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Lygodactylus is the most speciose gekkonid group in Africa, with several additional, candidate species already identified from previous studies. However, in mainland Africa, several groups remain only partially resolved, and there are several taxonomic inconsistencies. Lygodactylus gutturalis was described from Guinea-Bissau in the 1870s and since then, the species has been recorded from West to East Africa, and it is widely distributed through different biomes and ecoregions. However, this taxon has never been studied in detail. In this work, we use an integrative approach, including molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphometrics, skull osteology, and biogeography to provide the first systematic revision of the L. gutturalis species complex. The L. gutturalis complex is a subgroup within the L. picturatus group and includes nine well-differentiated species. We elevate Lygodactylus gutturalis dysmicus to full species status, recognize Lygodactylus depressus as the sister species to L. gutturalis , describe five new species (Lygodactylus kibera sp. nov. , Lygodactylus karamoja sp. nov. , Lygodactylus mirabundus sp. nov. , Lygodactylus leopardinus sp. nov. and Lygodactylus gamblei sp. nov.), and propose an additional candidate species that requires further research. Also, in order to shed light on some taxonomic inconsistencies between the L. gutturalis and Lygodactylus angularis groups, we revisit the L. angularis group, within which we elevate Lygodactylus angularis heeneni and Lygodactylus angularis paurospilus to full species status. The L. gutturalis subgroup diversified during the Late Miocene (between 5–15 Mya), probably as a consequence of multiple vicariant events driven by the expansion of the African savannahs and the establishment of climatic refugia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boulenger (1907) described a new gecko 'Phyllodactylus' ansorgii based on two adult females from 'Maconjo, Benguella, Angola', but subsequent taxonomic reviews of leaf-toed geckos ascribed southern African lineages to new genera and this species has since been tentatively placed under 'Afrogecko'. For over 110 years the type locality remained a mystery, and the gecko became a lost icon of Angolan herpetology. Early searches for the gecko were confounded by misinterpretation of the type locality 'Maconjo', which it is now evident was confused with a toponym that is a well-known historical locality. Following the discovery of new material in coastal Benguela, an examination of historical documents and cartographic material allowed the original collecting area for the type material to be identified. Specific surveys in this area resulted in the collection of topotypic material and the recording of behavioral observations and notes on the ecology of the species. Afrogecko ansorgii is a slender, gracile and arboreal gecko that inhabits small bushy trees, particularly Blackthorn (Senegalia mellifera subsp. detinens), in the arid coastal scrubland of the Benguela coastal region. All A. ansorgii have been found in or nearby Blackthorn in which the activity of termites (Kalotermitidae) has created hollow stems in which the geckos shelter. The type locality for Phyllodactylus (= Afrogecko) ansorgii Boulenger, 1907 and Mabuia (= Trachylepis) laevis Boulenger, 1907, both described at the same time from 'Maconjo, Benguella' is accordingly restricted. We will briefly elude to the phylogenetic placement of this iconic little gecko. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly collected material from northern Namibia's Otjihipa Mountains and west-central Angola allowed us to revisit the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group. The employment of additional gene markers, including nuclear markers, allowed us to identify two new species in the group and infer species boundaries and potential speciation events in Afroedura from southwestern Africa. The new Namibian material is recovered as a sister species to A. donveae, from which it differs mostly by the colour of the iris (copper versus black) and dorsal colouration. Material from the first elevational gradient of the escarpment in Benguela Province, Angola was found to be more closely related to A. bogerti than A. wulfhaackei. The differences between these two species are more subtle, although the new species exhibits higher mid-body scale rows (79.5 versus 74.8), different dorsal colouration and supranasal scales always in contact (versus 57% in contact). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]