Brookesia brygooi RAXWORTHY & NUSSBAUM, 1995
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Higher Taxa | Chamaeleonidae (Brookesiinae), Sauria, Iguania, Squamata (lizards) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | |
Synonym | Brookesia brygooi RAXWORTHY & NUSSBAUM 1995 Brookesia brygooi — NECAS 1999: 276 Brookesia brygooi — TOWNSEND et al. 2009 |
Distribution | SW Madagascar Type locality: Analavelona. |
Reproduction | oviparous |
Types | Holotype: MNHN-RA 8219 (indicated as holotype by original designation) but there are two specimens under that collection number, MNHN-RA 8219 and MNHN-RA 8219A. |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A Brookesia without a dorsal ridge (keel) on the body; a complete series of dorsolatera-pointed-tubercleson the body; a pelvic shield; a ventrolateral pointed tubercle on the tailbase posterior to the cloaca; and a head width in temporal region 1•0-1•2 times wider than the width between eyes. Only Brookesia decaryi and B. bonsi share the following combination of features: body without a dorsal ridge, a complete series of dorsolateral pointed tubercles on the body, a pelvic shield and a ventrolateral pointed tubercle on the tailbase posterior to the cloaca. However, the head width in the temporal region of both Brookesia decaryi and B. bonsi is 1•3-1•5 times wider than the width between eyes. (Raxworthy & Nussbaum 1995) Description of holorype- Based on Brygoo (1978). Female (probably gravid). Snout-vent length 46 mm; tail 28 mm. Head with lateral, orbital and posterior crests that form a dorsal helmet; helmet divided into three regions by a pair of longitudinal parasagittal crests that start above the eyes and begin to converge before terminating at the posterior helmet crest; three pointed tubercles on each side of posterior helmet crest, one at termination point of lateral crest, one at termination point of parasagittal crest, and one between parasagittal and lateral crest; two pointed tubercles on lateral surface of head, one just above posterior angle of mouth and one below lateral crest in temporal region; orbital crest denticulated; supraocular cone rounded and projects forward to level of nostril; supranasal cone does not reach as far forward as snout tip. Dorsal surface of body flat (without a dorsal ridge or keel); 10 dorsolateral pointed tubercles form 1 complete longitudinal line on body; posteriormost (10th), pointed dorsolateral tubercle projects posteriorly from a pelvic shield above insertion point of hindlimbs; 1st-9th anterior pointed tubercles equally spaced and almost equal in size, perpendicular to body; a ventrolateral pointed tubercle just posterior to cloaca on the tailbase; no dorsolateral pointed tubercles on the tail. (Raxworthy & Nussbaum 1995) Variation: Brygoo (1978) reported the following variation: maximum SVL 52 mm (females), 48 mm (males); maximum tail length 38 mm (females), 33 mm (males); the tail of BM 1968.691 has a series of four small dorsolateral pointed tubercles. (Raxworthy & Nussbaum 1995) Hemipenis: The hemipenis of 507/C is clavate and asymmetrical, bearing an apex with a small denticulated lobe and a large papillary field (Brygoo & Domergue, 1971). (Raxworthy & Nussbaum 1995) |
Comment | Similar species: Brookesia ebenaui. |
Etymology | Named after Édouard-Raoul Robert Brygoo (22 April 1920-8 February 2016), French herpetologigst who originally trained and worked as military physician, epidemiologist, bacteriologist, parasitologist, and historian. For details see obituary by Bour 2016. |
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