Authors
Hugh Gabriel, Laila-Denise Rothe, Jrn Khler, Sandratra Rakotomanga, Devin Edmonds, Pedro Galn, Frank Glaw, Richard M Lehtinen, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Miguel Vences
Publication date
2024/1/8
Journal
Zootaxa
Volume
5397
Issue
4
Pages
451-485
Description
The area around the Malagasy village of Andasibe, which includes Analamazaotra-Mantadia National Park as well as other protected areas, is characterized by very species-rich and well-studied communities of animals and plants, but new species are still regularly discovered. Three species of phytotelmic frogs of the subgenus Pandanusicola in the genus Guibemantis are known from this area, G. flavobrunneus, G. liber, and G. pulcher. Further Pandanusicola frogs from this area have been provisionally assigned to G. bicalcaratus or G. albolineatus, pending detailed taxonomic review. During preliminary exploration of the ecology of these specialized frogs that live and reproduce in the leaf axils of Pandanus screw pines, we noticed the syntopic presence of two differently colored and differently sized Pandanusicola in Andasibe that could not be unambiguously assigned to any known species. A genetic screening revealed that these correspond to yet two further species in the area. Based on our data, seven species of Pandanusicola occur in Andasibe and nearby forests:(1) G. liber, the only non-phytotelmic species of the subgenus in the region;(2) G. flavobrunneus which is the largest species and characterized by a diagnostic yellowish brown dorsal pattern;(3) G. pulcher, characterized by translucent-green color with purplish brown spotting not observed in any other species in the area;(4) G. methueni, a brownish species usually lacking contrasted dorsolateral bands that differs from the other species in the area by emitting a characteristic trill-like advertisement call series (rather than clicks or chirps) and according to our data is widespread …