An inordinate fondness for inconspicuous brown frogs: integration of phylogenomics, archival DNA analysis, morphology, and bioacoustics yields 24 new taxa in the subgenus Brygoomantis (genus Mantidactylus) from Madagascar Scherz, Mark D. Crottini, Angelica Hutter, Carl R. Hildenbrand, Andrea Andreone, Franco Fulgence, Thio Rosin Köhler, Gunther Ndriantsoa, Serge Herilala Ohler, Annemarie Preick, Michaela Rakotoarison, Andolalao Rancilhac, Loïs Raselimanana, Achille P. Riemann, Jana C. Rödel, Mark-Oliver Rosa, Gonçalo M. Streicher, Jeffrey W. Vieites, David R. Köhler, Jörn Hofreiter, Michael Glaw, Frank Vences, Miguel Megataxa 2022 2022-12-15 7 2 113 311 6R6MH Mercurio & Andreone, 2007 Mercurio & Andreone 2007 [810,1419,843,869] Amphibia Mantellidae Mantidactylus Animalia Anura 104 217 Chordata species noralottae   Type material.— The species is based on holotype(by original designation) MRSN A5317from ‘ Ambovo, Parc National de l’Isalo, Fianarantsoa Faritany, Ranohira Fivondronana, 22°30.48′S, 45°21.15′E,  996 ma.s.l.’. A total of 12 paratypeswere defined in the original description: MRSN A5036( FAZC 13021), MRSN A5035( FAZC 13020), MRSN A5254( FAZC 13008), MRSN A5318( FAZC 13024), SMF 85861(ex MRSN A5253/ FAZC 13007), SMF 85862–85864(ex MRSN A5255– 5257/ FAZC 13011–13013), MRSN A5252( FAZC 13005), PBZT-FAZC 12996, PBZT-FAZC 12998, and ZSM 49/2011(ex MRSN A5319/ FAZC 13022), all with the same locality, date and collector as the holotype.   Identity.—This species is genetically defined by the sequences of various paratypespublished in the original description (MRSN A5252 and A5254; SMF 85861‒SMF 85864 corresponding to previous MRSN A5253 and A5255‒A5257; Mercurio & Andreone 2007). Unfortunately, no genetic data are available for the holotypeor the call voucher paratype, MRSN A5317. However, both the holotypeand the call voucher are comparatively large-sized individuals of 34.8 and 33.4 mmSVL, respectively, and thus distinctly larger than the second species of the  M. betsileanusclade occurring at Isalo (described below as  M. riparius  sp. nov.). Furthermore, according to measurements in Mercurio & Andreone (2007)and here reproduced in Table 7, the male holotypeof  M. noralottaehas a smaller relative tympanum size and smaller femoral glands than the third species of  Brygoomantisat Isalo,  M. mahery(see above and Tables 4‒5), confirming the holotypeof  M. noralottaeis conspecific with the paratypesand other individuals usually assigned to this taxon.   Diagnosis.—A member of the  M. betsileanusclade as revealed by the phylogenomic analysis, sister to  M. kortei  sp. nov.described below. See Table 4for a list of diagnostic morphological characters. The combination of a moderate body size in males (SVL 33–36 mm) and distinctly larger size in females (SVL 36–40 mm), rather smooth to slightly tubercular dorsal skin with distinct continuous dorsolateral ridges, relatively large tympanum (10–12% of SVL), absence of white spots on flanks, absence of a white marking on snout tip, and advertisement call consisting of a single, long note composed of ≥90 pulses distinguishes  M. noralottaefrom species of all other clades ( Table 4);  M. noralottaemay appear superficially similar to some species of the  M. curtusclade but these have a smaller tympanum and less pulses in advertisement calls. Within the  M. betsileanusclade, the species differs from all species except  M. betsileanus(for  M. incognitus  sp. nov.calls are unknown) by a higher number of pulses in advertisement calls ( Table 4); it differs from these two species by larger body size of males, and from  M. betsileanusalso by fewer pulses in advertisement calls ( Table 4). For a detailed distinction from its sister species  M. kortei  sp. nov., from the sympatric  M. riparius  sp. nov., and from all other new species described herein, see the respective species accounts. A full list of molecular diagnostic sites in the 16S gene of  M. noralottaein pairwise comparisons to all other  Brygoomantisspecies is provided as Supplementary appendix.   Variation.—Variation in measurements is given in Table 7. See Fig. 36for colouration in life and its variation. A light vertebral line can be present. There is moderate sexual size dimorphism (confirmed male SVL 32.8–35.5 mm[n = 4] vs confirmed female SVL 35.5– 40.0 mm [n = 7]). Tympanum size is somewhat larger in males compared to females (HTD/ED ratio is 56–63% in females, 63–95% in males). Femoral glands in males are not very prominent and not conspicuously coloured.   Natural history.—According to Mercurio and Andreone (2007)the species inhabits canyons in the Isalo limestone massif, and can be found from the initial openings all the way to their deep end (eg. Anjofo waterfall). Individuals can climb on rocks and cling at 150– 200 cmheight above the water or the ground. Mercurio and Andreone (2007)also provide some information on stomach content, according to which the species feeds on different groups of insects. Although the species cooccurs with  M. noralottaeat Isalo, the two species have so far not been found in the same streams or at exactly the same sites in this massif.   Calls.—The advertisement call of  M. noralottae, recorded on 18 December 2004, 20:00 h, at Ambovo, Isalo National Park, 20°C air temperature (from paratypeMRSN A5319), consisted of a very long, regularly pulsed note ( Fig. 37), emitted in irregular series. Each note showed some significant amplitude modulation with call energy slowly increasing to approximately the middle of the note’s duration and then slowly decreasing towards its end. Numerical parameters of five analysed calls were as follows: call duration (= note duration) 2054–2705 ms (2411.4 ± 273.9 ms); ca 92–108 pulses per note (100.6 ± 7.1); pulse duration 9–15 ms (10.9 ± 1.6 ms); pulse repetition rate within notes 37.4–41.2 pulses/s (39.7 ± 1.3); dominant frequency 1345–1405 Hz (1370 ± 26 Hz); prevalent bandwidth 1200–2100 Hz; call repetition rate (= note repetition rate) ca 12 calls/min.  Tadpoles.—The tadpole of this species has not been described.   Distribution.—Apparently microendemic to the Isalo massif ( Fig. 7). Elevation range: 640–996 ma.s.l.   Etymology.—Eponym for Nora Lotta Mercurio née Fr̂hder, wife of V. Mercurio, one of the authors of the original description. 4010830391 MRSN Ambovo 996 -22.508 Ranohira Fivondronana 12 45.3525 Parc National de l'Isalo 104 217 A5317, A5036, 13021, A5035, 13020, A5254, 13008, A5318, 13024, 85861, A5253, 13007, 85862-85864, A5255- 5257, 13011-13013, A5252, 13005, 12996, 12998, 49/2011, A5319, 13022 1 Fianarantsoa Faritany holotype 4010830366 MRSN, FAZC, SMF, PBZT-FAZC, ZSM Ambovo 996 -22.508 Ranohira Fivondronana 12 45.3525 Parc National de l'Isalo 104 217 A5036, 13021, A5035, 13020, A5254, 13008, A5318, 13024, 85861, A5253, 13007, 85862-85864, A5255- 5257, 13011-13013, A5252, 13005, 12996, 12998, 49/2011, A5319, 13022 12 Fianarantsoa Faritany paratype