Search

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]

Based on sequences of three mitochondrial and two nuclear-encoded genes, we examine genetic variation in the leaf tailed geckos Uroplatus sameiti and U. sikorae, and morphological and chromatic characteristics of the genetic clusters identified. The mitochondrial phylogeny reveals a puzzling diversity of 16 deep lineages (4 in U. sameiti and 12 in U. sikorae) differing by 2.9–9.9% uncorrected pairwise distance in a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. Populations from Analalava in the North and Zahamena in the Northern Central East form two mitochondrial lineages clustering with U. sameiti but being deeply divergent (>8% 16S distance); however, no information on their morphology is available. In U. sikorae, the mitochondrial lineages identified form several major geographic clades, two of which (from the northernmost and southernmost populations, respectively) received substantial support in the phylogenetic analysis. No instance of sympatry of two or more mitochondrial lineages was observed, precluding an unambiguous assessment of species status under the biological species criterion without experimental approaches or detailed hybrid zone analyses. In the fragment of the nuclear encoded gene SACS we observed haplotype sharing between species and mitochondrial lineages, while in the fragment of KIAA1239 no haplotype sharing was detected although neither species nor mitochondrial lineages formed coherent phylogroups in the respective network. A screening of colour patterns from live photos, partly of the genotyped individuals, confirmed a large variation within species and populations, with a possible sexual dichromatism where a longitudinally striped phenotype is restricted to males. All individuals from populations of the U. sikorae clade from the Southern Central East and South East had an unpigmented oral mucosa just like U. sameiti, while all other U. sikorae populations are characterized by a black oral mucosa pigmentation. The extremely strong phylogeographic structure in the U. sikorae complex without obvious species-level divergences is unprecedented for large-sized squamates in Madagascar and calls for further taxonomic scrutiny using phylogenomic approaches; and it exemplifies how the loss of any major block of the remaining rainforests in Madagascar will inevitably lead to a substantial loss of genetic diversity – even if often intraspecific – in rainforest-specialized species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phelsuma guttata and Paroedura gracilis are two species of geckos endemic to lowland and mid-elevation rainforests of the northern half of Madagascar's rainforest band. To test for concordant phylogeographic patterns in the two species and to assess intraspecific phylogeny and genetic diversity, we sequenced DNA from two mitochondrial genes (16S and ND4) and three nuclear genes (CMOS, PDC, RAG1). The mtDNA trees of both species suggest a strong phylogeographic split between phylogroups from the North East and Northern Central East biogeographic regions of Madagascar. However, this pattern is not mirrored in the nuclear gene dataset, where common alleles can be found across the two biogeographic regions. Private alleles characterize some of the northernmost and southernmost populations, especially the Montagne d'Ambre population of P. gracilis. In this species the two main mitochondrial clades agree with two distinct dorsal colour pattern phenotypes - striped versus cross-banded - separated at the junction of North East and Northern Central East. As no obvious geographic barrier to gene flow is apparent, the observed concordant phylogeographic pattern indicates that the border between these two regions might represent an area of secondary contact after divergence in refugia. Both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA reveal a higher genetic divergence among lineages of P. gracilis as compared to Ph. guttata, calling for a more detailed taxonomic assessment of the former species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stump-toed frogs (genus Stumpffia Boettger, 1881) are a diverse group of small-bodied frogs endemic to Madagascar. Seven species of this genus occur on Marojejy, a steep massif in northeastern Madagascar. Here we examine the elevational distribution, phylogenetic position, biogeographic origin, and genetic differentiation of this Stumpffia assemblage. We show that none of these species is another's closest relative, but rather they are all independent lineages that probably colonised the Marojejy Massif through repeated immigration events. All of the lineages on Marojejy are most closely related to species south and southwest of the massif, except one lineage, formerly known as Stumpffia sp. Ca07, but here assigned to S. sorata as a deep conspecific lineage (and referred to as S. cf. sorata), which occurs also in Sorata, 90 km north of Marojejy. The species on Marojejy are typically restricted to narrow elevational ranges, but at least two species, S. cf. sorata and S. tridactyla, occur over elevations spanning 1000 metres. We assessed the genetic variability of these populations, and found considerable haplotype separation in fragments of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and nuclear Rag-1 genes, suggesting some disruption of gene flow associated with elevation. We discuss the biogeographic implications of our findings and, based on previously published data, the evolution of non-overlapping bioacoustic parameters among the diverse assemblage of Stumpffia species on the Marojejy massif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the new gecko species Paroedura neglecta sp. n. from the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in western Madagascar, belonging to the P. bastardi/tanjaka clade. The species in this clade are characterized by three light dorsal crossbands on the dorsum of juveniles and subadults whereas all other Paroedura species have four such bands. The new species differs from all species in the P. bastardi complex in having the nostril in contact with the rostral scale. It is most similar to the sympatric P. tanjaka, from which it differs by the presence of prominent dorsal tubercles arranged in regular longitudinal rows (versus rather irregular rows of dorsal tubercles), smaller size, details of the dorsal colour pattern and strong genetic divergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the taxonomic status of two Malagasy leaf chameleon taxa, Brookesia antakarana Raxworthy & Nussbaum, 1995 and B. ambreensis Raxworthy & Nussbaum, 1995, integrating morphological and genetic evidence. Specimens assigned to these species occur in syntopy in Montagne d'Ambre, northern Madagascar, and were originally described based on differences in the shape of their pelvic shields. We found that the shape of these shields falls on a continuous spectrum, and detected only weak differences between the two taxa in a few other morphological features, all of which were correlated with shield length. Members of the two taxa (as assigned based on pelvic shield morphology) also showed extensive haplotype sharing in one nuclear and one mitochondrial marker. We conclude that at present there is no convincing evidence that these species are distinct, and act as first revisers in the sense of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature to place B. ambreensis into the synonymy of B. antakarana [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a large and distinctive new treefrog species with blue webbing from the west coast of the Masoala peninsula in northeastern Madagascar. Boophis masoala sp. n. is morphologically similar to the other species of the Boophis albilabris group but can be distinguished from them easily by several chromatic characters of the eyes. Despite its similar morphology, it is genetically highly differentiated (10.5-13.3% pairwise p-distance in a segment of the 16S rRNA gene) from all other species in the B. albilabris group including the morphologically most similar Boophis praedictus. Both species share the blue webbing between toes and are distributed on the Masoala peninsula, but so far were not found in close sympatry. Although we recorded the new species only from the unprotected areas near the coast, we are confident that it also occurs within the adjacent Masoala National Park. We discuss the importance of eye colouration as a predictor of specific distinctness in the genus Boophis and that of webbing colouration as taxonomic characters of large treefrogs. Based on a micro-CT scan we provide a comprehensive description of the osteology of the new species, which is the first for any Boophis species, and furthermore describe its distress call which consists of three distinct sections corresponding to (1) the starting phase with closed mouth, (2) the opening of the mouth and (3) the final section with an open mouth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frogs assigned to the monotypic genus Madecassophryne (Anura, Microhylidae, Cophylinae), and possibly belonging to Madecassophryne truebae, were found in December 2016 in two low-altitude localities, Ambahavala and Kapilavato, in the Anosy Mountain in southeastern Madagascar. This poorly known genus was described in 1974 based on osteology, and neither verifiably identified photos of living specimens nor molecular information were available until now. We here update the available information on these enigmatic frogs and provide new data on morphology, osteology, bioacoustics and observations on their habitat, together with a preliminary molecular phylogenetic study, suggesting that Madecassophryne is highly divergent from other members of the cophyline clade. [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]