taxonID	type	description	language	source
EA01878876550B21FF48FC855EC9E668.taxon	description	(Fig. 1)	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876550B21FF48FC855EC9E668.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species belonging to the genus Gephyromantis (sensu Glaw & Vences, 2006), according to genetic data, and recognizable by the following morphological and natural history characters: (1) medium size (SVL 36 – 43 mm), (2) webbing between toes present, (3) partly connected lateral metatarsalia, (4) inner and outer metatarsal tubercles present, (5) presence of femoral glands of type 2, (6) presence of a paired subgular vocal sac, (7) finger tips moderately enlarged, (8) nocturnal activity, (9) occurrence in gallery forest habitat of dry central western Madagascar. For comparisons to other Gephyromantis, see below.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876550B21FF48FC855EC9E668.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. MRSN A 5310 (FAZC 12568), adult male, Andriamanero (22 ° 22.40 ’ S; 45 ° 22.71 ’ E; 640 m a. s. l.), Parc National de l’Isalo, Fianaratsoa Faritany, Ranohira Fivondronona, collected by F. Andreone, F. Mattioli, and V. Mercurio on 20 November 2004, fixed in 4 % formalin. Paratypes. MRSN A 5309 (FAZC 12567) and A 5311 (FAZC 12569), adult males, same locality, collectors and date as the holotype; MRSN A 5312 (FAZC 12910), juvenile, collected at Iambahatsy River (22 ° 24.35 ’ S, 45 ° 16.13 ’ E, 689 m a. s. l.), Parc National de l’Isalo, Fianarantsoa Faritany, Ranohira Fivondronona, by V. Mercurio and T. J. Razafindrabe on 15 December 2004, fixed in 4 % formalin; MRSN A 5313 (FAZC 12951), adult male, collected at Sakamalio (22 ° 26.09 ’ S, 45 ° 15.31 ’ E, 649 m a. s. l.), Parc National de l’Isalo, Fianarantsoa Faritany, Ranohira Fivondronona, by V. Mercurio and T. J. Razafindrabe on 16 December 2004, fixed in 4 % formalin; SMF 85859 - 60 (FAZC 12979 - 12980) (ex MRSN A 5314 - 5315), adult males, same locality, collectors and date as the MRSN A 5313.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876550B21FF48FC855EC9E668.taxon	description	Description of the holotype. Specimen in excellent state of preservation missing the left fourth toe (clipped for DNA analysis). Snout-vent length 41 mm, for other measurements see table 1. Body rather stout; head wider than long but not wider than body; snout pointed in dorsal view, rounded in lateral view; nostrils directed posterolaterally, slightly protuberant, nearer to tip of snout than eye; chantus rostralis distinct, straight; tympanum distinct, rounded, 65.5 % of eye diameter; tongue ovoid, posteriorly bifid; maxillary and vomerine teeth present; choanae elliptical. Arms slender; fingers without webbing; distinct single subarticular tubercle; finger discs distinctly enlarged, trapezoidal. Hind limbs slender, tibiotarsal articulation reaches between eye and nostrils; lateral metatarsalia partly connected; inner and outer metatarsal tubercles distinct; webbing between toes 1 (1), 2 i (1.5), 2 e (0.5), 3 i (2), 3 e (1), 4 i (2), 4 e (2), 5 (1). Dorsal skin smooth without evident dorsolateral folds. Ventral skin smooth on throat and chest, granular on belly and limbs. Femoral glands of type 2 fairly distinct from external view; left gland elliptical of 6.3 mm length, 2.0 mm width with about 45 granules of 0.5 mm diameter. Dorsal colouration brownish-blackish with a dirty light broad vertebral band. Vertebral band with some dark mottlings and bordered by dark. Tympanic area brownish. Faint darker crossbands present on arms and limbs. Ventrally dark brown mottled by whitish irregular markings, being more abundant along the posterior margins of the arms and extending to axillary region. Brownish folds along lower jaw corresponding to vocal sacs. After one year in preservative the chromatic pattern are similar as in life but strongly faded, especially the lighter vertebral band. Variation. Paratypes are similar to the holotype in morphology and colouration pattern. The main chromatic differences are the status of dorsal band (brightly visible in MRSN A 5309 and A 5311 vs. absent in MRSN A 5313 - 5315), and the saturation of ventral colouration (heavily pigmented in MRSN A 5309, and SMF 85859 - 60; pigmented in MRSN A 5311; faintly pigmented with a whitish ventral colouration in MRSN A 5313). Specimens lacking the vertebral stripe are usually darker with a uniform mottled dorsum without any pattern. Femoral glands are more or less defined and visible from external view in all the specimens. In MRSN A 5313 the glands are less visible and reduced with only 29 granules (vs. about 40 in the other specimens) of 0.5 mm diameter of which five are enlarged (0.8 mm) on the posterior margin, while in SMF 85860 they are well visible with well defined margins (7.5 mm length, 2.7 mm width, about 42 granules of 0.5 mm diameter).	