[Herpetology • 2026] Boophis samuelsabini • A New Species of Treefrog of the Boophis goudotii group (Anura: Mantellidae) from the isolated Ivohiboro Protected Area in south-eastern Madagascar

 

Boophis samuelsabini

Basham, Masotti, Jimenez, Razafitsimialona, Andrianatenaina, Rakotoarison, Glaw, Wright & Vences, 2026

 SALAMANDRA. 62(1); 

Abstract 

 We describe a new species of treefrog of the Boophis goudotii group from Ivohiboro, a sacred forest in the Southeast of Madagascar and recently established protected area. Based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, Boophis samuelsabini sp. n. is sister to the clade of B. madagascariensis and B. roseipalmatus but differs from these species by genetic distances of 4.8–6.3%. The new species has an advertisement call consisting of various note types similar to its closest relatives, B. madagascariensis and B. roseipalmatus, but is distinguished morphologically from them by smaller body size and presence of a pattern of reticulated dermal folds on the dorsum. This discovery highlights the poor state of exploration of remnant highland forests in the South East of Madagascar which can be expected to harbour additional microendemic species in need of conservation measures. 

Key words. Amphibia, Anura, Mantellidae, Boophis samuelsabini sp. n., Ivohiboro, microendemism

Specimens of Boophis samuelsabini sp. n. in life:
 (A) paratype UADBA-FGZC 12501; (B) individual MA013 (not collected); (C)  individual MA171 (not collected); (D) individual MA171 (not collected); (E) individual MA02 (not collected); (F) individual MA013 (not collected).

Dorsolateral views of three male paratypes, and dorsal and ventral views of one of these paratypes of Boophis samuelsabini sp. n. in life (specimens still uncatalogued and therefore here referenced with their field numbers; will be deposited in ZSM and UADBA).

Boophis samuelsabini sp. n.

 

Diagnosis: The new species differs from all described species in the B. goudotii group by strong genetic differentiation, with pairwise 16S divergence of 5.1–6.3% to all the other species of the group. It further differs from B. goudotii, B. obscurus and B. periegetes by presence of distinct dermal flaps on heels (vs. absence) and from B. goudotii, B. periegetes and syntopic B. obscurus by smaller body size (male SVL as far as known < 40 mm vs. > 50 mm; B. obscurus from some other sites, e.g. Isalo, are smaller but still > 42 mm); from B. axelmeyeri, B. boehmei, B. quasiboehmei, B. popi, and B. rufioculis by absence of red pigment in the iris (vs. presence), and furthermore from B. boehmei and B.  quasiboehmei by reticulated dorsum (vs. smooth) and larger body size (male SVL > 31 mm vs. ...

Etymology: The species name is a patronym honoring Samuel Sabin, son of Andrew Sabin, in recognition of the Sabin family’s support for research and conservation of Madagascar’s herpetofauna. Grammatically, the epithet is the genitive singular of a second-declension masculine noun.

Basham, E. W., M. D. Masotti, B. O. Jimenez, D. Razafitsimialona, G. M. Andrianatenaina, A. Rakotoarison, F. Glaw, P. C. Wright and M. Vences. 2026. New Species of Treefrog of the Boophis goudotii group from the isolated Ivohiboro Protected Area in south-eastern Madagascar. SALAMANDRA. 62(1); 42–52. 

[Herpetology • 2025] Spinomantis lakolosy & S. lavabato • Two New Species of the Spinomantis bertini species complex (Anura: Mantellidae) from south-eastern Madagascar

 

Spinomantis lakolosy

Spinomantis lavabato

Hutter, Andriampenomanana, Lambert & Vences, 2025  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.9.174833

