SCIEhT. PAP. DES. RES. STATION, NO. !25

DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW OF AND NOTES ON FITZSIMONSIA IABRTfIPES (FITZSIMONS) FROM THE CENTRAL NAME DESERT.

W. D. HAACRE Transvaal Museum, Pretoria.

(With 3 figures and 6 plates)

Introduction: I would Iike to thank Drs. V. F. FitzSirnons and C. Koch for assistance rendered in preparing this Amwgst the specimens in the collection manuscript and Mr. C. J. Coetzee for help with the of the Transvaal Museum from the Gobabeb area statistics. in the central Namib Desert two new species were recognized. Atso one species which was hitherto known only by the type with no definite locality Ptenoprls ko& sp. nov.

) record. proved to be relatively common in that area. 1

1 j (Plates I-V) 0 This investigation proved the presence of a third 2 named d species of the harking of the Ptenopm. Koch's Barking , after Dr. C. e t Until a few years ago when Brain described P. cavi Koch who collected the first specimen and reported a d There, from Gobabeb, this genus was considered mono- the unusual gecko calls from Gobabeb. at ( type this species, mainly through r specific. Now a third species has been recognized the locality for e

h from that same area. Although the type species his energy and devotion, the Namib Desert Research s i l P. garrulw has a wide distribution throughout the Station has been erected, which made further stu- b

u drier sandy areas of Southern Africa, the two new dies and collections possible. P

species seem to have a very restricted distrihution. e Ptena~igarrulz~ part. Brain, June 1962, Cim- h The occurrence of these three sympatric species in t bebmia, I, p. I and Dec. 1962, Cimbebasia, IV, p. 1. y The centraI Namib Desert indicates extraordinary b and interesting ecological conditions which have d e t prevailed for an extremely long period. According n a to KochX the same phenomenon of explosive evo- Ho1otype:- AduIt male, 28809, r g

lution is also apparent in Tenebrionid beetles Iike coll. by W. D. Haacke, October 1963. e c Lepkiochora of this area; where usually only one n Altotype:- Adult female, TM 28447, e species is known in areas where this wide-spread c i coll. by W. D, Haacke, May 1963. l

genus occurs, at Gobabeb and Rooibank up to four r e species occur on the same dune. The Research Sta- Paratypes:- TM 24993 - 4, coll. by C. Koch, Oct. d n tion now proves to be erected at a site invaluable 1957. 25880 - 1, 25883 - 4, 25887, u 25889 - p5947, by y for further studies of the various problems which 90, coll. C. K. Brain, a become apparent through these rather preliminary May 1959. 28442 - 6, 28448 - 55, w e 7, t studies. 28625 - colE. by W. D. Haacke, a Oct. 1963. G

The other two species under discussion are both t e limbless Scincids and seem to have a restricted Type locality :- n i b distribution as well. Gobabeb, South West Africa, central a

S Namib Desert (23" 37' South, 15" 03' y C.; 1962. M2c.p. East, 408 m). b * Koch. Ann. Tmnsv. 24336.

d e c u d o r p e R 2 ORIGINAL PRINT

The data from three specimens not from the type side. 207 scales round middle of body, 84 gulars, locality have been included in the statistical anal- 57 interorbital scales, 10 upper labials, 10 and I1 ysis. lower labids, nostrils surrounded by 2 nasal scales TM 25885, 25888, coll. by C. K. Brain, each. Colour (in alcohol):- Underside, throat and Rooibank, May 1959, 28388, cotl. by W. lateral spots white, otherwise similar to holotype. D. Haacke, Farm Greylingshof, dist. Paratypes:- In general scale character of para- Swakopmund, May 1963. types similar to holotype, but colour varies to a certain extent from very light to darker specimens. AU types are in the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria.

