African Journal of Herpetology

Journal Article

A targeted survey for the Durban Dwarf Burrowing Skink Scelotes inornatus (Smith 1849) at Bluff Nature Reserve and Treasure Beach in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with notes on sympatric herpetofauna

Armstrong, AJ; Jordaan, PR

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2023.2263765

A survey for the Critically Endangered Durban Dwarf Burrowing Skink Scelotes inornatus (Smith 1849) was conducted in two protected areas in Durban, South Africa, in August and September 2021. Twelve sites, each encompassing a combination of vegetation type, elevation, slope and aspect, were...

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Journal Article

Distribution, habitat and vulnerability to climate change of the Endangered Leptopelis xenodactylus

Kyle, Kirsty J.; Du Preez, Louis H.; Harvey, James; Armstrong, Adrian J.

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2023.2279322

Leptopelis xenodactylus is a little-known, Endangered species of frog that is thought to be endemic to the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. In an effort to determine the distribution of this species more accurately, a working species distribution model was created for use in searching for...

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Journal Article

A new species of gracile blind snake in the genus Letheobia (Squamata: Scolecophidia: Typhlopidae) from Sagalla Hill, south-eastern Kenya

Malonza, Patrick K

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2023.2279710

The members of the typhlopid Letheobia pallida group are characterised by having a divided or split ocular scale. Letheobia wrayi sp. nov., differs from all other members of this group by having a low mid-dorsal scale count of 355 (other taxa 376–670). It also has a rostral which is rounded, not...

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Journal Article

New distribution records and population density of the Critically Endangered Tarzan Chameleon (Calumma tarzan), eastern Madagascar

Rakotondrina, Alain JV; Andriantsimanarilafy, Raphali R; Razafimanahaka, Hanta J; Raselimanana, Achille P; Gumbs, Rikki;

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2023.2291358

The distribution and population density of the Critically Endangered Tarzan Chameleon (Calumma tarzan) in eastern humid forests of Madagascar was studied using line transect-distance sampling. Based on the results from species distribution models, eight sites were visited over a four-month...

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Journal Article

The impact of Eucalyptus plantations on herpetofaunal diversity, Maputo National Park, Mozambique

Jordaan, PR; Wilken, A; Combrink, X

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2023.2293921

Exotic afforestation has proven detrimental to biodiversity in general, however only a few studies documenting the impact of timber plantations on herpetofaunal diversity have been published within a southern African context. To determine if variations in herpetofaunal species assemblages could...

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Journal Article

A new bullfrog from southern Africa (Pyxicephalidae, Pyxicephalus Tschudi, 1838)

du Preez, Louis H; Netherlands, Edward C; Rödel, Mark-Oliver; Channing, Alan

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2023.2296654

Four species of African bullfrogs are currently recognised. We describe a new species from southern Africa, which can be distinguished on the basis of morphology, advertisement call and DNA sequences. Morphologically it differs from other bullfrogs by a combination of characteristics including a...

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Journal Article

Burrow site selection in the Sungazer (Smaug giganteus): a threatened South African endemic lizard

Stanton-Jones, Wade K; Natusch, Daniel JD; Alexander, Graham J

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2024.2307629

Elucidating factors that drive microhabitat selection in a species is important for informing the conservation management of the species. For species that use microhabitats as long-term refuge sites, selection pressures are likely to be strong because the microhabitat must fulfil their...

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Journal Article

Advertisement call description of the exceedingly rare Phrynomantis affinis (Anura: Microhylidae), with comparisons to P. bifasciatus and range extensions for both species

Becker, Francois S; Channing, Alan

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2023.2258888

Despite a relatively broad distribution in Africa, the Spotted Rubber Frog, Phrynomantis affinis, is extremely rarely encountered. Only 18 specimens from 12 localities have been collected with a few additional observations recorded. Virtually nothing of the species’ natural history is known. We...

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Journal Article

Science in decline: Is quality sacrificed for quantity and ease of access?

Tolley, Krystal A.; Alexander, Graham J.

2024 African Journal of Herpetology

doi:10.1080/21564574.2024.2325359