Trachylepis cf. spilogaster (Peters, 1882)

Conradie, Werner, Keates, Chad, Verburgt, Luke, Baptista, Ninda L., Harvey, James, Júlio, Timóteo & Neef, Götz, 2022, Contributions to the herpetofauna of the Angolan Okavango-Cuando-Zambezi River drainages. Part 2: Lizards (Sauria), chelonians, and crocodiles, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 322) 16 (2), pp. 181-214 : 204

Trachylepis cf. spilogaster (Peters, 1882)

Kalahari Tree Skink ( Fig. 34 , Map 31)

Material (7 specimens): PEM R 23334–5, Cuito River source lake, -12.68935° 18.36012°, 1,435 m asl; PEM R 23528, Quembo River source, -13.10699° 19.01785°, 1,545 m asl; PEM R 23358–60, DOR en route to village, -13.05967° 18.83239°, 1,567 m asl; PEM R 27441, DOR en route between Cuanavale River source and Tempué, -13.33954° 18.85122°, 1,386 m asl; INBAC: WC-6813, Quembo River, walk back from small waterfall, -13.52988° 19.28340°, 1,242 m asl. Description: Dorsal scales with five keels each; scales under toes spinose; 35–38 (37) midbody scale rows; 54–59 (57) transverse ventral scale rows; 47–48 (48) transverse dorsal scale rows; 5–6 supralabials; 6 infralabials; 4–6 supraciliaries; 19–20 (20) subdigital lamellae under 4 th toe. Largest specimen: 81.4 + 125 mm ( PEM R 23334). Habitat and natural history notes: This species was often observed on the ground at the base of trees but quickly ascended the tree trunks in miombo woodland when disturbed. Comment: The status of Trachylepis cf. spilogaster is discussed by Conradie et al. (2016). Broadley (2000) reported that specimens from northwestern Botswana do not have the characteristic ventral black markings. The new material from the source lakes and material reported by Conradie et al. (2016) either lack ventral markings, or have markings restricted to the gular region. The taxonomic status of this population is currently under review (L. M. P. Ceríaco et al., pers. comm.).

Figures

Fig. 34. Adult female Trachylepis cf. spilogaster (PEM R23334) from Cuito River source. Photo by Werner Conradie.