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Micrelapidae new family. Type genus: Micrelaps Boettger, 1880. Type species: Micrelaps muelleri Boettger, 1880. Etymology: Boettger (Bottger ¨) did not give the etymology for the generic nomen but was almost certainly from the Latin adjective micro-, derived from the Greek mikros (small), and elaps, the Latinised form of the Greek noun´ellops or´elaps (literally sea-fish or serpent, but here in reference to the snake genus Elaps, now a synonym of Homoroselaps). Micrelapidae fam. nov. is derived from Micrelaps by the taking the stem elap- of the root word of the nomen. Content: Micrelaps muelleri Boettger, 1880, Micrelaps bicoloratus Sternfeld, 1908, Micrelaps vaillanti Mocquard, 1888, Brachyophis revoili Mocquard, 1888. Diagnosis and definition: In the crania of Micrelaps and Brachyophis we examined the ectopterygoid was laterally and medially expanded at the point of contact with the pterygoid, with this expansion not being contiguous with the ectopterygoid anterolateral and anteromedial lobes (Fig. 4, Supplementary material fig. 53, 54). The lateral expansion is a posterolaterally and somewhat ventrally directed, very prominent protuberance continuous with a ridge on the ventral surface of the pterygoid. This character state was not present in any other cranium we examined and is very likely a synapomorphy of the family. Other common cranial characters include a premaxilla adapted for a fossorial lifestyle, premaxillary transverse processes closely approaching the maxilla, a short maxilla with ascending processes abutting the prefrontal, well-developed, grooved fangs below the orbit, preceded by a diastema and 2 – 3 teeth, an ectopterygoid deeply forked into anterolateral and anteromedial lobes that articulate with maxillary ectopterygoid processes leaving a foramen in the middle, prefrontal and parietal supraorbital processes laterally bordering the frontal and almost meeting each other, a tendency towards fusion of cranial bones (especially because the supratemporal is absent, very likely fused to the quadrate in Brachyophis and to posterior chondrocranial elements in Micrelaps), and a short quadrate. Brachyophis, however, differs from the type genus in possessing a postorbital (versus postorbital absent in Micrelaps), dorsolateral adductor ridges on the parietal (versus a single sagittal ridge in Micrelaps), only a faint pseudocoronoid ridge on the dentary (versus a prominent process in Micrelaps). Scalation characters that are common in both genera include 1 nasal, 7 supralabials, 15 smooth dorsal scale rows, absence of a loreal, 2 anal shields. Ventrals range from 170 to 280 and subcaudals (paired) 16 – 32 in Micrelaps (Boulenger, 1896; De Witte and Laurent, 1947; Rasmussen, 2002; Werner et al., 2006; Spawls et al., 2018). In Brachyophis, ventrals range from 103 to 123 and subcaudals (single) 8 – 14 (De Witte and Laurent, 1947; Lanza, 1966). Brachyophis has a large, azygous occipital shield (Boulenger, 1896). Micrelaps and Brachyophis possess a rectal caecum and a short genital sinus in the female, two soft tissue traits used to cluster these two genera by Underwood and Kochva (1993). Distribution: Micrelaps spp. is distributed in eastern and northeastern Africa and western Asia. Brachyophis is limited to Somalia in north-eastern Africa. Distribution: Micrelaps spp. is distributed in eastern and northeastern Africa and western Asia. Brachyophis is limited to Somalia in north-eastern Africa. Remarks: Geniez (2018) commented that Micrelaps “could constitute a separate family within its own right, that of Micrelapsidae”. Bar et al. (2021) likewise wrote that “. The actual placement of the genus [Micrelaps] is often poorly supported within studies and inconsistent across them. We suspect it will soon be placed in its own family — as is the norm in taxonomy these days. We predict this family, containing a single genus (Micrelaps), will be called Micrelapidae.”. However, these authors did not explicitly express that they are erecting a new family for these snakes. Rather, it was a suggestion about what should/could be done. It therefore is not in accordance with Article 16.1 and Recommendation 16A of The Code (ICZN, 1999). They also did not also provide characters for the express purpose of differentiating or diagnosing “Micrelapsidae” or “ Micrelapidae ”, nor did they cite a work containing the same (again, very likely because a nomenclatural act presumably was not the intention of Geniez [2018] and it was not the intention of SM, who wrote this in Bar et al. [2021] either) and this contravenes Articles 13.1.1, 13.1.2 and Recommendation 13A of The Code. Hence, we regard the nomen “Micrelapsidae” as unavailable. The ZooBank LSID for this taxonomic action is urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D8475246-AD8E-4886-AB55- 12F6F242E9C4., Published as part of Das, Sunandan, Greenbaum, Eli, Meiri, Shai, Bauer, Aaron M., Burbrink, Frank T., Raxworthy, Christopher J., Weinell, Jeffrey L., Brown, Rafe M., Brecko, Jonathan, Pauwels, Olivier S. G., Rabibisoa, Nirhy, Raselimanana, Achille P. & Merila, Juha, 2023, Ultraconserved elements-based phylogenomic systematics of the snake superfamily Elapoidea, with the description of a new Afro-Asian family, pp. 1-11 in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 180 on pages 8-9, DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107700, http://zenodo.org/record/7746501, {"references":["Sternfeld, R., 1908. Zur Schlangenfauna Ostafrikas. I. Schlangen aus Sud-Abessinien. Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin 4, 239 - 247.","Mocquard, F., 1888. Sur une collection de Reptiles et de Batraciens rapport´es des Pays Comalis et de Zanzibar par M. G. R´evoil. M´emoires Publies par la Soci´ete´ Philomathique a l' occasion du Centenaire de sa fondation 1788 - 1888, 109 - 134.","Boulenger, G. A., 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III, containing the Colubridae (Opisthoglyphae and Proteroglyphae), Amblycephalidae, and Viperidae. Trustees of the British Museum, London.","de Witte, G. - F., Laurent, R., 1947. R´evision d' un groupe de Colubridae africains: genres Calamelaps, Miodon, Aparallactus et formes affines. M´em. Mus. R. His. Nat. Belg. 29, 1 - 134.","Rasmussen, J. B., 2002. A review of the African members of the genus Micrelaps Boettger 1880 (Serpentes Atractaspididae). Tropical Zoology 15, 71 - 87.","Werner, Y. L., Babocsay, G., Carmely, H., Thuna, M., 2006. Micrelaps in the southern Levant: variation, sexual dimorphism, and a new species (Serpentes: Atractaspididae). Zool. Middle East 38, 29 - 48.","Spawls, S., Howell, K., Hinkel, H., Menegon, M., 2018. Field Guide to East African Reptiles, second edition. Bloomsbury Wildlife, London.","Lanza, B., 1966. Il genere Brachyophis e descrizione di una nuova forma (Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae). Monit. Zool. Ital. 74, 30 - 48.","Underwood, G., Kochva, E., 1993. On the affinities of the burrowing asps Atractaspis (Serpentes: Atractaspididae). Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 107, 3 - 64.","Geniez, P., 2018. Snakes of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East: A Photographic Guide. Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford.","Bar, A., Haimovitch, G., Meiri, S., 2021. Field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of, Israel. Edition. Chimaira, Frankfurt Am Main.","ICZN (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature), 1999. International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, fourth edition. International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, London."]}

One of the predicted biological responses to climate warming is the upslope displacement of species distributions. In the tropics, because montane assemblages frequently include local endemics that are distributed close to summits, these species may be especially vulnerable to experiencing complete habitat loss from warming. However, there is currently a dearth of information available for tropical regions. Here, we present a preliminary appraisal of this extinction threat using the herpetological assemblage of the Tsaratanana Massif in northern Madagascar (the island's highest massif), which is rich with montane endemism. We present meteorological evidence (individual and combined regional weather station data and reanalysis forecast data) for recent warming in Madagascar, and show that this trend is consistent with recent climate model simulations. Using standard moist adiabatic lapse rates, these observed meteorological warming trends in northern Madagascar predict upslope species displacement of 17–74 m per decade between 1993 and 2003. Over this same period, we also report preliminary data supporting a trend for upslope distribution movements, based on two surveys we completed at Tsaratanana. For 30 species, representing five families of reptiles and amphibians, we found overall mean shifts in elevational midpoint of 19–51 m upslope (mean lower elevation limit 29–114 m; mean upper elevation limit −8 to 53 m). We also found upslope trends in mean and median elevational observations in seven and six of nine species analysed. Phenological differences between these surveys do not appear to be substantial, but these upslope shifts are consistent with the predictions based on meteorological warming. An elevational range displacement analysis projects complete habitat loss for three species below the 2 °C ‘dangerous’ warming threshold. One of these species is not contracting its distribution, but the other two were not resampled in 2003. A preliminary review of the other massifs in Madagascar indicates potential similar vulnerability to habitat loss and upslope extinction. Consequently, we urgently recommend additional elevational surveys for these and other tropical montane assemblages, which should also include, when possible, the monitoring of local meteorological conditions and habitat change.

We describe a new arboreal and diminutive species of the genus Platypelis from the Réserve Naturelle Intégrale N. 1 de Betampona, one of the last low-altitude rainforest fragments of eastern Madagascar. P. karenae sp. nov. is a phytotelmic species, living among leaves of Pandanus spp. and those of a herbaceous plant of the genus Crinum. Amongst species of comparable size, the new species is most similar to P. tetra, with which it shares a similar life history of occupying leaf axils of phytotelms. Phylogenetically, P. karenae is sister to P. tuberifera yet differentiated by a high level of genetic divergence (>7% p-distance for the analysed fragment of the 16S rRNA gene), its distinctly smaller size, acoustic repertoire, and colour pattern. The mitochondrial, nuclear, bioacoustic, and morphological data all independently support the validity of this new species., This research received support from the SYNTHESYS Project http://www.synthesys.info, which is financed by the European Community Research Infrastructure Action under the FP7 “Capacities” programme.

Spinomantis tavaratra, new species Figures 1E, 2, 3 HOLOTYPE: AMNH A167935 (RAX 4875), adult male, collected 11 April 2002 at Sorata Mountain, Vohemar Fivondronana, Antsiranana Province, 1300 m, 13 �� 41 9 9 0 S 49 �� 26 9 31 0 E, by S.D. Mahaviasy, N. Rabibisoa, and C.J. Raxworthy. PARATYPES: AMNH A167936���37 (RAX 4876, 4962), collection data as the holotype except A167937, collected 12 April, 2002; AMNH A167933���34 (RAX 3494, RAX 3508), collected 6���7 December 2001, Ambolokopatrika River, Betaolana Corridor Forest, Andapa Fivondronana, Antsiranana, 1250 m, 14 �� 31 9 53 0 S, 49 �� 25 9 37 0 E by S.D. Mahaviasy, N. Rabibisoa, A. Rakotozafy, A. Razafimanantsoa, and A. Razafimanantsoa; AMNH A157066 (APR 380) and AMNH A157069 (APR 440), collected 15���17 October 1996, Andampimbazaha Cascade, a tributary of Manantenina River, 10 km NW from Manantenina village, Marojejy Strict Nature Reserve, Sambava Fivondronana, Antsiranana Prov- TABLE 3 Morphometric data for Spinomantis tavaratra, new species. All measurements in mm. a Holotype. ince, 700���780 m, 14 �� 26.0 9 S, 49 �� 45.7 9 E, by A.P. Raselimanana; AMNH A157070���73 (APR 722, 752, 754, 812) collected 24���27 October 1996, Ambavanaomby, 11 km NW from Manantenina village, Marojejy Strict Nature Reserve, Sambava Fivondronana, 1100���1180 m, 14 �� 26.2 9 S, 49 �� 44.5 9 E, by A.P. Raselimanana; UMMZ 212364���66 (RAN 39769, 39776, 39855) collected 21���24 November 1992 at the Manantenina River in the Marojejy Reserve, Sambava Fivondronana, Antsiranana Province, 650���700 m, 14.43 �� S, 49.76 �� E, by R. A. Nussbaum, C. J. Raxworthy, A. Razafimanantsoa, and A. Razafimanantsoa; UMMZ 212367���68 (RAN 39969 ���70) collected 27���30 November 1992 at Marojejy Reserve, Sambava Fivondronana, Antsiranana Province, 1300 m, 14.43 �� S, 49.76 �� E, by R. A. Nussbaum, C. J. Raxworthy, A. Razafimanantsoa, and A. Razafimanantsoa. DIAGNOSIS: A medium-sized Spinomantis (adult male SLV 30���36 mm), with type 2 femoral glands in adult males; a singular subgular vocal sac in males; NSD, 2 mm; dark spots on throat and venter; inner and outer metatarsal tubercles; vomerine teeth; a tibiotarsal extension that extends between the nostril to beyond the snout tip, 2 to 2.5 phalanges free of