Key to the South African Genera of SCINCIDAE.
1 Nostril pierced in a small or moderate-sized nasal shield and well separated from rostral; prefrontals and. frontoparietals present (latt"r sometimes fused into a single shield) .. 2 Nostril pierced between the rostral and a very small nasal, which may be reduced to a narrow ring or absent; limbs short, rudimentary or absent; prefrontals and frontoparietals if present very small; scales smooth . SCELOTES, p. 176 Nostril pierced in ·the anterior part of the very large rostral, with the posterior border of which it is connected by a longi- tudinal groove'; scales smooth; limbs absent, vermiform .. 3 '2 Eyelids movable, the lower with a transparent disc; limbs well developed and pentadactyle; scales distinctly carinated MABUYA, p. 205 Eyelids movable. the lower one scaly or more or less trans parent; limbs short or vestigial; scales smopth or feebly carinated RIOP A, p. 233 Eyelids immovable. the lower one with a large transparent disc which completely covers the eye; limbs more or less developed, digits sometimes reduced in number; scales smooth ABLEPHARUS, p. 235 3 Eye completely exposed without rudiments of eyelids; two
) supra-oculars and two supraciliaries; 3 transversely enlarged 1
1 head shield between rostral and interparietal; no enlarged 0 2
preanal plate d e TYPHLACONTIAS, p. 238 t a d Eye covered by an eyelid or lying under head shields; supra (
r ciliaries present or absent; at most, two enlarged head shields e h
s between rostral and interparietal; a single enlarged preanal i l
b plate ',...0 ., 4 u P
e 4 Lower eyelid movable, elongate, transparent or translucent;' h t 3-4 supraciliaries y
b ACONTIAS, p. 240 d e t Lower eyelid immovable, oval and transparent; 2 supraciliaries n a r ACONTOPHIOPS, p. 254 g e c No eyelids present, eye lying below head shields 'and dis n e
c cernible only as a dark spot; supraciliaries present (one or i l . two) or absent r e
d TYPHLOSAURUS. p. 255 n u
y SCELOTES Fitzinger. a w Bipes (non Oppel) Merrem, 1820, Tent. Syst. Amph., p. 76. e t a ?Pygodactylus Merrem. 1820. Tent. Syst. Amph., p. 77. G Scelotes 1826. 23 Sc. anguineus t Fitzinger, Neue Classif. Rept., p. (type: e Fitz, = 'bipes L.). Dumeril & Bibron, 1839. Erp. Gen., V, p. 784. n i Gray, 1845, Cat. ·Liz., p. 123. Gunther. 1871, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 241. b a Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz .. lH,.p. 408, and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, S p, 487, Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch, Kolon., IV, 2, p. 41. y b
Zygnis (non Fitzinger) Wagler, 1830. Syst. Amph" p. 160. d e Scelotes part., Wiegmann, 1834, Herp. Mex., p. 11. c u d 176 o r p e R Amphiglossus Dumeril & Bibron," 1839, Erp. Gen., V, p. 606. Gray, 1845, Cat, Liz., p. 125. Gunther; 1871, P.Z.S. Lond., p.24l. Gongylus part., Dumeril & Bibron, 1839, Erp. Gen., V, p. 613. Thyrus Gray, 1845, Cat. Liz., p. 124. Gunther, 1871, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 24l. Lithophilus (non Frolich) A. Smith, 1849, Ill. S. Afr. Zool. Rept., App., p. 12 . . Herpetosaura Peters, 1854, Monatsber. Ak. ·Wiss. Berlin, p. 619, and 1882, Reise n. Mosspmb., III, p. 79. Roux, 1907, ·Zool. Jahrb. Syst., XXV, p. 437. Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus .. V, p. 488. . ?Sepomorphus Peters, 1861, Monatsber. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 422. Sepsina Bocage, 1866, J om. Ac. Sci. Lisb., I, p. 62. Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 417, and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 488. Dumerilia Bocage, 1866, Jom. Ac. Sci. Lisb., I, p. 63:. Seps part., Gunther, 1871, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 24l. Rhinoscincus Peters, 1874, Monatsber. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 374. Scincodipus Peters, 1875, Monatsber. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 55l. Herpetoseps Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 416. Palatine bones'in contact with One another along mesial line of palate or separated. Palate toothless. Teeth conical. Eyelids developed, lower eyelid scaly or with. a semitransparent to transparent disc. Ear-opening distinct or hidden. Nostril pierced between the rostral and a very small nasal. which may often be reduced to a very narrow ring or sometimes absent. A small postnasal present or absent. Prefrontals and frontoparietals usually absent. Body more or less elongate to distinctly elongate. Limbs more or less developed, rudimentary or absent. Terrestrial or subterrestrial in habits, showing practically all stages in limb degeneration from the presence of well-formed penta dactyle limbs to complete' absence thereof. Represented in South . Africa by 19 species and subspecies all of ·which are viviparous, producing from 2---4 (sometimes 5 of 6) l~ve young at a time. The characters, used in the past to differentiate the genera Herpetosaura and Sepsina from Scelotes, have been found in recent )
1 years to occur .also in species of otherwise undoubted Scelotes, 1
0 showing thus a relationship so close as to warrant the uniting of the 2
d two .former genera (i.e. Herpetosaura & Sepsina) with the older e t Scelotes (see Hewitt, 1921, p. 3 & 1927, p. 404; Barbour & Loveridge. a d
1928, p. 164).· . ( r
e Distribution: From South to Tropical Africa, and Madagascar(?) . h s . It has been suggested by Hewitt (1929, p. 7) that the Malagasy forms, i l b included in Scelotes and Sepsina by Boulenger (1887, pp. 408 & 417), u
P are entitled to rank as a distinct genus Amphiglossus D. & B., e
h evolved quite independently of the African genera, while the single t
y Mauritian species {bojeri) appears to be assignable to yet another b genus. d e t n Key to the South African Species & Subspecies of SCELOTES. a r g e c
n 1 Interparietal large, broader than frontal, in contact· on sides e c
i with posterior supraoculars .. 2 l r
e Interparietal small and sub triangular, narrower than frontal, d
n well separated· on sides from posterior supraoculars . 16 u
y 2 Both fore- and hindlimbs present 3 a w
e Forelimbs absent, hindlimbs present 6 t a Both fore- and hindlimbs absent . 12 . G t e 3 Limbs pentadactyle; 2---4 median pairs of nuchal scales n i b transversely enlarged . 4 a S Limbs tri- or tetradactyle; seldom more than a single median y b
pair of nuchal scales transversely enlarged 5 d e c 177 u d o r p e R 4 A small postnasal present, separating supranasal from 1st upper labial; lower eyelid. with a transparent disc; head distinctly depressed S. capensis (Smith), p. 179
No postnasal, supranasal in contact with 1st upper labial; lower eyelid scaly; head feebly depressed S. mira (Roux), p. 182 5 Both fore- and hindlimbs tridactyle; palatines in contact: 4th upper labial below the eye; 20 scales round middle of body S. caffer (Pet.), p. 183 Forelimbs tridactyle and hindlimbs tetradflctyle; palatines separated; 5th upper labial below eye: 22 scales round middle of body S. limpopoensis Fitz., p. 185 6 Hindlimbs didactyle 7 Hindlimbs monodacty Ie 10 7 Four supraoculars. all in contact with frontal; 5 supraciliaries; palatines separated: 20 scales round middle of body S. bidigittatus Fitz, p. 186 Three supraoculars, of which two are in contact with frontal; 4 sUpraciliaries: palatines in contact'; 18 or 22 scales round middle of body .. 11 8 Fourth upper labial below the eye; lower eyelid opaque. but not scaly; 22 scales round middle of body . ) 1
1 S. kasneri Fitz., p. 187 0 2
d Third upper labial below eye; lower eyelid scaly; 18 scales e t round middle of body ., . 9 a d
( 9 Length of hindlimb sub equal to distance from tip of snout to r e
h posterior border of interparietal, and about 12 times into length s i l from snout to vent; frontal subequal in length t9 interparietal b u and much longer than rostral P S. bipes bipes (Linn.), p. 189 e h t
y Length of hindlimb from Ii to 1" :.5 times distance from tip b of snout to posterior border of interparietal, and from 8-9 d e t times into length from snout to vent; frontal shorter than n a interparietal, equal to or slightly longer than rostral r g
e S. bipes sexlineatus (Har!.). p. 190 c n e c 10 with i Three supraoculars, of which two are in contact frontal; l
r 4 supraciliaries; third upper labial below eye; 18 scales round e d middle of body n
u S. gronovii' (Daud.), p. 192 y a w Four supraoculars. of which three are in contact with frontal; e t
a 6 supraciliaries; 4th upper labial below the eye; 18 or 20 scales G round middle of body .. 11 t e n i 11 A small postnasal. present, separating supranasal from 1st b a upper labial; no enlarged preanal scales; 20 scales round middle S
y of body b
S. guentheri BouI., p. 193 d e c
u 178 d o r p e R No postnasal present, supranasal in contact with 1st upper labial; a pair of enlarged preanal scales; 18 scales round middle of body S. brevipes Hwt.. p. 194' 12 Three supraoculars .. 13 Four supraoculars 14 13 Nasal narrow and ringlike; a pair of enlarged preanal scales; body subquadrangular in cross-section S. bicolor (Smith), p. 195 Nasal small, elongate and oval; preanal scales not or only feebly enlarged; body subcylindrical in cross-section S. arenicola (Pet.), p. 196 14 Palatines separated; frontal short, not nearly as long as its distance from end of. snout and· shorter than interparietal; anteriormost pair of chin shields not meeting mesially S. anguina (BouI), p. 197 Palatines in contact; frontal as long as or longer than its distance from end of snout and as long as or longer than interparietal; anteriormost pair of chin shields in contact with one another 'mesially 15 15 Frontal moderately narrowed anteriorly, as long as or a little . longer than broad, less than twice as long as frontonasal; 20 scales round middle of body S. inornatus inornatus (Smith), p. 199 Frontal strongly narrowed anteriorly, distinctly longer than broad, over twice length of frontonasal; 18 scales round )
1 middl~ of body 1
0 S. inorncLtus mossambicus (Pet.), p. 200 2 d e 16 Limbs tridactyle; 3 upper labials anterior to subocular; t a pre ocular and loreal subequal in size d
(
r S. angolensis (Boc.), p. 201 e h s i
l Limbs tetradactyle; 3 upper labials anterior to subocular; b
u preocular much smaller than loreal P S. alberti (Hwt.), p. 203 e h t Limbs pentadactyle; 4 upper labials anterior to subocular: y b preocular much smaller than loreal d e
t S. arnoldi (Hvvt.), p.204 n a r g
SCELOTES CAPENSIS (A. Smith). e c (Text-figs. 50 & 51). n e c
i Western Pentadactyle Sand Skink. l
r Gongylus capensis A. Smith, 1349, Ill. Zool. S. Afr. Rept. App., p. 10 e d (Type locality: "Western coast of Southern 'Africa "). n u
Seps capensis Gunther, 1871, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 241. y a Scelotes capensis Boulenger, 1887, Cat. "Liz., p. 412, PI. XXXIV, figs. 1 w
e and 1a. Fischer, 1888, MittI. Zool. Mus. Hamb., p. 12. (Aus-Bethanienl. t
a Schultze, 1907, "Aus Namaland u. Kalahari," p. 224, text-fig.
G Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 487. Werner. 1910. Jena. t
e Denkschr., XVI, p. 350 (Kubub, G.N.; Steinkopf, L.N.). Hewitt, 1910, n i Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, p. 101. Sternfeld, 1911. Fauna Deutsch. Kalan., b IV, 2, p. 41 (Kubub and Aus, G.N.; Steinkopf, L.N.). Methuen & a S
Hewitt, 1914, Ann. Tvl. Mus., IV, p. 143 (Narudas Sud, G.N.l. Rose, y 1929, in "Veld and Vlei" App., p. 220. FitzSimons, 1937, Ann. Tvl. b
Mus., XVII, p. 269. d e c
u 179 d o r p e R Sepsina weberi Raux. 1807. Zool. Jahrb. Syst.. XXV. p. 437, pI. XIV. fig. 9 (Steinkapf, L.N.). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Air. Mus., V, p. 489. Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tv!. Mus., II, Il 102. . Seelotes eapensis depressus Hewitt, 1929, Ann. TvL Mus., XIII, p. 2. text-fig. C. a~d pI. I, fig. 2 (Narudas Siid, G.N.). Description: Snout opt use. scarcely projecting beyond labial margin. Head depressed. Lower eyelid with an undivided transparent. or semitransparent disc. Ear-opening round, minute. Palatines in moderate to short contact, or separated. Nostril pierced between rostral and a small narrow r;nglike nasal, which is sometimes almost obsolete and represented merely by a narrow skin fold. Supranasals' in median contact with one another behind rostral, separated from 1st upper labial by a small postnasal. Loreal much larger than preocular. Frontonasal more or less 7-sided, much broader than long (from H times to about twice). Frontal as broad as long or a little longer or broader, broader than frontonasal, equal to or a little longer or shorter than its distance from end of snout. anterior border .straight and in' fair contact with frontonasal, PC!sterior border ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d
( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b
d Fig. 50. Sce/otes capensis (T.M. No. 19165-Rehoboth), dorsal view of head. e t n a slightly sinuate. No prefrontals nor frontoparietals. supraoculars,
r '* g first 3 subequal in size or 2nd and 3rd a little larger (sometimes 2nd e c largest), 4th smallest, usually first 3' (sometimes all 4) in contact with n e c frontal. 6 Supraciliaries, usually 4th shortest. 5th longest and 6th i l
r largest. Interparietal broader than long, broader but shorter than e d frontal. A pair of elongate parietals, in median contact with one n
u another behind interparietal and' in contact anteriorly with 4th y
a supraocular. A pair of elongate nuchal shields,. one on each side w adjoining parietals; usually 2-3 pairs of tr:ansversely . elongated e t a nuchal scales behind parietals mesially. 5 Upper labials. 4th lying G below eye arid q.bout 11 times as long as deep. 5-6 (Usually 5) lower t e
n labials; 4 enlarged chin shields in contact with lower labials on each i b side. first three obliquely elongate. anteriormost pair only, in median a S
contact with one another. 22 Scales round middle of body; a pair y b
of slightly enlarged preanal scales. Both pairs of limbs present, very
d small, pentadactyle; hindlimb from 1 3 : 5 ,to twice length of forelimb, e c u
d 180 o r p e R which is equal to about half its distance from end of snout; digits clawed; 1st finger shortest, then 2nd and 5th, 3rd and 4th much longer and subequal; 1st toe shortest, 5th and 2nd longer (subequal' in length fo one another, or 5th a little longer), 3rd and 4th much longer (4th usually slightly longer than 3rd). Tail a little longer than head and body. Colour: Above, light olive to olive brown with a coppery sheen, each scale with centre stippled with blackish over 4 me'dian longitudinal scale rows; a dorsolateral, pale olive yellow to yellowish brown streak present from snout, along supraoculars and over body and tail, sometimes indistinctly marked over back in adults, but always conspicuous on tail and there blue to bluish grey; dorsolateral streak distinct throughout in juveniles, being white anteriorly, passing to bluish-white and bright blue posteriorly. Head paler than back and speckled with brown. Sides of body darker than above, scales all )
1 Fig. 51. See/.otes capens;s (T.M. No. 19165), side view of head . 1 0 2
d . wi,th dark brown to blackish centres. Tail, especially on sides, dark e t
a purplish-brown to black, lightly speckled with white or 'scales d narrowly edged with bluish-grey. Lower surfaces, greenish-yellow to ( r
e pale yellowish-brown, chin and throat paler than belly, which is h s usually tinged with grey, Labials usually dark spotted along sutures. i l b Dimensions: (T,M. No, 19165-Rehoboth), H. & B. 52, tail 47 u P
(partly .reproduced), length head 7, breadth head 4.7, forelimb 6, e h
t hindlimb 11 mm. y b Field notes: Usually found under stones, etc., lying in sandy d
e places, or in leaf mould under dense Mesembreanthemum bushes. t n
a Distribution: Little Namaqualand northwards into Great r g
Namaqualand, Recorded localities: Karib (AM. & S.AM.). Lekker e c sing; Aus; Sondab River (S.AM.). Narudas Slid, Gt. Karasberg Dist.; n e Kam River, Rehoboth Dist. (T.M.). c i l
r Remarks: Type in the· British Museum of Natural History. e d Sepsina webeTi Roux (from Steinkopf) has been ·included under Sc, n u
capensis, as there appears from the description, little beyond the y
a scaly lower eyelid to distinguish it from the latter; on re-examination w
e it is probable that the lower eyelid of u;ebeTi will be found to bear t a a transparent disc as (1) in preservation the lower eyelid is often G
t closely retracted in the open position and unless carefully examined e
n appears to be scaly (2) in specimens from Klipfontein (now i b unfortunately lost) and Lekkersing, both close to the type locality a S of webeTi, the lower eyelid bears a transparent disc, A comparison y b
of the types of Sc. c, depTessus Hwt., with specimens of capen sis d e c un u d o r p e R from other localities, fails to disclose any differences sufficient to warrant the retention of the former as a separate subspecies. Boulenger's figure of head in side view is inaccurate and probably accounts for some of the confusion as to its identity.
SCELOTES MIRA (Roux). (Text-figs. 52 & 53).
Transvaal Montane Skink. HerpetosanTa mira Roux. 1907 Zoo!. Jahrb. Syst., XXV, p. 435, pI. XIV, figs. 7-8 (Type locality: Transvaal). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 488. Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, p. 102. Rose, 1929, Veld & VleL App .. p. 220. Scelotes mira Hewitt. 1921, Ann. Durb. Mus., III, text-fig. 1 D (Forbes Reef), and 1929. Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIII, pl. I, fig. 3. FitzSimons, 1930, Ann. Tv!. Mus .. XIV, p. 37 (Mariepskop and Dientje, E. Tv!.; Forbes ReeL Swaziland).
Description: Snout obtuse. not or but slightly projecting. Lower eyelid scaly. Ear-opening small, vertically oval, distinct. Palatines usually separated in adults. often in snort contact in yourigand half grown. Nostril pierced between rostral and a small narrow ring-like nasal. Supranasals forming a median suture behind rostral, in contact
7·1 rom. ;J
) 3
1 3 1 0 2 d e t a d
( r e h s i l b u P e
h Fig. 52. Fig 53. t
y Fig. 5~. Seelotes miTa (T.M. No. 12337-Mariepskop). dorsal view of head. b
d Fig. 53. See/otes mira (T.M. No. 12337), side view of head. e t n a
r with 1st upper labial. Frontonasal much broader than long, some g
e times almost twice as broad as long. Frontal bell-shaped, distinctly c
n longer than broad. as long as or a little longer than its distance from e c i end of snout. 4 Supra oculars, 2nd a little larger than 1st or 3rd. l
r 4th usually smallest. 6 Supraciliaries. Interparietal much broader e d than long. shorter but broader than frontal, anterior border concave. n u
Parietals narrow and bandlike, forming a suture with one another y a behind interparietal. and in contact with 4th supraocular anteriorly. w e An enlarged nuchal shield on each side behind parietals; 2-4 median t a pairs of nuchal scales transversely enlarged. 6 Upper labials, 4th G
t longest and lying below eye, 1st largest and 3rd smallest. 5 Lower e n labials: three enlarged chin-shields on each side in contact with labia Is, i b
a anteriormost pair in median contact with one another. 20-22 Scales S round middle of body. A pair of slightly enlarged preanal scales. y b
Limbs small and pentadactyle, forelimb about half length of hind- d e c 182 u d o r p e R limb; 1st finger a little shorter than 5th, 3rd slightly longer than 4th and latter longer than 2nd; 1st toe much shorter than 5th, 4th longer than 3rd and 2nd much shorter than 3rd. Body cylindrical.. Tail longer than head and body. Colour: Above, light brown, brown to greyish-brown, more greyish on sides; scales all dark-centred, more strongly on tail than over back and sides. Lower surfaces dirty white to light yellowish brown or grey, scales usually somewhat feebly spotted, often stippled with brown or sometimes almost immaculate: dark spotting more intense under tail. Head usually darker than back, head shields pale edged. Dimensions: Female (T.M. l6799-btwn. Hluti & Goedgegun), H. & B. 76, tail 89, length head 8.4, breadth head 5.8, forelimb 6, hindlimb 12.5 mm. . . Field notes: A montane species, confined to the upper mountain slopes and high pia teaux, where it is usually found 'living in and about rocky outcrops; it is very active and elusive in its movements, and the limbs, though reduced in size, function in the normal manner. Usually four young are produced at a time; these are born during the latter half of summer and measure from 50-60 mm. in total length. Distribution: Apparently confined to the mountainous parts of the Eastern Transvaal and Swaziland. Recorded localities: Barber ton (N.M.). Mariepskop; Dientje, nr. Vaalhoek, E. Tvl.; Forbes Reef and Hluti-Goedgegun, Swaziland (T.M.). Remarks: Types in the Natural History Museum, Amsterdam,
SCELOTES CAFFER (Peters), (Text-figs. 54 & 55). Cape Tridactyle Skink.
) Sepomwphus cafJeT Peters, 1861, Monatsber. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 422 1
1 (Type locality: "Kaffraria "). 0
2 Seelotes ? eafJeT Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 413.
d Seelotes eafJeT Boulenger, 1910, ·Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 487 (Dunbrody, e t C.P.). Hewitt, 1'910, Ann. Tv!. Mus., II, PP. 98 & 101. Essex, 1927, a
d P.Z.S. Land., p. 902, pI. I, fig. 1 (nr. Fort Brown, Albany District;
(
Limb degeneration). Hewitt, 1929, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIII, p. 4. Rose, r e 1929, in "Veld & Vlei," App., p. 220. FitzSimons,' 1930, Ann. Tv!. h s Mus., XIV, p. 37 (Fort Brown). Hewitt, 1937, Guide Vert. Fauna i l E. Cape Provo S. Afr., II, p. 40, p!. 13, fig. 2'(Hounslow & Fort Brown, b u Fish Riv. Valley; Dunbrody, Sundays Riv.). P Sedotes tridaetylus Bouletlger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 413, pI. XXXIV, e h figs. 2 and 2a (Cape of Good Hope), and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus.,. V, t
y p. 487 (Little· Namaqualand; Bushmanland). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tv!. b
Mus., II, pp. 98 & 101. Rose, ]929, in "Veld and Vlei," App., p. 220. d e t
n Description: Snout obtuse, not or but slightly projecting beyond a r labial margin. Palatines in long contact. Eye sman, lower eyelid g
e with an undivided transparent disc. Ear-opening hidden. Supranasals c n in contact behind rostraL separated from first upper labial by a small e c i
l postnasal. Nostril .pierced between rostral and a minute ringlike r
e nasaL Frontonasal much broader than long, in contact with frontal d
n at its anterior angle. Frontal subtriangular, about U times as long u as frontonasal. slightly longer than broad. Four supraoculars, first y a three subequal or 2nd slightly larger. 4th smallest. all in contact with w e
t frontaL Five to six supraciliaries. Interparietal a little broader but a shorter than frontal. anterior border straight or slightly concave. G t Pa'rietals narrow and· bandlike, in median contact with one another e n i b,ehind interparietal. A pair of nuchal shields adjoining parietals b a behind and on sides, not meeting mesially. Six to seven upper labials, S
y 4th below the eye and as long as 2nd and 3rd t015ether. 20 (Excep b
tionally 18) rows of sC'Clles round middle of body. A pair of enlarged d e c lI!~ u d o r p e R pre<;l.nal scales. Limbs small and· tridactyle; length forelimb about three times into its distance from end of 'snout; 1st nnger minute. 2nd u~ually a little longer than3rd. sometimes subequal in length. exceptionally 3rd longer; hindlimb at least 2! times length forelimb. 3rd digit longer than 2nd (about one-third longer), 1st minute. Tail longer than head and body, from g to 1"15 times. Colour: Above, silvery drab to metallic grey, with a tinge of olive, each scale usually with a dark centre (sometimes in old specimens· no 'dark spots present); an indistinct, pale, buff-coloured, dorsolateral'streak may be present or absent, running from the snout over supraoculars and fading out over posterior half of body; sides of body darker than back and usually slate grey; under parts bluish grey, scales more or less spotted. Tail bluish-grey passing to blue distally, scales below anti' on sides all with large dark centres. ' Dimensions: Male (T.M. l3616~nr. Fort Brown), H. & B. 52, tail 61, length head 6.0, breadth head 4.3, . forelimb 3.3, hindlimb B.2 mm. Attains to about 55 mm. for length H. & B. Field' notes: These little skinks are fairly common in the Fish River Valley of the eastern Cape Province, where they are found
S·:!>mm .. ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a Fig. 54. Fig. 55. d
( Fig. 54. Seelotes cafjer (T.M. N:o. 19274-Hounslow), dorsal view of head. r e Fig. 55. Seetotes cafjer (T.M. No. 19274), side view .of head. h s i l b under stones and in dead vegetable matter. They are particularly u
P partial to the masses of decaying shrubby euphorbia (Euphorbia e
h bothcie) known locally as "Norse" or "Noots," Whose stems, when t
y dead and dried out, 'form hollow. tubes, which often remain attached b to the living plant for a considerable time; it is in these hollow d e t tubes that they like making their home. In spite of their degen<::rate n a limbs, they are extremeiy active, and when disturbed glide away r g
rapidly with a sinuous snaky wriggle in which the limbs are seen e c to function in the normal manner; climbing also appears to present n e c no difficulties. Like most skinks, they shed their. tails on the slightest i l
r provocation, and great care is necessary if they are to be captured e
d intact. n
u Distribution: From the Karroid areas of the eastern Cape Province,
y westwards into Little Namaqualand. Recorded localities: Kleinpoort; a w Bushby Dell (A.Ml Farm "Resolution," nr. Fort Brown (A.M., e t
a S.A.M. & T.M.). Hounslow (A.M. & T.M.). Dunbrody; Bowesdorp; G
Garies; Bushmanland (S.AM.). Wittebergen nr. Matjesfontein (T.M.). t e Remarks: .Type in the Berlin Museum. A comparison between n i b specimens of so-called tridactylus BouL from Little' Namaqualand a S
and caffer from the Eastern Cape Province, fails to disclose any y b distinguishing characters sufficiently definite to warrant the retention
d of the former as a 'separate species. . e c u
d 184 o r p e R SC~LOTES LIMPOPOkNSIS FitzSimons. (Text-figs. 56 & 57). Limpopo Sand Skink. Scelotes limpopoensis FitzSimons, 1930, Ann. Tvl. Mus" XIV, p, 35, text figs, 17-20 (Type locality: Messina, N. Tvl.). Description: Snout obtuse, projecting siightly beyond labial margin. Palatines separated. Eye moderate, lower eyelid with an undivided transparant disc. Ear-opening small, but plainly visible. Supranasals in contact with one another behind rostral, separated from first upper labial by a ,small postnasal. Nostril pierced between .rostral and a very small ring-like nasal. Fromonasal .roughly hepta gonal, much broader than long, suture with frontal fairly wide and straight. Frontal almost as broad as long, almost twice as long as frontonasal, posterior border distinctly sinuate and convex. Four st}praoculars. first largest. Five supraciliaries, Interparietal much broader than long, a litUe shorter but much broader than frontaL ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d
( r e h s i l b u
P Fig. 51. e Fig. 56. Scelotes limpopoensis (Type. T.M. No, 13183),. dorsal (left) and ventrar. h t
views of head. . y Fig. 57. Scelotes limpopoensis (T.M. No. 13183), hindlimb (left) and forelimb (rightj. b d e t Parietals narrow and bandlike, in median contact with one' another n a behind interparietal, and just touching 4th supraocular on e'ach side r g anteriorly. No distinctly elongated nuchals. Seven upper labials, 5th e c
n below eye and not longer than 3rd and 4th together. Six lower e c
i labials; three enlarged chin-shields on each side, in contact with labials, l
r anterior pair separated from one another mesially. Twenty-two scales e d round middle of body. 'A pair of slightly enlarged preanal scales. n u
Limbs much reduced; forelimb tridactyle, very small, in length y
a about! of its distance from tip of snout, inner digit minute, 2nd a w
e little longer than outer; hindlimb tetradactyle, about three times t a length of forelimb, digits clawed, inner minute, 2nd to 4th progres G
t sively longer. Tail a little shorter than head and body. e n i Colour: Above, ·sepia, each scale with a darker centre; a well b a defined, pale buff, dorsolateral streak on each side from supranasals S
y through supraoculars over back and fading out over posterior half b
of tail; a large pale spot on rostral jUst anterior to confluence of d e c
u 185 d o r p e R dorsolateral streaks; sides of body darker than above and scales more intensely infuscated. Below, scales lightly spotted on body (each scale with a small transverse spot), more heavily under tail; chin whitish and unspotted. Dimensions: Type (T.M. 13183), H. & B. 60, tail 55, le~gth head 6.~, breadth head 4.4, forelimb 3.4, hindlimb 10.2 mm. Distribution: From the northern Transvaal into Southern Rhodesia. Messina (T.M.). Beit Bridge' (A.M.). Southern Rhodesia (N.M.). Remarks: Type in the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria.
SCELOTES BIDIGITTATUS FitzSimons. (Text-figs. 58 & 59). Lowveld Didactyle Skink. Scelotes bidigittatus FitzSimons, 19:30, Ann. Tv!. Mus., XIV. p. 34, text figs. 15 & l6 (Type locality: Farm" Madrid," on Brak River. E. Tvl.): Description: Snout obtusely pointed, projecting only slightly beyond labial margin. Palatines separated. Lower eyelid scaly. Ear opening minute and only just discernible. Nostril pierced in the rostral and bounded behind by a narrow semicircular nasal. No ) 1 1 0 2
d E e t E a ~ d
( r e h s i l b u P e h t . Fig. 59. y b d e t n Fig. 58. a r
g Fig. 58. Scelotes bidigittatus (Type. T.M. No. 12921). dorsal view of head. Scelotes bidigittatlls
e Fig. 59. (Type. T.M. No. 12921). hindlimb. c n e c i postnasal. Supranasals in contact with one another behind rostral l
r and in contact with first upper labial on each side. Frontonasal more' e d or less 7-sided, much broader than long. Frontal much longer than. n u
broad, roughly bell-shaped, about Ii times length of frontonasal. y a Four supraoculars. 1st largest, last smallest, first three in long contact w e with, and 4th just touching, frontal. Five supraciliaries, last largest. t a Interparietal largest head shield, slightly shorter' than frontal but G
t much broader, anterior border slightly concave. A pair of narrow e n
i band-like parietals, forming a median suture with one another behind b
a interparietal and in contact with 4th supraocular on each side. A pair S of elongate nuchal shields adjoining parietals behind, not nearly y b
meeting mesially. ·Six upper labials. the 4th below the eye and not d
e quite as long as 2nd and 3rd together. 1st largest. Five lower labials; c u d 186 o r p e R three enlarged chinshields on each side in contact with labials, anterior pair only in median contact with one another. Twenty scales round middle of body. A pair of enlarged preanal scales. Forelimbs absent. Hindlimbs small and rudimentary, each provided with two minute clawed digits, the outer of which is much longer than the inner. Tail a little longer than head and body. Colour: Mummy brown to greyish-brown above, each scale bearing a large squarish dark spot, forming often more or less con tinuous longitudinal stripes; a well defined pale dorsolateral band on each side, commencing on. the rostral and passing over supra ,oculars and back onto tail, avellaneous on head and body and bluish on tail: sides of body darker than above, with scales also bearing large dark spots. Below, greyish, each' scale with a darker centre (much smaller and paler than dorsal spots). Dimensions: Type (T.M. 12921), H. & B. 70, tail 84, length head 6.4, breadth head 4.3, hindlimb 4.0 mm. (Attains ~o 75 mm. for length H. & B.). . Field notes: Apparently localised to typical lowveld country at altitudes varying from 1100-1500 feet. Found among dead leaves and decaying vegetable matter, or in the general rubble of dead wood etc. of old camp sites. Like other species of skinks with degenerate limbs. 'they are remarkably active in movement, and when exposed wriggle away with exceptional celerity. Distribution;' Eastern Transvaal.. Recorded Iocalities: Farm ." Madrid" on Brak Riv. and Farms "Perkoe" and " Zeekoegat" on Olifants Riv .. E. Tvl.;, Klaserie; nr. Mica, Leydsdorp District (T.M.) . . Remarks:' Type in the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. ) 1
1 SCELOTES KASNERI FitzSimons. 0 2
(Text-figs. 60-62). d e t a Kasner's Didactyle Sand Skink. d
( See/otes kasneri FitzSimons, 1939, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XX, p. 13, text-figs. r
e 11-13 (Type locality: 'Lambert's Bay, Clanwilliam Dist., C.P.). h s i l
b Description: Snout subcuneiform, strongly projecting. Head u
P flattened above, sides almost vertical. Palatines in contact. Nostril e pierced in rostral and separated from supranasal and first upper labial h t by a narrow crescent-shaped nasal. Lower eyelid opaque but not y b scaly. Ear-opening visible, but very small. No postnasal. Supranasals d e
t in median oblique contact with one another behind rostral, and with n
a lsi upper labial on each side. Frontonasal 7-sided, about H times as r g
broad as long, posterior border straight. Frontal 4-sided, a little e c narrower in front than behind, about g times as broad as long, n e
c subequal in length to its distance from rostral. posterior border i l ~lightly convex. Interparietal very large, much broader than long, r e
d about 1'". times as long as frontal. anterior border slightly concave. n Parietals'narrow and bartdlike, not 'meeting one another behind inter u
y parietal, just meeting or separated from 3rd supraocular anteriorly. a
w Three supraoculars, first much elongate (at least twice as long as e t
a 'broad. and much longer ·than 2nd and 3rd supraoculars together), 1st G
and 2nd only, in contact with frontal. Four supraciliaries, 2nd longest. t e 'Five upper labials, 4th largest and 'lying below eye. Loreal much n i
b larger than preocular. Three lower labials. Mental subtriangular, a
S with a slightly convex posterior border. A subhexagonal postmental, y
b followed by three enlarged chin-shields on each side in contact with
d lower la~ials, anterior pair chin-shields separated from one another e c u 187 d o r p e R in 'middle line. 22 Scales round middle of body. Forelimbs absent. Hindlimbs didactyle; each digit terminating in a distinct curved claw. outer digit about twice length of inner; length hindlimb a little longer than distance. from tip of snout to posterior border of inter parietal, and just over eleven times into length head and body. A pair of enlarged preanal scales present. Colour: Above, pale buff to straw over a band four scale rows broad, the two median scale rows only, bearing a series of indistinct ) 1 1 0 2 10·2 mm. 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 Fig. 62. i l r e Fig. 60. See!otes kasneri (T.M. No. 3856~Lambert's Bay). dorsal view of head. d n Fig. 61. Seetotes kasneri (T.M. No. '3856), ventral view of head. u Fig. 62. Seetotes krrsneri (T.M. No. 3856). side view of head. y a w e darkish spots; on sides, scales over three upper rows bearing dark t a purplish-brown spots. which fuse to form continuous longitudinal G
t dark stripes, of whIch the uppe'rmost fades out on side of neck. the e n
i median bifurcates on side of neck but fuses again just behind eye b
a and continues as a dark streak to rostral, the lowermost does not quite S reach ear-opening; on tail, the two upper side stripes are continuous, y b
while the lower breaks up into a series of small isolated sP9ts: on d e c 138 u d o r p e R 'Sides of body, below lateral stripes, there are three rows of small indistinct elongate dark isolated spots. Below, uniform yellowish to greyish-white over body, scales on tail each with a small indistinct dark spot. Scales on head barely infuscate; on limbs, dark spotted. Dimensions: Type (T.M. No. 3856), H. & B. 128, tail 70 (partly regenerated), length head 11.2, breadth head 7, hindlimb 11.3, diameter body 8.2 mm. Distribution: Known only from the (ype locality, viz. Lamberts Bay, Clanwilliam District, Cape Province. Remarks: Type in the Transvaal Museum; Pretoria.'
SCELOTES BIPES BIPES (Linnaeus). (Text-figs. 63-66).
