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A Review of Current Classification Methods
with Particular Reference to African Passerids (Aves)— AbstractPasserid birds are cosmopolitan, with an African origin that dates back to the Early Tertiary. Whereas primitive representatives were insectivores and frugivores, the Miocene rise and spread of savanna grassland and adaptation to granivory resulted in an explosive radiation that is not reflected in the systematics of the group. Since evolution is complex, a classification that accurately replicates genealogy must be complex also, and far more taxa are required to depict this passerine diversification than are currently admitted. Although most of these names are available, a failure to understand the true purpose of taxonomy has led to their obfuscation by taxonomic lumping and subjective synonymy. So as to determine genealogy, Darwinian (phylogenetic) taxonomy requires identification of primitive and derived characters for correct taxonomic placement, since weighting of these two character-sets greatly influences classification. Moreover it demands cognisance of the phenotypic discontinuities created by extinct and unknown taxa that represent the majority sample (~90%). These form the twigs, stems and branches of the evolutionary tree, and are of paramount importance in replicating ancestry and determining taxonomic rank. Although cladograms are the prevailing method of depicting inferred evolutionary relationships, their use for classification produces incongruous associations. This is because the gaps separating adjacent branches of a cladogram represent phenotypic discontinuities of variable magnitude, that are different for every branch of every cladogram and range from species to families. Equalisation of these internodal gaps draws taxa far closer phylogenetically than they are biologically, so that the use of cladograms and PAUP analysis for classification produces erroneous taxonomic associations. Cladograms provide only an indication of affiliation among the sample under consideration, not close taxonomic bond. Linnaean and Darwinian taxonomy are not different classification systems, they merely draw the cut-off line at different levels in the evolutionary tree; Linnaean taxonomy trims the outer growth whereas Darwinian taxonomy insists on its retention. Since all evolution is a continuum, it is suggested that quantum evolution and punctuated equilibrium are artificial constructs resulting from taxonomic lumping, phenotypic discontinuities and the alternating environmentally-stimulated processes of cladogenesis and anagenesis. The biological species concept is shown to have been fallacious since the day of inception, and the subjectivity of taxa construction is emphasized. Molecular classifications have produced some of the most incongruous taxonomic associations ever to have afflicted avian systematics and, to date, have failed to produce a natural classification. Phenotypic analysis remains the only method capable of tracking close evolutionary relationships and, with due attention to “trifling characters”, accurately replicating the finest intricacies of the evolutionary process necessary to achieve a “natural classification”.
Can Gondwana vicariance, rather than Cenozoic chance dispersal, better explain the disjunction of Ambulicini hawkmoths between Madagascar and New Caledonia?— AbstractThe geographic disjunction between the hawkmoth genera Compsulyx in New Caledonia and Batocnema in East Africa-Madagascar is a biogeographic pattern shared with other plant and animal taxa, irrespective of their individual means of dispersal. The disjunction is almost identical to a sister species relationship in the plant genus Acridocarpus (Malpighiaceae), similar to Cunonia (Cunoniaceae) in New Caledonia and South Africa, and comparable to Dietes (Iridaceae) on Lord Howe Island and Madagascar/East Africa. These and other geographic disjunctions represent scattered elements of the numerous trans-Indian Ocean connections involving more widespread taxa, some with distributions that include the Pacific. The biogeographic patterns are consistent with Mesozoic tectonic events that disrupted the continuity of widespread ancestral distributions. The tectonic correlations are not in conflict with younger fossil or island calibrated molecular divergence ages that represent minimum estimates only. And they provide a potential falsification of centers of origin and chance dispersal models generated by ancestral-areas programmes.