webbing on the exterior 4th toe, and simple dermal spines, 1 mm length along the posterior margin of the tarsus (table 3). Spinomantis tavaratra can be distinguished from the following species: S. peraccae, S. brunae, S. elegans, S. microtis, S. bertini, and S. nussbaumi sp. nov. by presence of dermal spines on the tarsus. Spinomantis tavaratra can be distinguished from S. phantasticus by the lack of supraocular dermal spines $ 0.5 mm and lack of other prominent spines on the head or dorsum. Spinomantis tavaratra can be distinguished from S. aglavei and S. fimbriatus (see table 4) by its dermal spines on its hind limbs that do not exceed 1 mm in length (S. aglavei and S. fimbriatus spines exceed 1 mm, Glaw and Vences, 1997); absence of dermal spines with multiple points (S. aglavei spines with multiple points); smaller SVL (S. tavaratra SLV 30���36 mm, S. aglavei 40���51 mm, S. fimbriatus 36���39 mm); and tibio-tarsal extension that may extend beyond the nostrils (S. aglavei and S. fimbriatus to nostrils). Spinomantis tavaratra can be distinguished from S. massorum by the shorter snout (S. tavaratra NSD, 2 mm; S. massorum NSD. 2.1 mm); dark markings on venter and throat (S. massorum lacks dark markings on venter and throat); a tibio-tarsal extension that may extend past the nostril (S. massorum tibiotarsal extension reaches between the eye and nostril); and less developed webbing on toe 4 (S. tavaratra 2 to 2.5:IV:2 to 2.5, S. massorum 0.75 to 2:IV:1 to 2). TABLE 4 Morphometric data for Spinomantis aglavei, S. fimbriatus, and S. phantasticus. All measurements in mm. ZFMK specimen data from Glaw and Vences (1994, 1997). a Holotype. DESCRIPTION OF HOLOTYPE: Adult male in a good state of preservation with vocal sac, distinct femoral gland, and mature testes measuring 3.6 X 0.9 mm, and whitish yellow in color. The skin, femoral gland, and muscle have been removed from the right thigh for a tissue sample. Head laterally and dorsally with scattered weak tubercles. Head 1.19 times wider than long. Head length 0.33 times SVL. Canthus rostrum sharp edged. A weak ridge starts posterior to nostril and runs through the loreal region to the lower anterior eye orbit. Internarial distance 0.26 times head width. Nostrils open laterally. Pupil round. Eye to nostril distance two times nostril to snout distance and 0.89 times eye diameter. Tympanum well defined, diameter 0.28 times eye diameter. Supratympanic ridge present and uniform, arching from posterior of eye to above the forelimb insertion point. Vomerine teeth present, vomerine bone triangular in shape. Arms slender and smooth with forearm length 0.25 times SVL. No dermal spines on arms or body. Hand length (including disks) 0.37 times SVL with no webbing. Relative finger lengths 1, 2, 4, 3. Fingers and toes with enlarged triangular disks. Disk of third toe two times wider than terminal phalange. Dorsum and flanks smooth with a few rounded tubercles concentrated on the posterior dorsal region of the head and the posterior dorsal region of the body. Venter weakly granular. Tibio-tarsal extension reaches between nostrils and snout tip. Thigh length 0.52 times SVL. Ventral surface of thigh granular, all other leg surfaces but with some scattered tubercles. Type 2 oval femoral glands differentiated and distended, measuring 5.5 X 1.8 mm. Approximately 40 granules with no central pore visible in external view. In internal view, 47 opaque granules, some with translucent perimeters. Lower leg 0.54 times SVL. Foot, including tarsus, 0.75 times SVL. Four simple dermal spines,,1.0 mm in length, approximately evenly spaced and increasing in size proximally on the posterior margin of the tarsus. Inner and outer metatarsal tubercles present, with round outer metatarsal tubercle 0.5 mm in diameter and elliptical inner metatarsal tubercle 1.8 mm in length. Relative toe lengths 1, 2, 5, 3, 4. Foot webbing: I 1 ��� 1.5 II 1 ��� 1.75 III 1.25 ��� 2.5 IV 2.5 ��� 1 V. COLORATION IN PRESERVATIVE: Head dorsally and laterally reddish brown with scattered small brown spots, with larger dark brown spots concentrated on the canthus rostrum and supratympanic ridge, and a dark brown band between the eyes. Iris dark brown. Dorsum reddish brown with darker brown spots. Flanks yellowish white with faint brown spots. Arms with two dorsal broken grayish-brown transverse stripes. Legs with nine broken grayish-brown transverse stripes of uneven width. When in sitting posture, dorsal stripes on the hind limbs line up, forming three longitudinal stripes. Ventral arms and legs yellowish white with brown small spots. Throat yellowish white with lower lip bordered by grayish-brown spots. Venter yellowish white with scattered fine dark brown spots on the chest. Femoral glands brown in external view and white in internal view. COLORATION IN LIFE: Some of the reddishbrown pigment on the dorsal surface of the head and body is pale green in life. The flanks are silvery white with pale yellowish-green fine spots. The tarsal spines are white. The iris is silvery white, with dark brown radiating bands, and a pale blue iris ring. VARIATION: Morphometric variation is summarized in table 3. All specimens agree with the holotype description with the following exceptions. The presence of tubercles on the dorsum, head, and flanks range from being sparsely dispersed, as in AMNH A167934, to frequent, as in UMMZ 212366. The supratympanic ridge is reduced and broken in AMNH A157070���71, A157073, and UMMZ 212368. The tibio- tarsal exten- sion may extend beyond the snout tip (AMNH A157070, A157072; UMMZ 212366��� 67). Simple dermal spines may be present on the posterior surface of the forearm (table 3). Dermal spines on the hind limb range from approximately uniform in spacing and size, as in the holotype, to alternating in size, with dermal spines generally reduced in size distally. Femoral glands 4.1���7.2 mm in length and 1.8���3.1 mm in width, separated by 2.4 to 3.5 mm, with approximately 20 to 40 granules visible in external view. Inner metatarsal tubercle range from 1.0 to 1.8 mm in length. Foot webbing variation: I 0.5 to 1 ��� 0.75 to1.5 II 0 to 1 ��� 0.5 to 2 III 0.5 to 1.25 ��� 2 to 2.5 IV 2 to 2.75 ��� 0.75 to 1 V. Females AMNH A157070, A157072���73, A167933, and A167936���37 lack femoral glands. AMNH A167933 is a gravid female with at least 25 visible eggs (up to 2.4 mm diameter) seen in ventral internal view. Juveniles AMNH A157069 and UMMZ 212364 lack femoral glands, but have fore- and hind limb dermal spines present similar in number and placement to those of adults. UMMZ 212364 has very fine brown spotting on the venter. AMNH A167933 has silver-colored longitudinal stripes