African Reptiles Research Articles

Developmental stages and molecular phylogeny of Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi (Dias 1953) (Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) in tortoises Stigmochelys pardalis (Cryptodira: Testudinidae) and ticks of the genus Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) from South Africa

BackgroundHepatozoon fitzsimonsi (Dias, 1953) is a frequently found haemogregarine of southern African tortoises. At the time of this species’ reassignment from the genus Haemogregarina to Hepatozoon, developmental stages such as sporocysts and sporozoites were observed in ticks associated with H. fitzsimonsi parasitised and non-parasitised tortoises. It was thus suggested that ticks may act as the potential vectors for this parasite. However, this earlier research was unable to confirm the identity of these sporogonic stages using molecular markers. In a separate study aimed at identifying tick species parasitising South African reptiles and molecularly screening these for the presence of Hepatozoon, that study identified H. fitzsimonsi in tortoise-associated ticks. Thus, the present study aimed to revisit the potential of ticks to act as vectors for H. fitzsimonsi in tortoises using a combined microscopy and molecular approach.MethodsSpecimens of Kinixys natalensis, Kinixys spekii, Kinixys zombensis and Stigmochelys pardalis were collected from Bonamanzi and Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa. Upon capture, animals were examined for ticks, and these were collected along with blood and other tissues. Adult ticks were dissected and visceral impression slides were prepared along with thin blood and tissue smears on clean microscope slides. Smears and impression slides were stained with Giemsa, screened and micrographs of parasites were captured. Two primer sets were employed to target fragments of the 18S rRNA gene of parasites found in both tortoises and ticks and the resulting sequences were then compared with other known H. fitzsimonsi and haemogregarine sequences from the GenBank database.ResultsPeripheral blood gamont and liver merogonic stages were observed in S. pardalis, while the sporogonic stages were observed in the haemocoel of Amblyomma ticks. Gamont and sporocyst stages compared morphologically with previous descriptions of H. fitzsimonsi, identifying them as this species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the blood and tick sequences obtained in this study clustered in a monophyletic clade comprising known H. fitzsimonsi.ConclusionsThe present study provides further support for ticks acting as the vectors of H. fitzsimonsi by molecularly identifying and linking observed developmental stages in tortoises (S. pardalis) with those in the invertebrate host (Amblyomma spp.).Graphical

The golden age (1862–1910) of the Zoological Section of the Museu Nacional de Lisboa (National Museum of Lisbon), Portugal

This paper provides an overview of the organization and first decades of the Zoological Section of the Museu Nacional de Lisboa (National Museum of Lisbon), under the leadership of José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage (1823–1907), a Portuguese zoologist who attained international recognition. The article discusses the contributions made by a small community of zoologists, who joined transnational networks and gave projection to the institution by founding and disseminating the first Portuguese journal exclusively devoted to scientific research, the Jornal de sciencias mathematicas, physicas e naturaes, in which they published their original research. The animal collections of the Zoological Section were unique in that they had numerous specimens of previously unknown Southwestern African birds and reptiles, most of which were sent by José de Anchieta, who extensively travelled across the Angolan hinterland. From its inception, the museum was tied to a higher education institution, the Escola Politécnica de Lisboa (Lisbon Polytechnic School), and also fulfilled a pedagogical function. Although the Zoological Section survived the death of its founder, being renamed Museu Bocage (Bocage Museum) in 1905, it failed to gain more autonomy in subsequent decades, becoming a constrained institution that lacked premises and personnel to meet its rising demands. After a fire that destroyed almost all its specimens in 1978, the recently reformed Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência (National Museum of Natural History and Science) is trying to write a new chapter by honouring its long history.

Blood parasites in sympatric lizards: what is their impact on hosts’ immune system?

