Ra. Nussbaum et Cj. Raxworthy, A NEW MABUYA (REPTILIA, SQUAMATA, SCINCIDAE) OF THE AUREOPUNCTATA-GROUP FROM SOUTHERN MADAGASCAR, Journal of herpetology, 29(1), 1995, pp. 28-38
Madagascan skinks of the genus Mabuya can be divided into two groups b
ased on the shape of the subocular scale, which is rectangular in the
aureopunctata-Group and trapezoidal, in the elegans-Group. The former
group includes Mabuya aureopunctata, M. betsileana, M. boettgeri, and
M. vato; the latter includes M. elegans, M. gravenhorsti, and M. madag
ascariensis. We describe herein a new species of the aureopunctata-Gro
up, Mabuya dumasi, which differs from all other species of this group
in having a distinctive longitudinal row of white spots on the side of
the neck bordered above by a coextensive, dark brown or black, dorsol
ateral stripe. Mabuya dumasi differs further from M. boettgeri in lack
ing the body and neck stripes of the latter species; from M. aureopunc
tata and M. vato in lacking white spots on the dorsum of the head, nec
k, and anterior body, which are present in the latter two species; and
from M. betsiliana in having fewer scales between the postmentals and
the cloaca (fewer than 61 in M. dumasi, 71 in M. betsiliana). Mabuya
dumasi was found at two sites 270 km apart in the dry regions of south
ern Madagascar Amboanemba, 46 km N Amboasary, in dry spiny forest; and
Zombitsy, 113 km NE Toliara, in dry deciduous forest. Although the ne
w species is known from only nine specimens taken at two localities, t
here is no reason to believe it is threatened or endangered. It occurs
in at least two distinctive habitats, and new localities are likely t
o be found when the region is adequately surveyed for reptiles. The ec
ological relationships among the Madagascan Mabuya are discussed, and
an updated key to the eight species of Madagascan Mabuya is provided.