NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 AHN AFRICAN HERP NEWS

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 1 Herpetological Association of Africa HAA www.africanherpetology.org

FOUNDED 1965 COMMITTEE OF THE HAA The HAA is dedicated to the study and con- CHAIRPERSON servation of African reptiles and amphib- Krystal Tolley, South African National Biodiversi- ians. Membership is open to anyone with ty Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa. an interest in the African herpetofauna. Email: [email protected] Members receive the Association’s journal, African Journal of Herpetology (which SECRETARY publishes review papers, research articles, Buyi Makhubo, School of Life Sciences, University and short communications – subject to of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected] peer review) and African Herp News, the Newsletter (which includes short com- TREASURER munications, natural history notes, book Jens Reissig, P.O.Box 62, Kelvin, Sandton 2054, reviews, bibliographies, husbandry hints, South Africa. announcements and news items). Email: [email protected] JOURNAL EDITOR NEWSLETTER EDITOR’S NOTE Ché Weldon, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Articles shall be considered for publication Management, North-West University, Potchefst- room 2522, South Africa. provided that they are original and have Email: [email protected] not been published elsewhere. Articles will be submitted for peer review at the Edi- NEWSLETTER EDITOR tor’s discretion. Authors are requested to Jessica da Silva, South African National Biodi- submit manuscripts by e-mail in MS Word versity Institute. Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa. ‘.doc’ or ‘.docx’ format. E-mail: [email protected]

COPYRIGHT: Articles published in WEBPAGE/SOCIAL MEDIA the Newsletter are copyright of the Herpe- Bryan Maritz, Department of Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of the Western tological Association of Africa and may not Cape. E-mail: [email protected] be reproduced without permission of the Editor. The views and opinions expressed STUDENT SUPPORT Hanlie Engelbrecht, School of Animal, Plant and in articles are not necessarily those of the Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwa- Editor. tersrand, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected]

CONFERENCE CONVENOR Shelly Edwards, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. Email: [email protected] COVER PHOTOGRAPH: HAA AWARDS Psammobates tentorius tentorius Michael Bates, Department of Herpetology, Na- tional Museum, P.O.Box 266, Bloemfontein 9300, Photograph by: Gary Kyle Nicolau South Africa. Email: [email protected]

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 2 5 EDITORIAL

ANNOUCEMENTS 6 WINNER OF THE HAA STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT 7 STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT 8 STUDENT AWARDS 9 HAA CONFERENCE STUDENT GRANT 2019 10 14TH HAA PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 11 14TH HAA AUCTION

CORRECTIONS 12 CORRECTIONS TO ISSUES 68 & 69

TOMORROW’S HERPETOLOGISTS TODAY 13 F. BECKER

ARTICLES 17 P.R. JORDAAN & C.C. HANEKOM. Fossorial reptile density in sand forest, Tshinini Game Reserve.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 22 P.R. JORDAAN, A.B. WOOLCOCK & P.U. ELSE . Cordylus vittifer; (Reichenow, 1887). FIRE ASSOCIATED INJURY. 24 P.L. CUNNINGHAM & C. THOMAS. Dispholidus typus viridis; (A. Smith, 1828). FORAGING 28 R. VAN HUYSSTEEN & M. PETFORD. Prosymna stuhlmannii; (Pfeffer, 1893).HUNTING STRATEGY

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 3 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS 31 A.M. BAUER. Scelotes sexlineatus; (Harlan, 1824). 33 G.K. NICOLAU & K.M.J. LYNCH. Pachydactylus purcelli; Boulenger, 1910. 35 O. BOURQUIN. Homopholis wahlbergii; (A. Smith, 1849) 36 D.W. PIETERSEN & M. STANTON. Prosymna pitmani; Battersby, 1951

39 INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

45 HAA MEMBERSHIP FEES

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 4 \ EDITORIAL Access to information is key to everyone, and I am pleased to say that information on African herpetology can now be acquired through various formats thanks to much of the efforts of the HAA committee last year.

For those who may not be aware, the HAA website has a new look and feel so please do check it out at www.africanherpetology.org. It will be frequently updated with news, events, funding opportunities and more relating to African herpetology.

The part I’m most excited about is that the HAA website is now home to all past issues of the newsletter, free to download. I thank Mike Bates, Graham Alexander, and Jens Reissig for lending out their hardcopy issues, and Jody Taft for assisting me in digitising them. I hope all of you will make use of this invaluable resource, and may it inspire you to start or continue to submit articles to the newsletter. There is a one year embargo on accessing the issues from the website, which should not be of great concern to members as you receive all current issues via email. For non-members, current issues can be sourced through EBSCO publishing – a provider of research databases, e-journals, e-books and magazines. Any institution with a subscription to EBSCO can access the newsletters starting from AHN 67.

Lastly, with the 14th HAA conference set to happen in September of this year, the committee felt it imperative that a conference website be created…..and so it hashttps://sites. ( google.com/view/haa14thconference/home). In essence, it is your one-stop-shop to all things related to the conference. You will be able to register, submit an abstract, find information on how to pay, obtain details on the venue and accommodation, learn about funding opportunities to attend the conference, get details on available workshops, and get to know a little more about the plenary speakers. There is also information available to anyone interested in hosting the next HAA conference. Please take the time to visit the site. It will be updated regularly, and include the conference program when available. Please note that early registration and abstract submission opened 1 APRIL 2019. Abstract submission has been extended until 15 July.

Jessica da Silva Editor

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS

WINNER OF HAA STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT 2019

AND THE WINNER IS….

Congratulations to Mr Jean Ruhan Verster who has successfully secured the HAA Student Research Grant 2019! We are excited to provide financial support for an EcoHealth perspective on ectothermic vertebrates in the Toasmania region of Madagascar.

We wish you well with your research.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 6 >>>>>>>> ANNOUNCEMENTS.>>>>>>>>

STUDENT AND EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT

The Herpetological Association of Africa is pleased to announce a new initiative aimed at the development of students and early-career researchers in herpetology. Come rub shoulders with the giants and let the networking begin!

Do you have a super cool research project in mind but don’t know where to start, and you have no idea about funding opportunities and available resources? Fret no more and come pick the brains of your fellow herpetologists via our Facebook page. Or, are you having trouble figuring out which analytical method to use, or how to make sense of your data for instance? Post your queries on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/ biz/Herpetological-Association-of-Africa-144176885638420), and we will try our best to get you expert advice. We are looking forward to stimulating and exciting discussions.

We also post requests for research assistance, advertisements for internships, graduate projects, job openings, and other opportunities that may not be restricted to the field of herpetology. So, keep an eye out, you do not want to miss out on these cool ventures! Hanlie Engelbrecht HAA Committee: Student Issues

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 7 >>>>>>>> ANNOUNCEMENTS.>>>>>>>>

STUDENT AWARDS

Dear HAA students,

The Herpetological Association of Africa would like to award the best student first-authored manuscript, published or accepted for publication in the African Journal of Herpetology in the four issues immediately prior to the next HAA conference. That is, if your manuscript has been accepted for publication in the AJH for issues 66-69, you stand a chance to receive a cash reward of ZAR 5000! To stand a chance of winning this award, submit your manuscript to AJH now! When submitting online, please check the box that indicates that your manuscript is eligible.

Articles will be evaluated by a committee of HAA members, none of whom have students in the competition, and judged based on technical merit, originality, relevance and potential impact on the field of African herpetology, as well as clarity of writing. Announcement of the award will be made at the 14th Herpetological Association of Africa Conference in 2019.

Conditional clause: the competition will only be run if there were at least two student publications in the last four journal issues. HAA Committee 2019

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 8 >>>>>>>> ANNOUNCEMENTS.>>>>>>>>

HAA CONFERENCE STUDENT GRANT 2019

The Herpetological Association of Africa proudly announces that applications for the Conference Student Grant, to attend the 14th Herpetological Association of Africa Conference, are now open. The conference will be held 9-13 September 2019 at the Cape St Francis Resort, Eastern Cape, South Africa. All HAA student* members (undergraduate or postgraduate registered at a university or Technicon, regardless of country of residence) who are in good standing with the Association and who will submit an abstract for an oral presentation in any field of original research in African herpetology may apply for this grant (Africa taken to include the continent of Africa, Madagascar, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Gulf of Guinea islands, Mascarenes and Seychelles). *Postdoctoral fellows are not considered students

Applications must include a curriculum vitae and a maximum three-page (single-spaced) statement detailing the research to be presented**, including the following: • A statement of the degree program and institution as well as the academic mentor/ advisor's name and contact details. • A 3–5 page description of the research, including a title, objectives/goals/ hypotheses, methods that were used, a summary of the results and an interpretation of the findings. Also include key references, and important tables and/or figures. **Presentations that relate to project proposals will not be considered for this grant.

The award will cover HAA conference registration fees and shared accommodation at the conference venue. Please note that a maximum of three students will be awarded this grant. The submission deadline is 30 June 2019. The applications will be evaluated by a committee of HAA members, none of whom will have students in the competition. Applications will be judged based on technical merit, originality, relevance and potential impact on the field of African herpetology. Announcement of the award will be made via email correspondence and posted on the HAA Facebook page by 30 July 2019.

