Platypelis

Rakotoarison, Andolalao, Glaw, Frank, Vieites, David R., Raminosoa, Noromalala R. & Vences, Miguel, 2012, Taxonomy and natural history of arboreal microhylid frogs (Platypelis) from the Tsaratanana Massif in northern Madagascar, with description of a new species, Zootaxa 3563, pp. 1-25 : 20

Platypelis sp. 8

This candidate species was named Platypelis sp. aff. mavomavo 1 by Glaw & Vences (2007), P. sp. 3 by Andreone et al. (2005b) and Wollenberg et al. (2008), and Platypelis sp. 8 by Vieites et al. (2009). It was only collected at Antsahamanara campsite (in the Manarikoba forest) on the western slope of Tsaratanana. One voucher specimen is preserved in the museum of Torino ( Italy) as MRSN A2630. Based on photographs in life ( Figs. 3 and 6 ), the candidate species is characterized by a contrasted dorsal coloration with yellow patches behind the forelimb insertions and yellow color on the belly, while the throat and chest are marbled with brown. Nothing is known on the variation, natural history or vocalizations of this frog. Its unique color pattern and strong genetic differentiation strongly suggest it is an unnamed species. For the present study, we had no voucher specimens of this candidate species available for further examination.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Photographs in life of Platypelis alticola and P. sp. 8. (a, b) Two specimens of P. alticola from Antevialambazaha (Tsaratanana, Maromokotro trail, camp 1); (c, d) two specimens of P. alticola in Matsabory Maiky (Maromokotro trail, camp 2), (d) shows the adult male ZSM 1657 / 2010 (ZCMV 12453); (e) specimen of P. alticola from Bepia campsite (Tsaratanana, Maromokotro trail, camp 3); (f) Platypelis sp. 8 from Antsahamanara (Manarikoba forest, western slope of Tsaratanana).

FIGURE 6. Ventral sides of the four species of Platypelis found in the Tsaratanana Massif, photographed from specimens in life. Inset photos show the same specimens in dorsolateral view. (a) P. alticola, Matsabory Maiky, female; (b) P. alticola, Antevialambazaha, probable male; (c) P. tsaratananaensis, female, Matsabory Maiky (ZSM 1648 / 2010 [ZCMV 12361]); (d) P. tsaratananaensis, male, Matsabory Maiky; (e) P. olgae sp. nov. (female paratype, ZSM 1667 / 2010 [ZCMV 12428]), Amboditsaratanana; (f) P. olgae sp. nov. (male holotype, ZSM 1666 / 2010 [ZCMV 12402]), near Andranomadio; (g) P. sp. 8, Antsahamanara.