THREATENED OF Madagascar Franco Andreone, Mike Bungard & Karen Freeman Franco Andreone, Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti, 36, I-10123 Torino, Italy; email [email protected] Foreword Mike Bungard, The Living Rainforest, Hampstead Norreys, Newbury, Berkshire, RG18 0TN, UK; email [email protected] Our intention is to provide of Malagasy frogs. Among Karen Freeman, Madagascar Fauna Group, BP 442, Toamasina 501, Madagascar; email some basic information on these, education and public [email protected] the conservation of the awareness play an important highly diverse and threat- role. Design ened of Mada- Toby Marsden, www.toby.org.uk gascar. With more than 235 This booklet, aimed at a of frogs found only wide audience and written Thanks to in Madagascar, the island is in different languages, is Gonçalo de Sousa Miranda Rosa, Paolo Eusebio Bergò, Cristina Girard, Jean Noël, one of the richest “froggy” intended to show the beauty Ingrid Porton & Guillaume Zitoun places in the world. The and importance of these frogs of Madagascar, how- , the amphibians, that Photographs ever, suffer from a series are disappearing all around All photographs by Franco Andreone, except for: Mike Bungard (pp. 6, 7) Karen Free- of threats, including the world and are one of man (pp.11 bottom, 26, 27, 28), Gonçalo de Sousa Miranda Rosa (p. 29), Ché Weldon alteration, deforestation, the most endangered ver- (p. 22) pollution and collection for tebrates. It is not intended the pet-trade. Therefore, in to be an identification Printed on 30 September 2007 by Tipolito Subalpina, 10090 Cascine Vica - Rivoli (Torino) September 2006 a sympo- manual or a scientific book, sium specifically dedicated although it has been written © REGIONE PIEMONTE – MUSEO REGIONALE DI SCIENZE NATURALI – TORINO to the conservation of the in a scientific way. We hope (ITALY) in collaboration with the Madagascar Fauna Group, The Living Rainforest and St. Malagasy amphibians was that looking at its beautiful Louis Zoo held in Antananarivo, Mada- photographs the reader will gascar. The ACSAM (A Con- fall in love with the Malagasy Realised within the framework of A Conservation Strategy for the Amphibians of servation Strategy for the frogs, and will help us in 5 Madagascar and Specialist Group / IUCN Amphibians of Madagascar) their protection. identified several essential Front cover: expectata from the Isalo Massif measures necessary for Back cover: Spinomantis phantasticus from the Anjanaharibe-Sud Massif promoting the conservation Madagascar

he island of Madagascar about 10% of the original Tlies 400km off the east remains. Almost coast of Africa and has been half of this is dense humid separated from the main- rainforest found along the land for at least 165 million east coast. The south of the years. Because Madagascar island is much drier; here has been isolated for so long spiny desert dominates the many of the island’s plants landscape, while the west and animals are unique and is home to fragmented dry are found nowhere else on evergreen and vast Earth. Madagascar was once savannah plains. cloaked in forest. Now only

6 7 The most famous animals Sadly most Malagasy people contributing to the loss of found only in Madagascar live in poverty, especially in Madagascar’s special wildlife. are the lemurs. At present rural areas. Education is Much of the wood from more than 90 species of expensive and, though rainforest trees is used as lemur live in Madagascar, a third of children are building material or as fire but in the past there were privately schooled, wood by people too poor many more different kinds, one third receive no to buy less environmen- including a giant ground liv- education at all and tally damaging alternatives. ing lemur which is thought only 45% of adults can Poverty is one of the driving to have been the same size read and write. forces behind destructive as a gorilla. Other extinct Increasingly large areas of deforestation. species include the elephant