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Amphibia, Biological Hotspot, Conservation, Evolution, Frogs, Geckos, Lemurs, Lizards, Madagascar, Mammals, Orchids, Reptilia, Snakes, Travel

Madagascar 2016 – A comprehensive list of species I have seen.

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Hello everyone,

Only recently, I returned (slightly earlier than planned) from my latest adventure to the ancient and most biologically diverse islands on the planet, the island of Madagascar.

For the past few months I have been traveling the eastern and central regions of this most magical of places, sleeping rough in a tent the middle of the rainforest to hiking through some of the most beautiful and richest landscapes I have came across.

Of course, you will be able to find out all about my adventures within my blog which I hope to update as much as I possibly can whilst traying to filter through my photographs and video footage that I capture during my trip. These will more than likely be randomly updated with no set order except with in order of where I was at the dates that I specify.

I promise, you will not be disappointed by your wait for my updates, on my travels I have came across over 65 species of Amphibian, 35 species of Reptile, 22 species of Mammal and countless numbers of Arthropoda/Invertebrates and Plants. Speakin of which, I have decided to add a comprehensive list of what I have seen on here, including the common names which before this, never existed.

Here are a few teaser pictures of things to expect in 2016/2017:

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Baron’s Mantella (Mantella baroni) at the cascade of Maromizaha Experimental Reserve, Madagascar (Analamazoatra region). © 2016 – Joshua Ralph – All Rights Reserved.
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Lance-nosed Chameleon (Calumma gallus) male specimen at Vohimana Experimental Reserve, Madagascar (Analamazoatra region). © 2016 – Joshua Ralph – All Rights Reserved.
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Silver Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (maitsomantis) argenteus) male specimen at Vohimana Experimental Reserve, Madagascar (Analamazoatra region). © 2016 – Joshua Ralph – All Rights Reserved.
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White-fronted Brown Lemur (Eulemur albifrons) at Nosy Mangabe Reserve Speciale, Madagascar (Antongili Bay). © 2016 – Joshua Ralph – All Rights Reserved.
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Speckled Water Snake (Thamnosophis epistibes) at Mitsinjo Forest Reserve, Madagascar (Analamazoatra region). © 2016 – Joshua Ralph – All Rights Reserved.

Amphibia 
Order: Anura (Frogs & Toads)

Subfamily: Boophinae
Genus: Boophis (Bright-eyed Frogs)
1. Goudot’s Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis goudotii),
2. Guibe’s Brigh-eyed Frog (Boophis guibei),
3. Id’s Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis idae),
4. Flamed Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis pyrrhus),
5. Madagascan Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis madagascariensis),
6. Green Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis viridis),
7. Central Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis rappiodes),
8. Bott’s Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis bottae),
9. Boehme’s Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis boehmei),

Subfamily: Cophylinae
Genus: Anodonthyla (Dual-thumbed Frogs)
10. Black-throated Dual-thumbed Frog (Anodonthyla pollicaris),

Genus: Platypelis (Arboreal Frogs)
11. Barbour’s Arboreal Frog (Platypelis barbouri)
12. Andasibe Arboreal Frog (Platypelis sp. aff. “Andasibe”)
13. Giant Arboreal Frog (Platypelis grandis)
14. Yellow Spotted Arboreal Frog (Platypelis tuberifera)

Genus: Plethodontohyla (Digging Frogs)
15. Spotted Digging Frog (Plethodontohyla notosticta),
16. Mihanika Digging Frog (Plethodontohyla mihanika),

Genus: Stumpffia (Thumbnail Frogs)
17. Thumbnail Frog (Stumpffia sp. “Nosy Mangabe”)i,
18. Thumbnail Frog (Stumpffia sp. “Nosy Mangabe”)ii,
19. Thumbnail Frog (Stumpffia sp. “Andasibe”)
20. Thumbnail Frog (Stumpffia sp. “Vohimana”)

Subfamily: Dyscophinae
Genus: Dyscophus (Tomato Frogs)
21. Antongili Tomato Frog (Dyscophus antongilii),
22. Sambava Tomato Frog (Dyscophus guineti)

Subfamily: Hyperoliinae
Genus: Heterixalus (Reed Frogs)
23. Madagascan Reed Frog (Heterixalus madagascariensis)
24. Spotted Reed Frog (Heterixalus punctatus),
25. Betsileo’s Reed Frog (Heterixalus betsileo)

Subfamily: Laliostominae
Genus: Aglyptodactylus (Canary Frogs)
26. Malagasy Canary Frog (Aglyptodactylus madagascariensis),

