Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861

Lobón-Rovira, Javier, Lobón-Rovira, Baptista, Ninda L, Clark, Tyron, Verburgt, Luke, Jongsma, Gregory Fm, Conradie, Werner, and, Luis Veríssimo, Vaz, Pedro & Pinto, 2025, Filling the gaps: herpetological checklist of Mayombe National Park and Cabinda Province (Angola) shed light on one of the most unexplored corners of tropical Central Africa, African Journal of Herpetology 74 (1), pp. 1-59 : 1-59

Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861

Figure 8B

Material. ANGOLA – Cabinda Province • Mayombe NP, Vaku; –4.6323, 12.8937; 319 m a.s.l.; (P2.064) • Dinge; –4.6323, 12.8937; 319 m a.s.l.; EI 810; EI 812; GenBank: PQ456007–08 (street market) .

Identification. A small crocodile (max. SVL = ∼ 2 m) with black dorsum and yellowish patches on tail and jaw ( Waitkuwait 1986), three transverse series of nuchal scales, and snout as long as wide at the base. Genetically , it differs by ∼3.6% from material collected from Ogooue Basin, Gabon (GenBank: MN885919 ) .

Biology and distribution. Osteolaemus tetraspis is a widely distributed rainforest species in West Africa,from Senegal to Cabinda Province ( Waitkuwait 1986). It is associated with ponds, swampy areas or water pools, frequently far away from main rivers or open waters ( Waitkuwait 1986). The photographed specimen was found in a small rain pool under shade in the primary rainforest in Upper Mayombe. Samples from this study were obtained from specimens found in street markets in the Littoral Peneplain, being sold as bushmeat.

Squamata

Chamaeleonidae

Figures

Figure 8. Some of the reptile species recorded from from Mayombe National Park and Cabinda Province, Angola. Codes in brackets represent field numbers. A. Kinixys erosa (P2.208) from Inhuca. B. Osteolaemus tetraspis (P2.064) from Vaku, Upper Mayombe. C. Chamaeleo dilepis (EI 817), D. Agama congica and E. Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus from near Nganzi. F. Holaspis guentheri from Vaku, Upper Mayombe. G. H. mabouia (P2.232) from Miconge, Upper Mayombe. G. Hemidactylus pfindaensis (EI 1136) from near Nganzi, and I. H. pfindaensis (P2.234) from Miconge, Upper Mayombe. J. Lygodactylus aff. laterimaculatus (P3.199) from Sanga Wanda, Lower Mayombe. K. Feylinia grandisquamis from near Nganzi. L. Panaspis breviceps (P2.205), from Miconge, Upper Mayombe. M. P. cabindae (EI 1135) from near Nganzi. N. Trachylepis albolabris (P3.130) from Mbundu, Lower Mayombe, and O. from near Nganzi. P. T. maculilabris and Q. T. polytropis (P3.218) from Mbundu, Lower Mayombe. R. Dipsadoboa weileri (P3.151) from Mbundu, Lower Mayombe S. Grayia ornata (P3.145) from Chimbete, Lower Mayombe. T. Hapsidophrys smaragdinus (P1.144) from Tando Zinze. U. Dendroaspis jamesoni, from near Nganzi. V. Naja melanoleuca killed by farmers at Nganzi. W. Psammophis mossambicus (EI 809) from near Nganzi. X. Python sebae from a street market in Cabinda City. Photographs by PVP (A–B, G, I–J, L, N, Q), JLR (R–S), TC (T–U, X), LV (C–E, V–W), Alex Rebelo (H, K, M), Rogério Ferreira (F, P).