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We describe a large new species of leaf-tailed gecko endemic to northern Madagascar. Uroplatus garamaso sp. n. is the sister species of U. henkeli but differs by a genetic divergence > 8% in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, by the absence of haplotype sharing in four nuclear-encoded genes analyzed, a smaller body size, slightly narrower tail, a more pronounced yellowish/reddish iris colour in most individuals, and lack of black pigmentation on the tip of the tongue. The new species also appears to consistently differ from U. henkeli in genital morphology, with the apex of the hemipenis ending in two terminal elements consisting of 4-5 rotulae and longitudinal rows of calyces (versus an apex with irregularly distributed calyces and ending in two symmetrical structures consisting of two broader serrated fleshy elements in U. henkeli). We genetically confirm the occurrence of U. henkeli over a rather wide area, ranging from Tsingy de Bemaraha in the West to Nosy Be in the Sambirano region of northern Madagascar. Both, U. henkeli and the new species contain several deep mitochondrial lineages that are considered as conspecific due to extensive haplotype sharing and lack of obvious morphological differences among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Malagasy genus Gephyromantis contains 51 species of primarily terrestrial or scansorial frogs. Although many species are morphologically weakly divergent from each other, the combination of molecular and bioacoustic evidence has led to a continuous flow of species discoveries in the last years. Previous works have notably shown the existence of numerous additional deep mitochondrial lineages of uncertain status in the nominal subgenus Gephyromantis, some of these considered as confirmed or unconfirmed candidate species, some as deep conspecific lineages. Here we use DNA sequences of one mitochondrial and one nuclear marker, as well as morphological and bioacoustic data, to conduct an integrative revision of the subgenus Gephyromantis. The analyses reveal at least 12 distinct and independent evolutionary lineages belonging to the G. blanci and G. boulengeri species complexes. Evidence for the species status of these lineages included multiple cases of syntopic occurrence without genetic admixture, as well as differences in advertisement calls or morphological differentiation without intermediate forms, suggesting reproductive isolation. We discuss the relevance of these different lines of evidence and describe six new species of Gephyromantis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New genetic, bioacoustic and morphological data on green-coloured Boophis treefrogs from eastern Madagascar reveal an additional level of cryptic diversity in these frogs. Two candidate species, Boophis sp. Ca36 and Ca37, are closely related to each other and to B. sandrae, with uncorrected pairwise distances in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene as low as 2.2% between some individuals. However, the three lineages show full concordance between differentiation in the 16S and the nuclear-encoded SACS gene, despite confirmed syntopy of B. sandrae and B. sp. Ca37 in the Ranomafana region, and probable syntopy of B. sp. Ca36 and B. sp. Ca37 in the Andasibe region. Most likely, these lineages are also divergent in advertisement calls, but the available recordings cannot be reliably assigned to either of them. Based on new material collected from various new sites, we here formally name B. sp. Ca36 as new species B. asquithi sp. n., and suggest targeted fieldwork on calls and larval stages to allow for a complete and fully conclusive taxonomic revision of this species complex. The example of these frogs illustrates how continued underestimation of cryptic diversity in anurans can lead to incorrect assignment of specimens, and leads us to emphasize the importance of designating as name-bearing types (holotypes) of anurans only individuals whose identity is unambiguous by genetic data or, at least, call recordings reliably assignable to the type specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study summarizes the data of multiple surveys carried out at the Isalo Massif (southwestern Madagascar), both within and outside the National Park limits between 2004 and 2014, providing an updated list of the amphibians and non-avian reptiles present within the area. We used an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological and molecular data sets to identify collected samples as either described species, or as undescribed candidate species. We here report on one new amphibian candidate species (Mantidactylus sp. aff. multiplicatus Ca65 "Isalo"), and two new amphibian distribution records (Mantella sp. aff. expectata "South", Scaphiophryne sp. aff. calcarata Ca02) compared to the former inventories of the area. Additionally, we provide molecular reference sequences for 23 of the 24 amphibian taxa and for 40 of the 47 reptile taxa known to occur in the area, combining all available sources. With this study, we validate Isalo as an important centre of biodiversity and micro-endemism within Madagascar, with four described endemic amphibian (Gephyromantis azzurrae, Mantella expectata, Mantidactylus noralottae, and