Roles of a forest corridor between Marojejy, Anjanaharibe- Sud and Tsaratanana protected areas, northern Madagascar, in maintaining endemic and threatened Malagasy taxa

Site-based conservation is widely recognized as a fundamental requirement for the maintenance of  biodiversity. We carried out a rapid biological assessment from 17 March to 14 May 2011 in the southwestern part of the provisionally protected rainforest corridor between Marojejy, Anjanaharibe-Sud and Tsaratanana protected areas (COMATSA), northern Madagascar, to assess its biodiversity richness and species conservation status. We recorded 248 endemic vertebrate species, including 80 amphibians, 52 reptiles, 79 birds, 27 small mammals and 10 lemurs. Of these 248 species, 36 are threatened including one Critically Endangered (one lemur), nine Endangered (two amphibians, four reptiles and three lemurs) and 26 Vulnerable (10 amphibians, six reptiles, four birds, one small mammal and five lemurs). For herpetofauna species, the pair COMATSAc –cMarojejy was the only site that had a similarity value greater than 0.50. For birds and  lemurs, values of similarity in three pairs of sites COMATSAc –c Marojejy, COMATSA c –c Anjanaharibe-Sud and Marojejyc –c Anjanaharibe-Sud exceeded those of herpetofauna in COMATSAc –c Marojejy. The inclusion of the COMATSA into the new protected area network in Madagascar is supported by our findings. Il est dorénavant largement reconnu que pour maintenir la biodiversité, il est fondamental de réaliser la  conservation de la nature au niveau des sites. Un inventaire biologique rapide a été mené du 17 mars au 14 mai 2011 dans la partie sud-ouest du couloir forestier reliant les parcs et réserves du Marojejy,  d’Anjanaharibe- Sud et du Tsaratanana (COMATSA). L’inventaire de ce couloir qui bénéficie d’un statut de protection temporaire dans la partie septentrionale de Madagascar, était destiné à évaluer la richesse de sa biodiversité et le statut de conservation des espèces de vertébrés qu’il héberge. Les résultats ont   montré que parmi les 248 espèces endémiques de vertébrés recensées, 80 sont des amphibiens, 52 des  reptiles, 79 des oiseaux, 27 des petits mammifères mammifères et 10 des lémuriens. Sur ces 248  espèces, 36 sont menacées, dont une espèce qui est en Danger Critique d’Extinction (lémurien), neuf en Danger (deux amphibiens, quatre reptiles et trois lémuriens) et 26 Vulnérables (1 0 amphibiens, six  reptiles, quatre oiseaux, un micromammifère et cinq lémuriens). Ce couloir forestier présente un  coefficient de similarité élevé, d’une valeur supérieure à 0.50 avec le Marojejy pour les amphibiens et les reptiles. Pour les oiseaux et les lémuriens, les coefficients sont encore plus importants, plus  particulièrement dans les comparaisons COMATSAc –c Marojejy, COMATSAc –c Anjanaharibe- Sud et Marojejyc –c Anjanaharibe-Sud. Cette étude confirme l’importance d’intégrer le COMATSA dans le réseau des Aires Protégées de Madagascar pour renforcer la protection des espèces de vertébrés endémiques et menacées

Assessment of the efficacy of antimalarial drugs recommended by the National Malaria Control Programme in Madagascar: Up-dated baseline data from randomized and multi-site clinical trials

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to improve the monitoring of the antimalarial drug resistance in Madagascar, a new national network based on eight sentinel sites was set up. In 2006/2007, a multi-site randomized clinical trial was designed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine (CQ), sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), amodiaquine (AQ) and artesunate plus amodiaquine combination (ASAQ), the antimalarial therapies recommended by the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Children between six months and 15 years of age, with uncomplicated falciparum malaria, were enrolled. Primary endpoints were the day-14 and day-28 risks of parasitological failure, either unadjusted or adjusted by genotyping. Risks of clinical and parasitological treatment failure after adjustment by genotyping were estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Secondary outcomes included fever clearance, parasite clearance, change in haemoglobin levels between Day 0 and the last day of follow-up, and the incidence of adverse events.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 1,347 of 1,434 patients (93.9%) completed treatment and follow-up to day 28. All treatment regimens, except for the chloroquine (CQ) treatment group, resulted in clinical cure rates above 97.6% by day-14 and 96.7% by day-28 (adjusted by genotyping). Parasite and fever clearance was more rapid with artesunate plus amodiaquine, but the extent of haematological recovery on day-28 did not differ significantly between the four groups. No severe side-effects were observed during the follow-up period.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings (i) constitute an up-dated baseline data on the efficacy of antimalarial drugs recommended by the NMCP, (ii) show that antimalarial drug resistance remains low in Madagascar, except for CQ, compared to the bordering countries in the Indian Ocean region such as the Comoros Archipelago and (iii) support the current policy of ASAQ as the first-line treatment in uncomplicated falciparum malaria.</p

The contribution of paleontology in the development of geotourism in Northwestern Madagascar: A preliminary assessment

The contribution of paleontology in relation to the creation of a geopark is emphasized by fossils and related geology at Anjohibe and Berivotra in northwestern Madagascar. This research note presents preliminary findings while employing a simple rating system to assess two fossil-rich areas of Madagascar and their potential geo-touristic values that would be essential for the development of a geopark. The point is made that working towards geopark status is likely to place an increased value and appreciation of the geology. Essential criteria for the development of a geopark include the presence of important geoheritage and geosite protection specified according to a management plan. Local community benefits can be derived through the promotion of natural landscape qualities and tourism-related services. This preliminary research project is a starting point in recognizing what needs to be done to value and garner the support of local people in conserving, the geoheritage of northwestern Madagascar