Silvery Didactyle Sand Skink. Angui.~ bipes Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat.. Ed. 10. I. p. 227, and 1766, Ed. 12. I, p. 390 (Type locality: "In Indiis." N.B. probably Cape of Good Hope). Lacerta bipes Gmelin, 178.9. in Linn. Syst. Nat., Ed. XIII. 1, p. 1079. Owmaesama bipes part., Schneider. 1801. Hist. Amph .. II. p. 213. Seps sclmeiderii Daudin. 1802. in Sonnini's Buffon, Rept..IV, p. 348. Seps gronovii part.. Daudin. 1802. Rept.. p. 354. Bipes anguine1!s Merrem. 1820. Tent. Syst. Amph" p. 76, and 1821, Beitr. Ges. Amph .. III, p. 113, pI. X. :' pugodactylus gronovii Merrem. 1820. Tent. Syst. Amph" p. 77. Scelotes anguineus Fitzinger. 1826. Neue Classif. Rept.. p. 53. A. Smith. 1849, Ill. Zool. S. Afr. Rept. App .. p. 12 (" Most parts of Southern Africa "). Sce/otes /innaei Dumeril & Bibron. 18~9. Erp. Gen" V. p. 785. "Seelotes bipes Gray, 1845. Cat. Liz., p. 123. Boulenger. 1887, Cat. Liz .. III, p. 414 (Cape of Good Hope). Hewitt & Power. 1913, Trans. Roy. )
1 Soc. S. Afr., III. p. 159 (Kalk Bay). Essex. 1925. Ree. Alb. Mus ..
1 III, p. 341. and 1927, P.Z.S. Lond .. p. 834, pI. I, fig. 2 (Cape Peninsula) . 0 2
. Rose .. 1926. Ann. S. Afr. Mus., XX, p. 493 (Cape Flats; Robben 0.· d and 1928. Nature Notes, No. 59, p. 7, and 1929, Veld & Vlei, p. 127, e t text-fig. 83. a d
See/otes bipes part., Boulenger, 1910. Ann. S. Afr. Mus .. V. p. 487 (Cape ( Division: Robben I.). Hewitt. 1910, Ann. Tv!. Mus., II, p. 101. r e h s i l Description: Snout subcuneiform, projecting. Rostral large. b u Palatines iri contact. Nostril pierced in rostral and bounded behind P
e by a crescent-shaped nasal. which is in contact with supranasal and h t
1st upper labial. Lower eyelid scaly. Ear-opening minute and often y
b partly obscured by overlapping scales. Supranasals in median d
e oblique contact with one another behind rostral, or more often fused t n into a single large transverse shIeld. which is in contact on each side a r 'with first upper labial. Frontonasal 7-sided. almost twice as broad g
e as long. posterior border slightly concave. Frontal 4-sided with both c n
e anterior and posterior borders slightly convex. a little broader in c i l front than behind. broader than long, as long as or longer than its r e distal1ce from rostral and much longer than latter. Interparietal large. d
n much broader than long, subequal to or a little longer than frontal, u anterior border concave. Parietals narrow and bandlike, usually not y a meeting one another behind interparietal, in contact on sides with w e t 3rd supraocular. Three supraoculars, 1st largest but not quite as long a as 2nd and 3rd together, 1st and 2nd only, in contact with frontal. G t
e last smallest. Four supraciliaries. Four upper labia Is, 3rd longest n i and lyirig below eye. A loreal and a preocular, the former larger b a than the latter. Three lower labials. Mental subtriangular. A penta S
y gonal postmental, and three enlarged chin-shields on each side in b
·contact with lower labia Is, the anterior pair just meeting or narrowly d e c
u 189 d o r p e R separated from one another mesially. 18 Scales round middle of body. A pair of enlarged preanal scales. Forelimbs absent. Hind limbs very smalL each with two minute clawed digits, the outer of which is about twice length of inner; length of hindlimb sub equal to distance from tip of snout to posterior border of interparietal, and 12 to 12! times into length from snout to vent. Tail from ~ to ~ times length of head and body. Colour: Silvery grey above. often tinged with pale buff; scales over 4 median, dorsal, longitudinal rows speckled with dark brown and sometimes each bearing a small dark central spot; dorsolaterally there are 2-3 longitudinal series of blackish spots (i.e. along the 3rd to 5th scale rows on each side), the uppermost darkest and most
E E (Jo, -:t 0 3" ) 1
1 Fig. 63. 0 2
d 6'4- mm, e 6·5 mm,,---'1 t r a d
( r e h s i l ------b u P e h t y b d
e Fig, 65, t n ~66'",,\g. , a r g Fig, 63, b. bipes' (KM,-Table Mountain), dorsal view of head,
Scetotes e
c Fig, 64. SceLotes b, bipes (K.M,). ventral view of head. n Fig. 65. SceLotes b. bipes (KM,), side view of head. e c i Fig. 66, Sedotes b. bipes (K.M,), hindlimb, l r e d conspicuous, the two upper rows usually coalesce anteriorly behind n u
eye, and continue forwards as a single dark streak through eye to y a rostral; scales on sides and lower surfaces all with more or less w e infuscate centres, though often very faintly marked below. Upper t a head shields more or less densely infuscated or stippled with dark G
t brown. In juveniles there are often two dark brown continuous e n
i longitudinal stripes over the two· median dorsal scale rows; the 2nd b
a scale row on :either side pale and the next two or three bearing S continuous dark stripes, the two upper of which fuse just behind y b
the eye. ;-, d e c 190 u d o r p e R Dimensions: (K.M.-Mossel Bay), H. & B. 79, tail 58, hindlimb 6.5,. dIameter body 5.8 mm. Field notes: Usually found under stones or burrowing in sandy ground, where they live a . more or less subterranean life. Their diet consists for the most part of slugs, worms, and various kinds of small insects. Viviparous and, according to Rose (1926), produce two young at a: time; these are born in March and measure from 60-65 mm. in total length. Distribution: South-western Cape Province, froID Mossel Bay to the Cape Peninsula. Recorded localities: Kalk Bay; Mossel Bay (K.M.). Table Mtn. (K.M. & S.A.M.). Hout Bay; Simonstown; Wyn berg; St. James; Milnerton(S.A.M.), nr. Cape Town; Cape Peninsula (A.M.). Remarks: Type in the Stockholm Museum? Two records in the South African Museum, from Defagoa Bay and Aus respectively, together with Bocage's record (1896) from Linokana are quite unacceptable. Odhner's record (1908) from Indukuduku is probably referable to Sc. brevipes Hwt. A specimen in the Natal Museum from Indukuduku, identified by Boulenger (1908) as Sc. bipes, proves on re-examination to be Ablepharus wahlbergii.
SCELOTES BIPES SEXLlNEATUS (Harlan). (Text-fig. 67).
Seps sexlineatus Harlan, ~824, Journ. Acad. Sci., Philad., IV, p. 284, . pI. XVIII, figs. '2, b, c & d (Type locality: Not known). Sedotes bipes part., Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p, 487 (Cal vinia; Clanwilliam). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, p. 101. Scelotes bipes Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 351 (Port Nolloth). Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2, p. 42, fig. 50 (Port
) Nolloth). Hewitt, 1911. Ann. Tvl. Mus., III, p. 51. Power, 1933. Trans. 1
1 Roy. Soc. S. Afr.. XXI, p. 218 (Kleinzee). Loveridge, 1936. Field Mus. 0
2 N.H., Zool. Ser.. XXII, p. 74 (Kleinzee). FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. TvL
d Mus., XIX, p. 204 (nr. Port Nolloth). e t
a Scelotes bipes nnmaqnensis FitzSimons, 1939, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XX, p. 13, d
text-fig. 10 (Port Nolloth & Kleinzee). ( r e
h Description: Distinguished from typical bipes on the following s i l characters: Snout more strongly projeCting and pointed, with a b u sharper horizontal edge. Supranasals always forming a median P e
h 10·8 mm. 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 Fig. 67. See/otes b. sexlineatus (T.M. No. 18007-Pon Nolloth), hindlimb. t e ------n i
b oblique suture behind rostraL Suture betwee'n frontonasal and frontal a
S straight. Frontal distinctly shorter than interparietal, equal to or a y little longer than rostral, subequal to or a little less than frontonasal b
d e 191 c u d o r p e R -t- supranasaL 18 Scales round middle of body. Hindlimb better developed (with longer digits and distinct slender claws), length H to 1" I:, times distance from tip of snout to posterior border of interparietal and 8-9 times into length from snout to vent. Tail about I"" times length of head and body. Colour: Above, pale silvery grey often tinted with p~lle buff; a series of 12 longitudinal dark stripes over back and sides, reducing to 8 on tail; the 4 median dorsal stripes consist of small. dark spots, usually linked up with paler interspaces (stripes often fading out over posterior half of back in young specimens); the two dorsolateral stripes are dark purplish-brown, b·road. well-marked and continuous, fusing anteriorly just behind eye and continuing forwards to rostral as a single lateral streak; of the two lowermost stripes on either side of body, the upper is usually continuous but fades out on side of neck, while the lower is broken up into a series of more or less isolated spots. Scales on upper surface of hindlimbs dark-spotted. Upper head shields feebly infuscated. Below, greyish-white, with no definite pigmentation. Tail usuaIly pinkish, especially below. Dimensions: (T.M. 18DD7-Pon Nolloth), H. & B. 98, tail incomplete, length head 8.2, breadth head 5, hindlimb 10.B, diameter body 5.6 mm. Field notes: Found only in sandy localities, where they are often exposed by digging under small shrubs and bushes or in shallow depressions, where the sand remains moist. Distribution : Little Namaqualand. Recorded localities: Port Nolloth (SAM. & T.M.). Kleinzee (K.M~). Clariwilliam & Calvinia (SAM.). Remarks: Type in the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. From a comparison' with the original descriptioI]. and figures of
) Sc. b. sexlineatus (Harlan), there can be little doubt that Sc. bipes 1
1 namaquensis is identical, and therefore falls away. 0 2 d e (Daudin).
t SCELOTES GRONOVII a d
(Text-fig. 68). (
r Gronovi's Monodactyle Skink. e h s Seps gronovii part. Daudin, 1802, Hist. Rept., IV, p. 354 (Type locality: i l
b "Cape of Good Hope "). u
P ~ce!otes gronovii Boulenger, 1898, P.Z.S. Land., p. 918, and 1910, Ann.
e S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 488 (Dassen L). Hewitt, 1911, Ann. Tvl. Mus., h t
III. p. 51. Rose, 1928. Nature Notes. No. 59, p. 7 (Dassen L), and y 1929, Veld and Vlei, App., p ..220. FitzSimons, 1930, Ann. Tv!. Mus., b
d XIV, p. 37 (Lamberts Bay and Saldanha Bay). e t n
a Description: Snout subcuneiform, somewhat depressed, projecting r g
beyond labial margin. Lower eyelid scaly. Ear-opening minute and e c just discernible. Palatines in moderate contact. Nostril oval and n e pierced between rostral and a small nasal. No postnasal. Supra c i l nasals forming a suture behind rostral, in contact (sometimes shortly r e so) with 1st upper labial. Frontonasal much broader than long. d n Frontal broader than long, about as long as its distance from· posterior u
y border of rostral. 3 Supraoculars, 1st as large as 2nd and 3rd together a
w 4 Supraciliaries, usually 2nd longest and 4th smallest. Interparietal e t a little broader than long, much broader than frontal, about as long a G
as its distance from supranasals. anterior border concave. Parietals t e narrow and bandlike, forming a short suture or not meeting behind n i
b interparietal. in contact with 4th supraocular. An elongate nuchal a
S shield on either side. A loreal and a preocular. 5 Upper labials, 3rd y
b (and sometimes also part of 4th) below eye. 4 Lower labials;
d e 192 c u d o r p e R 4 enlarged chin-shields in contact with lower labials on each side, anteriormost pair narrowly separated from one another mesially. 18 Scales round middle of body. 'Preanal scales not or but very feebly enlarged. Forelimbs absent; hindlimbs represented by small mono dactyle, clawed or pointed rudiments. Tail shorter than head and body. Colour: Above, silvery-grey (often tinged with olive green), with the four median dorsal scale rows mottled or spotted with brown, . forming longitudinal stripes; the two inner rows more clearly.marked than outer, which are sometimes only faintly stippled; four longi tudinal series of dark spots on sides, the two. upper rows with large black spots, often forming more or less continuous stripes arising 4·2 mm. ) 1 1 0 2 d e t Fig. 68. Scelotes gronovii (S.A.M. No. 1982-Das~en 1.), hindlimb. a d
, . (
r behind nostril as a single stripe, and dividing into two on side of neck. e h Lower surfaces yellowish- to greyish- or silvery-white, scales all s i l spotted or speckled with brown 'in varying degree. b u Dimensions: (T.M. 3761-Saldanha Bay). H. & B. 70, tail incom P
e plete, length head 5.8, breadth head 3.5, hindlimb 3.4 mm. h t Distribution: Coastal strip of the south-western Cape Province. y b
Recorded localities: Dassen Island (A.M. & S.A.M.). Saldanha Bay; d e Lamberts Bay (T.M.). t n Remarks: Type in· Paris Museum? a r g e c SCELOTES GUENTHERI Boulenger. n e c i Guenther's Monodactyle Skink: l
r Herpetosaura inornata part., Gunther, 1873, A.M.N.H. (4) XII, p. 147. e d Sedates guentheri Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 414, pl. XXXIV, n figs. 3, 3a-c (Type locality: Port Natal, i.e. Durban). Hewitt, 1925, u
y Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 355 .. Rose, 1929, in " Veld & VIei," App., p. 220. a Sce!otes guentheri part., Boulenger, 1908, Ann. Nat Mus., I, p. 226 w e (Drakensberg (6000ft.), Natal ?), Ohdner, 1908, Ark. Zoo1, Stock t a holm, IV, No. 18, p. 4 (Durban ?) .. Boulenger. 1910. Ann. S. Afr. G
Mus., V, p. 488 (Natal). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tv!. Mus., II, pp. 98 & 102, t e and 1911, III, p, 51, n i b a Description: Snout obtuse, scarcely projecting. Lower eyelid S
y scaly. Ear-opening hidden. Supranasals in contact with one another b
behind rostral. A small postnasal separating supranasal from 1st d e c 193 u d o r p e R upper labial. Frontonasal 7-sided, broader than long. Frontal about twice as long as frontonasal: much longer than broad. 4 Supraoculars, 2nd largest, first three in contact with frontal. 6 Supraciliaries. Inter parietal broader than long, shorter than frontal but broader, SCELOTES BREVIPES Hewitt. (Text-figs. 69 & 70). Hewitt's Monodactyle Skink. Scelates guentheri part., Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Air. Mus .. V, p. 483 (Zulu1and). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, pp. 98 & 102, and 1911. III, p. 51. Boulenger, 1908, Ann. Nat. Mus., I. p. 226 (Junct. Umfolosl Rivs.; Ubombo, Ztiluland). Odhner, 19U8, Arkiv. Zool., stockholm,. IV, No. 18, p. 4 (Umfolosi). . Sedates guentheri (non Blgr.) Hewitt, 1921, Ann. Durb. Mus .. III, p. 4. text-fig. 1 B. (Lourenco Marques). FitzSimons. 1930. Ann.Tvl. Mus .. ) 1 XIV, p 37 (Umfolosi Riv.). '. 1 0 Scelates brelJipes Hewitt, 1925, Rec. Alb. Mus .. III. P.· 35:3, pI. XV. fig. 4 2 & 1929, Bul. d (Type locality: Lourenco Marques). Barbour Loveridge, e t Mus. COJ!lp. Zool.,· LXIX, p. 326 (Lourenco Marques). FitzSimons. a 1930, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIV, p. 37 (Hectorspruit. E. Tv!.;' Lourenco d ( Marques). r e h s i Description: Snout obtuse, not or but scarcely projecting beyond l b labial margin. Palatines in 'moderate to short contact. Lower eyelid u P scaly. Ear-openin,g minute but distinguishable. Nostril pierced e h between rostral and a very narrow -ring-like nasaL No postnasaL t y Supranasals forming a suture behind rostral and in contact with 1st b . upper labial on each side. Frontonasal broader than long. Frontal d e t from H to a little less than twice length of. frontonasal, in contact n a with supra oculars 1-3. 4 Supraoculars, first three. subequal in size r g or 2nd a little larger, 4th smallest. 6 Supraciliaries, last much the e c largest and differently shaped, exceptionally 4th and 5th fused n e c together. Interparietal much broader than long. shorter than frontal i l r but distinctly broader, anterior border concave. Parietals narrow and e d bandlike, in contact with one another behind interparietal and also n u with 4th supraocular on each side. Usually a pair of elon'gate nuchal y shields on each side adjoining parietals, median pair forming a a w suture mesially. 5 (Sometimes 6) upper labials, 1st largest, 3rd e t a smallest, 4th lying below eye' and as long as or a little shorte'J." than G 2nd and 3rd together' (sometimes 3rd labial below eye, when normal t e n 3rd and 4th are fused into one). 5 Lower labials; 3 enlarged chin i b shields on each side adjoining lower labials, first pair in- median a S contact with one another. 18 Scales round middle 'of body. A pair y b of enlarged preanal scales. Forelimbs absent. Hindlimbs represented d e c 194 u d o r p e R merely by a clawless bud-like rudiment on each side, seldom if ever exceeding a millimeti'e in length, Tail as long as or a little longer than head and body, Colour: Above, light brown with a metallic lustre. each scale , with a dark brown spot, forming regula!' longitudinal series (pale dorsal colouring extends over a band 4 full scale rows broad and encroaches also over inner half of scales in adjoining row on each side); sides of body much more densely spotted or infuscated with dark brown to blackish than above, sometimes only edges of scales are paler, and occasionally a band 2-3 scale rows broad is uniformly dark Below. dirty brownish-white, to greyish. scales dark-spotted; spotting on chin and throat usually weaker and sometimes absent. On tail, infuscation above and on sides riot differentiated. generally more intense than on body. 5'2 mm, Fig, 69, ) Fig, 69, SceZotes brevipes (T,M, No, HI266-Ingwavuma), dorsal view of head, 1 1 Fig. 70, Scelotes brevipes (T.M, No. 19266), side view of head, 0 2 d e Dimensions: Co-type (T,M, 2892-LourencoMarques), H. & B. t a 60,5. tail 65, length head 6,2, breadth head 4,1, hindlimb 1.0 mm, (Fully d ( adult specimens attain to' about 63 mm. for head and body). r e h Field notes: The young, usually two in number, are born in the s i l latter part of summer. ' b u P Distribution: Zululand. northwards into the eastern Transvaal e h and Portuguese East Africa, Recorded localities: Junction Umfolosi t Rivers; Ingwavuma (N.M, T,M,) Makowe (D,M,), Nelspruit (N,M,). y & b Hectorspruit (T.M,), Lourenco Marques (A.M, & T,M,), d e t Remarks: Types in the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, n a r g e SCELOTES BICOLOR (A, Smith), c n e c L~ilhophi11LS bie%T A. Smith. 1849, IlL Zoo1. S, .Afr. Rept. App" p, 1:3 i l (Type locality: "Little Namaqualand "), r e See10tes bie%T Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz" III. p, 416. and 1 !HO. Ann, d n S, Afr, Mus .. V, p, 488. Hewitt, 1910, Ann, Tv!. Mus" II, pp, 97 & u 102. and )927. Ree. Alb. Mus., III, p. 356, and 1 !}29. Ann, Tv!. Mus" y a XIII. p. :3. Rose. 1929. Veld & Vlei, App" p. 220. FitzSimons, U187, w Ann. Tvl. Mus" XVII, p, 269. e t a G Description (after A. Smith and Boulenger): Snout obtuse. t e projecting but slightly beyond labial margin. Eye small; lower eyelid n i b scaly. Ear-opening hidden. Nostril pierced in the rostral and bordered a S behind -by.a narrow ring-like nasal. Supranasals in contact with one y another behind rostraL and with 1st upper labial on each side, No b d postnasal. Frontonasal. subhexagonal. Frontal large, subpentagonal, e c u 195 d o r p e R anterior border straight. rounded behind. Interparietal· very large, anterior border distinctly concave, slightly angular on each side posteriorly. Parietals narrow and band-like. broader mesially than on sides. A pair of elongate, narrow nuchal shields bordering parietals behind. 3 (See under" Remarks ") supraoculars. 1st largest. decreasing. in size to 3rd which is the smallest. A pair of enlarged preanal scales. Body subquadrangularin section. Colour: Above, between greenish-white and pale flesh colour, with two longitudinal series of closely set brownish-red spots, extending fr:om back of head and fading out towards end ot" tail, which is .light brown; snout livid brown; back of head finely dotted with brownish-red. Sides of body and tail, light brownish-red. Below, paler than on sides. Dimensions: H. & B. 36 mm., tail 26, diameter body 3.2 mm. Distribution: Known only from the type locality, i.e. Little Namaqualand. Remarks: Whereabouts of type unknown, and presumably lost; so far as can be ascertained no other specimens have been collected. A. Smith in his original description states that there are 4 palpebral plates (i.e. supraoculars) present, while Boulenger gives only 3; in this connection it may be noted that Smith gives 5 palpebral plates for S. inornatus, whereas the types definitely show only 4; it would thus appear that Smith has includtd a temporal scale in his count of the supraoculars, and that Boulenger's interpretation of 3 supra oculars for hieo(or is probably correct. The type locality of hieolor is said to be Little Namaqualand, but this is doubtful as no apodous species of Seelotes is otherwise known from the western districts. There can be little doubt that hicolor and arenieola are closely related. ) 1 SCELOTES ARENICOLA (Peters). 1 0 2 (Text-figs. 71 & 72). d e t Peters' Lim bless Sand Skink. a d Herpetosaura arenicola Peters, 1854, Ber. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 619 (Type ( locality: Iphambanc), and 1855, Arch: Naturg., XXI, 1, p. 49 (Inham r e bane and Lourl'nco Marques), and 1882, Reise n. Mossamb., III, p, 79, h s i pI. XI, fig. 4 and pI. XIII A, fig. 4. Boulenger, 1890, P.Z.S. Lond., l b p. 80 (Delagoa Bay), and 1907, P.Z.S. Lond .. II, p. 486 (Coguno), and u 1908, Ann, Natal Mus., I. p. 227 (Mseleni, Zululand), and 1910, Ann. P e S. Afr. Mus" V, p: 488 (Delagoa Bay). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus., h t II, pp. 92 & 102, and 1929, Ann, Tv!. Mus., XIII, p. 3, pI. I, fig. I. y Rose, 1929, Veld & Vlei, App., p. 220. FitzSimons. 1930, Ann. Tvl. b Mus., XIV, p, 37 (Mseleni and Lourenco Marques), . d e t Scelotes arenicola Bocage, 1882, J om. Sci. Lisb., VIII, p. 287, and 1896, n a (2) IV, p. 88 (Angoche, Mozambique). Boulenger. 1887, Cat. Liz., r g III, p. 415. Hewit1, 1927, Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 355. e c n Description: Snout rounded, somewhat depressed, projecting. e c i l beyond labial margin. Palatines separated, Lower eyelid scaly. Ear r e opening hidden. Nostril pierced between rostral and a small elongate d n oval nasal. Supra nasals usually forming a suture (often very short) u with one another behind rostral, sometimes separated, in contact y a with 1st upper labiaL Frontonasal broader than long. Frontal usually w e t broader than long (exceptionally as long as broad), about as long as a its distance from rostraL 3 Supraoculars, 1st as large as or larger G t than 2nd and 3rd together, first two only in contact with frontal. e n i 5 Supraciliaries, last largest. Interparietal longer and broader than b a frontal, broader than long, anterior border concave. Parietals-narrow S y and bandlike, usually in contact with one another behind interparietal b and with 3.rd supraocular on either side, A moderately elongate d e c 196 u d o r p e R nuchal shield on each side behind. 6 Upper labials. 4th below eye, 3rd smallest. A single preocular. 5 Lower labials; 3 enlarged chin shields on each side adjoining lower labials, anteriormost pair in contact with one another mesially. 18-20 Scales round middle of body. Limbs absent. Preanal scales feebly enlarged. Body sub cylindrical. Tail a little shorter than head and body. Colour: Above, pale olive to light brown, with 4 longitudinal series of dark brown to blackish spots (one on each scale), all well marked and more or less continuous in young, usually outer row on each side more faintly marked 'and discontinuous or absent in adults; dorsal stripes unite on. nape into a median dark band, which extends l Fig. 71 Fig. 72. Fig. 71. Seelotes arenieola (T.M. No. 2823-Loureneo Marques). dorsal view of hea-d. Fig. 72. Seelotes arenieola (T.M. No. 2823). side view of head . ) 1 1 . . forward over head to snout, over tail the outer series on each side 0 2 disappears, leaving only the two median: On sides of body and tail d e there are longitudinal series of dark spots, those of the two upper t a rows being well-marked and conspicuous, uniting on side of head d ( and passing forward to nostri.l as a single streak. Lower surfaces r e dirty flesh colour to yellowish-white, scales somewhat faintly stippled h s i l with brown. b u Dimensions: (T.M. 2823-Lourenco Marques), H. & B. 76, breadth P e head 42, tail 66 mm. h t Field notes: Subterrestrial and largely confined to sandy coastal y b areas. The young, usually 4 in number, are born towards the· end d e of summer. t n a Distribution: Zululand. northwards into Portuguese East Africa r g as far north as Mozambique. Recorded localities: Mseleni, Zululand e c (A.M., N.M. & T.M.). Btwn; Maputa and Ndumu, N. Zululand (T.M.). n e c Lourenco Marques, P.E. Afr. (P.E.M., S.A.M. &T.M.). Rikatla, i l P.E. Afr. (A.M:). . r e d Remarks: Types in the Berlin Museum. n u y a SCELOTES ANGUINA (Boulenger). w e t (Text-figs. 73-75). a G t Anguine Skink. e n Herpetoseps anglLintLS Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz .. III, p. 416, pl. XXXV, i b figs. 1, la & lb. (Type locality: nr. Port Elizabeth). a S Herpetosaura anguina Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 488 (Port y Elizabeth; Peddie Coast; Dunbrody). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus., b II, pp. ·98 & 102. d e c u d o r p e R Sedates (l11g1iina Hewitt, UJ21, Ann, Durb. Mus" III, p, 3, text-fig, 1 C. and 1927, Rec. Alb, Mus .. III, p. 356. Essex. 1927. P,Z,S, Land" p. 904, text-ftgs 30, 32 & 33, and pI. 1. fig, 3 (Port Elizabeth; Limb degeneration), Hewitt, 1929, Ann, Tv.LMus., XIII, pI. I, ftg. 6 (Port Alfred). FitzSimons, 1930, Ann, Tv!. Mus., XIV, p. :37 (Port Elizabeth; Dunbrody), . Hewitt, 1937. Guide Vert. Fauna E.Cape Prov, S, Air" II, p .. 40, V1. XIII, fig. 3 (Bushman's River Mouth; Port Alfred; Bathurst). Description: Snout obtuse, projecting only feebJy beyond labial margin, Lower eyelid scaly. Ear-opening hidden, Palatines separated. . Nostril pierced between rostral and a very small ring-like nasal. Supranasals forming a suture behind rostral. in. contact with 1st upper labial. Frontonasal more or less 7-sided. much broader than long. E E V) ) 1 Fi..:. 73, 1 0 2 d 5 mm. e t a d ( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n a Fig, 75, r g Fig, 73. Sce/otes anguina (T,M. No, 1888-Dunbrody), dorsal view of head, e Fig, 74, Scelotes anguina (T.M, No, 1888), ventral view of head. c Fig, 75, .Scelotes anguina (T,M, No. 1888), side view of head n e c i l r Fmntal usually a little broader than long," from 15 to twice length e d of frontonasaL 4 Supraoculars, first three in contact with frontal and n u sub equal in size or 1st a little larger. 4th S'mallest. 6 Supraciliaries. y Interparietal much broader and a little longer than frontal, much a w broader than long, anterior border concave. Parietals narrow and e t a band-like, forming a short suture with one another or separated G behind interparietal, usually in contact with 4th supraocular on each t e n side (sometimes also with 3rd). Two moderately elongate nuchal i b shields on each side, the median pair in contact with one ·another a S behind parieta!s; usually one or two pairs of following nuchal scales y b also transversely elongated. 6 Upper labials, 4th below eye, 1st highest d e c 198 u d o r p e R "nd 3rd smallest. A single preocular. 6 Lower labials; 3 enlarged din-shields on each side in contact with lower labials, the anterior most. pair usually just separated from one another mesially. 20 Scales round middle of body. Limbs absent. Preanal scales not or but feebly ,enlarged. Tail a little shorter than head and body. Colour: Above. silvery (sometimes with a buffish tinge), usually with a dark median longitudinal band (about 2 scale rows broad), edged on sides by a series of small elongate darker spots; ,sides of body dark brown, with longitudinal series of darker spots; the pale silvery white area between the dark sides and dorsal band, forms a longitudinal streak extending from 4th supfaocular over back and tail. Lower surfaces much paler than sides, with dark spotting on scales smaller and less well marked. Dimensions: (A.M. 6496-Bathurst), H. & B. 71. bi'eadth head 4.5, tail 65 mm. Field notes: Usually found under stones etc., lying in damp places. Distribution: Coastal areas of the eastern Cape Province. Recorded localities: Port Elizabeth (A.M .. P.E.M .. S.A.M. & T.M.). Dunbrody (A.M.; S.A.M. & T.M.). Peddie Coast (S.A.M.). Bathurst; Port Alfred; Trappes Valley; Bushmans River; Redhous~; Whitney (A.M.). Remarks: Type in the British Museum (N.H.). In the Transvaal Museum there is a series of typical Sc. ang'llina recorded from Metlepetsi River, N. Transvaal; as the authenticity of this record is doubtful, it· cannot be accepted without confirmation by further collecting. SCELOTES INORIVATUS !1\lORI'/ATUS (A. Smith). ) 1 (Text-figs. 76 & 77). 1 0 2 Smith's Limbless Skink. d e t Ljthophilus inornatus A. Smith, 1849. Ill. Zool. S. Afr. Rept. App., a d p. 12 (Type locality: "Arid regions in the Interior of Southern' ( Africa." N.B. probably incorrect, and actually from Natal?). r e h Seelotes inornatus Boulenger. 1887, Cat. Liz .. III, p. 415, pI. XXXIV, s i figs. 4, 4a a'nd 4b (Port Natal), and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 488. l b Hewitt, 1910. Ann. Tvl. Mus .. II, pp. 97 & 102, and 1927, Rec. Alb. u P Mus., III, p. a56. Rose, 1929, "Veld & Vlei," App., p. 220. FitzSimons, e 1937, Ann. TvL Mus., XVII, p. 270. h t Herpetosaura inornata part., Gunther, 1873, A.M.N.H. (4), XII, p. 147. y b Seelotes natalensis Hewitt. 1921, Ann. Durb. Mus., III, p. 3, text-fig, A d e (Durban). and 1927. Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 356. t n a r g Description: Snout obtuse. not or but very slightly projecting e c beyond labial margin. Lower eyelid scaly. Ear-opening more or less n e hidden. Palatines in short contact with one another posteriorly. A c i l narrow ring-like nasal separating nostril from supranasal and 1st r e upper labial. No postnasal. Supranasals in median contact with one d n another behind rostral, also in contact on either side with 1st upper u y labial. Frontonasal subpentagonal, broader than long (about H times), a about twice as long as supranasals. Frontal as broad as long or a w e t little longer than broad, less than twice (u~ually not more than 15- a G times) length of frontonasal, in contact with supraoculars 1~3 (some t e times also with 4th). 4 Supraoculars. the three anterior subequal in n i size or 3rd a little larger, 4th smallest. 6 Supraciliaries. Interparietal b a broader than frontal but subequal in length, anterior border concave. S y Parietals narrow and band-like, in median contact with one another b d e 199 c u d o r p e R behind interparietal, in contact anteriorly with 4th supraocular: Two pairs of nuchal shields on each side behind parietals, median pair, shorter'than outer and in contact with one another mesially. 6 (Some times 5) upper labials, 1st largest and 3rd smallest, 4th lying below eye. 5 Lower labials; mental subtriangular, much broader than long; postmental pentagonal; 3-4 enlarged chin-shields on each side adjoining labiars, anterior pair only 'in median contact. Limbs ab5ent. ,20 Scales round iniddle of body. Preanal scales not or but feebly enlarged. ' Colour: Above, pale buff or light brown over a band 4 scale rows broad, each scale with a darker centre; 'on sides, scales (over about 4 rows) bear large dark purplish-brown spots (forming reguiar longitudinal rows, but not actually confluent); lower surfaces paler than above, each scale bearing a small dark spot, except on chin and throat which are immaculate. Posteriorly, above and below, r-______7mm . ~------. . Fig. 76 Fig. 77. Fig. 76. Scelotes i, ino1'natus m.M, No. 102-Durban). dorsal vi~w of head. ) 1 Fig. 77. Seelotes i. inornatus (D,M, No. 102), side view of head. 1 0 2 dark spots enlarge until on tail they leave only a narrow pale edging d e t to each scale. Head more or less heavily infuscated with dark brown, a d except for a pale median band on snout which terminates on anterior ( r border of fran tal. e h s & 81.5, i Dimensions: (D.M. No. 102), H. B. tail 36, length head 7, l b breadth head 5, diameter body 5.4 mm. u P Distribution: Coastal districts of Natal. Recorded localities: e h t Durban (D.M. & T.M.). Amanzimtoti (N.M.). y b Remarks: Type in the British Museum (of Natural History): d e From an examination of the type and comparison with Smith's and t n Boulenger's descriptions thereof, there appears little doubt that a r g Sc. natalensis Hwt. is inseparable. There are only 4 supraoculars' e c present in the type, not 5, as stated by A. Smith. n e c i l SCELOTES INORNATUS MOSSAMBICUS (Peters). r e d n (Text-figs. 78 & 79). u y a Herpetosaura inornata Var. mossambiea Peters, 1882, Reise n. Mossamb., w III, p. 81 (Inhambanc, Portu. E. Afr.). e t a Seelotes inornatus Boulenger,1907, Ann. Nat. Mus., I, p. 226 (KoSi Bay, G Zululand). FitzSimons, 1930, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIV, p. 37 (KoSi Bay). t e n i Description: Distinguishable from typical inornatus on the b a following: Palatines in moderate contact (short',contact in typical S y inornatus); frontonasal shorter, much broader than long; frontal b d e 200 c u d o r p e R usually more narrowed anteriorly, and ove; twice as long as· fronto-· nasal; exceptionally a minute scale between 4th supraciliary and 2nd! supraocular, and also a pair of very small frontoparietals present~ 18 scales round middle of body; a pair of feebly enlarged preanal scales. .' 5·2.mm. E E C'I lr) Fig. 78 . • Fig. 78. Seelotes i. mossambicus (T.M. No. 581-Kosi Bay). dorsal view of head. Fig. 79. Seelotes i. mossambicus (T.M. No. 581), side view of head. Colour:' Similar to inornatus, but dark spotting generally not so> intense above ~nd on siOes, sometimes immaculate; lower surfaces.' usually unspotted, or at most only feebly so .. Distribution: Northern Zululand and Portuguese East Africa. Recorded localities: Kosi' Bay (N.M. and T.M.). Masieni, P.E.Afr .. (SAM.). Remarks: Type i~ Berlin Museum. SCELOTES ANGOLENSIS (Bocage). ) 1 1 (Text-figs. 80 & 81). 0 2 d Angola Three-toed Skink. . e t a Sepsina angolensis Bocage, 1866, Jom. Ac. Sci. Lisb., I, p. 63, pI. I, figs. 1,. d , 1a-d (Type locality: Duque de Braganca, interior of Angola). Peters, ( r 1881; Sitz. Ges. Nat. Fr. Berlin, p. 147. Boulenger, 1887, Cat .. Liz.,. e III, p. 421. Bocage, 1895, Herp. Angola, p. 53, and 1896, Jom. Ac. h s i Sci. Lisb. (2) IV, p. 111 (Angola). Boulenger, 1905, A.M. N.H. (7) l b XVI, p. 111. Ferreira, 1905, Jom. Sci. Lisb. (2) VII, p. 117 (Angola). u P Werner, 1915, in Michaelsen, Land u. Siisswasser Fauna Deutsch-· e S.W. Afr., I, p. 353 (Grootfontein, S.W. Afr.). Angel, 1920, Bull. Mus. h t Hist. Nat. Paris, XXVI, p. 616. Monard, 1930, Bul. Soc. neuch. Sci. y Nat., 55, p. 99 (Angola IDes.). De Witte, 1933, Ann.· Mus. Congo b (1) d BeIge III, p. 79 (Leopoldville). Monard, 1937, Arquiv., Mus. Boc. e t Lisb., VIn, p. 95 (Angola locs.). n Sepsina hessei Boettger, 1888, Ber. Senck. Nat. Ges. Frankf., p. 31, pI. I,. a r figs. 3, 3a-c and pI. II, fig. 2 (Lower Congo). g e Sepsina grammica Cope, 1868, Proc. Acad. Sci. Philad., p. 318 (S.W. coast. c n of Africa). Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 421, and 1910. Ann .. e c S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 489. Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, pp. 92 and', i l 102. Barbour & Loveridge, 1929, Bul. Mus. Compo Zool., LXIX, p. 337 r e (Walvis Bay). d n u Description: Snout obtuse, scarcely projecting. Lower eyelid y a transparent and divided into septa. Ear-opening small, but distinct. w e Nostril pierced between rostral, 1st upper labial, supranasal and a t a small postnasal, which separates supranasal from anterior upper' G t labiaL Supranasals in contact behind rostral. Frontonasal broader e n i than long, subquadrangular. Loreal much longer than broad and b a subequal in size to pre ocular. Frontal very large: in moderately short S contact anteriorly with frontonasal, bell-shaped, posterior border' y b sinuate, a little broader than long, distinctly longer than its distance d e c 201 u d o r p e R :from end of snout. Interparietal small. subtriangular. about as long .as broad. barely half lengtll 01' breadth of Irontal. A pair of large parietals. in contact with one another behind interparietal, distinctly 'wider towards sides, where they al'e in contact with 4th supraoculars: parietals bounded on each side behind by an elongate nuchal shield and followed mesially by two pairs of transversely elongate nuchal scales. 4 Supraoculars. 1st largest and progressively smaller to 4th, ·which is smallest. 4-5 Supraciliaries, 3 upper labials anterior to subocular. which is subequal to or a little smaller than adjacent labia Is. Mental small and shallow. 7 Lower labials. Post-mental .much larger than mental. anterior border more' or less semicircular. 3 Obliquely elongate chin-shield" on each side, in contact with lower labiaIs. 2nd largest. anterior pair separated from one another mesially . .22-24 (Werner-1915·-gives 26) scales round middle of body ..,Two 'I~3 \ ) 1 Fig. 81. 1 0 2 Fig, 80, • d angolensis e Fig. 80, Scelotes (T.M, No. 13419:-S. Angola). dorsal view of head, t Fig. 81. Scelotes angolensis (T.M No. D419), side view of head, a d ( -median preanal· scales slightly enlarged. Limbs very small and r e tridactyle; digits clawed. Fingers minute. 1st ,and 3rd subequal and h s i ,a' little shorter than 2nd. Toes longer than fingers, 1st shorter than l b ,3rd. 2nd longest. Hindlimb from 2-3 times as long as forelimb. Tail u P ,shorter than head and body, e h Colour: Above, light brown to brown, scales may be dark-edged, t y giving a reticulate appearance or each scale bearing a central dark b d :spot. often forming uninterrupted longitudinal stripes. Below, creamy e t to yellowish-white, n a r Dimensions: (T,M. 13419-S, border of Angola). H, &B. 78, tail g 56. length head 8,5, breadth head 62, forelimb 4, hindlimb 8, diam. e c n body 6,8 mm. e c i l Distribution: Angola. extending northwards to the Lower Congo r e and southwards into Damaraland, Recorded localities:, Border of, d Angola and S,W, Africa (T.M,). n u y Remarks: Type in the Lisbon Museum, S, grammica has been a .differentiated from S. angolensis on the following: (11 forelimb w e t barely one third length of hindlimb, (2) 22 scales round middle of a G 'body and (3) interparietal nearly as broad as frontal; of these the two t e former fall within the range of variation found in angolensis. and in n i regard to the latter it is stated by Barbour & Loveridge (1928, p. 165) b a who examined the type. that the interparietal is as small as in other S y -members,of the genus (i,e. Sepsina), Thus there apparently remains b :no reason for the retention of grammica apart from angolensis. d e c u 202 d o r p e R SCELOTES ALBERTI (Hewitt). (Text-figs. 82 & 83). Hesse's Four-toed Skink. Sepsina hessei (non Boettger) Hewitt, 1927, Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 402, pI. XXII, fig. 4 (Type locality: Kaoko Otavi, S.W. Africa). Sepsina Illberti Hewitt, 1929, Ann. Tvl: Mus., XIII, p. 4 ftn., pI. I, figs. 4-6. Description: Snout obtuse and rounded,. projecting but slightly. Rostral very broad, over twice as broad as deep. Nostril pierced between rostral, supranasal, postnasal and 1st upper labial. Lower ·eyelid scaly. Palatines. separated. Postnasal small, separating supra nasal from 1st upper labial. Loreal almost twice as long as broad, much larger than pre ocular. Supranasals in coritact witl:l one another 4.·7 mm. Fig. 83. Fig. 82. Fig. 82. Scelotes alberti (S.A.M. No. 17491-Type). dorsal view of head. Fig. 83. Scelotes alberti (S.A.M. No. 17491), side view of head. ) 1 1 behind rostral. Frontonasal broader than long, 7-sided, in broad 0 2 contact with frontal. Latter about as broad as long. a little shorter d e t than its distance from end of snout, sides slightly concave, posterior a d border sinu.ate and strongly concave in middle. Interparietal much ( .smaller than frontaL slightly broader than long. Parietals elongat.e. r e h about 2~ times as long as broad, in contact with one another behind s i l interparietal. Behind parietals is a series of 3-;-4 obliquely elongate b u .scales on each side (first longest, and following scales progressively P e smaller), and one or two transversely elongate scales mesially. 4 h t Supraoculars. 1st largest, 4th smallest, all in contact with frontal. y b 5 Supraciliaries. 6 Upper labials, the 4th being the subocular and d e much longer than any of the first three, 1st and 2nd sub equal in size, t n .3rd smaller.. 6 Lower labials; 3 enlarged chin-shields on each side in a r contact with lower labia Is, 2nd pair largest, anterior pair not in g e contact with one another. 22 Scales round middle of body. 'Preanal c n e scaTes not enlarged. Limbs short and tetradactyle; fingers very short, c i l ·distinctly clawed, 1st and 4th sub equal (or 1st slightly shorter), r e shorter than 2nd and 3rd which are subequal; toes strongly clawed, d n 1st very short, 2nd longer, 3rd and 4th much longer and subequal u y .or 4th slightly longer. a Colour: Above, pale greenish, with a yellow to golden tinge, w e t scales distinctly margined with dark brown or black. Tail bluish, a G ·especially distally. Lower surfaces uniform greyish-white. t e Dimensions: (Type. S.A.M. No. 17491), H, & B. 40, tail 33, length n i head 5.0. breadth head '3.4, forelimb 3.0, hindlimb 6.8 mm. b a Distribution: Known only from the type locality viz. Kaoko S y 'Otavi, Kaokoveld, S.W. Africa. b Remarks: Type in South African Museum, Cape Town. d e c u 203 d o r p e R SCELOTES ARNOLDI (Hewitt). (Text-figs. 84 & 85). Arnold's Skink. Sepsina arnoLdi Hewitt, 1932, Ann. Natal Mus., VII, p. 112, 2 te·xt-figs. (Type locality: Vumbu Mtns. (5600 ft,), near Umtali). FitzSimons, 1939, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XX, p. 37 (Vumba Mtn.). Description: Snout obtuse, scarcely projecting. Lower eyelid scaly, semi-transparent. Eat-opening small, round, distinct. Palatines. in contact for some distance. Nostril pierced in rostral and bounded behind by a small ring~like nasal which separates it from the supra nasal, postnasal and 1st upper labial.· Postnasal small, resting on upper labials 1 and 2, separating supranasal from 1st upper labial. Loreal more or less vertically elongate. Preocular quadrangular, much smalJer than loreal. Supranasals in oblique contact with dne another behind rostral. ·Frontonasai subpentagonal or 7-sided, much broader than long, posterior border straight. Frontal large and more ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d Fig.' 85. ( r Fig 84. e h Fig. 84. Scelotes arnoldi (T.M. No. 16189-Vumba Mtn.), dorsal view of head. s i l Fig. 85. Scelotes arnoldi (T.M. No. 16189), side view of head. b u P e or less bell-shaped, much longer than its distance from end of snout, h t about as long as broad, in good contact with frontonasal anteriorly, y b posterior border sinuate. Interparietal small, subtriangular, barely d half the length or breadth of frontal. Parietals in contact with one e t n another behind interparietal, much widened towards sides. and in a r contact with 4th supraocular. Two pairs of enlarged nuchal shields g e bordering parietals behind, the median pair followed by a second c n pair of transversely elongate scales. 4 Supraoculars, 2nd largest, last e c i l smallest, all in contact with frontaL Usually 6 supraciliaries r e (exceptionally 5, when preocular and 1st supraciliary fuse into a d n single vertically elongate shield). 4. Upper labials anterior to su1;l u ocular, which is subquadrangular and distinctly broader than labia Is y a anterior thereto, 6 Lower labials; mental subtriangular to sub w e t pentagonal, followed by a pentagonal postmental; 3 obliquely elongate a chin-shields on each side, 2nd longest, 3rd smallest, anterior pair in G t median contact with one another behind postmen tal. 22 Scales round e n i middle of body. Median pair of preanal scales moderately enlarged. b a Limbs short, pentadactyle. Digits clawed; fingers very short and S y stout, 1st smallest, 5th a little longer than 1st, followed by 2nd, 4th b and 3rd in order of magnitude; toes longer than fingers, 1st smallest, d e c 204 u d o r p e R '5th slightly longer than 1st, 2nd much longer than 5th, 3rd and 4th longest and subequal or 4th slightly longer; hindlimb from g to H times length of forelimb. Scales on soles of feet small, smooth. rounded and pad-like. Tail from 1';" to l} times length of head and body. Colour: .Above. brown, scales infuscated with darker brown over a band 7 scale rows wide (infuscation darker dorsolaterally, thus clearly demarcating dorsal and lateral surfaces); sides paler than above, each scale bearing a blackish central spot. Below, white to yellowish-white, immaculate on body, spotted with greyish-brown on tail: Labials mottled or spotted with very dark brown and a dark spot on each chin-shield near its outer edge. Dimensions: Male (T.M. 18464-Vumba Mtn.), H. & B. 70 'tail 82 (partly reproduced), length head 10.1, breadth head 7.6, foreli~b 7. hindlimb 13 mm. Female (T.M. 18465-Vumba Mtn.), H. & B. 77. tail 91. length head 9.6, breadth head 6.9, forelimb 6.5, hindlimb 11.5 mm. . Field notes: Found in the rich loamy soil on .mountain slopes at altitudes from 4000 to 6000 feet. Often exposed under rotting logs and under stones lying on damp or wet ground. Like related forms with degenerate limbs. they are most agile and disappear rapidly into the soft ground with a wriggling movement almost as soon as exposed. An adult female taken in mid-December contained five well-developed embryos. Distribution: Known only from the type locality i.e. Vumba Mountain. 20-30 miles south of Umtali on the eastern border of Southern' Rhodesia. Recorded localities: Vumba Mountain (R.M. and T.M.). Remarks: Type in the Rhodesian Museum, Bulawayo. ) 1 1 0 MABUYA Fitzinger. 2 d e Mabuya Rafinesque, 1815, Anal. Nat., p. 16 (nomen nudum). t a M abirya part., Fitzinger, 1826. Neue Classif. Rept., PP. 23 & 52 (type: d ( LacerttLS mabouya Lacep.). Gray, 1845. Cat. Liz., p. 03. Bocourt, r 1879, Miss. Sc. Mex. Amer. Cent., Rept., p. 303. e h s SpondyltL1'1Ls Fitzinger, 1826, Neue Classif. Rept., p. 23. Wiegmann, 1834, i l Herp. Mex., p. 11. b u Euprepis part.. Wagler, 18:30, Syst. Amph .. pp. 132 & 161. Wiegmann, P e 18:34, Herp. Mex., p. II, and 1837. Arch. f. Nat., p. 1:31. Dumeril & h t Bibron, 18:39, Erp. Gen., V, p. 663. Gray, 1845. Cat. Liz., p. 11 O. y Gunther, 1864. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 78. Bocourt, 1870, Miss. Sc. Mex., b p. 409. d e t Tiliqua part., Gray, 1831, Griffith Anim. Kingd., IX. Syn .. p. 67. and 1838, n Ann. Nat. Hist .. II, p. 288, and 1845, Cat. Liz .. p. 108. a r g Eumeces part.. Dumeril & Bibron, 1839, Erp. Gen .• p. 620. Gunther, 1864. e 84. c Rept. Brit. Ind:, p. n e Trachyle[.!is, Oxytropis and Eutropis Fitzinger. 1843, Syst. Rept., p. 22. c i l Xystrolepis and Copeoglossum Tschudi, 1846, Fauna Peru (Herp.), pp. r e 44 & 45. d n Meblli.a Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz .. III, p. 150. and 1890, Fauna Brit. Ind., u p. 183. Hewitt. 1909, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II. p. 40. Boulenger, 1910, AnI). y S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 483. Sternfeld, 1011, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, a w 2, p. :37. e t Mobuya M. A. Smith, 1935, F~una Brit. Ind., p. 257. a G t e Palatine bones in contact with one another mesially; palatal notch n i entirely separating the pter.ygoids and extending forward to between b a the centres of the eyes; pterygoid teeth minute or absent. Maxillary S y teeth ccinical or bicuspid. Eyelids movable, with or without a b transparent disc. Ear-opening distinct, but tympanum more or less d e c u 205 d o r p e R deeply sunk. Nostril pierced in a single nasal; supranasals usually present (absent in only one Malayan species); prefrontals present; paired frontoparietals present, sometimes united into a single shield; interparietal usually distinct, sometimes fused with parietals. Limbs well-developed and pentadactyle; digits subcylindrical" or compressed, with smooth or keeled transverse lamellae inferiorly. No preanal nor femoral pores. Represented in South Africa by fourteen species and subspeCies,. comprising rupicolous, terrestrial and partly arboreal forms, all of which are viviparoLis. A widely distributed genus, occurring throughout Africa and Madagascar, and found also in Southern Asia, Central and South America and the West Indies. Key to the South African species and subspecies of MABUY A. 1 Scales on soles' of feet non-spinose, smooth or tubercular and rounded; subdigital lamellae smooth or at most bluntly keeled 2 Scales on soles of feet keeled and usually spinose; subdigital lamellae sharply uni- or tricarinate .. 5- 2 Not more than 30 scales round middle of body; adpressed hindlimb fails to reach or just overlaps forelimb . . 3 36 Or more scales round middle of body; adpressed hindlimb reaches to wrist or elbow of forelimb " 4 3 Head and body not or but feebly depressed; dorsals and upper caudals all strongly tricarinate; usually 28 (exceptionally 30) scales round middle of body; frontonasal usually in contact with rostral and frontal, thus separating supranasals and pre ) frontals respectively; pale dorsolateral streak often absent, but 1 1 a well-marked lateral one present 0 2 M. homalocephala homalocephala (Wiegm.), p. 208 d e t Head and body not· depressed; dorsals strongly tricarinate, a d sometimes quinquecarinate posteriorly; 30 scales round middle ( r of body; frontonasal usually separated from rostral by suture e h s of supranasals, and from frontal by suture of prefrontals; i l b pale dorsolateral and lateral streaks absent u P M. homalocephala peringueyi (BouI.), p. 209 e h t Head and body moderately depressed; dorsals not strongly y b tricarinate and upper caudals usually only feebly carinated d e even basally; 30 scales round middle of body; a pale dorso t n lateral and a well-marked lateral streak present a r M. homalocephala smithii (Gray), p. 210 g e c n Head and body strong~y depressed; dorsals quinquecarinate e c (sometimes septemcarinate); 30 scales round middle of body; i l r frontonasal usually in contact with rostral separating supra e d nasals. separated from or in narrow contact with frontal; a n u pale dorsolateral stripe present or absent. but lateral streak y a well-marked w homalocephala depressa (Pet.), p. e M. :211 t a G 4 36-.38 Scales round middle of body; dorsals larger than t e ventrals; subocular narrowed bel'ow, with lower border from n i a' half to two-thirds length of uppcr: adpressed hindlimb b a S reaches to wrist or elbow of forelimb: a broad black band on y ei ther side of neck b )',11. binotata (Boe.). p. :212 d e c u 206 d o r p e R 42~M Scales round middle of body; dorsals a little smaller than or subequal to vel1trals; subocular not or but very slightly narrowed below; adpressed hindlimb reaches to elbow or base of forelimb; no black band present on side of neck . M. quinquetaeniata margcLTitijer (Pet.). p. 213 5 Subocular no~. narrow~d below, similar to upper labials fY Subocular distinctly narrowed below or not reaching lip 'I 6 Usually 34-36 (exceptionally less) scales round middle of body; lateral scales more or less 'carinated; scales on anterior border of ear 'not differentiated; adpressed hindlimb fails to reach or just overlaps forelimb; 15-20 lamellae under 4th toe M. capensis (Gray), p. 216 30-32 Scales round middle of body; lateral scales not or but feebly carinated; 2-3 enlarged lobules projecting on anterior border or ear; adpr~ssed hindlimb reqches to between wrist and elbow or. toelbuw' of fore-arm; 21-24 (exceptionally less) lamellae under 4th toe M. occidentalis (Pet.), p. 2Hi , 7 Snout strongly depressed, with sides deeply concave and canthus rostralis sharply defined; upper labials angularly projecting; subocular not reaching lip; auricular lobules elonga te; 28-32 scales round middle of body . M. acutilabris (Pet.), p. 220 Snout normal, i.e. with sides not deeply concave, ca'nthus rostralis not sharply defined and upper labials not angularly ) projecting g 1 1 0 2 8 Lower border of subocular usually at least a third of the length d of upper; 30-34 scales round middle of body; dorsals tricarinate 9' e t a Lower border of subocular, if reaching lip, less than 'one third d ( length of upper; 30-40 scales round middle of body; dorsals r e tri- or quinquecarinate .. l()i h s i l 9 Nostril directed outwards and upwards, its centre usually b u behind vertical of .rostro-labial su ture, separated from 1st upper P e labial by a distance much less than its own diameter; lower h t border of subocular over half length of upper; ear-lobules y b short and bluntly pointed d e M. varia (Pet.), p. 221 t L n a r g Nostril directed upwards, its centre above or in front of e c vertical of rostra-labial suture, separated from 1st upper labial n e by a distance as great as or a little greater than its own c i l diameter; lower border of subocular less than' half length of r e upper; ear lobules long and lanceolate d n M. damarana (Pet.), p. 224 u y a w 1.0 Head and body strongly depressed; adpressed hindlimb reaches e t at least to elbow of forelimb. usually beyond; dorsals a G quinquecarinate; 34-40. scales round middle of body t e M. sulcata (Pet.), p.226 n i b a S Head and body not or but feebly depressed; adpressed hind- y b limb reaches to wrist or elbow of forelimb 11 d e '207 c u d o r p e R 11 30-32 Scales round middle of body; dorsals quinque carinate and larger than ventrals; nostril pierced in front of vertical of rostro-labial suture; ear lobules long and pointed M. punctulata' (Boc.), p. 228 32-36 Scales round middle of body; dorsals tricarinate and subequal to or slightly larger than ventrals; nostril pierced above or behind vertical of rostro-labial suture; ear lobules, if present, small and subtriangular or rounded' M. striata (Pet.), p. 229 .MABUYA HOMALOCEPHALA HOMALOCEPHALA (Wiegmann). (Text-figs. 86 & 87). Cape Speckled Skink . .Scincus Ilomalocephalns Wiegmann, 1828. Isis, XXI. p. 374. (Type locality: South Africa). ?1;'iliqua'sub-mja Gray, 1838, Ann. Nat. Hist., II, p. 289 . .EupTepis vittatHs Gray, 1845. Cat. Liz., p. 113 .. .Euprepes homaLocephaLus Peters, 1864, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 51. .Mabuia homaLocep/taLa part., Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 170, and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 484 (Cape Division; Robben I.; Knysna; Bredasdorp; Little Namaqualand). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tv!. Mus., II, pp. 93 and 99. Essex, 1925, Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 341, and 1927, P.Z.S. ·Lond., p. 934 (Hermanus; Cape Peninsula). Mabuia homalocephala Werner, 1896-98, Jahresb. Ver. Magdeburg, p. 142. Hewitt & Power, 1913, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., III, .p. 157 (Somerset Strand; Kalk Bay). Loveridge, 1923. P.Z.S. Lond:, p. 858. Rose, 1926, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., XX, p. 492 (Cape Peninsula). .Mabuia subTuja Rose, 1929, in "Veld & Vlei," p. 111, text-fig. 71 (Cape Flats). ) 1 1 Description: Snout short, obtuse. Read and body not or but 0 2 feebly depressed. Lower eyelid with an undivided transparent disc. d e t Ear-opening oval, oblique,. with 2-3 (usually 2) long pointed lobules a d . projecting on anterior' border (when three lobules are present, ( lowermost much smaller than upper two). Nostril pierced in the 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 Fig. 87, r e d n u y a Fig. 86, w e t Fig. 86. Mabuya h. homa1oceplul!a (S.A.M. No. 8054-Muizenberg). dorsal view a of head. G Fig. 87 .. Mabuya h. homaloceplta!a (S.A.M. No. 8054), ·side view of head. t e n i nasal. with its centre just above or behind vertical of rostro-Iabial b a suture, directed outwards and upwards. A small postnasal; anterior S y loreal ·usually in contact with 1st upper labial., Supranasals usually b separated from one another by a short suture between rostral and d e frontonasal; latter broader than long and in contact with frontal c u d o 208 r p e R (exceptionally separated by suture of prefrontals). Frontal broader in front than behind, as long as or a little shorter or longer than frontoparietals + interparietal. 4 Supraoculars, 1st smaller than 4th, 2nd largest and in short contact with or just touching prefrontal, 2nd and 3rd only in contact with frontal. 5 Supraciliaries, 1st and 2nd subequal in length or 2nd a little longer .. Parietals usually in contact with one another behind interparietal, occasionally separated. A pair of band-like nuchal shields bounding parietals behind, usually distinctly carinate. Subocular bordering lip between 4th and 5th upper labials, not narrowed inferiorly, subequal in length to 3rd and 4th upper 'labials together. Nuchal and dorsal' scales strongly tricarinate; 28 to 30 (usually 28) scales round middle of body, sub €qual in size above and below; scales on tail similar to those on back. Limbs short and when adpressed fail to meet, just meet or just overlap. Scales on soles of feet bluntly tubercular. Subdigital lamellae smooth, 19-21' under 4th toe. Tail about 1! times length of head and body. Colour: Above, slate grey to olive ot olive brown, with longitudinal dark brown to black stripes or series of squarish spots. and often also series of white to yellowish spots, which sometimes coalesce to form more or less continuous stripes, of which the vertebral and dorso lateral are double; sometimes dorsal scales only dark-edged laterally, or upper surfaces uniformly brown or black. A dark brown to black lateral band from snout to groin (passing through eye and above car-opening), uniform or broken up on sides of body with white to yellowish spots; a well-marked pale lateral streak, white to yellow or red bordering dark lateral band below from upper lip to groin, Clnd dark-edged below on body. Head uniform or spotted. Limbs 'light brown, with dark spots or scales dark-margined. Below, yellowish- to bluish-white, immaculate or with a few dark 'specks on ) chin and throat; scales on belly often edged with dull grey; lower 1 1 c.urfaces, especially in adult males, often. suffused with bright red, 0 2 {'(ivering part or the whole of underside body, limbs and tail. d e t Dimensions: Male (S.A.M. No. 1427-Robben I.), H. & B. 82, tail a d 107. length head 14.6, breadth head 10.4. forelimb 20, hindlimb 30.8 mm . ( . Field notes: Terricolous and common in the sandy areas near r e h the coast; where they may be seen darting about between sma]l s i l bushes after ipsects, particularly grasshoppers. More active, but b u otherwise somewhat similar in habits to M. capensis, which they also P e often resemble in appearance. Also found on lower mountain slopes, h t where they live under stones, etc. - y b Distribution: Western and south-western Cape Province, d extending northwards to Little Namaqualand, and eastwards along e t n the coast to Knysna. Recorded localities: Swellendam; Coetzee's Bay' a r (A.M.). Somerset Strand (AM. & KM.). Cape Town (AM., KM. & g e S.AM.). Robben Island (AM. & S.AM.). Kalk Bay; St. James; Mossel c n Bay (KM.). Cape Peninsula; Wynberg; Muizenberg; Rondebosch; e c i l Bredasdorp; Keurboom's River; Bainskloof; O'okiep (S.AM.). Knysna r e (S.A.M. & T.M.). De Wet; Lamotte; Zoetendal's Vallei; Cape d n Agulhas (T.M.) .. u Remarks: Type in the Berlin Museum. y a w MABUY A HOMALOCEPHALA PERINGUEYI Boulenger. e t a Peringuey's Speckled Skink. G Mabuia peringueyi Boulenger, 1888, A.M.N.H. (6) II, p. 139 (Type locality: t e " Namaqualand "), and 1890, P.Z.S. Land., p. 79, and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. n i Mus., V, p. 484 (Little Namaqualand; Damaraland). Sclater, 1899, b a ·Ann. S. Afr. Mus., I, p. 105 (Cotype-Damaraland). Hewitt, 1910, S Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, pp. 93 & 99, and 1911, III, p. 50. Sternfeld, 1911, y b in Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2, p. 38 (Namaland). d e c 209 u d o r p e R Description: Very closely related to typical homalocephala, but distinguishable on the following: Snout a little more pointed; supra nasals usually in contact with one another behind rostral (exception ally narrowly separated); prefrontals in short contact with one' another, separating frontonasal and frontal; frontal usually in 'contact with supraoculars 1. 2 and 3; parietals usually separated from one another behind interparietal; dorsal scales strongly tricarinate, or quinquecarinate posteriorly; 30 scales round middle of body; adpressed limbs not meeting; in general of' a heavier and sturdier build than typical homalocephala. . Colour: Above, pale olive to brown, with dark brown to black longitudinal stripes corresponding to the lines of contact of scale· rows; a dark lateral streak or band from behind eye to groin, bearing pale spots, which are often so numerous as to almost obscure the dark ground colour. Head pale olive to buff, dark spotted posteriorly or with head-shields margined in dark brown to black. Pale dorsolateral and lateral stripes absent. Lower surfaces yellowish white; feet light chestnut. Dimensions: (S.A.M. No. 1054-Damaraland), H. "& B. 98, tail reproduced,' length head 15, breadth head 11.8, forelimb 22, hind limb 32 mm. Distribution: Little Namaqualand northwards to Damar'l.:land. Recorded localities: O'okiep; Damataland (S.A.M.). Remarks: Cotypes in British Museum of Natural History and South African Mu.seum, Cape Town. MABUY A HOMALOCEPHALA SMITHII. (Gray). Smith's Skink. Euprepis smithii ) Gray. 1845. Cat. Liz., p. 112 (Type locality: South Africa). 1 Euprepes smithii A. Smith, 1849; Ill. Zool. S. Afr. Rept., pI. XXXI, fig. 2 1 0 . (" to the north-east of the Cape Colony"). 2 Mabuia homaLocephala Werner, 1913, Denkschr. Ak. Wiss .. Wien, 88, p. 7 L9 d e t (Port Elizabeth). a Mabuia homalocephala part., Hewitt. 1910, Ann. TvI. Mus., II, pp. 93 d ( and 99 (Kingwilliamstown). Essex, 1925, Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 341, r and 1927, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 934 (Grahamstown). e h Mabuia homalocephala smithii Hewitt, 1926, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., XX, p. 474 s i l (Grahamstown; Dordrecht; Pirie; Kei Road). b u Mabuya . homalocephala smithii Hewitt, 1937, in Guide Vert. Fauna P E. Cape Provo S. Afr., II, p. 38, pl.' XI, fig. 2 (Van Stadens; Port e St. Johns; Abbotsbury; Cape St. Francis). h t y b Description: Head, body and tail generally more depressed than d e in typical homalocephala from western Cape Province; dorsal scales t n all tricarinate. but keeling not. so strongly marked; scales on tail a r g above, usually' somewhat feebly keeled (even basally), broader than e c long, with rounded free (non-mucronate) margins. Usually 30 scales n e round middle of body. c i l . Colour: Above, olive to olive brown or pale brown, with about r e 7 dark longitudinal stripes (sometimes reduced to 4) running over d n back along margins of scale rows; a pale dorsolateral stripe from u y above and behind eye to base of tail, demarcating upper surface from a lateral; a dark brown to black lateral band (unspotted) from nostril w e t through eye to base of tail, narrow on side of head but broad on side a G of body; below again, is a conspicuous pale (white, yellow or red) t e lateral stripe from .1abials through ear to groin, usually dark-edged n i below. Head uniform, or head-shields dark-margined. Lower surfaces b a yellowish- to bluish-white, more or less uniform or scales margined S y with grey. Limbs above, pale brown, scales' dark-edged. Lips, sides b of body, under side limbs and base of tail, 9ften tinged with reddish. d e c u 210 d o r p e R Dimensions: (AM. No. 998-Pirie). H. & B. 68, tail 90, length head 13.5, breadth head 10, forelimb 18.7, hindlimb 25 mm. Field notes: Largely rupicolous and confined to mountain slopes, being found up to an altitude of between five and six thousand feet; occasionally found also on grassy hillsides near the coast. Distribution: Eastern Cape Province, extending westwards along coastal mountains to the Langeberg, Swellendam District. Recorded localities: Grahamstown; Zuurberg; Witteklip; Pirie; Cape St. Francis (AM.). Port St. Johns; Kwelegha (K.M.). East London (K.M. & S.AM.). Van Stadens; Elands River, Uitenhage Dist (P.E.M.). Port Elizabeth (P.E.M. & T.M.). Grootvadersbosch & Garcia Pass, Lange berg; Seven Weeks Poort, Swartberge; Jonkersberg, Attaqua Mtns. (T.M.). Remarks: Type in British Museum of Natural History. Specimens from Cape St. Francis are more or less intermediate with typical homalocephala, but ip colour markings resemble smithii. MABUY A HOMALOCEPHALA DEPR;ESSA(Peters). (Text-figs. 88 & 89). Enprepes dep?'esslLs Peters, 18:i4, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 618 (Type locality: Tete, Mozambique). and 1855. Arch. f. Naturg., XXI, 1, p. 47, and 1882, Reise n. Mossamb., III, p. 166, pl. X, figs. 4, 4a-c. M((buia depresS(( Boulenger. 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 166. Ohdner, 1908, Ark. Zoo1. Stockholm. IV. No. 18, p. 3 (Lake Sibayi, Zululand). Hev/itr, 1910, Ann. TvL Mus .. II. pp. 93 & 99. MaoHia homalocepilala Roux, 1!l07. Rev. Suisse ZooL 15. p. 92 (Rikatla. P.E. Afr.). Boulenger. 1 !l08, Ann. Natal Mus., I, p. 226 (Indukuduku and Mseleni, Zululand). MabHia 11OmaLocephaLa part., Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V. p. 484 (Pinetown). 'Hewitt. 1!l1 0, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, pp. 93 & 99. . ) 1 1 0 Description: Head and body strongly depressed; snout obtusely 2 pointed; nostril usually with centre well 1:Jehind rostro-Iabial suture. d e t Three long lanceolate lobules projecting on anterior border of ear a d opening, exceptionally a small and inconspicuous 4th lobule present. ( r Supranqsals usually separated by a short suture between rostral and 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 Fig. 89. w e t Fig. 88. a G Fig. 88. Mabuya h. depressa (T.M. No. 19172-Zululand). dorsal view of head. t Fig. 89. Mabuya h. depressa (T.M. No. 19172). side view of head. e n i b frontonasal. Prefrontals forming a median suture or narrowly a S separated. Subocular large. much longer than any two upper labials y b tl)gether, Dorsal scales quinquecarinate, sometimes septemcarinate; d scales on tail similar to those on back. 30 Scales round middle of body. e c u 211 _ d o r p e R Tail about l!l times length of head and body. Adpressed hindlimbs overlap and reach as far as elbow of forelimb. Colour: Above, olive to olive grey or light brown to rufous, uniform or scales dark-margined, or each bearing a central elongate pale spot; sometimes densely marked with blackish, which colour is more or less aggregated along lateral edges of scale rows, thus forming longitudinal stripes. A dark brown to black lateral band, uniform or bearing pale yellow spots, and sometimes feebly demarcated above by a pale line; below dark lateral band is a clearly marked yellow lateral streak from labials to groin, edged below by a continuous dark stripe. Head uniform or head shields narrowly margined with darker. Lower surfaces, yellowish-white' to lemon yellow. Limbs pale brown, dark spotted or scales dark-edged. Dimensions: Male (T.M. No. 16810-Manaba), H. & B. 73, tail 126, length head 14.7, breadth head 10.3, forelimb 21.5, hindlimb 32 mm. Field notes: Fairly common along the coastal areas of northern Zululand, where they live on the sandy grass- and scrub-covered veld. Distribution:, Natal andZululand, northwards to Mozambique (south of the Zambesi River). Reco'rded localities: Mariannhill (K.M.). Pinetown (S.A.M.). Masieni (S.A.M. & T.M.). Indukuduku (N.M.). Mseleni (N.M. & T,M.). Manaba; Kosi Bay (T.M.). Remarks: Type in Berlin Museum. MABUYA BINOTATA (Bocage). (Text-figs. 90 & 91). Euprepes binotatus Bocage, 1867, Jorn. Sci. Lisb., I, p. 230, pI. III, fig. :l , (Type locality: Benguella, Angola), and 1895, Herp. Angola, p. 46 (Angola locs.). Mabuia quinquetaeniata part., Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 198 ) (Bengueml). 1 1 Mabuia quinquetaeniata Boulenger, 1905, A.M.N:H. (7) XVI, p. 111 (Pungo 0 2 Andongo, Angola). d Mabuya striata binotata Hewitt. 1935, Rec, Alb. Mus .. IV, p. 304 (Ses e t fontein,' Kamanyab, Heirabis. Otjimgerese and Hoarusib Riv., N. of a d Kaoko 'Otavi. Kaokoveld). ' ( Mabuya binotata Parker, 19:36, Novit. ZooL XL, p. 138 (m. Sissekab).· r e FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. Tvi. Mus .. XIX, p. 200 (Nakusib-Namutoni; h s Oshikango; Paderburn, Kaokoveld). i l b Mabuia binotata Monard, 1937, Arquiv. Mus. Bocage, VIII, p. 91 (Mupa, u Angola). P Mabuya quinquetaeniata binotata e Mertens, 1937, Abh. Senck. Naturf. Ges., h t 435, p. 10 (Catengue, Benguella). y b Description: Snout moderately elongate, obtusely pointed. Lower d e t Eyelid with a transparent disc. Nostril pierced above or behind n a vertical of rostro-labial suture. A small postnasal, in contact with r g or separated from 2nd upper labial. Supranasals in contact behind e c rostral, which is pentagonal and from g to H' times as broad as n e c deep. Frontonasal broader than long (not as broad as in i l q.margaritifer. r nor with such an obtuse anterior angle), usually e d . separated from frontal by suture of prefrontals, exceptionally in n u contact. Frontal subequal in length to frontoparietals + interparietal, y in contact with 2nd and 3rd supraoculars, exceptionally with 1st. a w 4 Supraoculars, 1st a little smaller than 4th, 2nd a little larger than e t a 3rd. 5-6 Supraciliaries, 2nd much the longest. Parietals in contact G behInd interparietal or separated by latter. Ear-opening oval, t e slightly oblique; with 3 large obtusely pointed lobules projecting on n i b anterior border. Subocular usually bordering lip (exceptionally not a S reaching lip) between 5th and 6th upper labials, narrowing inferiorly, y b with lower, border usually about two-thirds length of upper and d seldom less than half. Nuchal scales somewhat feebly quadri- or e c u d - 212 o r p e R quinquecarinate, dorsal scales distinctly tricarinate, while laterals are often only feebly carinated; 36-38 scales round middle of body, dorsals larger than ventrals. Hindlimb reaches wrist or elbow of adpressed forelimb. Scales on soles of feet rounded and tubercular (inclined to be bluntly spinose in young); subdigital lamellae more or less smooth, sometimes feebly unicarinate distally, about 20 on 4th toe. Tail from. 11 to 1} times length of head and body. •. Colour: Adults above, uniform olive grey, head usually tinged with buff; a broad black band on each side from posterior corner of eye, passing through upper half of ear and fading out above fore arm. Below, dirty white to greyish-white, chin and throat spotted Fig. 90. Fig. 91. Fig. 90. Mabuya binotata (T.M. No. 16989-nr. Namutoni). dorsal view of head. Fig. 91. Mabuya binotata (T.M. No. 16989). side view of head. with greyish-brown; underside tail grey. Juveniles'similar to adults, ) 1 but with scattered dark spots above, often aggregated into irregular 1 0 transverse series. 