Applications should be sent to the HAA Secretary, Buyisile Makhubo secretaryhaa@gmail.( com). Buyisile Makhubo, Hanlie Engelbrecht, Jens Reissig & Mike Bates HAA Awards Sub-Committee 2019

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 9 14th HAA Photography Competition judging panel

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 10 >>>>>>>> ANNOUNCEMENTS.>>>>>>>>

14TH HAA AUCTION

We would like to request donations for the traditional Herpetophilia Auction, to be held during the 14th HAA Conference in Cape St. Francis, 9-13 September 2019.

Auction items should include herpetological desirables and paraphernalia (e.g. books, reprints,paintings, sculptures, anything else obscure but relevant), and can be donated by anyone, including non-members. Proceeds will benefit the society.

If you have items to donate to the auction, or need any further information, contact Aaron Bauer, [email protected] as soon as possible.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 11 CORRECTIONS

In AHN 68, an omission was made to the Acknowledgements section of two Geographical Distributions:Ptenopus garrulus (pages 50-52) and Scelotes caffer (pages 53-56). Both articles acknowledge the following: This work is based on the research carried out during the Karoo BioGaps Project, supported by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant Number: 98864), awarded through the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP), a joint initiative of the Department of Science of Technology (DST), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

In AHN 69, an error was made to Figure 2 of the Geographical Distribution forPanaspis wahlbergi (page 29), which we are rectifying here. The correct figure is provide here:

Figure 2. Previous southern-most record shown south of Margate in KwaZulu-Natal Province (Reptile Map 159460 ~3030CD), uploaded by J. Hey-mans. New southern-most record (Reptile Map 159540 ~3129DA) south of Port St Johns, both records fall within the Indian Ocean Costal Belt (Mucina and Rutherford 2006).

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 12 TOMORROW’S HERPETOLOGISTS​ TODAY FRANCOIS BECKER EXTREME CLIMATE-INDUCED LIFE-HISTORY PLASTICITY IN ROSE’S MOUNTAIN TOADLET

Age-specific survival and reproduction Masters degrees, Francois was studying rates are usually fixed within a species the population dynamics of the Critically or population, due to their close links Endangered Rose’s Mountain Toadlet to fitness. As a result, species usually lie (Capensibufo rosei) using mark-recapture somewhere on the slow-fast continuum techniques. While estimating their of life-history traits. On the one end there survival and recruitment rates, he made are short-lived, semelparous species that an unexpected discovery: these toadlets invest most of their resources into a single change their life-history strategy based on reproductive event. On the other, long- the weather. lived, iteroparous species invest in survival Together with Krystal Tolley, Res Altwegg and and multiple, less costly reproductive John Measey, Francois published an article events. However, in an environment where in the American Naturalist highlighting the conditions for reproduction are highly the findings of this mark-recapture study. variable, a variable life-history strategy Over 7 years, annual survival rate varied may be more advantageous than any fixed a great deal: between 4% and 92% of the strategy. This has not been observed to any adult population surviving annually. While considerable degree among vertebrate taxa 94% of this variation was explained by – until recently. variation in breeding-season rainfall, the Francois Becker is a PhD student at the trend was completely counter-intuitive: as University of the Witwatersrand. One breeding season rainfall increased, survival of his main research interests is how drastically decreased, and vice versa. By fitness-related animal behaviours affect contrast, the recruitment rates which population dynamics, and ultimately the also varied considerably, had a positive long-term evolution of species. For his PhD relationship with breeding season rainfall at the University of the Witwatersrand, which explained ~68% of this variability. he is studying how mate selection and Upon closer investigation of the metadata, substrate preference is driving speciation Francois and his colleagues showed that in barking geckos. During his Honours and C. rosei changed their investment strategy

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 13 TOMORROW’S HERPETOLOGISTS​ TODAY

Full profile of Rose's Mountain Toadlet (Capensibufo rosei).

based on the prevailing conditions, which some of the densest amphibian breeding resulted in the drastic fluctuations in aggregations in the world: often more than demographic rates observed. In wet years, 200 individuals in less than a square metre. the toads invested greatly in reproduction The males await females here, and tens of at the expense of adult survival, whereas males will wrestle to amplex a single female in dry years, the toads invested in adult when she enters a puddle, often resulting survival at the expense of reproductive in drowning fatalities. As the males spend output. most of their time in the breeding puddles The evolution of this variable life-history to competing with other males, they have strategy appeared to be linked to the little to no time to forage. Their body unique conditions these toads breed in. condition may therefore drop drastically Capensibufo rosei only occurs in a handful towards the end of the breeding season, of mountain seeps on the Cape Peninsula, making breeding highly costly – but not South Africa. They breed in shallow puddles, every year. In wet years, when conditions for barely a few millimetres deep, which breeding were favourable, the toads spent fill during winter rain and dry up within much longer at the breeding pools than in weeks, depending on the frequency and dry years, achieving a large reproductive amount of rainfall. The male toads form output (potentially more than doubling the

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 14 TOMORROW’S HERPETOLOGISTS​ TODAY

Multiple maleCapensibufo rosei attempting amplexus with two females (left); femaleCapensibufo rosei among egg string (right). population size) at the cost of adult survival. outcome of a breeding event, combined But in dry years, the toads only remain in with the predictability of this outcome the breeding pools for a short time before based on the amount of rainfall, has likely the breeding aggregation disseminates. This led to the variable life-history strategy we is because, with less rainfall, the shallow observed here. This level of environmentally puddles often dry up before tadpoles can induced plasticity may reflect a diversity reach metamorphosis, resulting in mass of life-history strategies not previously tadpole mortality. Such extremes in the appreciated among vertebrates.

Visibile Implant Elastomer (VIE) marks in Capensibufo rosei hind legs.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 15 ARTICLES

FOSSORIAL REPTILE taxa are disproportionally threatened when DENSITY IN SAND FOREST, considering the most recent assessment in TSHININI GAME RESERVE Bates et al. (2014). Of all assessed South African species, one out of two extinct, one P.R. JORDAAN & C.C. HANEKOM out of four critically endangered, three out of ten endangered, two out of 14 vulnerable, and nine out of 30 Near Threatened South Survey methods such as pitfall trapping African reptile species have fossorial traits which rely on the surface mobility of (Bates et al. 2014). This bias is illustrated animals for detection are generally deemed by the regionally diverse Scincidae group unsuitable for the adequate representation where all taxa (excluding prereferral species) of fossorial faunal abundance and diversity of conservation concern are fossorial (Tolley (Measey 2006; Smith et al. 2012) as most et al. 2019). soil adapted species infrequently move Historically northern KwaZulu-Natal has over the soil surface making their presence been sparsely surveyed for fossorial reptiles. potentially undetectable (Smith et al. This includes Ndumo Game Reserve (NGR) 2012) and such movement can significantly where Measey et al. (2009) resurveyed be biased by life history, disturbance, or sand forest and woodland sites during 2004 environmental factors (e.g. Haacke & Bruton originally assessed by Pooley et al. (1973). 1978; Driscoll et al. 2012). To quantitatively A significant decline for the two most survey fossorial reptile diversity, specialised abundant lizard species were observed, techniques involving the excavation and possibly due to the increase of the Nyala exposure of animals from substrate in (Tragelaphus angasii Angas 1849) and Impala a specified area or quadrat is required (Aepyceros melampus Lichtenstein 1812) (Measey 2006; Maritz & Alexander 2008). populations on the reserve, decreasing leaf The high level of labour involved in such litter through herbivory, thereby affecting surveys and the cryptic nature of fossorial the macroinvertebrate prey and habitat vertebrates make quantitative assessments of those species (Measey et al. 2009). Soil difficult and scarce (Measey 2006; Maritz moisture and soil temperature regimes may and Alexander 2008; Measey et al. 2009) also be influenced by the decrease of detrital which may allow population declines driven cover (Fekete et al. 2012). As game breeding, by surface activities to go unnoticed (e.g. specifically T. angasii, was suggested as a Martin et al. 2015; Martin et al. 2017). Within community development opportunity in the South African context, burrowing reptile Tshinini Game Reserve (TGR), a baseline for

