Lycodryas gaimardi (Schlegel, 1837)

Andreone, F., Glaw, F., Nussbaum, R. A., Raxworthy, C. J., Vences, M. & Randrianirina, J. E., 2003, The amphibians and reptiles of Nosy Be (NW Madagascar) and nearby islands: a case study of diversity and conservation of an insular fauna, Journal of Natural History 37 (17), pp. 2119-2149 : 2148

(14) (15) Lycodryas gaimardi and Lycodryas arctifasciatus . IUCN/UNEP/WWF (1987) quoted L. gaimardi and L. arctifasciatus from Nosy Be. Domergue (1994) classified the Lycodryas specimens from Nosy Be as L. granuliceps , a taxon which in the past has been considered a subspecies of Lycodryas gaimardi (L. g. granuliceps ). Two specimens are still catalogued under this name in Paris (MNHN 1887.260: 17 dorsals, 237 ventrals, 110 subcaudals; 100 dark crossbands on body and tail; MNHN 1966.960: 17 dorsals, 243 ventrals, tail mutilated). The scale counts for both these specimens clearly correspond to L. granuliceps , and also show the colour pattern typical for this species, namely dark brown crossbands bordered by white, and with white colour inserted, resulting in a ‘dirty’ appearance. This coloration is not found in any other MNHN specimen catalogued as gaimardi . We conclude that the record of L. gaimardi from Nosy Be is due to confusion with L. granuliceps , easily explained by the fact that it was previously considered as subspecies of gaimardi . A single Paris specimen is catalogued as L. arctifasciatus and apparently comes from Nosy Be. The specimen (MNHN 1950.371) is largely faded and its skull removed. Its scale counts (23 dorsals, 246 ventrals, 153 subcaudals) do not correspond to L. arctifasciatus (21 dorsals, 222–240 ventrals, 152–165 subcaudals; Glaw and Vences, 1994). However, the high number of dorsal scales also make an attribution to L. granuliceps impossible. Species attribution of this specimen remains uncertain; although its locality remains to be confirmed, at present it can not be excluded that a second species of Lycodryas (beside L. granuliceps ) may occur on Nosy Be.