This initiative is put forward to all relevant institutions and individuals in the hope that as many as possible will join together in working towards the aims of the programme as outlined below. This communication invites you (and your organisation) to consider being a part of this programme, or, at least, to comment and put forward suggestions or amendments which you feel are desirable.

INTRODUCTION On a global scale, Africa and its islands fall within two biogeographical realms. These are the Palaearctic Realm and the Africotropical Realm (Udvardy, 1975). In the former realm, only three biogeographic provinces are represented. These are the Mediterranean Sclerophyll, the Sahara and the Atlas Steppe. All of these occupy North Africa. South of these provinces is the Africotropical Realm with 29 biogeographical provinces being recognised. Two of the World's four "megadiversity" countries fall with this latter realm. They are Zaire and Madagascar (the other two are Indonesia and Brazil (Caldecott, 1992)). While the mammal, bird and even fish faunas are receiving much attention from conservationists, the herpetofauna remains much neglected with only the crocodiles and, to a degree, the chelonians receiving any major attention.

NEXT PAGE

AHBP HOME PAGE

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page