A new narrow-mouthed frog of the genus <em>Paradoxophyla</em> (Microhylidae: Scaphiophryninae) from Masoala rainforest, northeastern Madagascar

Abstract

A new microhylid frog of the genus Paradoxophyla is described from the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar (Masoala). Paradoxophyla tiarano n. sp. was found in still waters within rainforest. In external morphology it is similar to P. palmata, hitherto the only known species belonging to this genus, but it differs by a much less extended foot webbing. We also provide a description of the probable tadpole of the species, which is a specialized suspension feeder of the typical microhylid type. The new species also differs from P. palmata in karyology and mitochondrial dNA sequences. Paradoxophyla tiarano n. sp. is currently known from Masoala, but we suspect that its distribution might extend over a wider area in northeastern Madagascar.