Bonn zoological Bulletin Volume 57 Issue 1 pp.

31–54 Bonn, April 2010

Reptiles from southern Benin, West Africa,

with the description of a new Hemidactylus (Gekkonidae),
and a country-wide checklist

Klaus Ullenbruch1, Olaf Grell2 & Wolfgang Böhme1

1Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, D-53113 Bonn, Germany;
E-mails: Klaus-Ullenbruch@[Link]; [Link]@[Link];
2Biologenbüro GGV, Stralsunder Weg 16, D-24161 Altenholz-Stift, Germany; E-mail: [Link]@[Link]

Abstract. We report on a collection of reptiles made in southern Benin, mostly in the vicinity of Lama Forest, a relict
rain forest surrounded by savannah habitats within the the so-called Dahomey gap. 48 species (3 chelonian, 20 saurian
and 25 ophidian species were encountered) are listed with the respective voucher material and commented in respect to
taxonomic or ecological information. Five lizard species (Agama sylvanus, Hemidactylus ansorgei, H. lamaensis n. sp.,
Holaspis guentheri, Varanus ornatus) and two snake species (Natriciteres variegata, Amblyodipsas unicolur) are new
for the fauna of Benin, the second Hemidactylus species being even new to science. Some other species are reported from
Benin for only the second time.
This commented list of species collected from southern Benin is followed by a general country-wide checklist, which is
based on literature data and also some unpublished records from northern Benin, among them the remarkable rediscov-
ery of Agama gracilimembris, 9 decades after its original description from this country.
Key words. Reptilia: Chelonia, Crocodylia, Squamata; Benin, West Africa, new country records; Hemidactylus lamaen-
sis n. sp.; country-wide checklist

INTRODUCTION

Herpetologically, Benin is among the most insufficiently Dahomey carried out by A. Villiers in 1950 (see Villiers
known countries in Africa. Bordered by Togo in the west, 1951, Loveridge 1952) which covered all important
Burkina Faso and Niger in the north, and Nigeria in the biotopes of these two countries. In 1999, Sinsin &
east, Benin is best-known by its old name Dahomey, be- Bergmans (1999) edited a book on rodents and snakes in
cause of the denomination of the huge savannah gap that Benin under mostly agricultural aspects. The table on the
separates the Upper Guinean rain forests from those of the West African snake fauna including Benin provided for
Lower Guinean-Congolian forest block as Dahomey Gap. this book by Meirte is not considered here because it marks
many species in this table as occurring in Benin without
Among the first authors who dealt especially with Benin any reference to the source on which the information is
reptile material within the framwework of West African based; on the other hand, several species are marked as
herpetology is Chabanaud (1916, 1917). During his cu- questionably or not at all occurring in Benin (e.g. Scaphio-
ratorship in the Museum of Natural History in Paris he phis albopunctatus, Telescopus variegatus, Toxicodryas
published on acquisitions from this former part of French blandingii, Psammophis cf. sibilans, P. phillipsi: Meirte
West Africa by the following collectors: Dr. G. Bouet, 1999) although they have been documented by museum
Healt Inspector of French West Africa (“Dahomey”, voucher specimens in the earlier works cited above (see
1910–1913), Dr. Brot (“Haut-Dahomey”, 1908), Mr. A. also the country checklist at the end of this paper).
Chevalier (“Dahomey”, 1909–1910), Mr. de Gironcourt
(“Haut-Dahomey”, 1910), Mr. Gruvel (“Dahomey”, Where the savannah reaches the southern coast of West
1913), Mr. Primot (“Dahomey”, 1914), and Mr. Waterlot Africa the Dahomey gap stretches from roughly between
(“Dahomey”, 1914). The next important step in the explo- Accra (Ghana) to Lagos (Nigeria), thus making Benin a
ration of this country was the mission to Togo and seemingly pure savannah country. However, some forest
32 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

remnants such as Forêt de Dan, Forêt de Lama and Forêt

de Lokoli are still present in the southern part of Benin.
The senior author of this paper (KU) had the opportuni-
ty to work on a herpetological survey of the most impor-
tant of these relict forest remnants, viz. Forêt de Lama.
This work took place within the framework of a project
(“Biolama”) of the University of Basel, Switzerland, guid-
ed by Prof. Dr. Peter Nagel (see Lachat et al. 2006). The
herpetological voucher material of this survey, which in-
cluded also specimens obtained from neighbouring for-
est and savannah areas (Ullenbruch 2003) is deposited in
the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig
(ZFMK), Bonn, Germany. The amphibian part of this col-
lection contained some important first country records of
rain forest species (e.g. Ptychadena aequiplicata) and has Fig. 1. View on Forêt de Lama, South Benin. Photo: K. Ul-
already been included in a recent paper by Rödel et al. lenbruch
(2007). Amphibians collected by O. Grell in the Pendjari
National Park, northern Benin (Grell 2003) have been in-
corporated in the study by Nago et al. (2006). The reptil- til 1946, large areas of natural forest were already de-
ian records of this last-mentioned survey, mostly docu- stroyed, and only 11.000 ha remained. Since the 1960ies
mented by photographs, are included here only in the reforestations are taking place which favoured, however,
country-wide checklist at the end of this paper. The fau- mainly teak plantations. The natural vegetation has been
nistic and ecological information on the reptiles of south- protected only from 1988 onwards (Emrich et al. 1999).
ern Benin (mission K. Ullenbruch) is presented here in a Mean annual precipitation is 1100 mm with two peaks (big
systematically arranged, commented species list. This list and small rainy seasons) in March to June and Septem-
further contains some voucher material collected and do- ber to October respectively. The annual mean temperature
nated to ZFMK by Dr. Werner Schröder, Göttingen, in lies between 25–29°C. The eastern part of the Lama de-
1984. pression is crossed – in north-south direction – by the
Ouémé River valley. Close to Lama Forest, there are on-
The commented regional species list which contains also ly few smaller creeks. During the rainy seasons, howev-
the description of one new species, is supplemented by a er, large parts of the area are changed into overflooded
general, country-wide checklist that tries to summarize all marshlands. Due to these repeated inondations and stag-
literature data for Benin as a whole. nant watres, there are only six dominant tree species in
Llama Forest, viz. Dialium guineense, Diospyros mespili-
formis, Albizia zygia, Afzelia africana, Khaja senegalen-
REPTILES FROM LAMA FOREST, SOUTHERN sis, and Anogeissus leiocarpus. The Noyeau Central con-
BENIN, AND NEIGHBOURING AREAS sists mainly of a mixture of relicts of a semideciduous for-
est which floristically approaches the “Forêt de Samba”
Lama Forest or Forêt de Lama is situated within a depres-
sion bearing the same name, 80 km north of Benin’s cap-
ital Cotonou (Figure 1). It is bordered in the north by the
plateau of Abomey and in the south by the plateau of Al-
lada. Lama Forest comprises a total area of 16.250 ha of
“forêt classée”, 9.750 ha of which belong to the Départe-
ment Atlantique (Sous-préfecture Toffo) and 6.500 ha be-
longing to the Départment Zou (Sous-préfecture Zog-
bodomé) (Emrich et al. 1999). The center of this protect-
ed area – the protectional status exists since 1947 – is
formed by the Noyeau Central (4.777 ha) which is com-
posed of primary forest (1.937 ha), degraded forest (1.388
ha) and of teak plantations and fallow grounds (together
1.452 ha) (Figure 2). The Noyeau Central is surrounded
by ca 9.000 ha of forestry plantations. In earlier times, the
primary forest covered the whole Lama depression which Fig. 2. Primary forest of Forêt de Lama (Noyeau central) (left)
stretches over the south Benin in a west-east direction. Un- with bordering teak plantations (right) Photo: K. Ullenbruch
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 33

– Za-Kpota, 18 km NE of Bohicon, is likewise largely sur-

rounded by an agricultural area, replaced in the north-
west by large tree savannas. 7 km N of Za-Kpota, the
Zou River is running, being accompanied on its banks
by a small strip of dense and degraded gallery forest
which belongs to the hunting grounds of the villagers
(Figure 4).
– Lokoli Forest or Forêt de Lokoli, a 500 ha large forest
on the Hounto River, ca. 100 km N of Cotonou. Numer-
ous sidearms of the Hounto River run through Lokoli
Forest so that it is penetrable only by boat (Figure 5).
For further details, in the context of an amphibian sur-
vey, see Rödel et al. (2007).

