Preliminary fish survey of Lac Tseny in northwestern Madagascar

We surveyed the fish fauna of Lac Tseny, in the Sofia Region of northwestern Madagascar, during October 2010 by observing commercial catches and targeted netting of areas used by endemic species. We recorded seven native fish species at the lake, including three endemic cichlids, a herring and a catfish. We confirmed the continued survival of the Critically Endangered Paretroplus menarambo, as well as the presence of a Paretroplus taxon that may be new to science. The commercial fishery in the lake is sustained by introduced tilapiines and the native Savagella robusta. The three endemic cichlids (Paretroplus spp.) were not targeted by commercial fishermen, but when caught in small numbers were retained for domestic consumption. Submerged trees in the west of the lake restrict fishing with nets and probably provide important habitat for P. menarambo. Priority next steps at the lake include (i) additional surveys and biological studies of the endemic fish species and the Critically Endangered Madagascar big-headed turtle, Erymnochelys madagascariensis, (ii) clarification of the taxonomic status of Paretroplus cf. kieneri and, should it prove a new taxon, its formal scientific description, and (iii) continued engagement with fishing communities and authorities to promote practices that benefit livelihoods and the survival of threatened fish species.   RÉSUMÉ La composition spécifique de l'ichtyofaune du lac Tseny, dans l'ouest de Madagascar (région de Sofia) a été inventoriée au cours du mois d’octobre 2010, en observant les prises des pêcheurs et des pêches ciblées sur les espèces endémiques. Sept espèces de poissons indigènes ont été observés, dont trois cichlidés endémiques (Paretroplus menarambo, Paretroplus lamenabe et Paretroplus cf. kieneri), un hareng indigène (Sauvagella robusta) et un poisson-chat (Arius madagascariensis). Deux de ces espèces sont classées comme Menacées dans la Liste Rouge de l'UICN : P. menarambo est une espèce en Danger Critique d’Extinction qui n’est connue que du lac Tseny et A. madagascariensis est une espèce en Danger d’Extinction et endémique de la région de Sofia. Un des poissons que nous avons inventorié dans le genre Paretroplus semble être une forme non décrite. Les pêcheurs ont indiqué que P. menarambo est associé à des arbres immergés le long de la rive occidentale du lac qui offrent un habitat propice à la reproduction et à l'alimentation. Ces arbres immergés empêchent l'utilisation des filets pour la pêche et limitent ainsi la pression de pêche qui s’exerce sur cette espèce. Les trois espèces endémiques de Paretroplus sont prisées par les pêcheurs qui les gardent pour leur consommation personnelle plutôt que de les vendre. La pêche commerciale pratiquée dans le lac semble pérenne grâce à la présence de tilapias allogènes et du hareng indigène (Sauvagella robusta) qui approvisionnent les marchés de poisson local (Tsaratanana), régionaux (Boriziny et Mandritsara) et national (Antananarivo). Les populations locales ont rapporté que la surpêche, l'immigration, l’utilisation illégale de filets à petit maillage et le non respect de la saison de fermeture de la pêche étaient les principales menaces pesant sur l’ichtyofaune du lac Tseny. Une baisse de la pêche commerciale pourrait entraîner une ruée vers les espèces endémiques et l'ouverture des zones d’arbres immergés pour la pêche. Le lac Tseny abrite un assemblage unique de poissons qui doivent être protégés dans leur habitat qui est essentiel aux cichlidés endémiques par le maintien d'une pêche commerciale pérenne. Les prochaines étapes à mener en priorité pour le lac incluent : (i) des études supplémentaires sur la biologie des poissons endémiques et de la Podocnémide de Madagascar (Erymnochelys madagascariensis), une tortue en Danger Critique d’Extinction, (ii) la clarification du statut taxinomique de Paretroplus cf. kieneri qui pourrait être une nouvelle espèce et sa description, le cas échéant, et (iii) l’engagement continu avec les communautés de pêcheurs et les autorités locales pour promouvoir des pratiques équitables en faveur des populations riveraines et pour la survie des espèces de poissons menacées

Preliminary fish survey of Lac Tseny in northwestern Madagascar

