Calumma ratnasariae PRÖTZEL, SCHERZ, RATSOAVINA, VENCES & GLAW, 2020
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Calumma ratnasariae
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| Higher Taxa | Chamaeleonidae, Sauria, Iguania, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Calumma ratnasariae PRÖTZEL, SCHERZ, RATSOAVINA, VENCES & GLAW 2020: 52 |
| Distribution | N Madagascar (Bealanana District), elevation 1337 – 1717 m Type locality: Ampotsidy mountains (14.4146°S, 48.7115°E, 1400 m a.s.l.), Sofia Region, northern Madagascar |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype: ZSM 35/2016 (MSZC 0066), adult male, collected on 22 December 2015 by M.D. Scherz, J. Borrell, L. Ball, T. Starnes, T.S.E. Razafimandimby, D.H. Nomenjanahary, J. Rabearivony. Paratypes: ZSM 1724/2010 (ZCMV 12483), adult male and ZSM 2884/2010 (ZCMV 12273), adult female, both collected in Analabe Forest, near Antambato village (Ambodimanga mountain, 14.5048°S, 48.8760°E, 1361 m a.s.l.) on 24 June 2010, ZSM 517/ 2014 (DRV 6283), adult male collected in Andrevorevo (14.3464°S, 49.1028°E, 1717 m a.s.l.), Sofia Region, northern Madagascar on 21 June 2010, all three by M. Vences, D.R. Vieites, R.D. Randrianiaina, F.M. Ratsoavina, S. Rasamison, A. Rakotoarison, E. Rajeriarison, T. Rajoafiarison; ZSM 36/2016 (MSZC 0140), adult female, collected on the Ampotsidy mountains (14.4099°S, 48.7155°E, 1647 m a.s.l.) on 3 January 2016, and ZSM 37/2016 (MSZC 0169), adult female, collected on the Ampotsidy mountains (14.4193°S, 48.7193°E, 1337 m a.s.l.), on 8 January 2016, both by M.D. Scherz, J. Borrell, L. Ball, T.S.E. Razafimandimby, D.H. Nomenjanahary, J. Rabearivony. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis (based on the type series; osteology based on micro-CT scans of ZSM 35/2016 and ZSM 517/2014, both males): Calumma ratnasariae sp. nov. is characterised by (1) a large size (male SVL 43.9 – 52.0 mm, female SVL 48.7–51.5 mm; male TL 97.1–110.7, female TL 95.3 – 101.0); (2) a short (1.8 – 2.3 mm in males, 2.1 – 2.2 mm in females) and distally rounded rostral appendage, (3) rostral scale not integrated into the rostral appendage, (4–7) rostral, lateral, temporal (one tubercle on either side), and cranial crests present, (8) parietal crest distinct and running the length of the parietal bone, (9) a distinctly raised casque in males with a height of 1.3 – 1.5 mm, (10) a dorsal crest of 7–12 cones in males, generally present in females (6 – 8 cones), (11) 10 – 13 supralabial scales with a straight upper margin, (12) absence of axillary pits, (13) diameter of the largest scale in the temporal region of the head 1.2–1.6 mm, (14) a frontoparietal fenestra in the skull, (15) parietal and squamosal in contact (n=2), (16) parietal bone width at midpoint 17.8 – 18.5% of skull length, (17) a generally yellowish body colouration in males, greyish body colouration in females, (18) rostral appendage not accentuated from the body colouration, (19) a blue and yellow cheek colouration, (20) yellow in males and beige in females, and (21) brown stripe crossing the eye. Calumma ratnasariae sp. nov. is unique among the C. nasutum complex in having an elevated bony knob on the anterodorsal edge of the maxillary facial process (this character is similar to that seen in C. uetzi). Calumma ratnasariae sp. nov. can be distinguished from all species of the C. boettgeri complex (see above) by the absence of occipital lobes; from C. gallus by different length, shape and colour of its rostral appendage (see above); from all other species of the C. nasutum group without occipital lobes except C. fallax by the presence of a frontoparietal fenestra. It is also quite unusual in having an overall yellowish body colouration in males. In addition, it can be distinguished from C. va tosoa easily by the presence of a rostral appendage (vs absence); from C. vohibola by longer rostral appendage (RRS 3.8 – 4.8% vs 0.2 – 3.1%), parietal crest present (vs absent), fewer supralabials (10–13 vs 13–16) with a straight upper margin (vs serrated), larger temporal scale (1.2–1.6 mm vs 1.0 mm), broader parietal bone with a continuous parietal crest (vs smooth parietal); from C. nasutum as here redefined by a larger maximum total length in males (110.7 mm vs 89.0–100.8 mm), a distinct parietal crest (vs absent or indistinct), dorsal crest generally present in both sexes (vs generally absent and absent in females); from C. radamanus by larger total length (95.3 – 110.7 mm vs 77.0 – 93.5 mm), tail length in males longer than SVL (vs shorter), rostral scale not integrated into the rostral appendage (vs generally integrated), parietal crest present (vs absent), supralabials with a straight upper margin (vs serrated), larger temporal scale (1.2–1.6 mm vs 0.6–0.9 mm), and parietal and squamosal in contact (vs widely separated); from C. emelinae sp. nov. by parietal crest distinct (vs general absence), higher casque in males (1.3–1.5 mm vs 0.5–1.1 mm), dorsal crest consisting of cones (vs spines) in males; larger temporal scale (1.2 – 1.6 mm vs 0.6 – 1.0 mm), and broad postparietal process (vs strongly tapering); from C. tjiasmantoi sp. nov. by larger body length of females (SVL 48.7–51.5 mm vs 43.9–46.1 mm), dorsal crest generally present in females (vs absent), fewer supralabials (11–12 vs 15–17), and larger diameter of temporal scale (1.2 – 1.6 mm vs 0.6 – 0.8 mm); and from C. fallax by generally shorter relative rostral appendage length in females (RRS 4.1 – 4.5% vs 4.2 – 7.6%), cranial crest present (vs generally absent), parietal crest longer and more distinct, dorsal crest generally present in females (vs generally absent), and a wider mid-parietal width (17.8 – 18.5% of skull length vs 6.7 – 15.7%). |
| Comment | |
| Etymology | The specific epithet is named after Yulia Ratnasari, in recognition of her support for taxonomic research and nature conservation projects in Madagascar through the BIOPAT initiative (http://biopat.de/en/). |
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