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876550B21FF48FC855EC9E668.taxon	etymology	Etymology. F. Andreone dedicates this new species to his daughter Kintana Azzurra, with much love and wish of endless happiness.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876550B21FF48FC855EC9E668.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. We found individuals of this species inside large canyons with running water in the river bed between stones, as well as in the gallery forest. Calling males were observed at night on leaves in the forest at about 50 – 150 cm above the ground. Although we do not have quantitative data they appear to be distributed inside the forest at distances of 10 – 20 m each other. We were also unable to locate tadpoles of G. azzurrae: we suspect that they are similar to the ones of G. pseudoasper Guibé or G. corvus Glaw & Vences. Only two specimens were collected after opportunistic search during the day, while the other specimens by locating calling males during the night. After the dissection of five specimens the stomach contents contained 12 prey items divided as follows (number of prey item / percentage of the sampling): Hymenoptera, Formicidae (3, 25.0 %); Aranea (3, 25.0 %); Lepidoptera larvae (2, 16.6 %); Coleoptera (2, 16.6 %); Brachycera (1, 8.3 %), and Heteroptera (1, 8.3 %). Advertisement call. Calling male MRSN A 5313 recorded at Sakamalio, Parc National de l’Isalo, on 16 December 2004, c. 20: 00, 22 ° C. The call consisted of a series of 15 – 21 almost identical complex notes each of which is composed of seven-ten clearly identifiable sub-units arranged in a regular pattern (Fig. 2, table 3). The first two sub-units are longer and, in some cases, separated from each other by a very short time interval (1 ms), and they are followed by 7 – 8 in amplitude decreasing sub-units (Fig. 3). The frequency spectrum of the call is harmonic. Fundamental frequency is around 1000 Hz followed by five-six well tuned harmonics of which the dominant frequency is about 3000 Hz. Frequency ranges from 800 to 6500 Hz. The temporal structure is periodic with single note of similar amplitude repeated at regular intervals of about 570 ms. We opted for the term “ sub-unit ” instead of “ pulse ” to emphasize his unusual complex harmonic structure probably not homologous with that of other Gephyromantis and closely related Mantidactylus species.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876550B21FF48FC855EC9E668.taxon	diagnosis	Morphological comparison with other species. Gephyromantis azzurrae bears clear overall morphological similarities to the other two species currently known in the subgenus Phylacomantis (G. pseudoasper and G. corvus), and appears to be genetically closest to these. The new species can be distinguished from G. pseudoasper by: (a) darker dorsal and ventral colouration, (b) skin on the back comparatively smoother, (c) larger size (maximum SVL in males in mm: 43 vs. 33 – 34), (d) advertisement call (15 – 21 vs. 3 notes per call and lower dominant frequency, 3000 – 3200 Hz vs. 3400 – 5000 Hz). Gephyromantis azzurrae differs from the sympatric G. corvus by: (a) different dorsal colouration (dark brownish with a dirty vertebral stripe vs. brownish to olive grey with lighter brown patches), (b) different ventral colouration (heavily brown marbled vs. dirty white), (c) comparatively larger eyes and larger tympanum (ratio tympanum / eye diameter 66.7 % vs. 60 %), (d) body shape (quite stout vs. slender), (e) larger maximum SVL in males in (43 mm vs. 38 mm corvus), and (f) advertisement call (see Table 3). Mitochondrial differentiation. Accession numbers of newly obtained sequences: MRSN A 5309, EF 222300; MRSN A 5310, EF 222301; MRSN A 5311, EF 222302; SMF 85860, EF 222303; MRSN A 5312, EF 222304; SMF 85859, EF 222305). In the mitochondrial 16 S rRNA gene, the uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of Gephyromantis azzurrae compared to that of G. corvus from Isalo is 7.5 %. Concerning the other closely related species, G. azzurrae sequence divergences range respectively from 12.4 % to 12.9 %, for G. sp. aff. corvus from Bemaraha, and 15.8 % - 16.2 % for G. pseudoasper from Manongarivo (data kindly provided by M. Vences). These divergences are comparatively very high among mantelline species (see Vences et al. 2005), and therefore corroborate the species status of G. azzurrae.