Article

A rapid assessment survey of the herpetofauna at Befotaka‐Midongy National Park, south‐eastern Madagascar

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Abstract

We report on the results of a herpetological rapid assessment survey in the Befotaka-Midongy National Park in south-eastern Madagascar, carried out between 25 September and 17 October 2005. The survey yielded a total 46 species (30 amphibians and 16 reptiles). Of the two surveyed sites, both characterized by rainforest habitat and situated at elevations of 600–900 m, Kilimagnarivo was richer in species diversity than the second site, Rozabe. Seven species were only recorded from Rozabe whereas 14 species were only recorded from Kilimagnarivo. Among the remarkable discoveries was the frog Gephyromantis spinifer, which constitutes a significant range extension for this species. The same is true for Gephyromantis tschenki which was hitherto only known from the Ranomafana region. One specimen assigned to the arboreal snake Stenophis cf. carleti had a number of ventral and subcaudal scales intermediate between S. gaimardi and S. carleti, indicating that the taxonomic definition of S. carleti is insufficient. The reported herpetofaunal diversity appears low if compared to other sites in the same region (e.g., Ranomafana National Park) but considering the unfavourable period of the survey in the austral winter, and taking into account the results of other teams who also have surveyed sites in the Befotaka-Midongy region, we assume a high species diversity in Midongy National Park. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

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... Over the last decade, several studies have contributed to the definition of the distribution ranges of Uro platus spp. (Raselimanana et al. 2000, Andreone et al. 2001, Ramanamanjato et al. 2002, Rakotomalala & Raselimanana 2003Rabibisoa et al. 2005, Rakotondravony 2006, Mori et al. 2006, Andreone & Randrianirina 2007, Raselimanana & Andriamampionona 2007, Pearson et al. 2007, Bora et al. 2007, 2010, D'Cruze et al. 2007, 2008, Raselimanana 2008, Megson et al. 2009, Geh ring et al. 2010. In numerous cases, the precise identity of these records remained uncertain because of the incomplete knowledge on species identity and species delimitation. ...
... sameiti from U. fimbriatus. Numerous recent surveys in the Anosy Chain and the surrounding forest such as Ivohibe (Raselimanana 1999), Kalambatritra (Andreone & Randrianirina 2007), Midongy du Sud (Bora et al. 2007), and Andohahela (Andreone & Randriamahazo 1997, Nussbaum et al. 1999, Ramanamanjato et al. 2002 did not yield records of U. fimbriatus. ...
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... our attempts of barcode fishing from the lectotype was unsuccessful and the few 16S reads obtained were inconclusive, probably contaminated with Homo sapiens reads. however, we succeeded in PCramplifying and sequencing 16S from a specimen (zSM 176/2006 = MvtIS 16559) from the Midongy du Sud National Park (Bora et al. 2007) (also known as Befotaka-Midongy), and thus presumably from very close to the type locality. Based on the phylogenetic position of this sample, we circumscribe M. tricinctus to a lineage Natural history.-At ...
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... Owing to the short study periods spent at each site and the lack of comparable data on the herpetofauna of most of the localities, it is difficult to make reliable statements on the absolute species diversity of amphibians and reptiles at the visited localities. Species accumulation curves from other surveys in Madagascar's eastern forests show that the peak of species records is mostly reached after seven to eight days, and there will be no or only a minor increase in species numbers that after this vertex (Raxwor-thy et al. 1998, 2009, Bora et al. 2007, Ra ma namanjato 2007. On average, we stayed four days (min. 2 to max. 8 days; Fig. 3) at each site. ...
