2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Mantella aurantiaca
Figure 1. Historical (yellow) and current (red) distribution of Mantella aurantiaca.
(Source: Randrianavelona et al. 2010b)
Population trends and status: Between 2004 and 2007, Rabemananjara (2008a) conducted
rapid population size and density assessments using mark-recapture methods at two sites in
Torotorofotsy and one site in Andranomandry (south-west of Moramanga). Population
estimates in each site ranged from 75 to 201 individuals (Rabemananjara et al., 2008a). Based
on these figures and the number of available ponds, the total population size of the species
was estimated at between 4275 and 11 457 individuals (CITES Management Authority of
Madagascar in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011). Estimated densities ranged from
836 individuals/ha to 1317 individuals/ha (Rabemananjara et al., 2008a), although the
authors stress that the density estimates should not be extrapolated to larger areas, since the
assessments were undertaken in sites where aggregations of individuals were known to
occur, and since most of the surveys were conducted in the breeding season when adults are
particularly aggregated (Rabemananjara et al., 2008a).
Between 2007 and 2008, Randrianavelona et al. (2010a) surveyed 33 localities in the
Moramanga District that had been previously reported to contain breeding populations of
M. aurantiaca, and recorded individuals in 26 of these localities. A total of 471 individuals
were found of which 49 per cent were female, 45 per cent were male and the remainder
juvenile. Fewer than 10 individuals were found in 60 per cent of sites, while population
numbers over 50 were recorded at only five sites (Randrianavelona et al., 2010a).
Of a total of 59 pond localities found to be inhabited by M. aurantiaca between 1990 and
2011, 54 are thought to remain suitable habitat for M. aurantiaca in 2011 (CITES MA of
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