A new Gephyromantis (Phylacomantis) frog species from the pinnacle karst of Bemaraha, western Madagascar

We describe a new mantellid frog of the subfamily Mantellinae from the karstic Bemaraha Plateau, western Madagascar. The new species belongs to the genus Gephyromantis, subgenus Phylacomantis, which previously included Gephyromantis azzurrae, Gephyromantis corvus and Gephyromantis pseudoasper. Gephyromantis atsingysp. n. has a snout-vent length of 35-43 mm and is a scansorial frog living among the Tsingy de Bemaraha pinnacles and inside the caves present in the area. A morphological analysis and biomolecular comparison revealed the degree of differentiation between these four species of the Phylacomantis subgenus.The new species seems to be endemic to Tsingy de Bemaraha.     

Characterization of 21 microsatellites developed from Propithecus deckeni deckeni

Decken's sifaka (Propithecus deckeni deckeni) is found between the Mahavavy and Manambolo Rivers, in western Madagascar. Twenty‐one polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci were isolated from genomic DNA derived from a P. d. deckeni, from Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Population genetic parameters were estimated on 10 individuals each, sampled from Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and Tsiombikibo Classified Forests. Significant null alleles were detected in seven loci which were dropped before population genetic parameters were re‐estimated and compared to the full marker suite.     

An analysis of bird communities in the Tsingy Forest of Madagascar's western domain

Ramanitra, N.A. 2000. An analysis of bird communities in the Tsingy Forest of Madagascar's western domain. Ostrich: 71 (1):51.

Composition of the bird communities at different habitats in the Tsingy Forest may be influenced by weather. The species, which occur in this region are important, but the presence of several eastern species was very surprising. Canyon and reservoirs of water in caves or between the rocks helped some species to survive the dry season. The mosaic habitat structure and steep slopes of the karst formation determined the distribution of birds, especially terrestrial species. The uneven furrowed rocky topography constitutes a barrier for human penetration and reduces anthropic pressure in this region. That is the reason Tsingy of Bemaraha is more protected than other natural reserves in the western domain of Madagascar.     

Then there were five: a reexamination of the ant genus Paratrechina (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

The ant genus Paratrechina is reexamined based on the discovery of two new species from Madagascar (P. ankarana sp. n. and P. antsingy sp. n.). Paratrechina kohli, a species known from central Africa, is transferred to Paratrechina from Prenolepis based on a new morphological interpretation of the genus and an updated morphological diagnosis of the genus is provided. This means that other than the widespread P. longicornis, whose origins remain uncertain, all Paratrechina are restricted either to the Afrotropical or Malagasy regions. It would also appear that of the five Paratrechina species now known, three are from dry forest habitats. With this reexamination of the genus, the possible origins of P. longicornis are discussed. A key to the genera of the Prenolepis genus-group is provided, as is a key to the workers of Paratrechina. In addition, we also designate a lectotype for Paratrechina kohli.     

The genus Opisthacanthus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Hormuridae), a remarkable Gondwanian group of scorpions

New comments are proposed on the geographic distribution of genus Opisthacanthus, and the Gondwanian model is further supported. The diversity of the genus is extraordinary in Madagascar, with the same number of species as in continental Africa, but sub-Saharan Africa is home to six out of the nine groups currently recognized of Opisthacanthus. Given the affinities of the Opisthacanthus groups and their current distribution, a center of origin in Africa could be favored for these ancient scorpions. The proposed Gondwana model suggests that the Madagascar Opisthacanthus are closer to those of the New World, which is consistent with the affinities observed in morphological characters. A new species, Opisthacanthus titanus sp. n., is described from the Torotorofotsy Forest, located in Eastern Madagascar. The new species shows affinities with both Opisthacanthus madagascariensis Kraepelin, 1894 known from dry regions in the western portion of the island and Opisthacanthus lavasoa Lourenço, Wilmé & Waeber, 2016 only known from the extreme southeast of the island. The new species and O. madagascariensis have similar external morphologies but the morphometric values are markedly distinct. Moreover, O. madagascariensis is exclusively found in spiny forest thickets and open woodlands, whereas the new species was found in the humid forest of Torotorofotsy. The total number of species in Madagascar is now raised to twelve. Biogeographical scenarios are also proposed to infer the origin of the Opisthacanthus and better understand its distribution in the New World, in Africa and Madagascar.     

