A5009710688- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Digital Imaging for Blood Diseases
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Plant and animal studies
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Chemical synthesis and alkaloids
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
University of Antananarivo
2012-2024
Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative
2023
Technische Universität Braunschweig
2012-2022
SIT Graduate Institute
2022
Miniaturised frogs form a fascinating but poorly understood amphibian ecomorph and have been exceptionally prone to taxonomic underestimation. The subfamily Cophylinae (family Microhylidae), endemic Madagascar, has particularly large diversity of miniaturised species which historically attributed the single genus Stumpffia largely based on their small size. Recent phylogenetic work revealed that several independent lineages cophyline microhylids evolved towards highly body sizes, achieving...
Host-associated microbiotas of vertebrates are diverse and complex communities that contribute to host health. In particular, for amphibians, cutaneous microbial likely play a significant role in pathogen defense; however, our ecological understanding these is still its infancy. Here we take advantage the fully endemic locally species-rich amphibian fauna Madagascar investigate factors structuring skin microbiota on large scale. Using amplicon-based sequencing, evaluate how multiple species...
The Marojejy Massif in northern Madagascar is a constant source of herpetological surprises. Herein we describe new species leaf-mimicking leaf-tailed gecko, Uroplatus finaritra sp. nov., based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. This inhabits the rainforests National Park at low elevations morphologically similar to phantasticus, but differs by having larger body size, relatively shorter tail, dark-red pigmentation oral mucosa. Molecular data reveals distance 14.0–14.7%...
We describe a new species of arboreal microhylid frog from northern Madagascar. The is assigned to the genus Cophyla based on molecular phylogeny and morphological similarities other this genus. Molecular phylogenetic analysis resolved fortuna sp. nov. as closely related C. noromalalae. However, two were reciprocally monophyletic both in tree reconstructed combination mitochondrial genes, nuclear RAG-1 gene. species, previously identified candidate Ca4, occurs lowland bamboo forests around...
We describe two new frog species of the genus Guibemantis Dubois, 1992 (Mantellidae) from northern Madagascar. Both are placed in subgenus Pandanusicola Glaw & Vences, 1994 and, like most their relatives, appear to only inhabit leaf axils Pandanus plants. albomaculatus sp. nov. is distinguished other closely related by light colored dorsolateral stripes and abundant small white spots found on its flanks limbs. woosteri also has light-colored spots, but differs having strongly banded...
We describe a new frog species of the Spinomantis bertini complex based on congruent genetic evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences as well minor morphological differences. A molecular phylogeny derived 16S rRNA gene revealed that mirus sp. nov. is sister to clade containing other two described complex, S. beckei, but strongly differentiated these by 8.1–9.8% pairwise distances in this gene. genes shares no alleles with species. Phenotypically, differs its larger size some...
The northern part of Madagascar is well known for its high species diversity and endemism. Exceptional richness related to the existence large forest blocks mountain complexes. These areas shelter a diverse variety habitats occupied by wide species, including leaf-tailed geckos genus Uroplatus. Based on morphological molecular evidence, we here formally name two evolutionary lineages as new that previously had been considered candidate (Uroplatus spp. Ca3 Ca4), both small-sized Uroplatus...
The genus Scaphiophryne (Anura: Microhylidae) contains at least nine species that, together with their probable sister Paradoxophyla, form the Madagascar-endemic subfamily Scaphiophryninae. are robust burrowing frogs explosive breeding behavior and characterized by a unique larval morphology, being intermediate between that of filter-feeding generalized tadpole types. Based on nominal subgenus can be distinguished from Pseudohemisus, clade occurring in arid biomes largely unsolved taxonomy...
The area around the Malagasy village of Andasibe, which includes Analamazaotra-Mantadia National Park as well other protected areas, is characterized by very species-rich and well-studied communities animals plants, but new species are still regularly discovered. Three phytotelmic frogs subgenus Pandanusicola in genus Guibemantis known from this area, G. flavobrunneus, liber, pulcher. Further have been provisionally assigned to bicalcaratus or albolineatus, pending detailed taxonomic review....
