1. 23 Days Exploring Central Madagascar for the Genus Mantella

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

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

4. The Plan

5. Taxi-brousse

6. Andasibe

7. Mantella aurantiaca

8. 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

9. Pandanus Screw Pines

11. Torotorofotsy

12. 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?

13. Mantadia National Park Mantella baroni

14. 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

16. 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

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

18. Vohimana Reserve Mantidactylus sp.

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

27. Unusual blue marbling Only individual located like it

28. Population threatened by agricultural development

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

30. Antoetra

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

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

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

35. Last Stop: Ranomafana National Park

36. Ranomafana

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

39. Mantella baroni

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

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

45. Night Hike - Boophis Boophis sp. Boophis rappiodes

46. Boophis Boophis madagascariensis Boophis luteus

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

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

49. - 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

50. 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