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Vences Miguel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Finaritra! A splendid new leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar
2019Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana Mihaja, Scherz, Mark D., Glaw Frank, Raselimanana, Achille P., Rakotoarison Andolalao, Razafindraibe, Jary H., Vences MiguelAbstract:Ratsoavina, Fanomezana Mihaja, Raselimanana, Achille P., Scherz, Mark D., Rakotoarison, Andolalao, Razafindraibe, Jary H., Glaw, Frank, Vences, Miguel (2019): Finaritra! A splendid new leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar. Zootaxa 4545 (4): 563-577, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4545.4.
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Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
'Magnolia Press', 2019Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring Philip-sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw Frank, Vences MiguelAbstract: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.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.Peer Reviewe
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FIGURE 1 in Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
2017Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring Philip-sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw Frank, Vences MiguelAbstract:FIGURE 1. Bayesian inference phylogenetic tree of the Uroplatus ebenaui group based on a 2313 bp alignment of four concatenated mitochondrial gene fragments (ND4, 12S rRNA, 16SrRNA, COX1) (mtDNA). Onlyposterior probability values of 0.95 or greater are displayedat nodes.Anoutgroup (U. alluaudi) was used for rooting but omitted from the tree forgraphical reasons. Note that the phylogenetic position of Uroplatus ebenaui [Ca8] from Ambohitantely is tentative, because only sequences of a single gene fragment were available from this sample. To the right of the tree is a haplotype network independently calculated from sequences of the nuclear gene CMOS showing concordant differentiation (absence of haplotype sharing) among the target species described herein and all nominal species of the U. ebenaui group
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Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
2017Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring Philip-sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw Frank, Vences MiguelAbstract:Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring, Philip-Sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw, Frank, Vences, Miguel (2017): Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar. Zootaxa 4347 (3), DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4347.3.
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FIGURE 5 in Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
2017Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring Philip-sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw Frank, Vences MiguelAbstract:FIGURE 5. Dorsal views of preserved holotypes of (a) Uroplatus fotsivava sp. nov. and (c) U. kelirambo sp. nov., as well as (b, d) sulcal views of the everted hemipenes of the two species.Scale bars refer to the photos of the two specimens; hemipenis photos not to scale
Miguel Vences - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Towards completion of the species inventory of small-sized leaf-tailed geckos: two new species of Uroplatus from northern Madagascar
Zootaxa, 2020Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Miguel Vences, Frank Glaw, David R. Vieites, Achille P. Raselimanana, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Oliver Hawlitschek, Mark D. ScherzAbstract:The northern part of Madagascar is well known for its high species diversity and endemism. Exceptional species richness is related to the existence of large forest blocks and mountain complexes. These areas shelter a diverse variety of habitats occupied by a wide diversity of species, including leaf-tailed geckos of the genus Uroplatus. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, we here formally name two evolutionary lineages as new species that previously had been considered as candidate species (Uroplatus spp. Ca3 and Ca4), both small-sized species of the Uroplatus ebenaui group. Genetically, both new species are related to U. finiavana with a genetic divergence (uncorrected pairwise distance) of 10.3–12.8% in a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, and separated from each other by 10.3–10.7%. Uroplatus fangorn sp. nov. is described from the Marojejy massif and is also known from Andrevorevo, Lohanandroranga and Sorata; it is similar to U. ebenaui and U. fetsy but is distinguishable by its rather short tail and only partially black pigmented oral mucosa. Uroplatus fivehy sp. nov. is described from the Sorata Massif and is wider-ranging, occurring in an area from Marotandrano and Makira to Sorata, comprising Marojejy, Anjanaharibe-Sud, Ankitsika and Betaolana; it is morphologically similar to U. finiavana but distinguishable by tail size and shape. Both newly described species are found in rainforest from mid to high elevation and range respectively from 840–1417 m for U. fivehy sp nov. and 1300–1800 m for U. fangorn sp. nov. According to their respective geographical distributions, we propose to classify the two new species as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List criteria, due to their occurrence in some forests outside of the protected area network plus the continuing decline of forest patches in the north of Madagascar.
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A new species of Uroplatus (Gekkonidae) from Ankarana National Park, Madagascar, of remarkably high genetic divergence.
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw, Mark D. Scherz, Achille P. Raselimanana, Krystal A. Tolley, Miguel VencesAbstract:Previous studies on leaf-tailed geckos of the genus Uroplatus identified a lineage from the Ankarana karst massif in northern Madagascar as genetically highly divergent, but only fragmentary information was available on these geckos. Here, we provide an integrative analysis based on molecular and morphological data, including a newly collected specimen from this locality. Phylogenetic analysis placed the Ankarana lineage sister to U. ebenaui, but with a surprisingly high genetic divergence of over 19% uncorrected pairwise distance in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. We formally describe the Ankarana lineage as Uroplatus fetsy sp. nov. and provide new information on the distribution and genetic differentiation of its sister species, Uroplatus ebenaui. Based on DNA sequences of newly examined samples this latter species is confirmed as widespread, ranging from low-elevation dry forests from Beanka in western Madagascar to Foret d'Ambre and Analalava/Fanambana in northern Madagascar, and thus far has not been found in the Ankarana Massif, where U. fetsy occurs.