A stoutly built ground gecko, similar in general Data of Fgpe series:- appearance to the common Barking Gecko (Ptenopess garrulw), but usuaI1y bigger than specimens of the Total 1engths:- 48 - 119.8 mm, latter fmm the same localities. Body scales much smaller than the scales of other species of the Proportion taiI/snout- genus, and consequently a greater number of scales vent length :- average round the middle of the body, viz. 187-222. Toes range and fingers fringed laterally with elongate pointed scales. Yellow colour in males not restricted to the sample throat only, but extending over labials on to sides Upper Iabials: - average of snout, neck and body. range sarnpIe Lawer labials: - average Holotype:- Adult male, TM28809, total length 119.8 (61.8 + 58) mm, tail length 93.8% of snout- range vent length. Body covered with minute flattened sampIe scales, numbering 220 round middle of body, 82

) Nasal scales per

1 gulars below eyes, 57 scales between supracilliary

1 nostril:- average 2-0

0 ridges. Upper labials 8, lower 9. NostriI pierced 2 between 2 nasal scaIes, which are distinctly swollen. range 2 d e the t Nostril capable of being closed from inside by sample 62 a a projection from upper nasal: nasal separated d

( Scales under third

above rostra! by a single, enlarged granule. Ear r e opening a short oblique slit. Rostral and mentaI finger :- average 29.0 h s i undivided; cheeks swollen; no enlarged gular scales. range 2434 l b Toes and fingers flattened and fringed laterally

u sample 61

P with greatly eIongated, pointed scales. Tail taper- e ing, covered with small, subimbricate scales. Three Scales under fourth h t enlarged tubercular scales on either side of base toe: - average 43.5 y b of tail; postanal sacks present; preanal and femoral range 39-50 d

e pores absent. Peritonea1 lining pigmented. t sample 58 n a Colour in life:- Basic dorsal eolour reddish brown, r Scales round middle g

with dark brown infusions, which are darker lat- e c erally. Underside of body, limbs and tail white. of body: - average 209.4 n e Throat sulphur-yellow. Yellow colour not restricted range 187-222 c i l to throat but spreads over labiaIs on to sides of sample 31 r e snout, and also in the form of irregular spots along d Scales between supra- n sides of neck and body. Hands paler in colour than u body, dark infusions on toes and distaE half of tail cgliary ridges :- average 50 y a f om indistinct crossbars. Supracilliary ridges a range 4657 w e pale reddish brown. Iris brown, with lighter areas t sampIe 31 a on dorsal and ventral edges of pupiI, and marked G

t with fine wavy Iines. Gular scales below e n eyes :- average 85 i Allotypeo- AduIt, total length 104.6 (62.8f41.8) b a mm, body/tail ratio smallest in series. Base of range 24--95 S

y tail not swollen, two enlarged tubercIes on either sample 31 b

d e c u d o r p e R SCENT. PAP. NAMTB DES. RES. STATION, NO. 25 3

COMPARISON OF THE THREE EPECIES OF PTEN0PUS:-

P. kochi P. gamlus P. carpi 64 mm 55.5 mm 59.7 mm

Largest specimen (HtB+tail) :-

HB/tail ratio:- mean 83.7% 69.2% 72.1% obs. range 66.6-94.1% 63.&76.6% 67.8-76.6 % S. D. 6.41 3.81 2.26 sample 14 22 23

Gulars :- mean 84.9 54.8 65.1 obs. range 74--95 48-64 58-74 S. D. 4-97 3.36 4.14 sample 31 27 31

Scales round mean 209.4 132.8 117.4 middle:- obs. range 187-222 120-146 105-131 S. B. 9.20 6.24 5.85 sample 30 26 31

Scales under third mean 29.0 finger :- obs. range 24-34 S. D. 1.89 sample 61

Scales under fourth mean 43.5 37.4 34.4 )

1 toe: - obs. range 39-50 3342 2740 1 .. 0 S. D. 2.72 2.29 2.62 2 sample 5% 52 62 d e t a d

( r e h s i

l Statistically the most significant difference be- Males of aU species have yellow throats. In b tween P. kochi and the other two species is the P. kochi the yeIlow colour spreads to other parts of u P

much higher scale count round the middle of the the body, while in the other species only a very e

h body. No practical overlap was observed nor is restricted area is covered an the throat itself. It t

y a theoretical overlap of 2 3 S.D. possible. Further- was generally assumed that the females of all the b more P. kochi has a higher rnea'n HB/taiI ratio, Ptenops spp. bad white throats, but, in October d e

t which is not, however, very significant as overlaps 1963, all three females of P. carpi had yellow n were observed. throats, although the actual areas covered were a r

