A checklist of the reptiles and amphibians of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya, 2019

Study Extent

Species listed here were recorded within the boundaries of the gazetted Arabuko-Sokoke Forest which covers an area of c.42,000 ha. Records are included from when herpetological studies began in the forest from around 1935 to date. Many records are from simply ad hoc observations and encounters by herpetologists, many amateur; others result from focussed and systematic studies on one or more of the families represented in this checklist.

Sampling

The checklist is based on a list first compiled by James Ashe in 1999 and added to and edited by the other lead authors. The records are taken from confirmed observations, identifiable photographs and trapped animals. Many of the records result from ad hoc encounters with reptiles in Arabuko-Sokoke; others come from systematic surveys carried out with a specific focus. An example of the latter is the study carried out by Jesse Borden in 2018 looking at herps diversity and abundance with distance from the forest edge and height from the ground. Large trees were selected as representative for each location sampled and thoroughly searched for any lizards, snakes or frogs. The ground within 10m of the tree base was also thoroughly searched. The checklist was digitised and prepared for publishing through GBIF by A Rocha Kenya.

Quality Control

The original species list was compiled by local expert herpetologist, James Ashe, and was checked and re-checked by the other lead expert authors who have spent much time in the field in Arabuko-Sokoke. Clarification on taxonomy and nomenclature was also carried out with reference to expert lead authors together with reference to The Reptile Database http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/ and Amphibiaweb https://amphibiaweb.org/.

Method steps

1. A list of the expert herpetologists who had been known to work in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest was drawn up and each one contacted for their input and comment on the species list that was initially drawn up. Websites listing reptile and amphibian species taxonomy were referenced in order to ensure up-to-date nomenclature wherever possible.

Class Reptilia, Order Testudines, Order Squamata, suborders Serpentes, Lacertilia, and Iguana; and Class Amphibia, Order Anura.

1. Kinixys zombensis Hewitt, 1931
   common name: Eastern Hinge-back Tortoise / Zomba Hinge-back rank: species

Reptiles and amphibians recorded within the gazetted boundaries of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.Latitude of 3° 20’ S, Longitude 39° 50’ E