2 d Dimensions: Male (T.M. 17333-Paderburn), H. & B. 127, tail 164, e t length head 29.8, breadth head 23, forelimb 23, hindlimb 51 mm. a d Field notes : Semi-arboreal and invariably found living in holes ( r in trees, particularly Mopani, which, owing to the rotting away of e h s the heart wood, provide the most suitable retreats. Comparatively i l b slow-moving and very shy, seldom venturing far away from the u P entrances of their holes, near which they. will lie basking in the sun, e ready to disappear at the slightest alarm. Diet consists mainly of h t beetles and grasshoppers. y b Distribution: From the northern part of South West Africa into d e t southern Angola. Recorded localities: ·Outjo, Kamanyab, Otjimgerese, n a Kaoko Otavi, Sesfontein & Hoarusib River, Kaokoveld (S.A.M.). r g Heirabis, Kaokoveld (A.M.). Paderburn, on Huab River; Nakusib e c Namutoni; .Oshikango, Ovamboland(T.M.). n e c Remarks: Types in the Lisbon Museum. i l r e d MABUYA QUINQUETAENIATA MARGARITIFER (Peters). n u (Text-figs. 92 & 93; Plate XXII, figs. 1 & 2). y a w Blue-tailed, Five-lined or Pearly Bushveld Skink. e t Euprepes 7nurgari.tijer Peters, 1854. Monatsb. Ak. Wiss .. Berlin, p. 618, a G . and 1855. Arch. Naturg., XXI, I, p. 47 (Type locality: Tete, Mozam t bique). Bocage, 1872, Jam. Sci. List., IV, p. 80. Peters, 1882, Reise e n i n. Mossamb., III, p. 64. pL X, fig.!. b Euprepes savignyi Peters, 1854, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 618 (Tete). a S Euprepis gularis Gray, 1864, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 61 (S.E. Africa). y Euprepis kirkii Gray, 1864, P.Z.S. Land.. p. 62, pI. IX, fig. 1 (Tete). b Gunther, 1864, P.Z.S. Land., p .. 307 (Zambesi). d e c 213 u d o r p e R Mabuia quinquetaeniata de Jeude, 1895, Notes Leyden Mus., XVI, p. 228 (Junct. Komati & Crocodile Rivs., E. Tv!'). Werner, 1896, Jahresb. VeL Magdeburg, p. 142 (Cape Colony?). Boulenger, 1902, P:Z.S. Lond., II, p. 17 (Mashonaland), and 1908, Ann. Natal Mus., I, p. 226 (Ubombo, Zululand). Chubb, 1909, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 594 (Bulawayo, Khami Riv., Gwanda and Empandeni, MatabeleJand). Boulcngcr, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 484 (Matopo' Hills; Hunyani River). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, pp. 94 & 98 (Zoutpansberg; Barber~ ton). Sternfeld, 1911, Mitt!. Zoo!. Mus. Berl.. V. p. 417 (localities in Portu. E. Afr.). Hewitt & Power, 1913. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., III, p. 157 (Insiza). Hamilton. 1929. "The Lowveld," p. 115. Mabuia margaritife1' Bocage, '1896, Jorn. Sci. Lisb. (2) IV, p. ·88 (Mozam bique). Mabuia bi110tata Bocage. 1896. Jorn. Sci. Lisb. (2) IV. p. 118 (Shoshong, B.P.). .' .. Mab1Lya quinquetaeniata 7YW1'gaTitife1' Schmidt, 1919, Bu!. Amer. Mus. N.H., XXXIX. p. 547. FitzSimons, 1939, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XX, p. 35 (Tanganda River; Changadzi River; Birchenough Bridge; Devuli River). Mabuia CJ1Linqueweniata margaritifel' FitzSimons, 1935, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XVI, p. 367 (KalakamatL B.P.; Zimbabwe, S.R.; Bandolier Kop, N.T.). Description: Snout somewhat elongated, obtusely pointed. Lower eyelid with a transparent disc. Nostril directed outwards and. slightly upwards. pierced just behind vertical of rosti:o~labial suture. A small postnasal. Anterior loreal in contact with or separated from 1st ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d ( r e h s Fig. 93. i l b Fig 92. u P Fig. 92. ;;{.a~~K~. quinquetaeniata' margaritifer (T.M. No. 14154-1\1 opani), dOI'~al view e h t Fig. 9:3. Mabuya qUinquetaeniata margariiijer (T.M. No. 14154). side view of head. y b d upper labial. Supranasals in contact behind rostral. Fronto~asal e t n much broader than long, separated from frontal by suture of pre a r frontals. Frontal equal to or a little longer or shorter than fronto g e parietals + interparietal, much broader in front than behind, in c n contact with supraoculars 1-3, exceptionally separated from 1st. e c i l 4 Supraoculars. 1st and 4th subequal, 2nd largest. Usually 5 supra r e ciliaries, exceptionally 6. Frontoparietals as large as or a little larger d n or smaller than interparietal. Parietals usually in contact behind u interparietal. A pair of nuchal shields. Subocular bordering lip y a between upper l~bials 4 and 5 (or 5 and 6), not or but slightly w e t narrower below than above. Ear-opening oval, with 2--:-5 short pointed a lobules projecting on anterior border. Dorsal and lateral scales G t tricarinate, anterior nuchals often quadri- or quinquecarinate; 42-44 e n i scales round middle of body, dorsal scales a little smaller than or b a subequal to ventral. Hindlimb reaches elbow of adpressed forelimb S y or to shoulder. Scales on soles of feet tubercular, more or less roup.ded b and smooth; subdigital lamellae smooth or obtusely unicarinate; d e c u 214 d o r p e R :20-24 under 4th toe. rail from Ii to just over 1~ times length of head and body in males, from 11;" to H times in females.' Colour: Juveniles dark olive brown to black above (each scale 'usually bearing a pale bluish spot), with three well-defined bluish white longitudinal bands, the median extending from frontoparietals (or from snout) to base of tail and the dorsolaterals from above eye to tail, where they widen considerably and are bright blue in colour;' .snout buffy brown; lower flanks greyish-blue 'and scales all dark edged; lower· surfaces white to yellowish-white. In adult females markings similar to juveniles but pale bands usually yellowish-white, .anteriorly passing to blue posteriorly and often split up longitudinally into series of narrow stripes (i.e. 2 in median and 3-4 in dorsolateral bands); pale spots on scales sometimes elongate and forming regular. longitudinal series: lower surfaces sometimes with slight infusions of, pale greyish-blue. Adult males are buffy olive to olive brown above,' e~lCh scale bearing the characteristic small bluish-white pearly spot near its posterior border; three pale longitudinal bands indistinctly marked or absent (in old specimens); tail yellowish, to orange-brown; lower surfaces creamy white, with or without slight intrusions of greyish-brown on the sides. Dimensions: Male (T.M. 18658-Changadzi Riv.), H. & B. 100, tail 168, length head 23.5, breadth head 17.3, forelimb 31, hindlimb ·48 mm. Female' (T.M. Ui654-Tanganda Riv.), H. & B. 112, tail 154, length head 24, breadth head 16.8, forelimb 28, hindlimb 46 mm.. Field notes: An active rock-living form, largely confined to granitic outcrops and koppies in bushveld country, where they may be frequently seen darting about over the rocks displaying their bright colouring. Diet consists for the most part of orthopterous, hymenopterous and dipterous insects, ants and termites. The young, ) ,usually from 6-8 in number, are born in late summer. 1 1 0 Distribution: North and eastern Transvaal (including eastern 2 'border of Bechuanaland Protectorate), northern Natal, Zululand, d e t Southern Rhodesia and Portuguese East· Africa (south of the a d 'Zambesi). Recorded localities: Hluhluwe; White River; Khami River; ( r Empandeni; Driefontein; Chilimanzi; Plumtree (AM.). Towani (AM . e h .& K.M.). Ingwavuma (A.M.' & N.M.). Matopos (AM. & S.AM.). s i l Barberton (AM. & T.M.). Pietersburg (K.M.). Victoria Falls (K.M . b u . & RM.). Estcourt; Nelshoogte (N.M.). Ubombo (N.M.·· & T.M.). P e Colleen Bawn Mine, nr. Gwarida (R.M.). Potgietersrust; Hunyani h t River; Insiza (S.A)VL). Kalakamati; Molepolole; Dwars, N'Jelele & y b N'Wanedsi Rivers, Zoutpansberg; Wilhanshohe; nr. Louis Trichardt; d e Bridgewater; Lake Fundusi; Mopani on Sand. River; Hope nr. Vaal~ t n water; Woodbush; Metlepetsi River; Shilowane; Maiepo, N'Gwari a r g bango, SekoI:oro, Mokeetsi, Gravelotte, Skelm & Malta, Leydsdorp e c District; Jachtsdrift, Koedoes Riv.; Arnhemburg & Theespruit, n e Carolina Dist.; Queen's River, Barberton Dist.; Nelspruit; Hectcr c i l spruit; Kaapmuiden; Komatipoort; Machabezane; Louw's Creek; r e Elandshoek; Godwan River; Farms 'Perkoe' on Olifants Riv., d n 'Middlesex: on Blyde Riv, & 'Venice' on Brak Riv., E. Tvl.; Strath u y more, nr. Bulawayo; Simwayani nr. Matibl; Wankie; Zimbabwe; a w Tanganda, Changadzi and Devuli 'Rivers; Birchenough Bridge (T.M.). e t Messina (W.U.M.). a G Remarks: Types in Berlin Museum. Clearly distinguishable from t e n typical quinquetaeniata of the Sudan, on the larger size, more i b ·elongated and narrowed snout, greater number .of scales round middle a S ,of body, absence of pale lateral streak and rupicolous habitat (typical y b qninquetaeniatu being mainly terrestrial and arboreal). Werner's d -record from Cape Colony is obviously erroneous. e c u d 215 o r p e R MABUYA CAPEN SIS (Gray). (Text-figs. 94 & 95). Cape Three-striped Skink. SCincus carinatus (non Schneider) Men-em, 1821, Beitr. Gesch. Amph., p. 109, pI. IX. Mabuya carinata Fitzinger, 1826, Neue Classif. Rept., p. 52. Sctncus trivittatus (non Hardwicke & Gray) Cuvier, 1829, Regne Anim .• . Ed. 2, II, p. 62 (Cape of Good Hope, South Africa). . Tiliqua capensis Gray. 18:30, in Griffith's Anim. King., IX. Syn .• p. 68. and 1838, Ann. Nat. Hist. (1) II, p. 290 (Cape of Good Hope). Tiliqua ascensionis Gray, 1838, Ann. N.H. (1) II, p. 290. Euprepes merremii Dumeril & Bibron, 1839, Erp. Gen., V, p. 671. Graven horst, 1851, Acta Ac. L<;op.-Caro!., XXIII, 1, p. 317, pI. XXXII. Euprepes trivittatus A. Smith, 1849, Ill. Zoo I. S. Afr. Rept. App.; p. 11 , (" all· parts of Southern Africa "). , Mabuia trivittata (non Hardwicke & Gray) Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz .• , III, p. 195 (Port Elizabeth) .. 'Boettger, 1887, Ber. Senck. Naturf. Ges .. p. 149 (Malmesbury; Ceres; Smithfield), and 1889, p. 288 (Botschabelo nr. Middelburg, Tv!.). Matschie, 1890, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., V, p. 607 (Mphome, Haenertsburg). Boulenger, 1892, in Distant's" A Naturalist in the Transvaal," p. 174 (Pretoria). Eocage, 1896, Jom. Sci. Lisb. (2) IV, p. 118 (Linokana). Bou1enger, 1903, A.M.N.H. (7) XII, p. 217 (Deelfontein), and 1905, P.Z.S. Lond .. II, p. 254 (Wakkerstroom). Roux, 1907, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., XXV, p. 433 (Steinkopf; Klipfontein: Frenchhoek; Knysna; Pretoria). Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 341, pI. VII, fig. (j (Okahandja; Moocane and Vleij Topan, Kalahari;. Kamaggas; Steinkopf). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 484 (Worcester; Calvinia; Kingwillamstown; George; Caledon; Robertson;' Mount Ayliff; Burghersdorp; Little' Namaqualand; Durban; Smith field; Vredefort Road; Johannesburg; Krugersdorp). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tv!. Mus .. II. pp. 93 and 99 (Pretoria; Witwatersrand; Middel burg; Zoutpansberg; Lydenburg; East London; Mochudi). Sternfeld,. 1911, Mitt!. Zoo!. Mus. Berlin, V, p. 406 (nr. Windhuk; Luderitz bucht), and p. 420 (Mpoma= Mphome, Tv!.; Bethany, O.F.S.), and ) Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2. p. 38. Lampe, 1911, J ahrb. Nassau. 1 Ver. Naturk., 64, p. 174 (Windhoek). Hewitt & Power, 1913, Trans_ 1 0 'Roy. Soc. S. Afr.. III, p. 157 (Mafeking; Madibi; Kimberley; Karree 2 boom; Victoria West; Kalk Bay). Methuen & Hewitt, 1914, Ann. TvL d e t Mus., IV, p. 141 (Kraikluft; Nakeis). Werner, 1915, in Michaelsen. a " Land- u. Susswasserfauna Deutsch-Sudwestafrikas," I, p. 348 (Wind d ( huk; Neudamm). Essex, 1925, Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 340 (Amatola r Mtns.; Fort· Beaufort; Grahamstown; Port Elizabeth; Hermanus;. e h George; Mossel Bay; Caledon; Cape Peninsula). Rose, 1926, Ann. s i l S. Afr. Mus., XX, p. 492 (Cape Flats). Power. 1927, Trans. Roy'. b u Soc. S.· Afr.. XIV, p. 408 (Lobatsi). Essex, 1927, P.Z.S. Lond .. p. 93:3' P (Umtata). Rose, 1928, Nature Notes, No. 56, p. 2, and 1929, Veld & e h Vlei, p. Ill, text-figs. 70 and 79 (Cape Peninsula). Hewitt, 1929, Ann. t Tv!. Mus., XIII, pI. I, fig. II (Fenella Falls, Tarkastad). Power, 1931, y b Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., XX, p. 43 (Linokana), and 1933, XXI, p. 217 d (Prieska; De Aar; Orange River Stn.). FitzSimons, 1935, Ann. TvL e t Mus., XV, p. 544 (Konkiep; Hondeklip Bay; Lekkersing). and 1935. n a XVI, p. 368 (Kuke and Kaotwe Pans, Kalahari). ' r g Mabuia gruetzneri( non Peters) Roux, 1907, Zool. J ahrb. Syst., XXV" e c p. 431 (Pretoria Dist. & Transvaal). n Mabuia calaharica Werner, HllO, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 350, pI. VIII, e c i fig. 11 (Lehututu-Kang, Kalahari). l r Mabuya capensis Hewitt. '1937, Guide' Vert. Fauna E. Cape Provo S. Afr." e d . II, p. 37. pI. XI. fig. .1 (Queenstown; G,aaff-Reinet; Basutoland: n Grahamstown). Mertens. '1937. Abh. Senck. Naturf. Ges., 435, p. 9' u (Windhuk). • . y a Mabuya trivittata (non Hardwicke & Gray) FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. Tv!. w e Mus., XIX, p. 203 (Okosongomingo; Liebig's Ranch; Berseba; Klip t a fontein). G t e Description: Snout short and obtuse. Lower eyelid with a large n i transparent disc. Nostril directed outwards and upwards, pierced b a above or behind vertical of rostro-Iabial suture. A small postnasal. S y usually in contact with second upper labial and separating anterior b loreal from ist upper labial (exceptionally anterior loreal and 1st d e c u 216 d o r p e R labial in contact): Supranasals in contact behind rostral, which is a little less than twice as broad as deep. Frontonasal distinctly broader than )ong, in contact with or separated from frontal by suture of prefrontals. Frontal shorter than frontoparietals + interparietal, in contact with 2nd and 3rd supraoculars, rarely with 1st. 4 Supra oculars, 1st smallest, 2nd largest and usually in short· contact with frontal. 5 Supraciliaries, 2nd longest. Frontoparietals smaller than interparietal, which separates parietals behind. A pair of narrow band-like nuchal shields. 4 Upper labials' (exceptionally '5) anterior to subocular, which borders lip extensively, and has lower border not or but little shorter than upper. Ear-opening crescentic. sometimes almost· obscured by overlapping of scales .on anterior border. Dorsal and nuchal scales all strongly tricarinate, laterals more feebly so; usually 34-36 (exceptionally less) scales round middle of body, scales subequal above and below. Limbs short, and when adpressed fail to meet or just overlap. Digits very short; scales on soles' of feet feebly ) 1 1 0 2 d e t Fig. 94. Fig. 95. a d ( Fig. 94. Mabuya capensis (T.M. No. 17951-Klipfontein). dorsal view of head. r Fig. 95. Mabuya capensis (T.M. No. 17951). side view of head. e h s i l spinose; sub digital lamellae unicarinate (sharply so in juveniles, b u bluntly in adults), 15-20 under 4th toe. Tail from g to g times P e length of head and body. h t Colour; Above, light brown to olive- or greyish-brO\vn. with three y b pale (dirty white or yellowish to pale slcity brown) longitudinal d e bands from back of head to base of tail (median band almost twice t n as broad as dorsolaterals); series of dark brown to blackish transverse' a r g rows of spots or short bars on back (between pale longitudinal e c stripes) and on sides; pale spots are often present along posterior n e borders of 'dark transverse series of spots or bars (especially in c i l juveniles). Lower surfaces uniform yellowish-white to greyish. r e Occasionally only pale longitudinal bands present (dark markings d n absent), or exceptionally no markings at all, the upper surfaces being u y a uniform brown. a Dimensions: Male (T.M. 13164-0hrigstad), H. & B. 130, tail 130 w e t (partly reproduced), length head 23.4, breadth head 19, forelimb 30,. a G hindlimb 40 mm. Female (T.M. 16919-0kosongomingo), H. & B. 135, t e (tail missing), length head 23.2, breadth head 19, forelimb 26, hind n i limb 35 mm. . b a Field notes: These' somewhat sluggish, terricolous skinks are' S y found in a variety of surroundings ranging from sea level to high b mountain slopes or plateaux. They are most numerous however in d e c more or less open sandy savannah country, where they live under' u d o 217 r p e R "tones or in holes made under small shrubs and bushes, into which they often climb during the late afternoon to bask in the last warming rays of the sun. They are easily tamed and appear to be quite at home near human habitations, often frequenting houses, outbuildings, walls, etc., in or on the outskirts of towns. Their diet consists for the most part of insects, particularly beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, stink bugs, etc., though other small invertebrates like spiders, centipedes. worms, etc., are also readily taken. The young, varying from 5-13 (usually about 10) in number, are born in the latter half of summer; they are usually produced by the parent at irregular intervals, often a week or so elapsing between the appearance of the fi1'st and last of the brood; on emerging, each young individual is ·encased in a thin membraneous shell or bag, which is ruptured almost immediately by the vigorous wriggling of the occupant or sometimes tom open by the parent; newly hatched individuals measure from ;50--70 mm. in total length. Distribution ': Throughout South Africa (south of the Limpopo River), being of somewhat rare occurrence in the dry western parts, but common over the rest of the country. Recorded localities: Somerset Strand: Cradock; Cookhouse; Graaff-Reinet; Dordrecht: Cala; Dunbrody; Tarkastad; Pearston; Alice; Witteklip; Katberg; Hogsback; Macleantown; Emfundisweni; Griquatown; Serowe; Zwa gershoek & Honingfontein, Waterberg Dist. (A.M.). Victoria West (A.M. & K.M.). Kimberley (A.M., KM., P.E.M., S.A.M. & T.M.). Cape Town (A.M., K.M. & S.A.M.). Pretoria (A.M., R.M. & T.M.), Worcester; Pirie; Steinkopf (A.M. & S.AM.). Fort Brown (AM .. :::l.A.M. & T.M.). Grahamstown; Doornkop, Belfast (A.M. & T.M.), Potchefstroom (D.M.). Campbell; Kuruman; Danielskuil; Taungs: Schoombie; Mafeking; Enslin; Devondale; Setlagoli; Postmasburg: Modder River Stn.; Witput Sdng.; Warrendale; Malmesbury; Mossel ) Bay; Kalk Bay;' Bloemfontein; Maseru; Thabanchu; Ramathlabama; 1 1 0 Mochudi: Lobatsi: Ottoshoop: Standerton; Premier Mine; Pienaars' 2 River (K.M.). Johannesburg (KM. & S.A.M.). Paarl (KM., S.AM, d e t "" T.M.). East London (K.M. & T.M,). Pietermaritzburg: Karkloof: a d N'Tambanana (N.M.). Giants Castle (N.M. & T.M.). Humansdorp ( r (P.E.M.). Claremont; Cape Flats; Kenilworth; Robertson; Gt. Con e h stantia; Caledon; Hanover; Pakhuisberg-Oorlogskloof; Nieuwoudt s i l 'ville; Darling; Burghersdorp; George; Laingsburg; Mt. Ayliff; Kamies b u berg; Narugas Sdng.; O'okiep; Garies; Smithfield; Vredefort Rd. P e (S.A.M.). Port Elizabeth (S.A.M., P.E.M. & T.M.). Underberg; h t Matjesfontein; Elandskloof; De Wet; Lamotte; Zoetendal's Vallei; y b Cape Agulhas; Grootvadersbosch; Seven' Weeks Poort; Welbedacht: d e 'Oudtshoorn; Alicedale; Strydenburg; Fourteen Streams; Vryburg; t n Hondeklip Bay; Lekkersing; Klipfontein; Bothaville; Kuke & Kaotwe a r g Pans, Kalahari; Rustenburg; Florida; Wakkerstroom; Venterskroon; e c Randfontein; Vygeboompoort, Geelhoutkop, Moddernek & Rietspruit, n e Waterberg Dist.; Maribashoek & Magalakwin Riv., Potgietersrust c i l Dist.; Woodbush; Lydenburg; Krabbefontein; Metlepetsi Riv.; Selati; r e 'Ohrigstad; Gt. Saltpan, nr. Waterpoort: Kraikluft & Nakeis, Karas d n .berg Dist.; Konkiep-Kuibis; Okosongomingo; Windhoek; Berseba u y (T.M.). Nr. Witbank (W.U.M.). a w Remarks: Type in Paris Museum? As pointed out by M. A. Smith e t a (1935, Fauna Brit. Ind., II, p. 276), the' name trivittatus, applied to G t this South African species by Cuvier (1829) and Boulenger (1887), is e n i preoccupied by trivittatus (Hardwicke & Gray, 1827, Zool. Journ., III, b a S :po 227) for an Indian species, so that the name of the former will now y b be capensis (Gray, 1830), the next name available. d e . 218 c u d o r p e R MABUYA OCCIDENTALIS (Peters). Western Three-striped Skink. Euprepes vittatus var. australis Peters, 1862, M011atsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 19. Euprepes occidentali~ Peters, 1867, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 20 (Type locality: Otjimbingue, Hereroland). Mabuiaoccidentalis Boulenger, .1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 196. Fischer, 1888, Mittl. Zool. Mus. Hamb., p. 12 (Aus-Bethanien, G.N.). Boettger, 1894. Ber: Senck. Naturf. Ges .. p. 90 (Great Namaqualand). Bocage. 1895; Herp. Angola p. 42 (Angolan locs.).· Roux, 1907, Zool. Jahrb: Syst., .xxv, p. 433 (Matjesfontein; Steinkopf & Orange Riv.- . .Takhalswater, L.N.; Rustenburg, Tvl.). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 485 (Little Namaqualand; Damaraland). Werner, 1910, .rena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 349, pI. VII, fig. B,and Mitt!. Naturh. Mus. Hamb., XXVII, p. 43 (Hereroland). Hewitt, 1910, Ann'. Tvl. Mus., II, pp. 94 & 99, and 1911, III, p. 50. Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2, p. 39, text-fig. 46, and Mitt!. Zool. Mus. Berl., V, p. 406 . (Windhuk; Table Mountain?). Lampe, 1911, Jahrb. Nassau. Ver. Naturk., 64, p" 174 (Kuibis, G.N.J. Hewitt & Power, 1913; Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., III, p. 158 (Ky Ky; Nosob; Molopo; Wildehonde .Pan; Grondneus; Upington). Methuen & Hewitt, 1914, Ann. Tvl. Mus., IV, p. 141 (Wasserfall; Groendoorn-Wasserfall). Hewitt, 1916, Ann. Natal Mus., II, p. 482 (Beaufort West). Power, 1933, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., XXI, p. 217 (Kenhardt; Marydale; Prieska; De Aar) .. Fitz Simons, 1935, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XV, p. 545 (Oup---Nossop River area; A~~. . Mabuya occidentalis Hewitt. 1937. Guide Verf. Fauna E. Cape Provo S. Afr., II, p. 38 (Glen Erskine. Cradock Dist). Mabuya trivittata occid€,lltalis Power, 1939. S. Afr.Journ. Sci., XXXVI, p. 377. Description: Closely related to M. capensis, but distinguishable on the following: General form more slender; limbs longer; postnasal in contact with or separated from 2nd upper labial; frontonasal in ) short contact with frontal or separated by suture of prefrontals: 1 1 0 frontal as long as or a little shorter than frontoparietals + inter 2 parietaL usually in contact with 2nd and 3rd supraoculars only (some d e t times also with 1st); ear-opening suboval, oblique, with 2-.'3 large. a d obtusely pointed lobules projecting on anterior border; dorsal and ( r nuchal scales tricarina te (not strongly so, as in capensis), lateral e h scales smooth or at most faintly carinate; 30-.'32 scales round middle s i l of body, dorsals larger than ventrals; hindlimb reaches to between b u wrist and elbow, or to elbow of adpressed forelimb; subdigital P e lamellae unicarinate, 21-24 under 4th toe; tail from g. to 11 times h t length of head and body. y b Colour: Above, russet to rufous-brown or olive, with three d e yellowish to yellowish-white dark-edged longitudinal streaks, the t n vertebral broader than dorsolaterals; sides of body darker than above, a r g with a white streak from upper labials to groin, bounded below with e c olive brown: sutures between labials blackish. Lower surfaces n e uniform white to yellOwish-white. c i l Dimensions: Male (T.M. 3279-Gt. Karasberg Dist.). H. & B. 86, r e tail 146, length head 16.8. breadth head 12.5, forelimb 26.5 hindlimb d n 41 mm. (Attains to about 100 mm. for length of head and body). u y Field notes: Similar in habits to M. caper/sis, but more active a and confined for the most part to dry sandy areas. w e t Distribution: South West Africa. extending southwards into a G Little Namaqualand, ·W. Gordonia and the Karroo, and northwards t e into southern Angola. Recorded localities: Aus; 'Port Nolloth; Stein" n i kopf; Springbok-Steinkopf; Henkries; Naroep; O'okiep; Molopo River b a (S.A:M.). Swakopmund; Karib; Louisvale; Lower Molopo; Ky Ky on S y Nosop River; Victoria West; Beaufort West; nr. Douglas; Middelburg. b C.P.; nr. Cradock (A.NO. Anenous (N.M.). Wasserfall & Wasserfall- d e c u 219 d o r p e R Groendoorn, Gt. Karasberg· Dist.; Aroab-Keetmanshoop; Usakos; Kam River nr. Rehoboth; Oup and Nosop Rivers; Hartebeest River nr. Kakamas (T.M.). Remarks: Types in Berlin Museum. Power (1939) suggests that occidentalis is a subspecies of capensis,. basing his conclusions on a series of specimens from Griqualand West. Gordonia, etc. (not topo typical material), which he considers belong to occidentalis: a .number of these same specimens however, have been examined by myseLf and identified as capensi's, so that I regard the evidence favouring relegation of occidentalis to subspecific rank as still inconclusive. Sternfeld's record (1911) from Table Mountain is extremely doubtful. MABUY A ACUTILABRIS (Peters). (Text-figs. 96 & 97). Euprepes acuWabris Peters, 1862, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 19 (Type locality: Neu Barmen, Hereroland. S.W. Africa). Bocage, 1872. Jo1'n. Sci. Lisb., IV, p. 80. Euprepes damaranus (non Peters) Steindachner, 1870, Sitzber. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXII, p. 338, pI. III. figs. I-a. Mabuia acutilabris Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 208 (Angola; Here,co Ipnd; Damaraland). Bocage, 1895, Herp. Angola, p. 46 (Angola localities). Raux, 1907, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., XXV. p. 434 (Orange River). Boulenger. 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p.486 (O'okiep; Walvis Bay). Hewitt. 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus .. II. pp. 90 & 100. Werner. 1910. Jena. Denkschr.. XVI, p. 349, pI. VIII, fig. 9 (Salem; Prince of Wales Bay). Sternfeld. 1911, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berl., V, p. 408 (Windhoek). and Fauna Deutsch. Kolonien. IV, 2. p. 40, text-fig. 48. Werner, 1915. in Michaelsen, Land u. Susswasser Fauna Deutsch-Sudwest afrika:;, I, p. 352 (Omaruru; Usakos). Methuen & Hewitt, 1914. Ann. Tvl. Mus., IV, p. 143 (Wasserfall. Great Karasberg Dist.). MablLya acutilabris Schmidt, 1919, Bull. Amer. Mus. N.H .. XXXIX. p. 5:q, text-figs. 22 & 23 (Lower Congo & Angola locs.). Barbour & LDve ) ridge, 1929, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool.. LXIX, p. 301 (Neu Barmeti.). 1 Parker, 1936, Novit. ZooL. XL, p. 138 (Swakopmund; Voigtsgrund; 1 0 Lobito). Mertens, 1937, Abh. Senck. Naturf. Mus., 435, p. 11 (Wind 2 huk; Lobito). FitzSimons, .1938. Ann. Tvl. Mus.. XIX. p. 200 d e t (Otjikondo-Kamanyab; Farm 'Paderburn,' Huab Riv.; Berseba a Keetmanshoop). d ( r e Description: Snout short, obtuse and strongly depressed; 10reaL h s region deeply concave and canthus rostralis sharply defined; upper i l b labials projecting angularly. Lower eyelid with a large undivided u P transparent disc. Nostril directed vertically upwards. just a.bove or e h in front of suture between rostral and 1st upper labial. Supranasals t y in contact behind rostral, which is strongly depressed and over twice b as broad as deep. Frontonasal broader than long. usualIy in contact d e t with frontal; latter longer than frontoparietals + interparietal. much n a narrower behind than in front. usually in contact with 1st, 2nd and r g 3rd supraoculars, exceptionally narrowly separated from 1st. Fronto e c parietals as large as or larger than interparietal. Parietals separated n e c 'r::ehind by interparietal or in short contact with one another. A pair i l r of narrow band-like nuchal shields. 4 Supraoculars, 2nd and 3rd sub e d equal, 1st and 4th smaller. Usually 5 supraciliaries, 2nd longest. n u A small postnasaL separated from 2nd upper labial by a short suture y a between anterior loreal and 1st upper labial. Subocular not bordering w lip, usually resting on upper labials .4-6 or 5-6, sometimes 5-7. e t a Ear-opening oval, slightly oblique, with 3--4 (usually .3) long lanceolate G lobules on anterior border largely covering ear-opening. Dorsal scales t e n strongly tricarinate. laterals bicarinate, 28-32 scales round middle i b of body. Limbs long, adpressed hindlimb reaches to shoulder or ear. a S Toes very long. scales on sales of feet sharply keeled and subdigital y b lamellae sharpl~7 unicarinate. d e c 220 u d o r p e R Colour: Above, cinnamon to light fulvous-brown, with dark brown or black spots and white specks arranged to form short transverse bars or bands; a pale vertebral streak usually present, Qften indistinctly marked; a well-marked pale .stripe on either side, from above and behind ear-opening on to basal portion of tail; a second lower white lateral stripe usually present (occasionally absent), from below eye through ear to groin; sides of body. more· or less vertically barred with blackish; head uniform, unspotted; hindlimbs 'with pale and dark spots. Lower surfaces white. Dimensions: Male (T.M. 3281-Gt. Karasberg Dist.), H. & B. 60, tai} 103, length head 13, breadth head 9.7, forelimb 20, hindlimb 35 mm. . Field notes: Found in sandy areas (sometimes even on sandy beaches close to the sea). where they live in burrows made in the firmer sand under small bushes, grass tufts etc. When pursued Fig. 96. Fig. 97. ) 1 Fig. 96. Mabu.ya acutilabris (T.M. No. 173W--Paderburn), dorsal view of head. 1 Fig. 97. Ma.bu.ya acu.ti/abris (T.M. No. 17310), side view of .head. 0 2 d e they seldom run for any distance, but prefer to dig rapidly into the t a d loose sand, where they remain quite still hoping to escape' notice. , ( Diet consists mainly of small ground-running beetles and ants, r e together with small quantities of vegetable matter. h s i l Distribution: From the northern part of Little Namaqualand, b u through South West Africa and Angola to the Lower Congo. Recorded P e localities: O'okiep, L,N.; Sesfontein, Kamanyab & Kowares,' Kaoko-' h t veld (S.A.M.). Wasserfall, Great Karasberg Dist.; Berseba-Keet- y b . manshoop; Erongo Mtn.; Karibib; Paderburn, on Huab River & d Otjikondo-Kamanyab, Kaokoveld (T.M.). Ababis (K.M.). Ugab; e t n Haigamchab; Aukiakas, nr. Windhoek; Karib; nr. Okahandja; Krantz a r berg & Khan River, Namib (A.M.). Omaruru-Otavi (D.M.). g e Remarks: Types in Berlin Museum; cotypes in Museum of Com c n e parative Zoology at Harvard College, Cambridge, U.S.A. c i l r e MABUY A V ARIA (Peters). d n (Text-figs. 98 & 99). u y ·Common Variegated Skink .. a w .ElIprepe.< (Euprepis) varius Peters, 1867, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 20 e t (TyPE' locality: Tete, Mozambique), and 1882, Reise n. Mossamb., a III. p. 68 . G t Ellprepes olivierii (non Dumeril & Bibron) A. Smith, 1849, Ill. Zool. .S. e n Afr. Rept., pl. XXI, figs. 3-5 (Southcrn Africa). Peters, 1854, i b Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin,. p. 618. a S Euprepes olh'ieri var. albop'l.l.nctatus Bocage, 1867, Jorn. Sci. Lisb., I, p. 223. y Euprepes (Mabuya) Iaevigatus Peters, 1869, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, b p. 434. d e El!prepes angolensis Bocage, 1872, Jorn. Sci. Lisb ... IV, p. 78 .. c u d 221 o r p e R Mabuia varia part., Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 202 (Port Elizabeth; Port Natal), and 1905, P.Z.S. Lond., II, p. 254 (Umfolosi). Roux, 1907. Zool. Jahrb. Syst., XXV. p. 433 (Cape Town; Lourenco Marques: Lower Illovo). Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 343, PI. VIII, fig. 12 (Kalahari localities). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr: Mus., V, p. 485 (Kingwilliamstown; Geor:ge; Caledon; Robertson; Port St. Johns; Mount AyIiff; Albany; Smithfield; Johannesburg; Salisbury; Serowe). Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV,. 2, p. 39. Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tv!. Mus., II. p. 100 (Kingwilliamstown). Hewitt & Power, 1913, Trans. Roy. Soc.' S. Afr., III, P. 158 (Eldorado; Marandellas). FitzSimons, 1935, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XVI, p. :369 (THumi; Gaberones; Gabani; Molepolole--Kuke Pan; Kuke Pan: Okwa River-Damara Pan; Damara Pan; Damara Pan-Van Zyl's Cutting;. Mabeleapudi; Shaleshont6; Figtree; Matopos; Zimbabwe). Mabuia varia Boettger, 1889, Ber. Senck. Naturf. Ges., p. 292' (Pondo~ land). Borage, 1895, Herp. Angola, p. 43 (Angola). Werner, 1896, Jahresb. Ver. Magdeburg, p. 142. de Jeude, 1895, Notes Leyden Mus., XVI, p. 228 (Junction Komati & Crocodile Rivs.) .. Boulenger, 1907, P.Z.S. Lond., II, p. 485 (Woodbush; Beira), and 1908, Ann. Natal Mus., I, p. 226 (Junct. Umfolosi Rivers; Thornybush). Odhner, 1908, Arkiv. Zool. Stockholm, IV, No. 18, p. 4 (Umfolosi & Somkele). Chubb. 1909, P.Z.S. Lond .. p. 59·1- (Khami; Gwanda; Empandeni). Sternfeld. 1911, MUtl. Zool. Mus. Berlin, V, p. 420 (Mphome). Loveridge, 1920, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 153 (Del:a.goa Bay). Essex, 1925, Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 341 (Grahamstown; Port Elizabeth; Hermanus; Cape Peninsula). Power, 1927, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., XIV, p. 408 (Lobatsi), and 1931, XX, p. 42 (Linokana), and 193:3, XXI, p. 218 (De Aar). Schmidt, 1933, Ann. Carnegie Mus., XXII, p. 12 (Angola IOcs.). Cott, 1934, P.Z.S, Lond., p. 166 (AIl,1atongas). Monard, 1937, Arquiv. Mu~. Boc. Lisbon, VIII, p. 87 (Angola). Mabuia homalocephala part., Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus .. V, p. 484 (Johannesburg). ' Mabuya varia Parker, 1936, Novit. Zool., XL, pp. 137 & i38, text~fig. 42 (Angola). Hewitt, 1937, Guide Vert. Fauna E. Cape Provo S. Afr., II, p. 38 (Bushmans River). FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIX, ) p. 203 (Farm 'Okosongomingo,' Little Waterberg; Great Waterberg. 