Pub Date : 2022-01-02DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2022.2036825
M. Bates, G. Alexander, A. Bauer
Abstract Windhoek-born Wulf Dietrich Haacke’s career as a herpetologist while associated with the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria spanned more than 50 years. He passed away on 30 June 2021 at the age of 84. This tribute summarises various aspects of his life and achievements, and their significance to African herpetology, including his involvement with the Herpetological Association of Africa. Wulf’s collecting expeditions to various southern African countries, especially Namibia, Angola, South Africa and Lesotho, contributed significantly to making the herpetological collection at Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (formerly Transvaal Museum) one of the largest such collections on the continent. He generated 72 herpetology-related publications, including significant lizard taxonomic revisions. His publications include descriptions of 16 herpetological taxa (13 lizards, two snakes and one frog). To date, nine animal taxa (four lizards, five invertebrates) have been named in his honour. We include personal recollections, based on our association with him since the 1980s. A bibliography of Wulf’s herpetological publications is also provided.
{"title":"Tribute to a legend of southern African herpetology: Wulf Dietrich Haacke (1936–2021), with a bibliography of his herpetological contributions","authors":"M. Bates, G. Alexander, A. Bauer","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2022.2036825","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2022.2036825","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Windhoek-born Wulf Dietrich Haacke’s career as a herpetologist while associated with the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria spanned more than 50 years. He passed away on 30 June 2021 at the age of 84. This tribute summarises various aspects of his life and achievements, and their significance to African herpetology, including his involvement with the Herpetological Association of Africa. Wulf’s collecting expeditions to various southern African countries, especially Namibia, Angola, South Africa and Lesotho, contributed significantly to making the herpetological collection at Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (formerly Transvaal Museum) one of the largest such collections on the continent. He generated 72 herpetology-related publications, including significant lizard taxonomic revisions. His publications include descriptions of 16 herpetological taxa (13 lizards, two snakes and one frog). To date, nine animal taxa (four lizards, five invertebrates) have been named in his honour. We include personal recollections, based on our association with him since the 1980s. A bibliography of Wulf’s herpetological publications is also provided.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47747033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-01-02DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1998233
A. Rebelo, R. Altwegg, Eric M. Katz, K. Tolley
ABSTRACT Although reproductive strategies are poorly documented in chameleons, sperm storage has been confirmed among some species for which male reproductive success may be maximised by increasing the number of females inseminated and/or preventing subsequent female copulation with rival males. Behaviour, such as mate searching, may enable males to maximise the number of mating opportunities with different partners and mate guarding may increase the likelihood that a male will sire offspring with a particular female. In this study, we investigated behavioural differences in movement (distance travelled) and perch choice between sexes of the Cape Dwarf Chameleon, Bradypodion pumilum, to offer data for a better understanding of mate searching and mate guarding behaviours. Wild chameleons were radio-tracked in 2010 (n = 8) and 2014 (n = 5) for approximately two weeks. The geographic location and perch height above ground were recorded multiple times per day to capture both the scale of movement and their perch use. Linear mixed effect models were used to assess differences between sexes. Our results indicated that females perched lower than males and moved shorter distances, offering support of a mate searching strategy in males. Ad hoc field observations revealed behaviours consistent with mate guarding by some males, and mate avoidance by some unreceptive females. Our results could indicate that males increase their reproductive fitness by using higher perches in both a mate guarding and mate searching context and moving further distances in search of receptive females.
