A new species of shrew tenrec (Microgale jobihely) from northern Madagascar

A new species of shrew tenrec in the genus Microgale is described from a series of 12 specimens taken on the south-western slopes of the Tsaratanana Massif in northern Madagascar and is named Microgale jobihely . This new species is distinguished from other named members of this endemic genus by a variety of mensural and discrete morphological characters. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial ND2 gene supports its recognition as a distinct species and suggests a sister relationship with the much more widespread Microgale cowani . Microgale jobihely appears to be the only member of this genus that is a very localized endemic, and a biogeographic scenario is presented to explain this observation. It is currently known from a small area of forest, outside of the protected areas system, that is faced with considerable anthropogenic pressure.     

Taxonomic Revision of Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus) in the Western Portions of Madagascar

The genus Microcebus (mouse lemurs) are the smallest extant primates. Until recently, they were considered to comprise two different species: Microcebus murinus, confined largely to dry forests on the western portion of Madagascar, and M. rufus, occurring in humid forest formations of eastern Madagascar. Specimens and recent field observations document rufous individuals in the west. However, the current taxonomy is entangled due to a lack of comparative material to quantify intrapopulation and intraspecific morphological variation. On the basis of recently collected specimens of Microcebus from 12 localities in portions of western Madagascar, from Ankarana in the north to Beza Mahafaly in the south, we present a revision using external, cranial, and dental characters. We recognize seven species of Microcebus from western Madagascar. We name and describe 3 spp., resurrect a previously synonymized species, and amend diagnoses for Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller, 1777), M. myoxinus Peters, 1852, and M. ravelobensis Zimmermann et al., 1998.     

519. Paralophia Epiphytica

Summary.  A new genus Paralophia ( Orchidaceae ) is established for two Madagascan species formerly assigned to Eulophia as E. epiphytica and E. palmicola . The history, taxonomy, habitat, conservation biology and cultivation of the recently described Paralophia epiphytica from Madagascar are discussed.     

THE BAOBABS OF MADAGASCAR

Summary. The genus Adansonia (Bombacaceae) is reviewed, with particular reference to those species native to Madagascar. Their taxonomy, distribution, habitat, pollination, fruit-animal interactions, seed dispersal and economic importance are discussed.     

The use of molecular and morphological characters to resolve the taxonomic identity of cryptic species: the case of Miniopterus manavi (Chiroptera, Miniopteridae)

Based on recent molecular phylogenetic studies, the Old World bat family Miniopteridae, composed of species in the genus Miniopterus , has been shown to contain complex paraphyletic species, many of which are cryptic based on convergent morphological characters. Herein we resolve the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of the species complex M . manavi on Madagascar and in the Comoro Archipelago, where these animals occur in different bioclimatic zones. First using mitochondrial cytochrome- b sequence data to define clades and then morphology to corroborate the molecular data, including comparisons to type specimens, we demonstrate that animals identified as this taxon are a minimum of three species: M . manavi sensu stricto occurs in at least the central portion of the Central Highlands; M . griveaudi has a broad distribution in lowland northern and central western Madagascar and the Comoros (Anjouan and Grande Comore), and M . aelleni sp. n. has been found in northern and western Madagascar and the Comoros (Anjouan). In each case, these three clades were genetically divergent and monophyletic and the taxa are diagnosable based on different external and craniodental characters. One aspect that helped to define the systematics of this group was isolation of DNA from one of the paratypes of M. manavi collected in 1896 and new topotypic material. Miniopterus manavi is most closely allied to a recently described species, M. petersoni . At several localities, M . griveaudi and M . aelleni have been found in strict sympatry, and together with M. manavi sensu stricto show considerable convergence in morphological characters, but are not immediate sister taxa. In defining and resolving the systematics of cryptic species, such as miniopterid bats, the process of defining clades with molecular tools, segregating the specimens accordingly, and identifying corroborative morphological characters has been notably efficient.     

The taxonomy, reproductive biology and economic potential of Parkia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) in Africa and Madagascar

The taxonomy, reproductive biology and economic potential of Parkia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) in Africa and Madagascar. Three species of the pantropical woody genus Parkia are recognized from continental Africa (including São Tomé), P. biglobosa, P. bicolor and P.filicoidea. A fourth species, P. madagascariensis , is confined to Madagascar. All have capitula of similar structure although details of shape vary. Relatives sharing this capitulum structure occur in the Far East and the Neotropics. Patterns of infraspecific variation are described for the mainland species. Parkia biglobosa shows clinal variation in several leaf characters and P. clappertoniana must be regarded as synonymous. Parkia bicolor shows geographical variation especially in capitulum shape and pod width, and P. filicoidea varies geographically in its pod morphology. The red, balllike capitula are pollinated by bats; other visitors include birds, insects and non-flying mammals. In P. biglobosa a proportion of the capitula is functionally male. The pods of the African species contain mealy pulp. Dispersal involves mammals, especially primates, and birds. Information on uses, chemical composition of the seeds and insect pests is summarized.     