Madagascar velvet geckos, genus Blaesodactylus, are classified in six species distributed over low-elevation sites across most of Madagascar. Based on DNA sequences one mitochondrial and two nuclear-encoded gene fragments obtained from numerous newly collected tissue samples, we provide an updated review their molecular variation. Our genetic screening confirms extended distribution B. ambonihazo, so far only known its type locality Ankarafantsika, now reaching northwards to the Sahamalaza...
The genus Lygodactylus currently contains 33 Malagasy species, all of them endemic to the region. Several these are poorly known, and sometimes known only from their name-bearing type specimens. Molecular genetic work has revealed existence numerous highly divergent but not yet formally named lineages. Here, we report on finding L. ornatus Pasteur, 1965, a species that was previously holotype few field observations made in 1994. observed be relatively common rocky areas at location near...
Horizontal transfer (HT) of genes between multicellular animals, once thought to be extremely rare, is being more commonly detected, but its global geographic trend and mechanism have not been investigated. We discovered a unique HT pattern Bovine-B (BovB) LINE retrotransposons in vertebrates, with bizarre direction from predators (snakes) their prey (frogs). At least 54 instances BovB were which we estimate occurred across time 85 1.3 Ma. Using comprehensive transcontinental sampling, our...
Abstract Taxonomic progress is often hindered by intrinsic factors, such as morphologically cryptic species that require a broad suite of methods to distinguish, and extrinsic uncertainties in the allocation scientific names species. These can be due wide variety including old poorly preserved type specimens (which contain only heavily degraded DNA or have lost important diagnostic characters), inappropriately chosen (e.g. juveniles without characters) documented (with unprecise, incorrect,...
Scincine lizards in Madagascar form an endemic clade of about 60 species exhibiting a variety ecomorphological adaptations. Several subclades have adapted to burrowing and convergently regressed their limbs eyes, resulting partial completely limbless morphologies among extant taxa. However, patterns limb regression these taxa not been studied detail. Here we fill this gap knowledge by providing phylogenetic analysis DNA sequences three mitochondrial four nuclear gene fragments extended...
Taxonomy is the cornerstone of extinction risk assessments. Currently, IUCN Red List treats species complexes either under a single overarching name—resulting in an unhelpfully broad circumscription and underestimated threat assessment that does not apply to any one lineage—or omits them altogether—resulting omission should be assessed. We argue taxonomic uncertainty alone, as complexes, grounds for Data Deficient (DD). Yet, use DD category currently discouraged, resulting assessments based...
The subgenus Mantidactylus is a group of frogs endemic to Madagascar, including the largest anuran species on island. Although these are common and widely distributed, their taxonomy remains unclear. Two currently recognised, M. grandidieri guttulatus, with another available name, Rana pigra, considered be synonym grandidieri. However, molecular studies have suggested presence several cryptic within group. Additionally, due lack prominent morphological features, allocating names evolutionary...
Abstract Evolutionary reduction of adult body size (miniaturization) has profound consequences for organismal biology and is an important subject evolutionary research. Based on two individuals we describe a new, extremely miniaturized chameleon, which may be the world’s smallest reptile species. The male holotype Brookesia nana sp. nov. snout–vent length 13.5 mm (total 21.6 mm) large, apparently fully developed hemipenes, making it mature amniote ever recorded. female paratype measures 19.2...
The Lygodactylus madagascariensis species group, constituting the subgenus Domerguella, currently contains five valid of inconspicuous dwarf geckos from Madagascars humid forests, but at least 18 deep genetic lineages have been revealed by recent molecular studies. Given high morphological similarity these lineages, taxonomic resolution this astonishing diversity requires efforts to correctly delimit species, as well assigning available nomina species-level identified. We here combine DNA...
Malagasy frogs of the subgenus Brygoomantis in mantellid frog genus Mantidactylus currently comprise 14 described species mostly brown, riparian frogs. Data from DNA barcoding suggested that diversity this is dramatically underestimated by current taxonomy. We here provide a comprehensive revision subgenus. use hybrid-enrichment based barcode fishing to obtain mitochondrial fragments name-bearing type material 16 20 available names for members subgenus, and integrate these into genetic...