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 16 >>>>>>>> ARTICLES.>>>>>>>> fossorial reptile abundance was established was considered as 0.25 m, the length of hoe using the methods of Measey et al. (2009) blades. As the impact of mesoherbivores on to monitor the potential impact of game leaf litter was deemed the origin of fossorial reintroductions and ranching. Here we reptile population declines in NGR (Measey report on the detected densities of fossorial et al. 2009), a separate representative 1 2m reptiles from initial surveys during 2016 (1 m x 1 m) quadrat of forest floor litter was and 2017. The status of TGR is currently collected next to each 4 m2 quadrat, using uncertain, and game ranching has not the dry leaf litter weight (kg) as a measure of commenced to date. surface detritus. All leaf litter samples were TGR is situated on the Mozambique sifted to remove the influence of sand from coastal plain in northern KwaZulu-Natal the measurement. Province, South Africa (-27.11753 32.40092) Winter surveys produced two reptile spanning 2420 ha of Manqakulane specimens from two species, Maputaland community land, 43.2% of which is covered Legless Skink (Acontias aurantiacus in sand forest. Only small game species, parietalis Broadley 1990) and, the Red Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis Smith Zululand Dwarf Burrowing Skink (Scelotes 1834) and Suni (Neotragus moschatus arenicolus Peters 1854), translating into Von Dueben 1846) have survived local an overall density of 333.33 reptiles. harvesting practices (Gaugris et al. 2004) ha-1 (0.033 reptiles.m-²). Summer surveys and community livestock are grazed in the produced three reptile specimens from reserve. two species, Speckled Quill-snouted Snake The same five sand forest areas were (Xenocalamus transvaalensis Methuen surveyed during the austral winter (8-10 1919) one specimen, and Van Dam’s Dwarf June 2016) and summer (18-19 January Worm Lizard (Zygaspis vandami arenicola 2017), with three 4 m2 quadrats (2 m x FitzSimons 1930) (Fig. 1) two specimens, -1 2 m) excavated for each area during the with a density of 500 reptiles.ha (0.05 -2 two separate survey periods. Survey reptiles.m ). The combined numbers from effort totalled 30 quadrats covering 120 both surveys translate to a mean density -1 -2 m2. Quadrat positions at each site was of 416.67 reptiles.ha (0.0416 reptiles. m ). subjectively selected on the bases of Due to the small sample size, these densities accessibility facilitating optimal survey are likely under estimates. Differences in efficacy. The method involves two field maximum, minimum, and mean leaf litter workers at opposite sides of the quadrat weight between seasons was negligible. systematically tilling the soil using hoes, Reptiles were associated with leaflitter starting with the peripheral border, and weights ranging between 0.633 kg to 1.753 moving inwards, turning over all substrate kg. The leaf litter weight of 16 other quadrats and thereby exposing reptiles (Measey et al. falling into this range did not produce any 2009). The maximum effective survey depth reptile specimens.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 17 >>>>>>>> ARTICLES.>>>>>>>>

Figure 1. Zygaspis vandami arenicolus (FitzSimons 1930) from Tshinini Game Reserve. Photo Credit: Nick Evans

Total density results are lower than The hand dug quadrat method produced a the sand forest estimates of Measey et density of 357.14 reptiles. ha-1 for a single al. (2009) for NGR, even in the absence of species, Mozambique Dwarf Burrowing all mesoherbivores on TGR. Pooley et al. Skink (Scelotes mossambicus Peters 1882), (1973) reported the highest total density in northern coastal forest vegetation. The of 14952.153 reptiles.ha-1 (1.25 reptiles per method relying on earth moving machinery square yard or 1.495 reptiles.m-2) for sand for excavation produced a similar density forest when all species are considered. for the same species at 370.37 reptiles.ha-1 Zygaspis vandami arenicola had the highest in forest vegetation. Comparisons between density for both NGR sand forest surveys (0.9 norther KwaZulu-Natal forest fossorial individuals.m-2 in Pooley et al. 1976 and 0.08 reptile survey results and parameters can individuals.m-2 Measey et al. 2009) as well be seen in Table 1. -2 as the current study (0.017 individuals.m ) Quantitative density estimates are when the total density is considered. Maritz sparse for southern African fossorial reptiles and Alexander (2008) reported on fossorial outside of northern KwaZulu-Natal with herpetofaunal densities in secondary forest only one other study found estimating the vegetation (amongst others) using a hand density for Acontias littoralis (Broadley & dug quadrat surveying method as well as a Greer 1969) at a maximum of 33 and an method requiring earth moving machinery. average of 21.9 individuals.ha-1 in succulent

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 18 >>>>>>>> ARTICLES.>>>>>>>> Karoo vegetation underlain by aeolian sands (e.g. Abensprerg-Traun 1992; Ratirarson et (Mashinini et al. 2011). North American al. 2002; Sileshi & Mafongoya 2006; Pryke & estimates for fossorial reptile densities range Samways 2012) and it is likely that these and between 28 (Anniella pulchra Gray 1852 in other anthropogenic activities will affect soil Muller 1944) and 228 fossorial reptiles.ha-1 living reptile population density and health (also A. pulchra in Khunz et al. 2004). By as well (Maritz & Alexander 2008; Martin comparison it would seem as though sand et al. 2015; Martin et al. 2017) but without forest harbours a high abundance of fossorial quantitative studies tracking population reptiles but more extensive repeated responses to changes in land management surveys are required to confirm this. this remains speculative but probable. Quantitative studies on anthropogenically induced habitat modification and its impact ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on common fossorial reptiles may illustrate overall impacts of above ground actions The authors would like to thank Y. and management on soil living ecosystems. Spierenburg, V. Naude, R. Flemming, and Whilst sand forest has been surveyed in N. Evans for assisting with field work as part at least, only the estimates of Maritz well as E. Tembe for allowing us access to and Alexander (2008) exist for grassland Tshinini Game Reserve. We also thank N. fossorial herpetofaunal densities in southern Evans for the figure image. We would like Africa and data for savanna assemblages to thank J. Measey and one other reviewer are absent. Herbivore stocking, altered for reviewing and commenting on the fire regimes, alien invasive vegetation manuscript. and associated allelopathy, as well as REFERENCES cultivation, cause modifications to fossorial Abensperg-Traun M. 1992. The effects of invertebrate assemblages and abundance sheep-grazing on the subterranean termite

Table 1. Fossorial reptile species richness and density derived from northern KwaZulu-Natal forests.

Vegetation type Fossorial Publication Replicates Quadat size (m²) reptile density Species (Mucina & Rutherford 2006) (individuals. m-1) Scelotes bidiggitattus; Pooley et al. 1973 Sand forest 10 1.67 1.5 Zygaspis vandami arenicola Maritz & Scelotes Northern coastal forest 45 1 0.02 Alexander 2008 mossambicus Scelotes bidiggitattus; Measey et al. 2009 Sand forest 15 4 0.08 Zygaspis vandami arenicola Acontias aurantiacus Current study winter Sand forest 15 4 0.03 parietalis; Scelotes arenicolus Xenocalamus transvaalensis; Current study summer Sand forest 15 4 0.05 Zygaspis vandami arenicola

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 19 >>>>>>>> ARTICLES.>>>>>>>> fauna (Isoptera) of the Western Australian Martin J, Gutierrez E, Garcia LV. 2017. Alter- wheatbelt. Austr. J. Ecol. 17: 425-432. ation effects of ornamental whitewashing Bates MF, Branch WR, Bauer AM, Burger M, of rocks on the soil properties and body Marais J, Alexander GJ, De Villers MS. 2014. condition of fossorial amphisbaenians that Atlas and red list of the reptiles of South live under them. Herpetol. Conserv. Biol. 12: Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Suricata1. 367-372. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversi- Measey GJ, Armstrong AJ, Hanekom C. ty Institute. 2009. Subterranean herpetofauna show a Fekete I, Kotroczo Z, Vagra C, Hargitai R, decline after 34 years in Ndumu Game Re- Townsend K, Csanyi G, Varbiro G. 2012. Vari- serve, South Africa. Oryx. 43: 284-287. ability of organic matter inputs affect soil Mucina L, Rutherford MC. 2006. The veg- moisture and soil biological parameters in etation of South Africa, Lesotho, and Swa- a European detritus manipulation experi- ziland. Strelitzia 19. Pretoria: South African ment. Ecosystems 15: 792-803. National Biodiversity Institute. Gaugris JY, Matthews WS, Van Rooyen MW, Pooley AC, Pooley E, Hadley WF, Gans C. Bothma J Du P. 2004. The vegetation of 1973. Ecological aspects of the distribution Tshinini Game Reserve and a comparison of subsoil herpetofauna in Ndumu Game Re- with equivalent units in the Tembe Elephant serve. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 44: 103-115. Park in Maputaland, South Africa. Koedoe. Ratsirarson H, Robertson HG, Picker MD, 47: 9-29. Van Noort S. 2002. Indigenous forest versus Haacke WD, Bruton MN. 1978. On two little exotic eucalypt and pine plantations: A com- known snakes from the tropical subtraction parison of leaf-litter invertebrate communi- zone of south-eastern Africa. Ann. Transvaal ties. Afr. Entomol. 10: 93-99. Mus. 31: 43-50. Sileshi G, Mafongoya PL. 2006. Long-term Pryke JS, Samways MJ. 2012. Importance effects of improved legume fallows on soil of using many taxa and having adequate invertebrate macrofaunal and maize yield in controls for monitoring impacts of fire for eastern Zambia. Agri. Ecosyst. Environ. 115: arthropod conservation. J. Insect. Conserv. 69-78. 16: 177-185. Smith A, Meulders B, Bull CM, Driscoll D. Maritz B, Alexander GJ. 2008. Breaking 2012. Wildfire-induced mortality of Austra- ground: Quantitative fossorial herpetofau- lian reptiles. Herpetol. Notes. 5: 233-235. nal ecology in South Africa. Afr. J. Herpetol. Tolley KA, Weeber J, Maritz B, Verburgt L, 5: 1-14. Bates MF, Conradie W, Hofmeyer MD, Turn- Martin J, Lopez P, Gutierrez E, Gracia LV. er AA, da Silva JM, Alexander JA. 2019. No 2015. Natural and anthropogenic alterations safe haven: Protection levels show imper- of the soil affect body condition of the fos- illed South African reptiles not sufficiently sorial amphisbaenian Togonophis wigmanni safe-guarded despite low average extinc- in North Africa. J. Arid Environ. 122: 30-36. tion risk. Biol. Conserv. 233: 61-72.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 20 >>>>>>>> ARTICLES.>>>>>>>> SUBMITTED BY: PHILIPPUS R. JORDAAN. Tshwane Universi- ty of Technology. Email: [email protected]