Spot the difference: on the genus Hapalopus Ausserer, 1875 in Colombia and a new related genus from Brazil and Bolivia (Araneae: Theraphosidae)— AbstractAn incongruence in palpal bulb and spermathecal morphologies between groupings of species of the genus Hapalopus Ausserer, 1875 has persisted for some time. We redefine Hapalopus based on examination of the holotype male of the type species, Hapalopus formosus Ausserer, 1875, housed in the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien. Three new species of Hapalopus are described from Colombia: H. guerreroi Benavides, Osorio, Sherwood, Gabriel, Peñaherrera-R., Hörweg, Brescovit & Lucas sp. nov., H. platnicki Sherwood, Gabriel, Osorio, Benavides, Peñaherrera-R., Hörweg, Brescovit & Lucas sp. nov., and H. vangoghi Osorio, Benavides, Sherwood, Gabriel, Peñaherrera-R., Hörweg, Brescovit & Lucas sp. nov. The new genus Notahapalopus Sherwood, Gabriel, Peñaherrera-R., Osorio, Benavides, Hörweg, Brescovit & Lucas gen. nov. is described to house Notahapalopus aymara (Perdomo, Panzera & Pérez-Miles, 2009) comb. nov. (type species), Notahapalopus gasci (Maréchal, 1996) comb. nov., N. parauapebas Sherwood, Gabriel, Osorio, Benavides, Peñaherrera-R., Hörweg, Brescovit & Lucas sp. nov., and N. serrapelada (Fonseca-Ferreira, Zampaulo & Guadanucci, 2017) comb. nov. Discussion on the biogeography of Hapalopus and Notahapalopus gen. nov. is also provided. Hapalopus lesleyae Gabriel, 2011 is transferred to Jambu Miglio, Perafán & Pérez-Miles, 2024 based on palpal bulb morphology, giving the new combination Jambu lesleyae comb. nov.
Two new species of Thrixopelma Schmidt, 1994 from Peru (Araneae: Theraphosidae)— AbstractTwo new species of Thrixopelma Schmidt, 1994 are described from Peru based on historic male specimens: Thrixopelma christineae sp. nov. and Thrixopelma eliseanneae sp. nov., both deposited in the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, Paris. This work increases the diversity of this genus to ten, and the total number of congeners known from Peru to nine.
Sexual dimorphism in the frog Aubria subsigillata
(Duméril, 1856) (Anura:
Pyxicephalidae) in Benin republic, West Africa— AbstractSexual
dimorphism, when present in a given species, is an important adjunct when studying reproductive
strategies in amphibian populations. In this study we investigated biometric and qualitative
characters for sexing the frog Aubria subsigillata. The objective of this study was to determine
from these data the criteria for accurately distinguishing males and females of the frog Aubria
subsigillata. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare the means of the collected
variables between the sexes and canonical discriminant analysis was used to identify notable
dimorphic traits. The results reveal that males have a fairly long humerus (mean 13.49 mm), abdomen
and throat generally heavily mottled with black. They lack femoral glands on the femora. In
contrast, females have a shorter humerus (mean 13.01 mm), a whitish abdomen and throat and a
protruding femoral gland. Females are larger in size (mean 86.19 mm) and are heavier (mean 38.63 g)
than males (means 80.19 mm & 30.25 g respectively). For sexing of A. subsigillata individuals, it is
important to take into account all these morphological criteria.
An inordinate fondness for spinnerets: on some
spiders of the genera Diplura C. L. Koch, 1850 and Linothele Karsch, 1879 with new species, records,
and notes on types (Araneae: Dipluridae) — AbstractDuring
recent routine curatorial work in the Natural History Museum, London three additional specimens, two
of Diplura nigra (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1896) and one of D. sanguinea (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge,
1896) – previously not known to have been separated from the original respective type samples
according the museum database – were located in a box of returned material from an external loan.
Thus, the number of paralectotypes of these taxa must be revised. We also record D. sanguinea from
Colombia for the first time, further expanding the distribution range of this widespread taxon.
Knowledge of the linothelid taxa of Colombia is advanced, with description of Linothele gaboi sp.
nov. and Linothele wiwa sp. nov., and the first Colombian distribution records of L. curvitarsis
Karsch, 1879. Additionally, we also describe two new species from Peru: L. abispa sp. nov. and L.
wallacei sp. nov. Linothele melloleitaoi (Brignoli, 1983), from Colombia, is considered a nomen
dubium.
A revised world catalogue of Ghost Moths
(Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) with taxonomic and biological annotations — AbstractWe
present a taxonomic list and bibliography for 82 genera and 701 species of Hepialidae sensu stricto.
The literature survey spans nearly 400 years, from 1634 to the present, and comprises 1,793
references. Genera and species are presented in alphabetical order. Each species record comprises
the original taxonomic work, synonyms where applicable, general distribution, type locality and type
depository where known, and literature pertaining to illustrations of the adult, morphology,
biology, and host plant records (as documented in the literature, regardless of verification).
