Gray versus yellow ventral coloration: Identity, distribution, color polymorphism and molecular relationships of the microhylid frog Platypelis mavomavo Andreone, Fenolio & Walvoord, 2003

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

  • Andolalao Rakotoarison
  • Scherz, Mark D.
  • Katherine E. Mullin
  • Angelica Crottini
  • Alice Petzold
  • Fiadanantsoa A. Ranjanaharisoa
  • Hasina M.Rabe Maheritafika
  • James M. Rafanoharana
  • Henri Raherinjato Vo
  • Franco Andreone
  • Frank Glaw
  • Miguel Vences

The Malagasy frog Platypelis mavomavo from Ambolokopatrika in the North East of Madagascar was originally diagnosed based on its bright yellow venter, but only limited information on this species has become available after its initial description in 2003. Several Platypelis specimens with yellow ventral color have been erroneously assigned to this species due to a lack of DNA sequences from the P. mavomavo type series. On the other hand, the candidate species Platypelis sp. Ca10 from Andranomapanga in the Northern Central East of Madagascar with gray ventral color has been defined based on its genetic differentiation from other nominal Platypelis species. Here we study the genetic variation of P. mavomavo and P. sp. Ca10 based on mitochondrial (16S rRNA) and nuclear-encoded (RAG-1) genes, including a newly determined sequence from the P. mavomavo holotype, which was studied using a museomics approach. We find only limited genetic variation among the samples studied, and this variation is unlinked to ventral coloration but instead reflects geographic distribution. We, therefore, conclude that P. sp. Ca10 is a gray-colored variant of P. mavomavo, and that P. mavomavo is rather widespread in the North East and Northern Central East of Madagascar, with populations in areas bordering the North West (Ambohitantely) and Sambirano (Ampotsidy) geographic regions, and the yellowbellied morph restricted to the North East (Makira, Ambolokopatrika). Due to the range extension of P. mavomavo, the conservation status of the species requires re-assessment.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftZootaxa
Vol/bind5352
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)221-234
Antal sider14
ISSN1175-5326
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2023

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
Fieldwork was carried out in the framework of cooperation accords among the Departément de Biologie Animale, Université d'Antananarivo, the Association Nationale pour la Gestion des Aires Protegées, the Technische Universität Braunschweig, Cardiff University, and the Zoologische Staatssammlung München. Permits for collection and export of specimens were kindly issued by the Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable of Madagascar. We thank P. Bora, C. and J. Patton, R.D. Randriniaina, J. Borrell, L. Ball, P.-S. Gehring, J. Köhler, K. Mebert, D. H. Nomenjanahary, M. Pabijan, D. Parker, J. Rabearivony, E. Rajeriarison, M. Rakotondratsima, F. Randrianasolo, S. Rasamison, E. Razafimandimby, T. Starnes, G. Rakotomanga, T. Raditra, and D.R. vieites for assistance in the field. Fieldwork was supported by grants of the volkswagen Foundation (to FG and Mv), the Natural Environment Research Council GW4+ DTP and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (to KM), and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (to Mv and MDS). The museomics component was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SCHE 2181/1-1 to MDS and M. Hofreiter). We are grateful to M. Preick, S. Abelt, and M. Hofreiter for support of museomics work. Portuguese National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia—supports the research contract to AC (2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Magnolia Press.

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