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Hidden in sacred forests: Microendemic gecko discovered in Madagascar

A new gecko species, Paragehyra tsaranoro, has been discovered in Madagascar's Tsaranoro valley. As a microendemic species, it is restricted to only three small forest fragments in the region. This small species is under threat from deforestation, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts. Reserves managed by local communities are essential for the survival of species like P. tsaranoro. The discovery was in the journal ZooKeys.

A team of international herpetologists has described the new gecko species that has managed to hide in plain sight among the granite boulders around the western flanks of the Andringitra Massif, in south-eastern Madagascar.

"Paragehyra tsaranoro is named after the Tsaranoro valley, where it was first observed," explains first author Francesco Belluardo from the Department of Bioscience and Territory at the University of Molise (Italy). "It is not only endemic to Madagascar, but also what we describe as a microendemic species—restricted to an extremely small range."

In this case, P. tsaranoro has only been found in three small forest fragments, all located within approximately 15 kilometers of one another. These patches are remnants of a once-larger and continuous forest that has been destroyed by the widespread deforestation that continues to impact Madagascar's biodiversity.

"The findings emphasize the importance of conducting research on small forest fragments, as they are essential for completing the inventory of Malagasy herpetofauna," the researchers write in their study.

Given its very limited range and the ongoing threats to its habitat, the authors recommend listing this new gecko as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Like many endemic species in Madagascar, its existence might be threatened by deforestation, which means destruction and fragmentation of its already limited habitat.

The research team, also composed of Angelica Crottini, Javier Lobón-Rovira, Gonçalo M. Rosa, Franco Andreone, Malalatiana Rasoazanany, Costanza Piccoli and Ivo Oliveira Alves call for stronger support for local communities in conserving the species.

In fact, most of its known range lies outside Madagascar's network of protected areas, and the only conservation measures come from reserves managed by local communities—areas created to support sustainable livelihoods and protect local biodiversity.

"Building on previous research in the region, it appears that this landscape is full of hidden biodiversity gems, including other microendemic reptile species found nowhere else in the country. These community-managed reserves act as important refuges for local wildlife," says Belluardo.

"Interestingly, many of these small forest fragments are known locally as 'Forêts sacrées', or sacred forests, because they host boulders that serve as ancestral tombs for the local Betsileo people. Protecting this cultural heritage has also helped safeguard local species, suggesting once again that conserving biodiversity often goes hand-in-hand with preserving cultural traditions."