Lygodactylus anjajavy VENCES, HERRMANN, MULTZSCH, GIPPNER, RAZAFIMANAFO, NY ANDO RAHAGALALA, SANDRATRA RAKOTOMANGA, CROTTINI, GEHRING, RAKOTOARISON, GLAW & MIRALLES, 2025
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Lygodactylus anjajavy
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| Higher Taxa | Gekkonidae, Gekkota, Sauria, Squamata (lizards: geckos) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Lygodactylus anjajavy VENCES, HERRMANN, MULTZSCH, GIPPNER, RAZAFIMANAFO, NY ANDO RAHAGALALA, SANDRATRA RAKOTOMANGA, CROTTINI, GEHRING, RAKOTOARISON, GLAW & MIRALLES 2025: 318 |
| Distribution | NW Madagascar (Anjajavy reserve) Type locality: Anjajavy reserve, “Sentier de la Marina”, 14.99025°S, 47.23143°E, ca. 15 m a.s.l., northwestern Madagascar |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype. ZSM 254/2023 (field number ZCMV 15727), female, collected between 07:30 and 10:00 pm, on 20 March 2023, by A. Miralles, N. A. rahagalala and S. rakotomanga. Paratypes (n=7). zSM 253/2023 (zCMV 15717), uADBA-zCMV 15726, zSM 255/2023 (zCMV 15728), uADBA-zCMV 15729, uADBA-zCMV 15730, all five with same data as the holotype. uADBA-FgzC 5755, collected at Caves of Belobaka, 15.69871°S, 46.40386°E, 38 m a.s.l., on 3 April 2018, by F. glaw, D. Prötzel, N. A. raharinoro, r. N. ravelojaona, A. razafimanantsoa, J. Forster, k. glaw, t. glaw and C. zanotelli. uADBA-APr 07439, Analagnabe Forest, from gallery forest near Anjiamangirana, 40 km Sw of Antsohihy, 15.157°S, 47.735°E, 175 m a.s.l., collected in 2006 by A. P. raselimanana. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Lygodactylus anjajavy sp. nov. is characterized as member of the L. tolampyae complex (and thereby distinguishable from all other Malagasy Lygodactylus not belonging to the complex) by combination of a mental scale semi–divided by a suture, broad contact of the posterior projection of the mental scale with the first infralabial scale, and three postmental scales; absence of whorls on the tail; and a typical appearance of the head with relatively large eyes. within the L. tolampyae complex, many specimens of the new species appear to be recognizable by their typical color pattern, with light dorsolateral bands flanked dorsally and ventrally by relatively broad, complete or incomplete dark bands, and with an indistinct pattern of lighter blotches within the light dorsolateral bands (vs. either without light dorsolateral bands, or with less strongly marked dark edges of these bands and without lighter blotches within them). However, other individuals have very poorly marked or absent dorsolateral bands and cannot be distinguished from other species by color pattern. Further differences, although usually with overlap of values, are as follows: distinguished from L. andavambato by a less slender appearance (vs. conspicuously slender appearance), absence of regular dark–light alternating crossbands of similar width on tail (vs. presence); 1–2 internasal scales (vs. 3 internasals in most specimens); and a smaller relative eye diameter (ratio ED/SVl 0.06 vs. 0.05 in most specimens); and a higher longitudinal count of dorsal scales (lCDS 256–273 vs. 222–240); from L. arnei by a higher longitudinal count of ventral scales (lCVS 109–116 vs. 99–111) and a higher longitudinal count of dorsal scales in most specimens (lCDS 256–273 vs. 224–258); from L. herilalai by a higher longitudinal count of ventral scales (lCVS 109–116 vs. 98–106); from L. morii by a higher longitudinal count of ventral scales in most specimens (lCVS 109–116 vs. 93–121 with only three of 24 specimens in the range of the new species); and from L. tolampyae by a higher longitudinal count of dorsal scales (lCDS 256–273 vs. 204–241). No obvious and consistent morphometric or meristic differentiation from L. schwitzeri was noted. From a molecular perspective, the new species is characterized by numerous diagnostic nucleotide positions in the mitochondrial 16S rrNA gene (see table 2). (Vences et al. 2025) Unfortunately we had to temporarily remove additional information as this was scraped by multiple AI companies who sell that data to their customers. These details, e.g. detailed descriptions or comparisons (about 3275 characters) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us for details. |
| Comment | |
| Etymology | Named after the Anjajavy private reserve, the type locality of the new species, located around Anjajavy lodge, in recognition of the support the hotel provided to our research. More precisely, Anjajavy, refers to the name of the peninsula, and is derived from Sasavy, the local name for the Narrow-leaved Mustard tree (Salvadora angustifolia) which according to local guides is common especially in the mangrove parts of this reserve. |
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