on the canthus rostrum, between the eyes, and dorsolaterally on the body. The dorsum dark brown blotches and spots loosely define a postocular ������W������ in UMMZ 212366���67. The dark spotting on the venter may extend to the throat (AMNH A167933 and A167936). ETYMOLOGY: The specific name tavaratra refers to the Malagasy word for ������the north������. This name is used as a nonlatinized specific epithet, and is given in reference to the known distribution of this species in northern Madagascar. DISTRIBUTION: Known only from humid forests in NE Madagascar, between 650��� 1300 m elevation. Most specimens have been collected from the Marojejy Massif (including the Betaolana corridor), but the species is known to occur as far north as the Sorata Massif. REMARKS: All specimens were collected at night, between 1800 and 2300 hours, in areas by the edges of rivers and small fast-flowing streams. Animals were found on leaves, branches, and tree trunks, at heights of 0.8��� 4.0 m above the forest floor. Glaw and Vences (1997) report on four male specimens (ZFNK 59900, 59926���28) from 700 m elevation at Marojejy that may represent additional S. tavaratra material based on their SVL of 31���34 mm. Although these authors attributed these specimens to S. fimbriatus (type locality Andasibe, 500 km south of Marojejy), they also noted the small body size and differences in the call of these Marojejy specimens compared to the Andasibe S. fimbriatus., Published as part of Cramer, Abigail F., Rabibisoa, Nirhy H. C. & Raxworthy, Christopher J., 2008, Descriptions of two new Spinomantis frogs from Madagascar (Amphibia: Mantellidae), and new morphological data for S. brunae and S. massorum, pp. 1-24 in American Museum Novitates 3618 (3618) on pages 10-14, DOI: 10.1206/594.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4712913, {"references":["Glaw, F., and M. Vences. 1997. Neue Daten uber die Mantidactylus - Untergattung Spinomantis (Anura: Ranidae: Mantellinae) aus Madagaskar, mit Beschreibung einer neuen Art. Salamandra 32: 243 - 258.","Glaw, F., and M. Vences. 1994. A fieldguide to the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar. Koln (Cologne): Vences and Glaw."]}

Spinomantis massorum (Glaw and Vences, 1994) Figures 1C���D, 2, 3 Mantidactylus massi Glaw and Vences, 1994 Mantidactylus massorum: Vences et al., 2003 Spinomantis massorum: Glaw and Vences 2006 HOLOTYPE: ZFMK 57442 from Benavony (near Ambanja), about 300 m altitude. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: AMNH A167938��� 39 (RAX 2865, 2959), collected 11���12 April 2001, at Ramena River Camp, Tsaratanana Reserve, Ambanja Fivondronana, Antsiranana Province, 740 m, 13 �� 55 9 04 0 S, 48 �� 53 9 16 0 E, by S.D. Mahaviasy, N. Rabibisoa, C.J. Raxworthy, A. Razafimanantsoa, and A. Razafimanantsoa; AMNH A167940���41 (RAX 2965���66) as AMNH A167938, except 12 April 2001, 1150 m; AMNH A167942���45 (RAX 3190, 3238���39, 3298), collected 15���19 April 2001, at Antsaravy Ridge, Tsaratanana Reserve, Ambanja Fivondronana, Antsiranana Province, 1050���1200 m, 13 �� 55 9 34 0 S, 48 �� 54 9 21 0 E, by S.D. Mahaviasy, N. Rabibisoa, A. Razafimanantsoa, and A. Razafimanantsoa; AMNH A167946 (RAX 6581), collected 2 April 2003 at Irony River Relict Forest, Antsohihy Fivondronana, Mahajanga Province, 950 m, 14 �� 45 9 8 0 S, 48 �� 29 9 41 0 E, by S.D. Mahaviasy, N. Rabibisoa, and C.J. Raxworthy; UMMZ 212358���63 (RAN 39379 ���80, 39434���37), collected 1���4 March 1992 at Antsahabe River, Manongarivo Reserve, Ambanja Fivondronana, Antsiranana Province, 650 m, 48.342 �� E 14.433 �� S, by J.B. Ramanamanjato, A. Raselimanana, and C.J. Raxworthy. DIAGNOSIS: A medium-sized Spinomantis (adult male SLV 33���42 mm), type 2 femoral glands in adult males; vomerine teeth; no dark markings on throat or venter; a singular subgular vocal sac in males; adult NSD. 2.1 mm, inner and outer metatarsal tubercles; a tibio-tarsal extension that reaches between the eye and nostril, 1���2 phalanges free of webbing on the exterior 4th toe; and simple dermal spines, 1 mm in length (table 2). Spinomantis massorum can be distinguished from the following species: S. peraccae, S. brunae, S. elegans, S. microtis, S. bertini and S. nussbaumi sp. nov. by the presence of dermal spines on the tarsus. Spinomantis massorum can be distinguished from S. phantasticus by the lack of supraocular dermal spines $ 0.5 mm and lack of other prominent spines on the head or dorsum. Spinomantis massorum can be distinguished from S. aglavei and S. fimbriatus by adult dermal spines on its hind limbs that do not exceed 1 mm in length (Glaw and Vences, 1997); and lacking dermal spines with multiple points. Spinomantis massorum can be distinguished from S. tavaratra sp. nov. by a lack of markings on venter and TABLE 2 Morphometric data for Spinomantis massorum. All measurements in mm. ZFMK specimen data from Glaw and Vences (1994, 1997). a Holotype. throat (S. tavaratra sp. nov. with dark spots on venter and throat); a longer adult snout (S. massorum with NSD. 2.1 mm; S. tavaratra sp. nov. NSD, 2 mm); a tibio-tarsal extension that reaches between the eye and nostril (S. tavaratra sp. nov. tibio-tarsal extension may extend past snout); and more developed webbing on toe 4 (S. massorum 0.75 to 2: IV: 1 to 2; S. tavaratra sp. nov. 2 to 2.5: IV: 2 to 2.5). DESCRIPTION OF AMNH A167944: Adult male in an excellent state of preservation with a singular subgular vocal sac, distinct femoral glands, and mature testes, measuring 2.2 X 1.0 mm, and whitish yellow in color. The skin, femoral gland, and muscle have been removed from the right thigh for a tissue sample. Head width 1.33 times wider than long, head length 0.30 times SVL. Canthus rostrum with a rounded edge. Scattered tubercles on the snout and dorsal posterior regions of the head. A weak ridge starts posterior to nostril and runs through the loreal region to the lower anterior eye orbit. Internarial distance 0.29 times head width. Nostrils open laterally. Pupil round. Eye to nostril distance 1.74 times nostril to snout distance and equal to eye diameter. Tympanum well defined, diameter 0.43 times eye diameter. Supratympanic ridge present and broken, arching unevenly from posterior of eye to above mouth corner. Vomerine teeth present, vomerine bone elliptical in shape. Arms slender and smooth with forearm length 0.25 times SVL, with four dermal spines up to 0.2 mm in length forming a line from elbow to wrist. Hand length (including disks) 0.36 times SVL with a trace of webbing between digits, never extending beyond basal phalange. Relative finger lengths 1, 2, 4, 3. Fingers and toes with enlarged triangular disks. Disk of third toe 1. 