1 1 S.W. Afr.), and 1939, XX, p. 36 (Vumba Mtn.; Mt. Silinda; Changadzi 0 2 River; Birchenough Bridge). d Mabuya varia varia, Mertens, 1937, Abh. Senck. Naturf. Mus .. 435. P. 10 e t (Mazimba Hill & Mkusi, Zululand; Satara, E. Tvl.; Salisbury, S.R). a . d . ( Description: Snout moderately short and obtuse; nostril directed r e h outwards, pierced in. the posterior part of nasal, separated from 1st s i l upper labial by a distance much less than its own diameter, and with b u its centre usually behind vertical of rostrolabial suture. Supranasals P e in contact qehind rostral (exceptionally· separated). Rostral penta h t gonal and much broader than deep. Frontonasal broader than long, y b usually in short contact with frontal,. exceptionally prefrontals in d contact separating frontonasal and frontal. Latter a little shorter e t n than or equal to frontoparietal + interparIetal, much broader in front a r than behind, in contact with 2nd and 3rd supraoculars. Frontoparietals g e as large as or a little smaller than interparietal. Parietals usually c n e separated from one another by interparietal or sometimes in short c i l contact with one another. A pair of narrow band-like nuchal shields. r e 4 Supraoculars, 1st smallest and 2nd largest. 5 Supraciliaries, 2nd d n by far the longest. A small postnasal; anterior loreal in contact with u or separated from 1st upper labial, smaller than posterior and both y a longer than deep. Subocular bordering lip 'between labials 4 & 5 or w e t 5 & 6, slightly to moderately narrowed below, with lower border more· a than half (usually about two-thirds) length of· upper. Ear-opening G t e oval, oblique, with 3-5 (usually 3---4) short, broad and bluntly pointed n i lobules on anterior border. Scales on neck, back and sides strongly b a tricarinate (sometimes a few scales may be quinquecarinate); 30-34 S y scales round middle of body, subequal in size above and below. Hind b limb reaches wrist or elbow of adpressed forelimb; scales on soles of d e feet sharply keeled and spinose; subdigital lamellae tricarinate and c u d o 222 r p e R spinose. Tail from Ii to Li times length of head and body; in normal tails the scales above and below are subequal, but in regenerated tails there is'a single median row of transversely enlarged scales below. Colour: Above, olive, greyish-brown, olive brown to chocolate brown, uniform or with scattered small dark brown to black spots and white dots, or dark spots aggregated to form irregular short transverse bars or fusing to form irregular longitudinal'stripe's; a pale vertebral stripe sometimes present, usually indistinct or absent; a. pale dorsolateral stripe present from above and behind eye to rump, sometimes faintly marked or absent; sides of body darker than above; a well-marked white lateral stripe (dark-edged) from subocular Fig'. 98. Fig. 98. Mabuya varia (T.M. No. ZZ47-Vygeboompoort), dorsal view of head. Fig. 99. Mabuya varia (T.M. No. 2247), side view of head. . ) 1 through ear to groin, and often extending on to basal part of taiL 1 0 Head uniform or shields dark-edged. Lower surfaces white to bluish 2 d or greenish-white. e t Dimensions: Male (T.M. 715-Barberton), H. & B. 60, tail· 96, a d length head 12.8, breadth head 8.5, forelimb 18, hindlimb 26.5 mm. ( r Female (T.M. 12828-0lifants Riv. Dist., E. Tvl.), H. & B. 61, tail 107, e h s length head 12.3, breadth head 8.2, forelimb 19, hindlimb 25 mm. i l b Note: Specimens from South Africa seldom reach 65 rom. for length u P of head and body, whilst specimens from East Africa attain to 70 mm. e or a little over. h t y Field notes: Active little skinks, occurring in a variety of b situations from sea level to high mountain slopes; usually prefer d e t rocky or stony localities, but when such are not available, they are n a found running on the ground and living under grass tufts, tree trunks r g etc., or in any convenient hole in the ground. Diet consists mainly e c of insects (beetles, grasshoppers, mantids, cockroaches etc.) and n e c termites, together with spiders, centipedes and other small inverte i l r brates. The young are born in summer, from 4-12 (usually 4-8) e d being produced at a time. n u Distribution: Along the southern coastal areas of the Cape y a Province to the south-eastern Cape Province, extending northwards w e througho.ut the eastern half of Southern Africa to SomaIiland, and t a westwards across the Kalahari to Angola and thence north into G t northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland and Uganda. Recorded localities: Port e n Alfred; Kei Road; Whitney; Bushmans River, C.P.; Mbulu; Mac1ean i b town; Pirie; Witteklip; Alice; Emfundisweni; Thaba Putsua; Mariann a S hill; Cedarville; Ingwavuma; Plumtree; Bikita; Chilimanzi; Empan y b deni; Filabusi-Shabani; Driefontein; Mtoko; Nylstroom; Messina; d e c 223 u d o r p e R Dientje: Newington (A.M.). Marandellas (A.M. & KM.). Port St. Johns; Salisbury (A.M .. KM. & S.A.M.). Pretoria (A.M., KM. & T.M.). Pletermaritzburg (A.M. & N.M.). Johannesburg; Serowe (A.M. & S.A.M.). Grahamstown: Doornkop. nr. Belfast (A.M. & T.M.). Inya manzi, Umfolosi Riv.: Umsinene Drift (B.M.). Bellair (D.M.). East London; Strand; Kwelegha; Kimberley; Riverton; Tyateneng; Aman .zimtoti; Eldorado: Penahlonga; Pienaars River; Linokana; Lobatsi; Mahalapye (KM.). Gobabis (KM. & S.A.M.). Barberton (KM., S.A.M. & T.M). Junction Umfolosi Rivs.; Hluhluwe; Pongola' Riv., l~r. Ubombo: Bushmans Peak; Krantzkop; Port Edward; Nelshoogte (N.M.). Bulawayo (N.M. & S.A.M.). Empangeni (N.M. & T.M.).Port Elizabeth: Potgietersrust (P.E.M.). Vumba Mtn. (R.M. & T.M.). DeTagoa Bay: Sinoia: Bindura; Otjiwarongo (S.A.M.). Ubombo; Pine town; Mazambo: Inhaca 1.; Simwayani, nr. Matibi; Figtree; Matopos; Zimbabwe; Mt. Silinda; Changadzi Riv.; Birchenough Bridge; Koster; Frederikstad; De Kroon; Rustenburg; Parys; Irene; Carolina; Maquassi; Oshoek; Boekenhout; Vygeboompoort, Vaalwater & Palala Riv., Water berg Dist.; Moddernek & Rietspruit,' Nylstroom Dist.; Haenertsburg; Woodbush: Shilowane; Tzaneen; Krabbefontein; Metlepetsi Riv.; Letsitele Sdng.; Griffin Mine; Gravelotte; Maipo; Silwane; Mokeetsi, Skelm, Malta & Sekororo, Leydsdorp. Dist.; Hectorspruit; Louws Creek: Komatipoort; Mariepskop; Farms Venice & Madrid on Brak Riv., & Dublin on Olifants Riv., E. Tvl.; Waterval Boven; Elandshoek; Punda Maria; Zondagfontein; Wilhanshohe; N'Jelele & Brak Rivs., N. Tv!.; Blauwkop nr. Lilliput; Leipzig; Lake Fundusi; Entabeni; Gabani; Kuke & Damara Pans, Kalahari; Mabeleapudi; Titumi; Shaleshonto: Okosongomingo; Gt. Waterberg, S.W. Afr. (T.M.), Nr. Witbank (W.U.M.). Remarks: Types in Berlin Museum. This species appears to be Tare in the extreme south-western part of the Cape Province, and ) 1 only one specimen has been seen from Strand (KM.); from this it 1 0 is assumed that the specimens (now missing) in the South African 2 d Museum collection, recorded by Boulenger (1910, p. 485) from Caledon e t a & Robertson, together with Roux's record (1907, p. 433) from Cape d ( Town, are also referable to M. varia. r e h s i MABUYA DAMARANA (Peters). l b u (Text-figs. 100 & 101). P e h Damara Variegated Skink. t y b Euprepes damaranus Peters, 1869, Oefvers. Vet. Ak. ForhandL p. 660 d (Type locality: Damaraland). e t n M abniu varia part., Boulenger, 1905, P.Z.S. Lond., II, p. 254 (Klipfontein). a r Roux. 1907. Zool. Jahrb. Syst., XXV, p. 433 (Klipfontein; Steinkopf). g e Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 343 (Rooibank, nr. Walvis c n Bay). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 485 (Calvinia; Graaff e c Reinel; Hanover; Little Namaqualand; pamaraland). Hewitt, 1910, i l Ann. Tv!. Mus., II, p. 100 (Richmond; Steytlerville). Sternfeld, 1911, r e FaunCl Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2, p. 39 (Rooibank). Hewitt & Power, d n 19B. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., III, p. 158 (Hanover). FitzSimons, u 1935. Ann. Tv!. Mus., XVI, p. 369 (Kuke P!:ln, Kuke--Gomodimo Pans, y a Kaot\\'c Pan, Damara Pan & Nkate-NCltCl River, Kalahari). w e t Mabuia 1'IlTia (non Peters) Fischer, 1888. Mitt!. Mus. Hamburg, p. 12 a (Aus; Aus-Bethanien). Boulenger, 190:i. A.M.N.H. (7) XII, p. 217 G t (Deeifontein). Hewitt, 1911, Ann .. Tv!. Mus., III, p. 50 (Middelburg, e n C.P.). Sternfeld, 1911, Mittl. Zool. Mus. Berlin, V, p. 406 (Warmbad, i b G.N.). Niedcn, 1913, Sitzber. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin, X, p. 451 a (Rehoboth). Werner, 1915, in Michaelsen. Land u. Susswasserfauna S y Deutsch-S.W.Afr.. L p. 348 (Swakopmund; Luderitzbucht; Karibib; b Tsumeb; Okawango). d e c 224 u d o r p e R Mabuia hildebrandtii (non Peters) Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 347, pi. VII, fig .. 5 (Angra Pequena; Rooibank; Luderitzbucht; Kubub). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 485' (Little Namaqualand; Windhoek). Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kalan., IV, 2, p. 40, and Mitt!. Zool. Mus. Berlin, V, p. 408 (Swakopmund) . . Hewitt, 1911, Ann. Tvl. Mus., III, p. 50. Mabuia varia longiloba Methuen & Hewitt. 1914, Ann. Tvl. Mus., IV, p. 142 (Steytlerville; Victoria West; Middelburg; Cradock; Steinkopf; '. Kraikluft, Narudas Sud, Groendoorn & Nakeis. Karasberg District; Luderitzbucht). Werner, 1915 .. in Michaelsen; Land u. Siisswasser fauna Deutsch. S.W. Afr., I,' p. 349 (Luderitzbucht; Windhoek: Usakos). Barbour & Loveridge, 1929, Bull. Mus. Compar. Zool. . . LXIX. p. 303 (Narudas Sild). FitzSimons, 1935, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XV, p. 545 (Aus; Garies; Soebatsfontein; Kuboos). Mabuya damarana Parker, 1936, Novit. Zoo1., XL, p. 137, text-fig. 43 (Hof'fnung; Windhoek; Maltahohe; Voigtsgrund). Mertens, 1937/38. Verotf. Deutsch. Kolon.- u. Ubersee Mus. Bremen, II, hft. 2, p. 15 (Luderitzbucht). FitzSimons,' 1938. Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIX, p. 201 (Lake Guinas: N. of Outjo; Otjikondo-Kamanyab; Kamanyab; Farm 'Paderburn.' on Huab R.; Kalkveld; nr.. Karub; nr. Arandis; Kobos; Farm' Kochena,' Karasberg; Klipfontein; nr. Port Nolloth), and 1939, XX, p. 36 (Tanganda and Cha,ngadzi Rivers, S.R.). Mabuya varia damaranus Loveridge, 1936, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., XXII, p. 69 (Kleinzee) . . Description: Similar to M. varia, but clearly distinguishable on the following: Snout more flattened above and obtuse; nostril directed vertically upwards, separated from 1st upper labial by a distance about as great as or a little greater or less than its own diameter, its centre above or in front of the vertical of suture between rostral ) 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 Fig. 100. n a Fig. 100. Mauuya damarana (ToM. No. 17Z74-Kamanyab), dorsal view of head. r g Mauuya damaTana Fig. 101. (T.M. No. 17274), side view of head. e c n e and first' upper labial; frontonasal and frontal usually in broader c i l cQIltact with one another; interparietal a little shorter and parietals r e always in fair contact.behind; subocular more narrowed below, lower d n border less than half length of upper, usually 5 lower labials anterior u y to subocular: ear. lobules long and 1anceolate,. usually 3 (sometimes 2) a w in number; tail from It to 1"15 times length head and body, e t a Colour: Above, straw, buff, olive, olive brown, greyish-brown or G dark brown" uniform or with dark spots, which may be irregularly. t e n scattered, in more or less longitudinal series or forming short trans i b verse bars; a pale vertebral streak sometimes present, often indistinct a S or absent; dorsolateral pale stripe usually present, but often faintly y b marked or incomplete; white lateral stripe usually absent, when d present offen faintly marked and .extending only to forearm (excep- e c u d 225 o r p e R tionally to groin). Below, white, with anal region and underside base of tail and hindlimbs often tinged with red. Dimensions: Male (T.M. 17274-Kamanyab), H. & B. 52, tail 65, length head 11.6, breadth head 7.1, forelimb 17, hindlimb 25 mm. Field notes: Similar in habits to M. varia, but confined for the most .part to dry, storiy or sandy areas. Distribution: South West Africa, Little Namaqualand and Gor donia, extending eastwards across the Karroo to the Albany District in the south, and across the Kalahari to the north-western Transvaal and southern part of Southern Rhodesia in the north. Recorded localities: Swakopmund; Karib; Garies-Kamiesberg; Vryburg; Coles berg; Baviaanskloof River; Cradock; Klerksdale; Middelburg, C.P.: De Aar; Willowmore; Victoria West; Steytlerville; Hounslow; Fort Brown (A.M.). Luderitzbucht; Omataku Flats; Okahandja; Kari5ib (A.M. & T.M.). Postmasburg; Kuruman; Niekerkshoop; Koegas; Vaal Riv. Stn.; Danielskuil; Magersfontein; Rarriathlabama (KM.). Hanover (KM. & S.A.M.). Aus (KM. & T.M.). Port Nolloth (N.M. & T.M.). Vaalhoek, N. bank Orange Riv.; Kowares: Steinkopf; Anenous: O'okiep; Lekkersing; Kleinzee; Kamieskroon; Kraaiwater; Graaff-· Reinet (S.A.M.). Garies; Matjesfontein (S.A.M. & T.M.). Lake Guinas; Otjikondo-Kamanyab; Kamanyab; N. of Outjo; Paderburn, On Huab Riv.; Kalkveld; Karub; Arandis; Kobos; Kochena, Grundoorn, Narudas Slid & Nakeis, Karasberg Dist.; Klipfontein; Aughrabies Falls; Soe batsfontein; Kuboos; Kuboos-Lekkersing; Van Rhyn's Pass; Pakhuis Pass; Nelspoort-Murraysburg; Hopetown; Strydenburg; Kuke, Gomo dimo, Kaotwe & Damara Pans. Kalahari; N'Kate; Gt. Saltpan; Junc tion N'Wanedsi & Limpopo Rivs.; Tanganda & Changadzi Rivs. (T.M.). Remarks: Type in the Stockholm Museum? ) 1 MABUYA SULCATA (Peters). 1 0 2 (Text·figs. 102 & 103). d e t a Koppie Skink. d ( Ettprepes olivaceus (non Gray) Peters, 1862, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin,. r e 'p. 21. h s i l Euprepes sulcatus Peters, 1867. Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin. p. 20 (Type b locality: Neu Barmen, Hereroland). u P Mabuia sulcata Boulenger. 1887. Cat. Liz .. III. p. 206 (S. Africa; Karrob) .. e h Boettger, 1887, Ber. Senck. ·Naturf. des.,p. 151 (Aus). Fischer, 1888, t y Mittl. Zool. Mus. Hamb .. p. 12 (Aus; Aus-Bethanien). Bocage. 1895,. b Herp. Angola, p. 41 (Angola locs.), and 1896, Jorn. Sci. Lisb. d e (2) IV, p. 118 (Shoshong. B.P.). Boulenger, 1903. A.M.N.H. (7) XII, t n p. 217 (Deelfontein, C.P.). and 1905. P.Z.S. Lond .. II, p. 2:14 (Klip a r fontein, L.N.). Roux. 1907, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., XXV, p. 434 (Prince g Albert Rd., C.P.). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 489: e c (Cape Town; Pr.ince Albert Rd.; Matjesfontein; Durban). Werner, n e 1910, Jena. Denkschr.. XVI, p. 345. pI. VIII, figs. 10. lOa & b (Stein c i l kopf; Luderitzbucht: Prince of Wales Bay: Kubub). Hewitt. U)10., r e Ann. Tvl. Mus ... II. pro 94 & 100 (Jansenville; Victoria West), and d 1911, III, p. 50. Sternfeld. 1911. Fauna Deutsch. Kolon .. IV. 2, p. 40, n u and Mitt!. ZooL l\'lus·. Berlin. V, p. 408 (Windhoek; Otjiunda; Nauchas: y Warmbad). Hewitt & Power. 1913. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., III, a p. 158 (Geluk, Gordonia; Jacobsdal: Kimberley). Nieden, 1913/14. w e t Sitzb. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berl.. No. 10, p. 451 (Kuibis). Methuen a & Hewitt, 1914, Ann. Tv!. Mus., IV, p. 142 (Kraikluft; Narudas Sad; G t Wasserfall; Nakeis; Aus; Quibis; Luderitzbucht). Werner. 1915, in. e Michaelsen, Land· U. Susswasserfauna Deutsch-S.W. Afr., I, p, 351 n i b (Luderitzbucht; Windhuk; 'Neudamm), Power, 1933. Trans. Roy. a Soc. S, Afr., p. 217 (Kakamas; Kenhardt; Prieska; De Aar). Fitz S y 'Simons, 193:1. Ann. Tv!. Mus., XV, p. 546 (Kuruman; Rietfontein; b Kuibis; Aus; Pofadder; Soebatsfontei,n; Lekkersing; Kuboos).' d e c 226 u d o r p e R Mabuya sulcata Parker, 1936, NoviL Zoo1., XL, p. 136 (Windhoek; Hoff nung; Rehoboth; Maltahohe; Voigtsgrund; Satansplatz). I Mertens, 1937, Abh. Senck. Naturf. Mus., 435, p. 11 (Winhuk). Hewitt, 1937, Guide Vert. Fauna E. Cape Provo S. Afr .. II, p. 39. pI. XII, figs. 1 & 2 (Cradock; Graaff-Reinet). FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. Tv!. Mus., XIX, p. 202 (Oshikondo-Kamanyab; Kamanyab; Paderburn' Huab' Kalk veld; Karub; Neudamm; Liebig's Ranch; Kobos; Barby; Sinclai; Mine; Aus-Konkiep; Seeheim; Brukkaros; Kochena; Kraikluft; Goodhouse' Klipfontein; O'okiep-Springbok; Kamaggas; Garies' Brandvlei: Van Wyksvlei). " Description: Head and body strongly depressed. Snout moderate, obtusely pointed: loreal region concave. Lower eyelid with a large transparent disc. Nostril directed outwards and pierced behind vertical of rostro-labial suture. A small postnasal. Anterior 10real in contact with 1st upper labial. Supranasals in contact behind rostral which is pentagonal and a little less than twice as broad as deep: Frontonasal as broad as long or a little broader than long, usually in short contact with frontal, sometimes separated by a short suture between prefrontals. Frontal much broader in front than behind, as long as or a little shorter than frontoparietals + interparietal, ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d Fig. 102. ( r Fig. 102. MabuYa sulcata (T.M. No. 17529-Kobos), dorsal view oJ head. e h Fig. 103. Mabuya sulcata (T.M. No. 17529), side view of head. s i l b u in contact with supraoculars 1-3, or separated from 1st. 4 Supra P e oculars, 1st smallest, 2nd largest. 5 Supraciliaries. 2nd longest. h t Frontoparietals smaller than interparietal. Parie.tals in contact behind y b interparietal or separated by latter. A pair of narrow band-like nuchal d e shields. Sub ocular usually not reaching lip (in the South) but resting t n on upper labials 5-7 or 5 & 6 (6th labial much smaller than others), a r g or reaching lip (in the North) between labials 5 & 6 (here the normal e c small 6th labial has disappeared or become fused in with subocular). n e Ear-opening oval, with 2-4 small (often very small) lobules feebly c i l projecting on anterior border. Dorsal, nuchal and lateral scales r e strongly quinquecarinate (sometimes tricarinate on nape); 34-40 d n scales round middle of body, dorsal scales larger than ventrals or u y laterals, nuchals smallest. Hindlinib reaches to elbow of adpressed a w forelimb or beyond. Scales on soles of feet sharply keeled and spinose; e t subdigital lamellae sharply tricarinate and spinose. Tail from to a n G a little over times length of head and body, g t e n Colour: Above, brown (uniform or spotted with black), to black, i b in adult males; in females and young males, pale olive to olive brown a S with 6 dark brown longitudinal stripes, the -two median pairs y b extending from occiput on to base of tail, where they fuse into a d single pair of stripes, while the lateral stripe on each side extends e c u d 227 o r p e R from nostril; through ear to groin and is continued along basal part of tail in much narrowed form; chin, lips, throat and sides of head often infused with yellowish-pink to orange yellow or reddish; flanks often a pale metallic bluish-green. Lower 'surfaces dirty white to bluish-white,· unifOl'm or more usually with dark spots on chin and· throat, or, in old males, dark-spotted all' over, densely infused or uniformly black. Dimensions: Male (T.M. 18252-Barby). H. & B. 75.5, tail 105, length head 16.7, breadth head 13, -forelimb 25. hindlimb 33 mm. Female (T.M. 18250-Barby), H. & B. 81, tail 112, length head 16.6, breadth head 12.2, forelimb 23, hindlimb 31 mm. Field notes: Alert, rock-living skinks, very common on the rocky outcrops and hills of the dry western parts of the country, where they occur in association with Agama atra and Cordy Ius poIyzonus, and .may often be seen in great numbers darting backwards and for wards in the sunshine, chasing insects or one another. The sexes (i.e. adults) are readily distinguished in the field. the males being a uniform brown or black and the females longitudinally striped. Insectivorous .. with beetles, grasshoppers, hymenoptera, termites and' ants predominating. Mating takes place in the spring and. the young, usually about 4 in number, are born some months later towards the end of summer. Distribution: Throughout South West Africa, extending north into southern Angola and south through Little Namaqualand, Gor donia &. Griqualand West into the Karroo.' Recorded localities: Windhoek; Wilhelmstal; Chous Mts.; Swakopmund; Rehoboth; Graaff Reinet; Willowmore; Jansenville; Compassberg, nr. Middelburg, C.P.; Cradock; Victoria West; Lutzputs (A.M.). Kimberley (AM., D.M., KM., S.A.M. & T.M.). Geluk, Gordonia (AM. & KM.). De Aar' ) (A.M., KM. & S.A.M.). Okahandja; Luderitzbucht; Hopetown (AM. 1 1 0 & . T.M.). Rouxville (RM.). Niekerkshqop (RM. & KM.). Barkly 2 West; Campbell; Kakamas; Kenhardt; Prieska; Witput Sdng.; Drag d e t hoender-Marydale; Witsands; Koegas; Postmasburg; Honeynest a d kloof; Orange River Stn.; Douglas; Colesberg (KM.). Kuruman (KM. ( r & T.M.). Anenous (N.M.). Kowares; Otjitondua; Kaoko Otavi; Outjo; e h Narebis; Hughes; Gt. Karasberg Dist.; Vaalhoek & Zwartbooisrand, s i l N. bank Orange Riv.; Naroep; Steinkopf; Port Nolloth; Steinkopf~ b u Ram~nsdrift; Port Nolloth-Steinkopf; Kamieskroon; Garies; Bokke P e veld Mts.; Williston; Prince Albert; Upington; Keimoes; Bakputs & h t Dyason's Klip; Gordonia (S.A.M.). Kamanyab; Lekkersing; Aughra y b bies Falls; Matjesfontein (S.A.M. & T.M.). Otjikondo-Kamanyab; d e Paderburn & Huab, on Huab River; Kalkveld; Erongo Mtn.; Karibib; t n Karub; Neudamm & Leibig's Ranch, nr. Windhoek; Kobos; Brukkaros a r g Mtn.; Barby; Sinclair Mine: Aus; Konkiep; Seeheim; Aus-Kubub; e c Kuibis; Kraikluft; Kochena; Wasserfall; Narudas Siid; Nakeis; Prince n e Albert Rd.; Klipfontein; Kamaggas; O'okiep-Springbok; Goodhouse; c i l Soebatsfontein; Garies; Pofadder; Rietfontein, Gordonia; Brandvlei; r e Van Wyksvlei; Klaver; Rhenosterkop-Beaufort West; Nelspoort d n Murraysburg (T.M.). u y a Rem'arks: Types in the Berlin Museum. Two records in the' South w African Museum, viz. from Cape Town and Port' Elizabeth, are e t a extremely. doubtful, while a third from Durban is obviously incorrect. G t e n MABUYA PUNCTULATA (Bocage). i b a Angola Spotted Skink. S y Euprepes punctulatus Bocage. 1872, Jom. Sci. Lisb., VI, p. 76 (Type b locality: Rio Coroca, S. of Mossamedes, Angola). d e c u 228 d o r p e R Mabuia punctulata Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 204. Bocage, 1895, Herp. Angola, p . .44. Sternfeld, 1911, Mittl. Zoo1. Mus. Ber!., V, p. 406 (Farm .. Lichtenstein," Windhuk), and Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2, p. 39. Schmidt, 1933, Ann. Carnegie Mus., XX, p. 12 (Mucungu, Angola). Mertens, 1937, Abh. Senck. Naturf. Ces., 435, p. 10 (Windhuk). . Description: Snout moderately short and obtuse. Lower eyelid with an undivided transparent disc. Nostril pierced in front of vertical of rostro-Iabial suture. A postnasal separating anterior loreal from 1st upper labial. Supranasals in contact behind rostral. . Frontonasal broader than long, in contact with frontal, which is as long as or a little shorter than frontoparietals + interparietal, in contact with 2nd and 3rd supraoculars only. 4 Supraoculars, 1st small and 2nd much the largest. 5 Supraciliaries, 2nd longest. Frontoparietals a little smaller than interparietal. Parietals in contact behind interparietal. A pair of nuchal shields. 5 Upper labials anterior to subocular, which is narrow,ed below. Ear-opening oval, with 4-5 long pointed lobules on anterior border. Nuchal and dorsal scales strongly quinquecarinate, laterals tricarinate; 30-32 scales round middle of body, dorsals largest. Adpressed limbs just overlap, or hindlimb reaches wrist or elbow of forelimb, Scales on soles of feet sharply keeled and spinose; subdigital lamellae sharply tricarinate and spinose. Tail n to n times length of head and body. . . Colour: Above, oliVe green to pale brown, with small squarish black spots in longitudinal series over back, usually confluent on sides; two narrow, white, black-edged streaks on each side, the upper from temporal region to tail and the lower from anterior' loreal to groin; sometimes a pale vertebral band present. Lower surfaces yellowish-white. Dimensions (after Bocage): H. & B. 51, tail 73, length head 11, ) 1 breadth head 8 mm. . 1 0 2 Distribution: Southern Angola into Damaraland . d e . . Remarks: 'Types in Lisbon Museum. . t a d ( MABUYA STRIATA (Peters). r e h (Text-figs. 104 & i05). s i l b Common Striped Skink. u P Tropidolepisma striatum Peters, 1844, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 36 e (Type locality: Mozambique). h t Euprepes p1Lnctatissimus A. Smith, 1849, Ill. Zool. S .. Afr. Rept., pI. XXXI, y b fig. 1 (" north-eastern districts of Cape Colony"). Bocage, 1866, d . Jorn. Ac. Sci. Lisb., I, p. 44, and 1872, IV, p. 80 (Angola localities). e t n Euprepes sunderallii A. Smith" 1849. Ill. Zool. S. Afr. RepL App., p. 11 a r (" Interior of Southern Africa ") . g e . Euprepis granti' Gray, 1864, P.Z.S. Land., p. 62 (Zambesi). c n Euprepes variegatusPeters, 1869, Oefvers. Vet.-Ak. Forh., p. 660 (Damara- e c land). . i l r Euprepes wahlbergi Peters, 1869, Oefvers. Vet.-Ak. Forh., p. 661 (Damar a e land). d n Euprepes grutzneri Peters, 1869, Monatsb, Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 433 (Cer u y lachshoop, S.E. Africa). a Euprepes (E1Lprepis) striCLt1LS Peters, 1882, Reise n. Mossamb., III, p, 67 w e t (East African localities). a Mabuia wahlbergii Boulenger,' 1887, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus., III,. p. 205. G t Fischer, 1888, Jahrb. Ramb. Wiss. Anst., V, p. 13, pI. II, fig. 4 (Aus e n Bethanien). Boulenger, 1890, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 79 (Angra Pequena). i b Boettger, 1894, Ber. Senck. Naturf. Ges., p .. 90 (Ct. Namaqualand). a S Mabuia grutzneri Boulenger, 1887, Cat. . Liz., III, p. 171. Hewitt, 1910, y Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, pp. 94 & 99. Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., b V, p. 484. d e c u 229 d o r p e R Mabuia striata Boulenger. 1887, Cat. Liz., III. p. 204. Boettger, 1887, Ber. Senck Naturf. Ges., p. 150 (Aus & Aus-Keetmanshoop). Fischer, 1888, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. AnsL, V, p. 13, pI. II, fig. 4 (= M. wahtbergii Pet.?, Aus-Bethanien). Matschie·. 1890" ZooL Jahrb. Syst., V, p. 607 (Mphome; Haenertsburg). Boulenger, 1892, in Distant. "A Naturalist in the. Transvaal." p. 174 (Pretoria). Boettger. 1894. Ber. Senck. Naturf. Ges .. p. HO (Rehoboth). Bocage, 1895. Herp. Angola, p. 41 (Angola localities). Werner. 1896/98. Jahresb. Ver. Magdeburg, p. 142 (Transvaal). Werner. 1902. Verh. Zool.-bot. Ges. Wien. 52. p. 339 (Windhoek). Roux. FlO,. Zool. Jahrb. SysL XXV, p. 434 (Orange Riv. -Jakhalswater; Limpopo; Lourenco Marques; Ladysmith; Pretoria), and 1907. Rev. Suisse Zool.. 15, p. 83 (Rikatla). Boulenger. 1907, P.Z.S. Lond .. II. p. 485 (Tuefloop, nr. Pietersburg). Odhnef, 1908, Ark. Zool. Stockholm. IV, No. 18, D. 4 (Durban; Amanzimtoti; Mkusi (= Umkuzi) Riv.: Lake Sibayi). Boulenger, 1908, Ann. Natal Mus., I, p. 226 (Indukuduku;. Mseleni; Ubombo: Maritzburg; Estcourt). Chubb, 1909. P.Z.S. Lond .. p. 594 (Bulawayo; Matopos). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 485 (De Aar?; Johannesburg; Barber ton; Leydsdorp; Bulawayo; Matopos; Lomagundi; Salisbury; Mazoe; Delagoa Bay). Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 343, pI. VIl, . fig. 7 (Lehututu; Kalah,,"ri; Vlei Topani; Keetmanshoop). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tv\. Mus .. II, pp. 94 & 100. Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2, p. 40. text-fig. 47 (Windhuk; Gobabis; Keetmanshoop; Luderitzbucht: Aus; Rehoboth; Kalahari). and Mittl. Zool. Mus. Ber lin, V, p. 407 (Windhuk: Outjo). Hewitt & Power; Ull3. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., III. p. 158 (Marandellas; Francistown; Immigrant; Mafe king; Ky Ky; Kimberley; Fort Richmond). Nieden. 1!H3/14, Sitzber. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin, No. 10, p. 451 (Rehoboth). Werner. 1915. in Michaelsen. .< Land~ u. Siisswasserfauna Deutsch-Siidwest~' afrikas," 1. p. 350 (Okahandja; nr. Neudamm; Otavi -Grootfontein; Auasbergen: Windhuk: Keetmanshoop; Okawango: Rehoboth).' Loveridge. 1920. P.Z.S. Lond .. p.154 (Delagoa Bay). Power, 1927. Trans. Roy, Soc. S. Afr., XIV, p. 408 (Lobatsi). Hewitt. 1927; Ree. Alb. Mus .. III. p. 404 (Hope's Mtn., Basutuland). Hamilton, 1929, "The Lowveld and its people," p. 115. Pov.:er. 1931, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr .. XX. p. 42 (Linokana), and 1933. XXI, p. 218 (Upington; Kakamas; Kenhardt; Marydale; PrieskCl: Orange River Station). Cott. 1934, P.Z:S. Land., p. 166, pl. III, fig. 1 (Amaiongas). ) 1 FitzSimons, 19:35. Ann. Tvl. Mus., XV, !J. 546 IKuruman: Rietfontein; 1 0 Oup & Nasap Rivs.), and XVI, p. 370 (Titumi; Gaberones; Molepolole; 2 Kukc; Gamodimo; Chukudll: Kaotwe: Gemsbok; Sunnyside-Maehumi; d e Mabclcapudi; Lake Ngami;' Toten; Maun; Shorobe; Shaleshonto; t a Kwaai; Tsotsoroga; Kabulabula; Kasane; Figtree; N'kaie; Makarikari; d ( Fort Victoria). Hoffman, 1940. SooL Navors. Nas. Mus. Bloemfontein, r I, p. 104 (Broedershoek, Grey town). e h s Mabuia striata var. grutzneri Sternfeld, 1911, Mittl. Zool.. Mus. Berlin, i l V, p. 420 (lVIpome). b u Mubuya striata Parker, 1936, Novil, ZooL, XL. p. 136 (Otjosongombe.; P e Windhoek: Hoffnung; Voigtsg'fund; Mariental~Rehoboth; Bullsport). h t Mertens. 1937 .. Abh. Senek. Naturf. Ges., 435, p. 9 (Windhuk; Mazimba y Hill, Zululand; Mtoko, S.R.), and 1937/38. Veroff. Deutsch. Kolon. u. b Ubersee Mus. Bremen, II. hft. 1, p. 15 (Luderitzbucht). FitzSimons, d e t 1938, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIX, p. 202 (Van Zylsrust: Witdraai; Hakskeen n Pan; Asab; Basserman; Okosongomingo; Gt. Waterberg: Ondonga; a r Oshik e mis; Kobos; Sindair Mine: Barby; Berseba). c n e c Description: Snout moderate, obtusely pointed; loreal region i l r concave. Lower eyelid with a large transparent disc; nostril lateral, e d pierced above or behind vertical of suture between rostral and 1st n u upper labiaL Supranasals usually in contact (exceptionally separated) y a behind rostral, which is pentagonal and almost twice as broad as w e ceep. Fronotonasal usually broader than long, sometimes as long as t a broad, usually in contact with frontal (sometimes separated by suture G t of prefrontals). Frontal much broader in front than behind, as long e n as or longer than frontoparietals + interparietal, in contact with 2nd i b and 3rd supraoculars.' 4 Supraoculars, 1st. smallest, 2nd largest. a S 5 Supraciliaries, 2nd' longest. Frontoparietals smaller than inter y b parietal. Parietals in contact behind interparietal or separated. d e c 230 u d o r p e R A pair of narrow band-like nuchals. A small postnasal. Anterior 10real smaller than posterior, usually in contact with 1st upper labial, sometimes separated. Subocular much narrowed inferiorly, usually reaching lip between labials 5 & 6 or 6 & 7 (exceptionally 4 & 5 or 7 & 8), sometimes not reaching labial margin at all. Ear-opening ,oval, oblique, largely exposed and with or without 2~ short sub triangular or rounded lobules on anterior border. Nuchal, dorsal and lateral scales· all strongly tricarinate (occasionally a few quinque 'carinate); 32-36 scales round middle of body, dorsals subequal to or .a little larger than ventrals. Hindlimb reaches wrist or elbow of. adpressed forelimb. Scales on soles of feet sharply keeled and spinose; :subdigital'lamellae uni- or tricarinate. Tail from Ii to Ii times length .of head and body. . Colour: Variable, (a). uniform brown to blackish-brown above (sometimes a few scattered pale specks in young); below dirty cream, more or less infused with greyish-brown; chin and throat often .rosy r ) 1 1 0 2 Fig, 104, d e t a Fig, 104. Mahuya striata (T,M. No, 16878-0kosongomingo), dorsal view of head . d . Fig. 105. Mabuya striata (T.M. No. 16878), side view of head. ( r e h 'l'ed or black. (b) Olive,. olive brown to dark brown above, with a s i l pale' olive yellow dorsolateral streak extending to rump, often b u indistinct or restricted to forepart of back; a dark brown or black P e band on side of head and neck. extending above ear to shoulder; h t .apart from pale dorsolateral streak, back may be uniform, speckled, y b spotted or longitudinally striated with dark brown to blackish and d e pale brown to yellowish; head uniform, dark spotted or with shields t n ·darlt-edged; under parts dirty white to bluish-white, uniform or with a r g ·darker speckling or infusions, throat usually dark-spotted, often in e c longitudinal series; breeding males often orange to 'orange red on n e sides of head and neck. c i l Dimensions: Male (T.M. 17002-0ndonga), H. & B. 84, tail 111, r e length head 18.8, breadth head 13, forelimb 28, hindlimb 38 mm. d n (Known to reach 100 mm. or more for length head and body). u y Field notes: A hardy, versatile, active and adaptable species, a w found over a wide range of ecological coriditions from sea level to e t nio:mfain top and from desert'to tropical bush country. As regards a G habitat, they appear to be equally at home on the ground, among t e rocks and boulders and in trees; they are swift runners and often n i b make quite considerable leaps when pursuing their prey; in trees, a S they rival the ability of many specialised forms, running up vertical y b trunks and along branches with the greatest ease. They are very d common in and around human habitations, where they live in stone e c u d 231 o r p e R walls, roofings, outbuildings, refuse heaps, rockeries etc. Though their staple diet consists of insects (such as beetles, flies, mantids. ants, termites etc.) and other small invertebrates, they are also partial on occasion to vegetable matter, fruit and even carrion. The young, from 5-10 in number and measuring from 2~-3 inches in length. are born in late summer or autumn, and females have been found (in S.W: Africa) bearing well-developed embryos even in mid-winter . .. Distribution: From the northern parts of the Cape Province throughout the rest of Southern Africa and thence north to Central and East Africa. Recorded localities: Aliwal North; Ugie: Indwe: Ntlolas; Emfundisweni; Steinkopf; BIackridge. E. Griqualand: Louis vafe; Hope's Mtn.; Serowe; Aukaikas; Rehoboth; Aroab; Keetmans hoop; Omataku River; Glentig; Sabie; Kaapmuiden; Heidelberg, Tvl.: Kalkbank nr. Pietersburg; N'Tambanana; Driefontein; Sesheke, Barotseland (AM.). Mariannhill. (AM. & D.M.). Francistown; Ky Ky: Rietfontein: Lower Molopo (A.M. & K.M.). Kimberley (AM., KM .. S.AM. & T.M.). Mont aux Sources (AM. & N.M.). Salisbury (A.M. &: S.A.M.). Johannesburg (AM., S.AM.. & T.l'4.). Okahandja (A.M. & T.M.). Umsinene Drift (B.M.). Beaumont (D.M.). Niekerkshoop: Campbell; PostmasbUfg; Koegas; Prieska; Witput Sdng.: Draghoender -Marydale; Witsands: Genesa; Vryburg; Mafeking: Danielskuil; Fort Richmond; Towani: Orange River Stn.; Tyateneng & Maluti Mts., Basutoland; Vrede; Immigrant; Bloemfontein; Douglas; Boshof; Lobatsi; Mahalapye; Ramathlabama; Swart Modder; Sandfontein. nr. Gobabis; Albrechts; Rikat1a; Eldorado; Umvuma; Pienaars River; Linokana; Premier Mine; Dry Harts Stn. (KM.). Bulawayo (KM. N.M., R.M. & S.AM.). Upington; Plumtree; Insiza: Marandellas (K.M. & S.A.M.). Hopetown; Nosop River; Pretoria (KM. & T.M.). Telle Junction, Herschel; Tweedie; Nongoma; Indukuduku; Mseleni: J:ietermaritzburg; Krantzkop; Dargle (N.M.). Giants Castle; Ubombo ) (N.M. & T.M.). Barberton (P.E.M. & SAM.). O'okiep; Smithfield: 1 1 0 Kroonstad; Sesfontein; Otjikondo-Kamanyab; Otjitambi: Warmbad. 