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876550B21FF48FC855EC9E668.taxon	conservation	Conservation. Gephyromantis azzurrae is currently known from only three localities in the northern part of the Isalo Massif (Andriamanero, Iamabahatsy, Sakamalio). One of them (Andriamanero) is not included within the boundaries of the Parc National de l’Isalo. Threats affecting this area include the extensive prairie burning and the alteration due to the excavation of mines for searching sapphires, an activity that has a great potential of long-term persistence and is thus seriously threatening the Isalo biodiversity (Duffy, 2006). Therefore and according to the IUCN (2006) we preliminarily classify G. azzurrae as Critically Endangered, following the geographic criteria B 2 ab (iii). This categorisation could be re-evaluated if all sites of presence will be included within the protected area and / or some other localities will be discovered in the future.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	description	(Fig. 4)	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. A species attributed to the genus Mantidactylus based on the following characters (1) presence of femoral glands of type 3, smaller in females, (2) presence of a single subgular vocal sac, and (3) absence of nuptial pads in males. This species is included in the subgenus Brygoomantis due to genetic and bioacoustics evidence. Further morphological characters are: body medium sized; tympanum of males distinctly larger than those of females; tibiotarsal articulation reaches between eye and nostrils; metatarsalia separated; toes webbed; fingertips moderately enlarged; and males with single, subgular vocal sac. Distinction from other species of Brygoomantis is mainly based on the isolated distribution and molecular relationships of the new species (see below).	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. MRSN A 5317 (FAZC 13023), adult male, Ambovo, Parc National de l’Isalo, Fianarantsoa Faritany, Ranohira Fivondronana, 22 ° 30.48 ’ S, 45 ° 21.15 ’ E, 996 m a. s. l, collected by V. Mercurio and T. J. Razafindrabe on 18 December 2004, fixed in 4 % formalin. Paratypes. MRSN A 5036 (FAZC 13021) and A 5319 (FAZC 13022), adult males; MRSN A 5035 (FAZC 13020), A 5254 (FAZC 13008) and A 5318 (FAZC 13024), adult females; all five specimens with the same locality, date and collectors as the holotype, fixed in 4 % formalin; SMF 85861 (ex MRSN A 5253 (FAZC 13007), PBZT-FAZC 12998 (not measured), adult males; SMF 85862 - 64 (ex MRSN A 5255 - 5257 (FAZC 13011 - 13013), MRSN A 5252 (FAZC 13005) and PBZT-FAZC 12996 (not measured), adult females; all seven specimens with the same locality, date and collector as the holotype, fixed in 90 ° ethanol.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	description	Description of the holotype. Male specimen in good state of preservation. Snout-vent length 35 mm, for other measurements see table 2. Body slender; head longer than wide; snout pointed in dorsal view, rounded in lateral view; nostrils directed laterally, protuberant, nearer to tip of snout than eye; canthus rostralis distinct, straight; tympanum distinct, elliptical, 81.6 % of eye diameter; supratympanic fold distinct, regularly curved; tongue ovoid, posteriorly bifid; maxillary and vomerine teeth present; choanae elliptical. Arms slender; fingers without webbing; distinct single subarticular tubercle; finger discs distinctly enlarged, elliptical. Hind limbs slender, tibiotarsal articulation reaches between eye and nostrils; lateral metatarsalia separated; inner metatarsal tubercles distinct, outer absent; webbing between toes: 1 (1), 2 i (1), 2 e (0), 3 i (1.5), 3 e (0.75), 4 i (1), 4 e (1), 5 (0). Dorsal skin smooth without dorsolateral folds. Ventral skin smooth on throat, chest and belly. Femoral glands of type 3 with presence of the “ structure B ” very distinct from external view, overall appearance of glands very granular, 7.6 mm length and 4.2 mm width; from internal view left gland elliptical of 2.2 mm length, with 8 granules of 0.7 mm diameter. Dorsal colouration brownish softly spotted especially on the canthal region and behind the eyes. Tympanic area brownish bordered by a darker supratympanic fold. Faint darker crossbands present on arms and limbs. Ventrally whitish spotted with irregular brownish