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

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.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Two new Poyntonophrynus species (Anura: Bufonidae) highlight the importance of Angolan centers of endemism

Abstract The pygmy toad genus Poyntonophrynus is endemic to southern Africa. The morphology of these small toads is conserved. They are usually dully colored, and are predominately adapted to arid conditions. During recent surveys in Angola we found Poyntonophrynus specimens that were not assignable to known species. Using an integrative approach, based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, morphology, osteology, biogeography and ecology, we identified three new lineages, and describe two of them as new species. All three lineages are closely related to P. pachnodes, an Angolan endemic species, but they are geographically isolated from it. The new species are morphologically distinguishable, and are associated with two of the most important Angolan centers of endemism: the western escarpment and the central highlands. In order to get a more comprehensive understanding of the osteology of the genus, we also provide an osteological characterization of P. dombensis, which was not available to date. Our findings i) increase the number of earless species in the genus Poyntonophrynus, ii) emphasize southwestern Africa as the cradle of diversification in this genus, iii) report the occurrence of Poyntonophrynus in humid environments, thus showing that these toads are ecologically more variable than previously thought, and iv) underline the importance of further biodiversity studies in Angolan centers of endemism

Extending the known distribution of Nicosia’s chameleon, Furcifer nicosiai Jesu, Mattioli & Schimmenti, 1999 (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae)

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Another step through the crux: a new microendemic rock-dwelling Paroedura (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from south-central Madagascar

Using an integrative taxonomic approach including genetic and morphological data, we formally describe a new microendemic gecko species belonging to the Paroedura bastardi clade, previously referred to as P. bastardi D. We name this taxon currently known from Anja Reserve and Tsaranoro Valley Forest (south-central Madagascar), as P. manongavato sp. nov. The new species differs from other species of the P. bastardi clade by ≥ 12.4% uncorrected p-distance at the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and it forms a monophyletic group in the COI mtDNA phylogenetic tree. It lacks haplotype sharing at the nuclear KIAA1239 and CMOS genes with the other species of the same complex, including the syntopic P. rennerae. Given its limited extent of occurrence and high levels of habitat fragmentation linked to forest clearances and fires, we propose the IUCN Red List Category of Critically Endangered, based on the B1ab(iii) criterion. The conservation value of Anja Reserve and Tsaranoro Valley Forest is remarkable. Preserving the remaining deciduous forest habitat is of paramount importance to protect these narrow-range reptile species

Doñana. Acta vertebrata. vol 12(1)

Contribución a la biometría y biología de la Bermejuela Rutilus arcasii (Steindch., 1866) del embalse de PinillaSistemática de iguanidae, sensu lato y de anolinae en Cuba (Repitilia, sauria)Nueva subespecie de Anolis isolepis (Lacertilia: Iguanidae) para CubaAlimentación del ratonero común (Buteo buteo,L. 1758) en el norte de España.Censo y datos sobre la biología del Halcón de Eleonor (Falco eleonorae Gené, 1839) en las Islas Canarias. Agosto-septiembre 1983Selección de hábitat en un grupo de aves forestales del norte de la Península Ibérica:Importancia de la estructura de la vegetación y competencia interespecíficaThe intersexual differentiation in the foraging behaviour of Oenanthe hispanica L. during the breeding seasonEtograma de Gazella dorcasAlgunos datos sobre el crecimiento y las dimorfometrías sexuales del esqueleto postcraneal de Mus spretus Lataste, 1883 (Rodentia: muridaeDistribución y taxonomía de Molossops temminckii (Chiroptera, Molossidae) en Venezuela.Estudio de una población rural de ratones (Mus musculus L.) II. Análisis comparativo de once estimadores del tamaño poblacional.Distribución de Hyla arborea L. (AMPHIBIA, ANURA, HYLIDAE) en el macizo ibérico septentrionaPresencia y nidificación de gavilán (Accipiter nisus granti Sharpe 1890) en la isla de el Hierro.Autumn food of the ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus Montin, 17776 in the spanish central pyreneesPollo atípico en nido de Hirundo rustica.Primera cita del chorlito social (Vanellus gragarius) en las marismas del GuadalquivirPeer reviewe

Contribución a la biometría y biología de la Bermejuela Rutilis arcasii; (Steindch., 1866) del embalse de Pinilla

15 páginas, 4 figuras y 6 tablesLa falta de información sobre los aspectos básicos de la biología de los ciprínidos hispánicos, nos ha llevado a publicar este trabajo cuyo fin principal es describir la biometría, el crecimiento y la alimentación de las Bermejuelas Rutilus arcasii del embalse de Pinilla (río Lozoya, cuenca del Tajo). Este es, además, parte de un est.udio más general sobre la biología de las especies que componen la comunidad ictiológica de dicho embalse, sobre la que ya hemos publicado algunos resultados (LOBÓN-CERVIÁ y ELVIRA 1981, L TORRES 1983). BANARESCU et al. (1971) consideran que las poblaciones hispánicas de esta especie, no son más que una forma geográfica de la Bermejuela del Adriático y por ello, las denominan Rutilus rubilio arcasii (Bon., 1837). Por nuestra parte, aceptamos la propuesta de LOZANO-REY (1935), corroborada por COLLARES-PEREIRA (1979), en la que se considera a estas poblaciones como una especie con entidad propia Rutilus arcasii endémica de la Península hispánica y que se distribuye, según DOADRIO y ELVIRA (1981) por las cuencas de los ríos Duero, Tajo, Guadiana, Ebro, Mijares, Palencia, Serpis y Júcar, estando representada en Galicia desde el Miño hasta el Ulla, faltando en el resto de la vertiente norte de la Cordillera Cantábrica.Los autores están en deuda con Rosendo Garcia gracias al que, sin duda, pudo hacerse este trahajo. Gracias también a Cecilia Montañés que corrigió el manuscrito y a los más de 400 ejemplares de R. arcasii que murieron para que hoy sepamos algo más sobre ellos. Sin la paciencia de Reyes Alonso el trabajo no habría visto la luz.Peer reviewe

