title: New species of Blaesodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Tsingy karstic outcrops in Ankarana National Park, northern Madagascar.
abstract: We describe a new gecko of the genus Blaesodactylus from a karstic outcrop in deciduous dry forest of Ankarana National Park, northern Madagascar. Blaesodactylus microtuberculatus sp. nov., the fifth recognized species of Blaesodactylus, is distinguished from all other congeners, B. ambonihazo, B. antongilensis, B. boivini and B. sakalava by a combination of small, homogeneous gular granules, unspotted venter and lack of tubercles on distal part of original tail. Mitochondrial (ND2 and ND4) and nuclear (RAG-1) DNA identify a consistent divergence between B. microtuberculatus and its allotopic sister species B. boivini. We highlight habitat partitioning in these allotopic congeners where Blaesodactylus microtuberculatus inhabits karstic outcrops in Tsingy massif, and B. boivini dwells on tree trunks in deciduous dry forest.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan; Email: mjusinondo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Teppei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jono
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Aaron M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008270:Madagascar; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity