Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
F
rogs from Madagascar constitute as Sri Lanka (63%), Mexico (54%), learned from the devastated amphibian
one of the richest groups of Ecuador (37%), or Colombia (30%) faunas of areas such as the Neotropics
amphibian fauna in the world, [2]. and Australia. In Madagascar,
with currently 238 described species; At first glance, it might seem amphibian conservation efforts have
caecilians and salamanders are paradoxical to advocate amphibian the possibility of being pro-active,
absent [1]. Several frog radiations conservation actions for a place where rather than reactive, or simply post-
of the island are species-rich and catastrophic declines have not yet mortem.
parallel lemurs and tenrecs in their been detected. However, we argue Extinctions of Malagasy amphibians
astonishing morphological and here that the unique combination have not yet been detected: in fact,
ecological diversity. According to the of three factors qualifies Madagascar all historically described species have
Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA), as a top priority for amphibian been observed during the past 15
Madagascar ranks as the country conservation: (a) an endemic, diverse years [3], most in the past 5 years.
with the 12th highest amphibian amphibian fauna, as yet unaffected by New populations of rare species are
species richness [2,3] (see also emergent diseases, exists; (b) heavy discovered at a constant pace, even
http://www.globalamphibians.org), anthropogenic pressures are put on if some of them are in small forest
but this is likely an underestimate, the remaining primary vegetation fragments. Over 500 frog specimens of
because an additional 182 candidate and amphibian populations; and (c) almost 80 species sampled from most
species have been identified since a strong commitment of the national of Madagascar’s biogeographic regions
[1]. Diversity is concentrated in government to improve conserving and elevational zones tested negative
rainforests and can locally reach over biodiversity is present. In other words, for amphibian chytrid infection using
100 species. Impressively, 100% of Madagascar represents a tractable both histological and molecular
the autochthonous species and 88% opportunity to apply what has been techniques [8]. So far, no amphibian
of the genera are strictly endemic to
Madagascar and its inshore islands
Citation: Andreone F, Carpenter AI, Cox N, du Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. David Knox is with
[1]. Most of these species belong Preez L, Freeman K, et al. (2008) The challenge Conservation International, Kirstenbosch Botanical
to two radiations of astonishing of conserving amphibian megadiversity in Gardens, Claremont, South Africa. Jörn Köhler is
ecomorphological and reproductive Madagascar. PLoS Biol 6(5): e118. doi:10.1371/journal. with the Department of Natural History–Zoology,
pbio.0060118 Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Darmstadt,
diversity, the mantellids and the Germany. Joseph R. Mendelson, III, is with the
scaphiophrynine plus cophyline Copyright: © 2008 Andreone et al. This is an Department of Herpetology, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta,
open-access article distributed under the terms Georgia, United States of America. Vincenzo
microhylids [4,5] (Figure 1). of the Creative Commons Attribution License, Mercurio is with the Department of Ecology and
So far, no extinctions of amphibian which permits unrestricted use, distribution, Evolution, J. W. Goethe University and Research
species have been reported from and reproduction in any medium, provided the Institute and Natural History Museum Senckenberg,
original author and source are credited. Section Herpetology, Frankfurt, Germany. Russell
Madagascar, and chytridiomycosis, A. Mittermeier and Robin D. Moore are with
a threat for amphibians globally Abbreviations: ASG, Amphibian Speciality Group Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, United
[6,7], has not been detected [8]. Of States of America. Nirhy H. C. Rabibisoa and Harison
Franco Andreone is with the Museo Regionale di Randrianasolo are with Conservation International,
220 species assessed by the World Scienze Naturali di Torino (MRSN), Torino, Italy. Angus Antananarivo, Madagascar. Herilala Randriamahazo is
Conservation Union (IUCN), nine I. Carpenter is with the Centre for Ecology, Evolution, with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Antananarivo,
and Conservation (CEEC), School of Environmental Madagascar. Noromalala Rasoamampionona
are listed as Critically Endangered, 21 Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Raminosoa and Olga Ravoahangimalala Ramilijaona
Endangered, and 25 Vulnerable [3]. Kingdom. Neil Cox is with the IUCN/SSC CI/CABS are with the Département de Biologie Animale,
This proportion of 25% threatened Biodiversity Assessment Unit, Arlington, Virginia, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo,
United States of America. Louis du Preez and Ché Madagascar. Christopher J. Raxworthy is with the
species is higher than the per-country Weldon are with the School of Environmental American Museum of Natural History, New York,
average of 12%, but lower than that Sciences and Development, North-West University, United States of America. Denis Vallan is with the
detected globally (32%) and those in Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Natur-Museum Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland. Miguel
Karen Freeman is with the Madagascar Fauna Group, Vences is with the Zoological Institute, Technical
various other amphibian hot spots such Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri, United States University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
of America. Samuel Furrer is with the Zoo Zürich, David R. Vieites is with the Museum of Vertebrate
Zürich, Switzerland. Gerardo Garcia is with the Durrell Zoology and Department of Integrative Biology,
Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey, Channel University of California, Berkeley, California, United
The Perspective section provides experts with a Islands, United Kingdom. Frank Glaw is with the States of America.
forum to comment on topical or controversial issues Zoologische Staatssammlung München, München,
of broad interest. Germany. Julian Glos is with the Department of * To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of E-mail: franco.andreone@regione.piemonte.it