New distributional records from central-eastern Madagascar and patterns of morphological variation in the endangered shrew tenrec Microgale jobihely (Afrosoricida: Tenrecidae)

Microgale jobihely (Afrosoricida: Tenrecidae) was described in 2006 based on 12 specimens from the southwestern flank of Tsaratanana Massif in northern Madagascar. This species is considered Endangered by the IUCN. During small mammal surveys conducted in central-eastern Madagascar within the Ambatovy Forest between June 2007 and February 2009, six specimens allocated to M. jobihely were collected. This site is 485 km southeast of the holotype locality and rests on ultrabasic soils associated with nickel and cobalt deposits. Morphological studies of the Ambatovy and Tsaratanana material provide insights into patterns of variation in this taxon. Notable size variation occurs between the northern and southern populations, as well as differences in craniodental morphology. A portion of the Ambatovy site will be cleared as a result of mineral exploitation and even with the discovery of a second population of this taxon, its conservation status remains Endangered.