Pelusios Wagler, 1830

Marques, Mariana P., Ceríaco, Luis M. P., Blackburn, David C. & Bauer, Aaron M., 2018, Diversity and Distribution of the Amphibians and Terrestrial Reptiles of Angola Atlas of Historical and Bibliographic Records (1840 - 2017), Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 65, pp. 1-501 : 164-168

Genus Pelusios Wagler, 1830

Pelusios bechuanicus FitzSimons, 1932 OKAVANGO MUD TURTLE

Pelusios bechuanicus FitzSimons 1932:37 . Holotype: TM 14688 fide Broadley (1981a:664) and Mashinini and Mahlangu (2014:184) (collector V.F. FitzSimons). Type locality: “Thamalakane River at Maun,

Ngamiland, Bechuanaland,” [ Botswana]. Sternothaerus nigricans : Monard (1931:109, 1937b:148). Pelusios bechuanicus : Laurent (1964a:27), Iverson (1986:239, 1992:57), Fritz and Havaš 2007:346, Turtle

Taxonomy Working Group (2014:436), Conradie et al. (2016:27). Pelusios bechuanicus bechuanicus : Broadley (1981a:664).

Global conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated.

Global distribution: The species is limited to the greater Okavango basin, from the Cubango/Okavango River in the west to the Kafue Flats in Zambia and south to northeastern Namibia and northern Botswana.

Ocurrences in Angola (Map 111): This species occurs in central-southeastern Angola.

Moxico: “Riv. Chonga, affl. de la Lumeje, 100

km à l’est de Luso” [-11.75000, 20.75000]

( Laurent 1964a:27; Broadley 1981a:666).

Cunene: “Chimporo” [-16.03333, 17.15000]

( Monard 1931:109, 1937b:148; Broadley

1981a:666). Cuando Cubango : “flood waters of the lower Cuando River (44a)” [-17.57333,

23.26000] ( Conradie et al. 2016:90-10, 27).

Taxonomic and distributional notes:

FitzSimons (1932) short description was sup-

plemented by a more extensive and illustrated version ( FitzSimons 1935). Laurent (1964a)

resurrected Pelusios bechuanicus from the synonymy of Pelusios subniger ( Bonnaterre,

1789) based on a single Angolan specimen from Moxico Province, and subsequently MAP 111. Distribution of Pelusios bechuanicus in Angola.

Broadley (1981a) allocated Sternothaerus nigricans (non Donndoff, 1798) from “Chimporo” ( Monard 1931, 1937b) to this species as well. Iverson (1986, 1992) provided a distribution map with two records from Angola, which correspond to the “Chimporo” and “Chonga River” records listed above.

Pelusios castaneus ( Schweigger, 1812) WEST AFRICAN MUD TURTLE

Emys castanea Schweigger 1812:314 . Holotype: MNHN specimen lost fide Bour (1978 “1979”) (collector unknown); Neotype: MNHN 2008.0303 (collector Fouchard-Togamin), designated by Bour (2008). Type locality: “Patria ignota” [unknown]; Neotype locality: “vicinity of Koutchatcha (7°20’ N, 1°18’ E), a village close to the Amou River (ca. 30 km East of Gléï), Ogou Prefecture, Plateaux Region, Togo.” Sternothaerus derbianus : Peters (1877a:611), Frade (1963:252).

Sternothaerus Derbianus : Bocage (1895a:3).

Pelusios subniger : Loveridge (1941b:491, 1957:175).

Pelusios castaneus : Iverson (1986:241, 1992:60), Fritz and Havaš 2007:346, Kindler et al. (2016:305), Bour et al. (2016:095.1).

Pelusios castaneus castaneus : Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2014:436); Bour et al. (2016:095.3). Global conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated.

Global distribution: The species is known from West Africa, from Senegal east through extreme southern Chad and the adjacent Central African Republic. A southern population occurring in near-coastal localities from Gabon to northern Angola is disjunct from the main distribution. Introduced populations occur on São Tomé and on Guadeloupe (but not on the Cape Verde Islands as previously noted; see Bour et al. 2016).