We surveyed the fish fauna of Lac Tseny, in the Sofia Region of northwestern Madagascar, during October 2010 by observing commercial catches and targeted netting of areas used by endemic species. We recorded seven native fish species at the lake, including three endemic cichlids, a herring and a catfish. We confirmed the continued survival of the Critically Endangered Paretroplus menarambo, as well as the presence of a Paretroplus taxon that may be new to science. The commercial fishery in the lake is sustained by introduced tilapiines and the native Savagella robusta. The three endemic cichlids (Paretroplus spp.) were not targeted by commercial fishermen, but when caught in small numbers were retained for domestic consumption. Submerged trees in the west of the lake restrict fishing with nets and probably provide important habitat for P. menarambo. Priority next steps at the lake include (i) additional surveys and biological studies of the endemic fish species and the Critically Endangered Madagascar big-headed turtle, Erymnochelys madagascariensis, (ii) clarification of the taxonomic status of Paretroplus cf. kieneri and, should it prove a new taxon, its formal scientific description, and (iii) continued engagement with fishing communities and authorities to promote practices that benefit livelihoods and the survival of threatened fish species.   RÉSUMÉ La composition spécifique de l'ichtyofaune du lac Tseny, dans l'ouest de Madagascar (région de Sofia) a été inventoriée au cours du mois d’octobre 2010, en observant les prises des pêcheurs et des pêches ciblées sur les espèces endémiques. Sept espèces de poissons indigènes ont été observés, dont trois cichlidés endémiques (Paretroplus menarambo, Paretroplus lamenabe et Paretroplus cf. kieneri), un hareng indigène (Sauvagella robusta) et un poisson-chat (Arius madagascariensis). Deux de ces espèces sont classées comme Menacées dans la Liste Rouge de l'UICN : P. menarambo est une espèce en Danger Critique d’Extinction qui n’est connue que du lac Tseny et A. madagascariensis est une espèce en Danger d’Extinction et endémique de la région de Sofia. Un des poissons que nous avons inventorié dans le genre Paretroplus semble être une forme non décrite. Les pêcheurs ont indiqué que P. menarambo est associé à des arbres immergés le long de la rive occidentale du lac qui offrent un habitat propice à la reproduction et à l'alimentation. Ces arbres immergés empêchent l'utilisation des filets pour la pêche et limitent ainsi la pression de pêche qui s’exerce sur cette espèce. Les trois espèces endémiques de Paretroplus sont prisées par les pêcheurs qui les gardent pour leur consommation personnelle plutôt que de les vendre. La pêche commerciale pratiquée dans le lac semble pérenne grâce à la présence de tilapias allogènes et du hareng indigène (Sauvagella robusta) qui approvisionnent les marchés de poisson local (Tsaratanana), régionaux (Boriziny et Mandritsara) et national (Antananarivo). Les populations locales ont rapporté que la surpêche, l'immigration, l’utilisation illégale de filets à petit maillage et le non respect de la saison de fermeture de la pêche étaient les principales menaces pesant sur l’ichtyofaune du lac Tseny. Une baisse de la pêche commerciale pourrait entraîner une ruée vers les espèces endémiques et l'ouverture des zones d’arbres immergés pour la pêche. Le lac Tseny abrite un assemblage unique de poissons qui doivent être protégés dans leur habitat qui est essentiel aux cichlidés endémiques par le maintien d'une pêche commerciale pérenne. Les prochaines étapes à mener en priorité pour le lac incluent : (i) des études supplémentaires sur la biologie des poissons endémiques et de la Podocnémide de Madagascar (Erymnochelys madagascariensis), une tortue en Danger Critique d’Extinction, (ii) la clarification du statut taxinomique de Paretroplus cf. kieneri qui pourrait être une nouvelle espèce et sa description, le cas échéant, et (iii) l’engagement continu avec les communautés de pêcheurs et les autorités locales pour promouvoir des pratiques équitables en faveur des populations riveraines et pour la survie des espèces de poissons menacées

Towards a DNA barcode library for Madagascar's threatened ichthyofauna