Abstract Assessment of parasites and their pathogenicity is essential for studying the ecology of populations and understanding their dynamics. In this study, we investigate the prevalence and intensity of infection of haemogregarines (phylum Apicomplexa) in two sympatric lizard species, Podarcis vaucheri and Scelarcis perspicillata, across three localities in Morocco, and their effect on host immune response. We used the Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin testing technique to relate the level of immune response with parasite infection. Prevalence and intensity levels were estimated with microscopy, and 18S rRNA gene sequences were used to confirm parasite identity. All parasites belong to the haemogregarine lineage found in other North African reptiles. There were differences in prevalence between localities and sexes. Overall, infected lizards were larger than uninfected ones, although we did not detect differences in parasitaemia across species, sex or locality. The swelling response was not related to the presence or number of haemogregarines, or to host body size, body condition, sex or species. We found no evidence of impact for these parasites on the circulating blood cells or the hosts’ immune system, but more data is needed to assess the potential impact of mixed infections, and the possibility of cryptic parasite species.

Molecular screening of ticks of the genus Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting South African reptiles with comments on their potential to act as vectors for Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi (Dias, 1953) (Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae).

In South Africa, the role of reptilian ticks in the transmission of haemoparasites is lacking, in part, due to limited information on tick diversity and their associated haemoparasites. The aim of this research was to identify tick species parasitizing reptiles and to molecularly screen these ectoparasites for species of the blood apicomplexan genus Hepatozoon. Samples were collected from Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Cape Columbine region, Western Cape. Reptiles collected included 2 snakes, 2 monitor lizards of a single species respectively, as well as 17 tortoises of four species. Ticks collected from these were morphologically identified as Amblyomma latum (n = 2) and Amblyomma marmoreum (n = 98), this identification was molecularly confirmed using 16S rRNA and CO1 genes. Screening for Hepatozoon was done by amplifying the 18S rRNA gene. A species of Hepatozoon, Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi, was identified from A. marmoreum ticks, with an overall prevalence of 10%. This Hepatozoon species, has been described parasitizing tortoises from southern Africa, and has been reported from ticks infesting tortoises from Kenya, East Africa. Even though ticks have been suggested to be the likely vector of this Hepatozoon species, with this supported by the findings of Hepatozoon-like developmental stages in ticks collected off of infected tortoises, a recent systematic revision placed this species in a newly erected genus Bartazoon, a genus vectorised by biting insects. The present study thus provides further support for ticks acting as the potential vectors of H. fitzsimonsi.

Differentiation of Basidiobolus spp. Isolates: RFLP of a Diagnostic PCR Amplicon Matches Sequence-Based Classification and Growth Temperature Preferences.

The genus Basidiobolus, known since 1886, is primarily associated with reptiles and amphibians. Although globally distributed, rare infections caused by members of this genus mainly occur in tropical and subtropical regions. Morphological and physiological characteristics were used in the past for the description of species. However, some of these characteristics vary depending on culture conditions. Therefore, most species names are regarded as synonyms of B. ranarum as the only pathogenic species. Yet, not all environmental isolates are necessarily pathogenic. This study aimed to analyze if environmental Basidiobolus isolates can be distinguished reliably based on morpho-physiological and molecular characteristics. Eleven isolates originally obtained from feces of south African reptiles and one type strain, Basidiobolus microsporus DSM 3120, were examined morpho-physiologically. Sequence analysis of the 18S and partial 28S rRNA gene and restriction analysis of a diagnostic amplicon (restriction fragment length polymorphism, RFLP) were performed for all 12 strains. Based on the results obtained, morphological features and the 18S rRNA sequence proved insufficient for the reliable differentiation of isolates. However, isolates were distinguishable by growth temperature profiles, which matched isolate clusters established by partial 28S rRNA gene sequence and restriction analysis of a Basidiobolus specific diagnostic PCR amplicon. Our results indicate that RFLP analysis can be used as a fast screening method to identify Basidiobolus isolates with similar physiological characteristics.

