HEMIPENIAL VARIATION IN CROTAPHOPELTIS 



53 



In the specimens from Minziro Forest, Tanzania, with freshly but 

 not completely everted hemipenes (ZMUC R631598, R631610, 

 R6316I8, R631621) superficial genital morphology is as follows: 

 Pedicel covered with tiny spines. Lower truncus somewhat con- 

 stricted and with two distinctly enlarged spines: one outside the 

 sulcus spermaticus and another on the inner truncal surface. Re- 

 maining spines slightly decreasing in size towards the apex. Sulcus 

 unforked, running directly to the apex. 



In the specimen from Lake Rukwa, Tanzania (ZMUC R631233) 

 the right hemipenis was everted after fixation. The somewhat wrin- 

 kled, hardened and incompletely distended organ bears scarcely 

 detectable, slightly enlarged spines on the lower truncus. In this 

 specimen the sulcus is unforked, running directly to the apex, ending 

 in a terminal extension. Tip of apex calyculate. 



In contrast, in the incompletely everted hemipenes of the two speci- 

 mens of Crotaphopeltis degeni from Sudan (RMNH 2441 1, 25018) 

 the lower truncus bears a ring of several distinctly enlarged spines. 



In the uneverted hemipenes of specimens from Ethiopia (USNM 

 24389), Uganda (BMNH 1984.883) and Cameroon (RGMC 73-15- 

 R209) clearly enlarged lower truncal spines are discernible. 



Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis (Fig. 4). In situ the hemipenes extend to 

 subcaudal scute no. 8-12 (x= 10.1, n = 38) (Rasmussen etal, 2000). 

 Pedicel covered with tiny spines except for a longitudinal depres- 

 sion on the asulcate surface. Lower truncus with two distinctly 



fe, 



Fig. 5 Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia, asulcal view of hemipenes of ZMUC 

 R631I77. 



Fig. 4 Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis, sulcal view of left hemipenis of 

 ZFMK 63877. 



Fig. 6 Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia, asulcal view of hemipenes of ZMUC 

 R631210. 



enlarged spines on either side of the sulcus (ZFMK 63875, 63877. 

 ZMUC R631238), each followed above by several (usually 1-3) 

 enlarged spines, apically decreasing in size (see also Rasmussen et 

 al., 2000: fig. 3). Even in the only basally everted hemipenes of 

 ZFMK 63775 and ZFMK 63880 these enlarged spines are easily 

 recognizable. The remaining spines of truncus and apex are me- 

 dium-sized, decreasing in size towards the apex which is calyculated 

 terminally. Unforked sulcus spermaticus leading directly towards 

 the apex, ending in a terminal extension. 



Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia (Figs 5,6). In situ hemipenes extend to 

 subcaudal scute no. 7-14 (x=10.1, n=308). 



Pedicel of the hemipenis of C. hotamboeia covered with tiny spines 

 except for a longitudinal depression on the asulcate surface. Lower 

 truncus with three distinctly enlarged spines, one on each side of the 

 sulcus, the third on the asulcate surface (ZFMK 63874, ZMUC 

 R63889, R63979-80, R63 1 1 77, R63 1 264. 63 1 266, R63 1 268). Even 

 in the only basally everted hemipenes of ZMUC R63894, R63984, 

 and R631072 these three enlarged spines are also easily detectable. 

 Distal to the three enlarged spines the hemipenis is covered with 

 medium-sized spines decreasing in size towards the apex. The very tip 

 of the apex seems to be somewhat calyculate. Unforked sulcus is 

 leading directly to the apex ending in a terminal extension. 