Abstract

We scientifically name and describe two new species of spiny frog (Mantellidae: Spinomantis) from moderately high elevations in Ranomafana National Park, in south-east Madagascar. This region has been surveyed extensively and has a remarkably high anuran diversity with many undocumented species still being regularly discovered. We describe a previously identified candidate species, S. sp. Ca07, as Spinomantis lavabato sp. nov. and a previously undiscovered species from this region as Spinomantis lakolosy sp. nov.. The new species are morphologically cryptic within the S. bertini complex but can be recognized by a combination of subtle differences in coloration such as a lack or weak expression of sharp dorsolateral color border in both species. Bioacoustically, the new species are quite different from other species in the complex: Spinomantis lakolosy sp. nov. has the longest note duration with a powerful-sounding call that rings like a bell, which can be heard over the sound of rushing water in nearby streams; while S. lavabato sp. nov. differs by having the shortest note duration that is quiet and sounds like a trill. Furthermore, both species are substantially diverged in mitochondrial DNA, with pairwise distances in a fragment of the 16S rRNA marker of 7–9% to all other related species. Furthermore, we identify a lineage for future study in the complex from the nearby high-elevation site Andemaka within Ranomafana National Park that has an intermediate sounding advertisement call between the newly described species; although we cannot formally describe this lineage herein due to unavailability of voucher specimens, this lineage emphasizes the unexpectedly high diversity of sympatric species of the S. bertini complex in the Ranomafana area. Additionally, we identify another lineage from Ambahavala in the Anosy Chain with strong mitochondrial divergence for future study. Our findings also highlight the need for continued inventory work in high elevation rainforests of Madagascar, even in relatively well-studied regions such as Ranomafana National Park.

Key Words: Amphibia, Anura, new species, Ranomafana National Park, Spinomantis lakolosy, Spinomantis lavabato, taxonomy

Ex-situ dorsal-lateral, dorsal, and ventral photographs of (A) female Spinomantis lakolosy (paratype: KU340867, CRH 751; ventral side CRH 678) and (B) male specimen KU340884 (CRH 781) from the divergent population here provisionally assigned to S. lakolosy.

In-situ photographs of the habitat and microhabitat of Spinomantis lakolosy.
 The panels show: (A) the outskirts of the village of Miranony (blue circle) that leads to the primary forest habitat in the top right of the photograph (purple arrow); (B) within the primary forest habitat, the fast-flowing stream where S. lakolosy calls at night; (C) male paratype KU340868 (CRH 752) perched on a rock ledge alongside the stream; and (D) female paratype KU340867 (CRH 751) perched on a small branch alongside a rock ledge.

Spinomantis lakolosy sp. nov.

Spinomantis lavabato
Ex-situ dorsal-lateral, dorsal, and ventral photographs of (A) male (holotype: KU336975, JJW 2336) and (B) female (paratype: KU336978, CRH 118) in life.

Spinomantis lavabato sp. nov.  

 

 Carl R. Hutter, Zo F. Andriampenomanana, Shea M. Lambert and Miguel Vences. 2025. Two New Species of the Spinomantis bertini species complex (Mantellidae) from south-eastern Madagascar. Evolutionary Systematics. 9(2): 285-299. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.9.174833 [29 Dec 2025]

[Herpetology • 2025] Blaesodactylus ganzhorni • An Updated Survey of Molecular Diversity in Madagascar's Velvet Geckos, Genus Blaesodactylus (Gekkonidae), with Description of A New Species from the island’s arid West

 

Blaesodactylus ganzhorni 

 Vences, Miralles, Ineich, Rakotoarison, Glasenapp, Scherz, Köhler, Glaw & Raselimanana 2025 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5620.2.2