No safe haven: Protection levels show imperilled South African reptiles not sufficiently safe-guarded despite low average extinction risk

Compared to the global average, extinction risk for mainland African reptiles, particularly for South Africa, appears to be relatively low. Despite this, African reptiles are under threat primarily due to habitat loss as a result of agriculture, resource extraction, and urbanisation, and these pressures are expected to increase into the future. South Africa's reptile fauna is relatively well-studied, allowing an investigation of whether threat status assessment limitations are driving the comparably low threat status for the country, a large component of Africa's reptile fauna (ca. 25% of mainland African reptiles are found in South Africa). Extinction risk of South African reptiles was assessed as of 2018 using IUCN criteria and we ‘backcast’ these assessments to infer extinction risk circa 1990. A Red List Index (RLI: a measure of the extinction risk for a group of species) for 1990 and 2018 was estimated, and the protection level afforded to South African reptiles was investigated by intersecting reptile distributions with the network of protected areas. Finally, a coarse estimate of extinction rate was made. Level of extinction risk for South African reptiles (ca. 5.4%) is lower than the global average, and most currently threatened species would have already been at risk by 1990. The RLI was slightly lower for 2018 than for 1990, and the decrease was more prominent for endemic reptiles than for all reptiles combined. Most South African reptiles fall into the Well Protected category, implying that the protected area network has substantial conservation impact. However, many threatened reptile species are Poorly Protected or Not Protected. The current extent of the protected area network therefore, does not adequately mitigate extinction risk for reptiles. Furthermore, the protected area expansion plan for South Africa would not capture any additional threatened species within its boundaries. Despite the lower level of extinction risk indicated by IUCN assessments, it would be premature to assume that South African reptiles are faring better than reptiles globally based only on this one measure. Notably, two South African reptiles are Critically Endangered and theses are not found in protected areas, two others are already classified as Extinct, and rough estimates of extinction rates are similar to values estimated for other vertebrates. By considering additional metrics that are directly guided by our in-depth knowledge of the species, their distributions and the threats, we demonstrate that South African reptiles are under pressure and that risk of extinction is tangible for several species.

First-time isolation and quantification of Basidiobolus spp. from reptile faeces in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) using selective media.

Members of the genus Basidiobolus are potentially pathogenic fungi, known to cause mycoses in tropical and subtropical countries. Basidiobolus spp. can be associated with animals, and reptiles and amphibians are candidate vectors for the distribution of this fungus. The presence of Basidiobolus spp. was described for different reptiles in several African countries, although not for South Africa. In addition, quantitative data are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse faeces of selected South African reptiles for the presence and quantity of "viable Basidiobolus units." Faecal samples of gecko and agama lizards were collected and analysed using spread plating, with confirmation by PCR. The addition of dichloran and benomyl to standard fungal media improved the selectivity and allowed quantification of Basidiobolus spp. in reptile faeces. The amount of Basidiobolus spp. varied between 300 and 1.4×106 CFU per gram of pooled gecko faeces, which mostly corresponds to >1000CFU per outside dropping and <100CFU per inside dropping. About 60% of analysed agama faeces carried Basidiobolus spp., ranging from 150 to 1.2×105 CFU per dropping. Our results show for the first time that faeces of South African reptiles frequently carry Basidiobolus spp., confirming that they can contribute to the distribution of this fungus.

A Field Guide to East African Reptiles (2nd edition)

A Field Guide to East African Reptiles (2nd edition)

Microsatellite Marker for Cross-Species Amplification: Study Case for Indonesian Sundaland Python (Serpentes: Pythonidae)

