23 Days Exploring Central Madagascar for the Genus Mantella

Objective Locate and photograph seven species of Mantella –M. aurantiaca –M. baroni –M. bernhardi –M. cowani –M. crocea –M. madagascariensis –M. milotympanum

Madagascar 4 th Largest island in the world About the size of Texas Located off of the east coast of Africa

The Plan

Taxi-brousse

Andasibe

Mantella aurantiaca

Four known populations Two near Andasibe in forests bordering Torotorofotsy marsh Pandanus sp. screw pines serve as calling spots for males Calling males also located among leaf litter

Pandanus Screw Pines

Torotorofotsy

Orange vs. Red Within Torotorofotsy population #1, red and orange frogs coexist Captive-bred frogs in the hobby are lighter in color than those in the population visited Diet-related? Origin of captive frogs from different population?

Mantadia National Park Mantella baroni

Mantella baroni Wide-spread distribution throughout east-central Madagascar Four populations located during the trip All individuals found were very close to fast-moving streams

Vohimana Reserve Mantella pulchra Informed by biologist that M. pulchra could be found 15 km east of Andasibe, in Vohimana Reserve Hitchhiking in Madagascar – morning vs. afternoon

Mantella pulchra Very wet, soggy, saturated soil Thick leaf litter serves as cover Reclusive frog in the wild as well as captivity

Vohimana Reserve Mantidactylus sp.

Variable M. cf. milotympanum Varying amounts of black on flanks and face Some frogs resemble M. crocea Others appear like M. milotympanum

Logging Habitat of M. cf. milotympanum under pressure from selective logging Many frogs located among a pile of wood shavings Deforested field across of stream still had frogs, far less were heard though

In Search of Green M. cf. milotympanum Farmer’s father said that they occurred along the same stream that variable M. cf. milotympanum lived alongside, but around 30 km further east

Yellow/Green M. cf. milotympanum Accidentally stumbled upon population halfway to known green mantellas Appeared to be restricted to small transitional zone of ferns and small shrubs

Unusual blue marbling Only individual located like it

Population threatened by agricultural development

Back to Tana (the capitol) Left Andasibe-area without having found M. crocea Time was running out Next stop: Antoetra for M. cowani

Antoetra

No M. cowani located Not the right habitat M. baroni abundant along rocky stream Only amphibian found

Only other herp found: Furcifer lateralis Found in degraded savanah-like fields

Difficulties of Herping Near Antoetra No forest = few herps Culturally-knowledgeable guides Difficult to be a foreigner in this area

Last Stop: Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana

Today’s Malagasy Lesson rano = water mafana = hot Ranomafana = hot water Natural hot springs Attract tourists Very popular park

Mantella baroni

Mantella bernhardi Most distantly related mantella Unique trill-like call Very limited distribution

Mantella bernhardi Only one individual found Several others calling nearby Difficult to locate because of dark coloration

Night Hike - Boophis Boophis sp. Boophis rappiodes

Boophis Boophis madagascariensis Boophis luteus

Last Mantellas of the Trip Guide informed me of one last Mantella population M. baroni and M. madagascariensis

Mantella baroni and Mantella madagascariensis appear similar dorsally But can reliably be told apart by comparing their ventral side Mantella baroni Mantella madagascariensis

- Spot or no marking on throat - Red on limbs extends only partway - Horseshoe-shaped marking on throat - Red on limbs extends through thigh Mantella baroniMantella madagascariensis

Following Ranomafana National Park, I returned to Antananarivo and flew home Arrived back in Madison, Wisconsin on January 19 th Plan to return to Madagascar in December of this year There is an immense amount to be learned from and understood about Madagascar and its amphibians