g smaller than in the males. The females might be

e The toes of all three species are fringed laterally

c subject to seasonal changes, as Brain did not

n with elongated, pointed scales which, however, are

e observe this fact when collecting the type-series in c weaker deveIoped in P. carpi than in the other Two i

l M,~1959. ~~~~~~i~~ should also be given to this r species. The fingers too are fringed IateraUy with possibility tn the other e P. d elongated, pointed scales in kochi but with tri- n angular more or less poihted scales only in P. garru- u KEY TO THE SPECrES OF PTEN0PUS:-

y lus and P. carpi. a 1) a. Toes weakly fringed laterally; nasals not w e Peritonea1 Iining in P. kochf and P. gamlw pig- t swollen; nostrils open; peritonea! lining un- a mentd, unpigmented in P. carp.

G pigmented . . P. carpi Erain. t e In P. bcM an internal projection of the upper b, WC, n (Plates 11 mc, Vd). i nasal scale can close the nostril, in P. gamlus this b a is not always so we11 developed, while in P. ca@ b. Toes strongly fringed lateraIly; nasals more S

y the nostrils are open. or less swollen; nostrils partly closed by in- b

d e c u d o r p e R ORIGINAL PRINT

ternal projections of the upper nasals; peri- captivity, but only m rare occasions. The call of toneal lining pigmented . . 2. P. carp! was recognized as such for the first time during October 1963. It consists of a series of up 2). a. Fingers fringed with elongated pointed to sixteen cIicks uttered in a rather low and mono- scales; scales on body very smalI (187-222 tonous pitch. round middle of the body). P. kochi sp. nov. (Plates la, b, EIa, IVa. VC). HABITAT AND BURROW STRUCTURE:- b. Fingers fringed with pointed triangular It appears that the species P. kochi and P. carpi scales ; scales on body larger (1201146round show a preference for a special habitat while P. gar- middle of the body). P. gamlus (Smith). rulus is more indifferent and can be found mixing readily with either of the other species. Judging (Plates IIa, TIIb, IVb, Va, 6). by the evidence of recorded calls and dug up speci- mens at Gobabeb, P. kochi occurs mainly in the actual river-bed and on the plains south of the Kuiseb River, where the soiI consists mainly of fine river Each of the three species of Ptenopus has a dis- deposits. Brain collected some specimens on the tinctive call and, at Gobabeb, all three can be heard north bank, which were probably taken in similar simultaneously. The time for calling seems to be soil near to the river. The specimen from Grey- the same for all species, although P. carpi is heard lingshof was dug up on the slope of a dune. less frequently than the other two. The name P. carpi has, up to now, been found only on the Whistling Gecko gives a wrong impression, as the gravel plains north of the river, where the substra- sounds made are certai'nly not comparable to whist- tum is fairly hard, coarse and mixed with small ling. The behaviour while calling was observed by pebbles, the author on various occasions at a distance of a few feet in the case of P. garrulus in Northern P. gmlwhas been found both north and south Transvaal, Bechuanaland and South W@st Africa, of the river, but seems to avoid the actual river-bed. as well as in P. kochi at Gobabeb, and has even been photographed. While on the lookout at the mouth The burrow structure in all three species shows great similarity, and aU have only one openihg

) of their burmws, with about half the body ex-

1 posed, the geckos would suddenly start expanding from which the main tunnel descends. At frequent 1

0 and deflating their throats in quick succession, then intervals blind passages may branch off the main 2 tunneI, most of them leading up, almost but not d slip back into the opening of their bumws and call e t by rhythmically opening their mouths for each indi- quite, to the surface. When digging up specimens a

d many of them were found in these side passages, from

vidual click accompanied by small jerks of the (

the end of which they would often break through r head. This action is similar to that of a barking e to the surface and try to escape. The burrow of h dog and for that reason I consider the name Bark- s i P. gamEus has been examined in various Iocalities l ing Gecko more appropriate than Whistling Gecko. b and was fouhd to be very similar in its general, lay- u