www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de

Photo: Miguel Vences

Abstract

Madagascar velvet geckos, genus Blaesodactylus, are classified in six species distributed over low-elevation sites across most of Madagascar. Based on DNA sequences of one mitochondrial and two nuclear-encoded gene fragments obtained from numerous newly collected tissue samples, we provide an updated review of their molecular variation. Our genetic screening confirms an extended distribution of B. ambonihazo, so far only known from its type locality Ankarafantsika, now reaching northwards to the Sahamalaza Peninsula. Compared to previously available molecular data, we also verify minor range extensions of B. boivini (southeastwards to Bezavona), B. antongilensis (northwards to the Marojejy Massif), and the B. sakalava complex. Samples assigned to B. sakalava according to current taxonomy fell into two mitochondrial sister lineages differing by about 8.5% pairwise distances in the 16S rRNA gene, lack of haplotype sharing in the nuclear-encoded CMOS gene, and various subtle but consistent differences in body proportions and scalation. We conclude that the lineage occurring in the South of Madagascar, encompassing known locations south of Morombe, corresponds to B. sakalava sensu stricto based on its type locality and morphological characters of its name-bearing type; and describe the lineage occurring in the West of Madagascar north of Morombe as a new species, Blaesodactylus ganzhorni sp. nov.

Squamata, Gekkonidae, Blaesodactylus sakalava, Blaesodactylus ganzhorni sp. nov., Blaesodactylus ambonihazo, Blaesodactylus boivini, distribution, taxonomy, Reptilia

Blaesodactylus ganzhorni sp. nov.

Miguel VENCES, Aurelien MIRALLES, Ivan INEICH, Andolalao RAKOTOARISON, Christian GLASENAPP, Mark D. SCHERZ, Jörn KÖHLER, Frank GLAW and Achille P. RASELIMANANA. 2025. An Updated Survey of Molecular Diversity in Madagascar's Velvet Geckos, Genus Blaesodactylus, with Description of A New Species from the island’s arid West. Zootaxa. 5620(2); 230-254. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5620.2.2 [2025-04-09]

Malagasy gecko species named after our former Prof Dr Jörg Ganzhorn

https://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/en/ueber-den-fachbereich/aktuelles/2025/0625-geckoart-ganzhorn.html

[Herpetology • 2019] Uroplatus finaritra • Finaritra! A Splendid New Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar

Uroplatus finaritra 

Ratsoavina, Raselimanana, Scherz, Rakotoarison, Razafindraibe, Glaw & Vences, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4545.4.7
 MarkScherz.com  twitter.com/MarkScherz  facebook.com/MDScherz

Abstract

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.

Key words: Squamata, Gekkonidae, Uroplatus ebenaui group, Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov., Marojejy, Madagascar

twitter.com/MarkScherz

Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov. from Marojejy National Park.

[probably paratype UADBA-R 70494 (APR 12692)]

Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov. 

Uroplatus sp. G—Raxworthy et al. (2008) 

Uroplatus sp. Ca9—Ratsoavina et al. (2013)

Etymology. Finaritra is a Malagasy word for special greetings but also means healthy and happy. We refer to our delight in describing this splendid and exceptionally large species from a clade of generally small-sized leaf-tailed geckos. The name is an invariable noun in apposition.

FIGURE 4. Subadult female specimens of Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov. (a–b) ZSM 458/2016 (MSZC 0271) and (c–d) UADBA-R 70501 (MSZC 0253)

 in (a, d) dorsolateral and (b–c) dorsal view.

 twitter.com/MarkScherz

 imgur.com/gallery/IkFWomQ

     

Fanomezana Mihaja Ratsoavina, Achille P. Raselimanana, Mark D. Scherz, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Jary H. Razafindraibe, Frank Glaw and Miguel Vences. 2019.  Finaritra! A Splendid New Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar. Zootaxa. 4545(4); 563–577. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4545.4.7
 twitter.com/MarkScherz/status/1087372566728196097

 twitter.com/MarkScherz/status/1087474856105570305
 facebook.com/MDScherz/posts/958183577638888
 researchgate.net/publication/330521299_A_splendid_new_leaf-tailed_gecko_Uroplatus_species_from_north-eastern_Madagascar

         

