Dasypeltis cf. scabra (Linnaeus, 1758)

Santos, Bruna S., Marques, Mariana P., Bauer, Aaron M. & Ceríaco, Luis M. P., 2021, Herpetological results of Francisco Newton’s Zoological Expedition to Angola (1903 – 1906): a taxonomic revision and new records of a forgotten collection, Zootaxa 5028 (1), pp. 1-80 : 34

Dasypeltis cf. scabra (Linnaeus, 1758)

Material (two specimens): Two adult specimens (MHNCUP/REP 193,195, formerly UP-MHNFCP-017410 and 017409 respectively; Fig. S72 ), collected from unknown locality, date unknown.

Comments: Dasypeltis scabra is a savanna and grassland species widely distributed in East African savannas and known from all of Angola, apart from the southwestern desert ( Bates & Broadley 2018; Marques et al. 2018). Ferreira (1904) cited several “adult and semi-adult” specimens of Dasypeltis scabra with no indication of locality. The author noted that one of the specimens presented an “unusual melanistic coloration” (possibly MHNCUP/REP 195). Later, Ferreira (1906) published two adult specimens, one “dark brown with imperceptible black drawings” (no locality data; likely MHNCUP/REP 193) and another from “Cambondo” as “ D. scabra var inornata ” (junior synonym of D. scabra ). Recently, Bates & Broadley (2018) reviewed Dasypeltis from north-eastern Africa and southwestern Arabia, describing three new species previously considered as part of D. scabra . Branch (2018) listed D. confusa Trapé and Mané 2006 as present in Angola, following Bates and Broadley’s (2018) claim that the species’ distribution extended to Angola. Further studies need to be done in order to assess the D. scabra species complex and its Angolan populations.

Figures

FIGURE S72. Specimen of Dasypeltis cf. scabra (MHNCUP/REP 193), from unknown locality. Photo by Bruna Santos.