Melanoseps ater (Günther, 1873)

Bittencourt-Silva, Gabriela B., Bayliss, Julian & Conradie, Werner, 2020, First herpetological surveys of Mount Lico and Mount Socone, Mozambique, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 247) 14 (2), pp. 198-217 : 210

Melanoseps ater (Günther, 1873)

Black Limbless Skink

Material. MOUNT SOCONE (top): BMNH 2019.2900–01, PEM R 23952–53, MHNM: WC-6437.

Identification. This forest-dependent species occurs in other Mozambican mountains ( Conradie et al. 2016) and its taxonomy is still unresolved. We tentatively assign our specimens to M. ater on the basis of having 23–24 midbody scale rows, 153–154 ventrals, 45–47 subcaudals, and having been found in forest (fide Broadley et al. 2006). Comments. Found in forest under logs ( Fig. 4H ).

Figures

Fig. 4. Reptiles from Mount Lico and Mount Socone, northern Mozambique. (A) Agama kirkii; (B) A. mossambica; (C) Chamaeleo dilepis; (D) Rhampholeon tilburyi; (E) Trioceros melleri; (F) Platysaurus maculatus; (G) Lygodactylus sp.; (H) Melanoseps ater; (I) Panaspis aff. maculicollis; (J) Dasypeltis scabra; (K–L) Philothamnus macrops; (M–N) Naja subfulva; (O) Boaedon fuliginosus.