rainforest are being con- bird, which laid the largest verted into agricultural If the issue of poverty can egg of any bird, living or or grazing land to provide be solved we have a much extinct. food for a growing human better chance of preserving, population and to grow and conserving, ecologically Today the island is also fa- crops like vanilla and coffee important areas like the mous for its endemic frogs, for export. Such conversion rainforests of Madagascar. chameleons, geckos and leads to loss of rainfor- tortoises. The biggest cha- est habitat and is already meleon in the world lives on Madagascar, alongside the smallest species. 99% of Malagasy frogs are endemic and 95% of the island’s plants are found nowhere else. The famous “baobab road” An arboreal treefrog, Boophis next to Morondava, W-Mada- luteus, mating. The first people to ar- gascar. Baobab represent one rive on Madagascar came among the peculiar offshoots of Madagascar, with from Indonesia and Ma- seven endemic species. laysia about 2000 years Black and white ruffed lemur, In Madagascar there are ago followed by Arabs and Varecia variegata. Lemurs are 18 ethnies or “karazana”, Polynesians. Europeans first undoubtedly the most known originating from several im- landed there in the 1500s. animals of Madagascar and main migration events from Africa touristic attraction. and Indonesia started around Now there are estimated to 2000 years ago. be 18.4 million people living on the island. Amazing diversity adagascar has in Madagascar (more than always been an im- 235 described species). Sci- Mportant place for entists expect this number frogs. The earliest known to rise as more species are ancestor of frogs and toads found. The diversity of Mala- appeared around 230 million gasy frogs is truly incredible years ago in what now is with combinations of bright Madagascar. There are more warning colours, camou- than 6,190 species of frogs flage, skin texture, shapes worldwide, 4% of which live and sizes. Frogs are found all over surrounded by farm land Madagascar in various habi- that is unsuitable habitat for tats, but the vast majority of frogs to either cross or live species can be found in the in. It is these isolated popu- east of the country. Origi- lations that face the greatest nally the eastern coast of threat of extinction. Madagascar was dominated by different types of rainfor- est. Much of this has now disappeared, having been converted into agricultural land or being used for its valuable wood. There are still some large tracts of rainforest left in Madagascar, some of which is protected, such as the Parc National de Masoala (230,000ha). How- ever some of the smaller Boophis ankaratra. . The tomato Spinomantis aglavei areas of rainforest are home This is a frog species is one of the most known frogs of from Ranomafana to several species of frog described from the Madagascar, and object of special National Park. Ankaratra Massif, conservation interests, being the only that are found nowhere else and inhabiting high frog species listed in CITES I. This on the island. These small altitude rainforests. means its trade is totally forbidden. pockets of rainforest are While the adult Boophis out, so many species vary in lichenoides is well camou- parts of their lifecycle. Typi- flaged, the tadpole has black cally species of terrestrial The widely dis- and yellow bands. The black frogs living next to streams tributed and still and yellow bands sug- lay their eggs close to the abundant Heterixalus madagascariensis gest that the tadpole may water on the ground, while is a frog preferring secrete toxins in some way, arboreal frogs tend to de- open and savannah , and does not but as the species has only posit their eggs on the tips penetrate the close The golden frog, recently been discovered or edges of leaves above rainforests. Mantella aurantiaca, is likely the species scientists are unsure of the most requested by true use of such aposematic the international pet-trade. colours.

