The Harlequin Mantella is one of Madagascar’s most threatened frog species, known from 13 localities. The small, strikingly-colored frog that inhabits mountainous streams has been impacted by habitat degradation and illegal collection for the pet trade.
As part of a species conservation plan, PhD Candidate Devin Edmonds and his colleagues surveyed 11 of those sites and detected the frog at eight sites. The species is believed extirpated from the other three sites. Knowledge from local community members revealed two previously unknown locations, highlighting the importance of collaboration and engagement with the community.
Based on repeated surveys of three of the sites between 2015 and 2023, these small frogs can live 9 or more years in the wild as adults encountered in 2015 were still alive in 2023.
Despite finding two new sites, the populations are small and the frog is still imperiled. Conservation recommendations include upgrading the species to Critically Endangered. Continued monitoring of populations and habitats, and protection from poaching are necessary to conserve the species.
Read the paper published today in PeerJLife https://peerj.com/articles/17947
Edmonds, D., R.R. Andriantsimanarilafy, A. Crottini, M.J. Dreslik, J. Newton-Youens, A. Ramahefason, C. J. Randrianantoandro, and F. Andreone. 2024. Small population size and possible extirpation of the threatened Malagasy poison frog Mantella cowanii. PeerJ, DOI 10.7717/peerj.17947
