A new species of smooth-skinned Spinomantis frog (Anura: Mantellidae) from south-eastern Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4317 (2) ◽  
pp. 379
Author(s):  
MIGUEL VENCES ◽  
JÖRN KÖHLER ◽  
FRANK GLAW
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Reciprocal Monophyly ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Candidate Species

We present molecular evidence for the presence of two species morphologically similar to Spinomantis bertini in Andohahela National Park, south-eastern Madagascar, differing by 5.5−6.3% pairwise DNA sequence divergences in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. One of these was observed at higher elevations of ca. 1650 m above sea level, whereas the other was found at lower elevations of ca. 715 m a.s.l., close to the type locality of S. bertini (Isaka-Ivondro), and in one other location (Andreoky, ca. 1050 a.s.l.). We herein assign these low- to mid-elevation specimens to S. bertini based on their occurrence near the type locality and general agreement in colour pattern with the type specimen of Gephyromantis bertini Guibé, 1947. The high-elevation form is described as Spinomantis beckei sp. nov. based on its molecular divergence and reciprocal monophyly with respect to S. bertini, lower expression of greenish dorsal colour and less distinct frenal stripe. Based on a comparison of published call descriptions for S. bertini and our recordings of S. beckei, we hypothesize that S. bertini has a lower note repetition rate in advertisement calls. Molecular data suggest that the S. bertini species complex is more diverse than previously recognized, with at least two more candidate species identified: S. sp. Ca7 from Ranomafana National Park, and a newly identified candidate species S. sp. Ca12 from Pic d’Ivohibe Special Reserve. 

scholarly journals Uncovering the herpetological diversity of small forest fragments in south-eastern Madagascar (Haute Matsiatra)

2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-343
Author(s):  
Francesco Belluardo ◽  
Darwin Díaz Quirós ◽  
Javier Lobón-Rovira ◽  
Gonçalo M. Rosa ◽  
Malalatiana Rasoazanany ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Systematic Account ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Reference Sequences ◽  
Taxonomic Approach ◽  
Small Forest

Madagascar has historically suffered from high fragmentation of forested habitats, often leading to biodiversity loss. Neverthless, forest fragments still retain high levels of biological diversity. The Haute Matsiatra Region (south-eastern Madagascar) hosts the renowned Andringitra National Park and several surrounding isolated forest fragments embedded in a matrix of human-dominated landscape. During a herpetological survey conducted in the Region, we visited a total of 25 sites. We applied a molecular taxonomic approach to identify the collected material and generate new reference sequences to improve the molecular identification of Malagasy herpetofauna. We identified a total of 28 amphibian and 38 squamate taxa and provided a systematic account for each one of them. Nine of the identified taxa are candidate species, amongst which one was newly identified. We extended the known distributional range of 21 taxa (nine amphibians and 12 squamates). Although the largest forest fragments hold a higher number of species, we also detected a relatively high herpetological diversity in small patches. Our results highlight the importance of investigating small forest fragments to contribute to a better understanding of the patterns of diversity and distribution of the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar.

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

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4545 (4) ◽  
pp. 563
Author(s):  
FANOMEZANA MIHAJA RATSOAVINA ◽  
ACHILLE P. RASELIMANANA ◽  
MARK D. SCHERZ ◽  
ANDOLALAO RAKOTOARISON ◽  
JARY H. RAZAFINDRAIBE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Constant Source

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. 

Two new species of Theloderma (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3098 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JODI J. L. ROWLEY ◽  
DUONG THI THUY LE ◽  
HUY DUC HOANG ◽  
VINH QUANG DAU ◽  
TRUNG TIEN CAO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
Small Body ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Dorsal Pattern ◽  
The 16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Sequences

Two new species of rhacophorid frogs in the genus Theloderma are described from high-elevation montane forest on the Kon Tum and Langbian Plateaus in Vietnam, on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. Both new species are differentiated morphologically from their congeners by their small body size (Theloderma, and are distinct from all congeners sampled (uncorrected sequence divergences at the 16S rRNA gene of >8.5% for all Theloderma for which homologous 16S rRNA sequences are available). The new species are differentiated from each other by dorsal pattern, extent of dorsal asperities, and by mitochondrial DNA.