Roles of a forest corridor between Marojejy, Anjanaharibe- Sud and Tsaratanana protected areas, northern Madagascar, in maintaining endemic and threatened Malagasy taxa

Site-based conservation is widely recognized as a fundamental requirement for the maintenance of  biodiversity. We carried out a rapid biological assessment from 17 March to 14 May 2011 in the southwestern part of the provisionally protected rainforest corridor between Marojejy, Anjanaharibe-Sud and Tsaratanana protected areas (COMATSA), northern Madagascar, to assess its biodiversity richness and species conservation status. We recorded 248 endemic vertebrate species, including 80 amphibians, 52 reptiles, 79 birds, 27 small mammals and 10 lemurs. Of these 248 species, 36 are threatened including one Critically Endangered (one lemur), nine Endangered (two amphibians, four reptiles and three lemurs) and 26 Vulnerable (10 amphibians, six reptiles, four birds, one small mammal and five lemurs). For herpetofauna species, the pair COMATSAc –cMarojejy was the only site that had a similarity value greater than 0.50. For birds and  lemurs, values of similarity in three pairs of sites COMATSAc –c Marojejy, COMATSA c –c Anjanaharibe-Sud and Marojejyc –c Anjanaharibe-Sud exceeded those of herpetofauna in COMATSAc –c Marojejy. The inclusion of the COMATSA into the new protected area network in Madagascar is supported by our findings. Il est dorénavant largement reconnu que pour maintenir la biodiversité, il est fondamental de réaliser la  conservation de la nature au niveau des sites. Un inventaire biologique rapide a été mené du 17 mars au 14 mai 2011 dans la partie sud-ouest du couloir forestier reliant les parcs et réserves du Marojejy,  d’Anjanaharibe- Sud et du Tsaratanana (COMATSA). L’inventaire de ce couloir qui bénéficie d’un statut de protection temporaire dans la partie septentrionale de Madagascar, était destiné à évaluer la richesse de sa biodiversité et le statut de conservation des espèces de vertébrés qu’il héberge. Les résultats ont   montré que parmi les 248 espèces endémiques de vertébrés recensées, 80 sont des amphibiens, 52 des  reptiles, 79 des oiseaux, 27 des petits mammifères mammifères et 10 des lémuriens. Sur ces 248  espèces, 36 sont menacées, dont une espèce qui est en Danger Critique d’Extinction (lémurien), neuf en Danger (deux amphibiens, quatre reptiles et trois lémuriens) et 26 Vulnérables (1 0 amphibiens, six  reptiles, quatre oiseaux, un micromammifère et cinq lémuriens). Ce couloir forestier présente un  coefficient de similarité élevé, d’une valeur supérieure à 0.50 avec le Marojejy pour les amphibiens et les reptiles. Pour les oiseaux et les lémuriens, les coefficients sont encore plus importants, plus  particulièrement dans les comparaisons COMATSAc –c Marojejy, COMATSAc –c Anjanaharibe- Sud et Marojejyc –c Anjanaharibe-Sud. Cette étude confirme l’importance d’intégrer le COMATSA dans le réseau des Aires Protégées de Madagascar pour renforcer la protection des espèces de vertébrés endémiques et menacées

The avifauna of the forest mosaic habitats of the Mariarano region, Mahajanga II district, north-west Madagascar

Background: The West Malagasy dry forests support numerous endemic species and experience heavy anthropogenic pressures, yet remain very poorly studied. Further research is required to understand species distributions and overall diversity in these threatened forest ecosystems. Objectives: We aimed to provide a description of the avifaunal community of a particular dry forest, Mariarano forest, north-western Madagascar, as well as other habitats that are heavily integrated with these Forests. The study site possesses a highly endemic bird community and is under severe environmental pressure, but remains poorly explored. Method: We compiled all records from a 9-year (2010–2018) bird survey data set (the most extensive compiled from a Madagascan dry forest to date), which yielded data from a combination of point count and mist-netting protocols. This was further supplemented by approximately 4384 h of opportunistic observation effort. Results: In total, 95 species were detected, including 63 regional endemics (66.3% of all species), 2 local endemics and 7 Threatened or Near-Threatened species. Conclusion: We highlight the forest mosaic habitats of Mariarano as a potential new Important Bird Area, given the regional importance of its endemic avifauna

The population status of chameleons within Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar, and recommendations for future monitoring

Malagasy chameleons are threatened by the relentless pace of habitat destruction. Their great popularity amongst herpetoculturalists has also resulted in collection for international animal markets. Most previous fieldwork has focused on the compilation of much needed species inventories, but little attention has been given to estimating chameleon population densities. This lack of information prevents a reliable assessment of the effects of habitat loss and direct exploitation on wild populations. A simple and repeatable methodology for the monitoring of chameleon populations is therefore urgently required. The present study developed sun ey techniques based on distance sampling within an area of relatively undisturbed rain forest at Ranomafana National Park. In total 394 individuals from six species were recorded and population densities (+/- SE) of 27.2 +/- 5.4/ha Brookesia spp and 21.4 +/- 4.0/ha Calumma spp. were estimated using the computer program DISTANCE. The authors propose that monitoring of chameleons in areas subject to different threats should begin immediately using the methods outlined in this paper