7 times wider than terminal phalange. No dermal spines on body. Dorsum and flanks weakly granular. Venter weakly granular. Four enlarged tubercles positioned ventral to the cloaca. Tibio-tarsal extension reaches between eye and snout. Thigh length 0.55 times SVL. Dorsal hind limbs with weakly developed tubercles, and smooth ventrally. Clearly differentiated and distended type 2 oval femoral glands, measuring 9.5 X 2.5 mm, and separated by 1.7 mm. Externally each gland includes approximately 120 granules with no central pore. Internally there are approximately 120 opaque centered granules in contact with each other. Lower limb 0.56 times SVL. On the posterior surface of the tarsus to fifth toe there are eight simple dermal spines, measuring,1.0 mm in length. Foot, including tarsus 0.77 times SVL. Ventral foot granular. Inner and outer metatarsal tubercle, with round outer metatarsal tubercle 0.4 mm in diameter and elliptical inner metatarsal tubercle 2.1 mm in length. Relative toe lengths 1, 2, 5, 3, 4. Foot webbing I 0.75 ��� 1 II 0 ��� 1.25 III 0.5 ��� 2 IV 2 ��� 0.75 V. COLORATION IN PRESERVATIVE: Head dorsally and laterally brownish yellow with a dark brown transversal intraocular stripe and a brown blotchy band on the supratympanic ridge and canthus rostrum. Lower lip bordered by small dark brown spots. Iris dark brown. Dorsum brownish yellow, with a dark brown ������W������ marking on the shoulder region, and an isolated brown spot in the middle of the back. Posterior dorsal pelvic region marked with four dark brown spots forming an approximate square pattern. Flanks yellowish white with a brown blotchy dorsolateral line. Arms brownish yellow with four dorsal dark brown transverse stripes of uneven width. Legs brownish yellow with nine dark brown transverse stripes of uneven width. When in sitting posture, dorsal stripes on the hind limbs line up, forming three longitudinal stripes. Dermal spines pale yellow. Throat and ventral body yellowish white and unspotted. Ventral arms yellowish white. Ventral thigh light brown, which fades to yellowish white on the lower limb. Femoral glands yellowish white in external and internal view. COLORATION IN LIFE: The iris is creamy white in color, with a brown border that includes short bars radiating in toward the pupil. Surrounding the brown border is a thin green iris ring. The dorsal body coloration includes green pigment in areas that are brownish yellow in preservation. The lower flanks and groin area have silvery blotches. The hind limb dermal spines are white. VARIATION: Morphometric variation is summarized in table 2. All specimens agree with AMNH A167944 with the following exceptions. The vomerine bone of all other specimens is triangular in shape. Dermal tubercles ventral to the vent may be absent (AMNH A167938). Femoral glands vary in size from 8.2���11.3 in length and from 2.4 to 3.9 mm width, separated by 1.7 to 4.7 mm, with approximately 50 to 120 granules visible in external view. Inner metatarsal tubercle range from 1.2 to 1.6 mm in length. Foot webbing variation: I 0 to 1 ��� 0.75 to1.25 II 0 to 0.5 ��� 1 to 1.5 III 0 to 1 ��� 0.75 to 2 IV 1 to 2 ��� 0.25 to 1 V. Female AMNH A167943 lacks femoral glands. Juveniles AMNH A167939��� 42, and A167945���46 lack femoral glands but have fore- and hind limb dermal spines present similar in number, placement, and size to those of adults. DISTRIBUTION: Known only from humid forests in NW Madagascar, in the Sambirano Region, between 300���1200 m elevation. REMARKS: This species was found active at night between 2000���2100 hours, on leaves, vertical rock surfaces, branches, and tree trunks, up to 2.5 m height above the forest floor, but always at the edges of small streams or rivers. Three specimens were also found during the day by streams: one crouched on a rock surface, and the other two found among grass on the ground., Published as part of Cramer, Abigail F., Rabibisoa, Nirhy H. C. & Raxworthy, Christopher J., 2008, Descriptions of two new Spinomantis frogs from Madagascar (Amphibia: Mantellidae), and new morphological data for S. brunae and S. massorum, pp. 1-24 in American Museum Novitates 3618 (3618) on pages 7-10, DOI: 10.1206/594.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4712913, {"references":["Glaw, F., and M. Vences. 1994. A fieldguide to the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar. Koln (Cologne): Vences and Glaw.","Vences, M., D. R. Vieites, F. Glaw, H. Brinkmann, J. Kosuch, M. Veith, and A. Meyer. 2003. Multiple overseas dispersal in amphibians. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences 270: 2435 - 2442.","Glaw, F., and M. Vences. 2006. Phylogeny and genus-level classification of Mantellid frogs (Amphibia, Anura). Organisms Diversity and Evolution. 6: 236 - 53.","Glaw, F., and M. Vences. 1997. Neue Daten uber die Mantidactylus - Untergattung Spinomantis (Anura: Ranidae: Mantellinae) aus Madagaskar, mit Beschreibung einer neuen Art. Salamandra 32: 243 - 258."]}

Spinomantis brunae (Andreone et al., 1998) Figures 1A���B, 2 Mantidactylus brunae Andreone et al., 1998 Spinomantis brunae: Glaw and Vences, 2006 HOLOTYPE: MRSN A1649 from between the villages of Isaka-Ivondro and Eminiminy, Andohahela Strict Reserve, Toliara (Tulear) Province, elevation about 600 m, 24 �� 45 9 30 0 S, 46 �� 51 9 15 0 E. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: UMMZ 198404���11 (RAN 36211, RAN 36241 ���3, RAN 36279, RAN 36375, RAN 36517, RAN 36540), collected 19���28 December 1990, at Ampamakiesiny Pass, Tolagnaro Fivondronana, Toliara Province, Madagascar, between 700��� 800 m, 46.85 �� E, 2 24.53 �� S, by J.B. Ramanamanjato, A. Raselimanana, and C.J. Raxworthy. DIAGNOSIS: A medium-sized Spinomantis (adult male SLV 32���35 mm), with type 2 femoral glands; vomerine teeth; a reticulated dorsal pattern composed of dark round spots on a lighter background; a dark throat with light spots; a singular subgular vocal sac in males; inner and outer metatarsal tubercles; SVL/FT $ 1.4; webbing formula I 0.5 to 1 ��� 0.75 to 1 II 0 to 0.5 ��� 1 to 1.5 III 0.5 to 1 ��� 2 IV 2 ��� 0.25 to 0.75 V; and no dermal spines on fore or hind limbs (table 1). Spinomantis brunae can be distinguished from all other Spinomantis species by the following characters. S. aglavei, S. fimbriatus, S. massorum, S. tavaratra sp. nov., and S. phantasticus all have hind limb dermal spines that are absent in S. brunae. Spinomantis bertini is much smaller (males SVL 22��� 23 mm), and has only rudimentary webbing on the hind feet. Spinomantis elegans and S. microtis are larger (male SVL 34���60 mm) and males lack femoral glands. In addition, S. elegans