Reptiles MZS

The collection of ‘reptiles’ at the MZS comprises 4795 specimens, a large proportion of which (4087) are specimens in alcohol, about 387 are osteological samples, 214 are mounted animals and 107 are skins or eggs. They have worldwide origins and cover all extant families. There are 34 amphisbaenia, 121 crocodiles, 2174 lizards, 427 turtles, 10 sphenodontians and 2029 snakes. The collection periods are in their vast majority the 19th and 20th centuries. Several Natural History agencies significantly contributed to the 19th century entries, among which Hermann Rolle in Berlin, Arnold Redemann in Sri Lanka and Gustav Schneider in Basel. Three specimens are types for species: Testudo hermanni, Testudo marginata and Calamaria doederleini. One lizard species is extinct: Chioninia coctei. Ce travail a bénéficié du soutien financier du Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche.