THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES AT MONTAGNE DES FRANCAIS, MADAGASCAR

We surveyed the calcareous massif Montagne des Francais in northern Madagascar for amphibians and reptiles. We recorded nine amphibian and 52 reptile species by direct sampling and pitfall trapping in the first detailed survey to focus on this area. Consequently 78.7% of the species found were new records for Montagne des Francais. The majority of species (60.7%) were only found in relatively undisturbed areas of forest with diversity peaking at 100-200 m elevation. The most threatened elements of this herpetofauna are the eight species that appear to be locally endemic: Amphiglossus sp. nov., Brookesia sp. nov., Heteroliodon fohy, Liophidium cf. therezieni, Bibilava martae, Madagascarophis sp. nov., Paroedura sp. and Paroedura lohatsara (3-5 of which are undescribed). An additional 28 species are regional endemics, two species are listed as vulnerable on the 2006 Red List of Threatened Species and 14 species are listed on the CITES appendices. We further emphasize the conservation importance of this massif by documenting the presence of four threatened species of lemur that have not previously been recorded from Montagne des Francais. This paper contributes to the current understanding of Malagasy patterns of biodiversity by documenting the composition, geographical, seasonal and ecological distribution of the herpetofauna found at this calcareous limestone massif. Located approximately 12 km from the town of Antsiranana, this important biological center of endemism is subject to numerous human-induced environmental problems and should, therefore, be considered a high conservation priority. We strongly suggest that the area be fully included into the system of protected areas in Madagascar.