The terrestrial isopods (Crustacea) of Aldabra

Among a collection of terrestrial isopods from Aldabra were 13 species, six of which are new: Littorophiloscia aldabrana, Philoscina insularis, Trichorhina triocellata, Nagurus kensleyi, Pseudodiploexochus cuspidatus and Venezillo pseudoparvus. Alloniscus pigmentatus Budde-Lund and Tura angusta Budde-Lund are re-described and figured. The taxonomy of six species of Alloniscus Dana from the Indian Ocean is discussed and Alloniscus nacreus Collinge from Madagascar is illustrated. The species Armadillo parvus Budde-Lund and Sphaerillo collaris Budde-Lund are transferred to the genus Venezillo Verhoeff. The distribution of all the species is given together with the composition of the oniscidean fauna of Aldabra.     

Species boundaries in Malagasy snakes of the genus Madagascarophis (Serpentes: Colubridae sensu lato) assessed by nuclear and mitochondrial markers

We studied mitochondrial divergence in 27 individuals of colubrid snakes of the genus Madagascarophis Mertens from most of its distribution area in Madagascar. Combined analyses of 16S rRNA and cytochrome b sequences identified six major clades which only partly agreed with previously proposed classifications. Analysis of nuclear DNA sequences of the c-mos gene as well as of ISSR fingerprints revealed consistent differences only among three clades which we consider as distinct species: a widespread Madagascarophis colubrinus (Schlegel), with M. citrinus (Boettger) as a junior synonym, a southern M. meridionalis Domergue, and a presumably undescribed species from the extreme north of Madagascar. The species M. ocellatus Domergue was not available for our study. Within M. colubrinus there are two populations from the north-west, each showing two divergent haplotypes with pairwise divergences of up to 5.2% in the cytochrome b gene. Maximum divergence in this gene within M. colubrinus was 7.1%. These high values emphasise that caution needs to be applied before genetic distance values are used for species delimitation. Phylogeographically, most of the genetic variation in M. colubrinus is found in northern Madagascar, indicating that the species might have originated in this region. Later one haplotype clade colonised western and eastern Madagascar, with a putative secondary introgression into north-western populations.     

Humicolous microcharmid scorpions: a new genus and species from Madagascar

A new genus and species of humicolous microcharmid scorpion are described on the basis of a single specimen collected in the Ankarana Reserve, Madagascar. New considerations regarding the taxonomy and morphology of micro-buthoid Malagasy scorpions are proposed, based mainly on the study of the peg-shaped sensillae of the pectines by scanning electron microscopy.     

Relationships of the MadagascarBignoniaceae: A striking case of convergent evolution

Most MadagascarBignoniaceae have indehiscent fruits and have been assigned to the tribeCrescentieae. As thus constituted, theCrescentieae are remarkably disjunct between Central America (and the West Indies) and Madagascar with a single monotypic genus also on continental Africa. This paper analyzes the evolutionary relationships of the MadagascarCrescentieae and concludes that they are descended from a different ancestral stock than the New WorldCrescentieae. A revised tribal taxonomy is proposed to reflect phylogenetic relationships withCrescentieae restricted to the neotropic species andColeeae resurrected for the indehiscent-fruited Madagascar species.     

A new species ofMesopropithecus (Primates,Palaeopropithecidae) from Northern Madagascar

We diagnose new subfossil specimens belonging to the extinct palaeopropithecid, Mesopropithecus,from several caves at the Ankarana massif in northern Madagascar. They include three partial crania with mandibles, and the first vertebrae, ribs, clavicle, pelvis, ulna, and hand and foot bones of Mesopropithecusever found. Several other postcranial elements are known for this northern variant of Mesopropithecusand for previously described species from central and southern Madagascar. The new materials cannot be accommodated in either currently recognized species of this genus and are,hereby, given the name Mesopropithecus dolichobrachion. M. dolichobrachionis the second new species of extinct subfossil lemur to be found in the caves of Ankarana. It is unlike the two previously described species of this genus primarily in its larger size, different limb proportions, and aspects of its long bone morphology. Most notable is the fact that this is the only species of Mesopropithecuswith the forelimb longer than the hind limb— hence the name, the “long-armed” Mesopropithecus.Various characteristics place M. dolichobrachionphenetically closest (of species belonging to Mesopropithecus)to Babakotia radofilai, Archaeoindris,and Palaeopropithecus.If these similarities are derived specializations rather than primitive for palaeopropithecids, a new generic name will be required.     

