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Today Ichnotropis is still a poorly understood genus. This is an attempt to initialize some change herein, by providing an extensive bibliographic history of the genus, together with some remarks on the described taxa. Necessary future research is suggested.

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Southeast Angola has remained poorly studied as the extensive wetlands make movement difficult, as do the wide-spread land mines scattered during the long civil war. Due to its biodiversity and scenic beauty the Okavango Delta of Botswana was declared a World Heritage Site in 2014. Its survival as a functioning ecosystem and the world’s only major inland delta depends on the waters that flow south from Angola. These wetlands form the catchments for three of southern central Africa’s major river systems, the Zambezi, Kwanza and Okavango drainages. The herpetological survey formed part of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP), initiated to survey the extraordinary biodiversity of the region, and to assess the current state of these important wetlands and identify any impacts on them. This is a personal overview of the trip, and the scientific details are given elsewhere (Conradie et al. 2016). Material is accessioned into the Port Elizabeth Museum (South Africa) and ISCED, Lubango (Angola) collections. The NGOWP surveys (2015–17) to the watersheds form the most extensive regional herpetological surveys in the history of Angola. The survey documented 110 species from the region, comprising 38 snakes, 32 lizards, five chelonians, a single crocodile and 34 amphibians. Seven species were new for Angola, and others were added during the 2016–17 trips. A recur- rent feature of these surveys was the regular discovery of specimens that could not be assigned confidently to known taxa. Numerous new species have been identified; some have been described, for others research is ongoing.

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An extensive Herpetofaunal survey of three under researched areas in North–eastern Namibia (all forming part of the Khaudum Ngamiland dispersal area) was conducted. The areas in question were the Nyae Nyae conservancy, Khaudum national park, and a small area of Mahango–Divundu, which borders the Okavango river approximately 75 km into the Caprivi strip. A preliminary checklist and desktop study of the areas was conducted based on known ranges and occurrences of Southern–African amphibian and reptile species, supplementing the survey. During the expedition 17 amphibian species representing 13 genera and 10 families, and 22 reptile species representing 19 genera and 12 families were encountered. Genetic sequencing of the 16S ribosomal gene was done for 20 specimens to confirm their identity. Phylogenetic trees of two species and ecological niche models of four species were created, supplementing scientific knowledge regarding the herpetofauna of this part of Namibia. This study provides the first record of adult specimens of an undescribed Pyxicephalus specie, as well as the first genetic data of Ichnotropis grandiceps.

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This review looks at available literature on the reptiles (including terrapins, tortoises, lizards, amphisbaenians, crocodiles) and amphibians of the Four Corners trans-frontier area, which covers both wetland and dryland habitats. The zoogeography of these groups is outlined. This is followed by an annotated list of the 178 species recorded to date. Particular species ands sites of conservation interest are briefly outlined. The herpetofauna of the Four Corners area is a comparatively well studied group, although the Hwange District in northwestern Zimbabwe has received the most attention.

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Angola`s herpetofauna has been neglected for many years, but recent surveys have revealed unknown diversity and a consequent increase in the number of species recorded for the country. Most historical Angola surveys focused on the northeastern and southwestern parts of the country, with the southeast , now comprising the Kuando-Kubango Province, neglected. To address this gap a series of rapid biodiversity surveys of the upper Cubango-Okavango basin were conducted from 2012‒2015. This report presents the results of these surveys, together with a herpetological checklist of current and historical records for the Angolan drainage of the Cubango, Cuito, and Cuando Rivers. In summary 111 species are known from the region, comprising 38 snakes, 32 lizards, five chelonians, a single crocodile and 34 amphibians. The Cubango is the most western catchment and has the greatest herpetofaunal diversity (54 species). This is a reflection of both its easier access, and thus greatest number of historical records, and also the greater habitat and topographical diversity associated with the rocky headwaters. As a result of these surveys, five new species records were added to the Cubango catchment, 17 to the Cuito catchment, and nine to the Cuando catchment. Seven of the records for the eastern catchments, including three for the Cuito and four for the Cuando, were also new for Angola. Resumo.—A herpetofauna de Angola foi negligenciada durante muitos anos, mas vários levantamentos realizados recentemente revelaram uma diversidade desconhecia e um consequente aumento no número de espécies registadas para o país. A maior parte dos levantamentos históricos realizados em Angola focaram-se no nordeste e sudoeste do país, sendo o sudeste, que agora abrange a província do Kuando-Kubango, bastante negligenciado. Para preencher esta lacuna, foram realizados vários levantamentos de biodiversidade na bacia superior do Cubango-Okavango entre 2012 e 2016. Neste relatório são apresentados os resultados destes levantamentos, bem como uma lista de registos herpetológicos recentes e históricos para as bacias dos rios Cubango, Cuito, e Cuando. Resumidamente, conhecem-se 111 espécies para a região, incluindo 39 espécies de cobras, 32 espécies de lagartos, 5 espécies de quelónios, apenas um crocodilo, e 34 espécies de anfíbios. A bacia hidrográfica do Cubango é a que está localizada mais a oeste, e tem a maior diversidade de herpetofauna (54 espécies). Isto reflecte por um lado a sua maior acessibilidade, e consequentemente um maior número de registos históricos, e ainda a maior diversidade topográfica e de habitat, associada às nascentes rochosas. Como resultado destes levantamentos, foram adicionadas cinco novas espécies à bacia do Cubango, 17 à do Cuito, e nove à do Cuando. Sete dos registos para as bacias a este, incluindo trois para o Cuito e quatro para o Cuando, são também novos registos para Angola.