P Various authors have tried to describe the call seem

out, although those at Gobabeb to be shallower, e of Ptenopzrs (Brain 1962), which consists of a series with passages h shorter and fewer side than else- t of clicks or squeaks, uttered in quick succession 8ncI where. None seemed to go deeper than about 10" y b

gack-gack-gack- seems to be as acceptable as any. and the area covered was not more than about 20" d e squared. The burrows of P. carpi, of which only a t In P. gamlw four clicks are usually heard in n few were found, showed even more simplicity, prob- a quick succession (Gobabeb, Oct. 1963), of which the r ably due to the harder soil of their location. P. Tcochi, g first one is more pronounced than the others, but e however, in a more suitable habitat, makes longer c fewer than four or up to as many as six clicks can n and deeper burrows which go down to about 16 e sometimes be heard. kom observations in different c i inches with the end as much as 2Y2 to 3 feet from l

localities of its distribution it appears that IOW r the entrance. e temperatures effect a more drawn-out call with d n fewer clicks. High humidity with a light drizzle u HABITAT PREFERENCE AND ANATOMICAL might stimulate Ioud concerts late at night. P. kochi's y ADAPTA TI0NS:- a pitch is similar ta P.garrulus, and it can be con- w e fused therewith if an incomplete series of clicks t P. kochi:- Digital combs of elongated, pointed a at a slower speed is uttered. A full call consists of on edges and G scales of toes and fingers (Plates IIIa

t nine to eleven uttered i'n extremely fast succession e IVa).

n and in a monotonous pitch. This reminds one very i b much of the stridulation of the big Pamphagid P. gamTus:- Combs of bluntly pointed, triangular a

S scaIes along edges fingers, and elongated,. grasshoppers such as LamarcMana. The calls of of of y pointed scales on toes (Plates ITIb and Wb). b both P. kochi and P. garrulus have been heard in

d e c u d o r p e R SCIENT. PAP. SAhIIB DES. RES. STATION, Sfl. 25 5

P. cavi: - Fingers edged laterally with short. spinose scales, while toes have weakly deveIoped combs of elongated, pointed scales (Plates mcand BRALN, C. K.;June 1962. A Review of the Gecko Genus IVc) . Ptenoplr~with the Description of a new Species. Cilnbebnsin No. 1, p. 1. Comparing these with apparent habitat pre- - Dcc. 1967, O!,servrttion on the Temperature Tole- ference, there seems to be a clear correlation, viz., rance of Lizards in the Central Narnib Desert. the softer the substratum the greater the finger South West AfrIca, Ci~nbrbo~irr. No. 4, p. 1. and toe surface is for dig~ing, or with more FITZSIMONS, V. F.: duly 1943. The Lizards of South digital digging surface available the softer sub- Africa. Tmns?.. MMS.Mrrrr. No. 1 stratum that can be utilized. P. kochi, with the largest area available. can burrow even in the silt LOVERIDGE, A.; San. 1947. Revision of the African Lizards of the Family . Bitl7. -~!ri. of the actual river-bed. P. gamlzr.~,with a still rela- ronip. Zoo!.. Vol. 98, No. 1. tiveIy large area, is fairly indifferent to hardness R.: 1.5.1955. of substratum, hut avoids the softest parts and from MERTENS, Die AmphlbEen und Reptilien Siidwestafrikas. AM. .pcnrl;enh. nntlcrf. Grs. 400. other areas is known to avoid too hard ground. pp. 1-172. P. carlw' is known only from fairly hard soil, north of the Kuiseb River, where large surfaced toes are of minor importance. In soft soil P. carpi's narrow Ty~I?/o~ulrncr brxir~i no v. toes would be less effective. sp. Another anatomical adaptation to a habitat of fine (Text figs. 1-3, Plate VIc.) sand seems to be the interior projection of the upper nasal in P. kochi (Plate Ia) and P. gam~lrts,which Brain's Blindworm or Legless Skink, named after makes it possible to close the nostriI and prevent Dr. C, K. Brain, dormer curator of the Department the entry of sand; this projection is absent in P. of Lower Vertebrates of the Transvaal Museum, carpi of the gravel plains. Experiments with live who coIlected the first specimens at Gobabeb on the P. kochi gave no tnndication that closing of the Carp-Transvaal Museum Namib Expedition itt 1959. nostrils could he done voluntarily, but pressure was close

