Fort Madagascar Frog

The following is a general description of specimens assigned to M. femoralis. M 31-37 mm, F 45-55 mm in the types. Tibiotarsal articulation reaching between eye and nostril. Terminal discs of fingers and toes moderately enlarged. Dorsal skin granular. Populations that we preferably assign to M. femoralis are characterized by a rather distinct and large yellow patch in the inguinal region, with the yellow colour sometimes also extending onto the ventral side which otherwise is often rather dark-coloured (Glaw and Vences 2007).Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007) and Nussbam et. al (2008).

This species is widely distributed at numerous localities in northern and eastern Madagascar, and also occurs at Isalo in western Madagascar. It ranges from sea level to 2500 m asl (Nussbaum et al. 2008).

Habits: Typically found along streams in rainforest, usually relatively near to the stream banks and not far from the water, although they usually are not found in the water (Glaw and Vences 2007). Calls: Not reliably known (Glaw and Vences 2007).

This species is listed as least concern because its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. It occurs in many protected areas and is probably not threatened, except perhaps by extreme deforestation. However, some of the constituent species in the unresolved complex are possibly threatened (Nussbaum et al. 2008).

Mantidactylus femoralis is a species of frog in the family Mantellidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. It is a complex of multiple species. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, rivers, and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.