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Finaritra! A splendid new leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar.
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw, Mark D. Scherz, Achille P. Raselimanana, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Jary H. Razafindraibe, Miguel VencesAbstract: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.
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Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos ( Uroplatus ) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar.
Zootaxa, 2017Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw, Philip-sebastian Gehring, Mark D. Scherz, David R. Vieites, Miguel VencesAbstract: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.
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A new leaf-tailed gecko of the Uroplatus ebenaui group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Madagascar's central eastern rainforests
Zootaxa, 2015Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw, Achille P. Raselimanana, Fiadanantsoa Andrianja Ranjanaharisoa, Aurélien Miralles, Miguel VencesAbstract:We describe a new leaf-tailed gecko species of the Uroplatus ebenaui group from the eastern central rainforests of Madagascar, which had previously been considered as a confirmed candidate species. Our description of Uroplatus fiera sp. nov. relies on integrating evidence from molecular and morphological characters and is based on newly collected material from two localities. A phylogenetic analysis based on multiple mitochondrial DNA fragments places the new species as sister to a lineage of uncertain status ( Uroplatus ebenaui [Ca8]), and the clade consisting of these two lineages is sister to a further undescribed candidate species ( U. ebenaui [Ca1]). This entire clade is sister to U. phantasticus plus another candidate species. The new species differs from these close relatives, and all other congenerics, by strong differences in DNA sequences of mitochondrial genes (>8.5% uncorrected p -distance in 16S rDNA to all nominal species of the genus) and lacks shared alleles with any of the nominal species in the nuclear CMOS gene. From its closest relatives the new species further differs in its much smaller tail size (relative to U. phantasticus ), and a narrower tail, fewer supralabials, and more toe lamellae (relative to U. ebenaui [Ca1]). Morphologically the new species is most similar to U. ebenaui but differs in its larger body size and unpigmented oral mucosa. Given its distribution in central eastern Madagascar, with records from near Fierenana and Ambatovy, its range overlaps with that of U. phantasticus . Based on examination of the U. phantasticus holotype, we confirm that this latter has a blackish pigmented oral mucosa as do those specimens typically attributed to this nomen, thereby confirming its distinctness from U. fiera sp. nov., in which the mucosa is unpigmented.
Colleen M. Ingram - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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continental speciation in the tropics contrasting biogeographic patterns of divergence in the Uroplatus leaf tailed gecko radiation of madagascar
Journal of Zoology, 2008Co-Authors: Christopher J. Raxworthy, Richard G. Pearson, Breda M. Zimkus, Sushma Reddy, A. J. Deo, Ronald A. Nussbaum, Colleen M. IngramAbstract:A fundamental expectation of vicariance biogeography is for contemporary cladogenesis to produce spatial congruence between speciating sympatric clades. The Uroplatus leaf-tailed geckos represent one of most spectacular reptile radiations endemic to the continental island of Madagascar, and thus serve as an excellent group for examining patterns of continental speciation within this large and comparatively isolated tropical system. Here we present the first phylogeny that includes complete taxonomic sampling for the group, and is based on morphology and molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA) data. This study includes all described species, and we also include data for eight new species. We find novel outgroup relationships for Uroplatus and find strongest support for Paroedura as its sister taxon. Uroplatus is estimated to have initially diverged during the mid-Tertiary in Madagascar, and includes two major speciose radiations exhibiting extensive spatial overlap and estimated contemporary periods of speciation. All sister species are either allopatric or parapatric. However, we found no evidence for biogeographic congruence between these sympatric clades, and dispersal events are prevalent in the dispersal–vicariance biogeographic analyses, which we estimate to date to the Miocene. One sister-species pair exhibits isolated distributions that we interpret as biogeographic relicts, and two sister-species pairs have parapatric distributions separated by elevation. Integrating ecological niche models with our phylogenetic results finds both conserved and divergent niches between sister species. We also found substantial intra-specific genetic variation, and for the three most widespread species, poor intra-specific predictive performance for ecological niche models across the latitudinal span of Madagascar. These latter results indicate the potential for intra-specific niche specialization along environmental gradients, and more generally, this study suggests a complex speciation history for this group in Madagascar, which appears to include multiple speciation processes.