{"title":"Out on a limb: female chameleons (Bradypodion pumilum) position themselves to minimise detection, whereas males maximise mating opportunity","authors":"A. Rebelo, R. Altwegg, Eric M. Katz, K. Tolley","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1998233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1998233","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Although reproductive strategies are poorly documented in chameleons, sperm storage has been confirmed among some species for which male reproductive success may be maximised by increasing the number of females inseminated and/or preventing subsequent female copulation with rival males. Behaviour, such as mate searching, may enable males to maximise the number of mating opportunities with different partners and mate guarding may increase the likelihood that a male will sire offspring with a particular female. In this study, we investigated behavioural differences in movement (distance travelled) and perch choice between sexes of the Cape Dwarf Chameleon, Bradypodion pumilum, to offer data for a better understanding of mate searching and mate guarding behaviours. Wild chameleons were radio-tracked in 2010 (n = 8) and 2014 (n = 5) for approximately two weeks. The geographic location and perch height above ground were recorded multiple times per day to capture both the scale of movement and their perch use. Linear mixed effect models were used to assess differences between sexes. Our results indicated that females perched lower than males and moved shorter distances, offering support of a mate searching strategy in males. Ad hoc field observations revealed behaviours consistent with mate guarding by some males, and mate avoidance by some unreceptive females. Our results could indicate that males increase their reproductive fitness by using higher perches in both a mate guarding and mate searching context and moving further distances in search of receptive females.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48431761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-16DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1998237
M. Bates, Cora S. Stobie
ABSTRACT The rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) is a well-known venomous elapid found in greater South Africa and the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. To evaluate its current-day (mostly 2012–2021) distribution in central South Africa and Lesotho, we examined various media sources, including Facebook, for photographic and videographic records. Records were posted or shared to a Facebook group Free State Reptiles and Amphibians (including adjacent areas and Lesotho) and saved electronically for future reference. In total we accumulated 208 Facebook records for 152 unique localities. Several localities were vague or broad, and therefore most of the original submitters of records were contacted in an attempt to confirm or refine them. Of the 139 individuals contacted, 68 (49%) responded regarding 96 records and they either confirmed the given locality names, could not add to the information, or refined them. In total, 131 (63%) of the 208 Facebook records were confirmed/verified and were thus usable for plotting on maps. The 131 records represent 86% of all verified media records, whereas only 14% (21 records) are from platforms such as iNaturalist, iSpot and ReptileMAP. All verified media records, together with literature and unpublished museum records, were plotted on a map. Our evaluation, based on verified records, showed that the rinkhals still occurs widely in the northern, central and eastern Free State Province, and several new records extend its known range westwards in central South Africa. New records indicate that it still occurs in western Lesotho, as well as the Maluti Mountains in the north of this country. Our study is the first to make extensive use of Facebook records for evaluating the distribution of a southern African reptile. We contend that a large body of photographic and videographic records for reptiles and amphibians exists on social networking sites, such as Facebook, and proper evaluation and documentation of these records can contribute significantly to knowledge of present-day species distributions.
{"title":"Current-day distribution of the rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) in central South Africa and Lesotho: An evaluation based mainly on photographic and videographic records from social media","authors":"M. Bates, Cora S. Stobie","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1998237","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1998237","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) is a well-known venomous elapid found in greater South Africa and the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. To evaluate its current-day (mostly 2012–2021) distribution in central South Africa and Lesotho, we examined various media sources, including Facebook, for photographic and videographic records. Records were posted or shared to a Facebook group Free State Reptiles and Amphibians (including adjacent areas and Lesotho) and saved electronically for future reference. In total we accumulated 208 Facebook records for 152 unique localities. Several localities were vague or broad, and therefore most of the original submitters of records were contacted in an attempt to confirm or refine them. Of the 139 individuals contacted, 68 (49%) responded regarding 96 records and they either confirmed the given locality names, could not add to the information, or refined them. In total, 131 (63%) of the 208 Facebook records were confirmed/verified and were thus usable for plotting on maps. The 131 records represent 86% of all verified media records, whereas only 14% (21 records) are from platforms such as iNaturalist, iSpot and ReptileMAP. All verified media records, together with literature and unpublished museum records, were plotted on a map. Our evaluation, based on verified records, showed that the rinkhals still occurs widely in the northern, central and eastern Free State Province, and several new records extend its known range westwards in central South Africa. New records indicate that it still occurs in western Lesotho, as well as the Maluti Mountains in the north of this country. Our study is the first to make extensive use of Facebook records for evaluating the distribution of a southern African reptile. We contend that a large body of photographic and videographic records for reptiles and amphibians exists on social networking sites, such as Facebook, and proper evaluation and documentation of these records can contribute significantly to knowledge of present-day species distributions.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43713505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-15DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1973582
F. J. Mkonyi
ABSTRACT Although the knowledge about the Tanzanian reptiles and amphibians has drastically increased in recent years, the knowledge on the amphibian and reptile fauna of the remaining forest reserves of the Uluguru Mountains (UMs) is only partially known. Amphibians and reptiles were studied in 17 forest reserves and sampled using diurnal and nocturnal time-constrained visual encounter surveys, acoustic surveys and opportunistic searches. A total of 51 quadrats of 25 × 25 m were randomly established on the forest floor, totalling 459 person-hours of sampling effort. Overall, 54 herpetofauna species (27 amphibian and 27 reptile species) were recorded from the area, including two anurans and seven reptile species, which are new records for the region. The estimated Chao1 species richness for the study region was 51 for amphibians and 76 for reptiles. Amphibian and reptile species composition did not differ significantly across the forest reserves, but similarities in species composition of different levels were evident across the reserves. For both communities, α-diversity and relative abundance did not vary significantly across the reserves. Based on multiple regression analyses, leaf-litter anuran species richness was positively influenced by percentage canopy cover, whereas abundance was negatively influenced by total fragment size. Partial correlations showed that variation in leaf-litter anuran abundance was explained by relative humidity, percentage canopy cover and soil moisture, while controlling for altitude. Percentage canopy cover was also the best predictor of species richness of leaf-litter anurans. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of protecting the UMs forest reserves for herpetofauna conservation.