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Molecular phylogenetic analyses of southern African lacertid lizards (Eremiadini) using mitochondrial and nuclear markers revealed two examples of generic assignments incompatible with monophyletic clades. Australolacerta Arnold 1989, a genus endemic to South Africa and to which two isolated species have been referred, is paraphyletic at the generic level. In addition, the species Ichnotropis squamulosa Peters 1854 was found to be embedded within the genus Meroles. To resolve the paraphyly in Australolacerta we erect a new genus, Vhembelacerta Edwards, Branch, Herrel, Vanhooydonck, Measey, & Tolley, gen. nov., to accommodate Lacerta rupicola FitzSimons 1933. To maintain a monophyletic Ichnotropis Peters 1854, Ichnotropis squamulosa Peters 1854 is transferred to Meroles Gray 1838, now named Meroles squamulosus comb. nov. Where necessary the genera affected by these actions are re-characterized.

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An annotated checklist of indigenous and potentially indigenous Namibian terrestrial, aquatic and marine reptiles is presented. The purpose is to serve as an interim description of Namibian reptile diversity, to establish a taxonomic and biogeographical baseline, and as a preliminary review of the conservation status of Namibian reptiles. Two hundred and forty species of indigenous reptiles are presently known to occur in Namibia. These species comprise an array of approximately 265 described (but not always recognized) taxa, several of which are probably unwarranted. Species accounts are presented for all these species. Four accounts are for new species currently being described. Nineteen species have not yet been recorded from Namibia, but are expected to (accounts given) and another 6 species are less likely to occur (no accounts given). Full accounts are given for the 17 species which have been formally recorded in the past, but the lack of recent evidence suggests that the species is now locally extinct, the original report erroneous, or the species’ occurred as vagrants. Four additional species had been included on various published lists in the past, but have never been formally documented, no specimens are known to exist, and it is unlikely that the species would occur today even as vagrants (no accounts given). In total, 276 species-accounts are presented. Each account cites the original reference and type locality for each taxon, and a short description of the Namibian distribution. Emphasis is placed on Namibian and international legal and conservation status. Eighty-five species (33%) were found to be of local conservation concern. Gaps in knowledge (e.g. taxonomy, biogeography, and conservation status), where future research should be directed, are noted.

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Namibia is mostly an arid and semi-arid country with a high number of reptile and fewer amphibian species. We review the herpetological literature dealing with Namibian species over the past fifty years, and provide up-to-date amphibian and reptile accounts using a widely accepted taxonomy and nomenclature. We critically discuss species accounts, draw attention to the historical development of species inventories for the country, and indicate species endemism for Namibia and the Namib Desert. In Namibia, the lizard families Gekkonidae, Lacertidae, and Scincidae have undergone adaptive radiations and are species-rich. This also applies to the snake family Psammophiidae. Areas of herpetological research that have received most attention are systematics (with its disciplines faunistics (area inventories), taxonomy, and phylogeny), ecology, and physiology. The former is indicative of early stages of herpetological research such as area inventories and the subsequent analyzes of the collections. The latter two were largely enabled by (1) species highly adapted to life in the hyper-arid Namib Desert, and (2) by the accessibility of these species in the Namib Desert through the infrastructure provided by the Gobabeb Research and Training Center. The majority of the eco-physiological research has focused on three highly psammophilus, diurnal lizard species; Meroles anchietae, M. cuneirostris, and Gerrhosaurus skoogi, whilst diverse geckos form the basis of eco-morphological studies. The concentration of research localities around cities and the Gobabeb Research and Training Center is characteristic for opportunistic research. Geographic centers of herpetological research have been the central Namib Desert (i.e. Gobabeb), and areas around Swakopmund and Windhoek. Extensive parts of Namibia remain barely touched. Herpetological publication frequency has been approximately the same since its beginning in the early 1800`s until the 1970`s. The period between 1986 and 2003 experienced a remarkable increase of publication activity that has slightly subsided around 2004 and picked up again in recent years. Recent conservation related studies investigate the impact of overgrazing with land degradation and water related issues such as canals and hydroelectric dam projects on herpetological communities. In the near future the impact of mining, especially Uranium mining in the Namib Desert, and the effects of climate change with the predicted drying and warming will demand increased attention. Advances in biotechnology with ever-increasing amounts of data and decreasing cost have and will progressively enable advances in traditional disciplines like taxonomy, phylogeny, and systematics. Additionally, these technologies will increasingly empower the newer disciplines of molecular ecology and conservation biology in Namibia. Annotated, updated species checklists highlight Namibian and Namib diversity and endemicity, and also direct researchers to the numerous taxonomic problems that still confound full understanding of the region`s herpetofauna.

