Madagascan Amphibian & Reptile Conservation

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Arboreal Mantella (Mantella laevigata)

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IUCN Conservation Status

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During the dry season in Madagascar, the best place to look for amphibia isn't just around streams of small bodies of water but in the trees. More specifically, the axils of Vakona Palms or also known as Pandanus where water collects providing aboreal species of anura with their much needed moisture to survive. I guarantee to anyone, that if you investigate and peel back the leaves of these amazing plants, that you will find some beautiful and fascinating species. One such example for me in the Vohimana Experimental Reserve at the southern most point of the Mantadia Forest Corridor, was finding a Yellow Spotted Arboreal Frog (Platypelis tuberifera) while hiking up the mountain side in search of breeding sites for Beautiful Mantella (Mantella pulchra). This specimen measured 26.3mm SVL and exhibited some, as you can see, very striking marking and a bold colouration. It is believed to be common within its distribution range, with localities including Ambolokopatrika (Andranomadio, Antsinjorano), Ambahaka forest, Ambatambe, An’Ala, Andasibe, Andrambovato, Andringitra (Iantara river, Sahavatoy river), Anjanaharibe-Sud, Ankeniheny, Anosibe, Antsihanaka, Fenoarivo, Ivohibe, Mahavelona, Mandriandry forest, Marojejy (Camp Simpona, Amdampimbazaha cascade, Antranohofa), Ranomafana (Ranomena, Vatoharanana), Tampolo (Fenoarivo), Tsararano, Vinanitelo, Vohimana and Vohiparara. I mainly post about species which are declining significantly due to subsistence agriculture, timber extraction, charcoal manufacture, and invasive spread of eucalyptus, livestock grazing and expanding human settlements... However for this species it is listed as Least Concern because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for a higher categorisation. The species not only seems to exhibit a tolerance for a degree of habitat modification but is also presumed to have a large population. © 2016 - Joshua Ralph - All Rights Reserved.

Isolated Beauty: #Madagascar Short footage of Beautiful #Mantella ( #Mantella_pulchra ) at the breeding pond within #Voihimana Experimental Reserve.

Isolated Beauty: #Madagascar Short footage of Climbing #Mantella ( #Mantella_laevigata ) at Nosy Mangabe Reserve Speciale.

Isolated #Beauty: #Madagascar Short footage of Baron's #Mantella ( #Mantella_baroni ) at the #cascade at #Maromizaha_Reserve.

I have come across species like the Malagasy Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis madagascariensis) during the day before, however it was normally seeing them tucked away between the axils of Pandanus or even in a hole of a branch or tree trunk. This little one though, this specimen was out, wide awake at roughly 10.00 am. © 2016 - Joshua Ralph - All Rights Reserved.

One of the largest species of amphibian from Madagascar, Grandidier's Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) grandidieri) also happens to have a large distribution range. However, at a lot of localities within its distribution range, it is becoming quite uncommonly found due to many populations being over collected for human consumption. It is also heavily threatened by continuing habitat loss from expansion of human settlements, timber extraction, subsistence agriculture and characoal manufacturing. The species has tested positive for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), also known as Chytridiomycosis. However currently there have been no negative effects observed within amphibian populations in Madagascar this suggests the strain has a low virulence level. © 2016 - Joshua Ralph - All Rights Reserved.

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