MARQUES ET AL.; AMPHIBIANS AND TERRESTRIAL REPTILES OF ANGOLA 
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Taxonomic and distributional notes: The species was long included wit hin the synonymy of 
the savanna Monitor, Varanus exanthematicus (Bose 1792), now considered limited to the north of 
the equatorial African forest belt (Bayless 2002). The subspecies angolensis was rejected by 
Broadley and Howell (1991), although it has been considered valid by many more recent authors 
(e.g.. Branch 1998; Bayless 2002; Bates et al. 2014). The allocation of specimens from some 
Angolan localities to the nominotypical form appears to reflect their referral by earlier authors, 
rather than a critical assessment. Phillips (2004) regarded V. a. angolensis to be present throughout 
Angola. Pending a more thorough evaluation of the species in Angola we have not attempted to dis¬ 
tinguish records of the two subspecies. 
Varanus niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Nile Monitor 
Lacerta mon/Yor Linnaeus 1758:201, nomen rejectum (ICZN, Opinion 540, 1959). Syntypes: Specimens fig¬ 
ured in Seba (1734, pi. 94, figs. 1-2; 1735, pi. 82, fig. 2, pi. 105, fig. 1), and described by Linnaeus 
(1754:41) (collectors unknown), presumed lost. Type locality: “in Indiis. “ [= India]. 
Lacerta nilotica Linnaeus 1766:369. Holotype: Specimen mentioned by Hasselquist (1757) (collector F. Has- 
selquist), presumed lost. Type locality: “in ^gypto” [= Egypt]. 
Varanus niloticus: Bocage (1866a:42, 1867b:220, 1895a:26, 1897b:210), Ferreira (1900a:50), Boulenger 
(1905:110), Managas (“1955” 1957:192). 
Monitor niloticus: Gunther (1865a:480). 
Monitor saurus: Bocage (1879b:95, 1887a: 178), Peters (1877a:613) 
Varanus niloticus: Bocage (1897b:210), Ferreira (1900a:50, 1903:15), Boulenger (1905:110), Monard 
(1937b:63), Mertens (1938a:436), Ceriaco et al. (2014b:671), Ceriaco et al. (2016b:87), Conradie et al. 
(2016:26), Dowell et al. (2016:594). 
Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus: Mertens (1942a:94, 1942c:321). 
Varanus niloticus niloticus: Laurent (1950a: 12; 1954a:63; 1964a:47), Hellmich (1957a:60; 1957b:69), Man¬ 
anas (1963:239). 
Global conservation status (lUCN): Least Concern. 
Global distribution: The species is known from Senegal, west to Somalia and Egypt, and 
south to South Africa. 
Ocurrences in Angola (Map 239): The 
species distribution comprises the entire coun¬ 
try including Cabinda Province, with exception 
of the desert regions of far southwestern Ango¬ 
la. Cabinda: “Chinchoxo” [-5.10000, 
12.10000] (Peters 1877a:613); “Rio Quilo” 
[-5.18333, 12.18333] (Bocage 1866a;42, 
1895a:26; Mertens 1942c:323; Mana 9 as 
“1955” 1957:193; Bayless 2002:1676); 
“Cabinda” [-5.55000, 12.18333] (Bocage 
1866a;42, 1895a;26; Mertens 1942c;323; 
Managas “1955” 1957:193; Bayless 2002: 
1675). Luanda: “Loanda” [-8.83333, 
13.26667] (Bocage 1866a:42, 1895a:26; Mer¬ 
tens 1942c:323; Managas “1955” 1957:193). 
Bengo: “Cunga River” [-9.23333, 13.76667] 
(Boulenger 1905:110; Mertens 1942c:321, 
323; Bayless 2002:1675 ). Kwanza Norte: 
“Piri-Dembos” [-8.56667, 14.50000] (Hell- 
Map 239. Distribution of Varanus niloticus in 
Angola. 
12“E I6'E 20°E 24'*E 