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Continental speciation in the tropics: contrasting biogeographic patterns of divergence in the Uroplatus leaf‐tailed gecko radiation of Madagascar
Journal of Zoology, 2008Co-Authors: Christopher J. Raxworthy, Richard G. Pearson, Breda M. Zimkus, Sushma Reddy, A. J. Deo, Ronald A. Nussbaum, Colleen M. IngramAbstract:A fundamental expectation of vicariance biogeography is for contemporary cladogenesis to produce spatial congruence between speciating sympatric clades. The Uroplatus leaf-tailed geckos represent one of most spectacular reptile radiations endemic to the continental island of Madagascar, and thus serve as an excellent group for examining patterns of continental speciation within this large and comparatively isolated tropical system. Here we present the first phylogeny that includes complete taxonomic sampling for the group, and is based on morphology and molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA) data. This study includes all described species, and we also include data for eight new species. We find novel outgroup relationships for Uroplatus and find strongest support for Paroedura as its sister taxon. Uroplatus is estimated to have initially diverged during the mid-Tertiary in Madagascar, and includes two major speciose radiations exhibiting extensive spatial overlap and estimated contemporary periods of speciation. All sister species are either allopatric or parapatric. However, we found no evidence for biogeographic congruence between these sympatric clades, and dispersal events are prevalent in the dispersal–vicariance biogeographic analyses, which we estimate to date to the Miocene. One sister-species pair exhibits isolated distributions that we interpret as biogeographic relicts, and two sister-species pairs have parapatric distributions separated by elevation. Integrating ecological niche models with our phylogenetic results finds both conserved and divergent niches between sister species. We also found substantial intra-specific genetic variation, and for the three most widespread species, poor intra-specific predictive performance for ecological niche models across the latitudinal span of Madagascar. These latter results indicate the potential for intra-specific niche specialization along environmental gradients, and more generally, this study suggests a complex speciation history for this group in Madagascar, which appears to include multiple speciation processes.
Glaw Frank - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Finaritra! A splendid new leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar
2019Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana Mihaja, Scherz, Mark D., Glaw Frank, Raselimanana, Achille P., Rakotoarison Andolalao, Razafindraibe, Jary H., Vences MiguelAbstract:Ratsoavina, Fanomezana Mihaja, Raselimanana, Achille P., Scherz, Mark D., Rakotoarison, Andolalao, Razafindraibe, Jary H., Glaw, Frank, Vences, Miguel (2019): Finaritra! A splendid new leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar. Zootaxa 4545 (4): 563-577, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4545.4.
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Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
'Magnolia Press', 2019Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring Philip-sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw Frank, Vences MiguelAbstract: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.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.Peer Reviewe
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FIGURE 1 in Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
2017Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring Philip-sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw Frank, Vences MiguelAbstract:FIGURE 1. Bayesian inference phylogenetic tree of the Uroplatus ebenaui group based on a 2313 bp alignment of four concatenated mitochondrial gene fragments (ND4, 12S rRNA, 16SrRNA, COX1) (mtDNA). Onlyposterior probability values of 0.95 or greater are displayedat nodes.Anoutgroup (U. alluaudi) was used for rooting but omitted from the tree forgraphical reasons. Note that the phylogenetic position of Uroplatus ebenaui [Ca8] from Ambohitantely is tentative, because only sequences of a single gene fragment were available from this sample. To the right of the tree is a haplotype network independently calculated from sequences of the nuclear gene CMOS showing concordant differentiation (absence of haplotype sharing) among the target species described herein and all nominal species of the U. ebenaui group
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Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
2017Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring Philip-sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw Frank, Vences MiguelAbstract:Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring, Philip-Sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw, Frank, Vences, Miguel (2017): Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar. Zootaxa 4347 (3), DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4347.3.