Fig. 3. Landscape round the village of Didja, southern

Benin. Photo: K. Ullenbruch

type (Mondjkannagni 1969) and of secondary forest in

various developmental stages. Within this dynamic sys-
tem, the South American fast-growing asteracean neophyte
Chromolaema odarata is commonly found along small
roads and paths and at the forest edges. In smaller plan-
tations, next to the larger ones with teak, trees such as
Gmelina arborea, fraké (Terminalia superba), samba
wood (Triplochiton skleroxylon) and, especially in the Tof-
fo sector, the fire-resistent Cassia siamea are cultivated
(Specht 2002).

The remaining collecting sites in southern Benin were:

Fig. 5. Flooded forest of Forêt de Lokoli. Photo K. Ullen-
– Didja village, situated ca. 25 km NW of Bohicon and bruch
largely surrounded by an agriculturally formed land-
scape. The area north of Didja is characterised by bush
and tree savannas (Figure 3).
– Dan Forest or Forêt de Dan is situated ca. 15 km NE of Finally, some reptiles were collected also in Cotonou and
Didja and is regularly visited by hunters from Didja. Bohicon, on house walls and in gardens, and markets were
visited to inspect the reptile species offered. Most of the
reptiles were collected by UK by visual encounter and fo-
cal sampling. Moreover, specimens were brought by the
locals, particularly by two snake hunters from Didja and
Za-Kpota respectively who even received an alcohol-filled
bucket in order to keep interesting snake finds for some
days. The Swiss zoologists of the Biolama project provid-
ed us with few, but very important voucher specimens (e.g.
Hemidactylus sp.n., Holaspis guentheri) taken in trunk
eclectortraps used for the entomological survey.

The survey of the reptile fauna of Lama Forest, South

Benin, and the neighbouring localities mentioned above
revealed the existence of 48 species (2 turtle, 1 tortoise,
20 lizard, and 25 snake species) which are listed and dis-
cussed in the following.
Fig. 4. Gallery forests at the Zou River, southern Benin. Pho-
to: K. Ullenbruch
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
34 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

ANNOTATED LIST OF SOUTHERN BENINIAN

REPTILES

Testudinidae

Kinixys belliana nogueyi (Lataste, 1886)

Material examined. photographic voucher only (Figure 6).

Remarks. This specimen was brought to KU by a local

hunter. It was taken near Bohicon and was released after
photographic documentation.

Fig. 7. Pelomedusa subrufa from near Bohicon, southern

Benin. Photo: K. Ullenbruch

gust/September 1984; ZFMK 77061-062, Bohicon,

ZFMK 77063-064, Cotonou, all coll. by K. Ullenbruch,
Fig. 6. Kinixys belliana nogueyi from near Bohicon, south- May/June 2002.
ern Benin. Photo: K. Ullenbruch
Remarks. This common and widespread species was ob-
served in all habitats including human settlements where
Pelomedusidae vertical structures such as tree trunks and/or house walls
were preferred. It was, however, never seen in the closed
Pelomedusa subrufa (Lacépède, 1788) forest.

Material examined. photographic voucher only (Figure 7).

Remarks. Specimen taken by local hunter near Bohicon,

photographed and afterwards released.

Pelusios castaneus (Schweigger, 1812)

Material examined. photographic voucher only (Figure 8).

Remarks. Specimen taken by local hunter near Bohicon,

photographed and afterwards released.

Agamidae

Agama aff. agama (Linnaeus, 1758)

Material examined. ZFMK 42019-024 (3 males, 3 fe- Fig. 8. Pelusios castaneus from near Bohicon, southern
males), Godomey near Cotonou, coll. by W. Schröder, Au- Benin. Photo: K. Ullenbruch

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 35

Agama sylvanus Macdonald, 1981 C. necasi belongs to the C. dilepis group and differs from
the south Nigerian populations of the closely related C.
Material examined. ZFMK 77065, Forêt de Lama (Noyeau quilensis mainly by hemipenial characters (see Ullenbruch
Central), coll. by K. Ullenbruch, 6 June 2002. et al. 2007).

Remarks. The single juvenile specimen was obtained in

an arthropod trap fixed at the trunk of a dead tree (trunk Chamaeleo senegalensis Daudin, 1802
eclector) in dense primary forest. A second juvenile was
observed at about 5 m height and escaped upwards. Dur- Material examined. ZFMK 42025 (male), Bohicon, coll.
ing the three months of the survey, no further specimen by W. Schröder, August/September 1984; ZFMK 77052-
of this agama was seen which argues for either a secre- 055, environs of Didja, coll. by a native hunter, 10 May
tive lifestyle or a general rarity, at least in this season of 2002.
the year.
Remarks. The four specimens were obtained from a na-
The morphological characters of ZFMK 77065 lie with- tive hunter on the market of Abomey who certified their
in the range of variation of A. sylvanus which was de- origin as close to Didja. C. senegalensis – a species of the
scribed by Macdonald (1981) from Ghana. Joger (1990) C. dilepis group without any traces of occipital flaps – was
recorded the species also from Cameroon (as A. paraga- found on all markets in southern Benin and proved to be
ma sylvanus). The disjunction between these two coun- much more common than C. gracilis.
tries is partially bridged by our specimen which represents
the first country record for Benin.
Eublepharidae

Chamaeleonidae Hemitheconyx caudicinctus (Duméril, 1851)

Material examined. ZFMK 77066, near Didja, ZFMK

Chamaeleo gracilis Hallowell, 1842 77067, Za-Kpota, both coll. by native collectors, 27 May
and 18 June 2002, respectively.
Material examined. ZFMK 77056-057, environs of Did-
ja, coll. by a native hunter, 10 and 30 May 2002 resp. Remarks. A West African species distributed from Sene-
gal to Cameroon which has its southernmost localities in
Remarks. The two males were obtained from a native Benin. In Benin, it is termed “snake with two heads” by
hunter on the market of Abomey who certified their ori- the locals and thought to be very dangerous.
gin as close to Didja. C. gracilis is widespread in the Su-
dan and Guinea savannah belt south of the Sahara. The
rudimentary occipital flaps distinguish it from the follow- Gekkonidae
ing, only recently described species.
Hemidactylus ansorgii Boulenger, 1901

Chamaeleo necasi Ullenbruch, Krause & Böhme, 2007 Material examined. ZFMK 77073-075, Lama Forest
(Noyeau Central), coll. by K. Ullenbruch, 18. (77073) and
Material examined. ZFMK 77058, male, Za-Kpota, 28. April 2004.
ZFMK 77059-060, 2 females, Houégbo, all coll. by K. Ul-
lenbruch, May/June 2002. Remarks. This slender, narrow-headed forest gecko with
a long, cylindrical tail has only rarely been encountered
Remarks. The three specimens form part of the type se- and is known with certainty only from Liberia, Ivory
ries of this species which is otherwise known only from Coast, Nigeria, and Cameroun (Henle & Böhme 2003).
Togo (Ullenbruch et al. 2007). The Togolese localities Bauer et al. (2006) expected H. ansorgii to occur in Benin,
(Kpalimé, Missaboué) as well as the two Benin localities due to its wide West African distribution but stressed that
are situated close to relict forest patches within the arid there are no confirmed records from this country. Thus,
Dahomey gap. Za-Kpota is an agriculturally shaped site our specimens represent the first record for Benin (Fig-
not far from the river Zou which has some degraded ure 9). The geckos were found in the late morning
gallery forest vegetation, while Houégbo is not far from (11.30h–12.30h) on tree trunks in dense primary forest at
Lama Forest. about 1.7 m height.

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

36 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

Fig. 9. Hemidactylus ansorgei from Lama Forest (Noyeau Fig. 10. Hemidactylus angulatus / guineensis complex: lecto-
central), first country record. Photo: K. Ullenbruch type of Hemidactylus guineensis Peters, 1868. Photo: P. Wagn-
er

Hemidactylus angulatus Hallowell, 1852 paired dorsal bars interrupted on the dorsal midline in the
savannah populations, combined with more distinctly
Material examined. ZFMK 42006-009, Godomey near white-coloured single tubercles in the flank region. In the
Cotonou, coll. by W. Schröder, August/September 1984; forest-dwelling populations, it consists of smaller, less
ZFMK 77070, Bohicon, coll. by K. Ullenbruch, 17 April symmetrically arranged darker elements, with less obvi-
2002; ZFMK 82813-814, Cotonou, coll. by Thibault La- ous white flank tubercles in the forest populations.
chet, 22/23 April 2004.
Steindachner (1870) described H. affinis from Gorée and
Remarks. Thys van den Audenaerde (1967) distinguished Dagana, Senegal, and diagnosed it also only against H.
between Hallowell’s forest-dwelling species Hemidacty- verruculatus (= H. turcicus). He stressed the similarity of
lus angulatus and the savannah form H. brookii guineen- these two species, particularly concerning the size of their
sis Peters, 1868. Since the African taxa of the former con- strongly keeled tubercles. The type series of H. affinis
cept of an Afro-Indian species H. brookii Gray, 1845 are closely resembles the savannah-dwelling H. guineensis.
not at all close relatives of the true H. brooki from India In his description of H. stellatus, Boulenger (1885) com-
(Carranza & Arnold 2006), it is still unclear whether the pared it with H. brookii and H. gleadovii and stressed the
name guineensis should be treated as a synonym or a sub- presence of pure-white tubercles intermixed with a ma-
species of angulatus, or possibly even a species. Accord- jority of dark brown ones which inspired him to the name
ing to Bauer & Günther (1991), it is a synonym of angu- stellatus (= starred). These white tubercles are indeed more
latus (understood by these authors still as a subspecies of obvious in the savannah-dwelling form (Figure 11) and
H. brookii).

