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Blommersia bara sp. nov. Figures 4, 8 Identity. This species was considered Mantidactylus wittei by Guibé (1974) and Blommers-Schl̂sser & Blanc (1991) for specimens from Ankarafantsika, and called Mantidactylus cf. wittei by Glos (2003), Blommersia sp. aff. wittei “Isalo” by Glaw & Vences (2007), Blommersia sp. aff. wittei by Mercurio et al. (2008), Blommersia sp. (aff. wittei) by Bora et al. (2010), Blommersia sp. 5 by Vieites et al. (2009) and Wollenberg et al. (2011), Blommersia sp. Ca5 by Perl et al. (2014), Penny et al. (2016) and Glaw et al. (2019), Blommersia sp. Ca05 by Penny et al. (2017), and Blommersia sp. aff. wittei Ca 05 “Isalo” by Cocca et al. (2018). Holotype. ZSM 31/2004 (field number FGZC 47), an adult male, collected by F. Glaw, M. Puente, M. Thomas & R. Randrianiaina at a stream near Ranohira, Isalo Massif (22.5856°S, 45.3997°E, 813 a.s.l.), southwestern Madagascar, on 21 January 2004. Paratypes. A total of 30 specimens, all from western Madagascar. ZSM 22/2004 (FGZC 34) and ZSM 24/2004 (FGZC 38) two adult males with the same collecting data as the holotype; ZSM 706/2001 (FGMV 2001.279), adult male, collected by M. Vences, D.R. Vieites, G. Garcia, V. Raherisoa, & A. Rasoamamonjinirina at Ampijoroa, Ankarafantsika National Park (approximately 16.3°S, 46.82°E) on 24 February 2001; ZSM 246/2003 and ZSM 247/2003, two adult males, collected by J. Glos at Kirindy Forest (site “G2”) in January 2001; ZSM 13/2006 (FGZC 691), ZSM 30/2006 (FGZC 727), ZSM 52/2006 (FGZC 779), and ZSM 68/2006 (FGZC 809), two adult females and two adult males, collected by F. Glaw, J. K̂hler, P. Bora & H. Enting at Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, Andranopasazy, “Camp 1” (18.7086°S, 44.7189°E, 146 m a.s.l.), on 17, 19, and 24 March 2006, respectively; ZSM 2284/2007 (ZCMV 5801) and ZSM 2285/2007 (ZCMV 5804), one adult male and one adult female, collected by M. Vences and collaborators at Isalo National Park, on 17 February 2007; ZSM 2281/2007 (ZCMV 5625), ZSM 2282/2007 (ZCMV 5626), ZSM 2283/2007 (ZCMV 5643), and ZSM 2320/2007 (ZCMV 5621), collected by L. du Preez, C. Weldon & L. Raharivololoniaina at Ankarafantsika, on 9 February 2007; ZSM 3222/2012 (ZCMV 14143), adult male collected by A. Rakotoarison, J. Erens & E. Rajeriarison at Mariarano (15.4978°S, 46.6943°E, 11 m a.s.l.), on 28 December 2012; MRSN A2957 and A2958 (FAZC 11807–11808), two males, collected by F. Andreone, G. Aprea & V. Mercurio in the Isalo Massif, Andohasahenina (22.8333°S, 45.1880°E, 876 m a.s.l.) on 15 January 2004; MRSN A5349 (FAZC 12550), female, and MRSN A5350 (FAZC 12551), male, collected by F. Andreone, F. Mattioli & V. Mercurio in the Isalo Massif, Zahavola (22.6215°S, 45.3587°E, 881 m a.s.l.), on 17 November 2004; MRSN A5353 and A5354 (FAZC 12968 and 12970), two males, collected by F. Andreone, F. Mattioli & V. Mercurio in the Isalo Massif, Sakamalio (22.4348°S, 45.2552°E, 726 m a.s.l.) on 16 December 2004; MRSN A5351 (FAZC 12591), female, collected by F. Andreone, F. Mattioli & V. Mercurio in the Isalo Massif, Andriamanero (22.3672°S, 45.3920°E, 663 m a.s.l.), on 20 November 2004; as well as seven specimens deposited in the UADBA collection (uncatalogued but accessible via field tags): UADBA-ZCMV 5620, 5641, 5642, 5644, four specimens collected by L. du Preez, C. Weldon & L. Raharivololoniaina at Ankarafantsika, on 9 February 2007; and UADBA-ZCMV 5800, 5802, 5803, three specimens collected by collected by M. Vences and collaborators at Isalo National Park, on 17 February 2007. Diagnosis. A species of the genus Blommersia in the subfamily Mantellinae of the family Mantellidae based on presence of intercalary elements between penultimate and ultimate phalanges of fingers and toes (verified by external examination), occurrence in Madagascar, relatively small body size (male SVL From other species of Blommersia, the new species is mainly distinguished as follows: from B. angolafa by the presence of