Subfamily: Mantellinae
Genus: Bloomersia (Leaping Frogs)
27. Moramanga Leaping Frog (Bloomersia bloomersae),

Genus: Gephyromantis (Forest Frogs)
28. Asper Forest Frog (Gephyromantis (Duboimantis) asper)
29. White Forest Frog (Gephyromantis (Duboimantis) luteus),
30. Boulenger’s Forest Frog (Gephyromantis (Gephyromantis) boulengeri),
31. Sculpted Forest Frog (Gephyromantis (Duboimantis) sculpturatus),
32. White-marked Forest Frog (Gephyromantis (Duboimantis) leucomaculatus) “Nosy Mangabe”,
33. Webb’s Forest Frog (Gephyromantis (Vatomantis) webbi)
34. Cryptic Forest Frog (Gephyromantis (Vatomantis) silvanus)

Genus: Guibemantis (Vakona Frogs)
35. Free Vakona Frog (Guibemantis liber),
36. Beautiful Vakona Frog (Guibemantis pulcher),
37. Torner’s Vakona Frog (Guibemantis torneri),
38. Guibemantis sp. aff. “Andasibe”
39. Guibemantis aff. albolineatus
40. Pulsing Vakona Frog (Guibemantis depressiceps)

Genus: Mantella (Malagasy Poison Frogs)
41. Arboreal Mantella (Mantella laevigata)
42. Beautiful Mantella (Mantella pulchra)
43. Baron’s Mantella (Mantella baroni)
44. Hybrid Mantella (Mantella pulchra x M.baroni) i.
45. Hybrid Mantella (Mantella pulchra x M.baroni) ii.

Genus: Mantidactylus (Stream Frogs)
46. Femoral Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Ochthomantis) femoralis),
47. Betsileo’s Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) betsileanus),
48. Charlotte’s Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Chonomantis) charlotteae),
49. Grandidier’s Giant Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) grandidieri),
50. Nosy Mangabe Giant Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) sp. aff. grandidieri),
51. Cowan’s Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Hylobatrachus) cowani),
52. Zipper’s Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Chonomantis) zipperi),
53. Black Flanked Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Chonomantis) melanopleura),
54. Grey Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) guttulatus),
55. Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) sp. aff. betsileanus,
56. Mantidactylus (Hylobatrachus) sp. aff. cowani,
57. (Mantidactylus (Chonomantis) opiparis)
58. Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) sp. aff. biporus “Maromizaha”
59. Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) sp. aff. biporus “Pale Form”
60. Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) sp. aff. biporus “Vohimana”
61. Silver Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (maitsomantis) argenteus)
62. Andrangoloaka Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Chonomantis) aerumnalis)
63. Tricoloured Stream Frog (Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) sp. aff. tricinctus “Andasibe”)

Genus: Spinomantis (Malagasy Mossy Frogs)
64. Aglave’s Mossy Frog (Spinomantis aglavei),
65. Frilled Mossy Frog (Spinomantis fimbriatus),

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Reptilia
Order: Squamata

Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Brookesia (Leaf Chameleons)
1. Peyrieras’ Leaf Chameleon (Brookesia peyrieras)
2. Browed Leaf Chameleon (Brookesia superciliaris)
3. Thiel’s Leaf Chameleon (Brookesia thieli)

Genus: Calumma (Horned Chameleons)
4. Elephant-eared Chameleon (Calumma brevicorne)
5. Parson’s Chameleon (Calumma parsonii cristifer)
6. Lance-nosed Chameleon (Calumma gallus)
7. Flat-nosed Chameleon (Calumma nasutum)
8. Yellow Striped Chameleon (Calumma gastrotaenia)
9. Deceptive Chameleon (Calumma fallax)

Genus: Furcifer (Panther and Carpet Chameleons)
10. Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) “Nosy Mangabe”
11. Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) “Toamasina”
12. Carpet Chameleon (Furcifer lateralis)

Family: Gerrhosauride
Genus: Zonosaurus (Girdled Lizards)
13. Malagasy Girdled Lizard (Zonosaurus madagascariensis)
14. Brygoo’s Girdled Lizard (Zonosaurus brygooi)

Family: Scincidae
Genus: Trachylepis (Miniature Skinks)
15. Boettger’s Miniature Skink (Trachylepis boettgeri)

Genus: Madascincus (Malagasy Skink)
16. Dark-ribbed Malagasy Skink (Madascincus melanopleura)

Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Blaesodactylus (Velvet Geckos)
17. Antongili Velvet Gecko (Blaesodactylus aff. antongilensis)

Genus: Ebenavia (Clawless Geckos)
18. Masacrine Clawless Gecko (Ebenavia inunguis)

Genus: Gehyra (Web-toed Geckos)
19. Web-toed Gecko (Gehyra mutilata)

Genus: Hemidactylus (Half-toed Geckos)
20. Trader’s Half-toed Gecko (Hemidactylus mercatorius)

Genus: Paroedura (Ground Geckos)
21. Graceful Ground Gecko (Paroedura gracilis)

Genus: Uroplatus (Leaf-taile Geckos)
22. Frilled Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus)
23. Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)

Genus: Lygodactylus (Dwarf Geckos)
24. Guibe’s Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus guibei)
25. Two-lined Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus bivittis)

Genus: Phelsuma (Day Geckos)
26. Madagascan Day Gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis)
27. Lined Day Gecko (Phelsuma lineata)
28. Peacock Day Gecko (Phelsuma quadriocellata)

Family: Boidae
Genus: Sanzinia (Tree Boas)
29. Malagasy Tree Boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis madagascariensis)

Family: Colubridae
Genus: Madagascarophis (Malagasy Cat-eyed Snakes)
30. Cunning Cat-eyed Snake (Madagascarophis colubrinus)

Genus: Stenophis (Arboreal Snakes)
31. Banded Arboreal Snake (Stenophis arctifasciatus)

Genus: Pseudoxyrhopus (Brook Snakes)
32. Night Brook Snake (Pseudoxyrhopus heterurus)
33. Three-lined Brook Snake (Pseudoxyrhopus tritaeniatus)

Family: Lamprophiidae
Genus: Thamnosophis (Malagasy Water Snakes)
34. Lateral-lined Water Snake (Thamnosophis lateralis)
35. Speckled Water Snake (Thamnosophis epistibes)

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Mammalia
Order: Primates

Family: Cheirogaleidae
Genus: Microcebus (Mouse Lemurs)
1. Goodman’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus lehilahytsara)
2. Simmon’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus simmonsi)
3. Macarthur’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus macarthurii)

Genus: Allocebus (Hairy-eared Mouse Lemur)
4. Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur (Microcebus trichotis)

Genus: Cheirogaleus (Fat-tailed Lemurs)
5. Greater Fat-tailed Lemur (Cheirogaleus major)
6. Crossley’s Fat-tailed Lemur (Cheirogaleus crossleyi)

Family: Lepilemuridae
Genus: Lepilemur (Sportive Lemurs)
7. Greater Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus)

Family: Lemuridae
Genus: Hapalemur (Bamboo Lemurs)
8. Grey Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur griseus griseus)

Genus: Eulemur (True Lemurs)
9. Brown Lemur (Eulemur fulvis)
10. White-fronted Brown Lemur (Eulemur albifrons)
11. Red-bellied Lemur (Eulemur rubriventer)

Genus: Varecia (Ruffed Lemurs)
12. Black & White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)

Family: Indriidae
Genus: Avahi (Woolly Lemurs)
13. Eastern Woolly Lemur (Avahi laniger)

Genus: Propithecus (Sifaka)
14. Diademed Sifaka (Propithecus diadema)

Genus: Indri
15. Indri Lemur (Indri indri)

Family: Dubentoniidae
Genus: Daubentonia (Aye-aye)
16. Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

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Order: Afrosoricida

Family: Tenrecidae
Genus: Hemicentetes (Streaked Tenrec)
17. Lowland Streaked Tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus)

Genus: Setifer (Hedgehog Tenrec)
18. Greater Hedgehog Tenrec (Setifer setosus)

Genus: Tenrec
19. Common Tenrec (Tenrec encaudatus)

Genus: Microgale (Shrew Tenrecs)
20. Dobson’s shrew tenrec (Microgale dobsoni)

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Order: Rodentia

Family: Nesomyidae
Genus: Eliurus (Tufted-tailed Rats)
21. Webb’s Tufted-tailed Rat (Eliurus webbi)

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Order: Carnivora

Family: Eupleridae
Genus: Galidia (Ring-tailed Mongoose)
22. Galidia elega

I hope you are excited, because first up on my blog entry list is my adventures on Nosy Mangabe, perhaps one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in my life time.

Until next time!