CATHARINÉ C. HANEKOM. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Email:[email protected]

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 21 NATURALnotes HISTORY

modelling being asymmetrical, the surface Cordylus vittifer of which being more reflective than normal Common Girdled Lizard unaffected scales. The degree of modification (Reichenow, 1887) ranged from slight, tail spikes bearing dark slightly drooping tips, to severe modelling where scales seemed moulded together FIRE ASSOCIATED INJURY and could not be visually defined from each P.R. JORDAAN, A.B. WOOLCOCK other. The character of deformation in the scales suggests fire related damage rather & P.U. ELS than injuries from unsuccessful predation. Observations on fire associated faunal injury Scarring only affected the locomotion of are seldom reported on (Dickenson et al., Specimen 3 due to the damaged to the 2010; Engstrom, 2010) but such observations posterior limbs, possibly affecting body may serve to illustrate sensitivities and condition, as it weighed less that Specimen adaptations of animals living in fire-prone 1 despite being larger (Table 1). habitats. Rupicolous refugia has been reported Old agriculture lands incorporated to shelter reptiles from the effects of into Ithala Game Reserve (27°28’56.53”S vegetation combustion (Wright 1988) with 31°17’39.37”E) were subjected to active higher rock cover positively correlated with searches focussed on reptiles on the population stability in rock living reptiles 24th of June 2017. Three adult Common post fire (Baard unpublished, as referenced girdled lizards Cordylus vittifer (Reichenow, by Costandius, 2005). Fire related injury 1887) were collected from horizontal of animals sheltering in rock based refugia cracks formed between flat bottomed have however been recorded. Berg Adders, rock slabs resting on top of each other in Bitis atropos (Linnaeus, 1758) sheltering outcrops adjoining the search site. All three under “flat stones” (Turner, 2014 as individuals exhibited apparent external reported by Jacobsen) have been known to thermal injuries to the tail (Fig. 1) with one succumb to fire whilst burn damaged tails individual also bearing scarring on both hind and feet have been observed in Agama limbs (Table 1). Affected scales had modified atra (Daudin, 1802) (Baard unpublished, as structure, texture and colouration indicating referenced by Costandius, 2005). The nature damage to the stratum germinativum. of both fire and rocky refugia may influence Injuries appeared darkened and lumpy with the effectiveness of rock cover to shield

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 22 >>>>>>>NATURAL HISTORY notes>>>>>>>

Figure 1. Transvaal Girdled Lizard, Cordylus vittifer, Specimen 1 (A) and the burn damage to its tail (B). animals from negative fire effects, resulting support as well as Michael Bates and one in a variety of responses ranging from fire other anonymous reviewer for commenting associated mortality to unaffected survival. on a previous draft of this observation. C. vittifer like other rupicolous cordylids (e.g. Jessica da Silva is thanked for assisting with Cooper et al. 2001) is known to retreat into the formatting of this draft. rock crevices when threatened or disturbed, curling the tail in front of the softer sides REFERENCES of the body towards the opening of the crevice as protection (Jacobsen, 1972). Broeckhoven C, Diedericks G, Mouton PLeFN. 2015. What doen’t kill you might Subcutaneous osteoderm are present to make you stronger: functional analysis for varying degrees throughout the genus variation in body armour. J. Anim. Ecol. 84: Cordylus, arranged along the dorsum, 1213-1221. flanks, and tail. These structures have been suggested to have thermoregulatory Cooper WE, Van Wyk JH, Mouton PLeFN. 2001. incompletely protective refuges: se- functions preventing evaporative water lection and associated defences by a lizard, loss through the skin in addition to acting as Cordylus cordylus (Squamata: Cordylidae). protection from predators (Broeckhoven et Ethology 105: 687-700. al. 2018). It is plausible that the armoured tails of these lizards used in this defensive Costandius E. 2005. The Landdroskop area in the Hottentots Holland Mountains as a posture are used not only as a deterrent refugium for melanistic lizard: an analysis to predators but also to shield the rest of for conservation. Stellenbosch: University of the body from thermal damage during fires Stellenbosch. resulting in caudal scarring. Dickinson MB, Norris JC, Bova AS, Kremens RL, Young V, Lacki MJ. 2010. Effects of wild- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS land fire smoke on a tree-roosting bat: Inte- The authors would like to thank Rickert van grating a plume model, field measurements, der Westhuizen from EKZNW for logistical and mammalian dose-response relation- NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 23 >>>>>>>NATURAL HISTORY notes>>>>>>>

Table 1. The physical parameters and extent of burn damage to three Cordylus vittifer, specimen from Ithala Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Specimen TL (mm) Weight (g) Sex Burn Damage

Left side of tail Right Side of tail Hind feet

Seven scale rows, mid tail, Five scale rows right 1 152 18.2 Male No damage. slight to severe damage. side, slight damage.

Four scale rows at the base 2 133 13.7 Female No damage. No damage. of tail, slight scale damage.

Right hind foot Eight scale rows intermediate Eight scale rows left right side, base damage. Significant 3 168 18.7 Male side mid tail, slight to and mid tail, damage to four intermediate damage. slight damage. of the toes on the left hind foot. ships. Can. J. For. Res. 40: 2187-2203. 60453, Pierre van Ryneveld, 0045. Insti- Engstrom RT. 2010. First-order fire effects tutional affiliation: Tshwane University of on animals: review and recommendations. Technology. Fire Ecol. 6: 115-131. [email protected] ALEXANDER BLAZEBY WOOLCOCK. Elford- Jacobsen NHG. 1972. Some notes on the biology and behaviour of the Transvaal Gir- town Farm, Yelverton, PL20 6HY. Institution- dled Lizard (Cordylus vittifer) in captivity. J. al affiliation: University of West England. Herpetol. Ass. Afr. 9: 35-37. [email protected] PHILIP U ELS. PLOT 43 Ceres Road, Valtaki Reichenow A.1887. Neue Wirbelthiere des A.H. Bronkhorstspruit, 1020. Institutional -af Zoologischen Museums in Berlin. Zool. Anz. 10: 369-372. filiation: Tshwane University of Technology. [email protected] Turner AA. 2014. Bitis atropos (Linnaeus, 1758). In: Bates MF, Branch WR, Bauer AM, Burger M, Marais J, Alexander GJ, de Villiers MS. Editors. Atlas and Red List of the Rep- tiles of South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. COLUBRIDAE Suricata 1. Pretoria: South African Biodiver- sity Institute. Wright MG. 1988. A note on the reaction of Dispholidus typus viridis angulate tortoises to fire in fynbos. S. Afr. J. A. Smith, 1828 Wildl. Res. 18: 131-133. Boomslang SUBMITTED BY: FORAGING PHILIPPUS RUDOLPH JORDAAN. PO Box NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 24 >>>>>>>NATURAL HISTORY notes>>>>>>>

P.L. CUNNINGHAM & C. THOMAS with community bird nests and Clauss and Clauss (2002) mention weaver nests as a Specimen TL (mm) Weight (g) Sex Burn Damage ANDONI PLAINS, source of prey for Boomslang in Botswana Left side of tail Right Side of tail Hind feet ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK, while Cape weavers (Ploceus capensis) have been documented as prey from the Seven scale rows, mid tail, Five scale rows right 1 152 18.2 Male No damage. NAMIBIA (18°33’31.5”S, slight to severe damage. side, slight damage. Mosselbay area in South Africa (Adam 2011). 16°48’29.2”E, 1090 M A.S.L.) According to Lewis (1982) white-browed Four scale rows at the base 2 133 13.7 Female No damage. No damage. Boomslang is known to raid bird nests and of tail, slight scale damage. sparrow-weavers are known to fall prey to their diet includes birds and their eggs (e.g. several species of arboreal snakes (although

Right hind foot Buys and Buys 1983; Marais 1992; Branch not mentioning species involved) while Eight scale rows intermediate Eight scale rows left 1998; Clauss and Clauss 2002; Spawls et al. right side, base damage. Significant Bradford (1966) indicates that the predation 3 168 18.7 Male side mid tail, slight to and mid tail, damage to four intermediate damage. 2006; Alexander and Marais 2007) although slight damage. of the toes on the by snakes of the eggs and nestlings of white- left hind foot. there is a paucity of published sightings browed sparrow-weaver are probably regarding specific bird species as prey. significant. However, Shine (1983) indicates On 2 December 2018 we observed an that birds are not necessarily included in the adult Boomslang Dispholidus typus viridis diet of arboreal snakes just because they are individual (see Figs 1 and 2) exiting a white- arboreal – e.g. the lack of birds in the diet browed sparrow-weaver Plocepasser of a typical arboreal snake – African twig mahali nest. The nest was part of an 11 snake (Thelortornis capensis) as indicated nest colony in a purple-pod terminalia by Shine et al. (1996). However, Buruwate Terminalia prunioides tree at 08h50 at the (2017) presents photographic evidence of a Andoni picnic site in the Etosha National bird being predated on by T. capensis in the Park (18°33’31.5”S & 16°48’29.2”E; 1090m). Niassa Reserve, Mozambique. The Boomslang was vocally harassed and White-browed sparrow-weavers are co- mobbed by the white-browed sparrow- operative breeders with only one active weavers whilst exiting one of the nests. It breeding nest in a colony at one time settled on branches approximately 3 m (Tarboton 2001; Hockey et al. 2005; Peacock from the closest nest, and a similar distance 2015) and although egg laying occurs above ground level, where it struck at the throughout the year, breeding mainly takes offending birds a few times after which it place between September to December was left alone. As the snake did not show and/or opportunistically in response to typical signs of self-defence (e.g. inflated rainfall (Tarboton 2001). Although we neck), it was assumed that it struck at the could not confirm if breeding actually was birds out of annoyance or even to capture underway (the area had received rainfall one. during November 2018) and/or if the Buys and Buys (1983) mention that Boomslang had been successful in locating Boomslang are often found in association the active nest or actually predated on the