Redescription of four species of Mehdiella from Testudinidae, with a key to the species and discussion on the relationships among the species of this genus

Four species of the genus Mehdiella Seurat, 1918 are redescribed: M. cristata Petter, 1966 and M. stylosa dollfusi Petter, 1966, parasite of Pyxix arachnoides Bell, 1827 from Madagascar, M. s. stylosa (Thapar, 1925) and M. uncinata (Drasche, 1884), parasite of Testudo graeca Linneaus, 1758, Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789 and Testudo horsfieldii (Gray, 1844) from Palaearctic region. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed new informations on the morphology of these species. On the basis of this morphological study, the sub-species Mehdiella stylosa dollfusi and M. s. stylosa are raised to level of species. The position of Mehdiella cristata among the species of the genus Mehdiella and the relationships among the species of the genus Mehdiella are discussed. A key to the eight valid species Mehdiella is given.     

中国白蛉亚科数值分类研究（双翅目: 毛蠓科）

【目的】 对中国白蛉亚科（Phlebotominae）昆虫进行数值分类研究, 探索其在系统发育过程中的亲缘关系。【方法】 选取中国白蛉40个蛉种作为分类单元以及白蛉的68项形态特征为分类指标, 进行系统聚类分析。【结果】 聚类分析结果与传统属级及白蛉属Phlebotomus的亚属级分类一致。司蛉属Sergentomyia的亚属分类与传统分类有一些区别, 聚类分析将司蛉属分为8类, 其中尼克组nicnic group与司蛉亚属subgenus Sergentomyia和传统分类一致; 泉州司蛉S. quanzhouensis和唐氏司蛉S. tangi聚入帕蛉亚属subgenus Parrotomyia; 尹氏司蛉S. yini聚入新蛉亚属subgenus Neophlebotomus, 应氏司蛉S. iyengari、马来司蛉S. malayensis、吐鲁番司蛉S. turfanensis、兰州司蛉S. lanzhouensis和南京司蛉S. nankingensis聚为一类; 歌乐山司蛉S. koloshanensis、方亮司蛉S. fanglianensis和云南司蛉S. yunnanensis与尼克组nicnic group聚成一类, 此类群和此属中其他蛉种系统发育关系距离远。【结论】 中国白蛉亚科昆虫的聚类分析结果与传统分类基本一致, 验证了传统分类系统的可靠性, 并揭示了传统分类中一些蛉种不确定分类问题。司蛉属聚类分析结果与传统分类有差别, 提示有个别蛉种需重新考虑其分类地位。     

Integrative taxonomy reveals extreme morphological conservatism in sympatric Mugil species from the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic

The biodiversity crisis has had particularly harsh impacts on marine environments. However, there is still considerable uncertainty about how many species have been seriously impacted and the effectiveness of protection measures (e.g., marine protected areas or MPAs) due to high levels of cryptic species in many taxa. Here, we employ an integrative taxonomy approach to mullet species in the genus Mugil. In addition to its high economic value, this genus is notable for having diversified ~29 million years ago without marked morphological and ecological divergence. We obtained 129 specimens of Mugil from the Coral Coast MPA, the largest of its kind in the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic marine province. Although morphometric and meristic traits revealed six taxonomically recognized species, only five mitochondrial lineages were observed. All individuals morphologically identified as M. incilis belonged to the mitochondrial lineage of Mugil curema, which is consistent with misidentification of morphologically similar species and an overestimation of species diversity. Remarkably, Mugil species in our sample that diverged up to ~23 million years ago are also the most morphologically similar (M. curema and M. rubrioculus), suggesting extreme morphological conservatism, possibly driven by similarities in habitat use and life‐history traits. This study demonstrates the potential utility of integrative taxonomy (including DNA barcoding) for contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.     