A new species of the Piona Nodata Complex (Acari, Parasitengona; Hydrachnidia) from the Iberian Peninsula

Knowledge of the clade Hydrachnidia (Acari, Parasitengona) has increades greatly in recent years due ti the diligence os a small number of dedicated taxonomists. Their efforts have not only resulted in the description of many new taxa but also have shown the great variability of previously described species, such as those belonging to the so called Piona nodata (Müller, 1776) (Pionidae) complex. This complex previously included several subspecies (for a detailed treatment, see Lundblad, 1962) that have, more recently, been raised to the species level (for recent literature, see Smit el al., 2015; Gerecke el al., 2016; and Tuzovskij, 2017). in this work, we describe a new species of the Piona nodata complex on the basis of morphological diagnostic characters discerned from both male and female specimens. The analyzed specimens are morphologically similar to species within the complex yet noticeably depart from the species currently known variability limits with clear identifiable diagnostic characters.Peer reviewe

Taxonomical review of Prosymna angolensis Boulenger, 1915 (Elapoidea, Prosymnidae) with the description of two new species

African Shovel-snout snakes (Prosymna Gray, 1849) are small, semi-fossorial snakes with a unique compressed and beak-like snout. Prosymna occur mainly in the savanna of sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 16 currently recognised species, four occur in Angola: Prosymna ambigua Bocage, 1873, P. angolensis Boulenger, 1915, P. frontalis (Peters, 1867), and P. visseri FitzSimons, 1959. The taxonomical status and evolutionary relationships of P. angolensis have never been assessed due to the lack of genetic material. This species is known to occur from western Angola southwards to Namibia, and eastwards to Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The species shows considerable variation in dorsal colouration across its range, and with the lower ventral scales count, an ‘eastern race’ was suggested. In recent years, Prosymna material from different parts of Angola has been collected, and with phylogenetic analysis and High Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography, the taxonomic status of these populations can be reviewed. Strong phylogenetic evidence was found to include the angolensis subgroup as part of the larger sundevalli group, and the existence of three phylogenetic lineages within the angolensis subgroup were identified, which each exhibit clear morphological and colouration differences. One of these lineages is assigned to the nominotypical P. angolensis and the other two described as new species, one of which corroborates the distinct eastern population previously detected. These results reinforce that a considerable part of Angolan herpetological diversity is still to be described and the need for further studies

A new species of feather-tailed leaf-toed gecko, Kolekanos Heinicke, Daza, Greenbaum, Jackman, Bauer, 2014 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from the poorly explored savannah of western Angola

We here describe a new species of feather-tailed leaf-toed gecko, Kolekanos, from southern Benguela Province, Angola, based on morphological and osteological evidence, supported by phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial data. The new species adds to the rapidly growing and newly-recognised endemic biodiversity of Angola, doubling the number of Kolekanos species, breaking the pattern observed within other closely-related African members of a clade of circum-Indian Ocean leaf-toed geckos – Ramigekko, Cryptactites and Afrogecko – all of which are presently monotypic. The new species is easily distinguished from K. plumicaudus, based on spine-like (as opposed to feather-like) scales on the margins of the original tail. Phylogenetic analyses also recovered the new taxon as monophyletic, with a well-supported sister relationship to K. plumicaudus, from which it differs by a substantial 24.1% NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 2 mitochondrial gene uncorrected p-distance

A new species of green-eyed Cordylus Laurenti, 1768 from the west-central highlands of Angola, and the rediscovery of Cordylus angolensis (Bocage, 1895) (Squamata: Cordylidae)

Cordylus angolensis (Bocage, 1895) was described 128 years ago on the basis of a single specimen collected at Caconda in the west-central highlands of Angola. Additional specimens referred to this species were collected at ‘Mombolo’ (also in the central highlands) during the Vernay Angola Expedition in 1925. As the holotype was apparently destroyed in the fire of 1978 at the Museu Bocage in Lisbon and no additional specimens have been collected, its taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships has remained uncertain. The species has eluded all efforts aimed at its re-discovery in the vicinity of the type locality, with a single specimen from near Condé, north of Mombolo—collected in 1970 by Wulf Haacke—the only other specimen of Cordylus known from west-central Angola. Recent field work in the Angolan highlands resulted in the collection of a series of specimens from Taqueta Mountain (west of Caconda), Monte Verde (Sandula, ‘Mombolo’) and Uassamba (Vondo). A phylogenetic analysis, using three mitochondrial and six nuclear genes, indicated the existence of two distinct species-level lineages in the Angolan highlands. These two species are allopatric and morphologically distinct, differing especially in terms of their colour patterns, eye colour and certain scalation characteristics. We therefore confirm that C. angolensis is a valid species and designate a neotype, and describe a new species, Cordylus momboloensis sp. nov