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 25 >>>>>>>NATURAL HISTORY notes>>>>>>> birds and their eggs, this sighting, albeit REFERENCES expected, confirms white-browed sparrow- Adam S. 2011. Cape weaver – PHOWN re- weavers being targeted as a source of cord. [accessed 15 December 2018] www. food. While Boomslang have previously weavers.adu.org.za been photographed raiding white-browed Alexander G, Marais J. 2007. A guide to the sparrow weaver nests in the Central Kalahari reptiles of southern Africa. Cape Town: Stru- Game Reserve, Botswana (Zarco 2014) there ik Publishers. are no predation records for Boomslang Bradford HJ. 1966. On some snakes and versus white-browed sparrow weaver, from birds... Honeyguide 48: 24. the scientific literature, as far as we could determine. Branch B. 1998. Field guide to snakes and other reptiles of southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Buruwate TC. 2017. Predation records – Our appreciation to Dieter Oschadleus for reptiles and frogs (Sub-Saharan Africa). supplying a paper we could not source and [accessed 12 March 2019] https://www. two anonymous reviewers for their helpful facebook.com/groups/888525291183325/ contributions. permalink/1249340145101836/ Buys PJ, Buys PJC. 1983. Snakes of Namibia.

Figure 1. Boomslang exiting white-browed sparrow-weaver nest, Etosha National Park, Namibia.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 26 >>>>>>>NATURAL HISTORY notes>>>>>>>

Figure 2. Boomslang coiled in Terminalia prunioides after nest raiding, Etosha National Park, Namibia

Windhoek: Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers Shine R. 1983. Arboreality in snakes: ecology (Pty) Ltd. of the Australian elapid genus Hoplocepha- lus Clauss B, Clauss R. 2002. Common amphib- . Copeia 1983: 198-205. ians and reptiles of Botswana – more than Shine R, Harlow PS, Branch WR, Webb JK. just creepy-crawlies. Windhoek: Gamsberg 1996. Life on the lowest branch: sexual di- Macmillan Publishers. morphism, diet and reproductive biology of Thelotornis capensis Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ, Ryan PG. 2005. Rob- an African twig snake, erts – Birds of Southern Africa, VIIth ed. Cape (Serpentes, Colubridae). Copeia 1996: 290- Town: The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird 299. Book Fund. Spawls S, Howell KM, Drewes R. 2006. Pock- Lewis DM. 1982. Cooperative breeding in a et guide to the reptiles and amphibians of population of white-browed sparrow-weav- East Africa. London: A&C Black Publishers. er Plocepasser mahali. Ibis 124: 518-522. Tarboton W. 2001. A guide to the nests & Marais J. 1992. A complete guide to the eggs of Southern African birds. Cape Town: snakes of Southern Africa. Halfway House: Struik Publishers (Pty) Ltd. Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd. Zarco, SJ. 2014. Boomslang raids white- Peacock F. 2015. Chamberlain’s LBJ’s – the browed sparrow-weaver nests, Central Ka- definitive guide to Southern Africa’s little lahari Game Reserve. [accessed 12 March brown jobs. Cape Town: Paavo Publishing. 2019] https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo- Boomslang-raids-white-browed-sparrow-

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 27 >>>>>>>NATURAL HISTORY notes>>>>>>> weaver-nests-central-kalahari-70274226. the snake was feeding. A moment later an html. elliptical object appeared in the neck and travelled down body. From the size and shape of the object we deduced that it was SUBMITTED BY: likely either a pair of Lygodactylus sp. eggs PETER CUNNINGHAM, Environment and or an egg of a Hemidactylus mabouia. We Wildlife Consultancy, Namibia, P. O. Box 417, think Lygodactylus capensis is the likely Karasburg, Namibia. candidate as they were commonly seen on E-mail: [email protected] the very tree and in the surrounds, whereas CLIVE THOMAS, Aldebaran, Bontgoch, Taly- during our visit to the locality, only a single bont SY24 5DP. Hemidactylus was observed on a building E-mail: [email protected] despite extensive nocturnal surveys. Half an hour after consuming the eggs, the bulge in the body had gone. LAMPROPHIIDAE Following our observation, the P. stuhlmannii was placed into a container with Prosymna stuhlmannii a choice of paired Lygodactylus sp. eggs; one (Pfeffer, 1893) very dark when lit, showing that the geckos East African Shovel-Snout inside were well developed and one clutch that looked freshly laid. Later that night the snake was observed actively moving HUNTING STRATEGY the eggs around and investigating the contents. We watched the snake move from R. VAN HUYSSTEEN & M. PETFORD the more developed eggs to the fresher eggs, it appeared that at this point interest On the night of 5 September 2018 heightened. First, using its tongue, the snake at Pullen Farm, Mpumulanga, rapidly assessed the eggs. Following this, South Africa (QDG 2531CA; GPS: the snake began to move its head and coiled S-25°34’20.3304”, E031°10’51.9690”) we around the eggs. The snake actively turned its observed an East African Shovel-Snout head sideways and moved the eggs around, (Prosymna stuhlmannii) feeding (Fig. 1). often pushing its snout in between the join The observation was made at 20:30 with an of the Lygodactylus sp. eggs, it seemed that air temp of 27 ˚C. The snake had an SVL of the “shovel” snout proved very useful for 210 mm and was found in a tree, roughly this task. At some point while observing 0.90 m high, with approximately 1/5th the interaction under red-light, the snake of its body inside a fissure. Short jerking was disturbed and hid away. The following movements in the neck indicated that morning, the fresher pair of Lygodactylus sp.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 28 >>>>>>>NATURAL HISTORY notes>>>>>>> eggs were gone whilst the more developed describes a possible termite predation. eggs were still in the container, no evidence Another observation (VM 167259) of any shell were visible, suggesting that the documented a Prosymana stuhlmannii eggs were swallowed whole. consuming a Hemidactylus mabouia egg, in Very little is known about the diet of the captivity (Andrea Myburg, pers. comm.), but Prosymna genus and Prosymna stuhlmannii interesting none the less. in particular. Early literature suggested The observations described above that the genus consumed a variety of prey are interesting for several reasons: including insects, lizards and bird eggs 1) The snake appears to swallow hard- (Broadley 1979). Current knowledge about shelled gecko eggs whole, this is also the diet of these snakes is predominantly concurrent with previous observations. based on stomach content analysis of six 2) The snake was observed almost a meter Prosymna species (Broadley 1979). Results high in a tree, particularly interesting as the found that the diet of the genus is comprised Prosymna genus is primarily fossorial (Branch of both hard and soft-shelled reptile eggs 1998), although P. stuhlmannii is considered (Broadley 1979). An interesting observation less fossorial than some (Marais 2004). of Prosymna stuhlmannii by Miller (2009) Nonetheless, an interesting observation

Figure 1. Prosymna stuhlmannii foraging in tree, note elliptical object visible in neck region.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 29 >>>>>>>NATURAL HISTORY notes>>>>>>> considering this species affinity with snakes of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Stru- terrestrial life and indicates that this species ik Publishers. is able to climb into trees in search of food. Miller A. 2009. Prosymna stuhlmannii Pfef- 3) From this observation, it also appears fer, 1893 - Diet. Afri. Herp News 49: 11-12. that fresh eggs were selected over older Myberg A. 2017. Virtual Museum. [accessed eggs, although embryonic lizards have been 20 September 2018]. http://vmus.adu.org. found in the stomach content analysis of this za/?vm=ReptileMAP-167180. genus before, and it is therefore presumed that these snakes also eat more developed SUBMITTED BY: eggs (Broadley 1979; Branch 1998). 4) Whilst the “shovel” nose is likely to be RYAN VAN HUYSSTEEN, Soutpansberg Cen­ important for the snakes fossorial lifestyle, tre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Sout­ it also appears to be advantageous when pansberg, South Africa. handling reptilian eggs. The snake appeared Email: [email protected] to be able to easily move the eggs around MELISSA PETFORD, School of Animal Plant into better positions with the use of and Environmental Sciences, University of its shovel. Not only this, the snake also the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2050, appeared to be pushing the snout into the South Africa. join of the paired Lygodactylus sp. eggs, Email: [email protected] whilst the motivation behind this is unclear, it is speculated that perhaps this was in an attempt to separate the paired eggs to enable easier consumption.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to Prof. Graham Alexander for hosting us at Pullen Farm where this observation was made.