vomerine teeth in many individuals (vs. absence) and a totally different color pattern without whitish spots on the flanks and on the finger- and toe-tips (vs. presence); from B. dejongi by a femoral gland placed centrally on the thigh (vs. distally); from B. blommersae by having lateral metatarsalia separated by webbing (vs. connected by dense tissue); from B. domerguei by having lateral metatarsalia separated by webbing (vs. connected by dense tissue), by the presence of vomerine teeth in many individuals (vs. absence), a larger body size (SVL> 20 mm vs. B. dupreezi by having lateral metatarsalia separated by webbing (vs. connected by dense tissue) and absence of distinct black lateral stripe (vs. presence); from B. galani by presence of vomerine teeth in many individuals (vs. absence); from B. grandisonae by presence of vomerine teeth in many individuals (vs. absence) and a largely different color pattern (but see discussion in Vences et al. 2023 on the identity of B. grandisonae); from B. kely by having lateral metatarsalia separated by webbing (vs. connected by dense tissue), presence of vomerine teeth in many individuals (vs. absence), and larger body size (SVL> 20 mm vs. B. nataliae by ovoid femoral glands in small distance to each other (vs. more rounded, distant glands) and absence of a dark face mask (vs. presence); from B. sarotra by having lateral metatarsalia separated by webbing (vs. connected by dense tissue); from B. transmarina by a narrower head (male HW/SVL ratio 0.29‒0.34 vs. 0.34–0.36) and somewhat shorter hands (male HAL/SVL ratio 0.29–0.33 vs. 0.30–0.35); from B. variabilis by having lateral metatarsalia separated by webbing (vs. connected by dense tissue in most individuals) and probably a smaller distance between femoral gland. Furthermore, differentiated from all these species by differences in advertisement calls and genetic distances>5% in the analyzed mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene fragment of these two species. It differs from B. wittei, however, in a substantial divergence of mitochondrial genes (5.0‒8.2% uncorrected pairwise distance in 16S) and lack of haplotype sharing in RAG1 and SACS, and in advertisement calls lacking distinct pulses vs. being clearly pulsed in B. wittei (except in the Sambava population whose taxonomic status is in need of revision). Description of the holotype. Adult male specimen with distinct femoral glands, in a good state of preservation (Fig. 8). Tongue removed as tissue samples for molecular analysis. SVL 18.5 mm, for further measurements see Table 1. Body slender; head longer than wide, of same width as body; snout rounded in lateral view, obtusely pointed in dorsal and ventral views; nostrils directed laterally, protuberant, nearer to snout tip than to eye; canthus rostralis rounded; loreal region slightly concave; tympanum distinct, round, its diameter 63% of eye diameter; supratympanic fold distinct, curved above tympanum where it follows the tympanum outline; tongue absent, its shape therefore not ascertainable; vomerine teeth not visible; choanae small, round, located toward the front of the palate; maxillary teeth present.Arms slender, subarticular tubercles present, single; fingers without webbing; relative length of fingers 1 After 19 years in preservative (Fig. 8), the dorsum is rather uniformly brownish, with a weakly recognizable dark brownish inverted chevron, a faint small dark transverse bar on the forehead anterior to the eyes, and a very weakly recognizable dark interorbital bar. A dark stripe runs from the nostril to the eye and continues broader posterior to the eye, encompassing the entire tympanic region underneath the supratympanic fold. Underneath these brown elements, a weakly expressed light frenal stripe is visible from the snout tip to the forelimb insertions. Fore- and hindlimbs dorsally with distinct and sharply delimited brown crossbars (three crossbars on thigh and four on shank). Ventral side uniformly beige (unpigmented), throat