(Mantella aurantiaca)
Family: Mantellidae
Order: Frogs and Toads (Anura)
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Golden Mantella
(Mantella aurantiaca) Family: Mantellidae Order: Frogs and Toads (Anura) |
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Size: Females 20-26 mm, males 18-22 mm. Distribution: Madagascar (restricted range). Habitat: Associated with humid palm growth (Pandanus) in altitudes from 600-1200 m asl., where it is found ind sun-exposed places. Can be heard calling from the ground in the vegetation at swampy places. Food: Golden Mantellas are opportunistic feeders, eating all kinds of small insects and invertebrates. Reproduction: Eggs are laid on land among moist leaf litter. Fertilization is believed to be internal, which is known from salamanders, but unusual among frogs, where the eggs are usually fertilized immediately after they are laid. Each clutch contains 20-60 eggs, which measure 1.5-2.0 mm. The tadpoles develope in two weeks and are flooded into small pools by heavy rain. After about 70 days, the tadpoles change into tiny froglets measuring about 11 mm. Juveniles are olive green or brown with dark markings on the back and hind limbs. Maturity is reached after 12-15 months. Activity and behaviour: Diurnal. Enemies and defense: The bright orange colour is a signal to predators that the frog is poisonous and better left alone. If the skin secretion comes in contact with scratches or wounds, it can cause swellings and irritation that may last for days. Longevity: Minimum 8 years. Captive specimens have reached at least 11 years. Sexual differences: Males are smaller than females (see above). Variation: Found in three different colour forms: an orange (the most common), a darker red, and a pale orange-yellow (the rarest). The darker, red form was described as a separate subspecies (M. a. rubra), but it is no longer considered valid. Status: Where they occur, Golden Mantellas are extremely abundant, but due to the small and fragmented distribution, it must be considered vulnerable to over-collecting for the pet trade and habitat destruction. As it is he case for many species of animals and plants from Madagascar, the primary threat against the Golden Mantella is the destruction of its natural habitats. Not surprisingly, this beautiful, tiny frog has also been in demand from the pet trade, but this is now controlled by international trade regulations (CITES Appendix II). References: Andreone, F. 2003. The amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar: diversity, threats and conservation perspectives. pp. 402-408. In: Legakis, A. Sfenthourakis, S. Polymeni, R. Thessalou-Legaki, M. (eds.). The new panorama of animal evolution: proceedings XVIII International Congress of Zoology. Pensoft, Sofia and Moscow. 738 pp. Blommers-Schlösser, R.M.A.; Blommers, L.H.M. 1984. The Amphibians. In: Jolly, A.; Oberle, P. & Albignac, R. (eds.). Madagascar. Pergamon Press, Oxford, New York, etc. 239 pp. Glaw, F. 2004. Die Herpetofauna Madagaskars: Vielfalt, Lebenweise und Gefährdung. Draco 5(3) (19): 4-21. Glaw, F.; Vences, M. 2007. A field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar. Third edition. Vences & Glaw Verlags GbR, Cologne. 495 pp. Henkel, F.W.; Schmidt, W. 1995. Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart. 311 pp. Meier, H. 1986. Neues für den Terrarianer über die Gattung Mantella auf Madagascar. Herpetofauna (Weinstadt) 8(41): 9-14. Schmidt, W. 1991. Ein Tip für Madagascar-Reisende. DATZ 44: 664-666. Siegenthaler, R. 1989. Die Aufzucht des madagassischen Goldfröschens Mantella aurantiaca. Herpetofauna (Weinstadt) 11(60): 32-34. Staniszewski, M. 2001. Mantellas. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main. 229 pp. Unfried, H. 1987. Beobachtungen am madagassischen Goldfröschen Mantella aurantiaca. Herpetofauna (Weinstadt) 9(49): 25-30. Zimmermann, H., E.; P. 1990. Feldstudien im Biotop vom Goldfröschen, Mantella aurantiaca, im tropischen Regenwald Ost-Madagascars. Herpetofauna (Weinstadt) 12(64): 21-24. Zimmermann, H.; Hetz, S. 1992. Vorläufige Bestandsaufnahme und Kartierung des gefährdeten Goldfröschen, Mantella aurantiaca, im tropischen Regenwald Ost-Madagascars. Herpetofauna (Weinstadt) 14(77): 33-34. Zobel, R.W. 1988. Eine herpetologisches Expedition durch Madagascar. 1. DATZ 41: 172-175. Zobel, R.W. 1988. Eine herpetologisches Expedition durch Madagascar. 2. DATZ 41: 236-239. Text & layout: Rune Midtgaard |
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