Zygaspis quadrifrons (Peters, 1862), Kalahari

Conradie, Werner, Bills, Roger & Branch, William R., 2016, The herpetofauna of the Cubango, Cuito, and lower Cuando river catchments of south-eastern Angola, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 126) 10 (2), pp. 6-36 : 23

Zygaspis quadrifrons (Peters, 1862)

Kalahari Round-headed Worm Lizard

Material: PEM R 20524 (41b), 20525 (44b), 21491 (59), and 21492 (60).

Comment: Along with southern Africa, Angola has a very rich amphisbaenian fauna and 11 species are known, with representatives of three genera ( Dalophia , Monopeltis , and Zygaspis ). Zygaspis quadrifrons was recorded from Alto Chipata, north-west Angola, by Laurent (1964), but this has subsequently been referred to the new species Z. nigra Broadley and Gans, 1969 . The only previous Angolan records are from Kakindo [= Caiundo], Kuando-Kubango Province and Chimporo [=Techimpolo], Cunene Province by Monard (1937b). The new collections ( Fig. 8d ) from the Cuito and lower Cuando River represent the first records for both river systems and double the total number of Angolan locations.

Figures

Fig. 8. A selection of reptiles from south-eastern Angola. A. Natriciteres olivacea; B. Limnophis bangweolicus; C. Tetradactylus ellenbergeri; D. Zygaspis quadrifrons; E. Typhlacontias rohani; F. Acontias kgalagadi kgalagadi; G. Lubuya ivensii; H. Pelusios bechuanicus.