Brookesia desperata GLAW, KÖHLER, TOWNSEND & VENCES, 2012
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Brookesia desperata
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| Higher Taxa | Chamaeleonidae (Brookesiinae), Sauria, Iguania, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Brookesia desperata GLAW, KÖHLER, TOWNSEND & VENCES 2012 Brookesia (Evoluticauda) desperata — GLAW et al. 2021 |
| Distribution | N Madagascar (Antsiranana) Type locality: Forêt d’Ambre Special Reserve, ca. 5 km southwest of Sakaramy village, 12°28’00’’S, 49°13’37’’ E, 470 m elevation, Antsiranana Province, northern Madagascar. |
| Reproduction | oviparous (not imputed, fide Zimin et al. 2022) |
| Types | Holotype: ZSM 2170/2007 (FGZC 1250), adult male (hemipenes everted), collected on 12 March 2007 by F. Glaw, J. Köhler and A. Razafimanantsoa. Paratypes: ZSM, UADBA, ZFMK 92940, female (ZFMK paratype originally published as ZSM 2179/2007). |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A member of the Brookesia minima group based on small body size (SVL 25–30 mm) and molecular phylogenetic relationships. Brookesia desperata is distinguished from all other species in the group by the presence of three enlarged tubercles on lateral head surface (versus 0–2). In addition it differs as follows: from B. confidens by a larger adult body size (male SVL 25.0–26.7 vs. 18.3–20.1 mm), supranasal cone present (vs. absent), and hemipenis with two apical processes each with a distinct spine (vs. narrow hemipenis without apical ornaments); from B. dentata by presence of well-developed lateral spines on the tail (vs. absence); from B. exarmata by a larger adult body size (female SVL 27.3– 30.0 mm vs. 25.7–26.5 mm), and presence of well-developed lateral spines on the tail (vs. absence); from B. micra by a larger adult body size (male SVL 25.0–26.7 vs. 15.3–15.8 mm), presence of well-developed lateral spines on the tail (vs. absence), and hemipenis with two apical processes each with a distinct spine (vs. comb-like arranged papillae on apex); from B. minima by a larger adult body size (male SVL 25.0–26.7 vs. 15.0–20.6 mm), presence of well-developed lateral spines on the tail (vs. indistinct), pelvic spine present (vs. absent or indistinct), and hemipenis with two apical processes each with a distinct spine (vs. balloon-like hemipenis without ornaments); from B. peyrierasi by a larger adult body size (male SVL 25.0–26.7 vs. 19.7–22.4 mm), presence of well-developed lateral spines on the tail (vs. indistinct), and hemipenis with two apical processes each with a distinct spine (vs. four spines on each lobe); from B. ramanantsoai by presence of well- developed lateral spines on the tail (vs. absence), and hemipenis with two apical processes each with a distinct spine (vs. balloon-like hemipenis without ornaments); from B. tristis by a larger adult body size (male SVL 25.0–26.7 vs. 18.0–18.2 mm), and hemipenis with two apical processes each with a distinct spine (vs. small spine- like papillae on apex); and from B. tuberculata by a larger adult body size (male SVL 25.0–26.7 vs. 14.4–18.8 mm), presence of well- developed lateral spines on the tail (vs. absence), and hemipenis with two apical processes with a distinct spine (vs. a single crown- like structure on apex). B. desperata is most similar to B. karchei in body size, number of dorsolateral pointed tubercles (12–13) and distinct lateral tubercles on tail (Fig. 9B). However, B. karchei differs from the new species by more pronounced supraocular and supranasal cones, more prominent and spiny posterior crest and only one enlarged tubercle at lateral side of head (three in B. desperata). |
| Comment | Abundance: only known from the type locality (Meiri et al. 2017). Distribution: see map in Glaw et al. 2021: 5 (Fig. 3) |
| Etymology | The species epithet is an adjective derived from the Latin ‘‘desperatus’’ meaning ‘‘desperate’’. Although the known range of the species is within a nature reserve established decades ago, its habitat is in truth barely protected and subject to numerous human-induced environmental problems resulting in severe habitat destruction [41], thus threatening the survival of the species. |
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