Heterotetrax rueppelii ( Wahlberg, 1856 )

Dean, W. Richard J., Åhlander, Erik & Johansson, Ulf S., 2022, Avian type localities and the type specimens collected by Johan August Wahlberg in southern Africa, Zootaxa 5134 (4), pp. 521-560 : 526

Otis rüppelii Wahlberg, 1856: 174 .

VERBATIM TYPE LOCALITY: “ in campis apricis, sterilibus terrae Damararum ”

CURRENT STATUS: Heterotetrax rueppelii ( Wahlberg, 1856) ; Otididae ( Dickinson & Remsen 2013: 165) . Monotypic.

TYPE MATERIAL: Wahlberg, in his original description (1856: 174), gave measurements for both male and female. According to Sundevall’s acquisition catalogue, four specimens were received in Stockholm after Wahlberg’s death. Gyldenstolpe (1926: 99) referred to NRM 569861 [11803] as “type”, which we treat as a lectotype designation of this adult male collected 11 January 1855 near Swakopmund. The three paralectotypes are: NRM 569860 [11804], an adult male collected 18 January 1855 near Swakopmund; NRM 90108403 [11802], a female collected 12 January 1855 near Swakopmund; and a male [11805] apparently lost before 1917, and therefore not listed by Gyldenstolpe (1926). However, the specimen, NRM 90200216 [11805], a mounted female (male on the collector’s label, female on the mount label), collected 22 August 1854 in Tsaobis, has been recently found in the NRM collection.

VERIFIED TYPE LOCALITY: Onanis River near Swakopmund, Namibia .

COMMENTS: Sundevall’s acquisition catalogue gives only “Damara” as the TL, but the collection dates and place are confirmed by journal entries. Wahlberg stayed at the Onanis River near Swakopmund, from 2–18 January 1855, and was at Tsaobis on 22 August 1854.