REFERENCES Branch B. 1998. Field guide to snakes and other reptiles of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. Broadley DF. 1979. Predation on reptile eggs by African snakes of the genus Prosymna. Herpetologica 35: 338-341. Marais J. 2004. A complete guide to the NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 30 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS

SCINCIDAE kassneri, S. montispectus and S. sexlineatus. Of these, only S. bipes, endemic to the southwestern Cape, and S. sexlineatus have Scelotes sexlineatus 18 scales rows at midbody (versus 22). The (Harlan, 1824) specimen is in poor condition, with the Striped Dwarf Burrowing Skink body soft, tail broken and colour pattern greatly faded, however, the hindlimbs, A. M. BAUER though bearing relatively short digits, are The scincid genus Scelotes Fitzinger, 1826 is themselves proportionally elongate, as is a monophyletic group (Whiting et al. 2003; typical for S. sexlineatus. Bauer et al. 2003) comprising 21 species The specimen was collected by Johan of attenuate surface or sub-surface active Balthazar Knobel (1853–1931), but is lizards endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. without a date of collection. It is part of a Diversity is greatest in South Africa, with series of specimens (SAM ZR-15914–19) 18 species, mostly in the northeast, with from Aus, all of which are typical for the area only one species, S. capensis A. Smith, (Chondrodactylus bibronii, Karusasaurus 1849, recorded from Namibia. In verifying polyzonus, Trachylepis sulcata, Ptenopus the identity of Namibian squamates in the garrulus, and Scelotes capensis). Knobel collection of the South African Museum also collected the types of Agama knobeli (SAM) (Iziko Museums), a specimen from Aus (Boulenger and Power 1921) and catalogued as SAM ZR-015918 from Aus it is possible that this series of specimens (2616CA, no explicit coordinates recorded), was collected at the same time. Knobel, Karas Region, Namibia and listed in the SAM who served in the Native Military Hospital database as “Scelotes bipes” was examined. on Shark Island, Lüderitzbucht (Namhila The specimen proved to be a representative 2015), was acknowledged as a collector of of the very similar S. sexlineatus, otherwise vertebrates for the South African Museum in known from many localities in the Western both 1909 and 1920 (Péringuey 1910, 1921), and Northern Cape Provinces of South although he may have participated in one or Africa. The specimen has no external more South African Museum expeditions to pectoral appendages and the hindlimbs Namibia in the mid-1920s as well. bear two toes each. Among West Coast Lawrence (1929) listed Scelotes bipes for Scelotes, presumably the only ones that the fauna of South West Africa, presumably could conceivably enter southern Namibia, on the basis of this specimen, at a time this condition is shared only by S. bipes, S. NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 31 >>>>>>>> GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS.>>>>>>>> when S. sexlineatus was considered a junior REFERENCES synonym of S. bipes, based on the work of Boulenger (1910). Lawrence’s record Bauer AM, Ceríaco LMP, Heinicke MP, Black- was not subsequently cited by FitzSimons burn DC. 2016. Geographical Distributions: (1943) who accorded subspecific status Pachydactylus barnardi FitzSimons, 1941. to sexlineatus, or Mertens (1955, 1971), Afr. Herp News 62: 35–37. neither of whom included the species in Bauer AM, Whiting AS, Sadlier RA. 2003. the Namibian fauna. Griffin (2003) did not A new species of Scelotes from near Cape even consider S. sexlineatus among the Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa. species likely to be found in the country, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 54: 231–237. despite northerly published records from Boulenger GA. 1910. A revised list of the Port Nolloth (FitzSimons 1943; Branch South African reptiles and batrachians, with 1998) and the Holgat River (TM 22285; synoptic tables, special reference to the 2816DD). However, more recently, the specimens in the South African Museum, species has been mapped in quarter degree and descriptions of new species. Ann. S. Afr. square 2816DA (Marais and Bauer 2014) Mus. 5: 455–538. based on three vouchered specimens Boulenger GA, Power JH. 1921. A revision of from near Grootderm, east of Alexander the South African agamas allied to Agama Bay, immediately adjacent to the border hispida and A. atra. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr. (28°31’48” S, 16°36’36” E). The new record 9: 229–287. from Aus represents a northward extension Branch B[WR]. 1998. Field Guide to the of the species of 210 km from this locality. Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Afri- Southern Namibia remains incompletely ca, 3rd Edition. Struik. explored herpetologically and numerous reptile taxa known from the Northern Cape, Fitzsimons VM. 1943. The Lizards of South and especially Little Namaqualand, may be Africa. Mem. Transvaal Mus. 1: xv + 528 pp., XXIV pls., 1 folding map. expected to occur across the Orange River, as has recently been demonstrated in the Griffin M. 2003. Annotated Checklist and case of Pachydactylus barnardi (Bauer et al. Provisional National Conservation Status of 2016). Namibian Reptiles. Biodiversity Inventory. Namibia Scientific Society. I thank Jofred Opperman for facilitating my access to material in the South African Lawrence RF. 1929. The reptiles of S.W.A. J. Museum and Marius Burger for his hospitality S. W. Afr. Sci. Soc. 2: 13–27. in Cape Town. This work was supported by Marais J, Bauer AM. 2014. Scelotes sexlinea- the JRS Biodiversity Foundation and the tus (Harlan, 1824). In: Bates MF, Branch WR, Gerald M. Lemole, M.D. Endowed Chair Bauer AM, Burger M, Marais J, Alexander funds through Villanova University. GJ, de Villiers MS. Editors. Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 32 >>>>>>>> GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS.>>>>>>>>

Swaziland. Suricata 1. Pretoria: South Afri- can National Biodiversity Institute. Mertens R. 1955. Die Amphibien und Reptili- GEKKONIDAE en Südwestafrikas, aus den Ergebnissen ein- er im Jahre 1952 ausgeführten Reise. Abh. Senckenberg. Naturf. Ges. 490: 1–172. Pachydactylus purcelli Mertens R. 1971. Die Herpetofau- Boulenger, 1910 na Südwest-Afrikas. Abh. Senckenberg. Purcell’s Gecko Naturforsch. Ges. 529: 1–110. G.K. NICOLAU & K.M.J. LYNCH Namhila EN. 2015. Recordkeeping and miss- ing “Native Estate” records in Namibia. An investigation of colonial gaps in a post-colo- On the 31st March 2018 the authors, nial National Archive. Acta Univ. Tamperen- accompanied by Alouise Lynch, searched sis 2085. a rocky outcrop next to a non-perennial tributary of the Geelbeksrivier. The outcrop Péringuey L. 1910. Report on the Depart- is located 16 km south-east of Nuwerus, ment of Vertebrates other than Fishes. In: Report of the South African Museum for Western Cape Province (31°13’25.45”S the Year ended 31st December, 1909. Cape 18°31’29.63”E, 3118BA), in the Succulent Town: Cape Times Limited, Government Karoo. A sardine tin jammed in a crack Printers. between two boulders was removed revealing an adult Purcell’s Gecko Péringuey L. 1921. [Report of] Department of Zoology. In: Report of the South African (Pachydactylus purcelli) nestled in one of Museum for the Year ended 31st December, the corners of the rusted tin. The specimen 1920. Cape Town: Cape Times Limited, Gov- was photographed and released, the image ernment Printers. was subsequently uploaded to the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) Virtual Museum Whiting AS, Bauer AM, Sites JW, Jr. 2003. Phylogenetic relationships and limb loss in (http://vmus.adu.org.za) and can be found sub-Saharan African scincine lizards (Squa- under Reptile Map No. 159460. Identification mata: Scincidae). Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 29: was based on the individual having a very 582–598. flat and blunt head. The position of its nostril separates the individual from the P. weberi group (Bauer 2006), while the head SUBMITTED BY: and body was covered in granular scales, the largest being located on the snout, AARON M. BAUER, Department of Biology, which was slightly longer than orbit. The Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, individual lacked enlarged tubercles on the Villanova, PA 19085, USA. dorsal region of the body, had an oval ear- E-mail: [email protected]. opening and 9 upper and lower labials. The

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 33 >>>>>>>> GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS.>>>>>>>> gecko was pale brownish above, with darker present record (Bauer et al. 2006), remains vermicular spots on the dorsum of the trunk unconfirmed. The closest confirmed record (Fig. 1). is from Calvinia, 3119BD, 120km inland from Pachydactylus purcelli is rupicolous, this observation. occupying rocky habitats along arid river This record of P. purcelli represents corridors throughout the semi-arid karroid a westward range extension of 120 km, regions of western South Africa and as well as the lowest known elevational southeastern Namibia, between 400-1 800 record (310 m) for the species. This record m elevation (Bauer et al. 2006). The type supports the observation that P. purcelli locality is Touws River, Little Namaqualand, utilises arid river systems (Bauer 2014). Western Cape (Boulenger 1910) and the Surveying such systems in the more remote species is common in the surrounding areas. regions of the Western Cape Province However, there is only a single record of P. should be undertaken in order to add to the purcelli from the far west of South Africa current body of knowledge regarding the and this, from Carolusberg, Northern distribution and ecology of the species. Cape, 2917DB, more than 180 km from the

Figure 1. Lateral view of Pachydactylus purcelli (Reptile Map No. 383121) SE of Nuwerus, Western Cape, South Africa.