being a bit lighter than chest, belly and limbs. In life, color was very similar but somewhat more contrasted (Fig. 4A); whitish color was present on the throat; femoral glands granules were somewhat yellowish (Fig. 4B). Variation. ZSM 52/2006 exhibits a broad middorsal light band. Vomerine teeth are clearly visible in paratype ZSM 2281/2007 from Ankarafantsika, also recognizable (although weakly expressed) in the paratypes from Bemaraha. We observed substantial differences in body size among populations, with individuals from the type locality Isalo being distinctly smaller than those from other sites. According to available data (Supplementary Table 2; available at DOI 10.5281/zenodo.8049142) male SVL across all populations ranges between 18.2–25.7 mm and female SVL between 22.0– 26.4 mm. Etymology. Named after the Bara people, the ethnic group living in the area of Madagascar that includes the type locality of the new species, the Isalo Massif. The name is used as a noun in apposition. Natural history. A relatively common species in Madagascar, living in areas of a certain humidity such as streams or swamps, including areas of secondary vegetation. During the rainy season, males call during day and night from the low vegetation of these water bodies. In Isalo this species is commonly found on the ground of gallery forests (e.g., Andriamanero, Sakamalio), along temporary rivers and in Pandanus swamps in the open savannah (e.g., Ilakaka, Zahavola). Tadpoles develop in temporary ponds and individuals of this species have been observed in egg-guarding behaviour both in Ankarafantsika (Fig. 4C) and Isalo (Mercurio et al. (2008). In the Sahamalaza Peninsula, this species seems to be abundant and it is found along streams and ponds in intact forested areas as well as in paddy fields in cleared areas. In Bemaraha, specimens were found in the leaf litter. In Kirindy, Glos (2003) found the species in the largest out of 200 ponds studied, and observed males calling at night from a bush at the water edge between 1–4 m above ground. Vocalizations: Advertisement calls recorded on 29 January 1994 at Isalo (air temperature 21.5°C) consist of a single short pulsatile note repeated in call series at rather regular intervals within series (Fig. 6). Each call exhibits some irregular amplitude modulation, sometimes with 2–4 peaks recognizable within each call, with the second peak usually having the highest energy. Numerical parameters of 23 analyzed calls of one male are as follows: call duration (= note duration) 13–18 ms (15.2 ± 1.6 ms); inter-call intervals within regular call series 69–78 ms (74.8 ± 3.0 ms); duration of regular call series 2034 ms (n = 1); call rate within call series approximately 670 calls/minute; dominant frequency 5813–6115 Hz (5968 ± 119 Hz); second dominant frequency peak around 3000 Hz; prevalent bandwidth 2600–9500 Hz. Advertisement calls recorded on 24 February 2001 at Ankarafantsika (air temperature 28°C) consist of a single short pulsatile note repeated in call series at regular intervals within series (Fig. 6). In some calls (= notes) two barely separated peaks of amplitude are recognizable, but call energy is distributed rather equally along the first two thirds of the call’s duration, then dropping rapidly towards its end. Numerical parameters of 18 analyzed calls of one male are as follows: call duration (= note duration) 19–28 ms (23.2 ± 2.5 ms); inter-call intervals within regular call series 94–107 ms (97.3 ± 4.8 ms); duration of regular call series 2078 ms (n = 1); call rate within call series approximately 500 calls/minute; dominant frequency 4694–4758 Hz (4735 ± 27 Hz); second frequency peak around 2370 Hz; prevalent bandwidth 1900–9700 Hz. Distribution. Known from Isalo in the South-West up to Sahamalaza Peninsula in the North-West (see Fig. 2 for genetically confirmed sites). The precise contact zone with B. wittei has not yet been identified but can be expected to be located between Sahamalaza and Ambanja.

