A5056850953- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Global Health and Surgery
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Phonetics and Phonology Research
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- scientometrics and bibliometrics research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Livestock and Poultry Management
University of Antananarivo
2016-2025
Technische Universität Braunschweig
2011-2014
Based on recent discoveries and an integrative study including external morphology, osteology molecular genetics, we continue to revise the Madagascar-endemic chameleons of Calumma boettgeri complex (within nasutum species group). We describe three new these small-sized, occipital-lobed chameleons. uetzi sp. nov. is a from Sorata Marojejy massifs (northern Madagascar), with spectacular display coloration in males, clearly notched occipital lobes, females dorsal crest. lefona described based...
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%...
The Tsaratanana Massif is the highest mountain massif of Madagascar and characterized by a high species-level endemism its biota. Here we describe two new small-sized species leaf-tailed geckos Uroplatus ebenaui group from this region. Named in preliminary way as confirmed candidate [Ca1] [Ca2] previous studies, here provide detailed data on their molecular morphological differentiation them fotsivava sp. nov. kelirambo Their closest relatives are U. fiera finiavana, respectively, revealed...
Previous studies on leaf-tailed geckos of the genus Uroplatus identified a lineage from Ankarana karst massif in northern Madagascar as genetically highly divergent, but only fragmentary information was available these geckos. Here, we provide an integrative analysis based molecular and morphological data, including newly collected specimen this locality. Phylogenetic placed sister to U. ebenaui, with surprisingly high genetic divergence over 19% uncorrected pairwise distance mitochondrial...
Abstract Resolving ecological-economic trade-offs between biodiversity and yields is a key challenge when addressing the crisis in tropical agricultural landscapes. Here, we focused on relation seven different taxa (trees, herbaceous plants, birds, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, ants) vanilla agroforests Madagascar. Agroforests established forests supported overall 23% fewer species 47% endemic than old-growth forests, 14% forest fragments. In contrast, fallows had 12% more 38% fallows....
Significance Finding entry points where policy has strong leverage to transform land systems for people and nature is pivotal. We develop an innovative framework identify evaluate such along land-use trajectories that account path dependency. Applied the biodiversity hotspot Madagascar, reveals three points: Two are associated with trade-offs between biodiversity, ecosystem services, agricultural productivity, while third entails cobenefits. Swift action required, as dependency caused by...
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...
With open-access publishing authors often pay an article processing charge and subsequently their is freely available online. These charges are beyond the reach of most African academics. Thus, trend towards will shift business model from a pay-wall model, where access to literature limited, pay-to-publish one, scholars cannot afford publish. We explore costs ability publish via open in top journals. Three-quarters 40 ecology journals required payment for (average cost $3150). Paying such...
Background An understanding of the conservation status Madagascar's endemic reptile species is needed to underpin planning and priority setting in this global biodiversity hotspot, complement existing information on island's mammals, birds amphibians. We report here first systematic assessment extinction risk native non-marine Malagasy snakes, lizards, turtles tortoises. Methodology/Principal Findings Species range maps from The IUCN Red List Threatened were analysed determine patterns...
Abstract Large expanses of tropical rainforest have been converted into agricultural landscapes cultivated by smallholder farmers. This is also the case in north‐eastern Madagascar; a region that retains significant proportions forest cover despite slash‐and‐burn shifting hill rice cultivation and vanilla agroforestry expansion. The global hotspot for herpetofauna diversity, but how amphibians reptiles are affected land‐use change remains largely unknown. Using space‐for‐time study design,...
Transformation of forests into agricultural lands threatens biodiversity and ecosystem functions globally. In the hotspot Madagascar, key along with highly endemic flora fauna are under threat. Comprehensive studies identifying determinants function losses lacking, no accounting for species richness across multiple taxa. We assess how plot-scale stand structural attributes (basal area, leaf area index, diameter diversity, tree richness) landscape-scale forest cover influence (species...
Abstract We conducted a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study for group of chameleons from Madagascar (Chamaeleonidae: Calumma nasutum group, comprising seven nominal species) to examine the genetic and species diversity in this widespread genus. Based on DNA sequences mitochondrial gene ( ND2 ) 215 specimens, we reconstructed phylogeny using Bayesian approach. Our results show deep divergences among several unnamed lineages that are difficult identify morphologically. evaluated lineage...
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...
Abstract Aim We studied the gecko genus Ebenavia to reconstruct its colonization history, test for anthropogenic versus natural dispersal out of Madagascar, and correlate divergence date estimates our phylogeny with geological age islands in region. Location Madagascar surrounding Western Indian Ocean (Comoros, Mayotte, Mauritius, Pemba). Methods reconstructed covering entire geographical range using a molecular data set three mitochondrial two nuclear markers. estimated times based on...
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...
Many animals use formalized signals to communicate dominance relationships. In some primates, such as macaques, the function of varies with style. Despotic species produce unidirectional submission that have a dual function: in conflict contexts, they signal willingness withdraw, whereas peaceful indicate agreement subordination. More despotic these calls lesser extent than less species. Here, we investigated whether is also related style two lemur and signalling subordination stabilizes...
Abstract How environmental factors shape patterns of biotic diversity in tropical ecosystems is an active field research, but studies examining the possibility ecological speciation terrestrial are scarce. We use isolated rainforest herpetofauna on Montagne d'Ambre (Amber Mountain) massif northern Madagascar as a model to explore elevational divergence at level populations and communities. Based intensive sampling DNA barcoding amphibians reptiles along transect ranging from ca. 470–1470 m...
Abstract We describe Calumma vohibola sp. nov., a morphologically distinct chameleon species of the nasutum group from littoral forest fragments north-central east coast Madagascar. Males and females this differ all other by an almost absent rostral appendage, characteristic stress colouration in female consisting dark reddish ground with many irregular light blue spots, significant sequence divergence mitochondrial ND2 gene (10.5–19.4% pairwise distance) no haplotype sharing nuclear C-mos...
Endemic to Madagascar, the genus Uroplatus of family Gekkonidae consists 13 nominal species leaf-tailed geckos. These forest dwelling lizards are famous for their cryptic and odd appearance. We describe a new ebenaui group from Montagne d’Ambre massif in northern Madagascar. finiavana sp. nov., is morphologically similar sympatric U. but differs multiple character state expressions, among which longer tail an unpigmentated oral mucosa. It also can be differentiated all other based on high...