New animals and plants discovered

Early January 2025, a group of yet different mouse lemurs distinguished themselves from the well-known Grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus). As we soon discovered, it was the Grey-rufous mouse lemur (Microcebus griseorufus). How many other unknown animals are awaiting discovery?

New birds breeding at Zazamalala are Madagascar cuckoo-hawk (Aviceda sp.); Red-billed teal (Anas erythrorhyncha); Hoopoe (Upupa epops); Madagascar buttonquail (Turnix nigricollis). A special treat is a nest of the Madagascar buzzard (Buteo brachypterus) near our house.

German herpetologist Miguel Vences visited Zazamalala and was impressed by the many reptile encounters, among them a possible hybrid between Madagascar ground boas (Acrantophis dumerili and A. madagascariensis ), and a Pseudoxyrhophiinae not clearly fitting current species. The many Trachylepis skinks crawling around made it likely that an unknown species is present. Prof. Vences confirmed a stable population of Gold dust day gecko (Phelsuma laticauda) and Koch giant day gecko (P. kochi).

Botanist Marie-Ange discovered new trees in the forest, e.g. Ebony (Diospyros enervis and D. erythrosperma), and large fig trees (Ficus sakalavarum) with apple-sized figs. A new fruit tree is Madagascar soapberry (Doratoxylon alatum). A series of rare trees includes Golden hairy acacia (Acacia aurisparsa); Red mimosa (Senegalia polhillii); Prickly mimosa (Vachellia bellula); Monkey ladder (Entada chrysostachys); Orange blueberry (Cordia sinensis).