Importance of genetic data in resolving cryptic species: A century old problem of understanding the distribution of Minervarya syhadrensis Annandale 1919, (Anura: Dicroglossidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4869 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-492
Author(s):  
SAMADHAN PHUGE ◽  
AJINKYA BHARATRAJ PATIL ◽  
RADHAKRISHNA PANDIT ◽  
NIRMAL U KULKARNI ◽  
B.H. CHENNAKESHAVAMURTHY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
Dominant Frequency ◽  
Dorsal Side ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Type Specimens

Frogs of the genus Minervarya are cryptic and widely distributed in South Asia. However, many of them lack information about the precise type locality, genetic data, and distribution range. The present study aimed to examine the genetic affinities of a widely distributed species Minervarya syhadrensis around its type locality in the northern Western Ghats (Pune, Maharashtra). We studied the type specimen of M. syhadrensis and collected similar sized Minervarya frogs from Pune district. In the field, we observed two different calls from morphologically similar (M. syhadrensis like) males suggesting the sympatric occurrence of two cryptic species (that we initially named Minervarya species A and Minervarya species B). We analyzed morphology, call pattern, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequence of both species. Minervarya species A has a long call with a low pulse repetition rate and higher dominant frequency compared to that of the Minervarya species B. These species cannot be differentiated based on morphometric data. However, they can be sorted out using morphological characters such as the presence of longitudinal skin folds on the dorsal side (Minervarya species A) and differences in foot webbing. DNA sequences of Minervarya species A and Minervarya species B are matching with those of M. caperata and M. agricola respectively. After studying the type specimens of M. syhadrensis and M. caperata, we found morphological similarities (longitudinal skin folds) with the samples of Minervarya species A collected during the present study. Based on the results of our study (morphology and genetic) and available literature, we propose to redefine M. syhadrensis as applying to the lineage initially named Minervarya species A, and to treat the species M. caperata as a junior synonym of M. syhadrensis. Our study will be helpful in further taxonomic revision of the genus, and provides natural history information for M. syhadrensis and M. agricola.  

Towards completion of the species inventory of small-sized leaf-tailed geckos: two new species of Uroplatus from northern Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4895 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-271
Author(s):  
FANOMEZANA M. RATSOAVINA ◽  
FRANK GLAW ◽  
ACHILLE P. RASELIMANANA ◽  
ANDOLALAO RAKOTOARISON ◽  
DAVID R. VIEITES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Pairwise Distance ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Area Network ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
The North ◽  
Two New Species

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. 

Cyanea capillata is not a cosmopolitan jellyfish: morphological and molecular evidence for C. annaskala and C. rosea (Scyphozoa:Semaeostomeae:Cyaneidae) in south-eastern Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael N. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Sequence Difference ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The taxonomic status of the lion’s mane jellyfish, Cyanea, of south-eastern Australia has been unsettled since 1884 when medusae from Port Jackson were described as a new variety of C. annaskala von Lendenfeld rather than assigned to C. rosea Quoy & Gaimard described previously from the same location. Cyanea annaskala was later combined with C. mullerianthe Haacke then synonymised with C. capillata (Linnaeus), which is now considered a circumglobal species, before being resurrected as a subspecies, C. capillata annaskala, in 1986. Here I demonstrate that Cyanea in southern New South Wales and Cyanea in Tasmania and Victoria constitute two distinct morphological groups separated by >10% sequence difference in both cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and internal transcribed spacer 1. Moreover, these clades are molecularly distinct (>6%) from C. capillata collected in its North Sea type locality. Analyses of medusae from another type locality, Port Philip Bay, Victoria, demonstrate that Cyanea annaskala von Lendenfeld is a valid species. Cyanea rosea is tentatively resurrected for medusae from New South Wales, pending confirmation by analyses of medusae from the vicinity of Sydney. Assigning other south-eastern Australian Cyanea specimens from museum collections to species is difficult in the absence of molecular analyses because biogeographic and morphological inferences sometimes conflict. Integrative molecular and morphological analyses of medusae from type localities may offer the most robust approach to straightening out the often convoluted systematics of scyphomedusae.

A New Species of Vietnamophryne with an Extended Description of Vietnamophryne orlovi

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 355-368
Author(s):  
Thanh Vinh Nguyen ◽  
Chung Van Hoang ◽  
Jiang Jianping ◽  
Nikolai L. Orlov ◽  
Hoa Thi Ninh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Ecological Specialization ◽  
Single Male ◽  
Northern Vietnam ◽  
A New Species

We describe Vietnamophryne cuongi sp. nov., a new species of microhylid frog from northern Vietnam, based on morphological and molecular differences. Although superficially similar to remaining Vietnamophryne members, the new species differs by a number of diagnostic morphological characters, such as body size, habitus, head dimensions, finger and toe morphology, skin texture, as well as colour pattern. Phylogenetic analyses based on a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S gene place the new species to be sister to V. orlovi, from which it differed by 2.4% genetic divergence. We also describe the first female known of V. orlovi, collected in the forest of Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province. The latter species, for which we provide an extended description herein, was recently described based on the single male type specimen only from the same site in northern Vietnam. Vietnamophryne cuongi sp. nov. is only known from three specimens, two adult females and a juvenile, from the evergreen tropical forest of Ba Vi National Park, Hanoi. As such, it is likely to be at high risk of habitat loss. Considering its high ecological specialization and the small known distribution range of the new species, we propose Endangered as IUCN Red List status.

scholarly journals Sematophyllum rheophyticum (Bryopsida, Sematophyllaceae), a new rheophytic species from Rwanda

Bothalia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. Buck ◽  
Terry A.J. Hedderson
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Albertine Rift ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Anatomical Characters ◽  
A New Species

Background: Sematophyllum is a pantropical genus of approximately 170 species. The genus has never been revised on a global scale and is poorly known in many areas of the world. This is perhaps especially true in Africa where 60 accepted species are recorded, many seemingly endemic to the eastern and central tropical areas. Further taxonomic work will enable better understanding of the genus, its biogeography and regional patterns of plant diversity; help guide conservation efforts; and facilitate a broader understanding of the evolution of the Afrotropical flora.Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe a new species of Sematophyllum from Rwanda, part of the mega-diverse Albertine Rift system.Methods: Light microscopy was used to compare anatomical and morphological details of the putative new species with specimens of other members of the genus with which it could potentially be conspecific.Results: Sematophyllum rheophyticum W.R. Buck Hedd. was described as new and is currently known only from the type locality at Gisakura, Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. It is distinguishable from all congeners by a unique combination of characters including the concave, abruptly acuminate leaves, the alar areolation and the rheophytic habitat.Conclusion: Sematophyllum rdicum is a new species, defined by a combination of several anatomical characters, known currently only from the type locality. Furthermore, it is one of only a few species in the genus that occurs in rheophytic habitats. Its phylogenetic relationships are obscure and will probably need to be evaluated with molecular evidence.

Eucalyptus deuaensis (Myrtaceae), a new species of Mallee Stringybark from Deua National Park, South-eastern NSW.

Brunonia ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
DJ Boland ◽  
PM Gilmour ◽  
JJ Brophy
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Position ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Oil Composition ◽  
Seedling Morphology ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
A New Species

A new species, Eucalyptus deuaensis Boland & Gilmour, is described. Its taxonomic position is in subgenus Monocalyptus, section Renantheria, series Capitellatae, following the informal classification of Pryor and Johnson (1971). The species is somewhat unusual in that it is a gum-barked 'Stringybark', i.e. its fruit and seedling morphology conform with those species normally having their trunks clothed with Stringybark. E. deuaensis is known only from the type locality, near Mongamulla Moun- tain, where the population extends over several hectares on steep rhyolitic cliffs. Analyses of the oil composition of the adult leaves were not definitive for the species, but suggested similarities with other stringbark species. The ecology, distribution, taxonomic affinities and conservation status are discussed.

Current distribution of Nilgiri grass yellow Eurema nilgiriensis Yata (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), with an updated taxonomic key to Eurema of Western Ghats, India

ENTOMON ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Sujitha ◽  
G. Prasad ◽  
R. Nitin ◽  
Dipendra Nath Basu ◽  
Krushnamegh Kunte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Distribution ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Original Description ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Field Identification ◽  
Wing Patterns ◽  
Southern Western Ghats ◽  
The Nilgiris

Eurema nilgiriensis Yata, 1990, the Nilgiri grass yellow, was described from Nilgiris in southern India. There are not many published records of this species since its original description, and it was presumed to be a high-elevation endemic species restricted to its type locality. Based on the external morphology (wing patterns) as well as the male genitalia, the first confirmed records of the species from Agasthyamalais and Kodagu in the southern Western Ghats, is provided here. This report is a significant range extension for the species outside the Nilgiris, its type locality. Ecological data pertaining to this species as well as the field identification key to all known Eurema of Western Ghats are also presented.

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