Platypelis alticola ( Guibe , 1974)

Rakotoarison, Andolalao, Scherz, Mark D., Koehler, Joern, Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M., Hawlitschek, Oliver, Megson, Steven, Vences, Miguel & Glaw, Frank, 2020, Frogs of the genus Platypelis from the Sorata massif in northern Madagascar: description of a new species and reports of range extensions, Zoosystematics and Evolution 96 (1), pp. 263-274 : 263

Platypelis alticola ( Guibe, 1974)

Identity.

Originally described by Guibé (1974) as Platyhyla alticola based on a single specimen (holotype MNHN 1973.693, SVL 37.7 mm). Rakotoarison et al. (2012:5) revised the taxonomy and stated that the species is characterized by "large body size (adult SVL 32-45 mm), uniform grayish color with absence of sharp border between dorsal and lateral color, third and fifth toes of similar length, vomerine teeth present, males with prepollical tubercle but lacking a finger-like prepollex as typical for Anodonthyla ." Specimens collected on the Sorata massif (Fig. 6 ) agree with both the original description and this revised circumscription, as well as with the specimens depicted by Raxworthy et al. (2008) and Rakotoarison et al. (2012).

Given the substantial molecular divergence between the Tsaratanana and Sorata specimens (6.2-6.6% p-distance in the 16S gene), the taxonomy of the Sorata population will require thorough taxonomic revision in the future.

New material examined.

ZSM 1615/2012 (FGZC 3669) collected on 28 November 2012 from above the camp site in Sorata massif (close to a site with the coordinates 13.6778S, 49.4411E, 1423 m a.s.l.), northern Madagascar, by F. Glaw, O. Hawlitschek, T. Rajoafiarison, A. Rakotoarison, F.M. Ratsoavina, and A. Razafimanantsoa.

Distribution.

This species is known from Tsaratanana Strict Nature Reserve ( Raxworthy et al. 2008; Rakotoarison et al. 2012) and the Sorata Massif (Fig. 2 ).

Natural history.

In Tsaratanana, the species was found to breed in bamboo nodes ( Raxworthy et al. 2008; Rakotoarison et al. 2012). In Sorata, we also found one individual in a water-filled bamboo node, at around 1 m from the ground, with 16 whitish young tadpoles (Fig. 6c ). Calling activity in Tsaratanana was mostly observed at night ( Rakotoarison et al. 2012); no data on advertisement calls are available from Sorata.

Figures

Figure 2. Approximate geographical location of occurrence records of the focal Platypelis species in our study (modified from Rakotoarison et al. 2012; showing only records for which molecular data are available). The map indicates elevation (green, lowest; red-yellow, highest). Localities and species occurring at these sites are as follows: (1 - 4) campsites on the Mangindrano-Maromokotro trail, Tsaratanana Massif (Antevialambazaha, Matsabory Maiky, Bepia, Andranomadio); (5) Bemanevika forest; (6) Andrevorevo; (7) Marojejy; (8) Sorata; (9) Andravory. Occurrence records of P. alticola (at sites 1 - 3, and a deep genetic lineage at 8), P. tsaratananaensis (at sites 1 - 3, and deep genetic lineages at 7 and 8), P. olgae (between sites 3 and 4), P. laetus sp. nov. and P. Ca 12 (site 8), and P. sp. Ca 13 (site 9).

Figure 6. Photographs in life of Platypelis alticola from the Sorata Massif. a, b ZSM 1615 / 2012 (FGZC 3669); c Young tadpoles found in the same bamboo hole as ZSM 1615 / 2012; d, e UADBA-A (FGZC 3652).