Distribution and Morphological Variation of Microcebus spp. Along an Environmental Gradient in Southeastern Madagascar

The lemurs of Madagascar are known for their extraordinary levels of speciation. However, the mechanisms and environmental conditions that led to this diversity remain obscure. We used 3 species of Microcebus (M. griseorufus, M. murinus, M. rufus) occurring along an environmental gradient as a model to investigate 1) how the different species are distributed in relation to variation in environmental conditions and ecotones; 2) whether or not the morphology of a given species varies in relation to environmental conditions; and 3) whether or not there is evidence for morphological character displacement to reduce congeneric competition in sympatry vs. allopatry. The 3 species of Microcebus show clear associations with specific habitat types. Distributions overlap at ecotones. Nevertheless, the ecotone between dry spiny and gallery forest represents a species boundary between Microcebus griseorufus and M. murinus while the ecotone between dry spiny forest and evergreen humid forest represents the species boundary between M. murinus and M. rufus. Different ambient conditions are not reflected in changes in body measurements of Microcebus murinus living in different vegetation formations. There is no indication for character displacement in sympatry vs. allopatry. Thus, differences in body mass or other morphological characteristics do not contribute to species separation between Microcebus griseorufus and M. murinus. The results confirm the importance of ecotones as species boundaries as a condition postulated for the radiation of lemur and other species on Madagascar. They also demonstrate different habitat affinities of seemingly very similar lemur species and thus illustrate our very limited understanding of the actual selection pressures, adaptations of lemurs to their environments, and their possible response to interspecific competition.     

Taxonomy of the hyper-diverse ant genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Malagasy region (Hymenoptera,Formicidae, Myrmicinae) – first record of the T. setigerum species group and additions to the Malagasy species groups with an updated illustrated identification key

In this study we provide an update to the taxonomy of the ant genus Tetramorium Mayr in Madagascar. We report the first record of the Tetramorium setigerum species group in Madagascar and describe the only Malagasy representative as Tetramorium cavernicola sp. n., which is known only from a cave in Ankarana. In addition, we provide an overview of the 19 proposed Malagasy species groups, and discuss their zoogeography and relationships to other groups and larger lineages within the hyper-diverse genus Tetramorium. At present, we recognise a highly unique Malagasy Tetramorium fauna with 113 species endemic to the island of Madagascar out of a total of 125 translating into an endemism rate of 93%. We hypothesise that this fauna is based on one or a few colonisation events from the Afrotropical region, with subsequent adaptive radiation in Madagascar. Furthermore, we present an updated and illustrated identification key to the Tetramorium species groups in the Malagasy region.     

Characterization of 20 microsatellite marker loci in Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli)

The Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) is one of the species of Propithecus, living in the dry forest of northwest Madagascar. This species is endangered due to the loss and fragmentation of its natural habitat, consequential of deforestation. Twenty nuclear microsatellite loci were isolated from genomic DNA derived from a free ranging Coquerel's sifaka from the Mariarano Classified Forest, Madagascar. Population genetic parameters were estimated as baseline values from samples collected in that forest.     

The study of genetic diversity patterns of Coffea commersoniana, an endangered coffee species from Madagascar: a model for conservation of other littoral forest species

Madagascar has 59 described species of Coffea, of which 42 are listed as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable by the criteria of the Red List Category system of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The littoral forest of Madagascar is a distinctive type of humid evergreen forest restricted to unconsolidated sand located within a few kilometers of the Indian Ocean, now persisting only as small fragments with ca. 10 % of its original range remaining. In an attempt to understand the genetic diversity of Madagascan coffee species, we studied ex situ and in situ populations of Coffea commersoniana, an endemic species of the littoral forests of southeastern Madagascar and soon to be impacted by mining activities in that region. The in situ populations studied showed higher genetic diversity than the ex situ population. The genetic partitioning among the two in situ populations of C. commersoniana was high enough to necessitate keeping the two populations separate for restoration purposes. Based on these findings, recommendations for conservation management (in situ and ex situ) are made.     