In order to improve the molecular resources available for conservation management of Madagascar's threatened ichthyofauna, we elaborated a curated database of 2860 mitochondrial sequences of the mitochondrial COI, 16S and ND2 genes of Malagasy fishes, of which 1141 sequences of freshwater fishes were newly sequenced for this data set. The data set is mostly composed of COI (2015 sequences) while 16S and ND2 sequences from partly the same samples were used to match the COI sequences to reliably identified reference sequences of these genes. We observed COI uncorrected pairwise genetic distances of 5.2‒31.0% (mean 20.6%) among species belonging to different genera, and 0.0‒22.4% (mean 6.4%) for species belonging to the same genus. Deeply divergent mitochondrial lineages of uncertain attribution were found among Malagasy freshwater eleotrids and gobiids, confirming these groups are in need of taxonomic revision. DNA barcodes assigned to introduced cichlids (tilapias) included Coptodon rendallii, C. zillii, Oreochromis aureus (apparently a new country record), O. cf. mossambicus, O. niloticus, and one undetermined species of Oreochromis, with sequences of up to three species found per location. In aplocheiloid killifishes of the genus Pachypanchax, most species from northern Madagascar had only low mitochondrial divergences, three of these species (P. omalonotus, P. patriciae, and P. varatraza) were not reciprocally monophyletic, and one genetically deviant lineage was discovered in a northern locality, suggesting a need for partial taxonomic revision of this genus. While the lack of voucher specimens for most of the samples sequenced herein precludes final conclusions, our first step towards a DNA barcoding reference library of Madagascar's fishes already demonstrates the value of such a data set for improved taxonomic inventory and conservation management. We strongly suggest further exploration of Madagascar's aquatic environments, which should include detailed photographic documentation and tissue sampling of large numbers of specimens, and collection of preserved voucher specimens as well as of living fish for the buildup of ex situ assurance populations of threatened species complying with the One Plan Approach proposed by the IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG)

Water quality and biotic interaction of two cavefish species: Typhleotris madagascariensis Petit, 1933 and Typhleotris mararybe Sparks & Chakrabarty, 2012, in the Mahafaly Plateau groundwater system, Madagascar

The karstic subterranean aquatic system of the Mahafaly Plateau in south-western Madagascar is inhabited by two species of cavefish: Typhleotris madagascariensis and Typhleotris mararybe. Knowledge about both cavefish species is scant. In order to learn more about the distribution of the two species, 15 caves and sinkholes spread over the Mahafaly Plateau were inventoried for their presence. Abiotic water quality and interspecific relations of the two species were investigated in six of these caves and five of the sinkholes during the dry and the rainy seasons. Typhleotris madagascariensis was present in all sampled water bodies while T. mararybe was restricted to five sites in the region around the town of Itampolo. The inventories extend the known range of both species of Typhleotris on the Mahafaly Plateau. Abiotic water characteristics did not differ between seasons. The abundances of both species were negatively correlated with iron concentrations. Further correlations between the abundance of either fish species and abiotic water characteristics remained inconclusive as these water characteristics co-varied with geographical latitude that in turn was correlated with fish abundance. For both species neither the abundance nor a condition factor based on body mass showed any significant seasonal variation. Also the presence of T. mararybe had no influence on the abundance and the condition of T. madagascariensis. Thus, no evidence for competition was noticed between the two species

Platypelis alticola Guibe 1974

