Abstract. Voeltzkowia is a monophyletic genus of burrowing skinks endemic to Madagascar. The foss... more Abstract. Voeltzkowia is a monophyletic genus of burrowing skinks endemic to Madagascar. The fossorial habits of these species make them hard to see and study, and witness their life history traits. During two herpetological surveys in southwestern Madagascar (in 2009 and ...
We provide a list of the amphibians from the Isalo Massif, southern-central Madagascar with data ... more We provide a list of the amphibians from the Isalo Massif, southern-central Madagascar with data on their ecology and acoustics. Although this area is constituted by a xeric sandstone massif crossed by canyons and extended savannah-like grasslands, the number of discovered frog species turned out to be high (21). This is the highest number of amphibian species ever found at
We provided information on the age structure, population estimates and status of chytrid infectio... more We provided information on the age structure, population estimates and status of chytrid infection of two Critically Endangered frogs endemic to the Ankaratra Massif, central Madagascar: Boophis williamsi and Mantidactylus pauliani. Body size ranged from 37.1 to 42.6 mm in B. williamsi, and 25.0 to 35.8 mm in adult M. pauliani. Skeletochronology revealed a maximum longevity of 6 years in B. williamsi, and 8 years in M. pauliani. Population estimates for adult B. williamsi was possible only in 2009 at one site, where we obtained an estimate of 46 individuals. Tadpoles ranged from 15 individuals to 60 individuals. Mantidactylus pauliani ap- peared much more abundant, with an estimated population from 62 to 1025 individuals. Esti- mated larval populations ranged from 5 to 102. A screening for the occurrence of chytrid infec- tion on B. williamsi, M. brevipalmatus, M. pauliani, and M. sp. 19 MV-2009 was also performed and revealed the absence of the fungal pathogen.
Day geckos of the genus Phelsuma (Gekkonidae) were observed at different localities in Madagascar... more Day geckos of the genus Phelsuma (Gekkonidae) were observed at different localities in Madagascar. New distribution records are reported for Phelsuma laticauda laticauda in Maroantsetra (north-east coast), for Phelsuma hoeschi at Anosibe An‘Ala (central east) and for Phelsuma berghofi in Nosy Omby (south-east coast). In several populations highly malformed individuals were encountered; the causes for these malformations remain largely unclear. Furthermore some behavioral observations on a rival fight between two males of Phelsuma lineata lineata and a case of predation of Phelsuma laticauda laticauda on a juvenile Hemidactylus sp. are reported.
Amphibian chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium ... more Amphibian chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been a significant driver of amphibian declines. While globally widespread, Bd had not yet been reported from within Madagascar. We document surveys conducted across the country between 2005 and 2014, showing Bd's first record in 2010. Subsequently, Bd was detected in multiple areas, with prevalence reaching up to 100%. Detection of Bd appears to be associated with mid to high elevation sites and to have a seasonal pattern, with greater detectability during the dry season. Lineage-based PCR was performed on a subset of samples. While some did not amplify with any lineage probe, when a positive signal was observed, samples were most similar to the Global Panzootic Lineage (BdGPL). These results may suggest that Bd arrived recently, but do not exclude the existence of a previously undetected endemic Bd genotype. Representatives of all native anuran families have...
9 Corresponding author Abstract Malagasy poison frogs of the genus Mantella with its 16 species a... more 9 Corresponding author Abstract Malagasy poison frogs of the genus Mantella with its 16 species are currently sub-divided into 5 major groups. Of these, the Mantella betsileo group is traditionally understood as containing four species, Mantella betsileo, M. expectata, M. viridis and M. manery, while the M. laevigata group is considered to be monospecific. A phylogenetic analysis of sam- ples
Abstract. Voeltzkowia is a monophyletic genus of burrowing skinks endemic to Madagascar. The foss... more Abstract. Voeltzkowia is a monophyletic genus of burrowing skinks endemic to Madagascar. The fossorial habits of these species make them hard to see and study, and witness their life history traits. During two herpetological surveys in southwestern Madagascar (in 2009 and ...
We provide a list of the amphibians from the Isalo Massif, southern-central Madagascar with data ... more We provide a list of the amphibians from the Isalo Massif, southern-central Madagascar with data on their ecology and acoustics. Although this area is constituted by a xeric sandstone massif crossed by canyons and extended savannah-like grasslands, the number of discovered frog species turned out to be high (21). This is the highest number of amphibian species ever found at
We provided information on the age structure, population estimates and status of chytrid infectio... more We provided information on the age structure, population estimates and status of chytrid infection of two Critically Endangered frogs endemic to the Ankaratra Massif, central Madagascar: Boophis williamsi and Mantidactylus pauliani. Body size ranged from 37.1 to 42.6 mm in B. williamsi, and 25.0 to 35.8 mm in adult M. pauliani. Skeletochronology revealed a maximum longevity of 6 years in B. williamsi, and 8 years in M. pauliani. Population estimates for adult B. williamsi was possible only in 2009 at one site, where we obtained an estimate of 46 individuals. Tadpoles ranged from 15 individuals to 60 individuals. Mantidactylus pauliani ap- peared much more abundant, with an estimated population from 62 to 1025 individuals. Esti- mated larval populations ranged from 5 to 102. A screening for the occurrence of chytrid infec- tion on B. williamsi, M. brevipalmatus, M. pauliani, and M. sp. 19 MV-2009 was also performed and revealed the absence of the fungal pathogen.
Day geckos of the genus Phelsuma (Gekkonidae) were observed at different localities in Madagascar... more Day geckos of the genus Phelsuma (Gekkonidae) were observed at different localities in Madagascar. New distribution records are reported for Phelsuma laticauda laticauda in Maroantsetra (north-east coast), for Phelsuma hoeschi at Anosibe An‘Ala (central east) and for Phelsuma berghofi in Nosy Omby (south-east coast). In several populations highly malformed individuals were encountered; the causes for these malformations remain largely unclear. Furthermore some behavioral observations on a rival fight between two males of Phelsuma lineata lineata and a case of predation of Phelsuma laticauda laticauda on a juvenile Hemidactylus sp. are reported.
Amphibian chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium ... more Amphibian chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been a significant driver of amphibian declines. While globally widespread, Bd had not yet been reported from within Madagascar. We document surveys conducted across the country between 2005 and 2014, showing Bd's first record in 2010. Subsequently, Bd was detected in multiple areas, with prevalence reaching up to 100%. Detection of Bd appears to be associated with mid to high elevation sites and to have a seasonal pattern, with greater detectability during the dry season. Lineage-based PCR was performed on a subset of samples. While some did not amplify with any lineage probe, when a positive signal was observed, samples were most similar to the Global Panzootic Lineage (BdGPL). These results may suggest that Bd arrived recently, but do not exclude the existence of a previously undetected endemic Bd genotype. Representatives of all native anuran families have...
9 Corresponding author Abstract Malagasy poison frogs of the genus Mantella with its 16 species a... more 9 Corresponding author Abstract Malagasy poison frogs of the genus Mantella with its 16 species are currently sub-divided into 5 major groups. Of these, the Mantella betsileo group is traditionally understood as containing four species, Mantella betsileo, M. expectata, M. viridis and M. manery, while the M. laevigata group is considered to be monospecific. A phylogenetic analysis of sam- ples
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Papers by Angelica Crottini