Description of a new frog species of Gephyromantis (subgenus Laurentomantis) with tibial glands from Madagascar

We describe a new species of frog from Madagascar, assigned to the subgenus Laurentomantis in the genus Gephyromantis. The new species is known from a single male specimen from about 1300 m elevation in Marojejy National Park in northeastern Madagascar, and from a second specimen with uncertain locality data. It differs from the other four described Laurentomantis species by a combination of its unique life colouration, presence of tibial glands, broad head, and substantial genetic differentiation. In line with the arguments used in the conservation assessments of other potential Marojejy endemics from similar altitude, we suggest a conservation status of Vulnerable for this new species. The possible function of the enigmatic tibial glands is discussed. We also provide new data on Gephyromantis horrid us from its type locality Nosy Be island suggesting that the type locality of this species is not in error.