Taxonomic changes are justified, and include several new combinations. There is a brief overview of
ecology and conservation issues along with biographies of some past workers in the field, a broad
geographic summary of generic distribution, colour illustrations of some selected species, and a
summary of fungal and plant food sources. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: 1) Status
restored: Aenetus cyanochlora Lower, 1894, stat. rest., Endoclita pallescens
Tshistjakov, 1996, stat. rest., Endoclita pfitzneri (Gaede, 1933), stat. rest.; 2) New
combinations: Gymelloxes costaricensis (Druce, 1887) (Phassus), comb. n.,
Philoenia cocama (Pfitzner, 1914) (Dalaca), comb. n., Philoenia niepelti
(Pfitzner, 1914) (Dalaca), comb. n., Pseudodalaca smithi (Druce, 1889) (Phassus),
comb. n., Vietteogorgopis petropolisiensis (Viette, 1952) (Cibyra), comb. n.; 3) New
synonymies: EM> Dalaca vibicata Pfitzner, 1914, syn. n. of Dalaca
trilinearis Pfitzner, 1914, Dalaca manoa Pfitzner, 1914, syn. n. of Dalaca
olivescens Pfitzner, 1914. 4) Status restored and new combination: Philoenia
nannophyes (Pfitzner, 1914) (Dalaca), stat. rest., comb. n.
On the specimens of Actinopus Perty, 1833
deposited in the Natural History Museum, London, with redescriptions, first description of missing
sexes, and notes on other taxa (Araneae: Actinopodidae) —
Abstract
The specimens of Actinopus Perty, 1833 deposited at the Natural History Museum, London are
catalogued. Redescriptions of Actinopus crassipes (Keyserling, 1891), A. harti
Pocock, 1895, A. liodon (Ausserer, 1875), A. robustus (O. Pickard-Cambridge,
1892), and A. wallacei F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1896 are presented. A lectotype and
paralectotypes are designated for A. robustus. Miglio et al. (2020) erroneously considered
the type specimens of A. harti and A. liodon to be lost, and further wrongly
stated A. liodon would have been deposited in the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien when this
was never the case. The type series of A. harti comprises of a holotype female and numerous
paratypes. The male of A. harti is described for the first time. Actinopus liodon is
represented in the collection by the holotype male and a non-type male, and this species, along with
A. pindapoy Miglio, Pérez-Miles & Bonaldo, 2020, is synonymised with A. longipalpis C. L.
Koch, 1842 syns nov. The first record of A. longipalpis from Paraguay is reported.
The holotype of Actinopus luteipes (Keyserling, 1891) is illustrated, confirmed as an
immature female, and is tentatively maintained as a junior synonym of A. crassipes. The
male of A. trinotatus Mello-Leitão, 1938 is described for the first time. Conversely, the
female of A. tetymapyta Sherwood & Pett, 2022 is described for the first time (on the basis
of specimens from the Dr Bohls collection which also contains two adult males). Actinopus
vilhena Miglio, Pérez-Miles & Bonaldo, 2020 is recorded from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil
for the first time. An additional female of A. princeps Chamberlin, 1917 from the
previously-reported locality Parque Nacional do Itatiaia is illustrated. A new species is proposed
on the basis of Bolivian material misidentified as A. wallacei by Miglio et al. (2020), and
described in full accordance with Article 13.1.2 of the International Code of Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999).
Rediscovery of Lethe tristigmata Elwes, 1887
(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) — AbstractLethe
tristigmata Elwes, 1887 is a rare and endemic butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae,
subfamily
Satyrinae, and has a very restricted global distribution. This species was first described as well
as last
reported from India in late 19th century. Our article reports the rediscovery of L.
tristigmata after
more than 121 years from Neora Valley National Park situated in Kalimpong District, West Bengal,
India and
also provides the first photographic evidence of a live individual of this species.
A note on the genitalia of Endoclita signifer (Walker) and E.
chalybeatus (Moore)
(Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) from the Indo-Burma region of southern Asia — AbstractFemale
genitalia attributed to Endoclita signifer (Walker) and E. chalybeatus (Moore), and male genitalia
attributed
to E. chalybeatus, are redescribed and illustrated. Comparisons are made to earlier published
diagrams of
Endoclita genitalia. Our observations corroborate earlier determinations by Tindale that E. signifer
is
restricted to the Indian state of Meghalaya and the northern Bangladesh division of Sylhet. While
the
previously published distribution of E. chalybeatus extends between the region of northern West
Bengal state
(holotype location) of India and southern Burma, all records outside the immediate vicinity of the
holotype
locality require future verification through examination of genitalia for those and any additional
specimens.