Ocurrences in Angola (Map 112): This species occurs along the coast in the northwest from southern Bengo Province north to Cabinda . Cabinda: “Chinchoxo” [-5.10000,

12.10000] ( Peters 1877a:611; Loveridge

1941b:501). Luanda: “Loanda” [-8.83333,

13.26667] ( Bocage 1895a:3; Loveridge

1941b:501); “Cacuaco, 10 km NE Luanda ”

[-8.78333, 13.36667] ( Bour et al. 2016:095.3).

Taxonomic and distributional notes:

One non-nominate subspecies has been recognized, the extinct P. c. seychellensis (Sieben-

rock, 1906) ( Turtle Taxonomy Working Group

2014; Bour et al. 2016), although molecular evidence suggests that it should be considered a junior synonym of the nominate form

( Stuckas et al. 2013; Kindler et al. 2016).

Loveridge (1941b) considered Sternothaerus MAP 112. Distribution of Pelusios castaneus in Angola. derbianus as used by Peters (1877a) and Bocage (1895a) as a synonym of Pelusios subniger ( Lacépède, 1789) . Laurent (1956) revived P. derbianus and P. rhodesianus Hewitt, 1927 as races of Pelusios castaneus ( Schweigger, 1812) although Bour (1978 “1979”) applied the name P. castaneus castaneus to the West African form, with derbianus as a synonym ( Broadley 1981a). Bour et al. (2016) mapped several additional localities in Angola, all from near-coastal sites in Luanda and Bengo provinces, although place names were not given.

Pelusios chapini Laurent, 1965 CENTRAL AFRICAN MUD TURTLE

Pelusios castaneus chapini Laurent 1965:21 , pl. 3, figs. 1–4. Holotype: MRAC 20937 (collector R.F. Laurent). Type locality: “Kasenyi, Lake Albert, Bunia Terr., Ituri, Congo ” [= Lake Albert , Kasenyi, Ituri Province], Democratic Republic of Congo.

Pelusios chapini : Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2014:437), Kindler et al. (2016:305).

Global conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated.

Global distribution: The species is known from Central Africa, from the Central African Republic to the northern Democratic Republic of Congo and much of the lower Congo drainage, Congo, Gabon and presumably northern Angola (possibly including the Cabinda enclave).

Ocurrences in Angola: This species may occur in the far northwest of the country, although there are no previously published specimen records from Angola.

Taxonomic and distributional notes: According to the Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2014) and the recent study provided by Kindler et al. (2016), it is expected that Pelusios chapini occurs in Cabinda and might reach the extreme northwest border of the country in Zaire and/or Uíge povinces. The species is closely related to P. castaneus and some introgression may have occurred between the two taxa ( Fritz et al. 2011; Kindler et al. 2016).

Pelusios gabonensis ( Duméril, 1856) AFRICAN FOREST TURTLE

Pentonyx gabonensis Duméril 1856:373 , pl. 13, figs. 2, 2a. Holotype: MNHN 4237 (collector M. Aubry).

Type locality: “ Gabon.” Sternothaerus gabonensis : Bocage (1866a:40, 1866b:57). Pelusios gabonensis : Loveridge (1941b:485), Iverson (1986:244, 1992:63), Fritz and Havaš 2007:348, Turtle

Taxonomy Working Group (2014:438), Kindler et al. (2016:305).

Global conservation status ( IUCN): Not Evaluated.

Global distribution: The species is known from forested areas of Central Africa from Cameroon east across most of the central and northern portions of ther Democratic Republic of Congo to far western Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi and southwest to Angola. A disjunct population occurs in Liberia and the Ivory Coast.

Ocurrences in Angola (Map 113): This species occurs in northern Angola. Cabinda: “ Cabinda ” [-5.55000, 12.18333] ( Bocage 1866a:40, 1866b:57).

Taxonomic and distributional notes: According to Loveridge (1941b), Iverson (1986, 1992) and The Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2014), the species is only known from Angola in Cabinda and Zaire provinces, although The Turtle Taxonomy Working Group MAP 113. Distribution of Pelusios gabonensis in Angola. (2017) provided an additional record from Lunda Norte.

