About
Gephyromantis mafy is from the family of Golden frogs (Mantellidae), which is the most diverse frog family.
This family is estimated to have colonized the island of Madagascar 76-87 million years ago. They are phylogenetically nested within Asian frogs, and therefore probably represent a dispersal event from Asia. Little is known about this species population, but a chorus of three or four individuals were heard from a single site of the Mahasoa forest when it was surveyed. Their breeding behaviour is also unknown, although it is likely to be by direct development; whereby young emerge from the eggs as miniature adult forms, as the species appears not to be associated with waterbodies. This species inhabits an area of just 10km²! Lake Alaotra is undergoing a severe decline in quality of habitat as it is surrounded by rice cultivation and as a result of this; the nearby forest is under a high amount of pressure and has been heavily degraded. If logging continues at current rates, this species habitat may disappear altogether. This area is not currently protected and therefore there must be increased efforts to protect this area and increase the management around the area.
- Order: Anura
- Family: Mantellidae
- Population: Unknown
- Trend: decreasing
- Size: 20.4mm
EDGE Score
Distribution
This species is restricted to rainforest in eastern Madagascar around Lake Aloatra, at 1,032 metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology
This species inhabits rainforests and is typically found away from bodies of water. It has been observed in highly disturbed rainforest perching in the dense vegetation and shrubs that were surrounding a fallen tree. Individuals of this species have been heard calling during the day and at dusk.