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Aim To map and assess the richness patterns of reptiles (and included groups: amphisbaenians, crocodiles, lizards, snakes and turtles) in Africa, quantify the overlap in species richness of reptiles (and included groups) with the other terrestrial vertebrate classes, investigate the environmental correlates underlying these patterns, and evaluate the role of range size on richness patterns. Location Africa. Methods We assembled a data set of distributions of all African reptile species. We tested the spatial congruence of reptile richness with that of amphibians, birds and mammals. We further tested the relative importance of temperature, precipitation, elevation range and net primary productivity for species richness over two spatial scales (ecoregions and 1° grids). We arranged reptile and vertebrate groups into range-size quartiles in order to evaluate the role of range size in producing richness patterns. Results Reptile, amphibian, bird and mammal richness are largely congruent (r = 0.79–0.86) and respond similarly to environmental variables (mainly productivity and precipitation). Ecoregion size accounts for more variation in the richness of reptiles than in that of other groups. Lizard distributions are distinct with several areas of high species richness where other vertebrate groups (including snakes) are species-poor, especially in arid ecoregions. Habitat heterogeneity is the best predictor of narrow-ranging species, but remains relatively important in explaining lizard richness even for species with large range sizes. Main conclusions Reptile richness varies with similar environmental variables as the other vertebrates in Africa, reflecting the disproportionate influence of snakes on reptile richness, a result of their large ranges. Richness gradients of narrow-ranged vertebrates differ from those of widespread taxa, which may demonstrate different centres of endemism for reptile subclades in Africa. Lizard richness varies mostly with habitat heterogeneity independent of range size, which suggests that the difference in response of lizards is due to their ecological characteristics. These results, over two spatial scales and multiple range-size quartiles, allow us to reliably interpret the influence of environmental variables on patterns of reptile richness and congruency.

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A commented lacertids list for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, including the Arabian Peninsula and Asia is given.

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13 species of the genera Aporosaura, Meroles, Pedioplanis, and Heliobolus horn Namibia and additionally Pedioplanis burcheUi from the Republic of South-Africa have been investigated proteinelectrophoretically concerning 14 genetic loci. Pedioplanis and Meroles turned out to be sister groups, Heliobolus and Aporosaura are standing further apart. The su bgenera of Meroles (Meroles s. str. and Saurites) could not be parted distinctly. The morphological correspondence between Aporosaura and Saurites has been interpreted as convergent adaptions to their habitat.

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Aim Body size is instrumental in influencing animal physiology, morphology, ecology and evolution, as well as extinction risk. I examine several hypotheses regarding the influence of body size on lizard evolution and extinction risk, assessing whether body size influences, or is influenced by, species richness, herbivory, island dwelling and extinction risk. Location World-wide. Methods I used literature data and measurements of museum and live specimens to estimate lizard body size distributions. Results I obtained body size data for 99% of the world`s lizard species. The body size–frequency distribution is highly modal and right skewed and similar distributions characterize most lizard families and lizard assemblages across biogeographical realms. There is a strong negative correlation between mean body size within families and species richness. Herbivorous lizards are larger than omnivorous and carnivorous ones, and aquatic lizards are larger than non-aquatic species. Diurnal activity is associated with small body size. Insular lizards tend towards both extremes of the size spectrum. Extinction risk increases with body size of species for which risk has been assessed. Main conclusions Small size seems to promote fast diversification of disparate body plans. The absence of mammalian predators allows insular lizards to attain larger body sizes by means of release from predation and allows them to evolve into the top predator niche. Island living also promotes a high frequency of herbivory, which is also associated with large size. Aquatic and nocturnal lizards probably evolve large size because of thermal constraints. The association between large size and high extinction risk, however, probably reflects a bias in the species in which risk has been studied.