Biodiversity & Ecology

Journal of the Division Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology of Plants , Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg.

Biodiversity Research article Open Access

Amphibians and reptiles of the Tundavala region of the Angolan Escarpment

Ninda Baptista*, Telmo António and William R. Branch

Article first published online: 24 April 2018

DOI: 10.7809/b-e.00351

*Corresponding author contact: nindabaptista@gmail.com

<< Volume 6

Biodiversity & Ecology (Biodivers. Ecol.)

Climate change and adaptive land management in southern Africa - assessments, changes, challenges, and solutions,
edited by Rasmus Revermann, Kristin M. Krewenka, Ute Schmiedel, Jane M. Olwoch, Jörg Helmschrot & Norbert Jürgens

Volume 6, pages 397-403, April 2018

PDF (1.8 MB)

English

Abstract: The most poorly known section of the African Great Escarpment is located in Angola. It has been highlighted as a potential center of endemism for several biological groups, including herpetofauna. The region, which is critical for the conservation of Angolan biodiversity, requires urgent research. In the scope of the SASSCAL project, a herpetofauna monitoring plan is being implemented in Tundavala, in the southern Angolan escarpment. In total, 13 species of amphibians, 12 species of lizards and 9 species of snakes have been registered so far, and more are expected to occur. Among them are some important rediscoveries of Angolan endemics uncollected for decades, such as Anchieta?s treefrog (Leptopelis anchietae) and Ansorge?s whip snake (Psammophis ansorgii).

Portuguese

Resumo: A secção menos conhecida da Grande Escarpa Africana localiza-se em Angola. Esta já foi destacada como um potencial centro de endemismo para vários grupos, incluindo a herpetofauna, sendo por isso uma região crítica para a conservação da biodiversidade angolana que carece urgentemente de investigação. No âmbito do projecto SASSCAL, está a ser implementado um plano de monitorização de herpetofauna na Tundavala, no sul da escarpa de Angola. Até ao momento foram registadas 13 espécies de anfíbios, 12 espécies de lagartos e nove espécies de cobras, e presume-se que existam mais. Entre estas, estão redescobertas importantes de endemismos angolanos não registados há várias décadas, como a rã-arborícola- de-Anchieta (Leptopelis anchietae), e a cobra-de-Ansorge (Psammophis ansorgii).

Suggested citation:
Baptista, N., António, T. & Branch, W.R. (2018) Amphibians and reptiles of the Tundavala region of the Angolan Escarpment In: Climate change and adaptive land management in southern Africa – assessments, changes, challenges, and solutions (ed. by Revermann, R., Krewenka, K.M., Schmiedel, U., Olwoch, J.M., Helmschrot, J. & Jürgens, N.), pp. 397-403, Biodiversity & Ecology, 6, Klaus Hess Publishers, Göttingen & Windhoek. doi:10.7809/b-e.00351