Platypelis alticola (Guibé, 1974) Identity. Platypelis alticola was described by Guibé (1974) as Platyhyla alticola based on a single specimen, the holotype MNHN 1973.693 (SVL 37.7 mm). This specimen (Fig. 2) is in moderately good state of preservation although all color is faded and the venter is cut open. Measurements are included in Table 1. Based on the large size, uniform color as described by Guibé (1974) and similar lengths of third and fifth toe, the identification of this species is unequivocal. Specimens figured by Raxworthy et al. (2008) and collected by us at four campsites along the Maromokotro trail agree with this description and therefore are here assigned to P. a lt ic o la. Diagnosis and comparisons. Assigned to the genus Platypelis in the Cophylinae based on enlarged terminal discs on fingers and toes, absence of finger-like prepollex, absence of nuptial pads, occurrence in Madagascar, and molecular phylogenetic relationships. Distinguished from all other cophyline species with enlarged discs on fingers and toes (i.e., all Anodonthyla, Cophyla, Platypelis, as well as Plethodontohyla guentheri, P. inguinalis, P. mihanika, P. notosticta, Stumpffia helenae) by combination of the following character states: large body size (adult SVL 32–45 mm), uniform greyish color with absence of sharp border between dorsal and lateral color, toes 3 and 5 of similar length, vomerine teeth present, males with prepollical tubercle but lacking a finger-like prepollex as typical for Anodonthyla. Distinguished from other species of Platypelis and Cophyla as follows: From Cophyla berara, C. occultans, C. phyllodactyla, Platypelis barbouri, P. cowanii, P. mavomavo, P. milloti, P. pollicaris, P. ravus, and P. tetra by larger adult body size (SVL 32–45 mm vs. 16–30 mm). Among these species, furthermore distinguished from P. milloti, P. ravus, and P. barbouri by the uniform dorsal side (vs. always with distinct pattern of dark dorsal markings), from P. barbouri and P. r a v u s by the presence of vomerine teeth (vs. absence); from P. barbouri, P. milloti, P. mavomavo, and P. ravus by always uniform greyish ventral side (vs. reddish or yellow color on venter and/or ventral side of hindlimbs); from P. tetra by absence of 4 to 6 symmetrical and light colored dorsal tubercles (vs. presence); from P. cowanii, P. mavomavo, and P. tetra by third and fifth toe of similar length (vs. third toe longer). Among species of similar or larger size, distinguished from P. grandis by usually smaller size (SVL 32–45 vs. 43–105 mm), juveniles and adults uniformly greyish (vs. juveniles greenish and adults typically with dark brown pattern on grey), typically shorter hindlimbs (tibiotarsal articulation reaching forelimb insertion vs. reaching tympanum), and different advertisement call (series of tonal vs. non-tonal notes); from P. tsaratananaensis by usually larger body size (SVL 32–45 vs. 22–33 mm but typically below 30 mm), third and fifth toe of similar length (vs. third toe distinctly shorter), and advertisement call (series of single notes vs. series of double notes); from P. tuberifera by shorter hindlimbs (tibiotarsal articulation reaching forelimb insertion vs. reaching tympanum or eye), absence of a vertebral stripe (vs. present in most specimens), living in bamboo habitat (vs. specialized to Pandanus leaf axils), non-frequency modulated notes in advertisement call (vs. frequency-modulated). Furthermore P. alticola has> 10 % uncorrected pairwise divergence (16 S) from all other arboreal species of cophylines. Material examined. MNHN 1973.693 (holotype of Platypelis alticola), collected on the Tsaratanana massif (in forest) by C. P. Blanc (ORSTOM mission) in November 1966; ZSM 1655 / 2010 (ZCMV 12407), collected at Camp 3 (Bepia) on 15 June 2010; ZSM 1656 / 2010 (DRV 6201), collected at Camp 3 (Bepia) on 15 June 2010; ZSM 1657 / 2010 (ZCMV 12453, adult male [seen calling]), ZSM 1658 / 2010 (ZCMV 12469, gravid female), ZSM 1659 / 2010 (ZCMV 12470), all collected at Camp 2 (Matsabory Maiky) on 15–20 June 2010; ZSM 1660 / 2010 (DRV 6111, female), ZSM 1661 / 2010 (DRV 6113, male), both collected at Camp 1 (Antevialambazaha) on 10 June 2010; ZSM 1662 / 2010 (DRV 6216), collected between Camp 4 and 5, 14.08509 °S, 48.98191 °E, 2429 m a.s.l., in June 2010; ZSM 1663 / 2010 (DRV 6244), ZSM 1664 / 2010 (DRV 6245), both collected at Camp 2 (Matsabory Maiky), 14.15256 °S, 48.95728 °E, 2021 m, on 14–19 June 2010; ZSM 1665 / 2010 (DRV 6137, juvenile, identification uncertain), collected at Camp 2 (Matsabory Maiky) on 13 June 2010. Additional specimens were deposited in the UADBA collection and not examined in detail for this study. Redescription. The holotype of