2 north; Outjo; Namakunde; Aminuis; Kiries West; Louis Trichardt: d e t Masieni; Mazoe; Sinoia;' Matopos (S.A.M.). Junction Nosop & Oup a d Rivers; Delagoa Bay; Livingstone (S.A.M. & T.M.). Fourteen Streams: ( r Kuruman; Kakamas; Bothaville; Oxford; Van Zylsrust; Witdraai; e h Hakskeen Pan; Gaberones; Kuke, Koatwe & Gemsbok Pans; Su"nny s i l side-Machumi Piom; Mabeleapudi; Lake N'gami; Toten; Maun; b u ~haleshonto; Kwaai; Tsotsoroga; Kasane; N'kate; Makarikari Pan; P e Titumi; Namutoni; Ondonga; Oshikango; Ekuma River; nr. Outjo; h t Kamanyab: Kalkveld; Swakopmund; Okosongomingo; Gt. Waterberg; y b Basserman: Omaruru; Erongo Mtn.; Karibib; Windhoek; Asab; Kobos; d e Sinclair Mine; Berseba; Doornkop, nr. Belfast; Warmbaths; Wakker t n stroom; Morgenzon; Rustenburg; Brits; De Kroon; Wonderfontein; a r g Koster; Ermelo; Nylstroom; ·Vygeboompoort; Moorddrift; Pietersburg; e c N'Wanedsi, Brak & Magalakwin River Districts, N. Tvl.; Mopani; Gt .. n e SaItpan; Entabeni; Krabbefontein; Medingen; Shilowane; Woodbush: c i l Tzaneen; Metlepetsi Riv.; Griffin Mine; Sekororo; Gravelotte; r e Mokeetsi; Selati; Lydenburg; Farms Venice & Madrid,Brak River, d n E. Tv!.: Elandshoek; Louws Creek; Hectorspruit; Komatipoort; u y Weenen: nt. Ladysmith; Pongola; Hluti-Goedgegun; Maputa; a w Mazambo; Simwayani, Fort Victoria; Figtree; Vumba Mtn.; Mt. e t Silinda; Birchenol).gh Bridge (T.M.). Nr. Witbank (W.U.M.). a G t Remarks: Types in Berlin Museum. M. grutzneri, described from e n i Gerlachshoop by Peters (1869, p. 433), was based on a colour variety b a of M. striata, as pointed out by Sternfeld (1911, p. 420) who examined S y the types. b d e c 232 u d o r p e R RIOPA Gray. Riapa Gray, 1839, Ann. Mag. N.H., II, p. 3:12 (type, punctata). Boulanger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 211. M. A .. Smith, 1935. Fauna Brit .. Ind., II,. p .. 312. • Campsodactylus Cocteau, 1837, in Dumcril. C. R. Acad. Sci. 'IV, p. 15 '(nomen nudum). Dumeril & Bibron, 1839, Erp. Gen., V. 'po 76l. Chiamela and Hagria Gray, 18:19, A.M.N.H., II. pp. 332 & 333. Liosoma (non Brandt) Fitzinger, 1843, Syst. Nat., p. 22. Sphenostoma (non Dejean) and Eugongylus Fitzinger, 1843, SysL Nat., p. 23. Mochlus Gunther, 1864, P.Z.S. Lond., p. :108. Eumecia Bocage; 1870, Jorn. Sci. Lisb., III, p. 67. Sepacontias Gunther, 1880, AM.N.H. (5) VI, p. 235. Palatine bones in contact with one another mesially; pterygoid bones in contact anteriorly. the palatal notch not extending forwards. to between the centres qf the eyes; pterygoid teeth absent, or reduced to Qne or two minute ones; maxillary teeth· conical. Eyelids well developed, the lower one scaly or' with a more or less transparent disc. Nostril pierced ih the nasal: supra nasals entire or united anteriorly with the nasal; pre.frontals, frontoparietal (s) and inter parietal distinct. Ear-opening distinct but tympanum deeply sunk. Limbs short or vestigial. . Terrestrial and subtertestrial in habits. represented in South Africa by a single species. . . Distribution: Ranging from Polynesia and Australia to Southern Asia' and Africa (north of the Vaal River). RIOPA SUNDEVALLII (A. Smith). (Text-figs. 108 & 109; Plate XXII, fig. 3). Sundeval's Skink. Eumices (Riopa) sunderallii A. Smith. 184~, Ill. Zool. S. Afr. Rept. App., ) p. 11 (Type locality: 'Country to the eastward of Cape Colony,' i.e. 1 1 probably Natal). 0 Eumeces ajer 2 Peters, 1854, Bcr. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 619. d 'Eumeces reticulqtus Peters, 1862, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 23 . e t . Mochlus punctatus Gunther, 1864, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 308, and ZooL Rec., a d p. III (Zambesi). ( Machlus ajer Bocage, 1867, Jom. Sci. Lisb., I, p. 222, pI. III, fig. 2. r e Eumeces perdicicolor Cope, 1868, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 317 h s (Zanzibar). . i l b Eumeces (Senira) dumerili Steindachner, 1870, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, LXII, 1, u p. 341, p1. III, fig. 5 (Zanzibar). P Eumeces sundevallii Peters, 1882, Reise n. Mossamb., III; p. 75, PI. XI,. e h figs. 2, 2a-c (Portu. E. Afr. locs.). t y Euprepes chaperi Vaillant, 1884, Bull. Soc. Philom. (7). VIII, p. 169, & b Bull. Soc. Zool. France, p. 346, pI. XII, fig. 2 (Gold Coast) .. d e Lygasoma sundevallii Boulcnger, 1887, Cat. Liz.. III, p. 307 (Natal). t n . Bocage, 1895, Hcrp. Angola, p. 49 ·(Angola locs.), and 1896, Jorn. Sci. a r Lisb. (2) IV, p. 88 (Beira). Boulenger, 1902, P.Z.S. Lond .. II, p. 17 g (Mashonaland), and 1907, II, p. 486 (Beira). Chubb, 1909, P.Z.S. Lond .. e c P. 594 (Bulawayo). Boulenger, .1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V. p. 486 n e (Salisbury; Damaraland). Werner, 1910, Jena. DenKschr., XVI, p. c i l 350 (Sekuaa-Khakhca, Kalahari). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II, r e pp. 9,'} & 100 (Bandolierkop; Hectorspruit; Wonderboom (nr. Pretoria); d Windhoek; Serowe). Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2. n u p. 41, text-fig. 49 (Gobabis; Outjo; Neu-Barmen; Rehoboth), and y Mittl. Zoo 1. Mus. Berl., V, p. 408 (Outjo and Gobabis). Hewitt & a w Power, 1913. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., III, p. 159 (Lake N'Gami;. e t Ky Ky). Werner, 1915, in Michaelsen. Land u. Siisswasser Fauna a Deutsch. Sudwestafrikas, I, p. 352 (Grootfontein, Damaraland). G t Schmidt, 1919. Bul. Amer. Mus. N.H., XXXIX, p.' 561, pI. XXIX e Congo locs.). Cotto 19:14, P.Z.S. Lond., p.168, text-fig. 3 (Portu. E. Afr. n i b locs.). FitzSimons. 1935, Ann. Tv!. Mus., XVI, p. 372 (Kaotwe, Okwa a Riv.-Damara Pan, van Zyl's Cutting, Gemsbok and Machumi Pan . S y . Kalahari; Mabeleapudi-Lake N'Gami; Mothlatlogo; Kabulabula; b Kalakamati; Plumtree; Matopos), and 1937, XVII, p. 269. d e c 233 u d o r p e R Lygosoma (Riopa) sllndevallii Lampe, 1911, Jahrb. Nassau. Ver. Naturk .. 64, p. 175 (Rietmond, S.W. Afr.). Riopa sundevaHii Parl~cr. 19:;6. Novit. Zoot, XL. p, 139 (Okahanpja). FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. TVl. Mus., XIX, p. 204 (Ondonga; Okaukuejo: Outjo), and 1939, XX, p. :l7 (Tanganda River and Birchenough Bridge, S,R.). Riop(l WndeV(lttii sundevallii Mertens. 1937, Abh. Senck. Naturf. Mus .. 435. p. 11 (Inhaminga, Portu. E. Afr.). . Description: Snout short, rounded, depressed; no canthus rostralis. Lower eyelid scaly. Body much elongated and subcylindrical, Limbs weak, short and pentadactyle. Nostril directed outwards and slightly upwards. Supranasals entire. in contact with one another behind rostral. Frontonasal much broader than long, in broad contact with frontal. Prefrontals widely separated, smalL in contact with loreals. Frontal 7-sided, about as long as frontoparietals + interparietal, usually in contact with 1st and 2nd supraocu!ars, exceptionally with 3rd. Frontoparietals equal to or larger tlian interparietal. Parietals in contact behind interparietal. 5 Supraoculars, 1st just separated f?'om or touching prefrontal. 5th very small. 6-8 Supraciliaries, 1st and last largest. No elongate nuchal shields. 6 Upper labials, 4th and 5th lying below eye (i.e. suboculars), 4th' largest. Ear-opening small .a.nd rounded. 6 Lower labia Is. Mental subpentagonal, followed by a pentagonal post-mental; 5 enlarged chin-shields on each side (in .contact with lower labials), anteriormost pair'usually in contact with c·ne another, sometimes separated. Scales on body subequal; usually ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d ( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b Fig ]08 d e t VieW n .Fig. lOS. Riopa s!(ndevaUii (T.M. No lS701-Birchenough Bridge). dorsal of head. a r Fig. 109. Riopa simdevallii (T.M. No lS701). side vjew of head . g e c .smooth, or dorsals sometimes tri- or quinquecarinate: 26-28 scales n e c round middle 'of body. Preanal scales not enlarged. Limbs short. i l r pentadactyle and when adpressed still widely separated; digits short e d and compressed; 3rd and 4th toes subequal or more often 4th a little n u longer; scales on sales of feet flattened: subdigital lamellae feebly y a unicarinate, 11-14 under 4th toe. Tail short, thick, cylindrical, shorter w e than head and body, ending in a sharp point. t a G Colour: Olive brown, brown, rufous or purplish-brown above; t e uniform, scales dark-margined or most often each scale bearing a n i dark spot or short streak, which form regular longitudinal series b a S above and on the sides; latter paler than above. Below, yellowish y white, tinged with flesh colour, usually uniform, occasionally dotted b d with brown laterally and under tail. e c u 234 d o r p e R Dimensions: (T.M. 13146-Zeekoegat). H. & B. 82, tail 70, length head 12.5, breadth head 9.2, forelimb 10, hindlimb 18 mm. Field notes: Usually found in sandy savannah and open bush veld countlY where they lead a largely subterrestrial existence. In their search for food they often burrow to the surface of the ground. and are exposed on turning over stones, logs. accumulations of dead leaves and other debris. They are particularly fond of old camp .sites, manure heaps and termite hills. and when plenty of food is, available will often remain in one spot for a considerable length of time. In rapid movement. they progress in a wriggling snake-like fashion, in which the limbs appear to be of little assistance. In the Kalahari and South West Africa they are known as 'Springslange.' and erroneously assumed to be deadly poisonous and able to jump off the ground at their intended victims; specimens (i.e. when dried .and powdered) are nevertheless greatly prized by the natives as an antidote against snake bite. The tail is very brittle and easily broken . ..and consequently it is seldom an adult is found. with the original tail .complete; reproduced tails are often bifurcate. Their food consists largely of insects, such as beetles and their larvae, crickets, termites, ants, caterpillars, grasshoppers. etc., together· with other small invertebrates like woodlice, spiders and their egg-cases, soft snails and myriapods. Oviparous. producing from 2-6 (usually 4) eggs at ,a time; these are white and oval. measuring from 18-19 X 9-11 mm., and are laid during summer in a suitable nook underground, particu!arly in termitaria; the newly emerged young measure from 50-55 mm. in total length. Distribution: From northern Natal. Transvaal. Kalahari and Damar-aland in the south, extending northwards to tropical Gentral .~rid East Africa. Recorded localities: Messina; Serowe; Omatjenne; ) 1 ,Grootfontein. Damaraland; Mtoko; Gwanda: Monte Cassino, nr. 1 0 Macheke: Gwelo: Tshabanda Valley; Rusape;Plumtree; Musami; 2 Empandeni (A.M.). Salisbury (A.M. & SAM.). Matopos (A.M. & d e t T.M.). Leydsdorp (P.E.M. & T.M.). Bulawayo: Wankie; Syringa a d (R.M.). Junction Marico & Crocodile Rivs.; Otjiwarongo;' Namutoni; ( r Warmbad & Kaoko Otavi, Kaokoveld; Sandup; Insiza (S.A.M.). e h ·Ondonga (S.A.M. & T.M.).. Crocodilepoort; Punda Maria; Farms s i l . Middlesex' on Elyde Riv .. 'Venice' & 'Madrid' on Brak Riv., and b u . Zeekoegat' on Olifants River. E. Tvl.; Hectorspruit; Shaholle & P e .Silwaile, Leydsdorp Dist.; Letaba; Koedoespoort; Silverton; Wonder h t boom: Roodeplaat: Rustenburg: Vygeboompoort; Zondagfontein, nr. y b Potgietersrust; Wilhanshohe. N'Jelele & Brak Rivs., Zoutpansberg d e Dist: Waterpoort; Bandolierkop; Kaotwe; Gemsbok & Machumi Pans; t n Lake N'Gaml: Kabulabula: Kalakamati; Windhoek; Okaukuejo a r g nr. ·Outjo; Beatrice Mine. Marandellas; Tanganda River; Birchenough e c Bridge (T.M). . n e Remarks: Type in the British Museum of Natural' History. c i l r e ABI"EPHARUS Fitzinger . d n u ..4btevtwTU,sFitzinger. 1823, in Lichtenstein, Vel'. Doubl. Zool. Mus. Berlin, y p.l03 (type: PQIl1l0nicus = brandti). and 1824, Verh. Ges. Naturf. a Freunde, Berlin, 1, p. 297, and 1826, Neue Classif. Rept., p. 26. Wagler, w e 1830, Syst. Amph., p. 156. Wiegmann, 1834, Herp. Mex., p. 11. t a Dumeril & Bibron, 1839. Erp. Gen., V, p. 806. Gray, 1845, Cat. Liz., G p. 63. Strauch. 1868. Me!. Bio!. Ac. St. Petersb., VI, p. 553, and Bull., t e XII. p. 359. Boulenger. 1887. Cat. Liz., III, p. 344, and 1890, Fauna n i Brit. Ind .. p. 213. and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 482. Mertens & b a Muller, 1929, Zool. Am., CXXXIV, 11/12, p. 299. M. A. Smith, 1935, S Fauna Brit. Ind., II, p. 309. y b Lerista Bell, 1833, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 99. Wiegmann, 1834, Herp. Mex .. p. 11. d e Dumeril & Bibron, 1839, Erp. Gen., V, p. 823. Gray, 1845, Cat. c u Liz., p. 66. d o 235 r p e R Crupioblephal'us Wiegmann, 1834, Herp. Mex.,p. 12. and 1835, Nov. Act. Ac. Leop. Carol., XVII. p. 202. Gray, 1845, Cat. Liz., p. 64. Stejneger. 1907, Herp. Japan, p. 225. . Microb!epharis and Oph'iopsis Fitzinger. 1843, Syst. Rept.. p. 23.' Morethia, Menetia & Micu!ia Gray, 1845, Cat. Liz., pp. 65 & 66. Panaspis Cope, 1868, Proc. Acad. Philad .. p. 317. Blepharosieres Stoliczka, 1872, Proc. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, p. 74. Phaneropus Fischer, 1881, Arch. Naturg., p. 236. Palatine and pterygoid bones ·in contact mesially, the palatal notch not extending forwards to between the centres of the eyes. Pterygoids toothless. Maxillary teeth conicaL Lower eyelid with a' large transparent disc, which is immovable and completely covers the eye. Eat-opening distinct or hidden. Nostril pierced in the nasal: supranasals present or absent: Scales smooth. Limbs more or less developed, each with 5 'digits or latter reduced in number. Small,' diurnal, oviparous skinks, represented in South Africa by a single species. Distribution: Australia, Polynesia, East Indies, South-western Asia to South-eastern Europe and Africa (excluding the extreme South). ABLEPHARUS WAHLBERGII (A. Smith). (Text-figs. 106 & 107). Wahlberg's Dwarf Skink. CryptobLepltarus wah!bergii A. Smith, 1849, III. Zool. ·S. Afr. Rept. App.; p. 10 (Type locality: . Country to the eastward of thc Cape Colony,' i.e. Natal). Cope, 1862, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad., p. 3:39 (Umvoti, Natal). Ablepharus menestriesii (non Bibron) Bianconi, 1851, Spec. ZooL . IVI'ossam b., p. 62. AbLepharus wah!bergii Peters, 1882, Reise n. Mossamb .. III. p. 77. pI. XI, ) figs. 3, 3a-c (Inhambane. Portu. E. Afr.). Boulenger, 1887. Cat.' Liz., 1 III, p. 350 (Natal). ~Bocage, 1895, Herp. Angola. p. 52. pI. V, figs. 2, 1 0 . 2a-c (Angola locs.), and 1896, Jorn. Sc. Lisb. (2) IV, p. 88 (Inhambane; 2 Quelimane). Roux, 1907, Zool.· Jahrb. Syst.. XXV, p. 435 (Ladysmith d e t & Durban; Transvaal). Boulenger, 1908. Ann. Natal Mus., I, p. 226 a (Umfolosi Drift; Kosi Bay; Ubombo). Odhner, 1908. Ark. Zool. Stock d ( holm, IV, No. 18, p. 4 (Durban; Indukuduku & Umfolosi). Boulenger, r e 1910, Ann. S. Air. Mus., V, p. 486 (Malvern; Johannesburg). Hewitt,_ h II, & s 1910, Ann. Tvl. Mus" pp. 95 100 (Pretoria; Warmbaths; Louws i l Creek; Waterval Onder). Sternfeld, 1911, Mitt!. Zool. Mus. Berl., V, b u p. 417 (Tete,. P.E. Afr.). Hewitt & Power. 1913, Proc. Roy. Soc. S. P Afr., III, p. 159 (El Dorado, S.R.). Hewitt, 1929, Ann. TvL Mus., e h XIII, pl. L figs. B & 10. Cott, 1934, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 170 (Fambani & t Amatongas, P.E. Atr.). FitzSimons, 19:15, Ann. Tv!. Mus., XVI, p. 373 y b (Tsotsoroga Pan; Kasane; Kalakamati), and 1937. XVII. p. 269, and d e XX, p. 37 (Birchenough Bridge-Umtali; Mt. Silinda). Hoffman, 1940, t n SooI. Navors. Nas. Mus. Bloemftn., I, p. 104 (Ngobevu, Grey town). a r See!ates bipes (non Linn.) Boulenger, 1907, Ann. Nat. Mus., I, p. 226 g (Indukuduku). e c n e Description: Snout short, obtuse, not projecting beyond labial c i l margin. Head short, as broad as neck. Eye large, round, with no r e movable eyelids, and surrounded more or less by a circle of granules. d n Nostril pierced in the nasal and directed outwards. Rostral in wide u y contact with frontonasal, which is broader than long and in good a w contact with frontal behind, separating prefrontals. Frontal longer e t than broad, subhexagonal, about equal to its distance from end of a G snout, in contact with first supraocular and in short contact with the t e large frontoparietal shield behind: latter, largest head shield, n i b distinctly broader than long, posterior border sinuate and indented a S mesially. Interparietal small but distinct. Parietals in good contact y behind interparietal. Usually one or two pairs of elongate nuchal b d shields adjoining parietals behind. 3 Supra oculars, 1st very large, e c u 236 d o r p e R larger th~m '2nd and 3rd together, in short contact with prefrontal anteriorly. 4---5 (usually 5) Supraciliaries, 1st largest. A small triangular postnasal bordering nostril behind; anterior loreal usually somewhat vertically e'longate, sometimes strongly so; a sub quadrangular posterior loreal followed by two small superimposed preoculars. 6 Upper labials (exceptionally' 5) anterior to subocular, which is not narrowed inferiorly, distinctly longer than deep and ·as i'mg as or a "little longer than 3rd· and 4th labials together. Ear opening exposed, moderate, rounded. Mental sub triangular, followed behind by a subpentagonal postmental, which is much broader than long; six 10V{er labials; 4---5 enlarged chin-shields on each side in contact with Im,veT labials, two anterior pairs bnly appreciably enlarged, first pair only in median contact with one another'. Scales on body subequal, smooth, 24-26 round middle of ·body. Two slightly enlarged preanal scales. Limbs short and pentadactyle and T I ~I 7·5 rnm. l ) 1 1 0 2 Fig. 106. d e AblephuTlts wahlbergii t Fig. 106. (T.M. No. 15068-Pn1maryville). dorsal view of head. a Fig. 107. Ablepharlls wahtbergii (T.M. No. 1506B\, side view of head. d ( r e when adpressed are still widely separated; 4th toe longer than 3rd; h s i l subdigital lamellae unicarinate. Tail a little longer- than head and b u body (from Ii; to 1":!,; times). . P e Colour: Above, olive brown to brown, uniform or with 6 longi h t tudinal dark brown to blackish lines over back (arising just anterior y b to shoulder level. the two median lines sometimes c:ose together and d e t almost uniting to form a single thicker vertebral stripe), two median n a lines only contil1Uing ov'er tail and eventually uniting distally; usually r g a pale yellowish dorsolateral line, arising in front of the eye, passing e c along supraciliaries to base of tail; a very dark brown to blackish n e c b~.md, (sometimes absent or ill-defined) on each side from nostril, i l passjng through eye. above ear-opening and along body and. tail, . r e d often bounded below by a white stripe from upper labials, through n u ear to groin. Lower surfaces white, yeflowish-white, greyish- to y bluish-white; breeding males usually rosy pink on chin, throat, anal a w region and under tail. e t a Dimensions: Male (T.M. 18576-Mt. Silinda:), H. & B. 42, tail 53, G t length head 8, breadth head 5.5, forelimb 9, hindlimb 12 mm. Female e n i (T.M. 19238-Louis Trichardt),' H. & B. 44, tail 57, length head 6.8, b a breadth head 4.8, forelimb 7, .hindlimb 11 mm. S y Field notes: These' active little skinks are usually found in b sheltered grassy spots, in termite hills, under stones and rotting logs d e c u 237 d o r p e R or among fallen leaves and brushwood lying in moist shady places, Their favourite food appears to be termites, but when these are not available, beetles and their larvae, cockroaches, homopterous bugs. caterpillars, ants, woodlice. spiders and even small centipedes are readily taken. The eggs, from 2-6 in number. are oval, white and measure 6.5-9 X 4.8-5 mm.; these are usually laid in spring or early summer and deposited for incubation under stones, logs, etc., lying on moist ground or among the roots of bushes, shrubs and trees; newly hatched young measure from 30-35 mm. in total length. Distribution: From Natal. Zululand .Transvaal. northern Bechuanaland Protectorate. Damaraland, K'aokoveld and Southern Angola, northwards to Central and East Africa. Recorded localities: Drummond; Margate; Pietermaritzburg; Umgababa; Junctioll Umfolosi Rivers; Kosi Bay; Indukuduku; Ndumu; Leeuwdoornsstad; Honing~ fontein, nr. Nylstroom; Sabie; Okahandja; Salisbury; Rusape;. Empandeni; Driefontein (A.M.). Doornkop, nr. Belfast (A.M. & D.M.). Mariannhill (A.M. & K.M.). Niekerkshoop? (B.M.). Eshowe; Clair wood; N'GxwalaHill, nr. Ubombo (D.M.). Durban (D.M., K.M .. N.M., RM. & T.M.). Pretoria (D.M. & T.M.). Amanzimtoti; Eldorado (K.M.). Nelshoogte (N.M.). Ingwavuma (N.M., S.A.M. & T.M.). Mariepskop (P.E.M. & T.M.). Bulawayo; Redbank (RM.). Malvern. Natal: Johannesburg; Korosavi; Kaoko Otavi (S.A.M.). N'Tambanana: Mahlabatini; Empangeni; Weenen; Pinetown; Waterval Boven: Waterval Onder; Nelspruit; Godwan River; Farm 'Zeekoegat' on Olifants River & 'Venice' on Brak River. E. Tvl.; Irene; De Kroon; Rustenbu'rg; Magaliesbcrg; Warmbaths; Boekenhout; Palala River. Waterberg Dist.; Venterskroon: Bothaville; Pietersburg; Haenertsburg: Woodbush; Medingen.; N'Jelele River; Louis Trichardt; Lake Fundusi: Entabeni; Palmaryville: Punda Maria; Tsotsoroga Pan; Kasane: Kalakamati; Vumba Mtn.; Birchenough Bl'idge-Umtali; Mt. Si]inda; ) 1 Masieni. (T.M.). 1 0 2 Remarks: Neither of the two specimens in the British Museum d e t . (N.H.) regarded as the types, agree with the dimepsions given by a d A. Smith. A specimen in the Natal Museum. identified by Boulenger ( r (1907, p. 226) as Scelotes bipes, proves to be Ablepharus wahlbergii. e h There is, in the Bloemfontein Museum, a specimen recorded from s i l Niekei'kshoop, v.:hich is a little doubtful. b u P e h t TYPHLACONTIAS Bocage. y b d TyphLacontias Bocage. 1873. .Jorn. SCI. Lisb.. XV. p. 21:3 (typp: e t pl1nctatissiml1s). Boulenger, lR87, Cat. Liz:, 'III, p. 429. Bocage, 18!F)_ n a Herp. Angola, p. 56 ftn. r g e c Teeth conical, small and numerous; palate toothless. Eyes n e completely exposed, without even rudiments of eyelids. No. eal' c i l opening. Nostril pierced in the rostral, with the posterior border of r e which it is connected by an almost straight groove. Tongue squamous, d n feebly bifurcate or indented at the tip. Three transversely enlarged, u y azygous shields o"n the head between the rostral and the interparietal. a w Body elongate and limbless. Scales on body all smooth and imbricate. e t No preanal nOI' femoral pores. a G t Burrowing. wcrmlike skinks, l'epresented in South Africa by a e n i single species. b a S Distribution: Southern Angola and Upper Zambesi Region to y b 1'; gamiland. d e c 213 u d o r p e R TYPHLACONTIAS NGAMIENSIS FitzSimons. (Text-figs. 110 -112). N'Gami Legless Skink. Typhlacontias ngamiensis FitzSimons, 1932, Ann: Tvl. Mus., XV, p. 37, and 1935, XVI, p. :l74, figs. 17-19 (Type locality: Motlhatlogo. on. Lake Ngami, Ngamiland). Description: Snout rounded, strongly projecting with a sharlJ horizontal edge. Nostril pierced in a very large rostral, with the posterior border of 'which it is connected by an almost straight groove. No supranasals. Three bandlike shie1ds on head between rostral and interparietal, viz. a frontonasal (or internasal). a frontal (or fronto nasal) and a frontoparietal (or frontal); frontonasal a little broader than frontal, but distinctly shorter: frOl:toparietal hexagonal, much broader than long (over twice). narrower' than frontal but considerably longer. Interparietal very large, subpentagonal, anterior' l ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d ( r e h s i l b Fig. HO. Fig. 11l. u P (T.M. e Fig. llO. TlJphtacolLtias nganLiensis No. 14461-Lake Ngami), dorsal vie\\"' h of head. t y Fig. 11l. TlJphlacontias ngamiensis (T.M. No. 14461), underside of head. b d e t border straight, rounded behind and bordered by two narrow band n a r like parietals which are in contact with one another mesially. Pineal g e spot clearly visible about middle of interparietal. Length of rostral = c n frontal + frontoparietal, subequal to interparietal. much greater e c i than frontonasal + frontal. Two supraoculars, of which the posterior l r is a little larger than anterior. A loreal entering orbit or sometimes e d separated by a very narrow preocular. Eye bounded above by two n u supraciliaries, behind by two small postoculars and below by second y a UPPlOr labial. No subocular. Three upper labials, 1st largest and w e reaching well above terminus of nasal groove, 2nd subquadrangulal" t a and lying below eye. Three lower labials, 1st and 2nd subequal in G t size, last smaller. Mental large and subtriangular, followed behind' e n i by a large pentagonal postmen tal: three obliquely elongate chin-. b a shields on each side in contact with labials·, anterior pair not meeting S y mesially. Scales on body smooth, fiat, rounded and imbricate, in 13: b rows about middle of body. Preanal scales not enlarged. d e c ·239 u d o r p e R Colour: Above. rt pale pearly to purplish-grey, each scale bearing a small dark brown spot; over the two mid-dorsal scale rows these spots are confluent forming two dark longitudinal stripes, which fuse ·on head into a single median streak reaching anteriorly to middle of rostral; a dark dorsolateral stripe from loreal. through eye and continued over body and tail: on sides,. below dorsolateral stripe, dark spots on scales larger and darker, for most part conflu'ent and thus forming a broad dark lateral band (3--4 scale rows broad). Lower surface of body whitish, with scales dark-centred; underside tail creamy white, with a few scattered scales··d~rk-centred. Dimensions: Type (T.M. 14461), H. & B. 80, tail 45, length head 4.8, breadth head 3.1, diam. body <1 mm. Field notes: Subterranean in habits. but during and just after rain coming to near the surface of the ground and then found under :stories, logs, etc. or among leaf mould and rotting vegetable matter. ,--______~4·~5~m~~______~ / ) ) 1 1 0 2 d :Fig. 112. TyphlaconUas ngamiensis (T.M. No. 14461), side view of head. e t a d ( Distribution: Ngamiland to Southern Rhodesia. Recorded r e localities: Motlhatlogo. on Lake N'Gami (T.M.). Guizi, nr. Tshabanda h s i Valley, S. Rhodesia (A.M.). l b u P Remarks: Type in the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. There is e h t in the collection. of the South African Museum, a specimen described y b under the name brevipes (FitzSimons, 1939, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XX, d e p. 15, figs. 14-P) from (Cape Division '; this locality however, is t n a considered so unlikely, that the species has not been included in this r g .account of the South African Lizards. e c n e c i l ACONTIAS Cuvier. r e d Acontias Cuvicr, 1817, Regne Anim., II, p. 60 (typc: me!eagris). Wagler, n 1830, Syst. Amph., p. 196. Wiegmann, 18:34, Herp. Mex.,· p. 11. u y Dumeril & Bibron, 1838, Erp. Gen., V, p. 801. Gray, 1845, Cat. Liz., a p. 127. Hewitt, Hl09, Ann. Tvl. Mus., II. p. :18. Boulenger, 1910, w e Ann. S .. Afr. Mus., V, pp. 483 & 489. Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. t a Kalan., IV, 2, p. 42. Essex, 1927, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 894 (Limb-girdles). G t e AC01itias part., Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 424. n i b a Palatine bones not meeting along middle line of palate, which is S y toothless. Teeth coniCal. Eye 'small, with a t~ansparent or translucent b lower eyelid; upper eyelid absent. Ear-opening hidden. Rostral and d e c u 240 d o r p e R crental shields very large, the latter extending to below the eye. Nostril pierced in the large rostral shield, with the posterior border of which it is. connected by a long straight horizontal suture or groove. Interparietal narrower than frontal. Supranasals, prefrontals and frontoparietals absent. Body much elongate and cylindrical, covered with smooth imbricate scales: a single large preanal plate present. Limbs absent. Tail" very short. These Umble'ss skinks, possessing only vestiges of the pectoral and pelvic girdles, live a burrowing subterranean life and are viviparous. Boulenger (1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 424) included under .Acontias species from Ceylon and Madagascar, whid~ are now regarded as generically distinct and placed under Nessia Gray,and Pseudacontias Hewitt, respectively. Represented in South Africa by 11 species and. subspecies. Distribution: South Africa, extending northwards to East Africa . . Key to the South African Species and Subspecies of ACONTIAS. 1 Snout rounded and moderately projecting;· lower eyelid· transculent; tail cylindrical throughout .. 2 Snout 'subcuneiform, much depressed, with a sharp horizontal strongly projecting .edge; lower eyelid transparent; tail depressed distally and distinctly flattened 'below .. 10 2 rail not or but very slightly tapered, bluntly rounded at end 3 Tail more or less distinctly tapered, obtusely pointed at end 5 3 Two supraoculars; three continuous dark stripes under tail A. meleagris Iineicauda Hwt., p. 244 Three supraoculars; under surface of tail usually unstriped .. 4 4 Two median dorsal rows of scales broader than long; usually 16 or 18 scales round middle of body; more or less uniformly ) 1 1 coloured above, or. if stripes present, in the form of 0 2 . longitudinal series of dark spots, which may fuse in varying d e degree but are never broader than the pale interspaces t a . A. meleagris meleagris (Linn.), p. 242 d ( r Two median dorsal rows of scales much broader than long; 14 e h s or 16 scales round middle of body; bright yellow above with i l b dark brown continuous longitudinal stripes, the two median u P of which are broadest and much broader than the pale e interspaces h t p. 244 y A. meleagris orientalis Hwt., b .' d e t 5 More or less uniformly dark brown to black above and below 6 n a Uniformly brown to lead grey or spotted above, pale r g (immaculate or spotted) below .. 7 e c 6 Snout somewhat elongate; usually only 2 suboculars present; n e c 18 or 20 scales round middle of body; 150-162 ventrals i l r A. plumbeus plumbeus Bianc., p. 245 e d n Snout short; Usually 3 suboculars; about 16 scales round middle u y of body; 168-177 ventrals a A. plumbeus occidentaIis Fitz., p. 247 w e t a 7 Tail strongly tapering 8 G t Tail at most moderately tapering .. 9 e n i 8 Tail tapering sharply almost to a point, unusually slender b a distally; interparietal not elongated; pigmentation sparse and S . usually confined to scale margins y b A. plumbeus namaquensis Hwt., p. 247 d e c 241 u d o r p e R Tail tapering gently, not so markedly slender and pointed at tip; interparietal elongated; colouring more or less uniform above (series of spots present .in young only) A. plumbcns gracilicalLda Essex. p. 248 9 Head broad behind and snout short: subcaudclls very strongly broadened; scales above well-marked with dark transverse spots or bars, paler below A. plumbells breviceps Essex, p. 249' Head not strongly broadened behind and snout moderately . elongate: subcaudals' very strongly broadened: more or less uniformly coloured above, or sometimes (in young) with series' of dark spots or scales dark margined A. plumbeus tasmani Hwt., p.250 10 A single large. somewhat elongate supra ocular; three supra':' . ciliaries; when stripes are present, usually. only four are continuous A. lineatus lineatlLs Pet., p. 251 Two supraoculars present. corresponding to the single one of lineatus; usually 4 supraciliaries; at least 6 continuous longitudinal dark stripes usually present A. lineatus ora.ngensis Hwt., .p. 253 ACONTIAS MELEAGRIS MELEAGRIS. (Linnaeus). (Text-figs ll:3 & 114). ) Golden Sand Skink; Spotted Slow Skink; Thick-tailed Blindworm. 1 1 Erdslang. 0 2 Anguis meleagris Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat., Ed. 10, I, p. 227, and 1766. d Ed. 12, I, p. 390 (Type locality: 'In Indiis' Note: probably from e t Cape of Good Hope). . a d Eryx meleagris Daudin, 180a, Hist. Rept., VII, p. 272. ( r Acontias'meleagris Merrem, ]820. Tent. Syst. Amph., p. 89. Guerin e h Meneville. 1829-44, Iconogr. Regne Anim. Rept., pI. XVII, fig. 3. s i l Dumeril & Bibron, 1839. Erpet. Gen .. V, p. 802, pl. LVIII, Gray, 1845, b u Cat. Liz .. p. 127. W. K. Parker, 1868, Roy. Soc. Pub!., pp. 91 & 97 P '(anatomy). Boettger, 1887, BeL Senck. Naturf. Ges., p. 151 (Malmes- e h bury). GilchrisJ, 1911, S. AfL Zoo!., p. 231. Rose, 1926. Ann. S. Afr. t Mus .. XX. p. 493 (Cape Flats; Robben Island). Essex, 1927, P.Z.S. y b & Land .. p. 895 et seq., text-figs. 25a, 25b, 26 28b (Limb-girdle), and d p. 934 (Hermanus). Rose, 1928, Nature Notes, No. 59, p. 7 & text-fig. e t on p. 8 of No. 58, and 1929, Veld & Vlei, p. 127, text-fig. 84. Hewitt, n a 1937, Guide Vert. Fauna E. Cape Provo S. Afr., II, p. 40, and 1938, r g Trans. Roy· Soc. S. Afr., XXVI. pp. 41 & 43 (Wellington; Paarl; e c Hermanus; Stellenbosch; Cape Peninsula; Devils Peak; Robben 1.; n e Knysna; nr. Cango Caves; Gt. Brak River; Humansdorp; GraaiI c i & l Reinet). de Villiers. 19:39, Anat. Anz. Jena. 88. Nr. 16/18, p. 320 12 r text-figs. (Anatomy). . . . e d .4contias me!eagris part.. Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz .. III, p. 427 (Cape of n u Good Hope). Raux. 19U7. Zool. Jahrb. Syst., XXV, p. 439 (Oudtshoorn; y Knysna; Table Mtn.; Cape Town). Boulenger, l!DO, Ann. S. Afr. a Mus., V, p. 489 (Cape Div.; Robben Malmesbury; GraafT-Reinet; w 1.; e t Clanwilliam; Worcester; Robertson). Hewitt, 19] 0, Ann. Tv!. Mus., a II, pp. 96 & 10], Hewitt & Power, 1913, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., G t III, p. 159 (Oudtshoorn; Kalk. Bay). e n i b Description: Head conical; snout obtusely rounded, pi'ojecting a S beyond labial margin. Ear hidden. Rostral very large, about as long y b as frontal + frontonasal, indented on either side at terminus of nasal d e 242 c u d o r p e R groove, equal in length to or a little longer than distance from anterior cornel' of eye ·to nostril. Frontonasal much broader than long (about 3 times). Frontal subhexagonal, broader than long, slightly narrower but much longer (H to 2 times) than frontonasal. Interparietal small. triangular (more or less equilateral), as broad as long or a little broader o~' shorter. Parietals usually in contact with one another behind interparietal, sides not parallel but converging towards one another. An elongate band-like nuchal shield on each side adjoining parietals behind. 3· Supraoculars, 1st about as large as other two together but not elongate, 3rd smallest. 