Reptiles of the Albertine Rift
The chameleon Chamaeleo rudis is endemic to the Albertine Rift. Source: R.J.Blach
The reptiles of the Albertine Rift number 175 species. This is about fourteen percent of the total reptilianspecies numbers for the entirety of Africa. However, this group has been poorly collected in the Riftm and Albertine Rift numbers could increase with more work. Only two are currently classified as threatened, although the classification is currently being revised. Sixteen reptile species have been classified as endemic to the Albertine Rift with a further three near-Endemic. Seven of these are Chamaeleons and six are skinks. Few snakes are endemic to this region.
Enumeration of taxa
|
Family |
Species |
Endemic or Near Endemic |
|
Chamaeleonidae |
Bradypodion carpenteri |
Endemic |
|
Chamaeleonidae |
Bradypodion xenorhinum |
Endemic |
|
Chamaeleonidae |
Chamaeleo johnstoni |
Endemic |
|
Chamaeleonidae |
Chamaeleo rudis |
Endemic |
|
Chamaeleonidae |
Chamaeleo schoutedeni |
Endemic |
|
Chamaeleonidae |
Bradypodion adolfifriderici |
Near Endemic |
|
Chamaeleonidae |
Chamaeleo ituriensis |
Near Endemic |
|
Colubridae |
Lycodonomorphus bicolor |
Endemic |
|
Colubridae |
Philothamnus ruandae |
Endemic |
|
Gekkonidae |
Cnemaspis quattuorseriata |
Near Endemic |
|
Lacertidae |
Adolfus vauereselli |
Endemic |
|
Scincidae |
Leptosiaphos blochmanni |
Endemic |
|
Scincidae |
Leptosiaphos graueri |
Endemic |
|
Scincidae |
Leptosiaphos hackarsi |
Endemic |
|
Scincidae |
Leptosiaphos luberoensis |
Endemic |
|
Scincidae |
Leptosiaphos meleagris |
Endemic |
|
Scincidae |
Leptosiaphos rhodurus |
Endemic |
|
Typhlopidae |
Leptotyphlops latirostris |
Endemic |
|
Viperidae |
Atheris nitschei |
Endemic |
References
- Boulenger, G.A. (1893). Catalogue of the snakes in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) I. London (Taylor & Francis), 448 pages
- McDiarmid R.W, Campbell J.A, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4.
- Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
