lowland areas of the Namibe province, southwestern Angola. Phylogenetic analysis using a combination of mitochondrial (16S, cytb) and nucleares (RAG1, PDC) markers, as well as morphological and meristic data support the recognition of the new species. In addition, these data support the presence of nominotypical Panaspis cabindae, P. wahlbergi and P. maculicollis in Angola. Reexamination of the Angolan population of P. breviceps was based on morphological analysis, as no molecular data from Angola is available for this species. According to our results, this population likely represents the nominotypical form, but due to its complex taxonomic and nomenclatural history and the lack of molecular data, this population needs to be reconsidered when molecular data become available. The description of a new species and revision of the Angolan Panaspis contributes to a better understanding of the true species richness of the Angolan herpetofauna, as well as to understanding the major biogeographic patterns of the region. A key to Angolan Panaspis species is also presented.
The genus Hemidactylus in Angola is represented by six species, all of them part of taxonomically and nomenclaturally challenging species complexes. We present a detailed taxonomic revision of the group in the region and describe two new species, Hemidactylus nzingae sp. nov. and Hemidactylus paivae sp. nov., both occuring in and potentially endemic to the highlands of Angola. Phylogenetic analysis using a combination of mitochondrial (ND2) and nuclear (MXRA5, PDC, RAG1) markers, as well as morphological and scalation data support the recognition of the new species. In addition, data support the revalidation of Hemidactylus bayonii Bocage, 1893, and Hemidactylus benguellensis Bocage, 1893. We also provide a redefinition of Hemidactylus longicephalus Bocage, 1873 with which we synonymize Hemidactylus mabouia molleri Bedriaga, 1892, from São Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea. Given that the type material of H. bayonii, H. benguellensis, H. longicephalus and H. mabouia molleri have all been lost or destroyed, we designate neotypes for all of these nomina for purposes of nomenclatural stability. The description of the new species and the revision and revalidation of the Angolan species already described contributes to a better understanding of the taxonomy and biogeography of West and Central African Hemidactylus, as well as to the general biogeographic and evolutionary patterns of Angolan fauna. A key to the Angolan species is also presented.
Bicuar National Park (BNP) is a protected area in southwestern Angola where biodiversity has been poorly studied. BNP is located on the Angolan plateau on Kalahari sands, in a transition zone between the Angolan Miombo Woodland and the Zambezian Baikiaea Woodland ecoregions. Herpetological surveys were conducted in BNP and surrounding areas, through visual encounter surveys, trapping, and opportunistic collecting of specimens from 2015 to 2018. The regional herpetofauna is described here based on these surveys, literature records, and additional unpublished records. In total, 16 amphibian, 15 lizard, 18 snake, two testudine, and one crocodilian species were observed from the recent surveys, and in combination with historical records the species counts are 21, 36, 32, four, and one species for these herpetofauna groups, respectively. Important observations include the first record of Xenocalamus bicolor bicolor (Günther, 1868), the second records of Sclerophrys poweri (Hewitt, 1935) and of Amblyodipsas ventrimaculata (Roux, 1907), and the fourth record of Monopeltis infuscata (Broadley, 1997) for Angola. Additionally, the type locality of Hyperolius benguellensis (Bocage, 1893) is discussed. A part of the material could not be confidently identified to species level, reflecting the taxonomic uncertainty associated with the Angolan herpetofauna. Fossorial herpetofauna was well represented, reflecting adaptation to sandy soils, the dominant substrate in the area. The likely presence of endemic and poorly known species in BNP reinforces the importance of the park for the conservation of Angolan biodiversity. Further surveys are necessary for a more comprehensive understanding of the park's fauna and biogeographic affinities, and to improve conservation planning. Resumo.-O Parque Nacional do Bicuar (BNP) é uma área protegida no sudoeste de Angola cuja biodiversidade se encontra pouco estudada. Localiza-se no planalto de Angola em areias do Calaári, numa zona de transição entre as ecorregiões de Mata de Miombo Angolana e Mata de Baikiaea Zambeziana. Neste trabalho foram realizados levantamentos de herpetofauna no BNP e arredores, através de levantamentos de encontro visual, armadilhagem e recolha oportunística de espécimes entre 2015 e 2018. Aqui é apresentada uma descrição da herpetofauna da região baseada nestes levantamentos, em registos bibliográficos, e outros registos não publicados. Os dados recentes resultaram num total de 16 espécies de anfíbios, 15 espécies de lagartos, 18 espécies de cobras, duas espécies de quelónios, e uma espécie de crocodilo. A combinação destes dados com registos históricos resulta num total de 21, 