4 Supraciliaries, 1st largest and 3rd smallest. Lower eyelid elongate and tranlucent. A preocular and three suboculars. 5 Upper labials, 1st highest and 5th longest:. first upper labial separated from frontonasal above by a semicircular scale Ooreal ?). Mental very large, extending to below middle of' eye. posterior border slightly notched in the middle. 3 Lower labials, ·last elongate. Scales on body hexagonal, those of the two median dorsal rows being distinctly broader than others: usually 18 (exceptionally 20) scales round body anteriorly and 16 (exceptionally 14) posteriorly. A single large, semicircular preanal shield, whose breadth is a little greater than distance from frontal E E ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d ( r e Fig. 113. h s Fig. 113. Acontias m. meleagris (T.M. No. 688-Knysna), dorsal view 'of head. i l Fig. 114. Acontias m. meleagris (T.M. No. 688), side view of head. b u P to tip of snout. Tail short, cylindrical, rouRded at end, not or but e h t feebly tapering, from a fifth to a ;=;ixthlength of head and body. y b 160-170 Ventrals from chin-shield to preanal plate: 30-40 sub d caudals, median dor~al series not very strongly broadened. e t n Colour: Above, olive brown, greyish-brown to dark liver-brown, a r g more or less uniform with scales paler edged, or with a darker e c concentration or spot on distal half of each scale, or yellow above with n e longitudinal series of dark purplish brown transversely elongate spots; c i l the dark area above (from 6 or 8 scale rows' broad) is usually sharply r e demarcated from the immaculate pale lower surfaces. or sometimes d n breaks up into series of spots. Below, yellowish, usually immaculate, u y sometimes with series of small dark spots on chin and throat and a a w few scattered dark spots over belly; under side tail usually with e t series of somewhat transversely elongate spots. Sometimes specimens a G are found which are yellow above, with 6-8 series (rarely 10) t e longitudinal series of dark spots, which may fuse in varying degree n i b to form stripes. a S Dimensions: (T.M. 688-Knysna), H. & B. 194, tail 36, breadth y b head 7.3, diam. body 8.8 mm. Note: A very large specimen, recorded d from Wellington (G. Theiler), has H. & B. 275, tail 42.5 mm. e c u d 243 o r p e R Field notes: Usually found in sandy soii admixed with yegetable matter, and often exposed on turning over' stones, logs etc: When placed on hard ground or such like surface, they move forward slowly and awkwardly by vigorous wriggling from side' to side i.n serpentine fashion. Owing to their hard. glassy-smooth surface and strenuous writhing, they are handled with difficulty. They live largely on small worms. insect larvae and other small creatures such as are to be found below ground. The young, usually from 3-4 in number, are born in late summe,' or early autumn and measure from 70-80 mm. in total length. Distribution: South, south-central and western Cape Province. Recorded localities Malmesbury: Worcester, Hermanus; Clanwilliam; Robertson; Rivierzondereinde; Rout Bay; George; Keurbooms River (S.A.M.). Robben 1. (A.M. & S.A.M.). Cape Town; Rex River; Gt. Brak River; Graaff-Reinet; Cango Caves Valley (AM.). Oudtshoorn; Mossel Bay (K.M.). Knysna (AM .. N.M. & T.M.). Zoetendal's Vallei; Seven Weeks Poort: Fraserburg Rd.; Avontuur (T.M.). Remarks: Type in Paris Museum? ACONTIAS MELEAGRIS ORIENTA LIS Hewitt. Eastern Striped Blindworm or Legiess Skink. Acontias meLeagris Hewitt. 1929, Ann. Tv!. Mus., XIII, p!. II, fig. 14 (Grahamstownl. Acontias meLeagris orientalis Hewitt, 1938, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., XXVI, p. 41. pl. III. fig. 2 (Type locality: Grahamstown. Recorded also from: Highlands, Coldspring, Alicedale. Aylesbury, Uniondale. Whitney, Cuylerville & Kleinmonde. Albany Dist.; Cape St. :"'rancis; East London; XukuJa, nr. Tabankulu. Transkei), and 1937, Guide Vert. Fauna E. Cape Provo S. Afr .. II, p. 41. Description: Very similar in general form to typical meIeagris, but with the two median dorsal rows of scales markedly broadened, ) 1 especially over middle and posterior part of body; tail thick and only 1 0 2 slightly tapering; 14 or 16 scales round body. d Colour: Above. bright yellow, with 6 dark liver brown to purplish e t a brown continuous stripes over back and tail, the two median dorsal d ( stripes are broadest and usually much broader than the pale inter r e spaces; posteriorly, these stripes broaden further and almost fuse with h s i one another on tail. On the sides, there are series of dark spots which l b usually fade out some distance anterior to vent, but often reappear u P on tail. Head densely infuscated above, usually with a pale spot on e h snout and head shields pale edged, or sometimes with irregular t y mottling and ·speckling. Below, uniformly pale yellowish-white. b d Dimensions: (T.M. 19286-Grahamsiown), R. & B. 202, tail 42, e t breadth head 7.6, diam. body 7.6 mm. . n a r Distribution: Eastern Cape Province. Recorded localities: g e Grahamstown; Farm 'Resolution.' nr. Fort Brown (AM., N.M. & c n T.M.). Highlands; Aylesbury; Alicedale; Uniondale; Whitney; Cuyler e c i ville; Kleinmonde; Bushmans River; Xhula, nr. Tabankulu, Transkei; l r Cape St. Francis (AM.). East London (A.M. & S.A.M.). Sandflats e d (S.A.M.). Port Alfred (T.M.). n u Remarks: Types in Albany Museum, Grahamstown. y a w e ACONTIAS MELEAGRIS LINEICAUDA Hewitt. t a G Acontias lineatus part., Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 489 t e . (Port Elizabeth; Dunbrody). Hewitt, '1910, Ann. Tv!. Mus., II, p. 101 n i (Port Elizabeth; Grahamstown). b a Acontias. meleagris lineicauda Hewitt, 1938, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., S XXVI, p. 39, pI. III, fig. 1 (Type locality: Dunbrody), and 1937, Guide y b . Vert. Fauna E. Cape Provo S, Afr., II, p. 41 (Sundays River; Red house; Port Elizabeth; Carlisle and Piggott Bridges, Albany Dist.). d e c u 244 d o r p e R Description: Formerly confused with A. lineatus. but actually more closely related to A. m. meleagris, from which it' is distinguish able on the following: form in general more slender; body and tail cylindrical, the latter being very slightly tapered and bluntly rounded at end; two supraocul<'lrs, the anterior large and longer than broad. 14 Scales round middle of body; the scales of the two median dorsal rows are broader than others; but not so markedly so as in orientaLis. Median ventral row of subcaudals often much broader than those adjoining. Colour: Above, yellow, with 6 continuous dark brown longitudinal stripes over body and tail, the two median dorsal stripes not or but little broader than those adjoining; stripes on body narrower than pale interspaces, but on tail as broad as or broader than interspaces (stripes much narrower and more clearly cut than in orientalis); on sides of body, a narrow stripe extends from back of eye to vent and below again are one or two series of small dark spots which usually extend but a little way beyond anterior half of body. Below. yellowish-white. with longitudinal series of small dark dots on chin ,md throat and three continuous dark stripes under tail. Dimensions: (T.M. 13607-nr. Fi'. Brown), H. & B. 143, tail 28, breadth head 4.7, diam. body 5.3 mm. Distribution: Eastern Cape Province. Recorded localities: Port Elizabeth (S.AM. & T.M.). Dunbrody; Redhouse (AM. & S.AM.). Plutos Vale; Middleton; Governor's Kop, Grahamstown; Shenstone; Carlisle Br. (AM.). 'Resolution,' nr. Ft. Brown (T.M.) . . Remarks: Types in the Albany Museum, Grahamstown. ACONTIAS PLUMBEUS PLUMBEUS Bianconi. (Text-figs. 11:i & 116; Plate XXII,. fig 4). Giant or Black Blindworm or Legless Skink. ) 1 Acontias pZumbea Bianconi, 1849, Spec. Zool. Mossamb., Rcpt., p. 35, pl. 11 1 0 (Type locality: Mossambique). 2 Acontias niger Peters, 1854, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 619. and 1855. d e 1,' t Arch. Naturg., XXI, p. 49 (Inhambane). Bocage, 18R8 . .Jam. Sci. a Lisb., VIII, p. 287. ' d ( Acontias pZumbeus Peters, 1882, Reise n. Mossamb., III, p. 81, pI. XII. r Boulenger. 1887, Cat. Liz .. III, p. 428. Bocagc. 1896, Jam. Sci. Lisb. e h (2) IV, p. 89 (Angache, Massambique). Raux. 1907, Rev. Suisse Zool.. s i l XV, p. 83 (Shilowane, N. Tv!,). Boulenger, 1908, Ann. N3t. Mus., I, p. b u 227 (Kosi Bay). and 1910. Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 489 (E Delagoa Bay). Essex, 1927, P.Z.S. Land., text-figs. 23 & 26c. Hewitt, e h 1910, Ann. Tv!. Mus., II, pp. 96 & 101 (Hectorspruit; Barberton; t Louws Creek; Mbabane). . . y b ? Acontias meleagris Raux, 1907, Rev. Suisse Zool., XV, p. 83 (Rikatlal. d Acontias meleagris part., Baulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus .. V, p. 4R9 e t (Delagoa Bay). n a r g Description: Head conical. somewhat elongate, though often (in e c old specimens) very broad across parietal region. Snout obtusely n e c rounded, projecting. Ear ·hidden. Rostral very large, notched on i l r either side at terminus of nasal groove. length (above) greater than e d that of frontal but less than frontonasal + frontal or distance from n u anterior corner of eye to nostril. Frontonasal 2 to 2i times as broad y a . as long. Fronta-l subhexagonaL as broad as or broader than fronto- w nasal. distinctly longer (up to times) than latter, broader than e g t a long.· Interparietal triangular, elongate and usually longer than G t broad. Parietals usually in contact with one another behind inter e n parietal. An elongate band-like nuchal shield on each side adjoining i b parietals behind. 3 Supraoculars, 1st longer (often distinctly so) than a S broad and usually larger (and longer) than .2nd and 3rd together, y b 3rd smallest. 4 Supraciliaries, 1st largest and 3rd smallest. Lower d e c 245 u d o r p e R eyelid narrow and elongate, translucent. Two suboculars, posterior much longer than anterior: a quadrangular pl'eocular; a semicircular scale Ooreal?) separating 1st upper labial from frontonasal above. 5 Upper labials, 1st to 4th vertically elongate (lst highest), 5th horizontally elongate and often as long asfii'st 4 together. Mental very large, extending backwards to below middle of eye, posterior border slightly notched in the middle. 3 Lowerlabials. Scales on body hexagonal above and subquadrangular belmN, those of the two median dorsal rows (even on nape) much the broadest; usually 18-20 scales round body anteriorly and 16-18 posteriorly. A single large semicircular preanal shield. which is twice as broad as long and whose breadth is about equal to or a little less than distance from frontal to tip of snout: 150-162' (average 154) ventrals in a straight r ,---___2g~ --, j Fig.llu. ~ Fig. 115 ) 1 Fig. 115. Acontias p. plumbeus (T.M. No. 13561-E. T\·l.l. dorsal view of head. 1 0 Fig. 11ti. Acontias p. plum/Jeus (T.M. No. 13561). side view of head. 2 d e t line from chin-shield to preanal plate. Tail very short and tapering, a d rounded at end; 26-30 subcaudals, median series strongly broadened. ( r Colour: Uniform dark brown. plumbeus or black above and e h s below; sometimes brown with more or less dense spotting of i l b darker brown. u P Dimensions: (T.M 4406-Barberton), H ..& B. 467. tail 78, breadth e h head 31.. diam. body 33 mm. t y Field notes: Similar in habits to A. meLeagris. Diet largely b d insectivorous, but small invertebrates such as worms. myriapods, etc., e t and even small frogs and toads, are often taken'. . n a r Distribution: Portuguese East Africa. eastern & north-eastern g e Transvaal. Swaziland, Zulu land and northern Natal. Recorded c n loca!ities: Lourenco Marques; Barberton (S.A.M. & T.M.). Masieni e c i (S:A.M.). Matse'Nase (K.M.). Blaauwberg; .Limpopo River; Metlepetsi l r e River; Medingen; Hectorspruit; Alkmaar: Louws Creek; Mbabane; d Goedgegun: N'Gxwala HilL Ubombo; Manaba; Ingwavuma; Sordwana; n u Maputa-Ndumu (T.M.), Piet Retief (P.E.M.). White River; y a N'Tambanana (A.M,). Pongola Riv .. nr. Ubombo; Nongoma; Kosi Bay; . w e & t Hluhluwe; Compensation Bay (N.M). st. Lucia Bay (N.M. T.M.) a Makowe (D.M.). G t Remarks: Types in Bologna University Museum, Italy. There' is e n i in the collection of. the South African Museum, a specimen' of typical b a plumbeus from East London; this single record, from so far south of S y the recognised range of plumbeus, 'is extremely doubtful and cannot b be accepted without confirmation. d e c u 246 d o r p e R ACONTIAS PLUMBEUS OCCIDENTALIS FitzSimons. Acontias plumbeus occidentalis FitzSimons, 1941, Ann. Tv!. Mus. XX. pt. :3, p. 275 (N. Transvaal, Kalahari & Damaraland). -I Acontias meleagris Boettger. 1894. Ber. Senck. Naturf. Ges., p. 80 (Rehoboth). Peracca, 1896, Bol, Mus. Zoo!. Anat .. XI, No. 255, p. 1 (Btwn. Kazangula & Bulawayo). Bocage .. 1896. Jorn. Sci. Lisb .. (2) IV, p. 118 (Bechuanaland). Boulenger. 1902, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 17 (Ma.shonaland) . .) Acontias plumb ellS Sternfeld, 1911. Mitt!. Zool. Mus. Berlin, V. p. 409 (S.W. Africa). Monard, 19:37, Arquiv. Mus. Boe. Lisb., VIII, p. 96 (Muta.. S. Angola):. . Awntias meleagris FitzSimons. 1935. Ann. Tv!. Mus .. XVI, p ..374 (Btwn. Gomodimo & Kaotwe Pans, Kalahari). Description: Superficially showing a close resemblance to typical plumbeus, but apparently a much smaller form, probably not. exceeding 240-250 mm. in total length. Other distinguish,'ing', characters are as follows: Snout shorter. and head broad behind (sometimes in young specimens snout more elongate, as in plumbeus); interparietal usually distinctly longer' than broad and some times much reduced in size; usually 3 suboculars; parietals proportionately broader' than in plumbeus; scales of the two median dorsal rows not so strongly broadened; 16 scales round middle of body; from 168-177 (average 172) ventral scales in a line from chin-shield to preanal Plate (150-162 in plumbeus). Colour: Above. uniform dark purplish-brown to greyish-black or black; below, usually a little paler than above and uniform, or with scales paler-edged and a few scattered. irregular dirty white to yellowish patches along median ventral line. Dimensions: Male (S.A.M. 14.772-Junct. Marico & Crocodile Rivers). H. & B. 198, tail 35, breadth head 9.2, diam. body 9.8 mm. Field notes: Apparently confined to sandveld areas. ) Distribution: From the western and north-western Transvaal 1 1 across the Kalahari to Damaraland. Recorded localities: Junction 0 2 Crocodile & Marico Rivs., W. Tv!.; Otjiwarongo, S.W. Afr. (S.A.M:). d e Junction Limpopo & Magalakwin Rivers; Waterberg, Tv!.; btwn. t a Gomodimo & Kaotwe Pans. Kalahari (T.M.). Honingfontein; d ( Omatjenne (A.M.). r e Remarks: Cotypes in Albany, South African and Transvaal h s i l Museum~. b u P e ACONTIAS PLUMBEUS NAMAQUENSIS Hewitt.' h t y Acontias meleagris part. Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., p. :351 (Kamaggas). b Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus .. V, p. 488 (Little Namaqualand). d e t Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2, p. 42 (Kamaggas). n Acontias plumbeus namaqllensis Hewitt, UB8. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., a r XXVI, p. 47, pl. III, fig. 3 (O'okiep, Steinkopf & Kamiesberg, L.N.). g e c n Description: Allied to gracilicauda, but chiefly distinguishable e c i on the unusually slender tapering .tail and the weak pigmentation; l r interparietal not distinctly elongate as in gracilicauda, and sides may e d be a little longer, equal to or a little shorter than base; snout narrow, n u but head more or less broadened behind; 3 supraoculars, first squarish y a or longer than broad: two median dorsal rows of scales not distinctly w e broadened over body. but broader on tail and just anterior thereto; t a usually 18 rows of scales round middle of body. exceptionally 16 or 20. G t Colour: Greyish-white to yellowish-brown above, with scales e n i over about six middle longitudinal rows sharply defined by dark' b a pigmentation round their margins only; in juveniles· this dark edging S to scales is not so regular, there being greater concentrations on the y b pos~rior anterior and borders, forming thus series ,of ill-defined d e c 247 u d o r p e R spots. Below, immaculate creamy to yellowish. Head brown to . greyish-brown or sooty-black, with or without minute pale speckling. Occasionally melanistic specimens occur which are uniformly blackish above and dark brown below. Dimensions: (A.M. 959-0'okiep), H. & B. 196, tail 38, breadth head 8.9, diam. body 9 mm. Distribution: Little Namaqualand. Recorded localities: O'okiep; Steinkopf; Kamiesberg (A.M.).· Port Nolloth; Kamieskroon (S.A.M.). Anenous (N.M.). Remarks: Type in the Albany Museum; Grahamstown. ACONTIASPLUMBEUS GRACILICAUDA Essex. (Text-fig. 117; Plate XXII, fig. 5). Slender-tailed Blindworm or Legless Skink. Acontias meleagris part.. Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 427 (Bedford; Kingwilliamstown; Brit. KafIraria). Raux, 1907, Zoo!. Jahrb. Syst.. XXV, p. 439 (Transvaal). Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 351 (Pitsani). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V. p. 489 (Grahams town; Burghersdorp; Bedford; Tsomo, Transkei; Umtata). Hewitt. 19.10, Ann. Tv\. Mus., II, p. 101 (Umtata; Transkei; Ventersdorp; Irene; Palapye Rd.). Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon .. IV. 2. p. 42 (Pitsani). Hewitt & Power, 1913, Trans. Rov. Soc. S. Afr., III~ p. 159 (Madder River). . Acontias gracHicauda Essex, 1925, Ree. Alb. Mus., III, p. 334, text-figs. D, E & F (Type locality: Grahamstown; also recorded· from Alicedale and Carolina, Tvl.), and 1927, P.Z.S. Land., p. 898 et seq., text-figs. 24 & 28a (Limb-girdle), and p. 934, and 1928, A.M.N.R. (10) I, p. 268 & text-fig. Acontias plumbeus grdcilicauda Hewitt, 1937, Guide· Vert. Fauna E. Cape Provo S. Afr., II, p. 41, text-figs. D & E (Grahamstown; AJicedale; Koonap River; East London; Kei Rd.), and 1938, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., XXVI, p. 46. ) 1 1 Description: Head and body moderately slender; snout rounded; 0 2 rostral shorter than frontonasal + frontal, but longer than latter d e itself; frontal much longer, but a little narrower than frontonasaL 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 L r e d n u y a w e t a G r'ig. ·117. Acontias 1). gracilicaUdct (A.M.-Grahamstown). dorsal view of head. t e n Interparietal usually elongate, and distinctly longer than broad, being i b sometimes as' much as twice as long as broad and separating parietals' a S behind. 3 Supraoculars, the first squarish or longer than broad, as y b large as other two together. 3 Suboculars. 16 or 18 Scales round d e .middle of bod~; scales of the two median dorsal rows -not broade-r than c u d 248 o r p e R those adjoining on nape, but posteriorly over back they broaden and are then much broader than others. Tail" strongly tapering and obtusely poi'nted 'at end, length from 4-5 times. into length of head and body. Colour: Above, olive, olive brown, greyish-brown to purplish- . brown or lead colour', uniform or scales sometimes darker-edged; below, dirty yellow, uniform or sometimes with a few dark spots. below tail. Juveniles are light olive brown to creamy yellow above, each scale with a small dark spot forming longitudinal series; head very dark brown, except for snout which IS usually pale yellowish brown; below yellowish-white. Dimensions: Male (AM. 2561-Alicedale). H. & B. 202, tail 48~ breadth head 12.3, diam. body 13.8 mm. . Distribution: From' the eastern Cape Province, northwards through the Orange Free State into the southern Transvaal. Recorded localities: Grahamstown (AM., N.M., S.AM. & T.M.). Kei Rd.; Koonap River; Alicedale (AM.). Tsomo; Bedford; Burghersdorp; Smithfield; Kendal, Tvl. (S.A.M.). Colesberg; Glen; Modder River; Postmashurg; Campbell; Kimberley; Riverton' (K.M.). Rouxville; Bloemfontein; Winbur.g; Vals River, nr. Wolmaransstad; Maarmans hoek, Korannaberg (B.M.). Kroonstad" (B.M. & K.M.). . Irene; Pretoria; De Wildt; Ventersdorp (T.M.). Remarks: Types in the Albany Museum, Grahamstown. Figures. D. & E. of type by Essex are somewhat diagrammatic and not quite accurate. ACONTIAS PLUMBEUS BREVICEPS Essex. (Text-figs. 118 & 119). Acontias breviceps Essex, .1925, Rec. Alb. Mus., III, p. 332. text-figs. A, B & C and fig. on p. 335 (Type locality: Hogsback, Amatola Mts. ) Alt. 6000 ft.), and 1927, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 898 et seq,. text-fig. 22. 1 1 (Limb-girdle). and p. 934 (Amatola Mtns.). Hewitt, 1937. Guide Vert. 0 2 Fauna E. Cape Provo S. Afr., II, p. 42, figs. A & B. (Fenella Falls: d · . Katberg), and 1938, Trans. Roy, Soc. S. Afr., XXVI, p. 41 e t (?Sabie, Tvl.). a d ( Description: Head very short and broad. as broad as or a little r e h narrower than body. Snout rounded and very short. Rostral much s i l shorter than frontonasal + frontal, but slightly longer than latter. b u Frontal longer, but sometimes a little narrower, than frontonasaL P e Interparietal usually longer than broad. Parietals in contact behind h t interparietal, with their sides running more or less parallel to one y b another. 3 Supraoculars. 1st not elongate and not quite as large as d e other two together. 4 Supraciliaries, 1st largest and 3rd smallest. t n 3 Suboculars. 16 or 18 Scales round middle of body, those of the two a r g median dorsal rows not broader than adjoining scales on nape, but e c posteriorly become noticeably broader. 148-154 Ventral scales in a n e line from chin-shield to preanal plate. Tail tapering slightly (but not c i l slender. as in graciLicauda), rounded at end; subcaudals 31-:58, median r e series very 'strongly broadened. d n · Colour: Olive or olive-green above, passing to olive yellow u y below; all scales, both above and below, spotted with dark brown to a w l:-lackish, these spots are transversely elongate, running across the e t a . posterior half of each scale dorsally and across middle of each scale G ventrally; spots below usually somewhat smaller and paler than t e . above. Head dark speckled and head shields often narrowly dark n i b edged. Juveniles usually creamy white below and unmarked. a S · Dimensions: (AM. Type series), H. & B. 170. tail 32, breadth y b head 7.8, diam. body 8.3 mm. d e 249 c u d o r p e R Field notes: Apparently confined to the higher mountain slopes, .and often exposed on turning over stones. Two females taken in January at Kastrol Nek near Wakkerstroom, each contained two ',Nell-developed embryos; the larger pair of embryos, which were just . .about ready to be born, measured 64 mm. in total length. . Distribution: A montane species, extending from the Winterberg & Amatola Mtns. of the eastern Cape Province to the south-eastern . Transvaal. Recorted localities: Hogsback. Amatola Mts. (6000 ft.) E E Fig 118 Fig. 119. Fig. 118. Acontias P. oTeviceps (A.M. Type-Hogsback), dorsal view of head. Fig. 119. Acontias p. oreviceps (A.M. Type); side view of head. (A.M. & SAM). Katberg; Fenella Falls; ?Sabie, E. Tv!. (A.M.). Kastrol Nek: Belfast (T.M.). Lothair (F.E.M.). Remarks: Types in the Albany Museum, Grahamstown. Figures ) A & B of type by Essex, are somewhat diagrammatic and not quite 1 1 accurate. A specimen from Sabie, E. Transvaal (in Albany Museum) 0 2 comes very close to breviceps, but differs in having a more distinctly d e tapering tail (as in typical plumbeus). head and snout more elongate, t a interparietal slightly elongate, 14 scales round middle of body, and d ( is probably intermediate between breviceps and plumbeus. r e h s i ACONTIAS PLUMBEUS TASMANI l Hewitt. b u Tasman's Blindworm or Legless Skink. P e Acontias me/.e{[Qris part.. Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 427 (Port h t Elizabeth). and UJlO, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 489 (Port Elizabeth; y Uitenhage) . b .Acontias pllLmbelL~ tas1Ttani Hewitt, 1937,. Guide Vert. Fauna E. Cape d e t Provo S. Al'r .. II, p. 42 (Uitenhage & Port Elizabeth), and 1938, Trans. n Roy. Soc. S. Afr .. XXVI, p. 44, pI. III, figs. 6 & 7 (Dunbrody; Uiten a r hage: Redhouse; Port Elizabeth; "Kleinpoort,' nr. Committees and g e 'Resolution,' nr. Fort Brown, Fish River Valley). c n e c Description: Similar to gr.aciLicauda, but distinguishable there i l r from on the shape of the interparietal, which is not distinctly e d elongate. but usually forms an equilateral triangle, or sometimes has n u base broader than sides or latter slightly longer than base; head y a somewhat elongate, snout slender and head not strongly broadened w behind; ;3 Supraoculars, 1st largest and usually a little longer than e t a broad; hinder margin of frontal incurved (usually straight in G t gracilicauda): two median dorsal rows of scales not conspicuously e n broadened: 14 or 16 scales round middle of body; tail moderately long, i b tapering g],adually, though not noticeably slender over distal half as a S in graciltcnuda. y b Colour: Above. brown. greyish-brown to lead colour, uniform or d e 'with pigmentation broken up to give a finely mottled or peppered c u d 250 o r p e R appearance; sometil11€s colour more or less aggregate'd on distal part of each scale, where it forms an arborescent reticulation; the dark dorsal pigmentation extends over 6 or 8 longitudinal scale rows, Head, densely. but finely mottled or speckled with brown never wholly infuscate and head shields not pale-edged. Below, pale yellowish brown to yellowish-white. uniform or sometimes subcaudals darkly mottled. In very young specimens pigment usually aggregated round margin of each scale, especially on distal edge. Dimensions: Male (A.M. 5195-Dunbrody), H. & B. 196, tail 42, breadth head 7.5, diam. body 8.5 mm. ..•. Distribution: Eastern Cape Province .. Recorded localities: Dun brody (A.M.). Port Elizabeth: Redhouse (A.M. & S.A.M.). Resolution, nr. For~ Brown (A.M., S.A.M. & T.M.). Coega; Addo (S.A.M.). Remarks: Types in the Albany Museum, Grahamstown. There is a specimen in the Albany· Museum from Omatjenne .and another in the Transvaal Museum from between Okaukuejo & Outjo (prevlously referred to. A: meleagris, see FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIX. p. 205), which superficially closely resemble meleagris, but on the tapering tail character, clearly belong to the plumbeus group, coming very close to the subspecies tasmani, from which however they differ as follows: head a little broader behind; inter parietal longer than broad; frontal subequal in length to rostral; 1st supraocular not longer than broad; tail slightly more tapering . . When more material is available, it will no doubt be fouI).d that these will represent a new subspecies, probably embracing many previous records of A. meleagris from Damaraland by other authors, such as Werner. 1902 (Windhoek), 1910 (Okahandja) and 1915 (Oka handja and farms "Okapehuri" and "Otjituezu "); Sternfeld, 1911 (Okowakuatjiwi)· and Parker, 1936 (Okahandja). ACONTIAS LINEATUS LINEATUS Peters.· ) 1 1 (Text-figs. 120-123; Plate XXIII, fig. 2) 0 2 d Striped Namaqua Blindworm or Legless Skink. e t Acontias lineatus Peters, 1879, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 774, pI. -, a d fig. 2 (Type locality: Hantam, C.P.). Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz .. III, ( p. 428 (Karroo), and 1905,P.Z.S. Lond .. II, p. 254 (Port Nopoth & r e Klipfontein)" Roux, 1907, Zool. .Jahrb. Syst., XXV, p. 439 (Matjes h s fontein). Werner, 1910 . •Tena. Denkschr .. XVI, p. 351 (Steinkopf; i l b Kamaggas; Lehututu, Kalahari). Hewitt, 1910, Ann. TvI. Mus .. II, u p. 96. Essex. 1927, P.Z.S. Lond., p. 898 et seq .. fig. 27 (Limb-girdle) . P . FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. TvI. Mus., XIX, p. 204 ~Klipfontein; nr. Port e h Nolloth). Hewitt. 1938, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr .. XXVI, p. 46. t y Acuntias tineatus part.. Boettger. 1886, Ber. Senck. Naturf. Ges., p. 15 b (Hantam). Boulenger,1910, Ann. 'S. Afr. Mus .. V, p. 489 (Malmes d e t bury; Clanwilliam; Van Rhynsdorp; Little Namaqualand). Hewitt. n 1910, Ann. TvI. Mus., II, p. 96. Sternfeld, 1911. Fauna Deutsch. a r Kolon., IV, 2, p. 43 (Lehututu; Port Nolloth; Steinkopf: Kamaggas). g e Hewitt, 1929, Ann. TvI. Mus., XIII, pI. II, figs. 15 & 17 (Steinkopf). c n Acontias grayi Boulenger, '1887, Cat. Liz .. III, p. 428 (Cape of Good Hope). e c Hewitt, 1910, Ann. TvI. Mus., II. p.' 96. i l r Acontias tineatus var. tristis Werner, 19~1, .lena. Denkschr., XVI, p. :352 e d (Steinkopf). n u y Description: Snout subcuneiform. strongly depressed and pro a jecting beyond labial margin, flattened inferiorly. Rostral·very large, w e t as long as other head shields together. Frontonasal 2! to 3 times as a G broad as long. Frontal a little narrower than, but as long as, or longer t e than front6nasal. Interpal~ietal triangular, much narrower than n i frontal, about as long as frontonasal, usually a little broader than b a long, sometimes slightly longer. than broad. Parietals in contact with S y one anot.her behind interparietal. Ear hidden. A single, large, some- b d e 251 c u d o r p e R what elongatesupraocular in contact with parietal. Three supra ciliaries, 1st largest, 2nd very small. Eyelid elongate and transparent, eye small. Usually 2 suboculars, the anterior a little or sometimeS. much the smaller. A small preocular. 4-5 Upper labia Is, 1st largest and. s~parated from frontonasal above by a largish loreal. Mental 'large, extending back· as far as rostral, posterior· margin straight. 3 Lower labials, 3rd smallest. 14 Scales round middle of body; scales subhexagonal,those of the two median dorsal rows a little broader than others, while those of the two median ventral rows are narrowest. A single enlarged semicircular preanal plate. Limbs absent. Tail very short, depressed distally and distinctly flattened below, bluntly ]::ointed at end. E E co V') Fig. 120. ) 1 1 Fig. 122. 0 2 d e 5'8 t mm. a d ( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e Fig. 121. t n Acontias Iineatus a Fig. 120. L (T.M. No. 17934-Klipfontein). dorsal view of head. r Fig. 121. Acontias I. lineatus (T.M. No. 17934), side view of head. g Fig. 122. Acontias l. tineatu8 (T.M. No. 4408-Matjesfontein), dorsal view of heact. e c Fig. 123. Acontias l. 'lineatus (T.M: No. 4408), side view of head. n e c i l Colour: The following colour varieties are known: (1) Head and r e body yellow, tail flesh colour; usually 4 continuous dark brown d n longitudinal stripes above (the two median from back of head and u y two outer from nostril), extending over tail and there broader than a on body; two incipient stripes or rows of spots on either side, the w e t upper from eye and continued along body as a series of small dark a G spots but not extending further than just anterior to' vent (often t e much shorter or absent), the lower stripe from last lower labial and n i fading out on side of neck. Below, uniform flesh colour, or sometimes b a with series of darkish spots along practically all scale rows. In S y specimens from Ma tjesfontein, the dark stripes are broader and b better defined than in specimens from Little Namaqualand; stripes d e c u 252 d o r p e R ,on sides and below, though not so strongly marked as above, are usually continuous or sometimes broken up into series of spots below. (2) Above, uniform orange-yellow, a little paler posteriorly; a dark. purplish-brown streak from nostril to anterior corner of eye. some times extending forwards and meeting its 'fellow on rostral. Paler below than above. (3) Above, a dark purplish-brown longitudinal band (about 4 scale rows broad) over back and tail, bifurcating more or less on back of head and continuing forwards as a dark streak on either side of head to nostril; middle of snout and median head shields yellow; sides and under surface of body also yellow; under side tail with a. longitudinal band of purplish brown. a little paler than above. . Dimensions: (T.M. 17919-Klipfontein), H. & B. 137, tail 34, breadth head 3.8, diam. body 5.0 mm. :Wield notes: Confined to dry sandy flats and dune areas, where t hey live an entirely subterranean existence. Distribution': Little Namaqualand, extending southwards into the south-western and south-central Cape Province. Recorded localities: Port Nolloth: Matjesfontein (S.A.M. & T.M.). Lekkersing; Kleinzee; Concordia: Kraaiwater; Ograbis: Kamieskroon; Bowesdorp; Garies; Van Rhynsdorp: Malmesbury; Pakhuisberg-Oorlogskloof; De Aar (S.A.M.). Steinkopf (A.M. & S.A.M.). Klipfontein; Klaver; Vreden dal (T.M.). Remarks: Types in the Berlin Museum .. ACONTIAS LINEATUS ORANGENSIS Hewitt. (Text-fig. 124) . .Orange River Striped Blindworm or Legless Sand Skin~. ) /lcontias rneLeagris (non :Liimaeus) F. Muller', 1885, Verh. Natur!. Ges. 1 1 Basel. VII. p. 708 (Angra Pequena). 0 2 A contias Lineatus part., Boettger, 1889, Bel'. Senck. Naturf. Ges., p. 1!3 d (Angra Pequena). Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kalan., IV, 2, e t p. 43 (Angra Pequena). Hewitt, 1929, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIII, pl. II, a d fig. 16 (Kakamas). ( Acontias Lineatus Sternfeld, 1911, Mittl. Zool. Mus. Berlin, V, p. 409 r e (Luderitzb.ucht). \Verner, 1915, in Michaelsen, Land- u. Susswasser h s Fauna Deutsch-Sudwestafrikas, I, p. 354 (Keetmanshoop). . i l 1938, b Acontias" Lineatus orangensis Hewitt, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., XXVI, u p. 47 (Type locality; Kakamas; recorded also from Hopetown) .. P e h t Description: Distinguished from typical lineatus on the following: y Usually 4 supraciliaries present, 1st largest, 2nd and 3rd small and b d subequal or 2nd a little larger. 4th larger than 2nd; exceptionally e t n 5·4. Irlm. ' a r g e c n e c i l r e d n u y a w e t a Fig. 124. Acontias I. orangensi" (S.A.M. 16150-Kalkfontein). side view of head. G t e n only 3 supraciliaries present, due to (1) fusion of normal 2nd and 3rd i b (when 2nd is thus much large': than in typical or to (2) a lineatus) S absence of normal 3rd supraciliary resulting in the 2nd supraocular y b bordering eye. Two supraoculars, corresponding to the single.elongate d e one in lineatus. 14 Scales round middle of body. c u d 253 o r p e R Colour: Similar to the striped variety of lineatus, with 4-10 continuous dark longitudinal stripes on back and sides (usually 6 continuous stripes dorsally and a single outer series of spots on either side of body): lower surfaces usually immaculate thr'oughout, or chin and throat only unspotted and remainder of body and tail· with series of brown spots (sometimes faintly marked). Dimensions: (AM. 2210-Kakamds), H. & B. 138, tail 38. Distribution: From horth-western Cape Province, northwards into Great Namaqualand.Recorded localities: Hopetown (AM.). Kakamas (AM. & T.M.). Niekerkshoop (B.M.). Upington (K.M.). Kalkfontein, G.N.; Aus (S.AM.). Remarks: Types in the Albany Museum, Grahamstown. ACONTOPHIOPS Sternfeld. Acontophiops Sternfeld, 1911, Sitzber. Ges. Naturf. Freunde, p: 248 (type.: Hneatus). Closely related to TyphloSQu'rUs, but with an oval semi-transpal'ent lower eyelid,which is immovable and consists of a single scale with a free unattached. upper edge. Palatines not meeting on median line of palate. Teeth conical.