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We propose a novel classification of frogs in the family Mantellidae, based on published phylogenetic information and on a new analysis of molecular data. Our molecular tree for 53 mantellid species is based on 2419 base pairs of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, tRNAVal and cytochrome b genes, and of the nuclear rhodopsin gene. Because the genus Mantidactylus Boulenger sensu lato is confirmed to be paraphyletic with respect to Mantella Boulenger, and is highly diverse in morphology and reproductive biology, we propose to partition Mantidactylus into seven genera by elevating four subgenera to genus rank (Blommersia Dubois, Guibemantis Dubois, Spinomantis Dubois, and Gephyromantis Methuen) and creating two new genera (Boehmantis gen. n. and Wakea gen. n.). In addition, we create the new subgenera Boophis (Sahona) subgen. n., Gephyromantis (Duboimantis) subgen. n., G. (Vatomantis) subgen. n., and Mantidactylus (Maitsomantis) subgen. n. The following species are transferred to Spinomantis, based on their phylogenetic relationships: S. elegans (Guibé) comb. n. (formerly in Mantidactylus subgenus Guibemantis); S. bertini (Guibé) comb. n. and S. guibei (Blommers-Schlösser) comb. n. (both formerly in Mantidactylus subgenus Blommersia); S. microtis (Guibé) comb. n. (formerly in Boophis Tschudi). Within Boophis, the new B. mandraka species group and B. albipunctatus species group are established. Boophis rhodoscelis (Boulenger) is transferred to the B. microtympanum group. The following five species are revalidated: Mantidactylus bellyi Mocquard and M. bourgati Guibé (not junior synonyms of M. curtus (Boulenger)); M. cowanii (Boulenger) (not syn. M. lugubris (Duméril)); M. delormei Angel (not syn. M. brevipalmatus Ahl); Mantella ebenaui (Boettger) (not syn. M. betsileo (Grandidier)). The new classification accounts for recent progress in the understanding of the phylogeny and natural history of these frogs, but it is still tentative for a number of species. Future modifications may be necessary, especially as concerns species now included in Gephyromantis and Spinomantis.Full article published online at: http://www.senckenberg.de/odes/06-11.htm
Article
Species richness has classically been thought to increase from the poles towards the Equator, and from high elevations down to sea-level. However, the largest radiation of butterflies in Madagascar, the subtribe Mycalesina (c. 67 spp.) does not exhibit such a monotonic pattern, either for empirical records or for interpolated species ranges. Instead, summation of mycalesine ranges generates a domed curve of species richness values approximately symmetric around mid latitudes within the island, a pattern most smoothly exhibited by the wider ranging and better known species, and a less symmetric curve peaking near mid elevations. Hotspots for the summation of 1183 species ranges and seven out of the ten groups of insects and vertebrates analysed (butterflies, cicindelid and enariine melonthid beeties, ctenuchiine moths, chameleons, frogs, birds, lemurs, tenrecs, and rodents) also occur at both mid latitudes and elevations. The most strongly parabolic pattern is shown by animals (637 spp.) whose ranges are confined to the highly linear rainforest biome. This rainforest species richness curve is resilient in shape even after controlling for particular effects of area and irregular sample effort. In sharp contrast, at least eight different environmental parameters for the rainforest biome tend to increase monotonically towards the northern, more tropical, boundary, a trend evident only in species richness gradients of more narrow-ranging species. The one-dimensional latitudinal species richness curves and hotspots observed in fact best reflect overall the geometric predictions of a null model for ranked range size partitions of the regional species pool. This analytical model is based on the uniform probability distribution, and assumes that species ranges are constrained by the position of biome or island boundaries. The same logarithmic equations applied iteratively to longitude also accurately predict hotspots for more realistic species ranges containing gaps, as shown for two-dimensional species richness patterns for the Madagascan rainforest dataset. Bio-geographic and conservation implications of the bounded range overlap concept are discussed.
Article
Mantella bernhardi is an endemic species of Malagasy poison frog threatened by loss and fragmentation of its natural habitat and collection for the pet trade. It is classified as threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) categories and included in Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). A recent survey has increased the known distributional range of the species from one to eight populations across southeastern Madagascar, but little is known about its biology and genetic diversity. Here we estimate inter- and intrapopulation mitochondrial genetic variation of four populations. Populations from the northern and southern parts of the distributional range showed a high degree of divergence (maximum of 11.35% in cytochrome b) and were recovered as reciprocally monophyletic groups. Nine haplotypes were detected in the northern and 12 in the southern populations. The population from Ranomafana National Park showed the lowest number of haplotypes and nucleotide diversity, and shared its most common haplotype with the second northern population from Tolongoina. All the other detected haplotypes were unique to each of the four populations. This suggests the existence of important barriers to gene flow, pre-dating human colonization of Madagascar at about 2000 years ago, in distinct contrast to other Mantella species that show a high degree of haplotype sharing throughout their range. The continued habitat fragmentation within the distribution range of M. bernhardi prevents any connection between its populations. Our data indicate the existence of at least two different management units for conservation in this species, corresponding to the North and South of its distribution range, and highlight the existence of strong regional endemism in southeastern Madagascar.