36, 32, quatro, e uma espécies destes grupos herpetológicos, respectivamente. Entre os resultados mais importantes estão o primeiro registo de Xenocalamus bicolor bicolor Günther, 1868, o segundo registo de Sclerophrys poweri (Hewitt, 1935) e de Amblyodipsas ventrimaculata (Roux, 1907), e o quarto registo de Monopeltis infuscata Broadley, 1997 para Angola. A localidade-tipo de Hyperolius benguellensis (Bocage, 1893) é também discutida. Uma parte do material não pôde ser identificado com certeza ao nível da espécie, uma consequência da incerteza taxonómica associada à herpetologia angolana. A herpetofauna fossorial está bem representada, reflectindo uma adaptação a solos arenosos, o substrato dominante na área. A presença provável de espécies endémicas e pouco conhecidas no BNP reforça a importância do parque para a conservação da biodiversidade de Angola. Mais levantamentos contribuirão para um melhor conhecimento da fauna do parque e das suas afinidades biogeográficas e para um melhor planeamento de estratégias de conservação. Palavras-chave. Anfíbios, répteis, fossorial, levantamentos de biodiversidade, áreas protegidas, areias do Calaári, província da Huíla Official journal website: amphibian-reptile-conservation.org Correspondence. *
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.
A new species of rupicolous girdled lizard is described from Serra da Neve Inselberg, Namibe Province, southwestern Angola. We sequenced two mitochondrial gene regions (16S and ND2) for the new species and compared these data with those previously published for other Cordylus species. The new species is genetically divergent from the closely related Cordylus machadoi and C. namakuiyus and morphologically distinguished by head scale arrangement, coloration, and osteological characters. Serra da Neve is the second highest peak in Angola and one of the most understudied areas of the country. The discovery of this new species highlights the importance of this inselberg for regional endemism and emphasizes the high conservation importance of the area.
Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are relatively unknown in terms of their herpetological diversity. Based on specimens collected in the Congolese region of the Katanga and the northeast of Angola during the first decades of the twentieth century, de Witte and Laurent independently suggested, based on morphological and coloration differences, that populations of T. megalura of these regions could belong a new "race". We compared specimens of T. megalura (including the type specimens of T. megalura and T. massaiana) with Angolan and Katangan museum specimens as well as newly collected specimens from Angola. Coloration pattern and morphological characters, in combination with substantial divergence in the 16S mitochondrial gene, confirm the distinctiveness of the west Central African form, and it is here described as a new species. Data regarding its natural history, ecology and global distribution are presented.
This review summarises the current status of our knowledge of Angolan reptile diversity, and places it into a historical context of understanding and growth. It is compared and contrasted with known diversity in adjacent regions to allow insight into taxonomic status and biogeographic patterns. Over 67% of Angolan reptiles were described by the end of the nineteenth century. Studies stagnated during the twentieth century but have increased in the last decade. At least 278 reptiles are currently known, but numerous new discoveries have been made during recent surveys, and many novelties await description. Although lizard and snake diversity is currently almost equal, most new discoveries occur in lizards, particularly geckos and lacertids. Poorly known Angolan reptiles and others from adjacent regions that may occur in the country are highlighted. Most endemic Angolan reptiles are lizards and are associated with the escarpment and southwest arid region. Identification of reptile diversity hotspots are resolving but require targeted surveys for their delimitation and to enable protection. These include the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, Angolan Escarpment and the Congo forests of the north. The fauna of Angola remains poorly known and under-appreciated, but it is already evident that it forms an important centre of African reptile diversity and endemism.
A recent molecular revision of the snake-eyed skinks of the genus Panaspis Cope, 1868 uncovered extensive cryptic diversity within the P. wahlbergi (Smith, 1849) and P. maculicollis Jacobsen & Broadley, 2000 species complexes. We here describe an unnamed central and northern Namibian lineage of the P. maculicollis group as a new species. We base the description on previously published molecular evidence and newly collected morphological, meristic and coloration data. Members of the group share a conservative morphology and the newly described species is very similar to P. maculicollis, from which it differs mostly on the basis of its coloration. This description raises the number of Panaspis recognized to 17 species and reinforces the already strong evidence that northern Namibia is a hotspot of reptile diversity.
