Species:

Adolfus alleni  (BARBOUR, 1914)

Synonyms:

Algiroides alleni  BARBOUR, 1914

Common names:

Mount Kenya Bergeidechse (German)
Mount Kenya Alpine Meadow Lizard (English)

Types:

Holotype: MCZ R-9280

Terra Typica:

Near the tree limit, north- east slope of Mt. Kenia [= Mt. Kenya].

Relevant taxonomic literature:

• Barbour, T. (1914) -  Some new Reptiles. -  Proceedings of the New England Zoölogical Club, Boston, 4: 95-98.  

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• Greenbaum, E. & Villanueva, C.O. & Kusamba, C. & Aristote, M.M. & Branch, W.R. (2011) -  A molecular phylogeny of Equatorial African Lacertidae, with the description of a new genus and species from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. -  Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 163 (3): 913-942.    

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  Currently, four species of the lacertid lizard genus Adolfus are known from Central and East Africa. We sequenced up to 2825 bp of two mitochondrial [16S and cytochrome b (cyt b)] and two nuclear [(c-mos (oocyte maturation factor) and RAG1 (recombination activating gene 1)] genes from 41 samples of Adolfus (representing every species), two species each of Gastropholis and Holaspis, and in separate analyses combined these data with GenBank sequences of all other Eremiadini genera and four Lacertini outgroups. Data from DNA sequences were analysed with maximum parsimony (PAUP), maximum-likelihood (RAxML) and Bayesian inference (MrBayes) criteria. Results demonstrated that Adolfus is not monophyletic: Adolfus africanus (type species), Adolfus alleni, and Adolfus jacksoni are sister taxa, whereas Adolfus vauereselli and a new species from the Itombwe Plateau of Democratic Republic of the Congo are in a separate lineage. Holaspis and Gastropholis were recovered in separate clades. Based on these molecular data, relatively substantial sequence divergence, and multiple morphological differences, we describe a new genus of lacertid for the lineage including A. vauereselli and the new Itombwe species. The recognition of this new, endemic genus underscores the conservation importance of the Albertine Rift, especially the Itombwe Plateau, a unique region that is severely threatened by unchecked deforestation, mining, and poaching.

• Wagner, P. & Greenbaum, E. & Malonza, P. & Branch, B. (2014) -  Resolving sky island speciation in populations of East African Adolfus alleni (Sauria, Lacertidae).  -  Salamandra, 50 (1): 1-17.     

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  The genus Adolfus Sternfeld, 1912 currently contains three species from Equatorial Africa. Two of these occur in widespread, low- to mid-elevation habitats, but Adolfus alleni is only known from four montane peaks (Aberdares, Mt. Kenya, Cherangani Hills, Mt. Elgon) in Kenya and Uganda. An integrative approach using 58 morphological characters and genetic analyses of mitochondrial (16S and cyt b) and nuclear (c-mos and RAG1) DNA sequence data revealed differences between these populations, and indicated that A. alleni is a complex of at least two cryptic species. Herein, we describe the populations from the Aberdares and Mount Elgon as a new species, and restrict A. alleni to Mount Kenya. This action underscores the importance of conservation strategies to protect these montane peaks, which may harbour additional, unique evolutionary lineages.