FIGURE 3. Photographic documentation of some of the species found in the Tsarakibany area.
Plate A: Boophis roseipalmatus. Plate B: Leioheterodon modestus.
Plate C: Boophis cf. entingae. Plate D: Liophidium therezieni.
Abstract
Despite Madagascar being well known for its unique biodiversity and high levels of endemism, its herpetofauna remains understudied, especially outside protected areas. Here, we surveyed the herpetofauna within the fragmented dry deciduous forests of the Tsarakibany area, between Montagne d’Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve in northern Madagascar. We recorded 15 amphibian and 34 reptile species via active searching, pitfall trapping and opportunistic collection. Twenty of these species are considered regional endemics, six species are listed as Vulnerable or Near Threatened according to the IUCN Red List, and nine species are listed on the CITES appendices. This is the first study to inventory the herpetofauna of the unprotected landscape located between Montagne d’Ambre and Ankarana, and reports new localities for the little-known snake species Pararhadinaea melanogaster and Liophidium therezieni.
Key Words.— amphibians; Ankarana; conservation; Madagascar; Montagne d’Ambre; reptiles.
FIGURE 1. Map of the study area in northern Madagascar.
FIGURE 2. Topographic map of study area showing boundaries of Montagne d’Ambre National Park to the north and Ankarana Special Reserve to the south. Inset: GoogleEarth satellite image showing the surveyed forest fragments A, B and C (accessed 6 October 2010).
Durkin, L., Steer, M.D. and Belle, E.M.S. 2011. Herpetological surveys of forest fragments between Montagne d'Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve, northern Madagascar. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 6(1): 114-126.: http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_6/Issue_1/Durkin_etal_2011.pdf