Blommersia wittei (Guibé, 1974) Figures 3, 8 Identity and type material. Clarifying the taxonomy of the B. wittei complex requires first ascertaining the identity of B. wittei sensu stricto. The species was described by Guibé (1974) as Mantidactylus wittei, and type specimens are deposited in the Paris museum (acronym MNHN, in earlier times written MNHNP), with the following verbatim information in the original description: “ Holotype: no 1953-60 MNHN Paris. Environs d’Ambanja. J. Guibé (11- 1951). Paratypes: nos 1953-60 A à 1953-60 L MNHN Paris. Même provenance. Nos A.682 à A.684: Ampijora , station forestière à 45 km de Marovaoy (Ouest). Nos 1973-944 à 1973-951 MNHN Paris: forêt d’Ankarafantsika. Ch. P. Blanc (11-1973). ” Due to some imprecise information in the handwritten MNHN catalogue and extensive re-labelling of several of these specimens, there has been confusion on the type series in subsequent publications and in the current digital MNHN catalogue. Frost (2023) correctly states that the holotype is MNHNP 1953.60, by original designation, but merges two separate sites in the type locality account: “ ‘ Environs d’Ambanja’, Forest Ankarafantsika, Madagascar. ” In contrast, the digital type catalogue of the MNHN (downloaded from gbif.org in 2022) as well as the MNHN online catalogue (https://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/ra/; accessed 11 February 2023) state that the holotype originated from “ Vallée de la Tsiribihina ” and furthermore provide the following list of paratypes: MNHN 1973.944–1973.951 (8 specimens) from Ankarafantsika, and 1993.682–1993.684 (3 specimens) from Ampijoroa. Vences et al. (2010) provided measurements of part of the type series of B. wittei, purportedly all from Ambanja: the holotype MNHN 1953.60, and the following paratypes: MNHN 1991.2529–1991.2533 (5 specimens; previously labelled MNHN 1953.60 A to E) and MNHN 1991.2536–1991.2539 (4 specimens, previously labelled MNHN 1953.60 H to K). After inspecting the original (handwritten) MNHN catalogues (partly available from https://science.mnhn.fr/ catalogues; accessed 11 February 2023) we conclude that: (1) The holotype of Mantidactylus wittei Guibé, 1974 (Fig. 8) unambiguously is the specimen MNHN 1953.60 for which morphometric measurements were provided by Vences et al. (2010) and whose locality, according to the original description and original catalogue entry is “ Environs d’Ambanja”, with the addition in the catalogue: “Cacaoyéres” (= cacao trees, thus indicating the specimen was collected in a cacao plantation). (2) A series of 11 paratypes (originally labelled MNHN 1953.60 A to 1953 K, currently re-labelled as MNHN 1991.2529–1991.2539) originates from the same locality as the holotype. (3) A series of 8 paratypes (MNHN 1973.944–1973.951) originate from Ankarafantsika, (4) A series of 3 paratypes (MNHN 1993.682–1993.684) originate from Ampijoroa, which represents a forestry station (currently local headquarters of Madagascar National Parks) within the Ankarafantsika forest. As explained in the Taxonomic conclusion account above, based on the provenance of the holotype from Ambanja, we continue assigning the name B. wittei to the genetic lineage occurring across much of northern Madagascar and collected by us at Ambanja and nearby localities. The paratype series is however mixed: specimens from Ankarafantsika (MNHN 1973.944–1973.951) and Ampijoroa (MNHN 1993.682–1993.684) are here assigned to B. sp. Ca 5. Only the 11 paratypes from the type locality are likely conspecific with the holotype. Morphology. Measurements of the type series of B. wittei have been published by Vences et al. (2010) and measurements of additional specimens by Pabijan et al. (2011). Measurements of further specimens are included in Table 1 herein.A full set of measurements including those from the previous publications is given as Supplementary Table 2 (available from the Zenodo repository under DOI 10.5281/zenodo.8049142). Based on these data, male SVL is 21.0–27.0 mm and female SVL is 20.7–25.0 mm. In the specimens examined for the present study (listed in Table 1), vomerine teeth are usually recognizable (clearly visible in specimens from the type locality Ambanja) but weakly expressed in several specimens from Montagne d’Ambre. In ZSM 563/2000 from Sambava, vomerine teeth are weakly recognizable, and this specimen apparently has more developed webbing than many other individuals examined. Vocalizations.Advertisement calls recorded in February 1991 at the type locality Ambanja (recording temperature not taken) consist of a single short pulsed note repeated in call series at regular intervals and very fast succession (Fig. 5). Recording quality is poor and the detailed call structure is probably partly masked by background noises. However, each call (= note) seems to contain two pulse groups which are separated from each other, with the first pulse group being of lower amplitude. Pulse structure in not very obvious in the recording and most pulses appear basally fused. Maximum call energy is distributed towards the middle of the call’s duration. Numerical parameters of 16 analyzed calls of one male are as follows: call duration (= note duration) 62–77 ms (66.8 ± 5.3 ms); inter-call intervals within regular call series 15–31 ms (18.6 ± 5.6 ms); pulses/note 9–18 (13.8 ± 3.3); duration of regular call series 1275 ms (n = 1); call rate within call series approximately 740 calls/minute; dominant frequency 4694–4886 Hz (4797 ± 82 Hz); second frequency peak around 2500 Hz; prevalent bandwidth 1800–6000 Hz. Advertisement calls recorded on 7 February 1992 from north of Andoany, Nosy Be (air temperature 25°C), consist of a single short pulsed note repeated in short call series at regular intervals and very fast succession (Fig. 5). Each call (= note) exhibits two pulse groups which are clearly separated from each other, with the first pulse group being of lower amplitude. Pulses are partly fused, but countable. Maximum call energy is distributed in the middle of the call, namely the beginning of the second pulse group. Numerical parameters of 10 analyzed calls of one male are as follows: call duration (= note duration) 65–83 ms (74.8 ± 6.3 ms); inter-call intervals within regular call series 16–32 ms (21.5 ± 5.6 ms); pulses/note 14–19 (16.3 ± 1.9); duration of regular call series 490 and 500 ms (n = 2); call rate within call series approximately 640 calls/minute; dominant frequency 4823–5240 Hz (5033 ± 163 Hz); second frequency peak around 2500 Hz; prevalent bandwidth 2000–8200 Hz. Advertisement calls recorded on 15 March 1994 on Montagne d’Ambre (air temperature 22°C), consist of a single short, distinctly pulsed note repeated in call series at regular intervals and very fast succession (Fig. 5). Each call (= note) exhibits two pulse groups which are clearly separated from each other, with the first pulse group being of lower amplitude. Pulses are barely fused and rather distinctly separated. Maximum call energy is distributed in the middle of the call, namely the beginning of the second pulse group. Numerical parameters of 19 analyzed calls of one individual are as follows: call duration (= note duration) 59–73 ms (65.4 ± 4.2 ms); inter-call intervals within regular call series 22–39 ms (29.6 ± 7.1 ms); pulses/note 7–11 (8.9 ± 1.3); duration of regular call series 1821 ms (n = 1); call rate within call series approximately 600 calls/minute; dominant frequency 4489–4597 Hz (4542 ± 41 Hz); prevalent bandwidth 1800–7500 Hz. Advertisement calls recorded from specimen ZSM 50/2018 (MSZC 521) on 25 