Mantella baroni

Last updated

Mantella baroni
Variegated golden frog (Mantella baroni) Ranomafana.jpg
Ranomafana National Park
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Mantellidae
Genus: Mantella
Species:
M. baroni
Binomial name
Mantella baroni
Boulenger, 1888
Synonyms [1]

Phrynomantis maculatus Thominot, 1889

Mantella baroni (often known by its common names, such as Baron's mantella, the variegated golden frog, or the Madagascar poison frog [2] ) is a species of small poisonous frog in the family Mantellidae.

Contents

The species was first formally described by George Albert Boulenger in 1888, who penned the species' binomial after Richard Baron, an English botanist and missionary to Madagascar, who collected and studied the species. [3]

Distribution, habitat, and conservation status

Like other species in Mantellidae, this taxon is endemic to Madagascar. [4] This family is estimated to have colonized the island of Madagascar 76–87 million years ago, evolving in insular seclusion, and adaptively radiating in geographic range and number of species on the island. [5] Mantellidae are phylogenetically related to Asiatic frogs, and therefore probably represent a dispersal event from Asia. [5]

This is one of approximately 220 frog species (including 15 in Mantella) endemic only to Madagascar. [6] It has a moderately-large elongated geographic range in East-Central Madagascar, [1] inland from the east coast, and spanning north to south, from Fierenana south to Andringitra. [7]

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, rivers, and degraded former forest. It typically prefers residing at elevations between 600-1200 meters above sea level. [1] [7]

Although it has been classified as a Least Concern species by the IUCN as of 2016, due to its relatively wide distribution, population trends are technically unknown, and it may be threatened by several sources of habitat loss. These include anthropogenic encroachment from commercialization and industrialization, timber and logging operations, and agriculture. It appears in CITES Appendix II. [1]

Description

Though only 28–32 mm in length at maturity, this species is one of the largest in the 16-species genus, [8] dwarfed only by some individuals of Mantella viridis. [6] Related Mantella species typically range from 18–31 mm in morphology for adult individuals. [4] Mantella frogs generally exhibit sexual dimorphism, with the females (28–32 mm) of this species being slightly larger than the males (24–28 mm). This difference in size becomes prominent after approximately 10–12 months of age.

Most individuals in this species display specific unique characteristics that distinguish them from other Mantella species, such as a "light rostral line above the eyes" and "tiger-like markings on the hind limbs" of "orange with irregular black stripes", as seen in the images above. [7] [8] However, a wide variety of phenotypes exist, which manifest in front limb colors ranging from light greens to vibrant oranges and yellows, and are sometimes mistaken or imported into the international marketplace as Mantella cowanii . [8]

Moreover, the "front limbs and femurs are yellow to greenish in appearance, with this coloration continuing up the flanks into a large, rounded flank blotch", [7] which mirrors the commonplace appearance of the species Mantella madagascariensis , known as the painted mantella. These blotches "contrast with the black dorsum and striking orange and black legs" in both species, [6] making it difficult for distributors, vendors, herpetologists, breeders, collectors, and pet owners to acquire the correct species. [9] The easiest way to differentiate the two species is to note the "sky-blue, horseshoe-shaped marking" [6] present on the throat of the painted mantella, as well as the lack of "flashmarks on the lower hindlimbs" [7] on the Baron's mantella. Due to their similar appearance, the Baron's mantella is sometimes informally called a "painted mantella" as well, despite the painted mantella being a distinct species altogether. [6] [9]

As seen in the pictures above, M. baroni demonstrates strong aposomatic features on their front limbs, hind limbs, and rostral line. [8] [6] [10] Similar aposomatic features – such as bright colorations, striking color differentials, and otherwise unconventional patterning – are common to all 16 species of Mantella, to varying levels of veracity (some species of Mantella have weaker toxicity and primarily use bright colors as a form of mimicry). [10] Despite resembling the similarly-small poison dart frogs of Latin America, which also communicate their toxicity to potential predators through aposematism, Mantella species like the Baron's mantella are only distant taxonomic relatives. [10] [9] The existence of these similarities between these two families is an example of convergent evolution. [10]