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FIGURE 5 in Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar
2017Co-Authors: Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Gehring Philip-sebastian, Scherz, Mark D., Vieites, David R., Glaw Frank, Vences MiguelAbstract:FIGURE 5. Dorsal views of preserved holotypes of (a) Uroplatus fotsivava sp. nov. and (c) U. kelirambo sp. nov., as well as (b, d) sulcal views of the everted hemipenes of the two species.Scale bars refer to the photos of the two specimens; hemipenis photos not to scale
Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Towards completion of the species inventory of small-sized leaf-tailed geckos: two new species of Uroplatus from northern Madagascar
Zootaxa, 2020Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Miguel Vences, Frank Glaw, David R. Vieites, Achille P. Raselimanana, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Oliver Hawlitschek, Mark D. ScherzAbstract:The northern part of Madagascar is well known for its high species diversity and endemism. Exceptional species richness is related to the existence of large forest blocks and mountain complexes. These areas shelter a diverse variety of habitats occupied by a wide diversity of species, including leaf-tailed geckos of the genus Uroplatus. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, we here formally name two evolutionary lineages as new species that previously had been considered as candidate species (Uroplatus spp. Ca3 and Ca4), both small-sized species of the Uroplatus ebenaui group. Genetically, both new species are related to U. finiavana with a genetic divergence (uncorrected pairwise distance) of 10.3–12.8% in a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, and separated from each other by 10.3–10.7%. Uroplatus fangorn sp. nov. is described from the Marojejy massif and is also known from Andrevorevo, Lohanandroranga and Sorata; it is similar to U. ebenaui and U. fetsy but is distinguishable by its rather short tail and only partially black pigmented oral mucosa. Uroplatus fivehy sp. nov. is described from the Sorata Massif and is wider-ranging, occurring in an area from Marotandrano and Makira to Sorata, comprising Marojejy, Anjanaharibe-Sud, Ankitsika and Betaolana; it is morphologically similar to U. finiavana but distinguishable by tail size and shape. Both newly described species are found in rainforest from mid to high elevation and range respectively from 840–1417 m for U. fivehy sp nov. and 1300–1800 m for U. fangorn sp. nov. According to their respective geographical distributions, we propose to classify the two new species as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List criteria, due to their occurrence in some forests outside of the protected area network plus the continuing decline of forest patches in the north of Madagascar.
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A new species of Uroplatus (Gekkonidae) from Ankarana National Park, Madagascar, of remarkably high genetic divergence.
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw, Mark D. Scherz, Achille P. Raselimanana, Krystal A. Tolley, Miguel VencesAbstract:Previous studies on leaf-tailed geckos of the genus Uroplatus identified a lineage from the Ankarana karst massif in northern Madagascar as genetically highly divergent, but only fragmentary information was available on these geckos. Here, we provide an integrative analysis based on molecular and morphological data, including a newly collected specimen from this locality. Phylogenetic analysis placed the Ankarana lineage sister to U. ebenaui, but with a surprisingly high genetic divergence of over 19% uncorrected pairwise distance in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. We formally describe the Ankarana lineage as Uroplatus fetsy sp. nov. and provide new information on the distribution and genetic differentiation of its sister species, Uroplatus ebenaui. Based on DNA sequences of newly examined samples this latter species is confirmed as widespread, ranging from low-elevation dry forests from Beanka in western Madagascar to Foret d'Ambre and Analalava/Fanambana in northern Madagascar, and thus far has not been found in the Ankarana Massif, where U. fetsy occurs.
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Finaritra! A splendid new leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar.
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw, Mark D. Scherz, Achille P. Raselimanana, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Jary H. Razafindraibe, Miguel VencesAbstract: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.
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Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos ( Uroplatus ) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar.
Zootaxa, 2017Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw, Philip-sebastian Gehring, Mark D. Scherz, David R. Vieites, Miguel VencesAbstract: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.
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A new leaf-tailed gecko of the Uroplatus ebenaui group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Madagascar's central eastern rainforests
Zootaxa, 2015Co-Authors: Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw, Achille P. Raselimanana, Fiadanantsoa Andrianja Ranjanaharisoa, Aurélien Miralles, Miguel VencesAbstract:We describe a new leaf-tailed gecko species of the Uroplatus ebenaui group from the eastern central rainforests of Madagascar, which had previously been considered as a confirmed candidate species. Our description of Uroplatus fiera sp. nov. relies on integrating evidence from molecular and morphological characters and is based on newly collected material from two localities. A phylogenetic analysis based on multiple mitochondrial DNA fragments places the new species as sister to a lineage of uncertain status ( Uroplatus ebenaui [Ca8]), and the clade consisting of these two lineages is sister to a further undescribed candidate species ( U. ebenaui [Ca1]). This entire clade is sister to U. phantasticus plus another candidate species. The new species differs from these close relatives, and all other congenerics, by strong differences in DNA sequences of mitochondrial genes (>8.5% uncorrected p -distance in 16S rDNA to all nominal species of the genus) and lacks shared alleles with any of the nominal species in the nuclear CMOS gene. From its closest relatives the new species further differs in its much smaller tail size (relative to U. phantasticus ), and a narrower tail, fewer supralabials, and more toe lamellae (relative to U. ebenaui [Ca1]). Morphologically the new species is most similar to U. ebenaui but differs in its larger body size and unpigmented oral mucosa. Given its distribution in central eastern Madagascar, with records from near Fierenana and Ambatovy, its range overlaps with that of U. phantasticus . Based on examination of the U. phantasticus holotype, we confirm that this latter has a blackish pigmented oral mucosa as do those specimens typically attributed to this nomen, thereby confirming its distinctness from U. fiera sp. nov., in which the mucosa is unpigmented.