The restricted range of E. signifer is particularly significant for forest management as species in
southern
China attributed to this species are probably either E. vietnamensis Grehan & Buchsbaum) or another
species.
Observations of Possible Cooperative Foraging
Behaviour by the
Brown Water Snake, Lycodonomorphus. rufulus (Lichtenstein, 1823) — AbstractSnakes
are usually solitary animals except when sheltering under cover, during male-to-male combat, mating
and where
species use communal dens for hibernation. The usual predation methods used are discussed including
a case of
cooperative hunting. Observations of possible cases of cooperative foraging by the South African
Brown Water
Snake, Lycodonomorphus rufulus (Lichtenstein, 1823), are provided along with a suggested explanation
of the
advantages of such cooperation.
On the availability of Madagascan pirate spider names
in the
1980 work ‘Une lacune de La famille moins dans la des Mimetidae’ with taxonomic notes on two enigmatic
species
(Araneae: Mimetidae) — AbstractFive
spider names published in Emerit (1980), considered nomina nuda by Brignoli (1983), are
demonstrated
to be available under Article 13.1.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
Therefore, the
authorship dates of these names, two previously considered permanent nomina nuda and three
of which
were considered made valid in a subsequent 1996 work are corrected and discussion provided. Ero
andringitrae Emerit, 1980 and Mimetus legendrei Emerit, 1980 are considered as
nomina
dubia.
Surgical Removal Of Fish Hooks From Marsh Terrapins,
Pelomedusa galeata (Chelonia: Pelomedusidae) In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: Three Cases
Exemplifying
Technical Considerations — AbstractTerrapins
are not infrequently caught by anglers in southern Africa. Although oesophageal lacerations caused
by fish
hooks are surgical emergencies that require prompt repair with meticulous technique, few cases
appear to have
been reported. Three cases of differing degrees of severity are presented to illustrate approaches
to surgical
management.
A non-lethal method of blood collection from small
anurans
— AbstractThis
note describes a method of collecting small blood samples from living frogs that was used
successfully a
number of years ago but apparently has not been previously described.
A description of a new species of Western
Palaearctic
Lonchoptera Meigen (Diptera, Lonchopteridae) from Georgia — AbstractThe
Worldwide family Lonchopteridae comprises a single extant genus, Lonchoptera Meigen, 1803
currently
containing 69 species (including the new species), of which 33 are Palaearctic species. A
description of a new
Palaearctic species (Lonchoptera pseudolutea sp. nov.) from Georgia is provided. Diagnostic
character
states distinguishing the new species from congeneric European species are discussed and
illustrated. The
available generic name Neolonchoptera Vaillant, 1989 is newly synonymised with
Lonchoptera
Meigen, 1803 and Lonchoptera nevadica (Vaillant, 1989) reassigned as a new
combination.
New species of Phassus Walker ghost moth
from
northeastern
Mexico and notes on its biogeographic significance (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) — AbstractA
new species of Phassus Walker, Phassus zapalinamensis sp. n., is described from
northeastern
Mexico based on a single male and female from the Parque Ecoturístico El Chorro (Coahuila) and the
Área
Natural Protegida Estatal "Cerro La Mota"(Nuevo León), with supplementary geographic records from
photos
posted at inaturalist.org. Conspecificity of the specimens is supported by a 100% bootstrap in the
COI gene.
Adults, male and female genitalia and external appearance are illustrated. The forewing pattern is
most
similar to P. huebneri (Geyer, [1838]), a species known only from illustration of the
female moth
which probably represents several cryptic species in Mexico and Central America. A syntype female
specimen of
Phassus marcius Druce, 1892 and a syntype female of Phassus argentiferus Walker,
1856 are
designated here as respective lectotypes. The new species extends the previously documented range of
Phassus between Central America and the trans-Mexican Volcanic belt, to almost the
Mexico-United
States border. This is currently the northernmost limit known for any genus of Hepialidae with
Central or
South American affinities. We discuss the potential evolutionary significance of the distributional
boundary
with respect to the possible role of the Jurassic-Cretaceous Mojave-Sonora Megashear fault system
and earlier
magmatic arcs in northern Mexico.
Historical and Current Misuse of Gender Agreement
in the Names of South African Lizard Species — AbstractSome
South African lizard species have been given the incorrect adjectival endings to their species names
when
transferring species from genera of one gender to that of another gender over the past 120 years.