{"title":"Biodiversity hotspot revisited: reptile and amphibian assemblages of the Uluguru Mountain Forest Reserves, south-eastern Tanzania","authors":"F. J. Mkonyi","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1973582","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1973582","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Although the knowledge about the Tanzanian reptiles and amphibians has drastically increased in recent years, the knowledge on the amphibian and reptile fauna of the remaining forest reserves of the Uluguru Mountains (UMs) is only partially known. Amphibians and reptiles were studied in 17 forest reserves and sampled using diurnal and nocturnal time-constrained visual encounter surveys, acoustic surveys and opportunistic searches. A total of 51 quadrats of 25 × 25 m were randomly established on the forest floor, totalling 459 person-hours of sampling effort. Overall, 54 herpetofauna species (27 amphibian and 27 reptile species) were recorded from the area, including two anurans and seven reptile species, which are new records for the region. The estimated Chao1 species richness for the study region was 51 for amphibians and 76 for reptiles. Amphibian and reptile species composition did not differ significantly across the forest reserves, but similarities in species composition of different levels were evident across the reserves. For both communities, α-diversity and relative abundance did not vary significantly across the reserves. Based on multiple regression analyses, leaf-litter anuran species richness was positively influenced by percentage canopy cover, whereas abundance was negatively influenced by total fragment size. Partial correlations showed that variation in leaf-litter anuran abundance was explained by relative humidity, percentage canopy cover and soil moisture, while controlling for altitude. Percentage canopy cover was also the best predictor of species richness of leaf-litter anurans. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of protecting the UMs forest reserves for herpetofauna conservation.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49322995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-15DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1980120
J. Lobón-Rovira, A. Bauer
ABSTRACT The Lygodactylus genus is one of the most species-rich genera of gekkonid lizards in Africa. It is one of relatively few exclusively diurnal geckos’ lineages and its members include some of the smallest gekkonids. Osteological features within Lygodactylus have never been addressed in detail. We here provide a detailed bone-by-bone skull description of Lygodactylus picturatus to expand the knowledgebase on gecko cranial structure. High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography (HRCT) has been used, followed by bone-by-bone segmentation and description. As expected, L. picturatus presents some modifications on the basic gekkotan plan due to miniaturisation, such as an increase in the overlap area of the muzzle unit and lost or reduction of jugal bone. In addition, the skull of this species is characterised by the absence of the squamosal, fused nasals, reduced postorbitofrontal bone and extremely rounded parietal bones. Finally, we observed a reduction of the orbital space, in comparison with other miniaturised gekkotans, presumably as a consequence of their diurnal behaviour and niche preference.
