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

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

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

shorter) than third. Most of the specimens into which they retreated when disturbed; collected key out as A . a. aculeata with burrows were usually situated in close REPORT ON A COLLECTION OF FROM reference to all three criteria listed above. proximity to small thorn bushes. 1besc OWAMBO DISTRICT, NORTHERN NAMIBIA However, several head shields are somewhat lizards are well camouflaged but usually ridged in NMB R7416, 7420, 7425, while a easily captured when in the open and away few are keeled in FN 4021. Also, the third from burrows. Males usually baYC short Mkhael F. Bates & Neil J.L Heideman toe on both feet is longer than the fourth in orange, black and/or broom stripes on a NMB R7416 and 7420, and and yellowish throat, together with a - Department ofHerpetology, National Museum FN 4006 4020. NMB R7420 also has only 17 subdigital characteristic black spot-like marlcing at the P.O. Box 266, Bloemfo,uein 93~ SoUlhAfrica lamellae on the fourth toe of the right foot, base of the throat; females have a white and could therefore be considered an .A. a. gular region, sometimes with broom or grey Little has been published on the occurrence SPECIES ACCOUNTS distanti using the above criteria; while NMB streaks only, and the throat turns a pinkish• of lizards in the Owambo district since R7416 is similar, but has 19 subdigital orange shade during the breeding season Robert Mertens' (1955, 1971) papers on the Geldronidae lamellae. The last two specimens (NJLH, pers. obs.). This species is sympatric reptiles and amphibians of Namibia. Pachydactylus tumeri (Gray 1864) nevertheless have mainly smooth head with A. a. aculeata at Ohakweenyanp and Collecting in this ri:gion was restricted Turner's Gecko shields, and all other variations mentioned Onanakali. The throat of the latter bas during the 1970s and 1980s because of One specimen: Omuulu (NMB R7450). above are here considered minor. All broken or continuous dart stripes, although military activity during the South Africa - specimens arc therefore referred to the a black marlcing at the buc of the throet is Angola War. A single specimen (74 mm SVL) with nominate subspecies. occasionally also present. Other characters distinctly keeled dorsal tubercles was found used to distinguish the two species in the The Owambo district, situated in central under reeds outside a hut. This Usually found in sandy areas with sparse, field are: in A. eros/1« there are usually northern Namibia, is the most densely identification, using a diagnostic key low thorn bushes, although a male from three pairs of distinct, dad, OYal-Qlaped populated region of that country (Marsh & translated into English by Prof. Aaron Omuulu was diSCOYCred under the trunk of a paravertebral marlcinp on the bacll: between Seely, 1992). A variety of vegetation types Bauer, is based on the revision of the felled tree, and another male from Oukango the fore- and hindlimbs, the inner part of cover the region, with mopane woodland and Pachydacty/us bibronii - laevigatus complex ran across a sandy opening and climbed the each oval with a distinct white border, the palm savanna dominating (Claassen & Page, by H. Bcnyr (1995), with the substitution of trunk of a mopane tree Colophospermum belly is immaculate and the ear opening 1978). the name tumeri for /aevigatus based on mopane (Kirk ex Bcnth.) to a