|Scientific Name:||Mantella aurantiaca Mocquard, 1900|
|Taxonomic Source(s):||Frost, D.R. 2015. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. New York, USA. Available at: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html.|
|Taxonomic Notes:||There are populations of "golden" mantellas that might belong to other species. The taxonomy of this group is uncertain but the definition of Mantella aurantiaca is clear and there seems to be little genetic subdivision within the species (M. Vences pers. comm.).|
|Red List Category & Criteria:||Critically Endangered B2ab(iii,v) ver 3.1|
|Assessor(s):||Vences, M. & Raxworthy, C.J.|
|Reviewer(s):||Stuart, S.N., Chanson, J.S. & Cox, N.A.|
Listed as Critically Endangered because its Area of Occupancy is probably less than 10km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and the extent of its forest habitat in east-central Madagascar is declining, and the number of mature individuals might also be declining through over-exploitation.
|Previously published Red List assessments:|
|Range Description:||This species has a very restricted distribution in east-central Madagascar, centred on the Torotorofotsy area (c. 7km north-west of Andasibe) and the Andromena Forest at the Samarirana River. Several other small forest fragments north and south of Moramanga are populated by the species as well. Its recorded altitudinal range is 920-960 m asl.|
|Range Map:||Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.|
|Population:||It is extremely localized, being very abundant in tiny areas, often of just a few hectares.|
|Current Population Trend:||Decreasing|
|Habitat and Ecology:||It is a terrestrial species of primary and secondary rainforest only, and usually found in damp, swampy areas, often associated with screw pine (Pandanus) forest. The eggs are laid on the ground, and the larvae are flushed by rain into swamps, temporary ponds, and flooded forest, where they develop further.|
|Major Threat(s):||It is restricted to a fragment of forest surrounded by degraded land, and the remaining forest is under threat from subsistence agriculture, timber extraction, fires, and expanding human settlements. Recent surveys indicate that the habitat is being degraded in all the areas where the species occurs, and in 2001 a significant amount of the remaining suitable habitat at Torotorofotsy was affected by fire (although three years later the species was still common in the affected areas). However, the remaining habitat for the species is now severely fragmented. It is also possible that over-collecting for commercial and private purposes is a threat, but so far such harvesting has not had a visible effect on its populations.|
Limits on exportation of animals have been imposed, and the trade has been greatly reduced. Plans to implement a controlled, sustainable trade through a trade quota should be encouraged, and would help ensure the survival of its habitat, as well as probably being more effective than complete trade bans. This species is being maintained in captivity by about 35 zoos and other institutions and is being bred in captivity by public institutions and many private individuals. It does not occur in protected areas, but it is found near to the Réserve Spéciale d'Analamazaotra. The species was recently recorded from a cluster of unprotected forest localities to the south of Moramanga. These forests are under severe pressure and should be considered as conservation priorities for protection (Andreone et al. 2008).
It is listed on CITES Appendix II.
|Citation:||Vences, M. & Raxworthy, C.J. 2008. Mantella aurantiaca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T12776A3381123.Downloaded on 17 October 2017.|
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