{"title":"Bone-by-bone: A detailed skull description of the White-headed dwarf gecko Lygodactylus picturatus (Peters, 1870)","authors":"J. Lobón-Rovira, A. Bauer","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1980120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1980120","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The Lygodactylus genus is one of the most species-rich genera of gekkonid lizards in Africa. It is one of relatively few exclusively diurnal geckos’ lineages and its members include some of the smallest gekkonids. Osteological features within Lygodactylus have never been addressed in detail. We here provide a detailed bone-by-bone skull description of Lygodactylus picturatus to expand the knowledgebase on gecko cranial structure. High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography (HRCT) has been used, followed by bone-by-bone segmentation and description. As expected, L. picturatus presents some modifications on the basic gekkotan plan due to miniaturisation, such as an increase in the overlap area of the muzzle unit and lost or reduction of jugal bone. In addition, the skull of this species is characterised by the absence of the squamosal, fused nasals, reduced postorbitofrontal bone and extremely rounded parietal bones. Finally, we observed a reduction of the orbital space, in comparison with other miniaturised gekkotans, presumably as a consequence of their diurnal behaviour and niche preference.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47368967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-11DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1980119
G. Brown, P. Forbes, J. Myburgh, J. Nöthling
ABSTRACT Research in other species suggests that the source of embryonic calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) for Crocodylus niloticus is likely yolk and shell. Using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), the Ca and P concentration and content of 30 fertile eggs was determined within 10 days prior to anticipated hatching, and compared with those of size-matched unbanded eggs (eggs that failed to form an opaque band around the lesser circumference, indicative of presumed infertility). Shell contained the highest Ca concentration and content, followed by the foetus, followed by the intra-abdominal yolk. Foetal tissue had the highest P concentration and content, followed by intra-abdominal yolk. The Ca and P concentration of intra-abdominal yolk of foetuses in fertile eggs varied more widely than did the yolk of unbanded eggs, based on coefficient of variation. Ca concentration of fertile egg yolk was in some cases found to exceed that of the yolk of unbanded eggs, suggesting that Ca is stored there after being removed from the shell, however, yolk Ca content was consistently lower in fertile than in unbanded eggs, indicating net yolk Ca depletion. Yolk P concentration and content of fertile eggs was consistently lower than that of unbanded eggs, suggesting a net depletion of yolk P reserves, without replenishment. The Nile crocodile appears to follow the classic archosaurian pattern of Ca mobilisation, whereby the shell supplies the majority of foetal Ca, but the intra-abdominal yolk contains substantial Ca reserves for use by the hatchling. This study provides clinicians and researchers with information on sample collection and analysis of Nile crocodile egg and foetal tissue, provides baseline descriptive data on Ca and P concentration and content, discusses the effect of potential covariates on Ca and P concentration and content, and discusses the movement of Ca and P from reserves within the egg to the developing foetus.
{"title":"A comparison of calcium and phosphorus in components of fertile and size-matched unbanded Nile crocodile eggs","authors":"G. Brown, P. Forbes, J. Myburgh, J. Nöthling","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1980119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1980119","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Research in other species suggests that the source of embryonic calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) for Crocodylus niloticus is likely yolk and shell. Using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), the Ca and P concentration and content of 30 fertile eggs was determined within 10 days prior to anticipated hatching, and compared with those of size-matched unbanded eggs (eggs that failed to form an opaque band around the lesser circumference, indicative of presumed infertility). Shell contained the highest Ca concentration and content, followed by the foetus, followed by the intra-abdominal yolk. Foetal tissue had the highest P concentration and content, followed by intra-abdominal yolk. The Ca and P concentration of intra-abdominal yolk of foetuses in fertile eggs varied more widely than did the yolk of unbanded eggs, based on coefficient of variation. Ca concentration of fertile egg yolk was in some cases found to exceed that of the yolk of unbanded eggs, suggesting that Ca is stored there after being removed from the shell, however, yolk Ca content was consistently lower in fertile than in unbanded eggs, indicating net yolk Ca depletion. Yolk P concentration and content of fertile eggs was consistently lower than that of unbanded eggs, suggesting a net depletion of yolk P reserves, without replenishment. The Nile crocodile appears to follow the classic archosaurian pattern of Ca mobilisation, whereby the shell supplies the majority of foetal Ca, but the intra-abdominal yolk contains substantial Ca reserves for use by the hatchling. This study provides clinicians and researchers with information on sample collection and analysis of Nile crocodile egg and foetal tissue, provides baseline descriptive data on Ca and P concentration and content, discusses the effect of potential covariates on Ca and P concentration and content, and discusses the movement of Ca and P from reserves within the egg to the developing foetus.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47355947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-06DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1980121
Marisa Naia, A. S. Sow, João C. Campos, Zeine El Abidine Sidatt, J. Brito
ABSTRACT Philochortus zolii is a globally endangered lizard known only from five localities scattered across North Africa. The population is thought to be decreasing, but there are almost no data about this Sahara-Sahel endemic lizard. Recently, a sixth population was found in Mauritania, at the coastal peripheral zone of the Diawling National Park, which constitutes a remarkable opportunity to gather ecological information for the first time and to plan conservation actions. Here we assess the P. zolii regional distribution in Mauritania, estimate population abundance, analyse the species activity patterns, characterise the occupied habitats, assess local threats, evaluate the national conservation status, and define an action plan for the local conservation of the species. P. zolii is locally rare and exhibits a much-localised distribution, but additional sampling is needed in other humid areas to fill out the knowledge gap on global distribution. The activity period is very restricted, limited to the central hours of the day, with low detectability and high specialisation in habitat use. The species is evaluated as Critically Endangered at the national level and is threatened by industrial and agriculture developments. These activities have degraded the suitable available habitats and hamper any dispersal possibility. Extreme climatic events related with sea-level rise could decimate the entire Mauritanian population. Any pet trade that may be stimulated by the current discovery should be carefully supervised and monitored. The discovery of this isolated population justifies that coastal habitats should be designated as integral protection zone and included inside the Diawling National Park.
