Abstrakt
This article describes new records of the Awl-headed Snake (Lytorhynchus diadema) from Morocco. L. diadema is the most widely distributed species of the genus with a range from western Africa to northwestern Iran.
Known distribution in Morocco comprises of randomly scattered localities. New localities were recorded in March 2008 in northeastern Morocco.
First was in Bouarfa and the other was between Ain ech Chair and Bouanane. The habitat at both localities was hamada (rocky desert).
Despite Morocco being one of the best herpetologically best explored areas of North Africa there are still some regions that have been poorly surveyed. So there is a potential for further records.
Current records improve our understanding of local herpetological diversity in this region. They show that L. diadema has a potentially wider distribution than previously believed.
But further investigation into the distribution, taxonomy and historical biogeography of L. diadema are needed.