Pelusios nanus Laurent, 1956 AFRICAN DWARF MUD TURTLE

Pelusios nanus Laurent 1956:31 , pl. IV, figs. 2–4. Holotype, MRAC 7833 (collector G. de Witte). Type locality: “Dilolo, Haut Lualaba,” Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Pelusios derbianus : Schmidt (1933:3). Sternothaerus nigricans : Monard (1937b:148). Pelusios rhodesianus : Loveridge (1941b 491). Pelusios nanus : Laurent (1964a:25, 1965:27), Broadley (1981a:657), Iverson (1986:245, 1992:64), Fritz and

Havaš 2007:348, Ceríaco et al. (2014b:670), Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2014:438), Kindler et al.

(2016:305).

Global conservation status (IUCN): Not

Evaluated.

Global distribution: The species has a relatively limited distribution across central

Angola, northern Zambia and the southern

Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ocurrences in Angola (Map 114): This species occurs in central Angola. Malanje :

“Capanda” [-9.72841, 15.34585] (Ceríaco et al.

2014b:670). Lunda Sul: “Alto Chicapa”

[-10.88333,19.23333] ( Laurent 1964a:25,

1965:27; Broadley 1981:661). Moxico: “environs du lac Calundo” [-11.80000, 20.86667]

( Laurent 1964a:25; Broadley 1981a:661);

“Cazombo” [-11.88333, 22.91667] ( Laurent

1964a:25; Broadley 1981a:661). Bié: “Chitau”

[-11.43333, 17.15000] ( Schmidt 1933:3);

“Catabola, Rio Cunhinga basin” [-12.144732, MAP 114. Distribution of Pelusios nanus in Angola. 17.280407] ( Kindler et al. 2016, supplemental material:5); “river between Kuito asnd Catabola” [-12.267883, 17.114582] ( Kindler et al. 2016, supplemental material:5); “Kuito” [-12.383599, 16.928029] ( Kindler et al. 2016, supplemental material:5). Huambo: “Bimbi” [-11.81667, 15.83333] ( Monard 1937b:148; Loveridge 1941b 501); “Elendé” [-12.73333, 15.15000] ( Monard 1937b:148; Loveridge 1941b 501). Huíla: “Kuvangu” [-14.46667, 16.30000] ( Monard 1937b:148; Broadley 1981a:661); “Osi” [-15.08333, 15.41667] ( Monard 1937b:148; Loveridge 1941b 501).

Taxonomic and distributional notes: Wermuth and Mertens (1977) considered Pelusios nanus as a subspecies of Pelusios adansoni ( Schweigger, 1812) . However, according to Broadley (1981a), the two species are highly divergent geographically and phylogenetically. Loveridge (1941b) considered specimens refered to Sternothaerus nigricans by Monard (1937b) to be Pelusios rhodesianu s Hewitt, 1927, however, according to Broadley (1981a) these specimens and those allocated to Pelusios derbianus by Schmidt (1933) are P. nanus . Iverson (1986, 1992) presented a distribution map for the species although he did not provided information about the localities plotted. Iverson’s map agrees with ours, as well as that of the Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2014). The recent records from Capanda, Malanje Province (Ceríaco et al. 2014b) extend the known distribution by more than 100 km.

Pelusios rhodesianus Hewitt, 1927 VARIABLE MUD TURTLE

Pelusios nigricans rhodesianus Hewitt 1927:375 , figs. 1a, 1c, pl. 21, figs. 2–3. Holotype: AMG 5432 (now

PEM) (collector E. Knowles Jordan). Type locality: “ Mpika district , N.E. Rhodesia” [= Mpika, Muchinga

Province, Zambia]. Sternothaerus Adansoni : Bocage (1867b:217), Frade (1963:252). Sternothaerus gabonensis : Bocage (1866a:40, 1866b:57). Sternothaerus derbianus : Bocage (1895a:3). Sternothaerus sinuatus : Bocage (1895a:4), Monard (1937b:148). Pelusios sinuatus sinuatu s: Schmidt (1933:3). Pelusios derbianus : Mertens (1938a:430). Pelusios subniger : Loveridge (1941b:489), Hellmich (1957a:33), Laurent (1950a:13). Pelusios gabonensis : Laurent (1954a:70, 1964a:25).

