ISSN 1017 - 6117 AFRICAN HERP NEWS NO. 26: JULY 19'17 ISSN 1017 - 6187 CONTENTS EDrIORIAL ...... -··························-····-········-.... _...... 1 ELEC110N OF A NEW II.A.A. COMMITl'EE...... _ __...... 2 AFRICAN HERP NEWS 1111RD WORLD CONGRESS OF HERPETOLOGY...... _...... 3 REPORT ON NIN111 AFRICAN AMPHIBIAN SYMPOSIUM ...... 4 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS The endangered Micro Frog thrutened by mining A.L de Villien ...... 6 HERPETOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA Citations in ten thousand items and their bibliopaphies D.E. YM Dijk ...... •····· ··················-········ ...... -...... 7 NEWSLETTER Out.span in Tllll7Jlnia I J.C. ...,...... -... ··-··...... -...... • ...... 11 Holidaying with herp5 in South Africa F. Girard...... 13 Report on a collcction of lir.ards from Owambo district, northern Namibia M.F. Bates & N.J.L. Heidemaa ...... 16 U FE HISTORY NOTES Xawpus muellni: Avian predation. G.V. Huper & A,J.F. Haaper...... 22 Honwpus signarus signarus: Captive breeding. VJ.T.1-llu-...... 23 Prmopus gamdus maculalus: Courtship and mating. F. Girard ...... 24 Honidactylus mabouia: Predation. G.V. Huper.. . -...... - ...... 2S Paclrydactylus bibronii: Translocation. G.V. H...-,_ ...... 25 etoshae: Summer diurnal activity. N.J.L. Hekleaaa...... 26 CNUPUKko duq,i.s duq,i.s: Size. G.V. 11aaaner ...... 27 Mabuya striata striata: Avian predation. G.V. H.....-...... 27 Typltlops bibronii: Size. W.R. B,..h...... 28 Melle/ya capensis capensis: Size. G.V. Haper...... 29 Dubaria lul1U lulrix: Reproduction. R.B. Yeadoa ...... 29 Macnlaps microlepidotus: Feeding behaviour. R.B. Yeadon ...... 29 Philothamnus naJalensis occidentalis: Size. G.V. Huper...... 30 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUI'ION Chiromantis XLrtunpelina. R.B. Yeadoa ...... 31 Pelome"'4sa subrufa. J.C.P. YUl Wyk...... 31 Junixys naJalensis. G.V. Haaaner & 0. BourquiJI ...... 32 Pachydactylus austeni. F. Girard ...... 32 ScekMs limpopofflsis limpopomsis. D.G. Broadley, G.V. Haper & A,J.L l..aablris...... 32 Mabuya acuti/abris. W.D. Haarke ...... 33 Mabuya chimbana. W.D. Haarke ...... 34 Nucras ilumexta. D.G. Broadley & G.8.A. Raslllusse• ...... 34 DaJophia ellenbergeri. D.G. Broadley ...... 34 Prosymna sundevallii /ineaJ,a. G.V. Haaaaer...... 35 RECENT HERPETOLOGICAL BOOKS: PART 3 W.R. Branch ...... 36 RECENT AFRICAN HERPETOLOGICAL UTERATIJRE: 17 G.V. Haapaer, M. Bu,aer & W.R. Branch...... 46 FROM 111E PRESS...... 58 JULY 1997 HERPETOLOGICAL BOOKS ...... 60 NO. 28 NEW HERPETOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS ...... 66 REPOKI' OF 111E AUDrIORS TO MEMBERS OF THE ff.A.A...... •...... •...... 74 SOUlllERN AFRICAN FROG ATIAS PROJECT...... 76 African Herp News No. 26: July 1997

HERPETOWGICAL ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA EDITORIAL Founded 1965 The HAA is dedicated to the study and conservation of African and amphibians. It is with some sadness that I write this, my finished product is always a rewarding ex- Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the African herpctofauna. Members receive last editorial. Having served three con- perience. However, while I have thoroughly the Association's journal, African JoumaJ of Herpetology {which publishes review papers, secutive terms as Chairman/Newsletter enjoyed the job, I must echo what Bill research articles, short communications and book reviews - subject to peer review) and Editor over a period of seven years, the Branch said in 1993 when resigning as editor newsletter, African Herp News (which includes short communications, life history notes, HAA. has become very much a part of my of the Journal after 11 years: "It will be a geographical distribution notes, venom and snakebite notes, dlort book reviews, bibliographies. life. I am thankful for the many oppor- pleasure to open an envelope with a NEW husbandry hints, announcements and news items). tunities I have had to correspond with and journal ( = newsletter) in it, and read some- meet members, and have thoroughly enjoyed thing that I haven't spent the last six months Editor's note: my work as editor ofAfrican Herp News. bringing to fl'\lition•. Articles will be considered for publication pl"OYided they arc original and haYC not been From the start