Examination of the lectotype (Figure 10) of H. guineen-

sis Peters, 1868 [described from “Ada Foah, Guinea” (=
Adafoa, Ghana; not Adafer, Mauritania, as suggested by
Loveridge 1947 and Wermuth 1965!) and compared by Pe-
ters (1868) only with H. verruculatus (= H. turcicus)] re-
vealed that despite its provenance from coastal West
Africa, it resembles the savannah form rather than the for-
est form which would strengthen a partial sympatry with
the forest-dwelling H. angulatus. However, the distin-
guishing key character between both forms, i.e. the num-
ber of granules bordering the nostril above rostral and first
supralabial (Thys van den Audenaerde 1967), has been dis-
proved already by Böhme (1978), and other scalation dif-
ferences also seem to be insufficient for a clear separa- Fig. 11. Hemidactylus angulatus / guineensis complex: lecto-
tion of both forms. Habitus differences could possibly be type of Hemidactylus stellatus Boulenger, 1885. Photo: C. Mc-
found in colour pattern, which often seems to consist of Carthy

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 37

Fig. 12. Hemidactylus angulatus ([Link].) from Godomey near Cotonou (left), H. mabouia from Cotonou (center) and H. aff. mabouia,
also from Cotonou (right). Photo: P. Wagner

brought also Chabanaud (1917 a) to the conclusion that Bauer et al. (2006) who provided locality data for many
there are two different species in this group of geckos, viz. specimens of their H. angulatus (sensu lato) from all over
“H. brookii” (certainly meaning angulatus) and “H. stel- Benin, did not distinguish between the two forms thus im-
latus” (= H. guineensis), at Agouagon, Benin, even in plying morphological uniformity, except their variable
sympatry. colour pattern. They stressed that the sympatric H.
mabouia could be easily mixed up with H. angulatus what
Preliminary genetic support for two species within a H. we also found to be true (but only for the forest form: an-
angulatus/guineensis complex may be deduced from the gulatus [Link].) particularly when the diagnostic (see the key
tree in Carranza & Arnold (2006) where a Kenyan Rift in Bauer et al. 2006) characters of tubercles on head and
Valley sample is closer to dry savannah samples from dorsum are concerned. Here, again the colour pattern of
Mauritania and Mali (guineensis) than to a forest sample the dark phases of H. angulatus and H. mabouia may
from Bioko (angulatus [Link].). Moreover, as already point- prove to be more reliable than the scalation (Figure 12).
ed out by Thys van den Audenaerde (1967), the forest Concluding it becomes clear that Hemidactylus angula-
species H. angulatus does not occur in Central and East tus s.l. is in urgent need of a taxonomic revision through-
Africa. out its range.

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

38 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

ZFMK 77070 was captured on a house wall on 19.30 h, Diagnosis. A small Hemidactylus with a SVL of about 5.0
i.e. 30 min. after sunset. cm. Characteristic is the dorsal scalation which consists
of numerous irregular rows of large, convex, keeled tu-
bercles which are nearly juxtaposed on the dorsal hind-
Hemidactylus fasciatus Gray, 1842 part and on the tail root, separated mostly by only one row
of surrounding, rather coarse granular scales. Also the tem-
Material examined. ZFMK 82808, Forêt de Lama (Noyeau ple is covered by large, juxtaposed tubercles with only few
Central), coll. by Lamidi Konetche, April 2004. or even without granules between them. Moreover, the
subdigital lamellae of the first digit and toe are very low
Remarks. This species was first documented for Benin by in number, the terminal unpaired lamella of digit I (manus)
Bauer et al. (2006) who recorded specimens from the being the only adhesive element while digit I (toe) has two
vicinity of Kétou. Our record, the second for Benin, is scansors: one divided proximal and one undivided termi-
from dense primary rain forest. nal one.

Description of the holotype (Figure 13). Habitus stout,

Hemidactylus mabouia Moreau de Jonnès, 1818 head small with an elongated snout. Head & body length
47.7 mm, length of (regenerated) tail 34 mm. Snout elon-
Material examined. ZFMK 77068-09, Cotonou, coll. by gate: distance from anterior margin of tympanum to hind-
K. Ullenbruch, Datum; 82809-812, Cotonou (Maison des margin of eye 4 mm, from anterior margin of eye to tip
Stagnaires), coll. by Thibault Lachet, 22/23 April 2004. of snout 5.5 mm; eye diameter 2.5 mm. Rostral broad, with
a deep notch on its anterior midline which continues as a
Remarks. Not found by W. Schröder in 1984 and docu- vertical suture but does not separate the rostral complete-
mented for the first time in Benin by Bauer et al. (2006). ly. Nostril bordered by rostral, a 1st labial, three postnasal
This species was considered to be rare in Nigeria and be- scales, and a supranasal which is separated from its fel-
lieved to be introduced in port cities by Dunger (1968). low by one single median scale. Scales on snout small but
Also, Rödder & Böhme (2008) regarded it as endemic on- polygonal rather than granular, keeled, passing backwards
ly in Central and East Africa, while it is an invasive species into a tuberculate scalation of the frontal and parietal re-
– next to South America, the Caribbean region and Flori- gion which becomes intermixed with granules from the
da – also in West Africa. occipital region towards the neck and dorsum. Temple
covered with conical tubercles with only few intermixed
ZFMK 77068-09 differ from typical H. mabouia by lack- granules between them. Mouthline straight and not uplift-
ing the very characteristic dark pattern of oblique curved ed in its hindpart. Supralabials (left/right) 10/10, sublabi-
cross stripes (Figure 12). Similar phenotypes have been als (left/right 8/8). Mental triangular, followed by two pairs
found in western Guinea (Böhme et al., unpubl. data). As of postmentals, the first of them broadly meeting at the
no scalation differences could be detected, we regard these midline behind mental. Gulars small, smooth, passing pos-
specimens currently as a colour morph of H. mabouia, teriorly gradually into the semicircle-shaped, subimbricate
pending new material for genetic analyses. and likewise smooth chest and ventral scales. The coni-
cal and weakly keeled dorsal tubercles are arranged in
The two specimens were collected by UK at noon time 16–18 irregular longitudinal rows, circumdated by rather
(12.00h) from house walls during a heavy thunderstorm coarse granular scales which separate the tubercles by 1–3
rain. The geckos were observed to hunt for insects which rows, while on sacrum and tail root the tubercles are even
were beaten to (or at least close to) the ground by the rain- nearly juxtaposed with only few scattered granules be-
water. The reduced daylight – a consequence of the dense tween them. Limbs covered above with coarse granular
clouds – might have helped the geckos to become active scales intermixed with conical, weakly keeled tubercles.
and to forage during midday. The masses of insects con- Palmar scales smooth. All fingers and toes with distinct
centrating under these conditions within the lower two me- claws, and with divided adhesive lamellae (scansors) be-
ters above the ground were also used and exploited by neath, except the terminal one which is simple. Also the
Agama aff. agama and Mochlus guineensis. basal subdigital scales are undivided and are added to the
number of subdigital lamellae when they are twice as large
than the palmar scales. The values are: 1-5-6-7-6 (left
Hemidactylus lamaensis new species manus), 1-5-6-7-5 (right manus), 2-6-7-8-7 (left pes), and
2-6-6-7-6 (right pes). The regenerated tail is dorsally cov-
Holotype. ZFMK 77072, adult female, Forêt de Lama ered with very regular subimbricate smooth scales which
(teak plantation), coll. from a pitfall by Klaus Ullenbruch, gradually pass into several longitudinal rows of oblique-
16 April 2002. ly enlarged, imbricate subcaudal plates.
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 39

