Madagascar - Part 9

Frogs are the only amphibians on Madagascar, but there are more than two hundred species of them, almost all endemic. This number has doubled over the last 30 years, and keeps growing as new species are being discovered. Identifying them isn't easy, and this page probably contains a few errors

Tsarafidy frog (Mantidactylus pulcher), Park National Ranomafana.

East Betsileo frog (M. asper), PN Marojejy.

Green bright-eyed frog (Boophis viridis), Parc National Andasibe-Mantadia.

Dumeril's frog (M. lugubris), PN Ranomafana.

Most Madagascar frogs belong to just two families, Mantellidae and Microhylidae. Both are extremely diverse ecologically and include arboreal, terrestrial, semiaquatic, even burrowing species. Just in one genus Mantidactylus there are frogs living in swift rivers, like M. lugubris, in leaf litter, like M. asper, and in the bases of pandanus leaves, like tiny M. pulcher. In contrast, closely related genus Boophis includes only arboreal species. Loud calls of huge Boophis frogs are among the most impressive sounds of rainforest nights. If you have a strong flashlight, you can often see their eyes in the canopy, but catching them up there can be almost impossible.

Dumeril's frog (M. lugubris), PN Ranomafana.

Betsileo mantella (Mantella betsileo), Parc National Marojejy.

Tolongoina mantella (M. bernhardi), Fianarantsoa.

Toliara mantella (Mantella expectata), Kirindi Forest Reserve.

Splendid mantella (M. madagascarensis), PN Masoala.

Most Mantella frogs have cryptic coloration, but some are very colorful, and suffer a lot from illegal trade in exotic pets. They live in leaf litter, usually in wet places such as near waterfalls or in shower cabins in park campgrounds. Like many Madagascar frogs, they have exact ecological counterparts in South America - poison-dart frogs (Phyllobatidae).

Golden mantella (M. aurantiaca), PN Ranomafana.

Mahanoro digging frog (Plethodontohyla notosticta), Park National Marojejy.

Boulenger’s digging frog (P. inguinalis), Vohemar.

Sakana digging frog (P. alluaudi), Park National Masoala.

Mountain climbing frog (Anodonthyla montana), PN Ranomafana.

Microhylidae are sometimes called "narrow-mouth frogs", because some have small heads and tiny mouths. They adapt to dry climate better than Mantellidae, and can be found in all habitats, from desert forests of the southwest, where burrowing Scaphiophryne frogs are common, to cloud forests of the eastern mountains, where Anodonthyla frogs live near streams.

Boulenger’s climbing frog (A. boulengeri), PN Andasibe-Mantadia.

Gray rain frog (Scaphiophryne brevis), Toliara.

Spotted rain frog (S. pustulosa), PN Montagne d'Ambre.

Red rain frog (S. gottlebei), PN L'Isalo.

Green rain frog (S. madagascarensis), Maromizaha Forest Reserve.

Sambava tomato frog (Dyscophus guineti) hiding in bamboo during the day. Masoala NP.

Tomato frogs are the largest on Madagascar. They also suffer a lot from wildlife trade. Mascarene frog (Ptychadena mascareniensis) is the only native species of true frogs (Ranidae) on the island - apparently, a recent colonist from Africa. Kirindi Forest Reserve.

Red tomato frog (D. antongili) on the prowl at night. L'Ankarana NP.

Pollen's tilapia (Paratilapia pollenii), PN d'Ankarafantsika.

There are about 150 species of freshwater fishes on Madagascar, but most of them can only live in clear water, and can't tolerate runoff from rapidly eroding deforested areas. Nobody knows how many are already extinct - probably at least a half. Some are very beautiful. I didn't have an underwater camera on Madagascar, so I only have two pictures.

Madagascar rainbowfish (Bedotia geayi), PN L'Ankarana.

Looking for frogs and fishes, Parc National Ranomafana.

Part 10: Bugs

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