Exploration into the hidden world of Mozambique’s sky island forests:new discoveries of reptiles and amphibians

We carried out a survey of reptiles and amphibians within Afromontane forest and woodland slopes of three inselbergs in northern Mozambique (Mount Mabu, Mount Namuli, and Mount Ribáuè). A total of 56 species (22 amphibians and 34 reptiles) were recorded during the current survey. Our findings substantially increase the number of herpetofaunal species recorded from these mountains (Mount Ribáuè 59%, Mount Mabu 37%, and Mount Namuli 11% of the total species), including one new country record and several putative new species. An updated checklist of the herpetofauna of these mountains is presented

Systematics of the Cape legless skink Acontias meleagris species complex

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.This study examined the biogeography and taxonomic status of the Cape legless skink, Acontias meleagris species complex using phylogenetic analyses, population genetics, demographic history aspects, time of lineage diversification estimation, environmental statistic analyses and a morphological evaluation. A total of 231 specimens from 55 localities were collected from the entire known distribution range of the A. meleagris complex throughout the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape, South Africa. Partial sequence data were collected from two mitochondrial DNA loci, 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI), and one protein-coding nuclear DNA locus, exophilin 5 (EXPH 5). DNA sequences were analyzed for phylogenetic methods and biogeographical dating, while population genetic analyses were conducted on the COI sequences. Geographical boundaries amongst cryptic lineages were determined and evolutionary drivers of cladogenesis within the species complex were inferred. Marked genetic structure was observed within the A. meleagris complex, and five clades were retrieved, most of which were statistically well supported. These five clades were also evident within the haplotypic analyses and were characterized by demographic stability. Lineage diversification and the current biogeographical patterning observed for lineages within the A. meleagris species complex reflect the impact of sea level oscillations on historical coastal habitat availability. Additional historical evolutionary drivers within this subterranean species complex were inferred and discussed. The five clades within this species complex were considered discrete species, characterised by phylogenetic and biogeographic distinctiveness. While, morphological characters that could be used to identify the five species demonstrated widespread overlap for morphometric and meristic characters as well as colour pattering. Consequently, the phylogenetic species concept was employed for a taxonomical revision of A. meleagris sensu lato. Here, three of the previously recognised subspecies A. m. meleagris, A. m. orientalis and A. m. orientalis–'lineicauda' were elevated to full species, and two new species A. caurinus sp. nov. and A. parilis sp. nov. were described.National Research Foundation (NRF

A new species of tree snake (Dipsadoboa, Serpentes: Colubridae) from 'sky island' forests in northern Mozambique, with notes on other members of the Dipsadoboa werneri group

Branch, William R., Bayliss, Julian, Bittencourt-Silva, Gabriela B., Conradie, Werner, Engelbrecht, Hanlie M., Loader, Simon P., Menegon, Michele, Nanvonamuquitxo, Cristóvão, Tolley, Krystal A. (2019): A new species of tree snake (Dipsadoboa, Serpentes: Colubridae) from 'sky island' forests in northern Mozambique, with notes on other members of the Dipsadoboa werneri group. Zootaxa 4646 (3): 541-563, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4646.3.

A contribution to the phylogeny and taxonomy of the <i>Pachydactylus weberi</i> group (Squamata: Gekkonidae): a case of intraspecific colour polymorphism confounding taxonomy

<p><i>Pachydactylus</i> is the most species-rich reptile genus in southern Africa. Most species are habitat specialists adapted to hyper-arid conditions of the Namibian and north-western South African xeric regions. Although a fair number of phylogenetic studies and taxonomic revisions have been published, some species still remain rather enigmatic. In the ten years since the taxonomic revision of the <i>weberi</i> group, some of the species have not been recorded and our knowledge on their distribution, phylogenetic affinities, or intraspecific variability is limited or non-existent. <i>Pachydactylus goodi</i> is one such species. In this study, we report a newly discovered population of <i>P. goodi</i> in the Richtersveld National Park, South Africa, which considerably extends the known range of the species. In addition, the results of our phylogenetic analyses indicate that <i>P. goodi</i> is paraphyletic with respect to <i>P. atorquatus</i>. Although there is a striking colour polymorphism observed between these two species, the level of genetic differentiation within the <i>goodi-atorquatus</i> clade is comparable with intraspecific variability observed in other <i>Pachydactylus</i> species. As a result of these findings, which are further supported by morphological similarity of the two species, we conclude that they represent a single species and synonymise <i>P. goodi</i> with <i>P. atorquatus</i>.</p