Illustrated keys and a DNA barcode reference library of the amphibians and terrestrial reptiles (Amphibia, Reptilia) of São Tomé and Príncipe (Gulf of Guinea, West Africa)

By

Ceríaco, Luis M. P.
Marques, Mariana Pimentel
Andrade De Sousa, Ana Carolina
Veríssimo, Joana
Beja, Pedro
Ferreira, Sónia

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2023

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1168

Pages

41--75

Subjects

Biological surveys , Conservation , Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) , DNA metabarcoding , environmental DNA , herpetofauna , oceanic islands

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1168.101334

 

Abstract

The herpetofauna of São Tomé and Príncipe consists of nine species of amphibians, all endemic, and 21 species of terrestrial reptiles, of which 17 are endemic. Our current knowledge regarding its natural history, ecology, and distribution is limited. Here two important tools are provided to support researchers, conservationists, and local authorities in the identification of the country’s herpetofauna: an illustrated key to the herpetofauna of the two islands and surroundings islets and a DNA barcode reference library. The keys allow a rapid and unambiguous morphological identification of all occurring species. The DNA barcodes for the entire herpetofauna of the country were produced from 79 specimens, all of which are deposited in museum collections. The barcodes generated are available in online repositories and can be used to provide unambiguous molecular identification of most of the species. Future applications and use of these tools are briefly discussed.