height of minute; while in A. a. aculeata dorsal priority. about 50 cm before being captured. marlcin~ are more variable and not as Over a three-day period from 22-24 May distinctive, grey reticulations are often 1996, 13 localities in the Owambo district Agama etoshae Mclachlan 1981 present on the underparts and the diameter were visited (Appendix 1). The main aim of Agama acu/eata acu/eata Merrem 1820 Etosha Agama of the ear opening is more than half that of the trip was to collect Agama etoshae for a Western Ground Agama Fifty-three specimens: Eehama (NMB the eye cleft. project on their reproduction and Eighteen specimens: Ohalcweenyanga (NMB R7408-13, FN 4090, 4092-93, 4095-96); distribution (NJLH). A total of 100 lizards R7425); Omuthea (NMB R7418-20, FN Emono (NMB R7390-91, FN 4035); Acanthocercus atrico/lis (A. Smith 1849) assignable to nine species ( one geklconid, 4002, 4006); Onanakali (NMB R7421-24, FN Ohakweenyanga (NMB R7392-95, 7415, FN TreeAgama three agamids, two scincids and three 4020-21, 4024, 4027-28); Omuulu (NMB 4042, 4046-48); Ompundja (NMB R7396-407, One specimen: Ompundja (NMB R7427); lacertids) were collected, with an additional R7417); Onandi (NMB R7426); Oukango FN 4057, 4070-71, 4074-77, 4080-81, 4085-86); Omuulu (sight record). sight record of a gerrhosaurid. (NMB R7416). Onanakali (NMB R7389); Onyaanya (NMB R7387-88, FN 4013-14); Oshinhadhila (NMB The captured specimen (59 mm SVL) was In most cases 4-5 persons went on foot Fourth toe on both feet longer than 3rd R7414, FN 4100). found in bushes in a sandy area, the other searching for terrestrial, and occasionally (typical for this subspecies: Mclachlan, was an adult observed high up in the arboreal, lizards which were captured either 1981) in 14, but shorter in four, specimens; Largest male (NMB R7406) 75 + 73 = 148 branches of a tree. In the western half of by hand or by shooting them with stretched 17-21 (19 in eight specimens) lamellae under mm; largest female (NMB R7412) 78 + 50 southern Africa this species occurs only in rubber bands. The majority of specimens 4th toe of right foot. Four males (74-99 mm = 128 mm. the Owamboland area (Branch, 1988). were deposited in the preserved collection of SVL) had 9-12 pre-doacal pores. Largest the National Museum, Bloemfontein male (NMB R7417) 99 mm SVL + 137 mm Usually found in open, sandy areas with a Sc:incidae (NMB). Numbers preceded by "FN" are tail length = 236 mm total length; largest few scattered, low -bushes in or near palm Mabuya binotata (Bocage 1867) National Museum field numbers; these female (NMB R7421) 100 mm SVL. savanna or at the ecotone between mopane Ovambo Tree Skink specimens will be sent for deposition in the and palm biomes; a young male (NMB One specimen: Omuulu (NMB R7441). collection of the National Museum of According to Mclachlan (1981) A. a. R7391) was diSCOYCrcd under a section of Namibia, Windhoek. aculeata is distinguished from A. a. distanti black cloth and had an overall dark greyish A large specimen (about 126 mm SVL, by its smooth (vs. rugose) dorsal head colour. In a sandy, open, overgrazed area at damaged) was found about 2 m up at the The collection is documented below, shields, 18-24 (vs. 11-17) lamellae under the Ompundja, individual adults and juveniles edge of a hollow in a large mopane tree in together with comments on habitat, beha• fourth toe, and fourth toe longer ( not were observed at the mouths of burrows, mopane woodland. The was whitish- viour, distribution and taxonomic status.