Fig. 13. Hemidactylus lamaensis n. sp., holotype from Lama Forest (Noyeau central) in dorsal (a), ventral (b) and lateral (c) view.
Photo: P. Wagner

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

40 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

Colour in preservative. Upper side rather uniformly light Scincidae

brownish, with a darker brown head, and one indistinct
darker crossband on the neck and on the shoulder respec- Panaspis togoensis (Werner, 1902)
tively. Underside uniform whitish-yellowish.
Material examined. ZFMK 77079-080, Forêt de Lama,
Etymology. The species name refers to Lama Forest, so coll. by K. Ullenbruch, 24 and 28 April 2002.
far the only known locality of the new Hemidactylus. It
is intended to stress the importance of this relict forest Remarks. Both voucher specimens were collected in a
within the Dahomey gap also in conservational aspect as transition zone of primary forest and a Chromolaema
it may harbour still more unknown rain forest species. clearing, after heavy rainfalls around noon time. Consid-
ered to be ombrophilous by Perret (1973), activity after
Distribution and natural history. Only known from the rains was also observed by Rödel et al. (1997). Accord-
type locality. The single female was taken from a pitfall ing to Fuhn (1972) and Schmitz et al. (2005), Lygosoma
on the forest floor in a young teak plantation bordering (Riopa) dahomeyense Chabanaud 1917 is a synonym of
the primary forest of the Noyeau Central. This does not P. togoensis.
argue against an arboricolous lifestyle, because also tree-
dwellers like H. fasciatus were observed to climb down
from their shelter in big fig trees and to forage on the Mochlus guineensis (Peters, 1879)
ground some hours after sunset (Böhme 1975).
Material examined. ZFMK 77076, Forêt de Lama; ZFMK
Comparisons. This unique single specimen cannot be as- 77077-078, Cotonou, all coll. by K. Ullenbruch, 16 and
signed to any West African species (see Bauer et al. 2006). 13 April 2002 respectively.
Its snout is elongated but not to the extent observed in H.
ansorgei. Its most obvious character is the possession of Remarks. The specimen from Lama Forest was taken in
densely arranged, large, keeled tubercles which are less a pitfall trap placed in an old teak plantation close to the
numerous as compared to those of the H. primary forest. The two specimens from Cotonou were
angulatus/guineensis complex. On the hindpart of the dor- caught in the garden of a house during heavy rainfall when
sum and the tail root, they are even nearly juxtaposed. Al- they were foraging for prey negatively influenced by the
so in contrast to the situation found in the former com- rains (see above, under Hemidactylus mabouia).
plex is the dense coverage with tubercular scales of the
temporal region. Moreover, it has the lowest number of Remarkably, the specimen from Lama Forest differs in
subdigital lamellae of all Beninian and West African Hemi- some characters from the two Cotonou specimens. It is
dactylus. more delicately built, having thinner limbs and a longer
and slimmer tail. Moreover, the eyes seem to be smaller,
Assuming that the original tail in this species has also se- the overall colouration is distinctly darker, and the sub-
ries of tubercles (not present in the regenerated tail of the caudal scales are spotted with black, while the Cotonou
unique holotype), the key given by Bauer et al. (2006) for specimens have the underside of their tails purely white.
the geckos of Benin can be completed as follows: More material is necessary to evaluate these differences
(Figure 14).
13a. Dorsal tubercles prominent, keeled …………… 14
13b. Dorsal tubercles not, or only weakly keeled, sepa-
rated by one another by a distance greater than by tuber- Trachylepis affinis (Gray, 1838)
cle width; dorsum of head atuberculate or with few small
tubercles; color variable, the typical pattern of a series of Material examined. ZFMK 42004-005, Godomey near
dark curved crossbands distinct in the dark phase only Cotonou, coll. by W. Schröder, August/September 1984;
………………………………… Hemidactylus mabouia ZFMK 77081-090, Forêt de Lama, coll. by K. Ullenbruch,
16 April to 1 May 2002.
14a. Dorsal tubercles separated by one another by approx-
imately the width of one tubercle; tubercles usually promi-
Remarks. The two specimens from Godomey come from
nent on dorsum of head; temple granular
a farmland/garden environment, the Lama Forest individ-
……………Hemidactylus angulatus/guineensis complex
uals, however, were all collected within dense primary for-
14b. Dorsal tubercles separated by one another by less than est (Noyeau Central), on clearings grown with Chromo-
a tubercle width, on sacrum and tail root even abutting; laema, and in the neighbouring teak plantations. The
temple covered with conical tubercles lizards were found either in leaf litter and on the grassy
……………………… Hemidactylus lamaensis sp. nov. floor, or on tree trunks. When disturbed they tried almost
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 41

with the ability of gliding flight has not been recorded so

far from Benin, thus representing the first country record.

Varanidae

Varanus exanthematicus (Bosc, 1792)

Material examined. ZFMK 77004-005, near Didja, coll.

by local hunter, 1 May 2002.

Remarks. Both specimens were obtained from a local

hunter at Abomey who certified their origin as being close
to Didja.
Fig. 14. Mochlus guineensis, from Cotonou (above) and Lama
Forest (Noyeau central) (below). Photo: P. Wagner
Varanus niloticus (Linnaeus, 1766)
invariably to escape upwards. They were mainly active be-
tween 11.00h and 15.00h, at air temperatures of 31–32°C. Material examined. ZFMK 42200, Godomey near Coto-
nou, coll. by W. Schröder, August/September 1984; ZFMK
Half of the Lama Forest sample has a distinctly striped 77001, juv., Ouémé River near Togbota, coll. by local
colour pattern with a conspicuous, white sublabial stripe hunter, 15 April 2002.
running along the lower flank towards the tail, while the
other half lacks this stripe. Remarks. ZFMK 77001 was found under a heap of dry
wood on the bank of a small tributary of the Ouémé Riv-
er, close to the settlement of Togbota.
Trachylepis perroteti (Duméril & Bibron, 1839)

Material examined. ZFMK 41998-999 (2 males), Varanus ornatus (Daudin, 1803)

Godomey near Cotonou, coll. by W. Schröder,
August/Septeber 1984. Material examined. ZFMK 77002-003, near Didja, coll.
by native hunter, 10 and 30 May 2002 respectively.
Remarks. According to Mausfeld-Lafdhyia et al. (2004)
and Chirio & LeBreton (2007), T. perroteti consists of at Remarks. Both specimens were obtained from local
least two distinct species which require further study (see hunters at Abomey who had collected them in the vicin-
also Stoll 2008). But because the true T. perroteti ([Link].) ity of Didja. One of them originated from Lakpo, 8 km
is the more southernly distributed from of the two cryp- NE of Didja, which is in immediate vicinity of a further
tic siblings in Cameroon, the two males from near Coto- relict forest patch, viz. Forèt de Dan. A big, adult speci-
nou are most likely belonging to this latter species. men was seen in hectic flight in Lama Forest and could
Whether this is also true for the North Beninian popula- not be caught.
tions (see the country checklist below) remains to be stud-
ied. On markets, V. ornatus was much less commonly seen
than V. niloticus which reflects also the scarcity of relict
forest patches in the Dahomey gap which serve as refu-
Lacertidae gia for this forest species. For Benin, our specimens rep-
resent the first country record (Böhme & Ziegler 1997).
Holaspis guentheri Gray, 1863

Material examined. ZFMK 77071, Forêt de Lama (teak Pythonidae

plantation), coll. by K. Ullenbruch, 26 June 2002.
Python regius (Shaw, 1802)
Remarks. The only voucher specimen was obtained from
an arthropod trap (trunk eclector) fixed on a dead teak tree Material examined. ZFMK 41993-995, Godomey near
(Tectona grandis) within an old teak plantation bordering Cotonou, coll. by W. Schröder, August/September 1984;
the primary forest of Forêt de Lama. This little lacertid Photographs from Za-Kpota and Forêt de Lama.
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
42 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

Remarks. Of ZFMK 41995, only head and neck are pre-

served. This species was seen in great numbers on all mar-
kets visited. These great numbers certainly pose a serious
conservation problem which could be buffered by farm-
ing royal pythons for the international pet trade. Howev-
er, such farms will be very difficult to be controlled as far
as wild-caught specimens are concerned.

Python sebae (Gmelin, 1788)

Material examined. None.