of my first term I initiated published elsewhere. In the past several members were concerned various changes to the style and format of about the relatively infrequent appearance Articles may be submitted for peer review ( at least two reviewers) at the llditor's discretion. the newsletter. Firstly, the Committee of HAA. publications. I stated in my first Lists of reviewers will be published in the newsletter from time to time. agreed to change the title of the newsletter. llditorial (African Herp News #13) that it Authors arc requested to submit long manuscripts on disk in ASCII format. African Herp News #13 (August 1990) was was my prime objective to ensure that the The views and opinions expressed in articles arc not nCCC5511rily thOliC of the llditor. the first newsletter to appear with a hard Association's Newsletter and Journal ap- paper cover. In general, few changes were peared more frequently. This situation has Articles and news items appearing in African Herp News may be reprinted, provided the made until African Herp News #17 (June improved considerably and members now re- author's name and newsletter reference arc given. 1992), which featured a Bibliographic Inda gularly receive two newsletters and two to the Journal Typist: by Rod Douglas, and was the journals per year. During my seven years in Ms A. Lombaard, National Museum, Bloemfontein. first to be formatted with lines at the top office 14 issues of African Herp News (#13 and bottom of each page. In 1993, after a to #26; 810 pages in all, average of 58 pages policy change to the Journal, it was decided per newsletter) and 11 Journals {#38, edited COMMITTEE OF THE HERPETOLOGICAL that the Life History Notes, Geographical by Johan Marais and myself; #39 to #42, ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA Distribution, and Venoms and Snakebite edited by Bill Branch; and #43, #44 [parts 1 sections would be transferred to the news- & 2), #45 [I & 2) and #46 (1), edited by le CHAIRMAN AND NEWSLETIER EDITOR letter. This resulted in a flood of extra Fras Mouton) were produced. M.F. Bates, Department of Herpetology, National Museum, P.O. Box 266, Bloemfontein 9300, newsletter contributions, the first of which Accreditation status for the journal is African Herp News South Africa. appeared in #21 (July another matter which has been questioned 1994). Later, at the General Meeting during on several occasions this decade. Following SECRETARY/'fREASURER the St Lucia symposium (October 1995), it F.I.. Farquharson, P.O. Box 20142, Durban North 4016, South Africa. various improvements to the journal it is was decided that the Newsletter Editor now likely that an application for accredi- JOURNAL EDITOR should send articles requiring review to at tation status will be made at the end of 1997. P. le F.N. Mouton, Department of Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag XI, least two referees for their opinions. This Matieland 7flJ2, South Africa. practice was initiated from African Herp As this is my last newsletter, I take this News #24 (December 1995). Recently, in opportunity to thank all th06C who have ADDmONAL COMMITI'EE MEMBERS served on committees with me or assisted in E.H.W. Burd, Western Cape Nature Conservation, Private Bag 5014, Stellenbosch 7(JX), African Herp News #].5 (October 1996), a double-column format was introduced, sec- any other way. Your co-operation and sug- South Africa. tion headings and titles of articles were set gestions were invaluable. A special word of O. Bourquin, Natal Parks Board, P.O. Box 662, Pietermaritzburg 3200, South Africa. thanks to: my colleague Rod Douglas who W.D. Haacke. Department of Herpetology, Transvaal Museum, P.O. Box 413, Pretoria 0001, in blocks, and glossy paper used. All of the above changes were made in an attempt to has on many occasions offered valuable South Africa. produce a neater and more attractive news- advice and support; Frank Farquharson, who G.V. Haagner, P.O. Box 702, Hoedspl'\lit 1380, South Africa. letter. on occasion has given me a damn hard time, J.C. Poynton, 14 Mordern House, Harewood Avenue, London NWl 6NR, England (temporary has been an excellent and deligent Secre- Producing the newsletter was always a plea- address). tary/f rcasurcr largely responsible for the sant