A Reevaluation Of Records Of Sandveld Lizards, Nucras Gray, 1838 (Squamata: Lacertidae), From Northern Namibia

Data relating to the Sandveld lizards (Nucras) occurring in Namibia, southwest Africa are reviewed. In particular, we investigated records of N. holubi, a chiefly southeastern African species, and attempted to identify recently collected material that could not be assigned to any species currently recognized in Namibia. A phylogenetic analysis of Nucras based on three mitochondrial markers revealed a deep divergence between Namibian Nucras holubi and two presumably conspecific clades from Limpopo Province, South Africa. In addition, the coloration pattern and scalation of the Namibian material differ from those of the eastern forms, supporting its recognition as a separate species. The name Nucras damarana Parker, 1936, long relegated to the synonymy of N. holubi, is here resurrected for this apparently endemic northern Namibian species. Nucras damarana is restricted to the Kunene, Omusati, Oshikati, Kavango, and Otjozondjupa regions of north-central Namibia. A distinctive specimen of Nucras from near Ruacana in the Kunene Region was identified as allied to Nucras broadleyi, a species recently described from southwestern Angola, on the basis of genetic data, although it differs substantially in color pattern. With the addition of N. aff. broadleyi and the resurrected N. damarana to its fauna, as well as the removal of N. holubi from the nation's species list, four species of Nucras are confirmed to be present in Namibia. Although the conservation status of N. damarana, N. tessellata, and N. intertexta is Least Concern, the uncertain taxonomic status of N. aff. broadleyi precludes a meaningful threat assessment.