African pygmy toads of the genus Poyntonophrynus are some of the least known species of African toads. The genus comprises ten recognized species endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, five of which are restricted to southwestern Africa. Recent field research in Angola provided new material for three species of Poyntonophrynus , including a morphologically distinctive population from the Serra da Neve Inselberg. Based on a combination of external morphology, high-resolution computed tomography scanning, and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the Serra da Neve population is described as new species that is nested within the genus. The most striking character that differentiates the newly described species from its congeners is the lack of a tympanic middle ear, a condition common in the family Bufonidae, but so far not known for Poyntonophrynus . The description of this new species from southwestern Angola reinforces the biogeographic importance of the region and further suggests that southwestern Africa is the cradle of diversity for this genus.
The girdled lizard genus Cordylus is represented in Angola by two species, Cordylus angolensis and C. machadoi, separated from their nearest congeners by over 700 km. Here we describe a new species, Cordylus namakuiyus sp. nov., endemic to the arid lowlands west of the southern Angolan escarpment. Phylogenetic analysis using three mitochondrial and eight nuclear genes shows that the low-elevation forms and the proximate, high-elevation species C. machadoi are genetically divergent and reciprocally monophyletic, and together form the earliest diverging lineage of the northern Cordylus clade. Morphological data, collected using computed tomography and traditional techniques (scalation and morphology), identify consistent phenotypic differences between these high-and low-elevation species and allows for a detailed description of the osteology and osteodermal arrangements of the new species. A series of 50 specimens, collected during the 1925 Vernay expedition to southwestern Angola and housed at the American Museum of Natural History, are assigned to the new species, although the identity of Cordylus from northern Namibia remains ambiguous and requires further investigation.
A new species of African reed frog (genus Hyperolius Rapp, 1842) is described from a high altitude, forested gorge in the Serra da Chela mountain range near the village of Humpata, Lubango area, Huila Province, south-western Angola. It is currently only known from its type locality. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial 16S marker reveals that it is the sister taxon of the poorly known Hyperolius cinereus (> 4% sequence divergence) also described from Angola, and forms part of a larger clade comprising H. platyceps.
Phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial 16S marker shows that geographically separated populations of the
poorly known Hyperolius cinereus (Anura: Hyperoliidae) from Angola form two distinct clades. The description of H.
cinereus was originally based on only a single preserved adult male. Fresh material of both sexes allowed a detailed
redescription of the species, which is restricted mainly to the south-draining Cunene and Cubango river systems.
Bioacoustic and morphological characters, in conjunction with colouration differences, allow the description of a cryptic
sister species from Lagoa Carumbo in north-eastern Angola, occurring in the Luele and Lovuo river systems of the Congo
drainage basin. Tadpoles, for H. cinereus and the new species, are described.
Although reptile diversity in Africa is high, it is poorly represented in Angola, with just 257 species known. Despite its greater surface area and habitat diversity Angola has significantly lower lacertid lizard diversity than adjacent Namibia. This is particularly notable in African sand lizards (Pedioplanis), where 10 species (two endemic) are known from Namibia but only two are recorded from adjacent Angola. Pedioplanis benguellensis was described from Angola, but its taxonomic status is problematic and it was previously synonymised with P. namaquensis. All other Angolan Pedioplanis were referred to Namibian P. undata, although this taxon is now known to comprise a complex of at least five different species and the relationship of Angolan material to this complex has not been assessed. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic placement of Angolan Pedioplanis using two mitochondrial (ND2 and 16S) and one nuclear (RAG-1) markers. A Bayesian analysis was conducted on 21 samples from Angola, combined with existing data for 45 individuals from GenBank and three additional samples from central Namibia. The phylogeny demonstrates that P. benguellensis is a valid species and that it is not the sister taxon to P. namaquensis with which it has been morphologically confused. In addition, Angolan lacertids previously referred to P. undata are not conspecific with any of the Namibian or South African species in that complex. Rather, there is strong support for the presence in Angola of additional species of Pedioplanis, which form a well-supported sister clade to the P. undata complex (sensu stricto) of Namibia and two of which are described herein. These discoveries highlight the need for further biodiversity surveys in Angola, as similar increases in species diversity in other Angolan taxa might be found given sufficient investment in biodiversity surveys.