markings especially on throat, chest, hands and feet. Vocal sac single, subgular, and slightly distensible. After one year in preservative the chromatic pattern are the same as in life but with faded colours. Variation. The paratypes largely agree with the holotype in morphology and colouration. Chromatic differences lie in: a) presence of a lighter vertebral band; b) extension of darker pigmentation on tympanum; and c) extension and pattern of pigmentation on snout. MRSN A 5254 presents a more contrasted dorsal colouration with well defined crossbands on limbs, a light vertebral band, a well defined lighter triangular shaped spot on snout extending to anterior part of eyes, and a darker tympanic area. MRSN A 5319 is similar in colouration to the holotype but differs in having a more contrasted light triangle on snout. MRSN A 5035 and A 5252 are also similar to the holotype but they have a darker tympanic area, as well as SMF 85863 and 85864. SMF 85863 lacks the left foot maybe due to predation. Femoral glands are well defined and visible from external view in all the male specimens, reduced in form of small circular gland of about 1.0 mm diameter composed by a single flattened granule in females.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	etymology	Etymology. V. Mercurio wishes to dedicate the new species to his wife Nora Lotta Fröhder (now Nora Lotta Mercurio) in recognition of her never-ending support and patience.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. Mantidactylus noralottae is known for the Isalo Massif only. We found several individuals inside a narrow canyon in the initial and gully tracts (Mercurio & Andreone, 2006). Calling males were hanging at night on the almost vertical canyon walls at about 150 – 200 cm above the bottom or the water surface. Females and males were also found on the canyon bed inside the water pools. As far as known, M. noralottae is the only species ascribed to the subgenus Brygoomantis with such scansorial habits. They are able to climb almost vertical walls. After the dissection of six specimens to check the stomach contents we found 55 prey items divided as follows (number of prey item / percentage of the sampling): Hymenoptera, Formicidae (33, 60.0 %); Coleoptera (16, 29.1 %); Diptera (3, 5.4 %); Aranea (1, 1.8 %); Hymenoptera, undetermined (1, 1.8 %); and Orthoptera (1, 1.8 %). Advertisement call. Calling male MRSN A 5319 recorded at Ambovo, Parc National de l’Isalo (on 18 December 2004, 20: 00, 20 ° C). The call consisted of a single long note (2.6 sec) composed of a train of about 100 short pulses (Fig. 5, table 4). The pulse train originates during expiration and is associated with a strong vibration of the body wall. Pulses are poorly toned and harmonics are not clearly visible in the spectrogram. Fundamental frequency is around 1000 Hz while dominant frequency is about 1400 Hz. Frequency ranges from 900 to 3000 Hz. The calls are emitted after rather long time intervals (6 sec).	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	diagnosis	Morphological comparison with other species. Based on the basis of genetic and bioacoustics evidences Mantidactylus noralottae has been placed in the subgenus Brygoomantis. However, like the other species belonging to this subgenus superficial similarities are shared with the species belonging to subgenus Ochthomantis. Convincing synapomorphies on adult morphology able to clearly cut species belonging to both subgenera are currently unknown (Glaw & Vences, 2006). In particular, at the Isalo Massif M. noralottae lives in sympatry with M. sp. aff. ulcerosus (Boettger) and in syntopy with M. cf. femoralis (Boulenger). Adults of M. noralottae can be confused with juveniles of M. cf. femoralis and, at a lesser extent, with adult specimens of M. sp. aff. ulcerosus. Mantidactylus noralottae can be distinguished from M. sp. aff. ulcerosus by: (a) different dorsal colouration (brownish softly spotted vs. uniformly light brown to greyish sometimes with darker patches; (b) dorsal skin (smooth vs. granular); (c) general overall appearance (slender vs. stout); (d) advertisement call (single prolonged note vs. 8 – 14 notes). It can be distinguished from the other Brygoomantis species by the following combinations of characters: body dimension (smaller in M. alutus (Peracca), M. biporus (Boulenger), M. tricinctus (Guibé), and larger in M. ambohimitombi Boulenger); by dorsal colouration and presence of vomerine teeth (M. madecassus Millot & Guibé and M. pauliani Guibé); by dorsal skin texture and