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 34 >>>>>>>> GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS.>>>>>>>> ACKNOWLEDGMENTS KEIR LYNCH, Bionerds, Napier, Western Authors would like to thank Aaron Bauer for Cape, South Africa. his much appreciated input and comments Email: [email protected] on this manuscript.

REFERENCES Homopholis wahlbergii Bauer AM. Pachydactylus Purcelli Bouleng- (A. Smith, 1849) er, 1910. In: Bates MF, Branch WR, Bauer Wahlberg’s Velvet Gecko AM, Burger M, Marais J, Alexander GJ, de Villiers MS. editors. 2014. Atlas and Red List O. BOURQUIN of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. Pretoria: South Afri- can National Biodiversity Institute. Branch (2014) indicated that a record of Homopholis wahlbergii from quarter-degree Bauer AM, Lamb T, Branch WR. 2006. A re- vision of the Pachydactylus serval and P. we- grid cell 2830CA (Bourquin, 2004) needed beri groups (Reptilia: Gekkota: Gekkonidae) confirmation as it lay outside the species’ of Southern Africa, with the description of expected range, although the record was eight new species. Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 57: accepted without comment by Broadley 595-709. (2014). I confirm that the record was based Boulenger GA. 1910. A Revised list of the on two collected specimens, one found in South African reptiles and batrachians, with a large eroding pedestal of sandstone rock synoptic tables, special reference to the above the Thukela River at 28°40 '40¨S, 30° specimens in the South African Museum, 00 '49¨E, elevation 760 m, on the Farm Ganna and description of new species. Ann. S. Afr. Hoek 1817 (2830CA), Kliprivier District, Mus. 5: 455-543. KwaZulu-Natal, collected by S. and O. Branch WR. 1998. Field Guide to the Snakes Bourquin on 12 November 1999, which was and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Cape deposited in the collection of the Transvaal Town: Struik Publishers. Museum (now Ditsong Museum of Natural History, Pretoria) (TM 83401). The following day another specimen was collected by SUBMITTED BY: J. Craigie in a crevice in cliffs just above the Thukela River (28°4 '54¨S, 30°01 '34¨E, GARY KYLE NICOLAU, African Herpetolog- elevation 705 m) a little further downstream ical and Biodiversity Institute, Naboom- from the first site, on the farm Ramak 13696, spruit, Limpopo, South Africa. and it was also deposited in the Transvaal Email: [email protected] Museum (TM 83367). The localities lie about 105 km west of the next nearest record (Nkandla area, 2830 CA; Bourquin 2004;

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 35 >>>>>>>> GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS.>>>>>>>> Branch 2014). The climatic region is Interior can National Biodiversity Institute. Thukela Valley, the physiographic region Broadley DG, Jackman TR, Bauer AM. 2014. is Middle Thukela Valley, the veld type is A review of the genus Homopholis Boulenger Thukela Valley Bushveld Thornveld, and the (Reptiliia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) in South- geology is Karroo system, Ecca Series (Town ern Africa. Afr. J. Herpetol. 63: 109-126. and Regional Planning Commission, Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission, 1960). Natal. 1960. Towards a plan for the Tukela Another, apparently undocumented, Basin. Johannesburg: Hortors Ltd. record for this area appeared on YouTube Waldman J. 2013. Spotted bush snake fights (Waldman 2013) in a video showing a green huge gecko [accessed July 2017]. http:// snake (Philothamnus sp.) catching and www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zcNHF48UYI swallowing a large Wahlberg’s Velvet Gecko. The video was made during January 2013, on the Zingela Safari and River Company SUMITTED BY site, next to the Thukela River at 28°44 '27¨S, ORTWIN BOURQUIN, P.O. Box 1226, Co- 30°09 '52¨E (2830 CA), approximately 8km lumbus MT 59019, USA. SE of the Ganna Hoek site. E-mail: [email protected] This note provide locality details for the apparently isolated Homopholis wahlbergii record at locus 2830 CA (see Branch 2014) and confirms the validity of the record originally published in Bourquin (2004). LAMPROPHIIDAE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Prosymna pitmani I thank the two reviewers of the note for Battersby, 1951 their helpful comments. Pitman’s Shovel-snout

REFERENCES D.W. PIETERSEN & M. STANTON Bourquin O. 2004. Reptiles (Reptilia) in Kwa- Zulu-Natal: 1 – diversity and distribution. Pitman’s Shovel-snout (Prosymna pitmani) Durb. Mus. Nov. 29: 57-103. is an infrequently-seen, fossorial species Branch WR. 2014 Homopholis wahlbergii that was originally described from southern (A.Smith, 1849). In: Bates MF, Branch WR, Tanzania, and still has its main known Bauer AM, Burger M, Marais J, Alexander distribution in this region (Broadley 1980; GJ, De Villiers MS, editors. Atlas and Red List Spawls et al. 2018). Andrew Stevens collected of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. Pretoria: South Afri- a single juvenile specimen at Mpatamanga NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 36 >>>>>>>> GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS.>>>>>>>>

Figure 1. (Left) Pitman’s Shovel-snout (Prosymna pitmani) photographed ~50 km north-east of Tete on the Vale Railway Line, Tete Province, Mozambique. (Right) Close-up of head showing the fused internasals. Photographs: Mark Stanton.

Gorge in southern Malawi (ca. 15° 43' 26" (Broadley 1980). It was distinguished from S, 34° 43' 52" E, 1534DA, NMZB-UM 24122; the Lined Shovel-snout (P. lineata), which Stevens, 1974), and this remained the only has also been collected in the vicinity of known Malawian specimen (and the only Tete, by having the internasals fused into a record outside of southern Tanzania) for single band-like scale (Broadley 1980; Fig. 2). more than four decades until Gary Brown The Tete individual was unearthed photographed a second individual at Ngona during bush-clearing operations for Lodge on the banks of the Shire River in the construction of a new railway southern Malawi (15° 54' 51" S, 34° 45' 18" E, line and was found in open miombo 1534DD) on 6 August 2018 (ReptileMAP No. (Brachystegia-Julbernardia)-thornveld 166837), reaffirming this species’ presence (Vachellia) woodland mosaic with a fairly in this country. dense grass understory and undisturbed On 12 August 2013, Mark Stanton loamy soil. The vegetation was largely photographed an individual ca. 50 km undisturbed, save for evidence of frequent north-east of Tete on the Vale Railway Line, (probably annual) fires. Tete Province, Mozambique (15°57'14.634" This is the first record of P. pitmani in S, 34°1'24.535" E, 1534CC), which has been Mozambique, although this record is only submitted to ReptileMAP as record 168505 78 km due east of the nearest record at (Fig. 1). It was found within 2 km of an Ngona Lodge in southern Malawi. The East African Shovel-snout (P. stuhlmannii, apparently disjunct populations in southern ReptileMAP 168536). This individual was Tanzania and Malawi-Mozambique are distinguished from the near-sympatric P. likely an artefact of poor sampling in the stuhlmannii by its distinctive colouration intervening regions, although the possibility

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 37 >>>>>>>> GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS.>>>>>>>> of the southern population representing an undescribed species should be investigated

REFERENCES Broadley DG. 1980. A revision of the African snake genus Prosymna Gray (Colubridae). Spawls S, Howell K, Hinkel H, Menegon M. 2018. Field Guide to East African Reptiles. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. Stevens A. 1974. An annotated check list of the amphibians and reptiles known to occur in south-eastern Malawi. Arnoldia Rhodesia 30: 1–22.

SUBMITTED BY: Darren W. Pietersen, Department of Zool- ogy and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Afri- ca. Email: [email protected] Mark Stanton Email: [email protected]

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 38 INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS AFRICAN HERP NEWS publishes manuscripts in four categories, namely Articles, Herpetological Surveys, Natural History Notes, and Geographical Distributions.

CONTRIBUTIONS SUBMITTED IN AN INCORRECT STYLE (SEE GUIDELINES BELOW) WILL BE RETURNED TO THE AUTHORS

The type of submission (e.g., Article, Natural History Note, Geographical Distribution) should be clearly indicated in the file name. As a general note, always use the latest available issue of AHN for instructions.

All submissions should be typewritten in English (UK spelling), set in 10 pt Calibri. Words should not be divided at the right-hand margin. Use the active voice in the first person where possible (except for submissions for Tomorrow’s Herpetologists Today). Formatting should be achieved with paragraph settings rather than tabs or spaces. Authors should consult the Council of Biology Editors Style Manual, 5th edition (1994) for style and abbreviations. Sentences should be separated by a single space (character). Genus and species names must be italicised. Centre major headings in small caps. Subheadings are in bold and left justified (also in title case). Footnotes are not accepted. The International System of Units (Systeme Internationale; SI) should be followed. Use decimal points rather than commas. Measures should be in mm, m or km rather than cm or dm. Integers less than 10 should be spelled, while those greater than 10 (including 10) should be given numerically. Group integers of thousands together with a space and do not use a comma (e.g. 10 500 and 1 230). All statistical symbols should be italicised. Follow the Fourth Edition (1999) of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Every word in English common names should start with a capital letter (e.g., Namaqua Dwarf Adder). Appendices, Material Examined, Tables, legends to Figures, and Figures must follow the References.