P. alticola has been described by Guibé (1974) and Blommers-Schlösser & Blanc (1991). Because we could not reliably assess the sex of this specimen, we here provide a redescription based on a newly collected adult male specimen, ZSM 1657 / 2010 (ZCMV 12453), seen calling but call not recorded. Specimen in good state of preservation, some muscle tissue removed from right thigh, snout-vent length 36.8 mm. Body very slender; head slightly wider than long, wider than body; snout rounded in dorsal and lateral views; nostrils directed dorsolaterally, not protuberant, nearer to tip of snout than to eye; canthus rostralis indistinct; loreal region plain; tympanum distinct, 63 % of eye diameter, with a distinctly recognizable, apparently transparent area below the tympanum on both sides; supratympanic fold indistinct, almost straight; tongue ovoid, not bifid or notched; maxillary teeth distinct; vomerine teeth distinctly recognizable as two round groups on a bony ark; choanae rounded. Forelimbs slender; subarticular tubercles single, flat, and relatively well recognizable on all fingers; outer metacarpal tubercle distinct, relatively large and flat; inner metacarpal tubercle large, forming distinct protuberance at base of first finger; hand almost without traces of webbing between fingers; fingers distinctly flattened and broad along entire length; relative length of fingers 1 <2 <4 <3, fourth finger distinctly longer than second; finger discs distinctly enlarged, slightly triangular; nuptial pads absent. Hindlimbs slender; tibiotarsal articulation reaching forelimb insertion when hindlimb adpressed along body; tibia length, 33 % of SVL; lateral metatarsalia strongly connected; inner and outer metatarsal tubercles small and flat, difficult to recognize; only traces of webbing between toes; subarticular tubercles on toes relatively well recognizable on left foot (right foot damaged); toes flattened and broad along their entire length; relative length of toes 1 <2 <5 = 3 <4 (evaluated on left foot only). Dorsal skin smooth, without dorsolateral folds. Ventral skin smooth on throat and chest and moderately granular on belly. After two years in 70 % ethanol, dorsum almost uniformly beige with a poorly delimited grey spot on neck and blackish skin above eyes. Forelimbs and hindlimbs dorsally uniformly beige to yellowish, without spots or crossbands. Ventrally, throat yellow with an elongated, greyish blotch of 2.5 mm length on each side of the jaw; chest yellowish without spots, belly, ventral parts of thighs and feet dirty white with small greyish dots. Variation and distribution. We found specimens that morphologically agree with P. a l t i c o l a at the three first campsites along the Maromokotro trail, as well as on a site between the fourth and fifth campsite, spanning an elevational range from 1589–2429 m a.s.l. Molecular data summarized in Fig. 7 indicate that the specimens from Camp 1 (Antevialambazaha), i.e. from the lowest elevation, are genetically differentiated from the genetically homogeneous group of samples from all other sites. In the 16 S rDNA fragment analyzed here, their differentiation amounts to 3.8 % uncorrected pairwise distance. The few specimens from Camp 1 were also remarkable by their relatively tubercular skin and a high prevalence of mite parasites, probably of the genus Endotrombicula (Wohltmann et al. 2007). Because of the low sample size and lack of bioacoustic data from the Antevialambazaha population the possible taxonomic distinctness of this population cannot be reliably assessed at present. All specimens encountered were uniformly greyish-brownish colored dorsally and ventrally. Summarizing data from field measurements and preserved specimens (Table 1), male SVL ranged from 34–37 mm and female SVL 36–45.5 mm, with a single (possibly immature) female measuring 32 mm. Habitat and natural history. At the Matsabory Maiky campsite in June 2010, we observed P. alticola in bamboo segments with holes of 27.5 ± 7.7 mm (18.3–35.5 mm, N= 7) diameter and at 142 ± 95.4 cm (40–300 cm, N= 7) height above the ground. 