Differences Introduction Objectives Methods ...

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Resurrection of the Malagasy chameleons Furcifer monoceras and Furcifer voeltzkowi. Introduction. The Malagasy genus Furcifer currently contains 22 species.
Rising from the ashes Resurrection of the Malagasy chameleons Furcifer monoceras and Furcifer voeltzkowi M. SENTIS, Y. CHANG, M. SCHERZ, D. PRÖTZEL & F. GLAW Evolution, Ecology and Systematics, LMU München Zoologische Staatssammlung München

Objectives The aim of this study is to clarify the taxonomic status of F. monoceras and F. voeltzkowi by: 1. Comparing both with F. rhinoceratus 2. Comparing F. voeltzkowi with another similar species: F. labordi

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The taxonomy of the group has always been controversial. Even though they are remarkably different, F. monoceras and F. voeltzkowi were considered synonyms of F. rhinoceratus (Hillenius, 1959, 1963).

1. Morphological measurements F. rhinoceratus --- 4 F. voeltzkowi (holotype) --- 4 F. labordi (syntype) --- 3 F. monoceras (holotype) ---1

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2. Micro-CT scanning F. rhinoceratus --- 3 F. voeltzkowi (holotype) --- 2 F. labordi (syntype) --- 1 F. monoceras (holotype) --- 1

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Species in the Furcifer rhinoceratus group are characterized by a remarkably elongated and ossified rostral appendages in adult males.

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The Malagasy genus Furcifer currently contains 22 species. They present sexual dimorphism, a high rounded casque, and the absence of occipital lobes.

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Methods

Introduction

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Differences Body Tail Rostral appendage Ventral crest

Furcifer rhinoceratus

Furcifer monoceras

Casque Dorsal crest Scales Rostral appendage

Casque Scales reticulate lines Rostral appendage

Furcifer labordi

Furcifer voeltzkowi

Discussion and Conclusions Based on morphological and osteological differences, we consider F. monoceras and F. voeltzkowi no longer as a synonym of F. rhinoceratus F. voeltzkowi as a different species to F. labordi

Future: F. monoceras

1. Rediscovery of F. monoceras

F. voelzkowi

2. Assess distribution range of F. voeltzkowi Few specimens collected and absence of females Poorly understood distribution and state overestimation of the population size Importance of cryptic species

Protect new regions Increase knowledge Better conservation strategies

F. rhinoceratus

F. larbodi

underestimation of biodiversity conservation policy

Sentis, M., Chang, Y. Y., Scherz, M. D., Prötzel, D., Glaw, F. Rising from the ashes: resurrection of the Malagasy chameleons Furcifer monoceras and Furcifer voeltzkowi, based on micro-CT analyses and external morphology. Submitted to Zootaxa 2017

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