Joshua Ralph
MantellaMan

Amphibia, Biological Hotspot, Conservation, Evolution, Frogs, Lemurs, Madagascar, Research, Travel

Part 2: The Island of Marvels. 01/03/15 – 6.30am to 12.30pm

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01/03/15 – 6.30am to 12.30pm
Mitsinjo Breeding Facility, Andasibe – First Time at the Facility.

Being my first proper day in Madagascar, I was ecstatic and with all the excitement I was up ready to go at 6.30am hours earlier than was needed! Devin came to meet me for us to walk together on my first day, so I could get my bearings and know my way around the village and road towards the facility.

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I remember walking through the town and noticing every little detail around me, from the smell to the sights that surrounded me but the one obvious thing was that I was the new guy in town. Let’s just say that I learnt the common Malagasy greeting incredibly quickly, I had to say it to everyone, out of politeness but also because I wanted to be friendly! On our way out of the edge of town, on the main road that takes you towards the National Parks, I noticed an extremely well preserved (Almost new-like) building with big capital letters on the sides of it stating “ANDASIBE”. I asked Devin exactly what the place was and why it appeared abandoned when it looked so new, well it turns out I actually knew this building, as a hotel from reading about Sir David Attenborough’s adventures in the 60’s. This was the Andasibe Train Station Hotel, and it had accommodated quite a few celebrities including Gerald Durrell, Prince Phillip and of course Sir David. Devin reminded me that the corner (directly where a restaurant now sits – where I eat most the time) as Sir David described, had rainforest right outside his window with Diadem Sifaka amongst the trees, a disturbing thought considering that the rainforest had disappeared so much since then.

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After a 45 minute walk and a struggling uphill climb to the facility, which just proved how unfit I had became, we arrived at the Mitsinjo Breeding Facility, something I was eagerly waiting to see for well over a year. The first thing you notice about the building, once you open the gate, is the vast amount of logos from various organisations across the world that support the project, it truly was an impressive and fantastic sight to see, all except on of the logos (which I will explain later on).

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We entered and already I was impressed with the protocols and procedures we had to go through before even entering the facility! Provided for the staff members, volunteers, PhD students and Researchers, are either Foam Crocs or Wellington Boots that are just for use within the facility main building. Your clothes must be clean before you are allowed to enter also, so no patches of mud (Luckily, I fully disinfected my clothes prior to leaving the UK using Virkon and Anigene) just incase a lethal pathogen maybe present upon your person. I was extremely excited and full of anticipation to actually just get in and view the facility and the legendary and highly important wild caught founders of the Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) species.

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As I entered finally, straight away I was presented with a vast quantity of Fruit Fly (‘SiSi’ in Malagasy), Spring-tail, Tropical Woodlice, and Crickets cultures, incredibly overwhelming considering the amount I am normally used to. It was impressive, to say the very least!

Justin Claude Rakotoarisoa looking after some of the F1 generation wards within the facility. © 2015 - Joshua Ralph - All Rights Reserved.
Justin Claude Rakotoarisoa looking after some of the F1 generation wards within the facility. © 2015 – Joshua Ralph – All Rights Reserved.

Then we approached a set of heavy wooden doors, allowing access to the frog research and collection room, which is home to over 800 specimens, of 8 different species within the Conservation and Husbandry Research programmes. The obvious and main focus of the facility though is the famous and entirely beautiful Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) specimens, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. However, what makes these particular specimens so important is not as well known of to the outside world, which goes back to one of the logos upon the wall of supporters. The wild caught founders were once found in the Ambatovy locality within the North-western part of the Torotorofotsy Wetland reserve, however a few years previous, it was discovered that this particular area had a vast amount of Nickel within it. So the Ambatovy Nickel Mining Company got permission to destroy the habitats as long as they contributed and removed the specimens of Mantella aurantiaca from the remaining four ponds and give them to Association Mitsinjo.

One of the original Wild Caught founding specimens from the Ambatovy locality of the Torotorofotsy, now found only at the Mitsinjo Conservation Facility. © 2015 - Joshua Ralph - All Rights Reserved.
One of the original Wild Caught founding specimens from the Ambatovy locality of the Torotorofotsy, now found only at the Mitsinjo Conservation Facility. © 2015 – Joshua Ralph – All Rights Reserved.

Just like that, the Ambatovy locality was wiped out and declared extinct in the wild (hopefully this may make you think about where the nickel in some of your purchases comes from), these beautiful and remarkable specimens were the last of their kind from the area they should be within.

Thank you for reading, to be continued…

Joshua Ralph
(MantellaMan)