Herpetofauna of the eastern African forests - Biogeography and Ecology of the Rain Forests of Eastern Africa - page 196

much-needed research to be carried out. Short
(1984) has clearly stated the problems involved in
onithology, and a parallel situaion eists for
other disciplines. While there are large numbers
of both professional and amateur herpetologists in
Europe and North America with the most
sophisicated equipment at their disposal, these
areas have relaively low diversiies of amphibians
and repiles. The forests of easten Africa contain
an incredibly rich herpetofauna, yet there are
meagre resources and almost no trained indi-
genous specialists able to devote themselves to its
study and conservaion.
Indigenous herpetologists are needed not only
to carry out long-term scienific studies, but also
to use their knowledge of diverse local languages
and customs to iniiate educaional and conserva -
ion efforts effecive within the prevailing socio-
logical, poliical, and cultural environments. For
example, in Tanzania, certain tribal groups have
strong cultural beliefs and pracices conceing
repiles. It is unlikely that someone from outside
such a group would have access to its ethno-
herpetological data, and even less likely that he
would be able to apply them to conservaion
efforts.
Unil steps are taken to ensure the presevaion
of the natural forests of easten Africa and unil
intenaional academic and financial cooperaion
is forthcoming to assist in the research and train-
ing of indigenous African biologists, the future of
the unique Easten Arc herpetofauna must be
regarded as insecure.

ield support and scienific skills in the Usam-
baras. Mr and Mrs J. Tanner of Mazumbai
welcomed me, as they did all visitors, with unfail-
ing hospitaliy. J. C. and J. Lovett not only pro-
vided ransport for many trips but made me
welcome in their camps and house. Ms E. Boswell
and T. C. E. Congdon as well as many others at
Muindi provided support, experise and speci-
mens. Special thanks go to Mrs Helga Voigt for
obtaining the rare vipers of the Uzungwas. A.
Braunlich, D. Emmrich, C. Fox, Ms]. Beakbane,
the late T. Grant, H. Grossman, P. Hardison, Ms
V. Bound, S. Telford and L. Kisoma all provided
specimens. Jan ielland, lepidopterist extraordin-
aire of Tanzania, provided numerous specimens
from remote forests obtained under the most
arduous of condiions. N. Baker not only provided
specimens but offered unflagging logisical and
other forms of support. I gratefully thank all
others who contributed specimens, especially my
collegues and students of the Deparment of
Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Dar es
Salaam.
D. G. Broadley, J. Cadle, B. Clarke, and R. C.
Drewes, and J. C. Poynton all provided useful
comments and criicism on earlier drafts of this
manuscript, and I especially thank D. G. Broadley
for sharing his knowledge and experience of the
repiles.

References
BARBOUR, T. & LOVERIDGE, A. (1928). A
comparaive study of the herpetofauna of the
Uluguru and Usambara Mountains, Tanganyika
Territory with descripion of new species. Memois
of the Museum of Comparative Zooloy at Harvard
College 50, 87-265.
BEENTJE, H.J. (ed.) (1988). An ecoloical and
florisic study of the forests of the Taita Hills,
Kenya. Utaiti (Ocasional Papers of the Na tional
Museums of Kenya) l, 23-66.
BEENTJE, H.J., NDIANGUI, N. & MUTANGAH, J.
(1987). Forest islands in the mist. Swara IO, 20-1.
BLAIR, A. (1941). Variaion, isolaing mechanisms
and hybridizaion in certain toads. Genetics 26,
398-417.
BOHME, w. (1982). Ein neues Chamaleon aus
Tanzania, mit Bemerkungen iiber Mimese bei

Acknowledgm ents
The following kindly provided informaion on
specimens in their care: D. G. Broadley, B.
Clarke, R. C. Drewes, A. G. C. Grandison, R.
Nussbaum, and A. F. Simson.
Many people have helped me in the field and by
collecing in areas I was unable to visit personally.
I would especially like to thank Charles A. Msuya
who accompanied me to many forests, often
under difficult condiions; without his technical
skill as well as support, fieldwork would not have
been possible. W. A. Rodgers arranged my first
visit to the Uzungwas and .S. N. Stuart offered