challenge. I was never short of news- Association's very healthy financial situation; CO-OPTED ADDmONAL COMMITI'EE MEMBER letter material (for which I thank you the W.R. Branch, Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood flJ13, South Africa. Le Fras Mouton for his competence and ~ member) and I could always be certain of operation while Journal llditor; Bill Branch posting an African Herp News which had at HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS for his advice and regular newsletter con- Dr R. Laurent, Prof. J.C. Poynton, Dr C. Gans, Dr D.G. Broadley. least something of interest for everyone. tributions (e.g. book reviews); Gerald llditing and proof-reading a newsletter takes Haagner who's endless supply of Life His- up a fair amount of time, but seeing the tory Notes alm06t led me to create a special

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l African Herp News No. 26: July 1997 African Herp News No. 26: July 1997

Bourquin (1987, Lamtnergeyer -38; 12-14), height of about 1 cm abollc the sand in be established. The tendency of individuals 353 (181 + 172) mm C. dilepis that was Free State and Eastern Cape provinces by direct sun using a Baily-Bat thermocouple to climb into vegetation when ambient air accidentally transported from M07.8mbique Haagner & Branch (1996, African Herp News thermometer (Sensortek, New York). Data temperature was high may have been a way in a railway truck. The largest reported by No. 25: 44) and has involved the smaller are given as means :!: lSD and their of taking more effective advantage of the Fitzsimons (1943, Transvaal Mus. Mem. 1: gecko species Hemidactylus mabouia and statistical analysis consisted of Student's ,_ 151-174) measured only 290 mm, while Cott Lygodactylus capmsis. This appears to be the tests following Sokal & Rohlf (1981, cooling effect of the prevailing breeze (instead of entering the cool burrow system). (1934, Proc. ll><)[. Soc. Land. 1934: 145-173) first report on accidental translocation of P. Bio~, 2nd ed., W.H. Freeman and Co., recorded 300 mm as the maximum for bibronu. Whether this specimen would have San Francisco), with differences between Acknowledgements: I thank my students M07.8mbique. In a recent survey of the survived the harsh winters is questionable, means considered significant at P < O.Cl~. Lysias and Natangwc Amupathi (University former Transvaal province, Jacobsen (1990, but as the cardboard box was moved into of Namibia) for assistance during the A herpetological survey of the Transvaal, and stored in a garage, it seems possible. The daily activity pattern of the group was observations. Drs G. Alexander and W.R Ph.D. thesis, University of Natal, Durban) bimodal. A peak phase occurred in the Branch are thanked for critically reviewing reported the largest C. diJepis from Acknowledgements: Dr W.R Branch for morning (28.5°C .s_ Ta .s_ 42.6°C; mean 36.4 Phayizani to have a SVL of 180 mm. He n the manuscript. commenting on the text. :!: 3.4°C, = 14 recordings) followed by a probably overlooked the Manyeleti trough phase during the middle of the day Submitted by: N.J.L. HEIDEMAN specimen, already accessioned in the Submitted by: G.V. HAAGNER (P.O. Box (40.8°C .s_ Ta .s_ 47.6°C; mean 43.4 :!: 1.9"C, (Department of Herpetology, National Transvaal Museum collection at that time. 702, Hoedspruit 1380, South Africa). n = 15 recordings) and a second peak phase Museum, P.O. Box 266, Bloemfontein 9300, in the late afternoon (36.3°C .s_ Ta .s_ South Africa). Acknowledgements: Thanks to Thomas 44.loC; mean 39.9 :!: 2.3°C, n = 10 Madsen and Rubin Els for pleasant field recordings). The mean numbers of assistance; and Dr W.R Branch for individuals recorded during the two peak CHAMAELEONIDAE commenting on the text. AGAMA ETOSHAE phases did not differ significantly (8.4 :!: 1.9 Etosha Agama (morning) vs. 9.6 :!: 2.5 (late afternoon), P > CHAMAELEO DILEPIS DILEPIS Submitted by: G.V. HAAGNER (P.O. Box SUMMER DIURNAL ACI1VTIY 0.05]. Both these figures were, however, Flap-necked Chameleon 702, Hocdspruit 1380, South Africa). significantly greater than the mean number SIZE Observations on a group of 16 Agama of 3.9 :!: 0.8 individuals recorded during the etoshae were carried out at Ompundja trough phase (P < 0.001, in both cases). In During a visit by Prof. Thomas Madsen from SCINCIDAE (17"58'S, 15°40'E; 1715DC) in the Owambo 80% of trough phase intervals and 70% of the University of Lund, Sweden, we went out district of northern Namibia on a cloudless second peak phase intervals, individuals at night on 17 March 1988 searching for MABUYA STRIATA STRIATA day in January 1995, with a slight breeze were observed perching in vegetation. In the chameleons in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, Striped Skink blowing. The study group of four males, former phase the mean percentage of Mhala district, Mpumalanga Province. AVIAN PREDATION eight females and four juveniles occupied a individuals in vegetation per interval was Several adult chameleons were seen and at flat, sandy area measuring 26 x 36 m, with a significantly greater than that in the latter 20h14 a very large specimen was noticed in On 4 October 1996 my attention was drawn to a group of noisy Black-eyed Bulbuls burrow system having 20 entrances. The area phase (65.3 :!: 25.7% vs. 28.3 :!: 26.0%, P < the spotlight approximately 4,5 m up in a is situated in seasonally flooded grassland 0.01). Buffalo Thom Tree (Ziziphus mucronata) (Pycnonotus barbatus) in a large marula tree (Claassen & Page, 1978, Ontwikkelingsplan near the main camp (24°38'S, 31°28'E; (Sclerocarya caffra) on the farm Roodepan vir Owambo. Verslag van die lnstituut vir These limited observations suggest that A. 2431CB). It was an adult female Chamaeleo 223, Potgietersrus district, Northern Beplanningsnavorsing, Universiteit van Stel• etoshae is social during the breeding season. d. dilepis measuring SVL 193 mm, tail length Province (23°26'32"S, 28°29'38"E; 2328AD). lenbosch) with a few tufts of grass and three Solitary individuals noticed or collected 173 mm, total length 366 mm, mass 85,8 g. My first reaction was that the birds were scattered defoliate bushes. Males and elsewhere in Owamboland at that time She was maintained live in a large walk-in mobbing a snake, but investigation revealed females were easily identified" on the basis of (summer) may therefore have been drifters. cage with shrubs and soil at the Manyeleti a perching adult Pearl-spotted Owl the breeding colouration of their gular areas. Steyn, Finkeldey & Buys (1963, Cimbebasia Centre. On 30 March she was (Glaucidium perlatum) eating an adult In males the gular area is bright yellow in 6: 12-15) stated that A. etoshae lives in noticed sitting on the ground, apparently Mabuya s. striala. The 's head and colour with a centrally-situated black patch, isolated colonies, some of which are quite very weak. She appeared to have just laid a torso were already eaten, but identification while in females it is uniformly bright orange large (91.4 x 228.6 m). They did not, clutch of eggs, as she was very thin, but no (from a distance of approximately 5 m) was in colour. Small individuals lacking gular however, mention the time of year when evidence could be found of any nest hole based on the grey-brown back with distinct colouration were classified as juveniles. their observations were carried out or dug in the soil. She died later that day and dorso-lateral stripes. These are Activity recordings, from a distance of provide information about the spacing of was deposited in the herpetological common in the area and are regularly seen approximately 30 m, using 8 x 30 Nikon individuals in these colonies. The large collection of the T ransvaal Museum (fM around the house. Pearl-spotted Owls are binoculars, started at 07h45 and ended at number of breeding males and females in 67621). opportunistic feeders (Steyn, 1982, Birds of 18h30. The number of males, females and the present study group suggests that the Prey of Southern Africa, David Philip Publ., juveniles visible in the area was recorded at species may be polygamous, but in the This appears to be a new record size for C. Cape Town), and with partly-diurnal habits, 15 min intervals. Ambient air temperature absence of any obvious intrasexual agonistic d. dilepis. Schaefer (1971, Mems. Inst. Invest. they can easily optimise abundant lizard (fa) was measured simultaneously at a behaviour, the type of polygamy could not Cient. Mozamb. ll(A): 169-176) reported a prey.

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