) exerted on the nasal swellings found to 1

1 the nostril completely. This couId happen when 0

2 these geckos block the entrance to thcir burrows Hu1otype:- TM 28472,

d with sand try the tunnel walls by 1963. e or to hardrn tap- coll. by W. D. Haacke, May t a ping them with their heads, as was observed in a d A1lotype:- TM 28473,

( glass-walled container. 1963. r coll. by W. D. Haacke, May e

h Peritonea1 pigmentation is present in both P. kochf s Paratypes:- TM 25866 68, coll. C. K. i - by Brain, l and P. garrulxs, but absent in P. carpi. Brain pointed b May 1959. 28474, coll. by E. v. Koenen, u out that its functional significance was still ob-

P May 1963. 28611, coll. by W. D. Haacke,

e scure. Whether the slightly higher critical maxi- 1963. 28612, h Oct. call. by D. Goode, Oct. t temperature toleranc~of kochi and P. gar- mum P.

y 1963. 28613, coll. by 0. P. M. Pruzesky,

b ITIIIER (both t~?atedas P. ga7r~rl~rsat that stage) Oct. 1963. d over P, carpi has anything to do with the presence e t

n or ahsence of pigmentation in the peritonea1 lining, A11 types are in the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. a r has yet to be proved. g e c n e c i This new form seems to be the thinnest of a11 the l

r known South African species of this genus. It e d At present P. kocl~ihas been recorded only from shows a considerable reduction of head scales, which n the central Namib Desert, but probably occurs fur- u

clearly distinguishes it from all the other known y ther south well into the restricted Diamond Area, a species. Only a single large head scale is present,

w where its exact distribution remains uncertain. e lying between the rostra1 and the parietals. This t a Localities:- Gobabeb on Kuiseb River (Transvaal Iarge scale is referred to as the frontal, although G

t Mus., State Museum Windhoek) ; RooSbank; Farm it is probably a fusion of the frontal, prefrontal or e n Greylingshof, dist. Swakopmund; Sandwich Har- fmntonasals and interparietal. The first 8-10 i b ; Bay scales behind the head scales are much shorter than a bour (Transvaal Museum) WaIvis (State MU- S seum Windhoek) . the rest of the body scales. y b

d e c u d o r p e R ORIGINAL PRENT

Abbreviations to figs. 1-3:

F. Frontal, LL. Lower labial, Lo. Loreal, M. Mental, Oc. OcuIar, P. Parietal, PO. Preocular, PoO. Post- ocular, R. Rostral, SL. Sublinguaf. UL, Upper labial.

FIG. 1 Typlalosauncet hrnini sp. nov. Lateral view of head. ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d

( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n a r g e c n e c i l r e d n u y a w e t a G t e n i b

a FIG. R FIG. 3 S Typhlomac~usbmiai sp. nov. Dorsal view of head. TyphZoaa?~rt~sbrahi sp, nov. Ventral view of head. y b

d e c u d o r p e R Ho1otgpe:- TM28472, sex undetermined, total length 197 (161 + 30) mm, tail length 185 of snout-vent length. Snout Aongate, projecting and rounded, slightly flattened below. Rostra1 large ; REiI4 RKS :- distance from tip of snout to posterior edge sub- equal to or a little longer than the other head The assumption that the interparietal is part of shields together. Laterally rostral psojects back- the probable fusion forming the frontal is based on wards to below ocular. Prefrontal or frontonasal the fact that in TM 25424 a circular pit exists in and interparieta1 absent or fused with frontal, which the usual position of the pineal eye. In TM 25867 is about twice as broad as long and in long contact the parietals have fused to form a single, narrow, with rostral. Parietals forming a short, median, transverse scale, which is in contact on either side diagonal suture behind frontal. Eye visible as a with the ocular. A number of specimens show slight dark spot under the ocular scale. A single supra- variations in the scaling of the lower jaw, e.g. a ocular, postocular and a small preocular present. small aberrant scale separating the 3rd Labial from Ocular in contact above with parietal and beIow the lip, er the 2nd labia1 is fused with or replaced with first two upper Iabials. Three upper labials. by the 2nd sublingual, the mental may be more or 1st Iargest and broader than long, 3rd smallest. less cordiforrn with a suture extending' forward. Mental large with onddate posterior edge, not Three specimens have 14 rows of scales round the reaching back as far as rostral. Three lower labials. middle of the body. Row of scales adjoining lower labials, sublinguals, enlarged and broader than long. Body scales broad- FIELD NOTES:- er than long and subhexagonal. The two median ventral rows being narrowest, i.e. unty sIi~htly The first three specimens were collected by dig- broader than long. 12 rows of scaIes mund the ging under tufts of grass on the slopes of dunes middle of the body. The first 8-10 scales behind (Plate WC.),while all the others were coll,?cted on the head scaIes are much shorter than the rest of the surface at night. The very regular snakelike the body scales. A single enlarged preanal scale tracks, made by these when moving on or present. Tail short and obtusely pointed. just under the surface of the sand, leading from )