Activity and reproduction

Male M. baroni emit "intense sequences of short, single-click notes during the day" [7] in order to assert their territory or attract females for mating. Females can lay up to 130 unpigmented eggs in a single clutch, and almost always do so near a source of water, into which the resulting tadpoles get washed by rainwater. [7]

Diet, predation, and toxicology

Mantella baroni is a very active forager and can consume a greater number of prey (consisting of large arthropods [7] [10] ) than any other Mantella species, [7] consisting of large arthropods. While most frog species are nocturnal, the Mantella baroni is a diurnal hunter. [7] [10] Its diet consists mainly of ants, [7] [10] while also consuming a number of other types of arthropods like beetles, spiders, and mites.

Ingesting mites allows them to secrete high pharmacologically-active alkaloid concentrations in their skin, making them toxic to predators, with their bright colors serving as a warning sign that ingestion could be dangerous and induce sickness. [9] [7] [10] The intensity of this alkaloid concentration can flux both temporally and geographically, [7] but careless human handling is always discouraged. [8] Human activity may influence the level of Mantella toxicity by polluting the environment, killing its sources of food and limiting an otherwise diversified diet, so remote populations may be more potent. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mantellidae</span> Family of amphibians

The Mantellidae are an amphibian family of the order Anura, and are endemic to the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar and Mayotte. At first glance, the diminutive, brightly-coloured mantellas appear visually similar to the Latin American poison dart frogs, such as Dendrobates, Oophaga and Phyllobates, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laliostominae</span> Subfamily of amphibians

Laliostominae is a subfamily of frogs in the family Mantellidae. It contains two genera and a total of seven species. These frogs are native to Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mantellinae</span> Subfamily of amphibians

Mantellinae is a subfamily of frogs in the family Mantellidae. These frogs are native to Madagascar and Mayotte. The species vary in size from under 25 mm to over 100 mm. The subfamily is most famous for the genus Mantella, which contains species that superficially resemble poison dart frogs of the tropical Americas, and have converged on similar aposematic colouration and toxins. As of 2 May 2016, there are 128 described species in this subfamily, but several more are described each year.

<i>Mantella</i> Genus of amphibians

Mantella are a prominent genus of aposematic frogs in the family Mantellidae, endemic to the island of Madagascar. Members of Mantella are diurnal and terrestrial, with bright aposematic coloration or cryptic markings.

<i>Aglyptodactylus</i> Genus of amphibians

Aglyptodactylus is a genus of frogs in the family Mantellidae. These frogs, sometimes known as the Madagascar jumping frogs, are endemic to Madagascar. Systematic revisions of the groups were published in 1998 and 2015. Six species are currently recognized.

<i>Scaphiophryne</i> Genus of frogs from Madagascar

Scaphiophryne is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar. Some of the species are strikingly marked, while others are highly cryptic. They are rather plump and generally found on the ground. Several species in the genus are threatened because of habitat loss and overcollection for the international pet trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden mantella</span> Species of amphibian

The golden mantella is a small, terrestrial frog endemic to Madagascar. It has an extremely restricted distribution in three distinct areas centered on the town of Moramanga - Beparasy and Ambohibary Communes, Torotorofotsy Wetland northwest of Andasibe, and in the area of Ambakoana. Mantella aurantiaca is one of Madagascar's most threatened amphibian species due to its limited distribution in an area under tremendous anthropogenic pressure. It may also be threatened by over-collection for the pet trade.

<i>Scaphiophryne gottlebei</i> Species of amphibian

Scaphiophryne gottlebei, commonly known as the Malagasy rainbow frog, ornate hopper, rainbow burrowing frog, red rain frog or Gottlebe's narrow-mouthed frog, is one of the most highly decorated frogs from Madagascar. The primary threats to this endangered species are habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.