lacks an outer metatarsal tubercle, and S. microtis has completely webbed feet. Spinomantis guibei has distinctive markings: the ventral limbs are white with black blotches, and the dorsal body has longitudinal dark lines (both marking features absent in S. brunae). Spinomantis guibei also has more reduced webbing: the 4th internal toe has 3 phalanges without webbing compared to 1���2 for S. brunae. Spinomantis nussbaumi sp. nov., and S. peraccae can be distinguished from S. brunae by their large adult male body size (SVL 35���57 mm); throat color (S. nussbaumi sp. nov. brilliant white with dark spots, S. peraccae pale yellowish white with or without dark spots); and smaller foot in relation to body size (S. nussbaumi sp. nov. and S. peraccae SVL /FT # 1.4). DESCRIPTION OF UMMZ 198411: Adult male in an excellent state of preservation with a singular subgular vocal sac, distinct femoral glands, and mature testes, measuring 6.0 X 0.9 mm, and whitish yellow in color. Head dorsally finely granular and lacking an interocular longitudinal ridge. Head 1.18 times wider than long. Head length 0.32 times SVL. Canthus rostrum with a rounded edge. A weak ridge starts posterior to nostril and runs through the loreal region to the lower anterior eye orbit. Internarial distance 0.30 times head width. Nostrils open laterally. Pupil round. Eye to nostril distance 1.87 times nostril to snout distance and 0.86 times eye diameter. Tympanum well defined, diameter 0.61 times eye diameter. Supratympanic ridge arches smoothly from posterior of eye to above the forelimb insertion point. Vomerine teeth present, vomerine bone triangular in shape. Arms slender and smooth with forearm length 0.24 times SVL. No dermal spines on arms, legs, or body. Hand length (including disks) 0.32 times SVL and free of webbing. Relative finger lengths 1, 2, 4, 3. Fingers and toes with enlarged, triangular disks. Disk of third toe two times wider than terminal phalange. Body dorsally granular. Flanks and belly weakly granular. No enlarged tubercles on body or around anal region. Tibio-tarsal extension reaches past snout. Thigh length 0.51 times SVL. Ventral surface of thigh granular, and all other leg surfaces smooth. Type 2 oval femoral glands clearly differentiated and distended, measuring 8.7 X 3.5 mm, separated by 0.8 mm. Approximately 90 granules with no central pore visible in external view. Approximately 300 touching granules in internal view. Granules translucent with opaque centers. Lower leg 0.55 times SVL. Foot, including tarsus, 0.73 times SVL. Inner and outer metatarsal tubercles present on foot, with round outer metatarsal tubercle 0.4 mm in diameter and elliptical inner metatarsal tubercle 1.3 mm in length. Relative toe lengths 1, 2, 3, 5, 4. Foot webbing I 1 ��� 1 II 0.5 ��� 1.25 III 0.75 ��� 2 IV 2 ��� 0.75 V. COLORATION IN PRESERVATIVE: Head and dorsum pale brown, with a reticulated pattern of dark brown spots (approximately the diameter of the tympanum) closely spaced together. Iris dark brown. Tympanum light brown. Flanks dark brown with light brown small spots. Arms with five dorsal dark brown transverse stripes of uneven width. Legs light brown with 12 dark brown transverse stripes of uneven width. Some of the broader pale brown bands contain within them additional darker brown blotches. In the natural resting posture, the dorsal stripes on the hind limbs line up to form three longitudinal stripes. Ventral arms and legs light brown. Throat light brown with yellowish-white spots. Venter brown. Femoral glands light brown in external view and yellowish white in internal view. COLORATION IN LIFE: The dorsal pale brown coloration (in preservative) is olive green in life, and the pale flank spots are white in life. The digit and toe pads are each marked TABLE 1 Morphometric data for Spinomantis brunae. All measurements in mm. MRSN specimen data from Andreone et al., (1998). a Holotype. with a pair of white spots. The iris is creamy white in color. VARIATION: Morphometric variation is summarized in table 1, which includes the holotype. All specimens agree with the description of UMMZ 198411 with the following exceptions. Femoral glands vary in size from 8.5���9.1 mm in length and 3.4���3.7 mm width, separated by 0.8���1.3 mm, with approximately 75���110 granules visible in external view. Inner metatarsal tubercle range from 1.2���1.4 mm in length. Foot webbing variation: I 0.5 to 1 ��� 0.75 to 1 II 0 to 0.5 ��� 1 to 1.5 III 0.5 to 1 ��� 2 IV 2 ��� 0.25 to 0.75 V. The holotype END and NSD measurements given by Andreone et al. (1998) are not within the range of the adult males examined by us (see table 1), possibly due to difference in measurement methodology. Characters of adult females are unknown. Juveniles UMMZ 198404 and 198406 have poorly defined supratympanic ridges, yellowish-white venters in preservation, and a dorsal pattern of reticulate spots that are not as closely spaced together compared to the adult coloration. DISTRIBUTION: Known only from humid forests in the Anosy Mountains, SE Madagascar, between 600���800 m elevation. REMARKS: One UMMZ specimen was collected during the day (1100 hours) on a leaf, but all others were collected at night (2100���2300 hours) on leaves, branches, or rocks. All specimens were found in close proximity to small fast-flowing streams, in areas with large to massive rock boulders and rock crevices at the waters edge. One male (RAN 36729, UMMZ 198408) was found vocalizing at 2100 hours on a branch at 0.5 m height off the ground by a small stream. The call is a short one-second pulse, sounding like a rapid metallic trill, which is repeated every 5���10 seconds., Published as part of Cramer, Abigail F., Rabibisoa, Nirhy H. C. & Raxworthy, Christopher J., 2008, Descriptions of two new Spinomantis frogs from Madagascar (Amphibia: Mantellidae), and new morphological data for S. brunae and S. massorum, pp. 1-24 in American Museum Novitates 3618 (3618) on pages 4-7, DOI: 10.1206/594.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4712913, {"references":["Andreone, F., F. Glaw, M. Vences, and D. Vallan. 1998. A New Mantidactylus from South- Eastern Madagascar, with a review of Mantidactylus peraccae (Ranidae: Mantellinae). Herpetological Journal 8: 149 - 159.","Glaw, F., and M. Vences. 2006. Phylogeny and genus-level classification of Mantellid frogs (Amphibia, Anura). Organisms Diversity and Evolution. 6: 236 - 53."]}