The python of Indonesian Sundaland has been traded for its distinct skin colour and patterns. The need for rapid method in cross-species amplification for Indonesian Sundaland python is useful to contribute in management of sustainability harvesting system. In this research, we screened 10 microsatellite primers which are previously used for Australian, New Guinean, Chinese and Burmese pythons and 7 potentially amplifiable primers for African and Asian reptiles. Python breitensteini showed a greater number of alleles (2-8 alleles) than Python bivittatus (1-3 alleles) and Python brongersmai (1-2 alleles). The observed and expected heterozygosity for all species were ranged from 0 to 1.00 and 0 to 0.79, respectively. According to the high cross-species amplification rates, 15 out of 17 primers were useful in assessing the genetic diversity and conservation genetic of Indonesian Sundaland python. Among the 15 primers, MS3 generated the highest number of allele for P. breitensteini (8 alleles), P. bivittatus (3 alleles), and P. brongersmai (2 alleles). We proposed MS3 locus as a suitable marker for Indonesian Sundaland python. Keywords: microsatellite, Python, Sundaland.

End of an era for African Herpetology—An obituary for a remarkable man: Donald George Broadley (29 May 1932 – 10 March 2016)

ABSTRACTEnglish-born Donald George Broadley spent most of his adult life working as a herpetologist at two museums in Zimbabwe. His many taxonomic reviews and other publications made him one of the most respected experts on African reptiles and amphibians worldwide. Don passed away at home in Bulawayo on 10 March 2016. This obituary summarises, emphasises and honours his many achievements as a herpetologist, and notes the many honours bestowed on him by the scientific community. His numerous collecting expeditions to south-central and eastern Africa resulted in the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) having the second largest collection (more than 52 000 specimens) of reptiles and amphibians in Africa. Included is a brief history of his involvement with the Herpetological Association of Africa, of which he was a founder member. The authors mention a few personal recollections of their associations and collaborations with him since the 1970s.

Metallic elements in Nile Crocodile eggs from the Kruger National Park, South Africa

The Nile Crocodile is the largest predator on the African continent. Recent mass mortalities in the Kruger National Park (KNP) raised concerns about possible influence of pollution. We analysed eggs and their eggshells collected from nests inside the KNP and from a crocodile farm for metallic elements. We found that mercury, selenium, and copper occurred at levels of concern. Eggshells had very high concentrations of iron. Apart from toxicological implications associated with elevated concentrations in eggs, we found iron possibly contributing towards thicker eggshells. Thicker shells may act as a barrier to gas and water exchange, as well as possibly increasing the effort required for the hatchling to emerge from tightly packed shells under sand. Pollutants are transported into the KNP via rivers, and possibly via air. Mercury and copper pollution are waste-, industrial- and mining-related; ecotoxicological concern should therefore be extended to all areas where the four African crocodile species occur. Reptiles are under-represented in ecotoxicological literature in general, and especially from Africa. We know of only one previous report on metals and metalloids in crocodile eggs from Africa (Zimbabwe), published 30 years ago. Reduced fitness, endocrine disruption and effects on behaviour are other possible sub-lethal effects associated with metallic elements that may only become apparent decades later in a long-lived species such as the Nile Crocodile. In the face of habitat destruction, pollution, human population increases, and climate change, further research is needed regarding pollutant concentrations and effects in all African reptiles. The rivers that carry water from outside the park sustain its aquatic life, but also transport pollutants into the KNP. Therefore, improved source mitigation remains an important task and responsibility for all involved.

Patterns of species richness, endemism and environmental gradients of African reptiles