<i>Aglyptodactylus madagascariensis</i> Species of frog

Aglyptodactylus madagascariensis is a species of frog in the family Mantellidae known commonly as the Madagascar jumping frog. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it has a wide distribution across the eastern side of the island. A. madagascariensis is a complex of various species which occur in different elevational ranges and different areas of Eastern Madagascar.

<i>Aglyptodactylus securifer</i> Species of frog

Aglyptodactylus securifer is a species of frog in the family Mantellidae. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it lives in forests.

<i>Boophis</i> Genus of amphibians

Boophis is the only genus in the mantellid frog subfamily Boophinae. They are commonly known as bright-eyed or skeleton frogs. They show typical 'tree frog' traits, and are a good example of convergent evolution with morphologically similar species in the families Hylidae and Rhacophoridae, among others. This genus can only be found on Madagascar and Mayotte Island (Comoros).

<i>Boophis madagascariensis</i> Species of frog

Boophis madagascariensis is a species of frog in the family Mantellidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rivers, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-legged mantella</span> Species of amphibian

The blue-legged mantella is a small species of frog in the family Mantellidae. It is endemic to the Isalo National Park and areas south of it in Madagascar, a range it shares with the rainbow frog. Both are locally common, but endangered due to habitat loss and over-collected for the pet trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climbing mantella</span> Species of frog

The climbing mantella is a species of diurnal poison frog of the genus Mantella that resides in the subtropical regions of northeast Madagascar. Although it spends a significant amount of time in trees or bamboo forests, this frog species is not fully arboreal and actively seeks areas with a water source.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madagascan mantella</span> Species of frog

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.

<i>Mantidactylus albofrenatus</i> Species of frog

Mantidactylus albofrenatus is a species of frog in the family Mantellidae. It is endemic to eastern Madagascar near An'Ala and Andasibe. Common name eastern Madagascar frog has been proposed for it.

<i>Mantidactylus charlotteae</i> Species of frog

Mantidactylus charlotteae is a species of frog in the family Mantellidae. It is endemic to Madagascar and found in the eastern part of the country in the coastal rainforest belt between Marojejy in the north and possibly as far as Andohahela in the south.

Wakea madinika is a species of frogs in the mantellid subfamily Mantellinae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Wakea. It is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Spinomantis peraccae</i> Species of frog

Spinomantis peraccae is a species of frog in the mantellid subfamily Mantellinae. It is endemic to Madagascar and widely distributed in the northern, eastern, and central parts of the island. The specific epithet honours Italian herpetologist Mario Giacinto Peracca. Common name Peracca's Madagascar frog has been coined for it.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Mantella baroni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T57438A84165831. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T57438A84165831.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ↑ F. Harvey Pough ... (2004). Herpetology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN   0-13-100849-8.
  3. ↑ Boulenger, G.A. (1888). "Descriptions of new Reptiles and Batrachians from Madagascar". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Series 6. 1 (6): 101–107. doi:10.1080/00222938809460688. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. 1 2 Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (2007). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar (3rd ed.). Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlags. ISBN   978-3-929449-03-7. OCLC   229384516.
  5. 1 2 Crottini, A.; Madsen, O.; Poux, C.; Strauß, A.; Vieites, D.R.; Vences, M. (2012-04-03). "Vertebrate time-tree elucidates the biogeographic pattern of a major biotic change around the K–T boundary in Madagascar". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 109 (14): 5358–5363. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1112487109 . ISSN   0027-8424. PMC   3325728 . PMID   22431616.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Poison Frogs Of The Genus Mantella". www.reptilesmagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "AmphibiaWeb - Mantella baroni". amphibiaweb.org. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Marc Staniszewski's Mantella FAQ". www.amphibian.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Painted Frogs Of Madagascar". www.reptilesmagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Mantella | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants". animals.sandiegozoo.org. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.