ARTICLES African Herp News publishes longer contributions of general interest that would not be presented as either Natural History Notes or Geographical Distributions. A standard format is to be used, as follows:

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 39 >>>>>>>> INSTRUCTIONS TO Authors..>>>>>>>>>

TITLE (bold, centred, upper case); AUTHOR(S) (initials and surname, bold, centred) HEADINGS (bold, centred, upper case) Subheading 1 (bold, aligned left, lower case except first letter of first word) as required Subheading 2 (bold, italics, aligned left, lower case except first letter of first word) as required ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (bold, centred) REFERENCES (bold, centred), following the standardised formats described below. SUBMITTED BY: (bold, aligned left), following the standardised format described below

HERPETOLOGICAL SURVEYS African Herp News publishes succinctly annotated species lists resulting from local surveys of amphibians and reptiles on the African continent and adjacent regions, including the Arabian Peninsula, Madagascar, and other islands in the Indian Ocean. The area surveyed may be of any size but should be de­fined as a geographic unit of special relevance to the herpetological community. For example, surveys should address declared or proposed conservation reserves, poorly explored areas, biogeographically important localities or administrative zones. The relevance of survey results should be judged by the extent that these records fill distributional gaps or synthesise current knowledge. As far as possible, survey records should be based on accessible and verifiable evidence (specimens deposited in public collections, photos submitted illustrating diagnostic features, call recordings and sonograms, or DNA sequences accessioned into international databases).

Survey results should be presented in the same format as used for Articles (described above), and must additionally include:

SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT (bold, aligned left): comprises Scientifi­c name (including author citation), location and habitat, evidence (including registration numbers and location of vouchers), and comments (where required).

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES Brief notes concerning the biology of the herpetofauna of the African continent and adjacent regions, including the Arabian Peninsula, Madagascar, and other islands in the Indian Ocean. A standard format is to be used, as follows:

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 40 >>>>>>>> INSTRUCTIONS TO Authors..>>>>>>>>>

FAMILY (bold, centred, uppercase) Scientific name (bold, italicised, centred) Author citation (centred) English Common Name (centred, all words starting with a capital letter) KEYWORD (bold, centred) AUTHOR(S) (initials and surname, bold, centred)

[Original text] (left aligned)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (bold, centred), if applicable REFERENCES (bold, centred), following the standardised formats described below SUBMITTED BY: (bold, aligned left), following the standardised format described below

The Keyword should be one or two words best describing the topic of the note (e.g., Reproduction, Avian predation, etc.).

The body of the note should include information describing the locality (Country; Province; quarter-degree locus; location; latitude and longitude in D° M’ S” format; elevation above sea level), providing the date (day, month, year), naming the collector(s), and stating the place of deposition and museum accession number or describing the fate of the animal.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTIONS Brief notes of new geographical distributions of amphibians and reptiles on the African continent and adjacent regions, including the Arabian Peninsula, Madagascar, and other islands in the Indian Ocean. Records submitted should be based on specimens deposited in a recognised collection. A standard format is to be used, as follows:

FAMILY (bold, centred, uppercase) Scientific name (bold, italicised, centred) Author citation (centred) English Common Name (centred, all words starting with a capital letter) AUTHOR(S) (initials and surname, bold, centred)

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 41 >>>>>>>> INSTRUCTIONS TO Authors..>>>>>>>>>

Original text (left aligned) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (bold, centred), if applicable REFERENCES (bold, centred), following the standardised formats described below SUBMITTED BY: (bold, aligned left), following the standardised format described below

English common name (using Bill Branch’s Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa, third edition, 1998, for reptiles; and Du Preez & Carruthers’ A Complete Guide to the Frogs of Southern Africa, 2009, for amphibians as far as possible).

The body of the note should include information describing the locality (country; province; quarter-degree locus; location; latitude and longitude in D° M’ S” format; elevation above sea level), providing the date (day, month, year), naming the collector(s), and stating the place of deposition and museum accession number, or fate of the animal. The body should also include information on the size, colour and taxonomic characters (e.g., scalation, webbing) used to identify the specimen, as well as the distance to the nearest published locality.

HERPS MAKING HEADLINES This section features the latest research and news relating to African herpetology, with the intent of making the AHN readership more aware of some of the cutting-edge research, discoveries and on-the-ground work being done both locally and abroad on African herps. A standard format is to be used, as follows:

TITLE (bold, centred, upper case) AUTHOR(S) (initials and surname, bold, centred)

Original text [left aligned] Study citation (italics), if applicable

TOMORROW’S HERPETOLOGISTS TODAY This is a popular style article showcasing the work and/or research of young, upcoming herpetologists across the African continent. Unlike any of the other submissions, this style should be written in the third person. It could feature work already published or ongoing work. Photographs to accompany the article are highly encouraged. These may include NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 42 >>>>>>>> INSTRUCTIONS TO Authors..>>>>>>>>> study specimens, study area, and/or researchers. A general format should be followed: Author name ([in full], centred, upper case) TITLE (bold, centred, upper case) Original text (aligned left)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgements should be brief and should not list titles and institutions, but should include the first name and surname in full. Institutions should only be listed where individuals are cited as pers. comm. in the text. Authors must acknowledge collecting permits and animal care protocols together with which author they were granted. Any mention of authors should refer to them by initials only (e.g. GJA for Graham J. Alexander). It is recommended that authors acknowledge reviewers by name if they waive anonymity. This is not a requirement, but would be greatly appreciated.

REFERENCES Reference formatting is similar to African Journal of Herpetology. As of 2019, extensive changes have been made to simplify its appearance. However, as always, references should be listed in alphabetical order and should refer only to publications cited in the text. Abbreviate journal names in the References in the standard way. Standard abbreviations can be found at various web sites such as: www.bioscience.org/atlases/jourabbr/list.htm or home.ncifcrf.gov/research/bja/ References should be in the following format: Article: Branch WR. 2007. A new species of tortoise of the genus Homopus (Chelonia: Testudinidae) from southern Namibia. Afr. J. Herpetol. 56:1–21. Book: Spawls S, Howell K, Drewes R, Ashe J. 2002. A field guide to the reptiles of East Africa. London: Academic Press. Chapter in a collection: Bruford MW, Hanotte O, Brookweld JFY, Burke T. 1992. Singlelocus and multilocus DNA Fingerprinting. In: Hoezel AR, editor. The South American Herpetofauna: Its Origin, Evolution, and Dispersal. Molecular Genetic Analysis in Conservation. Oxford: IRL Press. Thesis: Russell AP. 1972. The foot of gekkonid lizards: a study in comparative and functional anatomy. [PhD thesis]. London: University of London. Website: Wilgenbusch JC, Warren DL, Swofford DL. 2004. AWTY: a system for graphical exploration of MCMC convergence in Bayesian phylogenetic inference. NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 43 >>>>>>>> INSTRUCTIONS TO Authors..>>>>>>>>>

[accessed 15 April 2011]. http://ceb.csit.fsu.edu/awty. In text citations should be in chronological order: (Jacobs 1952, 1966; Edwards and Holmes 1965; Rosen et al. 1990). When a paper with more than two authors is cited, only the first appears in the text (Taylor et al. 1993). If a paper has more than ten authors, only the first five should appear in the references followed by et al. Cite unpublished data as e.g. Alexander (in press), which then appears in the list of references, or as G. J. Alexander (pers. comm.), in which case Graham J. Alexander’s name and institutional affiliation should appear under Acknowledgements. Unpublished reports are cited as personal communications.

AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS Authors’ full names and affiliations should be provided at the end of the submission, as follows: SUBMITTED BY: [for each author] AUTHOR’S NAME (bold, upper case), address or affiliation. E-mail: [email protected] (hard return)

TABLES Tables should be in Arabic numerals, double spaced and on separate pages with a legend at the top. Lines should only be used to separate headings. Table formatting is most convenient when ‘table commands’ are used to separate columns. Do not use vertical lines. All tables must be mentioned in the text and numbered consecutively (Arabic numerals).

FIGURES AND PHOTOGRAPHS Figures must be restricted to the minimum needed to clarify the text. The same data should not be presented in both graph and table form. Photographs and figures should be provided at high resolution (minimum of 600 dpi for colour images). Lower resolutions are not acceptable. Files should be saved and submitted as one of the following file formats: TIFF (Tagged Image File Format; preferred), PostScript or EPS (Encapsulated PostScript). Please submit line art as a scalable vector diagram (EPS). Labelling in figures should be in lower case, except for the first letter of the first word. All figures must be mentioned in the text and numbered consecutively (Arabic numerals).

NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 44 HAA MEMBERSHIP FEES 2019

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NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 45 Herpetological Association of Africa HAA www.africanherpetology.org IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER

NOTICE REGARDING ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS It is essential that your membership reference number (or initials and surname, if you are a new member) be used as a reference for electronic payments, and that you let the HAA Treasurer, Jens Reissig ([email protected]), know when you authorise the payment, so that it can be traced.

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NUMBER 70 | MAY 2019 46