- Ear-opening hidden. Nostril pierced in the large rostral, with the posterior border of which it is connected by a long straight horizontal groove. No prefron tals nor frontoparietals. Body elongate, vermiform and limbless; scales on body hexagonal to G sub-tetragonal. A large preanal plate. A subterranean form, similar in habits to Typhlosaurus, repre sented by a single species, endemic to South Africa. Distribution: Northern Transvaal (Woodbush District). ) ACONTOPHIOPS LlNEATVS Sternfeld. 1 1 0 (Text-figs. 125 & 126; Plate XXIII, fig. 1). 2 d ? Acontias lineatus (non Peters) lVIatschie, 1890, Zool. Jahrb. Syst.. V, e t p. 608 (Mphome). a d Sternfeld. HJ11. Sitzb. Ges. Naturf. Freunde. p. 248 Acontophiops Hneatus ( & text-fig. (Type locality: Mphome, Transvaal). . r e Typh[osaurus cregoi part., Hewitt. 1929, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIII, p. :2 h s i (Broederstroom; Wood bush). l b u Description: Snout conical and projecting, Rostral large, about P e as long' as other head shields together, posterior border rounded, h t strongly notched on each side at terminus of nasal groove. Fronto y b nasal in broad contact with rostral, twice or more times as broac;i d e as long, rounded behind. Frontal distinctly broader than frontonasal, t n subequal in length or longer. Interparietal triangular, a little broader a r g than long, much narrower than frontal. A pair of moderately large e c parietals, meeting one another or separated behind interparietal. n e No enlarged nuchal scales adjoining parietals behind. Loreal usually c i l separated above from frontonasal by an intervening scale (prefrontal ?), r e exceptionally latter absent when frontonasal is correspondingly d n broader, Ocular area depressed; eye below a semi-transparent oval u y lower eyelid, which is immovable, and consists of a single scale whose a w upper edge is free and not attached to thesupraciliaries; a preocular e t a between eye and loreal; two suboculars resting on upper labials 1 G to 3; a small postocular; two supraci'Iiaries, the' anterior larger than: t e posterior. 3 Supraoculars, 1st much larger than 2nd. which is in n i b contact with parietal. 5 Upper labials, 1st highest, 5th longest. Mental a S large, cordiform and distinctly notched behind, extending much y b further backwards than rostral (usually reaching to below eye). d 3 Lower labials. Scales on body hexagonal to sub-tetragonal, sub- e c u d 254 o r p e R equal in size or two median dorsal. rows slightly broader. 18, 20 or 22 scales round body anteriorly reducing to 16 or 18 posteriorly. A single enlarged semicircular preanal sbield. Tail very short and rounded at end. Diameter of body goes about 20 times into length of head and body in old specimens, and 25-26 times in young adults. Colour: Yellowish-white to creamy-white with dark b~'own to black longitudinal stripes above and below, corresponding to scale rows; these stripes are darker and broader above than below. while on tail they broaden considerably and tend to coalesce. Head more or less uniformly dark. Occasionally specimens are almost uniformly dark brown or lead colour above, with scales slightly paler-edged; below yellowish-white, with the usual longitudinal dark stripes. , Fig. 125. Fig. 126. ) Fig. 125. Acontophiops !ineatus (T.M. No. 2743-Broederstroom), dorsal dew of head. 1 1 Fig. 126. Acontophiops lineatHs (T.M. No. 2743), side view of head. 0 2 d e Dimensions: Male (T.M. 1495-Wpodbush), H. & B. 161, tail 29, t a d diam. body 6.2 mm. ( r Distribution: Apparently confined to the Haenertsburg-Wood e h bush area, Pietersburg District. N. Transvaal. Recorded localities: s i l b Woodbush; Broederstroom (T.M.). u P Remarks: Type in Berlin Museum. e h t y b TYPHLOSAURUS Wiegmann. d e t n TyphHne (non Wagler) Wiegmann, 1834, Herp. Mex., p. 11 (type: cuvieri· a r Wiegm. = caecus Cuv.). Dumeril & Bibron, 1839, Erp. Gen., V, p. 835. g e Gray, 1845, Cat. Liz., p. 128. . . c n Typhlosaurus Wiegmann, 1834, Herp. Mex., p. 54. Boulenger, 1887, Cat. e c i Liz., .III, p~ 432. Hewitt, 1909, Ann: Tvl. Mus., II. p. 38. Boulenger, l r 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 490. Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. e Kolon., IV, 2, p. 43. d n u Palatines separated' on median line of palate. Tongue slightly y a notched in front and covered with imbricate papillae. Nostril pierced w e t in a very large .rostral shield, with the posterior border of which it a is connected by a long horizontal suture. Eye lying below head G t e shields and discernible only as a dark spot. Ear-opening absent. Body n i elongate, vermiform, limbless. Scales on body hexagonal or tetragonal, b a broader than long. A large preanal scale. S y b Burrowing wormlike lizards, living entirely underground; endemic d to South Africa and represented by 9 species and subspecies. e c u 255 d o r p e R Key to the South African Species and Subspecies of TYPHLOSAURUS. 1 Snout· conical 2 Snout with a 'sh;lrp horizontal edge and ft.attened below 7 2 Rostral not longer than other head shields together .. 3 Rostral longer than other head shields together .. 5 3 Three azygous shields on head qehind rostral; 16 or 18 scales round middle of body; 5 upper labials .. 4 Two azygous shields on head behind rostral; 12 or 14 scales' round middle of body; 3 or 4 upper labials T. [lllrantiacus (Pet.), p. 257 4 Frontal and frontonasal subequal in breadth; two supraoculars; mental extending backwards well beyond posterior margin of rostral T. cregoi cregoi BouI., p. 258 Frontal much broader than frontonasal; three supraoculars; mental not extending backwards beyond posterior margin of rostral T. cregoi bicolor Hwt., p. 260 5 Rostral a little longer than other hea~ shiel~s together; inter parietal present; 14 scales round middle of body T, me1}eri Boettg., p. 260 ) 1 Rostral well over twice as long as other head shields together; 1 0 2 interparietal absent; 12 or 14 scales round middle of body' .. 6 d e '·6 Twelve scales round middle of body; no preocular; frontonasal t a and frontal subequal in breadth; anterior supraocular in d ( contact with rostral and separating loreal from frontonasal r e h T. vermis BouI., p. 261 s i l b u P Fourteen scales round middle of body; a small preocular e h . between ocular and loreal; frontonasal much broader than t y frontal; loreal and frontonasal in contact with one another b d T. caecus (Cuv.), p. 262 e t n a r 7 Rostral g times as long as other head shields together; no g e supraciliaries; men,tal cordiform; 14 scales round middle of body c n e T. plowesi sp. nov., p. 263 c i l r e Rostral sub equal to or a little shorter than other head shields d n together; one or two supraciliaries: mental with posterior u y border not incised .. 8 a w 8 Four upper labials, vertically elongated; a subocular; two e t a supraciliaries; 14 scales round middle of body G t T. lineatus BouI., p. 264 e n i b a Three upper labials, not v'ertically elongated; no subocular; a S y single supraciliary; 12 scales round middle of body b T. gariepensis Fitz., p. 266 d e c u 256 d o r p e R TYPHLOSAURUS AURANTIACUS (Peters). (Text-figs. 127-130). Golden Blindworm or Legless Skink. Typhline aurantiaca Peters. 1854, Monatsb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 620, and 1855, Arch. Naturg., XXI, 1, p. 49 (Type locality: Inhambane & Lourenco Marques). A. Dumeril, 1856, Rev. Mag. Zool., Ser. 2, VIII, p. 423, pI. 21, fig. 3. '. . Typhline cuvierii (non Wiegmann) Bianconi, 1848, Specim. Zoo!. Mossamb. Rept., p. 27. pI. I, fig. 3 (Mozambique). TyphLosaurusaurantiacus Peters, 1882, Reise n. Mossamb., III, p. 83, pI. XIII. figs: 1, 1 a-k. Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 433. Bocage, .1896. Jorn. Sci. Lisb. (2) IV, p, 89. Roux, 1907, ·Rev. Suisse ZooL. 15. p. 86 (Rikatla). Boulenger, 1908, Ann. Natal Mus., I, p, 227 (Mseleni). Odhner, 1908, Arkiv. Zool. Stockholm, IV, No. 18, p. 4 (Lake Sibayi). Boulenger, 1910, Ann, S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 490.· Hewitt. 1929, Ann. TvI. Mus., XIII, pI. II, figs. 18, 19 & 21 (Mseleni). Barbour & Loveridge, 1929, Bu~l. Mus. Compar. Zool., LXIX, p, 358 (Inhambane) . . Description: Snout-conical and projecting. Rostral large, posterior 'border convex, length about equal to that of other head shields ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d ( r e h s i l Fig. 127. b u 9'2 mm. 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 Fig. 129. Fig. 130. y a Fig. 127. Typhlosaurus aurantiacus (T.M. No. 2826-Lourenco Marques). dorsal view w of head. . e t Fig. 128. Typh10saurus aurantiacus (T.M. No. 2926), underside of head. a Fig. 129. Typh10saurus aurantiacus (T.M. No. 2926), side view of head. G Fig. 130. Typhlosaurus aurantiacus (T.M. No. 19195--Punda Maria), side view of head. t e n i together. Frontonasal in long contact with . rostral, at least twice as b a broad as long. Frontal subpentagonal, as broad as frontal but. usually S y over twice as long. Parietals large, forming a suture with one another b behind frontal, bordered behind by two pairs of elongate nuchal d e c u 257 d o r p e R scales ,the inner pair in contact with one another mesially. Eye barely distinguishable as a dark spot below suture of an upper and lower ocular, or sometimes extending also under anterior part of a small postocular; upper and lower ocular sometimes fused into a single vertically elongate scale. when eye lies near lower posterior border' (see text-fig. 130): a large loreal between oculars and. rostral, separated from frontonasal above by a smaller prefrontal?; a moderately large subocular resting on 1st and 2nd upper labials; a supraciliary between the small postocular and anterior supraocular; two supraoculars, anterior larger and sometimes separated from posterior (which is. elongate) by supraciliary. 4 Upper labials, 1st highest and 4th longest. Mental large and extending backwards as far as rostral, posterior border slightly emarginate; three lower labials. Scales on body hexa gonal, broader than long, those of the two median dorsal rows broadest (well over twice as broad as long) and two median ventral rows narrowest; 12 scales round middle of body. Tail very short and rounded at end. .' Colour: Above, pale orange to orange-yelloVJ, with transverse series of small reddish spots on borders of scales; in young specimens . there are 2-6 longitudinal series of dark chocolate brown to blackish spots, those of the two median dorsal rows ~sually larger and con-· fluent; in adults, d.ark spots usually ill-defined or absent. Below,. white to yellowish-white, with sometimes scattered black dots under tail. . Dimensions: (T.M. 2926-Lourenco Marques), H. & B. 209, tail 33 .. length head (i.e. to posterior border parietals) 10, breadth head 7.7, diam. body 8.2 mm.. /. - Field notes: ·These wormlike lizards live entirely underground, but are often found (during or just after rainy weather) at or near the surface under stones,. rotting logs etc., where they come to seek ) for food. Their diet consists mainly of sman insects, such as beetles 1 1 and their larvae, together with other insect larvae, ants, myriapods. 0 2 and crustaceans. d e t Distribution: Zululand, north-eastern Transvaal and Portuguese' a d East Africa as far north as Inhambane. Recorded localities: Manaba ( r (A.M.). Mseleni (A.M., N.M. & T.M.). Lourenco Marques (N.M. & e h s -T.M.).' Inhambane (S.A.M.). Between Maputa & Ndumu; Makuleka & i l b Punda Maria, on Pafuri River (T.M.). u P Remarks: Types in Berlin Museum; co type in Museum of Com e h parative Zoology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.'A. t y b d TYPHLOSAURUS CREGO! CREGO! Boulenger. e t n (Text-figs. 131-133; Plate XXIII. figs. 4 & fj). a r g Cregoi's Blindworm or Legless Skink. e c Typhlosauruscregoi Boulenger, 1903, A.M.N.H. (7) XII, p. 434 (Type' n e locality: Zoutpansberg, N. Tvl.), and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 490. c i l Typhlosanrus cregoi part., Hewitt, 1929, Ann. Tv!. Mus .. XIII, p. 2 (Wood~ r e bush; Pietersburg; Bandolierkop). d n u Description: Snout conical and strongly projecting. 'Rostral large, y a as long as other head shields together, posterior border slightly w e convex, distinctly indented on either side at posterior terminus of t a nasal groove. Frontonasal subhexagonal, broader than' long. Frontal G t also subhexagonal, subequal in size or a little smaller or larger than e n i frontonasal from H times to a little over twice as broad as long. b a A small subtriangular interparietal, in contact with frontal. A pair S y of large parietals, in contact with one another behind interparietal. b Eye barely distinguishable as a dark spot below the anterior part of d e c u 258 d o r p e R a s~all ocular; a very small preocular in contact with 1st upper labial and loreal; 2 suboculars, the posterior a little larger than. anterior; a postocular and two supraciliaries; two supraoculars, the anterior larger than the posterior; a large loreal and ,a prefrontal separating latter· from frontonasal above. 5 Upper labials, the 1st highest and the last longest. Mental very large. extending backwards well beyond posterior margin of rostral, posterior border slightly notched mesially. 3 Lower labials. Scales on body hexagonal, ,broader than long and subequal: 16 or 18 rows of scales round body, usually 18 anteriorly reducing to 16 posteriorly. Tail very short and rounded at en~. Note: Sometimes (in specimens from Bandolierkop ~nd Wood bush) the small preocular and anterior supraciliary form one scale . .while the' anterior subocular is fused with ocular (see text-fig. 133): .--__~6 2 mm. E E Fig. 132. '"on ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d Fig. 131.. ( r e h s i l b u P e Fig, 133, h t Fig. 131. Typhlosaurus c. cregoi (T.M. No. 13987-Lake Fundusi), dorsal view of hear!. y b Fig. 132. TyphlosauTus c. cregoi (T.M. No. 13987). side view of head .. d TyphlosauTus cregoi e Fig. 133. c. (T.M. 2131-Bandolierkop). side view of head. t n a r Colour: White to yellowish-white, with dark brown to blackish g e longitudinal stripes over body and tail corresponding to scale rows; c n these stripes are usually continuous above and below, the two median e c i l dorsal ones being broadest, while the ventral stripes are paler than r e above and sometimes broken up into series of small. spots; stripes d n are broader on tail and more heavily marked than on back, and often u coalesce more or less with one another. Head dark brown and head y a shields often pale-edged; rostral and mental dull lead colour. Occasion w e t ally specimens are uniformly dark purplish-brown above and below, a with or without pale creamy patches on chin and anal region. G t e n Dimensions: (T.M. 13987-Lake Fundusi), H. & B. 147, tail 28, i b breadth head 5.8, diam. body 6 mm. a S y Field notes: Similar in habits to T. aurantiacus, but often found b on mountain slopes at higher altitudes. d e c u 259 d o r p e R Distribution: Northern Transvaal. Recorded localities: Entabeni; Lake Fundusi; Palmaryville; Punda Maria; Great Saltpan; Woodbush;" Bandolierkop (T.M.). Louis Trichardt (S.A.M.). Remarks: Type in the British Museum of Natural History. The two specimens from Broederstroom (with 3 supraoculars and frontal much broader than frontonasaI) and the young specimen from Wood bush (100 mm. in length) in the Transvaal Museum collection, referred to as TyphlosauTUs cregoi by Hewitt (1929, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIII, p. 2), prove now to be Acontophiops lineatus. TYPHLOSAURUS CREGOI BICOLOR Hewitt. TyphlosUUTUS bicoloT Hewitt, 1929, Ann .. Tv!. Mus., XIII, p. 1,' text-fig. A (Type locality: Umtali, S. Rhodesia). Description: Differing from typical cregoi as' follows: Snout a little more pointed, but not so strongly projecting; frontonasal dis tinctly narrower than frontal; three supraoculars present, 1st larger than 2nd, 3rd elongated; mental large, but not extending beyond the posterior border of rostral; scales on body subhexagonal, broader than long and' subequal; 18 scales round middle of body. Colour: Blackish above, the infuscation extending over. 21 rows of scales on either side of median line; sides and lower surfaces of body whitish with a single lateral line of black dots extending for whole length 'of body alon~ 4th row of scales from the mid-dorsal·line. Dimensions: Type (after Hewitt), H. & B. 187, tail 28 mm. Distribution: Known only from the' type locality, viz. Umtali, S. Rhodesia.' Remarks: Type at one time in Rhodesian Museum, but now lost. ) Perhaps a species distinct from cregoi. . 1 1 0 2 TYPHLOSAURUS MEYER I Boettger. d e t Meyer's Blindworm or Legless Skink. a d TypnMosauru,s meyeri 1892-!J3, ( Boettger, Abhand!. Mus. Dresden, No.:5 r (t894) (Type locality: Angra Pequena). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. e h Mus .. V; p. 490. Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV. 2, p. 44. s i l Loveridge. 1936, Field Mus. N.H. Zool. Ser., XXII, p. 75 (Kleinzee). b u P Description: Snout more or less pointed, elongate and conical. e h Rostral large, a little longer than other head shields together (up to t y 11 times length of frontonasal + frontal). Frontonasal about twice b as broad as long, forming a long suture with rostral. Frontal much d e t shorter and narrower than fr:ontonasal. Parietals forming a short n a suture behind frontal. Eye indistinct, lying below suture of a very r g small ocular and a postocular, the former resting on the upper e c n anterior point of 1st upper labial; a subocular lying between oculaI' e c i and 1st upper labial. Three upper labials. Mental large, extending l r backwards as far as rostral, angularly rounded behind. Scales on e d body hexagonal, broader than long, those of the two median dorsal n u rows being broadest; 14 scales round middle of body. Tail short and y a obtusely pOinted at the end. w e t Colour: A rather broad, yellOWish-red, longitudinal band down a middle of back; on sides five dark longitudinal stripes. Tail almost G t e black above and a median white band on either side. Below, throat n i uniform yellowish, remainder of body with irregular longitudinal b a series of punctated greyish markings. Sometimes specimens bear a S y broad chocolate-coloured vertebral band from back of parietals to b end of tail, which is dusky below; occasionally specimens occur which d e c u 260 d o r p e R are a uniform pinky-white, except for an ill-defined streak from nostril to eye. Dimensions (after Boettger): H. & B. 145, tail 31 mm. Distribution: The coastal areas of the southern part of Great Namaqualand to the northern part of Little Namaqualand, i.e. from Luderitzbucht in the north to Kleinzee in the South. No specimens in the South African Museums. Remarks: Type in Dresden Museum? TYPHLOSAURUS VERMIS Boulenger. (Text-figs. 134 & 135). Boulenger's Blindworm or Legless Skink. Typh~osauT1Ls vermis Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz., III, p. 434, pI. iCXXVIII, figs. 4, 4a-c (Type locality: "Cape of Good Hope "), and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., V, p. 490 (Little Namaqualand). Werner, 1910, Jena. Denkschr., XVI, p. 352 (Port Nolloth). Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon. IV, 2, p. 44, fig. 54. Hewitt, 1929, Ann. Tvl. Mus., XIII, pl. II, fig. 23' (Port NoJloth). Loveridge, 1936, Field Mus. N.H. Zool. Ser., XXII, p. 75 (Kleinzee). FitzSimons, 1938, Ann. Tv!. Mns., XIX, p. 205 (nr. Port Nolloth). Description: Snout conical and projecting. Rostral very large, well over twice as long as other head shields together, posterior border more or less straight or slightly concave. Other head shields minute, the largest being the frontonasal, which is semi-circular and usually smaller than a median dorsal body scale; ~rontal much shorter but subequal in breadth to or a little broader than frontonasal. ) 5·6",m. --~ 1 1 0 E . 2 E d ~ e V) t a d ( r e h s i l b u P e h t y Fig. 135. b d Fig. 134. Typhlosaurus verm~s (T.M. No. 1356B-Alexander Bayj, dorsal view of head e t Fig. 135. Typhlosaurus vermts (T.M. No. 13568), side view of head.. . n a r g Eye just discernible as a dark spot below the anterior border of a e c moderately large ocular, and usually partly overlapped by the much n e c smaller lbreal (there being no preocular); ocular rests on 1st and 2nd i l r upper labia Is; no supraciliaries; two supraocu!ars, the anterior a little e d larger than posterior and in contact with rostral, thus separating n u loreal from frontonasal. Three upper labials distinguishable, the 3rd y a smallest and 2ndlaiger than 1st. Mental very large, extending back w wards as ~ar as rostral, heart-shaped, with a median groove extending e t a forwards for a short distance from posterior margin; 2-3 lower G t labials. Scales on body subhexagonal to tetragonal; much broader e n than long and arranged in oblique series converging on mid-ventral i b line, two median dorsal rows broadest and two median ventral a S narrowest;' 12 scales round middle of body (10 posteriorly). Tail very y b short and obtusely pointed at end. d e c 2m u d o r p e R Colour: Uniform pa'e mauvy-pink to flesh colour, paling posteriorly to ·pale pinky-white. Dimensions: (T.M. 13569--'-Alexander Bay), H. & B. 244, tail 41, breadth head 5.3. diam. body 6.4 mm. Field notes: Confined to coastal sanddune areas, where they are dten dug up in the moist sand' under small shrubs and in shallow depressions. Preyed on extensively by suricates ~Suricata suricatta) and small dune moles (Eremitalpa granti). . Distribution: The coastal areas of the northern part of Little Namaqualand Recorded localities: Port Nolloth (N.M., S.A.M. & T.M,). Alexander Bay (T.M.). Remarks: Type in the British Museum of Natural History. TYPHLOSAURUS CAECUS (Cuvier). (Text-figs. 136~ 138), Cuvier's Blindworm or Legless Skink. Acontias caecus G. Cuvier. 18]7, Reg. Anim., Ed. L II, p. 60 (Type locality: "L'Orient." Note: later amended to Cape of Good Hope by Duvernay, in Cuvier, J 836-49, Regn. Anim .. Ed. 3, II, p. 100). TyphHne cuvie1"i Wiegmann, 1834. Herp. Mex .. p. ] 1. Dumcril & Bibron, 1839, Erpet. Gen., V, p. 836. A. ,Smith, 1849, Ill. Zoo I. S. Afr. Rept. App., p. 15 (Cape Colony). A. Dumeril. ]856. Rev. Mag. Zoo!., VIII, pI. XXII. fig. 2. TyphLine cuvieri part.. Gray, 1845. Cat. Liz., p. 128. Typhlosaurus caecus Boulenger, 1887. Cat. Liz .. III. p. 4:l4. and 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus .. V. 'p. 490 (Cape District). Werner, 191O. Mittl. Naturh. Mus. Hamburg, XXVII, p. 46 (German S.W. Africa). Stern feld, J 911.· Fauna Deutsch. Kalan., IV, 2, p. 44. Description: Snout conical and projecting. Rostral very large, posterior border convex. about twice as long as other head shields ) together. Frontonasal from 2-3 times as broad as long. posterior 1 1 0 border convex. Frontal subequal to or a little shorter than fronto 2 nasal, usually narrower (exceptionally subequal in breadth. when a d e t small scale (prefrontal?) is present on either side of frontonasal). a d ( r e h s i l b u P e h t y b d e t n a r g Fig. 136. Fig. 137. Fig. 138. e c n Fig. 136. TyphlosaUT1Ls caecus (TM. No. 12731-Vredendal). dorsal view of head e c Fig. 137. TypfLlosauTus caccus (T.M. No. 12731). underside of head. i l Typfl/osauTus caecus Fig. 138. (T.M. No. 12731), sIde view of head. r e d n A pair of very small parietals, usually not meeting one another behind u frontal. Eye just discernible below the anterior part of a moderately y a large ocular; a very small preocular between ocular and loreal, which w e t is in contact with frontonasal above (exceptionally separ,ated by a a G small prefrontal); ocular resting on 1st and 2nd upper labials; excep t e tiona'lly a very small supraciliary present between ocular and 1st n i slipraocular; two supraoculars, anterior larger than posterior; a post b a ocular between 2nd supraocular and 2nd upper labial. Three upper S y labials, 2nd much the largest._ Mental very large, extending as far b as or a little further backwards than posterior margin of rqstral, d e c u 262 d o r p e R TYPHLOSAURUS PLOWESI sp. nov. (Text-figs. 1:\9-141). Plowes', Blindworm or Legless Skink. Types: An adult (T.M. No. 20983) and a half-grown specimen (T,rvI. No. 20834). collected by D. C. H.Plowes Esq. at Orangemund. Great Namaqualand, S.W. Africa, August. 1942. Description: Snout elongate and strongly projecting, with a sharp horizontal edge and flattened below. Rostr:al large, about It times as long as other. head shields together. Frontonasal about twice as broad as long, forming a' long suture with rostral. Frontal much ) I'larrower and shorter than frontonasal. Parietals forming a short 1 1 suture behind frontal, much shorter mesially than on the sides. Eye 0 2 indistinct, lying below a minute ocular and extending also slightly d e t under the surrounding. scales. A semicircular scale (loreal?) lying 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 Fig. 139. . Fig. 140 Fig .. 141. n e c Fig. 139. Typhlosau'Ttts plowe~i sp. nov. (T.M. No. 209B3-0rangemund), dorsal view i l of head. x 6. r Fig. 140. .TyphlosatLTsu plowesi sp. nov. (T.M. No. 20983). underside of head. e Fig. 14l. TyphlosauTus plowesi sp. nov. (T.M. No. 20983). side view of head. d n u y between ocular and rostral and separating 1st upper labial from a w frontonasal; two supraoculars, the anterior somewhat elongate and e t larger than posterior; a postocular; no subocular. Three upper labials, a G the 1st as long as deep, the 2nd largest and longer than deep, the t e 3rd smallest. Mental large and cordiform, extending backwards as n i b far as rostral .. Three lower labials. Scales on body hexagonal, broader a S than long, those of the two median dorsal rows being twice as broad y as long, while. the two median ventral rows are only slightly broader b d than long; 14 scales round middle of body. Tail short and obtusely e c pointed at the end. u d o r 263 p e R Colour: Flesh colour with a bright yellow band (almost as broad as the two median scale rows) down the 'middle of the back, exten'ding from the back of the head almost to tip of tail; along. the scale rows on either side of the median yellow band, are longitudinal series of dark reddish-brown spots, which coalesce posteriorly into continuous stripes, and on tail are broad and well marked; a dark marking on either side of head, between the eye and nostril. Underparts flesh colour, with dusky spots along the scale rows, especially towards the vent and under the tail. The density and number of the longi tudinal rows of dark spots varies considerably, and occasionally they are absent altogether, when the animal is uniformly flesh colour but for the dorsal yellow band and the dark marking on either side of the head. . Dimensions: (Type T.M. No. '20983) H: & B. 159, tail 37,' diam. body 4.5 mm. Remarks: This new form, wIth its slender build and snout sharply edged horizontally and flattened below, appears to be most closely related to T. gariepensis mihi. From the latter it can however be readily distinguished on the following characters: Rostral only It times as long as other head shields together; a single minute ocular shield; no supraciliary; mental cordiform; 14 scales round . middle. of body .. T. meyeri, also recorded from the west coast of South Africa but known to me only from the description, is.apparently quite distinct, with a conical snout, the presence of a subocular and mental angularly rounded behind. TYPHLOSAURUS LINEATUS Boulenger. (Text-figs. 142-144; Plate XXIII, fig. 3). Striped K1)lahari Blindworm or Legless Skink. ) 1 TyphlosauTus lineatus Boulenger, 1887, Cat. Liz .. III, p. 432, pI. XXXVIII, 1 figs. 3, 3a and3b. (Type locality: "Cape of Good Hope "). Boettger, 0 2 1887, Ber. Senck. Naturf. Ges., p. 152 (Noi Xas, nr. Ghanse, Kalahari), d and 1894, p. 91 (Gt. Namaqualand). Raux, .1907, Zool ..Jahrb. Syst., e t a XXV, p. 439 (Steinkopf, L.N.). Boulenger, 1910, Ann. S. Afr. Mus .. d V, p. 490. Sternfeld, 1911, Fauna Deutsch. Kolon., IV, 2, p. 44. ( Hewitt and Power, 1913, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., III. p. 159 (Ky K~·. r e Kalahari; Good Hope, Kimberley). Hewitt,. 1929, Ann. Tv!. Mus., h s i XIII, pI. II, fig. 22 (Serowe). FitzSimons, 1935, Ann. Tv!. Mus., XVI. l b p. 377 (Kuke-Gomodimo, Gomodimo, Kaotwe, Okwa River-Damara u Pan and Gemsbok Pan, Kalahari). P e h Description: Snout strongly projecting, flattened inferiorly.with t y a sharp horizontal edge: Rostral as long as or a little shorter. than b other head, shields together, posterior border more or less straight. d e t Frontonasa~ very broad, being about 3 times (or a little more) as n a broad as long and forming a broad suture with rostral. Frontal sub r g pentagonal, narro~er than frontonasal but twice as long. A pair of e c bandlike parietals, in contact with one another behind frontal. Eye n e c just discernible as a dark spot below a small ocular, which is bounded i l r by five scales, viz. a very small preocular and subocular, a large e d postocular and two smaller supraciliaries (anterior supraciliary some n u times absent due to fusion with anterior supraocular, which is then y a correspondingly larger); a largish loreal(?) anterior to preocular. in w e contact below with 1st upper labial and above with frontonasal; two t a supraoculars, the anterior being larger than posterior. Four upper G t labials, the first three vertically elongate. Mental'large, subtriangular, e n extending as far back as rostral; three lower labials. Scales on body i b hexagonal, broader' than long, those of the two median dorsal rows a S being broadest while the two median ventral rows are narrowest; y b 14 scales round middle' of body. Tail very short· and obtusely pointed, d e at end. c u d 264 o r p e R Colour: Yellow above, with 4-8 longitudinal series of dark liver brown spots' over back and tail, the 4 median. dorsal rows usually well-marked and continuous (broader on tail), while the two outer rows of spots on either side are often feebly marked or absent; some times all eight series of spots form continuous stripes, while rows. of spots also persist ventrally. Below, yellowish-white, uniform or' with longitudinal rows of dark spots (as above mentioned). Head suffused with purplish-brown, the markings being more or less. symetrically arranged. Occasionally. specimens occur which are more or less uniform dark vinaceous-grey to purplish-brown or black above 'E E 10 6mm. ) 1 1 0 2 d e t a d ( r e h s i l b u P Fig. 142. TyphlosauTus lineatus (T.M. No. 13694-Waterpoort), dorsal view of head. e h Fig. 143. TyphlosauTus lineatus (T.M. No. 13694), underside of head. t y Fig. 144. TyphlosauTus lineatus (T.M. No. 13694). side view of head. b d and on sides, the scales being pernaps a little paler towards the e t n edges; below; yellowish-white to. creamy pink, usually with extensive a r patchy extensions 'of the dark dorsal colour over belly and tail: g e Dimensions: (T.M. 14459-Gemsbok Pan), H. & B. 13.3, tail 20,. c n e length head (tip of snout to posterior border parietals) 6.3, breadth c i l head 4.6, diam. body 5.7 mm. r e Field notes: Confined to sand veld . country and, when exposed, d n burrow away out of sight again with great speed; extremely difficult u y to retain within one's grasp, owing to their vigorous squirming and a w the hard, glassy smoothness of their' bodies. e t a Distribution: The Kalahari and adjoining sandveld areas. Recorded G localities: Kilis, an Molopo River' (A.M.). Ky Ky (A.M. & K.M.). t e n Serowe (A.M. & N.M.). Aminuis; Namutoni (S.A.M.). Kuke-Gomo i b dimo Gomodimo, Kaotwe, Okwa River-Damara Pan and Gemsbok a S Pan, 'Kalahari; Waterpoort, N. Tvl. (T.M.). . y b Remarks: Type in" the British Museum of Natural History. Roux d e (1907. p. 439) records this species from Steinkopf, Little Namaqualand~ c u d 265 o r p e R this record is doubtful, and is in all likelihood applicable to Acontias lineatu8, which shows a remarkably close superficial resemblance to TyphloSClurus Iineatus . .TYPHLOSAURUS GARIEPENSIS FitzSimons. (Text-figs. 145-147). Orange River Blind·worm· or Legless Skink. Tl1phlosaurus gariepensis FitzSimons, 1941, Ann. Tvl. Mus:, XX. P.' 276, text-figs. 1-3 (Type. locality : Upington, N.W. Cape Province). Description: Head generally more depressed and narrowed than in· Iineatu·s. Snout strongly projecting, flattened inferiorly: with a sharp horizontal edge. Rostral as long as other head shields together; posterior border more or less straight. Frontonasalvery broad, slightly less than three times as broad as long, forming a broad suture with rostral. Frontal subpentagonal,· a little narrower than fronto nasal but ahnost twice as long. A pair of parietals in contact with one another behind frontal. Eye just discernible as a dark spot below 4·S.mm. ) 1 Fig. 145 Fig. 146. Fig. 147. 1 0 Fig. 145. TyphlosQur1!S gariepensis (S.A.M. Type No. 11232-Upington). dorsal view 2 of head. . d e .Fig. 146. Typillosaurus gariepensis (S.A.M. No. 11232). underside of head . t Fig. 147. Typhlosaurus gariepensis (S.A.M. No. 11232). side view of head. a d ( suture· of two small oculars, which rest on 1st upper labial; anterior r e h . ocular in contact with a moderately large loteal, which separates s i l 1st upper labial from frontonasal above;' a small supraciliary between b u posterior ocular and anterior supraocular; a large postocular resting P e on 1st and 2nd upper labials; 2 supraoculars, the anterior larger and h t in contact with loreal and anterior ocular. 3 Upper labials, 1st largest y b and as long as deep, 3rd smallest (labials not vertically elongate as d e in Zineatus). Mental large, extending about as far back as rostral, t n posterior border feebly convex. 3 Lower labials. Scaies on body a r g hexagonaL much broader than long, those of two median dorsal rows e c being broadest and over twice as broad as long; 12 scales round middle n e of body. A single large, semicircular preanal plate. Tail very short, c i l obtusely pointed at end. r e Colour: Above, yellow. with 4 longitudinal series of dark brown d n spots over back and tail, those of the two median rows (arising on u y parietals) are larger, confluent and broadest on tail; outer series of a spots from eye are confluent only on tail; a short stripe on side of w e t head from posterior end nasal groove, passing through eye a'nd fading a G out on side of neck. Sides and lower surfaces creamy yellow. t e Dimensions: Type (S.A.M, No. 11232), H. & B. 110, tail 20, length n i head (to posterior border parietals) 4.5, breadth head 3.1 nun. b a S Distribution: Known .only from the type locality, viz. Upington, y north-west Cape Province. b d Remarks: Type in the South African Museum, Cape Town. e c u 266 d o r p e R