AbstractAimTo map and assess the richness patterns of reptiles (and included groups: amphisbaenians, crocodiles, lizards, snakes and turtles) in Africa, quantify the overlap in species richness of reptiles (and included groups) with the other terrestrial vertebrate classes, investigate the environmental correlates underlying these patterns, and evaluate the role of range size on richness patterns.LocationAfrica.MethodsWe assembled a data set of distributions of all African reptile species. We tested the spatial congruence of reptile richness with that of amphibians, birds and mammals. We further tested the relative importance of temperature, precipitation, elevation range and net primary productivity for species richness over two spatial scales (ecoregions and 1° grids). We arranged reptile and vertebrate groups into range‐size quartiles in order to evaluate the role of range size in producing richness patterns.ResultsReptile, amphibian, bird and mammal richness are largely congruent (r = 0.79–0.86) and respond similarly to environmental variables (mainly productivity and precipitation). Ecoregion size accounts for more variation in the richness of reptiles than in that of other groups. Lizard distributions are distinct with several areas of high species richness where other vertebrate groups (including snakes) are species‐poor, especially in arid ecoregions. Habitat heterogeneity is the best predictor of narrow‐ranging species, but remains relatively important in explaining lizard richness even for species with large range sizes.Main conclusionsReptile richness varies with similar environmental variables as the other vertebrates in Africa, reflecting the disproportionate influence of snakes on reptile richness, a result of their large ranges. Richness gradients of narrow‐ranged vertebrates differ from those of widespread taxa, which may demonstrate different centres of endemism for reptile subclades in Africa. Lizard richness varies mostly with habitat heterogeneity independent of range size, which suggests that the difference in response of lizards is due to their ecological characteristics. These results, over two spatial scales and multiple range‐size quartiles, allow us to reliably interpret the influence of environmental variables on patterns of reptile richness and congruency.

Tanzania's reptile biodiversity: Distribution, threats and climate change vulnerability

Assessments of biodiversity patterns and threats among African reptiles have lagged behind those of other vertebrate groups and regions. We report the first systematic assessment of the distribution, threat status, and climate change vulnerability for the reptiles of Tanzania. A total of 321 reptile species (including 90 Tanzanian endemics) were assessed using the global standard IUCN Red List methodology and 274 species were also assessed using the IUCN guidelines for climate change vulnerability. Patterns of species richness and threat assessment confirm the conservation importance of the Eastern Arc Mountains, as previously demonstrated for birds, mammals and amphibians. Lowland forests and savannah-woodland habitats also support important reptile assemblages. Protected area gap analysis shows that 116 species have less than 20% of their distribution ranges protected, among which 12 are unprotected, eight species are threatened and 54 are vulnerable to climate change. Tanzania's northern margins and drier central corridor support high numbers of climate vulnerable reptile species, together with the eastern African coastal forests and the region between Lake Victoria and Rwanda. This paper fills a major gap in our understanding of the distribution and threats facing Tanzania's reptiles, and demonstrates more broadly that the explicit integration of climate change vulnerability in Red Listing criteria may revise spatial priorities for conservation.

Conservation status and threats for African reptiles

The assimilation of information on taxonomy, distribution, basic ecology and conservation status of Africa's reptiles lags far behind that for most other continents. Many regions of mainland Africa are rarely surveyed, resulting in severe knowledge gaps that currently limit effective conservation of African reptiles. Here, we provide a précis on the knowledge gaps and conservation status of mainland African reptiles, and quantify the main threats based on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assessments using publicly available distribution data. Our results show that these data are insufficient to confidently identify areas of high biodiversity, with large gaps in knowledge in the Horn of Africa, central Africa and West Africa. There is a strong overall taxonomic bias in extinction risk with 45% of families more threatened than expected by chance. Furthermore, Amphisbaenidae, Chameleonidae, Gerrhosauridae, Testudinidae, Viperidae all have a high percentage of their constituent species at risk. Overall, land transformation for agriculture, particularly subsistence farming, constitutes the primary threat to African reptiles, and our derived Threat Index based on socio-economic traits of African countries show that risk is high in Burundi, Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. These findings highlight important challenges facing the conservation of African reptiles, and we suggest that conservation priorities in mainland Africa be focussed on areas where the potential for overall loss of biodiversity is high, particularly in regions where knowledge is inadequate.

