Overview of Reptile Diversity from Bobaomby Complex, Northern Tip of Madagascar

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Madagascar is home to diverse ecosystems with many endemic reptiles, many of which are threatened by the increasing loss of their habitat. Unfortunately, while some areas have been relatively well studied, there is a paucity of data in most of them. This knowledge gap hinders efforts to collect scientific information in order to conserve the remaining habitat. We conducted surveys in the Bobaomby Complex, in the northern tip of Madagascar to assess its potential for the creation of a new protected area. We found 42 reptile species of which 39 are endemic and the discovery of many threatened species with restricted range distributions. The findings fill the knowledge gaps on the herpetofauna of the Bobaomby Complex. We recommend the inclusion of the Bobaomby Complex into the network of protected areas of Madagascar. ABSTRACT: Many studies on reptiles have been conducted across Madagascar but some areas are poorly known in terms of the diversity of reptiles such as the Bobaomby Complex in the northern tip of Madagascar. In February and March 2018, we conducted a biodiversity survey within five sites. This biological survey is to collect scientific information for helping new protected creations. Three main methods were used including pitfall trap, visual and acoustic searching along the transect and refuge examination. In total, we recorded 42 species including 5 chameleons, 8 skinks, 11 geckos, 16 snakes and 2 blinds snake species. All recorded species are endemic to Madagascar except Hemidactylus frenatus, Ebenavia inunguis and Phelsuma abbotti. Rare species known only from a few specimens have been recorded in the Bobaomby Complex: Heteroliodon fohy, Pseudoxyrhopus ambreensis, and Madascincus arenicola. Thirteen species are classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List, of which three are Critically Endangered: Paracontias minimus, Madascincus arenicola, and Paroedura lohatsara; three are Endangered: Heteroliodon fohy, Lycodryas inopinae, and Phisalixella variabilis; and seven are Vulnerable: Brookesia ebenaui, Furcifer petteri, Blaesodactylus boivini, Uroplatus ebenaui, Uroplatus henkeli, Liophidium therezieni and Flexiseps ardouini. Our results reveal the importance of the Bobaomby Complex for conserving reptile diversity and highlight the need to protect it.