Conservation priorities and potential threats influencing the hyper-diverse amphibians of Madagascar

The conservation of Madagascan amphibians was assessed using a set of natural history parameters. The more than two hundred species were grouped into 51 operational conservation units to get more reliable results than those afforded by the low level of knowledge available for most of the species. Results in terms of ecological sensitivity were obtained by means of a univariate ranking and cluster analysis. Mantelline mantellids and cophyline microhylids were among the amphibians most sensitive, since they are closely related to a stable rainforest environment. The less sensitive species in terms of ecological preferences appeared to be those breeding in temporary ponds and living in dry-arid and savannah-like areas (e.g., Dyscophinae, Laliostoma labrosum, and Hyperoliidae). Other species, closely linked to the aquatic environment, are less affected by deforestation, and may occur in already degraded areas when a stream network and associated gallery forest still exist. For some genera (e.g., Mantella and Scaphiophryne) the pet trade may constitute a threat (when dealing with already disturbed and restricted populations). In this sense, most Mantella species must be managed in terms of number of specimens exported. This is especially true for M. cowani and M. bernbardi, which have a very narrow distribution area. Mantella cowani is severely endangered, since it is a "plateau" species. and suffers from a combination of both habitat degradation and capture for commerce. A principal component analysis on Ranidae, Boophinae. Mantellinae, Laliostominae, Dyscophinae, Scaphiophryninae, Cophylinae, and Hyperoliidae showed that the variables ordering the various taxa were activity type, distribution, and habitat breadth.