Spinomantis nussbaumi, new species Figures 2, 4, 5 HOLOTYPE: AMNH A167949 (RAX 5934), adult male, with muscle and skin removed from left thigh for a tissue sample, collected 27 February 2003, Befosa River���Antetikalambazaha, Tsaratanana Massif, Bealanana Fivondronana, Mahajanga Province, 1650 m, 14 �� 10 9 27 0 S, 48 �� 56 9 42 0 E, by S.D. Mahaviasy, N. Rabibisoa, and N. Rakotozafy. PARATYPES: AMNH A167947���48 (RAX 5824, 5933), A167950���51 (RAX 5975���76), collection data as the holotype except AMNH A167947, 24 February 2003,1580 m; AMNH A167950���51, 28 February 2003, 1620 m. DIAGNOSIS: A large-sized Spinomantis (adult male SLV 47���57 mm), with type 2 femoral glands that in preservative are lighter in coloration than the surrounding skin in breeding males; vomerine teeth; END / NSD # 1.8; dorsal body pattern composed of irregular darker shaped blotches; throat white (in life and preservative); a singular subgular vocal sac in males; SVL / FT # 1.4; inner and outer metatarsal tubercles; well-developed foot webbing, with only 0.25���0.5 of the distal phalange free of webbing on the exterior margin of toe 3, and only 1.0���1.5 distal phalanges free of webbing on the internal edge of toe 4. Spinomantis nussbaumi can be distinguished from all other Spinomantis species by the following characters. Spinomantis aglavei, S. fimbriatus, S. massorum, S. tavaratra, and S. phantasticus all have hind limb dermal spines that are absent in S. nussbaumi. Spinomantis bertini is much smaller (males SVL 22��� 23 mm), and has only rudimentary webbing on the hind feet. Spinomantis elegans and S. microtis lack male femoral glands, and in addition, S. elegans lacks an outer metatarsal tubercle and S. microtis has completely webbed feet. Spinomantis guibei has distinctive markings: the ventral surface of the limbs are white with black blotches and the dorsal body has longitudinal dark lines, both of which are absent in S. nussbaumi. Spinomantis guibei also has more reduced webbing: the internal margin of toe 4 has three phalanges without webbing compared to 1���1.5 for S. nussbaumi. Spinomantis brunae can be distinguished by its smaller adult male body size (SVL 32���35 mm), reticulated dorsal body pattern, dark throat color, proportionally shorter snout (S. brunae, END /NSD. 1.8, S. nussbaumi END /NSD # 1.8), and proportionally shorter foot length (S. brunae SVL /FT $ 1.4, S. nussbaumi SVL /FT # 1.4). S. peraccae can be distinguished by its smaller adult male SLV (S. peraccae 35��� 46 mm, S. nussbaumi 47���57 mm; table 5) pale yellow throat color in preservative, lessdeveloped toe webbing with the exterior margin of toe 3 with 0.75���1.0 phalanges without webbing (S. nussbaumi 0.25���0.5), and femoral gland color that is the same as the surrounding skin in preservative. DESCRIPTION OF HOLOTYPE: Adult male in an excellent state of preservation with a singular subgular vocal sac, distinct femoral glands, and mature whitish-yellow testes, measuring 7.9 X 1.7 mm. A tissue sample of muscle has been removed from the left thigh. Head smooth dorsally, with a faint longitudinal intraocular ridge. Head width 1.41 times head length. Head length 0.26 times SVL. Canthus rostrum sharp edged. A weak ridge starts posterior to nostril and runs through the loreal region to the lower anterior eye orbit. Internarial distance 0.30 times head width. Nostrils open laterally. Pupil round. Eye to nostril distance 1.50 times nostril to snout distance and 0.85 times eye diameter. Tympanum well defined, diameter 0.56 times eye diameter. Supratympanic ridge present, arching smoothly from posterior of eye to above the forelimb insertion point. Vomerine teeth present and vomerine bone triangular in shape. Arms slender and smooth with forearm length 0.25 times SVL. No dermal spines on arms, legs, or body. Hand length (including disks) 0.36 times SVL with a trace webbing between digits, never extending beyond basal phalange. Relative finger lengths 1, 2, 4, 3. Fingers and toes with enlarged, triangular disks. Disk of third toe 1.8 times wider than terminal phalange. Dorsum and flanks with fine granular skin. Venter weakly granular. No enlarged tubercles on body or around cloaca. Tibio-tarsal extension reaches between eye and snout tip. Thigh length 0.49 times SVL. Ventral surface of thigh weakly granular, all other leg surfaces smooth. Type 2, oval femoral glands differentiated and distended, measuring 9.8 X 5.0 mm, separated by 2.9 mm. In external view approximately 65 granules with no central pore visible. In internal view, approximately 120 granules. Granules translucent with opaque center. Lower leg 0.53 times SVL. Foot, including tarsus, 0.80 times SVL. Inner and outer metatarsal tubercles present, with round outer metatarsal tubercle 0.5 mm in diameter and elliptical inner metatarsal tubercle 2.1 mm in length. Relative toe lengths 1, 2, 5, 3, 4. Foot webbing I 0.5 ��� 1 II 0.25 ��� 1 III 0.5 ��� 1.5 IV 1 ��� 0.75 V. TABLE 5 Morphometric data for Spinomantis nussbaumi, new species, and S. peraccae. All measurements in mm. BM specimen data from Andreone et al., (1998). a Holotype. COLORATION IN PRESERVATIVE: Head dorsally and laterally dark brown with a darker brown, broken cross-shape marking on the posterior head, with the anterior arms of the cross reaching the supraocular regions. Iris dark brown. Tympanum light brown. Dorsum dark brown with darker brown spots forming two dorsolateral lines. Flanks dark brown with a yellowish-white spots. Arms brown with four dorsal darker brown transverse stripes of uneven width. Legs brown with nine darker brown transverse stripes of uneven width. When in sitting posture, dorsal stripes on the hind limbs line up, forming three longitudinal stripes. Throat white with small dark brown spots mostly concentrated on the lower lip margin. Venter yellowish white with dark brown spots in the pectoral region and anterior belly, and fading into pale-brown points on the posterior belly. Ventral arms and legs uniform brown, except for the femoral glands that are paler brown. COLORATION IN LIFE: As in preservative, except that some green and greenish-brown pigment is present in life, forming spots on the head and body. VARIATION: Morphometric variation is summarized in table 5. All specimens agree with the holotype description with the following exceptions. The supratympanic ridge has a sharp bend posterior to the tympanum in AMNH A167950 and A167951. Femoral glands vary in size from 9.2���15.5 length X 4.2���6.0 mm width, separated by 0.5���3.2 mm, with approximately 45 to 100 granules visible in external view. Inner metatarsal tubercles range from 1.5���1.9 mm in length. Foot webbing variation: I 0.25 to 0.5 ��� 1 II 0.25 ��� 1 to 1.25 III 0.25 to 0.5 ��� 1 to 1.5 IV 1 to 2 ��� 0.25 to 0.75 V. AMNH A167947 and A167950 have a lighter grey-brown dorsum with more defined dark brown patterning. In these specimens there