A new tapeworm from Compsophis infralineatus (Pseudoxyrhophiidae), an endemic snake of Madagascar: Scratching the surface of undiscovered reptilian parasite diversity

A new species of proteocephalid cestodes, provisionally assigned to the polyphyletic genus Ophiotaenia La Rue, 1911 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae), is described from Compsophis infralineatus (Günther) (Serpentes: Pseudoxyrhophiidae) endemic to Madagascar. Ophiotaenia oreae n. sp. differs from all African and Asian species of Ophiotaenia by possessing more uterine diverticula (68–82 on one side). It is also characterised by the absence of an apical organ, the relative sizes of the cirrus-sac and ovary, the almost equatorial position of the gonopore, the diameter of the embryophore, and other biometric characteristics. Phylogenetic relationships of the new species indicate its relatedness to Indomalayan and Australasian proteocephalids from reptiles. Ophiotaenia oreae n. sp. formed a well-supported clade composed of species of Australophiotaenia de Chambrier, Beveridge and Scholz, 2018 from Australian snakes, Macrobothriotaenia ficta (Meggitt, 1931) from Xenopeltis unicolor Reinwardt in Boie from Vietnam, Ophiotaenia sp. from Trimeresurus flavomaculatus (Gray) from the Philippines, and Ophiotaenia bungari de Chambrier, Binh and Scholz, 2012 from Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider) from Vietnam. The only proteocephalid from Madagascan snakes sequenced so far, Ophiotaenia lapata Rambeloson, Ranaivoson and de Chambrier, 2012 from Madagascarophis colubrinus (Schlegel), does not form a monophyletic group with the new species. The actual species diversity of reptilian cestodes in Madagascar is undoubtedly underestimated. Because of the assumed strict (oioxenous) host specificity of reptilian proteocephalids and rich fauna of snakes occurring in Madagascar, it is plausible to expect the existence of dozens new species of proteocephalids on this island.     

The Use of an Invasive Species Habitat by a Small Folivorous Primate: Implications for Lemur Conservation in Madagascar

The lemurs of Madagascar are among the most threatened mammalian taxa in the world, with habitat loss due to shifting cultivation and timber harvest heavily contributing to their precarious state. Deforestation often leads to fragmentation, resulting in mixed-habitat matrices throughout a landscape where disturbed areas are prone to invasion by exotic plants. Our study site, the Mandena littoral forest (southeast Madagascar), is a matrix of littoral forest, littoral swamp, and Melaleuca swamp habitats. Here, Melaleuca quinquenervia has invaded the wetland ecosystem, creating a mono-dominant habitat that currently provides the only potential habitat corridor between forest fragments. We sought to understand the role of this invasive Melaleuca swamp on the behavioral ecology of a threatened, small-bodied folivore, the southern bamboo lemur (Hapalemur meridionalis). We collected botanical and behavioral data on four groups of H. meridionalis between January and December 2013. Our results confirm Melaleuca swamp as an important part of their home range: while lemurs seasonally limited activities to certain habitats, all groups were capable of utilizing this invasive habitat for feeding and resting. Furthermore, the fact that Hapalemur use an invasive plant species as a dispersal corridor increases our knowledge of their ecological flexibility, and may be useful in the conservation management of remaining threatened populations.     

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.     

Phylogeography in Response to Reproductive Strategies and Ecogeographic Isolation in Ant Species on Madagascar: Genus Mystrium (Formicidae: Amblyoponinae)

