Bitis gabonica (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)

Figure 32C

Echidna gabonica Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854: 1428 . Type locality: “ Gabon ” by lectotype designation (Hughes & Barry 1969: 1030).

Bitis gabonica (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854): Boulenger 1915: 222.

Distribution. This species is distributed from southeastern Nigeria to western Kenya, southward to Angola and northern South Africa. In Equatorial Guinea it has been recorded from Río Muni at Monte Alén National Park (Lasso et al. 2002), including Monte Mitra (Gonwouo & Nsang 2005) (Map 38B).

Comments. Fa & García Juste (2001) reported this species in the bush-meat market of Río Muni at Monte Mitra Forest. There are some known sympatric populations of B. gabonica and B. nasicornis in Nigeria (Luiselli & Akani 2003).

Specimens examined. Eighteen specimens. Río Muni: San Joaquín de Ndyiacom, April 1988 (EBD 27745) , December 1987 (EBD 27780); Monte Raíces, 10 October 1965 (EBD 2872); Miboman, 15 June 1984 (EBD 20269), 01 September 1984 (EBD 20260), 22 June 1984 (EBD 20270–20271); Miboman, 30 km from Bata, 14 October 1985 (EBD 20772–20774) , 19 October 1985 (EBD 20767); Miboman, close to the town, 27 km from Movo, 06 September 1985 (EBD 20761) ; Mikan (road from Bata to Niefang), 21 September 1987 (EBD 27791) ; Road from Niefang to Miboman, 20 July 1986 (EBD 20771) , 06 September 1985 (EBD 20769–20770); Bata (Km 3, road to Mbimi), 15 October 1985 (EBD 20775) ; Monte de Bata (road to Niefang), 02 June 1985 (EBD 20768) .