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. 2023 Oct 29;13(21):3361.
doi: 10.3390/ani13213361.

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Montagne des Français: An Update of the Distribution and Regional Endemicity

Herizo Oninjatovo Radonirina  1 , Bernard Randriamahatantsoa  2 , Nirhy H C Rabibisoa  1   2 , Christopher John Raxworthy  3
Affiliations

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Montagne des Français: An Update of the Distribution and Regional Endemicity

Herizo Oninjatovo Radonirina et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

The harmonious landscape of Montagne des Français is a protected area in the far north of Madagascar. Our herpetofauna surveys were conducted on the eastern and western slopes according to habitat variations within the massif for 2014 and 2020. Our research updates the herpetofauna species richness, spatial distribution ranges, and ecological guilds within the protected area. We used direct opportunistic observations, systematic refuge examinations, and pitfall traps with drift fences at three sites to sample animals. Nineteen amphibian and fifty reptile species were recorded during this study. Three amphibian species and one reptile species, in addition to the snake Langaha pseudoalluaudi, last recorded in 2007, were discovered at Montagne des Français. Here, we present a database update for the herpetofauna species from Montagne des Français and provide a specific morphological description of the morphospecies considered as a new extension or localized distribution. This new database can help site managers develop new strategic conservation plans in response to habitat modification.

Keywords: Montagne des Français; amphibians; distribution; regional endemicity; reptiles; update.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the study sites in Montagne des Français.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Photographic documentation of the morphospecies found and rediscovered species in the Montagne des Français area. (A): Boophis cf. occidentalis; (B): Boophis sp.; (C): Boophis cf. marojezensis; (D): Phisalixella cf. arctifasciata; (E): Langaha pseudoalluaudi (male); (F): Langaha pseudoalluaudi (female).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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