Paroedura neglecta

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Paroedura neglecta
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Paroedura
Species:
P. neglecta
Binomial name
Paroedura neglecta
P. bastardi clade range map.jpg
Range of the species within the Paroedura bastardi clade, with P. neglecta indicated by the cyan triangle

Paroedura neglecta is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It was first discovered in 2006, but the species was not named until 2019, hence the specific name meaning "neglected". It is endemic to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in northwestern Madagascar. [1]

Taxonomy

The holotype specimen of Paroedura neglecta is an adult male collected on 1 April 2006 from Andafiabe at the Beboka River, in the Melaky region of western Madagascar. Although the specimen was recognized as an unnamed species shortly after its discovery, it was not described until 13 years later in May 2019, thus it was given the specific name neglecta (Latin for "neglected"). [2]

Genetic analysis has found that Paroedura neglecta is a member of the Paroedura bastardi clade, and is a sister taxon to Paroedura tanjaka . The following cladogram shows the position of P. neglecta among its closest relatives according to Piccoli et al. (2023): [3]

Distribution and habitat

View of the karstic forest at Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park Petit Tsingy 05.JPG
View of the karstic forest at Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

This gecko is currently known from only two localities, both within Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in northwestern Madagascar, and the species may be widespread within the park. It is believed to be endemic to this area as it has not been observed outside of it, and numerous other reptile species in the park are also endemic to it. These two localities are approximately 12 kilometers apart from each other, and both represent karstic dry forests. Three individuals have been collected close to rivers, two of which were near the bed of the Beboka River. [2] Several congeneric species are sympatric with Paroedura neglecta, including P. homalorhina , P. tanjaka , P. karstophila , P. spelaea and P. stumpffi . [4]

Description

All collected specimens of Paroedura neglecta were found at night, indicating this species is mostly or entirely nocturnal. The holotype individual has a snout–vent length of 61.3 mm, with a triangular head measuring 20.8 mm long, 14.6 mm wide and 9.2 mm tall. The head is wider than the neck and body, with a vertical slit as the ear opening. The rostral scale is rectangular in shape, much wider than it is tall, and makes contact with the nostril. [2]

Enlarged tuberculate scales are present on the dorsal surface and arranged in longitudinal rows. The dorsal scales of the front limbs are mostly flat, whereas those of the hind limbs are mainly keeled and tuberculate. Each digit is widened at the tip, with a downward-curving claw between the terminal pads. The tail similarly has primarily tuberculate scales. [2]

The dorsal colors are mainly reddish-brown, with reticulated patterns on the head and regularly-spaced light crossbands on the torso. The iris is a golden color, with a reddish area surrounding the pupil and a vessel running down the posterior of the iris, visible as a red-brown stripe. Slightly marbled grey and beige patterns are present on the limbs. The underside of this lizard is whitish with a fine grey shade. [2]

Conservation

Due to limited available data, it has been recommended that Paroedura neglecta be listed as Data Deficient according to the IUCN guidelines. [2] Both localities the species is known from have only had little anthropogenic disturbance, however nearby areas within Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park have been subject to severe cattle browsing and logging. Due to its restricted range, this lizard could become threatened by the impacts of farming, fire and logging which lead to habitat loss. [5]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Paroedura masobe</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura masobe, also called masobe gecko, is an endangered species of gekkonid gecko. They are known for their white-speckled dark skin and big eyes. The average life span of the Paroedura masobe is approximately eight years. Paroedura masobe reaches lengths of up to 17 centimetres (6.69 in).

<i>Furcifer nicosiai</i> Species of lizard

Furcifer nicosiai is a large species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to western Madagascar. Described as new to science in 1999, it was ranked as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has only been found in the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park at levels of 57 and 571 metres above mean sea level.

