Herpeto Faunistics of West Africa

Three journeys through 10 West African countries (supplemented by some material from other collectors) resulted in a herpetological collection of about 93 spp. Ecological data and observations are provided. The known distribution of the following species is extended to new territories: Agama boueti and A. paragama, Niger Republic; Dicroglossus occipitalis and Hemidactylus brooki, Air mountains; Bufo xeros, Nigeria; Cnemaspis spinicollis, Togo; Hyperolius occidentalis, Senegal; an Lacerta lepida Algerian central Sahara. For several closely related species which have been regarded as conspecific in the past, the status as true species is confirmed by sympatric records. These are: Bufo xeros/B. regularis: Chutes du Felou (western Mali); B. regularis/B. maculatus: between Onishere and Ore (southern Nigeria), Ngolodougou (northern Ivory Coast); Tarentola annularis/T. ephippiata: Dakar-Yoff (western Senegal). B. cristiglans Inger et Menzies from Sierra Leone appears to be conspecific with B. togoensis Ahl. Five toads from Togo fit well to either of the 2 diagnoses. Some taxonomical problems demand more intensive studies: Most species of the genus Arthroleptis and some Phrynobatrachus could not be determined with the available literature. Generic revisions are necessary. Hemidactylus brooki from the Air mountains is morphologically distinct from the savanna populations. The definition of a subspecies may be justified. A specimen of H. fasciatus from northern Togo, far north of the known distribution area, is conspicuous by its enormous size and unusual coloration. The systematic position of central Saharan Uromastyx appears to be in need of a revision. Besides U. geyri from the Hoggar and Air mountains, there are populations of U. acanthinurus in the Tassili-n’Ajjer and further to the northwest, differing in their scalation and in the more or less jet-black coloration of the adults. At least 1 population is arboricolous. Three Echis sp. from western Mali are neither E. ocellatus nor E. leucogaster. Possibly they represent a 3rd endemic West African species.