{"title":"Distribution, ecology, and conservation of Philochortus zolii in Mauritania: implications for the long-term persistence of an endangered lizard","authors":"Marisa Naia, A. S. Sow, João C. Campos, Zeine El Abidine Sidatt, J. Brito","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1980121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1980121","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Philochortus zolii is a globally endangered lizard known only from five localities scattered across North Africa. The population is thought to be decreasing, but there are almost no data about this Sahara-Sahel endemic lizard. Recently, a sixth population was found in Mauritania, at the coastal peripheral zone of the Diawling National Park, which constitutes a remarkable opportunity to gather ecological information for the first time and to plan conservation actions. Here we assess the P. zolii regional distribution in Mauritania, estimate population abundance, analyse the species activity patterns, characterise the occupied habitats, assess local threats, evaluate the national conservation status, and define an action plan for the local conservation of the species. P. zolii is locally rare and exhibits a much-localised distribution, but additional sampling is needed in other humid areas to fill out the knowledge gap on global distribution. The activity period is very restricted, limited to the central hours of the day, with low detectability and high specialisation in habitat use. The species is evaluated as Critically Endangered at the national level and is threatened by industrial and agriculture developments. These activities have degraded the suitable available habitats and hamper any dispersal possibility. Extreme climatic events related with sea-level rise could decimate the entire Mauritanian population. Any pet trade that may be stimulated by the current discovery should be carefully supervised and monitored. The discovery of this isolated population justifies that coastal habitats should be designated as integral protection zone and included inside the Diawling National Park.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46475126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-01DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1976289
Tejs Gørgens Nielsen, S. H. Nielsen, P. Gravlund, D. Moyer, A. Galatius, M. Allentoft
ABSTRACT The African green snakes of the genus Philothamnus include c. 21 recognised species distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Many of the species exhibit high morphological conservatism, exist sympatrically, and can have high population densities. This is presumably the reason why the number of species, their systematics, and taxonomy remain debated, and this may compromise the ability to conduct accurate species identifications based on morphological characters. To investigate and quantify this problem, we examined a large sympatric sample of ethanol-preserved Philothamnus specimens from Minziro Forest, Tanzania. Of the 248 specimens examined, 55 were P. heterolepidotus, 49 were P. hoplogaster, 33 were P. angolensis, and one was P. ornatus. A further 110 specimens could not be assigned to any species based on existing identification keys. Thus, this unidentified sample of Philothamnus comprises new forms or undescribed polymorphisms within recognised forms. We examined diagnostic morphological characters using a multivariate approach. Results revealed that if the presence or absence of the white spot character is ignored, many unidentified individuals fall within well-defined clusters based on other characters. These include the heart position, which we explore here as a new diagnostic character for this genus. A thorough revision using integrative taxonomy, for example combining morphological and genetic characteristics from across the spectrum of variability in this genus, could provide a better understanding of species limits, diversity, evolutionary history, and radiation of some of the most commonly encountered snakes in sub-Saharan Africa. This would also improve the taxonomic accuracy of regional herpetological biodiversity assessments.
