Madagascan mantella

Mantella madagascariensis, common names Malagasy painted mantella, Madagascan mantella, Madagascar golden frog, Malagasy mantella and painted mantella, is a species of frog in the family Mantellidae.

Distribution
This species is endemic to Madagascar. It is present in the East-central Madagascar in upland locations from near Niagarakely south to Ranomafana, at an elevation of 700 - 1050 m above sea level. It is threatened by habitat loss and it may be threatened by commercial collection.

Habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and rivers.

Description
Mantella madagascariensis can reach a body length of 21 - 22 mm in males, of 24 - 25 mm in females. These tiny but stout frogs are rather variable in color and markings, as they are irregularly streaked in black and yellow. Usually they have a blackish body, but the dorsum is commonly black. A green or yellowish rostral stripe is running along the head. Femur and humerus are usually yellow to green, while tibia, tarsus and foot are reddish-orange, with blackish patches. Blotches of yellow-green color extends to flanks close to the forelimbs.

Some authors consider Mantella madagascariensis a complex of cryptic species.

This species is closely related to Mantella pulchra and very similar to Mantella baroni.



Biology
Little is known about the biology of the species. These frogs are terrestrial and are active on the ground during the day. They prefer forest and forest edge, especially along streams. Breeding occurs in streams. Females lay eggs on land, but the larvae develop in water streams. Like all Mantella species, these frogs has several toxic alkaloids in its skin.