1 one tuft of grass to another, could easily be fol- 1 Colour: - Very light pinkish, almost uniform,

0 lowed. When disturbed these lizards would imme- 2 except for some fain? brown marks on the forehead. diately attempt to disappear by diving into the sand, d

e i.e. on the rostral, frontal, parietaIs, Ioseals, pre- t an action which they managed with great speed a oculars and oculars only, ~xtcndingvery sparingly it d unless caught at first sight. During May 1963

( on to adjacent scales. seemed as if they were active only during the early r e hours of the night, while the sand was still warm, h s i as no fresh tracks could be found after about l b 9.30 p.m. . In October, howevcr, when it was war- u

P mer, some specimens were collected much later at e night. Stomach contents consist well masticated h of t diam. of insects. Amongst these only one termite could be y M+n tail body b

identified, while the others might have been Lepi.?nza d e or larvae of some kind. A surprising amount of t n Holotype: - sand was found in the stomach and the faems. a r g

TRI 28472 30 mm e c n

e Allotype: - c i At present only known from the semistable (held l

Tbt 28473 38 mm r by grass) parts of the dunes south of the Kuiseb e d Paratypes River at Gnbabeb. Probably widely distributed in n :- u the dunes of the central Namih Desert.

y TAT 25866 30 mm a

w 25867 39 mm e t 25868 41 a mm

G FITZSIMONS, V. F.: July 1943, The Lizards of South 28474 37 mm t W7i.r.. No. 1. e Africa. T~.nnsr. MVWI.

n 28611 35 mm i

b R.; 28632 38 mm MERTENS, 3.5.1955. Die Amphlbien und Rcptflicn a Siidwestafrikas. Ahh. scncl~c~?ib.?tntrtrf. Gcr, 490, S 281313 no tail pp. 1-172. y b

d e c u d o r p e R 8 ORIGINAL PRINT

WITTE, G. F. DE at LAWRENT, R.: 1943. Contribution found this to be a misidentification and made it a a Ia systematfque des formes dCgradees de la fa- new species, Typh1acontiu-s brdpes, while de Witte mille des Scincidae. - MBm. Mica, Hkt. wat. BeZg. significant (2) 26. and hurent considered the differences enough for generic distinction and called it Fitai- morasia brevipes. For many years the type was the only known specimen, but in 1959 a similar limbIess Fitxsimonsi~bvmps (Fitz Si mons) was sent to the Transvaal Museum by Dr. A. Weber from Swakopmund, S.W.A., which was (Plate VI a, b) not identified until some time later. During May 1963 a number of specimens of the same type were found and Typhlolcontias bre~pesFitzSimons, 1938, Ann. by the author at Gobabeb were identified as F. brevipes. So at last some information on the Trawv. Mm. XX, 1, p. 15. occurrence of this hitherto rather mysterious species FitmimonGa brewipes de Witte and burent, 1943. became available. M&. Hkt. nut. Belg. (2) 26, p. 33. ADDITIONAL DATA:- HISTORICAL AND SYSTEMATIC ROTES:- All the above specimens, from the central Namib This scincoid lizard, one of the gmup of legless Desert, agree cIoseIp with the original description fossorial forms, is in general build and scalation of the type to which is referred. From the available very similar to Typhhcontfas, except for the pyes- series, however, it is obvious that the tail of the ence of a small postnasal scale and minute rrldi- type is regenerated, as it is much shorter than the mentary hindlegs. The type specimen (SAM508, average relative length of the specimens we now S.A. Museum, Cape Town), with locality given as have with original tails. In 14 complete specimens "Cape Division", was originally identified by G. A. the tail length varies between 33.5% and 41.3% of Boulenger (1912) as Typhlacontius punctatksimus, the head-body length, while in the type it is only with a note by Boulenger "not Cape Division, re- 17.7%. The diameter of the body goes 13.5 to 18 corded f mm Mossamedes." FitzSimons, however, times into the head-body length. ) 1 1 0 2 largest of series:= d Dimensions of specimens e t a d