Sternothaerus nigricans : Frade (1963:253). Pelusios castaneus : Laurent (1964a:26). Pelusios castaneus rhodesianus : Laurent (1965:31). Pelusios rhodesianus : Iverson (1986:247, 1992:66), Broadley (1981a:689), Fritz and Havaš 2007:349,

Broadley and Boycott (2008:004.1), Fritz et al. (2011:119), Ceríaco et al. (2014b:670), Turtle Taxonomy

Working Group (2014:439), Kindler et al. (2016:305).

Global conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern.

Global distribution: The species is widely distributed in south-central Africa, from Uganda and western Kenya south to Malawi and northern Zimbabwe and west to northeastern Namibia, Angola and Congo. A disjunct population occurs in Swaziland and adjacent parts of South Africa and southern Mozambique.

Ocurrences in Angola (Map 115): This species is very widespread in Angola, except in the arid southwest. Cabinda: “Rio Quilo”

[-5.18333, 12.18333] ( Bocage 1866a:40,

1895a:3; Loveridge 1941b:501; Broadley

1981a:671). Uige: “ 7 km W Uige ” [-7.614250,

14.984306] ( Kindler et al. 2016, supplemental material:6) Bengo: “Ambriz” [-7.844312,

13.106493] ( Bocage 1867b:217, 1895a:3;

Loveridge 1941b:501; Broadley 1981a:670).

Kwanza Norte: “ Rio Cuanza, Mucoso nahe

Dondo” [-9.53333, 14.65000] ( Hellmich

1957a:33; Broadley 1981a:671); “Dondo”

[-9.68333, 14.43333] ( Bocage 1895a:3).

Malanje: “ Duque de Bragança ” [-9.10000,

15.95000] ( Bocage 1866a:40, 1866b:57,

1895a:4; Loveridge 1941b:501; Broadley

1981a:671); “Capanda” [-9.72841, 15.34585] MAP 115. Distribution of Pelusios rhodesianus in Angola .

(Ceríaco et al. 2014b:670). Lunda Norte:

“Dundo” [-7.36667, 20.83333] ( Laurent 1954a:70, 1964a:25-26; Broadley 1981a:671); “rivière Tchihumbwe” [-8.01667, 19.31667] ( Laurent 1950a:13). Lunda Sul: “Alto Chicapa” [-10.88333, 19.23333] ( Laurent 1964a:26). Moxico: “environs du lac Calundo” [-11.80000, 20.86667] ( Laurent 1964a:26; Broadley 1981a:671). Bié: “Chitau” [-11.43333, 17.15000] ( Schmidt 1933:3; Loveridge 1941b:501; Laurent 1965:31; Broadley 1981a:671); “Catabola, Rio Cunhinga basin” [-12.144732, 17.280407] ( Kindler et al. 2016, supplemental material:5); “Kuito” [-12.383599, 16.928029] ( Fritz et al. 2011:119; Kindler et al. 2016, supplemental material:6). Huambo: “Galanga” [-12.06667, 15.15000] ( Broadley 1981a:671). Benguela: “ Rio Cuce” [-12.58333, 13.41667] ( Bocage 1895a:4; Loveridge 1941b:501; Broadley 1981:671); “Cubal” [-13.03333, 14.25000] ( Mertens 1938a:430; Loveridge 1941b:501; Broadley 1981a:671). Huíla: “Kuvangu” [-14.46667, 16.30000] ( Monard 1937b:148; Loveridge 1941b:501; Broadley 1981a:671).

Taxonomic and distributional notes: This species was described by Hewitt (1927) as a subspecies of Pelusios nigricans (= Pelusios subniger [Bonnaterre, 1788]) on the basis of a series of specimens. Broadley (1981a) examined five specimens under the same Albany Museum catalogue number, 5432, one of which he regarded as a holotype. These specimens were subsequently transferred to the Port Elizabeth Museum. Loveridge (1941b), Hellmich (1957a) and Laurent (1950a) considered it a synonym of P. nigricans , whereas Laurent (1964a, 1965) treated Angolan material as P. castaneus ( Schweigger, 1812) . Raw (1978) elevated P. rhodesianus Hewitt, 1927 to specific rank, an action subsequently confirmed by Broadley (1981a) and accepted by most subsequent authors. Iverson (1987, 1992) presented a point distribution map for the species, although he did not provide information about the localities depicted. Broadley and Boycott (2008) also provided a distribution map of P. rhodesianus based on museum and literature records.