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1971
A very pleasing set of eight stamps illustrating reptiles that occur within Congo-Brazzaville, most of which could be identified from the artwork, primitive though it might be, and despite the splitting of some species (Python sebae, Crocodylus niloticus, Bitis gabonica) the species present in Congo remain those listed on the stamps. Only one generic change with Boaedon becoming Lamprophis.
1982
Five wildlife stamps, two featuring tortoises. A curious set of three stamps, admittedly Congolese species of river turtle but the plastron photograph is the type one would include in a field guide to aid identification, it is hardly an attractive image of the turtle, which is thankfully photographed the correct way up on the 55ft stamp. The species are not even identified on the stamps, this set appearing rushed and the results being unimpressive. Two softshell turtles occur in Congo-Brazzaville and the one illistrated on the 45f stamps appears to be the local endemic Aubry's softshell turtle (Cycloderma aubryi). The plastron and carapace shots of the hard-shelled turtle belong to a mud turtle and there are at least four species present in Congo-Brazzaville and the fact the plastron is represented might confirm identification since the plastral hinge appears to be in line with the seam between the 5th and 6th marginal scutes, which would suggest this was the Central African mud turtle (Pelusios chapini), or possibly the West African mud turtle (P.castaneus) although the anterior seam of the first vertebral scute seems too long. e series featur 1987
Leaving aside the ubiquitous Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) these four stamps illustrate the other two species of crocodile found in Congo-Brazzaville, the West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) and the Narrow-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus). A nice set of stamps which, as is so often the case with WWF issues, they are accompanied but First Day Covers and Maxicards. View the First Day covers for this stamp View the Maxicards for this stamp
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