A new tree hole breeding Anodonthyla (Chordata: Anura: Microhylidae: Cophylinae) from low-altitude rainforests of the Masoala Peninsula, northeastern Madagascar

We describe a new arboreal, cophyline, microhylid frog from the rainforest of northeastern Madagascar belonging to the genus Anodonthyla. Anodonthyla hutchisoni, new species, is named in honor of a lifetime of dedication to excellence in herpetology by V. H. Hutchison. Anodonthyla hutchisoni differs from a close relative, A. boulengeri, in having generally larger morphometric features and in aspects of pattern (most A. hutchisoni have distinct lightly colored spots on their dorsum). Furthermore, A. hutchisoni is genetically divergent from two close relatives, A. boulengeri and A. moramora (11–12% uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence for a fragment of the mitochondrial ribosomal 12S ribosomal RNA gene). Anodonthyla hutchisoni is likely an endemic species to northeastern Madagascar inhabiting and breeding within tree holes.