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Showing papers on "Mantella published in 2021"


Posted ContentDOI
31 Mar 2021-bioRxiv
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the effect of predicted climate change on narrow-ranging species in the tropics, including the golden mantella frog Mantella aurantiaca and Manapany day gecko Phelsuma inexpectata.
Abstract: Aim: Narrow-ranging species are usually omitted from Species distribution models (SDMs) due to statistical constraints, while they are predicted to be particularly vulnerable to climate change The recently available high-resolution climate and land use data, along with recently developed methods enable to increase the eligibility of narrow-ranging species for SDMs, provided their distribution is well known We fill a gap of knowledge on the effect of predicted climate change on narrow-ranging species Location: Madagascar and Reunion Island Time period: Response to recent climate (1995-2019) and prediction on future climate (2070) Major taxa studied: The golden mantella frog Mantella aurantiaca and the Manapany day gecko Phelsuma inexpectata Methods: We modelled the distribution of two threatened narrow-ranging species for which the distribution of their occurrence records is well documented Our modelling scheme included a range of processes susceptible to address statistical issues related to narrow-ranging species (model complexity, evaluation, background extent, prevalence, extrapolation) Results: We predict an alarming decline in climate suitability in the whole current distribution area of both species by 2070, potentially leading to a complete extinction even in the most optimistic scenarios We identified the areas with the best climate suitability in the future, but these remain largely suboptimal regarding species climatic niche The high level of habitat fragmentation suggests that both species likely need to be at least partly translocated Main conclusions: Climate change may not only drive range contractions or distribution shifts in narrow-ranging species, but may lead to the complete extirpation of suitable environments across their entire region This study suggests that the level of threats of data-poor and narrow-ranging species already identified as threatened may be underestimated, especially in heterogeneous tropical areas We stress the need to develop sampling campaigns and implement proactive actions for narrow-ranging species in the tropics

10 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article evaluated the response of captive golden mantella frogs Mantella aurantiaca to playback calls from different wild and captive populations (one generation in captivity and more than five generations in captivity).
Abstract: With so many species being threatened with extinction, captive breeding programmes are becoming an important aspect of ex-situ conservation. Captive populations are important for species conservation and for reintroduction back into the wild. Some of the most important wild behaviours to maintain in captive animals are those associated with sexual reproduction, such as courtship and mating. Amphibian reproductive behaviour is associated with call patterns, with studies demonstrating that male advertisement calls elicit positive behavioural responses from females. This study evaluated the response of captive golden mantella frogs Mantella aurantiaca to playback calls from different wild and captive populations (one generation in captivity and more than five generations in captivity). During the experiment, three different calls were used as treatments: one from wild populations, and two from captive populations. Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate the effects of the playback treatments on the behaviour of captive frogs: replicates and enclosures were used as random factors. The model showed that vocalisations from wild individuals led to an increase in movement and social behaviours while calls from captive frogs did not. This was especially true of frogs bred for more than five generations in captivity. This could have negative consequences on the reproduction of captive frogs if released to the wild.

2 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the 24-hour activity profile of the critically endangered golden mantella in relation to temperature and humidity and found that frogs kept at warmer temperatures (20-25oC) were more active than those kept under cooler conditions (16-19oC).
Abstract: Research on threatened species in zoos can provide vital information to inform conservation planning and implementation in the field. This is particularly important for rare and cryptic species with behavior patterns that are difficult to observe in the wild. The Critically Endangered golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) is an iconic, endemic frog confined to mid-altitude subhumid forest in Moramanga District, Madagascar. Ecological and behavioral data for this highly threatened species are sparse, and conservation work will need to be informed by both in situ and ex situ research on behavior and habitat preferences. This study utilized environmental information gathered in the field to design a system where behavior and microhabitat use could be measured in captivity. Using replicated climatically controlled chambers (the “Froggotrons”), we analysed the 24-hour activity profile of the golden mantella in relation to temperature and humidity. Golden mantellas showed a bimodal pattern of activity during the day with much less activity during the night. Frogs kept at warmer temperatures (20-25oC) were more active than those kept under cooler conditions (16-19oC). However, the bimodal pattern was retained under the different temperatures, although the second peak occurred slightly earlier under warmer conditions. Most activity was observed when humidity levels were above 85%, although less than half of the mantellas were active outside leaf microhabitats during peak periods. These findings can inform ongoing field surveys through determining the optimum times of day to either capture or count golden mantellas for further conservation actions.

1 citations