is a transverse intraocular stripe that connects to a medial longitudinal stripe that extends to the dorsal pectoral region. This longitudinal stripe then divides into two longitudinal dorsolateral stripes of uneven width that terminate at the lower back (fig. 5). AMNH A16750 also has small pale brown spots on the dorsal-posterior proximal region of each thigh. AMNH A167948 and A167951 have the intraocular transverse stripe and the medial stripe, and have scattered fine white spots on the posterior flanks. Spotting on the venter varies from a few small spots, as in AMNH A167947, to extensive blotching, as in AMNH A167948. The female and juvenile morphology is unknown. ETYMOLOGY: The specific name nussbaumi honors Ronald A. Nussbaum for his substantial contributions to our knowledge of the Malagasy herpetofauna. DISTRIBUTION: Known only from the type locality: Befosa River���Antetikalambazaha, Tsaratanana Massif, in northern Madagascar. This species was found in rainforest between 1580���1650 m elevation. REMARKS: All specimens were collected at night between 2100���2330 hours, on leaves at 1���3 height, overhanging or at the edge of the Befosa River. AMNH A167947 was found calling at the time of capture. At higher elevation at Tsaratanana, we also found specimens of S. peraccae. However, the type locality for S. peraccae is Ivohimanitra (Boulenger, 1896) in southeast Madagascar (Tanala Region), and based on the geographic variation that is evident within this complex, this suggests the potential for additional species diversity. To facilitate the diagnosis of S. nussbaumi compared to S. peraccae, we report morphometric variation within both species in table 4, which includes the holotype of S. peraccae. Additional morphological data for S. peraccae is given by Glaw and Vences (1994) and Andreone et al. (1998). IDENTIFICATION KEY TO SPINOMANTIS This key will identify Spinomantis species for all adult male specimens (the only representative material known for some species), although many characters should also identify female and juvenile specimens. 1. No dermal spines on hind limbs......... 2 ��� Dermal spines present on hind limbs..... 8 2. Adult male SVL, 24 mm; rudimentary webbing on hind limbs; limbs with prominent and narrow dark transverse bands........................ Spinomantis bertini ��� Adult male SVL. 24 mm; developed webbing on hind limbs; limbs may lack prominent and narrow dark transverse bands......... 3 3. Outer metatarsal tubercle absent; adult male SVL 52���60 mm; femoral glands absent in adult males; body dorsally marked by large distinct dark spots with pale borders...................... Spinomantis elegans ��� Outer metatarsal tubercle present; adult male SVL 29���57 mm; femoral glands may be present in adult males; body dorsally may lack distinct dark spots with pale borders 4 4. Toes completely webbed; adult male SVL 34��� 56 mm; femoral glands absent in adult males................. Spinomantis microtis ��� Toes incompletely webbed; adult male SVL 29��� 57 mm; femoral glands present in adult males.......................... 5 5. Ventral surface of hind limbs white with distinct large black spots; dorsal body with longitudinal black lines; adult male SVL 29��� 35 mm............. Spinomantis guibei ��� Ventral surface of hind limbs not white and without distinct large black spots; dorsal body spotted, and usually lacks longitudinal black lines; adult male SVL 32���57 mm.. 6 6. Adult male SVL, 35 mm; body dorsally with a reticulated pattern of round dark spots; dark brown throat with light spots; NND/TD # 1.5; END/NSD. 1.8; SVL/FTL $ 1.4...................... Spinomantis brunae ��� Adult male SVL. 34 mm; body dorsally lacks a reticulated pattern of round dark spots; light colored throat with dark spots; NND/ TD $ 1.7; END/NSD # 1.8; SVL/FTL # 1.4............................ 7 7. Adult SVL 33���46 mm; interior surface of toe 3 with 1.5 to 2 phalanges free of webbing; yellowish-white throat in preservative; lower flanks light with dark spots; adult male femoral glands same color as surrounding skin............. Spinomantis peraccae ��� Adult SVL 47���56 mm; interior surface of toe 3 with 1 to 1.5 phalanges free of webbing; bright white throat in preservative (and life); lower flanks dark with white spots; adult male femoral glands lighter in color than surrounding skin... Spinomantis nussbaumi 8. Adult with dermal spines $ 0.5 mm in length above the eyes, and with prominent dermal spines on head and body........................... Spinomantis phantasticus ��� Adult lacks dermal spines $ 0.5 mm in height above the eyes, and without prominent dermal spines on head and body....... 9 9. Adults with dermal spines. 1 mm in length on tarsus; dermal spines may have multiple points; dermal spines always present on arms.......................... 10 ��� Adults lacks dermal spines. 1 mm in length on tarsus; dermal spines on hind limb with single points; dermal spines may be absent on arms.......................... 11 10. Adult male SLV $ 40 mm; END/NSD $ 1.5............... Spinomantis aglavei ��� Adult male SLV, 40 mm; END/NSD, 1.5............. Spinomantis fimbriatus 11. No dark spots on throat or venter; adult NSD. 2.1 mm; tibio-tarsal extension reaches between the eye and nostrils; interior surface of toe 4 with 0.75 to 2 phalanges free of webbing; exterior surface of toe 4 with 1 to 2 phalanges free of webbing........................... Spinomantis massorum ��� Dark spots on throat and/or venter; adult NSD, 2.1 mm; tibio-tarsal extension reaches nostrils to beyond snout tip; interior surface of toe 4 with 2 to 2.5 phalanges free of webbing; exterior surface of toe 4 with 2 to 2.5 phalanges free of webbing.......................... Spinomantis tavaratra, Published as part of Cramer, Abigail F., Rabibisoa, Nirhy H. C. & Raxworthy, Christopher J., 2008, Descriptions of two new Spinomantis frogs from Madagascar (Amphibia: Mantellidae), and new morphological data for S. brunae and S. massorum, pp. 1-24 in American Museum Novitates 3618 (3618) on pages 14-19, DOI: 10.1206/594.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4712913, {"references":["Boulenger, G. A. 1896. Description of two new frogs obtained in Madagascar by Dr. Forsyth Major. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 18: 420 - 21.","Glaw, F., and M. Vences. 1994. A fieldguide to the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar. Koln (Cologne): Vences and Glaw.","Andreone, F., F. Glaw, M. Vences, and D. Vallan. 1998. A New Mantidactylus from South- Eastern Madagascar, with a review of Mantidactylus peraccae (Ranidae: Mantellinae). Herpetological Journal 8: 149 - 159."]}