Habitat Preference and Local Climate Influencing Mantella Baroni Activity and Abundance

Abstract

Abstract Amphibian habitat preferences have ecological, evolutionary, and conservation implications, but for most species we have no information about habitat use, especially at the microhabitat level. Relatedly, considering ongoing widespread amphibian population declines, baseline estimates of abundance are increasingly important for informing conservation, yet for most species we have no knowledge of their population sizes. We explored the habitat preferences and estimated abundance for the poison frog Mantella baroni in Vohimana Reserve, eastern Madagascar. We recorded microhabitat and environmental variables in 155 quadrats in forest valleys, on slopes, and on ridgelines, surveying both during the rainy season and at the onset of winter. Using occupancy models, we identified leaf litter depth and the number of small trees in a quadrat as the most important habitat features. Deeper litter and fewer small trees increased the probability of quadrat use. Mean 24-hr temperature influenced activity, with higher detection at warmer temperatures. Capture-recapture models estimated the two M. baroni populations in the reserve at 27 (95% CI: 22–49) and 197 (95% CI: 168–246) adult individuals. Our results provide the first information about habitat use for M. baroni, showing frogs select relatively open areas with deep litter near valley streams, likely due to the species eco-physiological requirements and reproductive behavior. Considering M. baroni is harvested commercially for the international pet trade, we note current export numbers could impact local populations if collection is not spread across multiple sites and we point to how our results can inform ex situ conservation efforts.