hind limb length (skin granular in both M. betsileanus and M. curtus, hind limbs comparatively longer in the first and shorter in the second); and by different advertisement calls (from the recently resurrected taxa M. bellyi Mocquard and M. bourgati Guibé). Convincing differences in call parameters between M. noralottae and M. betsileanus are still in need of identification, largely depending on an upcoming taxonomic revision of the subgenus Brygoomantis. Mantidactylus noralottae can be distinguished from the syntopic M. cf. femoralis by: (a) different dorsal colouration (lighter without black stripes and yellow spot on flanks vs. darker with presence of black stripes and yellow spot on flanks), (b) different ventral colouration (slightly marbled on chest, belly dirty without black lines on throat vs. heavily marbled, belly spotted, black lines on throat often present), (c) hind limbs length (tibiotarsal articulation reaches between eyes and nostrils vs. tip of snout or beyond); d) body size (34.1 mm, males, and 37.7 mm, females vs. 37.8 mm, males, and 44.7 mm, females) and, (e) body shape (slender vs. quite stout). Mantidactylus noralottae can be distinguished from the other species belonging to the Ochthomantis subgenus (M. ambreensis Mocquard, M. majori Boulenger, M. mocquardi Angel and M. zolitschka Glaw & Vences) by: (a) dorsal colouration uniformly brownish more or less spotted, (b) dorsal skin smooth, (c) smaller body size (male SVL <40 mm vs.> 40 mm except for M. ambreensis) and (d) comparatively enlarged inner metatarsal tubercle, (e) advertisement call. Mitochondrial differentiation. Accession numbers of newly obtained sequences: MRSN A 5252, EF 222306; SMF 85861, EF 222307; MRSN A 5254, EF 222308; SMF 85862, EF 222309; SMF 85863, EF 222310; SMF 85863, EF 222311. The uncorrected pairwise DNA divergence of the Mantidactylus noralottae 16 S rRNA gene sequence compared to that of M. betsileanus from Mandraka (East Madagascar) is 3.6 %, while the difference with M. ulcerosus from Berara (NW Madagascar) corresponds to 11.5 % – 11.9 % (M. Vences, pers. comm.). This divergence fully supports the specific status of M. noralottae.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	conservation	Conservation. Mantidactylus noralottae, similarly to Gephyromantis azzurrae, appears to be a localized species occurring only in the northern part of the Isalo Massif. Taken into consideration that it is known from a single locality within the Parc National de l’Isalo we cannot say too much about the impending threats. However, we preliminarily classify M. noralottae as Critically Endangered, following the geographic criteria, B 2 ab (iii). As for G. azzurrae we consider that this categorisation could be changed if some other localities (outside the Isalo massif) will be discovered in the future.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
EA01878876500B2AFF48F9B65B7EE580.taxon	discussion	Available names. According to Blommers-Schlösser & Blanc (1991), several available names in the subgenus Brygoomantis are to be considered as junior synonyms of valid species or dubious names. Mantidactylus noralottae differs genetically from all sequenced Brygoomantis species belonging to the M. betsileanus group (M. Vences, pers. comm.), thus representing a likely vicariant western species. Taxa known from western localities (potentially conspecific with M. noralottae) are Rhacophorus fumigatus Mocquard (type locality “ Madagascar côte ouest ”) and Mantidactylus brunneus Ahl (type locality " Nord-West-Madagascar ") both currently considered as synonyms of M. betsileanus, and Mantidactylus tripunctatus Angel (type localities " Pic St. Louis, province de Fort-Dauphin " and " Befotaka, province de Farafangana ”), considered as nomen dubium (Glaw & Vences, 1994; 1999). According to the original description of the holotype of M. tripunctatus the finger discs are very small and smaller than those of toes; the tibiotarsal articulation reaches the tip of snout or between tip of snout and eyes; SVL of largest syntype is 30 mm. M. noralottae can be unequivocally distinguished from M. tripunctatus by the combination of comparatively larger finger discs, shorter hind limbs, and larger body size.	en	Mercurio, Vincenzo, Andreone, Franco (2007): Two new canyon-dwelling frogs from the arid sandstone Isalo Massif, central-southern Madagascar (Mantellidae, Mantellinae). Zootaxa 1574 (1): 31-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1574.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1574.1.2