Remarks. Rock pythons could be seen only twice on mar-

kets by UK during his survey. He was told by the people
that they fear the large snakes and normally kill them Fig. 15. Afronatrix anoscopus, juvenile, from Lokoli Forest,
whenever possible. This species is subject to superstitious first country record. Photo: K. Ullenbruch
beliefs by the local people. For instance, a scientific as-
sistant of the BIOLAMA project even told that rock
pythons are capable to cast out a net out of their mouth Remarks. Trape & Mané (2006 a) partitioned the West
to catch humans and to eat them subsequently. African egg-eater snakes formerly referred to as D. scabra
into 3 different species, one of them with a likewise new
subspecies: D. confusa, D. gansi (with D. g. gansi and D.
Colubridae (sensu lato) g. latericia), and D. sahelensis. According to the original
description and to the key and colour plates of Trape &
Afronatrix anoscopus (Cope, 1861) Mané (2006 b) the specimen from Za-Kpota clearly rep-
resents the nominotypic subspecies of D. gansi. It is the
Material examined. ZFMK 77006 (juvenile), Forèt de second voucher from Benin, the first (Trape & Mané 2006
Lokoli, coll. by K. Ullemnbruch, 5 May 2002. a) Benin record being from Lanta (where it is, according
to the same authors, sympatric with D. confusa). The
Remarks. The existence of this aquatic species in Benin record of Chabanaud (1916) of “D. scabra palmarum”
was considered as likely by Chippaux (2001). Our spec- refers very likely also to D. g. gansi which is the only of
imen (Figure 15) was the first documented record from the newly described taxa which tends to be patternless.
Benin until very recently Chirio & Ineich (2009) published
a find from Atakora Province which makes our specimen
the 2nd published record. It is, however, still interesting Dispholidus typus (Smith, 1829)
to note that both new records of this species are very dis-
tant from each other, ranging from a relict, swampy rain Material examined. ZFMK 77029, between Bohicon and
forest to dry Sudan savannah. Didja, coll. by K. Ullenbruch, May 2002.

Remarks. Found dead on the road between the two above-

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia (Laurenti, 1768) mentioned places.

Material examined. ZFMK 42001-002 (juveniles),

Godomey near Cotonou, coll. by W. Schröder, Lamprophis fuliginosus (Boie, 1827)
August/September 1984.
Material examined. ZFMK 77011, Didja; 77015-017, Za-
Remarks. None. Kpota; 77041, Forêt de Lama; 77051, Forêt de Dan, all
coll. by K. Ullenbruch, 14–18 June 2002.

Dasypeltis gansi Trape & Mané, 2006 Remarks. ZFMK 77041 was found dead on a path with-
in Lama Forest, just between primary forest and the neigh-
Material examined. ZFMK 77014, Za-Kpota, coll. by na- bouring teak plantation. Although still rather fresh, its head
tive hunter, may 2002. was already badly damaged by ants.

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 43

Lycophidion semicinctum Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, Remarks. The last mentioned specimen was killed by a
1854 local farmer in the presence of KU on a sun-exposed
grassy area.
Material examined. 77007, near Didja, coll. by native
hunter, May 2002; ZFMK 77050, near Bohicon, coll. by
K. Ullenbruch, May 2002. Philothamnus semivariegatus (Smith, 1847)

Remarks. The Bohicon specimen was found dead on a Material examined. ZFMK 77034-035, Bohicon, coll. by
road. K. Ullenbruch, May 2002.

Meizodon regularis Fischer, 1856 Remarks. Both snakes were encountered on the compound
of a mill. One of them was found on the floor of a house
Material examined. ZFMK 42003, Godomey near Coto- belonging to that compound. Encounters in human habi-
nou, coll. By W. Schröder, August/September 1984. tations and even within buildings were also reported from
Nigeria by Dunger (1973a).
Remarks. Known from, among else, Ghana (where the
type locality is situated), and Togo west of Benin, as well
as from Cameroon further east (Roux Estève 1969), this Psammophis elegans (Shaw, 1802)
species was to be expected in Benin but was obviously
only indicated for Benin by Chippaux (2001). ZFMK Material examined. One specimen, uncatalogued, Coto-
42003 represents the second country record and first pub- nou (stored in the private collection of M. Serge Attignon,
lished voucher specimen for Benin. Cotonou), coll. by a S. Attignon, 11 May 2002.

Natriciteres olivacea (Peters, 1854) Remarks. The only available specimen of this snake was
found in front of a house in the outskirts of Cotonou.
Material examined. ZFMK 77039, Forêt de Lama, coll.
by K. Ullenbruch, May 2002.
Psammophis phillipsi (Hallowell, 1844)
Remarks. Found on a cloudy day at 11.20h on the forest
floor. This underlines that this species is not confined to Material examined. ZFMK 41996, Godomey near Coto-
savannah habitats as claimed by Broadley (1983) but that nou, coll. by W. Schröder, August/September 1984.
at least in West Africa also forests are inhabited (see Vil-
liers 1975, Chippaux 2001: distribution map). Remarks. The large adult, dark-brown unicoloured female
is allocated to Hallowell’s species because the mid-region
of its ventral plates has a broad median zone shaded with
Natriciteres variegata (Peters, 1861) bluish-grey colour. We think that this is a species of forest-
ed and moist savannahs which is unicoloured above al-
Material examined. ZFMK 77042-046, Forèt de Lama, ready as a juvenile has and lacks the typical striped juve-
coll. by K. Ullenbruch, May 2002. nile dress of the following form (Böhme et al. 1996).

Remarks. All five individuals were found on the forest

floor. The species proved to be rather common but was Psammophis cf. phillipsi (Hallowell, 1844)
never seen outside the forest. Also Dunger (1972a),
Broadley (1983) and Chippaux (2001) regard N. variega- Material examined. ZFMK 77024 & 77028, Za-Kpota,
ta as a forest species. The only earlier record of it was Cha- coll. by a native snake hunter, May 2002; ZFMK 77047,
banaud’s report from “Dahomey”, thus our small series Abomey, coll. by K. Ullenbruch, May 2002.
represents the first documented locality record for Benin.
Remarks. The three specimens belong to the big-growing
form of the Psammophis sibilans species complex which
Philothamnus irregularis (Leach, 1819) is dorsally striped as a juvenile and unicoloured above and
below as a large, old adult. It inhabits the dry Sudanian
Material examined. ZFMK 77025-026, Za-Kpota, coll. by and Sahelian savannahs and is mostly referred to as P. cf.
native snake hunter, May 2002; ZFMK 77040, Forét de phillipsi (e.g. Böhme 1978, Böhme et al. 1996) or, recent-
Lama: Koto village, coll. K. Ullenbruch, May 2002. ly, again as true P. sibilans (Trape & Mané 2006 b). Al-

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

44 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

Fig. 16. Psammophis sudanensis from Bohicon, southern Fig. 17. The same specimen from below. Photo: K. Ullenbruch
Benin. Photo: K. Ullenbruch

so earlier records of P. sibilans from West Africa (e.g. Cha- very close to typical P. sudanensis but differ in having ei-
banaud 1916) refer to this form which, in our opinion, is ther faint, light brown hairlines (instead of blackish ones)
not conspecific with the true P. sibilans from Egypt. Many or no hairlines at all; their undersides are in both cases of
not yet fully grown but nonetheless adult (mature) spec- a uniform, bright porcellanic white. They correspond to
imens may retain more or less distinct reddish dorsolat- the type specimen of P. leucogaster Spawls, 1983
eral stripes along the body. The belly is light whitish to (BMNH 1980: 261, from Wa, northern Ghana, see Spawls
yellowish and patternless (no dark hairlines along the ven- 1983), and further sampling must show whether both
tral plates), but supralabials, sublabials and gulars show forms have zones of intergradation. It seems that if there
some dark pigmented spots (see Böhme et al. 1996). The is a distinction between typical sudanensis and leucogaster
anal shield is entire. Its taxonomic status and nomenclat- in West Africa, this is a question of a north-south rather
ural status needs still to be assessed. than a west-east disjunction.

Psammophis sudanensis Werner, 1919 ZFMK 77036-038 were found on the compound of a mill
at Bohicon. One of them was lying in the afternoon on the
Material examined. ZFMK 77012, Didja, coll. native terrace of a house, the other two were killed during grass
hunter; ZFMK 77018-019; ZFMK 77036-038, Bohicon, mowing (Figs 16 and 17).
and ZFMK 77047, Abomey, all coll. by K. Ullenbruch,
May 2002.
Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus (Reinhardt, 1843)
Remarks. The specimens represent various age classes. All
have distinct hairlines along the outer parts of the ventral Material examined. ZFMK 41997, Godomey near Coto-
shields, however, these hairlines are brownish in younger nou, coll. by W. Schröder, August/September 1984; ZFMK
and darker in the older individuals. The zone between 77020-023, Za-Kpota, coll. by a native hunter, May 2002.
these hairlines is differently coloured than the two outer,
ventrilateral zones, the latter being white while the inner Remarks. None.
is yellowish-whitish. This ventral pattern is therefore of
the “subtaeniatus type” and agrees with the type speci-
men of sudanensis Werner, 1919 (NMW 1986 from Scaphiophis albopunctatus Peters, 1870
Kadugli, Kordofan) which actually was described as P.
subtaeniatus sudanensis (Werner 1919, Böhme 1987). In Material examined. ZFMK 77009-010 (juvenile and
all specimens, the anal shield is divided. adult), Didja, collected by a local snake hunter, May 2002.