Three
instances are discussed: the first uses an incorrect subsequent spelling of the species name
(anguineus instead of anguinus) declined in the correct gender; the second
(mirus)
is currently used in the correct form while the third (caffer) is currently still using the
original
masculine gender although now combined with a generic name of another gender. Examples of the use of
the
adjectives afer, afra, afrum and caffer, caffra, caffrum in both botany and
zoology are
provided. It concludes that the correct spellings of these names should be amended to agree in
gender with
that of whatever genus they are currently assigned.
A new species of trapdoor spider of the genus
Conothele Thorell, 1878 (Mygalomorphae: Halonoproctidae) from the Eastern Ghats, India
— AbstractA
new species of Conothele Thorell, 1878 is described from the Eastern Ghats based on two
male
specimens collected from Kanger Valley National Park, Chhattisgarh. This is the second species of
the genus
from India to be described on the basis of male specimens. The new species is similar to
Conothele
oglaei Sanap, Pawar, Joglekar & Khandekar, 2022 from the Western Ghats but differs from that
species in
leg supination and in the number of labial cuspules.
A new species of Endoclita C. & R. Felder,
1874 ghost
moth from Karimganj District of Assam, India, with comments on the genus in northeastern India, and
clarification of E. signifer (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)
— AbstractA
new species, Endoclita makundae sp. nov., from the state of Assam, represents the first new
species
of Endoclita described for India in the last 60 years. The external female genitalia are
illustrated
and described. We suggest the species name E. signifer can be applied with confidence only
to
populations in Meghalaya and northern Bangladesh. Data on genitalic illustrations in the literature
are
provided for all Endoclita species from India. Conservation concerns for Endoclita
and its
forest habitats in northeastern India are discussed.
Taxonomic status of Thitarodes armoricanus
(Oberthür,
1909)
of China (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) — AbstractThe
external genitalia of the female holotype of Thitarodes armoricanus (Oberthür, 1909) are
illustrated
and described for the first time. In addition, the genitalia of a male specimen attributed to this
species are
also described and illustrated. The lack of any or adequate illustrations of the female genitalia
for most
Thitarodes species precludes a comparative evaluation of the species represented by the
holotype. The
male genitalia of T. armoricanus show the presence of a strongly sclerotized basal spur on
the valva
that is characteristic of most Thitarodes species. On the basis of differences in forewing
colour
pattern we treat T. altissima (Daniel, 1940) stat. rest. as a distinct species. For
clarification of
Thitarodes’ taxonomy and systematics it is essential that detailed illustrations of male
and female
genitalia are published for all species to complement future morphological and molecular studies.
The real world structure of biodiversity illustrated
by the
biogeography and systematics of some plants, lizards, birds, and dragonflies
— AbstractExamples
are drawn from regional animal and plant distributions to show how distributions of taxa are
spatially
correlated with tectonic structures of the Earth. Spatial correlations of distributions with Earth's
tectonics
are illustrated for the Jurassic Lebombo-Mwenetzi monocline, the plate boundary between
Indo-Australia and the
Pacific, and the East Pacific Rise. These examples illustrate how biodiversity has a coherent
spatial and
phylogenetic structure that is not confined to the biological composition of organisms alone. This
tectonic
relationship is evidence for the global structure of biodiversity being directly derived from the
geography of
ancestral distributions in the Mesozoic, and shows how some distributional boundaries have remained
geographically stable for tens of millions of years. The spatial and tectonic correlations show that
biodiversity is phylogeny and biogeography that, together with their correlation with global
tectonics, makes
biodiversity an empirical evolutionary reality.
The First Photographic Evidence of Death-Feigning in
Naja
mossambica (Serpentes: Elapidae) — AbstractThis
short account details the first photographic evidence of death-feigning in a juvenile Naja
mossambica Peters,
1854 (Naja (Afronaja) mossambica Peters, 1854) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, accompanied by
figures
displaying threat posture and death-feigning. Records of this behaviour in other species including
photographs
are considered and referenced.
New species of Thitarodes Viette, 1968 ghost
moth
from Kumaun Himalaya, India (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) — AbstractA
new species of Thitarodes Viette is described from the montane habitat of Balmiya in the
western
Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India. Genitalia are described and illustrated for male and female
specimens. The
species is distinctive for its sinuate-shaped valva of the male genitalia and this feature
distinguishes it
from all other Thitarodes species where the male genitalia is described and illustrated.