The genus Pedioplanis reaches its northernmost limit in western Angola, where it is represented by three species, Pedioplanis benguelensis, P. haackei and P. huntleyi. The taxonomic status of P. benguelensis remains problematic, mainly due to the vague original escription and the loss of the original type material. Here we provide a revision of the Angolan representatives of the genus, with the escription of a new species, Pedioplanis serodioi sp. nov., from the lowlands of southwestern Angola. Phylogenetic analyses using a ombination of mitochondrial (16S and ND2) and nuclear (RAG-1) arkers, as well as morphological data, support the recognition of the ew species. For purposes of nomenclatural stability, we designate a neotype for P. benguelensis and provide motivation to correct the pelling of the specific epithet to “benguelensis”. The clarification of he status of P. benguelensis and the description of a new species contribute to a better understanding of the taxonomy and iogeography of the genus Pedioplanis, as well as the general biogeographic context of southwestern Angola, adding to the rowing evidence in favor of the recognition of this region as a hotspot of lizard diversity and endemism. An updated key to the genus is also provided.
A correction to the recent revision of the genus Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 from Angola is presented. The previous revision assigned some historical specimens to H. bayonii and H. nzingae, with one specimen even being considered a paratype of the latter taxon. A review of the morphological data of all of the specimens used in the previous study found that two other undescribed taxa, morphologically similar to H. bayonii and H. nzingae, respectively, were overlooked. We here present a re-description of these specimens and provide the diagnostic characters that allow their recognition as two new species, both endemic to Angola. In order to provide an accurate picture of the diversity of Hemidactylus in the country and to correct our previous misidentifications that could lead to some taxonomic instability, we herein describe H. hannasabinae sp. nov. and H. vernayi sp. nov.
The African natricine genus Limnophis is represented by two species: Limnophis bicolor Günther, 1865 and Limnophis bangweolicus (Mertens, 1936). They are stout-bodied, semi-aquatic snakes that mostly feed on fish and amphibians, and occur from Botswana and Namibia in the south throughout most of Zambia and Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the north. We gathered new material from the ranges of both species in Angola and Zambia in order to examine their taxonomic status and identify any overlooked diversity. We constructed a phylogenetic tree, based on three mitochondrial genes (16S, cytb, ND4) and one nuclear gene (cmos), which includes the first DNA sequence data for Limnophis. Three well-supported lineages were identified, each representing separate species. The taxonomic status of the two currently recognised species is validated, and we describe a new species of Limnophis from north-eastern Angola. The new species is distinguished from the others by the combination of distinct ventral and lateral head colouration and patterning, differences in head and ventral scalation, and uncorrected pairwise genetic distances to both L. bicolor and L. bangweolicus of 5.4–8.1% in cytb, 6.1–8.4% in ND4 and 2.7–8.3% in 16S.
We present the first integrative review of the African agamid lizard Acanthocercus atricollis, a broadly distributed species found from Ethiopia through East Africa to Angola and South Africa. Since the original description of the species approximately 170 years ago six subspecies have been described, mainly on the basis of coloration characters. Our study presents new morphological and genetic data, which together suggest that A. atricollis is a complex of multiple species. External morphological characters and cranial osteology support some of the taxonomic differentiation implied by coloration. We also provide complementary 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data analysed in the context of species delimitation. Our integrated data support several systematic and taxonomic changes, including (1) Acanthocercus branchi is part of the A. atricollis complex, (2) the subspecies A. gregorii, A. minutus, A. ugandaensis, and A. kiwuensis merit species rank, (3) A. atricollis loveridgei is a synonym of A. a. gregorii, (4) Agama cyanocephalus, a former synonym of A. atricollis, is now recognized as full species distributed in Angola, Zambia and extreme northern Namibia. The distribution and diversity of the A. atricollis species complex supports the presence of a biogeographic arid corridor connecting eastern and southern Africa.
In the course of working on a taxonomic revision of the Acanthocercus atricollis complex, we discovered a popu-lation from the Luangwa and Zambezi valleys in Zambia and adjacent Malawi that is morphologically and genetically dis-tinct from all described taxa of this complex. This population is described as a new species on the basis of morphological characters, including indistinct transverse rows of enlarged scales on the body, a large black patch on the shoulders, and a different pholidosis. It is morphologically similar to A. a. gregorii and A. a. loveridgei, but seems to be more closely related to the former. © 2012 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde e.V. (DGHT), Mannheim, Germany.
Mission Rohan-Chabot
- F Angel
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A new species of red toad
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Herpétologie d'Angola et du Congo
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A list of the batrachians and reptiles collected by Dr. W. J. Ansorge in Angola, with descriptions of new species
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