Lygodactylus fritzi VENCES, MULTZSCH, GIPPNER, MIRALLES, CROTTINI, GEHRING, RAKOTOARISON, RATSOAVINA, GLAW & SCHERZ, 2022
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Higher Taxa | Gekkonidae, Gekkota, Sauria, Squamata (lizards: geckos) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | |
Synonym | Lygodactylus fritzi VENCES, MULTZSCH, GIPPNER, MIRALLES, CROTTINI, GEHRING, RAKOTOARISON, RATSOAVINA, GLAW & SCHERZ 2022 |
Distribution | Madagascar (Ankanin’ny Nofy and Vohibola) Type locality: Ankanin’ny Nofy, east coast of Madagascar, geographical coordinates -S18.6058, E49.2138, roughly at sea level. |
Reproduction | |
Types | Holotype. ZSM 651/2009 (ZCMV 8902), female, collected by P.-S. Gehring, F. Ratsoavina, and E. Rajeriarison on 8 April 2009.No paratypes. |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: “According to data available at the time of the original description, the species differs from the nominal species of Domerguella occurring in northern Madagascar and belonging to subclades A1–A4 as follows: from L. expectatus by non-enlarged dorsolateral scales (longitudinal count of dorsal scales >250 vs. <170); from L. rarus by lack of regular crossbands on tail (vs. presence) and different body shape with less elongated limbs (relative hindlimb length 0.47 vs. >0.55); from L. petteri, L. tantsaha, L. salvi, L. roellae, and L. hapei by a higher longitudinal count of dorsal scales (253 vs. <241); and from L. madagascariensis as well as most of the previously mentioned species of clades A1‒A4 by a rudimentary spine-like tubercle at the base of the tail in the only known female (vs. absence). From other species of subclade A5, the new species differs as follows: from L. miops by fewer dorsolateral tubercles between limbs (2 vs. 3–6), higher longitudinal dorsal scale count (247 vs. 207–242), lower longitudinal ventral scale count (98 vs. 102–113), and weakly expressed lateral tubercles at tail base vs. clearly recognizable in males and females; from L. guibei by higher longitudinal dorsal scale count (247 vs. 170–220), and weakly expressed lateral tubercles at tail base vs. clearly recognizable, usually large in males and females; from L. winki by fewer dorsolateral tubercles between limbs (2 vs. 5–8), higher longitudinal dorsal scale count (247 vs. 187–222), and weakly expressed lateral tubercles at tail base vs. clearly recognizable usually large in males and females; from L. ulli possibly by more weakly expressed lateral tubercles at tail base and a lower longitudinal count of ventral scales (98 vs. 110).” |
Comment | Natural history: Diurnal, found on tree trunks in littoral forest. One adult specimen was photographed millimeters from the posterior end of a bug (Fig. 22), and was presumably consuming honeydew excreted by the insect. |
Etymology | Dedicated to to Uwe Fritz, director of the Museum of Zoology, Dresden. |
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