Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
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The Tsaratanana Massif is the highest mountain massif of Madagascar and is characterized by a high species-level endemism of its biota. Here we describe two new small-sized species of leaf-tailed geckos of the Uroplatus ebenaui group from this region. Named in a preliminary way as confirmed candidate species Uroplatus ebenaui [Ca1] and [Ca2] in previous studies, we here provide detailed data on their molecular and morphological differentiation and describe them as Uroplatus fotsivava sp. nov. and Uroplatus kelirambo sp. nov. Their closest relatives are U. fiera and U. finiavana, respectively, as revealed by a phylogeny based on DNA sequences of four mitochondrial genes. However, integration of various lines of evidence confirms that the new species are independent evolutionary lineages, differing from other Uroplatus by high mitochondrial divergences, lack of haplotype sharing in the nuclear CMOS gene, and shape and relative size of the tail. While U. fotsivava is known from multiple sites at elevations between 1100-1538 m above sea level, U. kelirambo was found only at high elevations between 2000-2200 m a.s.l.; it therefore is the only known forest-dwelling nocturnal gecko reaching such high elevations in Madagascar, and might be narrowly endemic to montane forests of the Tsaratanana Massif.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Zootaxa |
| Volume | 4347 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 446-464 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| ISSN | 1175-5326 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:
We are grateful to F. Randrianasolo, A. Rakotoarison, R.-D. Randrianiaina, S. Rasamison, E. Rajeriarison, and T. Rajoafiarison for helping us with fieldwork and organization in 2010, and J. Borrell, L. Ball, T. Starnes, E. Razafimandimby, D. Herizo Nomenjanahary, J. Rabearivony, and M. Rakotondratsima in 2015/16 (Expedition Angano); to I. Ineich (MNHN), J. Hallermann (ZMH) and P. Campbell (BMNH) for the loan of type specimens under their care; to G. Keunecke and M. Kondermann for help with labwork and sequence analysis. We thank the Malagasy authorities and MNP (Madagascar National Parks) for issuing research and export permits to collect the specimens described here: field research was conducted under permits 64/10/MEF/SG/DGF/DCB.SAP/SLRSE and 224/15/MEEMF/SG/DGF/DAPT/SCBT, and specimens were exported under permits 135N-EA07/MG10 and 029C-EA01/MG16. Thanks to the team of MICET in Antananarivo for logistic support. Financial support was provided by the Volkswagen Foundation to PSG, FMR, FG and MV, and to FMR by Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. The Tsaratanana work was partly funded by project CGL2013-40924-P to DRV. Expedition Angano (2015/16) was funded by the Scientific Exploration Society, Zoological Society of London, Royal Geographical Society, Cadogan Tate, and crowdfunding.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Magnolia Press.
- Gekkonidae, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, Uroplatus ebenaui group, Uroplatus fotsivava sp. nov., Uroplatus kelirambo sp. nov.
Research areas
ID: 284292438