head head diameter ( H+B tail length breadth body r e h s i mm 6.3 l TM 28464 100 mm regen. 7.2 mm 5.0 mm b

u TM28607 100 mm bra ken 7.7 mm 4.7 mm 5.5 mm P mm 5.9 e TM28638 92 mm 38 mm 7.0 mm 5.0 mm h t y b d e t n All specimens have 18 scales mund the middle others. The rest of the bodies of the specimens in a r of the body, as in the type. this series is unmarked, apart from a few dark g

e marks on the heads of some specimens. The remain- c Colour:- The markings of the specimen from n ing two specimens show a pattern closer to that of e Swakopmund c correspond closely to those of the Thu i the type, but with the following differences:- l

type, i.e. "Each scale bearing a dark centraI spat, r second row of scales from the dorsal line is com- e forming regular longitudinal series; line of spots d pletely unmarked (faintIy marked in type). The n on second dorsal row from middle line much paIer rows are u of scales adjacent to the third row well than others; a median dark band on head." The rest y marked with dark spots which fade towards the a of the body is very faded and does not show the

w ventral side and some of the ventral scales are un- e t original colour. marked, so that the belly appears to be irregularly a

G The specimens from Gobabeb show some varia- speckled. In all specimens the tail markings are t e tion on this pattern. Of the 20 specimens available bolder and darker than on the body. In the few n i for study, 18 have only the dorsal and the third well marked specimens the fainter or unmarked b a row of scales on both sides marked with spots, dorsolateral line continues on to the tail where only S half of the second row is y which are less distinct in some specimens than in the ventral scales in the b

d e c u d o r p e R SCENT. PAP. NAMIB DES. RES. STATION, NO. 25 4

marked with a dark spot. In the 18 faintly marked this is no doubt the reason why they have hitherto specimens the second row of dorsal scales continues been found on so few occasions. To locate a speci- to be unmarked on the tail, while all the other tail men one has to watch the sudden end of a fresh scales are marked with a more or less pronounced track carefully for any movement or just take a dark spot. Regenerated tails usually appear to be chance and grab into the sand on the off chance darker in colour. The basic body coIours of all the of securing a specimen. Another method is to hit specimens from Gobabeb which were seen alive the sand at the suspectd end of a track with a shades were of Iight sulphur-yellow while the tails shovel, thus stunning the lizard and obviating its were blue-grey between the dark marks. The scales escape. The stomach contents consisted of the re- have a smooth, glossy surface. (Plate VIa.) mains of various minute insects, inter alia termites, ants, beetles, plant-bugs, cicadas, ant-lions, etc. to- FIELD NOTES :- gether with a fair amount of sand. So far F. br&pes has been found in a very re- Higher up on the slopes of the big dunes. among stricted habitat, viz. the windblown semistable sand the ArisMa sabulicoka islands, F. brmipes is re- between the vegetation islands on the southern bank placed by Typhlosauw brainf. Amphkbaena qua- of the Kuiseb or within close proximity there- River drifrow is another limbless lizard known to occur to, where plants like the Narras (Acanthosicios Itor- much da), Salvadora persica, Tamarix awqtro-af ?+cam in this area, but seems to be rarer here than and the hard dunegrass AnkW mbulicola form above mentioned species. clumps (Plate VIb). It appears that F. br&pes shelters amongst the roots of these plants during the day, as the regular, winding, snakelike tracks fresh sun- are found only in the evenings just after Known only from the central Namib Desert in set. These tracks lead from the base of one clump to another, also between the Acacia trees that have South West Africa. been half covered by sand and across the leeward, Localities:" Swakopmund: Gobabeb, on Kuiseb semi-fluid slopes of the smaller dunes along the River. The Iocality of the type specimen, given as During May bank of the Kuiseb River. 1963 no "Cape Division", is very vague and at present there fresh tracks were found after about 9.30 pm., prob- ) is no, indication that this lizard could occur in the 1 ably due to the cooling of the sand. However, dur- 1 cap$ Province. 0 ing October of the same year, when it was warmer, 2 some specimens were collected much Iater at night. d e t These lizards move about just below the surface REFERENCES :- a

