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Rakotoarison, Scherz, Bletz, et al., 2019.
SALAMANDRA. 55(2)
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Abstract
Stump-toed frogs (genus Stumpffia Boettger, 1881) are a diverse group of small-bodied frogs endemic to Madagascar. Seven species of this genus occur on Marojejy, a steep massif in northeastern Madagascar. Here we examine the elevational distribution, phylogenetic position, biogeographic origin, and genetic differentiation of this Stumpffia assemblage. We show that none of these species is another’s closest relative, but rather they are all independent lineages that probably colonised the Marojejy Massif through repeated immigration events. All of the lineages on Marojejy are most closely related to species south and southwest of the massif, except one lineage, formerly known as Stumpffia sp. Ca07, but here assigned to S. sorata as a deep conspecific lineage (and referred to as S. cf. sorata), which occurs also in Sorata, 90 km north of Marojejy. The species on Marojejy are typically restricted to narrow elevational ranges, but at least two species, S. cf. sorata and S. tridactyla, occur over elevations spanning 1000 metres. We assessed the genetic variability of these populations, and found considerable haplotype separation in fragments of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and nuclear Rag-1 genes, suggesting some disruption of gene flow associated with elevation. We discuss the biogeographic implications of our findings and, based on previously published data, the evolution of non-overlapping bioacoustic parameters among the diverse assemblage of Stumpffia species on the Marojejy massif.
Key words. Amphibia, Anura, Stumpffia sorata, Stumpffia sp. Ca07, Stumpffia tridactyla, candidate species, deep conspecific lineage.
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| Figure 3. Schematic graph showing known elevational distribution of species of Stumpffia on the Marojejy Massif, along with photos of the habitat at various elevations and the elevational profile of the track up the Marojejy summit, with the collection sites mentioned in the text and Supplementary materials. |
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| Figure 2. Stumpffia species occurring in Marojejy National Park: (a) Stumpffia sp. Ca7 (here considered as S. cf. sorata: ZSM 555/2016 (ZCMV 15182); (b) Stumpffia roseifemoralis, ZSM 529/2016 (ZCMV 15172); (c) Stumpffia grandis (not assigned to voucher specimen); (d) Stumpffia diutissima, ZSM 547/2016 (ZCMV 15117); (e) Stumpffia sp. Ca11, ZSM 551/2016 (ZCMV 15214); (f) Stumpffia cf. sorata, ZSM 544/2016 (ZCMV 15181); (g) Stumpffia tridactyla (specimen collected, but specimen number uncertain); (h) Stumpffia achillei, ZSM 536/2016 (ZCMV 15149). |
Andolalao Rakotoarison, Mark D. Scherz, Molly C. Bletz, Jary H. Razafindraibe, Frank Glaw and Miguel Vences. 2019. Diversity, Elevational Variation, and Phylogeographic Origin of Stump-toed Frogs (Microhylidae: Cophylinae: Stumpffia) on the Marojejy Massif, northern Madagascar. SALAMANDRA. 55(2); 115-123.
salamandra-journal.com/index.php/home/contents/2019-vol-55/1936-rakotoarison-a-m-d-scherz-m-c-bletz-j-h-razafindraibe-f-glaw-m-vences/file twitter.com/MarkScherz/status/1128586903786274816