Nematode Parasites of Some Reptiles (Sauria: Testudines: Ophidia) From the Northern and Western Cape Provinces, South Africa

One hundred and seven reptiles (11 families, 32 species) from the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa were examined for helminths. Twenty-three (22%) individual reptiles were found to harbor at least 1 species of nematode; 3 (7%) reptiles harbored multiple infections of 2 nematode species. Eight species within 5 families of Nematoda were found in the reptiles surveyed including 1 atractid, 1 diaphanocephalid, 1 heterakid, 3 pharyngodonids, and 2 physalopterans. Ten new host records are reported. A summary of the nematode parasites identified from South African reptiles is provided.

Community ecology of African reptiles: historical perspective and a meta‐analysis using null models

AbstractCommunity ecology and resource‐partitioning patterns of African reptiles have been increasingly studied over the past 30 years. In this paper, I review these studies and provide a meta‐analysis based on null models and Monte Carlo simulations (RA2 and RA3 algorithms) to compare patterns of resource partitioning among reptiles in tropical versus nontropical Africa. In general, studies on community ecology of African reptiles have had a strong impact on the global study of resource‐partitioning patterns in ectotherms, with such authors as Robert Barbault and Eric Pianka being among the most famous having ever worked in Africa. Despite previous claims, in this paper I suggest that there is no true evidence that reptile biomass is depressed in tropical Africa in comparison with tropical regions of other continents. My null‐model reanalysis of 32 independent study systems (twenty from tropical Africa and twelve from nontropical Africa) shows that resource‐partitioning patterns are nearly always found in tropical assemblages of reptiles, although this cannot be said for nontropical assemblages of species. Microhabitat (especially for lizards) and food (especially for snakes) are the resource axes typically partitioned by African reptiles.

Hemextin AB Complex, a Unique Anticoagulant Protein Complex from Hemachatus haemachatus (African Ringhals Cobra) Venom That Inhibits Clot Initiation and Factor VIIa Activity

During injury or trauma, blood coagulation is initiated by the interaction of factor VIIa (FVIIa) in the blood with freshly exposed tissue factor (TF) to form the TF.FVIIa complex. However, unwanted clot formation can lead to death and debilitation due to vascular occlusion, and hence, anticoagulants are important for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of two synergistically acting anticoagulant proteins, hemextins A and B, from the venom of Hemachatus haemachatus (African Ringhals cobra). N-terminal sequences and CD spectra of the native proteins indicate that these proteins belong to the three-finger toxin family. Hemextin A (but not hemextin B) exhibits mild anticoagulant activity. However, hemextin B forms a complex (hemextin AB complex) with hemextin A and synergistically enhances its anticoagulant potency. Prothrombin time assay showed that these two proteins form a 1:1 complex. Complex formation was supported by size-exclusion chromatography. Using a "dissection approach," we determined that hemextin A and the hemextin AB complex prolong clotting by inhibiting TF.FVIIa activity. The site of anticoagulant effects was supported by their inhibitory effect on the reconstituted TF.FVIIa complex. Furthermore, we demonstrated their specificity of inhibition by studying their effects on 12 serine proteases; the hemextin AB complex potently inhibited the amidolytic activity of FVIIa in the presence and absence of soluble TF. Kinetic studies showed that the hemextin AB complex is a noncompetitive inhibitor of soluble TF.FVIIa amidolytic activity, with a Ki of 50 nm. Isothermal titration calorimetric studies showed that the hemextin AB complex binds directly to FVIIa with a binding constant of 1.62 x 10(5) m(-1). The hemextin AB complex is the first reported natural inhibitor of FVIIa that does not require a scaffold to mediate its inhibitory activity. Molecular interactions of the hemextin AB complex with FVIIa/TF.FVIIa will provide a new paradigm in the search for anticoagulants that inhibit the initiation of blood coagulation.

A description of two new species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from African reptiles with nomenclatural corrections for two Caryospora and one Eimeria species from snakes.