Endemism and diversification in freshwater insects of Madagascar revealed by coalescent and phylogenetic analysis of museum and field collections

The biodiversity and endemism of Madagascar are among the most extraordinary and endangered in the world. This includes the island’s freshwater biodiversity, although detailed knowledge of the diversity, endemism, and biogeographic origin of freshwater invertebrates is lacking. The aquatic immature stages of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) are widely used as bio-indicators and form an important component of Malagasy freshwater biodiversity. Many species are thought to be microendemics, restricted to single river basins in forested areas, making them particularly sensitive to habitat reduction and degradation. The Heptageniidae are a globally diverse family of mayflies (>500 species) but remain practically unknown in Madagascar except for two species described in 1996. The standard approach to understanding their diversity, endemism, and origin would require extensive field sampling on several continents and years of taxonomic work followed by phylogenetic analysis. Here we circumvent this using museum collections and freshly collected individuals in a combined approach of DNA taxonomy and phylogeny. The coalescent-based GMYC analysis of DNA barcode data (mitochondrial COI) revealed 14 putative species on Madagascar, 70% of which were microendemics. A phylogenetic analysis that included African and Asian species and data from two mitochondrial and four nuclear loci indicated the Malagasy Heptageniidae are monophyletic and sister to African species. The genus Compsoneuria is shown to be paraphyletic and the genus Notonurus is reinstalled for African and Malagasy species previously placed in Compsoneuria. A molecular clock excluded a Gondwanan vicariance origin and instead favoured a more recent overseas colonization of Madagascar. The observed monophyly and high microendemism highlight their conservation importance and suggest the DNA-based approach can rapidly provide information on the diversity, endemism, and origin of freshwater biodiversity. Our results underline the important role that museum collections can play in molecular studies, especially in critically endangered biodiversity hotspots like Madagascar where entire species or populations may go extinct very quickly.     

First data on the molecular phylogeography of scincid lizards of the genus Mabuya

A 487-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced in 26 species of the circumtropical lizard genus Mabuya and used to analyze phylogenetic relationships within the genus. The species from Africa and Madagascar formed a monophyletic group relative to the included Asian and South American taxa. The Malagasy species included (M. elegans, M. cf. dumasi, and M. comorensis) did not appear as a monophylum. Combined and separate analysis of the 16S data and additional sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, ND4, and cytochrome b genes (a total of 2255 bp) in one Asian, two Malagasy, and two African species also did not result consistently in a monophyletic grouping of the Malagasy taxa. However, a monophylum containing African and Malagasy taxa was strongly supported by the combined analysis. These preliminary results indicate that Mabuya probably colonized Madagascar from Africa through the Mozambique Channel.     

The generic and species relationships of the reputed endemic Malagasy genus Pseudocossyphus (family Turdidae)

The generic and specific relationships of the Malagasy rock-thrushes, variously placed in the genus Monticola or as an endemic genus Pseudocossyphus, are examined using morphological and molecular characters. On the basis of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequence data it was concluded that all Malagasy rock-thrushes fall between Asian Monticola and a species group of Monticola occurring in numerous Old World areas. It is recommended that all Malagasy species be placed in the genus Monticola. Relationships between various named forms of Malagasy rock-thrushes indicate: M. imerinus is a distinct species, M. bensoni is a synonym of M. sharpei, the subspecies M. sharpei erythronotus should be elevated to a full species, and that no geographic forms of M. sharpei (including interioris and salomonseni) should be recognized on the basis of current evidence. These taxonomic conclusions have important implications for conservation projects currently underway on Madagascar.     

Taxonomy and biology of the supposedly lestobiotic ant genus Paedalgus (Hym.: Formicidae)

Abstract. The taxonomy and biology of the supposedly lestobiotic ant genus Paedalgus is reviewed. Ten species are recognized, from Sri Lanka and the Afro tropical region, of which six are described here as new: distinctus, octatus, pisinnus, rarus, robertsoni and saritus. The genus is defined and an identification key to species is provided. Evidence for and against a lestobiotic lifeway is discussed and what is known of the biology of the species is reviewed.     

Mallomonas madagascariensis, M. lemuriocellata and M. crocodilorum (Synurophyceae), three new species from Madagascar

Hansen, P. & Kristiansen, J. 1995. Mallomonas madagascariensis, M. lemuriocellata and M. crocodilorum (Synurophyceae), three new species from Madagascar. - Nord. J. Bot. 15: 215–223. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
Mallomonas madagascariensis, M. lemuriocellata and M. crocodilorum are described and illustrated with TEM micrographs as the first results of studies of silica-scaled chrysophytes made in Madagascar. Their taxonomical position within the genus Mallomonas (sect. Torquatae , ser. Mangoferae ) is discussed and morphological distinguishing characters are presented.