There are many different One of the most distinctive ours for protection but use ways of responding to the features of several species camouflage instead. Some same habitat. Many of the of Malagasy frogs is their Malagasy species take their mantellas are terrestrial bright colours. Many animals camouflage to an extreme, (land dwelling) and spend throughout the world use not just having colour that Scaphiophryne most of their lives on the colour to advertise their dis- matches their environment gottlebei. This species, banks of streams. Some tastefulness to predators, for but skin that mimics lichen named “rainbow frogs spend much of their frog” for its wonder- example poison dart frogs and plants (such as Boophis ful colouration, is one lives climbing and living from South America. These lichenoides and arboreal spe- of the endemic frogs in trees (arboreal). But of the Isalo, an arid warning colours are referred cies of the Spinoman- sandstone massif in for each different lifestyle to as aposematic. The col- tis). southern Madagascar. there are a different set of ourful members of the fam- challenges – particularly ily in Madagascar for reproduction. A ‘typi- such as Mantella aurantiaca cal’ frog lays eggs in water. and Mantella baroni produce The tadpoles emerge and alkaloids in their skin; toxins develop (metamorphose) which are distasteful to into froglets, which in turn predators. Many scientists become adult frogs. For have suggested that the frogs from tropical rainfor- 14 frogs gain the poison from a ests and from arid areas, water. When developed, the 15 diet of insects such as ants, laying eggs directly into young tadpoles wriggle free which contain alkaloids. water may not be an option. of the egg clump and drop However, some frogs don’t Either the eggs are eaten into the water to continue rely on bright warning col- by predators or they dry to develop into froglets. Other arboreal species tylus argenteus, where the lay their eggs on leaves of male guards the eggs. plants such as Pandanus (screw pine); the water Clearly, Malagasy frogs are held in between the base adapted to specific lifestyles of the leaves acts as a frog that are dependent on the nursery. Alternative nursery surrounding ecosystem, pools can be holes in tree whether it is rainforest, trunks or bamboo particu- swamp or deciduous for- larly for frogs like the climb- est. ing mantella (Mantella laevi- removes breeding areas, gata) which lays a single egg. which in turn helps deplete In fact, to make sure that populations. their tadpole has enough food to help it develop, the adult female lays ‘food’ eggs for the tadpole to eat dur- ing metamorphosis. Some tadpoles are carnivorous and eat insect arvae and other tadpoles. Some other tadpoles are filter feeders while others eat both plant and dead animals. Like many other frog spe- cies globally, several Mala- Tadpoles of Spinomantis sp. Mantella expectata. gasy species still lay eggs Several mantelline frogs of Mada- A typical anuran directly in water or some gascar lay eggs out of the water. tadpole that develops The egg clutch and tadpole thus in water. use foam nests. The males develop on the ground or on the of Platypelis grandis guard leaves. During the heavy rainfalls they drop in water where they the eggs and even the tad- continue the development. poles until the end of meta- morphosis. Egg guarding is found in other frog species 17 around the world such as Epipedobates tricolor from Ecuador as well as another Malagasy species, Mantidac- One species, the climbing mantella (Mantella laevigata), lays its eggs in water filled tree hollows. This means that in order to reproduce the species must have access to several different habitats. If these habitats are sepa- rated by farmland or roads the frogs cannot reach them and therefore will be unable to breed. a major impact on the sur- dactylus lugubris). Ideally rounding land; often these the environment needs to Threats activities break up the re- remain intact or we must maining environment leaving ensure that patches of he biggest threat to rainforest and other habitats small fragments of suitable suitable habitat are large Malagasy frogs is loss to farmland in order to habitat for animals. Suitable enough to support healthy Tof habitat, either by feed themselves and their habitats become separated populations of frogs. deforestation or through the families. Farming practices and frogs find it difficult to conversion of pristine rain- such as tavy (slash and burn reach their breeding places The more aquatic species forest into agricultural land. farming) have a dramatic and cannot reproduce. This seem to be less vulnerable Rainforests of Mada- gascar are heavily Most of the Malagasy frogs effect on the environment, is particularly a problem for to habitat conversion as cut to make space live on the eastern part of altering habitat not only for frogs that require differ- they can survive in most for ricefields, to get ent habitat for different life waterways, providing there firewood and to the island where deforesta- frogs but also for Madagas- obtain charcoal. This tion is particularly extensive. car’s other unique species. stages. Some species like is very little pollution and as is indeed one of the the black and green man- long as there is rainforest most evident threats for the forest frogs Most of the habitat loss in Pressure on habitat such as tella (Mantella viridis) are nearby, preferably gallery that are often highly Madagascar is driven by tavy or logging (for building entirely terrestrial during forest lining the riverbank. specialised and need an intact habitat. poverty as people convert material or fuel for fires) has adulthood but as tadpoles Those species that are are completely aquatic. adapted to arid areas are Some tadpoles need stag- naturally tougher and more nant water (Scaphiophryne used to seasonal changes in spp.) while others can only their surroundings and are develop in streams (Manti- more resilient to habitat

One of the last rainforest parcel in the Tolongoina area, SE- Madagascar. Here it was discovered one of the most threatened spe- cies of frogs, Mantella bernhardi.