Resumé: Le massif de Marojejy au nord de Madagascar, représente constamment une source de surprises herpétologiques, avec la découverte d'une nouvelle espèce de gecko à queue plate. Les résultats des analyses phylogénétiques et morphologiques ont permis la description de Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov. Cette nouvelle espèce habite les forêts humides de basse altitude de Marojejy et est morphologiquement similaire à Uroplatus phantasticus. Néanmoins, elle diffère de cette dernière par un corps plus grand, une queue relativement plus courte et une pigmentation rouge foncée de la muqueuse buccale. Les données moléculaires révèlent une distance de 14,0 à 14,7% pour le gène 16S rRNA par rapport à U. phantasticus. Le partage d’haplotypes pour le gène nucléaire c-mos ne se présente qu’avec les espèces à queue beaucoup plus courte tel que U. kelirambo et deux autres espèces candidates non décrites. Vue la présence de plusieurs formes similaires de gecko A queue aplatie dans la partie nord de Madagascar, Uroplatus finaritra a probablement une distribution restreinte, étant recensée uniquement dans la zone de basse altitude du massif de Marojejy. Afin de réduire le risque de la commercialisation des espèces au niveau international sous des noms incorrects, il est suggéré que les espèces CITES exportées soient obligatoirement accompagnées d'informations concernant leur origine géographique précise à Madagascar. 

[Herpetology • 2017] Gephyromantis angano • A New Frog Species of the Subgenus Asperomantis (Anura, Mantellidae, Gephyromantis) from the Bealanana District of northern Madagascar

Gephyromantis (Asperomantis)  angano 

 Scherz, Vences, Borrell, Ball, Nomenjanahary, Parker, Rakotondratsima, Razafimandimby, Starnes, Rabearivony & Glaw, 2017

 DOI: 10.3897/zse.93.14906 

Abstract

A recent study on a group of rough-skinned Gephyromantis frogs from Madagascar (Anura: Mantellidae: Mantellinae) established a new subgenus, Asperomantis, with five described species and one undescribed candidate species. Based on newly collected material from the Bealanana District, we address the taxonomy of this candidate species, and reveal that it consists of two populations with low genetic and morphological divergence but considerable bioacoustic differences that are obvious to the human ear. As a result, we describe some of the specimens formerly assigned to Gephyromantis sp. Ca28 as Gephyromantis angano sp. n. and assign the remaining specimens from a locality between Bealanana and Antsohihy to a new Unconfirmed Candidate Species, G. sp. Ca29. Gephyromantis angano sp. n. is a small species that strongly resembles G. asper and G. ceratophrys, but it differs from these and all other Gephyromantis species by a unique, clinking advertisement call. The new species may be highly threatened by habitat fragmentation, but at present we recommend it be treated as Data Deficient until more data are available to assess its distribution. We discuss the curious relationship between G. angano sp. n. and G. sp. Ca29, which we suspect may represent a case of incipient speciation. We also identify two additional new Unconfirmed Candidate Species of Gephyromantis based on sequence data from other specimens collected during our surveys in the Bealanana District.

Key Words: Amphibia, Bioacoustics, Incipient speciation, Candidate species, Mantellinae

Figure 5. The holotype of Gephyromantis angano sp. n., ZSM 68/2016 (MSZC 0172) in life in
 (a) dorsal, (b) ventral, and (c) lateral view. Scale bars indicate 10 mm.

Gephyromantis (Asperomantis) angano sp. n.

Gephyromantis sp. Ca28 — Perl et al. (2014)

Diagnosis: A Gephyromantis species assigned to the subgenus Asperomantis based on the presence of small dermal spines on the elbow and heel, presence of inner and outer dorsal ridges as defined by Vences and Glaw (2001), Type 2 femoral glands sensu Glaw et al. (2000)Glaw et al. (2000), moderately enlarged finger and toe tips, absence of webbing between fingers, moderate webbing between toes, presence of paired blackish sub-gular vocal sacs in males, and a distinct whitish spot in the middle of the tympanic field (Vences et al. 2017). DNA sequence data from a fragment of the 16S gene supports this assignment. Gephyromantis angano sp. n. is characterized by the following suite of morphological characters: (1) adult SVL 29.1–30.5 mm, (2) TD/ED 0.61–0.71, (3) small supraocular spines, (4) large femoral glands consisting of numerous small granules, (5) moderately raised dorsal ridges, (6) granular dorsal skin, (7) relatively short hindlimbs (HIL/SVL 1.73–1.81 in males), and (7) its unique call (see above).

