Phelsuma klemmeri group

(contains P. klemmeri)

Affinities of this species to the P. lineata and P. laticauda groups are apparent and well-supported from our analysis (Fig. 7), but mitochondrial as well as nuclear markers place P. klemmeri at a basal position within the clade containing these two species groups. Because its colouration is very characteristic and strongly differs from all other Phelsuma, the isolated position of this species is best reflected by placing it in a separate species group. Phenotypically, several characters of P. klemmeri are in agreement with its affinities: non-gluing behaviour and absence of nostril-rostral contact are shared with the P. lineata and P. laticauda groups, and presence of smooth ventral and subcaudal scales, number of nasalia (3) as well as of size-reduced vertebral scales are similar to the P. laticauda group (Tables 1–2).