title: Pygmy chameleons of the Rhampholeon platyceps compex (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae): description of four new species from isolated 'sky islands' of northern Mozambique.
abstract: The taxonomic status of recently discovered populations of pygmy chameleons (Rhampholeon) from the northern Mozambique montane isolates of Mt. Chiperone, Mt. Mabu, Mt. Inago and Mt. Namuli are assessed, and compared with the closest geographical congeners, including Rhampholeon platyceps Günther 1893 from Mt. Mulanje, and Rh. chapmanorum Tilbury 1992 from the Malawi Hills, both in southern Malawi. Relationships were examined using morphological features and a phylogenetic analysis incorporating two mitochondrial and one nuclear marker. The phylogeny showed that each montane isolate contained a distinct, well-supported clade of chameleons. Chameleons from the Mozambican montane isolates are within a monophyletic clade inclusive of species from southern Malawi (Rh. platyceps and Rh. chapmanorum). Although some relationships are unresolved, the southern Malawi and Mozambican isolates appear to share their most recent common ancestor with species from the Eastern Arc Mountains and Southern Highlands of Tanzania and Malawi (Rh. moyeri, Rh. uluguruesis, Rh. nchisiensis). Along with Rh. beraduccii and Rh. acuminatus, all are included in the subgenus Rhinodigitum. Sister to this larger clade are species from west/central Africa (Rh. temporalis, Rh. spectrum) and the Rh. marshalli-gorongosae complex from southwest Mozambique and adjacent Zimbabwe. Morphological and molecular results confirm that Brookesia platyceps carri Loveridge 1953 is a junior subjective synonym of Rhampholeon platyceps Günther 1892. Historical records of Rh. platyceps from the Shire Highlands (Chiromo) and the Zomba Plateau, are incorrect and the species is now considered endemic to the Mulanje massif. All of the four newly discovered, isolated populations are genetically and morphologically distinct, and we take the opportunity to describe each as a new species. Rhampholeon (Rhinodigitum) maspictus sp. nov. is restricted to Mt. Mabu and distinguished by its large size, well-developed dorsal crenulations, and bright male breeding coloration; Rhampholeon (Rhinodigitum) nebulauctor sp. nov. is restricted to Mt. Chiperone and distinguished by its small size, weakly-developed dorsal crenulations, and a large rostral process in males; Rhampholeon (Rhinodigitum) tilburyi sp. nov. is restricted to Mt. Namuli and distinguished by its small size, weakly-developed dorsal crenulations, and prominent flexure of the snout in males; and Rhampholeon (Rhinodigitum) bruessoworum sp. nov. is restricted to Mt. Inago and distinguished by its small size, weakly-developed dorsal crenulations, large rostral process in males, and relatively long tail in both sexes.
authors.affiliation: Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, South Africa Department of Zoology, P.O. Box 77000, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa; Email: billbranch@bayworld.co.za.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Branch
authors.affiliation: Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK (also Fauna & Flora International, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JD, UK); Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bayliss
authors.affiliation: Applied Biodiversity Research Division, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, Cape Town, South Africa Department of Botany & Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Krystal A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Tolley
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D062312:Islands; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D009073:Mozambique; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial