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| Paroedura manongavato Piccoli, Belluardo, Lobón-Rovira, Alves, Rasoazanany, Andreone, Rosa & Crottini, 2023 Photographs by Javier Lobón-Rovira. |
Abstract
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 Paroedura 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.
Key words: Anja Reserve, dry-deciduous forests, Haute Matsiatra, integrative taxonomy, Tsaranoro Valley
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| A Panoramic view of Anja Reserve, south of the city of Ambalavao (Fianarantsoa Province) B distribution of the different species within the P. bastardi clade, updated from Miralles et al. (2021) by adding Itremo for P. ibityensis (FGMV 2001-D37) and Ianakafy for P. guibeae (FMNH 73059). The exact geographic position of Ampanihy remains uncertain. Species symbol colours match the colours of the phylogenetic trees and haplotype networks. Black rectangles highlight localities with sympatric lineages. The map shows the remaining primary vegetation of Madagascar (https://kew.iro.bl.uk/): evergreen humid forest (green), deciduous dry forest (red), spiny arid forest (orange), tapia forest (yellow), western sub-humid forest (blue), mangroves (purple), cultivation (pink) and south western coastal bushland (grey) C satellite image with new records of P. rennerae and Paroedura manongavato sp. nov. in the area south of Ambalavao. Map data 2022 (C) Google. Photographs by Javier Lobón-Rovira. |
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| Dorsal or dorsolateral views, and colourations in life of juveniles and adults of Paroedura rennerae and Paroedura manongavato sp. nov. A dorsal or dorsolateral view of P. rennerae from Ambatomainty (male, ACP5020; female, ACP5021; juvenile, ACP5022), from Anja (female, ACP4723), from Sakaviro (juvenile, ACP4959; female, ACP4960) and from Tsaranoro (ACP4975, ACP4978, both undetermined); dorsolateral view of P. manongavato sp. nov. from Anja (undetermined, ACP4725; juvenile, ACP4991) and from Tsaranoro (female, ACP4998) B dorsal colouration of P. rennerae (male, ACP4722) from Anja Reserve C dorsal colouration of Paroedura manongavato sp. nov. (male, ACP5940) from Anja Reserve. Note the overall less spiky aspect of P. manongavato sp. nov. and the less contrasted ochre markings on dorsum, representing the two diagnostic characters that more likely help to discriminate between these two species when occurring in sympatry. Photographs by Javier Lobón-Rovira. |
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| Living holotype of Paroedura manongavato sp. nov. (ZSM 9/2023, ACZCV 0300), from Anja Reserve, photographed at night on the reserve boulders A dorsolateral view of the individual B dorsal view of the individual with detail on the original tail C detail of the head. Photographs by Angelica Crottini. |
Paroedura manongavato sp. nov.
Remarks: This species was previously referred to as Paroedura bastardi D by Miralles et al. (2021) and Paroedura sp. aff. bastardi Lineage D UCS by Belluardo et al. (2021). A single individual (ZCMV 12790) collected at Anja Reserve was molecularly examined in Miralles et al. (2021). Further samples have been analysed in Belluardo et al. (2021), which contributed to extend the species distribution to Tsaranoro Valley (ca. 25 km south of Anja Reserve).
Diagnosis:
Paroedura manongavato sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other species in the Paroedura genus by the presence of three broad light crossbands on the dorsum in juveniles (the first one between forelimbs, the second one at mid-body and the third one between hind limbs) versus four light crossbands in all other species, with exception of the members of the P. bastardi clade and P. oviceps. Juvenile colouration in P. vahiny is not known. It can be distinguished from P. gracilis by absence (versus presence) of a white tip on the original tail, absence (versus presence) of a raised vertebral ridge on the dorsum and shorter forelimbs, which do not extend forward beyond tip of snout (versus exceeding the snout); from P. masobe by smaller (versus distinctively large) eyes and absence (versus presence) of a dorsal row of paired spines on the original tail; from P. fasciata, P. homalorhina, P. hordiesi, P. vahiny and P. spelaea by the presence of spines on the original tail (versus absence); from P. gracilis, P. homalorhina, P. kloki, P. maingoka, P. masobe, P. oviceps (from its type locality Nosy Be), P. picta, P. spelaea, most P. tanjaka individuals and P. vahiny by the presence of prominent dorsal tubercles arranged in regular longitudinal rows (versus rather irregular rows of dorsal tubercles).
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Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition to the genus name, derived from the Malagasy words “manonga” (ma-noon-ga) meaning “to climb”, and “vato” (va-too) meaning “rock”, because the species dwells on large granitic boulders. Additionally, the name evokes rock climbing, as the area, especially around Tsaranoro, has many well-known sites for this sport.
Costanza Piccoli, Francesco Belluardo, Javier Lobón-Rovira, Ivo Oliveira Alves, Malalatiana Rasoazanany, Franco Andreone, Gonçalo M. Rosa and Angelica Crottini. 2023. Another Step through the Crux: A New microendemic Rock-dwelling Paroedura (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from south-central Madagascar. ZooKeys. 1181: 125-154. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.108134