The male and
female genitalia also distinguish this species from the other five Thitarodes species recorded from
the
Himalaya. Based on current records for the harvesting of the Ophiocordyceps fungus that parasitises
Thitarodes in this region, the moth appears to be widespread in alpine habitats of at least
the
eastern regions of Uttarakhand, which currently represents the western-most geographic limit for the
distribution of Thitarodes. This short account details the first photographic evidence of
death-feigning in a juvenile Naja mossambica Peters, 1854 (Naja (Afronaja) mossambica Peters, 1854)
from
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, accompanied by figures displaying threat posture and death-feigning.
New species of Eudalaca Viette, 1950 ghost
moth from
Karkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) — AbstractEudalaca cipollai sp. n. is described from a forest reserve in a Mistbelt forest of
KwaZulu-Natal
Province, South Africa. The species is characterized by a dark brown forewing with several prominent
white
patches. These features are distinct from all other Eudalaca Viette, 1950 species.
Inclusion of the
species within Eudalaca is justified by the prominent expanded blade-like structure of the
distal
valva in the male genitalia that is characteristic of many Eudalaca species and absent from
other
southern African genera where genitalia are described. The monophyletic status of Eudalaca
and other
southern African genera is briefly reviewed. It is suggested that the male genitalia of the
monobasic
Leto Hübner, 1820 are most similar to that of Gorgopis Hübner, 1820, while the
male
genitalia of the monobasic Chilean genus Blanchardinella Nielsen, Robinson & Wagner, 2000
show
greater structural similarity with Gorgopis and Eudalaca than other South American
genera.
Morphology and taxonomic notes on Oxycanus
fuliginosa
Rothschild from Western Papua, Indonesia (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) — AbstractDetails
of external and genitalic morphology are described and illustrated for three male specimens of
Oxycanus
fuliginosa (Rothschild, 1915), a central highland species of Western Papua, New Guinea.
Distinguishing
features are documented for the genitalia and comparisons are made with other related genera. The
absence of
subanal sclerites in this species is of potential phylogenetic interest, and the tergosternal
sclerite shares
features with other species of Oxycanus Walker, 1856, and most other Old World oxycanine
Hepialidae.
Two additional specimens of Naja (Boulengerina)
nana
(Serpentes: Elapidae) with notes on captive husbandry and behaviour — AbstractTwo
additional specimens of the newly described species of water cobra Naja (Boulengerina) nana
Collet &
Trape, 2020, from Lac Mai-Ndombe in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo are described.
Since both
specimens are longer than any of the type series and both also exhibit some variation from the type
series,
this paper serves to draw attention to this variation while also providing additional information on
the
captive husbandry and biology of the species. Both specimens have unusual anal arrangements. The
female also
has unusual fusions of the 6th supralabials with the anterior and lower posterior temporals and only
two
rather than three supralabials in contact with the nasal. Observations on the husbandry, diet,
reproduction
and behaviour of captives are also provided..
An Approach to Small Animal Ecological Studies, and
their
Relevance to Reptile Husbandry — AbstractCare
of captive reptiles, particularly wild-caught ones, is often unsatisfactory, especially with respect
to cage
environment and behaviour. Thorough understanding of each species’ biology, ecology and behaviour
can do much
to minimize health and welfare problems arising from inappropriate husbandry practices. An approach
to
ecological studies on small vertebrates is outlined and its relevance to reptile husbandry, tested
over half a
century of clinical practice, is illustrated through synopses of a field study and three clinical
cases..
On the Status of Scelotes bourquini Broadley
and
Scelotes guentheri Boulenger (Sauria: Scincidae) from Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
— AbstractThe
relationship between S. bourquini Broadley 1994 and the presumed extinct species
Scelotes
guentheri Boulenger 1887 from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is re-examined using data from the
holotypes
of both species as well as additional material of S. bourquini. Historical records provide
a
suggestion that the type locality of S. guentheri may be incorrect. The evidence presented
indicates
that S. guentheri is actually still extant and that S. bourquini is conspecific
and a
junior synonym.
