A NEW MABUYA (REPTILIA, SQUAMATA, SCINCIDAE) OF THE AUREOPUNCTATA-GROUP FROM SOUTHERN MADAGASCAR

Madagascan skinks of the genus Mabuya can be divided into two groups based on the shape of the subocular scale, which is rectangular in the aureopunctata-Group and trapezoidal, in the elegans-Group. The former group includes Mabuya aureopunctata, M. betsileana, M. boettgeri, and M. vato; the latter includes M. elegans, M. gravenhorsti, and M. madagascariensis. We describe herein a new species of the aureopunctata-Group, Mabuya dumasi, which differs from all other species of this group in having a distinctive longitudinal row of white spots on the side of the neck bordered above by a coextensive, dark brown or black, dorsolateral stripe. Mabuya dumasi differs further from M. boettgeri in lacking the body and neck stripes of the latter species; from M. aureopunctata and M. vato in lacking white spots on the dorsum of the head, neck, and anterior body, which are present in the latter two species; and from M. betsiliana in having fewer scales between the postmentals and the cloaca (fewer than 61 in M. dumasi, 71 in M. betsiliana). Mabuya dumasi was found at two sites 270 km apart in the dry regions of southern Madagascar Amboanemba, 46 km N Amboasary, in dry spiny forest; and Zombitsy, 113 km NE Toliara, in dry deciduous forest. Although the new species is known from only nine specimens taken at two localities, there is no reason to believe it is threatened or endangered. It occurs in at least two distinctive habitats, and new localities are likely to be found when the region is adequately surveyed for reptiles. The ecological relationships among the Madagascan Mabuya are discussed, and an updated key to the eight species of Madagascan Mabuya is provided.