REVIEW OF ALGERIAN MACROPROTODON 



105 



of Gibraltar and not from the other regions in which they altered the 

 ranges. Definition of the states that constitute M. c. ibericus and 

 determination of its range requires further investigation. 



There is to a large extent correlation between the distribution of 

 the species and bioclimatic parameters. The xerothermomediterra- 

 nean demarcation line (x= 150-200) separating the Mediterranean 

 from the arid-Saharan regions is a convoluted band of variable width 

 which commences at the Atlantic and extends eastwards to the 

 Tunisian coast (Fig. 7). The line becomes particularly narrow as it 

 reaches the Moulouya valley to the west of which lie the Anti Atlas, 

 an area of moderate humidity (mesomediterranean) where M. brevis 

 is found: to the east of it stretches the arid region along the Moulouya 

 valley to less tan 50 kilometres from the Mediterranean coast. From 

 thence the line extends along the the Hauts Plateau for some 400 

 kilometres whereupon it reverses to almost as far as Am Sefra only 

 to again reverse and continue along the Atlas Saharien from whence 

 it extends in an arc across the Monts du Hodna to the southern part 

 of the Massif de FAures before proceeding eastwards to the coast. 

 M. cucullatus inhabits largely the arid or Saharan regions to the 

 south of the line and the abubakeri-mauritanicus assemblages the 

 Mediterranean to the north of it (Fig. 7). 



M. abubakeri could be viewed as an eastern mesomediterranean- 

 thermomediterranean extension of the northern Moroccan 

 populations of M. brevis which it resembles at least as closely as it 

 does to M. mauritanicus. Further east M. abubakeri is replaced by 

 M. mauritanicus which is most densly concentrated in the 

 mesomediterranean but extends into the more humid submediterra- 

 nean subregions. The two northern forms extend southward, although 

 with considerably less frequency, into the xerothermomediterranean 

 and enter the desertic subregions (Fig. 1 2). M. abubakeri, unlike M. 

 cucullatus or M. mauritanicus which do not eschew the high 

 ground, is restricted to land below 1 ,000 metres, at least in Algeria. 

 The localities Taforalt, Djebel Bou Keltoum (Morocco), Khemis 

 and Sebdou (Algeria) although appearing on the map (Fig. 7) in the 

 shaded area showing land above 1,000 metres do in fact lie below 

 that altitude. The scale of the map is not large enough for the smaller 

 valleys and similar low lying areas to be shown. 



Individual specimens that do not conform to the taxon or popu- 

 lation from which they are supposed to have originated occasionally 

 appear: this may be due to error of attribution or more likely as a 

 result of human introduction. Four specimens of M. brevis three of 

 which possess 23 midbody scale rows from 'Algeria' (NMW 

 25840.5). Bordj Bou Arreridj (MHNG 1379.68) and Tunis (NMW 

 19 1 93.3) - i.e. well within the range of M. mauritanicus - agree with 

 material from the Essaouira-Marrakesh region; the other with 21 

 uninterrupted rows from Ksar Challala (MHNG 1214.40) most 

 closely resembles the northern Moroccan population. There is no 

 evidence of intergradation but instead there is some suggestion of 

 character displacement thus arguing against expanding the descrip- 

 tion of M. mauritanicus to accomodate the additional states: rather, 

 it provides further support for the recognition of the taxa at specific 

 level. 



The melanocephalic specimen mentioned by Hediger (1935) p. 

 24 from 'Bona' NMB 20 1 7 with four posterior infralabials and four 

 teeth preceding the fangs, presents a head configuration resembling 

 so closely that from Djebel Mourdjadjo that its discovery in the 

 eastern sector of Algeria is most likely to be due to accidental 

 introduction. This individual is listed in the current NMB catalogue 

 as one of eight specimens collected by Hagenmuller Mullen" 1 890 p. 

 692) lists only seven specimens presented by that collector from 

 around Annaba. Although noteworthy particulars are recorded no 

 individual is singled out as being black headed. A further specimen, 

 NMB 2015 also listed by Miiller 1878: 567 & 666 under 'Algerien 



und Aegypten', the provenance of which is stated in the actual 

 catalogue to be Oran. However, possession of sutural labial-parietal 

 contact, 6+3 infralabials and 3 posterior maxillary teeth suggests 

 that it originated from further east: it is identical to M. mauritanicus. 

 It is of some significance that both individuals were collected from 

 long established seaports rather than from inland. 



A specimen (SMF 20170) collected in 'southern Spain' which is 

 identical to material from Egypt is surely the result of an accidental 

 introduction. Macroprotodon not infrequently occurs near human 

 habitations. Some of the specimens from Medjana were rescued, 

 both as adults and particularly as hatchlings, from domestic chick- 

 ens. Secretive, adventitious little snakes abroad at dusk or early 

 morning hiding in human artefacts, could easily be transported by 

 accident. 



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. I am indebted to Drs E. N. Arnold and C. McCarthy 

 for permitting me to re-examine the Macroprotodon collection in the NHM 

 and for numerous other courtesies. For the loan and making available 

 material for examination I thank Drs V. Mahnert and B. Schatti (MHNG). E. 

 Stbckli (NMB). J. Rosado (MCZ). G. Zug (USNM). J. Cadle (ANSP). E. J. 

 Censky (CM). R. L. Humphreys (UCM). R. Gunther(ZMB). G.E. Gonzales 

 (MNCN). M. Hoogmoed (RMNH). I. Ineich (MNHN). W. Bohme (ZFMK). 

 M. Laudahn (SMF). U. Gruber (ZSMH). H. Koepecke (ZMH). A. Resetar 

 (FMNH ). J. Vindum (CAS). Prof. F. Tiedemann (NMW ). I thank Dr G. Vogel 

 for the donation of a specimen and Mr D. Donaire for photographs and an 

 exuviate. Dr G. Underwood and Mr B. Hughes provided constructive criti- 

 cism and Mr J. Pether provided advice and assistance during the course of this 

 work. 



I lhank my senior colleagues at Middlesex University, the late Professor J. 

 Lansdown who authorised the study and particularly Professor Ian McLaren 

 who approved leave for travel and provided invaluable help. The visits to 

 Algeria were financed by grants R031/1 109 and RO31/6I80. Colin Rattray 

 and Phil Wilson took over m\ responsibilities during my absence. 



I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr Nebbache Mounir and M. Medani Kerim for 

 providing facilities and assistance whilst I was in Algeria and Dr Mohamed 

 Bey and M. Nebbache Djemai for hospitality. Messrs Aboubakeur Sid- 

 Ahmed. Nebbache Riyadh. Ouali Nour ed-Dine and O. Abbas provided 

 hospitality and companionship in the field. To all I extend warmest thanks. 



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