Lygodactylus tantsaha 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 tantsaha VENCES, MULTZSCH, GIPPNER, MIRALLES, CROTTINI, GEHRING, RAKOTOARISON, RATSOAVINA, GLAW & SCHERZ 2022 |
Distribution | Madagascar (Montagne d'Ambre) Type locality: Montagne d’Ambre, west slope, northern Madagascar, at geographical coordinates S12.58503, E49.11596, 817 m. a.s.l. |
Reproduction | |
Types | Holotype. ZSM 196/2018 (field number MSZC 0772), adult male, collected by M.D. Scherz, J.H. Razafindraibe, A. Razafimanantsoa, and S.M. Rasolonjavatoon 8 December 2017 at 22h20. Paratype. ZSM 197/2018 (MSZC 0771), collected by M.D. Scherz, J.H. Razafindraibe, A. Razafimanantsoa, and S.M. Rasolonjavato at Montagne d’Ambre, west slope, Madagascar, at geographical coordinates S12.58548, E49.11697, 820 m a.s.l., on 8 December 2017 at 21h36. |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: “A genetically highly distinct lineage from northern Madagascar belonging to subclade A2 within the subgenuzs Domerguella. The only other species in the subclade is L. hapei which has a smaller longitudinal dorsal scale count (179 vs. >188), smaller longitudinal ventral scale count (87 vs. >96), and a striped pattern on the throat.” |
Comment | Natural history: All known individuals were encountered and collected at night sleeping at the ends of very thin twigs, narrower than their bodies. |
Etymology | Dedicated to Aaron M. Bauer in recognition of his extraordinary work fostering our knowledge about gecko diversity, biology, and evolution. The species name is derived from the Malagasy word tantsaha = farmer, in allusion to the original root of Aaron’s surname Bauer (German) = farmer. Coincidentally, individuals assignable to this species were found at the edge of an area of illegal farming within the park on the west slope, giving the name a second local meaning. |
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