Lacertaspis gemmiventris ( Sjöstedt, 1897 )

Sánchez-Vialas, Alberto, Calvo-Revuelta, Marta & Riva, Ignacio De La, 2022, Synopsis of the terrestrial Reptiles of Equatorial Guinea, Zootaxa 5202 (1), pp. 1-197 : 44

Lacertaspis gemmiventris ( Sjöstedt, 1897)

Figure 9C , 10A

Lygosoma gemmiventris Sjöstedt, 1897: 56 . Type locality: “Kamerungebirge, Mapanja, etwa 3000 Fuss”. Mount Cameroun, Mapanja, 1000 m a.s.l.

Riopa gemmiventris ( Sjöstedt, 1897) : Mertens 1965: 221.

Panaspis gemmiventris ( Sjöstedt, 1897) : Fuhn 1972: 72.

Lacertaspis gemmiventris ( Sjöstedt, 1897) : Schmitz et al. 2005: 16.

Distribution. Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. In Equatorial Guinea it has been recorded in Bioko at Moka ( Mertens 1964a) and between Moka and Malabo ( Schmitz et al. 2005; Jesus et al. 2007; Medina et al. 2016) ( Map 10C ).

Comments. Molecular sequences of some specimens from Bioko and housed in the CAS were provided by Schmitz et al. (2005) and Medina et al. (2016). Schmitz et al. (2005) suggested that the populations from Bioko could represent an undescribed species. Mertens (1964) figured the notable variability in the colour pattern within this species, which is based on three phenotypes: (1) patternless, uniformly coloured; (2) striped, with several longitudinal black lines on the dorsal surface; and (3) marbled. These three distinct phenotypes can be found together in a single locality, such as in Moka, Bioko ( Mertens 1964a). The two specimens from Moka (Bioko) examined by us are either uniform (EBD 18605) or striped (EBD 18604), and the specimens from San Joaquín de Ndyacom, in northern Río Muni, exhibit the marbled (EBD 31523) and uniform (EBD 31514) phenotypes.

Specimens examined. Five specimens. Bioko: Moka, 23 July 1984 ( EBD 18604–18605 ) ; Banapá ( EBD 23566) . Río Muni: San Joaquín de Ndyiacom , 1990 ( EBD 31514, EBD 31523) .

Figures

FIGURE 9. From left to right: dorsal side of the trunk, ventral view of hind legs and tail, and ventral view of the head of Hemidactylus mabouia (A) (EBD 2746); and dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of the head of Lygodactylus thomensis (B) (MNCN 46132), and Lacertaspis gemmiventris (C) (EBD 31523) showing a marbled pattern. Photos: AS-V.

FIGURE 10. From left to right: dorsal, lateral and ventral views of the head of: Lacertaspis gemmiventris (A) (EBD 18604) showing a uniform pattern, Lacertaspis reichenowii (B) (EBD 25054), and Lacertaspis rohdei (C) (EBD 25055). Photos: AS- V.

MAPS 10 A–C. Distribution maps for Equatorial Guinean records of (A) Lygodactylus fischeri; (B) Lygodactylus thomensis; (C) Lacertaspis gemmiventris.