The bulk of models used to understand the species diversification on Madagascar have been constructed using vertebrate taxa. It is not clear how these models affect less vagile species that may interact at a variety of spatial scales. Several studies on vertebrates have divided Madagascar into east-west bioclimatic regions, suggesting there is a fundamental division between eastern wet-adapted and western dry-adapted taxa. An alternative model of ecogeographic constraints shows a north-south division. We test whether the diversification in a small arthropod with variable degrees of dispersal conform to either model of ecogeographic constraints proposed for vertebrate taxa. We employ a molecular taxonomic dataset using ~2 kilobases nuDNA (Wg, LW Rh, Abd-A, 28s) and 790 basepairs mtDNA (CO1), along with geographic and habitat data, to examine the diversification patterns of the ant genus Mystrium Roger, 1862, (Subfamily Amblyoponinae) from Madagascar. The nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenies were both congruent with morphospecies as indicated in a recent revision of the genus. Species of Mystrium practice different colony reproductive strategies (winged queens vs non-winged queens). Alternate reproductive strategies led to inequalities in female dispersal ability among species, providing an additional layer for examination of the impacts of vagility on divergence, especially when measured using a maternally inherited locus. Mystrium species distribution patterns support these models of ecogeographic constraints. Reproductive strategy effected how Mystrium mtDNA lineages were associated with large-scale habitat distinctions and various topographical features. Furthermore, in some cases we find microgeographic population structure which appears to have been impacted by localized habitat differences (tsingy limestone formations, littoral forest) on a scale much smaller than that found in vertebrates. The current system offers a finer scale look at species diversification on the island, and helps achieve a more universal understanding of the generation of biodiversity on Madagascar.     

Review of the green lacewing genus Chrysacanthia Lacroix with a new species from Nigeria (Neuroptera,Chrysopidae)

The genus Chrysacanthia Lacroix (Chrysopidae: Belonopterygini) is reviewed and a new species is described from Nigeria. With the addition of the new species described herein, the genus contains four Old World species known from Madagascar, Nigeria, India, Thailand and China.     

A report on a collection of pontoniine shrimps from Madagacar and adjacent seas

A collection of 41 species of pontoniine shrimp form the Madagascar region is reported upon. Most of the material has been collected from the north-west of Madagascar in the vicinity of Nosy Bé. Six new species, belonging to four different genera, are described: Palaemonella crosnieri, Periclimenes lepidus, P. granulimanus, P. perturbans, Periclimenaeus lobiferus and Onycocaris trullata . A key to the species of Onycocaris is also given. Nineteen species are recorded from Madagascar for the first time, and four species, Periclimenes perlucidus, Periclimenaeus djiboutensis, Pontonia sibogae and Coralliocaris viridis are reported for the second time only in the Indo-West Pacific region. Pontonides unciger Calman is considered to be distinct from P. unciger Holthuis and also is recorded for the second time only. The records of pontoniine shrimp previously reported from Madagascar are briefly summarized. A total of 61 species are now known to be represented in the fauna of Madagascar, indicating a diversity almost as rich as the Indonesian region, with 69 species. Une collection de quarante et une espèces de crevettes pontoniine de la région de Madagascar est analysée. La plus grande partie du matériel provient du nord-ouest de Madagascar, dans le voisinage de Nosy Bé. Six espèces nouvelles appartenant à quatre genres différents sont décrites: Palaemonella crosnieri, Periclimenes lepidus, P. granulimanus, P. perturbans, Periclimenaeus lobiferus et Onycocaris trullata. Une clé des espèces du genre Onycocaris est aussi donnée. Dix-neuf espèces sont notées à Madagascar pour la première fois, et quatre espèces ne sont notées que pour la seconde fois dans la region Indo-Pacifique occidentale. Pontonides unciger Calman est consideréêtre distinct de P. unciger Holthuis, 1952, et n'est aussi noté que pour la seconde fois. Les rapports notant l'occurrence de crevettes pontoniines à Madagascar sont rapidement resumés. Un total de soixante-et-une espèces sont maintenant connues dans la faune de Madagascar, indiquant une diversité presque aussi riche que celle de la region Indonesienne, qui possède soixante-neuf espèces.     

The description of a new species of Myzopoda (Myzopodidae: Chiroptera) from western Madagascar

A new species of Myzopoda (Myzopodidae), an endemic family to Madagascar that was previously considered to be monospecific, is described. This new species, M. schliemanni, occurs in the dry western forests of the island and is notably different in pelage coloration, external measurements and cranial characters from M. aurita, the previously described species, from the humid eastern forests. Aspects of the biogeography of Myzopoda and its apparent close association with the plant Ravenala madagascariensis (Family Strelitziaceae) are discussed in light of possible speciation mechanisms that gave rise to eastern and western species.