1.7 ± 0.5 individuals (1–2, N= 10) were found occupying the same segment. Specimens cohabited segments with Platypelis tsaratananaensis or with small cockroaches; in fact, 7 individuals of the 10 collected from bamboo segments shared their segment with one or several cockroaches. Gravid females of P. alticola had a SVL of 41.7 ± 2.0 mm (40.5–45.5 mm, N= 7), and they carried 26.6 ± 8.5 (15–35, N= 7) oocytes as visible through the ventral skin. At Camp 3 (Bepia) we did not record any large bamboo stands; only bamboo trunks of low diameter were observed, many of which appeared to be young plants dead or dying, possibly because of adverse climate conditions as this site was exposed to rather strong wind. We also found numerous P. alticola on the ground, walking around in the grass at our campsite. Advertisement call. Platypelis alticola emits series of tonal single-note calls at night, with regular intervals between notes. Calls were typically emitted from relatively high positions in dense bamboo thicket, and calling males were thus difficult to locate. A single male specimen (ZSM 1657 / 2010 = ZCMV 12453) was seen calling and collected by T. Rajoafiarison (between 15–20 June 2010), but the calls of this specific animal were not recorded and our analysis below refers to a specimen that was not collected. However, because only two species of frogs called at Matsabory Maiky, the identification does not seem to be equivocal. The recording analyzed, from shortly after dusk on 13 June 2010, ca. 19:00– 20:00 h, air temperature about 13 °C, includes a series of four notes within a total of 67 seconds. Call frequency spanned over a narrow frequency band which in one note analyzed in detail was 1765–1981 Hz, with a dominant frequency of 1894 Hz (all other notes recorded from this specimen had very similar frequency ranges). Characterizing a fundamental frequency in such a tonal note is difficult, but tentatively the lowest observed frequency (1765 Hz) might be considered as fundamental. Temporal call parameters were as follows: note length of single notes 411–466 milliseconds (445 ± 26; N= 4); interval between two notes 3790–3913 milliseconds (3867 ± 67; N= 3) (Fig. 10).Published as part of Rakotoarison, Andolalao, Glaw, Frank, Vieites, David R., Raminosoa, Noromalala R. & Vences, Miguel, 2012, Taxonomy and natural history of arboreal microhylid frogs (Platypelis) from the Tsaratanana Massif in northern Madagascar, with description of a new species, pp. 1-25 in Zootaxa 3563 on pages 5-9, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21539

Boophis viridis Blommers-Schlosser 1979

Boophis viridis Blommers-Schlösser, 1979 (Figure 11) The following description refers to one voucher specimen in developmental stage 36 (ZSM 574/2004, field number LR 222d, TL 30.5 mm, BL 11.5 mm), from locality 3. In dorsal view (Figure 11a), body ovoid, snout rounded. In lateral view (Figure 11b), body depressed, BW 118% of BH, snout rounded. Eyes of moderate size, ED 10.0% of BL, slightly bulging, not visible in ventral view, positioned almost dorsally but directed anterolaterally and dorsolaterally, situated at about the anterior quarter of the body. Nares oval, of moderate size, rimmed, positioned dorsolaterally, directed anterolaterally and dorsolaterally, nearer to anterior edge of eyes than to tip of snout, RN 133% of NP; NN 49% of PP. Spiracle sinistral, small, conical, inner wall free and formed such that aperture opens laterally instead of posteriorly; closer to end of body than to snout, SS 67% of BL, situated a little below the longitudinal axis of tail musculature. Vent tube short, dextral, opening dextral, its right wall displaced anterodorsally, directed posterodorsally, linked to ventral tail fin except its tip. Tail relatively long. Caudal musculature moderately developed, TMH 50% of BH and 67% of MTH, TMW 37% of BW, at mid-length of tail its height about half of the total tail height, reaching almost to tail tip. Caudal fins moderately weakly developed, MTH 75% of BH; dorsal fin originating at the dorsal tail– body junction and slightly taller than ventral fin at mid-length of tail, ventral fin originating immediately behind body; tail tip pointed. Oral disc (Figure 11c) moderately small, ODW 19% of BL and 31% of BW, positioned and directed anteroventrally, emarginated. Oral disc bordered by a single row of about 50 marginal papillae interrupted by a large median gap on the upper labium (DG 57% of ODW), and by a small medial gap on the lower labium. A few submarginal papillae positioned in the lateral