Inven-taire biologique de la ré serve spé ciale du pic d'Ivohibe et du couloir forestier qui la relie au Parc national d'Andrin-gitra
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Raselimanana, A. P. 1999. L'Herpetofaune, pp. 81– –97. In Goodman, S. & Rasolonandrasana, B. P. N. (eds.). Inven-taire biologique de la ré serve spé ciale du pic d'Ivohibe et du couloir forestier qui la relie au Parc national d'Andrin-gitra. – – Recherches pour le developpement, sé rie Sciences Biologiques 15: 1– –181.
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Nussbaum, R. A., Raxworthy, C. J., Raselimanana, A. P. & Ramanamanjato, J. B. 1999. Amphibians and reptiles of the Ré serve Naturelle Integrale d'Andohahela, Madagascar. --Fieldiana Zoology (new series) No 94: 153--173.
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Palumbi, S. R., Martin, A., Romano, S., McMillan, W. O., Stice, L. & Grabowski, G. 1991. The Simple Fool's Guide to PCR, Version 2.0. Privately published document compiled by S. Palumbi, Dept. Zoology. Honolulu: Univ.
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– – 2006. Phylogeny and genus-level classification of mantellid frogs (Amphibia, Anura). – – Organisms, Diversity and Evolution 6 (3): 236– –253, electronic supplement 11, part 1: 1– –3, part 2: 1– –4.
Chapitre 7. Les amphibiens et les reptiles du Parc National de Ranomafana et de la zone forestiè re le
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Rakotomalala, D., Raholimavo, E., Talata, P. & Rajeriarison, E. 2001. Chapitre 7. Les amphibiens et les reptiles du Parc National de Ranomafana et de la zone forestiè re le reliant au Parc National d'Andringitra, pp. 133– –164. In Goodman, S. M. & Razafindratsita, V. R. (eds.). Inventaire biologique du Parc National de Ranomafana et du couloir forestier qui la relie au Parc National d'Andringitra. – – Recherches pour le developpement, sé rie Sciences Biologiques 17: 1– –24.
Ecological and taxonomic observations on the amphibians and reptiles of the Andohahela low altitude rainforest
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Inventaire bio-e ´ cologique des reptiles et amphibiens dans le corridor Zahamena-Mantadia
Anonymous 2001. Inventaire bio-e ´ cologique des reptiles et amphibiens dans le corridor Zahamena-Mantadia. RAP., 2001. Rapport pré liminaire. Collaboration DBAUA et CI. Unpublished report.
A fieldguide to the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar
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  • S R Palumbi
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  • Y Chiari
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  • M Vences
Palumbi, S. R., Martin, A., Romano, S., McMillan, W. O., Stice, L. & Grabowski, G. 1991. The Simple Fool's Guide to PCR, Version 2.0. Privately published document compiled by S. Palumbi, Dept. Zoology. Honolulu: Univ. Rabemananjara, F. C. E., Chiari, Y., Ravoahangimalala Ramilijaona, O. & Vences, M. 2007. Evidence for recent gene flow between north-eastern and south-eastern Madagascan poison frogs from a phylogeography of the Mantella cowani group. – – Frontiers in Zoology 4: article 1.
Inventaire biologique du Parc National de Ranomafana et du couloir forestier qui la relie au Parc National d'Andringitra. --Recherches pour le developpement
  • D Rakotomalala
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Rakotomalala, D., Raholimavo, E., Talata, P. & Rajeriarison, E. 2001. Chapitre 7. Les amphibiens et les reptiles du Parc National de Ranomafana et de la zone forestiè re le reliant au Parc National d'Andringitra, pp. 133--164. In Goodman, S. M. & Razafindratsita, V. R. (eds.). Inventaire biologique du Parc National de Ranomafana et du couloir forestier qui la relie au Parc National d'Andringitra. --Recherches pour le developpement, sé rie Sciences Biologiques 17: 1--24.
A Floral and Faunal Inventory of the Eastern Slopes of the Ré serve Naturelle Inté grale d'Andringitra, Madagascar: With Reference to Elevational Variation
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Raxworthy, C. J. & Nussbaum, R. A. 1996. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Ré serve Naturelle Inté grale d'Andringitra, Madagascar: A Study of Elevational Distribution and Local Endemicity, pp. 158--170. In Goodman, S. M. (ed.). A Floral and Faunal Inventory of the Eastern Slopes of the Ré serve Naturelle Inté grale d'Andringitra, Madagascar: With Reference to Elevational Variation. --Fieldiana Zoology (new series) No 85.
Inventaire biologique de la réserve spéciale du pic d'Ivohibe et du couloir forestier qui la relie au Parc national d'Andringitra. - Recherches pour le developpement
  • L'herpetofaune
  • Raselimanana