An overview of Madagascar's leaf tailed geckos (genus Uroplatus): species boundaries, candidate species and review of geographical distribution based on molecular data

作者：Ratsoavina Fanomezana M^*; Raminosoa Noromalala R; Louis Edward E Jr; Raselimanana Achille P; Glaw Frank; Vences Miguel

来源：Salamandra, 2013, 49(3): 115-148.

• Squamata
• Gekkonidae
• Uroplatus species
• integrative taxonomy
• candidate species
• geographical distribution
• Madagascar

The spectacular appearance of Malagasy leaf-tailed geckos (genus Uroplatus) makes them one of the most fascinating reptile groups of Madagascar. However, species delimitation in these nocturnal geckos is notoriously difficult due to a high intraspecific genetic variability and an insufficient knowledge of the distribution and taxonomy of the 14 recognized species. Numerous surveys with new records have been published over the last 20 years, and molecular analyses have demonstrated the existence of several candidate species in this genus. Apart from a compilation of locality records in a field guide, the distribution ranges and species boundaries have not been reviewed recently in a comprehensive manner. Because the various recent studies in part used DNA sequences from different, non-homologous gene fragments, and applied different provisional names to these candidate species, it remains a major challenge to understand how these correspond to each other. Here we provide an updated list of Uroplatus species and candidate species resulting from an integrative taxonomic approach that mainly relies on analysis of published as well as newly determined mitochondrial DNA sequences, combined with preliminary data on morphological characters including pigmentation of the oral mucosa, tail length and tail shape. The present study focuses on Uroplatus species diversity and distribution, in order to provide baseline data for future taxonomic revisions, spatial prioritisation of conservation efforts, and management of the pet trade. We recognize 14 named species and another 11 undescribed candidate species, and allocate them to five species groups: the U. ebenaui group (U. ebenaui, U. finiavana, U. malama, U. phantasticus, four confirmed candidate species, CCS, and six unconfirmed candidate species, UCS), the U. alluaudi group (U. alluaudi, U. pietschmanni), the U. guentheri group (U. guentheri, U. malahelo), the U. lineatus group (U. lineatus), and the U. fimbriatus group (U. fimbriatus, U. giganteus, U. henkeli, U. sameiti, U. sikorae, and one CCS). Certain species (e. g., U. phantasticus, U. sikorae) are further subdivided into deep conspecific lineages that require further taxonomic revision. The U. ebenaui group is the most species-rich with numerous candidate species that are still in need of thorough investigation. Most of these candidate species are distributed in northern Madagascar and confined to mountain massifs including Marojejy, Anjanaharibe-Sud and Tsaratanana.

• 出版日期2013-10-30