Scaphiophryne gottlebei) and one reptile species (Trachylepis nancycoutuae). Of the taxa here listed for Isalo, seven amphibians and six reptiles are new candidate species, and among them at least one amphibian (Mantidactylus sp. aff. multiplicatus Ca65 "Isalo") and three reptiles (Lygodactylus sp. aff. tuberosus Ca02 "Isalo", Paroedura sp. aff. bastardi Ca02 "Isalo" and P. sp. aff. bastardi Ca03 "Ilakaka") are currently known only from Isalo. The unique biodiversity of the Isalo Massif was likely favoured by the confluence of different biomes in the area and/or its role as a refugium during palaeoclimatic oscillations. Our study highlights the crucial importance of applying molecular taxonomic identification in updating the species lists even of previously well surveyed areas, and of maintaining and increasing museum voucher collections as a permanent and accessible testimony of the biodiversity inventory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We integrate molecular, bioacoustic and morphological data to provide a systematic revision of the frogs classified in the Gephyromantis asper clade (Anura: Mantellidae), endemic to Madagascar. Based on concordant differentiation in a mitochondrial and a nuclear gene (16S rRNA and Rag1) we distinguish six different species in this clade: G. ambohitra, G. asper, G. tahotra, G. spinifer, G. ceratophrys bona species, and an undescribed species. Gephyromantis ceratophrys (Ahl, 1929) is resurrected from the synonymy of G. asper and refers to the southernmost populations previously assigned to that species (i.e., from Ranomafana National Park in the southern central east of Madagascar). We provide several new geographical records verified by molecular sequence identity: G. asper is confirmed from the localities Anjozorobe, Mandraka, and Tsinjoarivo; G. spinifer is confirmed from Pic Ivohibe, a record previously considered questionable and representing the northernmost locality known for this species; G. ambohitra is recorded from the Masoala Peninsula, extending its known distribution range eastward; and G. tahotra (previously only known from its type locality Marojejy) is confirmed for the Tsaratanana and Sorata Massifs. An undescribed species of the group occurs at sites south and southwest of the Tsaratanana massif. It is differentiated in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, but no bioacoustic and insufficient morphological data are thus far available for its formal taxonomic description. Because species in the G. asper clade, within Gephyromantis, are phylogenetically distant from other species of the subgenus Duboimantis, we propose a new subgenus Asperomantis for this clade of Malagasy rainforest frogs. Most individuals belonging to this subgenus are easily distinguished from other species in the genus Gephyromantis and most other mantellids by the presence of a light spot in or near the centre of the tympanum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two new microhylid frog species of the genus Rhombophryne from the humid forests of northeastern Madagascar: Rhombophryne botabota sp. n. and R. savaka sp. n. The former is a medium-sized species, characterised by darkened lateral sides of the head (present in only one other congener, R. laevipes) and a unique combination of morphological, osteological, and molecular characters. The latter is a rather small species, characterised by medially undivided vomerine teeth with two large lateral diastemata, and presence of inguinal spots. Rhombophryne savaka sp. n. is the first species of the genus known from Makira Natural Park, and is reported also from Marojejy National Park and Ambolokopatrika (Betaolana Forest). Although its distribution range is relatively large compared to those of congeners, its known extent of occurrence is less than 2,000 km². As deforestation and habitat degradation persist as threats despite formal legal protection, we suggest an IUCN Red List status of Vulnerable for this species. Rhombophryne savaka sp. n. is possibly endemic to the Marojejy National Park, like several other Rhombophryne species, but is unusual in being found at a relatively low altitude. As such, it is likely to be at high risk of habitat loss and decreasing range, and we propose a status of Endangered for it. We discuss the affinities of these new species and the variability of calls in this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new arboreal and diminutive species of the genus Platypelis from the Réserve Naturelle Intégrale N. 1 de Betampona, one of the last low-altitude rainforest fragments of eastern Madagascar. P. karenae sp. nov. is a phyto-telmic species, living among leaves of Pandanus spp. and those of a herbaceous plant of the genus Crinum. Amongst spe-cies of comparable size, the new species is most similar to P. tetra, with which it shares a similar life history of occupying leaf axils of phytotelms. Phylogenetically, P. karenae is sister to P. tuberifera yet differentiated by a high level of genetic di-vergence (>7% p-distance for the analysed fragment of the i6S rRNA gene), its distinctly smaller size, acoustic repertoire, and colour pattern. The mitochondrial, nuclear, bioacoustic, and morphological data all independently support the valid-ity of this new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]