21 change and degradation. able to increased exposure sensitive to chemical chang- However, species which to ultraviolet light, which es in their environment. have always had small can lower their immunity They can absorb chemicals ranges or are totally de- to diseases. Such exposure from their surroundings. pendent on pristine forest is caused by the thinning of Because of their sensitivity are most at risk if deforest- the ozone layer, allowing they are often studied to as- ation continues. Since only more harmful light to reach sess the impact of changes a fraction of Madagascar’s the land surface. Pollution brought on either naturally tropical forest remains, the from human activity is the or caused by human activity. frogs found only here face main cause for recent rapid Fortunately the threat from almost certain extinction if climate change and the deg- pollution is fairly small scale the current rate of destruc- radation of the ozone layer. in Madagascar, probably tion is sustained. because subsistence farmers All frogs and toads have cannot afford fertilisers for Frogs are extremely sensi- highly permeable skin; this their crops and commercial tive to their surrounding means the skin easily draws farming is not extensive

The green mantella, environment; not just the in moisture and needs to enough to cause wide- Mantella viridis, is one habitat but also chemicals stay moist if it is not to dry spread damage. The conver- of the critically en- and light levels. Frogs and out. As frog’s skins readily sion of rainforest into dangered species of Malagasy frogs. toads are especially vulner- absorb moisture they are farmland and grazing for cattle has endangered many frog species as they struggle to adapt to living on land modified by people. Some species are quite tolerant of habitat modification, but those that fail to fit in with people will die out in the absence of the rainforest they depend on.

Forest streams are the natural habitat of great part of Malagasy frogs: in some rainforests is indeed possible to identify up to 80-100 species. A frog-killing fungus Amphibians as bush-meat

become extinct or expe- rienced dramatic declines in population sizes. At the moment there is no known cure and the only solution is to remove amphibian popu- lations from the wild, taking them into captivity until the mphibians are expe- habitat is restored and the A section of the skin riencing a dramatic zoospores (transmittable of a frog affected by the chytrid fungus. Adecline worldwide. part of the fungus) are killed. The surface appears Apart from habitat Chytrid fungus has yet to be highly keratisined. alteration, one of the major discovered in Madagascar, threats to frog populations is and many studies are being the spread of Batrachochytri- conducted to monitor the um dendrobatidis, a fungus health of wild frog popula- that attacks only amphib- tions. Because Madagascar’s ians, commonly called “Bd” frogs have been isolated and can result in a disease from infections such as called chytridiomycosis. The chytridiomycosis, it is origin of this fungus is not unlikely that they would well known, but it has been have developed any form of found in many parts of the resistance to the fungus. If world, in both altered and there is no resistance then ome species of Mala- ka”. Other species that are Hundreds of Boophis pristine environments. The the accidental introduction goudoti being pre- gasy frogs are collect- hunted for food include pared for cooking fungus works by preventing of chytrid to Madagascar ed by local people for Boophis goudoti from the pla- (high plateau of S Madagascar) gas exchange through the would have a devastating food, particularly large spe- teau region, and Hoplobatra- frog’s permeable skin, ef- effect on such an important cies of the genus Mantidac- chus tigerinus¸ a frog species fectively suffocating the frog. and unique group of animals. tylus, such as M. guttulatus in introduced from South East Where the fungus has been For this reason hygiene dur- central-eastern Madagascar, Asia. Over-hunting or col- 24 found, frog populations have ing field surveys is essential, and Boehmantis microtympa- lecting for food, particularly 25 been greatly affected. Many and amphibians must not be num from the south-east. when coupled with habitat species have already been transferred from one site to In Malagasy these frogs are changes, can often threaten attacked, and have either another. known as “radaka” or “baka- frog populations. The pet trade Research

