Geographic range extension of Speke's hinge-back tortoise kinixys spekii gray, 1863

Kinixys spekii has a wide distribution range across sub-Saharan Africa, having been reported from Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, eSwatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Kinixys spekii inhabits savannah and dry bush...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Amphibian & reptile conservation 2019, Vol.13 (2), p.61
Main Authors: Ihlow, F., Farooq, Harith, Gvoždík, V., Hofmeyr, M. D., Conradie, W., Campbell, P. D., Harvey, J., Verburgt, L., Fritz, U.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Africa
Angola
Chelonians
Distribution
Mozambique
Reptilia
Rwanda
Testudinidae
Zoologi
Zoology
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Summary:Kinixys spekii has a wide distribution range across sub-Saharan Africa, having been reported from Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, eSwatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Kinixys spekii inhabits savannah and dry bushveld habitats and was previously considered an inland species. However, recent records suggest a more extensive geographical distribution. Here, we provide genetically verified records for Angola, South Africa, and Mozambique, and discuss reliable sightings for Rwanda. These new records extend the range significantly to the east and west, and provide evidence for the occurrence of this species along the coast of the Indian Ocean in South Africa and Mozambique. © 2019 Ihlow et al.
ISSN:1083-446X