parts of the anterior and posterior labia. Papillae moderately large, stout, conical with a rounded tip. No denticulate papillae. Keratodont row formula 1:2+2/ 1+1:2. P1 interrupted by less than 0.1 mm; P2 the longest keratodont row of the oral disc. About 79 keratodonts on A1 (ca 49 per mm); P1 and P2 of about similar length, P3 about two-thirds of P2. Upper jaw finely serrated, black with a larger medial serration surrounded by smaller serrations on each side forming a slight convexity; lower jaw black, moderately serrated, V-shaped. Coloration in preservative. Dorsally: whole dorsum body and caudal musculature uniformly mottled; eyes partially sunk into orbital sockets; nares mixed with the markings and difficult to see. Laterally: intestinal coils well visible; musculature junctions slightly distinct in the anterior part of tail musculature; dorsal fin moderately mottled; ventral fin almost clear. Ventrally: branchial and cardial region slightly visible through ventral body wall; intestinal coils dextral, visible ventrally with regular spiral shape. Variation. TL and BL of 26 tadpoles at stages 25–39 (ZSM 561/2004–574/2004, LR 221a, LR 221b, LR 221b2, LR 221b3, LR222c1, LR222c2, LR222c3, LR222c5, LR222c7, LR222c9, LR222c11, LR222c12), all from locality 3, are 18.3–33.5 and 7.3–12.5 mm, respectively. The ratios vary in the following proportions: BW 113–144% of BH; ED 10.0– 13.2% of BL; RN 80–133% of NP; NN 41–54% of PP; SS 60–75% of BL; TMH 40–56% of BH; TMH 40–58% of MTH; TMW 30–41% of BW; MTH 75–118% of BH; ODW 17–25% of BL; ODW 27–42% of BW. KRF of the 26 tadpoles varies from 1:2+2/1+1:2 to 1:3+3/1+1:2.Published as part of Raharivololoniaina, Liliane, Grosjean, Stéphane, Raminosoa, Noromalala Rasoamampionona, Glaw, Frank & Vences, Miguel, 2006, Molecular identification, description, and phylogenetic implications of the tadpoles of 11 species of Malagasy treefrogs, genus Boophis, pp. 1449-1480 in Journal of Natural History 40 (23 - 24) on pages 1472-1474, DOI: 10.1080/00222930600902399, http://zenodo.org/record/522845

Silk moths in Madagascar: a review of the biology, uses, and challenges related to Borocera cajani (Vinson, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Borocera cajani or landibe (vernacular name) is the wild silk moth that is currently used to produce silk textiles in Madagascar. This species is endemic to Madagascar, and is distributed throughout the island, colonizing the Uapaca bojeri or “tapia” forest of the central Highlands. The forest provides food in the form of plants for B. cajani, including U. bojeri leaves. The species secretes silk at the onset of pupation and for making cocoons. Borocera cajani and its natural habitat are threatened by human destruction, such as bush fires, firewood collection, charcoal production, and the over-harvesting of their cocoons. Wild silk production largely disappeared when the silk industry utilized many people on the island as the collectors of cocoons, spinners, dyers, weavers, and artists who transform the silk into clothes, accessories, and objects. Therefore, it is important to study the biology of B. cajani to revitalize silk production in a way that helps conserve this species and the tapia forest.Borocera cajani ou landibe (nom vernaculaire) est l’un des papillons séricigènes sauvages dont la soie est la plus utilisée dans le domaine textile de Madagascar. Cette espèce endémique s’observe dans toute l’île, mais colonise particulièrement la forêt de Uapaca bojeri ou forêt de « tapia » des Hautes Terres centrales. La forêt fournit les aliments à B. cajani tels que les feuilles de U. bojeri. L’espèce secrète la soie quand elle entre en nymphose et construit son cocon. Borocera cajani et son habitat naturel sont menacés par les destructions de l’Homme telles que les feux de brousse, la collecte de bois de chauffage, la production de charbon de bois et la surexploitation de leurs cocons. La production de soie sauvage est en constante diminution, alors que la filière soie implique beaucoup de gens dans l’île comme les collecteurs des cocons, les fileurs, les teinturiers, les tisseurs et les artistes qui transforment la soie en habits, en accessoires et objets. Revitaliser la filière soie est un moyen de favoriser la conservation de cette ressource naturelle et de son habitat forestier