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

grey with a distinct black band £rom behind The Owamboland skinb did not have the the eye to above the shoulder. The brown, unstriped colour pattern of "typical" central Namibian M. s. striata (Peters) Nucras holubi (Steindachner 1882) geographical range of M. binolala is M. s. wahlbergii as illustrated in Branch records to M. s. wahlbergii (see map in Holub's Sandveld Lizard restricted to northern Namibia and southern (1988, pl. 54). Large adults closely resembled Branch 1988). More recently the latter One specimen: Emono (NMB R7448). Angola (Branch, 1988) and corresponds a Botswana specimen photographed by subspecies was recorded from south-eastern closely with that of the mopane tree C. Auerbach (1987, pl. 10). The large Angola (Branch & McCartney, 1992) and A single specimen (43 mm SVL) was found mcpane (Coates-Palgrave, 1977) in Namibia. Owamboland sk.inks had grey-brown dona the Western Caprivi (Haacke, 1996). in a sandy area with scattered bushes. It and flanks, with occasional dark markings; occurs in sympatry with Heliobolus lugubris Mabuya striata wahlbergii (Peters 1869) scattered pale flecks and numerous larger Lattrtidae at this locality. Jacobsen (1990) treats the Wahlberg's Striped Skink dark markings present only in NMB R7435, Pedioplanis lineoocellata cf. pulchella (Gray large "omata" morph of N. taeniolata oma1a Sixteen specimens: Elundu area (NMB which has a dorsal pattern intermediate 1845) (Gray) (sec Broadley, 1972) ai; a full species, R7430-32); Emono (NMB R7437-38, FN between large and medium sized specimens; Spotted Sandveld Lizard while Bates (1996) considers the smaller 4039); Ompundja (NMB R7440); Omuulu a fairly distinct 2-3 scale-wide cream One specimen: Onyaanya (NMB R7447). "holubi" morph also to be specifically distinct (NMB R7429); Onanakali (NMB R743.S-36, coloured dorso-lateral stripe present from from typical N. taeniolata (A. Smith). This FN 4019); Onandi (NMB R7439); Onhinda behind the eye to the tail base from where it A single specimen (35 + 54r = 89 mm) was locality appears to be the only the third (NMB R7433); Onyaanya (NMB R7434); fades, the stripe being most distinct on the collected at 13h10 in a sandy area with quarter-

