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Herpetology

Research interests

My main research field is the evolutionary biology of cordylid lizards. The family Cordylidae is endemic to Africa and the majority of species occur in South Africa. The family is exceptionally diverse and displays many unique morphological, physiological, and behavioural features. My students and I study all aspects of the general biology, taxonomy, phylogeny and conservation of cordylid lizards, but I have a special interest in grouping behaviour, foraging ecology, reproduction, social structure, epidermal glands, melanism and antipredator mechanisms. I am also involved in a herpetofaunal survey of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor and in studies on the fire ecology of lower vertebrates in the fynbos biome.

Current postgraduate students

Doctoral:

Masters:

Current Collaborators

USA:

J.B. Losos (Department of Biology, Washington University, St Louis)

W.E. Cooper (Department of Biology, Indiana / Purdue Universities, Fort Wayne)

Z. Korsos (Natural History Museum, Budapest)

South Africa:

E.H.W. Baard (CapeNature, Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch)

A.A. Turner (CapeNature, Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch)

A.L. de Villiers (CapeNature, Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch)

A.F. Flemming (Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University)

J.H. van Wyk (Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University)

S.R. Daniels (Evolutionary Genomics, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University)

K. Tolley (Leslie Hill Molecular Systematics Laboratory,
Kirstenbosch Research Centre, SANBI)

Professional activities

Member: Herpetological Association of Africa

Member: Zoological Society of Southern Africa

Member: International Society of Vertebrate Morphologists

Editorial Board: African Journal of Herpetology

Recent publications

Under review

In press