Finaritra! A splendid new leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Fanomezana Mihaja Ratsoavina
  • Achille P. Raselimanana
  • Scherz, Mark D.
  • Andolalao Rakotoarison
  • Jary H. Razafindraibe
  • Frank Glaw
  • Miguel Vences

The Marojejy Massif in northern Madagascar is a constant source of herpetological surprises. Herein we describe a new species of leaf-mimicking leaf-tailed gecko, Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov., based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. This new species inhabits the rainforests of Marojejy National Park at low elevations and is morphologically similar to Uroplatus phantasticus, but differs by having a larger body size, relatively shorter tail, and dark-red pigmentation of the oral mucosa. Molecular data reveals a distance of 14.0–14.7% in the 16S rRNA gene to U. phantasticus, and haplotype sharing in the c-mos nuclear gene only with species of much shorter tails (i.e., with U. kelirambo and two undescribed candidate species). Similar to other members of the leaf-mimicking Uroplatus species in northern Madagascar, Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov. likely has a small geographic distribution, and is currently known only from the lowland rainforests of Marojejy. We discuss the value of the buccal mucosa colouration and tail dimensions of Uroplatus as taxonomic characters, and the potential drivers of their evolution. In order to reduce the risk of international trade under incorrect species names we suggest that exported CITES species should be obligatorily accompanied by information about their precide geographic origin within Madagascar.

Original languageEnglish
JournalZootaxa
Volume4545
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)563-577
Number of pages15
ISSN1175-5326
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2019 Magnolia Press

    Research areas

  • Gekkonidae, Madagascar, Marojejy, Squamata, Uroplatus ebenaui group, Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov

ID: 284288024