A conservation planning strategy applied to the evolutionary history of the mantellid frogs of Madagascar.

Phylogenetic diversity is an increasingly applied metric used to maximize the representation of evolutionary history in spatial conservation planning. When following this approach, researchers commonly overlook sites with a relatively higher proportion of recently diverged endemic species, also known as centers of neo-endemism. Here we aim to demonstrate how targeting the conservation of different facets of diversity (taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic diversity and centers of endemism) can provide more cost-effective solutions to the conservation of the all evolutionary spectrum of biodiversity.

Another step through the crux: a new microendemic rock-dwelling (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from south-central Madagascar.

Using an integrative taxonomic approach including genetic and morphological data, we formally describe a new microendemic gecko species belonging to the clade, previously referred to as D. We name this taxon currently known from Anja Reserve and Tsaranoro Valley Forest (south-central Madagascar), as The new species differs from other species of the clade by ≥ 12.4% uncorrected -distance at the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and it forms a monophyletic group in the COI mtDNA phylogenetic tree.

Madagascar's extraordinary biodiversity: Threats and opportunities.

Madagascar's unique biota is heavily affected by human activity and is under intense threat. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the conservation status of Madagascar's terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity by presenting data and analyses on documented and predicted species-level conservation statuses, the most prevalent and relevant threats, ex situ collections and programs, and the coverage and comprehensiveness of protected areas. The existing terrestrial protected area network in Madagascar covers 10.

Slow and steady wins the race: Diversification rate is independent from body size and lifestyle in Malagasy skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Scincinae).

Most of the unique and diverse vertebrate fauna that inhabits Madagascar derives from in situ diversification from colonisers that reached this continental island through overseas dispersal. The endemic Malagasy Scincinae lizards are amongst the most species-rich squamate groups on the island. They colonised all bioclimatic zones and display many ecomorphological adaptations to a fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle.

Resolving a taxonomic and nomenclatural puzzle in mantellid frogs: synonymization of with , and description of sp. nov. from the Isalo Massif, western Madagascar.

The genus belongs to the species-rich family Mantellidae and is currently divided in six subgenera. Among these is the subgenus Phylacomantis, which currently includes four described species: , , , and . The latter three species are distributed in western Madagascar, and two of them ( and ) occur in the Isalo Massif.