wild. Species most com- monly traded are green mantellas (Mantella viridis), harlequin mantella (Mantella cowani), the Baron’s mantel- la (Mantella baroni) and the expected mantella (Mantella expectata). Golden mantel- las (Mantella aurantiaca) and tomato frogs (Dyscophus spp.) are particularly prized by collectors. Because they are active in the daytime and are brightly coloured, they are not only easy to catch but are also popular pets. Due to such high A still undescribed nformation on Malagasy they breed or the kind species of the genus The harlequin man- etween 1996 and demand for these species Boophis. Recent es- frogs is limited as study- of habitat they need. This tella, Mantella cowani. 2002 over 140 mil- they are being collected in timates indicate that ing such a diverse group knowledge is essential for This is the most a huge number of I threatened frog of lion amphibians were huge quantities and taking Malagasy frogs still of animals is a complex and protecting and conserving Madagascar, surviving B traded worldwide. In 1998 consistently large numbers waits to be formally time consuming. Sometimes endangered frogs, so contin- at only a few spots on named. the high plateau. Until alone over 31000 golden of animals from the wild in finding them in the first ued research is a necessity. recently it was also mantellas (Mantella auran- this way will eventually lead place is a major achieve- Although many frog species collected for the pet trade, but luckily this tiaca) were exported from to their extinction. There ment; some species for are protected by law it is has been stopped. Madagascar for the global are 9 critically endangered example have an extremely almost impossible to police pet trade. The illegal pet frog species, 21 endangered small range. In some cases collection of frogs. Most trade is the most lucra- and 25 which are vulner- an entire species is only animals are smuggled out of tive trade after the illegal able in Madagascar if trade found near one stream or the country so there is no drug trade and is the major and habitat loss continues. on one mountainside. accurate census of exporta- source of income for many Some species are protected tion. We just don’t know 26 people living in the third by complete trade bans or We still don’t know enough how many frogs have been 27 world. Because animals are restricted trade laws to about how many different taken so far or how many so valuable in the trade too control export but this can species there are, the size are left. many are taken from the be difficult to regulate. of their populations, how Conservation

here is no doubt that Approximately 10% of the Malagasy frogs face original cover now remains Ta myriad of threats; and around 2,000 km² of the illegal pet trade, habitat forest is lost annually. loss and environmental pollution. We know what However, new initiatives the threats are but the real such as the ‘debt for nature’ question is to how to stop swap negotiated by the these threats from wip- World Wide Fund for ing out entire species. By Nature (WWF) and the far the biggest threat to establishment of several amphibians and many other new national parks (run by groups is the loss of the National Association for primary habitat, particularly Management of Protected on the eastern side of the Areas, ANGAP) have helped island (rainforest). One of to slow the decline in Mada- the most effective ways of gascar’s biodiversity. preserving species in such areas is to create reserves Other non-governmental or protected areas and organisations (NGO’s) are to save the small forest also working in Madagas- fragments. In the past large car such as the Mada- tracts of rainforest in Mada- gascar Fauna Group, gascar have disappeared, Durrell Wildlife mainly to make way for rice Conservation Trust, fields, to get charcoal and Conservation Inter- provide grazing land for national and WCS cattle. to name a few. behaviour and general biol- total trade bans. For exam- rainforests will lead to many ogy, making conservation ple species in Appendix I amphibian, reptile, bird, very difficult. Hence many are protected by complete mammal and plant species of the NGO’s working on trade bans, and species in becoming extinct, as well as the island are collecting data Appendix II have restricted contributing to soil erosion. on the basic biology of frog levels of trade. However, species. We do know that international trade may help To quote Madagascar’s more than 80% of known preserve some species and President Marc Rav- species of threatened frogs their rainforest habitat by alomanana “This is not just in Madagascar are covered encouraging local com- Madagascar’s biodiversity, it by the current system of munities to maintain the is the world’s biodiversity”. reserves/protected areas, rainforest and therefore Madagascar’s amazing and which helps to protect have a sustainable source unique biodiversity, includ- populations. For some of income by collecting a ing it’s incredible frogs, is species, particularly the regulated number of frogs. for everyone to both help colourful mantellas, the il- protect and admire. Work- legal pet trade forms a very Involvement of local com- ing with and alongside the real threat. The Convention munities is perhaps the Malagasy people, we hope of International Trade in most important step in any in a small way to contribute Studying frogs in the The Madagascar Fauna Endangered Species (CITES) successful conservation in conserving this incredible forest always needs capacity of adaptation Group is an association goes some way to help- project. Throughout the island. and long walks of zoos from around ing maintain populations world it is important to the world that assist the by regulating the number understand how we fit into Malagasy government with of frogs that are exported our environment and the biodiversity conserva- each year, or in some cases implications of our actions. tion by supplying funds, stopping all trade in them For instance, destruction of expertise and helping to altogether. run field research projects. A beautiful Mantella nigricans, a typical in- Successful reserves and For instance, recent recom- habitant of the rain- protected areas cannot mendations have been made forests of northern be created unless there is to suspend the commer- Madagascar firm understanding of the cial collection of Mantella biology of the target spe- cowani and add two species 30 cies to be conserved. For of Scaphiophryne to CITES 31 many of Madagascar’s frog Appendix II. The CITES species very little is known Appendices are lists of about their distribution, plants and animals that have population density, breeding restricted levels of trade or Contacts Madagascar Fauna Group The International Society for BP 442, Morafeno, Toamasi- the Study and Conservation na 501, Madagascar of Amphibians www.savethelemur.org Vertébrés: Reptiles & Amphibiens, Muséum Museo Regionale di Scienze national d’Histoire naturelle, Naturali 25, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, Via G. Giolitti, 36, I-10123, France Torino, Italy www2.mnhn.fr/alytes/ The Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) is a network of www.regione.piemonte.it/ conservation professionals working within the IUCN/SSC framework to promote amphibian research and conserva- museoscienzenaturali The site of AmphibiaWeb, tion worldwide. The ASG strives to raise amphibian con- addressed to the conserva- servation to the next level by stimulating, developing, and The Living Rainforest tion of the amphibians, with executing practical programs to conserve amphibians and Hampstead Norreys, detailed sheets and photo- their habitats around the world. The ASG has recently pub- Newbury, Berkshire, graphs of all the amphibian lished the “Amphibian Conservation Action Plan” (ACAP), RG18 0TN, UK species a comprehensive five-year plan designed to halt the current extinction crisis. The ACAP can be downloaded for free www.livingrainforest.org www.amphibiaweb.org from www.amphibians.org. This plan represents a template for amphibian conservation at all scales from global to local St. Louis Zoo The Global Amphibian scale. 1 Government Road, Saint Assessment Louis MO 63110, USA The GAA webpage, for the www.stlzoo.org threatened amphibians of the world A Conservation Strategy for the Amphibians of Madagascar The Amphibian Specialist www.globalamphibians.org ACSAM Group / Madagascar Chair (ACSAM) is a project designed to achieve the conservation of the amphibians of Madagascar. ACSAM is a monumental c/o Wildlife Conservation Conservation International effort by committed individuals that represents an impor- Society, Antananarivo, Madagascar tant step forward in implementing the ACAP at the national Madagascar 6 Rue Razafindratandra, level. The ACSAM has the potential to serve as a model for www.sahonagasy.org Ambohidahy, BP 5178, developing National Action Plans for amphibian conserva- Antananarivo 101, tion in many other parts of the world. News about the ACSAM can be downloaded at www.sahonagasy.org. 32 Madagascar 33 www.conservation.org A Conservation Strategy for the Amphibians of Madagascar Notes