ZFMK voucher specimens from e.g. northern Senegal Remarks. The juvenile specimen contained 3 newborn
(Dakar, Fété Olé), Algeria (Tamanrasset), North Cameroon mice which could not be identified to the familial or gener-
(Mokolo) (see Böhme 1986) and Chad (ZFMK 74520) are ic level.

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 45

Atractaspididae Causus maculatus (Hallowell, 1842)

Amblyodipsas unicolor (Reinhardt, 1843) Material examined. ZFMK 77030, between Bohicon and
Didja, ZFMK 77031, 9 km east of Abomey, both coll. by
Material examined. ZFMK 77027, Za-Kpota, coll. by na- K. Ullenbruch, May 2002.
tive hunter, May 2002.
Remarks. The first specimen of this ubiquitous species was
Remarks. When fixing this snake, some white nematodes found dead on the asphalt road between Bohicon and Did-
appeared between the scales and tried to leave the speci- ja, the second one was killed by locals next to the street
men. This was not observed in any other snake during to Abomey in a crop field.
preparation.

Echis ocellatus Stemmler, 1970

Elapidae
Material examined. ZFMK 77008, near Didja, coll. by lo-
Dendroaspis viridis (Hallowell, 1844) cal snake hunter, May 2002.

Material examined. ZFMK 77049, Bohicon (market), coll. Remarks. None.

by K. Ullenbruch, May 2002.

Remarks. Since this snake was found on a market, no fur- CONCLUSIONS

ther information on its precise provenance is available.
Of the 48 species recorded above from several localities
in southern Benin, including the relict rain forests Forêt
Elapsoidea semiannulata Bocage, 1882 de Lama and Forêt de Lokoli, only eight can be regard-
ed as true forest species. These are: Agama sylvanus,
ZFMK 77013, near Didja, coll. by a native snake hunter, Hemidactylus ansorgei, H. fasciatus, H. mabouia, H.
May 2002. lamaensis sp. n., Holaspis guentheri, Varanus ornatus, and
– as the only snake – Psammophis phillipsi. Two of them,
Remarks. Represents the West African subspecies E. s. Hemidactylus fasciatus and H. mabouia, are recorded from
moebiusi Werner,1897 (Trape & Mané 2006). Benin for the second time, H. mabouia, however, being
a recent invasive colonizer. The remaining five lizard
species, all from Lama Forest, are first country records for
Naja nigricollis Reinhardt, 1843 Benin, one of them, H. lamaensis sp. n., being new to sci-
ence.
Material examined. ZFMK 77032, Forèt de Lama; ZFMK
77033, Bohicon, both coll. by K. Ullenbruch, May 2002. Three snake species, viz. Afronatrix anoscopus, Amblyo-
dipsas unicolor, and Natriciteres variegata, are found in
Remarks. One of the two juvenile specimens was found both forest and savannah habitats. Of these, Afronatrix
dead on a road at the margin of Lama Forest, the other anoscopus is recorded here for the second time from
was killed during grass mowing in the mill compound of Benin, but for the first time from southern Benin (the very
Bohicon. recent first record being from the Atakora chain in the
northwestern part of the country). Amblyodipsas unicol-
or and Natriciteres variegata are both representing the re-
Viperidae spective first country records documented by voucher
specimens.
Bitis arietans (Merrem, 1820)
The remaining 40 species are widely distributed in the
Material examined. ZFMK 77048, environs of Abomey, West African savannas and have in most cases been
coll. by native hunter, May 2002. recorded from Benin before. Nonetheless, particularly
some snakes have been listed and/or plotted in maps of
Remarks. B. arietans is very commonly offered on mar- review papers and books by e.g. David & Ineich (1999),
kets. Usually, the head is cut off, dried and used for Chippaux (1999, 2001, 2006), or Trape & Mané (2006 b)
Voodoo ceremonies while the rest of the animal is used without locality and voucher documentation of the respec-
as food. tive country records, so that our specimens are in some
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
46 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

cases nonetheless the first documented records, despite also the common H. mabouia as new for the country, and
earlier citations of the respective species from Benin. in this paper, we can list – again next to another new Hemi-
dactylus – further 8 species as new for Benin’s reptile fau-
In the following country-wide checklist, we included al- na. Our reference to Pendjari NP and to Bemberéké are
so some new data derived from the mission to Pendjari based on data and photographic documentations collect-
National Park by one of authors (OG). Among these, the ed by one of us (OG) and of a small donation of snakes
by far most remarkable find is the rediscovery of Agama to ZFMK by T. & M. Imthurn (2000). For the latter, the
gracilimembris in Benin, from where it was first described ZFMK catalogue numbers are given.
about ninety years ago.

Geoemydidae
COUNTRY-WIDE CHECKLIST OF THE REP-
TILES OF BENIN *Mauremys leprosa – Chabanaud (1917): Porto Novo (as
Clemmys leprosa). Not in Fritz & Havas (2007). Accord-
The following list contains several records of species col- ing to Fritz (pers. comm.) this record is certainly due to
lected by the Lama Forest survey of the senior author an error and should be deleted from the country’s species
which have not been documented before from the terri- list.
tory of Benin. However, as nearly all these species were
already known from the neighbouring countries in the west
(Togo) and in the east (Nigeria), their presence in Benin Testudinidae
is not surprising and was already regarded as probable in
several cases by Villiers (1951), Chippaux (2001) or Bauer Kinixys belliana nogueyi – Loveridge (1951): Bassila; this
et al. (2006). More general books on West Africa or even paper: Bohicon-Abomey area; Pendjari NP.
Africa as a whole (e.g. Villiers 1976, Welch 1982, Chip-
paux 1999, 2001, 2006, Trape & Mané 2006 b) often pose
the problem that a species is assumed to occur in a spe- Pelomedusidae
cific country (e.g. formulations as “from Senegal to Ugan-
da”) rather than being documented from a specific local- Pelomedusa subrufa – Loveridge (1951): Bassila; Zag-
ity within the respective country; or that it is plotted on a nanado; this paper: Lama Forest surroundings; Pendjari
map without documentation of the origin of the respec- NP.
tive data.
Pelusios castaneus – Sinsin et al. (1999): Benin, unspec-
For completeness’ sake, we included in this list some ified (as P. subniger); Branch (2008): on map, but with-
species recorded by Chabanaud (1916) which are definite- out locality data; this paper: Lama Forest surroundings;
ly lacking in West Africa and thus are probably due to Pendjari NP (ZFMK 83613).
misidentifications. They are marked with an asterisk (*).
A re-examination of the respective voucher material as far
as still extant was, however, beyond the scope of this pa- Trionychidae
per. It is also noted here that the most important place of
origin of Chabanaud’s material collected by Dr. Bouet is Cyclanorbis elegans – Gramentz (2008): “Benin”, with-
constantly spelled Agouagon in his papers, as it is also by out specific locality.
Villiers (1951). However, more recent authors (e.g. Hoog-
moed 1974, Salvador 1982) spell it “Agouagou” under Cyclanorbis senegalensis – Gramentz (2008): Pendjari NP
which name it is also found on modern road maps. Here, (based on Grell 2003); this paper: Pendjari NP (Figure 18).
we follow the original spelling.

It was reflecting the still poor state of knowledge of the Crocodylidae

reptilian fauna of Benin when Loveridge (1952) stated that
among the turtles and lizards from the A. Villiers mission Crocodylus suchus – This paper: Pendjari NP (Figure 19).
(1950) no less than 8 species were new for the country,
among them even Agama agama! More than five decades Osteolaemus tetraspis – Sinsin et al. (1999): “Sud-Bénin”
later Bauer et al. (2006) recorded – next to more first including the Departments of Zou, Mono, Ouémé, and At-
records of geckos and a new species of Hemidactylus – lantique.

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 47

(1947): Ajuda; Godomey; Grand Popo; Porto Novo;

Zomai; Loveridge (1952): Abomey; Bassila; Kous-
soukoingou; Bauer et al. (2006): Attogon; Niaouli;
Abomey; Collines du Dassa-Zoumè; Manigri; Pendjari
NP; this paper: Godomey; Bohicon.