<i>Oligodon huahin</i> Species of snake

Oligodon huahin, the Hua Hin kukri snake, is a species of kukri snakes in the genus Oligodon. The species was first discovered and described in late 2016, and the article was published July 13, 2017. It is only known from its type locality but its range is likely to be more extensive. O. huahin is thought to be very secretive, similar to other species of the genus Oligodon. This theory is supported by the type specimen, which all were males, suggesting that it was found during the mating season where males are out and actively search for females to reproduce. This may also explain why this species had not yet been discovered

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mocquard's Madagascar ground gecko</span> Species of lizard

Mocquard's Madagascar ground gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is a moderately-sized reptile reaching just over 7 cm (2.8 in) in snout–vent length. The species is endemic to southeastern Madagascar, where it can be found on the ground or climbing tree trunks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibity ground gecko</span> Species of lizard

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<i>Paroedura karstophila</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura karstophila is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is described from Montagne des Français, a karstic limestone massif in the far north of Madagascar recently established as nature reserve. The new species has the nostril in contact with the rostral scale and shares many characters with P. karstophila and especially with P. homalorhina which are also restricted to karstic habitats. Paroedura hordiesi differs from P. karstophila by a smoother skin on dorsum and legs, by original and regenerated tails being both entirely smooth, by colouration, and by larger snout-vent length. Morphologically the new species is most similar to P. homalorhina from the Ankarana reserve from which it can be distinguished by shorter limbs and a less slender habitus. Published molecular data place the new species as close relative of P. homalorhina and another undescribed species from Nosy Hara Island, while newly determined data of the cox1 gene for P. karstophila confirm the distinctness of the new species from this taxon. Integrating the information from published and novel molecular data, the new species differs from all nominal Paroedura by strong genetic divergences. P. hordiesi might be another microendemic species of the Montagne des Français region. We suggest its IUCN Red List classification as "Critically Endangered" on the basis that it has an extent of occurrence of at most 50 km², it is known from a single location, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. It is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Paroedura maingoka</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura maingoka, the scorpion leaf-toed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is endemic to southwest Madagascar, where it occurs on rock outcrops in dry forests and scrubland. It is a nocturnal species, emerging to feed at night.

Paroedura stumpffi is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Paroedura tanjaka</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura tanjaka is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is endemic to northwestern Madagascar, and is currently known only to occur in Bemaraha and Namoroka. This nocturnal species is found in karstic dry forests at night, and is known to dwell in caves during the day. It is one of the largest species in the genus Paroedura, reaching up to 18 cm in length.

<i>Paroedura vahiny</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura vahiny is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. This nocturnal species is terrestrial and can be found on the ground or climbing onto vegetation. It is endemic to southwest Madagascar, where it is found in deciduous dry forests.

<i>Phelsuma borai</i> Species of lizard

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<i>Sphaerodactylus callocricus</i> Species of lizard

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<i>Paroedura guibeae</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura guibeae, Guibé's ground gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species was formerly synonymized with Paroedura bastardi, but a study in 2021 found that it represents a separate species within the species complex. It is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Paroedura rennerae</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura rennerae is a species of lizards in the family of the Gekkonidae. Members of this species were formerly assigned to Paroedura bastardi, but a study in 2021 found that they represent a separate species within the species complex. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it occurs in a variety of habitats.

<i>Paroedura manongavato</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura manongavato is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It was described as a distinct species in 2023, and while specimens have been known for years prior, they were formerly assigned to Paroedura bastardi. It is a microendemic species found only in two locations in Madagascar.

References

  1. ↑ Paroedura neglecta at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Köhler, Jörn; Vences, Miguel; Scherz, Mark & Glaw, Frank (May 2019). "A new species of nocturnal gecko, genus Paroedura, from the karstic Tsingy de Bemaraha formation in western Madagascar". Salamandra. 55 (2): 73–81.
  3. ↑ Piccoli, Costanza; Belluardo, Francesco; Lobón-Rovira, Javier; Alves, Ivo Oliveira; Rasoazanany, Malalatiana; Andreone, Franco; Rosa, Gonçalo M. & Crottini, Angelica (2023-04-10). "Another step through the crux: a new microendemic rock-dwelling Paroedura (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from south-central Madagascar". ZooKeys (1181): 125–154. Bibcode:2023ZooK.1181..125P. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.108134 . PMC   10568478 . PMID   37841030.
  4. ↑ Raselimanana, A.P. (2008). "Herpétofaune des forêts sèches malgaches". Malagasy Nature. 1: 46–75.
  5. ↑ Bora, Parfait; Randrianantoandro, Christian; Randrianavelona, Roma & Hantalalaina, Elisoa (April 2010). "Amphibians and reptiles of the Tsingy de Bemaraha Plateau, Western Madagascar: Checklist, biogeography and conservation". Herpetological Conservation and Biology. 5 (1): 111–125.
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