Within the subgenus Asperomantis, Gephyromantis angano sp. n. can be distinguished from G. ambohitra, G. spinifer, and G. tahotra by its smaller size (male SVL < 30 mm, vs. >31 mm, female SVL up to 30.5 mm vs. >32 mm); from G. spinifer by its less granular dorsal skin and smaller supraocular spines; from G. asper and G. ceratophrys by its generally shorter hindlimbs in males (HIL/SVL 1.73–1.81 vs. 1.77–2.11); and from G. ceratophrys by more granules per femoral gland (26–69 vs. 14–20). Bioacoustically, it is distinguished from all of these species by its call duration (41–98 ms vs. 5–44 ms in G. asper and G. ceratophrys, and 98–274 ms in G. ambohitra and G. tahotra), unpulsed calls (vs. pulsed in G. ambohitra and G. tahotra), calls repeated faster than in G. ceratophrys, and dominant frequency (3703–3875 Hz vs. 1435–3366 Hz in G. ambohitra, and G. tahotra).

Figure 6. Variation in Gephyromantis angano sp. n.
(a) UADBA-A uncatalogued (MSZC 0032), adult male (FGG = 69/56), (b) UADBA-A uncatalogued (MSZC 0053), juvenile, (c) ZSM 67/2016 (MSZC 0021), adult male (FGG = 30/26), (d) UADBA-A uncatalogued (MSZC 0091), adult male (FGG = 57/55), (e) Université d’Antsiranana uncatalogued (MSZC 0088), adult female (not in the type series), (f) ZSM 69/2016 (MSZC 0112), adult female. Insets show specimens in ventral view. Not to scale. 

Figure 7. Map of northern Madagascar indicating the known distribution of Asperomantis species. Colours correspond to species in Fig. 4. Three arc second SRTM basemap from Jarvis et al. (2008).

Etymology: Angano is a Malagasy word meaning ‘fable’. The new material for this species was collected on Expedition Angano, a research expedition to the Bealanana District of northern Madagascar to assess the impacts of forest fragmentation on the reptiles and amphibians. The epithet is used as an invariable noun in apposition to the genus name.

Natural history and distribution: One specimen of this species has been collected in Antsahan’i Ledy, and numerous specimens of this species were encountered during fieldwork on the Ampotsidy mountains (Fig. 7). Calling males were generally found in association with slow flowing water, in the case of the holotype at the source of a spring, in close syntopy with Boophis madagascariensis and a Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) species. Males called up to 1 m above the ground from fern fronds and other low foliage. Females were found both near to and away from water, during the day and at night, but were less commonly encountered. No eggs were observed, but highly ovigerous females were found in January (e.g. Fig. 6e). The call of the species is loud and carries over long distances, so that it can be heard alongside the calls of Boophis madagascariensis from well outside of some small forest fragments in the vicinity of Ampotsidy. In a small forest fragment where vouchers of Gephyromantis (Asperomantis) tahotra were collected (1368 m a.s.l.), G. angano sp. n. could also be heard; this appears to be the first ever record of any two Asperomantis species occurring in close syntopy (Vences et al. 2017).

 Mark D. Scherz, Miguel Vences, James Borrell, Lawrence Ball, Denise Herizo Nomenjanahary, Duncan Parker, Marius Rakotondratsima, Elidiot Razafimandimby, Thomas Starnes, Jeanneney Rabearivony, Frank Glaw. 2017. A New Frog Species of the Subgenus Asperomantis (Anura, Mantellidae, Gephyromantis) from the Bealanana District of northern Madagascar. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 93(2); 451-466.  DOI:  10.3897/zse.93.14906