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

MtLachlan, G.R. 1981. of Agama median stripe divides at the level of the as guides; &!gar Mohapi (National Claassen, P.E. & Page, D. 1978. Ontwik• forelimb insertion, each fork ending at the Museum) for collecting specimens and kelingsplan vir Owambo. Report of the Insti• hi.spida (Sauria: Agamidae) in southern Afri• ca. Cimbebasia, Ser. A 5(6), 219-227. back of the head posterior to the parietals. assisting with the preparation of museum tute for Population Research, University of material; Liz de Villiers (National Museum) Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch. DISCUSSION for translating French articles (Monard, Mertens, R. 1955. Die Amphibien und Rcptilicn Siidwcstafrikas. Abh. smckmb. Laurent) into English; Bill Cooper and Wulf Coates-Palgrave, K.C. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. C. Struik Publishers, Cape naturf. ~s., 490, 1-172. This paper represents a small contribution Haacke (Transvaal Museum, Pretoria) for to our knowledge on the lizards of their helpful comments on the manuscript; Town. Mertens, R. 1971. Die Herpctofauna Owamboland, documenting new distribution and the reviewers, Donald G. Broadley Siidwcst-Afrikas. Abh. senckmb. naturf. Ges., records for nine species, namely one (Biodiversity Foundation for Africa, Haacke, W.D. 1996. Report on first 529, 1-110. gekkonid, three agamids, two scincids and Bulawayo) and Neils H.G. Jacobsen records from the western Caprivi Zipfel, three laccrtids (including a northerly range (Hercules, Pretoria) for their valuable Namibia. African Herp News No. 25: 29-33. extension for Pedioplanis lineoocellata). suggestions. We also thank Rod M. Douglas Monard, A. 1937. Contribution a l'Hcrpctologie d'Angola. Arqu. Mus. Boca~ Three size classes of Mabuya striala (National Museum, Bloemfontein) for acting Jacobsen, N.H.G. 1990. A hcrpctological wahlbergii were apparent on the basis of as editor for this paper. survey of the Transvaal. Unpublished Ph.D. (Lisboa), 8, 19-154. shared colour patterns and microhabitat thesis, University of Natal, Durban. utilization. REFERENCES Visser, J. 1984a. Die sandtrappcrs is vlug van Marsh, A.C. & Seely, M. 1992. Oshanas. wet. Landbou Wttkblad, 349 (9 Nov.), 48- Apart from the lizards discussed above, a Auerbach, R.D. 1987. The Amphibians and Sustaining people, environment and de• 49, 51, 53. few additional reptiles and f~ were Reptiles of Botswana. Mokwcpa Consultants, velopment in central Owambo, Namibia. observed. A large Gerrlwsaurus (? Typoprint, Namibia. Visser, J. 1984b. Akkedi5-familie van die Ou Gaborone. Landbou nigrolineatus) was observed in a sandy Wlreld. Wttkblad, 3411 (2 Nov.), 64-65, 67, 69. clearing between bushes in the Elundu area; Bates, M.F. 1996. New reptile distribution the only other congcncric species recorded records for the Free State province of South from the area is G. multilineatus Bocage Africa. Navors. nas. Mus., Bloemfontein, (Mertens, 1955, 1971; Branch, 1988). At mid• U(l), 1-47. Appendix 1: Localities, with map co-ordinates (quarter-degree units in parentheses), for day at Onanakali what appeared to be an lizards collected and observed in Owamboland. adult sand snake (Psammophis sp.) was Benyr, G. 1995. Systcmatik und Taxonomic observed grasping and constricting a dcr Geckos des Pachydactylus bibronii• Eehama 17°49'S, 15°43'E (1715DC) medium sized Agama a. aculeata at the edge laevigatus Komplcxes (Reptilia: : Elundu area l 7°28'30"S, 16"33'E (1716BC) of a thorn bush. It released the lizard when Gekkonidae). Unpublished Diplomabeit Emono (2 km SW of Onayena) 17°58'S, 16°11'E (1716CC) disturbed, but a few minutes later the same thesis, Universitat Wien. (Thesis not seen.) Ohakwccnyanga (near Oshinyadhila) 17°49'S, 15°47'30"E (1715DD) scenario presented itself on the opposite Omuthca (near Onyati) 18"12'15"S, 16"23'E (1816AB) side of the bush, both participants again Branth, W.R. 1988. Field Guide to the Snakes Ompundja l 7°57'30"S, 15°40'E (1715DC) escaping capture. At Onhinda what and other Reptiles of Solllhem Africa. Struik Omuulu l 7"30'20"S, l6°10'E (1716CA) appeared to be a large spitting cobra, Naja Publishers, Cape Town. Onanakali 18"11'S, 16"22'E (1816AB) nigricollis nigricincta Bogen, was seen Onandi 18"07'30"S, 16"20'E (1816AB) entering a hollow in the trunk of a large Branch, W.R. & McCartney, C.J. 1992. A Onhinda 17"38'S, 16"30'45"E (1716DA) mopanc tree. Numerous Cacosternum report on a small collection of reptiles from Onyaanya (30 km SE of Ondangwa) 18"04'55"S, 16°17'E (1816AB) boettgeri (Boulenger) and a lesser number of southern Angola. J. Herpetol. Assoc. Afr., 41, Oshinhadhila ( = Oshinyadhila) 17°.SO'S, 16°46'30"E (1716DD) Tomopterna cryptotis (Boulcngcr) frogs were 1-3. Oukango l 7°28'30"S, 16°17'30"E (1716AD) found in cracks in partially dried mud at Emano; while a large adult Bufo garmani Broadley, D.G. 1m. A review of the Nucras Meck was observed at Ohakwccnyanga. tessellata group (Sauria: Laccrtidae ). Amoldia (Rhodesia), 5(20), 1-36. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Broadley, D.G. 1977. A review of the We thank the Ministry of Wildlife, Mabuya striala complex in South-Eastern Conservation and Tourism of Namibia for Africa (Sauria: Scincidac). 0cc. Pap. natn. granting collecting permits; the Amupathi Mus. Rhod., B 6(2), 45-79. family of Ohakwcenyanga for their hospitality while in Owamboland, especially David and Johannes Amupathi who served

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