Hemidactylus beninensis – Bauer et al. (2006): Collines

du Dassa-Zoumè (new species description).

Hemidactylus fasciatus – Bauer et al. (2006): near Kétou;

this paper: Lama Forest (2nd country record).

Hemidactylus mabouia – Bauer et al. (2006): Godomey,

Fig. 18. Cyclanorbis senegalensis, juvenile from Pendjari NP, Abomay, Niaouli; this paper: Cotonou (2nd country
northern Benin. Photo: O. Grell record).

Eublepharidae Hemidactylus muriceus – Bauer et al. (2006): near Kétou.

Hemitheconyx caudicinctus – Chabanaud (1917 a): Hemidactylus lamaensis – This paper: Lama Forest (new
“Haute Dahomey”; Agouagon (as Psilodactylus caudicinc- species description).
tus); Bauer et al. (2006): Kétou; Diho (=Idiho); this pa-
per: Didja; Za-Kpota. Lygodactylus conraui – Bauer et al. (2006): Lokoli Fo-
rest.

Gekkonidae
Phyllodactylidae
Hemidactylus ansorgei – This paper: Lama Forest (1st
country record). Ptyodactylus ragazzii – Bauer et al. (2006): Chutes de
Koudou, PN du W.
Hemidactylus angulatus/guineensis complex – Cha-
banaud (1917 a): Agouagon (as H. brookii and H. stella- Tarentola ephippiata – Bauer et al. (2006): Pendjari NP.
tus); Grandison (1956, in part): “Dahomey”; Loveridge

Fig. 19. Crocodylus suchus, Pendjari NP. Photo: O. Grell

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

48 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

Chamaeleo necasi – Ullenbruch et al. (2007), this paper:

Bohicon-Za-Kpota, Houegbo.

Chamaeleo senegalensis – Loveridge (1952): Zagnanado;

this paper: Bohicon; Abomey-Didja; Pendjari NP.

Scincidae

Chalcides thierryi – Loveridge (1952): Koussokoingou (as

Chalcides ocellatus thierryi).

Mochlus guineensis – Chabanaud (1917): Agouagon; this

Fig. 20. Agama gracilimembris, Pendjari NP, first rediscovery paper: Lama Forest; Cotonou.
in Benin after its first description from this country nine decades
ago. Photo: O. Grell Panaspis togoensis – Chabanaud (1917): Agouagon (as
Lygosoma (Riopa) dahomeyense, syn. fide Schmitz et al.
2005); Loveridge (1952): Bassila (as Lygosoma (Panaspis)
Agamidae breviceps togoense) Grandison (1956): “Dahomey” (as P.
breviceps togoense); Fuhn (1972): “Dahomey: Agouagou”
Agama agama complex – Loveridge (1952): Bassila; Kou- (as Panaspis kitsoni); this paper: Lama Forest; Pendjari
tiacou; Zagnanado; this paper: Godomey nr. Cotonou; Co- NP.
tonou; Bohicon; Pendjari NP.
Trachylepis affinis – Chabanaud (1917): Satadougou (as
Agama sylvanus – This paper: Lama Forest (1st country Mabuia raddonii); Loveridge (1952): Abomey; Bassila;
record). Koussokoingou; Tanogou (as Mabuya blandingii); this pa-
per: Godomey nr. Cotonou; Lama Forest; Pendjari NP.
Agama gracilimembris – Chabanaud (1918): “Dahomey”
(original description); this paper: Pendjari NP. Trachylepis perrotetii – Chabanaud (1917): Agouagon (in
part as Mabuia albilabris, fide Hoogmoed 1974);
Note: This little agama with unresolved intrageneric re- Loveridge (1952): Abomey; Bassila; Koussokoingou (as
lationships was subsequently found in Nigeria and in the Mabuya perroteti); this paper: Godomey nr. Cotonou;
Central African Republik (Grandison 1968, 1969, Joger Pendjari NP.
1990), the gap between these two records being bridged
by a find in northern Cameroon (Böhme 1975). The pho- Trachylepis maculilabris – Chabanaud (1917): Agouagon;
tographic record from Pendjari NP (Figure 20) is the first Loverdige (1952): Bassila.
find of this rare agama in Benin since its original descrip-
tion in 1918, a rediscovery after 9 decades! Trachylepis quinquetaeniata sharica Sternfeld, 1917 –
Chabanaud (1917): Agouagon (in part as Mabuia albi-
labris, fide Hoogmoed 1974); Loveridge (1952): Bassila
Chamaeleonidae (as Mabuya quinquetaeniata sharica); this paper: Pend-
jari NP.
Chamaeleo africanus – This paper: Atakora chain (1st
country record, based on photograph).
Gerrhosauridae
Note. A photograph of a “chameleon” published in a pop-
ular book on Benin by Englebert (1973, cited after Con- Gerrhosaurus major zechi – Loveridge (1952): Kous-
rad 1999) without identifying the species shows clearly a sokoingou.
specimen of C. africanus. Its inclusion by Conrad (1999)
into her unpublished thesis means that it is still the first
published country record for Benin. Lacertidae

Chamaeleo gracilis – This paper: Abomey-Didja; Pend- Acanthodactylus boueti – Chabanaud (1917): Agouagon
jari NP. (as A. (Latastia) boueti); Loveridge (1952), Salvador
(1982): Bassila.
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 49

Heliobolus nitidus – Loveridge (1952): Bassila (as

Eremias n. nitida); this paper: Pendjari NP.

Holaspis guentheri – This paper: Lama Forest (1st coun-

try record).

Amphisbaenidae

Cynisca leucura – Chabanaud (1917a): Agouagon; “Da-

homey” (as Amphisbaena leucura); Loveridge (1952):
Natitingou.

Fig. 21. Varanus niloticus, subadult, unusally light-coloured

Varanidae
specimen from Pendjari NP. Photo: O. Grell
Varanus exanthematicus – This paper: Abomey-Didja.
Python regius – Villiers (1951): “très commun”, voucher
Varanus niloticus – Chabanaud (1917a): Agouagon; specimen from Abomey; this paper: Godomey nr. Coto-
“Haut Dahomey”; this paper: Godomey nr. Cotonou; nou; Za-Kpota; Lama Forest.
Ouémé River near Togbota; Pendjari NP (photographic
voucher of an unusually pale olive-coloured juvenile, Fig- Python sebae – Villiers (1951): “Très commun partout”,
ure 21). specimens from Abomey; this paper: South Benin.

Varanus ornatus – This paper: Abomey-Didja; Lama For-

est (1st country record). Colubridae

Afronatrix anoscopus – Chirio & Ineich (2009): Niangou

Leptotyphlopidae NE of Tanguieta; Atakora Prov.; this paper: Lokoli For-
est (2nd published country record, regarded already as
Leptotyphlops bicolor – Chabanaud (1916): Porto Novo probably present by Villiers 1951 and Chippaux 2001).
(as Glauconia. b. gruveli).
Bamanophis dorri – Chippaux 1999, 2006; N Benin: un-
Leptotyphlops brevicauda – Bocage (1887): “Dahomey” specified (as Coluber dorri); Trape & Mané (2007): on
(as Stenostoma brevicauda); Hahn (1980): “Dahomey” (as grid map but without specific locality (as Hemorhhois dor-
Leptotyphlops brevicaudus). ri; Schätti & Trape (2008): unspecified.

*Leptotyphlops nigricans – Chabanaud (1916): “Da- Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis – Rasmussen (2000): Soubrou-
homey” (Identification probably erroneus, taxon not in kou.
west Afria).
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia – Chabanaud (1916): “Daho-
mey” (as Leptodira hotamboeia); Chabanaud (1917 b):
Typhlopidae Agouagon (as Leptodira hotamboeia); this paper: Godo-
mey nr. Cotonou.
Ramphotyphlops braminus – Trape & Mané (2006 b):
Cotonou. Dasypeltis gansi – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” (as D.
scabra palmarum); Trape & Mané (2006 a): Lanta; this
Typhlops punctatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”; paper: Za-Kpota.
Chabanaud (1917a,b): Ouidah, Agouagon.
Dispholidus typus – This paper: Bohicon-Didja (1st coun-
try record; regarded as probably present by Villiers 1950).
Boidae
Grayia smythii – Chabanaud (1916): near Sakété, Porto-
Gongylophis muelleri – Trape & Mané (2006 b): on grid Novo.
map but without specific locality.
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
50 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

Hormonotus modestus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”; Meizodon regularis – Chippaux (2001): Benin (on map,
Chabanaud (1917 b): near Lac Azzi. without documented locality); this paper: Godomey nr.
Cotonou (2nd country record).
Lamprophis fuliginosus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”
(as Boaodon fuliginosus); Chabanaud (1917b): Agouagon Natriciteres olivacea – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” (as
(as Boodon fuliginosus); Villiers (1951): Koussokoin- Tropidonotus olivaceus); this paper: Lama Forest (1st doc-
gou/Atakora (as Boaedon fuliginosus); this paper: Dan umented locality record for Benin).
Forest; Lama Forest; Didja, Za-Kpota.
Natriciteres variegata – This paper: Lama Forest (1st
Lamprophis lineatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” (as country record).
Boaodon linatus); Chabanaud (1917b): Agouagon (as
Boodon lineatus); Villiers (1951): Abomey (as Boaedon Philothamnus irregularis – Trape & Mané: on grid map
lineatus). but without specific locality; this paper: Lama Forest.

