On Herpele multiplicata (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae)

Abstract

The African caecilian genus Herpele contains two species, the relatively widespread H. squalostoma (Stutchbury, 1859) and the enigmatic H. multiplicata (Nieden, 1912). The holotype and only reported specimen of H. multiplicata is lost. Consequently, the species is known only from the type description and its taxonomic status has been questioned. We provide a translation of Nieden's (1912) description of H. multiplicata and use it to reconstruct features of its external morphology. We argue that Nieden's description is sufficient basis to recognise H. multiplicata as a distinct species referrable to Herpele. A key to the species of Herpele is provided.