d of the sand, making thus narrow, shallow furrows

( in the sand. They were never observed on the sup- r FJTZSXMONS, V. F.: 1939. Descriptions of some new e face and the tracks certainly give no indication h Species and of Wrards from South s i case, Ann. MW., XX, 15. l that such might be the although this possi- Africa. Tram?. p. b bility cannot be excIuded. When disturbed, they u GIESS, W.: 1962. Some Notes on the Vegetation of the P immediately try to disappear by diving into the No. e Namib Desert. Cimbebasia, 2.

h sand, an action which they manage with the same t WITTE, G. F. DE et LAURENT, R.; 1943. Contribu- y speed as Typhlosaum braini. b la des formes la tion h systematique degradees de d As they apparently never come to the surface, famtlia des Scincidae. Mew. MW, Eist. mat. Be2g. e t (2) 26.

n they provide a special probIem to the collector and a r g e c n e c i l r e d n u y a w e t a G t e n i b a S y b

d e c u d o r p e R 10 ORIGINAL PRINT

, ... c. P-, *,*- *. ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d

( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n a r g e c n e c i l r e d n u y a w e t a

G PLATE X. t e (a) Ptrttopms korhi sp. nov. Snout, showing exttabrillar fringes and swollen nasals with n i internaI projection of upper nasal scale. b a Ib) Ptenol>l~skochi sp. nov., adult male from Gobabeb Note small lepidosis, flattened, S fringed fingers and swollen nasals. y b

d e c u d o r p e R SnENT. PAP. NAMTB DES. RES. STATION. KO. 25 ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d

( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n a r g e c n e c i l r e d n u y a w e t a

G PLATE 11. t e (a) Ptmtop~~sgamtllia (Smith). adult male from Karibib. Note relatively coarse lepi- n i dosis and compressed fingers with serrated edges. b a (b) Ptenopus carpi Brain, adult male from Gobabeb. Note relatively coarse lepidosis, S compressed fingers and toes with weakly developed fringes. y b

d e c u d o r p e R l2 ORIGIEc'At PRINT ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d

( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n PLATE IPI. a r g

e (a) Left front foot of Ptenop~rskochd sp. nov. c n (b) Left front foot of Ptelaopus garnrl~ts(Smith). e c i l (c) Left front foot of Ptenop*m carpi Brain. r e d n u y a w e t a G t e n i b a S y b

d e c u d o r p e R SCTEfrT. PAP. NAMIB DES. RES. STATION, NO. 25 13 ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d

( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n PLATE IV. a r g (a) Left hind foot of Ptenop~t-vfiocl~i sp, nov. e c

n {b) Left hind foot of Pttmopus grtrnrll~sISmithl. e c i Ic) Left hind foot of Ptenopt~scarpi Brain. l r e d n u y a w e t a G t e n i b a S y b

d e c u d o r p e R PLATE v. C P

8 (a) Ptenoylra yormks (Sm~th)Adult male from Kanblb (b) Ptetlopua 8unulu~(Smthl. Subadult kom south of 8 tha Xulaeb Rivu at Gobabeb.

) F 1 1 0 2 d e t a d

( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n a r g e c n e c i l r e d n u y a w e t a G t e n i b a S y b

d e c u d o r p e R PLATE VZ.

(a) Fff.sinrarr(o brevipes (PiteSimons). Adult specimen from Gobabeb. ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d

( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n a r g e c n e c i l r e d n u y a w e t a G t e n i b a S (b) Southern baok of the Kulseb River showing habitat (c) View acmss the Kulaeb River at Oobabeb showing y b

of Pdtrr(rnW breviges. the dunes with Islands of se~,habftat of Typhb d e

c aaunrs brdnl. u d o r p e R