Sorry this took so long. I was quite busier than I had expected to be.
At this time U. phantasticus and U. ebenaui were consider synonymous (both known as U. ebenaui) by Bauer & Russel (1989). This means that the comparison between U. ebenaui and U. malama could be slightly different since they may have and probably used both U. phantasticus and U. ebenaui to compare the new species. The gecko was found Dec 20, 1990; the paper was written in 1993 and published in 1995 in Copeia, 1995, No.1
This coming Monday will mark the 14th anniversary since this gecko was found. It's incredible how little has been done in 14 years.
Holotype - mature male, collected 20 Dec. 1990 at Ampamakiesiny Pass, 14km NW of Ranomafana-Sud, 750m elevation, Tolanaro (Ft. Dauphin) Fivondronana, Toliara Province, Madagascar. (This is in the Anosy Mountains in the far southern part of the country)
Etymology - The name malama is Malagasy for "smooth" in reference to the complete abscence of spines, crests and other raised scales.
Habitat - The holotype was collected in primary lowland rainforest at 750m. This altitude is close to the transition zone btwn lowland and mid elevation rainforest (800m). At Ampamakiesiny, the forest above 800m is dominated by bamboo. The microhabitat was undisturbed slope forest. The specimen was collected at night (10:30pm) on a branch about 2m above ground level.
Detailed Comparison of Uroplatus malama and Uroplatus ebenaui
(This is the part I will be summarize into plainer English)
Structure of the Hemipenis - (I know nothing of this section, I have not learned anything of the structre, but here is some very basic verbatim. If anyone is interested in more, I can post more later.): The hemipenis of U.ebenaui is similar to that of U. malama in size and shape but differs significantly in details of ornamentation. Comparisons are based on two adult males of U. ebenaui, one from Ranomafana Nat'l Park and the other from Mantady National Park. The hemipene morphology of these two is identical, despite seperate localities.
Scale differentiation - (summarized and in some simpler terms): Skin ornamentation of U. ebenaui consists of simple spines, pedicellate spines, differentiated scale patches, scale lines and tufts. Simple spines are short, soft, pointed scales usually pointed toward the tail (posteriorly). Pedicellate spines are similar, but perched on a pedicel of raised granular scales. Differentiated scale patches consist of usually fewer than 10 slightly enlarged, raised scales usually colored white. These differentiated scale patches make for color patterning and differentiation along the dorsolateral surface (back and sides). In U. ebenaui spines may be found on any dorsolateral surface excluding feet, toes, head and forward of the eyes. On the tail, spines area only found forward of the postpygal portion. Spines are not on any ventral surfaces, but sometimes very low on lateral surfaces (sides). There is always a prominent spine above the ear opening on both sides. The first lateral tuft of te postpygal portion of the tail always bears a spine. Differentiated scale patches can be found anywhere but the soles of the feet; most common on the bottom and sides of neck. A pair of lateral lines extends from the axilla to the groin where the dorsal and ventral surfaces meet (cream meets dark). Distinct lines occur on the snout and between the eyes. Compared to U. ebenaui, U. malama has no spines or differentiated scale patches anywhere on the body. It has only very faint lines of scales. These include faint transverse lines on the snout and head. There are faint, symmetrical, curved lines on the back of the head. There are chevrons with points toward the head and narrowing toward the tail along the dorsal surface. The lateral line is not evident. U. malama lacks tufts at the elbows and knees and only has a pair of eyelash tufts.
Coloration - Some coloration differences are due to the lack of differentiated scale patches on U. malama, some differences are unrelated to that. 7 U. ebenaui specimens from diff localities were used (3 from Mantady Nat'l Park and 4 from Ranomafana Nat'l Park). The 7 were quite variable but much more alike than to that of U. malama. U. ebenaui is darker dorsally and ventrally than U. malama. The dorsum is dark tan-brown w/ irregular darker brown or light tan spots/blotches. The are thin lines of differentiated scalles usually light tan to whitish. None of the 7 has the nearly uniform light yellowish to tan dorsal coloration of U. malama. The venter of U. ebenaui is dark gray w/ cream to light tan blotches concentrated on the more forward portion of the venter. The ventral surfaces of U. malama are light-colored and lack bold spots and blotches.
*Interesting additions from the authors... They did not find any other U. malama during this trip and think the species may be in danger. They hope that there is a population of U. malama in the nearby Reserve naturelle Integral near the type locality in the Anosy Mountains. They also expected that U. phantasticus was in fact a seperate species and that phantasticus-ebenaui-malama may show a morphocline from numerous large spines to no spines and it could be argued that the 3 forms represent a single species that varies geographically or individually.