Two new species of coccidian parasites are described from African reptiles. Oocysts of Eimeria foulshami sp. n. from the plated lizard Gerrhosaurus major bottegoi Del Prato of Sudan are ellipsoidal, 24.1 x 14.9 (23-26.5 x 14-17.8) microm with a bilayered, colourless oocyst wall and lack polar granules. The ellipsoidal sporocysts average 8.6 x 4.6 (7-10.6 x 4.4-7) microm and possess a prominent, globular, sporocyst residuum. Oocysts of Caryospora regentensis sp. n. from the Eastern green mamba Dendroaspis augusticeps Smith, 1849 [corrected] of Kenya are spherical to subspherical, 16.8 x 16.4 (16-17.6 x 15-17.2) microm with a bilayered oocyst wall and a single polar granule. The ellipsoidal sporocysts average 13.0 x 10.3 (10.2-14 x 9.2-11) microm and possess a Stieda and substieda body and a prominent globular sporocyst residuum. Oocysts of Caryospora legeri Hoare, 1933 are reported from a hissing sand snake, Psammophis sibilans sibilans L. from Nigeria, representing a new geographical record. The oocysts are slightly larger than the type, but otherwise identical. Caryospora psammophi Bray, 1960 and C. hermae Bray, 1960 from Psammophis sibilans phillipsi, oocysts of which are morphologically similar to and overlap in dimensions with C. legeri Hoare, 1933, are synonymised with the latter species. Eimeria samiae Iskander et Tadros, 1979 is emended to E. samyadeli to reflect the gender of the person the species was named after and because E. sani is preoccupied. In addition to these findings, Eimeria bohemi Modrý, Slapeta et Koudela, 2000 and oocysts of an unidentified spherical Eimieria sp. are reported from Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis Leach from Cameroon.

Comments on the types and type localities of South African reptiles collected by Heinrich Bergius and Ludwig Krebs

Karl Heinrich Bergius (1790–1818) and Georg Ludwig Engelhard Krebs (1792–1844) were German apothecaries living in South Africa who collected zoological material, including reptiles, for Martin Hinrich Carl Lichtenstein, director of the Zoological Museum of the Wilhelm-Friedrichs-Universität zu Berlin (ZMB). Although many of the specimens they sent to Berlin went unstudied, six species of reptiles described by Lichtenstein (1823), Wiegmann (1828, 1834) and Fitzinger (1843) were based on type material collected by them. In all cases (Sepedon rhombeata [= Causus rhombeatus], Coluber rufulus [= Lycodonomorphus rufulus], Gerrhosaurus flavigularis. Scincus homolocephalus [= Mabuya homalocephala], Cricochalcis aenea [= Chamaesaura aenea] and Pachydactylus bergii [= P geitje]) it is possible to restrict the type localities on the basis of the activities of the collectors. In the case of Sepedon rhombeata it is demonstrated that a recent claim (de Massary & Ineich 1994) that no type material was present in the ZMB collection at the time of Lichtenstein's description is false. The type of Coluber rufulus is shown to have been collected by Bergius, rather than Krebs, as previously assumed. The consistent mis-spelling of the specific epithet of Mabuya homalocephala is identified and discussed. The type of the latter species was collected in the Eastern Cape province, suggesting its identity with the form until recently recognized as M. h. smithii.

Field guide to snakes and other reptiles of southern Africa

This edition supplements the 397 South African reptiles originally represented in this field guide by 64 new species. Some of these are new discoveries in the region, others are reclassifications. Author Bill Branch has also adapted the original text, modifying distributions and biology to reflect the most up-to-date research on the subject. The book covers 133 species of snake, as well as many and varied lizard and gecko species, tortoises, turtles, terrapins and the crocodile. New species entries introduce 13 gecko species, eight skinks and three snakes, amongst others. Each species entry includes size range, a physical description of the creature and a discussion on biology and breeding, habitat and range. Where subspecies occur, these are described. Each account is accompanied by a distribution map, which has been updated where necessary. Explanatory notes and a comprehensive glossary make the subject accessible to even the beginner herpretologist.