{"title":"A can of worms: Identification issues and morphological conservatism in a large sample of African Green and Bush Snakes (Colubridae: Philothamnus) from Minziro Forest, Tanzania","authors":"Tejs Gørgens Nielsen, S. H. Nielsen, P. Gravlund, D. Moyer, A. Galatius, M. Allentoft","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1976289","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1976289","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The African green snakes of the genus Philothamnus include c. 21 recognised species distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Many of the species exhibit high morphological conservatism, exist sympatrically, and can have high population densities. This is presumably the reason why the number of species, their systematics, and taxonomy remain debated, and this may compromise the ability to conduct accurate species identifications based on morphological characters. To investigate and quantify this problem, we examined a large sympatric sample of ethanol-preserved Philothamnus specimens from Minziro Forest, Tanzania. Of the 248 specimens examined, 55 were P. heterolepidotus, 49 were P. hoplogaster, 33 were P. angolensis, and one was P. ornatus. A further 110 specimens could not be assigned to any species based on existing identification keys. Thus, this unidentified sample of Philothamnus comprises new forms or undescribed polymorphisms within recognised forms. We examined diagnostic morphological characters using a multivariate approach. Results revealed that if the presence or absence of the white spot character is ignored, many unidentified individuals fall within well-defined clusters based on other characters. These include the heart position, which we explore here as a new diagnostic character for this genus. A thorough revision using integrative taxonomy, for example combining morphological and genetic characteristics from across the spectrum of variability in this genus, could provide a better understanding of species limits, diversity, evolutionary history, and radiation of some of the most commonly encountered snakes in sub-Saharan Africa. This would also improve the taxonomic accuracy of regional herpetological biodiversity assessments.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44385078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-01DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1976288
M. Boakye, E. Wiafe, Meyir Y Ziekah
ABSTRACT The use of Python spp. for traditional medicine purposes has been recorded, but there is a dearth of information on the versatility of body parts used for the treatment of human ailments. This study aimed to determine the medicinal knowledge and level of agreement among traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana on the use of pythons for the treatment of human ailments. Ethnozoological data on the use of pythons for the treatment of human ailments were gathered from 45 traditional medicine practitioners using semi-structured interviews. The use value index and informant agreement ratio were calculated to ascertain the most sought after python body part and the level of agreement of a python body part for the treatment of human ailments. The python head, bones, and skin were the body parts found to be used for traditional medicine purposes together with the fat and eggs. Python fat had the highest use value and informant agreement ratio. Rheumatism, headache, bedwetting, diabetes, and spiritual protection were among the human ailments that were treated with python. Overall, python medicinal use was mainly for spiritual ailments rather than medical ailments. Although the python is currently of less international conservation importance, there is a need to reconcile the high use values of species by traditional medicine practitioners with their conservation status to evaluate their current threats.
{"title":"Ethnomedicinal use of pythons by traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana","authors":"M. Boakye, E. Wiafe, Meyir Y Ziekah","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1976288","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1976288","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The use of Python spp. for traditional medicine purposes has been recorded, but there is a dearth of information on the versatility of body parts used for the treatment of human ailments. This study aimed to determine the medicinal knowledge and level of agreement among traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana on the use of pythons for the treatment of human ailments. Ethnozoological data on the use of pythons for the treatment of human ailments were gathered from 45 traditional medicine practitioners using semi-structured interviews. The use value index and informant agreement ratio were calculated to ascertain the most sought after python body part and the level of agreement of a python body part for the treatment of human ailments. The python head, bones, and skin were the body parts found to be used for traditional medicine purposes together with the fat and eggs. Python fat had the highest use value and informant agreement ratio. Rheumatism, headache, bedwetting, diabetes, and spiritual protection were among the human ailments that were treated with python. Overall, python medicinal use was mainly for spiritual ailments rather than medical ailments. Although the python is currently of less international conservation importance, there is a need to reconcile the high use values of species by traditional medicine practitioners with their conservation status to evaluate their current threats.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42420150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-01DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2021.1952317
Jens Reissig
ABSTRACT During the past ten years, the African Journal of Herpetology has published various papers regarding African Herpetology from all corners of the African continent. The journal is published twice per annum with an average of six articles per issue. Below is listed all publications, as well as taxonomic discoveries that appeared in the journal over the past decade.
{"title":"African Journal of Herpetology: Bibliography and taxonomic discoveries of the past ten years","authors":"Jens Reissig","doi":"10.1080/21564574.2021.1952317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2021.1952317","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT During the past ten years, the African Journal of Herpetology has published various papers regarding African Herpetology from all corners of the African continent. The journal is published twice per annum with an average of six articles per issue. Below is listed all publications, as well as taxonomic discoveries that appeared in the journal over the past decade.","PeriodicalId":49247,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Herpetology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45123477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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