December 2017 on Montagne d’Ambre (air temperature ca 19°C), consist of a single short, distinctly pulsed note repeated in call series at regular intervals and very fast succession (Fig. 5). Each call (= note) exhibits clearly separated pulses. Intervals between pulses are somewhat irregular, in some calls resulting in two pulse groups separated by a larger interval. Maximum call energy is evident in the middle of the call. Numerical parameters of 16 analyzed calls of one male are as follows: call duration (= note duration) 68–88 ms (78.2 ± 5.7 ms); inter-call intervals within regular call series 28–50 ms (41.4 ± 4.2 ms); pulses/note 7–11 (9.0 ± 1.3); duration of regular call series 1590 ms (n = 1); call rate within call series approximately 500 calls/minute; dominant frequency 5066–5232 Hz (5137 ± 80 Hz); prevalent bandwidth 2000–10000 Hz. Advertisement calls recorded on 20 March 2000 in Sambava (air temperature 24.7°C), here tentatively allocated to B. wittei, consist of a single, short, pulsed note repeated in call series at regular intervals within series. Calls (= notes) exhibit a pulsed structure, but most pulses are largely fused, resulting in an irregular pulse pattern and varying number of countable pulses (Fig. 7). Maximum call energy is distributed among the first two thirds of the call’s duration. Numerical parameters of 22 analyzed calls of one male are as follows: call duration (= note duration) 27– 59 ms (39.4 ± 11.8 ms); inter-call intervals within regular call series 54–76 ms (67.9 ± 7.7 ms); pulses/note 2–6 (4.1 ± 1.0); duration of regular call series 2209 ms (n = 1); call rate within call series approximately 600 calls/minute; dominant frequency 5316–5598 Hz (5440 ± 145 Hz); second frequency peak around 2600 Hz; prevalent bandwidth 2100–8600 Hz.

Blommersia sp. Ca12 Identity. This candidate species name refers to a new lineage discovered in the course of this study and found only at two sites along the Sambirano river (Maevatanana and Antsirasira). Morphology. Unknown. One voucher specimen from Antsirasira (ZSM 589/2001; see Table 1) could not be genotyped as no tissue sample for molecular analysis was taken in the field from this specimen. This specimen is an adult male with rather indistinct femoral glands and weakly expressed vomerine teeth. Photos in life are not available. Vocalizations: Advertisement calls were recorded on 31 January 2001 at Antsirasira (air temperature 26°C), but call vouchers were not collected and calls are therefore not assignable to B. sp. Ca12 with full reliability. These calls consist of a single, short, pulsed note repeated in call series at slightly irregular intervals within series (Fig. 7). Calls (= notes) generally exhibit a pulse structure, although some pulses are not clearly separated but rather largely fused, resulting in an irregular pulse pattern and varying number of countable pulses. Numerical parameters of 10 analyzed calls of one male are as follows: call duration (= note duration) 34–66 ms (47.8 ± 10.8 ms); inter-call intervals within regular call series 48–72 ms (61.4 ± 10.2 ms); pulses/note 3–10 (6.9 ± 2.3); duration of regular call series 1434 and 995 ms (n = 2); call rate within call series varied between 500–580 calls/minute; dominant frequency 5316–5598 Hz (5440 ± 145 Hz); second frequency peak around 2850 Hz; prevalent bandwidth 2200–9000 Hz.

Vences, Miguel, Multzsch, Malte, Köhler, Jörn, Crottini, Angelica, Andreone, Franco, Rakotoarison, Andolalao, Scherz, Mark D., Glaw, Frank (2023): Integrative revision of the Blommersia wittei complex, with description of a new species of frog from western and north-western Madagascar. Zootaxa 5319 (2): 178-198, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5319.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5319.2.2