Journal article
Systematic revision of the living African Slender-snouted Crocodiles (Mecistops Gray, 1844)
Zootaxa, Vol.4504(2), pp.151-193
10/24/2018
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4504.2.1
PMID: 30486023
Abstract
Molecular and morphological evidence has shown that the African slender-snouted, or sharp-nosed, crocodile Mecistops cataphractus (Cuvier, 1824) is comprised of two superficially cryptic species: one endemic to West Africa and the other endemic to Central Africa. Our ability to characterize the two species is compromised by the complicated taxonomic history of the lineage and overlapping ranges of variation in distinguishing morphological features. The name M. cataphractus was evidently originally based on West African material, but the holotype is now lost. Although types exist for other names based on the West African form, the name M. cataphractus is sufficiently entrenched in the literature, and other names sufficiently obscure, to justify retypification. Here, we designate a neotype for M. cataphractus and restrict it to West Africa. We resurrect M. leptorhynchus as a valid species from Central Africa and identify exemplary referred specimens that, collectively, overcome the obscurity and diagnostic limits of the extant holotype. We additionally indicate suitable neotype material in the event the holotype is lost, destroyed, or otherwise needing replacement, and we rectify the previously erroneous type locality designation. We provide a revised diagnosis for crown Mecistops, and revise and update previous descriptions of the two living species, including providing both more complete descriptions and discussion of diagnostic characters. Finally, we provide considerable discussion of the current state of knowledge of these species' ecology, natural history, and distribution.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Systematic revision of the living African Slender-snouted Crocodiles (Mecistops Gray, 1844)
- Creators
- Matthew H Shirley - Florida International UniversityAmanda N Carr - University of FloridaJennifer H Nestler - University of FloridaKent A Vliet - University of IowaChristopher A Brochu - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Zootaxa, Vol.4504(2), pp.151-193
- Publisher
- MAGNOLIA PRESS
- DOI
- 10.11646/zootaxa.4504.2.1
- PMID
- 30486023
- ISSN
- 1175-5326
- eISSN
- 1175-5334
- Number of pages
- 43
- Grant note
- University of Iowa Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund DEB 1010574; DEB 1257786-125748 / National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF) Rare Species Conservatory Foundation Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens Conservation Support Fund IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group Rotary International IUCN Save Our Species fund Fresno Chaffee Zoo Austin lab St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park 96200-1-G003 / USFWS Wildlife Without Borders program Idea Wild Foundation Oklahoma City Zoo Conservation, Food and Health Foundation San Diego Zoological Society AZA Crocodilian Advisory Group WWF Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Minnesota Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society University of Florida; University of Florida Aspinall Foundation Columbus Zoo
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/24/2018
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984240800802771
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