Observations on Abnormalities in South African
Reptiles
— AbstractAbnormalities
or aberrations in various reptiles are briefly discussed. Details and photographs are provided of
some
abnormalities observed in a few South African species. These include major differences in the body
scales of a
specimen of Pseudocordylus subviridis, deformed full-term foetuses of Causus
rhombeatus and
Boaedon capensis, minor differences in head scales in Dendroaspis angusticeps,
Tropidosaura montana natalensis, Philothamnus occidentalis and Philothamnus
semivariegatus, as well as colour mutations in Philothamnus spp. and other
snakes.
A further case of foetal development of oviducal eggs
in a
South African Blind Snake, Afrotyphlops bibronii (A. Smith) (Serpentes: Typhlopidae)
— AbstractThe
development of full-term embryos within unlaid eggs retained in utero in the Typhlopid species
Afrotyphlops bibronii (A. Smith, 1846) (formerly Typhlops bibronii) has previously
been
reported by Erasmus and Branch (1983) and subsequently in popular books. A further observation of
fully
developed embryos in the unlaid eggs of Afrotyphlops bibronii is reported. Some of the
literature
relating to Typhlopid reproduction is briefly reviewed. While some Typhlopid snakes are known to
have short
incubation times indicating foetal development in the unlaid eggs, the presence of full term
juveniles in
oviducal eggs of Typhlopids has only been reported in A. bibronii as mentioned above and in
T.
diardi Schlegel, 1839 (now Argyrophis diardii) as was first reported by Wall
(1918).
A New Species of Scelotes (Sauria:
Scincidae) from
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa — AbstractAn
isolated new species of serpentiform dwarf burrowing skink closely related to Scelotes
guentheri
Boulenger 1887 and S. bourquini Broadley 1994, is described from KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa. The
current taxonomy of the genus in KwaZulu-Natal is considered. The relationship to these two related
species as
well as other species of Scelotes in the wider area is discussed.
First Record of Reptilian Dracunculiasis from
Southern
Africa — AbstractThis
paper reports on the first recorded case of a guinea-worm (Dracunculus sp.) infection in
Southern
Africa. This was in a wild caught specimen of Southern African Python (Python natalensis)
from
Swaziland (eSwatini). The symptoms and treatment are described as well as details of the larvae and
adult
nematodes.
Catalog of the Genus Varanus (Reptilia:
Squamata:
Varanidae) with new designations of a neotype and a lectotype — AbstractMost
of the descriptive taxonomy of the genus Varanus pre-dates the introduction of the
International Code
of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) making the tracking of types a tedious effort. This catalog is an
effort to
fill a void in the taxonomy of the varanids by providing a list of the extant taxa, abbreviated
synonymy, type
specimens, type localities and relevant literature citations as far as is currently known. Type
locality
errors for several species are corrected. New lectotype and neotype specimens have been designated
for V.
salvator celebensis and V. kordensis respectively.
Redescription of the South African dwarf chameleon,
Bradypodion nemorale Raw 1978 (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), and description of two new
species — AbstractThis
paper reexamines the taxonomic status of the dwarf-chameleon species, Bradypodion nemorale,
which was
described from the indigenous forests of Nkandla and Qudeni north of the Tugela Valley (Raw, 1978).
Since that
time additional populations have been found at Entumeni Forest, Dlinza Forest, Eshowe and Ongoye
Forest. While
these have all been regarded as a single species (Branch, 1988, 1998) this paper shows that there are
actually
three distinct taxa in this area. Bradypodion nemorale is therefore redescribed and diagnoses
and
descriptions are provided for the two new species, B. nkandlae n. sp. and B.
caeruleogula n.
sp.
Published online at
https://zoonova.afriherp.org
by Afriherp Communications, Greenford, United Kingdom
Editors:
Prof Aurelio MaloValenzuela (Universidad de Alcala, Madrid, Spain) (Ecology)
Dr Andrew Whittington (FlyEvidence,
Pentrefoelas, Betws-Y-Coed, UK) (Entomology)
Lynn Raw (Afriherp Communications,
Greenford, UK) (Herpetology)
(Managing and Production)
Prospective editorial board members or peer
reviewers should e-mail submit(at)afriherp.org to register their interest.
Print (issues 1-4) and all digital copies are archived in the
British
Legal Deposit Libraries
(The British Library; National Library of Scotland; National Library of Wales; Bodleian Library, Oxford;
University
Library, Cambridge; and the Library of Trinity College, Dublin) and all digital copies in https://zenodo.org.
As at 20 May 2024 ZooNova papers archived on Zenodo.had 16972 views and 2242 downloads.
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