Mocquard's Madagascar Frog

As with M. femoralis, the definition of the species M. mocquardi is problematic. Because the type of M. mocquardi is a large female of 63 mm, it seems clear that this is a relatively large species, but several other large species exist as well. Females often appear to have a rather uniform silver white belly. M 38-55 mm, F 53-67 mm (Glaw and Vences 2007).Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007) and Raxworthy and Vences (2008).

This species is an unresolved complex. It is widely distributed at numerous localities in northern, eastern and central Madagascar, from Tsaratanana south Andohahela from sea level up to 2500 m asl (Raxworthy and Vences 2008).

Habits: It is usually closely associated with streams in primary and degraded rainforest. It needs some tree cover at lower altitudes. It is also found in montane heathland, but not in agricultural areas. It lives on the ground, on rocks, and in low vegetation. It breeds in streams (Raxworthy and Vences 2008).

This species is listed as least concern because of its wide distribution, tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, 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 (Raxworthy and Vences 2008).

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