*Lycophidion capense – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” Philothamnus semivariegatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Da-
(listing of capense and capense multimaculatum proba- homey”; Chabanaud (1917a): Cotonou, Agouagon; Villiers
bly due to identification error: both taxa not in West (1951): Abomey; this paper: Lama Forest.
Africa).
Polemon neuwiedii – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” (as
Lycophidion semicinctum – Villiers (1951): Abomey; this Miodon neuwiedi); Agouagon (as Miodon neuwiedi).
paper: Bohicon; Didja.
Prosymna meleagris – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”;
Mehelya crossi – Chabanaud (1916): “Haut-Dahomey” (as Chabanaud (1917a): Agouagon.
Simocephalus capensis); Loveridge (1940): Bassila; Vil-
liers (1951): Abomey. Psammophis elegans – Loveridge (1941): Ouidah; this pa-
per: Cotonou; Bembéréké ZFMK 72885); Pendjari NP
Meizodon coronatus – Trape & Mané (2006 b): on grid (Figure 22).
map but without specific locality.
Psammophis lineatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”;
Chabanaud (1917 b): Agouagon.

Psammophis cf. phillipsi – Chabanaud (1916) “Dahomey”

(as P. sibilans); this paper: Abomey; Za-Kpota; Pendjari
NP (Figure 23).

Psammophis phillipsi ([Link].) – Chabanaud (1916): “Da-

homey” (as P. regularis); this paper: Godomey near Coto-
nou.

Psammophis praeornatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Da-

homey” (according to Villiers 1951 not documented).

Psammophis schokari – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”

(as P. shokari: considered to be of doubtful provenance
by this author).

Psammophis sudanensis – This paper: Didja; Za-Kpota,

Abomey, Bohicon (1st country record).

Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus – Chirio & Ineich (1991):

Benin, unspecified; Trape & Mané (2006): on grid map,
but without specific locality; this paper: Godomey nr.
Cotonou; Za-Kpota.
Fig. 22. Psammophis elegans from Pendjari NP, dorsal pattern.
Photo: O. Grell

Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK

 Reptiles from southern Benin,West Africa, with the description of a new Hemidactylus 51

Atractaspis dahomeyensis – Barboza du Bocage (1887):

Zomai; Villiers (1951): Abomey; Trape & Mané (2006b):
Parakou.

Atractaspis watsoni – Trape & Mané (2006 b): on grid

map but without specific locality.

Elapidae

Dendroaspis viridis – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” (as

Dendraspis viridis); this paper: Bohicon.
Fig. 23. Psammophis cf. phillipsi from Pendjari NP, showing
the characteristic reddish dorsilateral stripes. Photo: O. Grell Elapsoidea semiannulata moebiusi – Chabanaud (1916):
“Dahomey” (as Elapechis guentheri); Chabanaud (1917
b): Agouagon (as Elapechis guentheri); this paper: Lama
(Didja).

Scaphiophis albopunctatus – Bocage (1895, 1896): Aju- Naja melanoleuca – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”; Vil-
da; Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”; Chabanaud (1917a): liers (1951): Abomey.
Agouagon; Broadley (1994): Parakou, and Segbana; this
paper: Lama Forest (Didja). Naja nigricollis – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”; Cha-
banaud (1917): Agouagon; Villiers (1951): Abomey; this
Telescopus variegatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” paper: Lama Forest; Pendjari NP.
(as Tarbophis variegatus); Chabanaud (1917a): Agouagon
(as Tarbophis variegatus); Villiers (1951): Abomey (as Naja senegalensis – Trape et al. (2009): Niénié.
Tarbophis variegatus).

*T. semiannulatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” (as Viperidae

Tarbophis semiannulatus. Repeated by Villiers (1951), but
probably due to misidentification, as taxon not in present Bitis arietans – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”; Cha-
in West Africa). banaud (1917 b), Villiers (1951): Koussokoingou/Atako-
ra, Zagnanado (as B. lachesis); this paper: Abomey; Be-
Thelotornis kirtlandii – Villiers (1951): Bassila. mbéréké (ZFMK 72886).

Toxicodryas blandingii – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” Bitis nasicornis – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey”.
(as Dipsadomorphus blandingii); Villiers (1951): Zag-
nanado, Abomey (as Boiga blandingii). Causus maculatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” (as
C. rhombeatus); Chabanaud (1917b): Agouagon (as C.
Toxicodryas pulverulentus – Chabanaud (1917b): Porto rhombeatus); Villiers (1951): Koussokoingou/Atakora (as
Novo (as Dipsadomorphus boueti, syn. fide Villiers 1951). C. rhombeatus); this paper: Bohicon/Didja, Abomey.

Atractaspididae Echis ocellatus – Chabanaud (1916): “Dahomey” (as E.

carinatus); Chabanaud (1917 b): Agouagon (as E. cari-
natus); Villiers (1951): Koussokoingou/Atakora (as E. car-
Amblyodipsas unicolor – Considered to be probably in inatus); this paper: Didja; Bembéréké (ZFMK 72867,
Benin by Villiers (1950) and Meirte (1999); Chippaux 73091); Pendjari NP.
(2001): On map, but without documented locality; this pa-
per: Za-Kpota (first documented country record). Acknowledgements. We thank Prof. Dr. Peter Nagel and Dr.
Ralf Peveling, University of Basel, that they provided the op-
Aparallactus modestus – Boettger (1898): Grand Popo; portunity to KU to work within the BIOLAMA project. Thanks
Witte & Laurent (1947): ”Gross Popo”. are also due to Lamidi Konetche and Thibault Lachet for some
additional gecko specimens. WB thankfully acknowledges Dr.
Werner Schröder, Göttingen, and Mr. Thomas & Mrs. Marianne
Atractaspis aterrima – Villiers (1951): Abomey; Ras-
Imthurn, Bembéréké/Benin, for some reptile from Godomey and
mussen (2005): “Benin, without locality”. Bembéréké, respectively.
Bonn zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 31–54 ©ZFMK
52 Klaus Ullenbruch et al.

We further thank PD Dr. Mark-Oliver Rödel and Mr. Frank Carranza S, Arnold EN (2006) Systematics, biogeography, and
Tillack, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, for the loan of relevant evolution of Hemidactylus geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) elu-
gecko type material, and Dr. Colin McCarthy, Natural History cidated using mitochondrials DNA sequences. Molecular Phy-
Museum London, and Dr. Heinz Grillitsch, Naturhistorisches logenetics and Evolution 38: 531–545
Museum Vienna, for photos of further important type material Chabanaud P (1916) Énumération des ophidiens non encore étu-
of geckos and a snake. Prof. Dr. Uwe Fritz, Senckenberg diés de l’Afrique Occidentale, appartenants aux collections du
naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, kindly commented on a Muséum, avec la description des espèces et des variétés nou-
chelonogical issue while Dr. Andreas Schmitz, Muséum d’His- velles. Bulletin du Muséum de Histoire Naturelle de Paris 22:
toire Naturelle, Geneva, helpfully commented on skink taxon- 362–382
omy and on the manuscript as a whole. Mr. Philipp Wagner Chabanaud P (1917 a) Énumeration des reptiles non encore étu-
(MSc) and Mrs. Ursula Bott (both from ZFMK Bonn) provid- diés de l’Afrique Occidentale, appartenants aux collection du
ed again support with their photographic and technical skills. Muséum, avec la description des espèces nouvelles. Bulletin
du Muséum de Histoire Naturelle de Paris 23: 83–105
Chabanaud P (1917 b) Note complémentaire sur les ophidiens
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Corresponding editor: F. Herder

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